Mid Year Moose Convention Reno

Pam Rowland and I left here about 9:30 on Wednesday morning. We drove up Hwy 20 then caught I-80 above Nevada City.

On Monday this week we had 80 plus weather here at Clearlake. This Wednesday morning we took off was raining and snowing in the mountains.. go figure?
We were lucky there wasn’t any snow on the road, just snow flurries as we headed up to the summit at Donner. As we headed down from the summit, the road became dry.. Relief set in.. We decided to stop in Truckee at a little Mexican Restaurant there, of course can’t remember the name.. but had stopped there last year on a trip we took in January when going up to Reno.
Soon we were on our way to Reno. We got to the Atlantis and got our stuff all checked  in. Pam and I then went to do some shopping.. We shopped the afternoon and then came back to the hotel and had dinner. Pam did some gambling and won quite a little.. I didn’t play much, my money was going like water.. So I went up to the room..
In the morning we had a bit to eat in the room (we brought some breakfast food). From there we decided to do some more shopping. Found a few treasures and then back to the hotel. We registered for the convention and picked up our badges..
I called Mike & Maryann and they would have me over for dinner and a nice little visit. M & M looks the same, everything was good with them. I always enjoy spending time with them.

Mike was leaving for Vegas the next morning. He gets lots of FREE stuff from them so he likes to go.. Not sure it is exactly FREE? I am sure he spends plenty..

Got back to the hotel.. did a little gambling and then up to the room..
Friday was meetings all day in the convention rooms. We saw Jana and her husband Eddy and Mary Ferrera and her husband Mike.. Ran into Earl & Mary. Friday evening Mary (not Mary F) ate dinner with us and soon after I went back to my room.. After dinner we went to the room and cleaned up and headed out for the evening..
Pam and I found a few “hospitality” rooms that evening.. We partied into the evening. Met some fun people.. Got free drinks and food. JELLO-SHOTS! We were on a roll. Not sure what time we got in.. But the next day was a bit rough on Pam.. poor girl.. I lucked out, not sure why I didn’t feel bad.. oh but I was doing fine.. Meetings again all day Saturday.
Thought it would be nice to take a Hot Tub.. Well went down to the pool area and hot tub.. tooo many kids! So went back to the room.. Showered and met Pam for dinner.. She went on to gamble, me? I went up to the room and kicked back..
Sunday we had one last meeting and we would be off for home. Snowing once again.. No snow on the road.. again we were blessed.
We stopped in Nevada City at a nice place for late lunch “Bistro 221”. Had a wonderful hamburger.. and headed up. We arrive home about 5pm..
Fun time was had by all..

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Snow Pics VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Impromptu Day with Friends

 

We talked with Jim & Shirley about coming and taking some photos of their boat as they are putting it up for sale. So we arrived about noon. J & S served up some of those delicious Bloody Mary’s. We walked out and I took some photos of the boat.. We were all talking and we weren’t hungry yet.. So we thought we would head to Guenoc/Langtry Winery to do some wine tasting..
At the Moose fashion show the day before ran into Faith & Jan.. We told them we would be at Jim & Shirley’s on Sunday and they said they may stop in and bring refreshments with them. Sounds good..
We arrived at the winery and the wisteria was in full bloom and so fragrant! Gorgeous! We went inside to the tasting room where we met Scott. What a great host he was! He was so knowledgeable about their wines and different processes that take place..
As were tasting wine.. who should walk in?? Faith & Rudy and Jim & Jan! You would have thought we hadn’t seen each other in decades! After the “hi’s” and “hugs” we got down to some serious wine tasting. Scotty telling us wonderful stories. He was so fun! He made our experience a real joy! I am sure we were there for sometime. Scotty also took us through the vats and barrels. He also served us a barrel tasting.. thought at was pretty special! Scotty was wonderful to joke around with, he had a wonderful sense of humor!
Here we are  in the room that had the vats and barrels..

