HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

SUNSET AT DAYTONA BEACH, FL.

I pray that everyone has a great 2010 and that this will be the year of good health and happiness for everyone.

I wish my kids every dream they can possibly want.. and Tammy and Kelley.. I pray this child is safe and secure in your arms.

Karli my grand daughter.. ahh darlin.. I wish you all your dreams to come.. and lol I hope you are as active as your daddy was when he was little :) Much happiness Kelli and Randy! Stacy and Virginia.. I pray you find the "dairy find" of the century.. what ever it might be! Melody and Alex.. I pray all your wishes are full filled.. And Holly.. much happiness and laughter in your life. Karl I hope to see you more in 2010 and hear that laughter some more..

To all my other family and friends.. I LOVE YOU and only wish the best awesomest (hmm that a word??) year! Cyn.. You can do what you set your mind to.. and Do it with gusto.. Love you kiddo! Athena.. grow strong and stay as happy and as beautiful as you are! But be good to your mommy and daddy :)

Monday or Tue we plan to start heading back to Yuma Arizona. We'll be back by hopefully mid January. I'll let you all know what happens along the way.

you all take care.. and be safe tonight..

Keri

We're in Daytona Beach, Florida

Home of fast (Nascar) cars.. Joey Lagonno (sp) is busy doing practice racing over at Daytona Speedway.. hmm might have to go check that out! And all who know me.. know I will probably go do that.. check it out..
Made it here now trying to find a place to get the old rv lubed and oil changed. We are going to look into air shocks too..
Well for tonight YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT TOMORROW!
Night.. Keri

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

Merry Christmas everyone :)

This is grand daughter Karli with Santa.. I don't think she is to sure of the jolly fat guy :)

This is my great niece Athena.. I think she is busy keeping an eye on mom. There is something about Jolly St Nick and kids.. especially little kids!

Mel and I spent Christmas Eve with Stacy and Virginia. We had an awesome dinner.. and looked at a few of my movies from England on our narrow boat trip. It was fun.. THEN.. we opened presents. I think everyone was pleased with what they got. Virginia's sister Mary also came up and had dinner with us. It was a great day.. Stacy also took us over to the Coast Guard base and showed us around and in to see his office.

It was a great day.. had sunshine and lots of laughter...

Yeah.. I cried when I left.. it is a moms progatory.. Besides.. I always miss my kids...

SO :) MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE.. as we leave Virginia.. for warmer weather. Which it looks like the next front is coming in so I have to stop here and we are packing up to leave. We will be back probably early fall .. there is so much here in this area we would love to see.. that is outside.. PLUS>. see the kids again..

Till next time I write.. you all take care!
Keri

Williamsburg, VA

Land of the free.. flooding and snow..

Last night in Hayes VA. which is across the bridge ($1.00 an axel to cross) at the RV park we went to.. it snowed.. then rained. We woke up to the area around us (all sand and some dirt) was flooded.. Even Jax-e wasn't sure she wanted to jump down off the step.. We had to wear plastic bags over our shoes or water would have poured into them. It was record time to hook up the car hauler and get the car on.. it was flooding and a mess.. and since we had to go on a road names"low ground road" it was a bad omen.. It was quite a trip along the road.. there were a couple places where water was totally over the roadway. If we had waited.. I am sure we would have been stuck there, due to the roads flooding. So.. on the main road.. we got across the bridge and headed for Williamsburg VA. To a different.. RV park.. with showers and cable tv.. and we sit on a cement slab..

They did get more snow towards Williamsburg then we did in Hayes, but it was off the road. And basically in the fields. In Hayes.. it was flooding .. and no snow.

Jax-e is SO READY to go back to the beach.. or even sunshine and sand.. she wants it to be warm again.. that is why she left Spokane.. :( POOR PUPPY (and for the record.. yes.. Mel is whining about the cold too.. they are 2 peas in a pod!) But first before we start our trip back.. we will spend Christmas with Stacy and Virginia. The 26th, we start out. Hopefully early and with decent weather.

Well must go do dishes and then going to watch tv some.
You all have a great weekend and don't forget to get your shopping done :)

Oh yeah... Happy Holidays..

Keri

Four Oaks NC

IF you have a RV and IF you go through this area and IF you need a place to stay and IF you can sleep through a hurricane.. then THIS is the place for you!!!
Complete with train 100 feet from your camping spot..
Tomorrow we head for Williamsburg VA. We will spend a few days there.. then the 26th.. it is on down to FLORIDA..WARMTH!! and on over to Yuma.. going slowly of course. :)
We don't like to hurry.
Well going to stop here.. will write more from Williamsburg..
You all take care..
Keri

Wed. leave for Four Oaks, NC

Tomorrow we leave for Four Oaks, NC. We spend one night there then head up further towards Williamsburg, VA. We plan to visit and see Stacy and Virginia on Sunday. We'll get up and see a few of the sights and then... do nothing :) We enjoy doing nothing.We accomplished quite a bit today.. I cleaned and re-did some cupboards.. Mel did little projects we had on the list :) You all know.. the honey do list..
Well ... I will miss the beach.. I will miss watching Jax-e running on the beach and miss hearing the waves as they pound coming into shore. AND.. I will really miss walking on the beach with Mel.
I will write more tomorrow.. You all have a nice night..
Keri

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina....

Greetings from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina... We finally got our trailer..and made it on over here. It was a little windy and foggy but the smell is wonderful. There is nothing like the smell of the ocean. Even with the cold front going through.. with the exception of the wind.. it is nice. And we are enjoying walking along the beach..making memories.. and gathering shells for memories for Cynthia.

We picked up our trailer, it is powered to tilt so you can just drive on up it. You don't need to pull out the ramps for the car to go up. Which is nice :) It is a nice trailer.. I will admit it. When I got the car off.. it took about 2 minutes.. it was actually quite nice!

<http://sweetrivertrailer.com/>

We are camped right on the beach.. Staying at "Apache Family Campground resort, www.apachefamilycampground.com ." We are staying in spot Ocean 153. There is a few weeds that act as a wind break.. and Jax-e LOVES the beach.. we let her go and she just runs and runs! All you see is little POOFS of dust in her wake. It is funny to watch. The seagulls drive her nuts and she spots them and goes at a charge towards them.. they fly but she fancies herself a huntress.. I only get nervous when she goes out into the water to go after the seagulls flying above her. Anyway she fancies herself a beach bum.. hehehe She hasn't tried the surf board yet.

This is Kelley and Tammy's baby.. It is magical.

to look at, the baby is just laying perfect for a picture :)
I just pray that this baby makes his or her journey to this world safe and sound. Please send prayers towards Tammy and Kelley.. Thank you.. more then you will know.

