We've Moved.. again

We have left the Pinal County Park and moved 5 miles West to the John Wayne RV Ranch where we can enjoy the amenities of electric, water and sewer hookups. We'll be here until we leave for Detroit but while we are gone, the RV will sit patiently awaiting our return in Jan. Then, we will figure out where we go from there. Perhaps back to boondocking at the Pinal County Park or stay here for a little longer. Weather (and $$) will have a factor in the decision process as Winter has made its presence known with AM temps in the lower 30's and, potentially, the upper 20's. Makes it a bit chilly in the rig in the mornings:( Now I won't have to worry about the batteries on the cloudy days and can watch a football game or whatever without worrying about having enough "juice" to run the furnace in the AM. Plus, the wifi is working pretty good for the moment. Much better than last year. There is even a nice field across the road with smooth lanes that will be good for flying my planes. Maybe tomorrow I'll check it out:)

Tenacity of Age

As I get a little older, I notice different things that would not have interested me in my younger years. This afternoon while walking around the campground, I saw an old Saguaro cactus being crowded by a Mesquite tree and a Palo Verde tree. The cactus is at least 150 years old and has been there much longer than the younger interlopers. The Mesquite on the left and the Palo Verde on the right will NOT defeat the cactus as evidenced by the new growth on the top of the branches. The motto must be "Never give up!". I can relate to that as I look back on my later years of working toward retirement. The new, younger people would eventually look at me as one of the dinosaurs that should move out to make room for them. NUTS! With the great help of Lou, I was able to make it long enough to retire on our own terms. Now as we enjoy being in the desert of AZ I can tell all the others still working toward their retirement, Never Give Up!

Arizona Living

OK, I promised some pics and have finally got them over to the computer. Hopefully, I can get them in some order that makes sense. First (??) is where we "roughed it" at the Echo Bay campground at the Lake Mead Recreational Area. I am not bothering with any pic from our stay at Wikieup:( The Echo Bay campground is on a high bluff above the lake and Marina which can be seen down in the distance. If it's blue, it's water:) The last pic is of our humble abode parked in the "desolate" gentle desert of the County Park south of Maricopa. Yesterday, just for giggles and something to do, we drove over to Florence, AZ to tour the Sun City Anthem housing. Who knows, maybe some day we'll consider living here in the Winter and traveling North for the summer? It's a thought anyhow. Sunny and cool for the next few days with a possibility of some rain showers late this evening. No winds expected with the next front coming through so we should be able to sleep through it:)

Pinal County Park - at last:)

We are now in our favorite site at our favorite So. AZ "RV Park" with solar power, full fresh water tank and empty holding tanks. Upon arrival several days ago, we were in a "temporary" site until another RV moved out of "our" site. Now, we are balanced and level so we can get on with our exciting life of exercising, reading, games on the Kindle, etc. (Not all in that order) Verizon has been very exasperating as they are currently going through some upgrading of the cell towers expanding the 4G network. The result is that service drops out on a regular basis or is out for several hours at a time. Since we are retired and have nothing better to do, one would think it isn't a big deal. However, without email and Facebook, how does one start the day? At least when it works, it works great. The weather is really nice with mild breezes and plenty of sunshine, so far. The winds will pick up tomorrow. The forecast is calling for 15-25 with gusts to 35-45 for tomorrow. Not good flying conditions:( I flew the Sky Surfer this morning a couple of times in the park here. The entrance "road" is smooth enough for landing and takeoffs with the other 2 planes. It will be good for a while until the RV population starts picking up in a week or 3. The RV's are on the move everywhere:) I didn't get any of the pics downloaded from the camera yet so no pics yet.

Friday Night in Wikieup

"Don't blink or you will miss it" is more than just a catchy phrase, it's Wikieup, AZ. 2 gas stations and one "RV Park and Restaurant" comprise 90% of the wide spot. People are friendly and the restaurant serves a pretty good BBQ beef sandwich but no beer:( We have left the beautiful Echo Bay campground and have wended our way further South on our journey. Dazzo's RV Park and Restaurant is where we have parked for the night. We could have continued on toward destination but would have arrived in the Phoenix area traffic rush. Not good with an RV and following spouse in the Prius. RV is doing well at 10 MPG!!!!! Oh Joy:) Look out Mike and Eva, we're on our way! As much as I enjoy driving the RV, I'm looking forward to getting set up and sitting still for a week or more at a time. I'll post some more pics on the next entry. For now, good night!

