I haven't posted a recipe on here in quite sometime. It's way over due! Last night I made a seared steak with a Chinese mustard-soy dipping sauce and a side of spicy cold noodles. We rarely go back for seconds in our house hold (it's not that the food is bad, we are both watch our diet closely), last night we both went back for seconds. The spicy noodles were amazing! Guess what I'm having for lunch today?
OK here's the recipe and a couple of changes that can be made:
Ingredients:
1 pound Chinese egg noodles ( I used Soba, but if you are the typical person with a package of Top Ramen tucked away I'd imagine they would work in a pinch)
3 tblspns soy
2 tblspns rice vinegar
1 tblspn sesame oil
2 teaspns chile paste (I used Sambal Olek)
1/2 a cucumber peeled, seeded, and diced
4 radishes chopped
2 chopped scallons
a handful of chopped cilantro
Boil noodles for 2 to 3 minutes and drain, then plunge into ice cold water to stop the cooking. Do not over cook the noodles to mush. Whisk together soy, vinegar, sesame oil, and chile paste together in a bowl. Add noodles and all remaining ingredients except for 1/2 the cilantro. Chill well. Garnish with remaining cilantro.
The recipe can also be adapted by adding cold Chinese BBQ pork and bean sprouts. You can also make it spicier if you like by adding more chile paste.
Enjoy!
Scott and The Golden Gate
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Happy Anniversary Crew of Reisender!
It was one year ago today that the fearless Reisender and crew left Portland, went under the I-5 and railroad bridge, then sailed off towards the beginning of our adventure. There is so much in a year and we've truly packed this one. Thinking about the past year and what we've accomplished makes we so proud of my home and our family aboard her. There have been times I've been scared, I've been nervous, I've cried. There have been times I've laughed, I've been awed, I've been thrilled. During all those times our little floating home is filled with love.
It's the beginning of our second year out, and while we aren't were we want to be (yet), we are where we should be. This next year will be full of more of the same emotions and love. We don't know exactly where we are going or when, but we are out there. I wish the same for you in whatever form you define "out there".
Cheers- and smoothing sailing my friends!
It's the beginning of our second year out, and while we aren't were we want to be (yet), we are where we should be. This next year will be full of more of the same emotions and love. We don't know exactly where we are going or when, but we are out there. I wish the same for you in whatever form you define "out there".
Cheers- and smoothing sailing my friends!
Friday, August 10, 2012
Where to Next?
Many friends have been asking this question. Well, we Mexico obviously, but when and exactly where we aren't sure. As many of you know, we aboard Reisender have trouble sticking to a schedule. "The plan" usually goes out the window (port) somewhere within a few days of making it. We do know that our first stop in Mexico will be Ensenada in Baja Norte. It's the first port we can check in and clear customs. It is also one of the most convenient as all 4 offices we need to check in are located in the same building as well as the Mexican version of Kinko's. Once checked in we will start watching the weather for opportunities to head further down the Baja coast. It will still be hurricane season and we can only go about 300 miles and still be out of the zone, but that's OK. "The Plan" is to just gunk down the coast (for my non-boating friends: gunking is the term for small day hops that lead from one anchorage to another in a relatively short time). There are many small anchorages to stop and explore along the way. Most are without internet and with watching the weather closely we'll need that. The first "major" all weather bay is Turtle Bay in English or Bahia San Bartolome in Spanish. It's not very big, about 3 miles across, but it has a small village, full, and internet. Friends who've stopped there before us all say they could have stayed a week. It's the perfect place to decompress from the fast passed lifestyle of the US and transition into the more sedate way most cruisers live. It's about 300 miles south of Ensenada at Longitude 114 53'W by Latitude 27 degrees 40 N. I think I got that right.
It's weather watching time again, and once we have a clear trip we'll be gunking again down to Bahia Magdalena. It is again and excellent all weather anchorage. It can still get some of the weather from a hurricane, but mostly rain and wind. Mag Bay is about 260 miles from Turtle Bay with many small bays and coves in between. Then it's only 152 miles to Cabo San Lucas. Scott and I are still discussing weather we want to go in. You must realize that we will have just spent several weeks decompressing from the American pace, do we really want to jump right back in at Cabo? It's mostly a tourist area and we really aren't that interested in how the tourists live while on vacation. The reports of all night parties on the beach and music at any given time do not really sound appealing, but the next anchorage is only about 45 miles further on and if we aren't to tired that, as of now, will be our goal (see above about Reisender's crew and plans).
