Wednesday, March 14, 2007
DAY 70: From the AZ. Desert to Downtown Las Vegas!!!!
AHHHH…..we have now been on this winter retreat/journey for 10 weeks!!! And…..we have not yet set the return to Missouri date…..sometime in early April????? We have some things that must be done before we leave the last week of May for a summer journey…..to parts unknown as of now.
Today……WELL…..we were hooked up to the truck and pulling out of our desert boon docking spot by 8:30 this morning. We went west on I-10 for 15 miles, crossed the line into California (Blythe) and then headed north on US 95 for 235 miles…….ACROSS THE DESERT….the most uninhabitable desert we have seen yet……..I thought we would never reach Las Vegas!!! The first 100 miles were up and down, and the road rolled from left to right……making driving very difficult, especially pulling the 38’ HowserHouse behind us. BUT…..by 12:45pm we were driving into the city on I-515.…and soon pulled into the RV Park of Sam’s Town, and just a few minutes later we were “working” to get TheHowserHouse into this narrow little site. It took a few disagreeable words between the 1st Lady and myself before we finally got it situated where I could extend the slides without hitting a pole……and with the front and rear ends of the rv not sticking out into the street in front and rear!!!!! VERY TIGHT!!!!!!!
We rested a bit…..and then decided to drive to the Strip. It took longer than we thought with the afternoon traffic but we did find a place to park the LONG truck just off of the strip with no parking charges. And then…….the touring walk began……..
We went to each hotel that we came to: Caesar’s Palace, the Bellagio, the Aladin, Harrah’s, The Venetian, and others which are too numerous to mention. Our feet are now sore and our legs a bit tired…….didn’t I keep in shape with my 5 mile bike rides these past few weeks????? I THOUGHT I did………….????!!!!
I was most impressed with The Venetian!!!! Perhaps because Venice is one of my very favorite cities…..having been there no less than 12 times over the past 20+ years. I thought it was a very good replica and they did a great job of compacting the various aspects of the city into a Las Vegas city block……however…….they made all of the street scenes and hallways and walkways…….TOOO NEW!!!!! They should have been more realistic and had cracks in the walls, plaster chipping off and missing…..paint not soooo freshly put on…perhaps a bit of mold would have helped greatly!!!! It just didn’t have the right ambience for Venice……the real character of the city, the personality of the architecture was missing. Too bad…….
We dined in the Aladin Hotel/Casino…….at an Oyster Café/Bar….and had some wonderful fish entrees!!!! VERY good! The waiter sucked……..he absolutely paid no attention to our needs……I asked him twice to bring me a glass of water…..and no water appeared. Soooo, I finally got one of the other guys to bring me a glass of water. He was just plain lazy……and I didn’t want to leave him more than 10%….but the 1st Lady wanted to give him the standard 15%….and so I did…..hmmmmm………
We have returned to TheHowserHouse…..tired and a bit numb. Soooo, I will try to get some pics posted from yesterday and today…….again I am on my phone to get online. I absolutely refuse to pay $7.99 for 24 hours of online wireless service!!!!!!! Soooo, I will do the best I can at getting online to post this and some daily pics.
The desert drive was not an easy one……and my feet are aching right now, but nevertheless…….
Life is GREAT…..and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!!
Today……WELL…..we were hooked up to the truck and pulling out of our desert boon docking spot by 8:30 this morning. We went west on I-10 for 15 miles, crossed the line into California (Blythe) and then headed north on US 95 for 235 miles…….ACROSS THE DESERT….the most uninhabitable desert we have seen yet……..I thought we would never reach Las Vegas!!! The first 100 miles were up and down, and the road rolled from left to right……making driving very difficult, especially pulling the 38’ HowserHouse behind us. BUT…..by 12:45pm we were driving into the city on I-515.…and soon pulled into the RV Park of Sam’s Town, and just a few minutes later we were “working” to get TheHowserHouse into this narrow little site. It took a few disagreeable words between the 1st Lady and myself before we finally got it situated where I could extend the slides without hitting a pole……and with the front and rear ends of the rv not sticking out into the street in front and rear!!!!! VERY TIGHT!!!!!!!
We rested a bit…..and then decided to drive to the Strip. It took longer than we thought with the afternoon traffic but we did find a place to park the LONG truck just off of the strip with no parking charges. And then…….the touring walk began……..
We went to each hotel that we came to: Caesar’s Palace, the Bellagio, the Aladin, Harrah’s, The Venetian, and others which are too numerous to mention. Our feet are now sore and our legs a bit tired…….didn’t I keep in shape with my 5 mile bike rides these past few weeks????? I THOUGHT I did………….????!!!!
I was most impressed with The Venetian!!!! Perhaps because Venice is one of my very favorite cities…..having been there no less than 12 times over the past 20+ years. I thought it was a very good replica and they did a great job of compacting the various aspects of the city into a Las Vegas city block……however…….they made all of the street scenes and hallways and walkways…….TOOO NEW!!!!! They should have been more realistic and had cracks in the walls, plaster chipping off and missing…..paint not soooo freshly put on…perhaps a bit of mold would have helped greatly!!!! It just didn’t have the right ambience for Venice……the real character of the city, the personality of the architecture was missing. Too bad…….
We dined in the Aladin Hotel/Casino…….at an Oyster Café/Bar….and had some wonderful fish entrees!!!! VERY good! The waiter sucked……..he absolutely paid no attention to our needs……I asked him twice to bring me a glass of water…..and no water appeared. Soooo, I finally got one of the other guys to bring me a glass of water. He was just plain lazy……and I didn’t want to leave him more than 10%….but the 1st Lady wanted to give him the standard 15%….and so I did…..hmmmmm………
We have returned to TheHowserHouse…..tired and a bit numb. Soooo, I will try to get some pics posted from yesterday and today…….again I am on my phone to get online. I absolutely refuse to pay $7.99 for 24 hours of online wireless service!!!!!!! Soooo, I will do the best I can at getting online to post this and some daily pics.
The desert drive was not an easy one……and my feet are aching right now, but nevertheless…….
Life is GREAT…..and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!!
Monday, March 12, 2007
Day 69: A visit to Lake Havasu, AZ
WOW…….seemed like the sun was up and knocking on our bedroom window to awaken us early today!!!! But……it was almost 7am……..just seemed earlier. We got up….I took a shower….a quickie as I’m not for certain just how much fresh water I have in the holding tank……the damn idiot lights that are supposed to tell me on the controls in the dining room are NOT accurate, so it is anyone’s guess how many gallons I really have!!
We turned on the gennie for a bit to make the Fr. Roast coffee…….OF COURSE!!!! I don’t think I can ever drink instant coffee any more……..just not on my menu for a morning wake-me-up. After getting things organized for the day, we left around 9:30 for Lake Havasu….about 75 miles north of where TheHowserHouse is sitting in the BLM desert land. She look sooooo lonesome sitting there as we drove over the dirt/gravel and away from her……….I had locked everything up, checked twice, and made certain that only the potted Pansies were outside. Thieves do appear out here, but mainly they are after high ticket items that are left outside by dumb senior citizens!!!
Drove north across the desolate desert until we reach the town of Parker….and then the highway followed the Colorado river up the canyon, through the foothills, and by some incredibly beautiful areas of RV Parks and state parks. They were simply filled with RV’s…….just unreal the sheer number of rv’s in the parks along the river. AND…they parks were on both sides of the river……the other side being the state of California with their rv parks.
