Friday, November 25, 2011

TAKING A PEEK DOWN THE ROAD – ONE MORE WEEK IN SACRAMENTO

Here is what I learned about myself during the past six weeks in Sacramento:  if/when we give up the full time life and settle down, I won’t be blogging!   But now it is time to blow the dust off the keyboard and warm up my fingers… we’re scheduled to leave a week from today.  We have a reservation at Anza Borrego State Park in the last half of December, with tentative plans to head south via the coast.  I’m so ready for a new view. 

It’s been a busy, busy time.  Lots of quality time with the family’s trio of super seniors, the above-85 generation.  Fun times with both my sisters (I’m in the middle, and both sisters now live in the Sacramento area).  Good visits with friends from our prior lives here, and with RV’ing friends who passed through Sacramento during our stay. 

I had another birthday; now just one more year until Social Security!  Odel flew to DC to visit his daughter and her family for five days, then came home to resume an eight session course of physical therapy, improving a bothersome shoulder problem.

What else?  Let’s see… repairs to the Jeep (doors wouldn’t lock) and a new windshield.  The microwave part of our microwave/convection oven died, and will be replaced on Monday. 

The biggest news?  My cousin Rosanna came to visit, and made an offer on a house in Placerville - accepted!

Some of you have met Rosanna and her mom, my Auntie Carol, in person.  Others of you have read about them and their animals at Paws and Hooves Ranch (motto: “Where we’re busy being happy!”), maybe on my blog, maybe on The Bayfield Bunch, maybe on the blogs of other travelers in southeastern Arizona.  Located between Chiricahua National Monument and the Dragoons, about an hour southeast of Benson and an hour north of Bisbee, Odel and I have spent many happy, busy days there.

As Rosanna, Carol, and all the animals grow older, upkeep of the little ranch is becoming a big job.  Rosanna had been daydreaming about moving for awhile, with no specific plan.  When she visited Sydney and Frank (my sister and BIL who moved from Bisbee to Diamond Springs, California, last year) earlier this month, she found her spot – a smaller home on 1/3 acre in a rural area.  Nice views, plenty of privacy, one mile from the supermarket, with an unmanicured, fenced backyard for the dogs that will be making the move.  Lots of TREES, a big change from her place in Arizona.  She made an offer, it was accepted, and a big life change is underway.

Anyone looking for a horse property in SE Arizona (Cochise County)?  Rosanna’s home is new-ish (15 years, maybe?), 3 bedrooms, two bathrooms, nice big kitchen.  Lots of windows.  BIG barn, corrals of various sizes.  A good well.  A big, outdoor, clay oven!  A level site for a large RV with a 30 amp hookup and water.  The acreage is completely fenced and gated.   A covered carport - two, I think.  Good horse riding in the area – John and Brenda took their horses over to Council Rocks in the Dragoons a couple of weeks ago.

Rosanna has her place listed for sale now, and a lot of work ahead.  Guess Odel and I better zip on down there if we want to get in a last visit.

So, our countdown begins.  Odel has his last PT session at 8 am next Friday… then off we go.  See you on the road!

21 comments:

  1. Do you think the Sacramento area will be the place you settle down when/if you leave the fulltime lifestyle? Just curious. I haven't found that place yet, but we all should think about it I guess...

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  2. So good to hear from you again. Sure hope Odel's shoulder improves with the therapy!

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  3. I just said last night, "geez, it's been a long time since Laurie and Odel posted." Glad to see you are back and things are going well.

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  4. Are you at Cal Expo this time? My eye doctor is in that vicinity and I have an appointment there next week.

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  5. Glad to hear that everything is working out and you can get down to AZ. Sacramento can get pretty cold this time of year. I can remember weeks of fog with a low of 38 and a high of 40 week after week. Plenty of sunshine down here in AZ

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  6. belated birthday greetings to you!!..hope it was a great day!!

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  7. See? There were lots of things to blog about, just too busy is all.
    Nice to see you are well.

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  8. Yes, that will be quite a change for the Paws and Hooves gang. We have been in touch with Rosanna but as yet our winter travel plans are a bit scattered and day by day. We may get back that way in February. And yep, I know what you mean by not blogging when not traveling. I have been doing it but it has not been easy!! We might be over around the Borrego way in December as well. Tell Odel the best thing for a sore shoulder is throwing 300 yard footballs....:))

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  9. I am also glad to hear from you two again, it has been awhile and I have been wondering what you and that Pretty Man of yours have been up to.

    I hope we can get a visit in if you are in the area. We have a spot for you here a Dog Pound South with a 50 amp hookup and power and sewer so come on down.

    Take Care
    Brenda

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  10. I agree. I won't be blogging after we settle down either. Right now it is more to let the family know what is going on, and a diary for us.
    Sounds like you two are having a delightful time.
    Good luck Odel! Prayers coming your way for full recovery and use of the shoulder! Safe travels.

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  11. Glad to hear from you all again. Sorry about Odel's shoulder. I guess he was really playing too much golf? Is there such a thing as too much golf? Anyway, glad to see your both still enjoying life.

    We head out in another week for our winter trip. So more blogging on our end will come soon.

    Travel safe!

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  12. Hey Howdy! Been wondering where you are. Since we also are not traveling now and now blogging much, it's hard to stay in touch. We haven't hung up the keys yet, and with some major changes coming up soon, we ain't gonna do that for quite a while. The keys are hanging on a rack, waiting to get back on the road. When we get back, we'll hunt you up and maybe buy you lunch!

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  13. Thanks for the update, I have been wondering what you were up to. We blew through Sacramento a couple of weeks ago!

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  14. Missed your blogging, but I sure understand not doing it when landed..I don't do it as much as I originally did..Spending too much time on the computer is counter-productive to enjoying the outside and wildlife...

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  15. So sorry to hear you don't like blogging. I sure do like to read your blog and am not even going to think about your moving out of full timing.

    Congrats to your cousin. Looks like the right thing, at the right time for her.

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  16. Good to see you back in Blogville. We were in Anza-Borrego area earlier in the week and we were impressed. Safe travels to you.

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  17. Hey, good to see you! I KNEW you were having a great time with family and friends and knew that you would be back. You. Anza Borrego the last two weeks of December...Us. Desert Hot Springs from Dec 29 through January 8. Maybe we will cross paths again! Although we won't have the kayaks so won't be trying to paddle across all those dry lakes.

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  18. Nice to see you're back, missed your comments.

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  19. Nice to see you're back, missed your comments.

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  20. Sounds like you have been very busy ~ hope that your both doing well!
    Have fun & Travel safe
    Donna

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  21. So ready for the Anza Borrego desert. We'll be boondocking out near Clark Lake! Enjoy....

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