Last Episode for the Season

I am debating and thinking about it for some time. Deciding one way and then changing my mind again, and again, and once more. I think that finally I got to a conclusion – I am not going to continue with blog, at least for now, and its current format.

It has been a week already

Hard to believe but it has already been a full week since I came back from CA with my son. When you don’t think about it, is seems like the time flies, yet on the other hand it feels like my son is living here forever. Turmoil and storms are calming down and dust is setting as our life starting to shape its new tracks with the wheels of time.

Same Life New Chapter

The wait is over. We are back home, and when I say we – I mean my son and I. Yes it was a happy ending for both of us, even better than I anticipated. Now, that I am a full time husband and father again, I need to learn and adjust to this new great reality. If you followed our story – you got to read that one.

A Week in a Room

It is almost over by now, but it wasn’t easy, and still is not. Last W/E before the court hearing next week, and a lot of stress and tense are building up. Also, being a whole week in an empty hotel room was not adding to the fun. Another break in life on the way to some new ‘Normal’ life.

Little Wins and Bigger Hopes

Guess what? In CA again. You don’t believe me? Well – I am not kidding I am back there, weather you believe it or not. So what am I doing back in SoCal after finally getting out of there just couple weeks ago? For that you will have to read on.

City Hikers

the family, grilling on the fire and they feel as if they are in the wild middle of nowhere? Or when a fancy passenger car is stopping by a trailhead, and you see the office guy with his wife taking a half mile trail with a gear that is enough for 10 day backpacking, and a survival kit for the jungles of south America? This W/E it was us. We were the city hikers…

Adjusting to gray

Closing 2 weeks in my new home. The RV is still in the shop, didn’t even get the estimate done. The house is still empty, and the sky are still gray. once a week the sun peeps out and this is a state holiday in WA. The main moves are behind, now we just need to get my son home, and the belongings from around the country

Blown up trip

Believe it or not – that’s it. I am in WA. Very happy to reunite with Patti, but I drove here by myself, without my son. This is not going to be an easy summer, but I hope at the end of it my son will get what he wants and will be able to finally move in with me. Oh, and guess what? – It’s raining since I got here… Welcome to WA

Fantasy Over

Not so simple these days. the hope that things will get smooth for me, and for my son is gone, and I might need to postpone my travel back North yet again. Just when everything seemed to fall into place and the end of the turmoil was in the visible horizon, everything flipped again. I miss Patti and can’t wait to get out of here. Too much and too long.

Bumpy Road Take me Home

As you probably know, Patti and I are going through many changes this month, in each and every aspect of our life. This roller coaster ride is not always so smooth, and there are bumps on the way. With a lot of love and energies we just past yet another such bump. Hopefully the last.

The unfulfilled Itch

Time is playing games with me. Some days are as long forever twice, and some days are as short as few seconds. Being on the fence plays with mood, with time and with life in general. The slow down on work doesn’t help to fill the days with smile either.

RV Shabbat in CA

It has been just couple days since I posted my last blog post, but these last couple days were so full of events, that if I will wait few more days the blog would either be too long, or I will just forget it. Yesterday was actually a great night, and I am pretty proud of myself for what I prepared, so if you want the menu and recipe, it’s right here, and much more.

Slowly moving fast

When looking at our life in perspective, we are going through a huge change. From travel to stationary, from RV to a house, from telecommuting to Office work, from being just a couple to raising a child… really big changes in very short amount of time. but when you actually go through the process, the time seem to slow down as freezing the moments. Sometimes I feel I just want to be over with, and be done.

We got a House

After a short house hunt, Patti finally found a house for us. She looked at many houses, some too far, some too expensive, and some too fancy for us. This one looks like just what we needed, although I haven’t seen it myself yet. So slowly things are moving on.

Countdown begun

Countdown for what? Great Question. I think the countdown to life, to normal life. Our life are now in the air, not here and not there. That is how we crossed from the ‘other’[ side to RV Life, and that is how we are crossing back. But how is it a countdown? In a countdown you start from a number and actually counting down. But we? we don’t know when this will end, so we don’t have a starting point to count down from. Better pick a high number.

