Hooverdam/Beatty (1 April)

Saturday morning we started driving back over 40 switched in Kingman to the 93 in direction to the Hooverdam. We got a complete tour and the Mollejon in Belize is a baby in comparison.
Again very impressive and the weather was nice to us. Going further north the 93 changed to 95 and we did a sight seeing tour through Las Vegas. From Las Vegas we continued on the 95, up to Death Valley. Lenore tried to make hotel reservation inside Death Valley National Park, but no rooms were available. So, our next stay over was just outside the park in Beatty.
But before checking in we visited the Ghost Town named Rhyolite.The town Rhyolite was born as a result of a gold rush in 1904. Between 1905 to1910 about 8000 people lived in Rhyolite. By 1919 the post office closed, everyone had gone and Rhyolite became a ghost town. The ruins of Rhyolite include a bottle house, built in 1906, that still is intact. Down Golden Street there was a strange art display, known as the Golden Well Open Air Museum. It was a passion of a Belgium artist. Bep took a lot of pictures of this strange “open air arts gallery” which included a group of ghosts and abstracts of scrap metal. In the hotel we were staying was also a Casino. By checking in we got several discount coupons. One was for the Casino. For 50 dollar cents we got each for 1 dollar coins for the slot machines. So, we had a lot of fun (with a free drink on another coupon) to gamble with our 50 cents. Bep was the winner and she played the longest time till the machine swallowed her last coin.

Wupatki National Park (31 March)

Friday morning our tour guide (Lenore) took us via Flagstaff, the 89 and the 35-mile loop road 395 to the Wupatki National Monument. The views on this road were amazing. The Humphreys peak (17570 ft high) dominated over and over. The first stop was at the lava field of Sunset Crater Vulcano. In a final burst of activity, around 1250, red and yellow oxidized cinders shot out of the vent and fell onto the rim. The colorful glow from these cinders reminded people of a sunset and led to the vulcano’s name. At Wupatki we visited the Museum and walked around the several ruins, one story single-family homes to a multi-level dwelling that had about 100 rooms.
Of course we tried to make a comparison between the living of these Indians and the Maya’s but didn’t real come to a conclusion. More information (through Internet?) will be needed to satisfy our findings. After a pick nick lunch we continued over the 89 and via the 64 we reached the Grand Canyon Village. Along the road there were several “view points” with views on the Grand Canyon. After having seen the Grand Canyon out of the air Paul and Tony were first disappointed (afknapper in Dutch).
But after parking the car and walking around we got a lot of other impressions and nice views. It was a pity that the weather was not like yesterday and the sky was not clear. We made a short ride with a shuttle bus, but it was toooo cold and it started raining. It was almost dark when we left the park on our way back to Williams for our last night stay.

Trip to the South (29 & 30 March)

On Tuesday, 16.30 hr. we left a cold and rainy El Sobrante. Via the 580 we came on the freeway 5 to the south. Lenore had planned a stay-over at Bakersfield, where we arrived at 20.45.
Next day we left Bakersfield at 08.45 hr. via the 58 and in Barstow we took the freeway 40. The landscaping was beautiful and changed continuously. Suddenly on the horizon we saw on the top of hills hundreds and hundreds of windmills. After a few stops and passing the Arizona border we arrived at 16.00 hr. in Williams. The Best Western Hotel was surrounded by snow. We had dinner in a restaurant, while it was snowing outside. Lucky we, the air-conditioning unit in the rooms produces also warm air.

On Thursday morning, prepared to resist the cold, we left warm dressed Williams to go to see the Grand Canyon. At the airport, that we reached over the 64 and 180, it was clear that our preparation for the cold was done for nothing. Most of the warm clothes were put back in the car, when we saw the pilot in short sleeves. With Lenore and Bep sitting besides the pilot in the front, we did a 50 minutes helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon. We were very lucky because the weather was excellent and the sky clear. The view was amazing and very impressive.
In the afternoon we took road 180 to Flagstaff and visited there the Northern Arizona Museum. Flagstaff is a nice and very busy city. We had a coffee break in a coffee-shop called “ Late for the Train”. During our short visit we saw a number of trains with more than 50 wagons loaded with double stocked containers. We left Flagstaff at 18.00 hr. for the second night stay in Williams.

