Back on the Road

Hello to our Winter away from Minnesota for the year 2013-2014. Hot Damn.
We left our home in Lake City on Monday October 14th at approximately 1445 hours. Yes I know it's late in the day to start but hey at least we are on the road again, thanks Willie.  Anyway we made it 100 miles that day.  Spent the night in a Jellystone Campground for only $20.00 for full hookups. The check in Lady told me they were closing for the season the next day; which could explain the price.

On Tuesday we again headed West on I-90 heading for Box Elder South Dakota, our new home state.  We arrived in Box Elder on Wednesday mid morning checked in for our expected short stay. I said expected because after settling in we realized we did not have our Birth Certificates for the residence change. Have everything else but  the most important.  Called my older brother who had to drive to our house, go through the safe and find our Birth Certificates.  God Bless him he found them put them in the mail priority so we should receive them no later than Monday the 21st hence our expected stay turned into a 7 night stay. Of course it's cold and wintry here. Just had a small blowing snow storm come through but thank God it only lasted a few minutes.

Yesterday, the 17th we drove the Black Hills, Paha Sapa, visited Dead Wood and more interestingly the Crazy Horse Memorial. The face is completed and looks Great!! It has been close to 10 years since we last visited the Memorial we were really impressed with the progress.  We took a short bus ride for $4.00 which took us up to the base of the rock. What a view we were able to get a few pictures.  If you have not been to the Crazy Horse Memorial you need to go it is well worth the $20.00 per person cost to see the memorial and visit the Awesome Museum of American Indian Artifacts.

October 19, 2013
Good Morning.  Woke up early today to beautiful sunshine. Love It!  It looks to be a beautiful day. Are plans are to drive up to Deadwood today a do a little gambling. Several years ago while there with the kids I was fortunate enough to win $400.00. Maybe I can do it again. If so I will take Barb to the Texas Roadhouse for dinner tonight.

As soon as I can figure out how to do it I will add pictures to this Blog.  See you later.

October 21, 2013
Today is Monday. We received our Birth Certificates in the mail today thanks to my older brother, Nick. Tomorrow, Tuesday we go to the local DMV and get our SD drivers License and our SD License plates. We will then be SD residents. (Oops it turns out we needed our Marriage Certificate too.  I'm not brave enough to call Nick again. Our plan is to drive back out to Box Elder after we get home in the Spring.) After that we can get back on the road, heading to Utah. South towards the warm weather, hopefully because it can get cold in Utah too. Hopefully we will be able to find the Spires State Park again. This time we will spend a couple of days boondocking while we hike the area. Last season it was only on night. We left with a promise to return and hike the area.  We are so looking forward to moving on. This long a stay in the Rapid City area was not planned on. Today we spent looking around the Prairie Edge store where we bought several items. I finally bought a flute and am in the process of learning to play it. Hopefully it won't take me too long. Just the little I've played with it I've improved so I have high hopes. More to follow in the coming days.  So far I haven't chased the wife out of the RV so I guess that's a positive for me.

We made it to the kids house last week Wednesday, the 23rd of the October. It was a joyous reunion.  Little Jimmy ran up to me with his arms open a big smile and his face and gave me a big hug. I feel so loved. Jakob has the dark shadow of a mustache already and  he is only in 6th grade. My they grow up fast.  Soon he will have his driver's license and a whole new set of worries will start. He is such a loving young man with a great big gracious heart. My only wish at this time is he would get outside more and off the couch. Put the Gameboy down Jake, you need sun. Ha Ha.

Today my son, Tannen and I drove to Boise and did some shopping. Went to Camping World and I bought several needed items then on to Wood Crafters where we spent time looking around. Tannen bought some wood clamps. We then drove to Sonic had some lunch and then home. It has been a good day. Praise the Lord for  his many Blessing and answered Prayers!

Sunday 11-24-2013
Good Morning. It is my intention to place pictures on this blog however, I'm having a little bit of trouble just finding the folder I saved them to. I will keep at it until successful I promise. Right now the Queen of this here traveling home is requesting McDonalds for breakfast or Dennys, of course she has to drink her coffee first which is understandable. 

All my Grandchildren. Two from Ohio and two from Oregon. They are certainly spread out.  We love them so very, very much.

