Sunday, July 30, 2006

ATV Camping Adventures!

Before we leave our adventure begins the ATV camp trailer wheel comes off ramp as we are loading the ATV trailer in the back of the truck, got a nail at the spot we unload 20 min. out side of town. Hubby took it back to town and got it fixed and I got some much needed unwind time! He was back in an hour, then we loaded up my ATV with gear and we were off. We drove 25 miles to the camp ground on dry dusty roads and it was cooler in the high country where we camped. That was refreshing after the heat we’ve been having.

We had deli sandwiches and salad on the first night, and a camp stove fry with sausage cheese dogs sliced, and some bacon and tater tots, hubby cook that coffee was almost warm. On the side we had deviled eggs. The air was cool crisp and clean smelling after the refreshing rains in the night. The wind came up and dried the tent out before we got up the next morning. It was cold enough we had to wear gloves to eat hubby said he knew it was cold when he put on his leather driving gloves to eat cereal. I found some huckleberries and picked those for a snack this morning when we were checking out a new camp ground.

On the way home I saw a dead rattle snake on the road, and eight mountain sheep we both saw some wild turkeys in different spots. Hubby showed me where they had camped for elk hunting one year. We found a new camp ground. He saw a bob cat and an elk on the way home.

We are all unpack I'm doing laundry and dishes from this trip and next I'm going to be repack for next trip, that’s how I like to do it and get the things we may have forgotten while they are fresh on our minds and put in for next time so we remember. The school book bags worked great for the things I needed to bring and so did the containers they worked great for keeping dust out, we bagged up the sleeping bags in trash bags and I got a plastic laundry bag from the dollar store and that worked great so I'm going to be getting some more of those for using on the next camp out! Next we will be going to the farm to fix fence. I'm trying to figure out how hubby is going to be fixing fence if he is off on my ATV exploring trailer he used to ride on when he was a kid! [Wink!]

Thursday, July 27, 2006

ATV Camping vs Motor cycle Camping

We are using the same trailer for both, with motor cycle camping you can carry less weight than you can with the ATV. When pulling a trailer with a motor cycle you have to distribute the weight evenly, and be careful not to put too much weight on the tongue. That’s where we carry the spare tire and ice chest. We have a home made trailer with a car top carrier on it and it holds as much as some car trunks. So space is not an issue unless your going to be gone a week or two. For just a weekend it is fine!

It’s been a number of years since we have been tent camping and I’ve been wanting to go do some of that so I’ve been trying to remember what we did with our gear. We’ve been rounding it up for a few weeks we located the tent and made sure it was still good, used the air bed one night.


I found my camping lists on the computer and have printed them out both the camping gear and camping food lists, yesterday I got the sleeping bags rolled up and put in stuff bags, today I’m working on putting cooking utensils into the plastic storage bins I located that were in the basement. I have some of the food ready to go, putting it in smaller non breakable containers for travel. Getting the clothing packed is next.

We have to get one of those things that plug in to the ATV with and adpter to pump up the air bed with. Both of the atv’s have that option.


Hubby was impressed with my lists and I’ve been updating them as some of the things we are using are new or different. We also need to get a collapsible bucket at the army/navy store. These are the things to go on the shopping list.

Sunday, July 23, 2006

My ATV Safety Course

Today we took an ATV safety course I was not as bad as I’d feared, but not as good as I’d hoped. This was an informative challenging class and well worth our time effort and energy.

It was dusty and we had course outdoor class, even some warm up excercises stretching before we started to ride I was impressed by this we had time to practice things we learned such as riding a big loop, smaller circles, tighter circles, figure 8’s, turns, stops, sharp turns, weaving around cones, and riding over obstacles, shifting our weight, looking where we are going and watching the instructor for directions.


This was a stress reducer for me I was able to stay in the moment and did not worry about things at home or other parts of the world. The class was moved ahead due to excessive heat so even that was not much of a concern. High temp was 108*! We were done before the temperature climbed to 100*. We had some of the class under shade trees for the lesson and learning part test was more of a discussion. It was great to hear other input and experiences other riders shared.

I passed and we will be paid for taking this. It’s kind of like a rebate, and opportunity to learn safe riding. More women and couples are taking up this sport all the time. Families are getting involved. It’s fun and a way to experience nature, camping, and out doors.

