Free, Free for Seniors

Parker, Arizona
La Paz County  Park 
Lagoon #1

What another gorgeous day.  Sometimes I worry that I 
take them for granted but on reflection I decided neither of us does.  

Here's a picture of the Pirates Den right next door from us.  

Bill and I wrote out our jeopardy tour for an event for the rally to be held here in January for the Escapees Chapter 21 Rally.  This is the Parker Dam which is the deepest at 320 feet in the world which will be in the tour.  

As we passed over the Colorado River into California we saw this sign.  

No sooner than we passed the sign, we saw a small herd on the side of the road.

And a little further down the road, we saw another group of them.

After we finished the tour, we decided to drive up to Lake Havasu City and check with the visitors center to see if anything will be happening the five days of the rally. Of course, the last time we were there we had a great meal at the Elk's and it would be lunchtime when we got there.

There weren't many people visiting the London Bridge.  In the past the parking lot was much fuller.  

Okay, now it's lunch time and I had my heart set on the Elk's club.  We drove up to it, walked in, walked back to the dining room, looked around but couldn't find anyone in sight.  After standing there for a while, I saw the lunch sign advertised as a hot dog and fries.  I said forget it.  

We knew there was a Black Bear Diner not far down the road,  so off we went.  It was very reasonable, good size portions, and the service was excellent.  We both got the steak salad and the tri tip was good still, just not quite up to the Del Rosario's.  

By the time we got back to the coach it was almost dark.

This morning we decided to stay another day at La Paz County Park.  Our morning walk took us to the office to pay for another day here.  We drove into town to top of the fuel tank on the truck.  Diesel was $3.68  Of course, we did have to stop at Wal Mart for a few things.

We've seen flyers everywhere announcing a free spaghetti dinner for seniors at the Blue Waters Casino.  Why not?  Not only did they offer the free buffet but they had it going on from 11 am to 11 pm.  Four o'clock sounded like a good time to go before it got crowded.  We walked up to no one in line and the cashier asked us what year we were born.   She handed us a receipt with all zeroes.  They didn't even ask for your player's club card.  

The meal included the salad bar, dessert, ice cream bar, and two different kinds of sauce for your pasta.  The garlic bread was delicious.  I was glad I wasn't in the kitchen, because they apparently ran out of clean silverware.  The service was excellent and the waitresses were very busy but very attentive.  I watched two different couples who got up and left without a tip.  As we were leaving the line was growing fast.  

I think tomorrow we will head down to Yuma a few days early for the Chapter 25 Rally.

Turtle Safely........

   

Perfect back in except.......

Parker, Arizona
La Paz County Park, #1

What a beautiful day for a drive.  I know how to pick them!
I told Bill I'd drive over to Gila Bend. 

We have to be back for a doctor visit on the 26th so we knew we wouldn't be gone long.  We didn't load the coach yesterday or go over and turn the refrigerator on.  It didn't take long to throw the stuff in the truck and take it over to storage and load it.  

By 9 am I was behind the wheel and looking at the storage area.  They've added some extra spaces near our site and it takes a very tight right hand turn to get out of there.  I opted to make a tight left circle to get out of there.  Bill can do it, but I'm not that confident. The traffic was very light on I 8 and made for an enjoyable drive.  I asked Bill if he wanted me to stop when we got to the Shell station in Gila Bend.  He said he was fine so I kept on going.  He must have been to a shooting part of the audio book he was listening to and didn't want to stop. 

I pulled into the rest area on I 10 for a break.  When Bill came out of the bathroom, he climbed back into the co-pilot seat but not before admiring his headlight lids that he recently installed. 

 I guess I'm driving the whole way.  I must say his co-pilot tasks are getting much better.  He programmed the GPS, turned on the tire monitors and made sure I had snacks and coffee all without my asking.  

When I pulled into La Paz County Park the host took us on the golf cart to show us a spot he thought we'd like.  We are on the southern end of the park in the "Lagoon".  This is where they have the flea market on the weekend.   There are only 4 sites here and we are the only ones in this section.  We have a great view of the Colorado River out our window.

But wait, someone has to back this coach in!  Bill got out of the co-pilot seat and said I needed to turn it to the right. Well I backed it in and it looked perfect except for one small problem.  I'm now in site 2 not site 1.  I said no problem, I'll just go to the office and ask them to change the site number.  Bill says "no problem just pull it out and move it over to the next site."  I got it in, but not as quickly as I did in the other site.

The host told us that the park is a mile long.  We took a walk before dinner and was amazed at how many RV's are here.  They have over 100 sites rented on the monthly rate.  

That's California across the river.

