Classless Class

Quartzite, Arizona

Yesterday Bill drove into town and we filled the propane tanks.  It was a pleasant surprise when we found out it was $2.30 a pound.  I remember paying almost $4.00 in Billings, Mt.  I overheard one man at the Pit Stop saying that one tank held 35,000 and the other 45,000 and they get them filled twice a day.  That's a lot of propane!

I thought maybe I could manage walking around Tyson Wells but we couldn't find a parking spot convenient enough for me.  We rode out Kuehn and found a parking spot, but the gravel was just to thick to manage with the knee cart.  

When we returned Jim Dixon was standing there with a grin on his face.  You just knew he was up to something.  They bought me the perfect pin.  

Now those of you that know me, have to agree it's the perfect pin.  In case this is too small to read, it says "I only have a kitchen 'cause it came with the rig!" If I wear the pin, do you think I won't have to cook?

The Class had a swap thing where everyone brought stuff they didn't want.  You picked a number and when your number was called you got to pick some stuff from the table.  There was a very nice Coleman grill that no one picked, but the bottle of bourbon drew the most attention.  It was gone when my number was called.

It takes forever to just do basic stuff like getting dressed.  I told Bill this morning that I thought we should head home.  Needless to say "The Warden" agreed my probation should be revoked.  It's been very difficult with the rocks trying to roll the cart over them.  I just don't want to ruin any chance of us going to the Pyrotechnic Winter Blast next month.  

Today was the Bloggerfest.  Jeri and Sandie did an excellent job of organizing this first event which appears to be an annual one.  There were over 50 people and everyone had the chance to tell their blog name and a little bit about themselves.  Sandie will send the list of blog sites out in a few days.  I wasn't able to mingle as much because the ground was so rough and I had trouble moving around on it. 
I was surprised how far some people traveled to attend.  It was a great event and I'm sure it will double in size next year.  Great job, Jeri and Sandie.  Did I mention that Sandie stepped up to the plate when George Yates had to cancel?   

I'll post some photos, thanks to Mike Woodward for taking them, of the event.  

Yep, Mike ever took a photo of me on my cart with my yellow balloon.  

Jim and Sandie drove us to Bouse for dinner.  It wasn't much but they have never been to Bouse before.  

Oops, I almost forgot.  We did get a photo of Jim driving a Dodge.  I wonder what General Motors thinks of this.  Maybe they'll revoke his pension.  

Turtle Safely........

Celebrating a Birthday with Escapees

Quartzite, Arizona

It takes a lot longer to do daily tasks like bathing and dressing than normal and I therefore missed the morning drinks with the group.  I'm sure they were great.

I wanted to renew our Passport America membership and buy a sewer hose support system that we saw last year.  Bill dismantled the macerator to see if he was okay with using the conventional sewer hose systems.  I'm still not sure how I feel about having a washer dryer but knew we'd have to get rid of the macerator system so we could just have the gray tank open constantly.  Little steps, I'm not sure I want to give up the space.  This meant a trip to the big tent RV show.  

We looked for a handicap space and kept circling the parking lot, I finally said I could manage from anywhere so Bill parked pretty close to the handicap area and I managed to negotiate the freshly applied loose gravel with the knee cart.  

We don't have any pets, but I can't understand why people would bring their pets, if they cared for them, into that crowded space.  I saw pets just shaking from all the people and other pets.  Dogs were going in one direction on leashes and the people in another.  I had an awful time trying to avoid running over pets with the scooter.  Don't get me wrong, there were some well behaved pets with owners that were watching out for them, but unfortunately there were many owners that didn't have a clue what their pets were doing or how they felt about all the crowds and other pets.   I'm sure the pets didn't beg to come to such a chaotic place.  

This is the first year we've come for two items and left with just that.  Nothing extra!  Mark this day down for a first!  We always spend more than we intended.  

I got my "hug" fixes from Molly and Bob Pinner and Mark Nemeth.  Dortha Hall also had a hug for us.  It was so nice to see everyone.  Chris Yust also had a big hug.  Everyone wanted to know how I was doing and I kept saying just great.  

As we left the "big tent" we did the outer ring.  It was all fresh gravel and I had to literally take a step and pick up the scooter and put it down and take another step.  Of course this was on the side furthest away from the truck.  I managed to do the whole circle of the tent, but by then I was tired.  

