February 21 to 27, 2008

February 21 to 27, 2008

Hemet, California to Estero Beach, Baja California, Mexico

 

Thursday ; Today was cloudy and mild. I had another day of doing nothing, trying to rest my leg. The pain in my hip and thigh diminished yesterday to just a slight level of discomfort, but it persists. I was hoping that 2 days of doing nothing would completely eliminate the problem, but apparently not. Tomorrow I'll resume normal activities, and hope that the discomfort doesn't increase back to the level that it was a few days ago.

 

Friday ; Today was cloudy and mild. The pain in my hip and thigh has almost disappeared. I can ignore the mild level of discomfort that remains. I hope it will completely disappear within another few days.

This morning I phoned my investment broker in Penticton to initiate an investment sale transaction. I need money to pay our MasterCard bills. I drove over to Staples to make photocopies of our driver's licenses which will be required as part of the documentation to be provided to enter Mexico with the RV. I drove around Hemet looking for the best price on diesel. The price of diesel fuel in Southern California is outrageous ! Almost a dollar a gallon more expensive than Arizona !

This afternoon I did some minor maintenance chores, then reconciled our MasterCard statements. At 3:30 we went to the RV park's weekly wine and cheese party. We drank wine, ate cheese and crackers, and chatted with people until it was time to meet our friends Glen & Rosi for supper at 6:00 P.M.. Glen and Rosi were our next door neighbours for 2 weeks in Pahrump, Nevada in November. They "live" nearby, although as full time RV'ers, like us, "home" is a bit of an elusive concept. Erbon and Lorraine joined us, and we all went to dinner to Marie Callendar's, a local chain famous for its pies. And we found out from a couple at our table at the soup supper a few nights ago that this week Marie Callendar's was having a pie sale. WOO-HOO ! We had a nice dinner, and a long pleasant evening of chatting with Glen and Rosi. And ... of course ... we came home with a pie.

 

Saturday ; Today was cloudy and cool. We had a lazy day. I read and napped. While it was a bit too cool for the swimming pool, we did spend the afternoon in the hot tub. Joanne went Wal-Martin'. I read and napped some more. HA HA HA ! Tough life !

 

Sunday ; Hemet to San Diego, California

Today was cloudy and cool. We departed Golden Village Palms RV Resort in Hemet this morning heading west on Hwy. 74. We turned south on Interstate 215 until it merged with Interstate 15. At Escondido we turned west on Hwy. 78 to San Marcos where we found our way to Camping World. After shopping at Camping World we crossed the street to Home Depot where Erbon had to buy some hardware. We had lunch in the Home Depot parking lot before leaving San Marcos and heading back on Hwy. 78 to Interstate 15 where we continued south towards San Diego. Interstate 15 merged with Interstate 5 as we entered San Diego from the north. Just before the exit we were to take to get to the KOA San Diego, the freeway was closed due to a vehicle accident and we had to detour off I-5 onto Hwy. 54. Joanne did an excellent job of navigating us through a detour and finding our way to the KOA San Diego. Especially since Ebon was telling us over the CB that his GPS unit was disagreeing with Joanne's navigation. We ignored Erbon's GPS which was a good idea since we found out later that Erbon had input the wrong San Diego KOA into his GPS ! San Diego has more than one KOA !

After getting registered and set up at the KOA we had tea and Marie Callendar's apple pie at the Dickinson's RoadTrek before wandering around the KOA checking out the facilities and amenities. There is Wi-Fi at each site so I was able to spend enough time online in the evening to completely resolve my ongoing AOL software problems by downloading a new version of AOL. We gave stinky little Bo a bath.

 

Monday ; Today was sunny and warm. Another perfect "June 18" day. This morning I helped Erbon replace the RoadTrek's sewer hose. The RoadTrek's sewer hose is permanently attached to a macerator pump underneath the van, then routed under the van and out through a storage pod. He has already had the factory installed sewer hose replaced once under warranty, and it cracked again recently, in multiple places. Yesterday at Camping World he bought a much better quality hose. I also cleaned all our external fresh water hose ends and connection fittings in CLR to remove the heavy build up of minerals resulting from being connected to Yuma's hard water supply for 2 months.

Immediately after lunch wewent to the KOA meeting room to meet our caravan group and leaders. We received t-shirts, vehicle decals, documents, a binder fullof information, and a short orientation lecture. We had a 3 hour break until our next, more detailed meeting. While Joanne read the information in the binder, I rushed out with the truck to find a bank to cash some traveller's cheques, to pay for camping fees for the Baja trip, Mexico tourist entry cards, and a whale watching expedition. Crowded big city streets, a difficult to enter bank parking lot with parking spots too small for a dually, and a long line up at the bank < sigh >. After cashing traveller's cheques, I decided I might as well find a fuel station and refill with diesel. < another sigh > Like in many inner cities, it was difficult to find a station with diesel. I must have passed a dozen fuel stations until I found one with diesel. I refilled with diesel and adjusted the air pressure in the truck's spare tire. I returned to the KOA and had time to review the binder of information before the late afternoon meeting.

The late afternoon meeting of our caravan group lasted 2½ hours. While I'm eager for this adventure down the Baja, I've had apprehension since the very beginning about travelling as part of a group. Sure enough, as I expected, it's already obvious that the pace of the group is determined by its slowest member. And the intelligence of the questions asked is determined by the member with the stupidest questions ! And the importance of the concerns is determined by the member who's most trivial ! Oh, well ... it's only 2 weeks.

I received an interesting e-mail from Escapee friends of ours from Quebec. We met Marcel and Louise about 3 years ago in Mesa ( Phoenix ), Arizona. They were jugglers. I introduced them to magic. I taught them a couple of magic tricks. They taught me 2 person juggling. They became interested in magic, and have become quite adept magicians in the last few years. Certainly better than me ! They are currently in Guatemala, performing magic and juggling shows in schools.

