The Good News & The Bad News ... all in one!

During our trip to LA in mid-November (before Thanksgiving), we stopped at Mike Thompson's RV to see if they had any used RVs that we liked.  Specifically, we wanted to up our slide count from two to three which would add additional room for us and the dogs in which to roam around.

We found a 2006 Southwind (we had a 2003 Southwind) that had three slides and an additional five feet that was in excellent condition ... and we really liked it.  We completed our negotiations and thought we would be on the road with it.  BUT NO!!!  California (God bless the politicians in that state) has a law that if you purchase a motor vehicle within the state of California and register it in another state, you can NOT (that means you can't) drive the motor vehicle within the state of California until it is registered in the other state.  What did that mean for us?  Well, it meant that we had to have an authorized driver drive our RV for us from Mike Thompson's in Santa Fe Springs over the border of California into Nevada. 

So, we ended up driving our "old" RV to Atascadero for Thanksgiving and then driving back to Santa Fe Springs the following Monday to drop off the old and pick up the new.  But first we had a few things they had to take off the old and put on the new--like our Dish and Dish controller box and the towing bar for the Jeep.  Then we had to take EVERYTHING out of the old and transfer it to the new one and that took two hours.  We were at the RV dealership from 8am to 7pm!!!  Which means we finally were on the road to Primm, NV at 7pm Monday night. 

We arrived in Primm at midnight and had to call a notary to come to the RV to notarize a form that documented the fact that we took delivery of the vehicle in Nevada and not California.  That way the lovely state of California was ensured that we did not dare drive the vehicle within their state lines.  Is this foolish or what?  Just one more reason (as if I needed any more reasons) why leaving the state of California was an excellent idea :)

Since we had so much time at Mike Thompson's that day, I took some photos of us on the first day of our physical ownership of the new RV.

Here's a photo of the full RV.  There's one slide on this side and two on the other side.  Two slides open up the main living area so one slide pushes out the couch and dinette set and the opposite slide pushes out the kitchen area.  Then the third slide pushes out the bedroom.

 



We stayed the first night in Primm in a casino parking lot with a few other RVers and truckers.  The next morning we took off for our second stop on our way home which was Beatty, NV.  This "town" is located right outside the north eastern end of Death Valley.  We woke up the next morning, got everything battened down and then tried to get the leveling jacks to raise up.  Not happening! So we called the service department at Mike Thompson's and they walked us through a few steps, finally gave up and gave us the "last resort fix" which was to put the vehicle into "Drive" keeping your foot on the brake.  Apparently there's a built-in safety feature that once you put the vehicle into gear the leveling jacks will automatically raise up.  So, we thought that-was-that ... but NOOOOO! 

 

Our next stop on the way home was in Hawthorne, NV ... a place we've stayed before, Whiskey Flats RV Park.  There, the leveling jacks would not go down!  Okay, so now we realize we have a more serious problem than we initially thought.  Oh well, we can live one night without the jacks ... I guess!  We wanted to get home before it snowed, but alas, that was not to be.  It snowed that night in Hawthorne.  Here are some photos of our white winter wonderland at the RV Park.

We thought we were going to be in trouble and not get out that day, but the snow was worse here than other places because of Walker Lake and something they called "the lake affect".  The highways were perfectly clear so we made the decision to head out on the highway home with the bum leveling jack system.  Here are some photos of Walker Lake on the way taken through the front window of the RV ... one of my favorite photo opportunities is to take pictures while driving down the highway!  You can really see the glass reflection in the first one.

We arrived back safely and drove straight to Bob's Performance (who had done some work on our other RV for us).  Our new RV has been at Bob's since December 5th (and today is December 19th!).

"Why?" you ask?  Well, Atwood, who made the leveling jack system, no longer makes that specific model because it was no good (really????) so nowhere in the country have we been able to locate a replacement controller box.  Bob even called the service department at Mike Thompson's and they looked throughout their inventory and couldn't locate one.  There just isn't one to be found anywhere and the extended warranty company refuses (and I do mean refuses) to pay for anything but replacing the controller!  Okay, we'll take whatever we can get from them.

Bob did finally get Atwood to make us a deal and they agreed to sell a complete new system (controller and jacks) for only $2,000.  Mike Thompson's also agreed to pay for half of the full repair so at least now we can start the repairs and get back into our motorhome.  Thank you Jesus!

In the meantime we've been living with my sister Jeanne and her family for weeks now because there is only electrical hook-up at Bob's -- no sewer, water or propane available -- which we REALLY need because of the freezing temperatures.  We are ***SO VERY THANKFUL*** for the Koerner family's gracious hospitality.  They have been putting up with Gary, me, Sherwood and Sadie along with their daughter, Katie, and their dog, Jackson.  Can you imagine adding two adults and two dogs to your living situation?  We thank our God upon every remembrance of them.

