#42
WHITEHOUSECA: 3 SIRS and RV
Sat. July 29, 2017

Another day of travel is completed. Thanks for all of the views here.  Will try to update each day.

 We were unhooked and moving at 8:10 am this morning.    Leaving the "split pea soup" behind in Santa Nella and off to our next stop for the night in Winnemucca, NV.
But I am getting ahead of myself.  We left Santa Nella on the 5 heading north.   We went past Stockton and Sacramento (CA capital).  We then hit interstate 80 heading east.  Past Truckee where we normally love to stay but today on we go. 

Just south of Reno, the first bridge was constructed for the Lincoln Highway .  The bridge is gone but side ralls are on display.  We stopped for lunch and a doggy walk.

Then on we went to Winnemucca,

NV.  We are staying at New Frontier RV Park.  It is only 4 years old and is very nice. We took a "back in" spot.  It was so easy because the spots are large.   We are going to eat in the RV and then take a short walk over to the nearby Casino.  Its name is Winners.  Is that a sign?   Maybe I can get a new RV with a big win?

But during the day was always was time for a self picture-

Oh yes,   while I was driving (except for the picture) Some just rested

 It is hard work RVing.

Until we meet again on our journey......

                                                     Until next time we meet on our journey:.

#40
WHITEHOUSECA: 3 SIRS and RV



Can you believe---Sir Richard is over one year  old.  The time went by so fast.  Yes, he still likes jumping up on this table.

We have started our trip to Illinois today (Friday the 28th) We have a wedding to attend and family  visits.  Last week, Henry and Lance  (along with me) took Sir Richard on his first RV ride.  We went to Costco to fill up the RV.  He seemed to enjoy the ride.  He called the doggy window first as always.

We were moving at 5:30 am, yes Lee was up and ready too.   I am not sure if Richard understood that he had to get up early.  He did like to eat at 4 am instead of 7 am.  We packed the RV on Thursday and the boys watched.  Morning could not come soon enough for Henry.

By leaving early, traffic was not bad.  We went the 405 north (past LA) and joined the 5.  We stopped every two hours for a break since this was Richard's first trip.  We wanted him to understand that we would have bathroom breaks.  The other dogs went in and found their spots.  Henry went to the window and took a nap.  Lance went near the sofa and rested.  Richard looked around some and then went to Lee.

I don't think he rested for the five plus hours we drove today. When we pulled in to the RV park at Santa Nella, he was ready to sleep.

At this time,  all are resting after a normal evening meal.  Richard  is not  sure what will happen next.  After nearly a month on the road,  I think he will be glad to get home. 

Hopefully tomorrow night we will be writing from NV.

                                                     Until next time we meet on our journey:.

#39  
WHITEHOUSECA: 3 SIRS and RV


As many of you are aware,  the boys and I took some time off on writing this blog.   During that time off----Lee and I were lucky to get a new puppy.  Sir Richard.  I had hoped to start writing sooner but events took place and this blog was put to the bottom of the list.

Sir Richard will turn one year old on May  4th.  The other boys have taken him in and Lance is teaching him all of the "things" he needs to know - such as where the treats are kept and how to get one.  Richard is a "tri-color" (black, white and brown).  He is the same breed as the other SIRS.  We were very lucky to get this Cavalier from Orchard Hill Cavaliers in Leesport, PA.   A special "thank you" goes to Erica Venier for giving us the chance to raise him.  It was made possible by our dear friend and the SIRS breeder Darlene Tsubota from Hawaii. 

Sir Richard's legal name is "Orchard Hill Arts and Letters".  His parents are  SIRE- CH Verheyen Dustin and DAM- CH Orchard Hill Ask the Moon.   The Sire is Tri Color and his mother is Bheim.

Recently, Darlene (the breeder of our first three Sirs) was on the news in Honolulu (KITV-ABC 4) with participating in a new program at the Honolulu Airport.  The program is called "Wags of Aloha", it is a volunteer program the Kuhio Lions Club launched at the airport. It's one of 20 in motion at airports across the United States.  Listed below is a link to the news report.

WAGS of Aloha-KITV

I hope that you enjoyed it.  Maybe "girl" was the dog that Lee and I kept for a few months last year for Darlene.  It takes a few months always to get a dog "legal" to get into Hawaii.  Darlene will be bring OH Maybe Forever back to CA at the end of April for Maybe's two year health check.  We have scheduled visits for eye, heart and hip checks.   NO PROBLEMS but wanting to make sure before moving on.  Lee and I, along with many others are looking forward to having Maybe stay with us during the week.  Lee is planning a party and we may make it a first birthday party for Sir Richard too.

