Cold in Surprise, AZ

11-26-10 - Well we haven't been spared all of that cold weather that has come south from Canada & Alaska. We woke up this morning, the temps were, like 35 degrees outside and 39 degrees in the motor home.

But the difference from here and the Northwest who had snow, rain, etc. Also probably some freezing rain. Our day was sunny skies and all sunshine, probably got up to about 60 degrees, which isn't the normal for us. We will make due and will be busy doing pickleball, etc.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

11-25-10 - Thanksgiving is such a good time of year to get with family & friends and appreciate all the good things that we are blessed with. God is so good and always takes care of us. all you have to do is believe in him and except him into your heart.

So again we are blessed and have a great thanksgiving day.

Snow & cold In Lynden!

11-20-10 - Just talked to Tom today and also Greta, the weather is not good. The northeast wind is blowing really hard. There is snow in all the yards and frozen. Seems that the roads are clear and dry, which is good. But then when you go south past the Smith Rd. and the Guide Meridian was compact snow and ice. So this is a real switch as usually the snow is usually North of the Guide.

Hope the weather gets better as the week goes on and will be enjoyable for winter.

We are now at home at Happy Trails!

We have been busy riding our bikes over to Sun City Grand Skills Tournament. Watched a lot of good pickleball. Then had some grocery shopping to do. We came back with our bikes loaded down with goodies.

Also have gotten in two days of pickleball which is great. Good to see some of our friends again after about six months. Our weather has been just great for the last three days with temps in the high 70's.

New Fridge Installed!

11-17-10 - So today Wednesday was the big day to install our new Norcold Fridge. Our old one bit the dust in Alamo, NV as we woke up that morning Ione checked the freezer compartment for frozen Blueberries and they were not frozen. So that was our first clue.

So after Mike & Frank arrived about 2 1/2 hrs. later the old one was out with some problems and then in went the new. We are watching to make sure the new one is doing it's job. So not by choice, we now have a new fridge. The rest of the day was spent unpacking things and getting our lot in shape. So that's it for today.

Hoover Dam by-pass Bridge!

11-16-10 - This bridge is the reason we traveled down Hwy 93 from Hwy 84 in ID. The bridge opened to the public on Oct 19th, 2010. So we wanted to go over this one with our motor home and tow car.

The bridge was the first concrete-steel composite arch bridge in the United States. The total cost of this bridge is 240 million dollars and took just about six years to complete.

2003 - Work begins on approaches in both AZ & NV. 2004 - Oct the contract for the bridge is awarded.

The official name of the bridge is: Mike O'Callaghan - Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge.

After leaving Alamo, NV about 100 miles north of Las Vegas we just keep moving. The hwy through Vegas was great and the traffic was very sparse. The next thing we knew we had turned on Hwy 93 south and the new bridge was only about 12 miles.

Then it was just ahead and Ione had her camera ready, the only problem we had no place to stop to take pictures. We crossed at 10:25 AM on 11-16-10. The road was great and after crossing the bridge the road is all four lane and new. This road goes all the way to Kingman. Glad we did it and will always remember this trip.

Next thing we know we are on the 303 and only a few miles from Happy Trails. We stopped for gas at Safeway and it was only 2.669 per gallon. So backed onto our lot at about 4 PM.

A good nights sleep!

11-13-10 - We are now alone in the parking lot at the Toyota Center as all the fans have gone home. The teams have their trophies all eight of them, from 1st to 8th, and everyone is happy. We really like all the quietness and wake up the next morning 11-14-10 and hit the road about9 AM.

We put in a long day and drive about 475 miles for the day. The roads were mostly dry with just a little moisture before getting to Baker City,OR to refuel and move on. The traveling is good and we end up in NV at the City of Jackpot, NV. We have been here before and know just where to turn into Cactus Pete's RV Park. We noticed the last few miles that the winds were picking up. When we get parked and put out the slide out the wind was really kicking in rocking things. In fact we had to bring the slide back in as the wind was so strong. We rocked and rolled most of the night..

We woke up the next morning and got on the road about 9 AM again. So we-e keep heading south down Hwy 93, getting closer to some warmer weather. As the day came to an end , we ended up in Alamo, NV. It was a small town of 500 people. Found a small RV park (Alamo RV) and spent the night. It was very quite and got some sleep. That means we are only one day away from Happy Trails, Surprise, AZ. Tomorrow is the big day.

Final Game of State Tournament!

