tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134008112009-05-10T21:43:06.360-07:00A journal of the <B>VitaCouple</B> (Don and Michelle) as they make their way down the west coast and back for the 2006 ASBS conference in San Francisco. Read about who they met, and the things they saw on the journey. The first VitaTour was in 2005 which involved a journey cross-country to Orlando, FL. Those posts are still available.Michelle &amp; Don Curranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672778075608824014don@vitalady.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13400811.post-1155418599149267862006-08-12T14:33:00.000-07:002006-08-12T14:43:24.676-07:00

OK, so a few of us Grads got together with Terry, her mom Judy and the family. They were not able to join in the festivities earlier this week, but did stop by on their way to Alaska via Vancouver, BC, Canada.So we have, Judy (Terry's Mom) and Terry,Lauren & George (Terry's sis and dad),Rachel & Hubby Gene,Craig (Terry's watch dog husband), and the boys,Jazzi, Sheri, Julia, & Vita-mom.We shared

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Vita Tour 2006 is officially over with the gathering here of a group of post-ops from the Yahoo group Graduate-OSSG better known as "Grad Weekend". For the past several years, Grads from around the area and a number from out of state have descended upon Washington State to laugh, giggle, share experiences, put faces to email identities and to celebrate their success.This year, Florida, Illinois

Michelle &amp; Don Curranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672778075608824014don@vitalady.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13400811.post-1155417689273981202006-08-12T14:09:00.000-07:002006-08-12T14:22:18.596-07:00

Next day we head north to Seaside, OR. our last stop, before going home. As we go north we are a bit more inland and we hit farm country. A nice change from the switchbacks on the coast.Before we get to Seaside we stopped the Tillamook Air Museum. It is a private museum featuring Navy and Marine Aircraft and memorabilia. The building is an old WW II blimp hanger on the site of the

Michelle &amp; Don Curranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672778075608824014don@vitalady.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13400811.post-1155416925699308662006-08-12T14:01:00.000-07:002006-08-12T14:08:45.703-07:00

From Trinidad to Gold Beach, Or, Michelle was finally getting to what she considers "Our Ocean". Finally, the Oregon coast and smile from the Vitalady. The RV Park we stayed at in Gold Beach offered something for everyone. Michelle got the ocean she adores, Barney got the beach and all the funny smelly stuff to roll in, and I got a little airport runway and more flora to shoot. I also got to

Michelle &amp; Don Curranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672778075608824014don@vitalady.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13400811.post-1155416010737835712006-08-12T13:40:00.000-07:002006-08-12T14:00:45.050-07:00

So off we go toward the California Coast. Michelle had fallen in love with a campground on the Gualala River, in Gualala, CA a long time ago. We were booked for 4 nights here and I must say it was the most peaceful place we had stayed in thus far.The roads in an around the campground are tight for a larger rig like us, but we got all 29' parked and shoe horned in the truck to keep it out of the

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On the 4th, Michelle & I accepted an invitation from Mike Z and his mom to join them in a little celebration at his mom's house. We were so thrilled to be asked so of course we went. We figured a little 4th of July picnic would be a great chance to visit with Mike, Beverly and Mom. Little did we know that Lorena and Sonny, Mike's parents, were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. All

Michelle &amp; Don Curranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672778075608824014don@vitalady.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13400811.post-1152982711938406732006-07-15T09:39:00.000-07:002006-07-15T09:58:32.046-07:00

We pitched our trailer in a spot designed and set up for a 12’ popup unit. Fortunately we had help getting located and finally set up. I didn’t think we were going to get the slide extended, but sure enough, the guy knew what he was doing. Of course the dose of axel grease and the shoe horn helped a little.We took lots of walks and met some interesting folks. The park had mostly long term

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The conference ended so it’s time to pack up and head out on the northbound side of the trip.We say goodbye to Toni & her mom. We will see Toni again, at the Champion plant on the 5th. Breaking down from a show is interesting in that the facility staff is in such a hurry to get home to their families, being rude and pushing the participants out of the way. 8 ( . Not a happy experience, but

