I send out to friends and family every Christmas a letter summarizing my travels for that year. Here is the one I sent this past year.
This picture = Hanging Out at Herb's (oldest son in WA)
Family & Friends,
Because the holiday season brings communication to the forefront of one’s mind, I am choosing this venue to tell you about my wonderful year and what’s been happening in my retired world.
Christmas time brings me this year to my son, Greg’s, in Fresno, CA.
2007 has been a somewhat different year then 2006.
I went to 2 rallies in the Orlando area in January; Monaco & Safari. In February I went south to spend a week with my new friend, Shirley, whom I met last Nov. at Wildwood. Remember me mentioning the 73 year old with the 36’ diesel pusher? She spent the winter at a very nice RV resort on the Peace River (it flows into Port Charlotte bay). She taught me how to kayak (I have a picture of me in a kayak on the river with an alligator on the bank behind me), and we saw many sights in the surrounding area. I then drove west to meet up with Bob & Donna at the boat condo where they keep their boat which gets them to and from the island where they have a beach house. I parked my motorhome in the secure parking lot, packed a bag, and took off in the boat with them for a few days of great company, walking on the beach, and touring the island. There are no roads and the only vehicles are golf carts. Their beach house faces the bay and the trail west behind it (about 200 yards long) goes to the beach on the gulf. I got some great sunset pictures and picked up some beautiful shells. I’ve never seen so many intact shells in one place. It was a great week.
Then back to my brother’s where he was getting my car ready for towing. He now had to wire the motorhome part for tow brake and lube pump monitors. That guy can do ANYTHING! I really am blessed and so very much appreciate him.
I left my brother’s on March 11th caravanning with friends, Bob & Donna, up to the rallies in Georgia. We stopped for a couple days in St. Augustine, FL. What a great place to visit, especially if you’re into history. It has the oldest house in the nation and the fort, which was Spanish and then English, among other really great things to see. There was a demonstration by a ranger in an old Spanish period costume on how to load and fire a musket. I’ll be going back to see more of St. Augustine when I have more time.
Family & Friends,
Because the holiday season brings communication to the forefront of one’s mind, I am choosing this venue to tell you about my wonderful year and what’s been happening in my retired world.
Christmas time brings me this year to my son, Greg’s, in Fresno, CA.
2007 has been a somewhat different year then 2006.
I went to 2 rallies in the Orlando area in January; Monaco & Safari. In February I went south to spend a week with my new friend, Shirley, whom I met last Nov. at Wildwood. Remember me mentioning the 73 year old with the 36’ diesel pusher? She spent the winter at a very nice RV resort on the Peace River (it flows into Port Charlotte bay). She taught me how to kayak (I have a picture of me in a kayak on the river with an alligator on the bank behind me), and we saw many sights in the surrounding area. I then drove west to meet up with Bob & Donna at the boat condo where they keep their boat which gets them to and from the island where they have a beach house. I parked my motorhome in the secure parking lot, packed a bag, and took off in the boat with them for a few days of great company, walking on the beach, and touring the island. There are no roads and the only vehicles are golf carts. Their beach house faces the bay and the trail west behind it (about 200 yards long) goes to the beach on the gulf. I got some great sunset pictures and picked up some beautiful shells. I’ve never seen so many intact shells in one place. It was a great week.
Then back to my brother’s where he was getting my car ready for towing. He now had to wire the motorhome part for tow brake and lube pump monitors. That guy can do ANYTHING! I really am blessed and so very much appreciate him.
I left my brother’s on March 11th caravanning with friends, Bob & Donna, up to the rallies in Georgia. We stopped for a couple days in St. Augustine, FL. What a great place to visit, especially if you’re into history. It has the oldest house in the nation and the fort, which was Spanish and then English, among other really great things to see. There was a demonstration by a ranger in an old Spanish period costume on how to load and fire a musket. I’ll be going back to see more of St. Augustine when I have more time.
