Christmas Letter to Friends and Family

Another great year is almost at an end.  After working for Amazon last season, we visited Kathy’s Mom for Christmas.  We started 2016 by traveling to Quartzsite AZ, to attend one of the largest RV gatherings in the world.  We had a wonderful time seeing many great friends of the IRV2 community forum and camped for 2-weeks in the desert.  We also purchased a new HD Satellite system for our motor home.  While traveling west, we saw first-hand the major flooding that closed many major highways.  Major rain caused many rivers and streams to push water over their banks where the water overflowed to reach major highways. 

From Quartzsite AZ, we traveled straight back to Deer Creek to spend some quality time relaxing and playing golf. The reason for the quick return was that our toilet was in major need of repair and we could not find the needed parts anywhere along our route.   

After relaxing at Deer Creek, we traveled back to Kathy’s Moms for Mother’s Day.  We surprised Mom with a portable weather station.  When she opened the package, she looked at us and said:“You brought me a drone?”.  We had a great laugh and explained that it was a weather station that would track and forecast her upcoming weather.  The station sits outside and sends wireless reports to her display in the kitchen. 

In early June, we drove to Baltimore to attend our Grandson Ryan’s High School Graduation. Ryan is now attending Baltimore County Community College and plans to transfer to  the University of Maryland next fall to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering. Jake, his brother, is now a freshman at Eastern Technical High School. His interests are in computing and networking.     We posted photos of the graduation on our blog.  

Mid-June, Karyn along with Wayne, grandson Jake and Haley, Wayne’s daughter met us at Cedar Point Amusement Park in Ohio for four days of fun.  We had a great time! 

In July, we drove back to Baltimore in the minivan to attend Karyn and Wayne’s wedding.  The wedding was beautiful.  We wish them both years of happiness! They also have the RVing bug.  They own a fifth wheel and use it most weekends during the summer.

We returned back to Ft Wayne till we started here again in August at Amazon.  

We would like to wish Judy Coors our very best as she fights a health issue.  We also want to wish continued success to Barry Mann as he continues to recover from his surgery.  

We wish a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of our friends and their families.

Our major goal for 2017 is to hike the Grand Canyon from the North to the South Rim or maybe another trip north to Alaska. 

P.S. We added some great photos of our travels.  Enjoy!

Dave & Kathy

Click on any photo to enlarge.

Lower Antelope Canyon,  May 2013 

Alpine Hike with Denali in the background,  May 2009

Barry and Donna Mann, Ooh Aah point, Grand Canyon, April 2013 

Hoodoos,  Bryce Canyon, May 2013

Canyon Area, Yellowstone NP, 2001

Great Sand Dunes NP, June 2015

Glacier, Seward Alaska, 2009

Montezuma Castle National Monument, April 2013

Glacier-Waterton NP, Canada, June 2013

North Rim of the Grand Canyon, 2015

Mount Rushmore National Memorial , 2007 

Father's Day at Cedar Point

On Sunday June 19th 2016,  we arrived for a 3-day visit to Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky OH.  Our tickets originally got us entrance to the park on the next day, however my Daughter Karyn surprised me with evening passes for Father's Day!  Here we are entering the park.

One of our first rides was the Raptor, a tune up to the bigger, faster rides to come. 

Someone convinced Karyn, I think it was Hailey, to ride the "Wicked Twister". She was not so "thrilled" as one might think.  

On board the Gate Keeper. That's me, waving to Kathy.

Here's a short video of the Gate Keeper.

The fastest ride in the park "Top Thrill Dragster". It was the first full circuit roller coaster to exceed 400 feet in height, and was the tallest roller coaster in the world, before being surpassed by Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure in May 2005.

After leaving the station, the train enters the launch area. To the left of the launch area is a "Christmas tree" light, similar to those employed at the starting line of a drag strip. A brief message is played to the riders to: "keep arms down, head back, and hold on." Once the train is prepared to launch, a motor revving sound effect is played and its magnetic braking fins are lowered from the launch track. It then launches, accelerating to a speed of 120 mph in 3.8 seconds. Shortly after reaching its maximum velocity, the train begins its ascent up a 90-degree incline, twisting 90 degrees clockwise before climbing over the 420-foot top hat. Upon descending, the track twists 270 degrees before leveling out, allowing the train to be stopped by the magnetic brakes.

A photo of Kathy and I standing in front of my favorite ride "Top Thrill Dragster" in the background. 

I am pointing at Kathy's bandage.  She tripped getting out of a ride called the "Monster" and scraped her knee.  She is hoping that snoopy will console her. 

Wayne and Kathy share a seat on the Scrambler. It's listed as an Amusement Park ride. Let's leave it at that.

 Kathy and I in front of the Millennium Force.  May the Force be with us!.  It is one of my favorite rides at Cedar Point. 

Jake and Hailey decided to do the Slingshot.  You strap into the seat; the seat rolls back as shown, then shoots you up above 300 feet at 62 mph.  Jake said you do get to see all of the park, if only for a few seconds.  

Jake and I just chilling at the campground.

A group shot with Hailey, Wayne, Karyn and Jake.  Ryan stayed at home to take care of the dogs; Grace and Oscar, and Jake's Cat Sophie. We had a terrific time.  This is Wayne's first visit to the park. Something tells me it will not be his last.