Michelle &amp; Don Curranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672778075608824014don@vitalady.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13400811.post-1152979503536812182006-07-15T08:18:00.000-07:002006-07-15T09:09:14.966-07:00

Today we are going to make Vitalady smile, ‘cause we are going touristing…..We took the trolley downtown and met an interesting fella(?) Carol kept telling Michelle “Do not talk to this guy. He is just too weird”. I had to agree. Anyone putting on size 6 socks on a size 12 foot can’t have both oars in the water.M: he warned me that Carol was gonna take my fella!D: just goes to show how crazy

Michelle &amp; Don Curranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672778075608824014don@vitalady.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13400811.post-1151719551555796632006-06-30T18:59:00.000-07:002006-06-30T19:05:51.556-07:00

The exhibit hall is open today. We met Toni from Champion at the booth. Brian, a bicyclist sponsored by both Champion and ourselves, was also there. Brian is two years post and an avid racer. He looks incredible for a 300#er shrunk down to the 150’s. Whey to go, guy!Toni is our rep at Champion. We met her mom yesterday and it’s obvious the good looks are genetic (can I get away with that ,

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Happily (?) in San Francisco? Actually the hotel is nice. We are on the 17th floor with a nice view from here. Great architecture is something I enjoy more than Michelle.We got settled in and unpacked. The set-up here is different than any of our previous conferences. We have to go a couple of blocks to the conference hall rather than in the same building. Parking is off site also, so

Michelle &amp; Don Curranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672778075608824014don@vitalady.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13400811.post-1151368083811661992006-06-26T17:20:00.000-07:002006-06-26T17:28:51.420-07:00

San Francisco, CA, here we are. At a campsite in town at the Candlestick ball park (now known as Monster Park).On our way here we stopped in Fairfield and met Flo (Flozzz) and Laurie (llory) at Marie Callender’s.First we dropped Barney off to get a haircut to beat the heat, so if you don’t recognize this hairless licking machine, you’ll know why. He also got a dose of the doggie “D” and made a

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We finally hit a spot with no cell communication and probably no computer. We are in Winters, CA. I got busted going over the speed limit in the park. Actually, I was in granny low and if I tach out the diesel, maybe 3 mph tops? Too much dust, they said. What do they expect in a place that’s never seen rain? But hey don’t upset the locals.I have to say, Barney has been a good traveler and

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I think it is getting TOOO HOT here. I sure don’t know how the locals do it. 104+ (as Don is waving his hands to cool off.)We are in Redding, CA. On our way, we stopped in Jacksonville, OR. Cute little town, with a history prior to the 1880’s. The main street is lined with what appears to be original buildings from that period, including the Fire House, a couple of general stores next to

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This is a beautiful area. The river glistening in the AM, nice park with shade.We did some laundry here and just kicked back for a couple of days, after hunting for a few trailer parts. Barney seemed to enjoy searching for just that right spot.He seems to do that a lot. He met and frolicked with a 10 year old Samoyed named Candy. This place is breathtaking and we’re sorry we had to spend time

Michelle &amp; Don Curranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672778075608824014don@vitalady.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13400811.post-1150849821625949222006-06-20T17:23:00.000-07:002006-06-20T17:30:21.626-07:00

Day 2 June 19thOff early to Grants Pass, OR. Truck is handling a bit sloppy so I reset the levelers and sway control and continue down the road. Maggie is squawking something about turning here or making the first available legal U Turn. Dang thing is driving me nuts. We are just cruising down I-5 and enjoying the lush green of Oregon. Beautiful hills, with deer, goats, eagles, God’s

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Let’s see, how do I start this?Day 1 June 18thWe are loaded, Michelle has all her shoes on board and is looking for Barney. I’m backing the truck, ready to hook up and head south on VitaTour 2006. We are excited for many reasons.House and the Vitalady Store has been under remodel construction for WAY too long. Still not finished but we have had enough. The new floors are down and cabinets

