April 26th - Thurs - Kamloops
Dad is doing OK. One foot seems to be still lacking some circulation as it is whiter and cooler than the other foot. Took him for a little walk around the ward.
Cousin Pat & Rick came to visit and have dinner with us. As we were preparing dinner, a friend of Marg’s drove by with her trailer to spend the night in the same RV park as us. So we invited her (Jane) and her daughter (Alisha) to join us for dinner.
Obviously we found somewhere to post our log. We went to the library and they had WiFi access. We also took the time to look for coordinates to set up our satellite dish. We have a zip code chart but not postal code chart. We set up the dish with some help from a neighbor and are now getting as many foreign (Japan, Australia, South Korea) channels as US channels! Could have watched a rousing cricket match if we had so desired.
April 27th - Friday - Kamloops and Logan Lake
After visiting Dad at the hospital, we went to Logan Lake (about 45 minutes from Kamloops) to see Pat & Rick. We viewed the house that they are currently renovating, saw my Aunt Adela’s house (Pat’s Mom) that she just purchased and saw Pat’s daughter’s (Morgan) house that they just moved into. Pat made us a great lunch.
Marg left for home from Logan Lake.
April 28th & 29th- Sat/Sun - Kamloops
Dad is doing great. We took him down the elevator and along a long hallway to go outside for a bit. He has been in the hospital for nearly 2 weeks so a breath of fresh air was a treat for him.
We added a couple of visits to the casino to our hospital visits. The first time we both won a bit. We ended up giving it all back but at least it gave us something different to do.
April 30th - Mon - Kamloops to 100 Mile House
Dad informed us yesterday evening that he was being discharged today. We packed up the rig and then picked Dad up at 9. Hooked up to the 5th wheel, dumped the tanks (no sewer hookup at the sites) and took “the back way” to 100 Mile. What I am calling “the back way” follows the Thompson River to Little Fort before joining Hwy 97 just south of 100 Mile. Pretty country and a lovely drive. Arrived in 100 Mile in time for lunch.
Marg had lit a small pile of branches on fire and it jumped to an old downed fir tree and was getting quite hot. So Terry & I ended up babysitting the fire and keeping it contained for several hours.
May 1st - Tues - 100 Mile
Marg had a large (200 lb) bag of wool and some loose wool from sheep shearing that she wanted to burn as there is no market for small amounts of non-premium wool. So we hauled it over to the burn pile, added some diesel and started another fire. Actually, we started with the loose wool and a load of sticks that we picked up. Then Marg harrowed a field while I tossed the bag of wool in a bit at a time. There was another bag of wool that Marg hadn’t decided if she was going to burn. Terry decided that it was going to get burned so he hauled it over. Then Terry & I collected two small wagon loads of sticks to add to the fire and get all the wool burned.
After lunch, Terry and I put grass seed on the field that Marg had harrowed while Marg took Dad to the local doctor to check on his medications. We had a hand crank seeder with a canvas bag that you fill with grass seed. Then I sat on the back of the 4-wheeler and cranked while Terry drove around the field. Yes, I know there are machines to do this!! We had a great start - Terry was in high gear and did not make a smooth start and dumped me off the back of the 4-wheeler. Since I was holding the seeder with both hands, I could not catch myself and have a couple of dandy bruises on my butt and thigh where I hit a platform on the 4-wheeler and a rock.
After Terry harrowed the seeded field again to cover the seed a bit, we went out to the field where Marg had fed hay to the cows all winter. In the field and between trees were mounds of cow sh*t that needed to be broken up and spread around a bit. This is done with the harrow. Pulling half the harrows behind the 4-wheeler allows you to get between the trees where you cannot go with the big tractor. I moved sticks and tossed cow stuff to areas where Terry could drive while Terry drove around the field and through the trees with the harrows. We did a fine job!
The sheep shearer called this evening to say that he could come tomorrow so Marg and I put all the sheep into barns in case it rains tonight. Nothing like shearing wet sheep.
May 2nd - Wed - 100 Mile
Friends Nicole, Allan and Cecile arrived to help us with shearing. This is the first time that I have seen or taken part in shearing and it was quite a production. We had everything organized and it went well. Terry was in charge of keeping a small pen full of sheep so the shearer could reach past a burlap curtain (manned by Allan) to grab the next sheep. Marg & Cecile each grabbed a front leg of the sheared sheep and with a push from the shearer pulled the sheep on its back to the hoof trimming “station”. Marg trimmed the front hooves while I did the back. Rolled them over and out the door. Meanwhile, Nicole was grabbing the fleece and dropping it onto a sheet of plywood on sawhorses where she picked out any big pieces of undesirable material (sh*t), folded the fleece and stacked them against the wall. She also kept the area swept clear of stray bits of wool trimmed from the belly.
Dad was busy sharpening knives for me and came out to “supervise” for a while.
Marg and I had mixed up a crock pot of chili and baked brownies last night and baked some corn bread this morning so we all had lunch after we finished the shearing about noon.
Not surprisingly, we all rested after lunch and Marg iced one of her new knees where she had been kicked by an unappreciative ewe. Marg and I then joined the ladies’ club for 9 holes of golf and dinner. We both kept noticing sore spots and muscles as we were golfing.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Thursday, April 26, 2007
April 20th to 25th - On the move
April 20th - Fri - Jackson, WY
We went touring through Grand Teton National Park today. Not all the roads were open and clouds were hanging around the tops of the mountains so it was an abbreviated drive. We drove through snow coming to Jackson so our truck and 5th wheel were filthy. We cleaned them up a bit and then listened to the rain later!!
April 21st - Sat - to Idaho!
Took off this morning to head a little further south in Idaho. Spent some time in a casino just north of Pocatello and I talked to my sister on the phone. My Dad is in the hospital waiting for surgery to correct a blood circulation problem and is scheduled for surgery on Tuesday. So we decided to drive to Canada!
We drove to the 10,000 Silver Dollar Bar in Montana - once Terry has a plan and a destination there is no stopping him!
April 22nd - Sun - to Spokane
We had to get rid of some alcohol to get across the border into Canada so we decided to leave it a Terry’s Mom’s place in Spokane. Also wanted to pick up our mail while we were there. So we visited with good friends Bill & Georgia and then spent the night with Terry’s Mom. Our “change oil” message came on in the truck while we were driving on Saturday so Terry looked after that today as well.
April 23rd - Mon - to Kamloops, BC
Took off early today, picked up our mail and drove to Kamloops. Found an RV park fairly close to the hospital. Cousin Pat & Rick joined us for a drink and then we stopped in to check on Dad. He was in good spirits since he finally is scheduled for surgery. Went to dinner with Pat & Rick.
April 24th - Tues - Kamloops
Visited with Dad this morning and passed the time by showing him pictures on our computer. Surgery was scheduled for 2:00 so we did a bit of grocery shopping and came back to the rig. My cousin Bill who works at the hospital called at 6:45 to say that the surgeon had called him to say everything went well. At 8:30 he called again to say that Dad was in ICU and we could go see him. He was wide awake and feeling great.
April 25th - Wed - Kamloops
Sister Marg came from 100 Mile House this morning to spend the day and night with us. Just when we went to see Dad he was being moved from ICU to the surgery ward. So we visited for a couple of hours and then left him to rest. We went grocery shopping as we had invited cousin Bill and his wife Carol for dinner. Marg & I left Terry cooking ribs and went back to see Dad again before we had dinner. When we go back, Bill & Carol were here so we spent a lovely evening eating and visiting.
We do not have internet access so we are going to try to find somewhere tomorrow where we can get connected and post this blog.
We went touring through Grand Teton National Park today. Not all the roads were open and clouds were hanging around the tops of the mountains so it was an abbreviated drive. We drove through snow coming to Jackson so our truck and 5th wheel were filthy. We cleaned them up a bit and then listened to the rain later!!
April 21st - Sat - to Idaho!
Took off this morning to head a little further south in Idaho. Spent some time in a casino just north of Pocatello and I talked to my sister on the phone. My Dad is in the hospital waiting for surgery to correct a blood circulation problem and is scheduled for surgery on Tuesday. So we decided to drive to Canada!
We drove to the 10,000 Silver Dollar Bar in Montana - once Terry has a plan and a destination there is no stopping him!
April 22nd - Sun - to Spokane
We had to get rid of some alcohol to get across the border into Canada so we decided to leave it a Terry’s Mom’s place in Spokane. Also wanted to pick up our mail while we were there. So we visited with good friends Bill & Georgia and then spent the night with Terry’s Mom. Our “change oil” message came on in the truck while we were driving on Saturday so Terry looked after that today as well.
April 23rd - Mon - to Kamloops, BC
Took off early today, picked up our mail and drove to Kamloops. Found an RV park fairly close to the hospital. Cousin Pat & Rick joined us for a drink and then we stopped in to check on Dad. He was in good spirits since he finally is scheduled for surgery. Went to dinner with Pat & Rick.
April 24th - Tues - Kamloops
Visited with Dad this morning and passed the time by showing him pictures on our computer. Surgery was scheduled for 2:00 so we did a bit of grocery shopping and came back to the rig. My cousin Bill who works at the hospital called at 6:45 to say that the surgeon had called him to say everything went well. At 8:30 he called again to say that Dad was in ICU and we could go see him. He was wide awake and feeling great.
April 25th - Wed - Kamloops
Sister Marg came from 100 Mile House this morning to spend the day and night with us. Just when we went to see Dad he was being moved from ICU to the surgery ward. So we visited for a couple of hours and then left him to rest. We went grocery shopping as we had invited cousin Bill and his wife Carol for dinner. Marg & I left Terry cooking ribs and went back to see Dad again before we had dinner. When we go back, Bill & Carol were here so we spent a lovely evening eating and visiting.
We do not have internet access so we are going to try to find somewhere tomorrow where we can get connected and post this blog.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
April 17th to 19th - UT,WY
April 17th - Tues - to Jensen, UT
Yesterday we stopped at an RV service place to see about getting a nut welded back onto our rear stabilizer and they said to come by at 9:30 on our way out of town. When we went there, the welder was gone and we were told that he should be back in a couple of hours so we could just hang around and wait! Not bloody likely!!
I think we have been ignoring Wanda’s (GPS) instructions too much as she sent us on a steep road over a mountain - Hwy 139 north from I-70 just over the border into Colorado. It was very scenic though - out of the desert and into green. By the time we hit the tourist information and got set up there wasn’t enough time to do much so we went and checked out nearby Vernal and fueled up - at $3.06.
While we were sitting outside enjoying the sunshine, a guy drove by in a pickup with a welder in the back. He dropped off another guy and drove out past our site. So Terry flagged him down and asked if he could/would weld the nut for us. Not only did he weld it, but he would not accept any money for doing so! He said that life was treating him well and he could do a favor for someone.
Later in the evening it clouded up and we had some lovely displays of sheet lightening and some rain.
April 18th - Wed - Jensen, UT
I guess we are just jinxed! The wind will not stop!
We went to Dinosaur National Monument. The main exhibit is a “dig” with bones left partially exposed. Unfortunately, the building was found to be unsound in July so it is closed. We are not interested enough in old bones and such to go for walks looking for barely visible fossils. Ended up back at the rig deciding on our next stop(s) and doing some reorganizing and a couple of small repairs. Then went out way too often to readjust the satellite dish as the wind kept knocking it out of alignment.
April 19th - Thurs - to Jackson, WY
Long day of driving today. We went to Craig, CO and then north into Wyoming. We could have taken a shorter route through the Flaming Gorge area but it is a very steep, windy road and there was snow all around us last night so we thought we better avoid it. We were going to stay in Rawlins, WY but it was still windy and there was snow and mountains everywhere (duh, we are in the Rockies!) so we decided to head a little west and try to get out of the snow. So, with Jackson, WY know for skiing, you’d think there would be more snow here but there isn’t. And there is no wind! We actually did not think we would get this far but we could not find an RV spot sooner.
We were coming this way to go through Yellowstone as Terry saw an ad for Yellowstone on TV (he thought). Well, when we got our campsite, the guy told us that Yellowstone is not open yet. Back to the drawing board!
Yesterday we stopped at an RV service place to see about getting a nut welded back onto our rear stabilizer and they said to come by at 9:30 on our way out of town. When we went there, the welder was gone and we were told that he should be back in a couple of hours so we could just hang around and wait! Not bloody likely!!
I think we have been ignoring Wanda’s (GPS) instructions too much as she sent us on a steep road over a mountain - Hwy 139 north from I-70 just over the border into Colorado. It was very scenic though - out of the desert and into green. By the time we hit the tourist information and got set up there wasn’t enough time to do much so we went and checked out nearby Vernal and fueled up - at $3.06.
While we were sitting outside enjoying the sunshine, a guy drove by in a pickup with a welder in the back. He dropped off another guy and drove out past our site. So Terry flagged him down and asked if he could/would weld the nut for us. Not only did he weld it, but he would not accept any money for doing so! He said that life was treating him well and he could do a favor for someone.
Later in the evening it clouded up and we had some lovely displays of sheet lightening and some rain.
April 18th - Wed - Jensen, UT
I guess we are just jinxed! The wind will not stop!
We went to Dinosaur National Monument. The main exhibit is a “dig” with bones left partially exposed. Unfortunately, the building was found to be unsound in July so it is closed. We are not interested enough in old bones and such to go for walks looking for barely visible fossils. Ended up back at the rig deciding on our next stop(s) and doing some reorganizing and a couple of small repairs. Then went out way too often to readjust the satellite dish as the wind kept knocking it out of alignment.
April 19th - Thurs - to Jackson, WY
Long day of driving today. We went to Craig, CO and then north into Wyoming. We could have taken a shorter route through the Flaming Gorge area but it is a very steep, windy road and there was snow all around us last night so we thought we better avoid it. We were going to stay in Rawlins, WY but it was still windy and there was snow and mountains everywhere (duh, we are in the Rockies!) so we decided to head a little west and try to get out of the snow. So, with Jackson, WY know for skiing, you’d think there would be more snow here but there isn’t. And there is no wind! We actually did not think we would get this far but we could not find an RV spot sooner.
We were coming this way to go through Yellowstone as Terry saw an ad for Yellowstone on TV (he thought). Well, when we got our campsite, the guy told us that Yellowstone is not open yet. Back to the drawing board!
Monday, April 16, 2007
April 15th to 16th - Moab
April15th - Sun - Moab
Truly nasty weather again today with wind all day. So we packed up all the laundry and went into town to get it done. The RV park only has 2 washers and driers and we had 6 loads so I would have monopolized the machines for half the day. It did not rain until after Terry had barbequed some steaks in the wind.
April 16th - Mon - Moab
Not to always go on about the weather but it does play a large part in the life of people living in an RV where chores don’t take a lot of time!
Actually, it was nice this morning so after I got a haircut we drove a few miles to a tourist attraction called “Hole N’ the Rock”. It was a fun place. In the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s a couple carved into a huge rock to create a diner. Then they continued blasting and drilling into the rock to end up with a 5000 sq. ft. house. We took the short tour of the house and it was quite amazing. The husband died in 1955 and the wife in 1972 so the house has been only a tourist attraction since then. You could not take pictures in the house. It was divided into rooms only by remaining pillars of original rock - no walls except for the bathrooms. Still furnished with original, now antique, items. The whole grounds have fun “stuff” all over and I did get pictures there. Wandered around shops in town for a while and came back to the rig for a late lunch. Just in time - a storm moved through with thunder, hail & rain along with the ever present wind.
Truly nasty weather again today with wind all day. So we packed up all the laundry and went into town to get it done. The RV park only has 2 washers and driers and we had 6 loads so I would have monopolized the machines for half the day. It did not rain until after Terry had barbequed some steaks in the wind.
April 16th - Mon - Moab
Not to always go on about the weather but it does play a large part in the life of people living in an RV where chores don’t take a lot of time!
Actually, it was nice this morning so after I got a haircut we drove a few miles to a tourist attraction called “Hole N’ the Rock”. It was a fun place. In the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s a couple carved into a huge rock to create a diner. Then they continued blasting and drilling into the rock to end up with a 5000 sq. ft. house. We took the short tour of the house and it was quite amazing. The husband died in 1955 and the wife in 1972 so the house has been only a tourist attraction since then. You could not take pictures in the house. It was divided into rooms only by remaining pillars of original rock - no walls except for the bathrooms. Still furnished with original, now antique, items. The whole grounds have fun “stuff” all over and I did get pictures there. Wandered around shops in town for a while and came back to the rig for a late lunch. Just in time - a storm moved through with thunder, hail & rain along with the ever present wind.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
April 14th - Moab
April 14th - Sat - Moab
Guess it is not winter - just spring with something different every day. Clear and sunny this morning with little wind. Ran out of propane halfway through making French toast for breakfast so that was the first errand of the day. Did a quick clean-up on the truck before heading out.
Went to Canyonlands National Park today. It is a HUGE park with 3 sections with separate access. We went to the north section - Islands in the Sky. Some wind but we were comfortable taking walks in short sleeves and long pants. More amazing scenery - totally different from the red rocks of Arches National Park less than 30 miles away.