Valley of Fire Pics

Yesterday we took a nice slow drive through the Valley of Fire State Park. We have been there before (3 years ago on our infamous first trip) but are still amazed at the beauty and grandeur of the park. 150,000,000 years of geological and historical wonder on display for all to see. And, there are still those who think the Earth is only 10,000 years old. We even saw some actual wildlife! Big Horn sheep and a tortoise that was too slowly trying to cross the road. So, I got out and "helped" him the rest of the way lest he become part of the endangered species. How lush and green everything is this year since they had the heavy snowfalls in the mountains (130% above normal). They are projecting that Lake Mead will rise some 23 feet this year as a result which will make the boating groups very happy. We hope you enjoy the pics. We'll be here at Echo Bay for at least a couple of days, maybe more:)

Pictures

Probably in reverse order are some pics I took along the way showing what many of Nevada's roads look like from the driver's seat and some views from our present location. We are on a small plateau some 600 feet above the town of Overton, NV. Note: The RV in the sunset pic is NOT ours:) The winding road is the one back toward town looking down from the plateau.

OK. Add tiny and Humongous bugs to the previous list. We have added Ash Springs and Overton to our hot spot list. Ash Springs was the first, and only, "RV Park" for 200 miles coming from Wells. It is a private truck stop/campground/gas station/tire shop/deli and offered electric and water. The water, however, just dribbled out of the hose and took all night to add 20 gallons to our tank. We are now on a plateau overlooking Overton, NV. The ground looks like Quartzite but the views are much better! I'll add pics to the next post of our viewpoints. We'll be here for a couple of nights and then move on down the road to Echo Bay at the Lake Mead National Recreational Area where we'll be for a couple of days, maybe more:) We are not in a great hurry to get down to AZ until the temps moderate. It is 87 here today and sunny with a nice breeze. Down there, it's still in the 90's but will be getting into the low 80's by next week. Awesome flying conditions here except for the landing area.. too many stones and rocks:(

All Bugs, Look Out!

We are back on the road and killing small, medium, large and giant bugs with the very efficient Bounder Bug Killer! Hitting all the hot spots on the way like Plymouth, WA (Corps of Engineers campground) and Mountain Home, ID (ELKS Lodge). Tomorrow, we head South to the thriving metropolis' of Jackpot and Wells, NV. Then, we'll figure out how far we want to go the next day. Eventually, we'll arrive in the SW AZ area but are not in a great hurry as the 90's are still in vogue there. We did get a good look at Fall colors in the Blue Mountains of OR as we motored on to Mountain Home. I was too busy handling the RV to take pics and Lou was busy following in the Prius. Since we sold my Tacoma pickup, we don't have an official tow vehicle anymore and decided against buying a tow dolly for the Prius. At 50 MPG, it will wind up using less gas as it does twice as good on gas as the pickup did and the RV is happier without the extra 4,000 pounds hanging on the tail end. More from farther down the road to follow.

Journeys End.. Home!

We have concluded this years trip. The final leg from the ELKS Lodge in Sherwood, OR via Kenniwick was accomplished in spite of some high and gusty winds. Fortunately, most of the wind was at our backs:) Nice to have ANYTHING that will improve the MPG! We did have a nice visit with Lou's sister in the Oregon area. This was NOT the best time to travel in Northern CA or OR because it RAINS a LOT. Of course it also makes everything green and lush:)
All was well at the house when we arrived and Lou enjoyed her hot shower with unlimited water. I enjoyed my shower with lots of room to turn around in without bumping and banging of elbows. No more concerns for capacities of the holding tanks or the amount of fresh water left until we venture out again, perhaps this summer.
All told, we put 4,800 miles on the RV and a good bit on the Tacoma as well. Yes, the gas bill is a doozy but still worth it. Next time to the SW, we'll do a more direct route down and back with more focus on the BLM boondocking areas in AZ to conserve money for the gas tank:) And, alas, we will most likely skip CA next trip. We were there twice on this trip and it's just too expensive.
First, we have to survive an extended La Nina season in the Pacific NW which means that a wet and cool Spring is in store for us until June according to the weather people. It will feel like being in Northern CA for 2 more months:) It will give Lou lots of time to get caught up on her quilting and I can repair a few planes while waiting for flying season.
All told, we had a really great trip and really enjoyed meeting up with sister, cousins, nephews and new babies. We also met up with old acquaintances and some new friends. We will always remember the awesome Tournament of Roses Parade up close and in true living color.
Maybe next year we can do it again:)