Wednesday we check out of here (Myrtle Beach) and head on up towards Stacy and Virginia's. Stacy will be back from the West Coast by the time we get up there and Virginia ought to be on break from college. We plan to spend 4 or 5 days up there during Christmas and check out Williamsburg At Christmas time.. I hear it is quite awesome. Then we will head down into the panhandle of Florida and if it is nice.. slowly make our way back to the Great Northwest! We will take Highway 10 down along the southern end of the states and probably come up through California.

YEA... South Carolina.. finally... :)

Well we are somewhere in South Carolina.. up on the border with North Carolina.. About 6 miles from Mt. Croghan in a little town called PAGELAND. For a couple days we might leave the car here (where we pick up our trailer) .. in Mt. Croghan.. and drive down to Camden.. it is a beautiful old town. Boy I tell you some of the homes that we went by.. were breath taking. AND.. the weather said.. it might get up to 74 tomorrow! Well it is one of them..Wait and see.. kinda deals. Anyway we have a few days to do nothing till we can get the trailer. It is done.. we just have to wait for the tire tie downs. So we will probably do a little driving around and checking things out back here. It is a lot like Washington.. there are trees and green.. no huge mountains.. but it is pretty in it's own way. Then we will head to Stacys for a few days at Christmas time. We plan to go over to the coast and take the coast highway up to Yorktown. There are a couple places we would really like to stop at and see. It will be nice.. even if we have to just watch a storm come in over the ocean. Then when we get there.. the kids want to show us places around there. It will be fun.. and interesting.. Looking forward to it.
Well I am tired and I will write more later..
You all take care..
Keri

SERAFINO'S!!!!! YES..Finally :) Atlanta.. hiss..

Well... made it down here to the restaurant. We ate.. it was still really good.. but somethings had changed and now.. Anchorage takes the #1 spot and Serafino's takes 2nd. They have down sized and moved to a smaller place. I guess that you have to do what you have to do to survive in this economy.



http://www.serafinositalianrestaurant.com/

THEN.. we went up the highway about 15 miles to the truck stop.. wow it was small AND they were parked double so we would have gotten stuck in among the semis. Having been there.. done that.. we decided to go to this other one. We got there and there was no truck parking.. only gas pumps. So we went down the street to Walmart.. which really wasn't a Walmart but a Sams Club. They let us stay there..
If I lived in Atlanta.. I swear.. I would drink.. and I don't mean now and then.. I mean drink! The speed limit is 65.. I was almost doing 70 and they were swerving in and out.. and had to be doing 80plus! I hated it.. I feel for anyone that has to drive there! Atlanta = tranquilizers!

Anyway.. long day LOOOONG day.. BUT thank God.. through Atlanta. I thought St. Louis was bad.. hehehehe think again.. But I will STILL avoid going through St. Louis at all cost. Only if I have no other choice will I go through there.

You all have a great week.. talk to you all later..
Keri

WELCOME TO THE LAKE..

Well it is a lake.. not our lake.. but a lake in Cropwell Alabama. We are east and south of Birmingham Alabama. Tomorrow we make it through Atlanta Georgia. Hopefully our Italian place is open. I am just glad that we are ALMOST there. I told Mel it was a long drive.. The hardest part is the 4 hour driving.. wow it seems like forever getting here.. but we need to stop in time to be able to hook up. It just seems like this is taking forever..and I would love to just spend a few days not doing anything... soon I am told.. soon :)

Got this picture from my niece the other day.. I think it is so cute it is like Athena is going.. .....SANTA......

hehehe And Nino is Santa to her.. Anyway cute picture.. so I wanted to share.
Will be interesting to hear what my granddaughter does with Santa. They haven't gone yet.. hopefully this coming week they will make it.


Well the final for Amazing Race is on.. Mels daughter wants to go on it..Holly.. she would pair up with Alex.. her brother in law. hehehe I can only say.. it would be an interesting show!!
So.. will talk to you all later..
Keri

Where are we..Mississippi..

We made it to Clinton Mississippi tonight. We find driving 4 hours is working.. Or should I say Mel does good after 4 hours. then we need to stop. Besides we like to get all hooked up and ready for night before it gets dark. Tomorrow will be a different day.. trying to find a place for the night. Not to mention the roads get all messy. We have to go north to the middle of the state.. to continue going east. Okay then...it will be onto Birmingham Alabama tomorrow night. Then from Birmingham it will be onto Atlanta and the VERY BEST Itallian place to eat we have EVER eaten at... Serafino..OMG makes my mouth water just thinking of it!

Tomorrow we ought to get into Alabama. I swore I'd never go back to Alabama. And with Red Cross and FEMA.. I have been there more then I would admit to :)

We are staying in a RV park I am not to sure of.. the office door is unlocked and they are having a family gathering in the other room. There is a note to leave your credit card info on this envelope and drop into the box.. where ANYONE can reach into it and get the info. I said I would be up in the am. It was super nice to take a really hot shower. Last time I had great hot water.. but Mel had cold. So glad he had hot water!

Oh.. wish that this photo would have come out brighter.. it was really red and the contrast of the tree beside it was just really cool.

Well you all take care..

tomorrow is another day..

Keri

Drive only 3 days.. Kelley has it right

Well we left Abilene Texas this morning and about an hour out of there.. Mel proved once again.. He is good at driving on the shoulder! This accident also happened in front of us.. 3 semi's and 2 cars ahead of us.. I think.. the semi clipped the pick-up.. and didn't leave much and then the semi went onto his side and did a 180.. facing the east bound traffic.. laying on its side. Not sure of the outcome of the people.. but from the looks of what was left of the pick-up.. (s)he didn't make it. So Kelley said we ought to drive 3 days then stay off the road for the next couple of days. I told Mel one more and we are going to stick the car and rv on a train and we will fly to South Carolina and pick it up. This is WAY more action then I would EVER want again in my life. And I think I need to fit Jaxe with a 5 point harnes.. maybe Mel also.. I hate it .. when I see the brake lights go on.. and he heads for the shoulder. I am thankful.. both times.. it was a full lane shoulder and not the little 2 foot shoulder with the hill going into the median. ugh.. Please God.. no more....

Okay.. we woke up to snow this morning.. Jaxe and Mel didn't want to get out of bed.. I have to admit.. I had to think about it also! I didn't want to leave from under the fur... But I got up.. took Jaxe out and well got ready to get things to go.