Sat out in the sun to read, cook ribs and chat with a Canadian (Ontario) neighbor. Cooled off the minute the sun went behind the 5th wheel however. We have WiFi access in our rig which is great.
Guess it is not winter - just spring with something different every day. Clear and sunny this morning with little wind. Ran out of propane halfway through making French toast for breakfast so that was the first errand of the day. Did a quick clean-up on the truck before heading out.
Went to Canyonlands National Park today. It is a HUGE park with 3 sections with separate access. We went to the north section - Islands in the Sky. Some wind but we were comfortable taking walks in short sleeves and long pants. More amazing scenery - totally different from the red rocks of Arches National Park less than 30 miles away.
Sat out in the sun to read, cook ribs and chat with a Canadian (Ontario) neighbor. Cooled off the minute the sun went behind the 5th wheel however. We have WiFi access in our rig which is great.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
April 12th to 13th - Moab, UT
April 12th - Thurs - Cortez
It is winter again! Continued wind and some snow mixed with rain yesterday evening and night. Still windy and cloudy in the morning but we decided to go check out Mesa Verde National Park anyhow. Drove through heavy rain but just before the park the rain stopped and it started to clear. This park is noted for the cliff dwellings used by Indian farmers from 1500 to 700 years ago. They farmed on top of the mesas and build their dwellings in ledges in the cliffs. Scientists think they built in the cliffs to protect them from the winter cold and shade them from the summer sun.
The wind dropped enough that it was pleasant to walk on some of the viewpoints and down to the dwelling across from the museum. It ended up being a lovely day. We figured there were probably fewer visitors and less traffic than there might have been if the weather had been warmer.
April 13th - Friday - to Moab, UT
We listened to the forecasts for storms in the Rockies and decided to move on. Short (138 miles) drive to Moab today. The discount park (CampClub USA) was pretty full but they found a spot for us. Made some lunch and left to explore the town. Decided that we had enough time to go to Arches National Park. It was still windy but had warmed up some so I was able to talk Terry into walking on some trails for better views of some arches. Incredible scenery!! The road climbs very quickly once in the park and then winds around for about 13 miles in the park with the return on the same road.
Hit the grocery store on the way back to pick up something to cook inside - still not nice enough for the barbeque.
It is winter again! Continued wind and some snow mixed with rain yesterday evening and night. Still windy and cloudy in the morning but we decided to go check out Mesa Verde National Park anyhow. Drove through heavy rain but just before the park the rain stopped and it started to clear. This park is noted for the cliff dwellings used by Indian farmers from 1500 to 700 years ago. They farmed on top of the mesas and build their dwellings in ledges in the cliffs. Scientists think they built in the cliffs to protect them from the winter cold and shade them from the summer sun.
The wind dropped enough that it was pleasant to walk on some of the viewpoints and down to the dwelling across from the museum. It ended up being a lovely day. We figured there were probably fewer visitors and less traffic than there might have been if the weather had been warmer.
April 13th - Friday - to Moab, UT
We listened to the forecasts for storms in the Rockies and decided to move on. Short (138 miles) drive to Moab today. The discount park (CampClub USA) was pretty full but they found a spot for us. Made some lunch and left to explore the town. Decided that we had enough time to go to Arches National Park. It was still windy but had warmed up some so I was able to talk Terry into walking on some trails for better views of some arches. Incredible scenery!! The road climbs very quickly once in the park and then winds around for about 13 miles in the park with the return on the same road.
Hit the grocery store on the way back to pick up something to cook inside - still not nice enough for the barbeque.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
April 10th to 11th
April 10th - Tues - to Holbrook
We bypassed Flagstaff again and took I40 east for a ways to a tiny blip on the map called Sun Valley which is just past Holbrook, AZ. PA park, pretty primitive. The wind was really blowing. We drove through the Petrified Forest National Park which is in the Painted Desert. We would have appreciated the scenery more if we hadn’t been afraid of being blown off the edge the few times that we did get out. I got sandblasted once when I stepped out to get pictures. Back to the rig to make use of the satellite dish as the only place we wanted to be was out of the wind.
April 11th - Wed - to Cortez, CO
The wind wasn’t blowing too hard when we left this morning but a weather forecast said it would pick up again. No use staying another day as we had sort of planned to do. We drove to Gallup, NM and then headed north before going back west into Arizona for a few miles and then north into CO to arrive at the Four Corners monument. As the name says, it sits on the intersection of New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona and Utah. The pictures that I took there are not good - I think some sand got into the lens cover and it did not open all the way. From there we headed to Cortez, CO. We stopped at a huge visitor center and had our choice of a lot of brochures about the area. is cool (46) and breezy - just right for a visit to WalMart where I found the shorts that I have been looking for and a few groceries.
We bypassed Flagstaff again and took I40 east for a ways to a tiny blip on the map called Sun Valley which is just past Holbrook, AZ. PA park, pretty primitive. The wind was really blowing. We drove through the Petrified Forest National Park which is in the Painted Desert. We would have appreciated the scenery more if we hadn’t been afraid of being blown off the edge the few times that we did get out. I got sandblasted once when I stepped out to get pictures. Back to the rig to make use of the satellite dish as the only place we wanted to be was out of the wind.
April 11th - Wed - to Cortez, CO
The wind wasn’t blowing too hard when we left this morning but a weather forecast said it would pick up again. No use staying another day as we had sort of planned to do. We drove to Gallup, NM and then headed north before going back west into Arizona for a few miles and then north into CO to arrive at the Four Corners monument. As the name says, it sits on the intersection of New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona and Utah. The pictures that I took there are not good - I think some sand got into the lens cover and it did not open all the way. From there we headed to Cortez, CO. We stopped at a huge visitor center and had our choice of a lot of brochures about the area. is cool (46) and breezy - just right for a visit to WalMart where I found the shorts that I have been looking for and a few groceries.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
April 8 to 9 - Prescott, AZ
April 8th - Sun - Prescott
Lots of room in the park so no change of plans today. Not far to travel so we all golfed in the afternoon. We wished that we had put long pants on instead of the shorts that we wore from Mesa. It was cool with the wind that was blowing - I think the temperature was about 70. Went for a bike ride around the park (it is pretty big) before settling in for the evening.
April 9th - Mon - Prescott
Yvonne and Barry played tour guide and we explored Prescott. There is a large “town square” around a courthouse and lots of fun shops to check out in the streets around the square. One place where we had to make a purchase was the ice cream shop! Then we took a ride through a section of town with some very nice houses. Prescott is a thriving town that is growing rapidly. It has much more “green” (bushes, trees) than the desert areas that we have traveled through. Almost the entire town is set on hills.
We stopped to visit the friends of Barry & Yvonne who came to see them in Mesa. Then we picked up some baby back ribs and had a nice dinner here at the park followed by a few games of “dice”. We’ll have to find out or make up a name for this dice game!
Lots of room in the park so no change of plans today. Not far to travel so we all golfed in the afternoon. We wished that we had put long pants on instead of the shorts that we wore from Mesa. It was cool with the wind that was blowing - I think the temperature was about 70. Went for a bike ride around the park (it is pretty big) before settling in for the evening.
April 9th - Mon - Prescott
Yvonne and Barry played tour guide and we explored Prescott. There is a large “town square” around a courthouse and lots of fun shops to check out in the streets around the square. One place where we had to make a purchase was the ice cream shop! Then we took a ride through a section of town with some very nice houses. Prescott is a thriving town that is growing rapidly. It has much more “green” (bushes, trees) than the desert areas that we have traveled through. Almost the entire town is set on hills.
We stopped to visit the friends of Barry & Yvonne who came to see them in Mesa. Then we picked up some baby back ribs and had a nice dinner here at the park followed by a few games of “dice”. We’ll have to find out or make up a name for this dice game!
Saturday, April 07, 2007
April 4 to 7 - Mesa / Spokane
April 4th - remainder of Wed
Here we go again with plans that don’t work out! We did not run into much traffic on the way to the airport so go there earlier than we thought we would. Parking at the airport is a mess and very expensive so I told Terry to just drop me off and we could each get something for dinner. When I got into the airport, my flight was ½ hour late - delayed in Denver for mechanical work. Later, it was reported as 50 minutes late which turned out to be pretty accurate. Landed in Spokane just after 11pm. GOOD friend Bill picked me up and dropped me off at EllaMae’s where I spent the night.
April 5th - Thurs - Spokane
SUCCESS!!! At 1:35 I finally was called for my 1:00 pm appointment, had fingerprints and picture done and a sticker put on my old green card to use until the new one reaches me in the mail. Took less than 10 minutes!
I spent the rest of the afternoon visiting friends and looking after some banking items. Had a good dinner with EllaMae and Don, did a bit of gardening (the weather was lovely) and got to bed early. Drove by our old house - looks pretty much the same, didn’t feel the least bit like I wish I was still there. Terry put his time alone to good use by cleaning the truck & 5th wheel.
April 6th - Friday
Poor Don - my flight left at 5:00 am so he had to get up at 3 to get me to the airport. No delays going back via Salt Lake City. After Terry & I stopped for breakfast, we hit another “swap meet”. I think of a swap meet being somewhere with used items but this is another one where money is “swapped” for all kinds of new items. Huge place, all under cover so it is bearable even in hotter weather like today. Terry got a California duster with an extension handle so he can keep the 5th wheel as clean as he keeps the truck.
We sat around our “buddy burner fire” with our neighbors later in the evening.
April 7th - Sat - Mesa
We took our neighbors (Barry & Yvonne) to the swap meet this morning. We were happy that we went fairly early as it started getting pretty busy by 11. I got a couple of kitchen items and our friends got several things. After we stopped for breakfast we came back to the park and Yvonne & I went to do laundry. We decided that instead of sitting in the laundry room we could wait in the pool. So we came back for our swim suits and the guys joined us in the pool. Makes laundry a much nicer chore!
Tried to make a reservation at a park in Prescott for a couple of days but there was no answer. Barry & Yvonne have a reservation so we are going there as well and hope there is a spot for us.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
April 1-4 - Mesa
April 1st - Sunday, to Mesa
Moved to Mesa today. We are staying at a park where we stayed in December. It is a PA park so the rent is very reasonable for a week and we found the people here very friendly.
Another couple (Barry & Yvonne) moved in next to us later in the day and we talked with them a bit. They had a tee time for Monday and asked if we wanted to join them. They have to call Monday to see if the course has put anyone with them. Found a Costco and picked up a few items. Relaxed in the warm/hot weather!
April 2nd - Monday -Mesa
Our tee time was later today (2:45) so we spent some time in the pool before golfing.
The golf course was a short course - par 3’s and short par 4’s but everyone needs practice on their short game. The course was in great shape. We went out for dinner with Barry & Yvonne to complete a nice day.
April 3rd - Tues - Mesa
Laundry day today. Then a shopping trip for some shorts for me and some groceries. Another hot day so we made another trip to the pool - lots of people doing the same thing. They float around in a circle on swim “noodles” and talk.
Our neighbors met some old friends in Casa Grande and then came back here with their friends just after we returned from the pool. We all ended up sitting under our awning and chatting. The friends just moved to Prescott, AZ so it was nice to get their opinion of the area.
April 4th - Wed - Mesa
Just lazing around waiting for it to be time to leave for the airport - I fly to Spokane today to get the processing completed for my green card. I thought my flight was at 7:37 am but discovered about a week ago that it was 7:37 pm. Oops!! We plan on being at the airport very early so we can miss the ugly rush hour traffic in Phoenix. We will have dinner there and Terry can catch the tail end of the traffic when he drives back to the RV park.
Moved to Mesa today. We are staying at a park where we stayed in December. It is a PA park so the rent is very reasonable for a week and we found the people here very friendly.
Another couple (Barry & Yvonne) moved in next to us later in the day and we talked with them a bit. They had a tee time for Monday and asked if we wanted to join them. They have to call Monday to see if the course has put anyone with them. Found a Costco and picked up a few items. Relaxed in the warm/hot weather!
April 2nd - Monday -Mesa
Our tee time was later today (2:45) so we spent some time in the pool before golfing.
The golf course was a short course - par 3’s and short par 4’s but everyone needs practice on their short game. The course was in great shape. We went out for dinner with Barry & Yvonne to complete a nice day.
April 3rd - Tues - Mesa
Laundry day today. Then a shopping trip for some shorts for me and some groceries. Another hot day so we made another trip to the pool - lots of people doing the same thing. They float around in a circle on swim “noodles” and talk.
Our neighbors met some old friends in Casa Grande and then came back here with their friends just after we returned from the pool. We all ended up sitting under our awning and chatting. The friends just moved to Prescott, AZ so it was nice to get their opinion of the area.
April 4th - Wed - Mesa
Just lazing around waiting for it to be time to leave for the airport - I fly to Spokane today to get the processing completed for my green card. I thought my flight was at 7:37 am but discovered about a week ago that it was 7:37 pm. Oops!! We plan on being at the airport very early so we can miss the ugly rush hour traffic in Phoenix. We will have dinner there and Terry can catch the tail end of the traffic when he drives back to the RV park.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Mar 31st - Camp Verde
Mar 31st - Saturday
We made a big sightseeing loop today. Went through Cottonwood (stopped at Wal Mart) to Jerome which is an old copper mining town. It is advertised as the largest ghost town in the country but people (lots of artists) still live there so I don’t consider it a ghost town. Then through Clarkdale to Sedona. Parking was very tough to find and a parking lot had low clearance so we didn’t want to try it. We ended up on the edge of town for a good lunch. Headed back through Oak Creek. Took it easy the rest of the day and evening.
We made a big sightseeing loop today. Went through Cottonwood (stopped at Wal Mart) to Jerome which is an old copper mining town. It is advertised as the largest ghost town in the country but people (lots of artists) still live there so I don’t consider it a ghost town. Then through Clarkdale to Sedona. Parking was very tough to find and a parking lot had low clearance so we didn’t want to try it. We ended up on the edge of town for a good lunch. Headed back through Oak Creek. Took it easy the rest of the day and evening.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Mar 29 to 30 - Williams, Camp Verde
Mar 29th - Williams
Housekeeping day today. Watched the icky weather and did a load of laundry. I am glad that I only had one load as it was the most expensive laundry facilities so far - $1.75 for a small washer and $1.50 for the dryer for 42 minutes. Same machines that were $1.00 for wash and .25 for each 17 minutes of drying in Quartzsite.
Mar 30th - to Camp Verde
Snowed more last night but the roads were clear. Had to sweep snow off the slides before we could bring them in. Short driving day - hit I40 to Flagstaff (35 miles) and then south on I17 to Camp Verde (53 miles). We are in a nice clean park - near the freeway but below it so the noise is very low. We got the last spot in the park and only got it because Terry is a good driver and got our 36 foot rig into a spot with a 27 foot max designation. We had lunch in town and then went to Montezuma’s Castle nearby. It is a restored dwelling on a cliff face that was used by Indian farmers in the 1400’s.
We purchased an annual pass for national parks and monuments when we went to Zion and we have already recovered the $80 cost. Once Terry is 62 we will be able to get a lifetime pass for $10 - there are some perks to getting older!
The weather was lovely so we wandered around the park and chatted with one couple who is here with a group of people in small van-type campers (Pleasure Way). Then we met another couple on a walk and after standing in the street for a while we asked them over for a drink and took notes on places they had been and recommended.
Housekeeping day today. Watched the icky weather and did a load of laundry. I am glad that I only had one load as it was the most expensive laundry facilities so far - $1.75 for a small washer and $1.50 for the dryer for 42 minutes. Same machines that were $1.00 for wash and .25 for each 17 minutes of drying in Quartzsite.
Mar 30th - to Camp Verde
Snowed more last night but the roads were clear. Had to sweep snow off the slides before we could bring them in. Short driving day - hit I40 to Flagstaff (35 miles) and then south on I17 to Camp Verde (53 miles). We are in a nice clean park - near the freeway but below it so the noise is very low. We got the last spot in the park and only got it because Terry is a good driver and got our 36 foot rig into a spot with a 27 foot max designation. We had lunch in town and then went to Montezuma’s Castle nearby. It is a restored dwelling on a cliff face that was used by Indian farmers in the 1400’s.
We purchased an annual pass for national parks and monuments when we went to Zion and we have already recovered the $80 cost. Once Terry is 62 we will be able to get a lifetime pass for $10 - there are some perks to getting older!
The weather was lovely so we wandered around the park and chatted with one couple who is here with a group of people in small van-type campers (Pleasure Way). Then we met another couple on a walk and after standing in the street for a while we asked them over for a drink and took notes on places they had been and recommended.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Mar 27-28 - Grand Canyon / Williams
Mar 27th - Williams, AZ
We thought it was windy yesterday but it was nothing compared to today. We pulled in our slides before we went out for a while as the large slide that was facing the wind was moving so much. We played “good neighbor” and picked up and folded lawn chairs that were blowing away from a rig across the street When we got back we realized that the large slide was the last one to go out so we put out the other two and left the large one in until the wind dropped a bit. We were happy that the wind dropped until I opened the door to take Dolly out about 9:30 and realized that it was snowing!!! Everything was white and it was still snowing. We had seen a weather forecast and it agreed with our outdoor temperature reading of below freezing.
