Texas - A Tale of Two Cities

Our trip is slowly winding to a close and we are heading to Las Vegas where I will fly home to Switzerland. We had the opportunity to spend a day in San Antonio and really enjoyed ourselves. We took public transportation from our RV park to the Riverwalk area. The driver was very helpful and let us know exactly where we needed to get off the bus and where we should pick up the bus for the return trip. We visited the Alamo and had dinner at one of the Riverwalk restaurants. It was so romantic sitting outside enjoying our dinner but the cooler temperatures drove us inside for a final drink. Finding the bus for our return trip was a little complicated but a nice young man helped us out. He was on the same bus and apparently heard us discussing where we needed to get off for our RV park. Amazingly we didn't realize we were at our stop - luckily the young man asked the bus driver to wait and told us we needed to hurry up and get off! It was a really positive experience and we look forward to going there again in the future.

Unfortunately our experience in El Paso was less than positive. We had hoped to stay overnight there and had located an RV park on the Internet. Upon reaching the RV park, we realized it was located in the middle of nowhere. So we decided we would drive into the city proper and look for a dog-friendly hotel. Although it is listed as the second oldest city in the country, there was - at least in our mind - nothing appealing about the place. It is overwhelmingly industrial. Add to this the fact that there are currently US travel advisories in place due to the proximity to Juarez, Mexico. It just had a negative vibe for us so we decided to travel farther. This proved to be a good decision because as we continued to drive a perfect view of the fence along the US / Mexico border came into view. It is truly shocking when you see it for the first time. Plus, as there is a Brooks Brothers outlet almost directly across from the poverty of Juarez, it forces you to face why people continue to try and across the border - legally or illegally. Very sad indeed.

I Guess You Can Never Really Escape Grammar School, Sadly.

The living culture is transient in most RV parks - most people stay anywhere from one day to one week. This culture really shifts, though, in the snowbird states. During a recent stay in Tampa I was able to practically time travel back to 6th grade. Joe was away in New York for a consulting job so I was alone. I decided to go into the clubhouse to write some postcards and enjoy some human interaction (Nera our dog is a great companion but not much of a conversationalist). Well I should have saved myself the trouble. I walked in and said hello to the women there. In return I received zero response or acknowledgement. Later I went to the pool and said hello to the maintenance man ( also a park resident) which earned me no response. The only time anyone paid attention to me was when the on-site RV technician came over to fix our faulty shower head. His wife conveniently decided to "stop by" - assessing the competition?!?!? So the popular crowd (aka winter regulars) don't bother with the short term visitors.

I did, though, make an interesting discovery. It seems that seniors are strongly attracted by clip art! It is virtually impossible for them to produce an announcement or flyer without clip art. Chili Cook Off - here we have the steaming bowl of chili, the ladies mystery lunch was a veritable cornucopia of question marks. Hopefully this lifestyle works for all involved but I know I wouldn't last. Although these regulars should be enjoying life, they are still engaging in territorial fights and power struggles. All the clip art in the world can't put a happy face on this.

Just wondering.....

As we have been driving through Louisiana and Texas, I have noticed the almost overwhelming number of churches along the highway not to mention billboards displaying religious messages. However, interestingly enough, there are also far more billboards for adult erotic stores and "men's only" clubs than I have seen anywhere else in the US during our trip. What is up with this? It seems so incongruous to me not to mention really just awful and gross.

Key West, The Place Where Back Fat Rules

Getting older and accepting the physical changes in one's body can be a bitter pill to swallow. Speaking from my own personal situation, I try to fight the middle-aged weight gain by counting calories and battle back fat (men, you should ask your wives about this) by purchasing a special bra which covers it. I agonize over my figure and look for creative ways to camoflage my "muffin top". I guess I was of the mis-informed opinion that all women were concerned about these issues and looked for ways to package their middle-aged bodies so the tracks of time weren't so apparent. Well, after spending some time in an RV camp in Key West, I see I was so woefully wrong.

As we were getting set-up, I saw a couple walking toward us. From a distance they looked to be about thirty. Well as they got closer I realized that they were in their early fifties. This didn't stop the gentleman from sporting his vintage 1974 pukka bead necklace, no sir. The woman however was wearing an "A" cup triangle bikini top over a "D" cup chest. The outfit was completed by a pair of low-rise Daisy Dukes that I wouldn't have worn with 20. What is surprising here is that her muffin top was on display for all to see as well as her back fat! These imperfections didn't seem to bother her in the least if you judge the way she was strutting her stuff.

As it happens we arrived in Key West during the "Fantasy Fest" celebration. This wasn't our plan as neither of us had ever even heard of "Fantasy Fest" but Key West was simply the next planned stop on our trip. Based on accounts from other RVers it sounded like a wild time but I was of the mistaken assumption that most participants were young people. Oh, how wrong I was. When we got to downtown Key West Thursday night it was apparent that most people attending were over 40 with the over 60 crowd super well represented. I don't believe I have ever seen so much naked airbrush painted skin (a true lifesaver for me where some people were concerned) in my life - the Street Parade in Zurich has nothing on these people and what they are willing to expose. It takes a little getting used to sitting at a bar next to a woman wearing nothing but pasties and a grass skirt or a man wearing only a "wet paint" sign in front of his crotch. These people do get an "A" for creativity if nothing else. I guess a lot of young people don't attend because let's face it who would want to see people your parents' age walking around like this? Also what would you do if you actually saw someone you know dressed like this?

Funny enough a lot of Americans are uncomfortable when they first move to Switzerland due to the topless sunbathing and the coed saunas where bathing suits aren't allowed (thought to be poor hygiene when sitting in a warm sauna). After Key West I would embrace these things no questions asked. The images of some people are burned into my memory - and let me say, not in a good way. As I told a friend, if gouging my own eyes out would remove these images I would gladly do it.

"Dude, Where's My Car?", Special Key West Edition

Tonight in Key West I had the most fun I have had since high school, believe me. Joe and I had spent a few hours in Key West walking through Fantasy Fest. It was really raining cats and dogs so we decided to try and find a cab to go back to the RV park. Luck was with me and I was able to hail a mini-van cab. As the door opened all I could think was "Dude, where's my car?" as the cab driver was a total hippie and Manfred Man's "Blinded by the Light" was blaring on the radio (his bongo drums were also on the floor!) We hadn't gone a block when our driver saw four more people trying to hail a cab. Next thing you know, after a short price negotiation, they were traveling with us. We went on to pick up six more people and our driver kept track of all our destinations in his head. Our fellow passengers were shouting out things like "Dude, just turn left and you're at my house" or "Hey, let us out here and we'll walk" - let's just say our driver simply followed his own internal GPS to determine who was getting dropped off and in what order. As all this was all going on, our driver provided commentary on the music playing and kept trying to find a better station on the radio. His phone kept ringing and he kept saying things like "I'm trying to get to you man, hang on" or "Dude, I have to drop of a bunch of people first, I'll call you!" As it was really raining, the windows were fogging up. Our driver was yelling "Hey, can anyone see out the back window, I need to back up!" I felt like a high school student in the car with a friend, great feeling. It's important to add that except for one college student all passengers were in the 50 plus range and having no problem dealing with this unorthodox ride. The young man, however, looked shell-shocked like he was ready to bolt the next time the car door opened. Age does have it's advantages.

Treat People the Way You'd Like to be Treated - Seriously

During our trip across the US I regularly frequent the walk-in manicure / pedicure businesses one finds popping up all over. I would like to call them spas but they are usually very bare bones type of places and most of the time the employees are Asian women. The services are always, in my opinion, satisfactory and the price is more than right - normally about $30 for a manicure and pedicure. The experience can't be compared to a high end or hotel spa with all of their fruit-infused water, organic teas, soft music etc but that's a trade off when you are being charged 75% less. It is also difficult at times to communicate with the staff but they are all hard working and efficient so, again, this is the opportunity cost of very affordable services. Well, for the second time this past week I have experienced adult women behaving badly. In the most recent incident, a woman claimed that the little white flower painted on her sister's big toe was "prettier" than the one painted on her big toe. She insisted it be redone. Redoing this means redoing the entire toe then painting a new flower. The manager tried to say that the customer should have made her specific flower wishes (God, how old are we? I can barely write this without thinking the complainer is just a spoiled jerk) known before the nail technician began but Ms. Complainer was having none it. Like a child she whined that she had no idea what kinds of flowers the technician could paint so how could she know what she wanted? Honestly it was embarrassing to watch and I had to fight to hold my tongue. The polish and flower was redone which of course meant the nail studio made nothing on this transaction. This is hardly an isolated incident. I was in a similar business in Denver and experienced women discussing the technicians and their limited English skills as if these women weren't even present. Clearly the experience could be improved but I would guess a lot of women, myself included, wouldn't be booking these services so frequently if the price was 75% more. I also doubt that most high end spas would put up with this nonsense - or that these women would have the guts to try it. Instead of seeing it as a "win win" situation, these women use it as a chance to see themselves as superior. Sad.

Sammelsurium or simply "Stuff" volume 11

Part of everyday life in the US is seeing people shopping in their pajama pants, eating in a restaurant in their pajama pants, etc. So it is for me quite the interesting paradox that the minute you walk to the ladies showers in your pajamas with a robe over them you are the subject of intense attention.

One thing I simply can't get used to is the level of interruption when you are staying in an RV park. It doesn't matter if we are working on our iPads, cooking or eating our meals - whatever, people just simply barge in and start talking. We have tried ignoring people which has had zero effect. It's as if people have no boundaries or have left their manners at home. It would be an interesting dynamic to study but for the here and now it is massively annoying.

Nera, our dog, is a very friendly, very accommodating animal which is really a blessing in the US. We were recently in St. Augustine, Florida and at least 10 people stopped to hug or pet her. This happen almost everywhere we go. I told Joe that one of these days she is going to start developing bald spots from all the rubbing. She is quickly becoming like the statue of St. Peter in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome where people rub his feet for luck. If you have ever been there, you would know that his feet are almost shiny from all the rubbing. I don't mean any disrespect by this analogy but the response elicited by Nera is at times overwhelming. She could give this Indian woman, Amman, who goes around the world hugging people a true run for her money.