Tonight on the news out of DFW (Dallas, Fort Worth) they were talking about the BIG news of the snow.. they are hoping they don't have a bad winter last year of 2.5 inches for the year. Mel and I are like.. what..... We had what 97 inches last year in Spokane. Ugh.. anyway they were glad they didn't have to take a "Snow Day" today. I can only say... sad.

Tomorrow it is onto Shreveport LA. Spend tomorrow night there.. Ya know... SURVIVOR is on and we can not miss that. HOPEFULLY we are also getting east enough where the warmth is finally coming back.. we left home to get away from the cold.. hmm

Okay going to say good night to you all.. and will write more tomorrow.

You all take care..

Keri

Jax-e says it is cold in Texas...

She has decided (like someone else I know!) that perhaps it is a good day to stay snuggled under the blankets. I knew it was time for Mel (and Jax-e) to take a break from the road. They drove 5 and a half hours yesterday.. that was pretty good for them!Me.. well I was getting use to the LONG.. nothing road.. but sagebrush and sand.. I will say Texas IS a huge state.. like Alaska.. but Alaska has an indescribable beauty to it.. Texas is ..well indescribable..and the south. But we are enjoying this.. well minus the sand storm in Arizona. There are some fantastic sunsets.. and it has been fun meeting people. Last night we went to a steak house.. the steak was BBQ'ed with Mesquite.. ohh it was good.

Our plan.. such as it is.. is to make our way to South Carolina and get our trailer for the car..then DEPENDING on the weather.. we are planning on going up to Virginia and see Stacy and Virginia for Christmas.. then down to Florida. Not sure where yet.. but I am checking out places. It will be nice to get out the lawn chairs and the BBQ :) I think I might buy a little smoker.. I am really hungry for some really good ribs.. like what a friend Bob K. makes.Oh yeah.. they are good!

We had planned to go to one of the air museums around here today.. but in this rain.. I doubt it would be fun.. since it is out in the open. well the planes are. BUT..all is not lost.. I do have to go shopping! And.. I know that is inside :)

Well that is all for now. I will write more later today if anything exciting happens.

You all take care out there..

Keri

OH and I forgot to tell you..gas here is like$2.34 saw one place for diesel for $2.57 a gallon.

The cold front... following us :/

Well we left Pecos Texas and we made it to Abilene Texas.. We have decided that we will just stay here for a couple of days. Besides.. Mel needs to rest.. but he will swear it is because of Jaxe!
Pecos was told to expect 2-4 inches of snow tonight (Nov. 30th) and we thought that was a wee bit much and were not ready to deal with snow.. at least snow that would last for a couple days.. so coming a little further East.. at least if they get snow here.. it will be gone during the day.. it is to get up to 45 during the day.. still snow.. ugh..
Anyway it was a long day of driving.. time to rest :)
Will write more when something exciting happens..
Ya'all take care now.. ya hear..
:) Keri

Wow... what a day.....

Well we left Kelley's house in Arizona City about 10 am just when we planned on leaving. There was a wind.. and some dust.. they were plowing and that didn't help. So.. we got onto the freeway.. took the next exit and got gas. We could see the wind and the dust.. coming our way. We decided to just get going. Got onto the freeway and about 2 miles down the road.. we start slowing down because of blowing dust ahead. When all of a sudden.. we were in it.. the car in front of me slammed on his breaks.. I almost rear ended him...I saw Mel coming at me..and I went towards the dotted line as much as I could .. Mel locked up the breaks on the RV and headed for the shoulder.. hoping NOT to hit the semi that was on the shoulder ahead of us. Or if anyone would have pulled to the shoulder in front of me.. Mel would have gotten them. (We are BOTH thankful that the trailer and car was NOT being pulled behind the RV or it would have made it start fishtailing.) Anyway..Mel gets over to the shoulder and I look in my mirror.. here comes a semi headed right for me! I am in the Prius.. kiss my butt good by! The second it all stopped.. we had a car slowly move in front of us.. we passed the PT Cruiser that went under the truck.. that had just passed me.. they looked hurt.. but alert.. there had to be at least 30 cars just among us that were involved in OUR side of the road.. there had to be at least 30 or so on the OTHER side in accidents.. we had a slow move out there..and it was okay to go slow.. We hit a clear spot and there was a semi and rv in the median.. and cars on the side of the road..and BOOM.. right into another thick patch of dust.. again many more vehicles.. and people out ON th road.. trying to push cars off into the median.. We got out of the dust.. and we just had wind.. we made a fast stop and saw ambulances, cops and firetrucks heading towards the dust.. WHICH we could see now coming towards us as we got back onto the freeway.There was a stretch on Hwy 10 where we could have stopped on th highway.. middle lane and got out and walked around both vehicles with NOTHING coming our way. It was erie.. we could see the dust just literally boiling and rolling. It was good to get through Tucson.. we still had wind.. but nothing like what was behind us.. fact is.. as we are coming into Tucson... traffic going west towards Phoenix.. was slowing down and coming to a stop. It was nasty.. one second different the outcome would have been so very different.. we had guarding angels surrounding us.. and in 30 seconds starting with Jesus.. I swear I thanked every person that had crossed over before us.. Mel said now he knows how they feel at Taledega in a 30 car pile up.. Me.. I only swore once.. once I started breathing again.. Jax-e, she was sitting on Mels left leg as he was driving.. He said she dug in the claws.. I bet so.. like a cat heading for a bath.. I am sure.

Anyway.. WE are ALL okay.. We thank God for our safe passage.. and tonight.. we were glad to enjoy dinner together :)

Tonight we are spending the night at DEMING New Mexico.. Just outside of Las Cruses and El Paso. We have 3 weeks to get to where we are going for Christmas.. HOPEFULLY if the weather is good.. it will be Christmas at Stacy and Virginia.

Well folks.. going to get off and watch some tv.. relax and soon.. fall asleep.

You all take care.. Keri :)

Noodles....

I am full.. I am stuffed.. I think if I thought about it long enough.. I could probably throw up.. yeah.. it was that good.. then Jason made some kind of a fondue' baked in a small pumpkin and wow that was good too! so I ate some of that. sigh.. I was doing good too.. but man I am so full.. not even able to eat sedert.. or desert.. depends if you say it the way I feel.. or the way it ought to be said.
Tomorrow we leave :( We plan on heading to Las Cruses New Mexico and spend the night.. if we don't make it, we will find a little hole in the wall some where.. Will write more later on..
You all have a super weekend..
Take care.. Keri

Happy Thanksgiving Day!!