Yes, Sir Richard is on the sofa table.  He has learned how to jump u to it.  I had my camera next to me when this took place yesterday.  It was hard to tell him "NO" because he looked so cute.  Like a stuff dog on the table.

Sir Richard has learned somehow that Sir Henry is the "boss" of the dogs in this house.  Henry turned 12 years old at Christmas.  They have become good friends along with Sir Lancelot.

Sir Richard loves to be on "guard" at the front court yard gate.  He really does not bark unless he is playing with the boys.

My sister, Harlene will be arriving this week for almost a month visit.  Everyone is looking forward to her visit and the upcoming outings. Hopefully, I will be writing about it too.

                                                     Until next time we meet on our journey:.

#38  at Lazydays---Back to Tucson, AZ
WHITEHOUSECA: 3 SIRS and RV

You might remember the SIRS, Lee, and I were here just a few weeks ago after our trip to Illinois.  At that time, (slide would not open to make living space larger in RV)  it was determined that one of the motors was not working (blog #34).  The motor had to be ordered and it took about 10 days to get in.   We scheduled the 27th. of August as the install day. 

I left our home in CA on the day before and after nearly a 9 hour drive (traffic was not good going down the 5 to the 8).  The normal travel time is 7 hours.   I made it to Tucson and spent the night at the KOA next door to the Lazydays' Service Center.   I did make it to see my service manager before they closed and they gave me a $6.00 discount to the KOA.   So remember to always ask if there is any discounts.  With my KOA membership, I would have been given a $3.00 discount at the KOA park so I saved another $3.00 and had a great drive here.   I will be posting a video (not the entire 9 hours-just about 3 minutes)  on the whitehouseca.com webpage.  It will be of the Boarder Patrol Check Point leaving CA and entering AZ.  Not really a check at all---just a wavy.

I was told to be here at 8 am and so I arrived early as always.  They opened the gate at 7:55 am. and soon after the RV went back to get serviced.

I made this trip myself.   Due to the heat (was 112 outside when I arrived) I felt the boys would rather say home with Lee.

 

I was told by my service manager a four hour job.  I had hoped to be on the  road by noon.I was.  Thank YOU.  I made it home by 8:30 PM even if I have to go back

Well,  I just heard that the motor is in and they now see that the gears are bad.   I know it is too much to ask that they might of check the gears when they checked why the slide did not work.  It should be covered by my insurance from Good Sams but of course no parts here. Heard today that my insurance approved it so now the parts can be ordered. It could take 3 weeks or more to get parts.   Yes -  It does mean another trip to Tucson in September, maybe it will be cooler then.


On a different note,  some of you may remember Al from Maui?   He owned Maui Bar Supply.    Lee and I just got off the phone with Al.  He is doing fine.  We had not spoken since the fall.  So lots of story both ways.  Al when you read this,  feel free to put in a comment at the bottom of the page.  Anyone else feel free to comment too.


We should be back writing each week soon.  Have been working on the Family Tree.  Some interesting facts which will be shared with you in the coming weeks.


Before ending, I want to thank our one of our sponsors - Dog Breed Store. com    Have heard some good comments from those who clicked on the link and ordered something.  Feel free to click on it (right side) and take a look-you don't even have to order anything.  We have added this to our other supports - Amazon and GoDaddy web-builder.  Please visit these sponsors and by doing so (when you go from this blog or go from the website) the SIRS will get credit for any sales and it cost you nothing.  Yes you pay no more but the SIRS get the credit.

                                                       Until next time we meet on our journey:.

#37  at home---Visit by the Doctor
WHITEHOUSECA: 3 SIRS and RV

You might have read a few weeks ago about Lee's and my visit to Illinois.  During our visit, we went to my sister's son's office for a shot and visit.  This past week-end Dr. Flatt (Mack) came for a three day visit.  We had to open a bottle of wine!!!!!  When asked what do you want to do while here--
the answer was easy-  "JUST EAT and use the POOL.

Lee put together her "normal" pre-meal followed by a light meal

Some of the family "traditional" foods

After the meal we there was time for some TV and the nightly news.

Friday morning Mack helped in taking the boys for their morning walk

Following the walk, Lee had put together a small breakfast

 One of the items for breakfast was the "sausage" we brought back from southern Illinois when we stopped and visited my cousin and his wife.  As you can see, Mack loved it.  He wants us to plan a trip to McLeansboro in the fall for more.

After breakfast,  Mack was ready for the pool.

After the pool----what about lunch?