Saturday, July 22, 2006

Today's Gratitude List

My Gratitude List
Ten things I’m grateful for today:

1. Hot weather that makes tomatoes ripen faster. [108* is the forecast hight temp. here today.]
2. Early morning walks to see the sun rise seeing & 2 deer on my walk today.
3. Hot weather to warm up the pool.
4. Having a pool.
5. Seeing a weather channel long range 7 day forecast so I can plan for inside stuff when it’s too hot.

6. Black berries in the freezer.
7. Having a family close by.
8. Having an ATV course tomorrow early.
9. Having a boat.
10. The lawn is watered!

Saturday, July 15, 2006

News this Week

Gardening News:
This week I planted some sun flowers the neighbor gave me yesterday, one is doing okay the other one is wilty so I’ve watered it and hung a towel up for shade. Yesterday I picked a couple of cherry tomatoes from my garden!

I got a letter from mom and she said that they put up a solar clothes line up, funny I’ve been thinking about getting one of these after seeing that the neighbors have one again not of these too. I’ve just been hanging suits up on hooks, chairs and draping them over stuff. I used to have one of these it got old and we took it down the cords got old. I might be time to consider this again now.

Hubby has an appointment today I’m going to take a writer's digest magazine, and a book to read. Then we will take a walk together after wards. I’m checking on the black berries each week can’t wait for the picking to begin I got a new hot pink sand pail to use for the occasion!

ATV News:
Hubby has AVT-ing on his mind guess what we’ll be doing, said I could stop and pick if I want, he’ll be buzzing around on his toy! We’ll all have fun. next weekend is our safety class. I think we both are looking forward to that. I got a new to me red cooler for my ATV to match because it's read, hubby adopted it to use for work each day said his cooler was too small.

Pool News:
The pool still has water in it the leak is fixed! I vacuumed it and added water yesterday today is shock and swim treatment. I got some more sun screen and water noodles we use those a lot! The pool is great to relax after a hot day of work kind of like a giant hot tub that is not hot! It was very romantic. The neighbors must have a pool too I saw one of their grown kids streaking across the lawn.


It was date night we went out to dinner we watched the movie on DVD failure to launch and it was SO funny! Exactly what we needed!

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Snag

I have the unfortunate news that Hubby has been having to work a day on the weekends putting a major kink in our plans to play. So this is not what we had expected at this point of our ATV-ing adventures. Bummer major double bummer for hubby. So I’m consoling myself with more work outs as hubby’s horrendous hours increase. Today I’m going shopping at some new stores and will be keeping my eye out for a weight machine at the thrift shop. Gotta run time to leave now.

Thursday, July 06, 2006

ATV Trailer News

I called place we got our ATV’s from and the guy we bought our machines from said he could help with maps and gave me a GPS recommendation.
I will be talking this over with hubby, it will be for mine I think cause I’m more techy savy than he is. I got the phone # for free natl. forest maps too.

He also said In Ida. you have to have a copy of your title in the county where we will ride and not far from the farm, and a fire extinguisher is required. I found out we will need helmets in Ore. too.

In the pool one day I was thinking and figured out how to get the trailer out of the back yard take the wheels and top off of it and turn it on the side and slide it out. Hubby said that’s a great idea and it just might work
we will have to try that! He is going to paint it to match his ATV and
with red accents it will go with mine too.

I want a small trailer red to pull behind mine that will fit in the back of the truck. Seems like there was a cargo trailer hubby ordered his other one from I can not remember the name of it. Northrup maybe. D&B farm supply in town might have something, I want wood racks on mine.
Hubby said it has to have wheel bearings in the wheels. I’ve seen some trailers but they were too heavy duty.


Found a link maybe just changed my mind! Click on the title of this post!

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

First ATV Trip Highlights

Mission: Find new roads to ride on, check out school fire damage, and find camp grounds to camp at.

