The Perfect End to a Great Day!

Roasting S'mores over an open fire is the perfect end to our day. Tomorrow we go on a whale watching expedition. The grey whales are migrating through this area right now. The cruise will also take us around the Channel Islands. I can' wait! Goodnight.

Just a little ice cream, Connor?

We ate our home made lemon ice cream today. Me, Ted and Connor loved it. Evan and Lacy...not so much. Here, Pepe is hoping for a lick!

Can't-Hold-On-Much-Longer!

Here, Evan goofs around by jumping from the picnic table to my open window while I worked on my computer planning the rest of our trip! He did eventually have to drop.

The Doggie Park for Pepe!

After being alone while we were gone, Pepe was rewarded with a trip to the Doggie Park where we were staying. Here we can take him off leash and he can run and play (and do his thing) while we visit. He loves it here!

A Helping Hand From Daddy

Let me tell you, Ted had to marry someone younger because someone his age could never keep up with him. He ran the same distance we rode and we were all tuckered out on the way back. Here Ted is running up a hill, pushing Evan as he goes along. It doesn't end there. Ted also pushed mine and Evan's bikes up the embankment to the RV park. We were on our last leg...but not the EverReady Bunny [Ted]!

From High Cliffs we Watched the Fog Come In

From these cliffs we could see this wall of fog approach. It was like a blanket being thrown over the area. It was amazing to see. When we got back to the bus, we could not even see the ocean for all the fog.

Rocks, shells and bones

The kids spent a lot of time with their pants rolled up collecting neat things along the shore. Just over the boys' shoulder are 15 or more surfers in wet suits just waiting for the next wave. They have had some exceptionally good waves here lately. One a few days ago swept some onlookers on the beach into sea.

First look at the ocean

Imagine us on our bikes, riding through heavy woods, then we crest over a hill and there is the Pacific Ocean. It was really a neat experience.

El Capitan

There is no one picture that can capture our bike ride through the El Capitan State Beach. It was breath-taking. The kids and I biked and ted jogged through this park. The Pacific waves crashed against the rocks and cliffs looked down over the sea. It was just wonderful!

The Yurt

This was a first for the kids. These yurts are basically fancy tents. They have all shapes and sizes. This one was the bottom of the line variety. I will take the RV thank-you-very-much!

The Bill Wallace Trail

We did not hike the entire 11 mile trail, but this resort - Ocean Mesa at El Capitan - would be worth visiting if you are in Santa Barbara. They have cabins and yurts as well as the RV park. There is so much to do and it is a really beautiful canyon across from the Pacific Ocean.

Ted's Sourdough Wafers

We all ate lunch in the canyon and Ted bought these GROSS crackers that looked really healthy. Actually, the food was wonderful and the atmosphere was breathtaking.

Morning Office and School

This morning was spent with Ted at "the Office" (you can see him out the window on the picnic table he set up as his office today), and the kids at school. The kids focused well and at around 2:00 we all quit for the day and hiked to a really neat deli in the Canyon.

The Bunkhouse

This is how the kids sleep. They rotate beds each night. God makes us all so different, doesn't He? Lacy has an electric blanket she keeps on "high" all night. Connor kicks the covers of almost immediately, and Evan goes to sleep as soon as his head hits the pillow and he does not move all night. In the morning, all the sheets and blankets go on the sofa bed, which has an air mattress. When the mattress is deflated, there is plenty of room to store the linens on that bed. The air mattresses are kept in a compartment under our bed. We have the night and morning routine down pat!

RV Traditions

Two things we always have on our bus are grape salad (grapes, sugar-free vanilla pudding and vanilla yogurt), and soy beans called Edamame. Here we are eating our Eamame on the floor as we always do. You should try it; it is really wonderful…and healthy too!

Evan and his Crazy Foods

Evan spotted this prickly fruit [or vegetable, we're not sure] at the market and just had to try it. After cradling it in his hand all the way home, he cut it open and decided he could not even try what is inside it looked so gross. Oh well, that's our Evan!

Three of My Boys

Ted is reading, Connor is watching TV, and Pepe is hoping that Connor drops one of those sugar cookies of Tutu's!

What do we do with all those lemons?

I searched the internet for a recipe that uses lemons (because we picked probably 15 lemons in Tucson!) and I can make with what I have on the RV. I found a lemon ice cream recipe that really looks good. Here, we are squeezing lemons to make our ice cream.

El Capitan

We arrived at this beautiful RV resort at dusk so it is really hard to see, but the ocean is behind Connor in this picture. Our RV site faces a field with a playground and the Pacific Ocean behind it! There is a hiking trail to the El Capitan Canyon. By the time we got parked and hooked up, it was dark so we can’t wait for the sun to come up to see the view.

Palm Springs to Santa Barbara

The 3 hour drive today turned into 5 1/2 when we hit the Los Angeles traffic! But when we hit the coast and drove up with the mountains on our right and the Pacific Ocean on our left, it was a sight to behold! Here, Evan sits in the window as the Channel Islands first appear to our left. He would want me to explan that his shoulders got a little too much sun and that is why he has no shirt!

The Mountain Kings!

Ted got up this morning and cycled the 1 1/2 mile (hilly) road to the local diner with Evan, then went back out and did it with Lacy! Here, it was time to go so I had to go pick them up in the car.

Hollywood, Here I Come!

Actually, I spend too much money on hair color to let the sun bleach it out!

Work day's over!

