Plans

I called my Son's home last night to ask a question and talked to his wife for about a half an hour. We covered a lot of territory in the conversation. One of the things we covered was my pending visit there this winter. I have given some thought thought to visiting them this winter when I go to the Gypsy Journal meeting in Yuma AZ this March. I visited them last Winter for about five days and had a great time. The plans are to visit with them on my way to the Gypsy gathering and on my way back from the gathering. I am looking forward to spending sometime with them. This is a photo of where i camped while visiting them last year.

Now I have to firm up my reservations with the Gypsy Journal people, I am thinking of arriving early so will be settled in and know the lectures I want to be at and the venders where they are located. I am hoping that the Elks will be there too so I can join this year. I also want to get more information about Coast to Coast Camping Club seems complicated to me as to what to buy into and what it all means and the most important thing what are the costs! I don't want to get in over my head with these things.

Rained hard here last night I could hear the rain drops pounding on the roof it even disturbed my Lab Shelby for a little bit. Seems that there is one storm after another passing through. So far nothing as serious as the blizzard that hit the northeast this week, thank goodness. When I see people on TV shoveling snow and pushing cars I feel sorry for them and happy for me that I don't have to do that any more-I don't think I could do that anymore not with this tricky ticker (heart) of mine. Nope no more snow shoveling and car pushing for me.

I got a email informing me of a retired co-worker of mine had died, seems to me my circle of friends and co-workers is getting smaller as time goes by.

I got a package in the mail yesterday with my new curtains for the windshield in the RV. I'll try to put them up today. The curtains didn't come with tie backs, darn it. I'll just have to figure something out to hold the curtains open while driving.

Drats!

I was out in the RV today checking things out and I tried out the water heater and I found that now matter which position I put the switch in on the RV or on the water heater the gas comes on to heat the water. Darn it I guess I will have to bring it back to the shop and have them check the switches out... Darn it I thought the water heater problems were over.

Christmas was quiet, pets had their stockings hung on the mantel and we watched some holiday programs on TV. It was cold and windy with some rain as a storm front moved through heading to the east where it raised havoc with the folks in both the Ohio valley and the Northeast. I am sure glad I am not there dealing with the snow and ice. It gets cold enough here in East Texas for me and would rather be somewhere else snuggling up to a bit of warm sunshine than hearing my teeth chatter here in North Eastern Texas.





Samantha bought here own RV and is fitting it out now and will try it out later at an RV park nearby. She is having fun buying goodies for her new (to Her) RV.

Season's Greetings

Happy Holidays to all my family and friends may all your wishes come true and may the new year find you healthy, happy and prosperous.

Repairs update

I took the rig back to the repair shop the other day to have the heating element for the water heater replaced. Ya know sometimes fate moves in strange ways. The young man was taking the gas heating element off to get to the electric heating element and I was watching him and said to myself "damn I could have done that my self and saved a bunch of money" . I watched him install the new element and reassemble the unit. He asked me to go inside and try out the electric element I did and it worked and then (thank goodness) he said try the gas element...... all of sudden I hear yelling to turn it off ! Turn it off !!! Seem flames were shooting out of the unit and almost burned the guy. Several times he thought he had it fixed but still it flamed it wasn't till he moved one of his tools on the ground that he found a piece that hadn't been installed in the end of the gas line that restricts the gas flow that was the problem, once it was back in place the gas operation worked normally. I then thought to myself if I had done that I would have burned the rig to the ground-thank goodness I DID SPEND THE MONEY AND HAVE A TECH DO THE JOB! I felt I missed the bullet on that one in several ways. One if I did it I wouldn't have seen the flames till it was to late, and even if I had done it myself would I have even known what the little device was for or where it went?

After paying the bill we went to a near by town Mabank TX and stopped at a local restaurant called the Victorian Lady's Tea Room and had a lovely lunch I had a chicken salad sandwich that was delicious and Samantha had a crab salad that was just as good. Then we drove on to Canton TX and did some shopping at Wally World the parking lot wasn't full but the store was busy. Samantha has bought her own rig and is fitting it out so there is a lot of stuff for her to buy and of course I just had to get something for my rig.

I have been looking into the possibility of pulling up the old carpet in my rig and putting down some sort of smooth flooring, either pergo or some sort of tile. I think it would be easier to clean and look better then carpet. carpet in a rig just doesn't get clean after a while no matter what you use to clean it, IMO.

