Back Home for a While

We were glad to be back home for a few days to see our friends at home base at Country Manor. We were able to join them for their Christmas Holiday dinner. As always the club house was decorated beautifully and it was great to visit with our friends and also to check on Jerry's Mom. We know they will always make sure we have an RV space for us. Thank you Kathryn and Debbie.

Merry Christmas to all of you...Kathryn, Elmer, Shirley, Debbie, Ann and Steve!! And Happy New Year!!

Drive Through Coffee Shacks

We never saw so many drive thru coffee shacks!! While visiting in Graham, WA there was at least 50 drive thru coffee houses within one mile radius. My son helps keep all in business, especially Star Bucks. Coffee costs more then lunch!!!

Rainer RV Park

Washington had an unusual early snow this year. For two days we were snowed in. The RV Park was on a hill and the roads were very icy. All we could hope for was a good rain to wash the roads so we could get out of the park. The snow was very pretty!!

The Castle

My Dad went to Stadium High School as a student. It was called the Castle because it was built like a castle. It has been closed down for the past two years for renovation. The bowl was used on the 4th of July to the public to watch the fireworks on Puget Sound. Each year we would go down and watch them in the bowl. When taking the ferry to Vancouver Washington, a person would think they are in Washington, as the Castle has the same look.

Gig Harbor Bridge

While visiting Washington, we took a day to drive over to Gig Harbor . The drive is always so pretty. We stayed in Gig Harbor one year at an RV park while visiting my Mom and Grandma for Christmas. It is always great to go back visit the special places we have been.

Tour of Washington State Capitol

We toured the Washington State Capitol. There are six large cast bronze doors as you enter the capitol. Inside are two statutes, Marcus Whitman and Mother Joseph, which are replicas of those place in Statuary Hall of our nation's capitol in Washington D.C. The floors and walls are all in beautiful gray Marble from Alaska. Bresche Vilolet Marble from Italy lines the Reception Room. The Tiffany chandeliers, heavy velvet draperies and colorful carpet by my Mohawk Company protect the Bahamian teach wood floor which occasionally uncovered for the events sch as the Governor's Inaugural Ball. Jerry is standing the Reception Room of which I am describing. This room is used for formal state ceremonies, receptions and meetings. We toured the Legislative Galleries, Senate Chamber and House Chamber. A lady asked if we would like to her to take our picture; this was taken on the fourth floor on the balcony. She asked where we were from, and we told her Visalia. She said her son went to COS as he played baseball. He played under Coach Bertholt. Small world! When I was in the sixth grade our class visited the State Capitol, however, I appreciated seeing it again as it meant much more this time. The Governor's Mansion, built in 1908, is still being lived in today by the current Governor. Tours of the Governor's Mansion are given every Wednesday by appointment. If you ever visit Washington State this is a site worth seeing.

"Missy" & "Mister" Barker

Mister and Missy love to travel
with us. Mister travels on the dash to make sure Jerry gets us to our destination. He doesn't like to miss anything. Missy usually hides, however, this trip she decided to join us. Give her a pillow and a soft place to lay and she is happy.

Mt Rainier

While visiting in Washington, we stayed at Rainier View RV park. This is a view from our dining table. The first day the sun was shining and it was clear as could be. We missed that shot. It hasn't been that clear since. This is the best shot, but still quite beautiful. We are approximately 26 miles from Mt. Rainier. The mountain is closed for the first time in 26 years due to rivers overflowing. They plan to have them open by Christmas. As a child I played on this mountain many winters.

Klamath River

The second night of our trip we stayed at a rest stop at Klamath River. We have stayed there for years as we travel to Washington. The fall leaves were beautiful and the mountains were just tipped with snow.

Mt Shasta

A beautiful of Mt Shasta as we are travel to Washington State. Most of these pictures are taken out the window of our RVas Jerry is driving. Not bad!!

Blue Lake

We spent a week with our son and his family at Blue Lake, which is just below Lake Tahoe. The whole family loves to fish...seems like the fish new they were out to catch them!!

National Rally San Bernadino

We just spent 4 great days at the National RV rally in San Bernadino at Orange Show grounds. Approximately 300 motor homes. Met some really nice people, attended seminars, had great meals. Breakfast and dinner was included. Also, a real bonus was to have two things serviced at no charge. At $99.00 per hr for service, this was great. Our door finally closes like it should!! and Jerry's seat no longer sits off balance. These rallys are offered several times a year and this was actually our first National RV rally we have attended. We would do it again!! We are now on our way to Washington State. Watch for our next trip!!!

Grand Canyon Railway

We saw the Grand Canyon in a new way, via rail. We purchased a 2 day package, which included roundtrip by rail to the Grand Canyon from Williams, AZ. We stayed at new RV park with the depot within walking distance. This was a 2 1/2 hr train ride each way. We took coach to the canyon and returned on the Grand View Dome. We saw lots of country, and very relaxing, with cheese and wine included on the return. This was a lot of fun and we recommend the next time you visit the Grand Canyon, travel with the railway.

Barker Family, Tucson, AZ

We visited my oldest son, Gary and Linda, Katie and Jessie in Tucson, AZ. They just built a new home on 3 acres just below Mt. Lemon. What a view!! Their home is right below where they are sitting on the ledge. We went to Mt. Lemon so the the girls could play in the fall leaves. It was great to see them.