We came back and had an hour or so before the big party tonight.  What a group of generous Escapees.  Three couples hosted the margaritas and Mexican food (I can't spell what they were but they were delicious.)  

 Don't you love the Escapees pinata?  Have you ever seen a party like this one before?

Toni made a delicious chocolate birthday cake for me.

Bill had to take a photo of this "honey dipper".  Notice the name on the side of it.  

Great food, great drinks, great friends, what more could you want.  

Here's the party hosts.  I think they may have sampled the margaritas.  

They offered some great toasts.  

I spent most of the evening with my leg elevated.  I may have pushed it a little too much today.  

The pinata was filled with candy.

We probably were the first to leave.  My foot was getting cold and starting to throb but I'm sure the party lasted a much longer time.  I asked someone if I had a flat tire on my scooter, because it didn't balance too well.  No problem, we weren't driving and had a short walk home.  

Turtle Safely......

New Record

Quartzite, Arizona

Jim and Sandie came over to show us where the "Classless Class" was gathering this morning.  I guess I must have gotten left and right wrong.  No problem we just drove across the street.  


Yep, the townsfolk say there are 850,000 RVers out in the desert.  It's amazing how many groups and friends get together here.  With that said, I'm still in a state of shock.  We went to dinner with our dental friends--Jim and Sandie Dixon and Dianne and Tom Wartman.  You might remember if you read this blog regularly that we all went to the dentist together about this time last year.  The Yacht Club was our destination.  Absolutely no traffic whatever.  I can't believe it.  

Even better than that, we were immediately seated with no waiting.  The place was packed but our waiter was very attentive.  

Tom is so generous, he offered to lend me one of his legs.  He said he has lots of spares.  

Jim found a loose connection on our black water sprayer and of course, he had it repaired in no time.  When the tool kit is out, it always draws a crowd and Tom was there to lend a hand.  

The weather was nice, but the winds kicked up this afternoon.  

Saturday is the blog fest that will be going on here.  I think it sounds like fun, and it will be nice to finally meet some people that make comments on this blog. I hope if you are a blogger, you'll be here. For those of you that don't comment, it really means a lot when you do.  I haven't been doing this as long as most but today I finally had more than 50,000 views.  I wish I had started blogging when we first started RVing but you can't go backwards.  


Tomorrow promises to be a busy day.  

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

Probation!

Quartzite, Arizona

Yesterday we drove down to see how Marilyn Boyer was recovering from her surgery.  It was great seeing them and Marilyn showed me how to crawl in the trailer.  

They have a lovely new home and I can see why they love this new coach.

We went to the Hideout for lunch but they were not serving when we got there.  No problem  "Tinys" was right down the road.

It was Bill's kind of place.  Old western stuff everywhere.  The food was excellent and we enjoyed our visit.  

On our way home, which happened to be in the truck, I said since we went 177 miles I could handle Quartzite.  The next thing I knew, we were headed to storage and picked up the coach.  Bill did all the packing and we left this morning around 9:30.  There was a terrible accident on I 10 which delayed us for over an hour.  

This Metlife blimp was flying overhead watching the accident area.

At least I had a place to elevate my leg during the wait.

There was a fifth wheel, an Airstream travel trailer, an 18 wheeler and a couple of cars but looked like most of the accident was cleared.  

We're on Polomos Road across from the Montana Circle of the Wagons.  I guess we're on the wrong side of the tracks for the classless class.  We'll decide tomorrow if we want to move or not.  

We rode over to say "hi" to our MOC friends.  They are pulling out tomorrow.  It was great seeing them and I'm sorry I didn't take photos.  Janet and Rollie's new family member is adorable.  

Just got an e-mail that someone is coming to visit us this week, but we're not there.  No one expected Warden Bill to give me probation. 

Turtle Safely.....

Street Fair

Casa Grande, Arizona

Not a lot happening while I'm healing.  I mentioned to John and Gerri Beckman that the doctor told me I'd be needing a walker at some point.  The following day, Judy and Dick George called to say they were stopping by.  They had a walker from the Escapees Rovers Roost.  The Escapees are truly family.  

We enjoyed our visit with them so much.  It's so good to see them planning trips.  Six months ago I would have said they were crazy to plan a trip to Hawaii, now all I see is excitement.  

I needed to pick up some medication at Walmart so we headed out this morning.  As we were going down the main streets I noticed the Street Fair signs.  The last time we went to it was back in 2008, before we started RVing and going to Quartzite at this time of year.  It was much bigger than any other event in town.  "Warden" Bill said it would be too difficult for me and I shouldn't attempt it.  

We continued to Walmart and picked up a few items.  I stopped in another store for a jigsaw puzzle.  I was still going strong so "Warden" Bill looked for a parking place as we neared the Street Fair.  We kept circling and the streets 5 and 6 blocks away were filled with cars.  Bill found a space where I could maneuver the knee scooter.  The band was great and you couldn't ask for a more perfect day.   We walked up and down the streets checking out the booths.  Bill was my tailgunner, making sure no one bumped my foot that was hanging over the cart.  When we finished the booths, we checked out the car show.  They had everything from a horseless cart to a Rolls Royce with complete bar.   It was very crowded even with all the streets closed off.  

We left home at 10 am and didn't return until 3 pm.  I now have my leg elevated and an ice pack on my foot.  It did swell a little but there is no pain and it felt so good to be outdoors on such a gorgeous day.  While I did have shorts on, I didn't wear any flimsy sandal on my good foot.  I'm a little gun shy and don't want to take any chance of injuring that one.  

I did find a napkin holder for the Montana that I've been searching for that had a flat bottom so I can use my Museum Gel to keep it on the table.  

I came home and must have hit my poster board frame that holds my almost completed jigsaw.  The whole thing fell on the floor.  Oh well, back to the beginning.  

I did have a couple of calls, saying I haven't been blogging like I normally do.  I didn't think to mention that you can sign up for e-mail notification when I post.  Of course, there isn't much excitement in reading about a shattered heel.  

Sorry there are no photos, just no where to carry the camera or empty hands to take a shot.  

Maybe "Warden" Bill will let me go out and play tomorrow.

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

Healing Heel

Casa Grande, Arizona

I had an appointment with the doctor this morning.  Lindsey, the assistant, took me directly back to the cast room and removed my pretty blue denim cast.  Then I was escorted into x-ray.  The doctor came in and showed us the x-ray and said if I were 18 he'd operate but because of my age, he wouldn't suggest it.  The x-ray showed that it has started healing. I was put into a splint and told to elevate it and try to rotate my foot when out of the splint.  I have to go back in a month and the next step will be a boot and maybe physical therapy.  It sure feels good to be out of that cast.  My foot is still swollen, and will turn purple if it isn't elevated but I'm pleased with the progress. I have osteoporosis and this was a big concern.

I did explain to the doctor my concern about crawling up the steps into the fifth wheel and not being able to get up.  He gave me a suggestion, so I'll try it.

This is what it looked like this morning.

And there really was a foot inside.

We stopped in Costco for a few items.  Yeah, I know it cost us a hundred and a half and still forgot the toothpaste we were stopped for.  

John and Gerri Beckman stopped by for a visit.  It was so good to see them.  They've been away from Arizona almost 8 months, but at least we saw them in Ohio this past summer.  I know they were very busy and appreciate their taking the time out for a visit.  Did I mention John is a die hard Ohio Buckeye fan who had bragging rights today after last nights National Championship win?

After dinner, Sherry and Dave stopped by.  It really feels strange telling people to have fun in Quartzite, when we aren't going.  

Not much happening, I go from one end of the couch to the other.  I can at least see the light at the end of the tunnel and with every day passing, can tell that I am mending.  

Turtle Safely.........

I Could Get Used to This

Casa Grande, Arizona

I could get used to this.......but sitting around all day in the recliner with your leg up in the air can get tiring.  How I don't know, but I do tend to get tired doing nothing.  Bill is taking excellent care of me and I can't want for anything.

Yesterday Bill drove me over to Sam's Club to get some sweat pants.  Nothing fits over the cast and I needed something to wear.  I think I embarrassed Bill as we were leaving and I was trying to race him to the car.  I think I've got this knee cart figured out and I recognize a slight slope.  
One quick stop to visit my dad and by then I was ready to head back to the couch and elevate the leg.  