Mar 28th - Grand Canyon / Williams
The roads were clear this morning with other areas still mostly white but thawing quickly - helped by the wind that was still blowing but not so bad. After fortifying ourselves with fresh doughnuts from the nearby Safeway, we headed out for the Grand Canyon which is 59 miles from here. There were a few skiffs of snow along the way but it turned out to be a much better day than we expected. With our heaviest coats we were OK but I sure as heck would not have wanted to spend hours on a mule riding down the canyon! The film at the IMAX theatre about the history of the canyon was wonderful. We spent about 6 hours with travel and sightseeing. Some more skiffs of snow on the way back and it is just below freezing now (7:30).
We thought it was windy yesterday but it was nothing compared to today. We pulled in our slides before we went out for a while as the large slide that was facing the wind was moving so much. We played “good neighbor” and picked up and folded lawn chairs that were blowing away from a rig across the street When we got back we realized that the large slide was the last one to go out so we put out the other two and left the large one in until the wind dropped a bit. We were happy that the wind dropped until I opened the door to take Dolly out about 9:30 and realized that it was snowing!!! Everything was white and it was still snowing. We had seen a weather forecast and it agreed with our outdoor temperature reading of below freezing.
Mar 28th - Grand Canyon / Williams
The roads were clear this morning with other areas still mostly white but thawing quickly - helped by the wind that was still blowing but not so bad. After fortifying ourselves with fresh doughnuts from the nearby Safeway, we headed out for the Grand Canyon which is 59 miles from here. There were a few skiffs of snow along the way but it turned out to be a much better day than we expected. With our heaviest coats we were OK but I sure as heck would not have wanted to spend hours on a mule riding down the canyon! The film at the IMAX theatre about the history of the canyon was wonderful. We spent about 6 hours with travel and sightseeing. Some more skiffs of snow on the way back and it is just below freezing now (7:30).
Monday, March 26, 2007
Mar 25-26 - Utah to Arizona
Mar 25st - Sunday - Hurricane,,UT
Today we went to Kolob Zion park. It is a much smaller version of Zion with more amazing rock formations. We went on a short (just over a mile round trip) walk for a better view of the Finger Canyons - a series of valleys formed by rivers. We did not get going early enough to go to Bryce Canyon park - will have to go there some other time.
It was obvious that we were in “church” country today - there were very few stores open.
We heard a weather forecast that included 3-6 inches of snow in Salt Lake City so that really reinforced our feeling that we needed to get back into warmer weather.
Mar 26th - Monday - Arizona
Headed south this morning. We just hit I15 and went right through Las Vegas. Then onto I515 and across the Boulder Dam (Hoover Dam). I was disappointed that the parking for RVs was so far up the hill that we were not going to walk back down for a tour.
We stopped at a tourist info center in Kingman, AZ and thought we would continue on to Williams. But it had been windy all day which makes driving tiring so when we saw an RV park a few miles out of Kingman we decided to spend the night. Took the opportunity to do laundry and also have WiFi so have to update the blog.
Today we went to Kolob Zion park. It is a much smaller version of Zion with more amazing rock formations. We went on a short (just over a mile round trip) walk for a better view of the Finger Canyons - a series of valleys formed by rivers. We did not get going early enough to go to Bryce Canyon park - will have to go there some other time.
It was obvious that we were in “church” country today - there were very few stores open.
We heard a weather forecast that included 3-6 inches of snow in Salt Lake City so that really reinforced our feeling that we needed to get back into warmer weather.
Mar 26th - Monday - Arizona
Headed south this morning. We just hit I15 and went right through Las Vegas. Then onto I515 and across the Boulder Dam (Hoover Dam). I was disappointed that the parking for RVs was so far up the hill that we were not going to walk back down for a tour.
We stopped at a tourist info center in Kingman, AZ and thought we would continue on to Williams. But it had been windy all day which makes driving tiring so when we saw an RV park a few miles out of Kingman we decided to spend the night. Took the opportunity to do laundry and also have WiFi so have to update the blog.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Pictures now available!!
You might have noticed a new entry on our blog. Near the top is a heading "Pictures" and a link below it to a web site. Click on the link and you will be directed to a Picasa web site with a couple of "albums". Click on one of the albums and you will have an option to click on "slideshow" to step through the pictures or use the arrows to move to the next picture. Click on the minimize/maximize square box in the upper right corner to show the pictures full screen. Use the "X" at the bottom of the screen to stop showing pictures and go back to the list of albums.
Enjoy!!
Enjoy!!
Mar 20th - 24th - Laughlin & Mesquite NV; Utah
Mar 20th - Tuesday
The RV spot here in Laughlin (Riversite Casino) leaves a lot to be desired. We are in a “less desirable” central area with very narrow spots. The sites have a left and right spot for each number and the right spot is only used when the park is full. Well, we have neighbors left and right so it is really cozy. The Riverside Casino is on the north end of the park and across the street. All the other casinos are south but there is no exit from the park at that end so when you are walking you have to go clear to the north end of the park and then head south to the other casinos. And of course our site is on the south end of the park!! The coupon that we had includes the breakfast buffet for 2 and the dinner buffet for 2. Not a bad dinner buffet tonight.
Mar 21st - Wed
How can a breakfast buffet be bad? Well, this one was! We bought tickets for a boat ride at 2:30 and then wandered down the row of casinos - there is a walkway along the river for a long ways. I mentioned to Terry that we had a long walk back for the boat ride but the time slipped away and suddenly it was 2:15 (when they told us to be there!) so we walked so fast to get back there and made it. The boat went up river to the Davis Dam and then down past all the casinos. The captain told a lot of history as we went so it was interesting. Lovely weather. Went to a different casino for a “2 for 1” buffet and it was terrible!
Mar 22nd - Thurs
We drove to the Avi casino this morning to check it out and take advantage of the 99 cent ham & egg breakfast. Drove back through Bullhead City. Shopped at the outlet mall - looking for jean capris as I had to throw away my old pair as they were falling apart. No luck. There was a wind, rain, lightning storm when we went back to the rig to water & feed Dolly. Pebbles were thrown against the side of the rig. Yet another “2 for 1” buffet for dinner and it was good. Haven’t cooked for 3 days - how unusual! Notice there has been no mention of gambling wins? That is because there have not been any to speak of!
Mar 23rd - Friday
Decided to go along Lake Mead and stay in a campground along the lake somewhere. Well, Terry was not too impressed with what we saw of Lake Mead so we continued on to Mesquite - near the border of Nevada & Utah. Stopped at a casino RV park and they were full so we dry camped in the parking lot along with many other rigs and semis. I actually cooked dinner tonight - what a nice change. We sat and chatted with a nice couple from Alberta until a short rainstorm sent us inside.
Mar 24th - Saturday
We are near Hurricane, Utah, about 15 miles north of St George. We are in a Western Horizon (member) campsite that was in our CampClub USA list of participating campgrounds. So even though we aren’t Western Horizon members, we get the site for half price. Paid for 2 nights.
Went through Zion national park today. Didn’t get going until after noon and did not wear the proper clothes for hiking so just went on a couple of scenic drives. Amazing landscape! I would like to go back and go on a couple of walks but will have to see what I can talk Terry into and how much time we have after going to Bryce Canyon park.
We had breakfast before we left this morning and then did not have lunch. So we stopped at a store on the way back and got a couple of nice steaks to put on the BBQ for an early dinner. Wandered around the park and talked quite a while with a guy from Port Townsend, WA who has been full timing for 5 years.
The RV spot here in Laughlin (Riversite Casino) leaves a lot to be desired. We are in a “less desirable” central area with very narrow spots. The sites have a left and right spot for each number and the right spot is only used when the park is full. Well, we have neighbors left and right so it is really cozy. The Riverside Casino is on the north end of the park and across the street. All the other casinos are south but there is no exit from the park at that end so when you are walking you have to go clear to the north end of the park and then head south to the other casinos. And of course our site is on the south end of the park!! The coupon that we had includes the breakfast buffet for 2 and the dinner buffet for 2. Not a bad dinner buffet tonight.
Mar 21st - Wed
How can a breakfast buffet be bad? Well, this one was! We bought tickets for a boat ride at 2:30 and then wandered down the row of casinos - there is a walkway along the river for a long ways. I mentioned to Terry that we had a long walk back for the boat ride but the time slipped away and suddenly it was 2:15 (when they told us to be there!) so we walked so fast to get back there and made it. The boat went up river to the Davis Dam and then down past all the casinos. The captain told a lot of history as we went so it was interesting. Lovely weather. Went to a different casino for a “2 for 1” buffet and it was terrible!
Mar 22nd - Thurs
We drove to the Avi casino this morning to check it out and take advantage of the 99 cent ham & egg breakfast. Drove back through Bullhead City. Shopped at the outlet mall - looking for jean capris as I had to throw away my old pair as they were falling apart. No luck. There was a wind, rain, lightning storm when we went back to the rig to water & feed Dolly. Pebbles were thrown against the side of the rig. Yet another “2 for 1” buffet for dinner and it was good. Haven’t cooked for 3 days - how unusual! Notice there has been no mention of gambling wins? That is because there have not been any to speak of!
Mar 23rd - Friday
Decided to go along Lake Mead and stay in a campground along the lake somewhere. Well, Terry was not too impressed with what we saw of Lake Mead so we continued on to Mesquite - near the border of Nevada & Utah. Stopped at a casino RV park and they were full so we dry camped in the parking lot along with many other rigs and semis. I actually cooked dinner tonight - what a nice change. We sat and chatted with a nice couple from Alberta until a short rainstorm sent us inside.
Mar 24th - Saturday
We are near Hurricane, Utah, about 15 miles north of St George. We are in a Western Horizon (member) campsite that was in our CampClub USA list of participating campgrounds. So even though we aren’t Western Horizon members, we get the site for half price. Paid for 2 nights.
Went through Zion national park today. Didn’t get going until after noon and did not wear the proper clothes for hiking so just went on a couple of scenic drives. Amazing landscape! I would like to go back and go on a couple of walks but will have to see what I can talk Terry into and how much time we have after going to Bryce Canyon park.
We had breakfast before we left this morning and then did not have lunch. So we stopped at a store on the way back and got a couple of nice steaks to put on the BBQ for an early dinner. Wandered around the park and talked quite a while with a guy from Port Townsend, WA who has been full timing for 5 years.
Monday, March 19, 2007
QZ - Mar 15th to 19th
Mar 15th to 18th, Thurs to Sunday
We went to Palm Springs on Thursday to spend the weekend with Skip & Kathy, EllaMae & Don (Terry’s mom) and Cindy & Tim (Terry’s sister). The guys played golf on Friday & Saturday while the women shopped, lunched and lounged around the pool. Had dinners and drinks at the house and went to a couple of casinos. Watched the (disappointing) new James Bond movie one evening. Great time was had by all.
We women went to the “Street Fair” in Palm Desert on Saturday. It is in a parking lot on a college campus and is open every weekend. All the vendor tents are set up and taken down each weekend. There is an amazing variety of items for sale with a lot of jewelry and golf clothes. I bought a pair of shorts for Terry on Saturday before we cut our visit short because of the heat. Terry wanted more shorts so he & I got up early on Sunday and spent a couple of hours there. Got back in time for breakfast and left about 11. 93 degrees when we got back so unloaded, turned on the air conditioning and hibernated. Terry played pinochle and I spent a nice hour on the phone with Aunt Jessie.
Mar 19th, Monday
Decided to move to Laughlin tomorrow. We had a coupon for an RV park that we got at the RV show here so decided to get going. Very hot and quiet here. Clem & Marlene had left when we got back yesterday and we haven’t heard from them so don’t know in which direction they decided to go.
Weren't going to play pinochle tonight but we had a knock on the door with a request "to come out and play" so we went. Most of the players said they would miss us and everyone hoped we would be back next year. As I said before - you make friends quickly when RVing.
We went to Palm Springs on Thursday to spend the weekend with Skip & Kathy, EllaMae & Don (Terry’s mom) and Cindy & Tim (Terry’s sister). The guys played golf on Friday & Saturday while the women shopped, lunched and lounged around the pool. Had dinners and drinks at the house and went to a couple of casinos. Watched the (disappointing) new James Bond movie one evening. Great time was had by all.
We women went to the “Street Fair” in Palm Desert on Saturday. It is in a parking lot on a college campus and is open every weekend. All the vendor tents are set up and taken down each weekend. There is an amazing variety of items for sale with a lot of jewelry and golf clothes. I bought a pair of shorts for Terry on Saturday before we cut our visit short because of the heat. Terry wanted more shorts so he & I got up early on Sunday and spent a couple of hours there. Got back in time for breakfast and left about 11. 93 degrees when we got back so unloaded, turned on the air conditioning and hibernated. Terry played pinochle and I spent a nice hour on the phone with Aunt Jessie.
Mar 19th, Monday
Decided to move to Laughlin tomorrow. We had a coupon for an RV park that we got at the RV show here so decided to get going. Very hot and quiet here. Clem & Marlene had left when we got back yesterday and we haven’t heard from them so don’t know in which direction they decided to go.
Weren't going to play pinochle tonight but we had a knock on the door with a request "to come out and play" so we went. Most of the players said they would miss us and everyone hoped we would be back next year. As I said before - you make friends quickly when RVing.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
QZ - Mar 6th - 13th
Mar 6, Tuesday
We went golfing at Emerald Canyon in Parker today. It is a very challenging, interesting course. Very narrow fairways - you have to be accurate or your ball is bouncing off a canyon wall, hopefully back onto the fairway. We had a 2:00 pm tee time and we just finished the last hole before it was too dark to play. It was a slow round so we were finishing at 7.
Mar 7, Wed
Slow day today. I played Bunco in the afternoon and Terry spent the time with Clem. They were trying to figure out how to make a wheel chock work on our 5th wheel in order to stop some of the bouncing when someone walks in the rig. Couldn’t make it work so we’ll have to try something else.
Mar 8, Thurs
I spoke to a second level (!) support person at Homeland Security today about my green card. He was so rude! After telling me that I would have to stay in one location until I got my card (they can’t be chasing me all over the country!), he looked at my case and said it was still assigned to Seattle. He said they might allow me to show up on a Wednesday since I had an appointment that I missed and they might just deny the case and make me start over. I got the feeling that if it was up to him the case would be closed. So I wrote another letter to Spokane asking if I could show up on any Wednesday or if they could make another appointment for me. Crossing our fingers!
Marlene dragged out her sewing machine for me today so I could hem some T-shirts. Then we all (us, Clem & Marlene) went to Blythe for some groceries and lunch. We also bought a different wheel chock. It helps but there is still more movement than we like. I think part of the reason is that this site is really level so the rig is not “rolling downhill” onto a chock.
Mar 9, Friday
Terry sent my letter to HS by priority mail to try to get a quicker response. Did laundry before Skip & Kathy arrived. They were side-tracked at a casino so it was just right for sitting outside for a couple of drinks before having dinner. It did get hot today.
Mar 10, Saturday
Golfing at Parker with Skip & Kathy. Hot again. We were glad that we had our water misters with us. We stopped at the casino after golf - I won a bit, but again not quite enough to cover Terry!! Back to the 5th wheel for dinner & drinks.
Mar 11, Sunday
We did a bit of shopping in QZ today. Skip wanted a battery operated fly swatter once he saw ours so we found a couple for him. They also got a couple of spinning outdoor decorations.
Then we went to the Desert Bar. They thought it was very interesting and unique. A stop at the casino again on the way home and had dinner in the buffet there.
Mar 12, Monday
Skip & Kathy left after breakfast this morning. Kathy called later and asked if we could buy another spinner for her so we went out and got it for her. Dairy Queen was calling my name so we had to stop for a Blizzard. We played pinochle in the evening. HOT again (90s)
Mar 13, Tuesday
WAHOO!!!! Got an email today from Homeland Security in Spokane and I have an appointment there on April 5th to complete the processing for my green card. So we spent time on the Internet and booked a ticket from Phoenix. We have paid for the RV site in QZ until the end of March so we can spend some more time here (being bored!) after we get back from Palm Springs and then move closer to Phoenix. We are so excited to actually have a date and be able to do some planning.
Supposed to be in the 90s for the rest of the week and through the weekend.
We went golfing at Emerald Canyon in Parker today. It is a very challenging, interesting course. Very narrow fairways - you have to be accurate or your ball is bouncing off a canyon wall, hopefully back onto the fairway. We had a 2:00 pm tee time and we just finished the last hole before it was too dark to play. It was a slow round so we were finishing at 7.
Mar 7, Wed
Slow day today. I played Bunco in the afternoon and Terry spent the time with Clem. They were trying to figure out how to make a wheel chock work on our 5th wheel in order to stop some of the bouncing when someone walks in the rig. Couldn’t make it work so we’ll have to try something else.
Mar 8, Thurs
I spoke to a second level (!) support person at Homeland Security today about my green card. He was so rude! After telling me that I would have to stay in one location until I got my card (they can’t be chasing me all over the country!), he looked at my case and said it was still assigned to Seattle. He said they might allow me to show up on a Wednesday since I had an appointment that I missed and they might just deny the case and make me start over. I got the feeling that if it was up to him the case would be closed. So I wrote another letter to Spokane asking if I could show up on any Wednesday or if they could make another appointment for me. Crossing our fingers!
