November 6–12, 2022 Pahrump and Balloons

 

We have truly enjoyed this week just hanging out.. 

We did the normal things: laundry, cleaning, organizing, shopping, getting caught up with paperwork and some phone calls. Andy washed the motorhome and the car and the car had an oil change too. Most of all we had the chance to relax.

We went to the VFW on Tuesday for Taco night – their Taco salad was wonderful!  We stopped at the Elks Lodge for a drink on Wednesday and went to the Moose Lodge on Friday for their Veterans Day Dinner.  Everyone has been so friendly.  Years ago we thought about living here and the friendliness and helpfulness of all the people we met was probably the reason why.  I think the only reason we decided not to live here was the cold in December and January. 

We are having problems with our plumbing valves and possible the water pump.  On Wednesday, the RV Doctor was here and diagnosed the first problem as the valve.  (Andy figured it was that too but we were not totally sure.)  We did find out that the type we have failed quite often.  On Thursday the RV Doctor called to tell us that he could not get us a part.  Our option was to try to find one in a “bigger” city.  So Andy called the manufacturer who is sending us the upgraded replacement for that valve.  YEA!

On a side note: our neighbor across the street had the same problem and on Friday, Andy was able to help him put in the replacement. 

So we will be staying here at least another week.  We have to leave this park, Preferred RV, because they are booked for the next week.  We will move to the Moose Lodge tomorrow – they have electric, water, and a dump station.  We are going to try to get into the Escapee CO-OP on Monday if they have room.  If not, we will stay at the Moose.  Our part should be here on Wednesday and hopefully that will fix the problem… (Praying!)

Our tentative plans after we leave here is to spend a few nights in Quartzsite and then head to Yuma.  Andy and I both need some dental work so we will be seeing our wonderful dentist in Los Algodones, Mexico.   We will be staying at Yuma Lakes – one of our membership parks and KOFA Ko-op Retreat where we have a lot.  So if you are around the Yuma area, let us know.  We expect to be there thru mid January depending on the dental work.

So that is our status right now – subject to change at any minute – LOL!

We did end this week on a good note.  There was a Balloon Festival here in Pahrump this weekend (Thank you Judy.)  So this morning, Andy and I were up early and headed to Petrack Park, about 1 mile away, and watched liftoff (and some touchdowns too.)

It was an absolutely beautiful morning – blue skies, a very slight breeze and a little chilly.

Filling the balloons:

And he is up:

Check out that moon:

Notice the propane firing:

Some are now standing and getting ready:

Another one off the ground:

Notice the propane firing:

Getting ready to stand:

Almost there:

And he is up and the next one is starting to stand:

Love that smiley face:

Up, up and away:

This was the party balloon – it held 16 people:

This gentleman was sitting in a sling – no basket:

Going up:

Look at that smile:

Check out that moon:

The green balloon was tethered and they were giving rides:

Notice the guy in the sling on the right – Cool!:

A drone taking pictures:

What a wonderful treat!  

Andy and I worked the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta in 2010 and 2011.  Standing in the field in the middle of 500 balloons filling and lifting and soaring is one of the highlights of my life.  This was not Albuquerque but it still brought a big smile to our faces.

So not sure what we will be up to over the next week here but stay tuned and enjoy today!

Thank you to our veterans and for keeping us free!

  

 

 

 

October 27, 2022 Day of Rest and Crescent City Tsunamis

Today was a day of rest for us and getting some things done around the motorhome.  I also did some planning and alternate planning for what we are doing the next two weeks as well as watching the potential for a big storm across the Sierras and Nevada. 

As I was going thru some items from the visitor center I came a visitor sheet that stated:

“Know Your Zone!

Since 1933, 32 tsunamis have been observed in Crescent City. Five of those caused damage, and one of them, in March 1964, remains the “largest and most destructive recorded tsunami to ever strike the United States Pacific Coast,” according to the University of Southern California's Tsunami Research Center.

This is why it is important to “Know Your Zone,” while you are visiting.  A tsunami could happen at anytime and most of Downtown Crescent City is in the tsunami run-up zone. If an near-shore earthquake occurred, you would only have minutes to get to safety!

The main “rule of thumb” is when you feel a sizable earthquake, head north for high ground at 9th Street. Leave your car and walk briskly, because many of the roads could be clogged with cars or building debris. Do the same if you hear the tsunami sirens go off! There will be no mistaking when they do. Don’t panic and follow the “Tsunami Evacuation Route” signs to safe ground.

The map to the right is from a Tsunami Safety brochure that you can download from the Del Norte County Office of Emergency Services website along with other helpful tips for a worry-free stay. Just click on the map to open it up on your smartphone.

Be Tsunami Safe and Know Your Zone!”

One of the folks told us that if we feel an earthquake, get moving.  Don’t wait for the sirens.

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Can you imagine – 32 tsunamis since 1933?  WOW!

“In 1964, a magnitude-9.2 earthquake off Alaska’s produced a powerful wave, cresting at nearly 21 feet, that slammed into Crescent City’s downtown, killing 11 people and devastating 29 city blocks. More than 289 buildings and homes were damaged by rising waters or destroyed after being pushed off their foundations. Much of the city’s downtown had to be rebuilt.”

