We are in our final week at
Ocean Mist and of course we had to put on the Texas Holdem
games...Mike and I love doing it. On Tuesday we had about 8 in
the tournament and on Friday 10. Joe who played both nights,
won first on Tues and 2nd on Friday
Bruce came in first and told
us that this was the first time he has ever played, he had a lot of
fun,as
you can see he was so wonderful to be around laughing and joking,
made it a fun night, Mikeshown
here came in 3rd. I told them I needed there picture for the
IRS, so here is Mike looking like "OH NO are you really going to do
that?
Rick in the background became our permanent dealer and he was really
good at it, his wife Maryanne was fun and made our table really
enjoyable.
There is a Ferry that takes
you from Ocean Shores to Westport, we are going to do that on
Sunday. On Saturday we have been asked to go back to Copalis
Beach to hold the Texas Holdem game there. So off we go...what
would make this even better is if Mike & I could start winning.
We again have meet some wonderful people and have more RV friends to
add to our long list. So I end the this month and we start a new
one. Hope everyone is enjoying there Labor day weekend and if
you are traveling stay safe.
Love Carol
August 22, 2007
showdown at Copalis Beach
Getting ready for the game
tonight I had to get into the right frame of mind.
Kick some of the clods off
my boots and shine up my belt buckle, this would really be my
ace in the
hole. It would keep all the other players from seeing
my eyes with the glare coming from the silver and
gold on the
buckle. strapped on my trusty six shooter with my little buddy
in my shirt sleeve, just at
the cuff. This would make sure that
all was on the up and up, and a little in my favor. ok, just
about
ready to go. place my cowboy hat on, with it tilted just
to one side. Ok, let's go.
AS I wandered down
the gravel lane, the rocks making that
cracking sound every time that my heal
hits the ground, I
noticed that there were a few players standing outside talking
to each other. ok. I got
their number, making plans on how to
handle this high roller and try to put him out early. Hah, no
problem, I can handle anything that they got to dish out.
Wow 22
players, I can do this,
I'm ready. shuffle up
and Deal.
Being the dealer, I thought that I might just teach these
tenderfoots a lesson on the first hand.
Look at
my hand, King,
four. Not a very good hand, but what the heck, I can just bluff
my way to
stardom, being the poker king that I am. ok, I raise.
Little did I expect here comes Sharon with a
counter, Adon
matches, and then Juan raises. Oh man, what is happening. Sarah,
puts her chips in,
and here
comes
Allison matching it. Jeff gets
a frown on his face, sure, going to slow play huh, puts
his
chips
In.
Sheila, plays with her chips and places her bet on the
table. NOW wait a minute, I am the
one that
is
supposed to be
bluffing here. They all can't have good hands, can they?
Danielle is not to
outdone,
and raises. Lana calls, and Stella
has got to see what the flop is, so she is in. Fay isn't going
to
be
outdone and places his chips in the middle, and says let's
go. Hey what could I do. FOLD ...
well, to make a long story
short. I was the non playing dealer for the rest of the night. I
don't even
know how or when, but my chips just up and disappeared. Maybe, I
dropped some of them on the
floor, that's the only thing that I can think AS the game
progressed, the chips were going back
and forth between the plays faster than a little wiener dog
chasing a chicken across the road. And
then it happened. In all my years and experience at card playing
I have never seen the WHOLE TABLE
go all in. But, here is a night to remember. First one player,
scratching his head said," All In". The next
thought for a moment and repeated "All In." Then the next, and
the next, and the next. whoa, slow
down just a moment, being the dealer, I am going to have to
figure out who is going to get what pot.
So, for about 5 min. we all set there and counted chips. here
was going to be six different pots, and
lord only knows how this is going to turn out .. Sure glad that
I wore my six gun. This thing might
just get a little ugly
before it is over. The OK Corral allover again.
AS the hands were finally turned over, Ace-King, Queen-Ten, and
so on.
AS we got down to Juan he turned over a pair of Jacks.
Hey, this is not a bad hand, but with all the
high cards that
the other players had, naw, not a chance. Turn the flop.