I just want to wish all my family and friends just a wonderful beautiful day!! I hope it is spent remember those that have gone before us.. of their laughter we miss and the wishes everyday that we could still be making memories with them to share.. and be greatful and thankful for the memories that we are making now as each day passes. It is a day to be thanksful for all those that have touched our lives in one way or another. It is a day to shut our eyes at dinner and see those we want to surround ourselves with..
So.. here is to you all.. many more memories...may they be blessed ones!
Keri and Mel

Arizona City.. :)

We are at Tammy and Kelleys.. it is always good to see them. Kelley has to work the next couple days and Mel and I are trying to get stuff done before we leave here and head to South Carolina (to pick up the car hauler Mel got) and then up to Yorktown Virginia. We plan to spend Christmas with son Stacy and his wife Virginia. It just all depends on the weather. If it is that bad.. we might just keep heading south. So I hope it is good for us and we can make it up there.
We plan on spending some time down in Florida.. we like it a little better because it is greener then Arizona.. I have to admit.. my allergies HATE all the dust down here. I gave Jaxe a bath.. she turned into a red mud ball.. sigh.. Now we call her little turd..
Well guess that I better work on my Christmas cards../ I brought them with me and hope to get them all done before this weekend. Friday I have to cook turkey and home made egg noodles for the kids.. So can't do it that day :)
Till later.. hugs to all and if I don't get on here in the next couple days..
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
hugs.. Keri

Phoenix..

we made it to Phoenix!! It is warm.. sunny.. beautiful blue sky ..
It is always good to see Kelley and Tammy,, sitting here watching "Ron White".. nasty funny guy.
will write more later..
wow not use to these sunny mornings.. only thing that is killing me is the dust.. I remembered the dust.. but forgot the smell. I wonder if people that live down here.. notice it like I do. Or if you just get use to it. Well it is warm.. so won't complain.
Kelley is fixing breakfast..yum.. it smells good.. he is making bacon. Then for dinner.. salmon with a sauce that I had in England.. the chef in England sent me the recipe for it.. Guess it takes Kelley all day to make it.. but he says it is good.. so.. :) Tonight.. we will see.
Well you all take care..
Keri

Viva... Las Wages .. hehehehe

It is about 70 degrees out.. LOVE it.. no wind.. no cold... just traffic.. Vegas always has lots of traffic.. Tomorrow is Phoenix.. Will spend at the RV park because we need to watch Survivor! You know we can't miss our favorites :) Other then that, today coming down Hiway 318 we went through Great Basin, White River Narrows. http://www.sunsetcities.com/nevada/white-river-narrows.html It was just beautiful and I am glad we went that way and took the time to drive through there.Well onto Phoenix.. We plan to do it in a day.
talk to you all later..
me :)

In Glenn's Ferry, Idaho

For those of you who don't know where that is.. it is going east out of Boise. We stopped in Boise and we had lunch with Laralee (my Neice) and her daughter :) Athena. She is 4 months old and a very happy little girl. I had her laughing.. it was a great giggle! I was surprised she was so happy as we had woke her up. It was great seeing them. Hopefully next summer they will head up and visit.


So.. it was on the road and heading towards Twin Falls, Idaho.


So.. since we left Spokane.. we have almost had a remake of Wizard of Oz.. We had wind that was at least 20some mph with gusts almost double. And the temp was 33 degrees.. it was friggen cold! Even Jaxe was crossing legs to keep from going outside. We put on sweat shirts..and still wasn't enough. It was just plain ole' cold!
We got up this morning.. wind was still rippin through the valley.. it was refered to as cold as a well diggers backside! It was sunny.. that was the only difference. We also had a bad nasty head wind.. We got like 5.5mpg.. it was sad.. beside being cold! Hopefully we will be out of this in the next day or two. Tomorrow I think we are going to maybe stay at Miracle hot springs, maybe we'll even get a massage :) Or maybe we'll vist then head down to Jackpot Nevada for the night. We aren't in any hurry so who knows what we will do.. it is just a relaxing trip.. well suposed to be :) There s a few things we want to see on our way down to Kelley and Tammy's.. As long as we are there by Thanksgiving.
Well the movie is about over..So guess I will stop here for now.
Ya'All take care..
Keri

Leaving tomorrow..

Well it is a good thing you all can't see me.. or my house!
The RV has been worked on lately, so all the stuff that was either out there or heading out there, sits in my kitchen..and I have a really small kitchen! Stuff that was already put away out there, is now all over on the drivers side, since they needed to get into cabnits on passenger side..allllll the way down to the back. SO.. plan is, we leave tomorrow! I can do this I tell myself. Plus.. I have to get the house into some order since I have been trying to find the things I want.. anyway it is just all a mess.. what can I say :)
I am looking so forward to seeing my son Kelley and his wife Tammy, in Arizona,Spending Thanksgiving with them (Kelley cooks.. yummmy) and going north of Phoenix to "Out of Africa" Then... heading to South Carolina to get our car hauler and up to Virginia to see my son Stacy and wife Virginia for Christmas.. with hopes of NOT getting snowed in up there! THEN..down to Florida where we plan to take some time and enjoy the weather.. and slowly make our way back to the beautiful North West.. probably going along the southern states.. into California and then up into Washington. It all sounds like a plan. Only part I really hate is leaving my 2 Siberian Huskies Molly and Charlie Brown behind :(
I will update as we get moving along. Some places I may not be able to get internet.. so always be patient..

So once again.. :) I hope you enjoy the FAY TRAVELS..
Keri

Trip on Coeur d'Alene Lake down to the St Joe River

PHOTOS ARE NOT IN ORDER...
St Joe River, South end of Coeur d'Alene Lake, Coeur D' Alene Idaho

A pair of Eagles..

they were happy to pose

Further down, another Eagle

A little smoke across the valley

Sunset along the St. Joe

Going into the St Joe

Sunset on the St. Joe

Just a pretty scene with the sun on it

I have many more photos but I think these wrap it all up quite nicely. My husband and I had to go down and check a bridge's lights for the Coast Guard.. we found we had to wait for dark before they came on. By the time we got down there, (for map/chart of Coeur d' Alene, Idaho:http://www.ohranger.com/coeur-dalene-lake/map), it was almost sunset. We decided at least to go down a little ways into the river. Needless to say it was the BEST short trip ever! I couldn't believe the Eagles. And they were happy to just sit and pose for you. We saw 3 eagles, 2 Hawks and a Blue Heron. The trees were beautiful and the water clear and calm. My girlfriend was able to go with us and I got a laugh out of her excitement.. So it was worth taking her with us.. besides I enjoy being and spending time with her. It was finally dark, yet we were still on the river, my girlfriend was a little nervous but we had a GPS and night vision goggles. With the lights checked out (2 were out!) we headed back up the lake in darkness to Coeur d' Alene. In the lake we stopped and were playing with the night vision goggles.. wow you should have seen the stars and where there were no lights.. there was for a real.. a house. Anyway it was a total experience and was a blast.. worth the cold outside the cabin area! Cyn brought hot chocolate.. I had whip cream.. (where the lid came off and sprayed ALL over the inside of my bag.. luckily missing my camera and my lenses. Lucky for it! By the time we got back to the 3rd Street Dock in Coeur d' Alene.. it was cool out and the wind had come up. We had to slow down mid lake because of wind and waves.. but not that bad, we had a window wiper.

