Jelly Beans and Napa Valley

May 13, 2015 / Ed Armstrong

Everyone loves jelly beans!

There were several displays of Ronald Reagan and jelly beans. This portrait was made out of jelly beans.

Today we toured the Jelly Belly jelly bean factory. It was quite fun to see how jelly beans were made and how many days it required to make them. Most of the flavors were fantastic, but they certainly had some purposely bad ones too. Yuck! Blueberry, coconut, and pumkin, etc. were nice, but vomit and ear wax were no thank you.

Be careful to not get these flavors mixed up!

Although most of the flavors were fantastic, they had some yucky ones too.

After touring the jelly bean factory we drove through Napa Valley and the Silverado Trail. It was fun driving around seeing the names of wineries we recognized. Grapes were growing everywhere and it was one winery after another along both sides of the roads. We stopped at Sequoia Grove Vineyards and tasted all kinds of white and red wines. We bought 3 different kinds of wine to save for Thanksgiving. Today was very tasty indeed.

Flexibility is key

May 12, 2015 / Ed Armstrong

We are learning all kinds of things while on this RV adventure. Some are unexpected. For example, the need to be flexible is one of the unexpected things we are learning. Charlene and Ed could be described as analyzing everything. Literally everything. So, the need to be flexible flies in the face of their compulsive need to analyze. Too bad, sometimes RV’ing simply requires unexpected changes to plans.

In our latest example, we had requested mail to be delivered from our address in Texas to arrive before we left Coarsegold, California. When we checked the tracking number online, the Post Office predicted our package would arrive by Saturday. However, it appears that someone in Houston put our envelope on the wrong truck and sent it to who knows where. Surprise! So rather than leaving on Saturday and remaining steadfast to our original plans, we had the “opportunity” to choose flexibility and stay a few more days in Coarsegold. We actually loved the time in such a beautiful area which included finding an ice cream shop in Oakhurst.

Ed checked the tracking number on his cell phone Monday morning and it said our package was out for delivery in Coarsegold. We packed everything up, hooked up the Jeep to the motorhome, and drove down to the office to wait for the anticipated delivery.

Normally mail is delivered by 9:30 am, but by 10:00 there was still no mail lady. We waited in the campground office and chatted with the nice office staff. During our conversation we learned that the campground often has families from Germany stay. The campground owner marveled that the children of these families will swim in the pool when the water is about 70 degrees! There is no way we could do this; Charlene needs it at least 80 and Ed prefers 90.

At 10:30 the mail lady arrived and our package was there. Yeah! As we thanked her profusely for the package, she smiled and apologized for being late. “There was a ton of mail this morning,” she explained and we could tell she was sorry she was late. Then she saw our motorhome and wished us a great trip to “wherever you go next.”

As we pulled out of the campground where we had spent the last two weeks, we looked at each other and asked, “So where do you want to go now?” It’s a weird feeling to be driving down the road with no idea where you will be that night. Our only schedule is being in Reno, Nevada, on Thursday since Ed will fly out of their airport to attend a meeting for several days. Boondocking (thanks to our generator and big tanks) is always a possibility. Our memories of boondocking near Lake Mead still bring smiles to our faces. Or would we find a nice RV park with now-unknown amenities.

The decision came down to jelly beans. And not just any jelly beans, Jelly Belly jelly beans!

Charlene discovered a jelly bean factory in the Sacramento area and our plans were set. We could have chosen Napa Valley although it would be a little further than we wanted to go; with its many fabulous world-renowned wineries; but no, our plans orbited around a tiny jelly bean.

How many people in American make their decision of where to sleep because of jelly beans? Probably not too many, but that would be us. We looked for an RV park close to the jelly bean factory and boogied down the road.

A nice benefit is that we are actually now quite close to Napa and Sonoma. Although jelly beans are our priority, we will be forced to check out some wineries too!

While Charlene was driving, Ed was reading on the Internet about jelly beans. We learned some important jelly bean trivia. Charlene was quite excited to learn that in 1998 Buttered Popcorn became the number one jelly bean flavor in America by displacing Very Cherry that had been the number one flavor for two decades. Not many people love popcorn as much as Charlene. However, Ed was relieved that America had come to its senses and Very Cherry has moved back to the top spot since 2003, but only by a mere 8 million beans.

We had forgotten how much Ronald Reagan loved jelly beans. The blueberry jelly bean was created for Ronald Reagan’s presidential inauguration in 1981 and over three tons of jelly beans were consumed during the inauguration festivities. No doubt about it. We are learning some important facts on this trip! Stayed tuned for more jelly bean knowledge……today we tour the factory.

Happy Mother’s Day!

May 10, 2015May 10, 2015 / Ed Armstrong

Charlene receives a free chocolate covered strawberry to celebrate Mother’s Day!

Today was a nice day to celebrate Charlene being a Mom to two wonderful people that each have wonderful spouses. We went into Coarsegold to their Farmer’s Market. We bought some wonderful biscotti last week at a Farmer’s Market in Oakhurst and the woman who made it had a booth at the Coarsegold Farmer’s Market today. We told her how much we loved what we bought last week. Today we bought Chocolate Walnut Biscotti and Lemon Blueberry Biscotti. They should be heavenly!

