Esteban, the Painter

The weekend after we returned from the Y. O., we went downtown to the Winspear Opera House and saw In the Heights.  This musical won the Tony Award in 2008, and I had heard a lot about it.  Joe indulged me by accompanying me to the play.  It's about the Dominican-American neighborhood of Washington Heights in New York City and centers around a couple of families struggles.  At first, I didn't think I was going to like it at all, but it grew on me a bit by the time it was over.  Certainly not my favorite play, but it was okay.

On Monday, after the play, Esteban came back to our house to do some work.  Esteban is our favorite painter.  He has painted most of our house by now.  This time, we had him back to paint our laundry room and to paint the outside of the house.  Joe had never had the outside of the house painted, so it was definitely time.  Not to mention that we replaced the garage door several years ago, so it has never exactly matched the house.  Fortunately, our garage is in the back of the house, so no one really saw it anyway.  Esteban also fixed a couple of wood features on the outside of our house.  We're not 100% sure why they're there, but after 30 years in the elements, they were disintegrating.  He talked me in to painting our front door a different color than the rest of the house - his gift to us for our loyalty.  I wasn't too sure about it, but he assured me it looks really nice, and I do like it!!  Here's the final results:

The front of our newly painted home

Our front door (darker color) and Esteban even painted our numbers!

What a concept!  A garage door that matches the rest of the house!

Wood feature around the side of the house that only Joe ever sees.

The other wood features are under our bedroom windows.

New laundry room paint - old washer and dryer!

Y. O. Ranch

After our dog-sitting duties were fulfilled, Joe and I loaded up the car and took a road-trip down to Kerrville to stay at the Y. O. Ranch.  I learned of the Y. O. Ranch when I received my first ever issue of Texas Highways in April of 1991 (not the first-ever issue, just MY first-ever issue).  There was an article about Kerrville and the Y. O. Ranch was included.  The ranch is family owned and has been in the same family since 1852.  In the 1950s they diversified and started raising Longhorn.  In the 1980s, they further diversified and brought in exotic animals. 

We spent one night at the ranch and that was plenty.  They have thirteen cabins there and we stayed in the Travis Cabin.  Included in the price are 3 meals, which are served family-style down at the Chuckwagon.  We arrived in the afternoon, checked in and wandered the grounds.  Across the street from the cabins is a lovely pool, although it was too cold to swim.  But, there is also an overlook and we relaxed there and spied a few animals over in the exotic section of the ranch. 

After dinner, we headed to the Lodge for a drink (also included in the price).  They had a TV, but there wasn't much on, so we decided to take our drinks across the street and enjoy the hot tub.  It was a lovely time under the stars. Chilly when we had to get out, but lovely nonetheless.

We opted out of a horseback-riding adventures, but on Sunday before we left, we took the Exotic Game Drive.  There were only 4 of us, so we took a suburban instead of one of the buses.  We saw several different types of interesting animals and learned about the ranch.  The guide did a really good job of explaining how/why they allow hunting of the exotic animals and even though I'm not a hunter and I'm glad Joe is not a hunter, I'm not necessary critical of those who do.  For the most part anyway.

Entrance to the Y.O. Ranch

Travis Cabin - our home for the night

The pool

The overlook

Joe enjoying the peace and quiet of the overlook

The Lodge

The Chuckwagon

Giraffe on the Exotic Game Drive

Wildebeest

Eland

Y. O. Ranch

The Longhorn...bidding us farewell!

Oreo

Apparently, Oreo had so much fun at our house last year, that he asked to come stay with us again.  So, during Spring Break (March 2012), we babysat Oreo.  We learned a few things the first time, so it was definitely easier.  And, we were able to get our dog fix for another few months.  I didn't really get any good pictures of him, but here he is.  Debbie calls him "poochy-pooch."  Um huh...

The rest of February and beginning of March

So, other than being sick (which I've mentioned a plethora of times), February 2012 ended quietly and March 2012 came in like a lamb, as well.  I finally recovered and we did usual couple stuff - shopping for birthday gifts, watching movies/tv shows, and doing some reading.  You know - the things you do to get through life.  

