The CC Clan

2009-10-24T09:57:00.001-07:00

Getting ready to see the King Tut exhibit at the Children's Museum in Indianapolis.

National FFA Convention - the beginning

2009-10-22T06:16:00.000-07:00

Our trip to Indianapolis was uneventful. This means we got to Sacramento Airport on time. Parking was a breeze. The shuttle to the terminal let me know that my suitcase isn’t the biggest one made. There were no lines…for anything. There could have not been less stress for Loretta’s first airplane ride. She is a quiet girl so what she was feeling inside we may never know. The take-off gave the usually stomach jumping feel. Loretta wisely described it as “just like a ride at Disneyland.” Oh if Bruce could only see it that way.

On the flight to Chicago we had plenty of time to convert Loretta’s CD’s (see brought them all) to mp3 for her new phone. Until my battery died, of course, but we got 11 done. She was pleased. We easily reached our connecting flight in Indy and met our first traveling FFA members from other states. Of course California is the best and Loretta was the only one in a uniform. We always stand out when we are from California. (She has yet to be asked if she lives on the beach)

We started our National FFA Convention Trip with a beautiful sunrise…at 8:00 in the morning? Seems like the sun rises earlier at our house. Street signs aren’t near as informative here and so we had some downtown residential drive time before we found our parking garage in downtown Indianapolis. Once we found it we realized we are in golden because this garage is central to everything. The people here are sooo nice!

We have been having multitudes of jacket sightings. We have yet to see Delaware and Alaska, but we think all of the other states are covered. We visited the shopping mall first (of course) and then the Trade Show. Convention is so amazing. The amount of things and place one doesn’t know about is really brought home here. We hooked up with Chico FFA and, after lunch and the parade, we headed to the first opening session to see Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs fame. I won’t elaborate on his performance, but just let me say that he may be the rescuer for Careet Technical Education. Wow!

We finished the evening with a Toby Keith concert. I went without any enthusiasm and my opinion of him has changed. He is a very good performer and put on an excellent show!

After the show we sat at Denny’s for over an hour without getting our food so we finally got into bed about 2 am.

So then off today (Thursday) for our history adventure and tour of Eastern Indiana.

2009-10-21T12:19:00.001-07:00

So we are now sitting in the Conseco Field House where the Indy Pacers play waiting for our first session and Mike Rowe.

2009-10-21T11:05:00.001-07:00

Uniformed waiters to expose country folk to the culture of a big city. And the food! Wow!

More to come later. Having fun and great weather.

2009-10-21T11:02:00.001-07:00

Loretta and I are sitting at an upscale restaurant, Harry an Izzy's, ordering a Blue Jacket special for $10. There is nothing like cloth table cloths and <more>

2009-10-20T16:53:00.001-07:00

We just landed in Chicago! Now an hour until our next flight.

2009-10-19T21:53:00.001-07:00

Flying out tomorrow to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. Should be fun!

Travis and Mom's Portola/Quincy Family History Trip

2009-10-06T10:20:00.000-07:00

T and I had a good day. We went Hwy 36 and got to Quincy in 2 1/2 hours. We stopped once so he could walk around near Lake Almanor.
All the good restaurants we could hit, but we went to Subway as soon as we got into town as Travis hadn't eaten breakfast and the fast food would allow us more time to research. Since the courthouse is right across the street, Travis anticipated going into the really cool building. We got to park right in front and it took us less than an hour to find everything we were looking for and more. We got deeds from when my parents purchased the Portola property to when the current owner paid it off in 1994.

I do have questions about the deeds we found. The deed where my parents purchased it is dated 27 Jan 1964 and the deed where there sell it to my grandparents is dated Dec 1963. The 1963 paper has my parent's signatures. It doesn't make sense. I wish I would have looked at them while I was at the courthouse. Everyone was very nice and helpful. I also got copies of their death certificates. Nothing needed to be mailed; she did everything right then. The books were easy to access and the computer was easy to use.

Next we headed to Portola. We drove past the house and took some pictures. It has changed quite a bit and Jamie Jo was helpful in telling me where it was located. I had the address on the death certs. We then met the lady at the monument company. She did not have any paperwork from the burials, but gave us maps as to where to go. We headed right there and found the headstone from my grandfather exactly where she told us it would be. There is a metal stake in the ground where my step-grandmother is buried. She has no marker. Travis found pinecones and moss and adorned the headstone of my grandpa's first. Then we decided to decorate Fran's too. We found some flowers in the middle of nowhere and Travis made some nice crosses with mossy sticks. The flowers added a final touch. Nothing like scavenging ancestors.