Problems at St. George Warehouse Oakland

Oeps, I forgot write on the blog for a few weeks. Lenore and I had a very nice time with Rick and Pat. It was also the first time for me to visit a Zoo when it’s snowing. This weekend I spend my Saturday night to visit the Fillmore Grill in San Francisco. James saw in the newspaper that the San Francisco Formula 1 Group organizes nights like this. We both went a got a big welcome from Julie and Peter. Around 11p.m. the race started in Malaysia and the restaurant was filled up with 90 people.
Monday morning, Lenore and I went first to customs to declare my stuff what was shipped in the Netherlands. But again we had big problem at the St. George Warehouse on 7210 Edgewater Drive, Oakland. This is the Warehouse where DHL send my stuff and after the U$ 50, - they want again U$ 85, - for lifting the box. Of course we refuse to pay this and now it’s DHL his turn, they told us that there where no more cost after paying him and the U$ 50,- from St George Warehouse. On their business card is standing Service – Technology – Experience, well I think they have a lot of experience to hit somebody in the pocket when I here that other where houses ask only U$ 25,-. I'm sure that we never comeback to this arrogant company with their gum chewing lady behind her desk.
A nice thing is that my parents are visiting us for three weeks; we thought they come on Wednesday but oeps again. I saw that the flight has a delay from 30 minutes so I have all the time.

A short note.

It’s time to visit my dentist again, see how it goes here today.
I think it must make a huge different how they do it, starting with cleaning my set of teeth two weeks ago. In the afternoon it’s time to travel to Portland, we take our time so that we arrived tomorrow evening. Nice that Lenore change her schedule so that we have a whole week together.

Screwed her schedule

It’s Thursday morning, 6.30am I came out of my bed for a strange dream. So I thought get out of your bed and take a nice cup of coffee. Lenore is doing the carpool for the school kids and I can surf a little. Oeps there is someone else standing in front of the door for carpool. I went outside and told them that she left already, 3 minutes later Rain from Children’s staffing office called. Strange, after a few minutes Lenore came back. She screwed her whole schedule; she should be at work today and went directly to Oakland.
Yesterday morning I had could feel my first earthquake, around 11.24am Zacky (the cat) made just before the shaking some noise. It was only 1 or 2 seconds and 3.4 strong on the scale.
On the Dutch news pages I see that my favorite beer brand Grolsch had problems with selling their lovely juice in the Netherlands last year. Positive news is that they have a new distribution partner in the US named Anheuser-Busch who’s famous with the brand Budweiser. Anyway our fridge foresees already the green bottles from Enschede.

Shit happens

Starting the day is very easy, first a cup of coffee and then looking through my emails.
Next is the laundry and take a shower. Today I went to the sport centre in town for a tour and to look for the prices, Lenore and I talk already several weeks it. Very nice location with good facilities like a swimming pool, sauna, racket ball and more. The thing what I didn’t like was the contract with an initiation fee from at least U$ 300, - a couple. The Assistant General Manager told me that in April special initiation fee from U$ 90, - a couple, when I try it for three months. That sounds much better so till that time I hick in Tilden.
Next stop Berkeley; I arrange some flowers for Lenore’s parents, they coming back from vacation. Her mom wants to see the Northern Lights on the Hudson Bay. So I open the door from the house I hear the sound of the alarm system, damn Lenore didn’t gave me the number. I close the door directly but it was already done. The sirens went of for at least 15 minutes; the gardener at the neighbors got already crazy and went to the other side of the house.
Finally I went in to the house after Lenore called me and put the flowers on the table with a card from Leo (her mom’s cat).
Ok, everything alright so I went for a hick to Tilden Park, it was so wet from the last few days that I problems to walk over the trail. After 25 minutes I found a way up and took the tarmac road back to inspiration point where I parked. At my way home I stopped at the store for a lottery ticket, I saw on the web log from Mark that the jackpot went up to 256 million dollar. Thanks Mark for the reminder.