“In 2011, Crescent City was again hit by tsunami currents, this time by those generated by the Tōhoku earthquake in Japan. The magnitude-9.0 earthquake, the most powerful ever in Japan’s history, and the  tsunami combined killed more than 18,000 people there and they also unleashed the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. Powerful waves crossed the Pacific Ocean and caused $100 million worth of damage to California ports and harbors, including those in Crescent City and Santa Cruz, more than 400 miles to the south.”

There is a lot of information and pictures on the web.  A few sites that I found interesting:

https://www.activenorcal.com/remembering-the-deadly-75-foot-tidal-wave-that-leveled-crescent-city-in-1964/

https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/01/15/californias-5-most-deadly-devastating-tsunamis/

Pictures: https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Crescent-City-tsunami-1964-Alaska-earthquake-12517983.php#taboola-12

The lighthouse keepers account of the waves:

“Remarkably, the lighthouse was not harmed when Crescent City received the worst tsunami damage ever suffered along the west coast of the lower forty-eight states. On March 27, 1964, the strongest earthquake ever recorded in the northern hemisphere struck Alaska near Prince William Sound, generating a series of waves that raced south at a speed of nearly 600 mph. The waves reached Crescent City around midnight with crests of up to twenty feet.

Clarence (Roxey) and Peggy Coons were living as curators in the lighthouse when the waves arrived. Peggy awoke a little before midnight to use the bathroom, and upon looking out the window noted an extremely high tide in the harbor that was illuminated by a nearly full moon. She roused her husband, and they quickly dressed and hurried outside in time to witness the first waves pummel Crescent City.

The following is Peggy’s account after the third wave had flooded the city:

The water withdrew as if someone had pulled the plug. It receded a distance of three-quarters of a mile from the shore. We were looking down, as though from a high mountain, into a black abyss. It was a mystical labyrinth of caves, canyons, basins, and pits, undreamed of in the wildest of fantasies.

The basin was sucked dry…In the distance, a black wall of water was rapidly building up, evidenced by a flash of white as the edge of the boiling and seething seawater reflected the moonlight.

Then the mammoth wall of water came barreling towards us. It was a terrifying mass, stretching up from the ocean floor and looking much higher than the island. Roxey shouted, “Let’s head for the tower!” - but it was too late. “Look out!” he yelled, and we both ducked as the water struck, split and swirled over both sides of the island. It struck with such force and speed that we felt we were being carried along with the ocean. It took several minutes before we realized that the island hadn’t moved.

When the tsunami assaulted the shore, it was like a violent explosion. A thunderous roar mingled with all the confusion. Everywhere we looked buildings, cars, lumber, and boats shifted around like crazy. The whole beachfront moved, changing before our very eyes. By this time, the fire had spread to the Texaco bulk tanks. They started exploding one after another, lighting up the sky. It was spectacular!

It still seems hard to believe that with all the salvage that floated by us out to sea, the only bit to reach the island was one spool of lavender thread.”

Crescent City has been rebuilt and they have made some improvements to the marina and bay area.  Most of the area near the water is now parks and the business and homes start a few blocks back. 

We did talk to a few folks at the Elks that do remember what happened and many said it was just total devastation.  So sad.

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Tomorrow we continue to play tourist so stay tuned and enjoy today!

November 28- December 1, 2021 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Part 2

Another item on our list was to see the 45 bronze sculptures of the Centennial Land Run Monument.

The installation was done by Paul Moore and it depicts the moment in time on April 22, 1889 when 50,000 people scrambled to homestead a piece of free land.  The sculptures are 1.5 times life size and they were awesome!

Lots of parking near the park.  Walking up the path, this was our first siting of the sculptures:

And the cannon is fired:

Off they go:

Oh no!

Run, puppy, run!

Creeks and rivers to cross:

Go! Go!

Check out the size of these!

Keep going!

Even the bunny had to run!

A Sooner hiding…..

The pictures do not show it but the artist captured facial expression – it was awesome!

More information can be found here:

https://www.oklahomalegalgroup.com/places/visiting-oklahoma-citys-centennial-land-run-monument

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centennial_Land_Run_Monument

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_Rush_of_1889

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unassigned_Lands

Since it was such a nice day we walked around the park.  Oklahoma City has some really nice parks with walking and bicycling paths.

So what else did we do while we were here….

Well we got better from our colds – thank God!  What a few days of rest will do!  Plus OTC meds too!  LOL!

Our clothing bar in the closet split so we had to replace that!

Andy enjoyed many of the bicycle paths with his e-bike.

We looked at a few RV dealerships.  Yes, we are looking.  Our 2003 Bounder has been wonderful to us but we are looking to downsize from 36 to 30 so we can fit in more NP and SP.  Will it happen – who knows??  LOL!

And the normal stuff…..   Have to tell you that we got gas here for $2.669/Gallon at Sam’s Club (Sorry my PA friends.).

So my opinion of Oklahoma City…  there is so much to see and do and yes, I think we will be back (lots of history here).  However.. will not stay at the Fairgrounds again.  It was so dusty and my allergies (along with my cold)..well, let’s just say it was not good.  (Maybe we will find an RV park that has a good weekly rate!)

Tomorrow we are heading to the Dallas – Fort Worth Area.  I have good friends there that I have not seen since 2015 so it will be good to see them.

Until next time, be kind, be safe, and enjoy today!