11-13-11 - The last big game of the tournament for our girls volleyball team. Well the Hornets from White River are ready for a showdown with our girls. We started out well for all the marbles (5th) and we win the game at 25-18. Then those Hornets come storming back and make a real battle of the second game. It goes back and forth and we end up losing the game by a score of 27-25. So we pour on the coal and win game 3 going away at a score of 25-15. Then they come back like a really swarming bunch of Hornets again and they win 25-17. So now the match is tied at two games each. We are down to cases and this is a must win game if we want to lock up 5th place. It's a battle down to the wire and we end up winning the match 15-11. That means we were ranked 5th in State before the tournament started and now are 5th as stated. So that ends our battle for volleyball play.

I'm Back!

11-13-10 - Final results of the 2010 State Tournament at Kennewick, WA. Saturday morning at 8 AM our girls were a lot more ready to play then they were the day before. So our first team to beat and receive 5Th place was North Kitsap High.

We started the game with all burners operating, 1st game was 25-18, second game, 25-15 and never looked back. The final game was 25-15 and I think we were to win a few more games.

Next on the list for Lynden was Tumwater High School. We started out the first game like the last game with North Kitsap and won the game 25-15 and the next game like the first and won 25-17. So by now the fans are thinking that we will be done in three games. Well I think the Tumwater coach had a different idea. She redid there offense and started have her team serve everything soft and things really turned. So game three we go down by the score of 25-23. Wow! Close but not a win. So now we are still ahead 2-1 in games. We are still thinking we can do this. The fourth game and we still can't get on track. The final is 25-18 and we lose. Now we are tied at 2-2.

Now the fans are saying we can do this and there is no turning back. We jump out to a good lead in this short 15 point game and never really look back and play our result is we move on with a 15-11 win.

We are now one win away from taking home that 5th place trophy. Next on the list is White River High School. We look at their roster and they don't have a player over 5'10". Their mascot is the Hornets and will explain that later. So maybe we can take this team and get that trophy. Well, this will have to, be con't.

This is where the action was for two days!

11-12-10 - This is where all the volleyball action started at 8AM on the 12th. We had a very tough draw for the first game. We draw Fife which was ranked in the final poll for the season at #2 in class 2A. So since we were ranked in that final poll at #5 why did we have to start with a name ranked soo high I guess you would call it the luck of the draw.

Our girls came out in the first game and just didn't get started, too sleepy or something and lost by a score of 25-12. Then we woke up and played pretty good and just not quite good enough to win so lost this game 25-21. Next game was about the same and we just hung in there but didn't get close enough for a win and lose 25-22. So this puts us in the loser's bracket who don't play until 8AM on Saturday the 16th.

Then we take a trip to the Sundome in Yakima since Lynden was done for the day. The games there were for 1-B, 2-B, & 1A. Cedar Park Christian school was playing and watched two of their games. They won both which put them into the semi-finals the next day. Our Grandson Evan plays basketball for Cedar Park. So had a nice afternoon and evening watching games there. Got back to our motor home in Kennewick about 10 PM. Wow what a full day. To be con't

This is our home on wheels!

11-10-10 - After leaving 600 Garden Drive on the 10th of November in our 1998 Winnebago Chieftain motor home with our daughter Lisa we head down the hwy for about 319 miles to the City of Kennewick, WA. which is located in Eastern Washington. It was a good drive over and the weather was good and we had no problems which is really good.

We arrived at the Toyota Center at Kennewick and setup our motor home in the parking lot for two days of good volleyball watching. We were were walking distance across the parking lot to all the action. To be con't

11-10-10 - This is where our adventure starts each fall. We live at 600 Garden Drive, Lynden, WA. We have lived here since 1994. We have a pickleball court in the back yard. So any of you pickleball's out there if you come by from June thru Sept. and would like to play please stop by.

Departure Day!

11-10-10 - This is the day we hit the road, first stop will be at our Daughter Lisa's house. Will take in a basketball tournament tonight, as Evan plays in a fall league at Shorline Community College. They have a one night tournament. That is on schedule for tonight and should be a good night of Basketball.

This morning is a clear and cool day,will be good for driving. I think we have everything packed and will ho0k-up about 1:30 Pm and move out.

Can't wait to get down south to some warmer weather. Should be to Happy trails in Surprise, AZ on the 16th.

Count down!!

11-08-10 - It was another busy day at the Gienger Household as we are getting ready to hit the road on Wednesday. I did misc. stuff this morning, filling the water tank in the m/h, putting in the GPS. Yes, you heard it right, we now have a GPS, doesn't everyone have one. We didn't want to be left out. We have always gotten by with an old fashioned map but you have to keep up, sooo!