This pic - St Augustine Harbor from the top of the lighthouse.The first rally in Hoboken, GA. was Safari Intl. This is a chapter of FMCA (Family Motor Coach Assoc.) Safari is the make of my coach. I left there a day early and went on to the Singles Intl. pre-rally in Perry, GA. It was here that I was elected the new Newsletter Editor VP for this chapter. I really enjoy doing it. My first issue was for April-May-June. I had it printed and mailed in Montgomery, AL. on my way west. The SI group caravanned over to the big expo grounds for the FMCA Convention. That was my first one and I was amazed. The sight of over 5000 coaches all in one place is really something. There were some great seminars, over 800 new coaches of all different makes to view, social hours, entertainment, happy hours, and great opportunities for learning and meeting new friends. The last evening’s entertainment was the Oak Ridge Boys. It was a great show.
After leaving there on the morning of March 23rd, I traveled west as far as Shorter, AL. where I parked in a small park by a pond for 5 days so I could finish the newsletter and complete and mail the estate be ready when I was. It turned out the timing was perfect.
She had a male friend caravanning with her, which created another story. Steph & I enjoyed out time together taking long walks and talking. We arrived safe & sound, after waiting out some bad weather, in Perrin, TX where the singles group was having a dance rally. I didn't stay but a couple days as I had previous family obligations.
She had a male friend caravanning with her, which created another story. Steph & I enjoyed out time together taking long walks and talking. We arrived safe & sound, after waiting out some bad weather, in Perrin, TX where the singles group was having a dance rally. I didn't stay but a couple days as I had previous family obligations.
I stopped in Pahrump, NV at a member resort to rest and do laundry before going on to Fresno. Because of the 12 day dance rally, I had to change my plan to stay in southern CA for a while. I had to be in Vancouver, WA by the last weekend in April. I visited at Greg’s for a week, then 3 days at long time friend Jan’s in Murphy’s, and a few days in Paradise with friends, Kendra & Dick (met in Missoula, MT last Aug.)
Jan & I had a great visit, walked the golf course, and went to Columbia where we had lunch at a gold rush period hotel. Dick & Kendra took me on a beautiful drive up through the Feather River Canyon with a glimpse of Mt. Lassen. An actual visit to the Mt. Lassen Natl. Park will have to wait until the next trip to CA.
My grandson, Ryan, graduated from Western Culinary Institute in Portland, OR on May fifth with honors and a Le Cordon Bleu diploma. What a wonderful sight that was. A good time was had by all at the party afterward at Herb’s home in Battle Ground, WA, which is across the Columbia River north east of Vancouver, WA. It was wonderful to have Greg there also. He flew up on that Friday for the weekend.
I stayed at Herb’s until after Mother’s Day. It was wonderful to be with at least one of my son’s on Mother’s Day. He made plans for dinner and a trip to the Japanese Gardens in the big park in Portland. It was a wonderful day.
I went to eastern WA to meet up with friends from Seattle (met in Pahrump) for a week at a military campground south west of Spokane. We bicycled, walked, ate, talked, rested, etc. On the way there I stopped for 4 days at a Corp of Engineers campground just east of Pasco on the Snake River. I really enjoyed that beautiful campground. There were dozens of geese and a lot of fuzzy little babies. I was facing the river and enjoyed watching the paddle wheeler go by each day. There were also several barges being pushed by tug boats. Senior’s discount at most of these type parks makes it only $10 per night.
I met up with friend, Joyce, at Soap Lake for a week. Soap Lake is named because of the hundreds of minerals in the water that causes a soap like white rime around the banks. We saw Grand Coulee Dam (WOW), another section of the Columbia River, the evidence of the ancient great floods, the Gingko Petrified Forest, and the place where the pilots of glider planes practice stunts and have contests every year.
Then back to Herb’s in time for grandson Matt’s high school graduation. No big party after this one because Matt went to the all night grad party which was a great hit. Herb was one of the chaperones. Lisa and I plus Matt’s mother, Dee, and her mother had our own little party. It was fun too.
Then I left for Tall Chief, another member RV resort. This is a very nice wooded RV park just east of Seattle. Joyce met up with me again there, and we proceeded to see all the sights. The Space Needle, Pike Market, and other views around Seattle were great. I was amazed at all the water. You see it on a map and you know it’s there, but to drive around and see it everywhere is awesome. It’s very beautiful. In fact, I love western Washington. After 2 weeks there, we traveled up to a great wooded park on an island in the San Juan’s off of Hwy 20 just 3 miles from Anacortes. We road the ferry to Friday Harbor, drove around Whidbey Island, saw the 4th of July fireworks, walked Anacortes, saw the old steam boat museum, drove up to the highest point for an amazing view for miles around, and generally enjoyed the area.