After Cabo, we are looking forward to La Paz. Everyone we've heard from on a boat says it is a cruiser's paradise. I hear it is convenient and they have most things we could need. The anchorage is good as long as the La Paz Waltz is allowed for (La Paz Waltz is when boats in the same anchorage swing in different directions due to current and wind. Sometimes the boats will gently "Kiss"). If we do have trouble there are a number of marina's and there is a lot within walking distance. It's a good location for us to recoup after our next 1000 miles or so.
From La Paz, we don't know exactly? We've got ideas, but there is an expression: a cruiser's plans are written in sand on the beach at low tide....
It's weather watching time again, and once we have a clear trip we'll be gunking again down to Bahia Magdalena. It is again and excellent all weather anchorage. It can still get some of the weather from a hurricane, but mostly rain and wind. Mag Bay is about 260 miles from Turtle Bay with many small bays and coves in between. Then it's only 152 miles to Cabo San Lucas. Scott and I are still discussing weather we want to go in. You must realize that we will have just spent several weeks decompressing from the American pace, do we really want to jump right back in at Cabo? It's mostly a tourist area and we really aren't that interested in how the tourists live while on vacation. The reports of all night parties on the beach and music at any given time do not really sound appealing, but the next anchorage is only about 45 miles further on and if we aren't to tired that, as of now, will be our goal (see above about Reisender's crew and plans).
After Cabo, we are looking forward to La Paz. Everyone we've heard from on a boat says it is a cruiser's paradise. I hear it is convenient and they have most things we could need. The anchorage is good as long as the La Paz Waltz is allowed for (La Paz Waltz is when boats in the same anchorage swing in different directions due to current and wind. Sometimes the boats will gently "Kiss"). If we do have trouble there are a number of marina's and there is a lot within walking distance. It's a good location for us to recoup after our next 1000 miles or so.
From La Paz, we don't know exactly? We've got ideas, but there is an expression: a cruiser's plans are written in sand on the beach at low tide....
Friday, August 3, 2012
The on going list!
As usual with a boat, each project checked off the list seems to add two...or three...or four. Just ask anyone with a boat, especially if they are going cruising. Well, here on Reisender we seem to be narrowing the list down to the essentials. Currently, I'm ripping out the flex water tanks we put a few months ago and adding a rigid tank that will almost double our water capacity. Scott is finishing the lid to the ice box and the thermostat controls for both the freezer and fridge. We also want to put the head-liner in and mount the self steering wind vane. Finally, we hope to add a couple of much needed drawers for clothes and some storage and add and extra hanging locker. With the exception of a few little projects and selling the cars, that's it and we are ready to go. Then it's just waiting out the hurricane season going on in Mexico. I'd give you a date, but you'll just have to be in suspense.... much like us! We know when we'd like to go, but we don't really know what the Universe will allow us to actually do. Excited? YES! Nervous? Not right now. Well, this was a small post and not really any photo's to add, but just wanted to let you know we are still here and still getting ready.
Friday, July 13, 2012
California Myths
I've lived in California on and off for almost 2 years now, and many friends wonder why? They've shown concern over everything from driving here, to expense, to lack of courtesy. Well, I'd like to explore some of these myths about California.
I've heard numerous times about how expensive California is. Well, yes and no! It depends on what we are talking about and where we are talking about. San Francisco will always be one of the most expensive places to live in the country, but Palm Springs not so much. A few examples of some of the more reasonably priced items.
Food: If you eat at home it can be quite cheap. One of the reasons that eating out in California is so expensive is the minimum wage for servers. Servers make the same as everyone else per hour. In places on the East Coast and Midwest, servers only make around $2 and hour. Here that's a difference of $6 and hour more restaurants must pay per employee. Produce is the most reasonable. There is always something in season here, and if you shop away from the chains it is always cheaper than any other place I've lived. Within 3 miles of where we are staying I have a weekend farmers market and two stores that receive produce daily direct from the growers. Not only is this produce cheaper by cutting out the middlemen, it's also fresher. California also is abound with cattle, poultry, and fresh seafood all at a reasonable price because of being local. We walk about a mile from our boat to get fish direct off the boat. Crab from the same vender is only $3.50 a pound. We've also found shopping at ethnic stores to be of great value. There is a Mexican grocery we go to with shrimp for $4 a pound and an Asian store with filet mignon at $5 a pound. Then there are the usual stores for good prices anywhere you go: Winco, Trader Joe's, Super Wal-mart, and a number of others. If you like wine, CA is the place, but not only for premium's, but there are a number of great discount places. On our recent trip to OH, we were shocked to find out the same wine's in TJ's we see for $2 is $4.50. The checker commented on how good the wine was that I'd selected for such a cheap price. My face must have said it wasn't such a good deal. The clerk questioned me and when informed I was living in CA, he said that he new it wasn't such a good deal then. He apparently has had other people from CA in the store. Not only is the wine reasonable, but hard liquor is down right cheap. Apparently, CA doesn't tax the heck out of alcohol and it's available at any store that wishes to sell it. We can purchase wine or liquor at our local grocery or pharmacy. Not only making it cheap, but convenient also.