skiing

Saturday it was a nice day for skiing around Lake Tahoe. A few days before I was already busy to get my own boots, the skies I rent and hope for a good deal later on March. Boreal was the place for the day and directly on the I-80. James went down the piste on his snowboard while Lenore and I stay on our normal skies. Fifteen years ago was my last time in Sauerland district in Germany, but after 20 minutes I had my rhythm back.

Monday was a nice to clean the house, outside it was purring rain. And then food tasting at a Mexican restaurant in Berkeley, the 25th of March there is a party and we ask them to make a price for catering. The food was really delicious and I can't wait to give the party.







Today I got also the good news that John’s wife delivered a daughter named Amy. Mom and daughter are in a good condition and going home soon. What a perfect day.

Dentist appointment

Yep, today it was my time to show up at the Dentist for cleaning. Lucky that I know Barry from December 2004 at that time it was my first visit. Daniela cleaned my teeth will Barry came to talk with me about my North European set of teeth. I know that I need a crown so I was not surprise that he give me a new date to come. Then just before 6 pm Erika called me if I can come to here school for the Costa Rica trip next Friday, her mom was still working so why not. Of course it was things like what clothes you bring to the tropics and what spray for the sand flies and mosquitoes. At the time we came back from that meeting Lenore came out of the Hospital and stopped at the Chinese for food. Now it’s time for more Olympics stuff on TV.

Inconvenience

Tuesday afternoon and the weather is perfect in the Bay Area. This morning I had my friend Paul on the phone and ask me questions if I still like it here on the other side of the world without his friends. Sure I miss my friends, Marloes en Vincent but Lenore knows how to balance this with me. We talk a lot a do thinks like yesterday, a hike in Tilden Park. The have a few trails and a great view, and how can you enjoy this better then with a real beer. Beer?? Yes I always take my small backpack with some candy and drinks.
Then the story about my one cubic meter box what I send from Enschede to here. This morning I got a phone call from the company who should get this today. “Mister Nijssen your stuff is in New York, the customer’s service didn’t trust the container so they will scan. They scan it today or tomorrow, afterwards it goes directly on a truck what takes 9 till 10 days. Sorry for the inconvenience but there is something else in the container what they don’t trust. I call you back if I know more”. Well maybe I must start with my own bestseller; I know that my last name is not easy to spell but easier then Japanese I think.

End of soccer tournament

Last evening it was time to take the car to Walnut Creek and visit the field of Los Lomas.
These time no National Anthem and no presentation of the teams. It was a tuff game and both teams had problem with the wetter. Los Lomas had more luck then the ladies from Saint Mary’s they won with 3-0. At least I had fun to watch the games the last weeks and I’m sure they getting better next year with Jim as coach.
Then the speed skating event in Torino, I saw the reportage from NBC around 11pm. Of course they enounce first 40 minutes before that the USA won the Gold and Silver medals. Finally the sport gets more time on the television when you talk about the men. Strange thing is that Shani Davis was not happy with his interview from The NBC TV-channel. I can imagine the channel is talking the whole day about Chad Hedrick and his five Gold Medals he’s winning. Maybe that’s the reason that he didn’t want to skate with the US group. Davis is the US favorite from the Dutch people and I think because he has a normal behavior. Other thing, it’s strange that the US skaters has Dutch Sponsors. In the picture you can see that he’s a normal guy and respect other people.

I’m just hearing live the speed skating 1000mtr. from the ladies. Yes we have a Dutch winner named Marriane Timmer with 1.16.05 just before Cindy Klassen en Anni Friesinger. Nice revenge after disqualification on the 500mtr.
One compliment I must gave NBC, the site is up to date but please do next time live stream.

