New
Year’s Day! ! Woke up to a cool but sunny new year! We are off to
catch up with John and Tillie who are already in Tucson. But first we
are heading to San Antonio to see The Alamo. We have been told there is
not much to see, but of course we had to see for ourselves, say we’ve
been there and done that. Found a Walmart to park the RV; unhooked the
car and headed into San Antonio. It was not hard to find. Parking was
awful, lots of it but very expensive. We found a parking garage that has
gone hi-tech. They only accept credit cards. Because of the holidays,
The Alamo was very crowded with families, teens and couples and of
course sightseers like us. It was free admission, but they did ask for
donations. That and sales of souvenirs is their only means of support;
no state or federal funding. They have done a lot of work on The Alamo
and it still undergoing renovations. No indoor photography is allowed
because it is considered hallow ground where so many heroes of Texas
lost their lives.
We got back on our way hoping to get
further across Texas by the end of the day. We are still moving as I
write this. Goodnite!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
We spent the night at the smallest Walmart
I’ve ever seen in Ft. Stockton, TX. We are on the road again, heading
west once more. Although the vistas are beautiful to see here in West
Texas, there is also not much out here; no oil rigs, no cattle, no
houses, nothing. This is a good place for me to practice my driving
skills on the motorhome. I’m getting better, got to pass an 18 wheeler
and another motorhome. But I don’t want to do any city driving just
yet. We got a call just after lunch that we are expected at Jim and
Judy’s for dinner along with John and Tillie. It was another long day
of driving, all the way to Tucson. Had a wonderful dinner with friends,
but had to leave early due to unexpected stomach problems. Was so sorry
to go home. We were able to fuel up in Tucson for $3.07/gal for
diesel!! We were very thankful. Out tank was very low and the cost of
fuel is hovering between $3.29 and $3.37. We even saw it advertised for
$3.79 !
Monday,
January 3, 2011
This
was our last day of driving for a while! There is not much out here
between Tucson and Yuma as you can see from the pictures. But the
closer we got to Yuma, the more we saw fields of cotton being harvested,
pecans tree farms also. There is an austere beauty in the Sonoran
Desert. The Squarro Cacti look like leftovers from an earlier age. One
also trys to imagine cowboys riding from town to town out here; just
doesn’t seem feasible on horseback because towns are so far apart.
Where in the world did they ever find water? Why did the United States
round up the Indians and place them on reservations. This
land
is still not settled by the white man! Who wants to be out here when
it’s a 120 degrees in the summer time?
We arrived in Yuma early afternoon and got
up to Senator Wash by 2:30. We are now located on the lower portion of
Squaw Lake below the dam reservoir on paved parking. There are
bathhouses here with pay showers, $1.00 for 5 minutes minimum. Spaces
are wide but not very deep. We are on the California side of the
Imperial Dam, just up the road from the Yuma Proving Ground. After
filling our water and emptying our waste tanks we are now set for
several days. We can sleep in tomorrow! We are going to stay on
Arizona time so we can keep up with Yuma. After dinner, played some
cards with John and Tillie before saying goodnight.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Bob and John have set the routine for the
day by taking their morning walk.
Later
on we had to go set up our mail delivery at the Christian Service Center
and get passes to get on base down at Yuma Proving Ground. The RV’ers
are a world unto their own out here. There is a CB network and
directory, a library in a trailer run by volunteers, a newspaper of
sorts, neighborhoods (defined by names such as Hurricane Ridge, Skunk
Hollow, Coyote Ridge, and Cozy Cove), and probably much more that we
have not discovered yet. Give us time, there is so much more to do.
They are advertising teeth cleaning in Mexico for $20.00!
I’ve invited our neighbors for pork and
sauerkraut dinner before we headed out to the free movies over at the
Army base. Coming home from the movies we saw 4 burros feeding on the
side of the road.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Today we headed into Yuma to stock up on
provisions, ate at “Da Boyz Pizza and Pasta”, stopped and picked up
some Red Flame Raisins at a produce stand. They are big, tender and
very moist. We also decided to try a “Plumelo”. They said it is a
first cousin to a grapefruit but is much sweeter. Will have to let you
know what it’s like later. After dinner, we got together with our
friends to start planning our trip to Alaska. Can’t wait.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
The
“Plumelo” wasn’t much to rave about. The skin was much thicker than
grapefruit (almost an inch thick) and, while not sour like grapefruit,
it wasn’t much sweeter. Bob, John and I went exploring the road to
Ferguson Lake while Tillie went to town. You are definitely headed into
the wilderness on this road to nowhere. It’s a barren landscape that
has an austere beauty about it. Sometimes pictures say it better.
Friday, January 7, 2011
We headed for the Flea Market in Yuma
today. Looking for a new outdoor rug for the RV. Came home the back way
on S24 and stopped at Sun Gardens for Date shakes, YUMMY!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
We
were riding up on the Mesa when we came across these burros, mother and
child. They we not afraid of us. The youngin’ came right up while the
mother kept watch. She finally came walking up also.