Stationization

One more week behind. Today is Patti’s first day at work (Good Luck Patti), and the second day in WA. Already looking for a house. Events are moving fast, so fast that sometimes it is hard to notice. With all the changes that are coming on our way we start feeling some bumps too, trying to smooth it up with air ride. Hope nothing breaks on the way.

Settle Process Begun

Time flies by, day by day and yet another week is behind us. The process of moving back to the ‘other’ side seems closer than ever. As a matter of fact, I think we have already started it. Many of our friends are planning to become Full Time RVers, and are in some stage of the process of preparing for the big day. Funny, as we are planning the cross back.

Am I a Full Timer

Technically, we live in an RV, so we could say we are still full time RVing, but are we? What makes us RVers and not just ‘living in a mobile home’? I am not 100% sure I know the answer, and maybe it is just a stage in the process of resuming different ‘normal’ life, at least for a while.

And it keeps coming

Life events are falling our way all the time, and things are changing. It seem that everything falls into place, we just need to adopt adjust and embrace. Like always – we try to do it with a smile and with open mind. So what’s now?

Life has a Plan of its own

When you plan not to plan, everything goes by the plan. We try to embrace life as it comes and as it flows, but even with this approach, unexpected life changing events are happening to us all the time.

Spring has come, Passover is approaching

This weekend has passed too fast. After spending the week with my son I had both kids with me for the whole weekend. We decided to repeat the fun we had on the lake and spend yet another day on the water.

The Best Kept Secret in SoCal

…shortly after we started our drive the houses and electric wires disappeared, leaving behind any sign of civilization. The narrow single lane road winded into the mountain forest exposing endless views of valleys, stream and pure nature beauty...
When reading this description many places may come to mind, but not crowded Southern California. We were surprised too.

Sun of a Beach

What does the Pacific Coast has to offer, and no other place does? Of course –The pacific Coast!  with the warming sun rays of spring, and the beautiful sandy beaches you just can’t get enough, or maybe you can? or even more than enough? find out!

Signs of Spring

The sun and the rain have chased each other all week long at the top of the Santa Ana mountains here in the Trabuco region. The unusual amount of rain filled the lakes, accelerated the rivers and painted the whole area with green. So this weekend we had to take a bite and taste the great flavors and colors around us.

Rainy week in SoCal

It has been rainy most of the week this week here on the San Juan mountains Region. We resumed into maintenance mode, and still not done with it. Typical maintenance week of a fifth wheel RV and Truck,

Pacific Weekend

What a perfect ending to a busy work week – Patti my lovely wife – has prepared a wonderful Shabbat Dinner for us, Baked Challah, lighted the candles and joined me to welcome Shabbat.

Time flies

Unbelievable, tomorrow is already Friday! staying here and working all week and the time flies around us just by itself. Winter left behind, time moved ahead, and the earth is still turning. Hope to get some excitement this weekend, wait and see.

The full Version

Happy ending the the campground story, but just before that let me tell you they it had to get worse before it got better. At least I can sit now at the comfort of my office, and post the blog from my laptop. So here is the story of the camp and the weekend and everything in between

dis-communicated

I knew I may use the android Blogger one day... we are in CA since Friday in a gorgeous park in southern CA but no internet and very poor phone signal. No TV either...
We will have to figure out what to do tomorrow morning since we have to have internet here. I don't understand why this is always an issue. It is as important as water and electricity and the infrastructure is not so expensive. Why can't we expect to have high quality reliable internet at the campground just like hotels. It is always a challenge.

So just a short update until I can post a normal blog.. just had the greatest time with my son this w/e my daughter did not join, I guess she had more important things to do (i know, what can I say...)

This coming week I am going to be swamped with work, but next w/e we plan some hiking in the area, so fun is coming.  Will keep you posted

Inside a Movie

I was actually an actor in an action movie today. Not in a major role, just a statistics, except it wasn’t a movie, it was real this time. And if that is not enough we also were the actual players in a balance game where you need to cross rivers on a log of wood and if you fall you get wet. how is it called? Avatar?