Let me tell you something: if you have NOT been up this highway going to Lake Havasu from the south…..you must make this trip!!!! Spectacular!!!!!! The river is the clearest blue I have ever seen…….better than the Rivera in France!!! We were just plain angry with ourselves that we have never been here in all the years we have been camping…….of course, needless to say……..the weather was again gorgeous….and the highs reached 98 today, but with this wonderful dry climate, it was not that evident!!!
We reached Lake Havasu City…..and found the London Bridge, which we immediately found ourselves driving over to the island in the lake. It is filled with condos and rv parks, as well as a bike/hiking paved path all around the island. Back to the “mainland” we drove and parked the truck, stopping at the Visitors Center for some printed guides and info. Then we walked/ambled along the lakefront under and around the bridge area. There are shops…..a few…..but not as many as we had anticipated there would be. A bit disappointed we were……just not too much there. Many marinas with boats of all descriptions for rent…..but they were almost all taken by the many, many “spring breakers” from colleges and universities that are making Lake Havasu their “Cancun”.
We walked for a couple of hours and then decided to go eat at a Mexican café that Chef Gail had recommended. It was really extremely good……small, but very neat…and we dined on the patio where we could see the Lake and the mountains on the California side of the lake. We both had Chimichanga…..mine was beef and the 1st Lady’s was chicken…..and both were great!!!!
Then we drove back to the island, across the London Bridge again….and went to three RV Parks on the island. Talked with registration offices in each one, and then toured each park. Hmmmmm……not quite as nice as I had thought they might be……the first one was well……each unit/rig was so tightly squeezed in beside the next ones that there was barely room to put out the awning for shade. The second one was the best of the three, as the third one was mainly park models…..permanent housing.
We decided to start back to Quartzsite….and as we passed the place to turn off to go to Park Dam we took the road. WOW….what a great decision we made. The dam was soooo cool in a curved shape…..and the water soooooo beautiful. We drove across it…..sooooo narrow I though I would lose my mirror on my side as we met others coming across from the opposite side. I was squeezing my butt muscles a couple of times it was sooooo damn narrow…..no wonder no RV is allowed to cross!!!! We drove up above the damn on each side for the spectacular views……..ummmm……so pretty.
Back on the road again, we arrived back at the lonely HowserHouse sitting in the desert……everything just as had left it!! Opened up the windows to the great breeze and are sitting here looking at the sun going down on the mountains behind us…….such a wonderful place.
Some of the other rver’s out here in the BLM land….well, kind of think they have been here since they left Woodstock…way back when!!!! Either that or they came over from Berkley in California after the hippie movement waned. They are long haired, long bearded,……and GRAY. Yep…….time has taken it’s ravage on these flower children and now they are just drying up as all flowers do. GREAT people to talk to, but…..hmmm, they are still doing their own thing…..and I respect them for that, and for their non-conformity. Lots of Volkswagon vans out here that need some touching up, but the owners need it also……hahaha. What a place……..they have my admiration!!!
Tomorrow we are off to Las Vegas, staying at Sam’s Town Casino and RV Park. What a change from here it will be……not sure which I will enjoy the most!
We sat for the final moments of the setting of the sun behind the western mountains. What a beautiful sight….and how QUICKLY it sank behind them. Then as the sky darkened, the outline/profile of the mountains was wonderful against the yellowish sky. And soon….the stars began to appear….and out here there are soooooooo many that are visible in all their glory. I could hardly tear myself away from looking at them…….wow!!
And so…..another day of great beauty… both weather and scenery……what a grand place to spend some quality, relaxing time in our lives. You each should experience this…..you will not regret it!! It simply underscores the fact that…..
LIFE IS GREAT…..and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!! (Pics will be posted tomorrow night when I have my cell phone charged sufficiently…..tonight it is tooooo low and the cell connection is the only way I can get online.)
We turned on the gennie for a bit to make the Fr. Roast coffee…….OF COURSE!!!! I don’t think I can ever drink instant coffee any more……..just not on my menu for a morning wake-me-up. After getting things organized for the day, we left around 9:30 for Lake Havasu….about 75 miles north of where TheHowserHouse is sitting in the BLM desert land. She look sooooo lonesome sitting there as we drove over the dirt/gravel and away from her……….I had locked everything up, checked twice, and made certain that only the potted Pansies were outside. Thieves do appear out here, but mainly they are after high ticket items that are left outside by dumb senior citizens!!!
Drove north across the desolate desert until we reach the town of Parker….and then the highway followed the Colorado river up the canyon, through the foothills, and by some incredibly beautiful areas of RV Parks and state parks. They were simply filled with RV’s…….just unreal the sheer number of rv’s in the parks along the river. AND…they parks were on both sides of the river……the other side being the state of California with their rv parks.
Let me tell you something: if you have NOT been up this highway going to Lake Havasu from the south…..you must make this trip!!!! Spectacular!!!!!! The river is the clearest blue I have ever seen…….better than the Rivera in France!!! We were just plain angry with ourselves that we have never been here in all the years we have been camping…….of course, needless to say……..the weather was again gorgeous….and the highs reached 98 today, but with this wonderful dry climate, it was not that evident!!!
We reached Lake Havasu City…..and found the London Bridge, which we immediately found ourselves driving over to the island in the lake. It is filled with condos and rv parks, as well as a bike/hiking paved path all around the island. Back to the “mainland” we drove and parked the truck, stopping at the Visitors Center for some printed guides and info. Then we walked/ambled along the lakefront under and around the bridge area. There are shops…..a few…..but not as many as we had anticipated there would be. A bit disappointed we were……just not too much there. Many marinas with boats of all descriptions for rent…..but they were almost all taken by the many, many “spring breakers” from colleges and universities that are making Lake Havasu their “Cancun”.
We walked for a couple of hours and then decided to go eat at a Mexican café that Chef Gail had recommended. It was really extremely good……small, but very neat…and we dined on the patio where we could see the Lake and the mountains on the California side of the lake. We both had Chimichanga…..mine was beef and the 1st Lady’s was chicken…..and both were great!!!!
Then we drove back to the island, across the London Bridge again….and went to three RV Parks on the island. Talked with registration offices in each one, and then toured each park. Hmmmmm……not quite as nice as I had thought they might be……the first one was well……each unit/rig was so tightly squeezed in beside the next ones that there was barely room to put out the awning for shade. The second one was the best of the three, as the third one was mainly park models…..permanent housing.
We decided to start back to Quartzsite….and as we passed the place to turn off to go to Park Dam we took the road. WOW….what a great decision we made. The dam was soooo cool in a curved shape…..and the water soooooo beautiful. We drove across it…..sooooo narrow I though I would lose my mirror on my side as we met others coming across from the opposite side. I was squeezing my butt muscles a couple of times it was sooooo damn narrow…..no wonder no RV is allowed to cross!!!! We drove up above the damn on each side for the spectacular views……..ummmm……so pretty.
Back on the road again, we arrived back at the lonely HowserHouse sitting in the desert……everything just as had left it!! Opened up the windows to the great breeze and are sitting here looking at the sun going down on the mountains behind us…….such a wonderful place.
Some of the other rver’s out here in the BLM land….well, kind of think they have been here since they left Woodstock…way back when!!!! Either that or they came over from Berkley in California after the hippie movement waned. They are long haired, long bearded,……and GRAY. Yep…….time has taken it’s ravage on these flower children and now they are just drying up as all flowers do. GREAT people to talk to, but…..hmmm, they are still doing their own thing…..and I respect them for that, and for their non-conformity. Lots of Volkswagon vans out here that need some touching up, but the owners need it also……hahaha. What a place……..they have my admiration!!!