Anyway.. it was a great trip.. short and beautiful.. It is one I recommend to people when the leaves start changing. Normally we start earlier, go to St. Marys and have lunch and then head back. This time we left a tad bit late. Another great trip is in Dec. when the Eagles come back in numbers to the lake. Ahh the Beautiful area we live in!! I have done a lot of traveling.. and I am always happy to come home.. we have it ALL here.. this IS my paradise :)

Two Weeks Left.. the count down begins..OR.."Ode to one nerve left.."

You know the saying.. I have one nerve left.. and you're on it.. well that's me and the trip is on my last nerve.. sigh.. anyone taking bets we accomplish everything and actually leave on time?
Well picture this.. a person on NyQuil who's body moves 5 feet a minute.. a brain that is going 100miles an hour and then throw in some dementia.. Oh and might as well throw in a little sleep deprivation.. HELLO :) this is me.. and this is my story..
I tell myself.. make a list.. so I make a list.. I tell myself to put it so I can find it.. and I loose it.. not misplaced.. oh no.. it is buried somewhere or the dog ate it. Speaking of the dog eating it.. this friend of ours that we will be traveling with he has a little pups.. terrier also and SCRUFFY is Jax-e's favorite playmate.. oh she can just roll him and nip at him.. well anyway.. Scruffy doesn't really chew.. but shoes and toys he LOVES to cart outside.. So running after him.. (started to block off house from kitchen!) On Monday and Wed I am watching my grand daughter Karli.. and trying to put stuff in box for RV... which is sitting on the kitchen floor.. as if my kitchen isn't small enough.. PLUS the computer at the office went out.. bought a new one for her.. but I have to transfer data (also sitting on kitchen floor) and MY lap top.. is STILL in the shop.. I think I have lost everything.. except my photos.. because they had to reformat.. Oh.. and then on Saturdays I am running out to Verna's to do ceramics that have been sitting around since she closed.. so I had a few boxes.. hehehe well once fired.. they needed to be glazed.. SOOOO it is a nice break to spend 4 hours with someone I like.. But I am tired of glazing stuff.. so I bought a horse to do.. Like I have nothing else to do.. sigh..
I would post photos on this.. but I don't put photos on Mel's computer.. hehehe Fact is I try NOT to use his computer.. I don't have what you call the magic touch with computers.. my boys will swear to that! (Thanks my little techies)
Okay.. well something is beckoning me.. maybe breakfast.. that would be good.. then onto the kitchen.. I have to break during Nascar.. they are at Talledega today.. it is a non miss race..
Will write more later...
You all have a super Saturday!!

Next trip

WELL...now that we are home.. we are getting the RV ready to head down south. We figure to leave here the 15th of Nov. All though Mel is crying about the snow all around us.. so we should leave early.. but.. we aren't. So the 15th we head for Arizona. Not sure which route we plan to take.. the one with less mountains and NO SNOW!.. probably end up along hwy 101.. not a problem.. I have always loved the beach :) First we will be going to the kids' house in Arizona and have Thanksgiving dinner with Kelley and Tammy.. then right after we plan to take the kids up to "Out of Africa" http://www.outofafricapark.com/ I love that place and I get some of my best photo shots there. From Arizona Mel and I then plan on heading over to Charleston South Carolina to pick up the car hauler he got for the Prius and then.. we head down into Florida. Not sure how long we will be there.. but I know we don't plan on being back till about March 2010.. Seems like a long ways away :) We do plan to head back and see the kids again before we head back up to Washington.

Today I am watching my granddaughter.. So I will add to this when I can or maybe tomorrow.. see at my age.. I don't hurry anymore..

Later... :)

Grandma news :)

Off topic.. but :) I am in Tri-Cities for a meeting so I AM traveling... but my son Kelley and wife are expecting again.. As she says.. over joyed and scared all at once.. please pray they get to bring this one home.. From what they figure.. she will be due mid-June.. Mean time I still will tell my grand daughter Karli about her angel cousin.. Christopher.. He will never be forgotten..

Mean time.. we leave mid November (15th) for Arizona..

Talk to you all later.. see I have this BLUE SCREEN I have to have taken care of first.. then ... I can get back on my blog...

Take care all...

Keri

Friday... October 2nd.. HAPPY BIRTHDAY RANDY!

Wow my kids are growing up way to fast.. it seems like just last year I was running after Randy.. I don't think they fully understand that the faster they grow.. the older I get! I keep telling them to slow it down.. but my words go nowhere! So Randy.. "Happy Birthday to you.. may you always have the happiness and joy that you have now.. and may your world always be full of love and laughter! I love you so very much.. xoxoxox mom".



Well back to the trip.. We are home.. my house has the ususal travel trash. The bags are not put away yet.. the laundry is done though. So today after I take Randy to lunch.. I can come home and try to get things put away again. Not being a spotless house keeper to begin with ( I always seem to find other more important things to do...) I am sure I can whittle away at something.. so at least I can say I did something today to earn my keep :) I have a box setting here with stuff for two of my kids that I also need to mail.. but haven't done that either.. I did yesterday get to the grocery store. Food here is mostly cheaper then England. All though England is really BIG on premade up dinners. Kind of like the ones that you would find at Costco.. not frozen dinners but fresh dinners. But I will tell you.. you won't ever find butter over here like you do in Ireland or England.. I swear the butter fast is like 200 percent! But then again.. the cows don't stand and graze.. they lay down and graze! For real.. I kid you not! But the butter.. I swear I put 20 pounds on butt just from the butter alone! Oh.. good butter.. and for Stacy.. yes.. very good cheese over there too. The beef in England didn't have the flavor that Ireland beef did.. but then.. England food didn't have the flavor.. or very little flavor for that matter. There were a couple pubs that had drop dead fantastic food.. and that was Jack Myttons (poached salmon in white wine) on the canal.. and The Swan in Whitchurch.. and.. Pizza Express in London with the most fantastic deserts we had. At our hotel we found they made really good salmon.. So.. we ate alot of salmon over there and I tried a couple white fish dishes and they were pretty good.. our last week.. I think with the exception of the Chicken in Paris and the Italian at PizzaExpress.. we had fish (salmon) every night. And it was very good salmon that was made at our hotel. It was served with a vegetable sauce.. none like I have ever had before. Oh.. makes me hungry for it even now! Anyway..