We found a gravel road to 22 mi. just out of town near a friend’s family farm. We unloaded there and drove a few miles 2-3 then there was a paved road we had to cross found a primitive road headed on that and
found a grade to go up and down, some new logging roads to fight the school canyon fire and it was a blast! Hubby was playing on the logging road and I got by him and got ahead of him, found an unmarked primitive camp ground in the Umatilla natl. forest. Turned around and went back to find Hubby he was hightailing it to catch up and we hooked up again not far from the camp ground it was where we had lunch.
We found this just when we were ready for a break. It was a place with tables a fire pit, clean out door type potties, three camp sites that were empty. We took a short walk after we had our sandwiches, checked out the camp ground and headed back on the trail for more riding.

We found lots of places to ride and it was a blast! We got on top and asked some of the locals for directions we were looking to see the burn from the big 50,000 acre school fire last year and we saw plenty of that. They were out of maps at the store.

When we got on top a steep rough road I followed about ½ mi. behind hubby to avoid riding in dust all day. Then I saw him stopped beside the road. I saw a fox earlier in the day.

Hubby’s had close encounter with a cow elk near collision had his heart rate up he had to skid to a stop and stopped in the ditch. Another time a deer was running up the trail in front of him it was a pretty “technical” trail I just decided it was above my ability and I pulled over and waited for him to come back.

I was getting tired and knew I needed to save my energy for getting back to the drop off point where we were going to load up to head for home. My arm was tired from holding the thumb throttle on all day.

After driving around getting separated and then finding each other again earlier in the day we are thinking about some of our options!
Dear son said one of his friends had G.P.S. [Global Positioning Service device] put on his bike, we asked directions from another couple on 4-wheelers and they mentioned gps too. So I guess we will check in to that, something to conisder.


We put a ball on the hitch of my 4-wheeler for pulling a trailer with our camping gear. We are getting the camping bug again now.

On the fourth we cleaned up the machines and put on a wire basket
We also cut a board to fit on the bottom of the wire basket this is for haul gear and supplies for trips and camp outs on my machine,
the basket was on the front of the farm four wheeler. Hubby knocked off a mirror on his getting of so he got that reattached.

Today we are getting the ATV’s read for the next ride have the ice chests all cleaned up, the storage compartments cleaned out. We removed the food, and I’m getting the towels and stuff we will need for the next trip read and I’m going to pack book bags with them and get them partially ready to go with sunscreen and a few other items I use. One more weekend and both machines will be ready for a service and we will need to take them in to the shop for that.

Mission accomplished! We saw lots of fire damage from the School canyon fire last year, and found several places to camp and camp grounds, some fishing spots too. And enough roads to keep us busy for about the next five years exploring!


Monday, July 03, 2006

Happy 4th of July Weekend

Happy 4th of July weekend we have been having a blast! This weekend we had a great ride in the four wheelers and ATV-ing was great! Everyone was amazed at how well I did on my first ride, my motor cycle driving experience came in handy! I did not have to get off and have some one else drive it over the rough parts I ride my own.

We saw deer and huge wild turkeys and a couple of the guys saw rattle snakes down by the river when they were fishing from the rocks. The caught several fish. Bass sucker , & trout. We had a blast and were able to cool off in the water as needed.


Today cleaning up the ATV seats before the next ride is on the list we want to find some new trails closer to home! The ATV when is no longer clean! Mine has a comfortable ride and the seat is great and it has lots of "spunk" the guys said! I was going a pretty good speed the hill on the way home on a gravel road and decided I’d better slow it down. I did great on the rough part at the bottom and the ruts helped me to learn how to shift my weight in the ruts.

I made a list of what to take with us and put it on page three of my new ATV adventure journal hubby referred to my list often we were glad we had it! We strapped lawn chairs to the front of mine with the fishing pole, we got a diff. bit bigger size cooler for the back, had a stuff bag with swimming suits, snacks sunscreen towels etc. in if for the salmon river at the end of the ride! It was hot but we cooled off in the river, we only saw like 2 boats jet boats one was a tour boat.