 

Tuesday ; Today was another gorgeous day. This morning I took a propane tank to be refilled. Joanne went grocery shopping with Erbon and Lorraine. I visited with our next door neighbours who are from Lethbridge, Alberta. A younger couple with 2 young boys who were very fond of Bo. And Bo loved their attention. The family waspreparing for departure, to go to Yuma to visit Grandma and Grandpa. I hitched the truck to the trailer to be ready for departureearly tomorrow morning. Baja, here we come !

This afternoon Joanne did laundry. I puttered around with some minor maintenance and preparations for tomorrow's departure. We trimmed Teddy's and Bo's claws. I clipped two of Bo's nails too short, hitting the quick. They hurt, and bled a lot. I'm very sorry, Bo. But I learned something. It seems as if his two inner rear claws grow slower than all the others, and should be trimmed less.

We spent part of the afternoon lounging around the hot tub. We took Bo for a long leisurely walk around the campground. We found a beautiful Bird Of Paradise plant blooming in one of the KOA's flower beds.

 

Wednesday ; San Diego, California to Estero Beach, Baja California, Mexico

HELLOOOOOOOOOO, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO ! ! !

This morning we lined up for departure as a group from San Diego KOA at 8:00 A.M. Yup ... I am not going to like group travel ! We headed south on Interstate 805 to the border crossing into Tijuana, B.C. ( Baja California, not British Columbia ), Mexico. I think the caravan wagonmaster ( leader ) earned the entire caravan fee today just leading us through Tijuana. SHEESH ! We got onto the toll road leading south, Mex 1D, following the Pacific Ocean shoreline. Great beaches ! We stopped at one of the beach side rest areas for a "Lenny" break, the name our caravan company has given to rest stops, in honour of a previous client with a weak bladder. There were 3 toll booths on the highway from Tijuana to Ensenada. Just before Ensenada the toll road ended, and joined the "free" highway, Mex 1. We drove through Ensenada, the second major driving challenge of the day. The opinions amongst our group were divided as to whether it was more difficult to drive through Tijuana or Ensenada. In either case, I surely am glad that we had a guide.

Just south of Ensenada we stopped for the night at Estero Beach Hotel & RV Resort on Bahía ( Bay ) de Todos Santos. Our wagonmaster has advised us that this will be the nicest RV park of the entire trip. It's very nice, with sites backing onto the beach. As soon as everyone had a late lunch, we gathered for a short meeting then all piled into "toads" ( the cars towed behind motorhomes ) and set off for a trip to La Bufadora ( The Blowhole ). We went in the toad of Gary and Debbie from Tucson, Arizona. It was about a 45 minute drive around the Bahía de Todos Santos to the tip of the Punta Banda peninsula. La Bufadora is a cliff with a narrow chasm. The incoming surf and tide funnel water into the chasm at high speed and high pressure. When the water hits the back of the chasm it erupts upwards like a volcano, spraying high into the air. Very high ! I hope my pictures will do it justice. From the parking lot to La Bufadora is a half mile or so stretch of vendors. Kind of like "walking the gauntlet" of Los Algodones or Nuevo Progreso. I guess wherever gringos go, there will be Mexican vendors of all sorts. Of course, Joanne found a panaderia ( bakery ). Of course, we shared an empanada con leche ( pastry filled with sweet cream ). MMMMMMMMMM ! ! ! While walking back to the parking lot after viewing La Bufadora I stopped to watch the making of churros, a type of deep fried pastry rolled in cinnamon and icing sugar as it comes out of the deep fryer. I tried a free sample. MMMMMMMMMM ! ! !

We drove back to Estero Beach. I downloaded my photos of today into my laptop, and began to work on this journal entry before it was time to walk over to the restaurant on the other side of the resort, where our group gathered for dinner. It was a lovely, leisurely walk along the maleçon ( waterfront walkway ) at sunset to the restaurant. Supper was mediocre and expensive. We shared a table with Kevin and Sandra, a British couple who are spending two years exploring North America as full time RV'ers, and Julian, an elderly man from California who is travelling with our group down the Baja in an Airstream, by himself. His wife did not want to make the trip by RV.  She will fly down and meet him in Cabo San Lucas when we reach "Land's End", then fly back to California as Julian drives back by himself. Okaaaaay !

Because this caravan group departs much earlier in the morning than we are used to, Joanne went to bed at 10:00 P.M.. I went to the hot tub. Had the hot tub, surrounded by a lovely cactus garden, overlooking the beach, all to myself. AHHHHH ... life is good !

 

DSK

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February 14 to 20, 2008

February 14 to 20, 2008

Quartzsite, Arizona to Hemet, California

 

Thursday ; Quartzsite, Arizona to Palm Springs / Desert Hot Springs, California

Happy Valentine's Day

Today was cloudy and chilly. Rather odd ! This morning Joanne presented me with the most touching Valentine's Day card I've ever received. Thank you, my love. We departed Quartzsite heading west on Interstate 10. Just before crossing into California we stopped at Flying J to refill with diesel. The closer we got to Palm Springs the more menacing the clouds looked. We went to 3 RV parks in Desert Hot Springs before we found one with 2 vacancies. And even then, we're in an overflow area with only partial services. After getting set up and having a late lunch we all went to soak in the park's hot tubs fed by underground hot springs. Afterwards I needed a nap.

Joanne and I had a light, early supper, then we went into downtown Palm Springs in the Dickinson's van, to Village Fest, held every Thursday evening during winter. We attended Village Fest a few times last winter. About a 6 block stretch of Palm Canyon Drive is closed to traffic and becomes a pedestrian mall filled with craft vendors, food vendors, produce vendors, artists, musicians, street performers, etc.. We had to take the Dickinson's van downtown because I didn't want to try to unhitch our truck from the trailer while we're here for a few days. The trailer's "house" battery is dead. I don't think there's enough power left in it to raise and lower the front of the trailer for unhitching and hitching. I'll buy a new battery next week in Hemet.