I hope the weather is this perfect when we come back in January 10th to the 15th for the Escapees Chapter 21 Rally here.  There is absolutely no breeze whatsoever.  

Turtle Safely.......

Bill's new eyelids!

Casa Grande, Arizona
Home Base

Since my last blog, I spent Thursday and Friday with Bill at the Cardiologist's office for tests.  Monday we went for his eye appointment but the office didn't have the right doctor for his cataracts and Tuesday was spent going down to the VA in Tucson for Dad.  

We did manage to find time to go to the movies to see Last Vegas.  It really was a good movie, with a good message.  We both enjoyed it and highly recommend it.  

I received an e-mail from  Susie and Bud Walsh who we met at the MOC rally.  Susie wrote that they were coming to Casa Grande for the week and did we want to get together for lunch.  Food, isn't that every RVer's middle name?  Of course, we'll do lunch.  

Susie called the next morning to say she had to fly home for some personal business.  We chatted for awhile and it brought back memories of all the fun we had in Goshen at the Montana Owners Club Rally.  She gave me Bud's cell phone number as he stayed here with the dogs.  As it turns out they are in a RV park two blocks from us.  

Bud called while we were out today, but I told him we'd call him back when we got home.  When I called Bud, he said he'd be over in about 45 minutes.  Why is it when RVers get together they never run out of things to talk about?  The next thing I knew, it was completely dark outside.  We enjoyed our visit with Bud and look forward to seeing both of them.  

    Everyone who has ever met Bill knows how clean he keeps the outside of his truck.  It's a 2006 and has never been in a garage.  He has tried everything on the headlight lens from the sun damage on the plastic.  Some products help, but nothing lasts.  


We found some headlight covers on Amazon and Bill couldn't wait to install them.  

I think they look pretty good.  Bill never even hesitated about installing them.  They came with no directions.  

Is he happy?  A new accessory for his truck and he installed them all by himself. 

Turtle Safely........

Our Bedsaver Is In the Bed

Casa Grande, Arizona
Home Base

I love it when everything comes together.  

The morning started off very early for us, well not as early as I wanted.  Bill was reading a book last night and couldn't keep his eyes open any longer.  I noticed he was in the bathroom for longer than usual this morning and I hollered through the door "how many pages are left".  Thankfully, he only had a chapter left.

We were taking the Mountaineer up to RV Trader to repair the closet door that was broken while we were in Goshen.  I told them we'd take it in early and pick it up later in the day.  I still can't believe how fast it is to hitch up with the 6 point level ups.  

One observation I've made, the dumpsters for Sundance RV Resort are right by the gate to the storage.  How does the trash company know exactly what time we want to get through the gate?  Every time we go to pick up the 5er, the trash company is backing in to dump all the dumpsters for the park which has over 700 sites.  That's a lot of trash!

We always go across the reservation to get to the valley.  This morning I 10 was closed down to investigate an accident.  All the interstate traffic was routed through there.  When we got to the first intersection, there was someone across from us who wanted to turn left, someone in the turn lane coming from Coolidge wanting to turn right and we needed to turn left.  It was bumper to bumper traffic.  Bill finally got out, but I don't know how he did it.  

We arrived at RV Trader around 9 am.  They were trying to be so helpful and help with the unhitching, but I finally said, I can do it.  Bill and I have our routine, and help just isn't helpful.  We drove over to Apache Junction to Jim and Sandie Dixon's site.  No sooner than we arrived, RV Trader called to say the repairs were done.    

Jim was going to "help" Bill install a bedsaver.  Everyone knows that means Jim is going to install it.  Jim said it wouldn't take long because it was just 4 bolts--maybe a half hour.  Sandie said if he said a half hour, plan on an hour. It took exactly one hour.  

 We knew we needed to leave around 11 for the first of the season Escapees Chapter 45 luncheon.  Bill and I headed over and told Jim and Sandie we'd save a seat for them, while they walked the "girls".  

It was so nice seeing everyone that we haven't seen since the chapter picnic in April.  David and Lynn Cross, Nick and Terry Russell and Jim and Sandie  and Bill and I were at one table.  I didn't get a count, but nearly every seat was taken.  It was very very noisy in there, and hard to try and carry on a conversation. 

One quick stop at The Ranch Market and we were off to pick up the trailer.  Once we arrived at RV Trader all we had to do was sign on the dotted line that says zero and have a nice day.  

Traffic going home was much lighter than what we experience in Casa Grande.  The interstate must have opened back up because the traffic was very light across the reservation.  

