Wild & Three Thursday!

Happy, happy Thanksgiving. I've said it before and I will say it again My absolute favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. And I don't even like turkey! It's all the food (cause there is ALWAYS lots and not just turkey at our gatherings), family and fun but without the pressure of gifts and the weather is usually mild so everyone can get there. What is NOT to like! This year however, family is limited to just MiRV and I. It's still all good but being with family for this one is a favorite and I certainly do/did miss it.

There is so, so much to be thankful for ANY time but I am especially mindful of how blessed we are during this particular time of the year. We are so fortunate to live in a country where we can have so many freedoms and do not suffer from an oppressive government. We personally do not suffer from war or poverty. Thank a service member for that whydontcha! Cause that whole no war thing on our soil, that's a biggie and everyone should ALWAYS be thankful for that. Not gonna get much deeper but suffice to say we are fully aware of the abundance and liberties that we experience and we are beyond thankful for that.

The Daughter and family are safely back home. We are spending our turkey day in Tucson eating hot off the grill steaks. It's cool, rainy and windy. We decided to just take a three day break before moving on to let the weather settle down. They have closed some roads right behind us so to speak and they are closing roads in the higher elevations all around us. So we will be stationary as this bit of weather moves on. We hope to pull out on Saturday a.m. but we are flexible enough to be respectful if the weather is still an issue we can stay put if needed.

Oh, the zoo trip was a resounding success! What a delightful day with perfectly beautiful weather. We nearly opened and closed it. Saw all kinds of animals. I loved the koala's best. Feeding the giraffe was a hit as well as getting to see the baby gorilla nursing.  Watching the cheetah walking by on a leash right in front of us was a pretty cool bonus, too. And riding the sky tram (twice) as well as the double decker bus was a nice break from all the walking. Oh, and let's not forget the chuckle of seeing "Save the Chubby Unicorn" shirts (rhinoceros, need love, too) Stopping off at In and Out Burger on our way to the hotel was a great ending to our full day; love me an animal style burger!

OH em GEEEEE I would be remiss if I did not mention our visit with ThreeDoorsDown! They were incredible host and we enjoyed sitting round the table catching up. Great to spend time with such good people. And MiRV was so stoked to get wet. He was pretty dry! Be able to to surf with RocketBoy in Redondo on the same board he learned to surf on in Cocoa on he couldn't have been happier. :)

SURFING the River

 

 
Paddle Out!
 

 

Riding the "WAVE"

 

 
Coming out, tired but sooooooo stoked to have gotten wet!!
 

MiRV who loves, I mean really LOVES, the water and surfing has had dry gills since we left Florida. So when he learned about a spot in Missoula Montana that you can surf on the river he was determined to make sure we stopped through so he could check it out!

He was so stoked after we stopped on Sunday and also a bit disappointed since we got there too late in the day to go that day However, we would be hitting it the next day for sure! And we did and he was uber excited! It was awesome and he enjoyed it immensely! It was also fun to watch...well, except for a few wipeouts which made my heart beat really rapidly!

The team at Strongwater Mountain Surf Co was great; especially KB! Guy knows his stuff and has a love for the sport!

Another incredible experience in this journey called life! Honestly, we are so blessed and I have to pinch myself some days cause we are so incredibly fortunate to be able to do what we are doing; love this life!!!

#strongwaterrocks!

Wisconsin DayTrip

We decided to take a break from the big city life of Chicago and head just over the border while we were in Illinois. Destination Sheboygen with stops in Milwaukee and Pleasant Prairie.

First stop was Pleasant Prairie to see the Jelly Belly distribution center. The actual factory is not open for tours but we did pass it on our way (it's actually in Illinois). There is a factory that you can tour in California so we might do that when we make it out west! We arrived and hatted up for our video tour and tram ride...kind of cheesy but very informative and a fun quick stop. We also scored free samples and great "belly flops" for taking home with us at a cheap price.Belly flops are the imperfect jelly belly candies.

 EVERYONE had to wear a hat for the tour!

On towards the north...we passed through Milwaukee to make our intended destination Sheboygan. We will stop in Milwaukee on our way back through. We were in search of surf.

 We're here!!!!

 And we have the boards...