Marlene dragged out her sewing machine for me today so I could hem some T-shirts. Then we all (us, Clem & Marlene) went to Blythe for some groceries and lunch. We also bought a different wheel chock. It helps but there is still more movement than we like. I think part of the reason is that this site is really level so the rig is not “rolling downhill” onto a chock.
Mar 9, Friday
Terry sent my letter to HS by priority mail to try to get a quicker response. Did laundry before Skip & Kathy arrived. They were side-tracked at a casino so it was just right for sitting outside for a couple of drinks before having dinner. It did get hot today.
Mar 10, Saturday
Golfing at Parker with Skip & Kathy. Hot again. We were glad that we had our water misters with us. We stopped at the casino after golf - I won a bit, but again not quite enough to cover Terry!! Back to the 5th wheel for dinner & drinks.
Mar 11, Sunday
We did a bit of shopping in QZ today. Skip wanted a battery operated fly swatter once he saw ours so we found a couple for him. They also got a couple of spinning outdoor decorations.
Then we went to the Desert Bar. They thought it was very interesting and unique. A stop at the casino again on the way home and had dinner in the buffet there.
Mar 12, Monday
Skip & Kathy left after breakfast this morning. Kathy called later and asked if we could buy another spinner for her so we went out and got it for her. Dairy Queen was calling my name so we had to stop for a Blizzard. We played pinochle in the evening. HOT again (90s)
Mar 13, Tuesday
WAHOO!!!! Got an email today from Homeland Security in Spokane and I have an appointment there on April 5th to complete the processing for my green card. So we spent time on the Internet and booked a ticket from Phoenix. We have paid for the RV site in QZ until the end of March so we can spend some more time here (being bored!) after we get back from Palm Springs and then move closer to Phoenix. We are so excited to actually have a date and be able to do some planning.
Supposed to be in the 90s for the rest of the week and through the weekend.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
QZ - Mar 2nd - 5th
Mar 2, Friday
Made a trip to Parker for something to do. Skip & Kathy are coming for a visit and we are going to play golf at Parker so tried to make a tee time. They are booked up for a week - only EARLY times or so late that you might not be able to play all 18. We went to the course to see if we could do any better in person and they said we could probably get a decent time on Saturday if we called early tomorrow.
Went to the casino, had dinner and headed home.
Mar 3, Saturday
Dull windy day - pretty much just TV, laundry and pinochle. I set the alarm for 6 this morning so I could call the golf course for a tee time. Skip and Kathy will be coming on Friday and stay until Monday.
Mar 4, Sunday
Trip to Yuma today. As I said before, we are having to go further for things to do - Yuma is 81 miles from here.
We had some shopping to do - shoes for Terry and a jacket for me. I have to nag Terry to get him to shop for shoes so he was very surprised and pleased to find 2 pairs at Kohls (first store that we went to) for a reasonable price. I needed a jacket as I washed mine and the lining shredded. Not many stores in Yuma carry jackets at this time of year but I found one at Ross so we did well with our shopping list. Then a trip to Walmart and Paradise Casino. We had a gift certificate for Applebees so we had a nice early dinner and got back about 6:30. Then I spent a couple of hours on the phone catching up with some friends.
It was windy all day. It gets very dusty in Yuma when the wind blows as there are so many cultivated fields.
Mar 5, Monday
Back to quiet! It was windy again most of the day. It did get very warm. Our door and awning face west and by the time you want shade, the sun is down so far that the awning does not provide shade. So we move the truck beside the mat and sit in the shade of the truck.
Made a trip to Parker for something to do. Skip & Kathy are coming for a visit and we are going to play golf at Parker so tried to make a tee time. They are booked up for a week - only EARLY times or so late that you might not be able to play all 18. We went to the course to see if we could do any better in person and they said we could probably get a decent time on Saturday if we called early tomorrow.
Went to the casino, had dinner and headed home.
Mar 3, Saturday
Dull windy day - pretty much just TV, laundry and pinochle. I set the alarm for 6 this morning so I could call the golf course for a tee time. Skip and Kathy will be coming on Friday and stay until Monday.
Mar 4, Sunday
Trip to Yuma today. As I said before, we are having to go further for things to do - Yuma is 81 miles from here.
We had some shopping to do - shoes for Terry and a jacket for me. I have to nag Terry to get him to shop for shoes so he was very surprised and pleased to find 2 pairs at Kohls (first store that we went to) for a reasonable price. I needed a jacket as I washed mine and the lining shredded. Not many stores in Yuma carry jackets at this time of year but I found one at Ross so we did well with our shopping list. Then a trip to Walmart and Paradise Casino. We had a gift certificate for Applebees so we had a nice early dinner and got back about 6:30. Then I spent a couple of hours on the phone catching up with some friends.
It was windy all day. It gets very dusty in Yuma when the wind blows as there are so many cultivated fields.
Mar 5, Monday
Back to quiet! It was windy again most of the day. It did get very warm. Our door and awning face west and by the time you want shade, the sun is down so far that the awning does not provide shade. So we move the truck beside the mat and sit in the shade of the truck.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
QZ - Feb 24th to 28th
Feb 24, Saturday
Another fun adventure today - we went with Clem & Marlene to the Desert Bar. It is a bar out in the desert north of Parker. It is about 5 miles of narrow, windy dirt/gravel road off the main road through the hills/mountains. There is no signs or advertising for the bar, it is all word of mouth. It would be quite a surprise to come around a corner of the road and see the bar structures if you weren’t expecting it. It is pretty much open air with roofs over the bars and cooking area and an older bar that actually has walls as well. It is only open on Sat & Sun from noon to dusk - from Labor Day until Memorial Day. There is a band and a small dance floor that is jammed. We had a hamburger for lunch and enjoyed a few drinks while we sat in the sun and enjoyed the music.
We figured that we would have to cook dinner when we got home so stopped at the casino in Parker and ate at the buffet instead. When we got back it was quite cool in the rig so we turned on the furnace and discovered that we were out of propane - oops!
Feb 25, Sunday
Terry knew what he had to do first thing this morning - fill up the propane tanks!
Bob & Sue (neighbors from Bellevue) came to visit today. We had a great time chatting. Went to lunch at Brenda and then showed them around Quartzsite. Even with most of the vendors and motor homes gone, it is an interesting sight for newcomers.
Feb 26, Monday
Kind of quiet again. I got my hair cut. Clem & Marlene came over to barbeque for dinner and then Clem made throwing dice look easy and won as many games as the rest of us together.
Feb 27, Tuesday
We were looking at a pretty uneventful day today so after I went for a walk with Marlene we decided to go to Parker for some groceries and to the casino. I ended up ahead again but, again, not quite enough to cover Terry. But it was pretty cheap entertainment for the afternoon. Our bit of luck did not extend to bingo at the club house in the evening!
It was very windy today and tonight. I went out about 10 and took in our “golfer” in the chair. Terry went out shortly after as there was so much noise that he thought a compartment door was open and he brought in our flags. At 11:30 I went back out and took down the wind chimes so I could go to sleep!
Feb 28, Wednesday
Our old friend Chuck Kambouroff came from Phoenix to visit today. He called Monday and said he would be here today or tomorrow. He called at nine this morning and was already here and needed directions to the RV site. Again, we had a great time catching up. He left shortly after we had some lunch .
The wind continues today. After Chuck left we went to check the mail - still no letter for my green card appointment. So we signed up for the month of March as the whole month costs the same as 2 weeks at the weekly rate. We are going to go stir crazy here but we have no choice until we get the letter.
Another fun adventure today - we went with Clem & Marlene to the Desert Bar. It is a bar out in the desert north of Parker. It is about 5 miles of narrow, windy dirt/gravel road off the main road through the hills/mountains. There is no signs or advertising for the bar, it is all word of mouth. It would be quite a surprise to come around a corner of the road and see the bar structures if you weren’t expecting it. It is pretty much open air with roofs over the bars and cooking area and an older bar that actually has walls as well. It is only open on Sat & Sun from noon to dusk - from Labor Day until Memorial Day. There is a band and a small dance floor that is jammed. We had a hamburger for lunch and enjoyed a few drinks while we sat in the sun and enjoyed the music.
We figured that we would have to cook dinner when we got home so stopped at the casino in Parker and ate at the buffet instead. When we got back it was quite cool in the rig so we turned on the furnace and discovered that we were out of propane - oops!
Feb 25, Sunday
Terry knew what he had to do first thing this morning - fill up the propane tanks!
Bob & Sue (neighbors from Bellevue) came to visit today. We had a great time chatting. Went to lunch at Brenda and then showed them around Quartzsite. Even with most of the vendors and motor homes gone, it is an interesting sight for newcomers.
Feb 26, Monday
Kind of quiet again. I got my hair cut. Clem & Marlene came over to barbeque for dinner and then Clem made throwing dice look easy and won as many games as the rest of us together.
Feb 27, Tuesday
We were looking at a pretty uneventful day today so after I went for a walk with Marlene we decided to go to Parker for some groceries and to the casino. I ended up ahead again but, again, not quite enough to cover Terry. But it was pretty cheap entertainment for the afternoon. Our bit of luck did not extend to bingo at the club house in the evening!
It was very windy today and tonight. I went out about 10 and took in our “golfer” in the chair. Terry went out shortly after as there was so much noise that he thought a compartment door was open and he brought in our flags. At 11:30 I went back out and took down the wind chimes so I could go to sleep!
Feb 28, Wednesday
Our old friend Chuck Kambouroff came from Phoenix to visit today. He called Monday and said he would be here today or tomorrow. He called at nine this morning and was already here and needed directions to the RV site. Again, we had a great time catching up. He left shortly after we had some lunch .
The wind continues today. After Chuck left we went to check the mail - still no letter for my green card appointment. So we signed up for the month of March as the whole month costs the same as 2 weeks at the weekly rate. We are going to go stir crazy here but we have no choice until we get the letter.
Friday, February 23, 2007
QZ - Feb 22nd - 23rd
Feb 22, Thursday
We had a long, busy, fun day today. Clem & Marlene picked us up at 8:30 for a trip to Oatman. It is an old mining town about 125 miles north of here - past Lake Havasu City. There is a street of shops and a couple of places to eat. We browsed through shops, watched the gunfight in the street (after a tour bus was “held up”) and had a very good lunch. Then we drove a few more miles to the old mine site and took a tour of the mine. They load everyone on an open “wagon” that was used to transport miners and take you up a road to the mine entrance for a guided tour. Our tour guide was a lot of fun - got across a lot of facts without being dry or boring. The mine started about 1900. There are 145 MILES of main and branch tunnels on 9 or 10 levels in the one mountain. It is all non-supported - just dug out of solid rock. A few braces exist to hold planks on the ceiling to prevent rocks from falling on your head. When we went back through Oatman we saw the burros that roam the town getting carrots from tourists. We stopped at Parker on the way back for a beer and arrived back about 6:30.
Feb 23, Friday
Still no letter from Homeland Security!! We spoke with people at the office about the possibility of staying past the end of February if needed. Our site is not rented after we leave and there are several empty sites so it should be no problem to stay here longer even though we’d like to move on to somewhere new.
I joined the walking ladies this morning and had coffee with them. It was very windy last night and most of today but not too cold in the morning. Seemed like it got cooler as the day went on. Some laundry this afternoon and pinochle this evening.
We got a phone call from our neighbors when we lived in Bellevue. They are in Palm Springs and are leaving on Wednesday. So they are going to drive here on Sunday to see us. We have not seen them for many years so we are really looking forward to the visit.
We had a long, busy, fun day today. Clem & Marlene picked us up at 8:30 for a trip to Oatman. It is an old mining town about 125 miles north of here - past Lake Havasu City. There is a street of shops and a couple of places to eat. We browsed through shops, watched the gunfight in the street (after a tour bus was “held up”) and had a very good lunch. Then we drove a few more miles to the old mine site and took a tour of the mine. They load everyone on an open “wagon” that was used to transport miners and take you up a road to the mine entrance for a guided tour. Our tour guide was a lot of fun - got across a lot of facts without being dry or boring. The mine started about 1900. There are 145 MILES of main and branch tunnels on 9 or 10 levels in the one mountain. It is all non-supported - just dug out of solid rock. A few braces exist to hold planks on the ceiling to prevent rocks from falling on your head. When we went back through Oatman we saw the burros that roam the town getting carrots from tourists. We stopped at Parker on the way back for a beer and arrived back about 6:30.
Feb 23, Friday
Still no letter from Homeland Security!! We spoke with people at the office about the possibility of staying past the end of February if needed. Our site is not rented after we leave and there are several empty sites so it should be no problem to stay here longer even though we’d like to move on to somewhere new.
I joined the walking ladies this morning and had coffee with them. It was very windy last night and most of today but not too cold in the morning. Seemed like it got cooler as the day went on. Some laundry this afternoon and pinochle this evening.
We got a phone call from our neighbors when we lived in Bellevue. They are in Palm Springs and are leaving on Wednesday. So they are going to drive here on Sunday to see us. We have not seen them for many years so we are really looking forward to the visit.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
QZ - Feb 18th - 21st
WARNING - things are quiet and not too exciting right now!!!
Feb 18, Sunday
We spent some time at the coin hunt area in the park to see if the “hunters” missed any coins. Got 25 cents for our time!
Quartzsite is getting emptier of vendors every day. The RV park that we are in still has a lot of RVs but some others are quite empty. What a change from a month ago. We are challenged to find things to do now. Pinochle is a welcome diversion - even if I did get the low score of the evening!
Feb 19, Monday
Woke to rainy and very windy weather today. We sat and watched TV for a while and then decided we needed to go somewhere so we ended up at Parker again. Once again, I won some money and Terry did not. I wish he would snap out of this spell of bad luck! It was still very windy when we got back so we hibernated in the rig and watched the first show of Amazing Race.
Feb 20, Tuesday
We are still in the waiting mode - waiting for the notice from Homeland Security with an appointment date in Phoenix. It is hard to plan anything and kind of drags us down. Today is two weeks since I spoke with the office in Spokane - seems like longer!
I decided that I better start walking before I cannot button my jeans so went for a brisk walk this morning.
The weather was lovely all day so it was a good day to be lazy.
Feb 21, Wednesday
Don’t know how four days go by without posting to my blog! Seems like I just did it.
Another sunny, warm day. I went for a walk again this morning. As I was coming back into the park, a group of women that walk each morning were just rounding the corner and invited me to join them. So I walked a bit more with them. Passed on the coffee and gossip after the walk as Terry would have been wondering where I was when he didn’t see the walkers pass by again.
We had to go “dumpster diving” this afternoon! We received our mail yesterday and Terry accidentally tossed a tax document into the garbage which we took to the garbage trailer this morning. Luckily, he went through the rest of the mail later and realized it was missing. So he actually had to jump into the trailer and find our bag. We did retrieve the document.
Clem & Marlene came by for a chat and we made plans to go to Oatman with them tomorrow.
Feb 18, Sunday
We spent some time at the coin hunt area in the park to see if the “hunters” missed any coins. Got 25 cents for our time!
Quartzsite is getting emptier of vendors every day. The RV park that we are in still has a lot of RVs but some others are quite empty. What a change from a month ago. We are challenged to find things to do now. Pinochle is a welcome diversion - even if I did get the low score of the evening!
Feb 19, Monday
Woke to rainy and very windy weather today. We sat and watched TV for a while and then decided we needed to go somewhere so we ended up at Parker again. Once again, I won some money and Terry did not. I wish he would snap out of this spell of bad luck! It was still very windy when we got back so we hibernated in the rig and watched the first show of Amazing Race.
Feb 20, Tuesday
We are still in the waiting mode - waiting for the notice from Homeland Security with an appointment date in Phoenix. It is hard to plan anything and kind of drags us down. Today is two weeks since I spoke with the office in Spokane - seems like longer!
I decided that I better start walking before I cannot button my jeans so went for a brisk walk this morning.
The weather was lovely all day so it was a good day to be lazy.
Feb 21, Wednesday
Don’t know how four days go by without posting to my blog! Seems like I just did it.
Another sunny, warm day. I went for a walk again this morning. As I was coming back into the park, a group of women that walk each morning were just rounding the corner and invited me to join them. So I walked a bit more with them. Passed on the coffee and gossip after the walk as Terry would have been wondering where I was when he didn’t see the walkers pass by again.
We had to go “dumpster diving” this afternoon! We received our mail yesterday and Terry accidentally tossed a tax document into the garbage which we took to the garbage trailer this morning. Luckily, he went through the rest of the mail later and realized it was missing. So he actually had to jump into the trailer and find our bag. We did retrieve the document.
Clem & Marlene came by for a chat and we made plans to go to Oatman with them tomorrow.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
QZ - Feb 15th to 17th
Feb 15, Thursday
Today was a day for cleaning inside and out. We had Clem & Marlene over for baby back ribs for dinner so there was some shopping and prep work for that. We used our dining table extension for the first time and it is wonderful - elbow room for everyone! Also lots of room to play dice after dinner.