The RV Park at Blain, WA was not very nice, but it was OK for the week we spent there seeing all the sights just south of the Canadian border. Peace Park right on the border crossing is wonderful. We drove to Mt. Baker which has 2 glaciers. We could not go the whole way on the main road because it was closed for snow (the middle of July), so we went up a different road that had a view point from the opposite side. I got some great pictures. We also spent some time walking the beaches a short walk from the RV park.
We then traveled back to Tall Chief for a week of more sight seeing in the Seattle area. There is also a beautiful falls called Snoqualmie Falls east of there.
I went on the another member park not far from Mt. Ranier and the back road to the Windy Ridge view of Mt. St. Helen’s on Hwy 12. I took a ¾ day trip up to Windy Ridge one day, then a whole day trip to see Mt. Ranier up close, along with all of the surrounding areas. Did you know that Mt. Ranier has 25 named glaciers? What a wonderful day trip that was. I want to go back when I have more time to hike up the trails behind the visitor’s center. It was too late and cloudy by the time I got that far this time.
Back to Herb’s for a few days and the celebration of my birthday, then south to Randy’s where I picked up my 5 year old granddaughter, Zoë, for a 2 week trip to Tahoe. Greg and family and long time friend, Rod, had a wonderful few days camping at Tahoe in August. We swam, walked, shopped, cooked, ate, and played. In general, we all had a great time that was all too short.
Zoë and I had a few days alone before we met up with Greg & crew. We swam, walked, colored, did learning lessons with words and numbers, and had a great time. Zoë loves to draw, and kept making fun pictures for me. She also loves clothes, especially dresses, and has a very strong idea of just what she wants to wear each day and for each event. It was great fun to experience. I am very blessed in my family and love my grandmother role. This year was all about family after being away for nearly two years.
I met up with friend, Joyce, at Soap Lake for a week. Soap Lake is named because of the hundreds of minerals in the water that causes a soap like white rime around the banks. We saw Grand Coulee Dam (WOW), another section of the Columbia River, the evidence of the ancient great floods, the Gingko Petrified Forest, and the place where the pilots of glider planes practice stunts and have contests every year.
Then back to Herb’s in time for grandson Matt’s high school graduation. No big party after this one because Matt went to the all night grad party which was a great hit. Herb was one of the chaperones. Lisa and I plus Matt’s mother, Dee, and her mother had our own little party. It was fun too.
Then I left for Tall Chief, another member RV resort. This is a very nice wooded RV park just east of Seattle. Joyce met up with me again there, and we proceeded to see all the sights. The Space Needle, Pike Market, and other views around Seattle were great. I was amazed at all the water. You see it on a map and you know it’s there, but to drive around and see it everywhere is awesome. It’s very beautiful. In fact, I love western Washington. After 2 weeks there, we traveled up to a great wooded park on an island in the San Juan’s off of Hwy 20 just 3 miles from Anacortes. We road the ferry to Friday Harbor, drove around Whidbey Island, saw the 4th of July fireworks, walked Anacortes, saw the old steam boat museum, drove up to the highest point for an amazing view for miles around, and generally enjoyed the area.
The RV Park at Blain, WA was not very nice, but it was OK for the week we spent there seeing all the sights just south of the Canadian border. Peace Park right on the border crossing is wonderful. We drove to Mt. Baker which has 2 glaciers. We could not go the whole way on the main road because it was closed for snow (the middle of July), so we went up a different road that had a view point from the opposite side. I got some great pictures. We also spent some time walking the beaches a short walk from the RV park.
We then traveled back to Tall Chief for a week of more sight seeing in the Seattle area. There is also a beautiful falls called Snoqualmie Falls east of there.