Repairs

I got the Rig over to the RV repair place and when they got to doing the work they found that
the brake problem wasn't as terrible as it felt; seems that a pivot point for the brake near the engine was rusty and some WD40 and rust penetrator spray loosened up the device and it appears to be working. Although I am still leery of it working properly. My problem with the heater was in the thermostat control, the contacts were corroded, The water heater wouldn't work on electric and it turns out the heating element is kaput and needs to be replaced, it is on order. The generator was not sounding right and it needed an oil change. The carburetor was adjusted the oil and filter changed and it runs smooth now able to power the AC without sounding like it is going to die. When I drove it home the brake pedal worked fine releasing the brakes as it should. Now to put fuel treatment into the fuel tank and run it through the generator and engine to clean the carburetor on the generator. A lot got done in just a few hours, sure makes a difference when you know what to do and have the right tools.

No Brake Job today

I took the RV in to the mechanic shop this morning but the mechanic that fixes brakes is still in the hospital and they guys at the shop don't know when he will be back, he is in the hospital with an infection. So, I think I'll look for another source to fix the RV.
While in town I got the Rig inspected, seeing as we are a rural community the emissions test wasn't necessary. I also got new wiper blades put on while there. Those blades wear out fast. Baby has her new inspection sticker so she's legal now.

I looked on line and found an RV repair shop that was not attached to a big sales outfit and I went and had a look at the place. They had some very expensive looking rigs they were working on, but were friendly and we talked about the work my rig needed and they seemed positive about getting things done. I'll be taking the rig there to get the brakes looked after, the generator serviced, the furnace repaired, and a couple of other little things checked. So I'll be a light in the purse when they are through fixing "HER" up.

I went by Home Depot today and got blinds cut to fit the RV, Wally World doesn't do that sort of thing. While there I was talking with the lady waiting on me and she told me that I could use my Military ID and get 10 percent of my purchase, all these years I never knew this about Home Depot. I guess I didn't get the memo :(

One of the less intelligent things I have done lately is leave my cell phone in my jeans and wash the jeans ...... Good Bye Phone,
Hello New Phone.....sigh :/

RV project

I was checking out my RV and to my surprise the blinds in the living area have deteriorated and need replacing. The problem with that is figuring out how to get them down without damaging the wall. I went on the internet to ask how it is done and sure enough someone else has done it already and they filled me in with the details, seems there are clips that can be maneuvered opened to release the blinds. I got the first one down with only a little struggle the other will be worked on tomorrow, then I will buy new blinds to replace the old ones. Then the hope is that the clips will go back into place holding the new blinds into place.

Tomorrow the rig goes into the shop to have the brakes looked at and after paying a ransom to get that up to standard I'll take the old girl in to be inspected. RVs and boats they all need constant looking after with maintenance/repairs and modifications. The next project is to get a back-up camera for the rig installed, it has one now but I cannot get it to work, it flickered once and never came back on again. I have backed into so many things over the years that having a back-up camera is a must for me, especially since I will be towing a car behind the rig in the future.

Shivering in Texas

The eye operation went well I think and then BAM I got sick with an infection and have been miserable for weeks. I think I am on the correct medication now and should be over this in a week.

The house hasn't sold yet and I am getting cabin fever being around here all the time. It is cold here in East Texas and that doesn't make me a happy camper. If I wasn't house sitting here I could be where it is warm instead of shivering in Dallas.

I need to get some repairs on the RV and get a new inspection sticker so the old gal goes into the shop this Monday morning seems that the brake pedal doesn't return sometimes. I sure hope it isn't the brake master cylinder that's expensive.....

Update Oct 18, 2010

Been back from Deming for quite some time now. Spent the first two weeks cutting grass and
trimming the weeds around the house. Since then I have been trying to keep the place neat
and clean for prospective buyers. Almost had a deal, but it fell through because they couldn't
get financing. There have been other looky-lews but no offers. We have lowered the price once
still no offers.

In the mean time I had to take care of a medical problem. My eyesight was getting worse especially
at night, I was afraid to drive after dark. So I made an appointment at the Key-Whitman Eye Clinic
in Dallas and as I thought I had cataracts in both eyes. So I agreed to have them taken out and
replaced with artificial lenses. So far I have had the right eye done and I am about to have the left
eye operated on. The right eye seems to be doing well. When I compare the vision between the left
and right the difference is dramatic. looking only through my left eye electric lights look like yellow
bug lights. No wonder I had problems seeing things at night. Of course there are short comings to
the procedure; there is a possibility that the lens will cloud over and I will have to have a procedure
to clear it up, I will need Lasik done on the left eye to correct the vision because of astigmatism. I
did my research and there is no other cure for cataracts; surgery or slowly lose one's vision, that's
the way it is, so now I am the proud owner of expensive implanted plastic lenses in my eyes.

