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We spent the week following our Southern California trip getting the rig ready to take to Folsom Lake RV for needed repairs. The service department said they might need the trailer for two to three weeks, so we had to figure out where we were going to live while our house was in the shop. Fortunately, we had multiple invitation from our friends in Sonoma County, but decided to fly out of Sacramento to go stay with our son Erik's family in Denver. Because we had no definitive idea how long the actual repairs would take we packed for three weeks which included the Denver trip and our dive trip to Roatan, Honduras in December. In addition we needed to store some of the RV equipment in the trailer basement so the repair personnel could access the underbelly of the rig. Lorri and Greg Herrick were kind enough to let us use their barn in Healdsburg for our extra stuff. Wednesday, November 9 Stephen from Atlas RV Inspection came and got the underbelly of the rig buttoned up so we were safe to travel. On Monday, November 14 we left Healdsburg for Dixon May Fairgrounds in Dixon, CA to spend the night closer to the RV shop to avoid any traffic. The RV sites were the back-in, full hook-up type with plenty of room between the other rigs. We went to Bud's Pub and Grill in downtown Dixon for dinner and had a great meal. On Tuesday, November 15 we checked in the rig with Moriah, our Service Rep at Folsom Lake RV. We left our home in their care and headed for the Sacramento airport. We arrived at the Denver International Airport, rented a car and headed to Erik and Tori's home in Thornton, CO, about a 45 minute drive. We spent five days visiting our son's family having great meals together and some extended quality time together with the kids and grandkids. Thanks for the hospitality and a warm place to rest our heads! It really helped us out with a place to stay while the rig was in the shop and by Friday, November 18 we got the word the rig was repaired and ready for us. Three days not three weeks; that was an answer to prayer! Perfect timing for us and our return back to Sacramento on Sunday, November 20. We picked up the rig on Monday morning, November 21 just in time to visit with Nick and Lindsey in El Dorado Hills for the Thanksgiving week!

We returned from San Jose del Cabo joyfully rested and relaxed on Sunday evening, October 23. While in Mexico we had to call all our RV pre-booked reservations and cancel our planned trip for Southern California, Nevada and Utah. It was a disappointment, but given our trailer situation and the need to get it repaired before any further extensive traveling, it was a no brainer. Semper Gumby time! I had purchased tickets to the USC/Cal football game for November 5 at the LA Memorial Coliseum anticipating our trip to SoCal. Our friends, Jeff and Dana Guidi, Cal alumni were going to fly down to meet us. We had planned to pick them up at LAX and go to the game together. With our rig out of commission we had to make alternative plans. Karen and I had Jeff purchase tickets for the same Alaska Airlines flight out of Santa Rosa airport to LAX, He also booked two nights reservation at the LAX Embassy Suites so we could all travel down together for a great long weekend adventure. We left at zero dark thirty on November 4, Friday morning. We arrived at the hotel just in time for the complimentary breakfast, checked into our rooms and planned our first day. We rented a car across the street from the hotel and I took them on "a tour". I drove towards Santa Monica via Venice Beach to the western-most end of Route 66 at the Santa Monica Pier. From there it was on to Beverley Hills (Rodeo Drive) and Hollywood Blvd. (Walk of the Stars, Grauman's Chinese Theatre, Paramount Studios). After a very long day, full of travel and sightseeing, it was back to the hotel for cocktails, snacks and early to bed. On Saturday, November 5 "Game Day" we left the hotel early enough to fit in more sightseeing and took the "Angels Flight" to the Walt Disney Concert Hall at 111 South Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles, California. Angels Flight Railway was built in 1901 as the "Los Angeles Incline Railway". Angels Flight began at the west corner of Hill Street at Third and ran for two blocks uphill (northwestward) to its Olive Street terminus. Angels Flight consisted of two vermillion "boarding stations" and two cars, named Sinai and Olivet, pulled up the steep incline by metal cables powered by engines at the upper Olive Street station. As one car ascended, the other descended, carried down by gravity. Angels Flight is said to be the world's shortest incorporated railway. The counter-balanced cars, controlled by cables, travel a 33 percent grade for 315 feet. It is estimated that Angels Flight has carried more passengers per mile than any other railway in the world, over a hundred million in its first fifty years. This incline railway is a public utility operating under a franchise granted by the City of Los Angeles. The highlight of the day for me was attending the USC/Cal football game at the LA Memorial Coliseum. It was bittersweet being back during "Homecoming" for the Trojan family. I couldn't help but think about my dad's shared memories and his love for this school. The atmosphere with both school's marching bands, school mascots, the colors and energy added so much to the experience. Prior to the game, we walked through the USC campus down to Exhibition Park to the historic LA Memorial Coliseum venue. It was a memorable trip spending time and exploring with our great friends, Jeff and Dana Guidi.