There was another vendor that was selling different goat’s milk soaps. He brought two little goats with him. One goat was 10 days old and one was 6 days old. They were incredibly cute! The 6 day old goat was a little shaky on his legs. Although the goats were being bottle fed, but they were nibbling at the grass in their pen. Charlene enjoyed petting the goats.

Charlene always LOVES chocolate!

After the Farmer’s Market, we went to have Mexican food for lunch. We almost ordered dessert for Mother’s Day, but then Charlene remembered a dessert shop in nearby Oakhurst. Once inside, they were giving away chocolate covered strawberries to mothers. Charlene ordered a chocolate gelato and Ed ordered blackberry ice cream. Both were fantastic!

Glacier Point and Sentinel Dome

May 6, 2015 / Ed Armstrong

View from Glacier Point with Half Dome, along with Nevada and Vernal Falls.

Today was superb! We drove to Glacier Point in Yosemite and enjoyed an incredible view of Half Dome with Nevada and Vernal waterfalls. Everyone seemed to stop and stare at the beauty.

Charlene and others enjoy the view from Glacier Point.

Upper and Lower Yosemite falls from Glacier Point

Half Dome.

Next, we drove to the trail head of the hike up to the top of Sentinel Dome. The final hike up the dome was steep and it was very windy and cold. However, it was wonderful to be able to see almost 360 degrees all around Yosemite.

Panorama composite photo from the top of Sentinel Dome.

The photo is a panoramic merge of 5 photos from the top of Sentinel Dome. It covers about 225 degrees in a panorama. El Capitan is toward the left, Upper and Lower Yosemite falls are in the middle, and Half Dome is toward the right. The white rocks were initially behind the camera.

Family Farm

May 5, 2015May 5, 2015 / Ed Armstrong

Charlene discovers growing artichokes!

Today we discovered a local family farm. The couple running it have had it for 5 years and they now grow and raise all kinds of things. The most fun discovery was all the artichokes. We have seen them in the grocery store, and we have eaten them many times over the years, but we have never actually seen artichokes growing in real life. They grow on a bush and we bought 4 large artichokes cut right from the bush! Awesome!

Freshly cut artichokes.

An artichoke garden.

We had fun learning about all their chickens. They have had bears and coyotes kill their chickens on several occasions. Charlene especially loved holding a chicken and learning about all their eggs.

Charlene loves the chickens!

They grow pomegranates, avocados, strawberries, and blackberries too.

Future pomegranates.

Amazing! Future avocados.

Loganberries.

Hooray for blackberries!

Mirror Lake and Half Dome

May 1, 2015 / Ed Armstrong

Mirror Lake lives up to its name.

Yosemite National Park is inspiring. We started the day by going on an easy hike to Mirror Lake. There was not a lot of water with the drought, but it was pleasant to see. We saw people riding horses on the other side of the lake. Quite a few middle-schoolers decided to give swimming a try; however, the water was way too cold for us.

We could see people riding horses across the lake.

In the afternoon Ed took a photography class taught by a photographer at the Ansel Adams Gallery. It was fun to see several of the places where Ansel took his very famous photos. He really made Yosemite famous with his gorgeous black and white photos around Yosemite. Our guide thought he was singularly responsible for making Yosemite National Park have so many visitors each year. Ansel’s photos were certainly the reason we knew about Yosemite years ago.

A beautiful view of Half Dome.

While Ed was taking his class, Charlene spent time enjoying the quiet and beauty around Mirror Lake. Soaking up the beauty and being inspired by such a gorgeous, soothing environment. She also talked with a fellow RV’er who happened to sit near her outside the Visitor Center. Charlene and this woman had actually met at the South Forty RV Park in Tucson back on Labor Day. They watched one of the Yosemite movies and talked RV’ing. Both of them had a fun afternoon.

Half Dome across the meadow.

Yosemite National Park!

April 28, 2015 / Ed Armstrong

Charlene and Ed at Tunnel View with El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall behind them.

We finally made it to Yosemite National Park! For Ed, this has been the number one national park that we have not been to that was at the top of his bucket list. We have tried a couple of times in the past, but something came up preventing our visit (like a snow storm or change in vacation days). However, all that ended today. We celebrated our drive through Yosemite!

The quintessential photo (as reported by Michelle) is taken at Tunnel View looking down Yosemite Valley where El Capitan, Half Dome and Bridalveil Fall can be seen. This seems to be the ultimate “selfie” photo to always be treasured.

Bridalveil Fall was spectacular!

Yosemite is simply beautiful. The huge granite cliffs, the powerful waterfalls, the beauty of the trees. All combined together, Yosemite is wonderful to enjoy!

Charlene stands before Yosemite Falls.

We loved all the waterfalls. John recommended Yosemite Fall. We were standing outside the Visitor Center and realized we could see Upper Yosemite Fall. We drove a short distance and hiked the very short trail and saw both the Upper and Lower Falls. We could feel the spray from the Lower Fall as we took pictures.

Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls.