I went on the another member park not far from Mt. Ranier and the back road to the Windy Ridge view of Mt. St. Helen’s on Hwy 12. I took a ¾ day trip up to Windy Ridge one day, then a whole day trip to see Mt. Ranier up close, along with all of the surrounding areas. Did you know that Mt. Ranier has 25 named glaciers? What a wonderful day trip that was. I want to go back when I have more time to hike up the trails behind the visitor’s center. It was too late and cloudy by the time I got that far this time.
Back to Herb’s for a few days and the celebration of my birthday, then south to Randy’s where I picked up my 5 year old granddaughter, Zoë, for a 2 week trip to Tahoe. Greg and family and long time friend, Rod, had a wonderful few days camping at Tahoe in August. We swam, walked, shopped, cooked, ate, and played. In general, we all had a great time that was all too short.
Zoë and I had a few days alone before we met up with Greg & crew. We swam, walked, colored, did learning lessons with words and numbers, and had a great time. Zoë loves to draw, and kept making fun pictures for me. She also loves clothes, especially dresses, and has a very strong idea of just what she wants to wear each day and for each event. It was great fun to experience. I am very blessed in my family and love my grandmother role. This year was all about family after being away for nearly two years.
On the way back to Randy’s, I lost my brakes. Thank goodness I was on fairly flat land on a road (Hwy 20) that had little traffic. I was able to slow way down and come to a stop on a pull out for a right hand turn road. I had to stay calm so I didn’t scare Zoë, but I was definitely NOT calm on the inside. I called road service, and the tech told me to wait there for 2 hours to see if they came back after being just hot. If they had not, he would have sent a tow truck to take me to a dealer in Yuba City. They did come back, but that was the beginning of a story that gets worse.
After taking Zoë home, staying a week there, and driving north again, I met up with Joyce again in Lafayette, OR where we caught up and waited for the Monaco Rally in Salem, OR the middle of Sept. The rally was great, and I was able to talk to the techs about the brake episode. They came out and did a visual and found nothing wrong, but helped me get with Workhorse, the company that made the chassis part. They all advised me to get a thorough brake check and gave me the number for DSU Peterbuilt and GMC in Portland, OR. I got an appointment for Sept. 24th.
Back to Herb’s I went after the rally. Then Monday I took my house to DSU for its check up. 2 days later they said they found evidence that the brakes had, indeed, heated up at some point and needed to be replaced along with some re-machining of the rotors. No evidence of any mechanical failure that caused it, therefore the bill is mine. They didn’t care that I “said” I drive over worse grades then just lately over the past 29000+ miles and knew how to use my gears. I told them that I did not RIDE my brakes. I got new shoes, new calipers, re-machined rotors, and new fluid.
I picked it up and started south after paying the bill on Oct. 10th. 18 miles down the road, I stopped to tell them that something wasn’t right. It felt like it was hanging up. I went back to DSU, they drove it around and could not make it repeat what I was describing, told me that they were sure the brakes on the MH were OK, and sent me on my way again. By then it was almost 6 PM, so I drove only as far as the Salem Wal-Mart for an overnight stay. I left there at about 9 AM Tuesday, got less then 10 miles south, and smelled something burning. I got stopped (barely) at a rest stop about 2 miles south, and got out to look around and underneath, only to discover that it had to be the brakes I smelled. I called DSU, told them I had no brakes and where I was. They sent a tech that confirmed it and called back to report. The shop boss and forman then came, did some more looking, and determined that it had to go back to the shop. I unhooked the car so the boss could drive it to see how much brake was left. He felt the problem happen 3 more times on the way back to Portland. We stopped at another rest stop on the way back to try to make it do it again so the techs could run over and see anything. He drove my MH, I followed in my car along with the forman in one pickup and the tech in another. It was a regular parade. They took it apart to find that the master cylinder was hanging up. This has probably been the problem from the beginning. My son, Herb, then got involved, spoke to the regional representative for Workhorse, and suggested he needed to revisit the issue of a refund for the brake job. The testing had obviously not been thorough enough in the first place. They again replaced all the shoes, re-machined some rotors, and replaced some calipers and the fluid. I was thankful I could stay at Herb’s while my house was in the shop again. They got all that done and the shop boss took it for a test drive, went less then a mile and felt the power steering booster problem. It seems that in my chassis, the power steering pump takes care of the brake hydraulics as well as the power steering. This apparently caused the master cylinder to go out which in turn caused the brakes to burn up. It had been starting back in August or before. Now – no doubt about it – I’m getting a refund. All is working fine now, but I find myself getting a little anxious when I come to the signs that say 6% grade, etc. A person can’t help but think that this whole thing would have cost Workhorse a whole lot less if they had tested all they could test in the beginning, as in “if they had LISTENED to me. DSU people were wonderful, and I would highly recommend them to anyone needed service on a Workhorse chassis.