Housing: Well, this one is going to be an oddball for most of you. I'm talking about boats and moorings here. That is how we live after all. The boats here are lower that most states except Florida. We've seen exceptional boats for sale here near the 10 grand range. Yes, a lot of it has to do with the economy and people getting rid of toys that can't really afford any longer, but this is about the right place and the right time. If we were looking for a boat, RV, or any other luxury item right now, I'd be looking in CA, particularly Southern California. As for mooring, yes, for the most part that is more expensive, but one just needs to look a little harder. We have found excellent prices in Wilmington, CA. The downside is Wilmington is out of the way and it takes a vehicle to get anywhere, but we've also found for the convenience and just a little more money mooring balls in Newport Beach to be excellent. Actually, the mooring in Newport Beach, during the winter rates, is cheaper than our marina in Portland. The summer rates are a bit higher, but when you average the year out it's almost the same. The rates at Avalon on Catalina Island during the winter are even cheaper than Newport Beach. I know most are thinking "but it's winter", well, yes, but it's also Southern California. We were cold maybe one of two days a week this winter, but most of the time we were still wearing shorts and by mid afternoon were down to short sleeves. So, it kind of balances what we were paying for in trying to keep our boat warm and dry in a colder climate. As for traditional housing, yes it is a little more expensive, but that's supply and demand. You put this many people in once place with limited land and it's gonna cost a little more, but prices have dropped just like everywhere. We also noticed that areas where people would have a second home the prices have dropped as they've walked away or just can't afford to have a second place any longer. Palm Springs is a good example. We've seen one bedroom condos for as low as $40K and in good locations.
As for the people being rude, I've never experienced that here. I find they are direct, loud, and love to show off sometimes, but rude..... never! We've actually had some of the best service when dealing with retail and restaurants, but we are most shocked when we are trying to find some oddball part for the boat and they actually help us find a source. They've gone as far as to call another company to see if they have the item. We've been told in other areas flat out No they don't have it and just turn and walk away. No suggesting another item they might have or since they don't carry it, suggest someone local who might. What's the harm in that? They don't have it so it's not taking money out of their pocket.
Now, the downside, yes, driving in and around LA can be bothersome. I hate to drive to begin with, but when you add 6 lanes of traffic traveling at 70 plus miles an hour I just shut down. So Scott drives, I don't know my way around very well yet, but that's just how it goes. When I do have to drive we keep it to off rush hour traffic. I wouldn't drive in New York, London, or Paris either. Outside of the LA area I'm just fine. It's just like anywhere else in the country. San Francisco is another area I don't like to drive, but I'm told I drive like an old lady. Well, perhaps, I grew up driving on flat straight roads in Florida with about a trillion senior citizens.
As for being loud, yes for the most part it is very loud here, but crowd this many people into one area and it's gonna be. Helicopters and boats during the day, but I've found that is tends to quiet down by sunset. The holiday makers from the rentals on shore start heading home for dinner and some quiet time. While we are in a vacation area, it's not Laguna Beach or South Beach in Miami. It's mostly families who want some quiet while on vacation and they start to settle in after dinner.
As for some of the expensive items we've found, we've found almost the same things to be more costly in other areas as well. Boat items will always be expensive no matter where you are. Oh, you have a boat, well bend over.... any boater can tell you that one. I was a little shocked coming here from Oregon where there is no sales tax, but when I compare it to our cross country trip, it's within a percent or two of almost everywhere we went. Gas is a shock sometimes. There was almost a full dollar difference in price between here and my mother's in SC for a gallon of gas. Well, we just bought a more efficient car, and we stick to local places.