Now I get to start thinking about leaving in November for Arizona... And parts unknown. There is a car hauler that Mel wants to get in North Carolina.. which I am not looking forward too go to.. So who knows what will happen there. We may or may not make it there. Or we might have it shipped to Tennessee and pick it up there.. which is a better deal for me. Something about a lot of traffic and a RV and 16 foot trailer behind it.. just doesn't sound great to me. Hopefully we will have it shipped as far west as we can get it.. but Tennessee might be the closest.. still better then the east coast..

Well going to stop here and get busy.. lots to do.. no UMPH to do it..
will write more later..

We're Home...

tired.. we were 3 hours late getting out of London.. then... missed our flight in Seattle.. BECAUSE we were 3 hours late.. grrrrrrr
But last night about 11pm.. we were home.. our home.. our bed.. sigh..
will write more later..
back to cookin again.. grin
Keri

At the airport

Well tonight we are staying at the airport, terminal 5.. "Sofitel". Even with all the planes flying in and out.. you cannot hear them.. I mean these rooms are insulated or something! Anyway.. we are here and tomorrow!!! We head home! Our flight leaves at 3:30pm.. there is no walk way.. you go to a waiting area in the Airport.. they BUS you over to your flight.. then climb the stairs UP to this huge plane .. and the rest is history ... We are ready.. little sad.. but we are ready..
At least till the next trip :) At this time I am thinking it will be when we head down to Arizona.. AND.. the Princess WILL be with us!!
You know... winter is coming.. :)
Talk to you all later.. ummm Tuesday maybe.. or Monday night..
Keri

An unusual sight...

Oh I forgot to tell and show everyone.. We actually had a rare view Thursday, of the London Bridge going up.. they say it happens rarely.. and we just happened to be on the right boat.. at the right time! There was a sail boat that was heading out.. and we were heading up to Greenwich. Good timing :)

Just little things...

Oh.. it simply amazes me of how some people are..

For instance.. over here.. it seems a lot of the tourists are the rude ones.. We have actually found that the local people are pretty good about helping you out when they can. Oh not saying there aren't the rude one that live here.. but..

The sad thing is.. London well UK is a pretty dirty country. They don't seem to have waste cans.. which in some areas, I understand why they don't.. good place to hide bad things. And I guess it does still happen here. But if it is a wrapper or bottle (lots of bottles and cans) it usually goes on the ground. sandwich wrappers.. ground.. anyway you get the idea.. but the history is phenomenal over here.. every where you look.. and it isn't like 200 hundred years old.. it is like 2000 years old.. really awesome!

Another thing.. why cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze?? I think ya ought to just let it fly.. and you wonder why so many are sick here.. they said Swine flu is on the rise. hmm ya think.. wonder why. Anyway that is a pet peeve for me.. It isn't hard to cover your mouth.. ughhhhhh

The big trend seems to be for women.. black leggings with either just a large shirt over it or a dress short SHORT skirt, or shorts.. and heels.. the women here like their heels.. higher the better.. Which has to be hard to walk in over here.. a lot of the roads are cobble stone. Then the jeans.. majority are stovepipe jeans.. tight.. TIGHT jeans.. low tops.. tight low tops.. a single mans dream.. or one who likes to look.. hehehe

OH.. I almost forgot the TV.. even with cable unless it is the major premium channel.. is pooh! Unless you want to watch the News channel or the Adult channel.. the rest sucks.. no pun intended.

People watching is pretty fun.. there is no holding anything back here.. and everything goes. You see a lot of gay/lesbian people.. a lot of tattooed, spiked unusual costumes... Like I said great place to watch people.. especially at Trafalgar Square.. AND WHY I ask you do they call Trafalgar Square, SQUARE.. when it centers around a round about. There are a lot of SQUARES around here.. but majority are actually in the center of a round about.

We found this awesome little place next to the hotel.. PIZZA EXPRESS.. hehehe it is like a Pizza hut with flowers and wine glasses.. and they seat you.. but good food.. but.. fantastic deserts.. oh we had to go just for the desert.. chocolate fudge cake with super thick cream.. oh my butt is gonna be so big.. and I worried about Jaxters butt! Mel says the Teramiso (sp) was fantastic also.. but ... mine was lots better.. I just know it!

They have TONS of cooking shows over here.. and we laugh our backsides off.. cause majority of food is bland and ugh.. We asked a few people on the tour yesterday.. what they thought of the food.. Kevin from New Orleans said he was going to bring a spice cabinet with him next time.. and Kris and Eric from Perth Australia said the food is nasty over here.. and would be glad to get back to good food.. and Kris grew up in Northern Wales.. she said her mum was a good cook though...

Lots of people here take lunches to the parks or eat on busses or walking.. they eat a lot of cucumber and cheese sandwiches.. No.. I haven't tried it..

Well guess I will do a little packin.. I always think of things I want to say.. forget where I write them down.. and then .. forget to stick it on here.

Night :) me

Saturday...

Westminister and Westminister Abbey

We had to at least go walk around these two. We were going to go into the Abbey, but they closed at 1:30pm on Saturdays. And I had to go eat before we went.. my fault... But.. today was the last day.. And we have to admit.. we are ready to come home.. we miss our Jaxter! AND... the first thing I plan on doing Tuesday morning.. is going to Rosaures cafe.. have eggs, hash browns, sausage or ummm chicken fried steak with LOTS of gravy.. and REAL SALT.. and REAL COFFEE.. and Jaxter waiting for her sausage link out in the princess mobile.. hehehe

So will probably not write on here till we get home. But won't be long before we are out and about on our next journey! Till probably Tuesday..

