Thankful

Benson, Arizona
Cochise Terrace RV Resort

Sometimes you meet people who you just click with.  Don and Sharon Del Rosario are two of those people.  Ever since we've known them Don has told us about his smoked turkey. They have invited us down in the past to spend Thanksgiving with them but we've always stayed in Casa Grande to be with our family.

Don and Sharon have become like family to us.  We knew it might be too much for them to come our way, besides that Don's smoked turkey sounded better than any turkey I could make.  

We weren't able to come any sooner than after a doctor appointment on Wednesday.  Bill backed into the same site we used one other time when we were here.  We're in the same site but now Frank and Gloria King own it.  Frank and Gloria are in California with their family.  Aren't RVers the nicest people?

After we were settled, we walked over to their home and Sharon had a great dinner of cabbage and corned beef.  One of Bill's favorite meals.

The next day, Don was busy with the turkey.

The smoking turkey prepping was fascinating to watch.  Of course, anyone that knows Don, knows he's quite at home in a kitchen.  

I really had a difficult time making my dishes and getting them to fit in the oven.  Next time, I'll check the dishes to make sure they fit.  

Nothing finer than dining on the patio for Thanksgiving.

There sure were a lot of dishes, but it didn't take long to get through them.  

See how close we are to their place.  That's us with the red truck.

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


  

Yesterday Anchorage Today Fairbanks

Casa Grande, AZ
Sundance RV Resort

Yes, I'm still here.  I know it's been a week since I blogged, but you don't really want to hear that we've stayed inside most of the week.  

The one highlight of the week was that Luella and Ray Steiner came down for a visit.  It was so nice to be able to visit with them.  Usually when we see them, there's a crowd of people around.  

 We had planned to attend the Chapter 45 Luncheon in Apache Junction but some medical issues came up and we had an unexpected doctor appointment that day.  

So what have we been doing all week?  The blog title explains it.  Were still working on the Alaska list.

I've received some brochures from Anchorage yesterday and today some from Fairbanks.  

I've been slowly reading the Traveler's Guide to Alaskan Camping--Alaska and Yukon Camping with RV or Tent.  Nearly everyone in the Loosey Goosey group has been before and they know what to expect.  This is more like saying you'll tour all of the USA next summer.  Where would you start?  

Thank goodness for all the helpful people out there.  Leslie Ernst has spent some time e-mailing information.  I can't believe how thoughtful she is with all the issues she's having with her cancer.  She and Dennis Hill recommended the Tour Saver Book.  Dennis knows how cheap I am and let me know the book was on sale for twenty dollars off this month.  It didn't take me long to get my order off.  It's on it's way so I'll be anxious to see all the money we can save.  Of course, you have to spend money to save money.

Dennis suggested the Thermacell Mosquito machine.  I ordered it and the refills.  Hopefully, the Thermacell machine will arrive next week.  It will be in pink camo because that color was cheaper.

Greg White recommended an air compressor and it only took one day to arrive.  Lucky for us, when I went to check out online, there was a $20 discount.  What am I going to do with all this money we're saving?

The other project that didn't come out so well is done.  I got out my pyrography stuff and tried to wood burn a sign.  I understand that we need a sign to hang in the signpost forest.  

I forgot everything that I learned at the Woodcarvers on Wheels event a couple of years ago.  That's what I get for putting the stuff away and forgetting about it.  Did you notice I posted the smallest size photo available.  There's a reason.  

That's it.  We're still alive and doing well.

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

From Frustration to Great

Casa Grande, AZ
Sundance RV Resort

Yesterday was one of those days that you can laugh about today, but it wasn't funny then.  

The day started out with a trip to the bank.  When I opened the vehicle door to get back in, the alarm went off.  Big, loud, ear piercing alarm.  We opened all the doors, turned the engine on, turned the engine off, hit the panic button and nothing would shut it up.  I figured it would shut itself off if we drove it.  I wanted to deliver some items to St. Vincent's so we drove over there.  The alarm shut off about halfway there.  Once I opened the door to get out, it started up again.  Talk about embarrassing.  

We finally drove the car home and once again as soon as the doors were open it started going off again.  I went inside and got the other set of keys and pushed the panic button.  The alarm went off immediately.   Not sure what the problem was, but we put new batteries in the remotes and it's been working fine ever since.  

We found out that the motor for the power seat that works the up and down is going to be about 750 for the part plus labor, but they have been backed ordered since August.  Bill said a pillow is much cheaper.  As much as he loves that truck, he'll be sitting on a pillow.  

Today I had an appointment with the retina doctor.  It was a good report and I have the green light to have my cataracts removed. Yeah! 

After the appointment we met Jim and Sandie Dixon for lunch.  We haven't seen them since last year.  Sandie is the best person for picking a place to eat.  She found a sandwich shop called Philly's Famous.  I looked at the reviews and the menu and it sounded perfect.  When we walked in and looked at the menu on the wall, the owner came over and asked if this was our first visit.  When we told him it was, he suggested the Philly sandwich.  Jim ordered the Italian hoagie, but the owner kept trying to get Jim to order the Philly.  Jim's sandwich was huge and looked great but once he had a bite of Sandie's Philly he said it was much better.  Prices were very reasonable.

Bill and I split a 12 inch sandwich and there were no left overs to take home.

Here's our Philly man.  We sat and talked for a long time and even though the shop was very busy when we left, our Philly man thanked us for coming. 

Jim's smiling because he had left overs to take home.

I was a wonderful day and we enjoyed visiting with Jim and Sandie.  We never run out of things to say.

After we left them we stopped at a couple of thrift stores to see if I could find a pair of rubber boots for our trip North.  I found the perfect ones except they were one size too small.  You'll be seeing me at the local thrift stores.

