May 14 - Kansas into Missouri

As we drove across Kansas on our way to Kansas City, MO, the landscape became greener and greener, but also colder. 

Still off the Interstate, we came through a little town that had sheaths of wheat on their light posts. Perfect for Kansas. 

No BLM land in the Midwest so we looked up Harvest Hosts. Tonight our place of rest for the night was a Harvest Host, Green Acres at the Red Brick FarmHouse BnB. Great stop after a long day of driving. 

Saturday we are going to try to make it to Terre Haute, IN. 

Night, all. 

April 21-26 - Hiking, and some small projects

Since our last post was the monumental pavilion project, we’ve been winding down with smaller projects and even had some time for hiking and biking. 

Carl took us hiking along the South fork of the Yuba while he went for a run. 

This is Jax, Shan and Carl’s dog. 

Not a lot of snow run-off this year so the Yuba is low on water. 

Saturday, Drew and Erin took us to a great brewery in Dixon, CA, the Ruhstaller Farm. They grow their own hops and reused an old grainery for their building. Great tasting beer. 

This is their dog Winnie. 

Back to Drew and Erin’s house for a nut burger dinner. Was so excited when Drew lengthened the table we had brought out to them last summer. So happy it’s being used and loved like we did. 

Bill and Drew finished up a small paving project. 

Then back up the hill so Bill and Carl could work on Carl’s ditch water tank install. 

And just so you know I have something to do, I sewed a window seat cover. I had to sew a 36” zipper!  Largest zipper I ever sewed. 

Shan and I spent a little time shopping Grass Valley. The Holbrook Hotel has just reopened after a huge renovation. It is gorgeous. It’s the oldest continuously run hotel in CA. It was first built in 1862. 

Their bar

Since we’ve been here, we’ve had mostly blue skies. But Sunday some clouds moved in. They were happy for a little rain. They are about 20” below normal with rainfall. There wasn’t much snowfall as usual. 

Shan and I wanted s’mores but it was raining ... microwave them when you’re desperate!

This is the first I had ever tried microwaving a s’more. Its a little stringy. . 

Even the moon looks like it’s wading snow(or rain) as my dad used to say. 

Monday was still a little rainy but we got a 5 mile bike ride in before they got more rain. 

We biked the lower ditch trail that went to Scott’s Flat lake. 

Almost flat with just a few hills. 

April 18-20 - getting closer on the pavilion

The pavilion conclusion is getting closer and closer. Since we needed more height in our helpers, Drew and Erin came up ... Drew for height and Erin for ladder safety, Shan for strength, and Bill’s brains. The pavilion really pulls their outside together. Looking great. 

April 10-11 - the move to Nevada City

Before we left our Loomis campground, we walked into the town of Loomis. Loomis. Loomis takes its name from one the of town's pioneers, James Loomis. At one time, James Loomis was the whole town—saloon keeper, railroad agent, express agent, and postmaster. In the early part of the 20th century, Loomiswas the second largest fruit-shipping station in Placer County.

There’s a large fruit warehouse that was made into a nursery and cafe. It’s fun to just walk through and look at all the plants. 

Left Loomis and headed north to the Nevada County Fairgrounds where we will spend the next week at their campground. 

Shan and Carl have a couple projects for us to help them ... a new gas fire pit and a pavilion. Started with the fire pit. 

After listening to Faith Church’s modern worship, we headed to hike Buttermilk Bend, along the South Yuba with Shan and the dogs. The wildflowers were in full bloom. 

The dogs had to get in the water for a bit before we headed back to Shan and Carl’s. 

There definitely wasn’t as much water flowing down the Yuba as usual in the spring but there was enough to dip our toes. 

Nevada city at night reminds me of downtown Bellefonte with their lights. 

April 5-8- Projects begin!

Let the projects begin. First was Shan’s garden needed to get planted. 

At Erin’s, she and I are hard at work making bow ties for Eim’s Doggie Dash memorial. Just a few weeks ago, Drew and Erin’s senior rescue dog, Eim, passed over the rainbow. It was so fast and very hard on them. So for the Sacramento SPCA Doggie Dash this year, the walk will be in Eim’s memory. They raised $1,100 for the SPCA. Each dog who donated receives a bow tie and a sticker with Eim’s picture. What a wonderful tribute to Eim. 

A couple projects for Bill

We’re sleeping well with all the mental thinking 😜

March 31-Last day in Ironwood National Monument BLM

Our last day of boondocking. It’s been great. Lenny and Banjo have loved being able to go outside without leashes and smell all those different smells. 

We’ve enjoyed hiking among all the different cacti and flora. Found the name to one of the plants we saw - ocotillo. Long spikes with a beautiful orange-red and yellow flower. Bill got a good shot of it. 

And this is the flower. 

I was having a little withdrawal from quilt shopping so I found two relatively close together (still took us 30minutes) and we all set off. I love the Southwest colors and their fabrics reflect that and their culture. Could have bought a lot but restrained myself. 

Back at the RV Lenny is soaking up the sun, while Bill fixes a flat on the trailer. He’s amazing. Had all the tools he needed. Wow. 

Tomorrow we head to Joshua Tree.