Unfortunately, there we have NO surf to be had. So very disappointing for MiRV he had so wanted to surf Lake Michigan just as they do in Step into the Liquid one of his favorite surf movies. And just as a side note, the water temperature was balmy 46*. That's pretty chilly cold folks! No matter, he says if there would have been surf he was going in! The town was very quaint and we enjoyed lunch at McDonald's while there. Amazingly, I had the best made quarter pounder with cheese ever. The cheese was actually ON the burger the way it should be, not half on the burger and half on the cardboard, ON the burger, so was the ketchup. It was awesome and the fries were super fresh and hot. It was a clean store too and they were friendly, I was totally impressed! I even sent a note to the owner as I was really pleased with all aspects of the store!And if you haven't been to MickeyDs lately their receipts have BOGO offers on them which make lunch out under $8.00 for us which is a real deal in my book cause they DO have THE best fries!

Before we left the area did take a walk on the lake. Then we started to make our way back to Milwaukee cause there was a Camping World to stop at along with going to the Harley Museum.

Milwaukee is home to Harley Davidson. Harley Davidson is a very recognizable brand known for their bright orange and black colors and bikes that have a very recognizable sound IMO. The museum was fascinating even if you aren't really into motorcycles, which as it happens I am on the fence about. And even if I weren't on the fence I am not sure this would be the brand for me but one cannot deny that they are a leader in the industry and their story is pretty neat!

Wearing orange today you'd think MiRV was a super fan...nah, it was just coincidence!

The number ONE that started it all for Harley Davidson!

 Gas tanks and engines...

It was really fun to wander through the exhibits and see how much the motor bike world has changed. To see how two wheel bikes morphed into two and sometimes three wheeled motorcycles. A fun look at the unique history of this company as well as the motorized two wheeler.

The also had hands on interactive things they had were fun to do too. I found the engine I liked best...a panam I think it what it was called. It seemed a little quieter and smoother then the traditional loud and rumbly ones. It was also the engine predominately used during my birth year, so what's not to like?

After a CHEAP and I do mean cheap dinner at one of the local Mexican restaurants we headed back south. I really enjoyed my pork enchilada's with great rice and beans for $5. The beans were unlike any I have had before, so very flavorful and thicker but still a good consistency, the rice was tasty as well and not orangy in color, it was a brownish color and not sticky. MiRV had something pork too and he said it was fantastic, it also came with rice and beans for $5! We were stuffed as we made our way back to the RV. Another pleasant day out and about discovering America.

Massachusetts!!!!

We made it safely out of NJ through the traffic of the NYC area and landed at Fourth Cliff RV park which is run out of Hanscom AFB, MA. WOW what a view we stumbled upon. We had originally thought we would stay on Cape Cod but a miscommunication from the RV reservation folks had us moving on. We called for a reservation at Fourth Cliff and they had openings so we booked for a couple nights. Got there and the view was magnificent. Like unbelievable.

Gorgeous view...

From this spot we found surf for MiRV so he was a happy water boy! Especially since the surf was B.I.G. The area in fact was under a surf advisory, so he was thrilled and a bit overwhelmed all at the same time!

 Water was a bit chilly COLD so booties and gloves were used!

Next morning we started off with a most magnificent sunrise at 4:45 a.m. which made for an extremely looooooong day, but worth it to see such a gorgeous sight! Having this gorgeous view might have lessened the STING of yesterday's travel cost...one bridge at $24.75 and the Garden State Parkway tolls of $16.35, that IS highway robbery, which I think I said when we had to pay $24.00 to pass over a bridge on our way to NJ. Sheesh I am NOT a fan of tolls!

 Another memorable sunrise...

Our daytrip to the Cape included a stop in Plymouth, to see Plymouth Rock, which is more like a stone but still a very significant historical site. It used to be bigger, like a lot bigger but they allowed visitor's to use a hammer and take pieces home for souvenirs a long time ago and the rock got smaller and smaller before they stopped that. There were many things to do in Plymouth and we did walk the downtown area seeing a few of the monuments and memorials as well as the Mayflower II but we moved on to see the Cape.

Our first stop after the rock was to check out the RV park we did not get into...I'm okay with the mix-up the spot we got has a way better view and a bath house, it's all good! We spent too much time trying to find really small light houses that are not really reachable via car. We also stopped in to tour the Cape Cod Potato Chip factory, what's not to like? Two free bags of chips on the way out the door, woohoo for salt and vinegar!

 

 Cape Cod Chips...extremely CRUNCHY :)

But before it was all over we did get to see several "lights" as they call them here. We also made it all the way to the end of the Cape and biked around Provincetown. It was quaint and very artsy with somewhat eclectic residents. 