We Just Aren't That Into You

Joe and I had decided that our next stay would be in Pompano Beach after leaving a really super RV park in Port Orange (Daytona Beach area) Florida. The Daytona area was great and we actually found a truly dog friendly restaurant there - our dog was given a bowl of water with ice cubes! Please frequent "Boondocks" - the staff is wonderful. Well when we got to the Pompano RV park the surrounding area was less than welcoming. Okay, not great but it is what it is. Well, let's just say the women working in the registration office were even less inviting. Two disinterested women who looked like they would fall asleep from boredom - I had to resist the urge to check if they were breathing. Joe was trying to give them the information for the reservation but each questions had to be answered a thousand times. While we were enduring this torture treatment, the "Head of Security" came in. I should mention that from my observation the security personnel in RV parks come in all shapes, sizes and age groups. The number one perk seems to be having the opportunity to drive around in a golf cart all day making sure all the rules are followed. It is interesting to me that in a business that does most of it's business with the over 55 crowd each park has reams of rules and one can always get kicked out without a refund! Oh, I bet that happens a lot....... Well this security man thought he was all that and a bag of chips, no mirrors in that household apparently. He was like a living, breathing version of the fat villain in the "Austin Powers" movies or better yet a 350 pound version of John Travolta's character in "Pulp Fiction". Well he was turning on the charm with the office staff, inviting them to all kinds of events, telling them about the latest improvements to his mobile home etc. It was an interesting diversion as the registration process was taking forever. All I can say is ladies please work on your marriages and show your husband a little appreciation. No way in hell do I want to end up in a situation like this having to enjoy the attention of a guy like this. Really, believe me. When the registration process was over, I mentioned we had our dog with us. Major problem. They can't possibly accept a dog over ten pounds. I said I found their policy strange as it was the first time we had encountered such a strict weights restriction. They wouldn't budge. I was compelled to take a little literary license with a saying I had seen on a t-shirt in Charleston (In dog beers I've only had one) and say "In dog pounds she only weighs 10 pounds" but decided my lame attempt at humor would probably fall on deaf ears. So we told them to cancel the reservation and left. It is interesting to note that it took both women and the assistant manager to take on the task of trying to find out how to cancel a registration......

Meet You in Atlantic City - Or Then Again, Maybe Not

When I realized that we weren't too far from Atlantic City, NJ, I asked Joe if we could go there. I had heard so much hype that I was expecting Las Vegas in New Jersey. I honestly could not have been more wrong. Oh, you see all the big casino names like Harrah's, Trump, Ceasar's Palace but they are plastered on the ugliest collection of concrete block buildings ever produced and assembled in one place - there is no competition to this cheesy ugliness. Really none. Add to that the fact that there is no strip, you have to be shuttled from casino to casino by bus. However, as we were already there, we decided to go to Harrah's. I swear to God no casino guest was under 75 and the "decoration" was half- assed and really zero competition to Vegas. Funny enough I was recently watching an episode of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" (moving from place to place in an RV definitely impacts your TV viewing selections in a negative way) and they were having a debrief, hair pulling session whatever at a casino in Atlantic City. All I can say is that this show is bs and they obviously filmed somewhere else as the opulence presented is MIA in Atlantic City. After spending our $50 budget at the slot machines, we did have a very nice dinner at McCormick & Schmick's but honestly I couldn't wait to get out of there. You just get the overwhelming feeling you're being played by the casino owners with this poor copy of Las Vegas. Disappointing doesn't begin to cover it. If I want the Vegas experience going forward, I'll go to Vegas.

Sammelsurium - Special RV Edition Volume 2

I have had to realize that most of the clothes that I brought with me on this trip are wildly inappropriate. Anything that isn't quick dry or requires ironing isn't really a good idea. However finding this type of clothing when you are a 50 plus year old woman with a normal body is next to impossible. Somehow the manufacturers of all of this clothing seem to be of the impression that all of their customers are super skinny under twenty five year olds. The other day we were at "REI" which has a huge selection of clothes. Well I tried on a size 8, then a size 10 before finally buying an ill-fitting pair of size 12 pants. I mentioned to the young man waiting on me that I was finding it almost impossible to find decent outerwear that fit. As he was also under twenty five, all I got was a blank stare in return. I guess the overwhelming opinion of these companies must be that it is the twenty somethings who are going on all these long RV trips, safaris etc - a viewpoint that doesn't reflect reality. I guess Kirstie Alley who now wants people to believe she is a size 6 (hello, it's called vanity sizing of clothing) would get the super wake-up call when she needed a size 20 at "REI"!

We have finally experience RV park Nirvana at an RV park near Gettysburg and one in Maryland. They had super bathroom facilities, a snack bar, a dog run with toys, a shuttle - you name it. So my standards are not pie in the sky ideals - makes me feel much better. The park in Maryland actually had a man who gave a presentation of what to do in and around the area, very cruise ship!

Well just when I'd thought I'd heard it all in regard to my ironing, today there was a new wrinkle. All of the criticism aka back-handed compliments have to date come from women. Fine with me. Today however was truly a trip into new territory. I was in the RV park laundry room ironing when a gentleman (to use the term loosely) walked in to do his laundry. The very first thing he asks is why I am ironing. I said I just like my clothing to look as nice as possible. So then he asks if I think there is something wrong with his appearance as he is single and hasn’t ironed in over thirty years. I said that I hadn't really noticed his appearance nor was I in the habit of critiquing other people. Then he said that irons were going the way of land line phones so I better get with it. So I said a) the demise of irons was a surprise to me considering the high-tech steam irons sell like hotcakes and b) if he was so concerned about my participation in a dying art, maybe he should make a film of my ironing activities and send it to the Smithsonian. As I have purchased an RV ironing board - (oh yes, they exist, but I wish I would have known about the suitcase you can iron on first. This is a tip from a Swiss friend, can't beat the Swiss for thinking out of the box) I will probably confine my ironing activities to the RV, cramped or not.

What's In a Name

On Saturday Joe and I had the opportunity to try out two restaurant chains that we were completely unfamiliar with. In hindsight we could have passed them by and not missed much.

The first place was called "Friendly's". It seems "Friendly's" main claim to fame is ice cream but they serve all meals. Joe and I decided to have breakfast there. Well we were greeted by the hostess and seated. She asked if we wanted coffee and we said yes. Well, saying yes apparently doesn't mean you will actually get coffee. After approximately ten minutes, a waitress came to our table. After giving us menus, she asked if we wanted coffee. Again we said yes. Well fifteen minutes later the coffee finally arrived. As we placed our order, I noticed that under the waitress's name on her name tag it said "Vanilla". So I asked her if vanilla was her favorite flavor. Logical, no? Apparently no, as she told me her favorite flavor was double chocolate chip but that she was just given vanilla. Well, what the hell sense does that make? If the company isn't going to list an employee's actual favorite flavor, why bother at all?! How "Friendly" is that?

Things only got better at the next place. Later that afternoon while we were driving, I kept seeing billboards for a chain called "Duchess" featuring hotdogs. So after a while I asked Joe if we could stop at a "Duchess" restaurant as I wanted to try a hotdog. Far easier said than done. Two times we took the stipulated exit and drove around and around without finding a "Duchess" restaurant. There was absolutely no signage once we left the highway. The third time turned out to be the charm. After we exited there was signage at the roundabout indicating the location of the restaurant - success! Well, finding the restaurant was the high point. We parked and entered the restaurant only to be confronted by the largest menu I've ever seen in a fast-food restaurant. My question is why they only advertise the hot dogs. At any rate the young man working at the counter seemed to be fighting hard to stay awake, he was possibly the most low energy person I have encountered in a long time. Joe and I both ordered the hot dog special but he only rang up one. When I pointed out that we both wanted the special, he seemed surprised. I guess we probably woke him up as he seemed to be falling asleep standing there. So the order was placed and that was when our looooonnnngggg wait began. The only other customers were two men with a child who were attempting to pass the time waiting for food by playing that game which features a little crane that you have to use to pick up stuffed animals. They were already in the game for about twenty dollars at this point - maybe this is how "Duchess" makes it's real money.... It was amusing to watch orders of fries come up to the counter until they became too cold to eat but no sandwich or other food would appear. At this rate they better install a lot more money making games because thet are losing quite a bit in the French Fry division. After about 30 minutes we were given our food but the beverages were missing. When I pointed this out to the young man at the counter he was surprised, almost incredulous. I honestly wanted to shake this guy awake. God help him if this restaurant is ever full on his shift. I can only assume that the name "Duchess" was chosen for it's allusion to royalty, you know the old "treating customers like a king" and all that. They either need to rethink their name or do a whole more in the management of their restaurants - it's not like they are the only people serving hotdogs.

Marketing 101

One would think that business people would be well versed in the psychology of dealing with potential customers, if in fact they would like to be successful. Unfortunately the exact opposite seems to be true. Here are two anecdotes for your "enjoyment".

When we were in New Hampshire, we were lucky enough to be able to stay with friends that we have know since they lived in Switzerland. One afternoon after visiting a museum, Joe and I decided to buy some wine for our hosts. I asked the museum guide if there was a wine store in the area and there was, so he gave us directions. We drove to the store which appeared to have a good selection. While in Alaska we had purchased wine in a wine store which was called "Cupcake" and "Layer Cake" Shiraz which had turned out to be something that we both really enjoyed. When the young man working there (it turns out he was the owner's son) asked what we were looking for, I mentioned "Cupcake" and "Layer Cake". Wrong response for two million dollars! I was informed that I could probably find what I was looking for in the grocery store. I had decided to keep looking on my own without this gentleman's help when the owner, his mother, approached me. She asked what I was looking for and again I was given the helpful hint to go to the grocery store. I wasn't too happy but managed with Joe to select four bottles of wine. When I got to the counter to pay this woman again told me that the kind of wine I was looking for was normally sold at the grocery store! At that point I lost it. I asked her if I looked like I couldn't afford the wine I was purchasing. I also asked her if I looked like a Mad Dog 20/20, Boone's Farm or Ernest & Julio Gallo wine carafe purchasing kind of person? To say she was shocked was an understatement. Instead of saying "Well if you normally like "Layer Cake" you might like blah, blah, blah she chose to play the snooty wine connoisseur. Bad move.