Feb 16, Friday
On the road again - this time to Lake Havasu City. Terry thought there was a Bluegrass Festival going on here but it was at Havasu Landing which is across the lake in California. It is about 100 miles to drive around so we did not go. There was also a boat that you could take across the lake but we decided just to drive back and stop at the casino in Parker.
It was a nice drive. I won a bit at the casino, unfortunately not quite enough to make up Terry’s losses!
Feb 17, Saturday
We spent some time chatting with neighbors this morning after taking part in the park breakfast. I can see why people keep coming back to the same park each winter - you can make friends quickly.
Terry took part in coin and gold hunts with metal detectors today. A club buries coins in a large “desert” area in the local park. Some detectors cannot find gold so on the second hunt they attach gold to nickels so everyone can hunt for it. Terry found $2.80 in the first hunt and 2 coins with gold on the second hunt. Many of the 200 participants did not find any coins on the second hunt. I sat on a lawn chair and met another resident of the park that we are staying in. Each hunt was for an hour. I wanted to see what they were all about before taking part and I wasn’t sure my elbows and shoulders would stand 2 hours of detecting.
Finished the day by doing laundry and then playing pinochle in the evening where Terry won third place.
Today was a day for cleaning inside and out. We had Clem & Marlene over for baby back ribs for dinner so there was some shopping and prep work for that. We used our dining table extension for the first time and it is wonderful - elbow room for everyone! Also lots of room to play dice after dinner.
Feb 16, Friday
On the road again - this time to Lake Havasu City. Terry thought there was a Bluegrass Festival going on here but it was at Havasu Landing which is across the lake in California. It is about 100 miles to drive around so we did not go. There was also a boat that you could take across the lake but we decided just to drive back and stop at the casino in Parker.
It was a nice drive. I won a bit at the casino, unfortunately not quite enough to make up Terry’s losses!
Feb 17, Saturday
We spent some time chatting with neighbors this morning after taking part in the park breakfast. I can see why people keep coming back to the same park each winter - you can make friends quickly.
Terry took part in coin and gold hunts with metal detectors today. A club buries coins in a large “desert” area in the local park. Some detectors cannot find gold so on the second hunt they attach gold to nickels so everyone can hunt for it. Terry found $2.80 in the first hunt and 2 coins with gold on the second hunt. Many of the 200 participants did not find any coins on the second hunt. I sat on a lawn chair and met another resident of the park that we are staying in. Each hunt was for an hour. I wanted to see what they were all about before taking part and I wasn’t sure my elbows and shoulders would stand 2 hours of detecting.
Finished the day by doing laundry and then playing pinochle in the evening where Terry won third place.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
QZ - Feb 14th
Feb 14, Wednesday - HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY
Yet another road trip today.
With Clem & Marlene again, we met a group of metal detector enthusiasts for a trip to a ghost town in California. Midland is 21 miles north of Blythe. It was a gypsum mine and produced sheetrock when it was an active town. There are a few people living out there in RVs. All the buildings were razed after hippies started living in them years ago. We ignored many, many nails and bottle caps and dug up miscellaneous other metal junk. It was very windy so the group did not even get together for lunches that we all brought. An amazing sight in a ravine on the edge of “town” was mounds of reject sheetrock covering several acres. Clem pointed out mistletoe growing on palo verde trees - another thing that I have not seen before.
We stopped for a few groceries at Albertson’s in Blythe before heading back.
It is now just after 8 and it sounds like the wind is finally dying down a bit.
QZ - Feb 12th and 13th
Feb 12, Monday
Lazy day - shopped for a couple of things, listened to the music jam at the club house for a bit and played dice with Clem & Marlene. My luck was mostly bad and Clem won both games that we played.
Feb 13, Tuesday
We took a trip to Wickenburg today with Clem & Marlene. After checking with the tourist info we toured the town a bit and then explored the Desert Caballeros Western Museum. I am not a huge museum fan but enjoyed this one. They had amazing examples of belts, horse bridles and quirts made out of horsehair - natural and dyed. Apparently they are knotted and/or braided - just incredible.
Next we went to the Robson Western Museum which is an odd mixture of farming, mining and “old west” stuff. One unique item was a 1912 Mack truck which still ran. There were the usual barber shop, dentist office, grocery store (mercantile) and newspaper office with printing presses. What was unusual was the abundance of items - like 20 or so old manual typewriters lining a shelf in the newspaper office. We had a very good lunch in the café there where, at first glance, we wondered what we were in for.
All in all another fun day.
Terry & I played bingo later but did not win any games.
Monday, February 12, 2007
QZ - Feb 10th & 11th
Feb 10, Saturday
Breakfast again at the club house and then we left for Phoenix with Clem & Marlene. We had called Camping World to make sure they had the GPS unit that was on sale and had them set one aside for us so we wouldn’t be making the trip for nothing. No problems - picked up the GPS unit and, amazingly, nothing else. We stopped at a casino for lunch and played slots for a bit for a small amount of damage to everyone’s wallet.
We played pinochle in the evening and Terry won. There was karaoke going on at the club house so we sat outside and listened a bit after pinochle finished - until the singing got too bad!
Feb 11, Sunday
It was totally cloudy when we got up so we were lazy in the morning. Had bacon & tomato sandwiches for “brunch” and went out to get water and a few groceries. The water here is kind of flat tasting and supposedly “salty” so we buy water for drinking and making ice. It costs 25 cents per gallon to refill containers so we just have 3 plastic jugs that we fill since the store is nearby.
We went for a drive to a little town named Bouse - not too much there. We carried on to Parker and filled up with fuel - $2.39 per gallon for diesel, it went up from $2.29 last time. After we got back we were sitting outside having a beer and looking at brochures that we picked up in Bouse when Clem & Marlene came by. They were going out for dinner to celebrate their 46th wedding anniversary and asked us to join them. So we went to Black Rock Café at Brenda for dinner. Then Clem & Marlene taught us to play a new dice game. I really enjoyed it since I won both games! Just kidding - it was a fun game. It was really windy so we left them fairly early to rescue the lawn chairs that we had left sitting out.
Another good day with nice friends!
Breakfast again at the club house and then we left for Phoenix with Clem & Marlene. We had called Camping World to make sure they had the GPS unit that was on sale and had them set one aside for us so we wouldn’t be making the trip for nothing. No problems - picked up the GPS unit and, amazingly, nothing else. We stopped at a casino for lunch and played slots for a bit for a small amount of damage to everyone’s wallet.
We played pinochle in the evening and Terry won. There was karaoke going on at the club house so we sat outside and listened a bit after pinochle finished - until the singing got too bad!
Feb 11, Sunday
It was totally cloudy when we got up so we were lazy in the morning. Had bacon & tomato sandwiches for “brunch” and went out to get water and a few groceries. The water here is kind of flat tasting and supposedly “salty” so we buy water for drinking and making ice. It costs 25 cents per gallon to refill containers so we just have 3 plastic jugs that we fill since the store is nearby.
We went for a drive to a little town named Bouse - not too much there. We carried on to Parker and filled up with fuel - $2.39 per gallon for diesel, it went up from $2.29 last time. After we got back we were sitting outside having a beer and looking at brochures that we picked up in Bouse when Clem & Marlene came by. They were going out for dinner to celebrate their 46th wedding anniversary and asked us to join them. So we went to Black Rock Café at Brenda for dinner. Then Clem & Marlene taught us to play a new dice game. I really enjoyed it since I won both games! Just kidding - it was a fun game. It was really windy so we left them fairly early to rescue the lawn chairs that we had left sitting out.
Another good day with nice friends!
Friday, February 09, 2007
QZ - Feb 8th & 9th
Feb 8, Thursday
Ken & Jo are leaving tomorrow so we went to lunch at Brenda with them today.
We got a phone call from Nicole & Francis (friends staying in Welton) asking if tomorrow would be OK for them to come to visit. We were going to do laundry tomorrow but figured we better get it done today. While we were doing laundry, we went to chat with Clem & Marlene - ended up having a couple of beers with them while I ran back and forth finishing the laundry. Then I did some prep work for lunch tomorrow - boiled ribs, cooked eggs & potatoes for salad, cut up cabbage for slaw and baked cookies. Luckily, since we had a large lunch, all I made for dinner was a sandwich.
Feb 9, Friday
What a lovely day with Francis & Nicole! They arrived about 9, we sat and chatted and then took them to do a bit of shopping, mainly beads for Nicole’s beading. Had a great lunch and it was nice enough to eat outside. In fact, we were crowded into the shade when we ate. Terry gave Francis a demonstration of the waterless cleaner by cleaning their entire car - took about 15 minutes. We sat in the shade and relaxed before they left just after 4.
Because we put out the awning today we were able to see a dirt line on the underside near the rig so Terry got the ladder out and cleaned it up. We stopped by Clem & Marlene’s on the way back from dumping garbage and BS’d for quite a while. Made plans to go to Phoenix tomorrow to buy a GPS system for Clem.
I remembered that I had written blog entries for 3 days and couldn’t get on to post them so I am catching up now.
Ken & Jo are leaving tomorrow so we went to lunch at Brenda with them today.
We got a phone call from Nicole & Francis (friends staying in Welton) asking if tomorrow would be OK for them to come to visit. We were going to do laundry tomorrow but figured we better get it done today. While we were doing laundry, we went to chat with Clem & Marlene - ended up having a couple of beers with them while I ran back and forth finishing the laundry. Then I did some prep work for lunch tomorrow - boiled ribs, cooked eggs & potatoes for salad, cut up cabbage for slaw and baked cookies. Luckily, since we had a large lunch, all I made for dinner was a sandwich.
Feb 9, Friday
What a lovely day with Francis & Nicole! They arrived about 9, we sat and chatted and then took them to do a bit of shopping, mainly beads for Nicole’s beading. Had a great lunch and it was nice enough to eat outside. In fact, we were crowded into the shade when we ate. Terry gave Francis a demonstration of the waterless cleaner by cleaning their entire car - took about 15 minutes. We sat in the shade and relaxed before they left just after 4.
Because we put out the awning today we were able to see a dirt line on the underside near the rig so Terry got the ladder out and cleaned it up. We stopped by Clem & Marlene’s on the way back from dumping garbage and BS’d for quite a while. Made plans to go to Phoenix tomorrow to buy a GPS system for Clem.
I remembered that I had written blog entries for 3 days and couldn’t get on to post them so I am catching up now.
QZ - Feb 5th to Feb 7th
Feb 5, Monday
Kick-back type of day - visiting neighbors, wandering through some vendor stands (which are becoming fewer) and just enjoying the sunshine. Played pinochle in the evening - Terry is having as little luck with cards as he is at the casino!
Feb 6, Tuesday
I finally got a phone call from the immigration office in Spokane today. They cannot make an appointment as far out as May but they can make an appointment for me in Phoenix!!! Apparently if there is an Arizona address to use to mail the appointment notice, they (Phoenix) can process the paperwork. I wish someone at the help line had known that when I called a couple of months ago. So now I have to wait for the appointment notice and make a trip to Phoenix. If it is after the end of February (when we are scheduled to leave Quartzsite), we will stay somewhere closer to Phoenix.
Ken & Jo were going to Blythe to do some grocery shopping so we hitched a ride and stocked up a bit. Groceries are pretty expensive here and the selection is not large.
We talked Clem & Marlene into playing bingo at the club house this evening - no winners in our group.
Feb 7, Wednesday
Back to Parker today to get some passport type photos in preparation for my immigration meeting. And of course the casino just sucked us in! Also took the opportunity to fill up with diesel at $2.29.
There were a lot of clouds this afternoon but it was clear and starry when I took Dolly out at 9:30.
Kick-back type of day - visiting neighbors, wandering through some vendor stands (which are becoming fewer) and just enjoying the sunshine. Played pinochle in the evening - Terry is having as little luck with cards as he is at the casino!
Feb 6, Tuesday
I finally got a phone call from the immigration office in Spokane today. They cannot make an appointment as far out as May but they can make an appointment for me in Phoenix!!! Apparently if there is an Arizona address to use to mail the appointment notice, they (Phoenix) can process the paperwork. I wish someone at the help line had known that when I called a couple of months ago. So now I have to wait for the appointment notice and make a trip to Phoenix. If it is after the end of February (when we are scheduled to leave Quartzsite), we will stay somewhere closer to Phoenix.
Ken & Jo were going to Blythe to do some grocery shopping so we hitched a ride and stocked up a bit. Groceries are pretty expensive here and the selection is not large.
We talked Clem & Marlene into playing bingo at the club house this evening - no winners in our group.
Feb 7, Wednesday
Back to Parker today to get some passport type photos in preparation for my immigration meeting. And of course the casino just sucked us in! Also took the opportunity to fill up with diesel at $2.29.
There were a lot of clouds this afternoon but it was clear and starry when I took Dolly out at 9:30.
Monday, February 05, 2007
QZ - Feb 3rd & 4th
Feb 3, Saturday
We met a new couple at the park breakfast this morning - Clem & Marlene from Madison, SD. They like to play games and are here for a while so I think we will spend some time together.
We went for lunch with Ken & Jo to the Black Rock café at Brenda. Before we stopped for lunch we drove to Salome to show Ken & Jo some of the countryside. We saw an interesting part of the town where there were individual airplane hangers lining a small runway. A lot of the hangers also had living quarters. Others had mobile homes or small residences in addition to the hanger. On the way back to Brenda we saw some buildings off the road a ways which we were able to identify as more hangers.
We had a nice lunch and browsed through a small “crafty” shop - or, as Ken calls it, “Happy Crap“.
Our park internet source was having a new satellite dish installed so we went to the library to post our blog but could not get hooked up to the Wi-Fi. On the way back, we stopped to talk to a neighbor and he told us about some car races at Blythe. So we walked over and asked Clem & Marlene if they wanted to go to the races with us. They were willing so that’s how we spent Saturday evening.
There were three types of cars racing on a paved 3/8 mile oval - tiny, small and stock. The tiny cars had Briggs & Stratton engines and were driven by 8 - 12 year olds. The small cars had Yamaha engines and drivers 13 and up. Unfortunately, we did not take our camera so don’t have any pictures. The driving was great - hard to believe they were so young. It got quite cool with a slight breeze so we were happy that it turned out to be an evening where every senior attendee received a fleece blanket in a nylon stuff sack. Very enjoyable evening.
Feb 4, Sunday
Beautiful weather - warm even with a slight breeze. Terry went to the classic car show with Ken while I made phone calls. Clem & Marlene stopped by and we sat outside and had a beer - this is what we have been expecting and waiting for in the south for the winter.
Jo & Ken asked us over for an early dinner. When we came back I again enjoyed the warm weather by sitting out and reading. And of course we had to watch the Super Bowl.
We met a new couple at the park breakfast this morning - Clem & Marlene from Madison, SD. They like to play games and are here for a while so I think we will spend some time together.
We went for lunch with Ken & Jo to the Black Rock café at Brenda. Before we stopped for lunch we drove to Salome to show Ken & Jo some of the countryside. We saw an interesting part of the town where there were individual airplane hangers lining a small runway. A lot of the hangers also had living quarters. Others had mobile homes or small residences in addition to the hanger. On the way back to Brenda we saw some buildings off the road a ways which we were able to identify as more hangers.
We had a nice lunch and browsed through a small “crafty” shop - or, as Ken calls it, “Happy Crap“.
Our park internet source was having a new satellite dish installed so we went to the library to post our blog but could not get hooked up to the Wi-Fi. On the way back, we stopped to talk to a neighbor and he told us about some car races at Blythe. So we walked over and asked Clem & Marlene if they wanted to go to the races with us. They were willing so that’s how we spent Saturday evening.
There were three types of cars racing on a paved 3/8 mile oval - tiny, small and stock. The tiny cars had Briggs & Stratton engines and were driven by 8 - 12 year olds. The small cars had Yamaha engines and drivers 13 and up. Unfortunately, we did not take our camera so don’t have any pictures. The driving was great - hard to believe they were so young. It got quite cool with a slight breeze so we were happy that it turned out to be an evening where every senior attendee received a fleece blanket in a nylon stuff sack. Very enjoyable evening.
Feb 4, Sunday
Beautiful weather - warm even with a slight breeze. Terry went to the classic car show with Ken while I made phone calls. Clem & Marlene stopped by and we sat outside and had a beer - this is what we have been expecting and waiting for in the south for the winter.
Jo & Ken asked us over for an early dinner. When we came back I again enjoyed the warm weather by sitting out and reading. And of course we had to watch the Super Bowl.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
QZ - Jan 31st to Feb 2nd
Jan 31, Wednesday
We are definitely into a quieter period right now - waiting for the weather to warm up so we can start moving north.
At least we are getting some exercise with walking around the vendor booths that remain here in Quartzsite. Unfortunately, one of the remaining vendors is ice cream!!
We played pinochle this evening. Very strange evening - there were 32 “sets” out of 48 hands dealt. You have to pay 25 cents for each “set” and then a name is drawn for the money - the person who won the pot got more money than the person with the highest score.