Kathy and I wish Karyn and Wayne an amazing journey as they get get ready to begin their new life as husband and wife on July 3, 2016.   We look forward to being there for the big day!

Flight 93 National Memorial

This is a photo of our first visit to the Flight 93 Memorial in 2013. The Flight 93 National Memorial is located at the site of the crash of United Airlines Flight 93, which was hijacked in the September 11 attacks, in Stonycreek Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

Fast forward 3 years to the new Flight 93 National Memorial.  

A new 26 million dollar facility that is a fitting tribute to the 40 men and women that perished that September day.  We toured the memorial site with our friends Vaughn and Margie Woods.  

The day started out like any other day.

The second plane hits the second tower.

At 9:25 a.m. the FAA orders a nationwide ground stop of all flights.  

This shows the flight path of United Airlines Flight 93.

Here you can listen to actual calls from individuals on board to their love ones.  Many of these calls will make you cry.

This display is dedicated to first responders. 

Here actual debris that was found at the crash site is displayed.  

This display includes items that were left at the site from fellow Americans honoring these heroes.  Due to the tremendous number of items placed at the site, the display will be changed this year with other items that were also placed at the site.  

Here is a list of all the people that were killed that dreadful September day.

If you click to enlarge this photo you will see a boulder that represents the actual crash site of United Airlines Flight 93.  May God bless those brave souls and may they never ever be forgotten. 

Grandson Graduation Video

The below video is dedicated to our grandson Ryan who just graduated from Eastern Technical High School.  

The Marquee photo. 

Ryan watching the proceedings. 

The 2016 graduate.

Ryan and his Mom.

Ryan and his very proud grandparents.

That diploma you hold in your hands today is really just your learner’s permit for the rest of the drive through life. Remember, you don’t have to be smarter than the next person, all you have to do is be willing to work harder than the next person.

Click arrow to start presentation. Click box in lower right corner to access full screen.

Quartzsite 2016

Quartzsite AZ is the mecca for winter snowbirds in the southwest. Located about 15 miles east of the California and Arizona border, this tiny town surrounded by a vast desert landscape is where thousands of RVers flock together every January and February. If you’ve never been to Quartzsite, home to the world’s largest RV rally, you really need to put this on your RV "To DO" list. 

Here's the IRV2 Monaco Group located at La Posa South (BLM) about 4 miles south of the big tent.  Although most RV's are Monaco many others friends join this group for their annual get together.  

We arrived from Laughlin NV (Riverside Casino) on Jan 13th along with Mike and Sharon.  Our friends, Rick and Mic, arrived from Phoenix AZ the same day as well.  Here we are set up in La Posa South BLM land. We are staying with the Monaco IRV2 owners group.  You pay $40 to camp here for 14 days.  We liked this area because it is equipped with trash dumpsters,  RV dump and a fresh water station. 

Quartzsite is a great place to get your rig in prime condition for the rest of the snowbird season and beyond. That’s because manufacturers know that the annual gathering is an easy way to showcase their RV goods and services to thousands of RVers, all camped out in one location.   Mike, referred to as "Drifter" by the group, installs a gas strut on the front door of our coach.  Mike will literately drill a hole into anything.  Monaco uses a metal scissor arm which needs to be realigned or replaced every six months to a year. 

Here is a photo of the completed install.  The strut is a 20 pound gas strut secured by two  mounting brackets.  Not only does it work perfectly, it eliminated the door noise we experienced while driving our rig over bumpy roads and ruts.  Thank You Drifter for a job well done!  In addition to the door strut, we installed a hard wired cable the length of the coach for rear-view camera.  I also completed many other RV repairs that needed attention.  My thanks to the many friends who assisted my efforts. 

Fifty-Five coaches attended the annual event.  Kathy and I had a great time seeing old friends and meeting many new ones.  We look forward to our return in the future. 

After having dinner at a local establishment, the group sets around a huge camp fire every night and discusses the days activities. 

Here's a look at a rig taking on water.  Notice the solar panel atop the roof.  RV's use solar energy to charge their batteries and reduce generator time.  Solar is a must for anyone that dry camps on a regular basis. 

Here another group of RVers 1/2 mile down the road from our location. This group consists of conversion Buses, Bluebirds and  Wander Lodge coaches.  

Here's our new Winegard Traveler Satellite Dish.   The dish is High Definition  (HD) capable and we can now record two shows on each of our receivers.  HD is definitely the way to go!  The unit is automatic when turned on and takes about 8-10 minutes to locate the Direct TV satellites. 

Kathy and I were selected to receive a free Magne Shade from Amazon to help advertise their Amazon Camperforce Program.  All they ask is for us to display the shade at campgrounds and rallies. Kathy already signed up one person to work at Campbellsville KY SDF-1 facility next year.  She is also still working on getting me to return for year 5.

The get together is not complete without Kathy's freshly made doughnuts. This is one of the highlights of the trip. You can't eat just one!

Here's one of the many fantastic sunsets we enjoyed during our stay. 

Another great sunset.

We also had a full moon on the night before we departed.  This photo was taken on the morning we departed.  The weather was excellent during our stay. 

A look at the final sunrise prior to leaving.  We say good-bye and safe travels to our friends.