Ray Plumlee's an American Odyssey
Traveling Webmaster's Deck Log
This is a copy of my old Deck Log (Online Journal). I am now using an online blog at my "Have Web Sites Will Travel" web site. I use it to chronolog my travels around North America (my American Odyssey).
This "Old" Deck Log is now only an archive of past postings. It tell's the reader where I have visited and what adventures I have had up til the time I started my blog on Have Web Sites Will Travel. This archive was written primarily from the perspective of a tourist. Not necessarily my work log though I may do some of that too, especially in those early days when I built the sites resouces. Initially I used it to detail my efforts in getting prepared for the adventure. Then I chronicled the adventure itself.
To read my current Blog, Deck Log, Journal or Captains Log go here.
Date: 18 June 2005 1:16 PM
Location: City: Boise State: Idaho
Log Entry Title: Summary of 1 October 2004 to 19 June 2005 in Boise, Idaho
Log Entry: This is a catchall listing to cover the time I spent hibernating in Boise, Idaho during the winter of 2004 and 2005. I interrupted my travels to enjoy the great joy of the birth of my first grandchild. Ellery Dulcena Plumlee was born Christmas Eve to my son T. Ray Plumlee and his wife Jennifer. This, of course, is a very special event for not only my son and Jennifer but for me. Ellery is my first grandchild and an occasion I have anticipated for many years. Ray did not marry until he was 31 (I think) and did not have Ellery until he was two weeks shy of 34.
During my winter stay in Boise I stayed in the Fiesta RV Park. Stan and the rest of the gang were great and made staying in Boise a pleasure. Thanks Fiesta RV Park!
I am sorry to see the Fiesta RV Park go away. The RV Park is being sold 1 July to a developer who is going to put another strip mall in along the street (Fariview Ave.) and Townhouses in the land behind.
Anyway, circumstances chose for me a great winter to have to spend in the Boise, Idaho area. It was a very mild winter where it was very dry and rarely dipped below freezing. We only had one snow and it was all melted by noon. So if I could have picked the winter to stay I could not have done better.
Stayed pretty close to the Boise, Emmett area. Made three day trips up to the Cascade mountains and the small towns of McCall and Cascade, Idaho to scout out where I wanted to spend the summer. I still wanted to stay within reasonable reach of the Boise area so I could see my family occasionally. But the itch is getting to strong. My itchy feet have got me antsy to get back on the road. So I have started planning my departure from the area in October and again head South to the warmer climate of Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
In order to keep in contact with my Granddaughter I have purchased my son a new computer and set him up on the Internet. I intend to have a web camera for me and his computer so I can see some live streaming of my family while I am out gallivanting around. Wow! This new technological age is great! What freedoms it brings.
In the fall some very good friends of mine and I took a day trip on the Thunder Mountain Train Line from Horseshoe, Bend to Cascade. Pam works part time for them so she was able to get her, William and myself some seats on the train. Once on the train I ran into a former work mate of mine. Julie (sorry I forgot her last name) and her husband were there. When I first retired from the Navy I worked part time for Boise Cascade. I was the relief watchman and Julie was one of the regular watchmen that I worked their days off for.
What a spectacular ride. It is a slow and leisurely ride up to Cascade with some of the most beautiful scenery there is. For the most part the Rail Road line travels alongside of the Payette River and for a good portion of the journey away from the highway (usually on the opposite side of the Payette River from the highway). The route begins on the Old Wagon Road to the settlement of Banks. Most of the trip is through the Boise National Forest. When we got to Smiths Ferry we stopped and everyone got off the train and we ate boxed lunches that were included in the fair. There was no fancy place here. We just ate alongside of the train and the tracks. Pam, William and I set on the steps of an old abandoned house. Wow was it neat. It is just not something you normally would do. One of the trips claim to fames is that we pass through the shortest rock tunnel in the nation. To end the ride we arrived in Cascade and were able to walk around town for an hour or so before we loaded up on busses and head back down to Horseshoe Bend. All in all a great day!
While I am on the subject of the Thunder Mountain Train Line Pam called me in late May and said that the Thunder Mountain Train Line was going to start the new season with a promotional run to Banks. The price was certainly right. It was $5 each and a canned good for a donation. This time we had Pam, William and myself plus my son Ray, daughter-in-law Jennifer, granddaughter Ellery, my brother Jerry and his wife Lois. The only people missing was my sister Linda and her husband Mike who were not available.
This too was a great time. I enjoyed spending the time with my family and friends on the train to Banks. I guess I ought to take this time and provide a plug for the Thunder Mountain Train Line. Be sure and follow the link to the Thunder Mountain Train Line web site. If you are in the area for one of their runs you will find it well worth your time.
The only other thing, of note I did during this period, was to take my online business to a new level. The world has discovered Ray Plumlee aka the World Wide Web Helper. I had a 5 fold increase in programming work that began in October and hasn't stopped. I now get 90% of my work by word of mouth referral and about 10% by direct web search.
I also increased my mobility by getting a Satellite Internet (DirecWay) System. I no longer have to limit myself to being in the Verizon Digital Network. Which is not available everywhere there voice network is. Now I can be in an area where the cell phone works but the Digital Internet does not. And my previous travel experiences, especially in Oregon and Washington, have shown me that this will expand greatly the places I can visit and stay. Technology upgrades march on!
Well, as I write this I am making my preparations to move up to McCall, Idaho for most of the summer. My next entry will be after I have been in McCall for a while.
Ray Plumlee
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