Today, though took the cake. We had experienced difficulties locating the campsite we wanted to stay at in Cape Cod. After finally arriving, I wanted to try and make an appointment to get my hair cut so that we would know how many nights we would need to stay here. Well as soon as Joe turned the engine off, there was a guy knocking at his window. It seems he sells some kind of protective coating that you can use on automobiles, eye glasses, jewelry - the list is endless. He was dying to use this stuff on the Earth Roamer and would give Joe a deal. He was so persistent that I was getting truly po'd, really irritated. I wanted to book my appointment and reserve our site without this guy's pushiness. After I walked away from him, he sent his girlfriend over - at that point I said I didn't want a demo, period. Ixnay on the high pressure, buddy. I guess he felt he could wear me / us down. In the end it was almost comic with me simply walking away - Joe unfortunately didn't have that luxury. So now we are have the Earth Roamer treated tomorrow..... I hope we don't live to regret this!

Sammelsurium or simply "Stuff" volume 10

You really meet a wide range of people when you stay in RV parks, many of them really well-traveled. I always enjoy a short chat but am trying to be more "Zen" when it comes to the people I feel are trying to interview me and cannot buy a clue when they have over stayed their welcome. I have really lowered my standards / expectations about what is acceptable to me as I was well on the way to a heart attack not to mention impossible to be around - I can own my own junk, believe me. So now I can say "Well at least the bathroom is clean, too bad the roof leaks" or "It is a well-maintained park, too bad the laundry facilities date back to 1942". Trying to focus on the positive.

Funny enough, although I am trying to take the high road, there are things that really make me shake my head. In an RV park in Upstate New York we were grilled about our dog's health and had to prove she had a rabies shot (not a problem, we're prepared). Imagine my surprise when I went to check out the restrooms and showers - let's just say the Health Department wouldn't have been amused. Maybe their questions about the dog's health were to make sure she wouldn't be getting sick due to the sorry hygiene standards.

Funny enough in this age where a lot of people do yoga or work out, most RV parks don't have any space available to exercise. Plenty of people power walk in the RV parks but that's a little difficult in inclement weather. So far we have only stayed in two "fitness friendly" parks - one in British Columbia and one in Kennebunkport, Maine. I could see this as a real marketing niche.

Lastly, we are really lucky to be able to afford this long trip through the US. However it is really sad to see how many RV parks and grocery stores are collecting food for the local food pantries. It is sobering to see just how many people are suffering. Truly tragic.

Boston "More Than a Feeling" - One More Thing

Being on the road makes it hard to keep up with one's normal beauty regiment. Sometimes I've been lucky and have found a good hair salon or cosmetician. Other times the services I've received have been less than satisfying - I guess as a customer that is just traveling through I don't deserve the same level of attention a regular customer would be paid. When I was in Boston I was badly in need of having my eyebrows waxed but hadn't had the opportunity to locate a cosmetician. One day as I was walking past Macy's I saw that "Benefit" cosmetics had an eyebrow bar. Once Joe was back from Boston I decided to walk over and have my brows done. I walked into the cosmetic department and was given a chair right in the window. My brows were quickly waxed and then I was told I should also have my upper lip done! Great, that made me feel pretty...... I was a little embarrassed but agreed. So there I was in the window of Macy having my upper lip waxed for the world to see - have to admit this was a first.

Boston, "More Than a Feeling"

I'm not sure how many of my friends know that "More Than a Feeling" by Boston is my absolute favorite song. No matter how down I'm feeling, the minute I hear this song I am in a great mood. I recently had the opportunity to visit Boston and the city itself had the same effect on me as the song. There is so much to see and it is a real dog friendly place. One of the first things I did was take Nera for a walk on the Boston Common. There I saw a sign which said that dogs are allowed to be off there leash from 6am to 9am in the morning. As Nera has discovered squirrels (I don't know why but you never see them in Switzerland) during our time in the US and was happy to have the opportunity to chase them - although her chance of catching one as a 10 year old partially lame dog is less than zero - this was a perfect place for us.

Then one day while walking with Nera I saw a Chinese spa. I decided to book a foot massage for myself as a way to relax. Well if it was possible I would marry the Chinese man that gave me my massage so that I could enjoy this everyday. I was so relaxed after the hour that I felt I actually looked different. Not only was it a perfect massage, as he didn't speak much English I wasn't subjected to the endless smalltalk that normally takes place during a spa treatment. When I left the spa two different men actually asked me if I wanted to go for coffee not to mention dinner. I didn't take them up on their offers but I have to admit that it was an ego boost.

Lastly I was walking through Boston with Nera on the way to the wharf area. I noticed a film crew and stopped to ask a policeman if any famous people were on the set. He said that while Kevin Bacon (one of my all time favorite actors) and Jeff Bridges would be in the film, they weren't on the set. I said I was disappointed and he then asked "Well what about me?" What about him indeed! He was an extremely good looking, Italian body builder kind of guy and I was so embarrassed I started blushing. This was of course all in fun but it was really a pick me up.

Thank you Boston for showing me a good time!

My Dog, My Child

I was recently watching a segment on "Good Morning America" about the new designer disposal diapers for children. Apparently a white diaper is no longer good enough, not enough of a fashion statement for today's children and their mothers. Manufacturers are now producing diapers which look like denim or camouflage pants not to mention different feminine patterns for girls. For the really over the top you can go on-line and custom design your diaper or even have photographs printed on them. The last option strikes me as more than a little creepy to tell you the truth.



Imagine my surprise when I realized this trend had also taken hold in the world of doggie poop bags here in the US! The old black or dark brown bags are no longer good enough for man's best friend, no sir. During my time in Boston I had booked Nera in for a day of grooming and doggie daycare. As the people at the doggie daycare were nice enough but not the world's most organized people during my dealings with them on the phone, I decided to stop by the day before to make sure that everything was okay. I had spent 30 minutes on the phone discussing everything from Nera's personality traits to what kind of shampoo she preferred (oatmeal apple, kiwi, something floral) only to receive a second call the next day to review all of this information. While I was there I decided to buy more doggie poop bags in order to make sure I always had a supply. (While they are supposedly provided on the Boston Common, the containers were always empty). Imagine my surprise when I saw that one can buy pink floral bags, camouflage bags, biodegrabable bags etc. - the list goes on and on! Apparently our dogs are more a refection of our identity than we think. Unfortunately for Nera I chose to stick with the run of the mill brown bags - I didn't want people making assumptions about me based on my choice of doggie poop bags.

Embracing My Outer "Unfashionable-ness"

I am someone who loves to shop and who likes to look nice or as my mother would say "put together". Both of these things are difficult, if not impossible, when traveling in the Earth Roamer. I can certainly shop but space to store things is really at a minimum. Also, as one doesn't have the same facilities to maintain and store clothes, Jack Wolfskin, Columbia, Patagonia etc become the labels of choice. Still, I am attracted to malls like a moth to a flame after all the time we've spent in the wilderness or small towns. Shopping, though, is also problematic because going into a store in my RV-wear makes me very self-conscious - you do need to look like you belong in the store, at least in my opinion. Imagine my surprise as to how positive the shopping experience can be based on two recent experiences, one at the Talbots in Sioux Falls, SD and one at "Milli" in Toronto. At Talbots I was waited on by a woman who did her level best to tell me I looked fine, had a nice figure (although not true due to my packed on menopause weight) etc. At the end of my visit I had purchased a few nice, wearable items and had fun in the process. It was really a pick me up. Then the "Milli" experience. "Milli" is a very upscale Toronto ladies boutique which carries a lot of the labels I just love in Switzerland - Marc Cain, Akris Punto, Strenesse, the list goes on. A good comparison would be Grieder in Zurich. Well the owner, Milli herself, plus all of her employees seemed not to notice that I was wearing RV-wear not to mention Birkenstocks! In fact you would have thought that I was the most fashionably dressed woman they had all ever seen. I did buy very nice things but 100% impossible to wear in the current version of my life. Well, not a problem for the "Milli" staff! Everything was steamed, packed and mailed off to Switzerland! Now I know why this woman is so successful, she meets everyone of her customer's desires and needs not to mention sees beyond the current package.

Sammelsurium or simply "Stuff" Volume 9

In the past week we have been in an RV park in Toronto and two in Upstate New York. All three of these places have beautiful park-like grounds, but that's where the "beautiful" ends. I have seriously never been in filthier bathrooms in my life - no details to spare the squeamish. Add to that the fact that in Toronto the laundry room appliances were so filthy you couldn't set your clothes top of them, no exaggeration. When I complained I was told that the scheduled renovation hadn't taken place as scheduled - so this is an excuse not to maintain what you have? A better one would have been laziness and lack of interest by the employees as the RV-ers are a captive audience.

I had regularly heard about the people who claim President Obama is a Muslim, that Muslims in general are violent terrorists, that President Obama isn't a citizen, that gay preople aren't the same as the rest of us and somehow evil etc., but I had never met one. Well, imagine my surprise when I came face to face with a person such as this in a spa in Toronto. The spa owner innocently - or so I thought - asked if I like President Obama and I said I did. She them said "You know, he's a Muslim". I said that actually he is a Christian, not that there is anything wrong with being a Muslim. Wrong answer as she just wouldn't let up so I stopped responding. Then she started on the topic of gays. Again I said I have no problem with gays, in fact the opposite is true. Well again the verbal version of water tortue ensued. I again didn't engage and was happy when the appointment was over. As a paying customer, it's hard for me to see how this behavior equals a successful business strategy - I felt slimed. Another example of people not having a filter and failing to acknowledge social etiquette boundaries. During our travels through the US National Parks not to mention the small tourist towns along the way, we have been surprised to find young adults from all over the world working at Parks concessions, in small grocery stores, in bars etc. These people are from Moldavia, the Ukraine, Bulgaria - the list goes on. When I asked a bartender (an American) in Keystone, SD why there are so many foreigners working in these jobs, he said Americans are lazy and won't take just any job. Now that seems to be a pretty simplistic explanation to me, but I wonder if this is true or on the other side, if Americans have access to these seasonal jobs. One reads so many things about illegals taking jobs from Americans (something I believe to be false, most of these people work for far less than the minimum wage not to mention no benefits) but these people I've mentioned are here legally, many employed by the US government. It would be interesting to understand more about this. There has been a lot written about "Obamacare" and how it should be repealed. Well people who think it should be repealed need to take a drive through small town America. In every town we have visited, there has been a fundraiser for someone with breast cancer, liver disease - whatever - that does not have health insurance or the savings to cover their medical care. It isn't possible to have enough bake sales, silent auctions, bbq's to cover health care costs for the uninsured. It's time to dump the sound byte talking points and embrace reality.

