Monday, March 28 - Having Fun in Vegas (Las Vegas, NV)

Friday

Carolee came to our park to visit and then we went out to lunch. After lunch we came back to the RV to sit and visit more. It’s so much fun being with her. She is such an upbeat person and makes everyone around her feel good.

After Carolee left Jesse and went to Walmart to do our shopping. We also stopped at a Red Box where Jesse rented two movies for the evening.

Saturday

I was up and out the door by 9:30, I needed a manicure and pedicure. After I returned I made us a little lunch and we hung.

After the boys were fed dinner and walked we headed over to Carolee and Chick’s house. We sat and visited for a short while, getting caught up on what been happening since we left in January. Then we left to go to Sonic for a night of Hot Wheels competition and Classic Cars.

Chick’s Classic Car – Purple Chevy Panel Van

Hot Wheel contest was lots of fun..all proceeds go to needy families in the area

I came in third place and was really having a fun time. We all ordered hotdogs, fries, onion rings and drinks and got a discount because we were participating in the fun. How fun is that?

Sunday

We were invited to dinner at Carolee’s.

On the way over we stopped by and saw Judy, Jesse sister, while she was at work and visited for a few minutes. She manages a slot area in a food store for Terrible Herbst.

We had a very good dinner of baked chicken, seasoned potatoes, muffins and a fruit cup. For dessert we had chocolate peanut butter cup cakes.

We played a game after dinner called “Acquire”. We use to place this a lots with them when we lived here and as usual Chick won!!

Monday

Today was a girls day out. Carolee picked me up at 10am and we went shopping. Our first stop was Michael’s.

I purchased the green vines I wanted to decorate the RV and some spring flowers.

Then we met Crystal, Carolee’s daughter, and Camren, Crystal’s daughter, at Hobby Lobby. We all walked around there finding a few items we couldn’t do without.

Then we headed to Pei Wei for lunch. I was very happy with my food and I am not a lover of Chinese. I am looking forward to taking Jesse there.

After lunch we went to Home Goods and browsed. Then we stopped by a quilting store, Carolee is into quilting.

We took Crystal and Camren back to their car and Carolee brought me home.

Jesse stayed busy while I was gone washing the RV. He did a great job and it looks so good.

We grilled some chicken for dinner and relaxed for the evening.

Thursday, March 24 – Travel Days (Las Vegas, NV)

 

Our site at Morro Bay packing up in the rain.

On Wednesday we traveled 185 miles to Mojave, CA traveling East on 46 and 58. It rained most of the first few hours of our travel.

When we left California we traveled 58 to Barstow then Interstate 15 into Vegas. It took us 237 miles and it was an easy travel day.

We will be here for three weeks before moving on to the Grand Canyon.

Tuesday, March 22 - Elephant Seals, (Morro Bay, CA) part 2

 

What we have here are mostly what is called weaners.

These are this years pups laying on the beaches. They were born late December through early February. They nurse for about a month, gaining up to 10 pounds a day, then are abruptly weaned when their mothers mate again and head out to sea.

The weaners/pups live off their blubber until they teach themselves to swim. Once they can swim they head to Alaska in search of food. In their travels in the sea they are solitaire unlike now lying together.

They look very shiny silvery sunning themselves on the beach.

As in this picture they dig into the sand and cover themselves to keep cool.

This is a male which can weigh up to 5,000 pounds.

The squirrels in the area are very friendly and as you can see here want to be feed.

We wanted to visit the light house but we could not get in.

We headed back home to feed the boys and walk them. Then we went to the little fishing village in Morro bay for a bite to eat.

Tuesday, March 22 - The Castle (Morro Bay, CA) part 1

 

Today we had made reservation to tour the castle, not the Meacham’s Castle although it would be nice to see these good friends, we went to the Hearst Castle.

What can you say about this estate covering over 90,000 square feet, 4 buildings, 56 bedrooms, 41 fireplaces, 61 bathrooms and 19 sitting rooms. Extravagant, opulent, magnificence, and overstated I could go on and on with the adjective and this was a summer home.

Our guide Shawn was a wealth of information and had been a guide for 32 years.

The estate's magnificent main house, "Casa Grande," and three guest houses are of Mediterranean Revival style.The towers of Casa Grande were inspired by a Spanish cathedral. We even got to hear the bells go off at noon to the tune of “Greensleeves”.

Hearst and Julia Morgan, architect collaboration was destined to become one of the world's greatest showplaces. As they were planning and constructing his dream home, Hearst renamed the rocky perch "La Cuesta Encantada" - The Enchanted Hill. By 1947, Hearst and Morgan had created an estate of 165 rooms and 127 acres of gardens, terraces, pools and walkways.

I was most impressed by the pools. The outdoor pool areas.

The indoor pool

The tennis courts

We also visited a guest bedrooms, dinning room, and game room.

Tapestry’s and ceilings 

 

Doors

Outdoor areas and views

 

I view from the visitors center looking up at the Castle.

I hope you enjoyed your tour of the Castle from our perspective, it was worth the cost of admission.

We left the Castle and went to visit the elephant seals. They were very interesting and I will write about that later.