Six,Nine,Jack. couple players
had a pair but Juan now has trip
Jacks. Not bad. But still two cards to go. Turn King. NOW there
is a
pair out their that could get trip, and a three other
players that could get a straight. Yup, and one that
had a good
chance of a flush. Those Jacks didn't look that good anymore.
ok, let's go for the river.
There was a scream and a yell along
with a bunch of ooos and ahs. Not to mention some other words
that were not real audible. It turned out to be a JACK! Hey,
this guy has four Jacks, now they are
looking real good. one
good point to this story is the dealer didn't have to worry who
was going to get
what pot. JUAN, took them all.
Juan moved to the final table, and the game was on. There were
four
left. Barry, Juan, Scott, and Sue. with the blinds so high
it didn't take long. Sue was the first to go
with $12.00, then
it was Scott with $18.00. Barry and Juan fought it out like
pros. Heck, I was
worried that they were going to lock the doors
leaving us inside. when they were almost even money,
Juan called
all in. Barry, wrinkled his nose and rubbed his cheek wondering
what did this guy have.
"ok, let get it on." ALL IN.
Barry
Juan
Scott
Sue
AS the card got turned over neither player had that good of
cards, but in the end Juan
took
home
$30.00 and Barry came in
First $50.00, Scott came in 3rd and Sue 4th
Good Game Everyone had a
good time, a lot of laughing and joking around.
ok ... There is always next
time. And, Paybacks are fun.
Shuffle up and Deal
Charlie Tuna, ya did good!
well, it was time for Mike
to do the acookun and man did I do good!
Got to talk with Harvey,
yep, he's the one by the grill
AS he told me of his tale of going
down to the dock and meeting the boat as it came in,
grabbing
the tuna before it even hit the dock and with a grin hit the
road and raced back to the park.
with his pedal to the metal
weaving in and out of the traffic and yelling at all the big
trucks to get
out of the way, got to get this load back to the
park as fresh as it can be. NOW picture this, here is a
guy with
one hand on the wheel, head out the window, and a bunch of dead
fish lying in the back
seat. What cop in his right mind would
even dare even think about pulling this guy over. Not me,
that
is for sure. AS he rounded the corner on two wheels coming up to
the park, everyone understood,
get out of the way. Harvey is
heading for the Long House, and we all were saying a little
prayer that
he would be able to get stopped before he ran into
the front door. As advertised, with all wheels
sliding on the
gravel, the front bumper scraping in the dirt as the front
wheels dug in, he came to a
stop at any race car driver would be
envious of. "Hey, the faster that you go, the fresher the tuna
is.
that's his story!
As we entered the Long
House we were greeted by Linda
who was the cashier, who informed us where to go and what to
get. Yep, they had coffee. Hey, it's
got to be decent if they have coffee.
Bell,
was
serving at the counter, making sure that you got
everything that
you were suppose to get, and even more.
Charlie
and Mary LOU
were
back in the kitchen getting the spuds,
corn, rolls, and all the
dressings that go along with the dinner.
Here is one of the plates,
and look at that chunk of tuna. Now you already know
how fresh
it is. Thanks to that speed demon of Copalis Beach.
Here is Lyn,
she helps here in the park and let me tell ya, you have any
questions or want to know
what is going on, Just ask her and she is more that happy to let
you
know.
Roland,
stays here all year. Grew up is this neck of the woods. He
takes care of any Maintence or problems that you or the park may
have. Heck, I
was watching
him do some of the chores
around the park, and I
got tired. But, he just
kept going, and going, and
going, and ....... .
After dinner
I
had to waddle back to the coach, oh it was
so good. Thought about taking a
little nap, but carol reminded
me that we had a game on tonight and better get with it.
Until next time that Mike
cooks
Take Care
Mike
August 22, 2007
After spending 2 weeks at
Travel Inn in Elma, we are back at the
beach temperature in the high 60's day and low 40's night.
This park has limited activities, they do have breakfast and dinner
on Saturday, pool tournaments but no card or member generated games.