Tomorrow we are off to Las Vegas, staying at Sam’s Town Casino and RV Park. What a change from here it will be……not sure which I will enjoy the most!
We sat for the final moments of the setting of the sun behind the western mountains. What a beautiful sight….and how QUICKLY it sank behind them. Then as the sky darkened, the outline/profile of the mountains was wonderful against the yellowish sky. And soon….the stars began to appear….and out here there are soooooooo many that are visible in all their glory. I could hardly tear myself away from looking at them…….wow!!
And so…..another day of great beauty… both weather and scenery……what a grand place to spend some quality, relaxing time in our lives. You each should experience this…..you will not regret it!! It simply underscores the fact that…..
LIFE IS GREAT…..and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!! (Pics will be posted tomorrow night when I have my cell phone charged sufficiently…..tonight it is tooooo low and the cell connection is the only way I can get online.)
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Day 68: Casa Grande to Quartzsite
Hmmmm…..I was out of bed earlier than usual……many thoughts running through my aging brain……: draining tanks, complete stowing away small bouncy items, lower tv antenna, take down the cell phone antenna, put bikes in truck bed and lock securely, retract slides, etc., etc., etc. It is a routine that I have done soooo many times, however, there is usually something or body to interrupt me when I am doing it….and then, I might forget an important step and be very sorry later.
The 1st Lady was up early also, and she assisted in doing the interior things that had not yet been completed. I began to drain the grey bath water, the kitchen galley grey water and prepared to dump the sewage from the tanks. WELL…..there seemed to be a problem with the sewage, of all things….it didn’t seem to be draining out and through the sewage hose to the in-ground drain. Sooooo, after at least 30 minutes of working with it….and some help from the neighbors……I removed the drain hose and put a 5 gallon bucket under it….and voila!! It did drain…….the magic yellow bucket did the trick….it just coaxed the crap out and down into the in-ground dump!!!! YEAH!!!! Soooo, before long I was back on track with my routine.
Finishing all of the unhooking of the umbilical cords and then hitching TheHowserHouse to the truck……I went over to Mac and Gail’s where the 1st Lady was having tea…and we sat, had some incredibly delicious coffee cake of Chef Gail’s Kitchen…..and then it was time to hit the road. A big hug all around….and we pulled out of the Sunscape RV Park…..five weeks after we had arrived.
We head south for 4 miles on I-10.…and then turned west onto I-8 and when we reached Hwy 85.…we turned north for 30 miles and then rejoined I-10 towards Los Angles. I wanted to bypass Phoenix and the horrific traffic there….and this did the trick. We arrived at Quartzsite around 1pm…….found the first BLM area and found a good place to put TheHowserHouse there in the desert. This is dry camping…..boondocking…..no hookups, just battery power and my gennie when I turn it on. We have a 50 gallon fresh water tank almost filled and so,……we are in the desert, along with quite a few other rver’s……A LOT LESS than I expected, but most of the almost one million rver’s who camp here in Jan and Feb have already pulled out and are off on their nomadic journeys around the North America continent!!!
We went into town in the truck and drove around for a bit….and then we stopped at the first row of stalls/tent/shops where some of the HUGE flea market had been. Still several shops/stalls, but the vast majority were gone. We spent a half hour there….and then drove over to the main drag of town where we parked and walked through many other stalls/shops. Purchased a t-shirt, some new sun glass clip-ons for the 1st Lady….and then an ice cream cone. NOT going to do that again…..the smallest damn scoop of ice cream I have ever seen……and at $2.50 a cone!!!
Drove around more after that…got some gas: $2.59 a gallon…the cheapest in town is at Chevron on the east side. The truck stops are $2.81 a gallon!!!! Then we stopped at a huge rock place……a place that was selling many tons of rocks of all kinds…..rough at $10 a pound……polished at $20 a pound!!!!!! We didn’t buy any…….hmmmm…..can’t understand why not??? HAHA.
Returned to TheHowserHouse out in the desert…..and I took out a lounge chair and sat in the sun/shade for an hour while the 1st Lady sat inside and read. Later we took a walk through a very small part of the BLM desert land. It is all FREE to camp here for up to 14 days….and then all you have to do is move to another BLM site. There are several LARGE areas of BLM around Quartzsite……..and you can stay for months if you wish. There is a slight charge for that length of time, though….
And so……the gennie is running……and we are watching the Amazing Race sitting here in the dark in the Sonora Desert. I want to finish this before the show is finished so we can turn off the gennie…….soooooo, it has been a good day…….and
Life is Great…..and I hope it is for all
The 1st Lady was up early also, and she assisted in doing the interior things that had not yet been completed. I began to drain the grey bath water, the kitchen galley grey water and prepared to dump the sewage from the tanks. WELL…..there seemed to be a problem with the sewage, of all things….it didn’t seem to be draining out and through the sewage hose to the in-ground drain. Sooooo, after at least 30 minutes of working with it….and some help from the neighbors……I removed the drain hose and put a 5 gallon bucket under it….and voila!! It did drain…….the magic yellow bucket did the trick….it just coaxed the crap out and down into the in-ground dump!!!! YEAH!!!! Soooo, before long I was back on track with my routine.
Finishing all of the unhooking of the umbilical cords and then hitching TheHowserHouse to the truck……I went over to Mac and Gail’s where the 1st Lady was having tea…and we sat, had some incredibly delicious coffee cake of Chef Gail’s Kitchen…..and then it was time to hit the road. A big hug all around….and we pulled out of the Sunscape RV Park…..five weeks after we had arrived.
We head south for 4 miles on I-10.…and then turned west onto I-8 and when we reached Hwy 85.…we turned north for 30 miles and then rejoined I-10 towards Los Angles. I wanted to bypass Phoenix and the horrific traffic there….and this did the trick. We arrived at Quartzsite around 1pm…….found the first BLM area and found a good place to put TheHowserHouse there in the desert. This is dry camping…..boondocking…..no hookups, just battery power and my gennie when I turn it on. We have a 50 gallon fresh water tank almost filled and so,……we are in the desert, along with quite a few other rver’s……A LOT LESS than I expected, but most of the almost one million rver’s who camp here in Jan and Feb have already pulled out and are off on their nomadic journeys around the North America continent!!!
We went into town in the truck and drove around for a bit….and then we stopped at the first row of stalls/tent/shops where some of the HUGE flea market had been. Still several shops/stalls, but the vast majority were gone. We spent a half hour there….and then drove over to the main drag of town where we parked and walked through many other stalls/shops. Purchased a t-shirt, some new sun glass clip-ons for the 1st Lady….and then an ice cream cone. NOT going to do that again…..the smallest damn scoop of ice cream I have ever seen……and at $2.50 a cone!!!
Drove around more after that…got some gas: $2.59 a gallon…the cheapest in town is at Chevron on the east side. The truck stops are $2.81 a gallon!!!! Then we stopped at a huge rock place……a place that was selling many tons of rocks of all kinds…..rough at $10 a pound……polished at $20 a pound!!!!!! We didn’t buy any…….hmmmm…..can’t understand why not??? HAHA.
Returned to TheHowserHouse out in the desert…..and I took out a lounge chair and sat in the sun/shade for an hour while the 1st Lady sat inside and read. Later we took a walk through a very small part of the BLM desert land. It is all FREE to camp here for up to 14 days….and then all you have to do is move to another BLM site. There are several LARGE areas of BLM around Quartzsite……..and you can stay for months if you wish. There is a slight charge for that length of time, though….
