January 22 – 31, 2011 Quartzsite

Ahhhh Quartzsite…there is no other place – :-)))
So many good things:
- It was great seeing old and new friends again and spending some time with them.
- And talk about a small world - we even reconnected with a couple we met in Alaska in 2007 on the Homer Spit (http://thehitzels.blogspot.com/2007/08/august-2-2007-homer-pratt-museum-and.html)
- The beautiful weather and sunrises and sunsets and stars – oh my!!
-  All the “stuff” to look thru – LOL!
- All the activities at Boomerville – WOW!
What a wonderful week.  Andy and I are so blessed with such great people in our lives both on the road and at home.

And the not so good.
I did not fully recover from the flu and am back down again with another infection – so I really could not enjoy myself as much as I would have liked to.  I know I am not feeling well when I don’t socialize, don’t do beading or bead shopping or even take pictures – :-(((.   I am really getting worn down with this (and depressed, can you tell!!!).   I am on another course of antibiotics and hopefully this works…  
Today we moved and are camped in BLM land north of Yuma.  We will be heading east (the southern route) when the weather is warmer.
So stay tuned….

January 17-21, 2011 – Sick, Sitting and Observing in Yuma

Not a lot to say about the past few days.  On Monday, Andy came down with the flu and on Tuesday, I had it – oh my.   By Tuesday night, Andy’s fever broke and by Wednesday, mine broke.  So we were just left with the lingering cough, achiness, etc.  

On Tuesday, we left our friends Carolyn and Pete and our nice little spot in the desert to the Yuma Elks Lodge since we needed to dump.  Plus it was closer to Fisher Chevrolet – we were waiting for a recall part to come in which it did today so now all our recalls have been done – YEA!!

And we hope to see Pete and Carolyn in Quartzsite over the next week.

So what else have we been doing – well – nothing.  When I get the flu and take medicine, I seem to be in a daze.  Andy is the same way.   So the past couple days we have been in a daze and entertained by watching the world outside our window.

Right behind our motorhome is small dune where there are three burrowing owls nests.  It has been fascinating to watch their comings and goings all thru the day.  I even have some pictures:

 

 

Did not see any babies but then I did not get real close.. these shots were taken with a 300 mm lenses and enlarged.   Wonderful little creatures.  Aren’t they the cutest.  (Now I am not sure if they were observing me observing them or just observing us – get that???)

We have also watched the comings and goings of the RV’s at the lodge.   About a week ago there was a discussion on a couple blogs and some newsgroups about the difference between RVers and campers.  Every person has their own idea and that is okay but to me, it is the person’s nature.   We have watched one guy make sure his group got parked okay with enough room (now understand that these sites are tight) and we have watched others just not care how much room they took.   We watched one guy park his truck in one area making it inconvenient for others to go past.  We watched one lady check sites to see if others were over the line  - yes, she check us out too – what a hoot…  And no she did not work here, she came in the day after we did.   I probably have a lot more stories but don’t want to bore you..   It has been really interesting and like the saying goes “It takes all kinds” – :-))

I am not one to just sit – usually drives me crazy.  I need to be doing something, whether I am reading, talking, on the computer, beading or watching TV.   But it has been an interesting couple days to just rest and watch..   Hmmmm, maybe I will have to do this more – LOL!!!

Anyway, tomorrow we are off the Quartzsite to see friends and the shows and all the “STUFF”.   So stay tuned

 

January 14-16, 2011 – Still in Yuma

Friday, 14th

Last night around midnight, we awoke to the sound of a helicopter nearby going back and forth along the other side of the canal.   Not sure what was happening or what they were looking for but it went on for over an hour.   A bit unnerving to say the least…

Anyway, this morning we made our way to Fisher Chevrolet for our brake recall which they completed in less than 2 hours – WOW!.   We have also found out that there was another recall on the display array so parts are ordered and should be in next Wednesday or Thursday.   Then I think we are done with all the recalls.   So we will be hanging around our little spot for another 5-6 days.

We did get to the Yuma Marketplace – just love that place.   We don’t buy much but have a good time looking at all the “Stuff”.   Thank God for living in a motor home – we have to really need something to buy it.    We did get to talk with Pam and Steve there and hope to see them sometime next week in Boomerville at Quartzsite.

When we were at the Escapade in September, I purchased inside screening for our front window.  Well, since then I have been checking out places to get that same material to do some of the other windows.   And I am happy to report I finally found a place in Yuma – and they had lots of different colors too – :-)).   So now I have to figure out how I want to do the screens in our new home and how much I will need…

Carolyn and Pete stopped by when they got home and we had a great time getting caught up with our day.