With the discovery of a fifth wheel problem that would keep us off the road for the better part of a month, we were fortunate to have the Total Concepts trip to Mexico on our calendar. Karen has worked for Total Concepts for 18 years and the company owners offer an incredible opportunity to the employees every year. They pay for an all-inclusive trip to those that want to participate. This year it was a five day trip to the Hyatt Ziva resort in San Jose del Cabo. According to Trip Advisor, "Located on one of the most majestic peninsulas in the world and offering spectacular views of the Sea of Cortes, Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos is a luxurious all inclusive oasis of sophistication and comfort. This magnificent beachfront resort is minutes from beautiful downtown San Jose del Cabo and features plush accommodations, impressive amenities, impeccable service and is just minutes from the international airport. Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos is a unique, all inclusive experience that offers a myriad of activities from fine dining options at six restaurants and two gourmet buffet restaurants, to unique spa treatments, children’s programming and nightly entertainment shows. Enjoy deep-water fishing, scuba diving, world-class golf and many more adventure activities nearby. Or, simply relax and soak up the sun in one of the resort’s five swimming pools and breathtaking beachfront. This luxury resort also features 35,000 square feet of meeting facilities and ideal locations combined with the special touch of event planners who will attend to every last detail". We departed SFO on Wednesday, October 19 and traveled with 30 plus members of the company on Alaska Airlines to Cabo. This crowd knows how to have fun together, so spirits were high and laughter was a common sound heard among the group. Karen and I took advantage of the the pools everyday, an 80 minute spa massage on Thursday and shared gourmet meals with many of our friends in the group during the five days of relaxation we experience at the resort. Lord knows, after a stressful couple of days dealing with our broken rig situation, this couldn't have been a better thing to do. A big thank you to the Rechin family for their generosity and love, The employees truly recognize the way they honor their people, making Total Concepts successful in the construction industry in Sonoma County. This faith and trust in a Christ-centered business model is a testimony to their clients and community as a whole.

Monday, October 17 was departure day from our Doran Beach campsite back to Healdsburg, CA prior to our departure to San Jose Del Cabo on Wednesday, October 19. I was getting the rig ready to travel and went underneath to check some patches I had installed the prior evening. I noticed something odd about the underbelly liner near the rear axel. I could see a tear on the edge next to the leaf spring on the driver side. Upon closer examination it appeared the front edge of the fresh water tank had dropped and was resting on the interior of the underbelly liner. Was it safe to drive with the tank loose? I called the customer service department at Alliance and told them about my situation. In the meantime I tried to dump all the remaining fresh water from the tank to reduce the weight in the tank and on the liner. After talking with Stephanie in customer service we decided to take the slow road back to Healdsburg. Semper Gumby time! While en-route, Karen was calling a local mobile RV repair technician to see if we could get an appointment to have the damage assessed. Fortunately, by the grace of God, we made it to Healdsburg with the tank still attached. We set up the rig with electrical, water and sewer service on site and continued working the problem. By days end we had an appointment with Atlas Mobile RV Repair for Tuesday afternoon. Tuesday was a work day for me. I had another scheduled deposition at 10 AM and it lasted 7 hours and 15 minutes. Fortunately, Karen got home from work and met with Stephen the mobile RV repair technician. He removed the underbelly liner to get a closer look at the situation. My deposition over, I talked with him about our circumstance and he was extremely informative and helpful. He took pictures, which we forwarded to Stephanie at Alliance, of a broken steel frame bracket that was holding the tank in place. He jacked the tank up so it wasn't putting pressure on the electrical conductors and propane gas lines to the oven/stove appliances. With the tank jacked up and no propane gas leak detected we got ready to follow up with Stephanie at Alliance who was running point on our situation opening a case and arranging reimbursement for the mobile service call. A few more emails back and forth and that was all we could do for now. So, we left on Wednesday morning for Mexico for a five day, all expenses paid trip with the crew from Total Concepts (Karen's amazing and generous employer). She and I needed a vacation after a couple of trying days. Everything could wait until our return on Sunday, October 23.