We wandered slowly up and down Palm Canyon Drive. Erbon's leg problem is not improving. An evening of walking was pretty difficult for him. Joanne and I didn't purchase anything but Erbon and Lorraine did. Upscale pastries, upscale coffee, upscale bread ( everything about Palm Springs is upscale ! ) some oranges. Erbon and Lorraine had not had supper. Never take a man to a street festival on an empty stomach ! Since Erbon and Lorraine had not had supper, we went to a New York Jewish deli for a late, light supper / snack. Joanne and I had been to Sherman's Deli last year for lunch. Tonight we had a great, late night snack / light supper. I had a bowl of sweet and sour cabbage soup, and a chopped liver sandwich. Joanne had a bowl of chicken noodle soup, and a beef brisket sandwich. MMMMM ! Very New York ! Very Jewish !

 

Friday ; Joshua Tree National Park

Today was sunny and mild in Desert Hot Springs, sunny, cool, and windy in Joshua Tree National Park. This morning we drove into Desert Hot Springs so that Joanne could shop at her favourite thrift store. As much as I protested and resisted, I have to appreciate that once again she bought me 2 pairs of expensive casual pants, one never worn, for $5 a pair. I still wonder why never worn pants end up in thrift shops out here in the playground of the rich and famous. From Desert Hot Springs we headed over to Hwy. 62 for the drive north, then northeast to Joshua Tree National Park.

At the town of Joshua Tree we stopped at the Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center, then entered the park at the West Entrance Station. We drove to Keys View, a 5185 ft. elevation viewpoint looking over the Coachella Valley from Palm Springs to the Salton Sea. The wind was so strong we couldn't stand near the edge of the viewpoint for fear of being blown over the edge. We explored the park by road, stopping for a picnic lunch at Jumbo Rocks. It was too cold and windy to enjoy the picnic. We continued exploring by road, heading east through the park, stopping late in the afternoon for a short hike around the Teddy Bear Cholla Garden. We continued east through the park, stopping at Cottonwood Spring to see the palm oasis, just before leaving the park through the South Entrance Station. I napped in the back of the Dickinson's van all the way back to Desert Hot Springs.

 

Saturday ; Today was sunny and very warm again. I guess yesterday's weather was an aberration.

This morning we went to the Thousand Palms Oasis / Coachella Valley Nature Preserve just a short distance from our crappy RV park. Erbon and Lorraine did some birding. Lorraine, Joanne and I went for a short hike through the fan palm oasis and through the desert to another fan palm oasis nearby, viewing birds, lizards, and studying the fan palms closely. They are very interesting trees. We returned to the first fan palm oasis, Thousand Palms Oasis, where Erbon was waiting for us. His sore leg prevents him from going on hikes, even short ones. We had a lovely picnic lunch, sitting at a partially sunny, partially shaded picnic table under a fan palm. We ate, listened to birds, and viewed birds. Erbon and Lorraine are avid birders.

After lunch we drove over to Flying J, Erbon refilled the RoadTrek's fuel tank, then we drove east on I-10 to Casino 29 in Indio for a free performance of a Chinese Acrobat Circus. Today was Chinese New Year. Casino 29 had the grand opening of their new noodle restaurant, and presented a free performance of a Chinese Acrobat Circus in their large show theatre. It was a great performance. Thank you, Joanne. She has become very good at finding free or low cost activities in the areas where we are. After the show we returned to our RV park and went for a long soak in the mineral water hot tub before having a late supper.

 

Sunday ; Palm Springs to Hemet, California

Today was a sunny and warm, beautiful day. Gee ... last night we were awakened by some jerk in a 40 foot diesel pusher motorhome pulling into the site beside us after midnight. His engine was so loud and vibrated so hard it made our trailer shake. And a park assistant manager was standing beside the door of our trailer screaming instructions at the driver. It's bad enough that some people are so incredibly self centred that they pull into RV parks with extremely loud units after midnight, but it's even worse, in my opinion, that the RV park allows arrivals that late. Most RV parks that we've been to, and we've been to literally hundreds, won't accommodate arrivals after 9:00 P.M.. What a bunch of self centred, Southern Californian jerks ! Joanne has always maintained that the only problem with Southern California is that it’s inhabited by Southern Californians !

This morning we left that dump of an RV park and headed west on Interstate 10, then south on Hwy. 79 to Hemet. We arrived, registered, and got set up in our sites at Golden Village Palms RV Park, an extremely nice luxury RV resort. We stayed here last year for a week. The only way we can afford to stay here is to use coupons for half price for the first week. Well ... our first week is our only week. We can't afford this place at regular price. Erbon and Lorraine are in a site about 3 streets over from us. This is a huge resort with over 1000 RV sites. After dumping the waste holding tanks, disinfecting and refilling the fresh water tank, and having lunch, we spent the rest of the afternoon in the pools and hot tubs. There are 3 heated pools and 3 hot tubs in the resort's pool area. It's reminiscent of luxury all inclusive resorts in the Caribbean that we've been to. After the sun set and it began to cool off, Joanne walked to the shopping mall across the street to do grocery shopping.

Erbon and I spent much of the late evening driving around in Lanoire searching for a working, open access Wi-Fi signal. We found a poor one in the mall across the street in front of Staples. We found another poor one at Motel 6 just down the road. Finally I just drove around our RV park until I found a working, open access, slow but reliable signal, and we got our online work done.

 

Monday ; Today was sunny and very warm again. A few sites over from us there is a grapefruit tree in an RV site. There is a ladder under the tree. I took that to be an implied invitation, so this morning I walked over and picked some fresh grapefruits. In our site there is a kumquat tree, laden with hundreds of kumquats. Too bad ! Kumquats are as useless as ... well ... kumquats !

