It’s been kinda slow around here, so this post will be a few short paragraphs and about as many pictures. The highlight of last week came when Helen and I attended a Debutante Ball where our lovely niece and my brother’s daughter, Emily, was presented. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed the opportunity for a get-together with family members. Helen and I had our picture taken. I posted it on Facebook, but she made me look so good; I’m also posting it here.
The big event for this week arrived in the form of snowfall—twice! We’ve gone a couple of decades since we had two measurable snow events in the same year, much less in the same week. The snow was only a few inches in-depth, but it was pretty, nonetheless. I love snow, but not the cold. We have endured overnight temperatures in the mid-teens. I slipped out one evening and took this picture of our Japanese Maple that Helen lights up year-round.
The big event for next week is the beginning of our three-month journey westward. We plan to work our way slowly to San Diego and enjoy 15 nights in Fiddler’s Cove Campground at Coronado Beach Naval Air Station. We camped there a few years ago and are very eager to return. I have a picture from that visit. The beauty of this campground is that we sit right on the water.
After San Diego, we will spend three weeks at the Navy Campground in Seal Beach, CA, where we will be with 20 miles of our son’s home in Redondo Beach. Helen and I are looking forward to spending some quantity and quality time with our grandchildren. They will join us for two camping weekends, and we hope to make the most of after-school activities during the week.
Below is a copy of our trip map. It is a joy to hear from our readers. Please join us and stay in touch. We’re Easin’ Along.
Safe travels! Great way to spend the winter. I’ll look forward to your San Diego photos, as I spent six months there in 1945 at the Naval Base … my first six months! My dad was stationed there and was in the South Pacific during WWII. And my mom sat on the Rosie the Riveter line, along with Navy wives who weren’t nurses or telephone operators! No telling how many airplanes she helped build. When the war ended, I was six months old, and they outfitted a laundry basket 🧺 for me and drove back to Chapel Hill NC where my dad had been in graduate school and teaching. Memories & history!! Looking forward to your posts.
Hi, Roberta,
Your parents are great examples of our Greatest Generation. I’ve met many WWII vets, but I don’t think I ever met or know of a Rosie the Riveter. I know you’re proud. We will be camping on the Navy Base in San Diego, and I plan on visiting the Navy Museum while there. I’ll share what I find. Great to hear from you. Joe
Joe & Helen ,
Follow up to my Rosie the Riveter post:
My mother was a licensed Social Worker (had a Masters degree) which made her a perfect Rosie candidate with no “technical skills” needed in that day. She used to chuckle that over time they could tell whose hubbies were on the same ship by who was pregnant about three months after a ship launched! HA!
Roberta,
Great story! My title for it would be “Riveters Responsible for Impending Baby Boom!” Thanks for sharing! Have a great week! Joe
I can’t wait to follow. Thanks fir sharing your easing. The Golden Years are truly wonderful and you both inspire me.
Kreis
Good morning, Kreis,
We’re both blessed and grateful. Our motto is “Do as much as we can…while we still can.” Thanks muchly for stopping by. Joe
Hey you two…Happy New Year. Your planned travels look amazing. We head to JH on the 22nd of Jan. after a 10 day visit to Ft. Leavenworth. We’ll have plenty of snow (and cold!). Enjoy your westward ho journey! Maybe a stop in JH?? Hugs!!😘.
MA
Hello,
Great to hear from you! I love JH in the winter. It can be a bit confining, but the fresh air invigorates the body, and I LOVE snowmobiling. How long will you be there? I would love to come by, but there is no way I’m dragging a fifth-wheel over those mountains this time of the year. Enjoy, and please stay in touch! Joe
Hi, Joe and Helen – I love your plans for your upcoming RV adventure. So close, yet still so far. I look forward to following that journey.
Donna,
Recaptcha likes you! Everything went through fine. Thanks for stopping by. We love having you along…and we’ll get closer someday. We both want to visit Vancouver Island. Have a great week! Joe
You guys clean up real nice LOL. Great pic of you two. Sounds like a great 3-month trip. Hope we’re able to connect when you pass through Phoenix.
Hello, Ingrid,
It was great to see you back online today. Thanks for sharing a peek into your new home. We’ll stay in touch. Maybe we can meet for lunch somewhere. Keep it warm down there for us!
Great pic of you and Helen! Your upcoming trip looks you are craving the warmer weather, Joe. I’m going to save your map for future reference in case we are south when you are. If you take your map, turn it on its side and line up with the west coast and back through LV and up through Utah and north, that’s what our trip may look like. We’ll see…hubby may be working full time. Safe travels as your prep for the trip 🙂
Hi, Terri,
I’m ready for warm weather for certain. Please hang on to the map. Just get to I-40 East and stay straight. We’re about two miles from the exit when you get to Knoxville. Hope your trip works out, but if hubby has a good job, save some time and a few bucks for a journey to the south. Loved your post today. Joe
Joe, that’s sweet that you and Helen were able to attend and celebrate such a special event with your niece. Ingrid’s right – you clean up nicely! We’re planning a loop of the southern states later this year, so I’ll be especially interested to hear your reports from the road. It sounds like an absolutely delightful adventure. Travel safely and have tons of fun!
Good morning, Mary,
Keep us in the loop with your trip plans. We return to Knoxville in April and will be around until mid-August. Maybe we can meet up. Hopefully, the roads are all good. We looking forward to escaping the cold! Thanks for stopping by! Joe
Hi Joe,
What a lovely pic of you both. Safe travels to sunny CA…I am busily planning our big national parks loop in the new-to-us class a beginning first of April, asssuming we get her back from the shop in time!
Nancy,
So great to hear from you! When you have the planning completed, please send out an update. I am a National Park Geek—and have the sticker to prove it. Stay warm down there! Joe
Joe, I know you guys are excited about spending some quality time with your son and family. Looks like a nice itinerary.
Speaking of looking nice – my goodness, you two certainly know how to attend a debutante ball! I don’t know who has more sparkles, Helen or that Japanese Maple. Both are pretty impressive.
Have a wonderful trip. Can’t wait to read all about it.
Suzanne,
Helen always lights up a room with that smile, and she’ll love hearing that you said she “sparkles.” We’re excited about the trip and the chance to warm up after a frigid couple of weeks. Please join us when you have time. Great to hear from you! Joe
That’s a wonderful photo of you two! You have a fabulous trip planned. Wish your route was bringing you just a bit farther south to see us. 🙂 But we’ll enjoy following along with your travels! Safe journey, and keep those gorgeous photos coming!
Laurel,
Better be careful what you wish for…you could wind up with a couple of Tennessee hillbillies in your driveway. We’re looking forward to this trip, and hope you’ll follow along with us. Please stay in touch. I hope to get to Florida next winter. Joe
OMG Joe! I moved back to Torrance, where I grew up, from Oak Ridge. Long story about that in my blog.
Where in Redondo does your son live and where do his kids attend school?
Hi, Susan,
Great to hear from you! I read several posts on your blog–you have had an eventful past year for sure. Our son lives in Redondo, but near the Hermosa Pier. His kids attend different schools and I can’t remember the names. At any rate, they love living near the beach. Thanks for stopping by. We’ve been to Torrance many times and love the area. Have a great week! Joe