While we were on vacation, I read the book "The Help" and at the same time, my friend, Debbie Lou Hoo read it, too.  So early in March, she invited Joe and I over for dinner with her family and then she, I, and Joe watched the movie.  It was pretty good (nominated for an Academy Award) and followed the book pretty closely (it really was a very, very, very good book, though!!!).  And, it was fun to hang out with friends.

The other amusing/notable event was what I will call, "the saga with the washing machine."  One day we started a load of laundry and something didn't sound quite right.  We returned to the laundry room to find the floor covered in water (thank goodness Joe was home!).  Our washing machine is at least 10 years old because Joe bought it before I moved back to Texas and we have thought about getting a new one.  Of course, I assumed this meant the current one had finally died.  But, no.  The next day, Joe tears the washing machine apart and finds a whole in one of the hoses, so he goes online and buys a new one.  Sigh...  Oh, and he is sooooo proud of himself, too.  The hose arrives and he installs it and the machine works, but then a couple of days later, it spews water all over the floor again.  Again, I think my prayers have been answered!!!  But, no.  Joe messes around with it and figures out that some other piece had disconnected when he was moving the washer around and fixes it.  Again.  Since you already know that I'm a year behind in my blog, I'll go ahead and tell you...we still have the same washing machine today.

Death Valley & Other Southern California

We didn't make the Grand Canyon, but our next adventure still took us West.  Here's my travel journal from our first adventure of 2012. 

2/11/2012 – “I am NOT a CROOK!!!”

Are you sure about that, Tricky Dick???  Oh wait, I’m getting ahead of myself…

So….this was supposed to be the week we hiked the Grand Canyon, but as I mentioned, we postponed that.  And, in all honesty, it’s a good thing because I am sick.  Even if we were in shape, I don’t know that I could have hiked the Grand Canyon.  I’m coughing my fool head off and having a really hard time breathing at times. But, I’m ahead of myself again. 

We decided to go ahead and take the time off since it had already been requested.  We had a really tough time deciding what we wanted to do.  We put 10 options in a hat and Joe drew “Charleston and Savannah” three times, so we actually thought that we were going to do that.  But the closer it got to our vacation, the worse the weather was looking.  At the last minute, we opted for Death Valley.  Our best option to get there was through Las Vegas, but as usual, flights to Vegas were impossible.  We actually used a D1 and had hopes of making the last flight on Friday night since they had been getting 1 or 2 non-revs out on each flight.  It was clearly just not meant to be.  1) The agent working the 8:00 flight (the one just before ours) rolled all the people from the 10:00 flight to the 8:00 flight instead of vice-versa.  Then he/she PDC’d the flight so they couldn’t fix it.  Whoever figured out the flights had been messed up, relisted everyone and – supposedly – put their original check-in time to the side to make sure everything rolled properly.  (We later learned that they put the time they re-listed us there.)  Sigh.  2) Mis-connected passengers showed up from flights earlier in the day.  Needless to say, we did not make it so we decided to sleep in on Saturday and go for option #2 – Ontario, CA.

The good news is that we made it AND we even got first class!!!  The bad news is that AirServ put a wheelchair passenger in the bulkhead of first class instead of the bulkhead of coach, so we even though Joe and I had seats together, we didn’t actually sit together.  This was probably worse news for the lady that sat next to me since she had to listen to me hack and cough for a vast majority of the flight.

