Day ninety three - Tuesday

On our way home!

Day ninety three - Tuesday

Well, we're home!

Although it was a great trip, we're glad to be home. Everything was fine at home. Wyatt did a great job of keeping things in good shape. Bobby did a nice job of stacking the wood that was delivered while we were gone. Roger and Sue also came by and checked on things.

The trip ended up being just over 8500 miles. We left on Sept. 4 and returned on Dec. 4. Three months! We saw almost half the states and had a great time.

I think we agree that the places we need, and want, to see again are Yellowstone, Washington D.C. and New Orleans. There wasn't enough time to see everything we wanted to see in these places. We're already planning a two-week trip to Yellowstone in July with Jim, Jackie, Alan and Jonette.

Day ninety two - Monday

Ann went shopping with Kari and Phylis today. Afterward Kari, Phylis, Paul and I had dinner at Mimi's in Gilroy. Very good dinner and good company.

Rick had his hand x-ray and nothing is broken. However, his finger is tweaked and he'll be out of work until next week.

Tomorrow we head home!

Day ninety one - Sunday

Rick spent the day finishing work on his new garage, Ann went to church and shopping and I spent the day making dinner for everybody. Everybody included Ann's sister, Diane, Nick, Kari, Art, Rick, Grace and the kids.

Dinner was Lemon - Cilantro Chicken, Lemon - Garlic Green Beans and Cajun Potato Salad. Green Beans were very good, Potato Salad was great and the Chicken was okay!

Lots of football too!

Day ninety - Saturday

Not much to report today. I washed the coach in the morning and we took Bailie and Heather to a movie in Los Banos after lunch at Pizza Hut.

In the evening Ann and Grace went shopping and Rick made Chorizo, potatoes and eggs for dinner. Very good!

Rick was supposed to be at work today but a few days ago he hurt his hand at work and has to go to the doctor on Monday for x-rays.

Day eighty nine - Friday

At 9:30 a.m. I left Gustine for Salinas. Today is Jimmy Miller's retirement lunch. Jim is retiring after 26 years at the S.O. I met with Jim Meckel at the S.O. and we went to Red Lobster for the lunch. There, I saw a lot of friends from my days at the S.O. It was great seeing these guys and gals again. Everybody looked great.

Ann spent the day with Grace and did some Christmas shopping. Rick was home today and did some work in his yard.

Grace made ham hocks and beans for dinner. Very good. Very much like my mom used to make.

Day eighty eight - Thursday

We dined at Denny's this morning and took off for Gustine at about 11:00 a.m.

We had an uneventful day driving north on 99 and then 5 until we stopped for fuel in Santa Nella. $3.59 a gallon for diesel. WOW! And, I'm told it's worse in Salinas. I wanted the cash price so I spent the whole $65.00 I had in my pocket on fuel. Yeah, 14 gallons. That won't get me too far down the road.

We got into Rick and Grace's house in the early afternoon. Grace fed us a great dinner and I watch the football game on TV. Too bad the Cowboys beat the Packers. At least the game was interesting until the last 5 minutes.

Day eighty seven - Wednesday

Today was a travel day. We left Las Vegas at about 9:30 and headed west. We got as far as Bakersfield where we found a nice little park on the south side.

The scenery was just what one would expect in that part of the country. It was dry and uninteresting. We did go over some high passes, including the Tehachapi mountains. The coach handled them just fine.

In Bakersfield we had a game of Scrabble and called it a night.

We had a great time visiting Gilbert. We're glad to report he's doing well and seems to be having fun with his friend Jasper. We look forward to visiting with Gilbert again soon.

Day eighty six - Tuesday

Late this morning we drove back down to the strip. We parked at the Tropicana at the south end of the strip. After walking to the MGM, we paid $18.00 for two all day passes to the monorail.

We rode the monorail to Bally's where we had the buffet lunch at $15.99 each. We weren't impressed at all. The food was unremarkable and there wasn't much of a selection.

Back on the monorail we rode to Harrah's and then walked across the street to the Mirage. Ann did some gambling on the slot machines before we rode the monorail back to the MGM.

After letting the dogs out for a break, we drove to the Red Rock Casino where we met Gilbert and the three of us had a game of Scrabble in the bar. Gilbert bought us dinner at a Mexican restaurant in the Red Rock. After dinner Ann played some more slots and Gilbert and I played Texas Hold-em in the poker room. Gilbert broke even and I lost again.

Day eighty five - Monday, Nov. 26

Today we picked up Gilbert and drove down to the "Strip." We checked out the Wynn casino, which was still being built the last time we were here. For dinner we walked across the street to an Italian restaurant, Maggiano's. It was very good food and very large portions. Ann and I shared a Cesar Salad and a Baked Ziti & Sausage. We finished the salad but took half the Baked Ziti and Sausage home with us. Gilbert had the Four Cheese Ravioli.