So, California is not for everyone, but it is for us and we've found it to be no more expensive than anywhere else. The expenses are just in a different part of the budget. Driving is not a hassle if you are comfortable with it and the people a delight. The people are a wonderful cross of almost every culture on the planet. This diversity makes it exciting and every errand we run we find to be some sort of an adventure meeting some new and interesting person.
Well, I hope this helps to bring California into a new light
Cheers!
I've heard numerous times about how expensive California is. Well, yes and no! It depends on what we are talking about and where we are talking about. San Francisco will always be one of the most expensive places to live in the country, but Palm Springs not so much. A few examples of some of the more reasonably priced items.
Food: If you eat at home it can be quite cheap. One of the reasons that eating out in California is so expensive is the minimum wage for servers. Servers make the same as everyone else per hour. In places on the East Coast and Midwest, servers only make around $2 and hour. Here that's a difference of $6 and hour more restaurants must pay per employee. Produce is the most reasonable. There is always something in season here, and if you shop away from the chains it is always cheaper than any other place I've lived. Within 3 miles of where we are staying I have a weekend farmers market and two stores that receive produce daily direct from the growers. Not only is this produce cheaper by cutting out the middlemen, it's also fresher. California also is abound with cattle, poultry, and fresh seafood all at a reasonable price because of being local. We walk about a mile from our boat to get fish direct off the boat. Crab from the same vender is only $3.50 a pound. We've also found shopping at ethnic stores to be of great value. There is a Mexican grocery we go to with shrimp for $4 a pound and an Asian store with filet mignon at $5 a pound. Then there are the usual stores for good prices anywhere you go: Winco, Trader Joe's, Super Wal-mart, and a number of others. If you like wine, CA is the place, but not only for premium's, but there are a number of great discount places. On our recent trip to OH, we were shocked to find out the same wine's in TJ's we see for $2 is $4.50. The checker commented on how good the wine was that I'd selected for such a cheap price. My face must have said it wasn't such a good deal. The clerk questioned me and when informed I was living in CA, he said that he new it wasn't such a good deal then. He apparently has had other people from CA in the store. Not only is the wine reasonable, but hard liquor is down right cheap. Apparently, CA doesn't tax the heck out of alcohol and it's available at any store that wishes to sell it. We can purchase wine or liquor at our local grocery or pharmacy. Not only making it cheap, but convenient also.
Housing: Well, this one is going to be an oddball for most of you. I'm talking about boats and moorings here. That is how we live after all. The boats here are lower that most states except Florida. We've seen exceptional boats for sale here near the 10 grand range. Yes, a lot of it has to do with the economy and people getting rid of toys that can't really afford any longer, but this is about the right place and the right time. If we were looking for a boat, RV, or any other luxury item right now, I'd be looking in CA, particularly Southern California. As for mooring, yes, for the most part that is more expensive, but one just needs to look a little harder. We have found excellent prices in Wilmington, CA. The downside is Wilmington is out of the way and it takes a vehicle to get anywhere, but we've also found for the convenience and just a little more money mooring balls in Newport Beach to be excellent. Actually, the mooring in Newport Beach, during the winter rates, is cheaper than our marina in Portland. The summer rates are a bit higher, but when you average the year out it's almost the same. The rates at Avalon on Catalina Island during the winter are even cheaper than Newport Beach. I know most are thinking "but it's winter", well, yes, but it's also Southern California. We were cold maybe one of two days a week this winter, but most of the time we were still wearing shorts and by mid afternoon were down to short sleeves. So, it kind of balances what we were paying for in trying to keep our boat warm and dry in a colder climate. As for traditional housing, yes it is a little more expensive, but that's supply and demand. You put this many people in once place with limited land and it's gonna cost a little more, but prices have dropped just like everywhere. We also noticed that areas where people would have a second home the prices have dropped as they've walked away or just can't afford to have a second place any longer. Palm Springs is a good example. We've seen one bedroom condos for as low as $40K and in good locations.
As for the people being rude, I've never experienced that here. I find they are direct, loud, and love to show off sometimes, but rude..... never! We've actually had some of the best service when dealing with retail and restaurants, but we are most shocked when we are trying to find some oddball part for the boat and they actually help us find a source. They've gone as far as to call another company to see if they have the item. We've been told in other areas flat out No they don't have it and just turn and walk away. No suggesting another item they might have or since they don't carry it, suggest someone local who might. What's the harm in that? They don't have it so it's not taking money out of their pocket.