The silver lining on all this was that I enjoyed very much watching the colors change in Washington. What a beautiful sight. And not at all least was the time I had to visit with my daughter-in-law, Lisa. She’s a delight. Matt started college while I was there too. I got to go with him to get his books, pay registration, and see some of the campus. That was fun. Watching the grandchildren grow up is very interesting. Watching my sons be the wonderful parents they are is heart warming.
I finally started south again on Oct 25th. By then I was worried about all the snow that could happen on the passes. There had been some on 4000 ft elevations already. I stopped in Harrisburg, OR and reported to the techs that I’d talked with at the rally on just what all had happened. They took copies of my repair orders and promised to call the Workhorse regional rep. to add weight to the refund issue.
Then I was on to Randy’s for a week where I attended the boy’s last soccer game and Keanna’s basketball game. I made Beerocks one day. I told them I had made them at Herb’s, so they had to have some too. Now I’m going to make them for Greg. J I also stopped on my way south in Ukiah to visit Joyce and meet her friends and family. She showed me around that wonderful small valley where all the grape vines were turning fall colors.
My first great grandson was born on Nov. 24th at 7:53 AM. He’s healthy at 8lbs 5oz, 21 inches. He looks just like Herb and Ryan did as new babies. His name is Ryan Michael Morrison Jr. Momma and Daddy are doing great and happy to have him here at last. I’ve got great pictures. I’m really too young to be a “great” though. J Being there for that miracle was a most wonderful experience.
I’ll be here in Fresno until after Christmas enjoying family, helping where I can, doing paperwork, getting the Jan issue of the SI Newsletter out, and holding that baby some more. I’ll then head south hoping to touch base with Liz & John in Long Beach before heading back to FL.
I had intended to stay in southern CA for the winter, but I had to evict the renters, so need to go back to help my brother clean up, re-rent the place, and start legal action to recoup over due rent owed.
Well, that’s my year in a nutshell. I am so very blessed to be able to travel. Not too excited about the price of gas, though. J I am constantly excited to see around the next bend or over the next hill. I can easily visit family and friends because I’m bringing my house along. It has also been convenient to have my car with me this year. It gets more miles per gallon, too. J
I’m sending this with wishes for your good health and a very wonderful Holiday Season.
After taking Zoë home, staying a week there, and driving north again, I met up with Joyce again in Lafayette, OR where we caught up and waited for the Monaco Rally in Salem, OR the middle of Sept. The rally was great, and I was able to talk to the techs about the brake episode. They came out and did a visual and found nothing wrong, but helped me get with Workhorse, the company that made the chassis part. They all advised me to get a thorough brake check and gave me the number for DSU Peterbuilt and GMC in Portland, OR. I got an appointment for Sept. 24th.
Back to Herb’s I went after the rally. Then Monday I took my house to DSU for its check up. 2 days later they said they found evidence that the brakes had, indeed, heated up at some point and needed to be replaced along with some re-machining of the rotors. No evidence of any mechanical failure that caused it, therefore the bill is mine. They didn’t care that I “said” I drive over worse grades then just lately over the past 29000+ miles and knew how to use my gears. I told them that I did not RIDE my brakes. I got new shoes, new calipers, re-machined rotors, and new fluid.