Did not get sun burnt yea! When we came home we focused on getting water and juice to stay hydrated. Next up Pack lunch get riding clothes ready for more fun!!!
[Hubby was so excited he could not sleep last night.]
e tried to look up the destinations I wanted to go to on the net but needed a better map we were up late doing pool stuff. We were able to get the pool up and going again now it’s filtering the shock and swim treatment through it. I’ve been out to check on the pool this morning it’s filled and hubby set the alarm in the middle of the night and got the shock treatment in it the filter has to run 24 hrs. I skimmed the bugs off. Pool temp. is 75*


Friday, June 30, 2006

What's New? Granny zooms on ATV

ATV for granny new adventures comning! My motorcyle is going bye bye, and I'll be joining the rest of the family on my own ATV. I came dragging my feet and kicking my heels it took me a while to get on board with this new hobby. I really enjoyed motorcycling but have not been using it the past couple of years. So it was time. Hubby's ATV has a windshield on it and will not fit under the canopy in the pick-up mine will so it will be great fun to have it along when we are camping. Hubby decided to use mine on times we have the camper along. [Click on what's new to see pic. of this utility sport Eiger 400 Suzuki.]

We got one big enough for 6'4" son to use too. I looked at smaller ones but crossed them off the list right away because of chain drive. Shaft drive is better. Thumb throttle what a concept! Never heard of such a thing! I have a red helmet already, got a face shield and the only option will be a ball hitch for a trailer we will be modifying for hauling "stuff". No winch for me on mine. No chrome wheels and standard size tires. ATV "Jewlery" or junk? LOL! I have decided the bigger ones are over kill and will be just fine with a smaller one with out so many options.

Saturday, June 24, 2006

More Pool Lessons

Early in the week I got a sun burn using a new bikini I got so I’ve spent the rest of the week indoors hiding from the sun. Then later in the week discovered the pool has a leak so guess how we are spending our vacation? Yep, learning how to fix a leak on the pool. Next week we have the “opportunity” for exercise loading tree branches in the new cargo trailer to haul them off. It is supposed to be up near 100* so that chore is looking less appealing all the time. Hubby is spending the third or forth weekend in a row installing mud flaps on the truck. It did not pass the test drive the rub when I back up and turn around. The neighbor has been buidling a smoking bench for his wife on the back fence bordering our property we are having the blessing of having the good side to us and additional privacy! Today we have a potluck at dear son’s in-laws, I have banana bread thawing for this to take. Yesterday I got some new exercise videos and did an extra workout and I can feel it today!

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Mocha Moments

I’m done with my evening routine except we ran the coffee through and we’re drinking it now! So that chore is a do over! I’m using my routine cup it has a bunch of designs on it one is a tooth brush, alarm clock, car, key, chair, heart spoon, and coffee cup this reminds me of my daily stuff. I found it at a yard sale last month this cup is black and white I have a black and white striped dress on now too so it matches! This is one of those mugs that holds two cups I’m having cocoa coffee with some sugar free Irish crème flavoring sugar free whipped topping in it with a dash of cinnamon on top.

The Schwan's truck came and left and the freezer has been restocked with more sugar free icecream bars young and old alike seem to love these icy treats!

Hubby came home from work talking about a solar cover for the pool so it will be warmer I can swim earlier in the day now! Yea! I've been inside most of the day because I'm recovering from a bit of a sunburn. We are having a quiet week here grand kids are not around much this week. Very restful I needed that.

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Wireless Update

The tech was here yesterday [Mon.] from the wireless co and there is only one spot that we can get reception the modem and router are back in the living room next to the stereo this has caused the stereo to go whacky so move that is next on the list.

We are on the boarder of the service area new tower will not be any time soon, and if we can’t get service we will be able to get out of the 2 yr. contract so that was a relief to learn. So far so good with this.

Wed. 6-14-06 Flag day~ It’s been a week service was good for most of the week except when the wind was bad once and when it was pouring down rain this morning only one bar lit up so I did not even try until later when there were more bars.

I hurt my finger gardening got a rose thorn and I have not been on line as much because it got infected, it’s fine now.

That said I’ve hurt my shoulder today doing a workout with weights, only 5 pounders or “planting” bricks in the garden making a path around the pool, or typing up a journal to enter in to one of my groups about my weight loss progress. I've been icing it with frosting not kidding here the frosting was cold and in a packet fit to my shoulder just fine. I'll live just have to take care of me. Time to read now I think got some reading material today.