Bill and I did not like the king size mattress in our RV.  This was a good time to do something about it.  Sherry and Dave came over to help us remove the king mattress.  I'll put it in the homeowner's yard sale this Saturday or give it away.  It was awkward to get it out, but Bill and Dave managed it.  Dave then cut off the bed platform to fit a queen size bed.  It looks a little strange without the mattress. Now we have to add buy a mattress to our "to do list".   

It was just about getting dark when we took the trailer over to storage.  It was a very full day.  

Thank you, Sandie for today's blog pictures.  

Turtle Safely.......

Going to the Dixon repair shop

Casa Grande, Arizona
Home Base

Bill and I haven't been doing anything exciting the past few days.  

Sunday was our 17th wedding anniversary.  We both agreed many years ago to not  buy gifts as we feel every day is a special day.  We always say how lucky we are to have each other.

I checked the movie schedule and it had "Lost Vegas" playing.  We jumped in the car and drove over to Harkins.  When we got there we looked for the movie.  It wasn't showing but half of the theaters were showing Free Birds.  Next time I'll call and confirm.  

Bill fixed the barbecue grill.  Yes, you heard me right.  He changed the regulator and it works just fine.  

Monday Bill had a stress test and that took up most of the morning even though we had to be there at 7:30 am.  Today he had a 2-D echocardiogram and he is scheduled Thursday for an abdominal aorta duplex test and Friday a carotid duplex.  In the past, he had all the tests done in one day.  Medicare has changed and won't pay for more than one test per day.  Does this make sense?  He now makes 4 trips, has 4 different days scheduled, see's the receptionist, gets weighed every day, has his blood pressure taken and goes to the same office.  Only our government would think this will save money.  Thursday we also have a dentist appointment and next Monday Bill has an appointment to see about his cataracts.  I hope that will be it until our 6 month check ups in the spring.  

Did you notice we didn't have anything scheduled for Wednesday?  We are driving the 5er up to get the closet door replaced that was broken during our repairs at the MOC Rally.  We'll drop it off, and then head to Jim and Sandie Dixon's place.  I read Nick Russell's blog and how he has Greg White to fix things, but he doesn't have Jim like we do.  He can fix anything.  

While we were at the Amado Rally I was reading about a bedsaver.  If you have a motorhome this won't mean anything to you.  I ordered one from Amazon at $128 including free postage.  Since we now have the 6 point level up system, I've been worried about pushing the wrong button.  The jacks move so quickly, I don't know my reaction time would cancel it quick enough if I pushed the wrong button.  It moves so much the truck has to be pulled away from the rig.  Jim said bring it up and he'll install it for us.  

After we visit the Dixon repair shop, we'll head over to the Chapter 45 luncheon.  I think if Nick and Terry Russell get the day right, they'll be there too.  When the luncheon is over we'll pick up the Montana and bring it back to the house. 

I've decided since our homeowners association is having it's annual yard sale Saturday now is the time to get rid of the king size mattress.  Ever since we got this trailer we've complained about the bed being too big.  We like snuggling and want a smaller bed.  Since we'll have the trailer out anyway, we'll pull the mattress out for this Saturday's sale.  We'll buy a new mattress before we leave in two weeks.  

Like I said, not much has been happening.  

Turtle Safely.............

Back to the Shack

Casa Grande, AZ

Yesterday when we awoke the temperatures were in the 30's.  It didn't take long to warm up.  The RV park served pancakes and sausage for breakfast.  

A lot of the people heard us talking about the copper mine tour and decided to take it.  We just hung around the RV park.  Bill fixed the brake light on the truck with some help from Jim and John.  It turned out to be the bulb, but no one could see that it was burned out.  Of course they checked everything else before changing the bulb.  

Before the Happy Hour, Joe Knox took a group photo that I'll share when I get a copy of it.  

The dinner provided by the RV park was either a steak or chicken dinner.  I knew better than to order a steak when they are doing a group but I still ordered it.  I like mine rare and this was very well done.  No problem, Sandie took it home to Skittlez and Scooter and I'll bet they enjoyed it.  The RV park is noted for their margarita parties.  There was someone playing CD's but unfortunately he didn't interact with the people.  Everyone just stayed and socialized.

This morning they had pastries and fruit. The rally ended with everyone saying "See Ya".  A lot of us were making plans to see each other again.  The rigs started rolling out around 9 am.  

Once again, we felt like we were forgetting something.  Those new 6 point level ups are so fast and now that I have the water softener installed in the basement there isn't much to hitching up.  

We rode home with absolutely no wind.  It didn't take us long to empty the refrigerator and take out the dirty clothes.  We ate some lunch and then took the coach to the storage facility until Wednesday.   It hasn't been in storage since May.  I've been keeping a record of the days we use it and so far we've had it out 188 days this year.  

Turtle Safely......