This morning I installed the Xtreme Vent I purchased recently in Yuma, on the bathroom grey tank's vent pipe roof cap. Unlike most projects, this one went extremely well. The Xtreme Vent came with an exceptionally well done installation instruction sheet. We spent the afternoon in the swimming pool and hot tub, chatting with Erbon and Lorraine, and others. Late in the afternoon we went to this park's weekly social hour, followed by "soup supper". We sat at a table of eight. Besides us and the Dickinson's there were a couple from B.C. and a couple from Michigan. Small world ! The B.C. man was one of 4 siblings who owned the flooring supply business where we purchased the vinyl sheet flooring when we had the carpet removed from the trailer and replaced with vinyl sheet flooring in Vancouver a couple of years ago. We bought our flooring from his older brother. The Michigan couple arrived one day later than us, and left one day later than us, from the dumpy RV park in Desert Hot Springs. They were parked just a few spots over from us.

After supper, everybody except me wanted to go shopping to the 99¢ Store in the mall across the street. While Joanne, Erbon and Lorraine shopped, I sat in the truck with Bo and worked on my computer.

 

Tuesday ; Today was cloudy and mild. A bit of rain fell overnight. Yesterday I awoke with a sore, stiff hip. I thought it would resolve itself during the day. It didn't. Last night it became quite severe. And today I continued to be in severe pain. Erbon and Lorraine suggested it might be a pinched sciatic nerve. I'll do some Internet research on that tonight.

This morning we all went shopping. First stop was an RV parts dealer. Erbon needed something. They didn't have it. Next stop was Wal-Mart for a "stocking up" of supplies before heading down the Baja. I couldn't walk. I had to use one Wal-Mart's electric carts. I suppose I'll have to eliminate my prejudice that suggests that those things are for the exclusive use of FUS women. No ... that's not feline urologic syndrome ... that's fat, ugly, stupid. HA HA HA ! I bought a new "house" battery for the trailer. It wasn't really pool and hot tub weather today, so this afternoon I napped, hoping that resting my hip would improve it. It didn't. Yesterday I used some of Erbon's pain relief / muscle relaxant medication, but it didn't seem to help much, and if I use medication like that for more than about a day, my colitis flares up. After napping Joanne helped me install the new battery in the trailer. She did all the fetching. Our neighbour back home, Stu, phoned to discuss my lost batch of January mail. It wasn't in Yuma. It hasn't been returned. Perhaps it's lost forever. It won't be the first time that's happened to a batch of my forwarded mail !

Early in the evening I got online, downloaded my investment updates, and did some research on pinched sciatic nerve. Well, the description of pinched sciatic nerve symptoms matches my symptoms to a "tee". I had intended to spend the evening updating my investment analysis files, but the pain in my hip and thigh became excruciating. I went to bed right after supper, reading and snoozing, hoping that rest would alleviate the pain.

 

Wednesday ; Today was cloudy and mild with intermittent drizzle. This morning my hip and thigh pain had diminished. I am convinced that it's sciatica, a pinched sciatic nerve. Obviously rest helps it and activity hurts it. I decided to spend at least one day, probably more, doing as little as possible, hoping that rest will resolve the problem. I had planned a full day of errands. Most of them had to be postponed. Joanne took care of some of them.

I spent most of the day in bed, resting my leg. That resulted in a lot of improvement. Joanne ran errands. She returned the trailer's old battery to Wal-Mart for a refund of the core fee. She took a propane tank for refilling. She did grocery shopping. She took Erbon and Lorraine to Lowe's. In the evening I sat at my computer desk, with no discomfort in my hip and thigh, and updated my investment files.

I had to send a one page fax to our Baja caravan company. Gee whiz ... this RV resort charged $3.50 to send a one page fax to a toll free number ! I stepped outside after supper and our next door neighbour was taking photos of the total eclipse of the moon. I didn't even know there was going to be a total eclipse of the moon tonight. Ignorance is bliss, I guess !

 

DSK

February 7 to 13, 2008

February 7 to 13, 2008

Yuma to Quartzsite, Arizona

 

Thursday ; Imperial National Wildlife Refuge

 

Whew ... another long, tiring, day out. This morning we drove over to The Foothills and picked up Erbon and Lorraine for a day trip outing to the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge. We drove about an hour north on Hwy. 95, then northeast on the Martinez Lake Road to the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge. On the way out to the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge we saw some military parachutists practicing. I know that the U.S. military national parachute team practices near Yuma. That must have been them. They're called the Golden Nighthawks or something like that. We spent the day exploring the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge desert area mostly by road, and one long hike. We went to four scenic overlook areas. Erbon and Lorraine viewed birds at each one. We had lunch at a picnic area. Lorraine, Joanne and I hiked around the Painted Desert Trail, about a mile and a half, taking a little more than an hour. Tough hike. But worth it. The desert is beginning to bloom. Hopefully, it will be in full bloom when we travel down the Baja. Erbon's sore leg prevented him from coming along on the hike.

On the way back from the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge we drove into the rather eclectic little RV community of Martinez Lake. We drove Erbon and Lorraine back to their RV park and visited briefly with them there. We returned to Kofa Ko-op and picked up Bo at the Huggard's, who looked after him for the day. He was exhausted. Must have had a tough day playing with Emma.

 

Friday ; Today was sunny and hot. Of course, now that we've left the RV park with the swimming pool, swimming pool weather has arrived ! This morning we prepared for departure from Kofa Ko-op SKP Park. We said our goodbyes to Tom and Ruth-Anne, Sandy and Peachy, and Mischa and Lynn. Bo said goodbye to Emma and Gypsy. We drove to our new park, Adobe Village in The Foothills area on the east side of Yuma. Erbon and Lorraine are in the park "next door", Sunset Palm.

