Hittin' the Road with Nan & Pa: May 2013

Sunday, May 26, 2013

DURANGO RV RESORT

Red Bluff, California
Memorial Day Weekend 2013

A beautiful peaceful walk along the river in Durango RV Resort

This is a very nice park, very pet friendly even has it's own "Dog Wash". Not only can "Fido" get a spa treatment, human guests can enjoy a massage at the on site spa! Plenty of activities to entertain.

Sites are nice and spacious, but there are no hedges between sites so don't expect privacy. Beautiful Clubhouse with fireplace, big screen TV, ping pong and game tables ( and board games for guests use) and a full service kitchen. They have two Bocce Ball courts and a Pickle Ball court. Laundry and shower factilities. Also a very nice patio area with outdoor fire pit and chairs to enjoy the river views.

Pool

Dog Wash with easy access ramp

Club House ( center) & Office with spa upstairs ( right)

One of three fenced Pet areas

Veiw from our site of a full RV Park this weekend

Our Site # 84 Pull in site with a water view of the fountains and pool

A Drive Down The Las Vegas Strip

May 16, 2013

On May 12th we left Tucson and headed back to one of our favorite places, Las Vegas. Time to take in a show and time for some R & R:) We checked in at LVM Resort and imediately hit the pool, since the temperature was 102 F. A vist to Vegas isn't complete without a drive down the famous "Strip". I managed to snap some day and evening photos of the "Strip" to share with you.

MGM Grand Hotel & Casino

Margaritaville Bar

Inside the Wynn Hotel & Casino - Parasols suspended above the bar

More Parasols

Parasol Bar at The Wynn

Beautiful indoor gardens at The Wynn

Bob taking in The Wynn

Water Fall at The Wynn Golf Course

The Wynn Golf Course

The Grand Canal at The Venetian

New York New York

The Paris

Eiffle Tower at The Paris Hotel & Casino

The City That Never Sleeps

Brooklyn Bridge at New York New York

The Excalibur Hotel & Casino

The Luxor Hotel & Casino

Awesome seats at "Human Nature the Motown Show" Thankyou Tammy & Tracey!

We had show tickets for "Human Nature" The Motown Show at The Venetian compliments of Tammy & Tracey for Mother's Day:) Loved the show! Four Australian Guys, singing all Motown Hits produced by Smoky Robinson, you have to see it to believe it. Wear your dancing shoes...you won't be able to sit still!

Final note... couldn't resist adding this picture I snapped at one of the sites at LVM.

You know it is hot outside when you see this:)

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

When Alzheimers Strikes Home .....

Bud Gates ( Val's Dad) with Georgia sitting on the patio taking in a beautiful view of the foothills
at his new home in The Villa's at Houghton in Tucson AZ

We arrived in Tucson on April 1st, as Val's Mom was in the hospital having surgery for 99% blockage of her coratid artery. Mom came through the surgery great. The problem was what to do with Dad, who has Alzheimers.. He could not be left alone. They were living in an Assisted Living apartment, but Dad needed more care. For the next 6 weeks we spent countless hours running Mom and Dad to doctor's appointments and searching for a new home for Dad.

Mom's health scare brought to the forefront the fact that Dad needed more care than he could get at their current Assisted Living home, and my 80 year old Mom recovering from surgery, had her own health issues. The decision was made as a family, the time had come to find a new home for my 83 year old father. I researched and visited 20 or more places, what I found was often depressing. After much prayer and what I believe was Devine intervention, my sister in law Kathy, who had been helping me with this task called me and said you need to see this Memory Care / Assisted Living Home called "The Villas at Houghton".

I walked in the door, and my eyes filled with tears, our prayers were answered. Although separating my parents after 61 years of marriage may seem terrible, it was the right thing to do. My Dad is doing great at his new home and Mom is doing great at her home. I decorated Dad's room with pictures from the past, the time frame he now remembers, and he has his old recliners in his room and he seems to be very content with his new room and home. His words "What's not to like?" The staff is very caring and he is living in a beautiful home. We can visit him anytime of the day or night. Care giver ratio is 1 to 5 residents which is far better than any other facility I looked at. Georgia is also always welcome, and began her training as future therapy dog while we were in Tucson. The residents love having Georgia visit.

Bud's new room

Beautiful San Diego Bay

San Diego Bayside Park Marina at Sunrise

We arrived at Chula Vista RV Resort on May 19th. Following a round about trip from Tucson to Vegas, for brief R&R and to take in a show. Then we decided to change our plans of heading to the Utah desert and headed to the West Coast. Temperature seemed more inviting to us:) Can I say 102 degees is just a bit to warm, even if it is dry heat.

This RV Park is located between San Diego Bayside Park on one side and a Marina on one side. The views are spectacular of the Bay. The RV Park is very nice with concrete pad sites full hook ups and a very nice large pool and store complete with wine, beer, soft drinks, ice cream and resort attire for sale at a very high price tag. The only negative I could say about the RV Park is their dog park / pet spots, are small fenced areas with sand and astro turf. The park has plenty of grass areas, but all are clearly marked to keep dogs off the grass and landscape:( Fortunately that downside is out weighed by the location to the Bayside Park, right outside the side gates. I love strolling with Georgia along the Bay through this beautiful park. I snapped these pictures yesterday while walking.