We love you all, but.....

It has been great meeting people in the various RV parks we have stayed in - just having each other to talk too is not always so interesting. It is also fine that a lot of people want to ask questions about the Earth Roamer as it is a very unique vehicle. However at times the questioning can get overwhelming. We can be having breakfast, lunch, dinner and people will still come over and just start asking questions : Can I look inside, what does this thing cost, what kind of mileage do you get, have you ever changed a tire, what does a tire cost - the list goes on. Again, no problem, but can we finish our meal first. Yesterday we were getting ready to leave our site when a group of people started advancing on the Earth Roamer like something out of "Night of the Living Dead". I told Joe we needed to get the H out of there subito. While we were at Old Faithful, we were sitting in the car looking at a map. I saw a man out of the corner of my eye circling the vehicle. No problem as lots of people like to take pictures of the RV. I wasn't in the mood for a Q & A session (it was so hot outside & I was tired) so I avoided eye contact. Well that didn't deter that gentleman. He just started knocking on the window until we rolled it down! Uh, ever here of the theory of concentric circles of personal space sir?!?!? Just asking.

People, we need to talk

For those of you who have lived in Switzerland, this is nothing new. When one is in a restaurant at a table and there are places free, it is commonplace that strangers ask to join you. Well, welcome to North America! We were in a small coffee / bagel / tea restaurant in Waterton, Alberta, Canada and wanted to sit outside. As no table was completely free, I asked if we could join the two men at a table meant for six. Sure, but then they left. Today we found ourselves in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Two people mid-fifties were waiting for a table. As we were at a table for six - again - we invited them to join us. Oh, no way, Jose.  I guess it is better to spend the evening waiting for your "own" table as to join others. I find this very sad.

A National Park is not a National Park

I was always of the assumption that the US and Canada were very similar. I now admit that where animal ownership is concerned, I was hopelessly wrong. During our stay in the Jasper National Park, Nera was allowed to be on all trails with us. The Canadian Parks Service expects the owner to be responsible. Period. Nera had the opportunity to be about five feet away from an Elk and was able to simply observe. However, once we arrived in Yellowstone, it was a very different world. No dogs allowed on the walkways, no dogs allowed to wait outside the stores, no dogs allowed on the wilderness trails etc. When I asked for an explanation I was told that dogs leave a scent, that not all people like dogs, that dogs can spread disease, that dogs could be attacked by a wild animal etc. I then explained that Canada doesn't seem to feel this way and the ranger was shocked. I then said the real problem was probably at the other end of the leash with irresponsible owners and the threat of a lawsuit should a pet be injured. This is a particularly irritating situation for me when one sees tons of tourists who disregard their own personal safety or the needs of wild animals when they are standing three feet from a 3'000 pound bison which can run 30 miles per hour. In the interest of getting a great photo they endanger not only themselves and their children not to mention the animal itself but dogs are the so-called problem. Really amazing.

Mixology

In my junior year of high school I had some pre-Homecoming fun with some girlfriends. Oh we were so sophisticated that we were drinking "cocktails" of red wine mixed with Coke. I think a few of us spent the next day at the Homecoming game wishing we were dead due to our pounding headaches not to mention the "drinking and dialing" of the night before. Imagine my shock when we were in Grande Cache, Alberta at the beginning of this month. Joe and I were having dinner at the bar of a restaurant when the men seated next to us ordered red wine and Coke and then mixed them! One of the men explained that the Coke cuts the dry, hard edge of the wine. Who knew we were so ahead of our time! I have my doubts as to this particular combination but was amazed that it existed outside of Southwest Side Chicago.

Today, though, I saw something that even my friends and I (good customers of Blue Nun wine which we felt was really the top during high school and college) had failed to consider. At a liquor store in Buffalo, Wyoming I saw a product from Holland which was red wine mixed with chocolate and then REFRIGERATED!!!! Hey, are these people from the Southwest Side or do they simply know how to pull the okey doke over on unsuspecting customers? I guess they thought they could mix lower quality wine with equally awful chocolate refrigerate it so that no one could really taste it and sell it to unsuspecting Americans - God help us if this is sold internationally. The Americans probably feel super Euro-sophisticated buying and "enjoying" this product. I guess we all haven't moved that far away from high school.

Are We Perhaps Taking Ourselves a Little Too Seriously?

As Aveda is an international beauty and hair care company, I assumed it would be no problem getting my hair cut and colored while traveling through the US and Canada. I did, after all, have the color formula from my stylist in Zurich and Aveda should be Aveda. Oh, how wrong I was. First you need to make an appointment and here is where the problems start. In a system which is only rivaled by the Shriners, one has to determine what level of stylist is required. Does one want the Head Educator or the New Artist or better yet the Grand Salon Stylist not to mention the Senior Stylist? What about the New Artist Director? And truly no Aveda salon visit would be complete without an interaction with the Director of 1st Impressions!! As long as we are into the classification game, why not make it fun like the Shriners who also have a system of titles which are not transparent to the uninitiated. Let's throw in an Imperial Chief Rabban or Imperial Potentate to really confuse the customer. Once you have been sufficiently worn down with this decision, you meet your stylist. Here you get to play "Do I really know what hair color I want?" I was under the mistaken perception that the written formula from my stylist was all I would need to get the same color - au contraire! Each time I have attempted to use the formula I am told it is either a) not a valid formula or b)  not my color. The conversation is enough to wear me down so I give in. However I always end up with my original color and the last time I received a re-written copy of the formula which was identical to what I had given the stylist.

The moral of the story is that a company that started out as a real trailblazer has become big, bloated and out of touch with their customers. Truly sad.

RV Park Listings - The Royal Scam

I have previously blogged about the relative uselessness of the RV directories such as Woodalls or Mileposts. A recent stay at an RV park which was listed as having bathroom and shower facilities only reinforced my opinion. The shower drains didn't work adequately so I was left standing in a few inches of water after a five minute shower in a room filled with bugs. The bathrooms, however, were the last straw. There was no toilet paper provided nor was there a toilet paper holder! Upon registration customers were informed that toilet paper was not provided. With all due respect, is this not the minimum a customer could expect? I mention this as this particular RV park is listed in both above-mentioned directories. Although they claim that their write-ups in no way indicate the quality of the facilities, I think there should be a minimum standard required for inclusion. Otherwise both of these directories simply become a business like those one sees on infomercials. A good example is "How to Buy Property for No Money Down". No one makes money buying real estate with this program, they make money selling the kits for $29.95. Each of these directories sells for approximately $25 - $30 and this is where the money is made. By the time you have stayed at multiple RV parks that are listed in these books you realize you would have the same luck finding a place to stay by randomly selecting an RV park as you drive by. But it's too late to do anything about it as you already own the directory. I would suggest these companies simply produce a list of RV parks with the relevant contact information and let the consumer manage his own expectations.

Heard It on the Radio

One of the benefits of being in our RV is being able to listen to satellite radio. I had heard of Sirius while living in Switzerland but was completely unfamiliar with the content. Well as someone who loves to keep up with the news and politics this was a Godsend. However it is truly amazing how the various news channels treat the same topic. Take the entire debt ceiling saga and the downgrading of the US by Standard & Poors. Listening to Chris Matthews on MSNBC - one of my absolute favorite political journalists so I hate to criticize him - or any of the people on FOX News, one gets worked into a frenzy. They are literally screaming and you have the feeling the sky is truly falling. Then you turn on Bloomberg Radio which is the "spa music" version of a news program. Everyone is calm, everyone allows the other discussion partner to finish their sentence instead of constantly interrupting - honestly the other stations could take a page from these people.

Then one gets into the various themed music stations - country, music of the 60's 70's 80's etc. I love to be able to guess who the artist is and the name of the song before it is displayed, kind of like a game. The only problem is my traveling partner, Joe. He seems to have retained zero recollection of any music he has ever heard. When pressed to guess he either says Elton John to most anything or guesses the last artist I had correct. As someone who feels confident they could win "Name That Tune"' this isn't much competition. My recently deceased father also had the ability to recognize an amazingly large number of songs so this is probably where I get the "talent" from. Watching this show with my father always reminded me of an "Honeymooners" episode where Ralph Kramden was going to be in this type of competition and was practicing with Ed Norton. The only problem was that Ed introduced each new selection with a few bars of "Swanee River" and Ralph choked up on that exact song.

