Author Archives: Elizabeth & Gary's Magic Bus Tour

RED BAY HERE WE COME —-

Roll in and out of the Chicago area we did – Orland Park to be specific.  We were able to see our friends’ – the Stinson’s – new home where we spent many hours eating, drinking, catching up, telling stories about whoever was not there and watching Da Bears!  A round of golf at Cog Hill was also on the agenda.  What more could any one ask for??  Oh yea – there are NO pictures of all these events to post as “what happens in Orland Park stays in Orland Park”;-)
When we could not handle any more of such a good time (and the calendar dictated that we move on) – Magic wandered into Springfield to a wonderful spot at the Illinois State Fairground under a BIG old oak tree – 
Thank goodness for the shade. 
Loved the shade as still no air conditioner in the rear and temps in the 100’s with equal humidity.   This weather was a definite incentive to stay inside and the Lincoln Museum and Library were just the answer.
Abraham Lincoln moved to Springfield in 1837, the year it became the state capital.  A self-taught lawyer with only one year of frontier schooling, Lincoln rode his horse into Springfield with all his belongings in two saddlebags.  He married Mary Todd in 1842 and in 1844 the couple bought a small cottage at the corner of Eighth and Jackson streets for $1500!!  They occupied the home for the next 17 years – until they moved to the White House in 1861.  Over the years the house was enlarged to accommodate their growing family including the “raising of the roof” to add the full second story in 1855 – 1856.  Between Mary’s entertaining and the mischief of their boys this was a lively house!!

The Lincoln home

Although they rented the house while in Washington in anticipation of returning at the end of Lincoln’s term in office – sadly Lincoln did not return.  His only surviving son Robert became sole owner of the home, which was donated to the people of Illinois in 1887 and then to the US in 1972.
Most of the current Presidents begin planning their Library as soon as they are elected.  Lincoln’s Library and Museum were ‘planned’ 100 years after his death.  The Library opened in 2004 and the Museum in 2005 – and we spent the morning touring both (no pictures allowed here).  Must see sights when in the area – along with his law office, the train depot from which he departed after his election and his tomb.  An unrelated item – there is also a Frank Lloyd Wright house to see in town.
Red Bay was calling so we moved on to Memphis for a quick stay.  But, on the way the Mighty Mississippi provided a lunch stop with a view –

Love our Lunch stops;-)

And a picturesque bridge –

Dinner down on Beale St. was good, entertaining and lively!!

Beale Street in Memphis – and this was a Wednesday night!!

Fried pickles…really??

Magic arrived at “The Mother Shop” on Thursday for an appointment on Friday the 13th!!  In case you don’t know the history – Tiffin bought the local airport and turned it into its service center.  The “parking spots” are lined up along the runway –

The queue at the Tiffin Service Center – Runway 8


 –  –  and the hangars became the service bays.  At 11 AM on Friday we got the call to report to Bay 35;-)  (This was MAJOR progress as many of the 100+ coaches had been here for two weeks before they got that call!!)

Magic’s service bay for the next several days (hopefully).

No work for Magic on the weekend, so E & G headed to Muscle Shoals/Florence and two of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail courses – The Schoolmaster and Fighting Joe.  Somehow the weather Gods smiled on us and a cool front came through making the two mornings just beautiful!  We especially enjoyed Sunday on Fighting Joe.  They aerated the greens last week and no one wanted to play that course.  So – we had it completely to ourselves AND invoked the ‘two putt’ rule.  A really fun round of golf;-)

The Schoolmaster Course at The Shoals schooled us well!

But it was beautiful

Fighting Joe gave us a good fight also!

18th hole – Bring us home;-)

Florence also happens to be home to the only Frank Lloyd Wright designed structure in the state of Alabama – designed and built in 1939-1940.  His works are truly remarkable.  The pureness and functionality are something to see.  We both figured that with his use of space he would have been a great coach designer!!