So got a good buy on one at Amazon.com. Got a Garmin Nuvi 1350 with a 4.3" screen. Seems to be a pretty smart little gadget. We will try it out as we hit the road on Wednesday.

Then Ione went to the grocery store and got some more food to fill the shelves in our moving home. So we are getting closer.

Then this evening it was time for "Dancing with the Stars". We always tape the show from our East Coast feed on DirecTV. So then we can watch it anytime. Not sure who will be going home tomorrow night. Our Alaska girl Bristol Palin is still in the running. But not sure if she will survive tomorrow night.

Lynden Football in sweet 16!!

11-06-10 -To complete a day of volleyball and then Lynden Football team played at 7 PM against Bellingham. We didn't watch the game and listened on the radio. The game was played in a wet situation, fog and light rain for the first halve. I believe we were ahead, like 14-0 at halve time. Then like they usually do, we turned up the steam and ended winning 41-0.

Lions playing again this Saturday Nov. 13th and will be playing Tumwater. I believe they are also undefeated and ranked # 3 in State. Should be a real showdown!! Lynden Lions football is really on a roll and our record is now 10-0 and have a 23 game winning streak going. Also ranked #2 in State 2A. GO LIONS!!

We're going to State!!

11-06-10 - Lynden's Girls Volleyball team is a again making that special trip to Kennewick, WA and the Toyota Center. It's time for 2A State volleyball to start, which it doe's on Friday morning the 12th. We don't know who we will be playing but will find out soon.

It was a great day at Jake Maberry Gym for Lynden today. We started out with a win against a good Sehome Team. We didn't play real well but good enough to win in 4 games. The first game was 25-21, then Sehome keep close and ended up winning the second game 25-23. but we poured it on in the last two games and won going away, 25-20 & 25-19.

So now it is time for a match with Archbishop Murphy who was the 1st place team from the Cascade League. The lions came out roaring and never looked back to take the match in three games. The scores were, 25-13, 25-18 and the 3rd game was a little harder, down 13-18 they showed like they could do it and came out in that game 25-23. So now next stop will be the Toyota Center in Kennewick.

1965 Plymouth Barracuda!!

Wow! This car really brings back memories. We owned one just like this, bought brand new off the showroom floor. So have been shopping and who knows what will out out of this adventure. Sure would like to have a car like this to go with our 1965 VW Dune buggy. Memories are made from stuff like this. So the beat goes on.

Leaves Everywhere!

11-03-10 - There were leaves everywhere in our yard. So got out the blower, rake and some garbage cans and took care of those leaves. Including finding lots of leaves at Ione's Mom's house who lives next door. Don't like the wind when it blows in our neighborhood.

Our yards look good until we get another northeaster, since there is still some leaves on the trees in our neighborhood. Oh for the life of a homeowner and trying to keep the yard looking good.

Ione did a great job in the kitchen and came out with some homemade Taco Soup which is really a great soup, for me the soup guy. I think I could live on soups no problem.

District Volleyball Play!

11-03-10 - Our Lynden Lions girl's volleyball team came out smoking and played three great games to beat Lakewood High in the first round - 3-0.

Then 45 minutes later our Lynden came back out on another court and looked like a different team. We were playing Burlington who had beaten us in their gym about a month ago, 3 games to none. We never got out of the blocks and were down 7-1 before we could get anything going, and lost 1st game 25-14, then started the same way again and lost 25-17. Well we started out again down 7-1 and ended up losing that game 25-17.

So now we have to battle up through the loser's bracket to go to State. We play Sehome on Saturday at 12 PM and a must win. If we lose one more we are out. Then if we win against Sehome will probably play ArchBishop Murphy for 3rd & 4th. Since only three teams go to State we have to get 3rd to move on. See ya Saturday. More volleyball coming up then.

Rain / Rain!

11-01-10 - Well, we are sitting here in the rain and just waiting for the games to begin on Wednesday afternoon.

The lions have some tough games of volleyball coming up with Lakewood at 4 PM Wednesday. Then, if we can put them away, Burlington is waiting to play us at about 6 PM same day. That is if they can get by, either South Whidbey/Mt. Baker and I think they can. It will be a rough game and down to the wire. We got beat by Burlington in regular League in their place and this time we play them in our place and know it will make a big difference. "GO LIONS". We can do this! -- Wish us luck -- A big Prayer --