Sunday, June 04, 2006

Pool Reflections of a Spiritual Nature

Pool Reflections of a Spiritual Nature

I’m learning but not sure how this all comes together yet, since we got a pool I’ve been thinking about pools and springs in the Bible a lot about refreshment in the book on Ester these days. I’m sure there are others that escape me now so I may need to look those up.

The pool prep. part: the place we get to keep the water, filtering, cleansing, balance if we are in or out of balance in our spiritual life it effects us in other areas of our life too.


Adding stuff chemicals, even perfumes, to make it smell sweeter; testing yep there is always testing in our walk of faith isn’t there? Also vacuuming have you ever had the Holy Spirit vacuum some stuff out of you life that blew in with a storm?

What I love about this is that it makes me WANT to get out my bible and look up stuff! Gotta love that especially when it’s fun and can be applied to daily lessons in life I’m getting these days.

The other day when I was floating on the air mattress I was able to mediate and pray it was very refreshing and relaxing. We all need that from time to time in our lives time out for relaxing and getting refreshed.

Saturday, June 03, 2006

Shock n Swim

In May 06 we got an above ground pool we are learning as we go.
If you keep do a fish tank up [which I can't] You can do a pool! LOL!

Shock n Swim aka Pool Chores:

Refers to the first time I swam it was cold in our unheated pool
and there is a weekly treatment of chemicals for pool maintenance to add.


W = weekly shock n swim treatment or after rain storms.
D = daily test ph etc.
EOD = Every Other Day add chemicals
EOW = Every Other Week change filter
Weekly or E.O.W. Vacuum pool.
M= Monthly or as needed get pool supplies.

This is great exercise equipment!
Set up sechedule and time to go over pool rules with family & friends.
Set up time for pool parties.
Schedule time for me to exercise in the pool.
And for lessons for grand kids as they are learning to swim!

Lessons From The Pool!

Skimming
Skimming the surface we can see the sun reflections off the water
the cool clear blue water has a few leaves and things that need
skimmed off of it each day several times a day if we have the time.

Filtering
If not we turn on the pump and it does the filtering for us.

Water
Pure clean water is from begin re circulated, and some chemicals are used to keep it clean or washing, purifying it and to keep the bacteria from growing. This is actually a great science lesson for those that are fascinated by this.

Balance
Ph balance must be right and other things are tested in the water also
not to hard and hot to soft.

Testing
there are like five different things to test for when we test on the test strips. Every day or so these are done to see if the balance of the chemicals is right. Hubby is rather obsessive about testing and doing it daily.

Conditioning
Some conditioners can help to keep the sun from zapping the chlorine out of the pool water.

Scent
I noticed that there are even scents you can add to hot tubs
and spas to keep them smelling fresh and clean.

Vacuuming
There is a vacuum to suck dirt grim and crud off the bottom leaves etc. that sink to the bottom.



Poolside Reflections!

For those that are fascinated by this, I was good at science; and biology in high school and hubby was even better while I was in psychology class we did an iq test and I was above average it was great for my self esteem. Hubby & his sibs were what we called a “brain” taking calculus class and other math courses I remember. We went to school together.

I remember when dads was on the city counsel when were kids in the small town every one kind of took turns. They had designated different responsibilities to different streets our street was designated as overseeing the city pool. We got to see the pump house where the lifeguards added chlorine and watched the pool being filled, and we were even able to be privy to some of the interviews and got the inside scoop on the new lifeguards for that summer; with a kids behind the scenes look at it all, it was very interesting and we were fascinated by all this.

Mom worked and bought us a season passes in the summers, we took swimming lessons, and were at the pool for two sessions a day I did lifesaving. And at one point got to rescue my little sister who had floated out in to deep water at a park mom could not swim a stroke.


We did not have a swim team in those days. I remember watching the lifeguards test the water to do the chemical additions to the pumps in the pump house. I remember what a joy it was when I passed the deep end test in the third grade and I could finally get to swim in the deep water with the ‘big’ kids. I learned to dive and loved the time when the adults and older teen kids could swim with out the worry of swimming over a top of the little brats I mean kids. We could do our laps with out interference. I seem to need this time to de-stress. I’ve been thinking a lot about that this week the fun I had as a kid swimming at the city pool swimming tag was a fun game we played and dodge ball some of the guys played that they threw the ball at each other on the diving board that hurt so I did not play that game!