The Rosenbaum House designed by Frank LLoyd Wright.

Now – we wait – and watch workers – and wait – and watch workers – and wait – – –

Keep you posted on Magic’s ‘touch ups’ —  Watching and waiting E & G from Red Bay

AND SO WE GO – EASTBOUND

Labor Day came and went and so did we after a last round of golf in SLC and a “Last Dinner” with friends;-)  Tuesday morning we headed east out of Park City with our first night’s destination of Centennial, WY.  It was a beautiful day with cloud cover making for interesting shadows as we crossed the rather barren landscape of WY. 
With little else to do but track our way across the Atlas – I noticed that just outside of Green River, WY (about 80 miles east of Evanston) resided the Greater Green River Intergalactic Spaceport!!  NO JOKE!  Seems that in 1994 NASA determined that Jupiter would be hit by up to 6 comets or meteors, possibly destroying any life on the planet.  Therefore, the Mayor and Council of Green River passed a resolution on July 5, 2004 allowing any citizens of Jupiter to take sanctuary in their town, authorizing NASA to “broadcast this offer to the possible residents of Jupiter and designating the aircraft landing field just south of the city as the Greater Green River Intergalactic Spaceport.”  To date – no Jovians have sought sanctuary in Green River;-(
Researching the above (and a nap or two for the passenger) took us to about the middle of WY – where we crossed the Continental Divide and shortly after turned onto WY 130, a wonderful, little two lane ‘green dot’ road!!  Boy were we happy to be back on a road like this – brought smiles to both of our faces.

Off on another “green dot” road…

WY 130 took us into the Medicine Bow National Forrest and across the Snowy Mountain Range – beautiful!!  At the beginning of this journey we ran into another interesting item to research.  There appeared to be a VERY BIG ranch just out of Saratoga, WY (just at the beginning of WY 130).  After miles of signs for this ranch – Brush Creek Ranch – more research was in order.   You can enjoy this wonderful 15,000 acre ranch for as little as $1200/night (off peak) for a lodge room to $4000/night for a Deluxe Log Cabin.  You really need to check this one out for your next family or business outing.  It is in a truly beautiful setting.
We – on the other hand – tooled down the road to our most hospitable friends ‘spread’ in Centennial and parked Magic proudly in their driveway;-)  AND – we had the most wonderful evening exploring their property, eating some wonderful WY beef that they grilled for us along with an outstanding bottle of wine and enjoying their company until late into the night. 

Our hosts’ house can be seen in the background from our “camping spot”.

The view of Magic from the house.

On the ranch tour with Frank, Judy and Tanner.

Truly a beautiful piece of property
Tanner clearly outweighs Elizabeth.

We also got a guided tour of Laramie in the morning before we continued on our travels east.  All in all – a wonderful stay in WY and we thank Frank and Judy for the friendship.
Next up – Gothenburg, NE.  “Why Gothenburg?” – you might ask.  Well, there was a write-up on a “Best Muni Golf Course” – so, we had to check it out.  Soooo, we found ourselves in the trees at the Lafayette Park Campground for a $15/night spot.  It was an early tee time – thank goodness – as it approached mid-90’s with a fairly high humidity factor by the time we were off the course.  It was an interesting round as the course is literally in the middle of the corn and hay fields.  I think the 150 yard markers were a reminder to all to keep up the pace of play or else —-

The Wild Horse links course amid the corn fields.

Very unusual 150 yards markers on the fairways.

Our travel route also approximates the Pony Express trail.  Therefore, it was no surprise that Gothenburg is the Pony Express Capital of Nebraska!!  This required a quick trip to the Pony Express Station and Fur Trading Post in Gothenburg before we continued our trek to Omaha.  Some facts that we did not know – the Pony Express Trail went thru Nebraska to Sacramento via Salt Lake City and also approximates the trail that the Mormons took from the east to SLC. 