Now, the downside, yes, driving in and around LA can be bothersome. I hate to drive to begin with, but when you add 6 lanes of traffic traveling at 70 plus miles an hour I just shut down. So Scott drives, I don't know my way around very well yet, but that's just how it goes. When I do have to drive we keep it to off rush hour traffic. I wouldn't drive in New York, London, or Paris either. Outside of the LA area I'm just fine. It's just like anywhere else in the country. San Francisco is another area I don't like to drive, but I'm told I drive like an old lady. Well, perhaps, I grew up driving on flat straight roads in Florida with about a trillion senior citizens.
As for being loud, yes for the most part it is very loud here, but crowd this many people into one area and it's gonna be. Helicopters and boats during the day, but I've found that is tends to quiet down by sunset. The holiday makers from the rentals on shore start heading home for dinner and some quiet time. While we are in a vacation area, it's not Laguna Beach or South Beach in Miami. It's mostly families who want some quiet while on vacation and they start to settle in after dinner.
As for some of the expensive items we've found, we've found almost the same things to be more costly in other areas as well. Boat items will always be expensive no matter where you are. Oh, you have a boat, well bend over.... any boater can tell you that one. I was a little shocked coming here from Oregon where there is no sales tax, but when I compare it to our cross country trip, it's within a percent or two of almost everywhere we went. Gas is a shock sometimes. There was almost a full dollar difference in price between here and my mother's in SC for a gallon of gas. Well, we just bought a more efficient car, and we stick to local places.
So, California is not for everyone, but it is for us and we've found it to be no more expensive than anywhere else. The expenses are just in a different part of the budget. Driving is not a hassle if you are comfortable with it and the people a delight. The people are a wonderful cross of almost every culture on the planet. This diversity makes it exciting and every errand we run we find to be some sort of an adventure meeting some new and interesting person.
Well, I hope this helps to bring California into a new light
Cheers!
Thursday, July 12, 2012
A little less camping out
Well, as it says, we are doing a little less camping out on our boat and have been adding a little more comfort. Scott and I started with a bare bones boat! NO water, NO electricity, NO engine, NO rigging, NO bed, and with a list to long to mention here, the worst was NO FRIDGE! Imagine no cold drinks when you wanted them or food going to waste because you hadn't used it up before going back. There is always the 50 pounds of ice carried back to the boat over the years, now even more difficult because it's 300 feet to the pier plus a mile to the store to get just the most expensive ice. For our latest creature comfort, it was time to tackle putting in the fridge. Scott and I rebuilt the ice box 3 years ago, and did a great job. During a heat wave several years ago, she held 100 pounds of ice for 10 days while the air temp was somewhere around 100 degrees F. The first part was picking a compressor and plate. The box we made was for 100 pounds of ice with food storage on the shelf above it. The shelf above is deep enough for a bottle of wine to stand upright and still close the lid. That's pretty big. When cleaning I can barely reach the bottom and I've got fairly long arms. Scott, after doing tons of research, decided on a water cooled system. The water cooled system is better for the tropics, the water around the boat is almost always cooling than the air, which air cooled was the alternative. Listening to other boaters who've gone south, the water cooled should cut down on how often the compressor runs. For my non-boater friends, the fridge is the biggest energy draw on a boat. It was tense getting the plate in place and not brake anything, we'd already accidentally broken the first one they sent us, bad instructions on where to bend a tube. Scott absolutely hates doing plumbing on a boat, and I have to agree that it is not easy under the best of circumstances. It usually involves spending a day going to Lowes, Home Depot, and several specialty plumbing & hardware stores to find all the parts we need. This plumbing job was no different. After several days of installation, we can have cold food and drinks! A nice cold glass of white wine after a long day really beats the warm glasses we were having.
A couple of other projects checked off of what we are calling the lifestyle list: a fresh coat of paint under the cockpit, our battery bank locker has been cleaned out and freshened up, the cabinets in the galley are going in (keeping things from flying around underway is a much better), cushions cut of both settees in the main salon, thicker mattress for our bunk, a new locker forward of the head for extra storage, and we finally decided where to put an extra water tank to bring us up to about 50 gallons of water on board. We are in the home stretch now and are both thinking about moving on again.