What a motely crew we are!! So fun!
From here we all went back to Jim & Shirleys and sat out on the deck. It was a beautiful day! Spring has sprung for sure!! We all settled in on the deck, continued to drink our wine, while Jim & Ev went to town to pick up pizza.
It was a great afternoon with our friends! We love you all! Great memories!

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Jim & Shirley’s 48th Wedding Anniversary

  We arrived at Jim &Shirley’s about 8am for Bloody Mary’s.
Wasn’t long and Charles came by to say “Hi” and have a bloody mary with us as well.

At Jim & Shirley's VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Wasn’t long and we were on our way.. We arrived in plenty of time for what was going to be a fun day at the Wine Train!!

We were fortunate we met up with Kats (our neighbor), he works for the wine train. He was happy to see us as we were to see him. Kats was working in the souvenir shop when we arrived. He was then going to be on the train as well serving at the wine tasting bar. Boarding the train was like stepping back in time.
Kats was amazing how he knows everything about the wine he served! We did get quite an education! It was so nice to have our own wine expert!

We met some really  nice/fun people! First we meet Nancy &Tom from Pennsylvania. Unfortunately we kind of lost each other on the train when it came time to eat..

We also met 3 ladies from Tahoe. Mother, Lanell, daughter Taylor, and friend Kelley. The more you scroll through the photos you will see how much fun we all had!

After leaving the wine train, Jim was driving. We toured Calistoga, hit a few happy hour places and then one last place in Middletown. We had such a great day! That last stop is a bit foggy..
if you ever take the a wine train adventure? Be fun enjoy the people around you! It is more fun to be outgoing and meeting lots of people!

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Dinner with the “Cruz” family

After we left John & Bette’s and headed for Stockton, we stopped and visited with Steve and daughter Kristen for a few minutes and pick up so nice lemons!! We would see Steve & Family about 5 for dinner.
From there we went to Trader Joe’s and Cash & Carry to do some shopping. On Thursday I had forgotten to leave off some homemade jelly for my Aunt Aleen & Reba.. So we took a short visit back over there. She is such a treasure..
Well it is getting late in the day, we hadn’t eaten since this morning, so it was time to have a bit to eat..Stopped at Mikey “D’s” had a snack and off we went to get the motel.. and that would be motel 6.. “cheap”, but clean.. was fine for the night..
We freshened up and headed for the restaurant Shirasoni’s, it was only about a mile from the motel..When we arrived the “Cruz” family hadn’t arrived yet. Ev and I sat down and ordered a drink.. While we were waiting for the drink they all came in.. Steve, wife Raine, mother in law Karen, Morgan (her 21st birthday), her boy friend Christian, Kristen and her boyfriend Jose (his 24th birthday). We were going to celebrate all these birthdays!! Shirasoni’s is a “benihana” style atmosphere”. The cook the food on a grill in front of you while we are all seated around the grill. Very good food!

Dinner with the “Cruz” Family VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

We had a fun time we all had! We felt so blessed to have been part of this wonderful family! The only one we were missing was Sydney, Steve & Raine’s youngest. She was busy getting ready for a play she is doing starting next week at at her school.. Quiet the singer and actress!!

After dinner Ev, Steve and I went for an after dinner drink at “Dave Wong’s” Restaurant.. Nice place, cocktails were very reasonable!! Great evening!! Thanks for everything!! Had a blast!

Copperopolis here we come! John & Bette

See on the map below where Copperopolis is… the town is in the red square in the map below..

After a wonderful day with my Aunt and cousin, Ev and I headed to Copperopolis in the “gold country of California” where our friends John & Bette live.
We meet John & Bette in 2002 on our first outing with our at that time “new” trailer. We were at the San Simeon campground. We met briefly, like that afternoon and evening and then we were on our way the next morning. However, what transpired in that short time was a blossoming new friendship that would last! John & Bette invited us to their wedding that would take place at the Carson Inn at Carson City, NV in 6 weeks! And we arrived just in time for their wedding! And so the rest is history..
For years John & Bette have always come here to visit us and this is the first time we have been to their place..
When we arrived they both were so excited to see us!! woo hoo and us were happy to see them!
We had a nice evening just chatting away.. Bette fixed a great dinner salad with chicken and cabbage..Their home is in a sub division that everyone has acreage, not sure how much, but they are darn big lots! None of us are late nighters, so we retired about 10 to ready for the day, tomorrow!
The “boys” had their day planned.. They took a ride and went visiting.. check out this movie (this is “men” trying to take a picture”)

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Bette had an event planned at the Ironstone Vineyard as a vendor. The event is “Girls Night Out”.