On top of that, it has been bitter cold ... down into the low teens and we were worried that the pipes would freeze and crack.  Once again, we were spared disaster and everything seems to be holding up nicely.

In another blog I'll share photos of the interior but, for now, we'll just leave it as is until we get it back, fully operational, and moved into Comstock Country RV Park once again ... our new "home".  Then, we'll give you a peek at the new, updated interior look.  Until then, my blog friends, stay warm and dry and look for the best in every situation no matter how dire it may initially appear because He is, after all, in control of all things!

Ephesians 1:11 // In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will ...



Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart!

What a wonderful time of year … Thanksgiving … a time to ponder the permanence of the past and forge fresh fascinations for the future.  Gary and I have so much to be thankful for and family is one of the most significant.

We had an amazing time with family and friends at my brother (Charlie’s) house in Atascadero, CA.  I love their home.  It has this fantastic view off the back deck.

And if that isn’t picturesque enough for you, here’s a photo of a sunrise looking out from the back deck.

 

And if that’s not stunning enough for you, how about this sunset looking through the huge oak tree in the front yard.

They have this fountain right outside the large front window, and my sister, Jeanne, took this photo with a couple of hummingbirds and finches taking advantage of the fresh water.

There were over 26 of us for the four days.  We had our RV there and they borrowed two others to house additional family members.  I called it Buzz Haven RV Resort (Buzz short for our last name, Buzzetti).  Our "old" RV is on the right.

 

Part of the prep for dinner always includes the potato peeling party.  My brother, Charlie, keeps a keen eye on his slave labor (left to right:  niece Heather, cousin Rhys, my brother Charlie, and his daughter Heidi) ensuring that not even one little piece of potato peel is left behind!  Their motto that night was "no peel left behind!"

There were 26 of us at his house this year, and my sister-in-law, Lori, did am amazing job with so many little details to make the event picture perfect, including the napkin rings that had lines from poems and sayings from famous people … all with a thankful theme.

Another one of her creative ideas was to have her very artistic daughter, Lauren, write the names of the food dishes on a roll of paper.  Lauren’s assistant was another one of my niece’s, Heather.

Here are a just a few samples of their creative talents.

 

We started off the meal with these scrumptious squash soup shooters that my cousin Bettina and her son Rhys made.  OMG, they were so fantastic that one was just not enough!  They were devoured.  We keep asking Bettina for the recipe … she simply can’t keep it all to herself! 

How about this picture of my brother-in-law John who couldn’t help licking the inside of his glass.

Before we opened the food floodgates, I had everyone gather around one of the tables for a group photo.  What a motley crew we make!

I included this second photo (of the same scenario) so my brother Mike (left) was also included.

Then it was a free-for-all (well, not really … just controlled chaos!) as everyone swooped down on the buffet table to enjoy the bountiful feast prepared by so many loving hands.

 

After dinner, it was GAME-ON!  My family is very gamey (ha!ha!).  We love to play games and get a little over competitive in the process.  Here's a group of us playing Mexican Train dominoes.  My brother-in-law John beat the crap out of the rest of us! Left to right:  Cousin Bettina, sister-in-law Lori, me, brother Charlie, niece Katie, brother-in-law John.

 

This particular game of Pictionary (below) got rather loud, so loud in fact, that we couldn't hear the TV in the other room!  In other words, they got VERY competitive and very raucous!  They had three teams of about 4 each so when it was an "all play" ... well, I'll just say it wasn't a passive relaxed atmosphere in there.

Those who weren’t playing Pictionary or Mexican Train may have found themselves a little comatose from dinner--like my nephew Nick who couldn’t keep his eyes open.  Was it the tryptophan in the turkey?

 

Then there was the TV team or couch potatoes, who kept the couch warm while enjoying the hours upon hours of the Thanksgiving football frenzy!  Left to right:  Gary, my brothers Mike and Charlie, and my brother-in-law Jerry.

 

Below, watching football is my sister Mary and nephew Nick.

There was more than just games going on.  Lisa and Randy brought over this amazing wooden puzzle that kept a few of the family members engaged for hours.  All the puzzle pieces are different shapes like flowers, animals, snowflakes, etc.  In other words, this was NOT an easy puzzle to figure out, but they were tenacious, hung in there, and completed it.  These puzzles cost about $100 and Lisa has a few other friends who have them as well.  What they do is finish their puzzle, sign their names in the lids, and then they trade them with another family’s puzzle like a round robin.

The two principal puzzle aficionados were my niece, Katie, and Sheri who were two women with a mission! Helping them right now is my brother-in-law, John. 

Here’s the completed puzzle.