We
were upset because we didn’t have any carrots to feed them. They love
them! We also drove down to the Imperial Dam. This year we were able
to walk across the dam.
Last year it was all blocked off. It is here that the water is divided
into 3 sloughs. One continues as the Colorado River; one goes into the
ALL AMERICAN CANAL, which serves as a water source for farmers in
Arizona as well as farmers over in the Imperial Valley of California.
The third one provides water for Los Angeles.
To
the
right
are pictures of the Senator Wash Liberry! Someone donated this trailer
and volunteers maintain the books inside. There are also puzzles, maps,
lots and lots of fiction and non-fiction as well. This is all free for
the visitors of the Senator Wash LTVA. (Long Term Visitor Area).
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
John woke up this morning to discover he
had big inverter problems. Spend a good part of the day finding someone
who could work on it because they don’t make that kind anymore. Went to
dump today. Made it for 8 days. We can do better now that we know just
how careful we have to be with water distribution. It was sunny and
cold today because the wind was blowing so hard out of the north even
though it was 60 degrees.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
John had to go into town to get parts
ordered for his inverter. We drove in later to get a refill on a
prescription. Had lunch at “On The Farm”, a place under new management,
on AZ 95. Wonderful quesadillas and tacos. Another date shake for Bob!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Rise
and shine! On our way to Mexico; hopefully to get new glasses. Maybe a
little Tequila also, si! John and Tillie went with us. We parked and
walked over the border. Bob and I both got glasses, we bought our
liquor and we were headed back to the US by 11:15 am. (They don’t start
selling liquor until 11 am in Mexico.)
Stopped
by Sam’s Club to pick up supplies then headed home the back way. We
heard they had just cleared a field of cauliflower. We were able to
pick up several head and a little further down the road there was some
fresh Romaine lettuce that had just been harvested. Talk about fresh
from the field!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Moving day! We left for Quartzsite,
having to leave John and Tillie behind so they could get their inverter
parts. We are going to be meeting Rick and Becky, camping friends from
Florida. He got there before we did. Once we arrived we checked out
some sites we thought might be good for the whole gang, but basically
ended up in the same place as last year. We walked over to see if
Laverne and Brenda were here. They were. (They have been coming for 14
years!)
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
John
arrived with his inverter, controller and transfer relay for his
conversion to a standard inverter installation. He discovered that
the man who designed the inverter implementation for the American Eagle
was in Quartzsite for the RV Show, and that he would make the
modifications to install the standard inverter for him. He has
that work scheduled for Wednesday. We now have 3 of the four couples
who will make up our wagon train.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Rick and Becky left today for San Jose,
CA, where they are going for a surprise party for their son’s 40th
birthday.
Friday, January 21, 2011
The RV Show opened today. The place was
jammed. Needless to say, we didn’t go.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Went
to the Desert Bar. Arrived just a few minutes after 12 pm and the place
was already full. For a place that doesn’t open until high noon that
says a lot about the kind of business they do.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Patsy and Ol’ Roy have arrived from
Houston, TX. Rick and Becky return from San Jose. The wagon train
is now complete!
Tuesday,
January 25, 2011
Happy Birthday!! Carol
Happy Anniversary!! John & Tillie
TADAAAA!!!!!
Today is my birthday, AND John and Tillie’s wedding anniversary!
Celebration Time! I feel a party coming on! We grilled steaks, with
baked potatoes and a salad. With a birthday cake for dessert. Brenda
and Laverne joined us for dinner. It was a really great evening for
being out in the desert.
We must not forget the roses that John and
Bob gave us for our respective celebrations! We love you guys! ! !
Friday,
January 28, 2011
We took Rick and Becky down to Yuma for
the day. They didn’t bring their passports so we could not go into
Mexico. Had lunch at “Da Boyz” again. Went over to the flea market
where we picked up an original Dirt Shirt. Drove them through
the Salad Bowl of America and then stopped for more Date Shakes!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Tonight
was Carol’s Famous spaghetti dinner!
Sunday,
January 30, 2011
Back
to the Desert Bar with the gang since Rick and Becky has not been
before. It never really seemed to get as warm as the last time we were
here. They are offering more food than what they did last year and
their Tri-Tip steak sandwiches are very tender and delicious! We headed
on home while J, T, P, R stopped at the Bluewater Casino in Parker, AZ.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Took
Rick and Becky back into the desert for a scenic road trip, through the
gullies and the washes. Stood next to a squarro cactus that had to be
at least 30 ft tall. Most of the dirt roads back here are made for
four wheelers and high clearance trucks.
New
Year’s Day! ! Woke up to a cool but sunny new year! We are off to
catch up with John and Tillie who are already in Tucson. But first we
are heading to San Antonio to see The Alamo. We have been told there is
not much to see, but of course we had to see for ourselves, say we’ve
been there and done that. Found a Walmart to park the RV; unhooked the
car and headed into San Antonio. It was not hard to find. Parking was
awful, lots of it but very expensive. We found a parking garage that has
gone hi-tech. They only accept credit cards. Because of the holidays,
The Alamo was very crowded with families, teens and couples and of
course sightseers like us. It was free admission, but they did ask for
donations. That and sales of souvenirs is their only means of support;
no state or federal funding. They have done a lot of work on The Alamo
and it still undergoing renovations. No indoor photography is allowed
because it is considered hallow ground where so many heroes of Texas
lost their lives.