 Pony Express station in Gothenburg, NE

Our arrival in Omaha was timed perfectly to get to our parking spot (no pictures needed of this one), change clothes and head to Omaha Prime for a good Omaha steak for dinner;-)

Here’s the beef.

Other than eating steak – Omaha’s prime activity was the zoo.  Wonderful exhibits of the desert, rain forests, aquarium – and all the usual –

Very hot and humid at the Omaha Zoo…giraffes in the shade,
Rhinos in the mud, 

Geez can a guy get an umbrella up here?

Tomorrow we roll into the greater Chicago area to visit with more friends (Stinson’s).  There will be more dinners, drinks, conversation, Bear’s game, golf – and who knows what else?!?!?!?!
OH YES – forgot to mention a few little items.  Good thing we are headed to Red Bay for a few ‘corrections’ on the Bus.  While driving in WY, the turn signal indicator ‘arm’ came off in Gary’s hand.  Shortly after – the rear air conditioning unit made some awful sounds and ‘gave up the ghost’!!  Just hoping nothing that actually prevents us from travelling happens before we get to AL.
Fingers crossed for a few more days – E & G

OUR FINAL DAYS – – –

– – -That is in Park City!!  It is soooo hard to believe that we have been here for two months and the old Bus will be pulling out of there Tuesday morning.  But – – all good things must come to an end and some things must be saved to savor in another year.
During the past three weeks we have watched Park City evolve from summer to fall!  It always surprises us how early the leaves – and therefore the mountainsides – become colorful.

Autumn in Park City always arrives before we expect it.
This year even the weather has changed from the clear blue skies to the cloudy skies filled with thunder storms that E loves;-)  It seems that this weather has even encouraged all the animals to come out and enjoy – especially on the golf courses –

Moose in the pond off the 4th tee at Mountain Dell GC.

Moose in the street in the Thaynes Canyon neighborhood.
Fawns with Mom on the Wasatch GC.

As I checked the calendar to see what all we had been up to for the last three weeks – I found we have been quite busy!!  There have been several concerts at Deer Valley including the Music of the Rolling Stones, Lyle Lovett, Jewel and One Republic.  There was also one of the “Full Moon Concerts” at our favorite indoor, intimate venue – Riff’s – that featured the Side Show Ramblers.

At a concert with Jane and Jack.
Our hikes with Sally continued seeing the sights of PC on Rob’s Trail and views of the Uintas on the Lofty Lake Trail.  


Views of the Uinta Mountains from the Lofty Lake Loop trail.

(We also helped Sally celebrate a BIG (number) b-day with a dinner at Adolphs).
And of course, there were more dinners at the Bus with friends, a Lobster feast at Nitka’s, and a Southern dinner at friends Cherie and John’s.  We also continued our golf with many friends including Rheta and Tom, the Harts, Sally, Robert AND enjoyed drinking, eating and playing various games with friends met here in the “Park”.
As said in the beginning – all good things must come to an end;-(  So, Tuesday morning the Bus will be packed and it will become “a horse headed for home” as we head to the home of Tiffin in Red Bay, AL.
Keep you posted on our travels to Red Bay.  Until then – E & G back on the road

Hiking the Wasatch

Don’t know where the last couple of weeks have gone – but, we sure have been busy.
The concerts have continued – both at Deer Valley and at Red Butte Gardens in Salt Lake City.  Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Band performed with the Symphony with some of the best banjo playing by Martin – AND, a running comedy routine.  My cheeks actually hurt from laughing so much by the time we got to the car at the end of the nightJ  There was also an excellent production of Evita at the little local Egyptian Theater here in town.  AND – the iconic Merle Haggard (still with a good voice) at the Red Butte – 
Merle Haggard concert at Red Butte Gardens – a little fuzzy because you have had a couple of vodkas!!