We really did enjoy Elma, Dana was a great activities host and
putting on the Texas Holdem games by Mike and I was a lot of fun.
I don't know what is happening but Mike and I are not getting to the
final table, all of the people who play the game we put on are
pros...ha.ha..we are having way too much fun...One thing about KM
resorts. they cater to the families more then the retired and the
complaints I hear "are not enough going on at their parks for all of
us old people". I must admit the only park so far at KM that
did have something going on is ELma and that is only because of
Dana, I meet several people in the last couple of weeks that
say they wish KM would take more interest in getting activities and
not cater to families since the retired use their parks more.
We go to Ocean Mist after
here which again is a KM park, I saw about 3 couples who had just
left there and they complained again about no activities...Being our
first year with KM and first time really using their parks we are
starting to wonder if we should have joined Western Horizons
instead...since they do cater to the older with lots and lots of
activities and they have parks everywhere. We did not make a
mistake in joining a membership as the cost to us for the year has
been next to nothing, we have only had to use RPI about 3 times at
$8 a night and pay our yearly dues. So joining was the best
way to go for us being fulltime. Only we should have checked
out other membership packages (Western Horizons had activities at
all the parks we had stayed in which were a lot of parks). We
have nothing against KM, their parks are well maintained and the
camp host do the best they can to help, also they welcome the idea
of letting us put on the Texas Holdem games. I guess you would say
this year has been a learning experience, we have found parks that
we will love to go back to and parks that we would never go back,
all in all we cannot complain too much. As they say " You make
the park" so we are now asking as soon as we get settled if there
are activities and if not could we put the game on at least once or
twice that week, So far everyone has let us. Like Elma
everyone wanted 3 nights so we gave them it (Dana did the one night,
along with her many other nights of fun).
You may wonder why
activities are so important, you see once you are retired and on
that monthly budget you cannot be a tourist everywhere you go. sure
you can go sight seeing and do as much as you can in the
area, normally that is done within the first week, so that leaves
the evenings and days, you need to get out and around other's just
like you...the activities are where you meet these people and hear
from them about places to go and parks to stay in. This is also
where you meet those who will be friends forever.
We will see what is in store
for us at the other parks and the scenery as we will finally head
for Oregon the beginning of Sept. for our very first Rally. It is a
full-timers Newmar Rally and it will be in Seaside OR, which I hear
is like a peace of Heaven...I could use a peace of Heaven right now.
Since we came to the area it has been cloudy (including ELMA) and
drizzle now I know what they mean by grey sky's. I don't care for
it...I much prefer the sun. Mike doesn't mine the grey he just
likes everything except the rain when he can't ride his bike.
Even with everything I still would not change how we are living.
Until tomorrow "TAKING ONE
DAY AT A TIME"
Love Carol
August 14, 2007
We have now been in Elma 1
week, Carrie who is the park host here has her work cut out for her,
she has taken over for the manager, since illness of the manager's
husband prevents her from doing her job, anyway Carrie is doing a
great job, the park has put on many activities which we have enjoyed.
From Texas Holdem on Tuesday held by Dana the activities Director
who also puts on the Bingo and crafts for the ladies. Dana is a
great person to get to know, she is funny and fun to be around. Mike and
I put on Texas Holdem on Friday and the players asked that we do it
again on Sunday which we did. We had about 9 people that night and
on Friday as well. Claudia, (who had been at Maple Grove with
us and where she won 3rd, picture with husband Dave), again
came in first Friday and then second on Sunday (Ed came in first on
Sunday)
and Ed, really enjoyed themselves.
I was able to go back to
Crystal at the Chopper Beauty Salon to get my hair done finally this
week, it was all black roots and the last person to cut it chopped
pits and pieces everywhere, Crystal did it
last year while we were here in Elma and I loved the way she styled it, so glad to know there
is someone out there who really can do hair. That is one of
the hardest things about being Full time finding a hair dresser in
all of the places we go. Her salon is wonderful, not the usual
inside when you walk in the first thing you see and then all of the
miniature choppers along the windows and
shelves
So far Linda at Rockport (she stayed
in Bayview the same time we did) and Crystal have been the only ones
who really can do hair. Wish I could take them on the road
with me, Mike even liked the way Crystal cut his hair. Crystal says
if I can find her room in the RV along with her chopper she would
go. Will be making a trip back to her when we go to Ocean Mist to
make sure it is done before moving south.