Anyway… After all that, we arrived safe and sound in Ontario.  Since we had made our reservations in Death Valley for Sunday night (in case we ran in to any additional flight problems) we decided to visit the Richard M. Nixon Presidential Library and Boyhood Home in Yorba Linda.  Nixon would be our 9^th Presidential Library and one of the least impressive.  Not much about his childhood or his family, except the boyhood home and his daughter’s wedding dresses, which I enjoyed immensely (Joe probably didn’t even realize they were there!).  They had one of the Marine One helicopters there, which are always interesting (there was also one at the Reagan Library).  There was a hallway dedicated to Watergate, although I still can’t proclaim to know what that was all about.  I actually remember Watergate, but I was too young to understand it.  A couple of people have tried to explain it to me and after reading about it at the library, I have decided this:  Nixon was paranoid.  He thought there was a conspiracy against him because someone (can’t remember his name) was releasing classified information.  So, the Watergate break-in was engineered, and the “robbers” were caught.  Then somewhere in there, Nixon realized he screwed up and tried to cover it up.  My mom made me watch his resignation on TV when it happened back in 1974.  She told me it was a historic event and I needed to watch it, so I did.  She was right, obviously – it was a historic event.  No other U.S. President has ever resigned.

Nixon Presidential Library

Joe is trying to listen in to the conversation between Winston Churchill, Charles de Gaulle, and Konrad Adenauer.

Final resting place of Richard M. Nixon and his wife, Pat.

Nixon's childhood home

"I am not a CROOK!!!!"

Other notables from the library – it gave Nixon the credit for getting the U.S. out of Vietnam.  He was the first President to sign a treaty with Russian (SALT I) that limited the use of weapons.  I will give him credit on his foreign policy.  As Vice-President under Eisenhower, he traveled the world – almost as an ambassador for the U.S. and managed to have pretty good relations with foreign powers.  He also is credited with opening up trade with China.

After the library, we headed toward Death Valley.  We had thought we would make it to Baker, but instead we ended up spending the night in Barstow.  While online looking at options, I brought up Yahoo on my phone and the lead story was that Whitney Houston had died at age 48.  I doubt it will be a huge surprise when the results of her autopsy come back and we find out what she died from.

We spent the night at the “cheap” Holiday Inn Express.  It wasn’t a very restful night for either of us because of my coughing and general misery…

I wonder if this is why the hotel was cheap!?!?!

2/12/2012 – Manzanar and on to Death Valley

This morning, after our free breakfast at the Holiday Inn Express and an unsuccessful search for a Care Now, we headed toward Manzanar National Historic Site.  Manzanar is one of 10 Japanese internment camps that were set up during World War II.  More than 110,000 men, women, and children were forced by the US government to leave their homes, and most of their belongings, and were imprisoned in remote, military-style camps. 

Besides the sentry posts and auditorium, most of what remains consists of foundations, concrete slabs and garden features.  The National Park Service is, however, rebuilding some parts of the camp to give visitors an indication of what life was like there.  The residential area was about one square mile and consisted of 36 blocks of hastily constructed tarpaper barracks, with each family living in a single 20-foot by 25-foot “apartment” in the barracks.  Each residential block also had a communal mess hall, a laundry room, a recreation hall, an ironing room, and a heating oil storage tank.  The restrooms were also communal – one for the men and one for the women. 

When the war was over, the refugees were released and the buildings were sold as scrap lumber or moved to private property throughout Owens Valley.  Manzanar was the sixth camp to be closed.  Although the incarcerees had been brought there by the United States Government, they had to leave the camp and travel to their next destinations on their own.  The War Relocation Authority gave each person $25 ($323 today), one-way train or bus fare, and meals to those who had less than $600 ($7,746 today).  While many left the camp voluntarily, a significant number refused to leave because they had no place to go after having lost everything when they were forcibly uprooted and removed from their homes. As such, they had to be forcibly removed once again, this time from Manzanar.  

150 incarcerees died at Manzanar.  Fifteen were buried there, but only six graves remain, as most were later reburied elsewhere by their families.  We drove the circle and saw the various areas – got out and visited a reconstructed barracks, a reconstructed mess hall, and the cemetery.  It was a pretty interesting place.  

Inside the reconstructed barracks

This cemetery monument memorializes the 150 prisoners who died here during the war.

From Manzanar, we began our journey to Death Valley.  Our only stop along the way was just inside the park at the Father Crowley Vista for a scenic view.  Then we went to the Furnace Creek Inn and checked in.  Our room was #119 and it was just lovely.  This place is a true oasis in the desert!  The grounds are absolutely beautiful.   