Right now we are camped in the Marina Dunes RV park in Marina California, 8 miles North of Monterey. I highly recommend this RV park. The spaces are level, showers clean and based on location the price of $70.00/night is not too bad. We leave here tomorrow and move to an RV park in the Santa Cruz Mountains near Palo Alto to spend Thanksgiving with Barb's sister and husband, Daren.

December, 21, 2013

We have been back from Monterey, CA for some time now.  The weather here at our son's house sucks. Cold with several inches of snow on the ground. While I dearly love our Children and Grand Children and look forward to Christmas Day I'm also looking forward to leaving for Mesa, Arizona and warmer, sunny weather.

Our plans to have Barb fly back to our home in Minnesota are still on the front burner. However, the plan to sell our place is not as happy a thought for Barb as it was a month ago.  Now she is back to talking about renting instead of selling and moving west.  I can't keep up with her changes  nor feel the strength to argue the selling point anymore.  My dream of buying a Class-A is on the back burner again. My plan to full time for a year without a house payment and save that money for a house in Idaho is off the table once again. Oh well as the saying goes; Que Sera.

Oh yeah I talked with my Older Brother, Nick the other night and found out he is in Prescott, AZ and will, I assume, be in AZ for some time.  Hopefully we can hook up while we are in Tombstone.  It would be nice to tour the historic areas with Nick. Since Mom's passing we haven't been as close as I would like but understandable I guess, at least I'm trying to understand.  The Cochise Stronghold is only 100 miles from Tombstone as is Fort Huachuca.  There is a lot to see within driving of Tombstone. I'm so looking forward to being back in the desert and warm sunshine.  Nick told me he is renting a single wide Manufactured Home for some lady and is happy with  his decision.  He told me the people on either side of his place are very friendly and came over for a visit. The man on his right and the lady on  his left.

Back Home Early

While we were enjoying our two week stay in Tombstone Az we rec'd some very sad news.
My Mother was dying!! It turned out to be one of the worst days of my life. She was 93y/o and had outlived her pig valve by almost 10years. Just 5 months after losing her life time Mate, my Father, of 69 years Mom joined him in Heaven.  I prayed she would not suffer as we pulled up stakes and headed home. Back to the dreaded Minnesota Winter.  We did not make it in time except to make it to the funeral services held in St.Mary of the Lake, Catholic Church in Lake City, Minn.

Until next Winter, Winter of 2013 our travels our over.  We will be back on the road come this October.

Bye Mom & Dad we Love You!

Woe to Us

I managed to delete several days of blogging in one swell swoop called accidental Delete; OOPS!

I decided to try and add some pictures to my blogs and thought I would start with one of the worst days we have had so far.  The title shall be:

THE DAY I RIPPED OFF THE AWNING

 

 



 

It all started out quite safely. I very carefully backed out from underneath the overhang which is supported by 4X4 posts of treated lumber (I shall get back to the 4X4 post later.) Our son's enclosed shop is the North end and the street is the South end.  The purpose of the moving of the RV in the first place is to fill the propane tank and dump the black water holding tank.  Both were accomplished without mishap. 

 

Upon my arrival back at our son's place still without mishap I proceeded to drive under the overhang when my 11 yr old grandson caught my eye.  Paying more attention to him I struck one of the support posts, remember those I wish I had, thinking it was a tree branch I was sliding under I paid no never mind, OOPS, wrong!  I caught the back awning support bracket pulling it lose from the side of the RV. In my attempt to extricate myself I managed to tear the rest of the awning off.  Along with the porch light and grab handle.  Now all of this happened after our first full day here when we managed to burn out the TV and Converter Charger because we plugged into 240 instead of 120.  The first clue was the smoke coming from the TV. OOPS!  It has been a very expensive visit so far. I don't watch a lot of TV but I do like the History Channel and PBS.  On Monday 12/31/12 the insurance adjuster will meet with me at 10:30am. I pray he will agree with the estimate and replacement of everything listed on the claim. I need the claim # so we can proceed.  Dennis Dillion RV of Boise will do the work provided the Adjuster agrees with the cost.  It will take Dillion RV one day to fix the problems but two weeks to receive the replacement parts.  I want to get moving on this so we can get to the desert.  Another lesson of patience provided by the Good Lord.