After the cemetery we headed back to Quincy. We drove past Carol Whipple's childhood home and then visited the Quincy cemetery. I had some of her family names and we found a few of them. It is a very pretty cemetery on a hill. Travis made it a game going up and down the terraces and hunting for names. I love it when he helps!

His reward for the day came next as we headed to the Quincy Skate Park. No one was at the Skate Park so he skated for awhile and then hit the playground in the nearby park.

We came home highway 70 with a beautiful setting sun and no mishaps. We got home about 8 pm. It only took us about 2 hours to get home. There was no traffic to speak of and we (obviously) clipped right along.

All in all we had a great day! Lot of information gathered. Lots of pictures taken and quality time spent together.

Dan Walters: Voc ed bill on right track, but facing uphill battle - Sacramento Politics - California Politics | Sacramento Bee

2009-08-19T17:32:00.001-07:00

Dan Walters: Voc ed bill on right track, but facing uphill battle - Sacramento Politics - California Politics | Sacramento Bee

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A Week in Fresno

2009-07-12T23:51:00.000-07:00

The boys are batching it while I am learning to be a better Ag teacher in the beautiful city of Fresno. Luck has it that we will be working our butts off and not any time to go outside.

History Camp XV

2009-07-12T23:18:00.000-07:00

Everyday last week Travis spent the morning at History Camp XV. Each day began at the Alta Schmidt Museum in Orland. The learned about local Orland and Glenn County History through a multitude of hands-on activities.

On Tuesday they took a walking tour of the town. This is Travis' fourth time for this tour. He went once with Logan, once last year, and once my high school history club students.

On Wednesday the students got to experience every day activities that kids would be involved in a 100 years ago. They washed laundry on a washboard and wrung it dry. They shucked corn, peeled apples and measured the peels, churned butter (and eat it), chopped wood, made toys, branded leather, and hand cranked ice cream. Logan and I helped with the button toy making and the branding.

On Thursday they got to play a variety of old games from tossing (real) horseshoes, dropping clothes pins (the old kind) in a jar, to shooting marbles.

On Friday they got to ride in old cars (from 1926 to 1950) from the museum to the Glenn County Fairgrounds. At the fairgrounds they toured the Heritage Trail (http://www.orland-ca.com/ohcs.htm ) and picnicked at Dead Owl Point after riding the train. They received awards and Travis was thrilled with his $5 BK card for winning several of the games on Thursday.

Overall the week was great and Travis got another good historical learning experience. http://www.orlandhistoricalandcultural.org/

Home Again Home Again

2009-07-10T13:01:00.000-07:00

All right...we finally made it home on the fourth of July. This became quite the requirement after the multitude of visits to fireworks stands in New Mexico and Nevada. Our last night of the trip was spent at my sister, Jamie Jo's, home in Nevada City. Nice cool mountain air to finish up the trip. We had a good visit there seeing Jamie Jo, Bill, Rebecca and Mark. We got the meet Becca's new boyfriend. Nice guy.

By the time the sun set in Orland the boys were set up and ready for a safe and sane light show. They had a lot of fun and were definitely happy to be home. We ended up traveling almost 35oo miles.

Thanks for following along on our trip. Sorry there was a loss of communication there, but I thought every place had wi-fi connections! If you ever travel to Eastern New Mexico just remember that you'll be out of contact for your stay there.

2009-07-02T17:28:00.001-07:00

We are still holding to the being rained on everyday. Lightening was scareily close last night when we left the ranch. Probably didn't make it to the ranch.

2009-07-02T17:23:00.001-07:00

I don't know how long the Ag will rule but it is still doing good now. We are now skirting around the Oquirrh Mountains. Look it up.

2009-07-02T17:20:00.001-07:00

Jeff and Pam told us about a cut off road in Lehi to get is off the freeway. There is just a lot of people here. The new homes are huge! Ag still rules here.

2009-07-02T17:18:00.001-07:00

We stopped by the Hanson's right off of Hwy 491 and dropped off Emily's grad present. We got to visit with Pam in Monticello. It was terrific to see her.

2009-07-02T17:13:00.001-07:00

Chloe was so happy to be out of the car with no leash that she just ripped up and down the side of the road. It was the most she has moved this whole trip. Cute

2009-07-02T17:11:00.001-07:00

We visited in Dove Creek this morning after a hardy breakfast at the Blue Mountain Cafe. Logan ranked the biscuits and gravy as a 10 on his review of 1 to 10 with 10 being the best. This is our ongoing review of biscuits and gravy at every restaurant we stop at for breakfast. Bruce's Chicken Fried Steak was so large he couldn't finish it all. Travis had hashbrown's and scrambled eggs. He thoroughly enjoyed his plate and cleaned it up. I had a hashbrown scramble that was a satisfing combination of breakfast foods.