Still In Deming NM

Waiting for my 'puter to be repaired. Sometimes things take longer than you expected...
I'll fill in all the gory details later...

So here are the details; I got the computer back and at first I was upset cause when I booted it up (isn't that a strange phrase?) the computer came up but not the sound. I down loaded a Microsoft update and rebooted the 'puter and what do you know? The sound came back on! So I am pleased that I have sound now on my 'puter. However this episode has firmed my resolve to go Mac the next time I buy a computer, I hear they have less problems and the features are more intuitive.

So what have I been doing since I have been here in Deming NM? Well, I have been busy meeting people, I joined another RV club called LOWs loners on Wheels, they seem to be a nice group of folks. I have gone to lunch in Mexico with them and tonight met them at the local winery for wine and cheese and Thursday I am going with them to a brewery. I have gone out to dinner with the folks at this RV club called the Escapees, I've had brunch twice at the Holiday Inn and had lunch out almost every other day with a friend and escorted this friend to the hospital to get him scheduled for surgery, visited with a member of LOWs who is in a rehab facility with other members of LOW's. Been to Las Cruces to Sam's club for shopping and lunch and Wally World several times. And of course taking the fur kids for walks and play time at the dog park here at the RV Park. That and the usual household chores keep me busy.

I am staying here until my friend has his surgery to make sure he is alright so I should be here next Thursday for the brewery trip the LOW's group is making :)

Deming NM

I am here in Deming NM at the Dream Catcher RV Park. It is summer and the park has only a few rigs with an occasional traveler spending the night. The weather has been hot (DUH) with occasional thunder storms and wind storms. I have to be careful not to leave my awing deployed as the wind and storms are unpredictable.

The local Holiday in is next door to the RV park and they have a nice brunch also they allow members staying at the park to use their pool, that is so nice of them. The park has a nice dog park for the fur kids to play in and they head right for it as soon as they get out of the rig. We visit the dog park three or more times a day to give the fur kids a chance to take care of business and play on the grass.

So far I have done the usual shopping at Wally World and Sam's club, having brunch at the Holiday Inn and lunch at Denny's. I also visited Hi-Lo ranch an RV Park that is run by a singles RV Club. Other than an occasional thunder storm things are quiet here in Deming NM.

Sometimes ya gotta go....

It is never easy to leave family the heart wants to stay, but you know when it is time to go.

I left Idaho Falls Wednesday and drove south on I-15 till about exit 261 where I stopped for fuel at a Flying J. I had dinner there; I felt I needed some veggies and ordered the Cobb salad. I was going to stay at the Flying J but the area was crowded with truckers in to small a parking lot and there was no room for RVs. I planned on staying over night on the street next to the truck stop but it didn't give me the warm fuzzys so I went searching for some where more comfy than that place. I saw a sign for another Flying J so I followed its directions, when I got there the truck stop was closed, however there were lots of truckers there about forty of them spending the night. There was an empty parking area between the closed Flying J and the Motel next door so I pulled in and set up for a night camp. I was kept amused by the coming and going of people pulling in and finding the Flying J closed and the trucks coming and going at all hours. I slept pretty good and was ready to continue the journey in the AM.
It was a long ride to my next camp at the Sleeping Ute Casino in CO. I had stayed there before and knew what to expect. I got to use their laundry and shower walked the fur kids several times and got some good rest. Glad I got the rest I would need it as the next day's journey was long as I don't travel fast, just poke along. I finally made it to Dream Catcher RV park in Demming NM just as the sun went down and the lights came on. I met a friend here I have known for a couple of years and we had a quick reunion in the fading light and approaching darkness. We even took the fur kids for their first walk to the dog park in the dark and caught up on what we have both been doing since the last time we saw each other.

So this is Deming NM in the summer about 100 degrees in the shade and one looks for shade and there isn't enough to go around, let me tell ya. However the park is quiet and the company good,the fur kids like the grassy dog park and the A/C works, so I will be here for a few days checking the area out. There is another RV park here with another organisation that I want to have a look at since I am in the area.

Idaho

I staid with family just outside Idaho Falls ID. Camped in their driveway; used their washer and dryer had wonderful family meals, watched my granddaughter play softball and enjoyed my grandkids to the max. We went out to dinner several times had BBQs and sat by the fire and told stories, watched the kids make somemores and in general had a good time. Life is good :-)

I got some repairs done on the Rig; awning repaired, new twirly vents for the waste tanks installed, new lens cover for the front turn signal, new vent cranks installed on the vents, defrosted the fridge. It is great to get all that stuff done.