hugs.. Keri

Friday afternoon

So much for morning.. we were so tired.. we slept till 9:45.. missed breakfast and everything.. Oh well it was so very worth it..
Thursday I slept so very little finally getting up at 4am.. We did make the bus at 5:30 but boy.. tired. It was a hectic race to get through the customs to get onto the super train.. we are going into another Country so we have to go through Customs, security and find our platform. We had a little French gal Charlotte.. as our guide. She was good.. but sometimes hard to understand and also drug things out without getting to the point.. especially if you are in a hurry. well we got on and their idea of first class isn't the same as mine. But will get to that all later..
SO... we get picked up.. 5:30 in the am and the driver is racing around trying to get the other 4 stops and then to St. Pancras International Rail Station. Even at that time of the morning.. people are in a hurry.. wow it was just sad.. People don't even seem to have time to breathe.. Just rush .. rush. I would have an ulcer in a month! I bet several of them here do.
Okay on the train.. we meet a nice couple that are also on the tour Alex and Kris.. they are from Perth Australia. We had a nice chat and a strange breakfast.. I ate the instant eggs with cheese.. the rest I left.. it was a hmm sausage and burnt shreds of potato's. Just nasty.. Oh I ate the bread and one of the yogurts.. that was kinda bad too..
SO... we get to the station.. we meet up with the tour guide again and hop on the bus.. with seats so close.. I barely have leg room.. you know what that says for Mel.. sigh

They do have some fantastic architecture there!! First thing we noticed right off was all the motor bikes, scooters and bicycles. They probably have more of them then cars... And in France they are allowed to park them on the edge of the sidewalk.. here



















in London they can't. So that might explain why the traffic is a tad bit better. Still a lot though.. at least they drive on the same side as we do in America.
And many of the roads in France.. at least where we were driving.. were still cobble stone. All different designs too.. They were an art form all in it's own. Then on this one bridge, they had 4 pillars with gold flake covered statues. I don't remember but they had something to do with the royalty of the city. They were huge.

We went by the Arc de Triomphe Where it is a shrine for Soldiers, active and deceased. Under the flag is a torch that is lit each morning by Veterans. Pretty impressive and beautiful.


After we drove by the Arc de Triomphe, we then went and parked at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and went for our ride on the scenic "LaSeine". I have to say that the river in France is way more cleaner then the river/canals in England. From the River cruise, we then walked over to the Eiffel Tower and had lunch.. ONCE we finally got up to the restaurant. And I have to tell you.. It WAS very VERY good. We had champagne, red wine, chicken, potato's romanoff, broccoli, salad.. rolls and rich butter.. and some kind of desert that was.. well marvelous! I even had a little champagne and it was very good! Then it was onto the the Louvre.. Wow hardly describes this place.. needless to say it is HUGE.. I only wish we had about 4 or 5 days to explore this museum. It is increditable! We didn't have much time because we were running behind due to trouble getting up to the lunch. I have to say.. they really do need to figure out that part a little better. BUT. back to the Louvue.. We first saw the Venus de Milo.. wow sure a lot bigger then in the books. Then finally we asked Charlotte to point out where Mona Lisa was so I could see her and go down and buy something before we left.. She did tell me where it was and Mel and I were off.. wow it is way lot bigger then I thought.. BUT they held it under glass.. actually I think it was 2 panes of glass because we sure did get a glare.

Eiffel Tower












Venus de Milo












Mona Lisa












The getting BACK to the train was to say unusual.. not fun but we all made it.. It was a real rat race trying to get through the traffic then.. we had like 20 minutes to get through customs.. both French and British.. before our train left. THEN.. just before the Chunnel... we were at a dead stop.. they had people running on the tracks in protest of something.. so we sat there almost 2hours before we finally started going again. Everyone was so tired..
AND THAT.. is why we slept till 9:45am this morning!

Thursday morning..

Morning all.. well today we plan to head to Greenwich.. Last night we were going to do the walking tour for Jack the Ripper.. but totally forgot about it.. but was pouring rain.. so that was okay. We still have Sat evening.. So might have to do it then. There is also an Italian place here in town.. not far from our hotel that has fantastic food.. I mean FANTASTIC.. oh so good. My cousin took us there when we were here last October. We are going to try to go again before we leave. We came with a short list of things to do.. so we work around Mel feeling good and the weather.. and it has been a great relaxing trip :)

Well we had our 2 days of overcast and it is back to sunny and nice.. low 70s here.. Tomorrow it is also to be nice.. which will be FANTASTIC.. because it will be nice in Paris.. ohhhh lala... hehehe and I will be with the love of my life.. what more could you ask for!

Thursday morning.. ohhhh la... laaaaaaaaaaaa it is really early.. I even had to wake up at 3am to make matters worse.. Mel.. well he snoozed right on to the time I woke him up.. so now it is time to get ready to go.. will write later..

Hugs.. keri

Went to Play...

Tonight we went and saw JERSEY BOYS.. it was a story about Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons.. and besides awesome music.. it was really good.. I was surprised.. Tomorrow I think we are going to go see Greenwich and who knows what when we come back.. might go to another play or might not.. On Thur. we might go see STOMP.. I love the plays.. but I hate when I cry.. and I cry over any old dang thing.. and I think it is getting worse.. maybe if I just sit down and cry really hard and good.. It will take care of that feeling.. or the want of crying.. but heck.. I do that.. probably couldn't conger up a tear if my life depended on it.. darn if I do.. darn if I don't.. so.. :) We'll do feel good :)

Anyway... Tomorrow is Greenwich and not sure about Thur. maybe rest day.. then Friday is Paris..ohhh lala... hehehe Sat rest for sure.. at least till we get up.. Sun move to hotel in airport.. and Monday.. we fly home.. Will be wonderful to see our Jaxe again.. we really miss the little pups.. She doesn't understand like people do when we leave..

Anyway.. musical was great.. good music.. great voices and had fun..

Hugs..night.. Keri

go check it out...

http://www.winkbingo.com/
you have got to go watch this commercial for over here.. it is the one with the girl and the wimerwimer (sp) dog.. I laughed so hard..
They have ammm strange commercials here..

RNLI station Tour

The water is dark and murky with the Thames about 8C year round or about 46 degrees . When we were there the tide was going out, and there is a horrific current. This is called the the Neap Tide~the lowest tide where the earth, moon and the sun are all lined up. The Tower Lifeboat station is located next to the Waterloo Bridge, downtown London between the Westminister Bridge and the Blackfriers Bridge on the Thames.

The RNLI is not the Coast Guard, but they are a lifeboat station. The RNLI bought the station from the London Police in 2002 for 1 pound (about $1.50 US), where it was then redone into the Tower Lifeboat station. They do work with HMS Coast Guard when they are summoned at the Lifeboat station by a phone call with requests to respond. This station is the only full time manned station with 24/7 shifts. They work 4 on and 4 off, 12 hour shifts. They have at the station 10 paid full time staff and 14 volunteers that have been trained to work with the full time employees. And just for your information, there is 1 full time female Helmsman and 8 female volunteers. They have 1 Helmsman and 3 crew per boat.