After lunch we took Lorraine shopping to Arizona Market Place. Lorraine bought some stuff, as did Joanne. I bought some neat "guy stuff", and an "Xtreme Vent" for the trailer. I was going to install it next summer, but now that I see how easy it's likely going to be to install, maybe I'll do it in Hemet, California in a couple of weeks. Mind you, I've had plenty of other projects that appeared to be easy before I started them, then turned out to be quite difficult once I actually started doing them After Arizona Market Place we went to Peanut Patch to buy some fresh peanuts and peanut butter.

We invited Erbon and Lorraine to come over for a barbecue supper. Today was definitely barbecue weather. They brought over some steaks, and we provided the rest.

 

Saturday ; Happy 4th Birthday, Bo

Whew ... another sunny, hot day. The kind of day that makes me want to stand outside staring up into the sunny, blue sky, and try to remember what it feels like to unload trucks in the freezing rain. Nope ... can't remember ! HA HA HA < SNORT > HA HA !

This morning Erbon and Lorraine came over and we left for the Yuma Park & Swap flea market over at the Greyhound racing track. First I had to refill Lanoire with diesel. Then we stopped at the Post Office to pick up our batch of January mail. The line up inside the Post Office was way too long for me, so we'll return on Monday, hoping for a shorter line up of customers waiting to be served. We walked around the flea market, buying some "guy stuff" ( of course ) for me, pet products, cosmetics, and a knee brace for me in a damaged package for two dollars. I have a perfectly good one already, but I can't resist buying a $20 product for $2 if I have a use for it.

After the flea market we went to Wienerschnitzel for lunch. Erbon and Lorraine had never had chili cheese fries, the Mexican version of Quebec's poutine. HA HA HA ! Back at Adobe Village, Joanne did laundry, and I read, then napped. Hey ... traipsing around a flea market on a hot day is tiring. Late in the afternoon, Erbon and Lorraine came over for a "Happy Hour". They presented Bo with the edible birthday gift they bought for him at the flea market. We chatted, and ate tortilla chips and fresh guacamole, until we all decided that we had eaten too much to want supper.

Late in the evening I drove slowly around our RV park with the computer on the console beside me, searching for a private, unsecured access Wi-Fi signal. Just an RV'ers trick I learned about a year ago in Palm Springs. HA ... found one ! I parked the truck back in our site, grabbed a folding chair, and walked back to where the Wi-Fi signal was. It was a very slow signal, but I managed to send and retrieve e-mail.

 

Sunday; Happy 59th Birthday to my sister, Sharon

Today was sunny and hot. This morning I walked over to where I found a Wi-Fi signal last night, hoping that our Wi-Fi phone would work there. It did. I phoned my sister to wish her a Happy Birthday. We only spoke for a moment and lost the connection. Erbon and Lorraine drove their RoadTrek over to our site. I helped Erbon do a few minor repairs on it. Joanne helped me wash our truck. It was quite dirty, and salt stained from being driven through the surf on the beach at the Sea Of Cortez at El Golfo de Santa Clara.

After lunch we gave Bo a haircut. His hair was really long ! We usually cut his hair in December and June, but December and January were a little cooler than usual, so we delayed giving him a haircut. I trimmed my beard. We walked over to the park next door and visited with Erbon and Lorraine until it was time for ice cream social. Both their park and ours have a Sunday evening ice cream social. Joanne and I joined Erbon and Lorraine at the ice cream social in their park. Very generous servings of ice cream in their park !

We returned to our trailer for a late, small supper. While Joanne prepared supper I phoned my sister again. The Wi-Fi signal that I was "stealing" / using was very slow and weak, so the Wi-Fi phone worked poorly.

 

Monday ; Today was sunny and hot. Woo-Hoo !

****ing Post Office ! ! ! ! ! This morning we picked up Erbon and headed off to do errands. Lorraine stayed at the RV park to do laundry. I dropped Joanne off at Wal-Mart, and was supposed to pick her up there an hour later. Erbon and I drove to the Post Office where I was going to pick up my January batch of mail. The line up today was at least as long as it was on Saturday. I waited over 20 minutes to get to the front of the line, and then ... < sputter > ... my mail wasn't there ! It seems as if once per winter we have a batch of mail go astray. Our next door neighbour in Keremeos, Stu, probably mailed the batch of mail to us on February 1. It probably arrived here in Yuma on about February 4. And it probably got "returned to sender" this morning before I got to the Post Office. Most Post Offices will hold General Delivery mail for 30 days, but Yuma seems to hold it for only 1 week. I suppose that's understandable, given the huge numbers of Snowbirds here who use General Delivery.

This afternoon we took Bo for an obedience training reinforcement walk around our RV park. We noticed a fifth wheel trailer that was the same year, make, and model as Harvey. We walked closer to take a look when Joanne noticed that it was the identical rig to ours ... that belongs to neighbours of ours in Riverside RV Park Resort in Keremeos. We stopped and visited for awhile with our neighbours from home, Dave and Joy. They have been here all winter. And they have already reserved their site for next winter. And they have reserved a site for other neighbours of ours back at Riverside, Terry and Marlene. They should just rename this park to Riverside RV Park Resort South. HA HA HA !

We invited Erbon and Lorraine to join us for dinner at Famous Dave's, our favourite Yuma restaurant. Great dinner ! Famous Dave's portions are ... well ... generous, to say the least. And I didn't mention until everybody was already stuffed that I had 2 coupons for free desserts at Famous Dave's. So we all shared two huge desserts. It was a bit of an overindulgence for all of us. As we were waddling across the parking lot, back to the truck, Erbon made a comment that I think would be a great t-shirt slogan for Famous Dave's. "I damn near died at Famous Dave's". HA HA HA HA HA !