The weather has been great here. While my heart goes out to all of our friends suffering through the heatwave, we've been enjoying 70 to 75. It's been a little over cast in the morning and sunny in the afternoon. Sorry to rub it in, but it's been a long time since we've enjoyed the summer, we are usually working our backsides off on the boat. Now we can just take our time and enjoy where we are for a little while. It's really nice to be here and Scott and I notice the reasonable priced mooring balls for sell. Tempting, a little bit, but then we hear from friends south and know we are only at the beginning of our adventure....
A couple of other projects checked off of what we are calling the lifestyle list: a fresh coat of paint under the cockpit, our battery bank locker has been cleaned out and freshened up, the cabinets in the galley are going in (keeping things from flying around underway is a much better), cushions cut of both settees in the main salon, thicker mattress for our bunk, a new locker forward of the head for extra storage, and we finally decided where to put an extra water tank to bring us up to about 50 gallons of water on board. We are in the home stretch now and are both thinking about moving on again.
The weather has been great here. While my heart goes out to all of our friends suffering through the heatwave, we've been enjoying 70 to 75. It's been a little over cast in the morning and sunny in the afternoon. Sorry to rub it in, but it's been a long time since we've enjoyed the summer, we are usually working our backsides off on the boat. Now we can just take our time and enjoy where we are for a little while. It's really nice to be here and Scott and I notice the reasonable priced mooring balls for sell. Tempting, a little bit, but then we hear from friends south and know we are only at the beginning of our adventure....
Friday, June 22, 2012
Road Trip 2012
Well, faithful friends, when I last left you we were just leaving Durango, CO and I was of the opinion the last of our interesting views was behind us. I'm happy to say that for the first 6 hours I was wrong! The drive out of Durango was as beautiful as the drive in, actually better. Hwy 550 starts to climb almost immediately reaching the first pass at 10340 feet. It's the highest I'd been, other than in an airplane. Breath taking views as far as we could see. Then, back down and through the quaint town of Silverton. It's another mining town from the late 1800's, but it wasn't as touristy as Durango. Back up, this time reaching just under 11000 feet, and then gently down through the mountains to Ovray, CO. This time a Victorian town that still held all it's charm. It's tucked away quietly in the Colorado Rockies and is well worth the visit. Gently down again and we make our way through Montrose, nothing to report there, but we are on the rise again and this time we top out at 11500 feet. Officially, the highest I'd been in a car! Once we made our way out of the Rockies boredom hit for the next 1200 miles or so. Well, that was until we made it to western Kansas and the dozens of deer on the side of the road. It was a bit tense in Blue Flash while we both kept and eye out for deer crossing. I'm from the South, but I'm not really into road kill for dinner!
The night passed quickly and we were coming through St Louis, then Illinois, and Indiana. Finally, we crossed into Ohio and safely to Scott's mother's house. It was a wonderful visit. We spent a lot of time cooking and laughing. I ask, could it get any better? Wednesday, we went to Cleveland and visited with Scott's second cousin. Thursday, after a drive toward Toledo, we met up with Scott's sister and the only niece of his I hadn't met yet. A lovely time! Friday we made our way south of Canton to see some of where Scott's family is from. It was nice watching mother and son share memories. Friday night, it was more family, with Scott's brother, his wife, nice, her husband, and 2 grand-nieces (both girls funnier than the other). Watching the stars come out we realized it was time to head in, but no one really wanted to. The hardest thing about living this far, it the time with family we miss.
Saturday was an early morning, for those of you who know Scott, not an easy thing. I drove the morning shift. Atlanta was our goal for the day, and we had 11 hours to drive and dinner plans in 13 hours. All was fine until Columbus, all south bound freeways had detours, delay 15 minutes. Then in Kentucky, an accident in the southern end of the state, delay 30 minutes. In Tennessee, road closed down to one lane due to construction, delay 45 minutes. We were late, but we had half and hour to spare. Glad I shaved in the car! It was dinner at one of our favorite restaurants with my best friend and a group of their friends. Then two days of giggles and wine. The time is always too short when we get together.
My favorite aunt lives just north of Atlanta. I couldn't pass through without a visit to her! We drove up and she had enough food to feed and army. Scott and I aren't big eaters, but I tried. She is my favorite aunt after all. Poor Scott, if you think I can talk (no smart comments please), well you should meet my aunt. Just the same we had a lot of fun. She and I were up late catching up and sharing family stories. The next morning she and I went shopping and got lunch, then it was time to head home.