Lastly there are tons of entertainment news programs. Although most of what they talk about is of no interest to me, there were recently two similar stories which caught my attention. It appears that the 80 plus George Soros is being sued by his approximately 28 year old girlfriend because he didn't buy her the multimillion dollar apartment he had promised her (he denies promising this & I guess my question would be why someone's boyfriend, regardless of how wealthy, would have to buy his girlfriend an apartment. What happened to personal independence & responsibility?) Then there was the story of the also 80 plus Hugh Hefner who was dumped by his twenty something fiance shortly before their marriage. She claimed that they had no sex life and that his body was disgusting. Really, he didn't look like a "Playgirl" magazine model!?!?!? Boy, I'm shocked & she must have been too as she then accepted a marriage proposal in addition to an extremely expensive engagement ring.She's certainly not just a gold digger....... I think men have to acknowledge that most twenty something women are not looking for boyfriends over 80 due to the their sparkling personalities and fabulous bodies - I think the size of their wallets and the level of their celebrity are their most interesting traits. Let's be honest, if this was really a trend we would be seeing a lot more of these "May - December" (actually more like January - December) romances in the general population but that's hardly the case. It might be time for men to acknowledge that the woman they are involved with have another agenda than romance and that they themselves like being viewed as virile guys who can get any woman they want. For the women involved with these much older men, it might be time to take a good long look into the honesty mirror. If your 80 plus year old boyfriend didn't have the possibilty to offer you a jet set lifestyle, a spread in a men's magazine and some modicum of personal celebrity, or a multimillion dollar apartment, would you still be interested? If you would like to assert that it is really the person you love and are interested in, fine. I would then consider this a business opportunity and set up a matchmaking site for twenty something's seeking 80 something's. The assisted-living facilitie are full of unattached men looking for a new relationship and I would just be the conduit to bring the potential lovebirds together. Somehow, though, I think an older guy on a fixed income is not what these ladies are looking for.

She's Just Not That Into You - I Mean It

In our travels through the Yukon Territory and British Columbia, we have met a number of young women who work seasonally in these areas in the hospitality industry. They seem to have been given the memo which says "dress sexy because that's where the tips are". Try to remember that most of the tourists are either cruise ship tourists or middle-aged RV tourists which means they are probably over 50. It never ceases to amaze me to see men thinking "I've got it all going on, this chick digs me". A particularly good example of this was at Earl's Restaurant in Whitehorse, Yukon. Joe & I were having lunch when two men over 50 came in. As the 20 something waitress gave them the menus, one of the men asked if there were any specials. The waitress replied that there were no specials, everything on the menu was good. So one of the men says to the young lady "Including you?". I thought to myself, "Oh, aren't you the slick one, quite the playboy!" I guess he didn't realize that this young woman would be running back to the kitchen to relay this hideously funny story of how the old man tried to pick her up. All she saw, I'm sure, was the possibility of getting a big tip by playing along. Just FYI, unless you are George Clooney, Harrison Ford, etc most of these women aren't really interested. Just like a dog would like the steak in the butcher's window, these women would like the big tip pretending to be friendly and interested will bring. Hate to break the bubble.

Sammelsurium - Special RV edition

In the book "1000 Places to See Before You Die" there is a listing for Chena, Alaska which has hot springs. We decided to stay there and thought it would be a good opportunity to stay in a hotel. Well the buildings look like military barracks and a room costs $189 plus $50 for the dog! I thought this was outrageous so we decided to stay in the RV park. This was at the absolute other end of the spectrum at $10 but zero services. Fine. We decided to use the hot springs pool that same evening & it was "interesting" to say the least. The concrete paths to the pools are all cracked and simply covered over with rubber mats. The rocks which make up the walls of the pool are covered with super gross moss and the bottom is littered with old band-aids and assorted other crap. I almost died when I saw the sign that said you could take water home to enjoy it's health benefits but please use a plastic bottle to avoid injury. I'd say you have proved what you are made of simply by making it down the path. A little upkeep wouldn't hurt. It might be best to make this the last place you visit out of the book because you might not make it out alive.

The couple managing our RV park in Dawson City, Yukon must have been prison guards in a former life. Internet is available from 8:30am to 8:30pm - no deviation. The laundry room was very clean but God help you if you didn't use their method for putting the detegent in (you only find out what that method is after putting it in your own way) and the minute the dryer stops you had better be in there removing your clothes or they were doing it for you. They also had an ironing board so I decided to take advantage and get some ironing done. When I went to plug my iron in, I noticed a sign on the bulletin board which said "maximum outlet usage 15 minutes". As 15 minutes is not much time for ironing I thought I'd simply ignore this and plead ignorance if they caught me. No way Jose. When I bent down to plug the iron in under the table, the same sign was directly next to the outlet! Come on, people, get a life. I'll get back to this topic again later, but they also seem to be advocates of the "Petticoat Junction" school of RV park bathroom showers. The changing room was in front of the actual shower which had a curtain. However the changing room itself had two wooden doors with a hook. Needless to say the doors didn't close completely and only came to boob level if you were over 5'4". A big plus for this park, though, was that it was walking distance from the center of Dawson City. After losing my father and our mishaps on the Dempster Highway, a little fun was just what the doctor had ordered. We met the locals and spent an evening with Wally (operates machinery for one of the mines) and Duncan (the owner of the "Pit" which is a kind of rundown nightclub). You can truly say "What happens in Dawson City, stays in Dawson City" The town is well worth a visit, it was the most fun I've had in a long time.

The RV park in Prince Rupert, British Columbia is a story in and of itself. It is the closest park to the ferry landing and considering that you arrive after 10pm at night your best alternative for accommodation. The camp is run by an Asian man and here cultures really collide. A lot of Americans have difficulty when they get to Switzerland in dealing with public nudity, for example in public mixed saunas. Simply a cultural difference. Well you wouldn't except to come up against this in North America until you get to Prince Rupert. The RV manager is all business. This means that he is constantly cleaning the showers - even when they are occupied by women in various stages of undress. He is also the inventor in my opinion of the previously mentioned "Petticoat Junction" showers. They appear to be loosely based on the concept of bathing in the wooden water tower tub. He has streamlined the concept so that no curtain is provided, just the two wooden doors which do not close completely. The height of the doors seems to based on the height of the average Asian woman so let's just say a lot of flesh was being unwillingly exposed. Not a pretty picture but he was oblivious, just getting the job done.

If you remember I had to do the walk of shame for my ironing activities in an RV park. Well again, due to our Dempster Highway experience, we are back here again - details to remain secret so we don't get kicked out. :) It is a very clean place, not too far out of the town. However the woman running the place always is dressed like she is either just getting ready to go hunting or just getting back from hunting. Ladies I realize that fashion is an individual thing. However camouflage clothing is best left to the under 25 crowd unless you are in the military or really a hunter. Take my word for it.

Getting my mojo back

Two days ago we embarked on our trip along the Dempster Highway (nothing put gravel, really) to the Arctic Circle. I have to admit that I wasn't really looking forward to this "adventure" as I had had more than enough of the bumpy, bone rattling ride from Chicken, Alaska to Dawson City, Yukon. Well little did I know that the mishaps which were to occur would provide me with enough material for a book. After getting a flat tire and sliding off the road requiring a tow (long story) we ended up in Eagle Plains which is at the midway point of the Dempster. The cast of characters there were straight out of a sitcom. As I entered the bar to reserve an RV spot I ran into the owner. We had actually met him on the road and he had taken our damaged tire to the garage at Eagle Plains. However, that had happened hours earlier and he was now firmly into his Happy Hour. He asked how I was and I said I just needed a break and to calm down. Well this caused him to say at least a million times "What, why, you're not dead! It's all good". Then, after getting parked and settled, we went back into the bar. My "friend" was now even further along in his good time. Out of nowhere he asked if I like Fox News. I said that I would watch anything. So then he became agitated and accused me of being a Fox News Republican. I'm not but wouldn't have admitted it if I was - I didn't need Raymond Burr trying me for my alleged crime as I was really exhausted. Them out of the blue he starts praising the Canadian Prime Minister and President Obama. I couldn't keep mental track of this guy.

My favorite character, however, was the barmaid. Oh boy, where to start. Like myself she was in her early 50's. She spoke with an accent I really couldn't place so I asked where she was from. Answer: Bavaria! What?! I have lived in Switzerland long enough to recognize a German accent but she didn't have one. At any rate she said she'd been driving her pick-up through Canada about 4 years ago and broke down in front of the Eagle Plains complex. One thing led to another and she decided to stay - now working her way toward permanent residency and lovin' it. I told Joe it was like the German movie "Out of Rosenheim" come to life. For those of you unfamiliar with the film, it is a story about a German married couple driving through the US on vacation. After an argument the husband leaves the wife on the side of the road in a small desert town. The wife ends up staying and opens up a restaurant. So here on the Dempster we have life imitating art.

Never in the right place at the right time

During all my years of living in Switzerland, I was constantly missing out on special occasions and events in the lives of my friends and family. I thought that things would be different now that we had purchased an apartment in Chicago. This was to be my base here in the States. I thought it be great to have a place of my own and not have to feel like a tourist every time I was visiting. We arrived in early May to begin our RV trip and I saw how weak my father had become. He had been very ill for a very long time but still it was a shock. At the beginning of July I had a very strong feeling that I should go and visit him. I flew to Chicago from Anchorage on July 9th and visited him every day for the next five days. After returning to Alaska, I received an email from my older sister Judi on July 18th saying that I should call my parents home ASAP. I did this immediately and was told my father didn't have much longer to live. He in fact passed away on the 19th, shortly after 6:30 in the morning. As, per my mother's wishes, there was to be no funeral or mass, I did not return to Chicago. As hard as this has been to deal with, I do truly appreciate that I had an opportunity to see my father one last time and say goodbye. It is a daily struggle to accept that he is gone but he is truly now in a better place. I think he would be happy to know that his passing has brought me back in touch with family members I had lost track of. I now know that I should always trust my intuition and make the most of the time I have with family and friends as you never know if it is the last time.

Sammelsurium or simply "Stuff" volume 8

We continue to be an attraction everywhere we go in the Earth Roamer. The other day we were parked in the Safeway grocery store parking lot in Homer, Alaska when a woman came over to comment on our RV. She then asked if we were traveling in the Earth Roamer because we are famous & if we could tell her what we are famous for. I told her we aren't famous & this just happens to be the RV we purchased - she was disappointed with this response. Later it struck me that I should have said we are Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie - it's amazing what they can do with make-up and lighting.

At our Homer RV park some fellow guests were telling us about a great local winery in the town where they had gone to taste wine. They were really raving about the place so Joe suggested we try it out yesterday. Big mistake. Every wine was blended with natural fruit juice so it was all super sweet, really undrinkable - and this for $25 - $28 per bottle. The other tasters were just raving about the stuff but to me it made Boone's Farm seem like Dom Perignon. We made a hasty exit which didn't please the owners. Later that night at dinner we were laughing about this but then we were stopped cold. Here at the bar at our resort they proudly serve these wines in addition to smoked salmon flavored vodka. I don't even want to know what that tastes like.