And so……the gennie is running……and we are watching the Amazing Race sitting here in the dark in the Sonora Desert. I want to finish this before the show is finished so we can turn off the gennie…….soooooo, it has been a good day…….and
Life is Great…..and I hope it is for all
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Day 67: Preparations for departure........
Well, well.....will wonders never cease! I finally received a call from my best piano student.....we are going to set up a time for him to play for me by cell phone so I can critique him while I'm out here......before he has to perform at the District Music Festival on the 21st of this month. I'm anxious to hear how he has progressed since I left!!!
Today???? Typical gorgeous day with a slight breeze which made it really, really great!!!! I have to laugh....I was informed that March is one of their rainiest months, outside of their summer monsoon season here in Arizona. Anyway.......they usually get ONE INCH of rain during the month!!!!!! OMG......sometimes that is a normal amount for one little rain for southeast Missouri!!!
As the title states, today was a day of getting things ready to move down the road tomorrow. I had to "clean out" the basement and re-arrange things so that I can get everything stowed properly....including my pots of Pansies that I hope to be able to carry CAREFULLY with me as we move down the road(s). Then we needed to get many items stowed inside that were sitting on the shelves and desktop...on the entertainment center...and elsewhere. Of course.....I have picked up several bottles of my dark red medicine while on the trip, and all of those have to be secured so they won't get broken.
I DID get my cell phone antenna attached to the top of my ladder on the roof......and OMG.....I went from zero or one tower to FIVE towers here inside TheHowserHouse. WHAT a difference!!!! I made one more trip back to the Flying J Truck Stop this morning with a neighbor who assisted me in getting the correct brackets, etc., etc. to get this all set up. And....I now have it whereby I can detach the antenna in less than a minute and get it stowed away for traveling. WHY DIDN'T I DO THIS BEFORE????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The 1st Lady enjoyed the pool this afternoon while I checked the air pressure in all the tires of the rig.....washed the windows in the truck....etc, etc.etc. Lots more to do than one realizes when you have been living in one place for five weeks and then it is time to move on........it does take some time.
We fixed a great meal for dinner this evening.......and then joined the "neighborhood" at Mac and Gail's patio for a few hours of chatting and mucho laughter. What a great bunch of people/friends!!!!! They will really be missed by both of us!!!! I did tell the owner of the lot we have been renting that if he ever is interested in selling this lot to let me know as we might be interested in purchasing it. Again...as I said before......probably have it for an investment purpose as much as using it for the winters. We'll see.......
And soooooo......the end of five weeks in Casa Grande is coming to a close. We will still be in Arizona for a while longer, with a change of pace of being in Las Vegas for four days and then back to Arizona. With such a great five weeks, how could it be anything other than.....
LIFE IS GREAT!!!!! And...I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
Today???? Typical gorgeous day with a slight breeze which made it really, really great!!!! I have to laugh....I was informed that March is one of their rainiest months, outside of their summer monsoon season here in Arizona. Anyway.......they usually get ONE INCH of rain during the month!!!!!! OMG......sometimes that is a normal amount for one little rain for southeast Missouri!!!
As the title states, today was a day of getting things ready to move down the road tomorrow. I had to "clean out" the basement and re-arrange things so that I can get everything stowed properly....including my pots of Pansies that I hope to be able to carry CAREFULLY with me as we move down the road(s). Then we needed to get many items stowed inside that were sitting on the shelves and desktop...on the entertainment center...and elsewhere. Of course.....I have picked up several bottles of my dark red medicine while on the trip, and all of those have to be secured so they won't get broken.
I DID get my cell phone antenna attached to the top of my ladder on the roof......and OMG.....I went from zero or one tower to FIVE towers here inside TheHowserHouse. WHAT a difference!!!! I made one more trip back to the Flying J Truck Stop this morning with a neighbor who assisted me in getting the correct brackets, etc., etc. to get this all set up. And....I now have it whereby I can detach the antenna in less than a minute and get it stowed away for traveling. WHY DIDN'T I DO THIS BEFORE????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The 1st Lady enjoyed the pool this afternoon while I checked the air pressure in all the tires of the rig.....washed the windows in the truck....etc, etc.etc. Lots more to do than one realizes when you have been living in one place for five weeks and then it is time to move on........it does take some time.
We fixed a great meal for dinner this evening.......and then joined the "neighborhood" at Mac and Gail's patio for a few hours of chatting and mucho laughter. What a great bunch of people/friends!!!!! They will really be missed by both of us!!!! I did tell the owner of the lot we have been renting that if he ever is interested in selling this lot to let me know as we might be interested in purchasing it. Again...as I said before......probably have it for an investment purpose as much as using it for the winters. We'll see.......
And soooooo......the end of five weeks in Casa Grande is coming to a close. We will still be in Arizona for a while longer, with a change of pace of being in Las Vegas for four days and then back to Arizona. With such a great five weeks, how could it be anything other than.....
LIFE IS GREAT!!!!! And...I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
Friday, March 09, 2007
Day 66: BUSY trip to Phoenix area.....
It was an earlier morning than usual as we had decided to leave by 8:30 this morning, so loitering over my cup(s) of Fr. Roast coffee was not possible today. And.......we did leave at 8:30 this morning. As Mac was going into NW Phoenix to see a Spring Training baseball game today with some park friends, we took their new Jeep and I drove into the city. Our first stop was probably the BEST part of the day.......we went to Chandler, a southern suburb of Phoenix to the:
Zelma Basha Safmeri Gallery of Western American and Native American Art!!
This is a free gallery at the Bashas' Corporate Office.....and is a gallery that any and all who come to the Phoenix area should, and must see!!!!! I was completely overwhelmed by the amount of wonderful paintings, bronze sculptures, wooden carvings, Native American handmade baskets, and modern western art works that are on exhibit there!!!!! Friends of ours from the Cedar Creek Club had recommended this to us......and they are to be THANKED over and over for telling us about this gallery!!!!!
Quite frankly, I am not a big fan of western art....BUT......this is something that has raised my appreciation for western art works to a very high level!!! It was just tremendous......and to think that this is NOT connected with any art gallery/museum/etc..........it is in the corporate office building of the Bashas Company.....which has many of the supermarkets and grocery stores here in Arizona. I can't recommend it highly enough.........if you are here, you MUST see this gallery!!!!
After that we did some shopping at some various stores and shops......and then before we had realized it, it was way past lunch time.......so we stopped at a Sweet Tomatoes. I always enjoy eating here......I feel sooooo good about eating all of this wonderful salad concoctions which are available.....but THEN.......I find myself feasting on some of their baked goods.....and all health benefits fly out the window at that time!!! Nevertheless.........we ate on their outside patio and it was such a fantastic day that it was really quite fun and enjoyable(even if I did consume way toooo many baked goods)!
Leaving the city area and driving south on I-10 the traffic was really not too bad even being at 3pm on a Friday afternoon. It is only a little more than 30 miles down to Casa Grande so it really doesn't take very long at all. We decided to fill the tank with gas as the prices are going up each day.....and it seems like every hour of each day!!! While at Flying J, we looked at their cell phone antennas and as we were driving back to the RV Park.....we decided to get one. To re-enforce that decision, I visited next door with a fellow who has a cell phone antenna on top of his RV and he loves it. He took my cell phone.....plugged it into his antenna cable and before he did that I had only one tower. After being plugged in, I had FIVE towers!!!