Charlene in front of Lower Yosemite Fall.

John also recommended El Capitan and we were awe struck with its majesty. You just have to look up and stare at its huge magnificence. It is so mighty and impressive!

El Capitan

As Ed placed his tripod to take photos, we realized that thousands of others have placed their tripods in the same spot. However, it was special to share in the wonder of such a magical place. Yosemite is certainly a special treasure.

The afternoon sun made these rocks look like nuggets of gold.

Upper Yosemite Fall

This is a merged panorama photo of 5 different photos across Yosemite Valley

Odd Day

April 27, 2015April 27, 2015 / Ed Armstrong

Today was sort of strange. It started off with Ed giving a lecture through the Internet beginning at 6:00 am. The unique feature about this is that a group of the audience was in London, England and another group was in India. His colleague giving the lecture with him was in North Carolina. So, sitting at the table in our motorhome in a very tiny town, Ed used his cellular phone to create a hotspot to connect his laptop to the webinar. He used headphones with a microphone to lecture and answer questions from the people in India and London. It is amazing because this would not have been possible only a few years ago. Cellular phones and the Internet have really facilitated communications and have enabled people to travel and still be very connected. This RV life is so nice.

When Ed concluded his lecture, he called a local dentist since he got a chipped tooth in the past week. A disadvantage of traveling is that you cannot just run over to your local dentist. The dentist office said they had an opening if he could be there in 10 minutes. The dentist said he needed a crown and that it could be made TODAY. We agreed and Ed walked out of the dentist office 3.5 hours later with a brand new crown. No temporary crown was needed. The computer technology used by the office took electronic photos of his mouth and then designed a crown. The dentist office had a milling machine onsite that actually made the crown from a small block of material. He said the technology to make crowns that quickly in their office has only been on the market for 2 years. It was quite amazing to see the second episode of technologies’ improvements before noon today. We are in a tiny town in the High Sierras and were able to get a new crown without an appointment, only dropping in as a walk-in patient. Amazing.

The white square in the middle is my new crown being milled in the dentist’s office. Water is spraying on it to keep it cool as it is being milled. Simply amazing technology!

We received a packet of mail from the last several weeks and discovered that for some reason our health insurance policy had been incorrectly cancelled. That is a scary realization. We together then spent over 3 hours on the phone re-signing up for a temporary and permanent medical insurance policy that will begin tomorrow. It was a hassle to go through, but we are certainly glad to know we have health insurance again.

Happy Anniversary!

April 26, 2015May 14, 2015 / Ed Armstrong

Charlene likes the Coarsegold wood carving

Today is our 35^th anniversary. That sounds like a big number, but it sure does not seem like it has been that long. We gave each other anniversary cards and then packed up the motorhome, hit the road and drove through Fresno and stopped in Coarsegold. It is a small town, but beautiful with many, many trees. We absolutely LOVE our campsite. We have been in some RV parks where the sites are crammed together. This site is unbelievably large and roomy. We are on a cul-de-sac with only one other rig (the owner of the park). After Charlene set up the outside mat and chairs, we had a beautiful outdoor “living room.”

Charlene loves all the privacy and space of our new site.

Charlene’s first agenda item after seeing such a beautiful site was to head to a hardware store where we bought bird food to set up next to our rig. We also bought some cookies and two cupcakes to celebrate our anniversary from a veterans group selling items outside the hardware store. We next walked through the quirky, fun antique shops in Coarsegold.

While in one of the shops, we met a woman (Gina) from Oregon that has been a solo RVer for 3 years. She is a member of Escapees and we compared Escapees parks which we had each visited. She described some RV rallies in Georgia, Florida, and Arizona that she had attended. She kept saying over and over how much she loved traveling in her motorhome. Although we had never met, we knew a number of the same people. She will be a camp host this summer at an RV park just outside of Yosemite National Park. We do not know when, but I am sure we will run into her again at an RV rally or RV park someplace in the future.

Using her smart phone, Charlene found a barbeque restaurant in Oakhurst (a nearby town) that was highly recommended in some reviews on the Internet. Barbeque pork is so yummy!

Sequoia National Park

April 23, 2015April 23, 2015 / Ed Armstrong

Enjoying a beautiful day in Sequoia National Park!

We completed the circuit today of visiting the national parks near Fresno. Today we drove through Sequoia National Park. It has been nice to visit all the nearby parks and monuments that have groves of giant sequoia trees.

Ed is dwarfed standing in front of General Sherman!

Today we saw probably the most famous giant sequoia. It is General Sherman. There is a big plaque in front of the tree. It is the largest tree in the world. It is not the tallest or the widest, but with its height and width, it has the largest volume of any tree in the world. It is certainly impressive to admire it.

By volume, the largest tree in the world

We liked seeing the giant sequoias in all 4 locations we visited (Giant Sequoia National Monument Southern Unit, Kings Canyon National Park, Giant Sequoia National Monument Northern Unit, and Sequoia National Park). However, our favorite was the Trail of 100 Giants in the Sequoia National Monument Southern Unit. This had a large number of giant sequoias close together that you could actually touch and walk around.