I picked it up and started south after paying the bill on Oct. 10th. 18 miles down the road, I stopped to tell them that something wasn’t right. It felt like it was hanging up. I went back to DSU, they drove it around and could not make it repeat what I was describing, told me that they were sure the brakes on the MH were OK, and sent me on my way again. By then it was almost 6 PM, so I drove only as far as the Salem Wal-Mart for an overnight stay. I left there at about 9 AM Tuesday, got less then 10 miles south, and smelled something burning. I got stopped (barely) at a rest stop about 2 miles south, and got out to look around and underneath, only to discover that it had to be the brakes I smelled. I called DSU, told them I had no brakes and where I was. They sent a tech that confirmed it and called back to report. The shop boss and forman then came, did some more looking, and determined that it had to go back to the shop. I unhooked the car so the boss could drive it to see how much brake was left. He felt the problem happen 3 more times on the way back to Portland. We stopped at another rest stop on the way back to try to make it do it again so the techs could run over and see anything. He drove my MH, I followed in my car along with the forman in one pickup and the tech in another. It was a regular parade. They took it apart to find that the master cylinder was hanging up. This has probably been the problem from the beginning. My son, Herb, then got involved, spoke to the regional representative for Workhorse, and suggested he needed to revisit the issue of a refund for the brake job. The testing had obviously not been thorough enough in the first place. They again replaced all the shoes, re-machined some rotors, and replaced some calipers and the fluid. I was thankful I could stay at Herb’s while my house was in the shop again. They got all that done and the shop boss took it for a test drive, went less then a mile and felt the power steering booster problem. It seems that in my chassis, the power steering pump takes care of the brake hydraulics as well as the power steering. This apparently caused the master cylinder to go out which in turn caused the brakes to burn up. It had been starting back in August or before. Now – no doubt about it – I’m getting a refund. All is working fine now, but I find myself getting a little anxious when I come to the signs that say 6% grade, etc. A person can’t help but think that this whole thing would have cost Workhorse a whole lot less if they had tested all they could test in the beginning, as in “if they had LISTENED to me. DSU people were wonderful, and I would highly recommend them to anyone needed service on a Workhorse chassis.
The silver lining on all this was that I enjoyed very much watching the colors change in Washington. What a beautiful sight. And not at all least was the time I had to visit with my daughter-in-law, Lisa. She’s a delight. Matt started college while I was there too. I got to go with him to get his books, pay registration, and see some of the campus. That was fun. Watching the grandchildren grow up is very interesting. Watching my sons be the wonderful parents they are is heart warming.
I finally started south again on Oct 25th. By then I was worried about all the snow that could happen on the passes. There had been some on 4000 ft elevations already. I stopped in Harrisburg, OR and reported to the techs that I’d talked with at the rally on just what all had happened. They took copies of my repair orders and promised to call the Workhorse regional rep. to add weight to the refund issue.
Then I was on to Randy’s for a week where I attended the boy’s last soccer game and Keanna’s basketball game. I made Beerocks one day. I told them I had made them at Herb’s, so they had to have some too. Now I’m going to make them for Greg. J I also stopped on my way south in Ukiah to visit Joyce and meet her friends and family. She showed me around that wonderful small valley where all the grape vines were turning fall colors.
My first great grandson was born on Nov. 24th at 7:53 AM. He’s healthy at 8lbs 5oz, 21 inches. He looks just like Herb and Ryan did as new babies. His name is Ryan Michael Morrison Jr. Momma and Daddy are doing great and happy to have him here at last. I’ve got great pictures. I’m really too young to be a “great” though. J Being there for that miracle was a most wonderful experience.
I’ll be here in Fresno until after Christmas enjoying family, helping where I can, doing paperwork, getting the Jan issue of the SI Newsletter out, and holding that baby some more. I’ll then head south hoping to touch base with Liz & John in Long Beach before heading back to FL.
I had intended to stay in southern CA for the winter, but I had to evict the renters, so need to go back to help my brother clean up, re-rent the place, and start legal action to recoup over due rent owed.
Well, that’s my year in a nutshell. I am so very blessed to be able to travel. Not too excited about the price of gas, though. J I am constantly excited to see around the next bend or over the next hill. I can easily visit family and friends because I’m bringing my house along. It has also been convenient to have my car with me this year. It gets more miles per gallon, too. J
I’m sending this with wishes for your good health and a very wonderful Holiday Season.
This is long; more pictures taken will be on other posts.
Karen
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