Flowers at the Ironstone Vineyard, GORGEOUS! VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Girls get to sip wine snack on hor duerves and shop, can’t think of anything better myself. Bette is a “partylite” consultant. She and her girlfriend, Anita work together setting up their displays and then work the event together.. It was pretty fun, I enjoyed the afternoon and evening.. I even got to do a little shopping..

I found a very pretty necklace and bracelet.. Click on link, then click catalog>> http://www.tracilynnjewelry.net/
Great Prices!!

We packed up the event and got back to John & Bette’s about 10:30pm had a glass of wine and went to bed! Long day!
In the morning we were already up and ready for the day. We were going to take a nice ride up by Bear Valley Pass (at least that is what I think it was). We would ride through Angles Camp, Murphy’s, Dorrington, Ebbets Pass on up the hill. Not much snow down low, but about 6k we started seeing signs of some snow. By the time we got to Spicer Road snow staging area, there was a nice amount of snow..

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From here we went back down the mountain and stopped in at the Ebbets Pass Moose Lodge.
Cute place.. The picture below was a picture I took from the Ebbets pass Moose lodge site.. It looks prettier than the one I had… there is snow around this one!!

We walked in and we introduced ourselves and we had a nice and warm welcome from Della the bartender. She was so sweet, she poured our drinks, brought them to us. She also turned the lights on for the shuffleboard game.. Bought a drink and then had “safe sex” with my husband.. LOL.. Just kidding..They do have a walk in “safe” with their stored liquor.. The door is a “safe” door on the door there is sign that reads ask the bartender if you would like to enter.. Della was cute.. of course Ev had to check it out. So this picture below is of Della and Ev having “safe sex” in the safe.. Guess it is one of those things, “you had to be there”.

We had a fun fun day with John & Bette!! What a kick! When we got home Bette cooked up a sweet shrimp alfredo.. umm..delicious!! We continued to party into the evening..
In the morning Ev and I didn't get up too early. But got packed and ready to go. We had plans to do some shopping at Cash & Carry in Stockton and meet some friends for Dinner..
We had a great time with you both!! We will try come visit again soon!!

John & Bette VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Visit with My Aunt Aleen and cousin Reba

What a morning. Up at 4:30 and on the road by 7:15am.. Never can seem to get out on time! We headed for Sacramento to get a tranny service on the truck, which didn’t take much time at all. In the meantime while the truck was being walked on, Ev, I and the dogs took a nice river walk on the American River to where the Sacramento rivers come together.. a little over 5 miles of walking!!

Picked up the truck, called Aunt Aleen and we were on our way to meet up with her and Reba in Stockton at Applebee's on March Lane in Stockton..
We had just arrived and they pulled in. Aunt Aleen was so tickled to see me she hardly waited for the car to stop and she was jumping out to hug me!! It was such a joy to see her! It has been way to long since I saw here, probably 5 or 6 years! Same for Reba! Both looked great! Aunt Aleen already 3 months into becoming 91 years young! And I will tell ya she is very young acting and feeling! I hope I can be just like her when “I grow up”!! Reba was such a joy to see as well. We were never close, but always knew she was a terrific person and so funny! She makes me laugh so much! Ev thinks she is a riot! We had such a nice visit that Thursday afternoon! I always have good intentions to go and visit, and? Time just gets away from me! Will have to try harder from now on!
We got to hear wonderful family stories and talk about days gone by.. What a wonderful visit!! Aunt Aleen was always my favorite Aunt..

Visit Aunt Aleen & cousin Reba VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

After our visit with Aleen we headed up to visit John & Bette in Copperopolis..