Father Crowley Vista

Furnace Creek Inn (postcard)

Our room - #119

Once you get to Death Valley you are pretty much confined to Death Valley.  It is truly in the middle of nowhere.  But there were a few options for eating in the Furnace Creek area where we were staying and we would quite enjoy our 2 nights there.

2/13/2012 – Scotty’s Castle and a few other sites

After another rough night for me of coughing and for Joe having to listen, we managed to get up and moving.  Our first destination was Scotty’s Castle.  Several years ago my parents had been to Death Valley and raved and raved about Scotty’s Castle.  By the time we made the 45+ mile drive and got our tickets at the visitor center, we were on the 11:00 tour.  We opted for the House Tour, which is recommended for first time visitors and, as the name suggests, it takes you through the house.  The tour starts with the history behind the house – whose real owners were Albert and Bessie Johnson – and Death Valley Scotty.  As it turns out, Death Valley Scotty was really just a conman.  But, somehow along the way, he actually became friends with Albert Johnson, presumably because he was funny and entertaining and Albert enjoyed his company.  The house is designed as a Spanish hacienda and the interior was quite beautiful.  We learned a lot about Albert and Bessie.  The Johnson’s were quite wealthy.  Albert served for many years as the President of National Life Insurance Company, but he first made money in a lead-zinc mine.  He first met Scotty when Scotty approached him to invest in a gold mine he had allegedly discovered in Death Valley.  Even though Johnson had several confirmations that the mine was a scam, he went to Death Valley to see for himself.  Eventually he discovered that the mine did not exist, but he continued his trips to visit Scotty, as he had learned to enjoy Death Valley.

Scotty's Castle

After seeing the house, we walked around the grounds a bit.  Scotty’s grave is on a hill behind the house, up the Windy Point Trail.  Joe wanted to walk up there, so I told him to go ahead and I would go as far as I could.  I was still walking up when it started to RAIN!!!  I can’t believe we were in Death Valley when it rained!!!  Joe scrambled to the top and took a few pictures and then we hurried back to the bottom to find shelter. 

Scotty's final resting place

Scotty's grave overlooking the grounds

RAIN??? Really?

For the record, Death Valley gets an average of less than 2” of rainfall a year.  It seemed like it rained that much in the 20-30 minutes it poured rain today.  When we made it back to the visitor center, the rangers were teasing us about how “lucky” we were to see rain in Death Valley since few visitors do.  I’m not quite sure how to take that.  I don’t really enjoy rain when I’m vacationing!!!

From Scotty’s Castle, we drove over to the Ubehebe Crater.  Poor Joe would have loved to hike around a bit, but I just wasn’t up to it and he wouldn’t leave me.  Hopefully we’ll get a chance to return to Death Valley some time and get those hikes in!!!  The crater was created by a massive volcanic explosion caused by the violent release of underground steam pressure. When the cinders and dust settled, a 600 feet deep crater remained. It’s interesting and kind of colorful.  I would have liked to have spent some additional time there hiking, too.  Maybe next time!!! 

Ubehebe Crater

After Ubehebe Crater, we started heading back to the Furnace Creek area.  We saw rain or a sand storm on the way that was quite interesting.  It was off in the distance and, fortunately, it did not hinder our travels.

Back at Furnace Creek, we headed to Zabriskie Point for the sunset.  It truly is a beautiful spot.  Unfortunately, the sky was a bit cloudy, so we didn’t get the full sunset experience.  It was still very pretty, though, and worth the try.

It was our last night, and though it was chilly, we decided that we would take a dip in the pool.  The pool stays a constant temperature because it is filled with spring water.  It was actually quite lovely (much like it was heated) – until we had to get out!!!  I’m really glad we did it, though.  

Spring-fed Pool

2/14/2012 – Finishing up in Death Valley

I had yet another fitful night (starting to sound like a broken record, right?).  So much so, in fact, that Joe got up and went back to Zabriskie Point for the sunrise.  He got some nice pictures – looked really beautiful.