 

December 31, 2012

 

NEW YEAR'S EVE (DAY)

 

Mike the adjuster showed up right on time. Imagine that in today's world, On Time.

 

He approved the claim so I should have the claim # by January 2, 2013, wow 2013! I didn't think back in 1968 I would make it to 2013, damn surprise, surprise.

 

I digress.  Once the claim # is issued it will be 2 weeks before the parts come in and then on to Tombstone and Boondocking in the desert. So looking forward to warm weather again. Not that staying with our son and his family is a bad thing. The grand kids are great and we love them so much as we do both our son's and their families. But on to warmer weather as soon as we can.

I had to open a checking acct with Chase so I could cash a damn refund check. Oh well I hear good things about Chase so I'm happy. Plus when we move we will already be set up. Now to get our pension checks directed deposited to Chase. 

Received a much need check from Mom for Christmas.  I will deposit in our new acct tomorrow as it is too late today the bank is closed. Reportedly I can take a picture of the check and then some how send it to the bank but I don't feel comfortable with that procedure just yet. I will check it out though while I'm at the bank to make sure I'm doing it right. After a trial run I should have some confidence in the procedure. Tannen's renter has been doing it for some while now so maybe I should ask him. Maybe!  Found out how to deposit checks via my smarter than me phone without asking for help. It's simple really but first you have to sign up for the privilege, duh.

 

January 1, 2013

 

I woke this morning to 9 above and frozen holding tanks.  When I wrote the title "Woe is me" I didn't realize how apropos it would be.  Currently I have an electric heater outside under the holding tanks in my feeble attempt to thaw things out. What I need is a portable waste tank so I don't have to move the RV every time I want to dump.  I just looked them up on Camping World and was shocked at how expensive they are.  Over $200.00 for a decent sized one and that's on sale via the Internet. Of course shipping is another $45.00.  I guess I'll drive down to Boise tomorrow and buy one at their store.  We need to move on to warmer weather that's all there is to it.

 

January 2, 2013

 

It's 0100  hours and my older brother, Nick, called to tell me our Mom is in St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN.  Earlier in the evening I had made my usual daily call and Mom told me she didn't feel well and was having trouble breathing.  Nick's call was to inform me of her admittance and let me know they placed her on Lasix IV which brought her Oxygen level from 84% saturation to 97% saturation. This is quite an improvement but decided, wisely I think, to keep her overnight for observation. Mom has been struggling with Congestive Heart Failure for a while now. All I can do is pray and ask the Good Lord to help her so she won't suffer like our Dad and that he will lay his healing hands on her.  I pray with all my  heart she will get better and be at home when we get there in the Spring. I hope this doesn't sound selfish I'm not prepared to lose her just yet.  But I don't think I will ever be prepared for this loss.

 

 

January 7, 2013

 

 

I'm sitting in the RV watching it snow.  Of course Minnesota is snow free and warmer than here in Ontario.

 

Mom came home last night and I called her this morning. She sounds good. A lot better than she was while in the Hospital. Our prayers were answered. In view of all the prayers I've offerred up and the times our Good Lord has answered these prayers I can't understand those who don't believe.  His presence is strong in me and I'm grateful.  I'm not sure how I would handle the trials he has put in front of me if I couldn't pray for guidance.  Thank you God!

Barb has Jimmy to snuggle with on the couch. Of course she has the touch for getting him to take a nap.  She had the same effect on Jake and me. When we were dating I could fall asleep in seconds while snuggling with her on the couch.  She is soporific.

It's still snowing here in Ontario.  The kids love it but of course I don't. I find it a terrible inconvience at best.  I left Lake City to get away from this shit and here I am back in it.  I feel like Don Corleone trying to get out of the mob while I'm trying to get away from the snow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





Christmas is getting closer



December 19,2012

It is now December 19, 2012 and we are getting closer to the big day. The Holiday I enjoy the most the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. I can't help but feel, as I have off and on for years, that the birth of our Lord and Savior is lost in the commercialism of Christmas. We forget and then our children and grandchildren do also that Christmas is more than Santa Claus and gifts under the tree. Don't take me wrong I enjoy the look on their faces as they open all those presents I really do.