The cardio activity for the past two weeks has been hiking the Wasatch instead of the bike in the gym.  A MUCH better choice as the wild flowers, berries and butterflies are BEAUTIFUL!!
The first hike was a 4-miler (round trip) with a 1700’ vertical in Lamb’s Canyon.  Lots of berries in vivid reds and yogurt looking white, along with many butterflies.  Our reward at the top of the hike was a view over the saddle of the Salt Lake Valley.

Lots of butterflies along the way.

The view down Mill Creek Canyon into the Salt Lake valley from the top of Lamb’s Canyon trail.

Berries, berries…

..and more berries.

Next – Deer Valley provided the exercise via the Silver Lake 4 mile loop (1500’ vertical).  This time the reward (besides lunch at Royal Street Café) was views of Jordanelle Lake and the Kamas and Heber Valleys.

Jordanelle Reservoir and the Kamas Valley – and Sally and Elizabeth;-)

Albion Basin at Alta was the next to check off the list – a heavily travelled area this time of year for the beautiful and abundant wild flowers.  We were perhaps a week to 10 days late – but, still had a great hike amidst flower carpets.  The reward this hike – Cecret Lake hidden above the rock bluffs we climbed.  Also the fact that the storm held off just ‘til we got back to the car;-)  AND – the most beautiful butterfly of all –

Cecret Lake in the Albion Basin

The hiking Three Musketeers – G, E & Sally 

We only saw one of these.  Evidently they are around for only a few days a year.

Storm clouds heading in.  Time to head for the car.

In between all this activity, E had book club at the Bus, we scouted out the Art Fest AND G had Bus envy when a gorgeous Prevost pulled in next to us for four days —-

This gave Gary high levels of “coach envy” 

It is hard to believe that we are down to only three more weeks here in Park City before we head east to Red Bay, AL to take Magic ‘home’ for a check-up.
Hope all is well with all of you as the school year begins again and fall is upon us –
Lots of Love – E & G

More Park City Highlights

Since last we left you – it has continued to rain – and rain – and rain.  It has not inhibited any of our activities, however, and is much needed.  Like the monsoons in Arizona, the storms move thru quickly mostly in the late afternoon or evening.  This does mean that for most of our concerts we have made VERY good use of all our rain gear!!  Especially this past weekend when we had three consecutive nights of concerts;-)
In between the music we have played golf on our regular three days a week schedule (Monday, Wednesday & Friday) – some days with old friends and some days with new friends we have met in the Park.
AND – lots of dinners.  Back in the land of 2-4-1’s – we have made good use of those coupons.  Some dinners have been with old friends here at the Bus – including a pizza party with friends Sarah, Eric, their two boys (6 years and 4 years) and grandparents.  Cash, the 6 year old, made all the pizzas!!  He really took to it –

Chef Cash..tossin pizza dough.

Our young moose was also back this week.  She seemed to make herself at home right in the middle of all the coaches here in the PC RV Park!!  Most of all she LOVED all the flowers.  And, after a little snack of all the pink roses in the park she felt soooo at home she just plunked down to take a little rest – 

This young moose liked the flowers in our campground.

Eating flowers is hard work..think I’ll take a break.

I’ve got my eye on you – don’t come any closer!!

This morning’s entertainment was the landing of the morning balloon excursions adjacent to the RV Park;-)

All in all – a VERY good week with never a dull moment.  Hope yours was a good one too  – E & G 

July 4th Continues AND More PC Sights and Sounds

MORE fireworks on the 3rd at the Canyons – 
The Canyons Resort did their fireworks show on the 3rd.

And, finally – THE 4TH OF JULY!!  In Park City that means the pancake breakfast in City Park and the parade on Main Street.  This year the theme was America AND the Grand Marshall was the world famous Ted Ligety –

Budget sequester led to this replacement for Air Force jets flyover at the Park City Main Street parade.

Olympic Gold Medalist Ted Ligety was the Grand Marshall of this year’s parade.

Hooray for the red, white and blue.