 

Tuesday ; Los Algodones, Mexico

Another sunny, very warm day, temperature about 80 degrees, with a light breeze. Our day trip down to Los Algodones had some successes and some failures. We picked up Erbon and Lorraine at their RV park next door to ours, then headed for Los Algodones. Even before we got to the dentist's office, Erbon bought himself a leather belt. We arrived at the dentist's office for Erbon's and Lorraine's 11:00 A.M. appointments for cleanings and examinations. The receptionist advised us that they were behind schedule and we should return at 12:15. Okay ... we went shopping and sightseeing. We guided Erbon to our favoured hairstylist / barber shop, left him there to get a haircut, and took Lorraine for some medication comparison shopping. We checked prices at about half a dozen pharmacies. We bought Teddy's thyroid medication, at a stupendous price ! Lorraine couldn't find exactly the medication she was looking for. We picked Erbon up at the barber's, and headed back to the dentist's. Joanne and I left Erbon and Lorraine there, and went comparison shopping to the four currency exchange businesses in Los Algodones.

Our original plan was to purchase the pesos we need, for our Baja trip, in San Diego. The caravan company recommends buying pesos at Costco in San Diego. But Costco won't take traveller's cheques. So we would have had to find someplace in San Diego that would cash traveller's cheques, hopefully without a fee, then go to Costco to buy the pesos. We decided to buy pesos in Los Algodones if we could find a decent exchange rate, and they would accept traveller's cheques. I had already done some exchange rate "shopping" by Internet and phone. All four of the currency exchange businesses in Los Algodones had the same exchange rate, and it was very good. The only better rate that I had found was in San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico, when we were driving down to El Golfo de Santa Clara recently. Only one of the four places in Los Algodones would accept traveller's cheques. We decided to buy pesos there today, to avoid having to do it in San Diego, which would be a lot more running around. And we didn't think the exchange rate in San Diego could possibly be much better. When we got to the place where we were going to buy pesos, I wondered if there was any possibility that the exchange rate was negotiable. What the hell ... everything else in Los Algodones seems negotiable. I doubted it would work, but I made an offer, and they accepted it. Woo-Hoo ! So we bought our pesos, at the same exchange rate that I had seen available down in San Luis Rio Colorado.

We returned to the dentist's office at 1:00 P.M., hoping that Erbon and Lorraine would be finished about that time. They had not yet been in to see the hygienists and dentist. They were not pleased ! Their appointments had been for 11:00 A.M. and at 1:00 P.M. they were still waiting. In disgust, they decided not to wait any longer. I'm disappointed in Dr. Camacho, and I doubt that Joanne and I will return to him in the future.

We went for a late lunch at El Paraiso. As always, it was very good. Large margaritas and good food, sitting outside in the sunshine, music playing. Erbon was annoyed by the constant barrage of walking vendors strolling amongst the tables, hawking their wares. But that's just part of the Mexican culture when gringos are sitting at an outdoor café . After awhile, you learn to just keep saying "no, gracias", and tune them out.

After lunch we continued shopping and sightseeing. We bumped into Ed and Lori, friends of ours from SKP B.C. Okanagan Chapter 33. We bought Mexican pastries,of course. Erbon and Lorraine finally found the medication they were looking for, at a good price. Joanne bought Cremino chocolates, and Coconugs chocolate bars. While Joanne and Lorraine browsed, Erbon and I were trying free samples of tequila and other liquors. I bought a bottle of < ahem > Mexican eggnog. I negotiated an excellent price on four cartons of duty free American cigarettes. Each person is allowed to bring one carton per month back into the United States. Lorraine bought a small hand woven mat for the entrance doorway of their RV. We wandered back towards the border around 3:30 P.M. The line up was horrendously long. We went back into town and found a place to sit, rest, and drink fruit smoothies. We returned to the border at 4:45 P.M.. The line up was still horrendously long. It took us an hour and a half to cross the border. I don't think Joanne and I will ever try going down to Los Algodones again in January and February.

The "Snowbird" pressure on Yuma and Los Algodones in January and February is too great. Long line ups at the border, dentists' offices that can't keep on schedule because they're trying to squeeze too many clients in per day, all the RV parks are full ... !

 

Wednesday ; Yuma to Quartzsite, Arizona

Today was sunny and very warm. By late afternoon a strong wind had started to blow. This morning a Yuma RV dealer provided coffee and doughnuts in our RV park, and brought in a few RV's to show. While preparing for departure I had a coffee and a doughnut and took a look inside a very nice Class B Plus little motorhome. We pulled out of our park, joined up with Erbon and Lorraine, stopped to adjust tire pressures before leaving Yuma, then headed north on Hwy. 95. Goodbye, Yuma ! We had a great couple of months. See you in a couple of years. Well, actually, maybe we'll stop back in Yuma for a day after coming out of the Baja.

We used our new CB radio to talk occasionally with the Dickinson’s as we drove. We liked it ! The desert from Yuma to Quartzsite was very green, for a desert. And it appears as if the desert plants will be blooming soon. We arrived in Quartzsite, found our way to the High Jolly short term, unserviced, free campground on BLM ( either “Bureau of Land Management” or “Boomers with Lots of Money” ... HA HA HA ) land just north of town, parked our rig, and jumped into the Dickinson's RoadTrek to head back into town for an afternoon of flea market shopping. First stop was Beaudry's RV. I had noticed an ad for a marketing promotion they were having today at their Quartzsite location. Free food ! How fortuitous ! We just happened to be right near Beaudry RV, right at lunch time, and we all felt like shopping for a new RV. HA HA HA ! And it was a pretty good lunch, too ! We browsed the flea markets for awhile. I bought a tool ! Erbon bought a tool ! Welcome to Quartzsite ! Joanne bought some gifts. Lorraine bought a gift. Erbon bought an RV accessory. I say again ... welcome to Quartzsite. As we were leaving town to return to our campground, I noticed a windshield repair business. The Dickinson's new RoadTrek got a stone chip in the windshield recently, and a crack line was just beginning to spread out from the stone chip. Erbon dropped Lorraine, Joanne and me back at our rig, then returned into town and got his windshield repaired.