 

I pray our Good Lord will bless each and everyone of us. Most especially our Mother who is suffering from congestive heart failure off and on. I was with our Dad on September 3rd of  this year when he finally went to our Lord and watched him suffer as  he drowned in his own fluids. Dad you looked so frightened and sufferred so much. I wish I could have done more for you when you needed me most but I could not. I know you are with God and happier.  I only pray it is God's will to allow Mom to stay with us for a long while yet. I know she misses you Dad; I pray she will not suffer as you did those last few days.

 

As we prepare for this holy day I am glad we can be with our children and grandchildren. They bring such joy to us!  Christmas day will be exciting and God I pray you will not be far from my every thought.

 

Barb has been looking at property and found quite a few good deals. We are both excited about moving out here from Minnesota but don't look forward to preparing for the move. The thought of all that work does not excite me even a little bit. I hope we can afford to hire someone to pack the boxes and load the truck.  The driving of a U-haul and pulling a utility trailer behind the RV will be the easy part.  Finding a place to buy will be even easier.  It is the right decision to get out from under the huge house payment and buy property out here. There is so much for great prices. It is exciting this opening of a new chapter in our lives.  The buying a Class-A diesel pusher will be just as exciting so we can keep traveling to warm weather in the winter.  In fact I'm getting itchy to travel on right now but we need to save some fuel money before we can do that.  This time spent with our youngest son's family is a real blessing.  In the spring I hope we will be able to see Mike and his family; Chris, Alex and Sammy.  I miss them very much.

December 21, 2012

Just sitting at the table looking thru a very good personal travel site called; Life on the Open Road. This site is written by a single woman who has been traveling for more than 13 years on her own. I'm somewhat jealous as Barb wants to have a permanent residence while I want to full time for a few years. Oh well marriage is all about compromise!  I guess that is why we have been together for  40 years.  At least she agrees to head South for the Winters anyway.  There is so much to see in this wonderful country of ours and I want to see as much as I can before I get too old and can't travel. My Mom and Dad instilled the travel bug in me in a very good way!

My thoughts ramble so bear with me. (Is that the right "bear with me?" Or should it be ("bare with me?" ) Oh well I really don't care.

Sitting in the Motorhome looking out the window at the greay skies. At least there is no snow.  Back home it has been snowing with a vengence. I guess they are paying for the last two years of hardly any snow and last year's early Spring. We were riding the bikes in March. How cool is that.

December  22, 2012

It rain again today; still better than snow.

I watched Barb and Ces wrap Christmas presents at the same time watching a Chinese movie with english subtitles tell me I can't multi-task.
I'm getting itchy to travel but we must save gas money and besides Christmas will be here soon and the morning of watching everyone open their presents will pass all too quickly. It will be a plesant day with the extended family of our daughter-in-law. They are a great family! It is nice they can all be together. I only wish Mike and his family, our Ohio grandkids, could also be here.

I hung up some things today, a paper plate holder, paper towel holder and a clothes hook. Heck I don't want to do all the fun stuff in one day. Besides this morning, while Barb tried to sleep, I changed the batteries from a daisy chain to a negative to negative, positive to positive. (I can't think of the term right now) I watched how to do it on College of U-Tube. What a great resource. If you haven't tried it you should. I've never been disapointed. 

Ces is re-finishing a chair that has been in  her family for quite some time. It will be a Christmas present for her brother Sam.  What a great gift, an heir loom.

December 23, 2012

Jake slept in the RV with me last night. We stayed up and watched Indiana Jones on the lap top via the TV screen. Unfortunately we could not hear it very well as only the lap top speakers put out the sound. However, I accessed subtittles so we could read what was being said. It was nice having my little buddy stay with me.

It's snowing right now. Big flakes little storm; that's what Mom always told me. I can't believe I'm saying this but it's kind of nice. Snow for Christmas would be okay just so it goes away after that. We left home in part to get away from the cold and snow. At least the cold part isn't too bad.

Barb, Ces, Cindy, Jake and Jimmy are at Grandma Cindy's baking Christmas cookies. I hope Barb is enjoying herself. I know I like the quiet time.