This year there was also a concert at Deer Valley in the evening AND MORE FIREWORKS!!
Park City Resorts 4th of July fireworks show was not dampened by the rain.

The weekend after brought another concert with the Utah Symphony and the Music of John Denver. This was a wonderful concert even though it rained on us off and on all night.  Oh well – we were prepared with all the gear – 2 umbrellas, 2 waterproof blankets and E’s John Daley.  All was good – 
High and Dry!!

Good news here is that there have been about 6 days straight with much needed rain.  Other than the concert, most of the outbursts have been during the night with spectacular lightening shows.  However, the other day we did just make it back from running errands when the skies opened up –

 Rain and hail fell in bucketsful.  Really glad we weren’t in a tent.

It really is just like old home week in the park we are staying in.  Many returning couples from last year, including members of the George Strait Tribute Band are here.  So – we got our own private concert –

 Enjoyed the music and a chance to dance.

Then – there was a visit from the local moose;-)!!!

She explored the area for almost an hour before heading back up the hill.

AND, the local glockenspiel in Midway, Utah serenaded us with Edelweiss as we ate lunch at one of our favorite pizza places after a round of golf.

The view from our favorite after golf lunch spot in Midway

There is just tooooooo much to do and toooo many people to see.
Needing a rest – E & G

Happy 4th of July – OMG

We are movin’ on up!  Our reserved spot was waiting for us when we arrived in Park City – the one with the gazebo.  We love it –


Magic’s great parking spot at the Park City RV Resort

Then – the value of the neighborhood went up significantly when the Prevost pulled in next to us.  It took our breath away (picture does NOT do it justice) –

Magic’s new neighbor, a beautiful Marathon Prevost.

Of course there is still a bit of ‘riff-raff’, but they are banished to the lower forty –

Should we change Magic’s color scheme?

It is like old home week here in the park as two of the other Alegro Buses that were here last year are back again (we went thru these Buses last year when we were looking) and other friends that we met last year are also back.  Lots of dinners, game nights and happy hours are in our future here;-)
Also – 4th of July activities have already begun!  As most of you probably know, E will go to as many fireworks displays as available during this time.  So, off to some friends house last night in Tuhaye, where they do a display for their club.  We had front row seats.  Let the 4thbegin –

Some of the fireworks show seen from the patio of our friends Jim and Dyan.

Tonight we are off to the Canyons for fireworks and then the BIG PC display on Thursday.  AND – just found out that Ted Ligety is the Grand Marshal of this year’s Park City parade;-)  Much more on that with pics in a couple of days.
HAPPY 4TH TO YOU ALL – Fireworks Happy E & G

More Good Friends and Another Beautiful Wedding

Since we last left you we have played more golf and had LOTS of visits with friends.  Bill Lane joined us in Truckee for a couple of dinners.  Although his wife Louise was not on the trip with him, she was kind enough to send a batch of her delicious shortbread – which Gary devoured;-)!!!
Louise’s short bread is to die for!!

Deb and Steve Lenzi suffered through a round of golf – and a couple of dinners with us (one dinner in Magic!!) after we moved to Lake Tahoe.  BTW, our ‘spot’ in Lake Tahoe is one of our favorites – Zephyr Cove – a great location. 

Magic’s spot in Zephyr Cove.

And the view of Lake Tahoe.

My golf at Edgewood Tahoe was a little less than stellar.
BIG traps..beautiful views.

A new experience was had here.  We decided to do a dinner cruise on the Lake and had a wonderful evening;-)

A quiet dinner cruise on the Lake.
After 12 great days in the Truckee/Lake Tahoe area it was time to head to Ojai for another wedding.  To break up the trip south, we stopped in Pismo Beach.  After setting up we did a ‘tour’ of town and found a beautiful spot on the water for dinner that included a TV to watch the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Nice dinner view at Pismo Beach – Stanley cup watching and the Ocean.