We departed Grants Pass, OR on Sunday, 10/09 heading for JGW RV Park in Redding, CA on our way to Doran Beach, CA. While in Redding we called Jim and Mary Hanrahan, more of the cousins on the Hilen side, to see it they were up to a spontaneous visit. In true Hanrahan style they invited us over for some adult beverages and pizza. We had another great visit with family. We are so fortunate to have places along our route that allow us to connect with family for a get together. Monday, 10/10 we departed Redding, CA continuing south on Interstate 5 to route 505, Highway 80 to Hwy 37 and eventually Bodega Highway. This 5 hour route got us to Doran beach by 4PM with plenty of time to get settled in for our week stay on the California north coast. I booked this location about one year earlier due to its popularity. We were hoping for an "Indian" summer weather pattern but got some fog in the mornings with broken overcast. The temperature was moderate, in the low to mid 60's, and a welcomed change from the 90's the previous day in Redding. We were in site 69 of Cove Loop next to the USCG Bodega Bay Station so I could do some work with their personnel. Tuesday we were tied up with a number of appointments in Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park on our return to California. I also had a Coast Guard Auxiliary meeting in Petaluma. Wednesday Karen went in to work at TC and I walked to the USCG station for a meeting. Wednesday night, Greg and Lorrie Herrick drove out to meet us for dinner at Lucas Wharf restaurant. Thursday I went into Santa Rosa for some doctors appointment then returned early afternoon to get ready for our weekend company. On Friday, Nick and the family arrived to set up camp with us and on Saturday, Richard Schneider and crew arrived to add to the party. Eleven of us together for fun, food and even a tour of the Coast Guard Station too! We ended the family get-together with a bike trip to Captain Davy's Espresso and Ice Cream shop. It was a great time of family fellowship with Nick, Lindsey, Milo (Morgan) and Grace and our adopted family Richard, Portia, Silas, Owen and Eli.

We had a great four day visit with Jeff and Becky Hilen in Gig Harbor. We played a round of golf together, had some delicious meals and got to see some areas of the Puget Sound's south peninsula. We enjoyed the relaxing pace and getting to know our extended Washington State family. On Thursday, October 6 we left Jeff and Becky's heading south to a Harvest Host at the Ranch Hills Golf Course in Mulino, OR, We drove about four hours and arrived at our destination early enough to play 9 holes of golf before going to a small Mexican restaurant for dinner. Today we are in Grants Pass, OR at Schroeder Park. This is a great little park if you want to stay close in to the city of Grants Pass but don't want the big commercial type parks. It's right next to the Rogue River, quiet and well kept. The driveways have become buckled somewhat by the large oak trees but not a huge issue. Occasionally we hear an unexpected noise from acorns falling on the roof. The camp host was very friendly. If you are looking for seclusion near the city, this is a good bet.

Before leaving Whidbey Island Naval Air Station we posted our sign in the wayfarer section of the RV park. Being a Navy veteran I felt a strong reconnection to the memories of my service days while staying on the base. Our daily encounters with sailors and aviators welled up my strong appreciation for the young men and women who are presently carrying out the Navy tradition to protect and defend our life and liberty. Red, white and blue with some sea shells seemed a fitting theme for our flotsam and jetsam sign. We enjoyed every day on Whidbey Island and hope we will be able to return in the future. After posting our sign, we headed out for the Coupeville Ferry Terminal. Upon arrival at the Port Townsend terminal we travelled south to stay with Karen's cousins, Jeff and Becky Hilen in Gig Harbor, WA. We arrived at 5 PM and backed the fifth wheel into their driveway with no incidents. We are planning on "mooch docking" here for the next four days while hanging out with the family.

It's Saturday, October 1 and Fall is in the air. The morning temperatures are in the low 50º and we can tell the days are getting shorter. Ironically, there are still flowers blooming in the RV park. The Zinnias must be the hearty Pacific Northwest variety. Our last day started with some lingering fog and overcast. Karen worked remotely during the morning while I worked on keeping up with the blog posting efforts. We took a walk around the RV park and stopped by the wayfarer posts to get some ideas for our version of the sign we wanted to create; stay tuned for the final product! The weather improved. The sun broke through the overcast and provided another beautiful day for us to enjoy in the Pacific Northwest. Today we traveled to Fort Casey and the Admiralty Head Lighthouse. This is where the Coupeville to Port Townsend ferry departs. I wanted to get an idea of how we would approach the ferry terminal with the fifth wheel attached to the truck. So we packed a picnic lunch and headed south. Admiralty Head Lighthouse stands just above Fort Casey, three miles south of Coupeville. The first lighthouse was built in 1861, then the current one was built in 1903. The lighthouse has not been in active use since 1922, but now features historic information for tourists as well as a gift shop. From the top you can enjoy spectacular views of Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, and the Port Townsend ferry crossing. Fort Casey, Fort Worden and Fort Flagler together were known as the "Triangle of Fire," a trio of strategically placed fortifications defending the entrance to the Puget Sound at the turn of the 20th Century. Earlier in our trip we visited the other two forts, but honestly this facility was the best of the three. Constructed in the late 1800s, Fort Casey was equipped for defense and used as a training facility up to the mid-1940s. The fort houses a pair of rare 10-inch disappearing guns. While the guns were the height of technology in the early 1900s, improvements in warships and the advent of airplanes soon rendered them obsolete. Two additional 3-inch mounted guns are also on display in their original emplacements. After our adventure ended we stopped at the Walmart for paint and brushes for our sign project. We headed home to barbecue pork chops, take a nap, and eventually started painting our sign. The day ended with a spectacular sunset played to the naval station bugle retiring the colors.