 

There were a few others who dropped-in ... Rhys; my brother-in-law, John; and my niece, Heidi.  They popped in and out of the puzzle production process.  But they were also included in signing the puzzle box lid as part of the puzzle creationist crew.



A real special "treat" for us was my niece Heather (who is very musically talented) playing my dad's trombone that my brother Mike brought over.  My dad played the trombone when he was growing up and he and his brother and sister used to have a little group!

Time for these kissin’ cousins to say adieu!  Left to right:  Lauren, Sean, Nicole, and Heidi.  Lauren and Heidi are my brother Charlie and Lori’s two girls and Sean and Nicole are Randy and Lisa’s kids.  Lisa and Lori and sisters.  Got it?

The day after Thanksgiving, we went to the afternoon matinee to see The Hunger Games.  Gary and I caught up and watched the first one at Charlie’s the day before so we would be ready for #2.  We really enjoyed both of them and had a great time.  Our family took this whole row--10 of us!

Sunday morning, we took off back to Santa Fe Springs to pick up our new RV on Monday (more on that one in the next blog).  What a wonderful life we have surrounded by loved ones who enjoy life and having a good time.  We are so thankful for everything … God has been very, very good to us!

 Psalms 100:4-5 // Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.  Give thanks to Him, bless His name.  For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.

On the Road Again ... to LA and ...

It’s been over five months since we’ve been back to LA, and with a few good reasons to go, off we went. 

First good reason was my niece, Ann, was having a baby shower and it is the first grandchild in their family.  This made it a very special event.  Baby Janes is due in January, and we can’t wait for the new addition to the clan.

Second reason was a wine and food pairing hosted by our financial advisor.  Who can refuse a wine and food pairing?  Certainly not us!  We had a great time catching up with a number of Toyota retirees and associates who also take advantage of her financial expertise.

Third (and final) reason was getting back together with our couples group for dinner.  We had a fabulous potluck dinner with wonderful friends.  It seemed like no time had passed while we enjoyed each other’s company once again.  It was sad to say “goodbye” when the evening was over.

Now, back to our travels.  The photo below was taken on our drive to LA. The photo below was taken while traveling on Highway 395.  Half of this drive is just simply beautiful (the other half is all desert—monotonous and boring).  We used to do this drive every Christmas and it almost always had snow.  This time we were in November and there was no snow on the ground (yet!).  When there’s snow, it is a wonderful white winter wonderland.

 

We stopped overnight in Lone Pine.  The RV is at the bottom of the picture and the beautiful Sierras are at the top.  Lovely, don’t you think?

 

When we arrived in LA, we stayed at Dockweiler State Beach (once again) which happens to sit right underneath the take-off flight path for LAX!  This time, however, we bought ear plugs and slept beautifully!!  This is the sunset the first night of our stay.

 

That wasn’t the only lovely sunset we experienced.  Here are a series of sunset shots from different evenings.  Enjoy the loveliness. 

And to make that one sunset even more impressive for your viewing enjoyment, I took a video panning the horizon.  To view the video you need to click on the title link of this blog which will take you directly to the blog on the Internet. (That’s a free viewing hint J.)

I couldn't resist this shot of the bird tracks on the sand.  I tried to get a shot of the Sandpipers, but they were just too fast for me and all my pictures were blurry so you'll have to settle for their tracks only!

After our weeklong stay in LA, we took off and drove up the coast highway to Atascadero to enjoy Thanksgiving week with our family.  It was a gorgeous day and the ocean looked lovely.

We stayed overnight at Flying Flags RV Park in Buellton, home of Anderson's Split Pea Soup.  Here are some photos of the campground.

 

Here's our "old" RV in our spot at the park.  Yes, I said "old!"  When we were in LA we took a drive to Mike Thompson's RV Super Center in Santa Fe Springs (where we've bought our last three RVs including two trailers).  I'll provide more details about our new rig in another blog.  But let me just say, it's 5' longer and has an additional slide for a total of three giving us much more living space.

The coolest thing about our stay at this RV park was the collection of antique trailers including a ginormous selection of Airstreams.  They RV park is completely remodeling the trailers so they can rent them out to campers!  We got a peek inside one and they are doing an amazing job making them look retro even in their interior decoration.  This photo is looking down only one of the two rows of antique trailers.

Now, here are a bunch of photos of the individual trailers.  Enjoy!  And even if you don't own a RV and would like to go camping, think about contacting Flying Flags and making a reservation to stay in one of these.  This is a great RV park with a swimming pool and a kids play area ... very kid friendly!  Check out these beauties ... and picture yourself sitting on one of the decks, sipping a cold one, and enjoying the great outdoors!

Psalms 65:5-8 // By awesome deeds You answer us in righteousness, O God of our salvation, You who are the trust of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest sea; Who establishes the mountains by His strength, being girded with might; Who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the tumult of the peoples.  They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs; You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy.