• Geezers in Paradise
  • Geezers in Paradise

Once more with wheeling

Our previous journeys brought us to Paradise. Leaving is harder than escaping Devil's Island: instead of guards & guillotines, think friendly neighbors, palm trees, Bocce ball. But adventure & grandkids call. Welcome to "once more with wheeling!" Weiterlesen
  • Dim Sum with family

    2. September 2019 in Kanada ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F

    Two kids, 2 parents and 6 grandparents: us, Gabbie’s parents Stanley and Hyland, and the surprise and most welcome icing on the cake, Yosem’s mom Jeanee and husband Phil.

    Dim Sum is a tradition in the family, and in Richmond at large. I know the waiters here speak English, but we didn’t hear a word as Gabbie, Hyland and Stanley (and most of the other diners) all speak Cantonese as a first language.

    Good food with beloved family. We are blessed.
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  • Making unicorn cookies

    2. September 2019 in Kanada ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F

    The girls were devastated when Gordon said he was just not able to go to the pool as promised. Grandma Jeanee promised to take them as they are here now fore a couple of weeks, and Gordon bribed them with the prospect of making unicorn cookies. Sienna is especially adept at mixing colors. She is currently working on unicorn gray.

    Then they discovered the unicorn sprinkles.
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  • Back in the USA

    3. September 2019 in den USA ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F

    We had a great last day with family. Gordon made pizza for dinner, followed by unicorn cookies which totally lived up to everything you might have imagined.

    We said goodbye to the family one by one this morning as they left for school and work, and were privileged to walk Vanessa to her first day of third grade.

    We retrieved our neglected trailer from the Peace Arch RV Park and made a mad dash over the border to the Bellingham Food Coop to restock.

    Ok, now: no more rushing. We are heading west over the North Cascades Highway now.
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  • Hi mom, Hi dad

    3. September 2019 in den USA ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F

    Three years ago this past July my three sisters and I journeyed to the beautiful emerald Diablo Lake in the Cascade mountains. There we spread our mother’s ashes in the same place we had spread our dad’s almost 20 years before.

    We chose that spot because a few years before dad passed, he and mom visited the lake with Gordon and me. As he gazed out on the jewel hued water, he said, Now I don’t really need to go to heaven. I’ve already seen it.”
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  • Winthrop KOA

    3. September 2019 in den USA ⋅ ⛅ 86 °F

    We are nestled under a large cherry tree, just a few feet from the Methow River. We got here in time for happy hour and I am enjoying my second scrumptious syrupy imperial oatmeal stout.

    A good beer, a pleasant location, and Heather with me... life is good.Weiterlesen

  • Lazy day in Winthrop

    4. September 2019 in den USA ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    After our long drive up, we had a number of housekeeping items to take care of.Following a lazy morning drinking tea and catching up on the news, we quickly worked our way through them.

    Winthrop is a cute western themed tourist town, so we took full advantage, starting with a Joe’s scramble at the Duck Brand cafe. Then we meandered up and down the little Main Street. Heather scored big when Gordon bought her a Florida ready straw club Cloche style hat. Gordon then had his moment in the sun, riding the stationary saddle in the square and lecturing the locals.

    Heather browsed for tips in a very interesting book called “ Glamping.” After that we followed their main recommendation by breaking out our glamp-ready chairs and enjoying some regionally produced IPAs.
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  • So nice we stayed twice

    5. September 2019 in den USA ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F

    This campground is in such a beautiful setting, and is so peaceful right now, we decided to extend our stay. Here are a few photos taken right around our campsite.

  • Ice cream at Sherrie's Sweet Shop

    5. September 2019 in den USA ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F

    Having gone into withdrawal two days after leaving Yosem’s, we moseyed into town for a little pick-me-up. There I was smitten by the 4 ladies from the Red Hat Society who apparently also needed a small sweet treat.

    One of them reminded me so much of mom, I wondered if she was making a stealth appearance to acknowledge our remembrances. I had to wait for her to turn around for the photo at the counter. She was all smiles and the patient young man held out her cone for about a minute while she finished visiting with another young man in line. Mom, right?
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  • More around the campground

    5. September 2019 in den USA ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F

    Taken last night with the sun low in the West.

    PS this evening we were visited by 3 deer. Unfortunately, they were far enough away that when Heather tried to take their picture, she couldn’t see them in the camera.Weiterlesen

  • Leaving Winthrop

    6. September 2019 in den USA ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F

    We left early just as it started sprinkling. We ARE doing a longish drive to Missoula which will get us pretty close to the Rockies where we hope to spend a little time.