This
was our last day of driving for a while! There is not much out here
between Tucson and Yuma as you can see from the pictures. But the
closer we got to Yuma, the more we saw fields of cotton being harvested,
pecans tree farms also. There is an austere beauty in the Sonoran
Desert. The Squarro Cacti look like leftovers from an earlier age. One
also trys to imagine cowboys riding from town to town out here; just
doesn’t seem feasible on horseback because towns are so far apart.
Where in the world did they ever find water? Why did the United States
round up the Indians and place them on reservations. This
land
is still not settled by the white man! Who wants to be out here when
it’s a 120 degrees in the summer time?
Later
on we had to go set up our mail delivery at the Christian Service Center
and get passes to get on base down at Yuma Proving Ground. The RV’ers
are a world unto their own out here. There is a CB network and
directory, a library in a trailer run by volunteers, a newspaper of
sorts, neighborhoods (defined by names such as Hurricane Ridge, Skunk
Hollow, Coyote Ridge, and Cozy Cove), and probably much more that we
have not discovered yet. Give us time, there is so much more to do.
They are advertising teeth cleaning in Mexico for $20.00!
The
“Plumelo” wasn’t much to rave about. The skin was much thicker than
grapefruit (almost an inch thick) and, while not sour like grapefruit,
it wasn’t much sweeter. Bob, John and I went exploring the road to
Ferguson Lake while Tillie went to town. You are definitely headed into
the wilderness on this road to nowhere. It’s a barren landscape that
has an austere beauty about it. Sometimes pictures say it better.
We
were riding up on the Mesa when we came across these burros, mother and
child. They we not afraid of us. The youngin’ came right up while the
mother kept watch. She finally came walking up also.
We
were upset because we didn’t have any carrots to feed them. They love
them! We also drove down to the Imperial Dam. This year we were able
to walk across the dam.
Last year it was all blocked off. It is here that the water is divided
into 3 sloughs. One continues as the Colorado River; one goes into the
ALL AMERICAN CANAL, which serves as a water source for farmers in
Arizona as well as farmers over in the Imperial Valley of California.
The third one provides water for Los Angeles.
To
the
right
are pictures of the Senator Wash Liberry! Someone donated this trailer
and volunteers maintain the books inside. There are also puzzles, maps,
lots and lots of fiction and non-fiction as well. This is all free for
the visitors of the Senator Wash LTVA. (Long Term Visitor Area).
Rise
and shine! On our way to Mexico; hopefully to get new glasses. Maybe a
little Tequila also, si! John and Tillie went with us. We parked and
walked over the border. Bob and I both got glasses, we bought our
liquor and we were headed back to the US by 11:15 am. (They don’t start
selling liquor until 11 am in Mexico.)
Stopped
by Sam’s Club to pick up supplies then headed home the back way. We
heard they had just cleared a field of cauliflower. We were able to
pick up several head and a little further down the road there was some
fresh Romaine lettuce that had just been harvested. Talk about fresh
from the field!
John
arrived with his inverter, controller and transfer relay for his
conversion to a standard inverter installation. He discovered that
the man who designed the inverter implementation for the American Eagle
was in Quartzsite for the RV Show, and that he would make the
modifications to install the standard inverter for him. He has
that work scheduled for Wednesday. We now have 3 of the four couples
who will make up our wagon train.
Went
to the Desert Bar. Arrived just a few minutes after 12 pm and the place
was already full. For a place that doesn’t open until high noon that
says a lot about the kind of business they do
TADAAAA!!!!!
Today is my birthday, AND John and Tillie’s wedding anniversary!
Celebration Time! I feel a party coming on! We grilled steaks, with
baked potatoes and a salad. With a birthday cake for dessert. Brenda
and Laverne joined us for dinner. It was a really great evening for
being out in the desert.
We took Rick and Becky down to Yuma for
the day. They didn’t bring their passports so we could not go into
Mexico. Had lunch at “Da Boyz” again. Went over to the flea market
where we picked up an original Dirt Shirt. Drove them through
the Salad Bowl of America and then stopped for more Date Shakes!
Tonight
was Carol’s Famous spaghetti dinner! 
Back
to the Desert Bar with the gang since Rick and Becky has not been
before. It never really seemed to get as warm as the last time we were
here. They are offering more food than what they did last year and
their Tri-Tip steak sandwiches are very tender and delicious! We headed
on home while J, T, P, R stopped at the Bluewater Casino in Parker, AZ.
Took
Rick and Becky back into the desert for a scenic road trip, through the
gullies and the washes. Stood next to a squarro cactus that had to be
at least 30 ft tall. Most of the dirt roads back here are made for
four wheelers and high clearance trucks.