There are 2 lifeboats stationed here at Tower and there are 6 boats total that are within the UK. The Tower station alone handles between 300 to 400 response cases a year, in their 14 miles of area of responsibility. The lifeboats are 9 meters long or about 30 feet long. They also have surf boats like the US Coast Guard, but not here at the Tower station. In comparison to our crew and coxswain... if there is no cabin on the RNLI boat you are called a HELMSMAN... if there is a cabin on the boat you are called a COXSWAIN.

Two weeks ago they pulled 96 people out of the water. They had a dragon boat race.. but they forgot to take into account the large tour boats going by at a fast speed. and they pulled out 96 people in one afternoon. Marine traffic was their biggest flaw...

The biggest culprit is people jumping off bridges and marine traffic hitting the smaller boat..

Today's tide was the lowest... with a 7.3 Spring tide...

And just as a FYI: Helo's are not allowed to fly over the city (except for Police Helo's) so they have to follow along the river. They also do not use flares here, it would be to damaging for the pilots.

Royal National Lifeboat Institution

Tower Lifeboat

Victoria Embankment

Westminster

Mel and Eamonn talking about the RNLI life boats

RNLI equipment.. helmets and dry suits

running tally of how they are doing to date..

We went to RNLI during low tide, river will be back up to the GREEN area

Shot of the RNLI station from Embankment Street

Sam.. One of the Volunteers at the RNLI station

They use a planet map to chart the tides..

Oh.. the eggs

Not sure if I mentioned anywhere in here.. but they keep their eggs on a shelf.. isn't that like bad for eggs.. aren't they supposed to always be refrigerated? Does anyone know. Or is it farm fresh eggs ..you know the lay today eat tomorrow kind.. you can leave sit out.. hmm If any of you out there know.. let me know. Even when we had hens.. they were put in the fridge.
Okay someone educate me..
thanks.. me

WOW... a real bed!

Oh you out there in Internet land.. have no idea how a good bed, good nights sleep and a good attitude upon waking can be! It is just wonderful.. hips still hurt..but not as bed as prior. Anyway I am ready to go.. well....I am...
Looking forward to today and going to the RNLI station...it will be enjoyable.. and every day that passes.. well it is closer to coming home.. there is just something about your own bed..oh.. and our pups.. Jax-e... we miss the pups..
Had a good question about the narrow boats and canals..
the canal I would say at it widest point might be 20 feet wide.. if that.I know 3 boats can pass.. which I believe our boat was like about 5 feet wide.. and there was 2.5 feet draft. The canal was only like 5 feet deep, so if you fell in they say stand up. The boat had a diesel engine, we had a tiller and we could go forward and reverse :) The max they wanted you to go was 4 mph.. and maybe a few of the private boats could go faster.. but really you don't want to go that fast.. to hard to slow down and control I would think. We averaged about 2.5 to 3.5 and that was with no boats around. It wasn't like you were going to feel the breeze blowing through your hair.. but we were in no hurry and that made it all the better.
Perhaps next year we will do the Erie Canal.. Like in the fall when the leaves are changing.. I think that would be pretty.

We passed a couple of the big 62 footers with small parties on them.. One boat carried a skull & cross bones.. all with the hats and one had the eye patch.. and then the more traditional flag.. bra and panties tied to the side rail to dry... saw lots of laundry being dried. I have shots of jeans draped across the bow of our boat crossing the aqueduct.. ruined every shot.. but great memories. Another boat we passed they were all in sailor gear.. with the hats.. and the party barge.. he was celebrating his 45th bd.. I told him heck enjoy it.. the dreaded big 50 is coming faster then he thinks! hehehe he lost his smile.. (hey well it is!) Yeah great memories.. hehehe like the MEMORY Mel left the info gal in her office when we were leaving.. I know she won't forget.. Mel goes.. oops... hehehe my opinion.. it was a BAD memory...
I had my girlfriends good luck fishin jeans.. Wouldn't give them back to her.. I brought them over with me.. and I had a picture taken with them in Scotland.. Wales and now.. England. Wish you were here Cyn!
It really gets me.. the men dress here alot in stove pipe jeans and pointy shoes.. the girls in as little as possible with tightes.. very VERY short dresses or long shirts either works over here.. lots of stiletto heels here. And colorful.. they don't care if it is paisley and stripes or what ever.. I guess it depends what is clean that day as to what they wear.
I have also found that alot of the local people are really friendly and willing to help you get from one place to another.. it is the tourists that are rude. Where Hawaii has a lot of Asian cultures.. it seems that over here Muslim cultures are predominate.
Seems I have talked (lots) about the lack of salt here.. their chicken and ground beef are both really good here so we ate a lot of that.. or fish. Their beef.. with the exception of Sunday roast.. wasn't all that great. At least so far we have to find good beef.. as in steaks. I am sure it is there.. and hmm might even be KOBE.. beef that is the best here.. Their pork and beans.. well they are navy beans in tomato sauce.. like what spagetti-o's are in. Just plain weird.. they eat this HUGE breakfast of egg, potato's, sausage, bacon (slab of pork, not bacon like we know it), pork and beans, tomato cooked and toast. I think I got it all.. we eat Corn Flakes.. on rare occasion... I will have toast. And the coffee.. well it has been instant.. even in the fine restaurant's.. it is instant.. I am worried now.. I am very use to instant coffee now.. scary.. On the boat.. I did request a french press and took my own coffee from home.. it was good.. it was real and got a buzz from it.. being real and all.
You know I might complain about the beds.. which is my big complaint.. but it has been a fun trip.. Wish Mel was feeling better.. but he is trying so we just go slow. Now it seems to be his hip and knee that is hurting him so bad..knee when he stands.. hip when he sits. Laying does seem to help relieve some of the pressure. I wish I could do something to help.. I try to do most everything so he doesn't.. I look like a pack mule sometimes.. and people look.. but they don't know.. and I don't care.. They say in a year he should be doing better.. I sure hope so.. he is becoming a little disheartened.. feeling like everything is gonna go now.. SO I try to build him up and say nope.. lets stay here or I don't want to go.. I guess that is why the Paris trip surprises me so much. Well .. hehehe we'll sit by the river.. sipping our coffee.. whispering sweet nothings in each others ears.. :) And it will all be fun.. Lunch at the Eiffel Tower, river cruise on the Seine, then we can see the Louve (sp) .. they have benches.. he can sit. Then dinner on the train back to London. It ought to be interesting.. on the train around the UK.. every time we went into a tunnel.. our ears would pop.. the chunnel ought to be interesting.. I would set up my video camera but going 186 mph.. you wouldn't see much, except for a blur......
Breakfast time.. so will write more later when we get back and I have photos to stick on here..
hugs... Keri