It's September, Let's Catch up

 Yikes! Where does the time go??? 

It's been hot-Dilly has been helping with yard work.

And we got a basketball hoop for him-he shoots hoops every day!

There have been a few windy storms pass through-we lost some small branches and one bigger one.

I got them cut up and burned one batch then we had another blowing storm and had more! So now the fire bowls are full again!

We went to a "Flea Market" at Huibbard Park-unfortunatly the only things there were clothing resellers. Who Knew there were so many people selling used clothing-I swear they had a Hawkeye shirt for every man woman and child in the county there!

There were a few selling artwork and little jewelry, but nothing worth the time it took to park!

We've had some good park time!

I like these playgrounds that have the rubber mats on the ground-they are so much nicer!

And I've started this quilt. I bought this pattern many years ago, like 25 years maybe?  and it was the most expensive pattern I'd ever bought. $15.00

It's not a great pattern in my opinion-I'm glad I didn't start it 20 years ago!

You have to trace off all the pieces and cut the templates out and then the 2nd blocks have paper piecing-which I kind of like.

I'm using a pile of batiks that I got a couple of summers ago at a yard sale. 

These first blocks are kind of wonky, but I think it will work out in the long run.

More to come on this one!

And the Electrician came and did the check up on the generator. It's ready when ever another storm comes along!

And the saddest news too, My Mom is dying. She moved to Iowa River Hospice this week. Iowa River Hospice Is a really nice facility, they have been so accomodating. She is suffering with congestive heart failure and kidney failure. 

This was back in July, not lomg ago at all and time just keeps rushing along.

Love those smiles!!!

Vacation

 So the vacation story starts out like this. Construction, traffic slow down, on to the next construction zone. 

See the traffic in my rear view? And that's as exciting as it got-we took Highway 50 AKA the lonelist highway in America. And it wasn't exactly lonely, but it was LONG.  

$5.29 for gas, along the way to California. 

And here's the Welcome to California at Red Lake. 

and more traffic/construction....

So we stopped here-so much beautiful produce!

Best Motel Room WINNER! Townplace Suites, by Marriott in Merced.. Just look at this kitchen set up! There were dishes in the cupboards! And that's a dishwasher!

Hubs located some old friends along the way-Chuck Powell-they ran round together many years ago, 

and this is Otis Mudget, another old pal. 

And we spent a little time with SIL Tamea and her hubs in Stockton. 

We went to Santa Cruz Boardwalk. It was such a nice day!

I got a little ocean time!

ANd the Santa Cruz at Santa Cruz.

And we made the trip to Yosemite National Park. 

Such a beautiful place!

It has changed a little bit since we were here last, but the sights are still spectacular!

I think this is the worst gas price we saw.....on the way to the beach.

And then we went to Avila Beach

Beautiful location, easy acess, beautiful day-not too hot, a little breeze, perfect!

Then we headed towards, my Sister's house. 

Traffic!!

Just look at all the traffic! Later we learned there was an incdent on a main highway so all the traffic had ben re routed through Crestline.

It delayed us by about 2 hours! SO by the time we got to Sis's house, it was getting dark!

A little view of Silverwood lake on the way....

A little time to visit

Then off down the mountain to San Bernadino.

The lights of San Bernadino in the distance were just spectacular!

Then Off to Las Vegas

I had one stop on my mind in Vegas...Sew Yeah Quilting. 

They have a lot of You Tube videos and I follow along with them. They hav e a really large store!

They made this exploding heart pattern out of minky!

After the quilt shop we wanted to see THE SIGN!

Funny thing, this sign is in the middle of the highway, there's a parking lot and people line up to take their pictures.

There were several bridal parties there taking pictures and a whole crowd!

A very nice lady took these pictures for us. 

And then we drove down the strip......

It's just like on TV only HOTTER!

And here's one of those driverless cars!

SO weird to see in person.

ANd all the famous places, and there are escalators outdoors and sky walks across the streets. 

Pretty impressive, I'd say to really enjoy yourself you should stay a day or two and find a great place to park.

We didn't stop anywhere! We headed for our next Hotel in St George UT.

And next thing you know-it's Welcome to Wyoming!

oopsy....

And a little pit stop at Strawberry River

And a stop at Flaming Gorge Dam

A short stop on the way to Rock Springs WY

A really beautiful drive from Flaming Gorge.

And after that we had an overnight  in North Platte NE, and then Home!!

But not before THIS! A Truck caught on fire just 25 miles from home and shut down Easbound I80 for about 25 minutes!!

SO after all of that we are home and the Santa Cruz was a great ride.