Well today I sure screwed up big time. I unhooked drove over to get Propane and dump my holding tanks at the County Fair Grounds. So far all is good. Upon returning to Tannen's I drove under the over hang to park where we have been parking. Now the extension overhang from his shop is held up by 4X4 posts.  I managed to rip, and I mean rip, off the electric awning on the right side of the RV. Man was I mad. Poor Jake he took off like a shot and went inside. Smart kid. I apologized to him later for being angry and using poor language.  I didn't want him to feel he was part to blame because he sure wasn't.  I know he felt bad though. He's good now.  So I called Bob Kemp our insurance man, took pictures and emailed them to him. An adjuster from Idaho is supposed to get in touch with me next week but with Christmas and New Year I imagine it will take some time. Then I  hope I can get a quick appointment with Camping World in Boise.  The awning, and of course the frying of the TV, 55 amp charger goes along with the claim of bad luck since arriving at our son's place. As I have said before, if something doesn't go wrong it wouldn't be an RV trip for me. I can always expect some damage; just my luck. Hopefully I'm done now for this trip.  I'm anxious to see Tombstone and do a little "boondocking" in the desert outside Tombstone.

Jake is excited about Christmas as all little boys should be at this time of year. It's fun watching  him. I told him sleep makes the time go faster but he is so excited  he has trouble getting to sleep. I remember those days. Staying up late playing Monopoly and other games to make the time pass on Christmas Eve. One time, on Cherokee, we snuck down and fell asleep under the tree. Of course Mom found us and scooted us upstairs to bed. I have many fond memories of living on Cherokee Ave. as a little boy. It is the same house my Dad grew up in.  Great Grandpa built in 1909. I loved that house.  It was nice until Dad re-modeled it and then sold it. We had a bedrooms upstairs until the  re-model. In the summer we would sleep out on the porch over the back yard.  Our Aunt Grace lived upstairs until she died. She was a neat lady. I remember so little of her because I was so little. Aunt Grace was my Paternal Grandpa's sister.  She owned the house but sold it to Dad with the caveat she be allowed to live there until she passed.  I've been back to see the house several times but it's just not the same. The lady who owns it now turned it into a rental. Our old bedrooms upstairs are an apt. and even the attic is a seperate apt. They ruined the house. Of course it is not being taken care of like it should so it looks a little run down.

(It's odd the things that go through my mind while typing. It's theraputic.)

Back from another nice dinner at Cindy's.  Watched some good clasic 1947s TV. Christmas stuff is best for me at any rate.  Some stuff I haven't seen in years, 1950s and older. Love it. Otherwise I don't care for tv much.

December 24, 2012

It is another beautiful day. Woke up to the sun shinning Love It!

It is Christmas Eve day and Jakob is getting more excited by the minute. It is so cool to see him this way. I can remember those days as a child.  Poor little Jimmy is sick with the croupy cough. I hate to see him this way.

The weather man is talking snow for the area on Christmas Day. That would be nice as long as the next day it is Gone!!!
Pay day, Pay day where are you?

We shared Christmas Eve dinner with Cesily's brother Sam, Valerie and their 4 kids. Boy what an excited bunch of kids knowing Santa is on his way. Valerie, Sam's wife, made home made Tacos with a rice dish that included jalapenos. Man was that ever good. Ces' Mom Cindy and Step Dad Gene along with Ces and Sam's Grandmother Mickey were all there. It was a good time. They live in Wizer a little town just across the border in Idaho. Wizer (sp) is where they hold a Violin contest every year someitme in June. Hope to see it some time after we move here.  At any rate it is a Good Christmas Eve. I was just in the house and of course Jake and Jimmy are still awake though for different reasons I suspect. Jimmy is too young to appreciate it being Christmas Eve while Jake is too excited to sleep. Barb just went inside to help Ces work on Sam's gift, the heirloom chair. Barb wrapped Ces' presents from Tannen as he is still at work. He won't be home until, well now as I look at the clock.  Man I can't believe it is after 2300 hours already. Tomorrow will come fast so I guess I better get to sleep. Merry Christmas everyone.

December 25, 2012

Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas.
I woke up today at 0530 after going to bed at 0230. I'm doing surprisingly good for only 3 hours sleep. Barb woke me at 0730 to tell me Jake and the kids where up.  When I went inside I saw Jimmy playing with a gift of a football and sliding down his new gym slide. Pretty Cool! So we all began to open presents; what an awesome morning. I think everyone is asleep now as I write this. I guess no breakfast. We are spending the rest of the day at Cindy's where we will eat Lasagna and watch the kids open more presents. Very Cool!  Some of the kids get a little wild for me but I guess not everyone can have perfect kids like my Grandsons. LOL.  I'm looking forward to the visit despite my getting nervous around loud kids. I guess I'll follow Gene and see where he hides out when they get to loud.