Sooooo, I took the truck back down to Flying J and filled up with diesel at $2.59 a gallon, including a one penny per gallon discount since I have a Flying J RV discount card. Then I purchased the antenna and phone adapter.....and returned to the rv park.
Gail and the 1st Lady were at the Clubhouse playing cards with some other friends....and so, Mac came over to TheHowserHouse when he returned from the ball game. We visited for some time and then the girls returned and we discussed the cell phone antenna topic again. After a quick bowl of ice cream at their park model.....and a bit of editing a problem on their new computer, we returned to our place and.....here I am writing this post.
Tomorrow is the LAST DAY here in Casa Grande!!!!!! Really am not wanting to leave.....but alas, all good things must come to an end(I guess). These five weeks have been just super.......splendid....fantastic....incredible....wonderful.....fun........the BEST. Nothing more need be said..........just re-read my posts since February 5th!
A good day this was..........fun, and full of my own education of western artworks....and therefore.....
LIFE IS GREAT....and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
Zelma Basha Safmeri Gallery of Western American and Native American Art!!
This is a free gallery at the Bashas' Corporate Office.....and is a gallery that any and all who come to the Phoenix area should, and must see!!!!! I was completely overwhelmed by the amount of wonderful paintings, bronze sculptures, wooden carvings, Native American handmade baskets, and modern western art works that are on exhibit there!!!!! Friends of ours from the Cedar Creek Club had recommended this to us......and they are to be THANKED over and over for telling us about this gallery!!!!!
Quite frankly, I am not a big fan of western art....BUT......this is something that has raised my appreciation for western art works to a very high level!!! It was just tremendous......and to think that this is NOT connected with any art gallery/museum/etc..........it is in the corporate office building of the Bashas Company.....which has many of the supermarkets and grocery stores here in Arizona. I can't recommend it highly enough.........if you are here, you MUST see this gallery!!!!
After that we did some shopping at some various stores and shops......and then before we had realized it, it was way past lunch time.......so we stopped at a Sweet Tomatoes. I always enjoy eating here......I feel sooooo good about eating all of this wonderful salad concoctions which are available.....but THEN.......I find myself feasting on some of their baked goods.....and all health benefits fly out the window at that time!!! Nevertheless.........we ate on their outside patio and it was such a fantastic day that it was really quite fun and enjoyable(even if I did consume way toooo many baked goods)!
Leaving the city area and driving south on I-10 the traffic was really not too bad even being at 3pm on a Friday afternoon. It is only a little more than 30 miles down to Casa Grande so it really doesn't take very long at all. We decided to fill the tank with gas as the prices are going up each day.....and it seems like every hour of each day!!! While at Flying J, we looked at their cell phone antennas and as we were driving back to the RV Park.....we decided to get one. To re-enforce that decision, I visited next door with a fellow who has a cell phone antenna on top of his RV and he loves it. He took my cell phone.....plugged it into his antenna cable and before he did that I had only one tower. After being plugged in, I had FIVE towers!!!
Sooooo, I took the truck back down to Flying J and filled up with diesel at $2.59 a gallon, including a one penny per gallon discount since I have a Flying J RV discount card. Then I purchased the antenna and phone adapter.....and returned to the rv park.
Gail and the 1st Lady were at the Clubhouse playing cards with some other friends....and so, Mac came over to TheHowserHouse when he returned from the ball game. We visited for some time and then the girls returned and we discussed the cell phone antenna topic again. After a quick bowl of ice cream at their park model.....and a bit of editing a problem on their new computer, we returned to our place and.....here I am writing this post.
Tomorrow is the LAST DAY here in Casa Grande!!!!!! Really am not wanting to leave.....but alas, all good things must come to an end(I guess). These five weeks have been just super.......splendid....fantastic....incredible....wonderful.....fun........the BEST. Nothing more need be said..........just re-read my posts since February 5th!
A good day this was..........fun, and full of my own education of western artworks....and therefore.....
LIFE IS GREAT....and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Day 65: Is it summer here?????
WOW....of course, it was gorgeous today.....again. AND......it was right at 90 degrees so......on March 8th, is this summer in Arizona????
After a leisurely breakfast and Fr. Roast coffee......the 1st Lady and I jumped onto our bikes and rode for about 36 minutes...........she rode 4 miles and I continued again to ride for 5 miles. We both enjoy this.....even though today it was a bit warmer by the time we had finished.
A little later I went into town to get an oil change, fuel filter change, and air filter change. Mucho more dinero than I wanted to spend, but it is a necessary evil of owning an F350 diesel if I hope to keep it running and towing TheHowserHouse for a LONG time.
Returning to the park about 1.5 hours later.......the 1st Lady was doing some laundry at the Activity Center across the street. Returning to the rv, she was excited and talking about this lady she had met there who was sooooo out-going and how they had become acquainted while doing their clothes. Well.......it wasn't toooo much longer before she was at the door and I invited her inside.....of course.
What an interesting person.......discussing their decision to go to full-timers....and how long they had been traveling. She also discussed the Passport America plan that they have for certain rv parks/campgrounds which have really saved them some money. So we discussed this and even though I have been aware of this, I became more interested the more we discussed it and I heard from a LIVE person rather than a website......all about their enjoyment and savings they have had with this plan.
Later......Mac and Gail took us into town to eat at Chili's!!! As their guests......we enjoyed a wonderful dinner AND desert. I haven't eaten at Chili's for several years.....and this particular one had some wonderful food! WOW........it went down so easy.....and was enjoyed even more with a great Margarita which they serve. Everyone tasted it and fully agreed!!!!
We enjoyed some more time together on their patio.....and then returned to TheHowserHouse to watch "American Idol". CANNOT BELIEVE that the weakest two from the past two nights were voted to remain.....!!!!! Sabrina was terrific....and she is gone!!! OMG!!!!!
Tomorrow....we are off to Phoenix for the final time. Need to do a bit of shopping and may have time to go to a western Art Gallery in Chandler....a southern suburb of Phoenix. We made our reservations for Las Vegas.......will be at the Sam's Towne RV Park there for four nights...the 13th until the morning of the 17th when we will move on to Williams, AZ for our day tripping up to the Grand Canyon.
A gorgeous warm day......a great bike ride......an interesting house guest.....and a wonderful dinner......all help me to continue to believe that.....
LIFE IS GREAT!!!! And...I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
After a leisurely breakfast and Fr. Roast coffee......the 1st Lady and I jumped onto our bikes and rode for about 36 minutes...........she rode 4 miles and I continued again to ride for 5 miles. We both enjoy this.....even though today it was a bit warmer by the time we had finished.
A little later I went into town to get an oil change, fuel filter change, and air filter change. Mucho more dinero than I wanted to spend, but it is a necessary evil of owning an F350 diesel if I hope to keep it running and towing TheHowserHouse for a LONG time.
Returning to the park about 1.5 hours later.......the 1st Lady was doing some laundry at the Activity Center across the street. Returning to the rv, she was excited and talking about this lady she had met there who was sooooo out-going and how they had become acquainted while doing their clothes. Well.......it wasn't toooo much longer before she was at the door and I invited her inside.....of course.
What an interesting person.......discussing their decision to go to full-timers....and how long they had been traveling. She also discussed the Passport America plan that they have for certain rv parks/campgrounds which have really saved them some money. So we discussed this and even though I have been aware of this, I became more interested the more we discussed it and I heard from a LIVE person rather than a website......all about their enjoyment and savings they have had with this plan.