We then stopped at the Colorado state line and took a picture.

2009-07-02T17:08:00.001-07:00

We saw the Anasazi ruins at Mesa Verde then went to Grandma Sal's in Egnar. We had a nice visit. We shot the guns, set off fireworks and heard the coyotes howl in the distance. We thought we might loose Chloe to the wild, but she found it more safe under Sally's bed.

2009-07-01T13:38:00.001-07:00

We are now in Colorado and heading to Mesa Verde. It will be difficult to have us all go as we have to worry about Chloe.

2009-07-01T13:37:00.001-07:00

We have been rained on every day. The four corners was hot and dry but T had a blast and we all got some Navajo goodies. T and L have started shot glass collection. Cheap, reflects our travels, and easy to carry.

2009-07-01T13:35:00.001-07:00

You have to eat at Fred's Restaurant and Lounge when you drive through Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Bruce says it was the best enchilada he has ever had. I had a grilled chicken quesadilla which was to die for. Travis stuck with his traditional chicken nuggets and fries and ate everyone. Logan order a cheeseburger which was too much food for the growing teenager to eat. This restaurant is obviously loved by locals too. We saw business men in ties, ranchers in cowboy hats and spurs, and road workers all enjoying the great food, nice waitresses, cool drinks, and air conditioned restaurant. The bar is so old that it is rumored that Billy the Kid bellyed up to it. Definitely worth a stop!

We stayed in Farmington last night.

2009-07-01T13:34:00.001-07:00

Then we visited Billy the Kids grave. Taiban NM was were my gggrandfather ranched. Took pics there. We ate lunch in Fort Sumner. You have to eat at Fred's when you drive through Fort Sumner. Bruce recommends the Blue Tortilla Enchildas.

2009-07-01T13:30:00.001-07:00

The 3G network is non existent in central and eastern New Mexico. We went through Lincoln NM and learned about the war there. Then we visited Billy the Kids ->

2009-07-01T13:26:00.001-07:00

Not too many internet connections and then Logan is on myspace when I turn on the computer. By the time he is done I have been asleep. The 3G network is non

2009-06-28T22:12:00.001-07:00

We just finished up with the Canon Family Rendevous here in Riudoso, New Mexico. It was great and we are all exhausted. Will write more when not on my cell.

June 25 – 3rd Leg - Grand Canyon Caverns to Holbrooke

2009-06-25T23:15:00.000-07:00

From the caverns we hot-footed it to our next landmark, the Meteor Crater just east of Flagstaff. This was definitely a sight to see. What an amazing hole in the ground. It is getting late so I will fill you in later. Or you can Google it. Definitely a worthwhile stop if you are in Northern Arizona.

We stopped on the corner in Winslow, Arizona. This was Bruce’s only request for the whole trip. Winslow has done a nice job of making the area represent the Eagle’s song. It is pretty interesting to think that a song can make that much of an impact on a community. Of course it is right in downtown Winslow on, you guessed it, Route 66.

It has rained off and on all day. Definitely different weather than we expected coming into this trip yesterday. It has been quite pleasant and is currently 67 degrees as Logan and I continue to communicate from a cozy Motel 6 in Holbrooke, Arizona. Bruce, Travis, and Chloe are fast asleep. Which is good, because Bruce is doing most of the driving. I am liking that part!

Tomorrow we will get to Ruidoso, but we will drive through the Petrified Forest first to make sure we get our National Park tour in. Hopefully the weather will still be as tempered.

June 25 – 2nd Leg – Lake Havasu City to Grand Canyon Caverns

2009-06-25T23:08:00.000-07:00

Once we left Lake Havasu City we found our way back to Route 66 and followed it through all the little towns outside of Kingman, Arizona. We passed through Hackberry, Valentine, Truxton, and Peach Springs. Each town had its current residents and it bit of history. Many of the once popular Route 66 businesses are being left to the desert and deteriorating. It is sad in a way, but the preservation of the highway is to be commended.

Just east of Peach Springs we looked to the North and got a momentary look at the Grand Canyon…all we were destined to see on this trip. Then, over the hill, around a bend, and across some flat desert we found what I was looking for…Grand Canyon Caverns.

We took a short little side road a mile or two and came to find a quaint set-up of a restaurant, gift shop, RV park, riding stables, and cavern entrance. The dinosaur in the front was the stopper for me. We checked the entrance fees and decided we had seen some excited caverns in our travels and so settled for a stroll through their museum and photo op area.