Feb 1, Thursday
Highlight of today was getting my hair cut - VERY SHORT and spiked on top. I liked how a lady here at the park had hers done so I went to her stylist and said I wanted it just like Sondra’s. It will take a little bit of getting used to but I like it. Terry calls it my Tinkerbell hair cut.
Our new satellite cable system had the signal scrambled this afternoon and Terry was not able to find the new codes. Luckily, the salesman is still here in the park. He came over with the new codes and showed us how to program the receiver. All fixed!
We attended a music show here at the park in the evening. It was the “Bost Family Tradition” - dad & mom and 7 children playing what was billed as bluegrass music. The youngest child was a 2 year old boy who spent the time in a pack on his mom’s back as she played the bass fiddle. It was an enjoyable to spend a couple of hours.
Feb 2, Friday
We took a drive today and spent time walking the desert with our metal detectors. We at least found and dug up junk so we are using them correctly. There is an active detecting club here so we are going to participate in some of their events this month.
The weather is still cool at night and is warming up a bit more in the daytime - mid 60‘s. If only the wind would quit we could sit outside more. I have a feeling we might be wishing for wind before long.
The satellite signal was scrambled again today. We spent a lot of time searching the internet and I finally found the new codes. We were able to change the receiver programming ourselves so we are working again.
We are definitely into a quieter period right now - waiting for the weather to warm up so we can start moving north.
At least we are getting some exercise with walking around the vendor booths that remain here in Quartzsite. Unfortunately, one of the remaining vendors is ice cream!!
We played pinochle this evening. Very strange evening - there were 32 “sets” out of 48 hands dealt. You have to pay 25 cents for each “set” and then a name is drawn for the money - the person who won the pot got more money than the person with the highest score.
Feb 1, Thursday
Highlight of today was getting my hair cut - VERY SHORT and spiked on top. I liked how a lady here at the park had hers done so I went to her stylist and said I wanted it just like Sondra’s. It will take a little bit of getting used to but I like it. Terry calls it my Tinkerbell hair cut.
Our new satellite cable system had the signal scrambled this afternoon and Terry was not able to find the new codes. Luckily, the salesman is still here in the park. He came over with the new codes and showed us how to program the receiver. All fixed!
We attended a music show here at the park in the evening. It was the “Bost Family Tradition” - dad & mom and 7 children playing what was billed as bluegrass music. The youngest child was a 2 year old boy who spent the time in a pack on his mom’s back as she played the bass fiddle. It was an enjoyable to spend a couple of hours.
Feb 2, Friday
We took a drive today and spent time walking the desert with our metal detectors. We at least found and dug up junk so we are using them correctly. There is an active detecting club here so we are going to participate in some of their events this month.
The weather is still cool at night and is warming up a bit more in the daytime - mid 60‘s. If only the wind would quit we could sit outside more. I have a feeling we might be wishing for wind before long.
The satellite signal was scrambled again today. We spent a lot of time searching the internet and I finally found the new codes. We were able to change the receiver programming ourselves so we are working again.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
QZ - Jan 27th to 30th
Jan 27, Saturday
We attended the park breakfast this morning - biscuits and gravy today. We sat with another couple and told them about our cable TV system. Later in the day they and their friend bought a receiver.
We went back to the Big Tent for one last trip as the RV show finishes tomorrow. Quite a few vendors are already packed up and gone. There were also fewer shoppers so we were able to go through a HUGE house boat that you can rent on Lake Powell. It sleeps 12 adults in 6 separate areas, has 3 bathrooms, has a lovely wet bar and hot tub on the upper deck and of course a slide into the water. I have no idea how it was transported to Quartzsite!
We put another coat of finish on the table extension and then went to play pinochle again.
Jan 28, Sunday
OK, yesterday was not the last day at the Big Tent. Today we went to buy a holding tank flush mechanism since our tanks are not equipped with a flush connection. When we got back we hooked it up and cleaned the “icky tank”. Terry is not convinced that it is necessary but I have read too many horror stories about fouled tanks.
The park had a chili supper today so I took advantage of a chance to not have to cook. For $2.50 a person we can’t afford not to go! And then back for another pinochle session.
Jan 29, Monday
We went to Parker today to buy some wood for another project. We took a different route - went west on I10 to Ehrenberg (which is just before the California border) and then north. Terry thought we would travel along the Colorado River but the road is away from the river. It was a nice drive though. It is an area with a lot of agriculture, mostly hay. We passed a field that was being burned like they do around Spokane. But they did not have to worry about the smoke going to a populated area - houses are pretty scarce there.
After getting our wood at Ace hardware we decided to go to the casino - surprise, surprise!! We did not end up winning but we played for over 4 hours on less money than we “budgeted”.
Hit the grocery store, had something to eat and headed back.
Jan 30, Tuesday
We worked on our “project” today. We have a small wardrobe beside the bed that we were using to hang jeans and slacks. I decided that we would have a lot more storage in there if we removed the rod and put in one shelf. So that is what we did. It is a much more efficient way to store jeans and we able to include other items. We were able to totally rearrange several drawers and underbed storage as a result.
After lunch we went “shopping” (wandering is more like it!). When we go to the meals here at the park we have to take our own plates and cutlery. I don’t mind paper plates but don’t like (breakable) plastic forks. I want to get a couple of place settings of cheap cutlery so I don’t have to take my good stuff and possibly forget it somewhere. We have seen loads of cutlery previously but could not find any today. Oh well, it gives us a reason to get out again.
We went to play pinochle. The calendar said it was at 6:30 but when we got there someone said it was at 7 like other nights. But Bingo was starting at 6:30 so we decided to play that instead. I ended up winning one game and now we have to figure out where to store bingo daubers!
We attended the park breakfast this morning - biscuits and gravy today. We sat with another couple and told them about our cable TV system. Later in the day they and their friend bought a receiver.
We went back to the Big Tent for one last trip as the RV show finishes tomorrow. Quite a few vendors are already packed up and gone. There were also fewer shoppers so we were able to go through a HUGE house boat that you can rent on Lake Powell. It sleeps 12 adults in 6 separate areas, has 3 bathrooms, has a lovely wet bar and hot tub on the upper deck and of course a slide into the water. I have no idea how it was transported to Quartzsite!
We put another coat of finish on the table extension and then went to play pinochle again.
Jan 28, Sunday
OK, yesterday was not the last day at the Big Tent. Today we went to buy a holding tank flush mechanism since our tanks are not equipped with a flush connection. When we got back we hooked it up and cleaned the “icky tank”. Terry is not convinced that it is necessary but I have read too many horror stories about fouled tanks.
The park had a chili supper today so I took advantage of a chance to not have to cook. For $2.50 a person we can’t afford not to go! And then back for another pinochle session.
Jan 29, Monday
We went to Parker today to buy some wood for another project. We took a different route - went west on I10 to Ehrenberg (which is just before the California border) and then north. Terry thought we would travel along the Colorado River but the road is away from the river. It was a nice drive though. It is an area with a lot of agriculture, mostly hay. We passed a field that was being burned like they do around Spokane. But they did not have to worry about the smoke going to a populated area - houses are pretty scarce there.
After getting our wood at Ace hardware we decided to go to the casino - surprise, surprise!! We did not end up winning but we played for over 4 hours on less money than we “budgeted”.
Hit the grocery store, had something to eat and headed back.
Jan 30, Tuesday
We worked on our “project” today. We have a small wardrobe beside the bed that we were using to hang jeans and slacks. I decided that we would have a lot more storage in there if we removed the rod and put in one shelf. So that is what we did. It is a much more efficient way to store jeans and we able to include other items. We were able to totally rearrange several drawers and underbed storage as a result.
After lunch we went “shopping” (wandering is more like it!). When we go to the meals here at the park we have to take our own plates and cutlery. I don’t mind paper plates but don’t like (breakable) plastic forks. I want to get a couple of place settings of cheap cutlery so I don’t have to take my good stuff and possibly forget it somewhere. We have seen loads of cutlery previously but could not find any today. Oh well, it gives us a reason to get out again.
We went to play pinochle. The calendar said it was at 6:30 but when we got there someone said it was at 7 like other nights. But Bingo was starting at 6:30 so we decided to play that instead. I ended up winning one game and now we have to figure out where to store bingo daubers!
Saturday, January 27, 2007
QZ - Jan 23rd to Jan 26th
Jan 23, Tuesday
We headed back to the Big Tent area today to look at RVs. Turned out there were mostly large motor homes and only a couple of types of 5th wheels. We ended up at a lot that had a mixture of used and new motor homes and 5th wheels. We saw a lovely King of the Road Crown Marquis with a “deck”, a very nice layout with a great kitchen, king size bed, washer & dryer. Unfortunately, it weighed 18,000 pounds and cost $98,000 so we will not be trading in the Challenger just yet. We also saw a 5th wheel with the kitchen and dining area up front - very unusual and interesting. But the living area was way too small.
We discovered a little burger stand back off the main road and had a good burger for lunch. After coming back to the rig and sanding on the table extension, we went back out and did some grocery shopping.
Jan 24, Wednesday
Headed back to the Big Tent this morning with Ken & Jo. Ken wanted to pick up a new outdoor table and we wanted a couple of hose & cable storage “things”. They look like small flying saucers. We are using one for the satellite TV cable and one for the water hose.
We continued on to the little burger place for lunch.
I decided to do laundry in the evening as there are so many people in the park that it would be hard to get enough machines during the day. We got all the loads in the washer and went next door to the club house to sign up for breakfast on Saturday. There were people gathering to play cards and they asked if we played pinochle which of course we do. But they play double deck which I have never played. I said I was doing laundry so couldn’t play but they insisted that I could do both. So we put in our $1 each and played. I had to run next door to continue the laundry a couple of times so someone who was playing 31 sat in and played a hand for me. I ended up winning 3rd place and got our $2 back!!
Jan 25, Thursday
We saw a poster on the grocery store bulletin board for a golf course at Wenden. We did not know where Wenden was located but figured Wanda (GPS) could find it for us. According to Wanda, it was 217 miles away so we decided to head for Blythe and check out the course there. It is a nice course. There was a club event going on but they fit us in for 9 holes. Another gentleman joined us which makes it even more enjoyable.
We took advantage of being in a town with real stores and found some stain/finish for the table extension. I also decided to get a medium sized slow cooker so dinner can be ready after a hard day on the golf course.
We saw a bunch of new vendor tents when we came back from Blythe so we had to go check them out. It was another gem and mineral show so we went through it pretty quickly. But the weather was sunny and warm so we didn’t walk too fast!
We went and played pinochle again. I wanted to sit behind someone to watch and learn but there was just enough people for 3 tables so I played - and did quite well again.
Jan 26, Friday
We went for a drive today to check out the golf course at Wenden which it turns out is about 40 miles from here on Highway 60. (Wanda was adding the drive to Wenden to another trip that was still in the system - a new feature on a new operating system that we downloaded!). Pretty rough course. It is a cross between the desert course here and a bad regular course. There is grass on the tee box and fringe/green. There are par 3s and 4s with the longest hole at 275 yards. But between the tee box and green is desert so you find yourself having to hit off sand or rocks - not good for clubs. The greens were pretty much “hit and hope”.
On the way back we checked out another course at Salome. It looks much better and we will go back to try it. But it is only 10 holes - the final 8 holes are supposed to be completed this spring.
We got a coat of finish on the table extension. It is not a great color but it has to do.
We headed back to the Big Tent area today to look at RVs. Turned out there were mostly large motor homes and only a couple of types of 5th wheels. We ended up at a lot that had a mixture of used and new motor homes and 5th wheels. We saw a lovely King of the Road Crown Marquis with a “deck”, a very nice layout with a great kitchen, king size bed, washer & dryer. Unfortunately, it weighed 18,000 pounds and cost $98,000 so we will not be trading in the Challenger just yet. We also saw a 5th wheel with the kitchen and dining area up front - very unusual and interesting. But the living area was way too small.
We discovered a little burger stand back off the main road and had a good burger for lunch. After coming back to the rig and sanding on the table extension, we went back out and did some grocery shopping.
Jan 24, Wednesday
Headed back to the Big Tent this morning with Ken & Jo. Ken wanted to pick up a new outdoor table and we wanted a couple of hose & cable storage “things”. They look like small flying saucers. We are using one for the satellite TV cable and one for the water hose.
We continued on to the little burger place for lunch.
I decided to do laundry in the evening as there are so many people in the park that it would be hard to get enough machines during the day. We got all the loads in the washer and went next door to the club house to sign up for breakfast on Saturday. There were people gathering to play cards and they asked if we played pinochle which of course we do. But they play double deck which I have never played. I said I was doing laundry so couldn’t play but they insisted that I could do both. So we put in our $1 each and played. I had to run next door to continue the laundry a couple of times so someone who was playing 31 sat in and played a hand for me. I ended up winning 3rd place and got our $2 back!!
Jan 25, Thursday
We saw a poster on the grocery store bulletin board for a golf course at Wenden. We did not know where Wenden was located but figured Wanda (GPS) could find it for us. According to Wanda, it was 217 miles away so we decided to head for Blythe and check out the course there. It is a nice course. There was a club event going on but they fit us in for 9 holes. Another gentleman joined us which makes it even more enjoyable.
We took advantage of being in a town with real stores and found some stain/finish for the table extension. I also decided to get a medium sized slow cooker so dinner can be ready after a hard day on the golf course.
We saw a bunch of new vendor tents when we came back from Blythe so we had to go check them out. It was another gem and mineral show so we went through it pretty quickly. But the weather was sunny and warm so we didn’t walk too fast!
We went and played pinochle again. I wanted to sit behind someone to watch and learn but there was just enough people for 3 tables so I played - and did quite well again.
Jan 26, Friday
We went for a drive today to check out the golf course at Wenden which it turns out is about 40 miles from here on Highway 60. (Wanda was adding the drive to Wenden to another trip that was still in the system - a new feature on a new operating system that we downloaded!). Pretty rough course. It is a cross between the desert course here and a bad regular course. There is grass on the tee box and fringe/green. There are par 3s and 4s with the longest hole at 275 yards. But between the tee box and green is desert so you find yourself having to hit off sand or rocks - not good for clubs. The greens were pretty much “hit and hope”.
On the way back we checked out another course at Salome. It looks much better and we will go back to try it. But it is only 10 holes - the final 8 holes are supposed to be completed this spring.
We got a coat of finish on the table extension. It is not a great color but it has to do.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
QZ - Jan 20th - 22nd
Jan 20, Saturday
We went to Parker today for Terry’s birthday. We went to Ace Hardware to get supplies to extend our table in the 5th wheel by about 12 inches. It is just too small for 4 people to eat or play cards. We do not have many tools with us but should manage.
Then we went to the casino. We played for many hours but ended up leaving some $$. Stopped at Safeway and headed back about 5:00 pm. Our friends let Dolly out while we were gone so we didn’t have to rush back for her.
Jan 21, Sunday
I knew Terry could not wait to check out the Big Tent. We parked in a wash where everyone parks anywhere they can fit and still avoid bushes and large rocks - quite interesting. There were not as many people in the tent as we expected because it was COLD. It was very windy. All the vendors were wearing gloves and layers of coats - also many hats and scarves. I wasn’t drinking water since the “facilities” were scarce and got a nasty headache from dehydration. So I got very cranky after a few hours and we came back to the rig. Then it got even windier! Just right to sort through the pounds of literature that we picked up and watch TV.
Jan 22, Monday
We made a trip to the library this morning to check email. The WiFi is still not working. Then we picked up Ken & Jo and went to the Big Tent again. It was still breezy but not near as cold as yesterday. Back to the rig after lunch at what turned out to be a bad barbeque place. Very interesting restroom setup - out the door, through a leather sales area that is in the same building and into a very small OLD travel trailer that has a toilet, shower and part of a dinette. The sink is outside on the side of the main building. When we were eating lunch, the resident dog wandered in to see if anyone would give him something to eat.
We worked on the table extension when we got back. It turned out great. Still have to sand and possibly put some type of finish on it. I picked up a vinyl tablecloth and cut it down to fit the table so it won’t matter if the addition looks great but the cloth has a flannel backing which sticks on the unfinished wood.
Our friends Harold & Joann stopped by for a visit. They had been here for a few days and then went to Bullhead City. They are heading out early tomorrow for Yuma and then to Florida to find some warmer weather.
We went to Parker today for Terry’s birthday. We went to Ace Hardware to get supplies to extend our table in the 5th wheel by about 12 inches. It is just too small for 4 people to eat or play cards. We do not have many tools with us but should manage.
Then we went to the casino. We played for many hours but ended up leaving some $$. Stopped at Safeway and headed back about 5:00 pm. Our friends let Dolly out while we were gone so we didn’t have to rush back for her.
Jan 21, Sunday
I knew Terry could not wait to check out the Big Tent. We parked in a wash where everyone parks anywhere they can fit and still avoid bushes and large rocks - quite interesting. There were not as many people in the tent as we expected because it was COLD. It was very windy. All the vendors were wearing gloves and layers of coats - also many hats and scarves. I wasn’t drinking water since the “facilities” were scarce and got a nasty headache from dehydration. So I got very cranky after a few hours and we came back to the rig. Then it got even windier! Just right to sort through the pounds of literature that we picked up and watch TV.