The Ratings Game

There are all types of websites and RV directories that you can use to determine where you would like to stay during your trip. Some even use a system similar to the star ratings which are used for hotels. Well after my two plus months on the road, I can say that these ratings are far from an exact science. At times it is hard to reconcile the review with the actual facilty (rarely better than anticipated, believe me). I guess the people producing these ratings realize this too as they publish a disclaimer which states they are not responsible for the "quality" of the amenities.Hmmmmhhh, interesting. So, as an example,if a park has showers - even if they aren't too clean or maintained or you have to pay for them - this earns them a star. The same star earned by an RV park where the showers are very clean and free. Does this make sense or seem logical? This is like saying the Days Inn and the Ritz Carlton should both get a star for having bathrooms in every room. One is left with the feeling that the people volunteering to check out the RV parks during their own travels either don't want to cheese anyone off or are practicing for their next career as a fiction writer. Also as their actual name is listed with the area / region their reviewing, human nature makes them want to be kind. Time for a look at the hotel industry best practice.

My Life as a Museum Exhibit

I am a person that likes everything & I do mean everything ironed. I am in fact the über ironer - if that is in fact a word. This has been one of my major challenges on this trip. One comes across RV parks with an ironing board and iron, some with just an ironing board, some with zero ironing utensils. During one of our many visits to Wal-Mart (this can become an addiction, believe me), I bought my own iron. So during our recent stay at an RV park in Whitehorse, Yukon, I saw that they had an ironing board in the laundry room. As we were under no time pressure, I decided to iron a few items of clothing to increase my comfort level on the road. Well, once I started, I became attraction number one. Women were coming in and saying "What, you iron? I haven't ironed in 20 years!" or "Oh my God, you actually use spray starch!" or "Spray starch? What is the reason for using spray starch?" I felt that for these women someone had opened up a time capsule and I had stepped out. A number of women came in to watch me and I have to admit I found it irritating. Was I running around saying "Oh my God, you're wearing pants that are entirely wrinkled!" I guess my efforts to look "put together" as my mother would say put them on the defensive. Still being a bug under the microscope was no picnic.

Sammelsurium or simply "Stuff" volume 7

Canadians have far more in common with Europeans than Americans do. The Canadians are super dog friendly - today Nera was more than welcome at the Cowpucino in Prince Rupert while Joe & I had a latte this morning.

As of today I have embraced the fact that we have zero privacy & zero personal space as long as we are traveling in the Earth Roamer. The unsolicited helpful hints & unrequested advice is enough to kill both of us.

Not to offend anyone, but Canadian RV parks are so much better than the average US RV park. They are cleaner, the employees are more engaged etc.

While in Port Hardy, Joe and I killed some time at coffee shop. There were two older men sitting out in front while we were there. It was so cute to hear them discussing books, movies, travel plans etc. It was only when they started commenting on the nice looking women walking past that I felt uncomfortable. Here I was in my new look - un-ironed, travel clothing etc. - I was now officially invisible. Awful.

While in Sayward, BC Joe & I went grocery shopping. There we met a man that has been going to Fasnacht in Lucerne for the past 30 years!!!! And he isn't Swiss. Somewhere along the way he met a man who is the Zunftmeister there and visits with him each year. He couldn't stop raving about how great Switzerland is. We truly live in a global village.

Joe (& I have to admit me) & his / our technicolor dream coats

Life traveling in an RV is not easy. It is truly a learning experience - what do I need, what kind of clothes should I be wearing etc. As you can imagine, our wardrobes are ever evolving. I now have a red all weather jacket, a pink water resistant jacket, a black wind breaker jacket, a fuscia wind blocking fleece jacket and I'm sure this isn't the end. Joe has a black wind blocking jacket, a brown "dry as a bone jacket", a cheap grey windbreaker from Victoria BC, a green fleece vest AND a light tan golf jacket. Still we do not have all bases covered! Add to this the fact that normal clothes can't be cared for as required so we are constantly buying new pieces of easy care travel clothes. Pretty soon we will only be wearing safari pants and no iron clothes.......

German Engineering

During my ongoing struggle to determine just exactly how one conducts themselves at an RV site, I have gone to the showers fully clothed (not really an option) or in my pajamas covered by a fleece jacket (also a little weird). However, during our stay at the Crystal Cove in Tofino, British Columbia, I reached enlightenment. I met some fellow RV guests from Germany & they simply went to the showers in their bathrobes wearing shower shoes. Eureka! This is the way to do it. Joe & I went to the local Walmart pronto & now are the proud owners of bathrobes. Vielen Dank to our fellow travelers!!

Funny things observed along the way

I saw a woman wearing a t-shirt that said "Me. Just like you, only better". I have to admit I found this funny and have to give her credit for having the guts to wear it.

In Castle Rock,Washington I went into a gas station mini-mart where I was waited on by an extremely uninterested woman. There on the counter was a tip jar with a sign that said "Tip me a dollar and I'll pretend to care about what you have to say". What?!?! Where do you get the guts to put that out at your workplace? There was also money in the jar........ I probably should have paid the dollar.

Lastly, we went into a restaurant in Pacific Beach, Washington. There they had a sign that said "Parents, watch your own kids. We don't want them running around". I bet there is a more diplomatic way to get the intended message across.

Shuckers Seattle, unlike Schmuckers, doesn't have to be good

When we arrived in Seattle last Thursday Joe & I were looking forward to a nice evening. Just across the street from our hotel was the Shuckers restaurant in the Fairmont Hotel. After getting Nera settled in our hotel room, we went over to have dinner. After being seated our waiter brought over the menus. After what seemed like an eternity, our waiter came over & took Joe's appetizer order and then walked away leaving the menus on the table. When he didn't come back to take my order, I called him over. He seemed surprised that I also wanted to order something. Then, when we wanted to order wine, he launched into his own personal story. He said he doesn't drink much and tended only to drink when his wife was away. And boy does he drink when she away - during he duration of this story which he seemed to find hilariously funny he kept loudly laughing. Bizarre. After we had selected a bottle of wine, our waiter went on to say it wasn't a wine that "he would have selected". My first thought was "Who asked you?" We went on to order our meals and he suggested that I have my filet butterflied. I said okay & the orders were placed. Well imagine my surprise when our waiter brought my filet to me - not butterflied - and said "I guess the kitchen forgot to butterfly your steak". Really, no crap Sherlock. I decided not to complain - that is until the maitre d stopped by. He asked if everything was okay & I said not quite. I told him about the filet not being served butterflied even though this was what the waiter had suggested. Imagine my surprise when he indicated I could have sent it back. So I then told him that I don't work for the restaurant and that it was up to the waiter to make sure that my order was filled as requested - especially when he had made a specific suggestion. Bitching, complaining earned me the big hairy eyeball from all staff involved. My response you ask? Tough crap. In the end they silently comped my meal - zero style people.

Not trying to be a downer

During our recent visit to Seattle, I was struck by the large number of what appeared to be long-term homeless on the streets - they were simply everywhere. We had had a similar experience when we were in San Francisco a year ago but still it was shocking and depressing. Every morning when I took the dog out for a walk I was confronted by four or five people sleeping on each and every block. The helplessness I felt at not being able to do much for these people was deeply depressing and overwhelming. Plus I felt awful for having a comfortable life while they had nothing. I just wish that all politicians that are currently discussing cutting Medicare, reducing government programs could walk a mile in these people's shoes. They are at the bottom and can't go any lower - how will they survive? In a similar vein,it is sad that people like Jeff Bridges have to publicize a program that provides food for poor children during the summer months when they don't particate in school lunch programs. Where does the government think these children get fed? For such a wealthy country it's sad to see certain segments of the population be abandoned.

Here in the US, it's not a dog's life

The subject of dogs is a relatively schizophrenic one in the US. I have had multiple people tell me that they prefer four-legged "children" to the two-legged ones. I want to go on record and say that I do not consider my dog to be my child. However for a country that seems to be full of people who love dogs, the freedom of these animals is extremely limited. We don't need to go down the road of why dogs aren't allowed in restaurants or on restaurant patios again. However is it necessary to ban dogs from trails in the national parks and forests? As pets are allowed into these areas in vehicles, what do the individuals in charge expect one to do with their pet when visiting such places? The policy doesn't seem logical or humane to me. The problems encountered with dogs seem to originate at the other end of the leash.

Speaking of leashes, we had a problem at an RV park recently. While we were getting set up, Nera was off her leash sitting next to the picnic table. All of the sudden the park "host", a woman about 75, came out of her RV and yelled "Get that dog on a leash". No "Excuse me your dog needs to be on a leash"' or "I just want to remind you that our policy requires your dog to be on a leash" etc. We were wrong but how about a little civility or style? Plus if you want to be a host, you might want to try a little politeness. Goes a long way.

Call it kismet, call it karma

Today Joe & I went shopping at Brooks Brothers here in Seattle. Joe found a shirt he wanted and I went up to the counter to pay. Well while waiting I heard a man ask for a particular type of dress shirt. I turned slightly & there was Marvin Hamlisch! I honestly could not believe it - although I had seen a poster announcing an event with him and the Seattle Philharmonic, what are the chances we would be in the same store at the same time? I didn't address him, although I wanted to, being that I am a big fan of his. However about six years ago I was walking past a theater in downtown Chicago and out came Marvin Hamlisch. I said (intelligently) "Oh my God, you're Mavin Hamlisch" which earned me a strange stare. What are the odds of seeing this man twice, having our paths cross twice? One really needs to ponder the deeper meaning of this. At any rate this chance encounter made my day.

Sammelsurium or simply "Stuff" volume 6

We were at a street market in Boise, Idaho on Saturday. As I've said before, Nera is a total people magnet. Well on Saturday we had the nicest experience so far. A man came up to us and asked if he could pet Nera and we said no problem. After petting and hugging her, he said he wanted to show us a picture of his mixed breed Bernese that had passed away recently. Well his dog had been a Bernese Husky mix and had been beautiful. It is really special to bond with strangers over these dogs.