Later......Mac and Gail took us into town to eat at Chili's!!! As their guests......we enjoyed a wonderful dinner AND desert. I haven't eaten at Chili's for several years.....and this particular one had some wonderful food! WOW........it went down so easy.....and was enjoyed even more with a great Margarita which they serve. Everyone tasted it and fully agreed!!!!
We enjoyed some more time together on their patio.....and then returned to TheHowserHouse to watch "American Idol". CANNOT BELIEVE that the weakest two from the past two nights were voted to remain.....!!!!! Sabrina was terrific....and she is gone!!! OMG!!!!!
Tomorrow....we are off to Phoenix for the final time. Need to do a bit of shopping and may have time to go to a western Art Gallery in Chandler....a southern suburb of Phoenix. We made our reservations for Las Vegas.......will be at the Sam's Towne RV Park there for four nights...the 13th until the morning of the 17th when we will move on to Williams, AZ for our day tripping up to the Grand Canyon.
A gorgeous warm day......a great bike ride......an interesting house guest.....and a wonderful dinner......all help me to continue to believe that.....
LIFE IS GREAT!!!! And...I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Day 64: And the great days continue.......
Another Arizona day......blue, bright, clear, no humidity, and almost hot temps. FANTASTIC!!!
Today we just hung around TheHowserHouse..........this morning after breakfast and Fr. Roast coffee, we "hit the road"....riding our bikes for five miles in a little over 30 minutes, just here in the RV park. It was certainly invigorating.....and I am getting to where I really do look forward to these morning rides. Amazing how many people just continue to wave and shout greetings as we ride by their park models or rvs......even when we continue to go up and down their streets to reach our number of miles ridden.
This afternoon....well, at 3pm we gathered with about 24 other people here.....friends who live in the "neighborhood". It was FIESTA TIME!!! Appetizers.......LOTS of laughs....and then about 4 we gorged ourselves on the incredible Mexican buffet that everyone had contributed to make a huge late afternoon supper. SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I continue to wonder why the neighborhoods at home where our stick/brick is located can't be like this?????!!!!!!!!! It would be sooooo great to know that at least once each week we would all gather on someone's patio and have a drink.....snacks....and then a supper that we all had helped prepare so that no one has to foot the bill!! SUCH a great idea!!!!! (If you don't think BIG..nothing BIG will happen)....I need to remember that, don't I?
This day was one of relaxation.......just enjoying living here in the Arizona desert.....among good friends....and enjoying this "winter weather".....and gaining a pound or two with all of the great food. A day like this.....well, this is what retirement is all about.
And with that.........you can well believe that.....
LIFE IS GREAT!!!! And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
Today we just hung around TheHowserHouse..........this morning after breakfast and Fr. Roast coffee, we "hit the road"....riding our bikes for five miles in a little over 30 minutes, just here in the RV park. It was certainly invigorating.....and I am getting to where I really do look forward to these morning rides. Amazing how many people just continue to wave and shout greetings as we ride by their park models or rvs......even when we continue to go up and down their streets to reach our number of miles ridden.
This afternoon....well, at 3pm we gathered with about 24 other people here.....friends who live in the "neighborhood". It was FIESTA TIME!!! Appetizers.......LOTS of laughs....and then about 4 we gorged ourselves on the incredible Mexican buffet that everyone had contributed to make a huge late afternoon supper. SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I continue to wonder why the neighborhoods at home where our stick/brick is located can't be like this?????!!!!!!!!! It would be sooooo great to know that at least once each week we would all gather on someone's patio and have a drink.....snacks....and then a supper that we all had helped prepare so that no one has to foot the bill!! SUCH a great idea!!!!! (If you don't think BIG..nothing BIG will happen)....I need to remember that, don't I?
This day was one of relaxation.......just enjoying living here in the Arizona desert.....among good friends....and enjoying this "winter weather".....and gaining a pound or two with all of the great food. A day like this.....well, this is what retirement is all about.
And with that.........you can well believe that.....
LIFE IS GREAT!!!! And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Day 63: NINE WEEKS........How many more???
Ahhh....another .....did you read that correctly??? ANOTHER beautiful day.......with wonderful blue skies, a very tiny breeze, no humidity, and temps in the mid-80's......wouldn't you call that beautiful day, too????
Today......what did we do? Fr. Roast coffee, fresh grapefruit picked by the 1st Lady and myself in Texas, and a bowl of cereal filled with many grains and nuts for the beginning meal of the day. By mid-morning we were on our bikes and speeding(YES...we were going faster than the limit of 10mph in the park)......speeding thru the park on a faster and farther exercise ride. We rode for four miles before the 1st Lady said, "enough!".....and so we stopped at TheHowserHouse and headed over to Mac and Gail's to have a brief visit....which lasted an hour or so!
This afternoon the 1st Lady and I went into Casa Grande and did some shopping: looked for a 2x4 ft folding table that is adjustable in height(didn't find one), picked up some Easter items for the granddaughters, and then did some shopping for some necessary food replacements, PLUS.....I picked up three bottles of "Pepperwood Grove" cabernet sauvignon. I can NEVER find this in SE Missouri and I really do enjoy it. And to make the purchase even better it was on sale for $5.00 off the normal price. I MAY go back and purchase some more to bring back to MO with me.......IF I don't consume it before we arrive back there.
Then after another "planning visit" with Mac and Gail.......we had a quick bite of left-overs and soon were walking at a very quick pace to do a rapid mile before "American Idol". Hmmmmm......I was not excited or impressed with any of the guys tonight.......thought it was a pretty weak performance by all of them.
Our planning meeting results: Tomorrow we have a Mexican meal with the members of the family 'hood which will be held at Jan's Lodge.......should be fun and filling. Thursday or Friday we will probably run up to Phoenix for some last minute shopping, Saturday is prep day for our departure on Sunday....and the week will be over as well as our great 5 weeks here at the Sunscape RV Park outside of Casa Grande!! We would have stayed another week except the rv site that we have rented is due for some other renters by Sunday afternoon, soooooo we must move on. There are other sites for rent now but I do not want to pack up to move.....around the corner.
I don't believe that anyone who is not an RV'er has any possible conception of how many, many people are traveling and living in RV's and/or the more permanent type "park models". I am not even sure that I realized how many "full timers" and "almost full timers" that there are on the road and in the rv parks. Perhaps it is just easier to comprehend just how many there are on the road by being in the south and southwest during the winter months........at least it has been easier for me to realize. And.....I have rv'ed since 1972.......35 years of this type of traveling. I read just today that 1 out of every 10 people own an rv!!!! Where do you fit in to this stat????
With this many people who are wintering down south.........it begins to seem like the ancient nomads who wandered the old world and northern Africa.......all moving from place to place in search of the perfect place to stop/park for a while. Sooooo, here the 1st Lady and I have sat for almost 5 weeks out here in the Sonora Desert.......here at an oasis with a few palm trees, water, shelter (our livable tin cans on wheels) which are secure from the rabbits, coyotes, and road-runners behind a wall/fence, and with small social groups who gather for "happy hour celebrations" as the sun god begins to sink down into the west behind the saguaro cacti. And then.....some of these nomads become adventuresome and find it is time to begin their nomadic wandering once again......searching for another fenced oasis whereby they can set up their tin cans in safety and become members of other social groups. Hmmmm.......this is not a new way of life......just a continuance of a lifestyle from the far distant past. And....I LOVE it!!!
