September

A magical weekend and the largest party I have ever pulled off! When we decided to host Milada and Ron’s wedding at the ranch, I had no idea it would take a year to prepare and pay for. The outcome, however, was worth every penny and all the sleepless nights. When you bring together almost 200 people for 4 days you have a lot to worry about. On the other hand, it was so fun, with a lot of hard work, watching the ranch transform itself. We literally had to take a livestock barn where we raised goats, turkeys, pigs, and horses over the years and turn it into an elegant multi-day destination wedding in the heart of the Sierra foothills. Milada and Ron did the scrubbing in the barn, Caleb built his first deck where the wedding ceremony took place, Alina helped with the grounds and hanging lights with the tractor, and I sewed the huge drapes that hung in the entryway to the barn. It was a family affair for sure with it still taking over a year!

Friends and family started arriving mid-week from all over the country, with Lynn from Japan and Karen and Ron from Ottawa. We rented a huge VRBO around the corner from us with a pool that we enjoyed for several days with friends and family. We also used our neighbor’s arena and home to house Ron’s family and friends. We turned our round pen into a campground for some of Milada and Ron’s friends. And of course, the Airstream became the Bridal Suite.

It’s been way too long since my last entry. I can’t believe how fast the days, weeks, and years have passed. Caleb and I have had several adventures over the past several years, we just haven’t written about them. Some of our biggest ones have been our daughter getting married at our ranch, selling our ranch to move into town, the dark years of covid, Snug Harbor life, the birth of our grandson, and the latest; building our house.

This site was meant to document our travels and adventures in our Airstream, but I have realized that adventures happen in everyday life without having to go anywhere. So I’m going to switch gears on ItchOn. Caleb and I have high hopes to hit the open road once again but for now, it seems we have plenty of adventures keeping us busy right here.

It might take some time, but I’m going to try and back-document some of the adventures I’ve mentioned above.

We are coming home. We will be home Sunday, July 24 after traveling over 1700 miles and 5 States in 5 days. Our caretaker, and my friend Maria, was in a bad car accident a few days ago. She is now recovering from what could have been a fatality. We are also a bit homesick so homeward bound we are.

We have had a wonderful 10 months of fun filled days. This is not the last of our adventures. We expect to continue where we left off next summer. 3rd’s a charm for Capital Reef National Park, Glacier National Park, Badlands, Mount Rushmore and more. Until then…

As you slowly wake from a dream you will never remember, something seems strange and out of sorts to you. And as your eyes open, eventually focusing on the ceiling of your tent, you remember that you are not at home – rather you are sleeping next to your brother and the chill morning air is creeping down into your sleeping bag. You pull the bag tightly around your neck and look over at him. He’s crammed against the side of the tent and has worked his way down into the corner. Despite what looks like a very uncomfortable position, he is out like a light. So, you turn onto your back to look up through the mesh netting at the brilliant green trees that spread like a canopy above you. And as your mind clears away the fog of sleep, you suddenly realize it is Memorial Day.

Memorial Day.

It’s a day that gives you mixed feelings. In one way, it is the best of feelings. Memorial Day, to you, means camping. Getting together with other family members and heading up into the mountains. Three days of freedom and school-end just around the corner.

But Memorial Day also means that the fun is over.

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Well, kind of. We are still in Auburn at an RV Park until Sunday. So far we have forgotten Caleb’s pillow, Pippin’s Heart worm pills, the Dewalt battery charger and a few other miscellaneous things that Caleb will retrieve tomorrow from the house.

Pippin is settling in nicely. He thinks the captain’s chair is his new perch.

Pippin's new perch.

Pippin’s new perch.

We spent the last couple of days at the Nevada County Fairgrounds testing various things for the Itch On (or I/O), including our internet connections. Looks like the fairgrounds has a better connection then what I can get from home. I have to say, it’s a green light for both the wireless hot spot and the wifi. We didn’t even need the wifi boost at the fairgrounds because their speeds were already so fast. Had video meetings for most of the day yesterday without even a small glitch. The only thing my co-workers noticed was the wind through the open windows interfering with the microphone on my headset.

Temperatures dipped below 50° so we even kicked on the furnace this morning for about an hour. Just to test that as well. So far, the only thing not working is the Blu-Ray player.

All that’s left is – packing up the I/O and hitting the road!