Sunday, May 30, 2010

Quincy, CA

Having spent 37 years (Ruthi) and 26 years (Boots) in Alaska the biggest state in the union, we are both surprised at the size of California. With the kids here, we have spent more time here than any other state. It is amazingly large and could easily be divided into 3 distinct states – Northern, Central, and Southern. There seems to be different terrain, economies, and personalities for each section. And, the big surprise is that it is hundreds of miles between our preferred locations. While in Alaska the driving is basically the triangle between the 3 Central cities – Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Valdez. You have to fly into Bethel, Dillingham, Nome, Kotzebue, Juneau, Ketchikan, Cordova, etc. etc. etc.

Driving from San Diego area through central CA and then up the Sierra mountains to Quincy took us through Indio (desert), Acton, Oceano (Pacific beaches), Delta Shores (CA development history), Reno and then Quincy. Granted it wasn’t a straight line. We always tend to roam to see the various parts of this very diverse state. Anyway, back to the miles to get from Santee to Quincy – around 1,200.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Quincy, CA

Yesterday, we drove through the Feather River Canyon to Chico for some shopping. That's about the same distance from Quincy as Reno (90 miles) but a much steeper and winding road. Going down the canyon we were on the wall side; while coming up we were on the river side with fewer guard rails and shoulders. Reminded us of the Canadian rockies experience - not really fun! The only thing missing were the Stone Sheep families around each corner.

The weather was cool and threatened rain all day. As soon as we met one of Ruthi's old bosses from Anchorage (now living in Chico) for dinner it began to rain. By the time we finished eating and headed back up the canyon, the rain was coming down strong and the temperature was dropping (partly due to the rise in terrain, too). By the time we reached the highest point of the canyon, there was snow on the sides of the road.

This is by far the coldest continuous time we have experienced since we began our travels. Usually, we have been able to rely on sunny days to off set the cooler rainy nights. But not in Quincy this time!!

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Quincy, CA

It's hailing so hard right now that it's sticking to the ground and looks like snow!

Quincy, CA

Well, it did it again - SNOWED that is! We were just finishing up breakfast at Morning Thunder (great little restaurant that does breakfast and lunch only), when I looked outside. It looked like a little bit of flakes coming down. After we finished we went to a couple of places and it began to snow in earnest a lot of big flakes. Nothing was sticking but it was really coming down. When we got back to the RV park, they were mowing the lawns in jackets/hats and 38 degree weather!

Friday, May 21, 2010

Quincy, CA

Well, the kids rescued a couple of kittens. Bodhi named them Po and Tigeress from Kung Fu Panda, surprize surprize! They are settled in the bathroom getting acclimated to the very active household. Sonny, the beagle mix puppy, seems to not even notice them and they he.

Karma was curious and wanted them to move around but the kitties were a bit more cautious. The first time we went into the bathroom for introductions, Tigeress was hidden in the folds of the shower curtain. Not sure if that was purposely or she was just finding her way around. The next time they were both in the tub and the final time they were back in their bed. Neither of them raise any hair or arched their back when Karma was close enough to sniff their mouths. So, they must have had some dog exposure prior to the rescue. We are hoping that Karma can get a good relationship with them to off-set her cat-chasing enthusiasm.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Quincy, CA

Bodhi, the 5yo, came to the RV for a sleepover on Saturday night. We had recorded a number of children's movies for just this occassion. He selected "Kung Fu Panda." So, after dinner at the local Mexican resturant, Mi Casita, we watched the movie. He really really liked it and wanted to watch a 2nd time but we put him off 'til morning.

We all got ready for bed. He's tall and we had to positiion him high up on the bed so that Karma still had room at the bottom. Boots was reading to him from a chapter books. About 2 pages into the book, Bodhi asked if it was ok if he went to sleep. How cute! He then closed his eyes and was out!

At 5am after Boots had gotten up to pee and returned to bed, Bodhi said in a small voice, "I'm cold." Boots covered him and thought he'd go back to sleep. Ah, no such luck, he was wide awake and ready for another edition of "Kung Fu Panda." So, Boots got up and Ruthi sleep for a few more hours.

Bodhi watched movies and science videos that we had available. Then there was the changing of the guard, so to speak, and Boots tried to get back to sleep and Ruthi watched "Kung Fu Panda" for his thrid time.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Quincy, CA

The kids added a rescued beagle/German short hair pointer, Sonny, from the pound while we were gone. He's a mellow pup at 9 months. Karma is still her excited energy-bunny puppy at 4 1/2 years. So, she was a bit over the top for Sonny.

We had 2 tennis balls so that they could both chase/catch. Sonny doesn't have the coordination down yet but he's getting the idea. But, he would rather chew and tear apart the ball instead of retrieve it. He has concluded that we will just throw it again.

The yard area is not completely secured with tall fencing. Karma remembers the yard boundaries and stays within the area as long as she has her ball. Sonny on the other hand can leap over the front garden fence but doesn't go far. We had left the dogs outside during dinner so they wouldn't fight over positioning themselves under the 1 yo's high chair, when Karma started to bark and bark and look at the back gat fencing. Since that's usually where the cat hides himself we thought, "Oh, Marley's back." But after further looking we could see that Sonny was outside the gate waiting for someone to let him back in.

Having a sort of playmate has seemed to calm Karma down a little bit. She needs to always keep track of his antics so she can be sure to have the best smelling ball for playing. Karma has even tried to get Sonny to throw the ball for her. She drops it at his feet and poises for the throw. He plops on it and starts to chew.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Quincy, CA

It's been a bit chilly since we got here last Friday. But today topped it all! It was raining most of the day except when it SNOWED mid-afternoon. Really, SNOW in big flakes. It didn't last long at this elevation but the trees on the mountain tops were frosted.

So, Ruthi had to resort to long pants and a long sleeve shirt. While Boots even added socks. Plus jacket of course. We have obviously arrived too early in the spring for Quincy. Everything is green but it is too cold for us. We have had temperatures mostly from low 60's to high 80's for most of our adventure. This is the coldest continuous so far - poor planning or weather fluke. We aren't sure which!

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Reno, NV

We came through Donner Pass on Interstate 80 (better known as the Eisenhower Highways – but that’s another story) today. The temperature went down to 49 degrees and there was “old” snow and water falls on the sides of the roadways. Sort of looked like Alaska – enough to take care of any nostalgia we might have had.