Lancaster, CA
Elks Lodge
On our way to the coast we stopped in to the Elks Lodge for an overnighter. They have quite a bit of RV parking. 30/W/Dump for $20.
Santa Barbara, CA
Elks Lodge
We Made another short move to Santa Barbara for another overnighter at another Elks Lodge. We've been here before. Nice Elks, 30/W/Dump, $25. This visit is on our route and I wanted to see my good friend from NY, Rita, that just moved here to help take care of her first grandchild for a year. It's been a few years since I saw her last.
Baby Marcus, Max, Pauline and Rita.
We had a little picnic in the park to see the new baby. Then it was off to bed for another short drive to Monterey to see our grandson the next morning.
Monterey, CA
Elks Lodge
We visited with Ryan, Diana and baby Jax for the week. We just hung out and didn't do much but enjoy each others company. My daughter-in-law did take me out to lunch at the Pebble Beach Golf Club one nice sunny day.
Our outside table had a perfect view of the famous 18th hole.
Diana and I having a delicious lunch with a view.
The grounds are meticulously landscaped and maintained.
After lunch we took the scenic route back to their home along the coast.
Our daughter, Kaylee, visiting with Jaxon.
The week flew by and when we headed to Placerville to spend the rest of the month it was a windy drive.
Placerville, CA
Elks Lodge
Our home lodge and where we'll spend the next week.
The weather was very nice but getting colder. We didn't do much except visit my parents a lot and get 1/2 our doctor/dentist/eye appointments done.
Coloma, CA
Thousand Trails
Our nice spot in the back. 30/W/Dump, #E18
This is where we'll spend the rest of the month of November.
Our backyard view of the fall color.
The American River runs right next to the campground.
There is a nice trail that starts on the other side of the bridge, next to the river. The clouds made for an interesting reflection picture.
Boy did the weather get colder and the mornings were very foggy.
Later in the week when it warmed up a tiny bit we hiked along Lake Jenkinson with friends Mike and Rose. I love this 6.5 mile hike back to the waterfall. It's gorgeous in every season.
Lake levels are usually low in the winter as they let water out for the Salmon and to make room for all the snowmelt an rain.
At the waterfall it's always 10+ degrees cooler as the river creates a chute-like effect and cools the air as it funnels through. This made for plenty of frost and ice.
Me, Steve, Rose & Mike.
I even spotted this pretty painted rock around some bushes.
There is still some snow on the ground.
Thanksgiving was very strange for us as well. We didn't get together with any of the kids so it was just us and my parents for a simple dinner and cards.
We did have a nice hike along one of the bike paths in Placerville that used to be a railroad. It weaves in and out of town and heads up the hill through a couple more small towns. All the vineyards are bathed in fall colors too.
Fast forward a couple of months and they had to shoot a Mountain Lion that was stalking people on the path. Scary and sad.
On Saturday we took a day trip through San Francisco to see the kids who all gathered for the holiday at Shane and Lindsay's new apartment. They all work in the medical and dental field so they are Covid tested a couple of times a week. The picture above is the Sacramento riverside view.
We drove through the area that one of those HUGE CA fires were along I80 in Vacaville. Our youngest son and wife live across the highway and were evacuated but no fire. You can see how close the fire burned to some of the houses and road.
We drove over the bridge through San Francisco. Always a pretty drive and with Covid, there was hardly any traffic.
Best I could get of Alcatraz while riding in the truck.
Coit Tower which sits on Telegraph Hill. It was a way to alert residents of the arrival of ships back in the day. It is also home to flocks of parrots.
Some of the city buildings as we wizzed by.
Shane now lives in San Mateo. I was born here and his apartment is just down the block from where my grandparents home was. Funny.
We stayed out in the courtyard and played a fun lawn bowling type game. I loved this sculpture. When viewed from straight on it is almost invisible and looks creepy as you can tell there is something there but you can't really see it until you walk around it.
This is the view as I walk around it.
The Boys, Shane, Ryan, Brennan & Steve.
Uncle Shane and Jaxon
Love their new home. Very cute and great views.
Covered back patio.
Auntie Lindsay
Auntie Alex
Dad, Jax and Mom
Later in the day we drove up the mountain to cut Christmas trees with the kids. They all got one and it was a fun day.
I liked these huge lights that resembled Dandelions which turned colors viewed from their balcony. We were hungry and Ryan really wanted to take us to a place for dinner that specializes in Soba. Our kids are very adventurous in their food. I've never had this but it was delicious. It reminds me of fondue but you cook your choice of meats and veggies in broth.
It was very good!
Like father, like son. Jaxson loves cars already.
It was nice to be home again but bummed we could only see the kids one day.
December will probably be much the same with no family get-together for Christmas. At least the weather was decent enough to visit with a couple of friends outdoors.