Escape from Red Bluff

We have finally escaped the clutches of CA and the traction chain gods. We did have some gusty winds on the way and a pretty good snow storm at the top of the pass when we hit Oregon. We are now in Grants Pass. Very nice and interesting town. There is a quilt shop for Lou and a hobby shop for me to visit in the AM just across the street from each other. This is MUCH quieter than our spot in Red Bluff:) Tomorrow or Tuesday we'll head up to Sherwood, OR to visit with Lou's sister. Then, we will begin the final legs of our travel home. Should be back in Spokane by the end of the week (maybe) so NO MORE SNOW in Spokane please!

Red Bluff ELKS

Day 4 at the Red Bluff ELKS and still watching the road reports in Yreka and Weed. Chains are still required and all vehicles are being checked 10 miles north of Redding for "maximum chains". Campers and trailers are NOT advised due to high winds. We don't have chains for the RV and I won't drive where they are needed anyway. So, maybe tomorrow or Sunday.....or Monday to begin our dash north to Oregon. Once past the state line, weather issues will usually be limited to wind and/or rain. I can live with that but NOT snow/ice:) In the meantime, we will sit and enjoy the hospitality of the Red Bluff ELKS lodge. Really nice people here. This will give Lou another opportunity to do some baking. Yesterday, she replenished our cookie supply:) YUMM!

Hunkered down in Roseville

We are now in Roseville, CA watching the rain come down. Lots of rain.... and WIND! Lots of that also. It is really windy and gusty and the weather prognosticators are forecasting more rain and stronger winds/gusts after midnight until mid day tomorrow. Soooooo, we'll just stay here parked behind the Roseville ELKS Lodge plugged into electric and water until at least Monday. Maybe Tuesday. We had a great visit with Ken and Jackie Coyne while parked in front of their house for the last three days. They are very gracious hosts and super great people. We're sure that Ken and Jackie will wear out rather than rust out when the time comes:) Still a long time off for sure!
Next week, sometime, we'll head northward to Red Bluff or Redding for a few days and, keeping a close eye on the weather, plan our further travels up to visit with Kathleen.

New baby and rain...

We are now in Petaluma afer a few days of a noisy ELKS Lodge in Santa Clara. We were not aware of its proximity to the San Jose airport or the waste transfer station just down the street that the garbage trucks begin their runs at 5AM... even on the weekend:( Otherwise, it was a very nice spot. They served a super steak dinner for $8.50! We arrived in Petaluma with great anticipation of seeing the latest member of the Burns family, Lila Mae Doris Burns. She is beautiful and Dad is giddy with delight and wonder. Carly, Will and Lila are all doing well:)
I was going to go out and take pictures today but it's raining! Imagine that! Raining in California. This cold front will pass through this evening, we hope, and the rain will slow to showers for the rest of the week . We will head towards Roseville, via Napa, to spend a few days in that area. We look forward to visiting with Ken and Jackie, Lou's cousin, and maybe some wineries also:) We'll cycle from parking in front of their house and checking out some of the ELKS lodges in the surrounding areas. If it's raining, boondocking isn't as much fun. Having power, water and sewer connections permits one to just be a bit more comfortable.

On the move

Last night, Indio, CA. Very nice ELKS club but one night was enough so we moved on Westward past where we SHOULD have stopped (Oxnard) and continued on to Lompoc, CA. More miles then we planned but I was determined to escape the traffic congestion in the LA area. While in the Lompoc area we will visit, once again, Buellton and Solvang. We were here 2 years ago and it's worth repeating. Tomorrow, we will check out the Jamala County Beach Park a few miles away from here. It gets rave reviews for scenery and facilities. We'll see and judge it against the cost.

The Golden State isn't golden now. It's GREEN! The hills are covered in green velvet as Lou described it. Still pursuing cheap gas ($3.73 at Costco in Fontana) but we have seen it as high as $4.19! C'mon Ghadaffi, give it up and LEAVE:)

We Moved Again!