  • Missoula KOA

    6. September 2019 in den USA ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F

    We got a space under a large tree, just ignore the parking lot vibe. And the klieg light over our trailer (we have a light blocking insert for the window). There are very cute bunnies running around to give the campground a wilderness feeling.Weiterlesen

  • Road less taken

    7. September 2019 in den USA ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F

    Yesterday’s drive from Winthrop to Missoula seemed to be less tiring than our previous drives and we decided that was because the first half of the day was driven off the Interstates: fewer cars, slower speeds, better views. So we selected a route that we had not done before and it was almost a complete success. The last hour was marred a bit by an inconsiderate truck driver who slowed down to 35-40 on every small hill. As there were 3 other trucks behind him, there was no chance to pass. My serenity and equanimity were challenged during that period, but the slow going allowed us to watch the scenery more closely.

    During the drive we saw a mom elk with her baby, pronghorn antelopes, aspen with snowy white bark, and lots of towering outcrops. At least that is what Heather was calling the rocks. I can hardly wait to find out what she calls the rocks in Utah and Arizona.
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  • Brrrrr!

    8. September 2019 in den USA ⋅ 🌧 43 °F

    We woke up to 30 degrees outside this morning, but we were cozy in the trailer. The gentleman next to us told us that the night before we arrived it had HAILED. We don’t mind. We like things however they come. Right now we are appreciating the quiet and the clean scent of pines all around.

    In the middle of the night we were treated to 3 or 4 coyotes singing and echoing across the valley at each other. One of them sounded quite close.
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  • Running Bear Pancake House

    8. September 2019 in den USA ⋅ 🌧 54 °F

    Gordon is channeling his inner John while we wait to be seated in a lively exchange of hurricane stories with the gentleman from Texas. Heather stared ruefully at her feet thinking she had only JUST gotten used to wearing sandals without socks.

    Gordon asked for a bite of Heather’s pancakes but then didn’t touch it. Turns out he just wanted to say he left something on his plate.
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  • Mountain Mama's Bakery

    8. September 2019 in den USA ⋅ 🌧 54 °F

    Fresh made chicken pot pie for tonight, and MAYBE 2 slices of pie for after, baked this morning. Mama tried to interest us in their signature marshmallow whipped cream for the pie, but we told her we were watching our youthful figures. Now for the challenge of fitting the forks around our foot long noses.

    Gordon insisted it was MY turn to get photographed on the saddle, but upon inspection I felt that that saddle made me look fat. Gordon grudgingly posed for the photo, but registered his protest by sitting backwards.
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  • Channeling mom

    9. September 2019 in den USA ⋅ 🌧 43 °F

    Huggin’ the fire, rockin’ the hat ... because it was raining bears and moose by the time we made it to Old Faithful. And it was COLD! We did what any reasonable tourist would do (but few were actually doing) and retreated to the rustic Obsidian dining room of the Yellowstone Snow Lodge and ordered a hearty breakfast. Looking out the windows we could have sworn it was snowing.

    Afterward, well nourished and warmed, we trusted our waiter Jason’s promise of meteorological relief and continued our journey.
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  • More Yellowstone

    9. September 2019 in den USA ⋅ ☁️ 41 °F

    The last two photos of me are a reenactment of my reaction to the other drivers in Yellowstone. The road was narrow and so you would think drivers would be careful to stay on their side of the road. That double yellow line down the middle of the road is there for a reason, and just like fences make for good neighbors, respect for the dyl (double yellow line) make for good drivers.

    But no.... they acted as if they had a 1000 foot chasm right next to them with no barrier, whereas I actually did (I’m sure). So every time a car would come around a blind curve well into my lane I had a choice between panicking or being terrified. I’m not sure which emotion I was channelling in that photo. Once I realized that I hadn’t yet soiled my pants, I had to let the other driver know that perhaps they had wandered a little out of their lane into mine. I did this as politely and with as much understanding and empathy as I could muster.
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  • The road to Dubois

    9. September 2019 in den USA ⋅ ⛅ 45 °F

    Where is Dubois you might ask. Well I’ll tell you where it is. It’s in Wyoming on a road we haven’t traveled before. I’ll admit, we had been planning to continue on to Jackson, Wyoming which we HAVE seen several times and really like. However, we were saved by our more adventurous angels who conspired to completely fill the campground there.

    The drive to this cute little one street town was gorgeous, and it has a stellar campground on the aptly named WIND River.
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