I know I said I was only going to post when I became tourist but it seems like if I don’t write something every day, I get out of the habit.   So I am going to try something new – I know, AGAIN!!! – LOL – :-))).    I may not post every day when there is little going on but I hope to update every day….

Today was the last day for my medications and I felt pretty good..so hopefully I am on the mend.  

 

Saturday, 15th

Just hanging out today…   We spent the morning just chatting with our neighbors.   Andy and Pete went off to help two of the neighbors while Carolyn and I enjoyed the sun.   Norval and Kay stopped by to say hello on their way out to brunch.     Then after lunch  Andy and I took a little walk since it was an absolutely beautiful day – :-))).

Notice the RV’s in the next two photo’s.   That is where we are camped – great view of the mountains all around us.

 

And farming areas right next to the canal and desert – that just amazes me.

We came across these bee hives – and gave them a wide berth!

The Main Canal:

 

The side canal that goes to the fields in the above pictures:

The Main Canal is on the right – this is the water that comes directly from the Colorado River.  On the left is the side canal that goes to the fields.  We see this all over this part of Arizona and in areas of Southern California.

This was at the end of what we thought was the dam.  Apparently it is some type of holding area:

    

It was a nice walk – we did about 2 miles  - Yea!  And then I rested the rest of the afternoon – LOL!!!   But at least I got out and walked – another good sign!

This evening was spent getting my beads and braiding organized – when we moved in, I just stacked everything in one place.  So I needed to see where everything is and what my next project will be.   First is to do some repairs of items that broke and next to finish up a number of projects (or make a decision to take them apart and not finish – LOL!!!)..  Hmmm, I must be feeling better – :-))).

 

Sunday, 16th

This morning we went to breakfast with Sandy and Raul at the Cocopah.  Then back to their house – it was so great to see them again and get to spend some time together getting caught up.  We always enjoy visiting with them.

We made a few stops on the way back and spent the rest of the day relaxing, and talking with Carolyn and Pete and Tina…

And enjoying this BEAUTIFUL WEATHER!!   We are so blessed!

January 10-13, 2011 – Hanging out in Yuma

Monday, 10th
We left our little spot in Casa Grande and headed on down the road to Yuma.   When we arrived at the RV Peddler, they took us right away and by 4 PM, our refrigerator was repaired (new thermocouple) and the recall work done as well as our latches repaired.
We had expected to stay there all week but since we were finished and wanted to try out our new coach on boondocking, we headed north on SR-95 to meet up with Pete and Carolyn.     They found a great area on BLM lands that is not very crowded (which is a minor miracle this time of year.. )   I promise more pictures tomorrow,
Miles Traveled:  175 Miles
Routes Traveled:
Arizona:  I-8; 32nd Street (for repairs); SR-95

Tuesday, 11th – 01/11/11 – WOW – how about all those ones.. can’t wait until 11/11/11 – may need to play the lottery – :-)))))
We were awakened this morning at 4:30 AM (yes, that is AM….) by a BEEPING… from our refrigerator…  Guess what, no flow or no flame – whatever NO FL means…    So we got up, got our acts together and headed on back to the RV Peddler.
We pulled in , they put in a new board and we went to the camping area to wait…….and see what happens..   Now I need to tell you a story.   Back in December when we were here moving in to the new one, they put in a board, then took it out – saying it was something else.   So now after a new thermocouple and 2 hours of labor @$100/hr.. the board goes back in..  (If this works, just think about that extra money spent!!!)   (We were not charged since it was an issue from the beginning.)  During our waiting period, we did some shopping.    When we came back, all was still ok so back to our new spot we went.

Since it was a nice day, we decided to explore the campground.  We are parked near the canal:
 
Our little area:

We are on the left, Carolyn and Pete are on the right:
 
Our home – :-))):


We decided to take the trail to the VFW/BLM Land where our friends, Kay and Norval are staying.  The trail:


It was a beautiful walk and the best part is that I was able to do it.   With not feeling well the last few months, taking a walk was not on my list of things to do…a small outing to Wal-Mart all but did me in.   So the fact I was able to do 1.5 mile round trip walk is a real good sign this latest treatment is working.
BTW, Kay and Norval were not home so we left our card – :-))).

Wednesday, 12th
Today was another beautiful day in paradise – sunny, warm – :-))).    And I actually felt pretty decent – YEA!!   We just did some things around the motorhome and chatted with our neighbors.   You know we always meet the greatest people – :-))).
Pete, Carolyn and Andy goofing around:

We then took off to do a few things in town.
Yuma area has always fascinated me because there is desert all around and the valley is all farming.   When we drive in from the north or east, the scenery is brown and beige and then it seems like all of a sudden, there is all this greenery (and other great colors of vegetables/fruits):

How about these cabbages – they were huge!!   (Makes me hungry for coleslaw and halupki’s – :-)))

And there is the greatest roadside stands:

where we picked up some oranges.   After a few other errands in town, we stopped by to see Kay and Norval.   They have a really nice spot in the woods and it was good to get caught up with each other.

Thursday, 13th
Today we went to pick up my refills in Algodones.  I am not sure whether I will need them but they were much cheaper than the pharmacy with my insurance – :-((((.   Oh well.   So today was a quick trip just for the meds.
From there we checked out the new Yuma Indoor Marketplace and then the Swap Meet.   There wasn’t much open at the swap meet so maybe we will go back this weekend and check it out again. 
And I came home and promptly took a nap – I think I overdid it – oh well.    But the good thing is that I got out and walking again.    I am still having a little pain but managing it without painkillers – Yea.   But I still have the out of breath issue.   Part of it is a side effect of the meds so we will see what happens when I finish them.

I also want to thank everyone who emailed me to wish me well.   And for the prayers also..   I am hoping I am on the mend.    On Tuesday, my doctor from Pottsville called and we discussed some other options if this did not work but I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Tomorrow we will be taking the motorhome into town to get the brake recall done and hopefully that will be end of the recalls – :-))).

January 1-9, 2011 – Just Hanging Out – :-))

Our time in Casa Grande SKP Park is almost to a close (for now).  I am happy to report that we have moved up to number 47 on the list (up from 108 in January 2009) so hopefully we will have a lot here within the next two years…

We have spent the last week enjoying time and dinners with Pete and Carolyn (who left us on Monday, 3rd) and Pam and Steve (who left us yesterday, 8th) and Joyce (left Tuesday, 4th), and Lee and Brenda (left on Monday, 3rd).   We hope to see everyone again in Quartzsite in another 2 weeks – YEA!!   What a small world.

I also spent a day with my newly found first cousin, Kris.   We had a great day continuing to get to know one another.  Hopefully next season, we will get to spend more time together.   To my other newly found cousins, Joanne and Mary – see you soon.

We are still rearranging and reorganizing ourselves in the new motor home.   I did get some shelves installed this week – did you know that Home Depot and Lowes will cut the wood to your specs for free – Yea!!!    We are really enjoying our new home – :-))).

I made another trip to Urgent Care again this week so now I am on another round (different type) of antibiotics, steroids, and painkillers.  I am really praying that this will do the trick.  The only rough part is that the side effects of these meds are shortness of breath – so by mid day, I am out of energy – :-((( - and doing anything is out of the question.   Andy and I have decided that if this does not work, we will be heading east to Pennsylvania.   I need to find out what is going on.

Tomorrow we are heading to Yuma to get some work and recalls done on our new rig.   Hopefully all the parts will be there – :-)))).

January 1, 2011 – HAPPY NEW YEAR

I, like many of you, receive a number of emails that contain jokes and inspirational sayings.  Some are great, some are not.   This one is one of the great, thought provoking ones and I thought it was appropriate for the start of the new year.

I realize that Andy and I are very fortunate to be able to live this lifestyle and very thankful for the people in our lives.  WE are truly Blessed!

 

If you woke up this morning
with more health than illness,
you are more blessed than the
million who won't survive the week.

If you have never experienced
the danger of battle,
the loneliness of imprisonment,
the agony of torture or
the pangs of starvation,
you are ahead of 20 million people
around the world.

If you attend a church meeting
without fear of harassment,
arrest, torture, or death,
you are more blessed than almost
three billion people in the world.

If you have food in your refrigerator,
clothes on your back, a roof over
your head and a place to sleep,
you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank,
in your wallet, and spare change
in a dish someplace, you are among
the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

If your parents are still married and alive,
you are very rare,
especially in the United States.

If you hold up your head with a smile
on your face and are truly thankful,
you are blessed because the majority can,
but most do not.

If you can hold someone's hand, hug them
or even touch them on the shoulder,
you are blessed because you can
offer God's healing touch.

If you can read this message,
you are more blessed than over
two billion people in the world
that cannot read anything at all.

You are so blessed in ways
you may never even know.

 

May you have a very HAPPY, HEALTHY, BLESSED, and PROSPEROUS 2011!