My cousins came to town to be with gram for a month and were on the swim team in there town and there was no swim team in our town and they changed that. They got a team going and taught them how to do the turn and tuck and push off the edge of the pool. Some of my happiest memories are at the pool in high school I remember talking with my girl friends from school as we sunbathed on the deck by the pool to rest between swimming sessions.

Then our kids learned to swim at the pool taking lessons, and our daughter won a cannon ball contest at the night swim party one year she still talks about that. Now we are teaching the grand kids to swim so the lessons continue.

Thursday, June 01, 2006

Wireless Sucks

Wondering where I have been? My wireless reception has been spotty at best! Between wind, rain and having the biggest tree on the block in the front and a yard full of other smaller trees in the back yard and ones on the other side of the fence in all directions the signal can barely get through, now that the trees are all leafed out.

I’ve called for the tech support guys to come check it out and they will be here on Mon. we will see what they say. They promised a new tower was going up less than a mile from us when I signed up, said they had three towers and I would not know when one was down not true!

I’ve heard promises like this with cell phones and the reception / coverage never got any better. So it will be interesting to see how this turns out.

Saturday, May 27, 2006

Tree Removal & Pool

Last weekend we took out two trees they were small about as tall as a one story house, they were on the list to go for a couple of years now. Bugs had gotten in to them one a mugo pine and the other an apricot tree. We used the ATV to haul the trunk part to the road from the back yard. It was pouring down rain by the time we were done we were soaked.

Then we got an above ground pool and got it up filled and the filter has been running and I’ve had my first dip in it b-r-r it’s cold! The weather is no longer up in the ninety’s but it’s in the 50’s and 60’s here now.

Today I got some bricks for a path and area where the dirt is that the trees came out. That was great exercise and I enjoyed doing it. The other day I reclaimed the play house and it’s now the pool house with towels and pool toys in it.

I had a wooden TV stand and it is the pump “house” now, keeps the wind from blowing it over and the elements off of it. We have been working between showers this week on some days any way.

Hubby has been fishing got his limit two days in a row.

I got my books in and have been enjoying them have read SBB’s new one Moving on. And CEO’s House works is great with color pictures glossy pages and I love the lay out of this book!

Other points of interest:

Dear daughter & family have moved in to her new house.

Dear son is asp V.P. for collage next year.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Summer Heat

We have had records have been broken for three days running here 96* is the forecast high, this has been a good time to do inside stuff in the afternoon! Trying to come up with some things that are good about heat seeds fall out of the tree sooner, sap dried up on the leaves and it stops dipping on the car. It melts the snow, camping and picnic & b.b.q. season have begun. Beach and pool parties are going now, and we can get the boat camper and ATV out and play on vacations too.

It's 7:30 and some one is mowing some times you just gotta do what you gotta do. Our son has been appointed to Vice Pres. at the collage he is attending this will save him a lot of money! He will be a senior next year and today is the last day for him this year he is looking forward to the summer break, dear grand daughter is done with pre school tomorrow and she is also looking forward to summer break. Dear daughter is moving in to their new house this is the 2nd one that thay have built.

Hubby has a vacation coming up shortly too and he is looking forward to that, I however I am dreading it actually because these are more work for me. First we will do yard clean up haul stuff off to the dump, dear son will be moving his stuff out and then playing in the woods I suppose and camping tent or in the canopy will be more work than I have normally. I do have a plan to meld pen and paper with the journal and a new book while sitting at a different locale and smelling the pine trees will be good. Fence fixing is on hubby’s list too I’m not sure if it’s on my list or not yet! A new experience to add might be interesting! A new book I just heard about: Moving On by Sarah Banbrathnach is going to be picked up this week! I can read at some of our camping excursions! Dinner cruise on a local tour boat up the Snake river is going on our list again this year we really enjoyed that last year.

I’ve been working outside in the patio area moving wood we have “collected” for camping and I have reclaimed an area for planting, and the grandkids can play in the dirt too while I’m getting this area prepped for some brick to put down to increase the garden I’m thinking of another herb garden but low growing close to the ground ones like thyme, and other ground cover plants that like to creep about.