Sunrise at Zabriskie Point

After breakfast we checked out of our hotel, but we still had a lot of Death Valley to see.  We started out with a quick pass through the Harmony Borax Works.  This mine was not open for long, but is famous for its use of large “Twenty-mule teams” and double wagons which hauled borax the long overland route to the closest railroad in Mojave, California.

From there, we headed south to Badwater.  Badwater is the lowest spot in North America at 282 feet below sea level.  We actually, really loved this place.  They have a sign on the mountain that shows where sea level actually is, but it was the salt flats there that we thought were just incredible. 

Badwater

Self-portrait at Badwater

Believe it or not, I guess I was feeling a little better because I managed to do a couple of short hikes.  I didn’t want Joe’s vacation to be a total loss just because I was sick, after all.  First we stopped and hiked back to the Natural Bridge.  I think it was only about ½-mile.  After that, we went to Golden Canyon and walked the Interpretive Trail.  It was a bit further, but definitely not a stressful or difficult hike.  The weather was really perfect, too.

After our hikes, we drove through the Devil's golf course and Artist’s Drive, where we stopped to admire the Artists Palette.  From there, we headed toward Las Vegas to visit Joe’s cousin, Christy and her family.  On the way out of town, we did make one more stop at Dante’s View for a look over Death Valley.  It was up and up and up to the viewpoint, but really beautiful and interesting to look down over what we had seen earlier.

Artist's Palette (picture really doesn't do it justice!)

From Dante's View

It was still daylight when we got to Vegas.  After a stop for more drugs and some Kleenex, we went to the Richard’s where we would spend the next few days.

2/15/2012 – 2/16/2012 – Las Vegas

We stayed at the Richard’s for the next 3 nights.  Although we did make it out for meals, we didn’t do any sightseeing in Vegas or go to any shows.  Part of me was a little disappointed, but still suffering from my cold, it was – admittedly – nice to relax and read and sleep.

2/17/2012 – Heading back to the airport, seeing Joshua Tree on the way

On Friday morning, we got up and headed back to Southern California to catch our flight home on Saturday.  We left fairly early in the morning and decided to go to Joshua Tree National Park on the way.  The most direct route took us south on I-15 and then straight through the middle of Mojave National Preserve.  Mojave is actually the third largest unit of the National Park Service at 1.6 million acres.  We weren’t prepared for a “real” visit, but we did make one stop there – at the Kelso Visitor Center.

Our last stop of this vacation was Joshua Tree National Park.  We stopped first at the visitor center and learned a little about the park.  Then we headed south to experience the park.  Believe it or not, it had actually snowed the day before.  I’m not sure how common that is, but it made for an interesting Joshua Tree experience.  Our first stop was a 1-mile loop hike at Hidden Canyon.  It took forever because of the snow, which we were clearly not prepared for, but it was interesting.  The area had been used as a hideout for cattle rustlers and you could see why with all the rocks and hidden areas.  It was really beautiful, though, even more so with the snow.

In Hidden Canyon

Joshua Tree - not just a U2 album

After our hike, we drove to Keys View and took a look over the valley.  It was an absolutely beautiful day!!  On the way out of the park, we saw Cap Rock and then we drove to the south end and out through Palm Springs.  It was a really quick look at Joshua Tree, but a taste that left me yearning for more.  I hope we can return and see more.

Keys View

Cap Rock

Leaving Joshua Tree National Park after a very quick visit!

2/18/2012 – On the way home…

We got up this morning and headed home.  For a last minute plan and a bad cold for me, we saw some really cool stuff and also got to relax a little, so it didn’t turn out so bad.  I wish we could have had dinner at the Furnace Creek Inn – well, actually we could have, but since I couldn’t taste anything I didn’t think it was worth $100.  Perhaps on a return trip we will try those famous rattlesnake empanadas.  In the meantime, we’ll be getting ready for our next adventure!!