If you have an RV awning that has some holes or tares take it to a place that repairs canvas. I took ours to the one and only Canvas Shop here in Idaho Falls and they did a great job; cut off the warn vinyl weather cover and sewed a new one on in under two hours for a very reasonable price, way better than getting a whole new awning installed.

Washington

Washington is a nice place we explored Port Townsend and had a great time even though it rained off and on all the time we were there. Great food and excellent coffee, you know how I like my coffee and how disappointed I have been in the coffee on the road. A lot of folks don't know how to make coffee worth a damn anymore nore do they know how to clean a coffee pot. What's more they don't care and act surprised when someone complains about the taste of their coffee. Not in Washington they like their coffee and have the good stuff.

I loved seeing the boats on the water and it brought up longing for another boat. I even started looking at boats for sale ads. It's tough when your nautically infected your not happy unless your on a boat with wind and saltwater in your face braced at an angle splashing over the waves. Gads! I miss sailing.

The SKP park there, Evergreen Coho SKP Park, didn't light my fire. The park is a co-op park which means they own their lots and run the place themselves. This place was typical; they like the income from casual visitors, but don't go out of their way to make you feel welcome or improve the facilities for the casual visitor; like no showers, no cable TV, no tables or fire rings but you do get three pages of rules for free :-( Yup makes feel as welcome as a hair in a biscuit. Also the attitude of the owners towards visiters is rather odd-cold, chilly, distant, don't want to be bothered... well I won't bother them.

We spent our last night in Port Townsend instead of at the park even though I had paid for the night at the park. We enjoyed the town park there and so did our dogs and it all was for free and folks we met where happy to see us and our dogs.

Oregon

Oregon beautiful and green great scenery and lots of water. We spent a couple of nights at an SKP park Timber Valley Park a Co-op park that takes casual visitors. We rented someone's space there for two nights. Most folks we met were nice a few didn't seem to care for us. The one thing that ticked me off was that there was no mention of a dog park in the literiture they gave us but there was a dog park. Sort of a secret thing for themselves. Also no showers for visitors but a host of rules and regs. The deer and jack rabbits loved the place and had fun trying to eat all the flowers and trees.

Update 8/7/10 part 2

The difference from one state to another can be dramatic. From the dry and dusty flats of Utah and Nevada to the lush green of northern California, Oregon, and Washington is a feast for the eyes. The Pioneers that crossed the plains must of thought they had endured a terrible journey to be rewarded with green abundance. Of course most were hoping to gain wealth of one kind or another. Except for the Mormons who were escaping persicution.

Update 7/8/10

We crossed Utah on the I-80 what a boring trip that was; we skirted the Great Salt Lake and proceeded to Nevada where after a very long day we camped in a Casino Parking lot with the eighteen wheelers. We thought we would have dinner at the Casino, but dinner there would have been too expensive so we had a salad at Micky "D's". We went to sleep listening to the roar of the big trucks. In the AM we got back on the highway and headed to California.
In California we found a small Casino and camped over night in their parking lot. The parking lot at this Casino slopped in such a way we couldn't get the Rig level. It was a quiet night at this Casino, so we slept good. Back on the highway in the morning we stopped at a restaurant called Little Bit of Heaven, we were their first customers of the day. The food was very good and listening to other customer's conversations was entertaining.

Update

Well it has been a while since I have made a blog entry. Since last blog we tried going to Glacier National Park, but the weather didn't look good and the forecast was for it to get worse so we turned around and headed back to Wyoming to escape the cold and rain with its high winds that makes driving a high profile vehicle rather challanging. While in Wyoming we stopped at a small town looking to use our Passport America card to save money and could only stay one night as the town was unveiling a statue of a hometown hero that had been a Champion Rodeo Cowboy. There was a town park we could have stayed at, but I wanted to move on.

We headed to Utah and camped at a rest area we camped at before last year when we made a trip to Idaho. Then we crossed Utah. I tell you I-80 is either up and down or flat as an ironing board. Once we passed Salt Lake City the highway was flat and boring it wasn't that far to Nevada, but it seemed to take forever to get there. We dry camped at a Casino parking lot. We went over to the Casino to have dinner but their prices for the buffet was out our comfort zone. Se we had dinner at Mikky's and got on the road first thing in the morning. A lot of Nevada I-80 is boring. We stopped for the nigh at a small Casino that was hard to find with a slopping parking lot that I couldn't get the RV level using all my blocks under the wheels. Quiet night though.
We then drove on to California the gas prices where out of sight the scenery was beautiful Moutn Shasta is gorgous when the sun shines on it. The national forest is so green and inviting after driving in the desert. We drove on to Washington and dry camped at a rest area for the night. In the morning we headed out and on the way stoped for breakfast at a restarant and shared a breakfast platter it was so big.