 For Information the plastic glass contains some wine (we were bing pool safe--no glass)

Mack's stay was short-just Thursday afternoon until Sunday morning.  I guess he did what he wanted- EAT and use the POOL.   We did go for lunch Saturday to the great Mexican place:  EL ADOBE.  He enjoyed the meal there almost as much as each of the meals Lee made for him.   He had a "LONG" trip home due to weather.  Was an hour late leaving and due to storms in Chicago he went to WI for about an hour visit before taking off and landing in Chicago.

The boys really enjoyed his visit because they taught him to give them a treat every time he walked by the treat jar.  I have to say too,  Lee and I enjoyed his visit.  I was able to update him on the "family tree" info I have found.  I also gave him a draft copy to read.  Just for the record,  I now have proof that on my mother's side of the family (Johnson married Hall) that we had someone who fought in the American Revolutionary War.   Interesting fact.   I will be posting some of that info later.  I just sent my sister a few pages of the proof.  I do need to work on that  some more.

Lee is getting the guest room ready for our next scheduled arrival- my sister Harlene next month.  She is coming on August 24. 

I am still working on the layout of the blog as well as the website.  So you will see changes in the coming days and weeks.

Now this note:

First I want to thank our new sponsor - Dog Breed Store. com  Feel free to click on it (right side) and take a look.  We have added this to our other supports - Amazon and GoDaddy web-builder.  Please visit these sponsors and by doing so (when you go from this blog or go from the website) the SIRS will get credit for any sales and it cost you nothing.  Yes you pay no more but the SIRS get the credit of the order.

Until next time we meet on our journey:.

#35  at home---Where did all this stuff come from?
WHITEHOUSECA: 3 SIRS and RV

5027 miles and we are back where we started. The WhitehouseCA RV and Sirs pulled into Coto about 1:20 AM (this morning). Everything is fine here. The roses need a trim and a few leaves picked up but thanks to Helen next door, out pool is great.   We only unloaded what we needed when we arrived.   Things like the sausage brought from southern Illinois (my cousin has connections and we got the last sausage made in the spring of 2016.  I really don't know how much but the freezer in the RV was full.  Yesterday while they were working on the RV in Tucson,  they were good and kept the RV plugged in so the prize items remained frozen.  Again thank you all in McLeansboro  and we will be thinking and talking about you when we eat it.  Lee is going to fix some sausage for dinner (super as they say in McLeansboro).

The final leg of our trip began at about 5:30 from the LazyDays Service Center in Tucson.  Thanks again Martha and the service techs. for getting us on the road as soon as you could.  The major problem was in the level jack system (which we don't use) .  One line broke as we were driving to AZ to have the slide out unit fixed.  (will be going back to see my friends in Tucson as soon as the motor arrives).  As they were replacing the hose for the jack system-they kept finding other hoses needing replacement.   I guess I will be writing to Thor (maker of the A.C.in a future blog posting.  I have heard some leveling systems are problem.

.

Traffic was heavy getting out of town and it was hot.  We were running the generator so the main AC unit could run.  They boys enjoyed the cool air but gas mileage was down.  We had to stop twice for gas.  The second time was at a LOVES Truck Stop and we filled up the LP gas tank too.  Doing that took longer than it should-they could not find the key to open up the hose unit on their system and then the man who was to fill our tank had no idea how to do it.  So two others came out to help.  They only good point was that the LP Gas was cheap. Only 2.09 a gal.  At KOA in Tucson it was 3.19  a gal.  I had hoped to fill up at LazyDays but they were in a hurry to get us out and did not do that item.  I am sure I saved money by going to LOVES or to a Pilot/Flying J's to fill the LP tank.

It has been two years since we drove from Tucson to CA.  The roads are ruff and sometimes you were sure that the RV was going to fall apart. It is a long way, nearly 500 miles to our house.

While Lee was at the doctor's office---I went to Cosco.  Loaded up on things.  Then Lee and I went to Trader Joes.  The RV is empty of most items and put away.  The RV has gone back into storage.  The dogs have been resting all day after breakfast.  Lee says it is their best sleep in weeks.They never wanted to sleep during the day because they might miss something.

Lance does not wait to eat

Henry likes to wait and even have some from a spoon (yes I do it

 )

Henry loves to wait until Lance is finished and then make him watch

It is about 3:30 here and Lee has gone to take a nap.  Henry and Lance also are napping.  I have started going over the month long pile of junk mail with a few items of importance.  I guess I will close by saying that I will give the total dollars of repairs when the slide is complete.  I know I will have nearly two hours of labor not covered by my Good Sam's extended policy.  Oh, yes---I nearly forgot to tell you about my blackberry plant I found at Cosco today.  It has no thorns and I hope will be as good as my cousin's blackberries I tried before leaving Sunday morning. Will be planting it tomorrow (it has berries on it)

 Until next time we meet on our journey

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