June 25, 2009 - First leg Needles to Lake Havasu

2009-06-25T22:59:00.000-07:00

Our day started out at 87 degrees and got much cooler as a rain shower settled into Needles, California before we left the motel. The pavement was so warm that it just evaporated with every big drop.

We arrived in Lake Havasu City quickly and easily found Addie’s home. Since this is the desert the front lawn landscape is interesting to say the least. Lots of rock, cactus, and amazingly enough, flowering viburnum. We even saw a roadrunner (a live one) cross the road.

We had a great visit with Addie and her lil’ ones. The boys got to reconnect with their cousins and meet Nathan. We are the first family to get to hold him! Adrienne shed large crocodile tears making us all feel terrible.

Unfortunately, Route 66 was calling our name and we had to leave. We crossed the London Bridge in the Suburban and on foot. Bruce says it is smaller than he imagined.

2009-06-25T22:15:00.000-07:00

June 25, 2009 – Thursday – 6:00 am – 87 degrees – scattered clouds

The motel we chose our first night out was in the Route 66 Dining and Lodging Guide book put out by the National Historic Route 66 Federation. It accepts pets, has a swimming pool, and is on Route 66. The pet is traveling extremely well, but is definitely an added concern and $5 to a room. I am sure it will be more if we upgrade our accommodations. Travis thought it was a perfect place for dogs since the floor was terrible. Since that is coming from a nine year old so enough said. I believe in the old adage that if you can’t say anything good about someone don’t say it at all. Okay, that isn’t so true. I do use the user comments on all the travel websites like Travelocity and Expedia so I think I will comment there. Not complaining: just letting the next guy know what to expect. Bruce was impressed with the comfortable bed and the pool was cooler than the 99 degrees at ten at night. So if you are ever in Needles, CA you can find a cheap enough room, with a cool pool, and a room that has a comfortable bed at the River Valley Inn right off of historic Route 66!

I find the facts interesting of how each town came into existence. Driving down the valley many of the towns current existence seems obviously whether it is industry, commerce, or agriculture. But why did people chose to settle there in the first place? This is a question one asks especially as one drives through this Mojave desert.

On our map we were gauging our route by the little towns we would miss on Route 66 as I chose the large, interstate format of travel. Bruce mentioned Ludlow and the name stuck in my mind. We did not drive through it, but why was it there? Turns out it began as a water stop for the Atlantic and Pacific Railroads in the late 1880’s. Needles came about due to the railroad, which in itself is interesting since it is a gateway to California across the Colorado River.

Some of the facts today are coming from a tour of Route 66 by Guy Randall and the city of Needles website. Just so you know I am not dredging up the facts on my own. Since this isn’t a paper I am turning in to my English teacher I hope that my credits are a tribute to those who are helping my facts and are easily Googled to find the true source of information.

2009-06-24T22:27:00.001-07:00

We left all signs of ag in Tehacapi and entered the eternal desert. We are now in Needles as Lake Havasu was too far leaving so late. It is 99 at 10:00. Ugh!

2009-06-24T22:22:00.001-07:00

I thankfully got to sleep 'til past Galt and then our first stop wasn't for 230 miles. Bruce isn't a freeway driver so he made it to Bakersfield before I drove

2009-06-24T22:15:00.001-07:00

After a rough start to the morning (I woke up with the stomach flu and Bruce had to do the final packing of the Suburban) we got out of the house by 9:30.

A preface to our first night stop

2009-06-22T09:54:00.000-07:00

Aran Johnson took this picture on 3 Nov 2003 and kindly let me use it. This is the London Bridge which is located at our first stop in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. We plan to visit my niece and drive over the Bridge.

The bridge was originally constructed in London in 1831 but become unsound over time. It found its way to the Mojave desert brick by brick through the enterprising efforts of Robert McCulloch of the McCulloch Oil Corporation beginning in 1968. He had the vision of adding a tourist attraction to his retirement real estate development in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. It worked. It was completely reconstructed, brick by brick, unlike the original bridge, a little over three years later in 1971. Wikipedia helped with my knowledge of this and hopefully you are more enlightened too.

This stop meets all of our requirements: sightseeing adventure=Travis - family visit=me - hotel bed =Bruce - cell phone/texting reception = Logan - and a Motel 6 that is pet-friendly =Chloe.

2009-06-22T08:50:00.001-07:00

We will be leaving bright and early on Wednesday. Let's see if that really happens!

Welcome to our blog page!

2009-06-22T08:27:00.000-07:00

As we are heading off into the southwest desert I wanted to establish a way to communicate with everyone during our trip. I would like to blog our trip as we go. So here is the beginning of the attempt.