Sedona I

The more we stay in this area and look around, the more we find how many amazing places are there still to explore. Hikes, Canyons, Views and Energy Vortex – all around this area. This is a place to come back to – so full of attractions. Just spent another day outdoors and hoping to be able to explore once more before we move.

Sedona Intro

After countless recommendations from friends, we have decided to swing by Sedona before we move to California for what has left from the winter and the beginning of spring. It turned out good since it stretched our 10th anniversary celebration over 3 days.

Follow a follower with custofriend

What are the odds that in the middle of the desert you will find someone that follows a blog of someone you know, and at the same time you will be with a custofriend or is it a frientomer?

Shabbat Shalom AZ

While staying here in Arizona I was invited by a customer and a friend to attend a Shabbat Eve feast with all the company. Since the host observes the Shabbat law, I could not take any pictures that evening, but I will try to describe the great time we had there. And what happened with the campground? Did we find anything better? The full story follows…

Jailed in a Resort

Oh My god! Just arrived to our resort and I am still shaking from the shock. We have been to many different campgrounds but this is way above and beyond anything else. I can’t calm down. Unbelievable!

City that Rocks

If you have never been to this area (Silver City) you have to put it on your map. We just came back from the City of Rocks State Park – and that was the last proof to show that this area is an absolute must for anyone who wants to explore our beautiful country,

Have you been to Stay

Patti and I were debating tonight were should be our next stop. We are planned to leave tomorrow and go west towards Phoenix. After looking at campgrounds and the weather channel, we decoded unanimously – we are going to Stay! Have you been there?

Walk the Catwalk

When thinking about New Mexico, I always imagine flat desert with dry bushes and yellow sand. The Gila National Forest area does not even resemble this image. Mountains, Creeks, water and trees are creating magnificent views and trails in a perfect harmony – all of this was waiting for us today and carried us away from our daily jobs to NM wonderlands

Internet RV

Last couple days we have been working without too much happening. We are having lots of fun in the sun and planning our next adventures in the area. This is a perfect opportunity to talk about some technical issue that is extremely important to most of us – Being Always connected to the Internet.

Unforgettable Night

Before I will get to the punch line we have some ground to cover. All the ground between Carlsbad and Silver City, but not to worry – there is not much there :) Great weather, Great places great company and great time. Just great, what can I tell ya.

Epic Southern Post

It’s getting better by the day! We actually visited a national park today! I missed it – walking in the southern sun, enjoying the beautiful nature around us. The camera worked overtime today, like the good’ol days. What a beautiful day.

The day the winter died

Oh, I am so happy, you have no idea. The temperature outside actually reached 60 (Sixty, that is a six and a zero, reads sixty) degrees Fahrenheit. No snow, no rain, no heating tapes, no heavy coats, no exploding pipes, no frozen hoses. Sun and a T Shirt. That’s it.

Cold is almost over

This couple last days have been a bit of a challenge, but so are the days before that, so what is the big deal? I guess not’n. We drove through cold and warm, covered hundreds of miles and it looks like we are almost out of the cold spell.

The move begun

After staying in Kansas city area for so long, we finally moved. Almost didn’t. Still cold, still in KS but moved. Hopefully tomorrow we will get even warmer.

Harsh Landing

If you read my previous post, you know that the trip back to the US didn’t start right. We had to rush out of Israel, back to the US. But the home was not so welcoming. I will will start with the end and tell you, to this minute we are not home yet.

Cutting it short

Let me start at the end, and I will back up. We are in the US. As a matter of fact in KS. instead of staying longer we cut our trip short 3 days, and rushed back to the US, running away from the ex. Again.

Footprints in the sand

After a stressful morning we decided to take some time off and walk to north shoreline. The weather was perfect and we had nothing but great time. Our heart was with the people suffering in the US from the storm, but thankfully the rest of the body was here.