Hagerman, Idaho is a nice place. We managed to find a nice bar to have a drink and the people are friendly. However the beauty services industry needs some help. I called one business that was listed in the local business newsletter. Well this woman only works three days a week and couldn't take me. Okay, fine. She recommended another business so I called and left a message. Well that was on Thursday and I STILL haven't received a call back......

I think that a rating system needs to be established for RV parks. You should know in advance if they have hairdryers in the bathrooms, what the laundry situation is etc. Also they should be rated in a star system. It's only been a month and we have already seen some scary stuff.

I want to officially go on record that I hate, really hate, laundromats. We did our laundry today and it was a trial. Machines that don't clean, dryere that don't dry -highway robbery. It is a good place though to meet people.......

Heebie Jeebies

After leaving Hagerman, Idaho we decided to go to Prairie City. The idea was that we would stay there overnight before continuing on to Boise. Well we arrived in what is a really cute town and were looking forward to having a drink and dinner there. The "looking forward" ended after we found the RV park. There were no other RVs there - in my world a bad sign - plus the lights were burning in the bathrooms but no people were around. I have to admit that I was also getting a really bad vibe, so we decided to move on. Well that turned out to be not exactly the best decision. The next town with an RV Park was John Day so we drove there. Well this RV park was in an industrial area of the city and was also empty. Add to that there were zero facilities. I don't like to be difficult but I couldn't stay here either. So in the end we ended up at the "no tell motel". Clean enough but just worn out. There was a bright spot on the horizon in this town though. We we were looking for a place to have a drink & weren't having any success, that is until we came to the Dirty Shame Saloon. Although Nera couldn't be in the bar she was allowed on the smoking terrace behind the bar. Now Nera has a two pack a day habit - just kidding. We really appreciated the staff there, totally solution oriented! Plus I had a super conversation with another patron at the bar about computers. Total feel good place so "double thumbs up"!

Getting the party started - or not!

Today was our 18th wedding anniversary so we decided we would like to buy a bottle of champagne to celebrate. Simple undertaking, no? Uh, no. As we are currently in Kaysville, Utah (not known for their alcohol consumption) it took quite a bit of sleuthing on our part. I thought we had hit pay dirt at Walgreens as one aisle sign said "wine". Well people this was an error as it was generic signage from Walgreens' corporate headquarters. We also stopped at a gourmet food store but also no luck. Here the young man that I asked kept backing away from me as if I had a real problem. So after stopping and asking what seemed like at least a million people and getting nowhere, I spotted an American Legion Hall. Here I / we hit pay dirt. Following the really friendly directions we received there, Joe and I finally located the Utah State Liquor Store and purchased our champagne. Mission accomplished! Thankfully we were able to toast our anniversary and had a nice evening.

Sammelsurium or simply "Stuff" volume 5

If you have been following my blog, you will realize that I have something of an issue with the pyjama people. It's bad enough in Target or Wal-Mart but what I saw at the Hotel Monaco in Salt Lake was an all time low. As I was waiting to be seated in the hotel restaurant for breakfast, another guest came in. She was, like me,approximately 50 plus years old. What was she wearing you ask? Try a baggy sweatshirt over an equally baggy t-shirt with pajama pants and slippers. Is it really too much to ask that people dress appropriately in public?

A few days ago while we were still in Moab, Utah two Canadians from British Columbia stopped to look at the Earth Roamer and have a chat with us. At the end of the conversation one of the men asked me if I was one of "those Americans" that think they are better than everyone else from every other country. He said people in Utah don't seem that way but Americans from other parts of the US are more difficult. I have to be honest, I wasn't quite sure what to say except that I don't feel as an individual that I am better than anyone else. I'm not trying to upset anyone by recounting this. For me it is simply interesting to see how we are perceived by others - rightly or wrongly.

Something else that has also been surprising for me is the number of young people with tattoos over large areas of their bodies. Although I don't personally have a tattoo, I do have friends and family members who do and for me it isn't a problem. However just as the clothing I wore when I was 20 would look less than flattering now, won't that be the case with tattoos? I have seen people with both arms completely covered, their face and neck, their hands etc. I realize that tattoos of children's names, birth longitude and latitude etc are becoming the ultimate accessory but isn't the uniqueness of this type of "statement" being lost? Sometimes it seems as if in their quest to make a statement and stand out, these people become more of the mainstream. You only have to look at all the people with the barbed wire tattoos on their ankles and forearms or the women with the "butt antler" tattoos on their lower back. Actually being tattoo-less starts to be more of a statement.

Midway, Utah - "A small town with Swiss character" or not

Yesterday we visited the town of Midway, Utah which claims to have a connection to Switzerland. While the town residents all seem to be very friendly and some do in fact have Swiss descendants, that's about where the Swissness stops. Outside of 2 Swiss flags in peoples' front yards and Swiss types of cheese in a grocery store called "The Store" (as an aside this is one of the best grocery stores I have ever been in and the meat from Meier's which is sold there is nothing short of exceptional). Midway mentions on the town website that they are a sister city to Trubschachen in the Emmental region of Switzerland. Well my suggestion for the suggestion box would be that they consult their Swiss colleagues about what being Swiss is all about and what "Swissness" is. It only gets worse when you visit the Zermatt resort which also claims to be Swiss in style. We went there to have lunch and first stopped in the gift shop. When Joe told the young salesclerk that we were actually from Switzerland she couldn't even fake any interest in this piece of information. They were selling music CDs however they were all German and Austrian. So we went into the hotel where all the employees were dressed in uniforms from Austria and Bavaria! As we were eating (also nothing really Swiss on the menu)I noticed that next to the American flag which was flying in front of the hotel there was a second flag that I didn't recognize. So curious as I am I went to the front desk and asked what flag this is. All three employees standing there said that they had no idea and that I should ask the bellman. I did this and was told that it was either from Austria or Lichtenstein. When I asked where the Swiss flag was as they are calling themselves a Swiss hotel I was told that they used to have one but it was taken down for "some reason". I hate to be picky or difficult but this is simply laziness on the part of the hotel and it honestly shows a complete lack of pride in their business. I wonder how much effort it would take to provide their employees with basic information on Switzerland, add real Swiss items to the menu, offer real Swiss products in the gift shop or at the very least fly the Swiss flag. So in the end you get the feeling that the whole Swiss theme is simply marketing backed up by zero interest in Switzerland.

All the Single Ladies

Taking a page from Beyonce, I am going to start offering the "Single Ladies" RV tours in the Earth Roamer. I have had more attention from more men during this last month in the Earth Roamer (not that I'm looking for it, really) than I've had in my whole life. Men actually discuss the RV with me as if I have an idea of how it all works, amazing. So after our trip is over I will have to learn how to drive the Earth Roamer myself and then offers tours to a small select group of women. As the dog has also turned out to be super interesting to all types of men and women, Nera will go along as the tour mascot. We are currently in Salt Lake and the dog is an attention magnet.

Should the "Single Ladies" tour not take off, I have another potential business idea - this time a reality show. Every time I mention to Joe that I'd like to stop at a shopping mall I get the lecture which features two topics 1) is this really necessary (answer: yes) 2) there is limited space in the RV, where are you going to put this stuff? Well the answer is "RV Hoarders". If necessary I'll be towing a trailer behind the Earth Roamer.  I wonder if TLC would be interested - you have to admit their bar for interest is pretty low...... Sarah Palin's "Alaska" anyone or any of the whole series of multiple birth families? I see my idea as having a ton more potential!

Sammelsurium or Simply "Stuff" volume 4

When we arrived in Moab, Utah the other day it seemed like it had the potential to be dog friendly. Well as we just wanted to have a drink we stopped at two bars to ask if we could sit outside and have a drink with the dog.  Well what I got was a "What, No Way Jose" response complete with Health Department this, Health Department that" blah, blah, blah. All I can say is that, people, if you are concerned about the Health Department you might take a good look around the premises before you get inspected. I in no way feel that dogs have a right to sit on every bar's terrace, but simply just say you don't want them. On a positive note, the Peace Tree restaurant in Moab is super dog friendly and Nera spent two meals there on their terrace without incident. They serve great food as well.

Being new to the whole RV park experience, using the facilities has been a learning experience for me. I would just like to say to fellows travelers that signs asking you to keep the bathrooms clean or asking you to clean the dryer filters should be viewed as commands like in the military, not suggestions that you may or may not follow. The lack of consideration for others is nothing short of appalling.

I have a new entry for "Roadside America". It is the "Hole n" the Rock" just outside of Moab, Utah. Interestingly enough they don't write "n" as one would expect but n". Go figure. It has been in business since the early 1940's and the original owner actually sculpted Franklin D. Roosevelt's face into the rock above this business (honestly not sure why) which was originally his home.This place contains quite possibly the largest collection of meaningless tschoscke in the world. The management seems to be particularly fond of Marilyn Monroe as all types of photos, t-shirts, metal signs etc with her image are on sale but I failed to find any connection.  If you're interested, it's open all year! :)

I'm Coming Undone

Today was a true test for me in the Earth Roamer. We decided (or should I say Joe wanted to and I didn't refuse) to go off-road. This is not really my thing but I didn't want to be the wet blanket or party pooper so I went along. Well after what seemed like an eternity driving over bad bumps, driving up and over steep inclines with no sign of a normal road on the horizon, we were "rescued" by two elderly men in a red jeep. The one man said we had no hope of making it any further, that if we did it would have to be the 8th Wonder of the World. It seems roads are ranked from 1 to 10 and we were already on a 6 with the upcoming terrain being even more treacherous! Honestly as I was praying that we make it out alive, I believe that these men were angels or good samaritans sent to us in the nick of time. The one said he had served in WWII and had spent time in Zurich in the 1950's. He has been friends with the man he was traveling with since they were 5 or 6 yeas old. It was really amazing to meet them and they said they regularly help tourists out of a bind in this area, Arches National Park. In the aftermath with the Earth Roamer getting slightly damaged and our relationship suffering slightly, we have decided to plan our off-road adventures a little more carefully.