LIFE IS GREAT!!!!!! And...I hope it is for all of you, also!!!
Today......what did we do? Fr. Roast coffee, fresh grapefruit picked by the 1st Lady and myself in Texas, and a bowl of cereal filled with many grains and nuts for the beginning meal of the day. By mid-morning we were on our bikes and speeding(YES...we were going faster than the limit of 10mph in the park)......speeding thru the park on a faster and farther exercise ride. We rode for four miles before the 1st Lady said, "enough!".....and so we stopped at TheHowserHouse and headed over to Mac and Gail's to have a brief visit....which lasted an hour or so!
This afternoon the 1st Lady and I went into Casa Grande and did some shopping: looked for a 2x4 ft folding table that is adjustable in height(didn't find one), picked up some Easter items for the granddaughters, and then did some shopping for some necessary food replacements, PLUS.....I picked up three bottles of "Pepperwood Grove" cabernet sauvignon. I can NEVER find this in SE Missouri and I really do enjoy it. And to make the purchase even better it was on sale for $5.00 off the normal price. I MAY go back and purchase some more to bring back to MO with me.......IF I don't consume it before we arrive back there.
Then after another "planning visit" with Mac and Gail.......we had a quick bite of left-overs and soon were walking at a very quick pace to do a rapid mile before "American Idol". Hmmmmm......I was not excited or impressed with any of the guys tonight.......thought it was a pretty weak performance by all of them.
Our planning meeting results: Tomorrow we have a Mexican meal with the members of the family 'hood which will be held at Jan's Lodge.......should be fun and filling. Thursday or Friday we will probably run up to Phoenix for some last minute shopping, Saturday is prep day for our departure on Sunday....and the week will be over as well as our great 5 weeks here at the Sunscape RV Park outside of Casa Grande!! We would have stayed another week except the rv site that we have rented is due for some other renters by Sunday afternoon, soooooo we must move on. There are other sites for rent now but I do not want to pack up to move.....around the corner.
I don't believe that anyone who is not an RV'er has any possible conception of how many, many people are traveling and living in RV's and/or the more permanent type "park models". I am not even sure that I realized how many "full timers" and "almost full timers" that there are on the road and in the rv parks. Perhaps it is just easier to comprehend just how many there are on the road by being in the south and southwest during the winter months........at least it has been easier for me to realize. And.....I have rv'ed since 1972.......35 years of this type of traveling. I read just today that 1 out of every 10 people own an rv!!!! Where do you fit in to this stat????
With this many people who are wintering down south.........it begins to seem like the ancient nomads who wandered the old world and northern Africa.......all moving from place to place in search of the perfect place to stop/park for a while. Sooooo, here the 1st Lady and I have sat for almost 5 weeks out here in the Sonora Desert.......here at an oasis with a few palm trees, water, shelter (our livable tin cans on wheels) which are secure from the rabbits, coyotes, and road-runners behind a wall/fence, and with small social groups who gather for "happy hour celebrations" as the sun god begins to sink down into the west behind the saguaro cacti. And then.....some of these nomads become adventuresome and find it is time to begin their nomadic wandering once again......searching for another fenced oasis whereby they can set up their tin cans in safety and become members of other social groups. Hmmmm.......this is not a new way of life......just a continuance of a lifestyle from the far distant past. And....I LOVE it!!!
LIFE IS GREAT!!!!!! And...I hope it is for all of you, also!!!
Monday, March 05, 2007
Day 62: Relaxing....reading....riding.....
The day began as a cloudy and windy one.....but by noon the blue skies had returned, the winds were gone and another great afternoon gave way to a star filled sky tonight. It reached almost 80 this afternoon with predictions of warmer days all week long. SUPER!!
The 1st Lady went to line dancing this morning....and upon her return we decided to ride a few miles on the bikes. The sun was out by that time....and it was a great day to just enjoy riding around.
After lunch......I sat on the patio and just read.....I'm into a very well-written book, not to mention a book that certainly holds your attention with it's information on a very popular and respected individual......Barak Obama.
Later this afternoon we took a two mile walk....and then at dusk we attended a pit fire grouping of the 'hood friends. Lots of laughs....and conversation flowed easily as the evening wore on.
As we rode and walked around the rv park today......I saw some small children!!!! Yep.......you could almost label them aliens here in the park. Sunscape is a 40+ park......no one under 40 is allowed to live here....house guests excepted. It made me begin thinking about something I mentioned in my post last night........the tiny little houses and many tin cans that are surrounded by a fence with a locked gate.
There are 500+ housing units here......almost a 1000 people live here, if not all year at least several months out of each year. The largest lot that these dwellings rest on is 45 x 65 feet.....that is 45 feet across the front and 65 deep, and some are smaller than that. NOT very large areas, are they???? Almost all members of this co-op park are retired and are enjoying the bright sun and warm temps throughout the winter......and when the heat arrives they pack up and head to cooler areas of the continent....as far as Alaska for many.
The residents are some of the friendliest people I have every been around. EVERYONE waves as you down the streets, whether you, or they, are walking or riding in some type of vehicle. There are TONS of golf carts that many of the residents own and ride to get to the Clubhouse, the activity center, or the golf course. And wherever you meet one....there is always a wave and a spoken greeting.......and most likely you will not know them at all. At our stick and brick there are families that live two houses away from ours and they/we never speak or wave.........it is a different world here. Why???????
Is it because everyone is close to the same age??? Is it because there are no full families here that take up everyone's personal time and energy????? What is the common bond or thread that runs through everyone here that makes this place soooo different than any other town or community???? Here....everyone "leans" on everyone else......help is no farther than 45 feet away if needed.......and all that needs to be done is for a person to ask....and there are people there to assist you immediately.
Don't get me wrong.....there are disagreements.......about how the rv park is to be "run", how the buildings are to be constructed/remodeled to meet the standards that the various park committees have established.....and some of these disagreements can be heated. But.....there are neighborhoods that stick together.......they form their own families.
Again today......the 1st Lady and I discussed the purchasing of a lot/site....if nothing more than as an investment. But....would we find ourselves being drawn out here each winter???? Would we feel obligated to come put our rv on OUR lot, along with the many others? Would this tie us down where we wouldn't want to travel around to various other warm locations??? I/we don't know........ We just can't decide........ We are only three hours from St Louis if we need to be there for anything special providing the planes aren't filled to capacity..........What to do, what to do???!!!
And so....another day, another discussion, another great time with a great group of friends.......and with all of the above,
Life is GREAT....and I hope it is for all of you, also!!
The 1st Lady went to line dancing this morning....and upon her return we decided to ride a few miles on the bikes. The sun was out by that time....and it was a great day to just enjoy riding around.
After lunch......I sat on the patio and just read.....I'm into a very well-written book, not to mention a book that certainly holds your attention with it's information on a very popular and respected individual......Barak Obama.
Later this afternoon we took a two mile walk....and then at dusk we attended a pit fire grouping of the 'hood friends. Lots of laughs....and conversation flowed easily as the evening wore on.
As we rode and walked around the rv park today......I saw some small children!!!! Yep.......you could almost label them aliens here in the park. Sunscape is a 40+ park......no one under 40 is allowed to live here....house guests excepted. It made me begin thinking about something I mentioned in my post last night........the tiny little houses and many tin cans that are surrounded by a fence with a locked gate.