We have left the lovely "gentle desert" of the Pinal County campground and are now tucked in at the Yuma BPOE RV area. This is our first stay at an ELKS Lodge since becoming an ELK in Gila Bend. We decided to begin our westward trek but needed to have a safe haven to let the current weather system pass us by. Driving in rain and gusty winds aren't as fun as they used to be in Florida. Of course, I wasn't driving an RV then:) We have been watching with trepidation the constant rise of the cost of fuel for the RV. We will pay what it takes to get home, of course, but it will still be a bit painful at $4/gal... or more. It was less than $3 when we left:(
We'll be here until Monday and then try to get our turn signals fixed. The left signal keeps blowing a fuse and I think it's in the steering column. Having it checked Monday AM. We haven't decided which route we will be taking through California as yet or where we will enter California for that matter.
Lou gets a break for dinner this evening as we will have dinner at the lodge. Reports are that the food is really good and they are serving shrimp and tenderloin this evening. YUM!
Right now, the weather isn't too bad. A little gusty and some sprinkles. Not the big storm they were predicting earlier. Weather map shows that a bunch is still on the way however. Maybe it will slide up north (hope, hope, hope).
We will get to the San Jose, Petaluma and Roseville areas on our return trek. No schedule set as yet but we should be home by the first part of April.... weather permitting. As always, we look forward to the journey and seeing family along the way. We have met many nice people along the way and even ran into some we saw 2 years ago. Really good to renew the old acquaintances. Still lots of Canadians in AZ. You'd think it got cold up there or something in the winter:)

Sunrise and Sunsets in Blythe

We are still in Blythe, CA at the Mayflower County Park. We have had a great time watching the contractors work on improvements to the park. They are building a large storage area for the trailers that the summer crowd leave here until they can get here for the boating and fishing. Good money for the county. Lets see..... 150 spaces at $40/month makes about $600K/year for the county. Not bad, and it's a good deal for the summer crowd based on the going rates in the area.
We have also been enjoying the sunsets and I have also enjoyed many of the sunrises. This AM, the sun was rising as the full moon was setting. The pic doesn't do it justice but here it is anyway.
Since we are not all that far from the El Centro Navy Base, we have quite a few daily, low level flybys of the F-18 Hornets. Sometimes playing "catch me if you can" and occasionally just going like the dickens at a very low altitude over the park. They are actually following the Colorado River course which brings them right over head. Somewhere around here the Blue Angels have begun their training for the upcoming airshow season.
Yesterday, we went over to Quartzite to check it out before the BIG TENT opens on Friday. A REALLY BIG crowd is expected for the various manufacturers' booths and other stuff that will be showed and offered for sale. We will NOT be among the early attendees. We may not even be among the late attendees. We'll see:)
We'll be here for a couple of weeks more before we consider moving on to somewhere else. All's well with the world here in Blythe. Stay warm ya'll.

Post Parade and Settled in Blythe

We started our week @ the Rose Parade Rally with a wine & beer party where we were issued our badges that would get us into all the activities of the week. It was a very busy week which went from float building (in a tent in the rain) to touring the Huntington Library and grounds where we saw a fabulous cactus garden with cactii from all over the world.. There was so much to see & do and so little time.

The next day we toured two more float barns to see more of the floats under construction and in the afternoon we went to see the Band-fest. This encompassed standing in many lines. While waiting for the people to all be seated, we got to practice our drumming skills sponsored by REMO Drums. What a marvelous performance! Some of the more memorable bands were the North Japan Honor Green Band whose members were very innovative & talented, North Carolina Central University Marching Sound Machine, Lindbergh "Spirit of St. Louis" Marching Band, and last but not least US Coast Guard Marine Corps Band. We finished the day with fine dining & winery tour at the San Antonio winery w/guitar music.

Each days events got more exciting with lunch @ the Santa Anita Park's Club Court restaurant and an afternoon of horse races. It was fun to try & guess who the race winner would be. By evening the staff had the tent transformed for a super New Years' Eve party with a live band. We celebrated on NY time so we could be up & on the bus next morning by 6:00 a.m for the Tournament of Roses Parade.

We made it to our stadium seats for the parade on time, as did the rest of the millions of people:) Our seating was right up to the curb so there was no one standing in front of us. The view was close and spectacular. Pics attached. The parade was kicked off with a flyover of the B-2 Stealth bomber. Very impressive.. and quiet!

The next day we said our good byes and headed over to Blythe, CA where we now reside for the next 30 days or so at a very nice county park on the Colorado River.