We are now camped at an RV Park that is part of our Club we belong to. This park is a Co-op park so all the residents own the park and run it themselves. There is a five and a half year waiting list to buy in to the park. They rent spaces also, so we have a space for two nights and will head out tomorrow for Washington State to visit another park in the SKP park system.

Reed point to Fort Benton Montana

We spent two days in Reed Point MT it was cold and rainy with enough wind to make things uncomfortable. We did get our laundry done and took several walks about the town and took a few photos when it wasn't raining. We did sleep well though. There was one bar/restaurant we passed on that experience.

Now we are in Fort Benton MT for a couple of days nice little town with lots of history and several good restaurants. We are at a small RV camp using Passport America which does same you money. We are staying with full hook ups for two days for $30 plus tax and the site is nice and the town quiet. We are withing walking distance of downtown and it is a level walk, very picturesque along the river with its lovely tree shaded park.
The drive here was interesting got to see lots of wildlife; deer, antelope and birds thankfully everyone behaved themselves and didn't run in front of the rig :)

Bowman SD to Miles City MT

We packed up early this morning and headed out to Bowman SD; we were really out in the boonies took a long time to get to Bowman. We had breakfast at a local restaurant there. Then took route 12 to Miles City MT. The drive was through misty rain with little sunshine. At first the land looked much like SD rolling hills with lots of grass and few trees. The closer we got to Montana the more dramatic the landscap became. We started climbing hills and the local terrain got more rocky and steep. We had a few steep grades to negotiate then we were in Miles City area and found the campsite right away. After registration we went shopping at Walmart to get some food and other stuff. Seems to me that the prices aren't as good as they used to be at Wally World and the selection is less also.

I went to O'Reilly Auto Parts and got a new battery cable and some tape to fix the turn signal lens lens. When we got back to the RV park I accomplished both tasks with only a little bit of sparks flying, LOL.

I get lucky, no not that kind ...sheesh

We spent seven days at French Creek RV Park in Custer SD. I liked the town very much real small and one can walk from one end to the other on the main street. It doesn't take long for folks to get to recognize you even with the short time we were there. The reason for the seven days is we were tired and needed a rest from being on the road, time to catch up on rest and laundry shopping etc.

The manager was very nice he and his wife held a pot luck BBQ and asked everyone to bring something and they provided the meat and potatoes. His french fries are delicious and with all the dishes there to sample no one went hungry. We brought two pies one apple and the other peanut butter, I like them both and had my share.
One day I realized that I had run out of one of my medications and told the manager I would have to leave early so I could get my prescription filled and then later he said he and his wife were going to Rapid City and they would pick up my prescription for me. Gee that was nice of them.

We left on the 9th and went to Rapid City to shop at Wal-mart on the way there I had a fender bender with a car as we made a left hand turn. I heard the vehicle as we collided and we pulled into a parking lot and I feared the worst. When we all looked at the vehicles the car was an older car with lots of rust and dings the lady said she wasn't hurt and the car was fine couldn't tell where it was hit and she wanted to leave no questions asked. The RV sustained a few scratches and a broken turn signal lens that's it. So now to find a new turn signal lens for an old RV ... good luck on that...I guess I got lucky colliding with someone who didn't care.

We found our destination in Bowman North Dakota; Bowman-Haley Recreation Area a small lake formed by an Army Corps of Engineers Dam. We have a site with a view of the lake with electric for $10 a nite not much else here; there is a restaurant sort of and a ramp for boats and camp sites that's it. Good enough for a couple of nights, way out of town.

On to Montana tomorrow!

Wall Drug SD

Nice view on our way to Wall SD

The wild west view one thinks of when thinking of the West

Interesting photo

Nice little ranch close to the road

Two antiques, me and a mail box

Want to ride a rabbit?

The street in front of Wall Drug is full all day

The RV lot is full all day too


The Wall Drug story is interesting look it up on Google the place employs hundreds of people directly and indirectly a great business story. Inside the store are a couple of dozen stores and they have a mall too.

Mount Rushmore SD

View out the window of the restaurant

The entrance to the monument (temple)

My impressions of Mount Rushmore are odd I know, but here they are anyway; It feels like the Presidents have been deified and that your supposed to be awed by their presence. I don't think any of the men who's faces are carved there would want to be deified or even overly romanticised. They are just men who held high office and did some good things, they had their faults like everyone Else.

The entrance reminded me of some of the modernistic monuments erected by the twentieth century dictators. So in short I was not pleased. The fee of $10 to park your vehicle didn't please me either.