Speedskating

Its Saturday morning, I came early out of my bed so I could bring Lenore to her work.
She starts at 7am and afterwards I can drive around, I promised Margaret (Lenore’s friend) to help her with prepare the walls before she start to paint. It’s not my favorite hobby but I want to do something. Margaret called already if I can come 2 hours later, no problem. Till that time I can follow the 1000mtr speed skating live on the radio. Nice to hear that Shani Davis won this race, second is Joey Cheek and third Erben Wennemars. I’m sure that the NBC shows only three races and four commercials so it’s better to spend my time better tonight. There is another tournament soccer game tonight, the ladies from Saint Mary’s start at 7pm and I hope that we don’t get rain. We prepare for cold but not for rain.

Soccer tournament

As we know there was Valentine’s Day (Hallmark Day) on Tuesday. Lenore and I enjoy already our life so we said to each other ”No presents”. Lenore’s daughter Erika was traveling to her dad this weekend from Arizona and should be back today. I promise her to be there on the airport, she didn’t know that we contact her boyfriend Jon and ask him to join me and take her out for dinner on our costs. Nice to see her face when she walked in the Arrival Hall, while her Jon was standing there with flowers. The surprise was bigger when I went of the freeway, she was telling me from the back seat that I took the wrong way. “A dinner for two should be nice, isn’t it” was my answer. Fine to make them happy, plan succeeded.

The ladies soccer team from Saint Mary’s College High School were second in the league last week so this results in a tournament. It’s Wednesday 7pm in Lafayette, the national anthem sounds and the grandstand is packed with supporters. The play is against Acalanes Dons who has a really good team, the results on the end of 2 times 40 minutes is 2 – 2. At that time everybody was freezing their butts off. Five minutes later the game starts again with 2 times 10 minutes to decide which team is going further but after 20 minutes it was still tied. The keeper from Acalanes Dons was good but not good enough to stop all the penalties, and the St Mary’s Panthers won by one goal on the shoot-out. The players and the supporters from Saint Mary’s went crazy, nice thing is that Saturday we have another game. Of course, now the weather has changed and its FREEZING and it is supposed to rain on Saturday, so I really hope they win, and make watching the game worth it.

Bank account

Last summer Lenore and I went to a Dutch bank to open joint-account. Of course we didn’t have a problem and before she went back to the US Lenore had the atm card. So our plan was to open yesterday a joint-account again but then here in the US. We went to a bank with the most atm’s in this area the Washington Mutual, the one Solano in Berkeley. First it took them 20 minutes before someone came to open an account. The lady was new in this process and every time she went back to her supervisor to get our questions answered. Simple questions like what do you guys charge me when I send money from my Dutch account to here;’ I think probably nothing’. ‘Are you sure or ….’ Again she went back to her supervisor, ‘Sir it cost U$ 10,-. Next problem, I don’t have a security number yet because the process is so slow. Now the supervisor came and told me that I can’t joint the account, the excuse they have; ‘sorry since nine eleven’ RIGHT.
I’m getting sick about this excuse, is the whole US use this as an excuse. I think this is paranoia.
Luckily Lenore’s own bank is willing to put me on her account till the time I get my own number.
It’s time to think positive in this still beautiful country.

Wildcat Canyon and Tilden Park

Well that’s nice to hear, playing Spider Solitaire on the computer.
Yesterday I took the challenge to cross Wildcat Canyon and Tilden Park with the bike.
It took me three and half hour to get in Berkeley, but the view was beautiful with the weather of these days.

Today Lenore and I walked into Kennedy Grove Park, different view then yesterday but still pretty. There is also time for the garden, putting more bulbs in the ground so that we can enjoy it later on. In the evening its time to visit Lenore parents and go out for dinner, mmmmmmm.