We've been enjoying our stay here at the Cliffside RV Park riding our E-bikes and walking on the cliff trail. One of the unique characters of this campground are the many posted family plaques made from drift wood found on the beach. These customized creations are on display along the trail between the RV sites and tent site area. We have plans on adding our own before we leave, On Thursday, September 29 we made a date to meet Karen's cousins Maree and Roger Haug from Everett, WA for lunch on Whidbey Island. They drove over to Whidbey via the ferry from Mukilteo, WA to Clinton on the island. We met up in Coupeville at Toby's Bar and Grill right on the waters of Penn Cove for their steamed mussels. Both Karen and I enjoyed sharing a two pound bowl of these little seafood delights cooked in a broth of water, onions, wine and basil. Penn Cove Mussels spawn in the early spring and are therefore wonderful during the summer months through winter. The fast growth rate in the nutrient rich waters insures a firm texture with a flavor sweeter than any other mussel, with not a trace of sand or grit. The Penn Cove Shellfish Company grows and harvests over two million pounds of mussels per year from their two farms located in Penn Cove on Whidbey Island and the other in Quilcene Bay, located on Washington State's Olympic Peninsula. Coupeville, WA on Whidbey Island is a small seaport village. The main street is only 3 or 4 blocks long and houses many boutique shops and eateries. I found Toby's to be more a "local hangout". And just about all our family members up in the Puget Sound area recommended we check it out. This seaport village was picturesque with the beginning of fall colors showing in the trees; it had a real "New England" feel to it.

On Tuesday, September 27, we left Camano Island and traveled north then west to Whidbey Island. We made a reservation for 5 days at the Cliffside RV Park on the Naval Air Station. After checking in at the visitor center and getting our credentials to be on the base we proceeded to the park. Our site #7 is on the cliffs above the beach and has a 180º view looking southwest towards the Olympic National Park to the San Juan Islands looking northwest. After we set up our site we took a walk along the beach looking out over the Strait of San Juan de Fuca. Periodically, the serenity of this beach is interrupted with the sound of Navy aircraft taking off, flying in the pattern and landing. Whidbey Island Naval Air Station is home to a number of different squadrons of the electronic countermeasure aircraft (EA-18G Growler) and patrol/reconnaissance aircraft (P-3C Orion and P-8 Poseidon). During parts of the day, it's like your own personal air show. We anticipate some wonderful sunsets in our future. And maybe, if we are lucky, an Orca sighting. We are hoping and praying we get a chance to see these beautiful creatures.

Yesterday, September 22, Karen and I joined her cousins Jeff and Becky Hilen on a sightseeing trip north of Camano Island. We drove from the beach house through Stanwood, WA and took the back roads in farm country to Fir Island and eventually to the town of La Connor, WA. La Connor is a picturesque small town between the Skagit River and the Swinomish Indian Reservation across the Swinomish Slough. La Conner history and heritage goes back thousands of years; the land on the delta near the mouth of the Skagit River has been home to the Swinomish Tribe. Since the early 1860’s it has also been home to La Conner, Skagit County’s oldest community. Today many original buildings have been restored and now house retail shops, restaurants and museums. The town of La Conner and the Rainbow Bridge are listed on state and national historic registries. If you’re a history buff, La Conner’s Walking Tour of Historic Landmarks map is a great way to learn more about the early days of La Conner, as is a visit to the Skagit County Historical Museum. We enjoyed lunch in town and walked around doing the tourism thing. From La Conner we headed back to Camano Island with a stop at the Snow Goose farm stand for some fresh corn on the cob and an immodest scoop of ice cream on a waffle cone.

On Saturday afternoon, September 17, Karen and I traveled with her cousins Jeff and Annie to the Taylor Shellfish Farm north of Camano Island on Samish Bay. We enjoyed the scenic trip along Chuckanut Drive to the Samish Bay Farm and Shellfish Market. After ordering a tray of freshly shucked oysters and White Shrimp we were seated in the picnic area and enjoyed the local atmosphere while we waited for this delicious Puget Sound snack. Before leaving we decided to pick up 4 pounds of Manila clams for dinner and headed home. The Taylor family has been growing shellfish for over 100 years. If you're traveling to the Puget Sound area anywhere near Bellingham, Washington and love fresh shellfish you'll need to check out this hidden gem.