I had lobsta salad for lunch and it was goooood!!!!

On our way out of town we decided to hit the beach for a looksy and lo and behold MiRV spotted whale spouts. We quickly retrieved the binoculars and searched the waters for more sightings. They were there and just as quickly gone. I saw four spouting, two breaches and one tail up. It was incredible. I would have loved to have seen them up closer but this was still incredible!


We also stopped and scored a few looks at lighthouses, good looks not just "oh, it's over there..." looks. These had parking which is a huge bonus even if we did have to walk a ways to see them, worth it!

The Nauset light is the one on the Cape Cod Potato Chip bag!

 

This is the Cap Code light and the Three Sister's lights. 

Bonus was windmills, there were several but this is the only one I got a photo of, it was actually a business but they had others that were at one time functioning. 

I think it would have been neat to spend a little more time here and visiting the little towns that were very unique and full of interesting things to see and do. Maybe even would have taken the ferry to Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket with our bikes.

MiRV is still fighting sinus issues if you are keeping up...

#sinusissuescontinue
#CapeCodPotatoChips
#lighthouses

Onslow Beach, North Carolina

WELCOME TO NORTH CAROLINA...

We did trek through Myrtle Beach on our way up but we are now in the boonies; at least that is the word that comes to mind but in a good way. It's definitely off the beaten path and nice. There were a few crowds when we arrived on Mother's Day but not since. It's been great...we are on the ocean, and I do mean ON the ocean. I like it...the one exception is that I have had no cell service while we've been here :( but the internet has been pretty reliable which has been a bonus! But talking to my girl on Mother's Day was tough since the first call we were going through the gate and I had to hang up and then the return call was dropped not once, not twice but three times! UGH!



On Monday we did make a commissary run and also stopped by the MCX,. The MCX is huge and had a really great selection, in fact, I even shopped. I came up empty. I am currently on the lookout for a swimsuit, shorts and t's. I know I will find what I want but it's hard when shopping is just not something you enjoy. Going in to the commissary from where we are was like a ride through the country. I have not left camp since; it's been great!

Oh, did I mention this is a Marine Corps base, yep, and let me tell you it's been a new experience!. The Marine mentality is like no other and we have had fun being on this base. Love the exercises going on everyday, all day and the shaking of the rig from the firing of the howitzers, helicopters buzzing around and the F-something or other flying over. And it was hysterical seeing some of their signage, I only wish I had gotten more pics!

 

So, the fancamp is nothing to write home about and for sure the sites are NOT level but thanks to MiRV and his newly created leveling mats we are good. The bathhouse/laundry are IMO not on par with what we are used to but they are usable. I was not too thrilled to see that it's $1.25 to wash/$1.25 dry. I'm holding out til we get to VA and they may be no charge since it's a Navy base (that was how it was in FL at Mayport) A girl can hope and you know I like to save my quarters when I can!

Beaching it was the I-10 for this locale and we went everyday, we also rode bikes and took a few walks. The downtime after all the hoopla in Savannah and Charleston has been nice. MiRV also made an urgent care visit for a sinus infection. He is now on a Z-pac and we are praying that does the trick to get him back to 100%. It's never fun to be sick and especially while we are at the beach and one that even has waves.

While at the beach we have been shark tooth hunters and we were successful. The first couple looks we made we came up empty handed and then we found some that were not the real deal (rocks.shells) and then today, our last day, we hit the jackpot and found a few! It was fun to be beach combers with a mission! I also picked up a few beach rocks, which I have not seen at other beaches, there were lots of them in all sizes and mostly, blacks, browns, yellows, clear and a few purples.

My cool beach rocks...

And our SHARK TEETH!!!!

It's on to VA now!

#sharkteeth
#onslowbeach

Shameless Blog Push

Much to my surprise MiRV is blogging again. He has over the years without much regularity but this time he seems gung ho, so gung ho in fact he is now manning not one but T.W.O. blogs. I know right? But who am I to discourage this new found creative energy! 

Psst...he is reading books! Which is totally not something he does by choice. It's all good. Anyway...if you are interested take a click on over and check him out. He is listed in my blogroll too!

There is one on our RV life, aptly named MiRV which is what I call him on this blog. You never know what topic you will find on there, it's not just all about RVing that's for sure!

Then he is also blogging to address his love of surfing. This one is Surfing Safari :)

So there you have it, just a shameless plug for my love! Have a great day on this day 2 of 2014!