Then Ojai – for the Jim & Rebecca’s wedding (another retired Touche partner) and a gathering of lots of ‘old’ friends;-)  The wedding was BEAUTIFUL and the visits were soooo enjoyable. 

Lunch after a round of golf with friends, old and new, at the Ojai Valley Inn.

Jim and Rebecca’s wonderful wedding celebration in Ojai.

Dinner and dancing at the wedding reception.

These couple of days went way too fast and we were all sorry to see the time end.  But, as they say, all good things must come to an end.  So, we were off to our old home – Park City – for a couple month stay and visits with lots more ‘old’ friends!
Park City or Bust – Elizabeth & Gary

The Cool Pines of Truckee

The past few days we have truly enjoyed our place in the pines here in Truckee, CA.   (Yes – Truckee of the Donner Party fame.)  After the cold wave came through, the past two days have seen highs in the 70’s – lows down in the low 40’s.  Brrr – but a welcome relief from those 110’s we are reading about back home. 
The funky little town of Truckee reminds E of Park City about 25 years ago.  There are several good restaurants that we have come to like and their “Main Street” is lots of fun to walk and shop – especially the kitchen shop and the local Ace Hardware;-)  Besides that activity we have caught up on laundry, cleaning, reading and GOLF.  Our favorite anywhere course is here – Coyote Moon.  We enjoyed the views here the other day although the course was VERY mean to both of us;-(
E’s favorite par 3 at Coyote Moon – NOT:-(
(PS – funny story about the hole pictured above.  This is a ‘not too long’ par 3 – BUT, across water which always psych’s E out!!!  A couple of years ago when we played this course, E’s ball hit those rocks you see across the water  – went sky high – and landed on the green.  Just happened that Gene Upshaw (of football fame) was on the next tee looking down and watching this little activity – AND, doubled over in laughter at this little trick shot of E’s!!!)
Then we played a new discovery – Tahoe Donner.  A wonderful muni course that is right up there with Coyote Moon (AND – lots less expensive!!).

One of Truckee Donner’s holes is the highest elevation golf hole in the Sierra’s.

While we could spend a few more days in Truckee and play Tahoe Donner again, it is time to find our place down at the Lake.  So – off to Lake Tahoe and a new parking spot —-

Magic nestled in the woods of Zephyr Cove, Lake Tahoe.

The view from our spot out to Lake Tahoe.

More golf and lots more activities to come – E & G 

More Family Fun

We sadly left King Canyon NP and our beautiful ‘parking’ spot amongst the Giants.  BUT – there were lots of family events to keep us happy.  First – granddaughter Haley spent the night with us in Magic – with all the fun that comes along with that especially the games of “Go Fish” and “Old Maid”;-)  Then, we attended our first “Cruise Widows” pot-luck dinner to say good bye to one of Heather’s friends who is being transferred.  (The Cruise Widows are the female friends whose husbands are out on ships – in case you didn’t figure that out.)  And – finally – we got to see Haley graduate from pre-k —-
Our little “Star”..

..graduates from preschool and heads for kindergarden.

Mother – daughter mortar boards.

The three days in Lemoore were packed full of fun activities.  Now the heat wave was upon us so we hightailed it to higher territory.  Off to Truckee and perhaps a little golf – as our very favorite golf course is here.  First, set up camp for the next week – spot isn’t too bad and it is lots cooler at 6,500’ than at 600’!!

Magic’s new spot in Truckee Calif.

After spending a day running errands and checking out the area, we were off to golf.  Today was a new course for us, and the day proved to be interesting.  We started with HOT, blue skies and were chased off the course at 17 with thunder, lightening and pouring rain!!  The course was a pretty one though and we enjoyed- –

On the first tee at Schaffer’s Mill Golf Course.

I think we both cleared the creek and missed the traps on this hole.

More golf to come until the next wedding two weeks from today;-)
From Truckee, CA – E & G