Went to Elma's State fair last Friday, it is so small it could be
walked around within an hour, not like I am used too. The best
part was the Pig races, I didn't know pigs could run that fast, it
took less then 6o seconds for those pigs to get around the track.
Guess you could say Pigs really can fly.
We haven't ventured out much
this time except to go to Shelton to shop at Wally Mart for
groceries, it was about 30 min. drive and the scenery was wonderful,
just like all of Northern Washington. We will be going to
Tacoma sometime this week, need to pick up some things at Camping
World and look around the town. Mike hates big towns, he would
rather stay in a town with about 10,000 then any, which with all of
the traffic I can't blame him.
August 7th 2007
We are now back in Elma,
Washington our home park Trailer Inn
,
will be here for 2 weeks. Tonight we get to play Texas Holdem
with live people...but first we have to go back to Saginaw's Diner,
where they serve the best Bread Pudding on Earth. They now are
in Washington's Best Places Book, their bread pudding is so goooood,
it is like getting a taste of Heaven. We meet Barry and Marty (whom
we had meet for the first time at Mable Grove) and told them about
the Diner and they joined us, they agreed it is the best, so if you
are ever up in this area make sure you go for the pudding and lunch.
We stayed at Copalis Beach but
there really wasn't much too do and there were no activities to
speak of, wish we did not have to go back but Mike made the
reservation already and he hates to cancel anything. Oh well
you do get too see and hear the ocean at all times.
Just meet Linda, she and
husband pulled in after we did, they had just come from Seaside
(Oregon) the RV Park we will be going to on Sept. 12th..Linda said
the park is as close to heaven you can get on earth...can't wait to
go there!!! Seaside Park, not ready for Heaven yet,
hopefully that's where I will end up since I dislike the heat,
Arizona was hot enough!
Don't forget to check out
the DataStorm too see exactly where we are
DataStorm #5491
Until tomorrow
Love Carol
August 2nd 2007
We are now at Copalis Beach
which is just about 1000 ft from the ocean, I am writing this while
looking out the front windows of the coach, looking at the Pacific.
We were suppose to go to Paradise Resort, just about 35 miles from
Randle, while heading up the road
to the resort we could see a huge lake it looked wonderful and we
were delighted at the prospect of staying so close to the mountains
and the lake. Boy did we get a surprise, the resort is
nestled in lots of trees and the spaces are so cramped we could not
get our rig in any of them, beside that, we would not have been able
to get TV or the internet, Mike and I can not live without our
Internet, since the web site is priority and I like keeping in touch
with everyone. this resort is for all of those who are camping
a week or less and do not have big rigs.
So plan B came into effect, we called ROD and
cancelled Paradise, drove down the road to pull off to figure were
we could go, called ROD and they got us into Copalis Beach.
Thank you ROD they have been wonderful with all of our reservations
and were a lifesaver on such short notice.
It has been windy here and
cool, around the 60's during the day and around 40's at night.
We went into Ocean Shores for groceries (there is only one grocery
store there) and their prices are high, guess being the only store
and in a tourist town they can get away with it. So if you
come here make sure you don't need anything or you could drive to
Aberdeen. The area is nice
with the ocean breeze and the resort has no trees to obstruct your
view of the Pacific Ocean. We will be here for a week then
onto Elma, for two weeks, our home park. We then come back to
Copalis Beach for a week, and up the road to Ocean Mist for two
weeks. Since there will be little driving, it is really
enjoyable for us. Here's hoping everyone who reads this is keeping
cool this summer and if you are traveling stay safe.
We finally set up our DataStorm
so you can find us on the map use this link
DataStorm #5491