We spent the last part of the afternoon sitting outside in the sun, munching on tortilla chips and guacamole ( yes, again ). I drank a couple of "Mexican eggnogs". OH ... < smacking lips > ... WOW ! Lorraine joined Joanne and me on a desert walk with Bo. Erbon's sore leg problem appears to be getting more serious. We invited Erbon and Lorraine over to our rig for supper. They're at a disadvantage. Their RoadTrek Class B motorhome / camper van is too small to invite guests over for dinner.

 

DSK

January 31 to February 6, 2008

January 31 to February 6, 2008

Yuma, Arizona

 

Thursday ; Today was sunny and warm. MMMMM ... those pan dulce we bought in Holtville yesterday are the biggest and best Mexican pastries we've ever had. And I've had a lot of Mexican pastries. HA HA HA !

I got a late start this morning. I was sick. While I got myself started, Joanne went shopping to the Arizona Market Place. After lunch we both went shopping. Well, actually, all three of us ... Bo came along. Bo loves shopping. We returned to Arizona Market Place for a few things I needed, then went to PetsMart. WOO-HOO ... PetsMart shopping ! And flea market shopping ! Bo loves shopping at the Arizona Market Place even more than Joanne does. HA HA HA ! Then it was over to Checker Auto Parts, Lowe's, and finally, Albertsons for groceries. Back at Kofa Ko-op we spent the rest of the afternoon in the dog park. Bo played with Emma, Gypsy, Bea the Boxer, and a couple of Boston Terriers. Bo's buddies !

For supper I barbecued some Carne Asada ( Mexican marinade ) beef. After supper we watched Celebrity Apprentice.

 

Friday ; Today was a beautiful, sunny, warm, perfect "June 18" day. A great day for a Margarita party. Last night I received an e-mail from Erbon and Lorraine, who arrived in Phoenix yesterday evening in anticipation of picking up my trailer suspension parts order for me this morning. What neither they nor we were aware of, being ignorant Canadians, is that the Super Bowl is in Phoenix this Sunday. And the RV park nightly rate for Super Bowl Weekend was $160 per night ! ! ! ! ! < CHOKE > Because they only wanted to stay one night, they managed to get a site for $42, still considerably more than average for an RV site in a place like Phoenix. This morning as they were checking out, the person who had a reservation on their site for the Super Bowl Weekend was waiting for them to vacate their site. It was Willie Nelson ! And his decrepit old diesel belching, marijuana reeking, tour bus cum motorhome. HA HA HA !

We were watching with eager anticipation this morning to see if any sites in this park became vacant. Between 8:30 A.M. and 11:00 A.M. four rigs left the park. And their vacant sites were immediately filled. One of those sites went to our friends Sandy and Peachy who moved here this morning from another park. We are very concerned about the lack of available RV sites in Yuma right now. Erbon and Lorraine are arriving here tomorrow. Joanne and I argued all day about what is the best strategy tomorrow morning to try to ensure a site for Erbon and Lorraine. I had a phone conversation with Erbon around suppertime and we came to a consensus about tomorrow's strategy.

This afternoon was the park's Margarita party out on the gazebo patio beside the clubhouse. What a great time, out in the beautiful sunshine, visiting and chatting, drinking Margaritas, and munching on "pot luck" finger foods. I taught a magic trick to Monica, and another one to Pat, as a reward for each of them for being such good sport "stooges" for me during my magic show. Pat's performance of the magic trick I taught her was ... well ... pretty pathetic. HA HA HA ! But Monica mastered her trick, and spent much of the afternoon performing her trick for small groups of her friends, with much uproarious laughter. I guess a few Margaritas didn't hurt.

We took Bo for a play session in the dog park with Gypsy. What a funny pair ! They play "tug of war" with Bo's Christmas gift, a rope with a ball on it. They each grab one end, and tug. Gypsy is bigger and stronger. But Bo is way too determined to let go. He sits down with his butt on the ground, digs his feet in, clamps his jaws down on his end of the rope, and Gypsy drags him around the desert, making deep furrows in the sand like Bo is a plow. HA HA HA HA HA !

I spent the evening reconciling January's bank statements and updating my investment files.

 

Saturday ; Another perfect "June 18" day. I was up early this morning, in anticipation of Erbon's and Lorraine's arrival. And I slept poorly, worrying about the lack of available spaces in this park, and indeed most RV parks in Yuma at this time. Fortuitously, about 5 minutes before Erbon and Lorraine arrived at 8:30 A.M. a rig pulled out of the unserviced "boondock" section of the park, creating a vacancy. WOO-HOO ... a site for Erbon and Lorraine. Upon their arrival, they attempted to purchase an Escapees membership, and therefore become eligible to stay here at Kofa Ko-op. There was an administrative problem that took awhile to resolve. I had a bit of aconfrontationwith the woman working in the registration office, trying to convince her that every problem has multiple solutions. I think it was an embarrassing introduction to the Escapees organization for Erbon and Lorraine. The problem was simply and easily resolved with the assistance of one of the park’s permanent residents who is an Escapee VCR ( Volunteer Club Representative ), and able to sell memberships on behalf of the Escapees organization.

We spent the morning and afternoon visiting with Erbon and Lorraine, as well as Sandy and Peachy, Tom and Ruth-Anne, Lynn and Mischa. I hosted an “Ontario Happy Hour” at our site.

We took Bo, Emma and Gypsy to the dog park for a play session. We decided to go out for dinner, and take Erbon and Lorraine grocery shopping. Our first restaurant choice, Texas Roadhouse, had too long a line up, so we went to Hometown Buffet. Hey ... pretty good ! Although ... I thought it was very odd that a Mexican wedding party was having dinner there. I guess I never expected to see a bride in a gown at a buffet restaurant. At Fry's ( grocery store ) we tried to buy admission tickets to this weekend's Renaissance Fair, advertised as available at Fry's. None of the store clerks, nor the store's on duty manager, knew where the tickets were located. They didn't know what the price was, even if they could find them. And they didn't know what the selling procedure was, even if they could find them and knew the price. Pretty unimpressive !

