Lest We Forget !
Today was sunny but cold.
This morning we prepared for departure from the Avi Casino RV parking lot, then walked out into the desert just before 11 AM. We both pinned our poppies to a desert bush then at precisely 11 AM observed a minute of silence ... to remember. For me, Remembrance Day is mostly an opportunity to remember and honour my father, a veteran of World
War II.
We drove from the Avi Casino south of Laughlin to the Riverside Casino on the north side of Laughlin. We had a coupon for a special rate for a three day stay at the Riverside Casino RV Park. We checked in then spent the afternoon getting caught up on chores. We trimmed Bo's dew claws. We gave Bo a bath. I downloaded and processed the photos I've taken since we left home eleven days ago. Joanne did a lot of laundry. We went out and refilled our remaining five gallon water jug. I instantly got addicted to the TLC reality television show "Breaking Amish".
In the evening we watched Amazing Race. And episode after episode after episode of Breaking Amish.
Monday ; Another sunny but cool day.
This morning we went across the street to the Riverside Casino to have our free buffet breakfast. It was okay. We're not huge fans of the Riverside Casino's buffet restaurant. But ... each time we stay in the Riverside Casino's RV Park we get a free buffet breakfast for two. This time, we got a free buffet breakfast for two and free buffet dinner for two. Guess we'll go for dinner tomorrow evening.
After breakfast / brunch we drove across the Colorado River to the Arizona side, then on the Bullhead Parkway around Bullhead City to Fort Mohave where I got the truck's oil and filter changed at Bullhead Super Lube. Grungy little Mom & Pop shop, with a sweet, badly behaved, little terrier cross named BoBo. Just like being at home ! HA HA HA ! After the oil change I refilled with diesel at Maverik, then we crossed the Colorado River back into Nevada at the Avi Casino, and drove north back "home" to the Riverside Casino RV Park.
We went to the Laughlin Outlet Center shopping mall next door. I bought a pair of shoes at the SAS Factory Shoe Store. Joanne browsed while I worked online for two hours using the free Wi-Fi in the food court. My Home Depot shed refund drama continues
< gritting teeth > ! When we got back "home" Joanne finished removing the Similkameen Day Tours lettering off the truck. Thank you, my dear.
We treated the new dinette chairs and sofa bed with ScotchGuard. We watched a bit of TV. Fairly late in the evening we went to the Tropicana Casino & Hotel to have the Bottomless Pasta Bowl special at Passagio Italian Gardens Restaurant. MMMMM ! ! !
Tuesday ; Today was sunny, cool, very windy. We spent the day relaxing, reading the Sunday newspaper, and working on minor maintenance and home improvement projects. We installed glider feet on the new dinette chairs. We installed small plastic bumpers on the sides of the chairs to prevent them from scratching each other as they move around a bit during travel.
In the evening we went to the Riverside Casino buffet restaurant. Tonight was barbecue night. MMMMM ! We stayed at the Riverside Casino RV Park for three nights for a total of $69, and got $45 worth of buffet meals included. Pretty good coupon deal !
Wednesday ; Laughlin, Nevada via California to Quartzsite, Arizona
Today was sunny and warm, temperatures reaching up into the mid-70's as we drove across the Mojave Desert seeing Ocotillos and Saguaros for the first time this year.
This morning we prepared for departure and left Riverside Casino RV Park, and Laughlin, Nevada, heading south on Needles Highway to ... Needles, California. Geeeeez, what an armpit. < singing > "Well I headed for Las Vegas ... only made it out to Needles" ( with apologies to Three Dog Night ). Diesel was over five bucks a gallon in Needles ! ! ! We drove through Needles on Historic Route 66, stopping at a Bank of America to withdraw some cash from an ATM.
We drove south out of Quartzsite on Arizona Hwy. 95, just a few miles to the location of the Escapees Roadrunner Chapter 7 Fall Rally in the desert at mile marker 99. The three day rally started yesterday, so we missed half the rally. Shortly after we arrived there was a communal dinner, then we spent the evening socializing around a large campfire.
Today was cloudy and mild. AND ... actually ... a few drops of rain fell in the evening. And I do mean "a few" ! If you weren't standing in the right place at the right time ... no rain drops hit you.
Today at the rally was ... well ... more of the "same old same old". Escapee rallies have ... in my opinion ... become very "formulaic" ... and somewhat boring. We're committed to attending the spring rally, but I think that may very well be our last.
Late in the evening I brought Sully to sit around the campfire with us. I tucked him inside my zippered sweater with just his head sticking out. He sat dozing in front of the campfire for quite awhile.
Friday ; Quartzsite to Yuma, Arizona
Today was gorgeous, sunny and warm, temperature way up in the high 70's. When we arrived in Yuma, I had to change into shorts and sandals, no shirt.
I had to arise very early this morning to fulfill my manly obligation to participate in the tear down of the "rally tent". After that I ate doughnuts, drank coffee, took Bo ( and Carol Mae and her dog Dulce ) for a long walk in the desert, and then sat around the campfire socializing for a couple of hours.
Late in the morning we left the rally site and drove to Yuma, a distance of about 100 miles or so. We arrived at Kofa Ko-op and got set up in our lot 52. < sigh > There is some damage to the Arizona room's roof fascia moulding from a recent violent storm. After a late lunch and a brief nap I removed the damaged fascia. Joanne worked on cleaning the yard and Arizona room.
Last winter I planted many cacti in our yard and in the dog park behind our rear yard fence. Some survived. Some didn't. My prized Ocotillo seems to have survived, although it doesn't seem to be doing great. I know that Ocotillo suffer greatly from "transplant shock". I am hoping that weekly watering will improve it
Summer home to winter home was about 3000 kilometers / 1900 miles.
Saturday ; Sunny and very warm, temperature in the 80's. YEAH ... that's why we're here !
Late this morning we headed for Historic Downtown Yuma, to the first annual Medjool Date Festival. A month or so ago when I received e-mail notification of this event
I registered for the noon tour of a date packing plant. We arrived at the festival just in time to find the tour gathering point. < sigh > I guess I forgot to mention to Joanne that the date packing plant tour required closed toe shoes. < sigh > She wore sandals. We weren't allowed to go on the tour. < sigh > Maybe next year !
We went shopping. Walgreens and 99 Cent Only store before lunch. Lunch at Rally's. Fry's after lunch. Lots of grocery "stocking up" now that we're here in Yuma and have an extra fridge. By the time all our provisions were put away at home it was time to leave for the "balloon glow". This weekend was the annual Colorado River Crossing Balloon Festival. On the Saturday night of the festival is Barney's Desert Glow. Barney's is a chain of local fuel stations, and the sponsor of the "balloon glow". Many hot air balloons inflate in a local baseball field at dusk, but remain tethered to the ground, usually tied to a pickup truck. Every few minutes, they all simultaneously light their burners, causing the balloons to glow eerily in the dark. It's really cool, especially for youngsters. This is the second time we've attended this event. After the balloon glow there was a fireworks display.
Interesting entertainment on a warm evening !
DSK
No comments:
Post a Comment