Turtle Safely........

From Frustration to Great

Casa Grande, AZ
Sundance RV Resort

Yesterday was one of those days that you can laugh about today, but it wasn't funny then.  

The day started out with a trip to the bank.  When I opened the vehicle door to get back in, the alarm went off.  Big, loud, ear piercing alarm.  We opened all the doors, turned the engine on, turned the engine off, hit the panic button and nothing would shut it up.  I figured it would shut itself off if we drove it.  I wanted to deliver some items to St. Vincent's so we drove over there.  The alarm shut off about halfway there.  Once I opened the door to get out, it started up again.  Talk about embarrassing.  

We finally drove the car home and once again as soon as the doors were open it started going off again.  I went inside and got the other set of keys and pushed the panic button.  The alarm went off immediately.   Not sure what the problem was, but we put new batteries in the remotes and it's been working fine ever since.  

We found out that the motor for the power seat that works the up and down is going to be about 750 for the part plus labor, but they have been backed ordered since August.  Bill said a pillow is much cheaper.  As much as he loves that truck, he'll be sitting on a pillow.  

Today I had an appointment with the retina doctor.  It was a good report and I have the green light to have my cataracts removed. Yeah! 

After the appointment we met Jim and Sandie Dixon for lunch.  We haven't seen them since last year.  Sandie is the best person for picking a place to eat.  She found a sandwich shop called Philly's Famous.  I looked at the reviews and the menu and it sounded perfect.  When we walked in and looked at the menu on the wall, the owner came over and asked if this was our first visit.  When we told him it was, he suggested the Philly sandwich.  Jim ordered the Italian hoagie, but the owner kept trying to get Jim to order the Philly.  Jim's sandwich was huge and looked great but once he had a bite of Sandie's Philly he said it was much better.  Prices were very reasonable.

Bill and I split a 12 inch sandwich and there were no left overs to take home.

Here's our Philly man.  We sat and talked for a long time and even though the shop was very busy when we left, our Philly man thanked us for coming. 

Jim's smiling because he had left overs to take home.

I was a wonderful day and we enjoyed visiting with Jim and Sandie.  We never run out of things to say.

After we left them we stopped at a couple of thrift stores to see if I could find a pair of rubber boots for our trip North.  I found the perfect ones except they were one size too small.  You'll be seeing me at the local thrift stores.

Turtle Safely........

Anticipation

Casa Grande, AZ
Sundance RV Resort

Anticipation makes counting down the days worthwhile.  Bill and I are planning to visit the last frontier next year.  I've been reading books on what to see, do and expect.  

I've been working on a packing list for the trip.  I know you think I'm nuts to be doing a list this early.  In case you think I'm nuts you need to read Dennis' blog and they've been before.  

When I look at the calendar and see a Chapter 45 event, Christmas, Quartzite, The Circling of the Wagons, The Winter Blast and the Escapade on the calendar, I know the time will be here before we know it.  

Bill had his ultrasound for his aorta stent done today.  I still have an appointment with the retina doctor this week.  He will be the deciding factor on my cataract surgery.  I'm hoping everything will move along on schedule.   I'm also waiting to hear on a biopsy result.  A dentist appointment and I think we're about done with the checkups.  

We stopped to get our flu shot today.  Sure hope we don't have reactions like our friends did.  Before we pulled out of the parking lot, Bill got a call that his new glasses were in.  We turned around and headed over to the mall to pick them up.  It's a shame that we had to buy new ones but the coating that Costco put on them doesn't last.  I have to say that I'm a little upset that they don't stand behind their products.  Lesson learned, we won't be buying glasses from them again.  

Here's my purchases for the trip.  There's a new Dollar Tree at the mall in Casa Grande.  I found a mask to sleep when the sun is shining and this orange lanyard.  I heard that everyone puts orange on their rigs to show what group you are with.  Do you think the lanyard will work?  We've also wanted a dash cam and this seemed like the time to get one.  

Turtle Slowly...........

Cowboy Turtle

Sundance RV Resort
Casa Grande, Arizona

Yesterday was the usual annual doctor visits.  Actually I had my turn with the dermatologist.  Of course, we now wait to hear what the biopsy says.

Bill bought glasses about a year and a half ago from Costco.  All summer his glasses have seemed strange.  He had the protective anti scratch put on them.  The coating is peeling off and his glasses are terrible.  He's one person who takes care of his glasses, not like the woman he's married to.  

We took them back to Costco and they suggested a company that can repair them but they wouldn't do anything about them.  We ended up stopping at a eyeglass place over at the mall and ordered another pair for him.  

Today we had an appointment for a recall on the airbag.  Since it was the Chapter 45 luncheon, I knew Sherry and Dave would be driving right by the dealership so they stopped and picked us up.  

Bill and I will be celebrating 20 years of marriage tomorrow so we decided to stop and get a cake and take it to the luncheon.  Actually, we don't celebrate very much on that day, we celebrate everyday.

It was a nice crowd today and I brought the camera, but you know what happens.  I end up talking so much, I forget to take pictures.   

Ed Allard, president, is hoping that a lot of members of Escapees Chapter 45 will attend the Escapade in Tucson in March.  I called today and they do have water and electric sites available.  The last time they ran out of those sites and only had boon docking available.  

After the luncheon we stopped at the Ranch for produce.  They have changed it a lot since last spring.  Can you believe I came out with a turtle?

Not just any turtle but a turtle with a western hat.

I thought his little tail looked like it was wagging.  
Tomorrow is the annual family doctor visit and then it continues.....

Turtle Safely,......