Wednesday we drove through Greenville on our way to visit my parents. It was the beginning of 4 days of my mother trying to feed us. If Scott didn't know where I get my ability to try and feed everyone, after a day with my aunt and 4 with mom, he surely knows now! I never have enough time to see all my friends and family when I'm home and this was no different. We had dinner with my uncle and his wife on Thursday, and Friday we celebrated my father's 70th birthday with my step sister & her husband, my step brother, my nephew, and my aunt. We all laughed so hard it started to hurt. Saturday, after years of Scott hearing about the infamous Jockey Lot, he finally got to see it. The Jockey Lot is one of the largest flea markets in the South. I don't know how many acres, but it's huge. I think the people watching is some of the best, come on, we're talking rednecks at a flea market! How can that be bad? That afternoon and one more visit with a dear friend and we were ready to start heading west again.
Sunday morning we left Greer, SC and headed up to catch I-40 and start our trip west. Monday afternoon we pulled in to Palm Springs for a couple of days to ourselves.
Finally Wednesday, we were home and Reisender was sitting there safe and sound, waiting for us. We needed this break, and we needed to see our families just as badly. Seeing people who know you and love you despite your craziness is always a good thing!
Well, we are home in Newport and planning our next trek, this time on Reisender.
The night passed quickly and we were coming through St Louis, then Illinois, and Indiana. Finally, we crossed into Ohio and safely to Scott's mother's house. It was a wonderful visit. We spent a lot of time cooking and laughing. I ask, could it get any better? Wednesday, we went to Cleveland and visited with Scott's second cousin. Thursday, after a drive toward Toledo, we met up with Scott's sister and the only niece of his I hadn't met yet. A lovely time! Friday we made our way south of Canton to see some of where Scott's family is from. It was nice watching mother and son share memories. Friday night, it was more family, with Scott's brother, his wife, nice, her husband, and 2 grand-nieces (both girls funnier than the other). Watching the stars come out we realized it was time to head in, but no one really wanted to. The hardest thing about living this far, it the time with family we miss.
Saturday was an early morning, for those of you who know Scott, not an easy thing. I drove the morning shift. Atlanta was our goal for the day, and we had 11 hours to drive and dinner plans in 13 hours. All was fine until Columbus, all south bound freeways had detours, delay 15 minutes. Then in Kentucky, an accident in the southern end of the state, delay 30 minutes. In Tennessee, road closed down to one lane due to construction, delay 45 minutes. We were late, but we had half and hour to spare. Glad I shaved in the car! It was dinner at one of our favorite restaurants with my best friend and a group of their friends. Then two days of giggles and wine. The time is always too short when we get together.
My favorite aunt lives just north of Atlanta. I couldn't pass through without a visit to her! We drove up and she had enough food to feed and army. Scott and I aren't big eaters, but I tried. She is my favorite aunt after all. Poor Scott, if you think I can talk (no smart comments please), well you should meet my aunt. Just the same we had a lot of fun. She and I were up late catching up and sharing family stories. The next morning she and I went shopping and got lunch, then it was time to head home.
Wednesday we drove through Greenville on our way to visit my parents. It was the beginning of 4 days of my mother trying to feed us. If Scott didn't know where I get my ability to try and feed everyone, after a day with my aunt and 4 with mom, he surely knows now! I never have enough time to see all my friends and family when I'm home and this was no different. We had dinner with my uncle and his wife on Thursday, and Friday we celebrated my father's 70th birthday with my step sister & her husband, my step brother, my nephew, and my aunt. We all laughed so hard it started to hurt. Saturday, after years of Scott hearing about the infamous Jockey Lot, he finally got to see it. The Jockey Lot is one of the largest flea markets in the South. I don't know how many acres, but it's huge. I think the people watching is some of the best, come on, we're talking rednecks at a flea market! How can that be bad? That afternoon and one more visit with a dear friend and we were ready to start heading west again.
Sunday morning we left Greer, SC and headed up to catch I-40 and start our trip west. Monday afternoon we pulled in to Palm Springs for a couple of days to ourselves.
Finally Wednesday, we were home and Reisender was sitting there safe and sound, waiting for us. We needed this break, and we needed to see our families just as badly. Seeing people who know you and love you despite your craziness is always a good thing!
Well, we are home in Newport and planning our next trek, this time on Reisender.
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