I pray my Mom is doing good today. Congestive Heart Failure can be a stubborn thing but her doctor is good and caring man.  She is at my brother's Dave's place until Wednesday, clebrating Christmas with him and his wife.

Back from the afternoon and early evening at Cindy's.  Had a grand time watching everyone open presents. Even the "Pirate gift giving" was fun. I ended up with a slow cooker/crockpot which will be great for the RV.  Valerie, Sam's wife gave me a very cool pocket watch for the gift exchange. Valerie said she asked and Tannen told her she can't go wrong with anything Harley and pocket watch.  He was right, what a great gift. It came with a belt holster so I immediately placed it on my belt but only after setting the correct time. I'm very happy with the whole day. Usually I'm quiet and set back but I refused to be that way anymore because I miss out on so much with my self imposed hesitancy to join in. I'm glad I see things differently now.  Barb is so easy going and sociable. I learn a lot watching her being happy and taking an active part.

I've been reading a lot of blogs on full time RVing. I know Barb doesn't want to go full time but part time is okay with me. We both get what we want in compromise and that is what being married is all about.  There is so much to see in this country and I want to travel and see it all.  When we leave here we will travel the back roads as much as we can and stop often.  We are leaving here hopefully in January but we have to wait for a couple of pieces of mail to arrive. One is a refund check and the other is our two credit cards for Chevron and Texaco. I also applied for a Flying J but I doubt we will get that. The slow part is waiting for the cards to be mailed to Minnesota and then forwared to here. I should have used Tannen's address for the fuel credit cards but Ik didn't think of that until afterwards and of course by then it was too late. 

To close; Christmas was great!

Happy New Year everyone.








Days before Christmas



We left our home in Minnesota on a dreary day, a Sunday to be exact. We stayed our first night in our new Class-C, Ford powered Four Winds RV.  Our first night was in a small Iowa town at their City Park. As it turned out we were the only ones to stay in the park that night at a cost of $15.00 for full hook up.  Barb started a fire with twigs and branches laying about on the ground from the Oak trees while I set up for the night making the necessary connections of water and electricity.  The fire was a real nice touch. Unfortunately we have not had one since.
The next day we drove until I think Fayetville, Arkansas where we spent the night in a KOA. Very expensive for just water and electricity, $35.00.  What is now funny was the connecting of the two black water hoses so we could reach the sewer hole.  I bought a plastic connector for the job and with Barb's help I managed to get the two hoses connected.  Of course it sounds easier than it did as it took the better part of 2 hours to complete the job.  As I was emptying the black water tank I would raise the hose like kneading a snake when much to my chagrin they came apart and I was sprayed with the contents. Not a pretty picture. Barb went back to the office and purchased the 2 clamps I should have bought in the first place. Now partially covered with poop water and chemical we began the odyssey of connecting the hoses. Let  me say this; I will never disconnect them again!!
After leaving Arkansas we drove to Barb's Aunt Bernice's house in the little Oklahoma town where Barb was born in her "Granny's" house as were her cousins.  Now Barb has not seen or talked to her Aunt in 40+ years and we had no idea where or even if she and her husband Jerry lived there.  We parked across from the Police Dept. as Barb researched on her lap top.  After 30 minutes or so I wrote down the information and walked across the street. Upon entry into the PD I asked if they knew a Woodrow so and so and the response was  you mean "ole Woodrow" who died in 2006?  Long story short we found several of her cousins and her Aunt and Uncle.  We spent a day and a half with them and it was a very enjoyable time.  We left with plans to return next year and spend a week.
We spent 2 days with my old partner, Chet in Mesa, Az. at an RV Resort. We had a most enjoyable time. We walked around in shorts and t-shirt as our part of Minnesota was getting 10 inches of snow. I love the Sun and warm weather.
After leaving Mesa we spent one night on the road and got into the kids house in Oregon the next evening. Worrying about money for gas we drove pretty much straight through arriving here in the early evening of Dec 12th or so.

It is so nice being here with the kids and grand kids. We love this time of year and Christmas is my favorite holiday. The excitement and look on the kids faces make it all worth it.