Bill fixed a delicious pot of chicken and noodles when we returned.  It was about 5 minutes before it was finished when I heard a knock on the door.  Bill answered the door, and it was Jim and Sandie Dixon from Apache Junction.  They pulled their "bungalow" down to the RV park near us, to come visit us.  Bill set the table and they had dinner with us.  We enjoyed the evening and they said they might stop over in the morning before they left.  

Sandie had a more severe heel injury than mine, and she was telling me some of her war stories.  After they left, I got a phone call saying they forgot their passports which they will need to go to Mexico so Jim would drive  back up to AJ which would mean they will stay another day.  

Today I received a call from Judy and Dick George who said they were bringing a pizza by for lunch.  Judy borrowed a shower chair for me from the Escapees clubhouse.  It will work perfectly.  We really enjoyed our afternoon with Dick and Judy and it is so good to see him feeling better.  While they were here, John and Gerri Beckman called to say their plans have changed again and they are coming up here and staying at the nearby RV park tomorrow.  Do you think the park will give me a commission?

While we were solving all the world problems, I got another phone call from Erwin and Kaye Heinz.  We met them in Goshen and then again in Tennessee.  They are on their way to the Montana Circle of the Wagons in Quartzite.  They are staying at the same nearby RV park.  They dropped by a few minutes later bearing a gift from Mimi's.  

We chatted for awhile and I told them we had friends who also have a Montana, but are in their Bungalow Salem.  Erwin asked what kind of dogs they had and when I said two cute dachshunds he said, "they're right beside us."  A few minutes later, the doorbell rang, and there was Jim and Sandie.  

You definitely meet the best kind of people RVing.  You never know when you'll see them again.  Most of the time you expect to see them again at a RV rally or park not at the front door of your house. 

This is such a great time of the year, to enjoy all the RV events going on in the area.  

Turtle Safely.........

I Chose Blue!

Casa Grande, AZ

What a difference a few days make.  I'll try and catch up with last week.  

Monday morning we went to our family doctor and he ordered a CT scan.  He had a Stat appointment and they took me right in.  Our doctor said he'd make an appointment at one of the two orthopedic doctors in town.  
We had an appointment for New Year's Eve and when we got to the doctor office, they opened the door for us.  There were no other patients there.  The doctor came in and said the heel was shattered.  He said it is a slow healing bone and no weight can be put on it.  He said surgery wouldn't do much for it and suggested wait and see.  He also told me that he wouldn't perform surgery if I needed, he would have to call in someone else to do the surgery. 

Bill had borrowed my dad's rolling walking seat and I was able to maneuver better than the with crutches.  He also suggested I have a wrist x ray if it still hurt.  

Sherry offered to bring over pork and sauerkraut for New Year's dinner.  I didn't want to take any chances and not have good luck for New's Year.  

Bob Moritz, who was our adopted parent when we attended our first Escapees rally,  e-mailed me and said he had a kneeler I could use.  

 Sherry and Dave were going to the valley and offered to pick it up. They also brought a care package.   I can't tell you what a difference it makes.  

Yesterday, LC and Marilyn Boyer drove up from south of
Tucson to see us.  Marilyn had made enough food for us to eat for the next week.  She also had dessert!  We enjoyed our visit with them.  Marilyn will be having surgery on Wednesday and still had time to do all that for us.  RVer's are the best!

Shirley Christiansen e-mailed the name of a specialist and I had an appointment with him today.  Once again RVer's to the rescue.  Thanks, Shirley.  Night and day difference in the doctors.  This doctor took the splint off, showed us the x-rays, gave us options, made recommendations and spent the time to answer any concerns.  He still said it will take a year and I won't be perfect, but I can handle that.  

Don't you love the denim blue color I chose for the cast.

We have an appointment next week, and I'm thinking if I can crawl up the steps, maybe I can handle the bad case of hitch itch.  

After the doctor appointment I was able to stop at Lowe's and pick out a hand held shower head and then stop at Walgreen's to find a waterproof cast protector.  I was still going strong and went to the grocery with Bill.  After 10 days, I may finally get to take a shower.  Whoopee!

It's been a great day and now that the pain has gone down to just an ache I might feel like a human.  

We also found out that our granddaughter is now engaged.  Two weddings coming up in the future.  

Thanks for all the calls, cards and a full blown letter from Karia.  I still haven't figured out call waiting and for a couple of days, just didn't want to talk.  

Turtle Safely and Slowly....