Cold Rainy Day

Don’t feel too bad for me. Patti is freezing and my mom is wearing a jacket, but still mad at me for walking with shorts. It is freezing 61 today. Poor us…

Childhood Memories

Another couple days with my family, enjoying the sun, the beautiful beaches and the great moments in those old known places. So many memories came back in the last few days – unbelievable!

Follow the sun

Couple more days like that, and I will think I am in paradise. Another great day has past having great time with my wife, my daughter my sister and my parents. Great to be in my home town again.

Home Town Delights

Wow what a day!!! Don’t even know where to start A day that got me excited and brought back some sweet memories, not talking about the better than perfect weather.

All my bags are packed

That’s it. Almost. All my bags are packed, I am ready to go. Very excited to go and visit Israel and see my family after so long. I am also exited to see some sun and warmth, meet some childhood friends, except there is one thing that mad my upset today.

I hate being lied to

It’s all about cellular companies, I hate it when they couldn’t care less about promises they made and the just laugh at you. This time it is Verizon. On September 4th last year we went to their store and switched from AT&T. The whole story is here but to make a long story short, I took a simple phone because I wanted to wait and see how the Windows Phone 7 is going to look like, and wasn’t sure yet about the Droid. So today was the day we decided to make the switch – Patti is not so happy with Droid after all, and would love to go back to iPhone. I don’t mind the Droid, so we called to get the new iPhone that just became available with Verizon.
The Customer Service guy told me  that I am not eligible for an upgrade, and that  simple simple phone that I have is under contract for two years… WHAT!! I yelled? This is not what I was promised! I took specifically the simplest phone (that probably worth $40) so I can choose my phone later.I would have never taken such a cheap phone and commit for two years!! this doesn’t make any sense. “Sir, this is the contract you signed”.  This is all they could say. This is BS! I was so mad!!! It did not help to talk to the supervisor of the supervisor. All the notations on the account as of a sudden disappeared, This is rip off, dishonesty,. taking advantage and abusing their power. Being so mad I think I am going to cancel the service, and lower the contract to the bare minimum. I will trash the phone (as I can not use this technology with any other company) and advertise the bad service and dishonesty if this company as much as I can.
I hate being lied to, and being taken advantage of like that!!
DON’T USE VERIZON – THEY ARE DISHONEST

Last day in KS

Monday, January 24, 2011 – So after I vented a little (I am sure you will hear about it again) I can talk about the rest of the day. Busy morning today. It is not so common that I have conference calls in the morning, but today I had 3!!!! We planned to pack and move this morning, but I got stuck until after 11:00am with conference calls. In the meantime Patti took Diva to the boarding kennel, and by the time she got back – I was ready to go. She is the best!! I think I am so lucky!!
Patti climbed on the roof and swept the snow and ice accumulation from the slide tops, while I disconnected the big propane tank and reconnected our house propane back to the system. When Patti pushed in the slide, we heard that dreading yet familiar noise of a skipping tooth of the slide gear – the same problem we used to have on our Sandpiper. Oh no… Nothing bad yet, it still goes in and out OK – but we don’t like the sound…
Finally drove out of this RV park after way too many days and way too many cold nights. It was a good feeling to get out of here. It wasn’t the place or the people that we did like, Kansas might be a very good place to those who like it, but we could not connect to the area, and we do not like camping in a city and in a cold weather. So overall – it was not a good experience for us, and we were happy to leave it behind.
We arrived Premier Coach RV Center in Riverside, MO – about 14 miles north of the campground, and met the service guys. We explained to them all we wanted, and as they promised – they provided us with a full hook-up place for the night in their back lot. Hopefully by the time we are back from Israel our unit will be all ready for dry camping – we are adding couple more solar panels and couple more batteries. Just noticed – the RV is so filthy from the outside from all the bird poop and rotten berried that fell from the tree above us. When we are back we will have to scrub it!
Ran again to Wal-Mart, got couple last gifts for my family, all is packed in three big suitcases (one and a half are gifts) and we are sitting and watching the second hand moving.
Actually – still wrapping up last items and checking that all is packed.
Tomorrow – I might be able to squeeze a short update from Philly airport, and then, the next time is going to be from the Holy Land!