Michelle &amp; Don Curranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672778075608824014don@vitalady.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13400811.post-1122406398858882742005-07-26T12:32:00.000-07:002005-07-26T12:33:18.870-07:00

Let's see if I can find my way home from Portland. First off, we did find Costco for a bit of tax free shopping and a nail salon for Michelle, but as always the truck seemed to be running on its own will power and coaxed us north on I-5.Ahhh, the smell of evergreens and the Northwest "Sunshine" to keep us company on this last leg.Our last tank of gas and the Toyota seemed right at home on the

Michelle &amp; Don Curranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672778075608824014don@vitalady.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13400811.post-1122042369272752622005-07-22T07:25:00.000-07:002005-07-22T07:26:09.280-07:00

This is our last full day on this wonderful trip. We hate the idea of getting home tomorrow, but Laura is threatening to quit if we don’t show up. On top of that, there are about 20 members from around the country, of the OSSG Graduate list going to be around over the weekend. I guess we have to get there some time. : ( Today we crossed Oregon from NE to NW. From Baker City to just east

Michelle &amp; Don Curranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672778075608824014don@vitalady.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13400811.post-1121621091951554332005-07-17T10:21:00.000-07:002005-07-17T10:24:51.963-07:00

Never listen to the locals, OK? Sound advice when asking directions from the Eagle Canyon Hideaway. It was either 25 miles (outside of Ogallala) of county maintained dirt road (which we bumped and ground over going in) and 25 miles highway to Rock Springs or 5 miles of dirt road and 25 miles to Rock Springs. Big choice, right? Well we took the latter and it took forever, and the several herd

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We’re off to Nebraska. Up I-80 toward Lincoln, NE, we went into Iowa and found different kinds of farms. Rolling hills, a lot of cattle and grazing. Hmm. The cattle graze all day and just look at them. How similar to us. We graze and gain weight, too. Interesting. OK, no more grazing for me. Now we finally get into Nebraska. There are more old established farms, it seems. We

Michelle &amp; Don Curranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672778075608824014don@vitalady.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13400811.post-1121616470600158552005-07-17T09:05:00.000-07:002005-07-17T09:07:50.603-07:00

Someone better give me a map. Where IS Kansas City, anyway? Is it Kansas or Missouri? Let Michelle know, because she is navigating. I can’t get her to drive since she fished the trailer back in the first part of the trip. This leg would have been an easy drive for her. Biggest hills are made by ants and there was just very little wind to contend with. It was an easy drive and good gas

Michelle &amp; Don Curranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672778075608824014don@vitalady.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13400811.post-1121615798308923772005-07-17T08:46:00.000-07:002005-07-17T08:58:08.500-07:00

Heading to Oklahoma, brings through downtown Dallas, which by the way goes on for ever. There are some beautiful buildings in the downtown area. If you haven’t figured it out, I love to see the skylines and buildings in these towns. Some are so different than we have seen before. Old and new architecture mixed together giving towns their own distinctive feel. Well we hit OKC and planted the

Michelle &amp; Don Curranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672778075608824014don@vitalady.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13400811.post-1121613424614264512005-07-17T07:51:00.000-07:002005-07-17T08:45:57.453-07:00

Everything in Texas is big. Including the road ruts. Man, you gotta fix these roads. Concrete is for buildings, not roads. Asphalt would probably melt here though. So I guess we’ll just have to get kidney belts and tough it out. If it weren’t for the heat and the roads, I think I fell in love. The people here are so nice, even if they couldn’t understand us. We beat out the storm that hit

Michelle &amp; Don Curranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672778075608824014don@vitalady.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13400811.post-1121611775325150582005-07-17T07:48:00.000-07:002005-07-17T08:45:44.363-07:00

Well, we are still having trouble with communications, so I haven’t been keeping the blog up. Actually, we are having too much fun with all these beautiful people we are meeting. Time to write is limited because we do have to get some sleep. We just got back to Jac’s home in OKC from the meeting in Norman, OK. Michelle is resting so I am going to try and catch up.Since I wrote last, we have been

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