Week 228-230 - The Road to Hemet - 01-09-2011

The Road to Hemet,

Tour 2010 ended with us coming home for Christmas. Of all the areas that we have been in North America, our home area is one of the few that you could live comfortably all year round. A little cool in Winter and a few hot weeks in Summer. There are many states that have RV parks where you can buy a lot. But they are either unbearably hot in the Summer or freezing in the Winter.

Still, we acknowledge that we have been spoiled and enjoy the warmth of the Southwestern states. So, after New Years, Tour 2011 began as we took the road to Hemet.

Home for Christmas and the first stop was with Robert at Hairy Business, so Pete could have his ears lowered.

We spent Christmas day at John's house enjoying his family, great tree and decorations.

After Christmas we got together for a family dinner at the Elks Lodge. We met with Melissa the week before, and Emily and Chad the week after.

Who said you can't fit 16 people into your motorhome? We even have an empty chair!

Ellen's sister Janice put together a baby shower for Emily and Chad. Still with short notice, there was a great turnout.

With New Years behind us, we started the Road to Hemet. It is easy to forget how beautiful your home area is. And the roads you travel so frequently. 1) Descending Cuesta Grade heading toward San Luis Obispo. 2) Driving by Shell Beach and Pismo.

1) Stopping in Arroyo Grande next to the Point Loma Nazarene University bus (Emily and Melissa went to Point Loma). 2) We enjoyed a nice lunch at Applebee's with best friend Paul.

1) The open space between Santa Maria and Santa Barbara has always been a delight. 2) The Hwy 101 tunnel at Goleta.

1) The beach at Seacliff, just north of Ventura. 2) Dry camping along the beach is pricey ($27), but the view is fabulous. High tide at Rincon Parkway has the water just 20 feet from your motorhome and you hear the waves crashing all night long.

Sunset at Rincon Parkway.

1) The sun fades at Rincon Parkway. 2) Seaside day park just outside of Ventura.

1) The orange groves at Santa Paula on Hwy 126. 2) The 126 ends at Interstate 5 by Six Flags Magic Mountain.

1) Freeway 210 between Santa Clarita and Pasadena. 2) The snow-covered San Gabriel Mountains.

1) March Joint Air Reserve Base near Moreno Valley, California. 2) The San Jacinto Mountains. Palm Springs is just over the peak.

"Home" at last! Golden Village Palms RV Resort and our volleyball friends. We have met about 30 players and stayed here the last three years. They play a few hours each day and have in-house tournaments, the Can-Am tournament and for over 30 years have challenged an RV park in Indio. Very, very fun. Sadly, we are stuck on pickleball. So we spent a couple days fellowshipping with our friends before we headed off to Rancho Mirage for another PB tournament.

During our travels we several times visited Ellen's relative Reverend Dr. Paul Horn. Sadly, he passed away this year at age 91. We had the honor of attending his memorial and hearing the incredible stories about this life and care for everyone he met. Several old men stood up and talked about being baptized as kids by Dr. Paul. Dr. Paul, a missionary as well, last visited China at age 89 to distribute bibles and teach. And every year he mailed a birthday card to every Baptist missionary in the Southern California area.

Truly a man to emulate as he himself emulated the life of Christ. We did not know a single person of the over 200 attending, but we were truly blessed to be there. Dr. Paul is in the Lord's care now and all in attendance agreed, "well done, my good and faithful servant".

Until next week, be blessed.

Love, Pete and Ellen

Photos from Jan 2011