Jan 22, Monday
We made a trip to the library this morning to check email. The WiFi is still not working. Then we picked up Ken & Jo and went to the Big Tent again. It was still breezy but not near as cold as yesterday. Back to the rig after lunch at what turned out to be a bad barbeque place. Very interesting restroom setup - out the door, through a leather sales area that is in the same building and into a very small OLD travel trailer that has a toilet, shower and part of a dinette. The sink is outside on the side of the main building. When we were eating lunch, the resident dog wandered in to see if anyone would give him something to eat.
We worked on the table extension when we got back. It turned out great. Still have to sand and possibly put some type of finish on it. I picked up a vinyl tablecloth and cut it down to fit the table so it won’t matter if the addition looks great but the cloth has a flannel backing which sticks on the unfinished wood.
Our friends Harold & Joann stopped by for a visit. They had been here for a few days and then went to Bullhead City. They are heading out early tomorrow for Yuma and then to Florida to find some warmer weather.
Friday, January 19, 2007
QZ - Jan 18th
Kind of quiet the last 2 days. Guess every day can’t be exciting!
We got out early Thursday morning to go to the bakery & grocery store. Mistake!! The grocery store was restocking. There were many guys with handcarts unloading a truck and setting boxes in the already narrow aisles. Shelves were often empty as the winter population of Quartzsite is nearing the max. But the store clerks were most helpful and one lady went into the delivery truck to find the frozen potatoes that I needed. I was shopping for ingredients for my popular potato casserole (known by many readers of this blog) as we had Ken & Jo over for a baby back rib dinner. The wind actually died down so we could sit outside with a cocktail before our early dinner.
We went for a drive to check out the boon docking population. It is totally amazing to see all the rigs on the desert. There is one section that is a NewMar rally - huge Mountain Aire, Desert Aire, Essex motor homes over several acres. Another rally for Alpine coaches had a lot of rigs. We were not familiar with Alpine even though they are made in Yakima, WA. We took pictures but they do not do justice to the sight.
Later we did some more “shopping”. We were returning to our site and turned north on a road that goes over I10. The entire stretch of road that we could see (½ mile?) was lined with mostly RVs heading to their sites. We will never get used to the sight of so many RVs.
It rained a bit last night (just enough to mess up our again shiny truck!) and is sprinkling on & off as I write this. We are going to check out a new vendor section that includes Camping World so hope we don’t see too many items that we “must have”. The big tent has been set up for the RV vendors - opens tomorrow. The tent covers 2 acres. We won’t check that out until next week - let the crowds subside.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Jan 12th to Jan 16th
Jan 12, Friday
Got out of here about 7:30, stopped for breakfast at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio (I think) and played just enough slots to make us a bit later getting to Skip & Kathy’s than we had told them. Had to leave right away for our tee time. Our nephew Nick was also there - he had a 4 day weekend leave from his Army post in Fort Hood, Texas and had flown in Thursday night. Skip’s friend Chuck from Spokane was there as well so we had 2 3-somes for golf. It was windy and quite cold, not exactly the best golfing weather but it was a beautiful course.
We had snacks, drinks and a lovely salmon dinner. Then we all went in the swimming pool - it was cool to get to and from the pool but the pool was about 92 degrees so it was lovely.
Jan 13, Saturday
Golfing again today. The weather was sunny but still breezy - much nicer than yesterday. We finished earlier than yesterday so we stopped to get dog food and Kathy did a bit of grocery shopping. Same as Friday - snacks, drinks and this time a great steak dinner. Heated up the hot tub instead of the pool and Skip, Chuck and I enjoyed the 102 degree water before cooling off in the pool which was only about 70 degrees.
Dolly seemed to be enjoying exploring the back yard and the whole house. And I am sure she liked being able to use a lawn instead of gravel!
Jan 14, Sunday
Skip took Chuck to the airport early this morning to return to Spokane. Nick left just before 6:00 am to drive back to Texas. He had a 1300 mile trip and had to be back by 4:00 pm on Monday.
It froze in Palm Springs last night - the swim suit that I left on a lawn chair to dry was frozen when I took Dolly out in the morning.
Skip, Kathy, Terry & I went to a couple of casinos in Palm Springs. Got home in time to make spaghetti for dinner and enjoy a movie on their large plasma TV.
Jan 15, Monday
No hurry to leave for “home” so we enjoyed coffee and I helped Kathy with some things on the computer. We made a stop at Costco and headed out just after noon. We stopped at the Albertsons in Blythe to pick up some liquor and groceries - it was a madhouse. Apparently it will stay that way while for a couple of months while the winter visitors are in the area.
Arrived home about 4 and unpacked everything. It was very cold in the rig and the furnace shut off while it was just 66 degrees - out of propane!! Terry went to get propane while I went to visit with Ken & Jo. Jo was kind enough to ask us to stay for dinner so I did not have to cook - how wonderful! Terry said that a guy where he got propane said there had been a line there all day and that he expected to run out of propane sometime in the evening.
Jan 16, Tuesday
Froze again last night. So we lazed around and watched a movie on TV. Then we got to know the laundry room a little better for a few hours this afternoon.
We have to get to the library in order to post this entry as my internet connection in the park is gone for a couple of weeks.
Jan 17, Wed
WiFi at the library was not working yesterday and I did not have a CD to transfer this entry to the library computer so we will have to make another trip this morning - I am glad that it is nearby.
Froze again last night, should be the last night according to the weather forecast. In the meantime, we do have sunshine!!!
(A bit later, at the library) WiFi is still not working so waited around and got on one of the library computers. Was going to add pictures but will do so another time.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Quick update
We got our TV satellite dish hooked up and have more channel choices than anyone should have to figure out. Nice to have a clear picture after weeks of so-so antenna reception.
We are leaving early tomorrow morning to visit with Skip & Kathy (Terry’s brother & wife) in Palm Springs. We will be back Monday or Tuesday so will update the blog then.
We are leaving early tomorrow morning to visit with Skip & Kathy (Terry’s brother & wife) in Palm Springs. We will be back Monday or Tuesday so will update the blog then.
Quartzsite - Jan 6th to 10th
You would think we were really busy with the gap in my blog postings! You will begin to understand the “busy” concept of retired full timers as our adventure continues.
Sat 1/6
Good breakfast - eggs cooked to order, pancakes, sausage patties, juice, milk & coffee for $2.50 each. Not many others in the laundry room so whipped through 4 loads in about 1 ½ hours. Cleaned the truck and part of the second side of the 5th wheel with the new waterless cleaner. Time to knock off work and wander through some more vendor tents.
Sun 1/7
Finished cleaning the 5th wheel. Played Sequence with Harold & Joann (Joann- please excuse the misspelling in an earlier post). Note to Bill & Georgia - we almost played to a tie but the guys just wouldn’t win another game!
Mon 1/8
Made a trip to Blythe with Ken & Jo to do some shopping. Jo was looking for a lighted “palm tree” for their son’s hot tub but no luck. Blythe is about 20 miles away in California on highway I10 - not a very large town. Gas is much more expensive in California. We browsed through another vendor area and bought golf clubs (2) and tees to play desert golf.
We received our forwarded mail and had another surprise from Homeland Security. Turns out I had an appointment in Spokane on 12/22/06. The notice said if I missed the appointment that my case was considered abandoned. So I spent time going through the wonderful menu system on their 800 number and am not much smarter now than before I called. The person I spoke to said I could show up on any Wednesday in Spokane with the appointment letter to complete the processing. However, she did not know
how much time I had to do this. I have not had the heart to call again but must do so tomorrow and see if I can speak with a supervisor with more information. I signed up on the internet to receive email notification of any activity on my case but there was nothing about this meeting. Gotta love our government!!
Tues 1/9
Tried out the “golf course”. One club each - a 9 iron for Terry and a 7 iron for me. Hay bales and a yardage sign mark the tee boxes. The flags are in a circle drawn in the ground and have about an eight inch “hole” around the pole. If you hit into the hole, you get to take a stroke off your score. To finish the hole, you just have to hit into the circle (“green”). You tee up every shot on a tee that sits on top of the ground since you cannot put a tee IN the ground. There were a lot of cars when we got to the course. When we finished the ninth hole, there was a group of 5 on the 10th hole so we decided to quit. The holes we played are all par 2 or 3. It is free so it is not like we spent money for unused green fees. It was fun and we will do it again.
Jo and I went to get haircuts in the afternoon. It is so hard for me to tell a hairdresser what I want done when I went to the same hairdresser in Spokane for 25 years. I am still growing out my perm which produces some frizzy ends - I am pleased with the haircut that I got.
Wed 1/10
It was cloudy this morning and did not look like a nice day was in store so we called Harold and Joann who had moved to Brenda to see if they were going to be around so we could drop in. They weren’t busy so we went there and learned to play Mexican Train Dominoes. Broke for lunch at a little café by the RV park, played more dominoes and then went for a long walk to explore their park and surrounding desert. There was also a desert golf course there but with longer holes.
When we got back, Terry stopped by one of our neighbors to talk about a satellite TV system. I think we are going to buy it and have the guy help us hook it all up tomorrow.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Jan 4th & 5th - Quartzsite
We have been introduced to “waterless cleaner” and love it! In most RV parks you cannot wash any vehicles so many people use waterless cleaners (also widely used in areas where there are strict summer water usage rules). You simply spray on the product, wipe it off and give it a quick buff. Takes off the dirt and leaves a polish coat. Many RVs have a silicone sealer that stays soft and attracts and holds dirt. This product even removes that dirt. We are sold on it! In true retired fashion, we have only done one side of the 5th wheel as we can always do the rest tomorrow.
On Wednesday evening and yesterday there was a lot of wind here. So yesterday we picked up our friend Jo and went to the Blue Water casino in Parker. It is on the Colorado river but the wind did not make sightseeing a priority. We gambled, had lunch, gambled and went grocery shopping. Terry made a donation to the Indians but I got lucky and got back my loses and covered lunch and a bit more.
We spent a few hours yesterday evening visiting with some new friends Harold and Joanne. We met them briefly in Wellton. When we were leaving they said they had been trying to find a place to stay in Quartzsite with no luck. So we gave them the number here and they were able to get a spot but only for 5 days. They are looking for somewhere else here or nearby to stay longer. They have traveled a lot so are really fun to talk to.
We are heading over to the club house for a pancake breakfast, then to the library to post this, then to the exciting laundry room. Not a cloud in the sky this morning and the wind has stopped - beautiful! Supposed to be in the mid 70s today.
On Wednesday evening and yesterday there was a lot of wind here. So yesterday we picked up our friend Jo and went to the Blue Water casino in Parker. It is on the Colorado river but the wind did not make sightseeing a priority. We gambled, had lunch, gambled and went grocery shopping. Terry made a donation to the Indians but I got lucky and got back my loses and covered lunch and a bit more.
We spent a few hours yesterday evening visiting with some new friends Harold and Joanne. We met them briefly in Wellton. When we were leaving they said they had been trying to find a place to stay in Quartzsite with no luck. So we gave them the number here and they were able to get a spot but only for 5 days. They are looking for somewhere else here or nearby to stay longer. They have traveled a lot so are really fun to talk to.
We are heading over to the club house for a pancake breakfast, then to the library to post this, then to the exciting laundry room. Not a cloud in the sky this morning and the wind has stopped - beautiful! Supposed to be in the mid 70s today.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Quartzsite - Amazing amount and variety of stuff for sale
It is only about 1 hr & 40 minutes from Wellton to Quartzsite so we were able to get up late, pick up a bowl that we left at Francis & Nicole’s, make a quick stop at the grocery store and still arrive here in Quartzsite yesterday by 12:30. After setting up and having lunch, we drove around a bit and wandered through some of the booths - cannot call them stores as they are basically tents with outdoor carpeting nailed to the ground for “flooring”. Some have “sidewalks” in front made the same way as the “floors”. Not everything is set up & open yet as the official start date of the Gem & Mineral show is Jan 4th. Speaking of Gems & Minerals, I have never seen so many rocks for sale in my entire life!
The park is nice - no railway, no freeway and no feedlot smell! It is gravel with very little vegetation but the sites are large and it is actually a little bit out of town so is very quiet but close enough to walk or bike ride to a lot of places.
Today we did some more driving and “shopping”. We cannot get a good wireless signal here (which is an extra charge if you can get a signal) so I am going to go to the library which is very close and is a wireless hot spot. In fact, Terry is waiting for me to finish up this entry so we can get to the library and then replenish our beer supply.
Jan 3
There was a problem with the library internet access yesterday so I was not able to post my entry. So to finish the day.....our friends that we met in Tucson arrived and we went to dinner with them. We talked to someone about the golf course in Quartzsite - it is a desert course and the guy recommended that we not use good golf clubs if we tried it out. They sell special "tees" that sit on the ground so I guess you cannot get a tee in the ground. We will be driving 35 miles to Parker to golf I think.
The park is nice - no railway, no freeway and no feedlot smell! It is gravel with very little vegetation but the sites are large and it is actually a little bit out of town so is very quiet but close enough to walk or bike ride to a lot of places.
Today we did some more driving and “shopping”. We cannot get a good wireless signal here (which is an extra charge if you can get a signal) so I am going to go to the library which is very close and is a wireless hot spot. In fact, Terry is waiting for me to finish up this entry so we can get to the library and then replenish our beer supply.
Jan 3
There was a problem with the library internet access yesterday so I was not able to post my entry. So to finish the day.....our friends that we met in Tucson arrived and we went to dinner with them. We talked to someone about the golf course in Quartzsite - it is a desert course and the guy recommended that we not use good golf clubs if we tried it out. They sell special "tees" that sit on the ground so I guess you cannot get a tee in the ground. We will be driving 35 miles to Parker to golf I think.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Dec 29th, 30th 31st - Wellton
We spent most of the day Friday with Francis and Nicole . We all went to Yuma and wandered around the GIGANTIC swap meet/flea market. It is mostly under cover - permanent roofs & sides made out of tarps. We all managed to find something to buy. We now have the obligatory name plaque and flags on our rig. Then we went to a place in Old Tucson for a hamburger as Marg had mentioned that Francis & Nicole had taken her there a few years ago. It was fun and food was good. Stopped for a while at the Paradise casino and showed Nicole how slot machines take your money (not her money!). Then a fairly quick stop at Wal Mart for some groceries and a drink at our place before we took them home.
Planned to golf on Saturday but there was a frost delay (!!!) so could not get a tee time. Sunday was also booked up. So Terry & I returned to Yuma on Saturday to finish going through the flea market and visited the other casino in Yuma. For some reason our TV antenna is not getting the local stations very well so in the evening we watched a video from the park’s “lending library”. On Saturday and today we discovered that the cattle feedlots near Wellton are a lot closer when the wind is from their direction!!
Quiet day today. We are going to Francis & Nicole’s for dinner tonight for New Year’s Eve. We leave tomorrow for Quartzsite.
Wishing everyone a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Thursday, December 28, 2006
On the road again - to Wellton
“Housekeeping” day on Wednesday (27th). I did laundry in the morning while Terry waxed the truck. He sprayed the diamond plate storage box with some chrome cleaner which was not the right thing to do. So our neighbor brought out some Busch aluminum cleaner which is magical. After working on the box and waxing the front of the 5th wheel, we went looking for the aluminum cleaner to replace what we used. Looks like it is only available by mail so we will be ordering some when we get to Quartzsite and have an address. Stepped out big time and went grocery shopping after dinner!
There was quite a rain and wind storm in Tucson last night and this morning. We left about 9 to drive to Wellton. Arrived here about 1:30, set up and went to find our friends Francis & Nicole. We had a few beers and chatted with them the rest of the afternoon. I just checked for an unsecured web address and obviously found one so am making use of it. I probably should find out what damage someone could do when I am on an unsecured network.!!
There was quite a rain and wind storm in Tucson last night and this morning. We left about 9 to drive to Wellton. Arrived here about 1:30, set up and went to find our friends Francis & Nicole. We had a few beers and chatted with them the rest of the afternoon. I just checked for an unsecured web address and obviously found one so am making use of it. I probably should find out what damage someone could do when I am on an unsecured network.!!
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Dec 24th, 25th & 26th
We did make use of the ladder on Sunday to get the 5th wheel cleaned up. But we spent too much time chatting with neighbors to get at the waxing.
A couple 2 rigs over went for a bicycle ride about 9 in the morning and left their 2 medium to large dogs and their son’s dog in their motor home, left the door unlocked and did not take a key. One of the dogs ended up pawing at the door and locked it. It took 3 locksmiths and until 3 pm to get someone who could finally pick the lock.
I cooked a turkey (breast) dinner for Christmas and invited our new friends Ken and Jo to join us for dinner. It was very windy until about 1:30 so we did not get to play golf. We just relaxed and watched TV until it warmed up a bit and then sat outside with Ken & Jo until dinner time. Very nice day.