Sammelsurium or simply "Stuff" volume 3

We are currently in a campsite in Steamboat Springs that will remain anonymous to protect the guilty. Our options were limited here which is why we stayed. However showers with no shower heads, filthy washing machines etc do not a super adventure make. My friend in Zurich, Thomas, once told me that he always traveled with flip flops for the shower. Thank God I took his advice or I would have had to cut my feet off at the ankles after showering - awful doesn't begin to describe this place.

Shopping here in Steamboat is excellent - I bought a few things yesterday in an attempt to replace some clothing I brought with me which doesn't lend itself to an RV or wash machines that beat the clothes clean - or not. Amazingly the wash machines at the first RV parks we were at were great. Here the clothes came out as dirty as they went in (or actually dirtier it seemed) just wetter. Our satellite TV also doesn't work here so we are stuck watching bad Nicholas Cage DVDs that we got on sale at Wal-Mart - true punishment.

Lastly, I hope there are still some people to follow my blog with the Rapture taking place yesterday and all. Can you say Y2K anyone? Just to be safe, though, Joe & I have booked a trip to Mexico - no kidding - for December 2012 and the end of the Mayan calendar. Better safe than sorry!!

Uh, oh....

Due to weather conditions we had to change our travel route to Salt Lake. So I asked if we could check out the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado which is where Stephen King was inspired to write "The Shining". This hotel claims to be haunted and as this is right up my alley. I wanted to stay there if possible. Right after college I had the opportunity to stay at the Octagon House (also reputed to be haunted) in upstate New York and will never forget that experience. Well we were able to get a room in the Manor House but not the main building as we are traveling with our dog and dogs aren't allowed in the main hotel. We were told though that there was also haunted activity in this building. Well all I can say is that I am a believer! During the night I continued to hear loud knocking on the wall behind my head and at one point I felt someone / something pulling on my right leg. Funny enough the dog was very nervous and refused to eat or drink any water. I woke up at 4:59 and the dog was trying to get out of the room! After Joe woke up he told me that Nera, our dog, was barking in the middle of the night and was very afraid. Funny enough I hadn't heard this and I am normally very tuned into her behavior. Plus she is very used to staying in hotels so this behavior was not normal. The whole vibe in this building is odd. As in the movie, almost all the public rooms are empty and in the Manor House I believe we were almost the only guests. Add to this the fact that the door to our hotel room as was standing open when we checked in but there was no maid or any other person in the hallway. So if you are looking to creep yourself out, this is the place to visit. On to the next adventure!

Stayin' Alive

Yesterday we left Golden, Colorado just outside Denver. The evening before we had dinner at a bar called Wrigley Chicago which claimed to be an authentic Chicago style bar serving Chicago style food (I'd heard about it from another RV park resident). The food was amazingly authentic - we had a Chicago style hotdog and a Maxwell Street Polish. However the decor was more Brighton Park / Comiskey Park than Wrigley Field / Wrigleyville. I can only imagine that they took the Wrigley name as the White Sox were so money driven that they sold their soul and allowed the stadium to be renamed US Cellular Field - doesn't really lend it itself to be used as a bar name. The owners claimed to be from Chicago. When I asked where they said Waukegan. Well I hate to get started on one of my absolute pet peeves but Waukegan isn't Chicago any more than Palos Hills is Chicago or Lake Forest is Chicago. Every time someone in Switzerland tells me they are from Chicago and I ask where I get a response like those listed above. Clearly Waukegan doesn't have the same recognition as Chicago but it really isn't Chicago. The couple also were more like the Southwest Siders I grew up with. They reminded me of people that you would have seen in Captain's Quarters which used to be located at 39th and Western - a place I used to frequent with friends. Still we enjoyed ourselves.  We stopped for lunch in Bailey, Colorado at a place called the Cutthroat Cafe. Simple food and a friendly environment. There was a conversation going on there about why men liked shows like "Mad Men" It seems that men prefer life the way it used to be before feminism. No kidding, not hard to imagine why. A younger woman said that women her age don't even realize that life was so different before. Well in my opinion equal rights doesn't necessarily equal feminism or I believe what they perceive as militant feminism. Isn't it better that both share the load? In the evening we checked into an RV park in Buena Vista, Colorado - possibly one of the most beautiful and coolest places I have ever been. We managed to find a dog friendly bar (it's called funnily the "Colorado State Highway Department") and truly enjoyed chatting with the owner and his partner. If you ever come through here, this bar is an absolute must, very cool people.

I am becoming addicted to satellite radio which has its pluses and minuses. I heard the news about Arnold Schwarzenegger fathering a child with an employee that lived in his home and was shocked and really disappointed. When he was running for governor there were quite a few letters to the editor in Swiss newspapers deriding the fact that an actor could run for office. So I wrote and defended his right to do so and mentioned how he was truly living the American Dream where anyone can aspire to do anything. I really felt he was a person to be admired and now this. It was a rude awakening for me. Also on satellite radio I happened to come across a Glenn Beck program. Mr. Beck is entitled to his opinions as we all are. However he was playing an interview which had taken place in Arabic and making fun of the person speaking because of his language. Does it get any more juvenile? How does this guy keep a following? In my opinion he had / has the perfect right to challenge the content but making fun of a language is idiotic and actually shows a lack of respect for the intellect of the people who follow him.

Lastly as I was doing a last load of laundry at the Golden RV park a man started chatting with me. He said he was 62 and both he and his wife had just been laid off. They had decided to sell their house and live in their RV to save money and be flexible in terms of relocating for possible new employment. It was sad to hear this as I do see more and more how people are struggling in this economy. I really hope things turn around.

I have reached Dishevelment

I am someone who cares about her appearance and am almost compulsive in my desire to have everything ironed. Let's just say this is almost never possible in RV life. Storage space is at a minimum so fashion takes a backseat to practicality to start with. Add to this the fact that I don't have an iron with me due to space requirements. None of this was a problem when we were in Africa on safari and had the same limited choices as all other travelers. However here I come into constant contact with normal everyday people - I constantly feel like I stick out and this makes me very uncomfortable. I normally love shopping in the US but now feel that I constantly have to explain myself and excuse my appearance. Stressful.

Sammelsurium or simply "Stuff" volume 2

Denver is a very dog friendly city. So because the weather had finally improved we decided to have lunch outside. I had read that dogs were sometimes allowed to sit on restaurant patios with their owners. Well today we were told that we could sit outside on the patio but the dog would have to sit on the other side of the fence, that is on the sidewalk, for "Health Department reasons". Come on people, is this serious or at all logical? What germs are being stopped by a wrought iron fence? Absurd is the only way to describe this.

A friend in Zurich who had traveled with her family through the US in an RV told me that traveling in an RV was like vacationing in a parking lot. Although I've only been at it for a short time, I have to agree. I keep having the feeling that I need to go home once we pull up to our reserved space only to realize that I am home, I have no where to go!

Although it can be an almost overwhelming experience, I love US food stores. The selection is almost impossible to take in and it seems there is nothing that they don't have. I may feel differently if I start gaining weight but right now I'm enjoying myself.

We sighted another pajama wearing woman at Target. I don't get the whole pajamas as clothing concept as it is. However if you have to wear pajamas as clothing, why do they always have to feature a cartoon character motif? The psychology behind this is fascinating.

I Have Seen the Present & It Doesn't Work

Wednesday we spent the night at the Ramada in Casper, Wyoming. As we were checking in I saw a sign for that evening's "Lingerie Fashion Show". For me truly a "What the hell?!?" moment. People this is 2011 not 1965 or some cheesy episode of "Mad Men". If you can believe it my 81 year old father used to get to enjoy these "highbrow" events during business lunches in the 1960s. Well the bar was chock full of men eagerly buying raffle tickets to win one of these superb outfits. All I kept thinking about was the look of dread that would appear on the lucky recipient's face as she received this super cheesy, cheap negligee. Myself, I would probably ask if my husband / boyfriend couldn't find his way to Victoria's Secret for something really pretty & wearable. These outfits weren't cheap in terms of price but looked like some cheap male Hustler fantasy. Add to that the fact that most of the models weren't going to be giving Heidi Klum a run for her money anytime soon. I was informed that most of the ladies were "single moms" as if this is some sort of qualification for this type of job or this was their only option. This all rocked my world.

People all keep mentioning all the interesting people we'll be meeting. True enough but I'd say 99% of all communication has to do with the Earth Roamer or the dog. Yesterday a guy was actually kind of dissing the RV at the truck stop. When he realized Joe actually owned it he said "my bad". These people are killing me.

Lastly, as friendly as American are in general, people almost never greet each other. I have been spending a lot of time in the laundry room here at the RV park and people enter without even acknowledging me. When I say hello, they don't respond. Okay, whatever.

Sammelsurium or Simply "Stuff"

1.) On my favorite subject of dog-friendly hotels, I suddenly had a thought. It seems that hotels / motels that no sane individual would stay in have now declared themselves "pet friendly". They have now accessed an entirely new market - that's what I call American ingenuity. Also you have to love www.dogfriendly.com. 2.) A friend gave me a copy of the book "Roadside America'. Well the author would do well to include at least basic details as to where these points of interest (I use the term loosely) are located. I believe we saw the entire town of Eau Claire, Wisconsin without finding a trace of the Paul Bunyan statue. In Jamestown, North Dakota we were lucky enough to find a local who could tell us where the World's Largest Buffalo is located - our bad luck was that the park was closed. The same person though told us about the World's Largest Holstein in New Salem, North Dakota (also in the book) and gave us directions. We found it and have photographic evidence!  A discovery we made on our own was the Enchanted Highway in Regent North Dakota. www.enchantedhighway.net. This is a collection of huge metal sculptures along the highway & they are beautiful - this site should be in "Roadside America". 3.) One, meaning me, underestimates how difficult it can be to be in the car for 11 plus hours. I have to toughen up though, because if I had ten cents for every person who said things like "What you in an RV, you won't last" "I ask myself how long you will make it" etc I would be a millionaire. 4.) on a sadder note, it has been hard to see how some people are struggling in this economy. We have encountered more people along the road asking for work & money. It is sobering.