Slight Delay

air. diesel. blockage. water.

Those are some of the words Robb issued today that I can repeat.

This ole girl (the rv, not me) gave Robb quite a little attitude today.

On the windy roads of the 78 heading into San Diego from Julian the rv decided she needed a little break.

The half hour fix ended up taking about seven hours, apparently it is not easy to work on a rig when you have to get out of the way every time a car drives by.

Quite a few cars drove by.

The kids and I were entertained for a while by the cows in the field next to us. There must have been a couple dozen cows with their calves. They came right up to the fence and mooed and nursed and played. Hey, any port in a storm.



It really wasn't bad for us, we baked kale, read Harry Potter, made prime rib chili.

I was all packed and ready to go to a hotel when Robb gave it one last effort and she started up.

Maybe she's just mad that he took the "L Fun O" off?

Lessons

Joshua Tree National Park was good fun, here is Robb sweeping the awning (I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried.)
The kids working on their Jr. Ranger program.
We had some great hikes and boulder climbing and enjoyed the unique scenery. We were all pretty exhausted and it was a good place to catch up.

We camped on BLM land on our way out which was incredibly enjoyable. We like being able to let the kids run around and make some noise outside! We like being the ones to determine what they are and are not allowed to do.

Yes, that is a rusted box spring found out in the desert that Jillian is jumping on. We did cover it with a piece of vinyl we happened to have in the rv. They were a riot jumping and singing their own unique version of 'Sweetly Sings the Donkey!'

We decided to visit the Salton Sea next. We had never been there, there was great camping available and we could avoid driving through LA on our way to San Diego.

You know, people have told us how much the kids will learn on this trip and I am now a believer.

Sure, you can talk about fish kill offs. You can warn against agricultural runoff dangers. But until you see hundreds upon hundreds of fish carcasses, until you smell their rotted and decaying stank wafting off the water, can you really appreciate it?

Lesson learned; research destinations BEFORE you arrive.

And We're Off

For real this time.

You don't even want to hear the tank leaking saga. But we are now leak free, finally, and for that we are grateful!!

Thank you to our incredibly patient hosts away from home Beth, Jeff, Cope and Tierney!! We had a great time together and we already miss you.

Just loading up, grabbing some groceries and heading to Joshua Tree.

xoxo

Or Not

I guess I was a little optimistic on my ETD.

See, I thought when you had a black holding tank made that surely that tank would do what it is supposed to do.

It doesn't have a lot of requirements, it just needs to hold its contents.

Nope.

It leaks.

There goes my sister's "thank God my family has finally left town" party Friday night. But seriously, you have to love her, Beth is such a nut; she is excited that we'll be around another couple of days.

I used my extra time here to solidify my status as the 'un-fun' aunt and helped Cope and Tierney do their science projects.



Some more highlights of the holidays. We visited 'Candy Cane Lane' where the entire block goes all out with light decorations on their houses. So much fun to walk around and see all the displays!






One of the things I miss most about not living closer to my siblings; getting to go to all the school plays and the like. We were lucky enough to be in town to see Cope and Tierney's school Christmas program. Here they are during their blues rendition of Frosty the Snowman.

On the Road Again....

It had to be used once right?

We head out with mixed emotions; we are so excited to be getting on the road again, but we are going to miss Beth, Jeff, Cope and Tierney so much!!

And then there are our hosts at the Embassy Suites, I'm not saying we've been here too long but the breakfast manager sat down with us to chat yesterday.

We are heading up to Joshua Tree for a few days and then probably back to the coast.

Uncle Ted shared some pictures from the Wynne Christmas. Good times were had by all!





Santa's arrival was a huge hit.

When asked what he wanted for Christmas Bobby confided that he'd really like a pair of ear plugs. I guess living in a motor home takes its toll on everyone.

It is hard to see but Bella (Jamie's doll) is wearing a Christmas skirt that Jamie sewed herself.

"Stranded" in Palm Springs

And loving it!!!

Grandma took us on a field trip to the Living Desert. It was awesome!

Jillian informed us that she had never ridden on a camel before. You never would have known it to see her climb right on up on its back.


The 10 month old giraffe was almost 12 feet tall; to put his parents into perspective.

It was a fantastic experience.






Replacing the tanks is taking longer than expected, as does all repair work.

The charm of the 60's retro hotel wore off quickly as we got to know our insomniac tv watching neighbors and now truly appreciate the phrase 'paper thin walls.' It had some great perks, but it would have been hard for an additional week and a half. So thanks to hot wire's unpublished rates we found an amazing deal at the Embassy Suites.

We won't be able to thank Beth and Jeff enough for the many amazing meals, sleepovers for the kids, help for Robb with the rig, even a trip to the symphony! The kids are enjoying being with their cousins more than I can express.

Whenever we left my Grandma McDonough she would call it crying day.
Today is crying day as my parents are heading up to Coeur d'Alene for a few weeks. We won't see them until sometime this spring :(
It won't hit me for a few days, but then Robb will notice that I'm in a bit of a mood and he'll know why.
As always, we have enjoyed our time together immensely.

Holino

“Holino,” I answered the phone in the condo, expecting it to be my mom and making up a word of greeting, as is my annoying habit.

Well trained in honoring whatever cultural greeting may answer the phone she didn’t miss a beat. “Holino, this is Katie from guest services.”

I am still giggling.

The New Year

Already?

Well that went quickly.

The holidays were fantastic.

I'm going to miss you dishwasher, washing machine and long showers.

Robb had visions of doing some necessary repairs on the RV while we were in the time share, that was as successful as vigilant healthy eating over the holidays.

We are still in Palm Springs. We moved into a hotel as living in the RV with both holding tanks pulled is not an option.

I'm not complaining; my parents are still here, and my sister and family, though they did insist on returning to school this week. Not one sign up for Aunt Erin's Road School. Humph!

Also, what a local to be 'stranded' in. We are right downtown in an old hotel with a 60's art deco feel. We can walk down to the shops and restaurants which are all in full swing for the snowbird season. The city has focused on its prime past and has posters and literature from the time when Old Hollywood inhabited the dessert during the winter. Quite enjoyable.

With the whirlwind of the holidays Robb and I haven't managed to sit down and decide where it is we are heading next. Hope that wind kicks up soon!