The countdown begins

This is going to be a short and sweet one. Not because I have nothing to say, but because we are in a marathon to get everything done

Its not about that

Last post, Jerry and Suzy one of the long time followers of this blog made a comment. They said that it seems like everybody are writing about that weather lately (and they are right). It reminded me a saying that Tiana, the smart pretty daughter of Brenda – the host of the campground in WI once said – “I am not scared of the dark. I am scared of what’s in the dark”. So there – I am not writing about the weather, but about what’s in the weather

The Normal Abnormal

We are here in KS for 2 weeks by now. The temperature did not reach above freezing except for one single day, and have been low in the teens and low 20’s. It is not normal, say the local. The average high for January here is 38. And I am thinking – both in this and the last winter – that’s all what I hear. It is not Normal, it is never like this. It just became a Normal thing

Where I Come From

Although I am here in the US for over 15 years now, and I am an American Citizen, for American people I will always be an immigrant. This is not necessarily a bad thing. It allows me to appreciate what I have and gives me a broader global perspective when I judge and compare almost anything, language, culture, politics, and economy.

'IN' Day

Are you crazy? I ain’t going out in this kinda weather. It started as dust and ended up deep, but it sure is very cold outside. Since we don’t have no snowmobiles here, we are in today in our cozy lit’l home.

Red Robin, Yummm

No, I didn’t eat Red Robin, nor did I  eat at the Red Robin Restaurant. But – I did eat today a bird in a bird, and I do have Red Robins at my window.

Left Overs

It was a strange day today. collecting ends of many strings and finishing things up. Work around the house, in the computer and even dinner – was all left overs. Not necessarily a bad thing.

Mind the Gap

Anyone who lived in London, or even visited the city knows this phrase. “Mind the gap between the train and the platform” says the recording and sometimes the conductor at almost any stop of the Tube – the London underground. This famous saying has some other interesting meanings, use your imagination, but it had a special meaning for me today.

Drops of Fire

Weekend is here. When you don’t have an office job you don’t know to appreciate is as much, as you can take almost any day off. Patti came home and cooked us some dinner with lots of power in it. I think she called it mussels or muscles or something like that. It lives in the sea and stink like a fish. That was unforgettable dinner.

Signs of Joy

I think that after this past week at work, our nightly short talks, and your comments, we are realizing that joy is priceless. These are only signs and feelings, no decision or actions yet – but I feel it will eventually end up the right way.

Status Update

It has been a little rough last night but nothing major changed. Patti still went to work today, it is still cold outside (although not as cold) and I am still “home alone”. But there is still hope!

Losing Interest

The days are passing by, and I am inside the RV. There is nothing exciting to look up to, and it is too cold outside to do anything, and really – there is not much to do. Spending most of the day by myself doesn’t help either.

Thermodynamics anyone

It is all about the temperature and the dynamics of life these days (hence Thermodynamics) – things are changing fast, breaking the boredom and give me something to share with you. The Cold Spell has started and some new opportunities popped up. Flipping everything all over again

Home Alone Episode I

Patti went to work today – her first day. No idea how it was – she in not back yet. I had to deal with the daily activities she usually does and more… Maybe one day it will be funny

Staying in the cold

It is very cold outside, 27° F, but it is cold almost anywhere in the US right now. As cold as it is, it is the warmest day of this week. I am dreading Tuesday and Wednesday. but decided to stay anyways, and try to make it work.

Cold Welcome to KS

I am terrified! No seriously, I am !! When we started driving this morning the temp was in upper 30’s and the northern we drove the colder it got. I feel like turning around and drive back!

Texas Serenity

Concluding an era and opening another – after a northern white Christmas, we headed south for the southern comfort and peace to celebrate the new year with a wonderful great people. Not only it concludes the holidays but probably our travels, at least for a while.