The last week

The last week I was more active then right on this moment. I went with James to the other side of the Bay. I want to see some more from San Francisco, so the Fisherman Wharf, the Cable Car, Lombard Street and walking through China town. Funny to see, a lot of lunchrooms / restaurants have free wireless internet. I saw on the news that they want a free wireless connection in the big cities of the Bay. In the Netherlands this is still big business for the phone companies, but ok it's a tiny little country. On Friday Lenore and I went to the movies during the day, we want to see Broke Back Mountain. I can tell you it’s a really good movie. Saturday there was the Crab dinner at Saint Mary’s school, Lenore is crazy about the food but I prefer more the salad. Before the dinner there was an auction with different stuff, damn I mist the Basketball tickets just in the last minute. Still I can complain we have scored four bottles of wine from Francis Coppola and one night in the Marriot hotel.
During the weekend we took a hick here in the hills of El Sobrante, really beautiful even if we had problems. The mud on the trail was terrible so I hope to do it again soon or take the mountain bike.

What’s up?

Monday afternoon 3.30pm, Erika had a soccer game in Berkeley with her team.
She’s still has problem with her feet and the coach was so smart to give
her more time to recover. Wednesday afternoon it’s time to visit another team in Walnut Creek, James and I’m going with them to support the team from Saint Mary’s.
Its Tuesday, it was time to make some bread without the bread machine. I got last night the recipe from my mom in Belize. I can tell you perfect bread and it taste good; now its waiting for the lady’s what they say. During the time I had time to buy some plants and an axe.
The garden seems already better with some colorful plants. Another job was hacking the wood in smaller sticks. We had yesterday a little problem with the hearth in the dining-room but it seems that it goes well on this moment. I put the chicken in the rotisserie and now I’m waiting for the lady’s.

Lazy Sunday

Today I had a lazy Sunday; I make some correction on my new Belize website.
The site is finishing in the Dutch language and I hope to do something about the English version.
In the afternoon we (Erika and I) picked up Lenore for the St. Mary’s Football dinner.
Erika is the first female player ever since St. Mary’s school exists, and the best kicker of the team.
It was fun to see how everything goes and how the teambuilding is. This is really something else then a school in the Netherlands.
Well people as my normal day here, I try to listening a few hours to the Dutch radio Veronica on the internet. That’s nice about technology,

My favorite hobby

It’s 10 days ago that I in California arrived.
Of course is a change, first the Netherlands, a month Belize and now the United States.
I’m glad that Lenore and I had hours conversations on the phone, some people are talking so fast that it seems they have peppers in their … or hyper everyday. I can roll my eyes when the waitress in the restaurant does this. The last few days I’m busy in the back yard, planting flower bulbs and cutting the grass with a new toy, the land lawn. First we had a discussion about one on gas or electric. I didn’t saw the challenge to walk with a wire over the grass.
Last night we went to Berkeley for a standup comedian show, it was kept in a small room from a restaurant. There where five people with an act and around 25 people who enjoyed the show.
Afterwards we went to Zackary’s and eat a small pizza; the only thing I could complain was there beer. The beer was very good, only the measuring sucks. On the menu they tell that you get a pint, I’m maybe blond but a pint is around 0.45 liter and not 0.3 liter.

Happy New Year

Lenore is sitting in her house and sees how the rain is coming down while I’m sweating in Belize.
Don’t know where my last paper is but it’s on his way to Belize. We had a small party last night on my parent’s friend’s balcony. Typical Dutch food with rum/cola, isn’t it a nice combination?
Tomorrow day still have a day off in Belize, but the first thing I going to do on Tuesday is paying my stay at the immigration office. Of course I hope that the Embassy is calling me but I don’t expect that before Wednesday. Other thing is that Lenore is busy this week with working so that she can have time later of. Murphy’s Law is still around us but I hope to get there next week, yes people try to be positive. Till that time I hope to see something more from Belize, I didn’t see the South for a long time. Fact is that there are fewer tourists then on the Cayes.