Opportunities for frustration, amusement or stupidity abound in a “day in the life of”.   A battery went out on one of our smoke alarms in the RV. Ken decided it was time to replace it. He installed the new one and put the old one in a bag for disposal.  Tuesday morning at 4AM, I was awakened by a strange beeping.  While I am rummaging around searching for the “beep”, Ken awakened and wondered what I was doing. In the meantime, someone was knocking on our door allegedly to check on us but realistically, I suspect also, to tell us to turn off that DAM BEEP.   He joined us in our quest for the mysterious beep. Though still unidentified, the beep suddenly stopped and we hoped that it might have miraculously cured itself. In about 30 minutes, it began again.  This time we were able to get a better sense of where it was coming from and Ken remembered the old alarm.  Sure enough, the old alarm had come alive (Ken had not completely disconnected the old battery) and  the mystery was solved.

Of course, we had disturbed all of our neighbors several hours before they wanted to be disturbed. The next morning, Ken very humbly apologized and especially thanked the man who tried to help us and we fled the scene!  It was another event in our travel adventures. Honestly, I would not be adverse to living the “quiet life” of a proper aging person!

Tuesday we moved over the mountain to Old Ledwistown Bridge RV resort on the Trinity River, where Ken pursued his skill at Salmon fishing.  A resident in the park took Ken under his “wing” and showed him areas on the river where the fishing could be good but alas, no fish of note rushed to “grab the bait”. Our camp site among the trees was pleasant and our two days in the area (and on the river) relaxing.  

Friday we continued our travel over the mountain into Redding where Ken spent Saturday resolving a water leak.  Travel in a RV is reminiscent of life at home.All of those maintenance chores of home ownership accompany the RV owner and his “rig”. I am often reminded of a friend’s comment to a mutual friend after he had carefully laid out the many merits of his RV purchase.  My friend wisely asked, “what will Marie (his wife) do on her vacation?” RV ownership does not provide an escape – it keeps one in tune with the reality of living.   I must admit, I am very lucky. My dear husband carries the brunt of the duties in exchange for my "grumpy presence". He is so blessed.  

Sunday we moved a few miles down the road to Red Bluff.  From where we did a drive about into Manton where in an “earlier” life we invested in a ranch with an investment group.  We had heard that the town of Manton had suffered from the recent wild fires in the Mount Lassen area and we wanted to see for ourselves the fate of our “ranch”.  We were delighted to see that the town proper had been spared.  Happy that our good memories were intact, we enjoyed a “walk through” the old store and bar where we spent many pleasnt evenings with the locals. They thought we didn’t know that they viewed us as the “dumb flatlanders” from down South. Truth be known, they may have hit the “nail on the head”.

After our stroll down “memory lane” we drove through Shingletown and up to Mt. Lassen for another day of “tree hugging” bliss among the serenity of tall pines.

That concludes our fourth week of adventure on the ocean, in the trees, down (up?) the river in road weary fishing bliss.  Are we having fun yet?