April 30 - Hike, Biking and Ruhstaller Brewery

Sunny, blue sky day for a 2-mile hike and. 22-mile bike ride. We road across the walking bridge to the other side of the American River. Went as far as that trail allowed, then took the Watt Avenue bridge back across the River and back to the RV. 

Met Drew and Erin at Ruhstaller Farm for a couple beers and an ice cream. They grow their own hops and provide a calming atmosphere. Chickens and ducks run around, you can sit on straw bales or in Adirondack chairs or many sofas and chairs are around. 

Then back to their house for pizza and move a few more items out of the house to the garage. 

April 29 - Projects and Smoked Ribs

After a short 2 mile hike with the dogs, we drove to Drew and Erin’s house so Shuffstall could help tear down some furniture for the floor rehab and I could continue sewing. 

Taking the queen bed apart

Winnie likes the mattress on the floor she says. 

Added color with the pillows and table covering. 

Next on Erin’s list was to work on the irrigation for her garden which is doing quite well but the summer sun would bake them without a lot of watering. 

Before Drew left for UC Davis to teach, he prepared ribs and started them smoking. Then with good instructions, Erin and Shuff took over till Drew got home. They were so moist. Erin made a quinoa and rice salad and grilled asparagus. Great meal. 

April 28 - Biking and Projects

To start our day, we took the dogs on a 2- mile. hike on the American River trail near our campground. 

Then we got the bikes out and rode for 24 miles along the American River. 

The wildlife we saw were lots of turkeys strutting their stuff. 

We also saw a downy woodpecker and a California Bluejay. 

Dinner was at Mezcal. A delicious Mexican meal. 

April 27 - Back down to Sacramento

Drew and Erin are having their floors refinished so we moved to Cal Expo for a week to help them move furniture out to the garage. 

But before we left, Arlo made oatmeal for us. 

Once at Sac, to fortify us before the work gets started, we went to At Ease Brewery for a tasting and cheese pairing. We’ve had wine and cheese pairings, but never a beer and cheese pairing. The brewer talked about the beers and one of the owners explained why he chose the cheeses. 

For dinner, Drew and Erin made shrimp tacos and grilled vegetables. 

April 26 - Quilt Show and Arlo

The Pine Tree Quilt Guild held their annual quilt show. I love coming to this show because I see different quilts and get so many ideas 🤣

This is a 16’ quilt. Not sure where that would be hung but it’s so beautiful with the quilting. 

This is made with log cabin squares. 

This nature quilt caught my eye. 

For the afternoon, we played with Arlo while Shan drove to Sac for a party and Car drove to Sugar Bowl for their last open day. Who knew it would snow on that day so Carl got to ski. 

On his way home, the road was closed due to an accident. So that meant we got to put Arlo to bed. He’s such a funny kid. Had fun playing and reading books. Then we noticed he was fading so I asked him if he wanted to get ready for bed. He said, Yep.”  So off we went. I read him another book  and then I said let’s sing. He said, Nana.. BED.”  He’s easy to put down, especially when he is tired. 

April 25 - Cold day, project, Dualing pianos

It was a COLD day here in Nevada City but a project at the Pasquale house was finished, so it was a good day. 

First we went to breakfast at the Communal Cafe, downtown Nevada city.

Then Arlo played a little in the RV till we went to the Pasquale house for Shuff and Carl to put up new lattice work on the deck, getting ready for putting the house on the market. 

Then a night out for Shan, Shuff and me at the Golden Era with dueling pianos, a sax and sometimes a flute. What a fun night. Shuff and I danced a little and sang a lot. 

Drew and Erin, can you provide the same fun entertainment?😜

April 24 - Aquasize and bike ride to town and back.

Since Arlo went to daycare, Shan went to work and Carl went to get his skis fixed, I went to my aquasize program and then Shuff and I ride bikes for about 15 miles from Shan’s house through Nevada City and on the Old Downieville Road. Another beautiful sunny day with temps in the 60s. 

Picked Arlo up from daycare and then made 3 kinds of pizzas, veggie, meat lovers, and margarita for us. 

April 23 - Mostly About Arlo

Yesterday Shan, Arlo, the dogs and I went hiking on their ditch trail. At the old house, the ditch trail was right behind their house. At their new house, you have to walk through the woods and up a large hill before you reach the ditch trail. This one runs parallel with Route 20. Yes, Shan carries Arlo in the backpack up the steep hill to the ditch trail. 

Then Arlo falls asleep. Tough life. 


After he napped a little, it was play time. He loves his sensory table with beans in it. 

A little time in the dog bed. 


This was a fun project. It’s water-based finger painting. 




While Arlo painted, Carl prepared beer can chicken in the smoker. It was delicious. 

Before bed, Arlo gets his mom to read him a book. He loves his books. 

April 22 - Earth Day and some exercise

After I took Arlo to daycare, I went to the Gold Country YMCA for aquasize. Coleman teacher and has a good exercise program. The pool is outside in the sun so the water was a nice temp for exercising. 

While I was in the water, Shuff was taking a bike ride to explore Nevada City. 

Carl and Arlo played with trucks before dinner. 

April 21 - Rest day

Easter was such a fun and busy day, we had to rest today. 

Arlo, Shan, Pap and I took a walk in their neighborhood. They have a perfect location on a dead end road with very little traffic so Arlo and the dogs can walk safely. 

April 20 - Happy Easter

My son Drew lines my blog so much, he reminded me I hadn’t posted in awhile. So sorry all. Here’s our Easter time.  

Easter morning started with a walk to see the donkeys. 

Arlo opened one of his Easter presents. 

Time in the kitchen to prepare dinner. Something new for me was making. Cheesecake in the instant pot. Turned out delicious. Shan and Carl made smoked salmon, meatballs, orzo and asparagus and a carrot tart. Donna joined us with deviled eggs and Drew brought lots of wine. We were set for a delicious family Easter meal. 

Then time for the Easter egg hunt. What a hoot. Donna brought some fun things in her eggs and Pappy and I had trucks in the eggs we brought.