Archive for the “Uncategorized” Category
Jan
29
2009
In the Spotlight at the 2009 TCA Press TourPosted by Rene in Uncategorized, tags: Agredano, Jerry, Nature, Nelson, PBS, RV road trip, sabbatical, three legged dog, Tripawds.com, Why We Love Cats and Dogs
For a sneak preview of some of our scenes in the show, check out Jerry’s Tripawds website.
We were clueless about the significance of the TCA event. But then Ellen told us that not every show gets invited to the showcase, and this was the only Nature episode being presented. Later, as we were whisked into the Universal Studios Hilton ballroom with a large stage, gigantic video monitors and about 100 reporters, we got the picture.
The event was over in the blink of an eye, but the results have been encouraging. We’ve so far been interviewed by the TV Guide Channel, a Tribune News Media reporter, and this Tuesday, a San Luis Obispo area talk radio host, Dave Congelton, is interviewing us. Keep an eye out for your local newspapers to review the show. As we watch this dream unfold, we can’t help but feel blessed for all of the incredible gifts that Jerry bestowed on us. He was such an inspiration, and despite the pain of losing him far too soon, we are comforted in knowing that his story will go on to inspire others all over the world through this show, and of course, his website. Many thanks to producer Ellen and our friend Luke for believing in his story. Remember, Why We Love Cats and Dogs premieres Sunday, February 15 on PBS (check local listings).
Jan
27
2009
Unwrapping Tradition Back in L.A.Posted by Rene in Uncategorized, tags: CA, Good Eats, los angeles, road trip, tamales, travelMy friends and I used to tell this joke when we were kids: “Why do Mexicans make tamales for Christmas? So we can have something to unwrap!” Ok, that’s not really true, we were spoiled brats and did have a lot besides tamales to unwrap. Regardless, my family has made tamales every year since Mom and Dad were married in 1954. This past Christmas, Jim and I got to participate in the annual tamalada at Mom and Dad’s house, something we never had time to do before we hit the road. I’m trying to capture the Agredano recipe, and put one of my custom books together that shows how to make them. But getting the recipe from Mom is a little tough. “Oh, just add a little of this, a little of that,” she says. She doesn’t measure anything. All I really know is that it’s the lard that gives them their flavor. But once a year, this vegetarian will look the other way, because these tamales are just so darn good!
Jan
03
2009
Etna, CA: Our Paradise LostPosted by Rene in Dream, Great Outdoors, Our Story, RV Tech, Simple Living, Uncategorized, WordPress, WorkBefore we left Northern California, we wanted to take another gander at the rural Siskyou County town of Etna, in the beautiful Scott Valley, just west of Yreka.
Since we hit the road, Etna has always stayed on my short list of possible places in which to buy land. And now, with a good basis on which to compare it to, we set out to take a closer look.
It took us a total of six hours to get there, and “there” wasn’t really anywhere. The biggest metropolis, Redding, (population 90k) is two hours away. Getting to paradise was an exhausting, grueling drive. Hmmm, guess I blocked that out. Nothing had changed since we’d last visited. The old familar landmarks were still there. Bob’s. The ice cream shop. The brewery. But after taking a hard look around, we realized that the place seriously lacked any kind of ethnic or age diversity, and even a real economy. Not even the summer adventurers like us could infuse enough cash into that area to breathe life into it the rest of the year. What I once thought was quaint, now looked like a tired town going down the path of extinction. After consulting with a local United Country agent (UC is the best resource for rural property sales) , we hit the backroads to check out some land parcels. But to our disappointment, anything we could afford was either so far off the beaten path that four wheel drive was needed year-round, or it was in one of a couple of tidy rural subdivisions with cookie cutter “rustic” homes. Once we measured our criteria against reality, we knew this wasn’t the place for us. After just two days, we crossed Etna off our list. And because the rest of California isn’t anywhere I’d want to live, we crossed the entire Golden State off our list as well. Just a few years ago, we could’ve moved to this little piece of paradise in a flash. We were so tired of Eureka. But our world was smaller then, and we were too stupid to know any better. Funny how 18 months on the road can change your perspective on things. Today is Blogshare III, courtesy of the talented R at And You Know What Else. What’s a Blog Share? A blog share is what happens when a fellow blogger writes something for someone else’s blog, completely anonymously. So someone will write something that gets published on our site, and I’ll write something that gets published on someone else’s blog. Get it? Why am I doing it? Because it’s a chance for me to write something that I don’t want to discuss or confess here. It’s fun! If you’re a blogger, you should try it some time. Here’s a list of the participants, and below the list is the beautifully written anonymous post.
But it is snowing, the water is pretty rough, and those who are giving it a go don’t look very happy. After my windy morning on the Arkansas, I doubt I’ll be contemplating much longer. Even though we had heard the fishing was hot, it was definitely not. And while there is no such thing as a bad day fishing, I don’t care to repeat that adventure.
Jan
08
2008
Calculate Satellite Settings with DishpointerPosted by Jim in Full-Timing Tips, Live, RV Tech, Uncategorized, Work
Regardless, the Dishpointer satellite alignment calculator is still pretty cool. We’ve included the Dishpointer Lite widget here for your use. Just select your satellite from the drop down menu and enter your location – city or zip code – in the box. The map and details will automatically update with the required elevation, azimuth and LNB skew for your satellite dish. Drag the map or marker to pinpoint your location. Pretty cool, eh? If you think so, wait until you check out the full version.
As we approached the area, pulling the trailer through Morristown, I started to wonder if it was such a good idea. Not because of the narrow roads and traffic, but because it was becoming apparent that things are not always what they seem. In fact they never are in adulthood, especially when seemed long ago by the mind of a ten year old. |



Etna





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