The great thing about being on Pacific Time is that things mostly settle down after lunch and we can play! Here, the kids got hold of the camera and snapped one of Ted and I.

Ted at the Office

The bad thing about being on Pacific Time is that Teds work day can begin at 4:30 a.m. when our first surgeries of the day generally begin. He enjoyed the 80 degree weather with us today by the pool, but he spent most of his day on the phone. If only the people on the other end of the line could see what he looked like. I just have to laugh. Could be a much worse day at the office!

The Hot Springs

This resort has four hot spring wells on its forty acres of land. By the swimming pools, they have a three sided building that is open to the swaying palm trees on one end. Inside the building are four hot spring pools that represent each of the four wells. Because the wells bring the hot mineral water up from different depths, they each have a different temperature coming out of the ground ranging from 104 degrees to 140 degrees. These pools were relaxing and picturesque nestled below the snow-capped mountains.

The Sauna

This resort is very unusual because it truly welcomes kids. In Tucson, of the 14 RV resorts, only three even allow kids. Actually, most would not even take Ted and I because you have to be 55 or older! Here they let kids participate in anything the parents do. Here, our kids had their first experience in a sauna. There were mixed comments. Connor did not like it so much, Lacy was pretty neutral and Evan could not get enough!

Ducks, swans and fish

This resort where we are staying has a pond full of fish and all kinds of birds. They have a white swan, a black swan and even a peacock. It is really a beautiful oasis full of lush green trees reminiscent of Hawaii. Great care has gone into the surroundings. I think it may be run by hippies! What a wonderful experience!

Desert Hot Springs, California

Today has been an incredible day! Desert Hot Springs is about 10 miles from Palm Springs and one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Desert mountains surround us on one side, while snow-capped mountains (seen here behind the kids) surround us on the other.

Riding with my baby

It's hard to believe this is my baby boy! He, more than any of the others, loves this travelling life. Evan loves to explore new places and learn about the local plants and animals. He carries his own camera and takes pictures of everything.

Rub my tummy, Lacy

Our travels today from Tucson to Desert Hot Springs, California (next to Palm Springs) was beautiful. Again, miles and miles of nothing but mountains and cactus. Here, Pepe bums a tummy rub off of Lacy while soaking in the sun.

Ahem...some attention please!

Pepe often sits in the front seat with me. Since I generally have my computer in my lap when I am not driving, he has to share my lap. Here it looks like he is peeking around the computer to make sure I remember he is there!

The Saguaro (sa-wa-roe) Cactus

This cactus was one of our favorite things about Tucson. They grow EVERYWHERE! It is the largest cactus in Arizona and can be more than 50 feet tall! They don't grow their first "arm" until they are more than 5 feet tall. A giant Saguaro can weigh as much as ten tons! The indians used this cactus to make frames for their homes. I pity the man who had to cut it down. Those barbs are sharp. They live to be 150 to 200 years old. Wow!

Lemons, Oranges and Grapefruits...in the Desert!

The RV Park where we stayed last night in Tucson was lined with fruit trees full of the largest lemons, oranges and grapefruits you have ever seen! We headed to California with a bowl full of lemons the size of baseballs (seen here with Evan)! Who would have guessed we would find fruit in the desert?

That is our bus and car in the background. This was a great RV park. We would come back to Tucson anytime. What a wonderful part of the country!

Sleeping Prince and Princess

Some mornings we are ready to start our day before the kids are. Here, Lacy and Connor sleep away under the watchful eye of Pepe.

He Loves ME...he really loves me!

Ted, the guy who *pretends* he does not like our "fru fru" dog, secretly loves Pepe a lot. Here, they snuggle while Ted reads.

My Tiger King

The perfect ending to our time at the La Paloma was a round of golf for Ted. He hit them well and had an exceptional day on the links. The funny thing is that after we moved the bus to our new location in Tucson, we went straight to dinner. Ted had his golf shirt, tell-tale sun on his face, and his Masters hat on at the restaurant. We finally figured out that the stares were from people wondering if he was one of the golfers in the tournament!

A Whole Day of Fun

Lacy is a ball of energy getting her sunscreen at the beginning of the day. She is all tuckered out by the end of the day.

Where are Vic and Brent?

As it turns out, our hotel hosted the golf tournament and all of the top golfers were here. Ted said word started getting around about Tiger Woods’ workout schedule and the exercise room started getting curiously crowded around 5:00 p.m. He said everyone happened to be working out with cameras too! He saw many players during our stay. It was fun to follow the scores in the local paper. It was a big event here in Tucson.

Sipping a Slushie by the Pool

We just could not believe what a wonderful day we had. There were clear skies and 80 degree weather. We spent the whole day outside while Ted played golf.

A wet little Evan

Here, Evan is by the pool where he must have climbed up to the water slide 100 times today.

Pepe takes a ride

Here is Pepe in his carry bag, ready to take a trip somewhere. He is the laziest dog on the planet. He goes from sleeping spot to sleeping spot. We read where many musicians who travel by bus often have Havenese as pets because they do so well in a small space.

Lacy hits the casino

Ted let Lacy slip into Casino night for a few minutes to look around and grab Kris some dessert!

David is High Rolling!

Actually, they gave everybody $1000.00 of play money to pretend they are big spenders at the Aesculap "Casino Night. It looks like David had a smile on his face.

Ted and David

David Dorsey is the Clinical Specialist for Altrux Medical and has been with us since soon after we opened our doors. Ted says David is the best he has ever seen in the Operating Room. We are blessed to have him as part of our company.