There are 500+ housing units here......almost a 1000 people live here, if not all year at least several months out of each year. The largest lot that these dwellings rest on is 45 x 65 feet.....that is 45 feet across the front and 65 deep, and some are smaller than that. NOT very large areas, are they???? Almost all members of this co-op park are retired and are enjoying the bright sun and warm temps throughout the winter......and when the heat arrives they pack up and head to cooler areas of the continent....as far as Alaska for many.
The residents are some of the friendliest people I have every been around. EVERYONE waves as you down the streets, whether you, or they, are walking or riding in some type of vehicle. There are TONS of golf carts that many of the residents own and ride to get to the Clubhouse, the activity center, or the golf course. And wherever you meet one....there is always a wave and a spoken greeting.......and most likely you will not know them at all. At our stick and brick there are families that live two houses away from ours and they/we never speak or wave.........it is a different world here. Why???????
Is it because everyone is close to the same age??? Is it because there are no full families here that take up everyone's personal time and energy????? What is the common bond or thread that runs through everyone here that makes this place soooo different than any other town or community???? Here....everyone "leans" on everyone else......help is no farther than 45 feet away if needed.......and all that needs to be done is for a person to ask....and there are people there to assist you immediately.
Don't get me wrong.....there are disagreements.......about how the rv park is to be "run", how the buildings are to be constructed/remodeled to meet the standards that the various park committees have established.....and some of these disagreements can be heated. But.....there are neighborhoods that stick together.......they form their own families.
Again today......the 1st Lady and I discussed the purchasing of a lot/site....if nothing more than as an investment. But....would we find ourselves being drawn out here each winter???? Would we feel obligated to come put our rv on OUR lot, along with the many others? Would this tie us down where we wouldn't want to travel around to various other warm locations??? I/we don't know........ We just can't decide........ We are only three hours from St Louis if we need to be there for anything special providing the planes aren't filled to capacity..........What to do, what to do???!!!
And so....another day, another discussion, another great time with a great group of friends.......and with all of the above,
Life is GREAT....and I hope it is for all of you, also!!
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Day 61: WARM....but ohhhhh sooooo windy!!!
A lazy wake-up.......a strong cup(actually, several) of Fr. Roast coffee, a fresh Texas grapefruit, and the Sunday morning talking head shows. WOW....what more could I ask for??? Wellllll......we could have done without the winds. Yep.........if I hadn't known better I would have thought I was back in the Rio Grande Valley. The winds were really, really blowing with much gusto......and then because we are in the desert, the dust was blowing across everything. Should I complain???? HELL NO........I could be in the state of Misery where it is chilly....cold....not so pleasant.
This morning the 1st Lady did the laundry.....and then Mac and Gail dropped by and we had coffee/tea and lots and lots of talk and discussions.......until early afternoon. This afternoon......the 1st Lady and I went bike riding but only completed about 2 miles.....the winds were sooooo strong that it made riding quite an effort.
Later on, I spent some time catching up on my reading......well, that's not quite true. I don't think I could ever "catch up on my reading"!!!! I am sooooo far behind with reading the books that I brought to read.......will never get them all read. But....I won't give up!!!
We fixed dinner for Mac and Gail.........a great Italian dish that the 1st Lady enjoys fixing. Gail fixed a wonderful bread pudding.....and I don't even like bread puddings!!!! Guess my tastes are evolving???????
The 1st Lady and I made a decision to leave on this coming Sunday morning....the 11th....and drive to Quartzsite, AZ for a couple of days. For those of you who have not heard of this place......it is a tiny town on I-10 in the middle of the desert about 16 miles east of the California border. During the months of Jan and Feb the population can swell to almost a million people as the RV'ers arrive in huge numbers to camp/boondock just anywhere in the desert that they want to stay. I have seen pics of this and it is just really quite unbelievable.....with all of these rv's out in the desert. No water....no electricity, no sewage dumps.....etc., etc. Just a good time in the desert. At this point in time, the vast majority of the rver's have left, but I'm certain we will still be joining quite a few others in the desert for a few days.
In the town they have all kinds of huge shows: gem shows, rv shows, etc., etc. during the month of Jan/Feb. Now.......mostly flea markets, I hear. GREAT!!!!!
From there, we will cross the border over into California and then go north to Las Vegas for a few days. Hoping to see a former student there......we have kept in touch for several years and I always enjoying seeing my former band students.....their wives...and families!!!!
I just returned from playing Trivia at the Clubhouse.......14 of us playing on four teams. Our team won.........even though one of the answers, which we could have had, was wrong. I won't go into the question but just checked it out online and the moderator/questioner didn't have the correct answer. Oh well......it is only a game, isn't it????
Well, since I have a couple of snail mail letters to write, I will stop ramblin' around on this post tonight.....I intended to talk about all of these people in these tiny little houses or in their traveling tin cans living side by side behind a wall and gate...all winter. I will hold off on that discussion until.....tomorrow....ok???
My life is going really well........how else should or could it be.......because....
Life IS Great....and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!
Remember in your own Life; If you don't think BIG....nothing BIG will ever happen!!
This morning the 1st Lady did the laundry.....and then Mac and Gail dropped by and we had coffee/tea and lots and lots of talk and discussions.......until early afternoon. This afternoon......the 1st Lady and I went bike riding but only completed about 2 miles.....the winds were sooooo strong that it made riding quite an effort.
Later on, I spent some time catching up on my reading......well, that's not quite true. I don't think I could ever "catch up on my reading"!!!! I am sooooo far behind with reading the books that I brought to read.......will never get them all read. But....I won't give up!!!
We fixed dinner for Mac and Gail.........a great Italian dish that the 1st Lady enjoys fixing. Gail fixed a wonderful bread pudding.....and I don't even like bread puddings!!!! Guess my tastes are evolving???????
The 1st Lady and I made a decision to leave on this coming Sunday morning....the 11th....and drive to Quartzsite, AZ for a couple of days. For those of you who have not heard of this place......it is a tiny town on I-10 in the middle of the desert about 16 miles east of the California border. During the months of Jan and Feb the population can swell to almost a million people as the RV'ers arrive in huge numbers to camp/boondock just anywhere in the desert that they want to stay. I have seen pics of this and it is just really quite unbelievable.....with all of these rv's out in the desert. No water....no electricity, no sewage dumps.....etc., etc. Just a good time in the desert. At this point in time, the vast majority of the rver's have left, but I'm certain we will still be joining quite a few others in the desert for a few days.
In the town they have all kinds of huge shows: gem shows, rv shows, etc., etc. during the month of Jan/Feb. Now.......mostly flea markets, I hear. GREAT!!!!!
From there, we will cross the border over into California and then go north to Las Vegas for a few days. Hoping to see a former student there......we have kept in touch for several years and I always enjoying seeing my former band students.....their wives...and families!!!!
I just returned from playing Trivia at the Clubhouse.......14 of us playing on four teams. Our team won.........even though one of the answers, which we could have had, was wrong. I won't go into the question but just checked it out online and the moderator/questioner didn't have the correct answer. Oh well......it is only a game, isn't it????
Well, since I have a couple of snail mail letters to write, I will stop ramblin' around on this post tonight.....I intended to talk about all of these people in these tiny little houses or in their traveling tin cans living side by side behind a wall and gate...all winter. I will hold off on that discussion until.....tomorrow....ok???
My life is going really well........how else should or could it be.......because....
Life IS Great....and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!
Remember in your own Life; If you don't think BIG....nothing BIG will ever happen!!
Saturday, March 03, 2007
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