Today we went to the Desert Museum which is part anthropologic museum, part zoo and part desert gardens. The weather was wonderful - the truck thermometer read 78 when we left at 2:00 pm. We watched a free flying hawk show - they would swoop right over our heads as they moved from one perch to another. We stopped on the way home to get cloths for waxing the rigs and hardware to secure the ladder to the storage box in the truck. Our neighbor was just finishing washing his truck when we got back and ours had gotten dirty and really spotted when we went to Tombstone and got rained on so we washed it again before I fixed dinner.
We had our neighbors Andy and Nancy over for coffee and dessert to finish a very busy day.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
MERRY CHRISTMAS to all
I kept getting dumped from my internet connection yesterday evening and thought my entry wasn't posted so tried again this morning and ended up with a duplicate which I just deleted. So I will take this opportunity to send a “MERRY CHRISTMAS” wish to everyone.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Dec 22nd & 23rd
We went on a tour of the Big Room at Kartchner Caverns yesterday. They only opened to the public in 2003 and they included a lot of discovery information in the tour. It was interesting and amazing that the 2 college guys that discovered the cave kept it a secret for 14 years so it could be preserved as much as possible. Then we went on to Tombstone, had lunch at Big Nose Kate’s (stained glass picture) and wandered through the town. It was sunny and not too cool. As we were driving from Kartchner Caverns to Tombstone, we saw Border Patrol checkpoints on the highways heading north. So of course Terry was nervous about getting through them on our way back. There was absolutely no problem, they didn’t even ask for ID. When I commented to Terry that he did not seem to have worried about the checkpoint while we were in Tombstone, he said “Of course not, it would be you going to jail, not me!”. Nice guy!
It was raining by the time we got back to Tucson. Terry got restless after we were back for about an hour so we went to a casino for a while. We drove to one and it looked too small so we went to another that was not a lot bigger. Didn’t do too well but then Terry won some money back so it wasn’t a disaster!
We played golf today on the par 3 here at the park. It was nice enough to play in short sleeves and was very nice to get out. Later we went to Lowe’s and bought a ladder so we can get the 5th wheel cleaned up. Our neighbors on either side are all clean and shiny so we figured we better get on the ball.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
But we are still laughing....
I feel like I should not put anything on this blog until it actually happens!! We are not in Benson AZ. We are in Tucson.
We drove to Benson yesterday, took one look at the RV park which was situated within sight & sound of the I10 freeway and near a railway track and decided that we did not want to stay there for a month. The wind was blowing and it was COLD as well. So we drove back to Tucson and found a different spot but only for 8 days (one week and one free day). It froze last night - luckily we knew it was forecast and disconnected the water hose. It was sunny today and warmed up nicely so we took advantage of this park that lets you wash vehicles at your spot and we washed the truck. Nice neighbors on both sides. It is a large park with lots of activities and amenities but a lot of the activities are suspended because of the holidays. There is a 9 hole par 3 golf course that belongs to the park so we will be checking it out. We are also going to go to Tombstone, the Karchner Caverns and the Desert Museum while we are here. I will include some pictures from these attractions in the near future.
We drove to Benson yesterday, took one look at the RV park which was situated within sight & sound of the I10 freeway and near a railway track and decided that we did not want to stay there for a month. The wind was blowing and it was COLD as well. So we drove back to Tucson and found a different spot but only for 8 days (one week and one free day). It froze last night - luckily we knew it was forecast and disconnected the water hose. It was sunny today and warmed up nicely so we took advantage of this park that lets you wash vehicles at your spot and we washed the truck. Nice neighbors on both sides. It is a large park with lots of activities and amenities but a lot of the activities are suspended because of the holidays. There is a 9 hole par 3 golf course that belongs to the park so we will be checking it out. We are also going to go to Tombstone, the Karchner Caverns and the Desert Museum while we are here. I will include some pictures from these attractions in the near future.
Monday, December 18, 2006
No Spanish required
I was more correct than I knew when I said everything with my green card gets messed up. The immigration office in Phoenix said they could not stamp my passport - that I was out of their jurisdiction with my Washington address. I told them that I had received the information from their help line and we would not have left Spokane if I had received correct information. They very grudgingly apologized for the incorrect information that I had received and totally ignored my suggestion that someone educate the help line staff.
So Mexico is out for this winter. We will be moving to Benson, AZ (near Tucson ) on Wednesday. We made a reservation for a month at a park that we picked out of the campground book and checked on the internet. Hope it is OK!!
We went to a swap meet/flea market in Phoenix on Saturday. It is held at the Greyhound racetrack parking lot and is HUGE. But it is mostly new stuff now, unlike many years ago when it was like a lot of yard sales packed in one spot. We left about ¾ of the way through after we passed the same or similar items several times in different locations.
Since we had enough excitement today with the immigration office, we tackled the laundry this afternoon. The weather has cooled off considerably with some wind and rain Saturday night so golf is not the activity of choice right now. There is a reasonably priced golf course near the RV site in Benson so we are looking forward to getting to know it rather well.
So Mexico is out for this winter. We will be moving to Benson, AZ (near Tucson ) on Wednesday. We made a reservation for a month at a park that we picked out of the campground book and checked on the internet. Hope it is OK!!
We went to a swap meet/flea market in Phoenix on Saturday. It is held at the Greyhound racetrack parking lot and is HUGE. But it is mostly new stuff now, unlike many years ago when it was like a lot of yard sales packed in one spot. We left about ¾ of the way through after we passed the same or similar items several times in different locations.
Since we had enough excitement today with the immigration office, we tackled the laundry this afternoon. The weather has cooled off considerably with some wind and rain Saturday night so golf is not the activity of choice right now. There is a reasonably priced golf course near the RV site in Benson so we are looking forward to getting to know it rather well.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Mesa - Dec 15th
Please don’t give up on our blog - it is a little boring right now!
We like the new park. There is a section with no permanent residents where we are located and we have chatted with quite a few neighbors. We went to “movie night” last night and saw “The Devil Wears Prada”. We were going to play golf today but I have a cold and thought I would run out of energy part way through the game. We will have many opportunities to golf so no use getting out there and not enjoying it.
I have an appointment with immigration in Phoenix on Monday morning to get my passport stamped. When we got here on Wednesday, I checked with the mail box center in Spokane and the letter from Homeland Security that I was waiting for was there. We decided to spend the money to have it sent UPS overnight for arrival today (Friday). When we were at the movie last night, someone from the mail box center called and said they goofed and did not get the package to UPS on Thursday. So they are sending it today with Saturday delivery. Seems like everything to do with this green card gets messed up.
We like the new park. There is a section with no permanent residents where we are located and we have chatted with quite a few neighbors. We went to “movie night” last night and saw “The Devil Wears Prada”. We were going to play golf today but I have a cold and thought I would run out of energy part way through the game. We will have many opportunities to golf so no use getting out there and not enjoying it.
I have an appointment with immigration in Phoenix on Monday morning to get my passport stamped. When we got here on Wednesday, I checked with the mail box center in Spokane and the letter from Homeland Security that I was waiting for was there. We decided to spend the money to have it sent UPS overnight for arrival today (Friday). When we were at the movie last night, someone from the mail box center called and said they goofed and did not get the package to UPS on Thursday. So they are sending it today with Saturday delivery. Seems like everything to do with this green card gets messed up.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Still waiting in Mesa
We are still in a holding pattern waiting for something to happen with my green card.
We played golf again at a wicked little 9 hole course. The holes were short with only 3 par 4s but it was challenging. Again, the course wound between houses. It had narrow, sloping fairways and quite a bit of water. We played with another couple who have wintered in Arizona for many years and had coffee with them later.
We will be moving to a different park tomorrow - still in Mesa. We hope there will be more non-permanent campers to give us a chance to meet more people. Residents here are friendly but you don’t say much more than “good morning” as you pass. The weather has been great but not always warm enough to sit outside. People in “park model” homes here have Arizona rooms which are sometimes totally closed in and mostly located behind parking areas so are not conducive to visiting as you walk by.
The picture is looking down our “street”. The large palm at the end is still in the park and we are not at the end of the street so this gives you an idea of the size of this place.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
December 9
We do not have wifi at our site here but there is a large computer center with wifi and broadband. The wifi is not working well so I am using broadband and love it. There are also about 50 computers here that you can use - very nice facility. Right now I am using our laptop and Terry is checking RV parks & prices on one of the park computers.
We took a drive yesterday to check out Fountain Hills where we lived for a short time about 25 years ago. It has grown into a huge city with a new freeway providing access. Unfortunately for our wallets, there is also a casino on the Indian reservation there. Honest, we did not know it was there when we went for the drive!!!
We finished the bike ride up and down all the streets in the park yesterday afternoon. The last street is 22nd. I forgot to check the mileage on the bicycle odometer when we finished but will try to do so before our next ride and let you know just how big this place is.
We took a drive yesterday to check out Fountain Hills where we lived for a short time about 25 years ago. It has grown into a huge city with a new freeway providing access. Unfortunately for our wallets, there is also a casino on the Indian reservation there. Honest, we did not know it was there when we went for the drive!!!
We finished the bike ride up and down all the streets in the park yesterday afternoon. The last street is 22nd. I forgot to check the mileage on the bicycle odometer when we finished but will try to do so before our next ride and let you know just how big this place is.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
December 8 - Mesa Regal
The weather remained warm and we played golf yesterday. A strange little course - it wound between houses and across roads. Not just across a residential 2-lane road but across (and back) a divided, 4 lane street and frontage road. We crossed a road one time, played one par 3 hole and then went between houses and across a road for the next holes. We played the first 9 holes with another couple from Alberta who winter in Mesa so that made it even more fun.
The park had a “Country Store’ yesterday morning in the hall & patio. Many vendors set out their goods for sale - quite a few vendors were people who live in the park and have handmade items - cards, embroidered Tshirts, woodcrafts, etc. Some very nice things and we bought a few items.
As if walking 18 holes wasn’t enough exercise, we went dancing last night here at the park. There was a very nice band that played classic music - waltz, fox trot, swing, latin, polka. It was a fairly “formal” format with a lady posting the next 10 dance types on a board and the band playing 2 or 3 songs for each type. We were not aware that it was BYOB so we were good and drank water instead of coming back to the rig to get something else to drink.
Many people in the park (and at previous places we stayed) have a lot of Christmas decorations up outside. On some of the streets in the park, people will all have one same decoration - usually a painted wooden item and on one street Christmas banners that hang on poles. Very festive and wonderful at night with all the lights.
The park had a “Country Store’ yesterday morning in the hall & patio. Many vendors set out their goods for sale - quite a few vendors were people who live in the park and have handmade items - cards, embroidered Tshirts, woodcrafts, etc. Some very nice things and we bought a few items.
As if walking 18 holes wasn’t enough exercise, we went dancing last night here at the park. There was a very nice band that played classic music - waltz, fox trot, swing, latin, polka. It was a fairly “formal” format with a lady posting the next 10 dance types on a board and the band playing 2 or 3 songs for each type. We were not aware that it was BYOB so we were good and drank water instead of coming back to the rig to get something else to drink.
Many people in the park (and at previous places we stayed) have a lot of Christmas decorations up outside. On some of the streets in the park, people will all have one same decoration - usually a painted wooden item and on one street Christmas banners that hang on poles. Very festive and wonderful at night with all the lights.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Mesa, AZ - sunshine and warm!
What an enormous amount of totally unusable land exists in Nevada, California and Arizona! We drove many, many miles through nothing - not even fenced for cattle. Always mountains to go through and around on our way from Bullhead City to Mesa, AZ. We went through Las Vegas on the way to Bullhead City and did not even stop. It is not a town that you want to be sightseeing in when towing a 36 foot fifth wheel. The housing on the outskirts of Las Vegas is unbelievable - miles of closely spaced multi-family units.
We decided to stay in a LARGE RV park for at least a week. We get the reduced PA rate for a week and then can decide what we want to do depending on the status of my green card. There are so many activities but it is hard to take part for one week only. We are going to go dancing tomorrow - we love dancing so are looking forward to it.
We rode bikes today around the park (1.6 miles) and up and down most “streets” (7.1 miles) before our butts said it was time to stop. It was 78 degrees today - so nice. But cooler weather is forecast and it is cool at night. We ran out of propane last night and it got pretty cool in the rig.
We have a friend in the Phoenix area that we have not seen for many years (Chuck Kambouroff). We got hold of him on the phone today and it turns out he is in Edmonton, Alberta. He will be coming back here on Monday so we will get to see him.
Diesel has been less expensive in Nevada. Has been as low as $2.59. When we crossed the border to California when we left Bullhead, it was $3.79. We were happy that we had enough fuel to get back into Nevada where we paid $2.63.
We decided to stay in a LARGE RV park for at least a week. We get the reduced PA rate for a week and then can decide what we want to do depending on the status of my green card. There are so many activities but it is hard to take part for one week only. We are going to go dancing tomorrow - we love dancing so are looking forward to it.
We rode bikes today around the park (1.6 miles) and up and down most “streets” (7.1 miles) before our butts said it was time to stop. It was 78 degrees today - so nice. But cooler weather is forecast and it is cool at night. We ran out of propane last night and it got pretty cool in the rig.
We have a friend in the Phoenix area that we have not seen for many years (Chuck Kambouroff). We got hold of him on the phone today and it turns out he is in Edmonton, Alberta. He will be coming back here on Monday so we will get to see him.
Diesel has been less expensive in Nevada. Has been as low as $2.59. When we crossed the border to California when we left Bullhead, it was $3.79. We were happy that we had enough fuel to get back into Nevada where we paid $2.63.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Leaving Pahrump for Bullhead City
We ended up not golfing on Sunday as it was still too cool. So we did a bit of shopping and a bit of gambling. I won enough money to cover my losses for the previous day and the next day. We decided we better get the heck out of Nevada before we both develop a gambling problem!!!
We are in Bullhead City right now. I found out on the trip back from Canada that my “green card” has been expired for 2 years and no one noticed on our several trips to Canada in the last 2 years. I didn’t even know that it had an expiration date! So I had to e-file for a new card which I did today. Now I have to wait for a notice for an appointment to appear in person in Spokane to be delivered to our PO box in Spokane and then forwarded to us. Then I can make an appointment in Phoenix to have my passport stamped to allow travel while my new card is being processed. But I still have to show up in Spokane to finish the application. What a pain!! It may delay our trip to Mexico a bit.
We met the nicest couple here in the park today. Out for a walk and started talking to them as they had the same make of 5th wheel as we do. We ended up spending at least 4 hours with them - first at their place and then at ours. This is one of the greatest parts of traveling!
We are in Bullhead City right now. I found out on the trip back from Canada that my “green card” has been expired for 2 years and no one noticed on our several trips to Canada in the last 2 years. I didn’t even know that it had an expiration date! So I had to e-file for a new card which I did today. Now I have to wait for a notice for an appointment to appear in person in Spokane to be delivered to our PO box in Spokane and then forwarded to us. Then I can make an appointment in Phoenix to have my passport stamped to allow travel while my new card is being processed. But I still have to show up in Spokane to finish the application. What a pain!! It may delay our trip to Mexico a bit.
We met the nicest couple here in the park today. Out for a walk and started talking to them as they had the same make of 5th wheel as we do. We ended up spending at least 4 hours with them - first at their place and then at ours. This is one of the greatest parts of traveling!
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Pahrump, NV
We are at Terrible’s Casino and RV Park in Pahrump (do you see a pattern here?). It is a really nice place. There is a 7 acre lake/lagoon for the use of the RVers in the park. There are paddle boats and kayaks as well as catch and release free fishing. Our spot is right on the lake. The pictures with this entry were taken from our site. Unfortunately the weather is still unusually cold and the water hose freezes up each night. We went for a bike ride around the park yesterday afternoon and my hands were cold. But we are going golfing today. The reduced “twilight” rate starts at 11:30 which sounds odd until you realize that it does get dark before 5 pm. Our tee time today is noon so the pace will have to be good for us to finish before dark. We took advantage of the inexpensive buffet for lunch yesterday and spent some time (and money) in the casino. So Terry went back to the casino last night and won enough to pay for our golf. This is a P.A. park with 3 days at the reduced rate so we will decide tomorrow whether we will stay here longer at the regular rate or move on.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Traveling in CA and NV - Dec 1
No, we did not get our money back!
It is time to introduce you to Wanda. This is our affectionate (??) name for our GPS navigation system. She told us the way out of Reno and Terry did not believe her so we had to take a couple of extra turns to get going the right way. I suggested that we listen to Wanda in the future. But, when she said to go on 120, there was a sign that warned long semis not to use the road so we decided not to go that way. I also did not want to use any “black” highways on the map. So why did we listen to Wanda when she sent us on a highway that was not even on the map? The highway was 168 (I think) that went from 395 to 95. It climbed from 2500 feet to over 7000 feet in less than 25 miles. One corner said slow to 15 MPH. Then there was a single lane section where we met the 3rd car of the trip. Luckily we met a double trailer hay truck near the beginning of the road so we figured if he could make it, so could we. But, we did not estimate our fuel consumption correctly to allow for the steep hills. The warning light came on about 29 miles from the next gas station. The computer said we could go 33 miles and we put 33.65 gallons in our 34 gallon tank. We decided to stop for the night in Amargosa instead of pushing on to Pahrump, AZ which is where we want to stay for a few days.
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