 

Sunday ; Today started out sunny and warm, but the afternoon became cloudy, cool, and windy.

This morning we wanted to go the Renaissance Fair at West Wetlands Park. We invited Tom and Ruth-Anne. They didn't want to go. We invited Sandy and Peachy. Sandy wanted to go, Peachy didn't. We invited Erbon and Lorraine. Lorraine wanted to go, Erbon didn't. So we went with Sandy and Lorraine. We had been to a Renaissance Fair a couple of years ago, in Apache Junction just east of Phoenix. We thought Yuma's Renaissance Fair would be similar. Well, I guess it was sort of similar, but a lot smaller and a lot more amateur. But we had a good time. There were many vendors, but most of them were selling medieval era costumes that would mostly be of interest only to the Renaissance Fair / medieval era re-creationists. There were a couple of free stages. We wandered around the vendor displays. We had a lunch that was an interesting marriage of cultures. I hada Cajun seasoned catfish burrito. We attended four of the free stage performances. A folk music quartet, a great juggler / horrible comic, a Celtic music duo, and another juggler / comic. The second juggler / comic wasn't quite as good a juggler as the first, but at least his "shtick" wasn't as obnoxious. As the afternoon wore on, and the sun disappeared behind clouds, the temperature dropped, and the wind picked up. By the time we returned to Kofa Ko-op, it was a "desert storm", with poor visibility because of blowing sand.

We attended the park's regular Sunday evening ice cream social. We chatted for a couple of hours with Erbon and Lorraine, and Sandy and Peachy.

 

Monday ; Today was sunny and mild. This morning I drove over to RV Connection to pick up the inner bearing and race I had ordered for the trailer. That now completes my collection of spare suspension parts for the trailer. It's quite a sizeable inventory ! When I returned to Kofa Ko-op, Joanne took the truck and went shopping with Erbon and Lorraine to Wal-Mart and Walgreen's. I took a propane tank for refilling, visited with Tom and Sandy, paid my U.S.$ MasterCard by phone, and took Bo to the dog park for a play session with Gypsy.

After lunch I visited with Erbon and Lorraine until it was time for Lynn's surprise birthday party. Today was Lynn's 59th birthday. Her husband Mischa, and Ruth-Anne conspired to have a small surprise birthday party for Lynn. We had birthday cake and ice cream in their trailer. Afterwards I did the 78,000 km. inspection on Lanoire.

Erbon and Lorraine came over for supper. They brought a garden salad and a bottle of champagne to celebrate their arrival here in Yuma, our friendship, and our upcoming trip to Baja California, Mexico. We drank champagne and munched on tortilla chips with Joanne's fresh guacamole while Joanne prepared pizza. We spent the evening chatting, and laughing. Sandy came over for awhile, having returned late from another day of dental ordeal in Los Algodones.

When I went to pay for my propane refill late this afternoon I was advised that we will have to vacate our site on Friday morning. The leaseholders ( permanent residents ) of our site are returning. And since the park is full, there isn't another site to move us to, so we'll have to leave. We're paid until Thursday morning, so we'll probably depart then.

 

Tuesday ; Mardi Gras ( Fat Tuesday )

Today wassunny and warm. This morning Erbon and Lorraine joined us and we set off for some "guy stuff" shopping before heading across the Colorado River to Bard, California for date shakes. We shopped at Yuma's Bargain Warehouse, a discount warehouse of "guy stuff". I was looking for two items, Erbon was looking for one item. They had none of what we wanted. We went to Checker Auto Parts. Erbon was looking for two items. He got one of them. We drove to "old downtown", and Tuesday's weekly Farmer's Market. We wandered around, buying a bit of produce, and browsing through all the other vendors' stalls. Erbon bought some of that superb glue that I bought a few weeks ago. A stray male pit bull ran over and got into a disagreement with Bo. And Bo’s response was “okay, pal ... let’s do it !” Stupid little Terrier ! I had to grab the pit bull by the collar and haul it away. Three times ! Twice it returned. Each time I took it further away. At the best of times, I'm reluctant to handle a pit bull. I'm particularly not eager to manhandle a stray pit bull, without using a leash, grabbing it by the collar, and hauling it in a direction that it doesn't want to go. Even though I've had a lifetime of experience with dogs, both personally and professionally, I'm not comfortable around pit bulls, and I’m not shy about expressing my opinion about pit bulls. The only good pit bull is a dead pit bull !

From "old downtown" we drove over to Sun Gardens Date Farm. We bought a variety of date products, and 4 large date shakes. MMMMM ! ! ! I bought pitted whole Medjool dates, to eat stuffed with peanut butter. MMMMM ! ! ! Joanne bought pitted, chopped dates to use in baking. Erbon and Lorraine bought dates rolled in nuts, and fresh dates, and ... well ... I'm not sure what all they bought. It was a lot ! I shared my date shake with Bo. Of course !

After we returned to Kofa Ko-op I napped for awhile, then visited with friends and neighbours before this afternoon's Mardi Gras party at the clubhouse. It was very well attended, by almost everyone in the park. There was plenty of food and drink, and camaraderie. Afterwards Erbon and Lorraine came over to our trailer to co-ordinate plans for tomorrow. Joanne and I are taking Tom and Ruth-Anne on a day trip to El Golfo de Santa Clara in Mexico. It’s about 2 hours south of here, and is the northernmost town on the Gulf Of California / Sea Of Cortez. Erbon and Lorraine’s Mexican vehicle insurance is not effectiveyet, so they can’t drive their vehicle into Mexico yet. They are going out first thing in the morning to try to find us an RV park that has 2 vacancies, that we can move to. Joanne and I are paid here until Thursday morning, and must vacate the site we’re in on Friday morning. Assuming Erbon and Lorraine find us a site tomorrow, we’ll leave here Thursday morning.

 

Wednesday ; Today was another beautiful day. This morning Erbon and Lorraine left Kofa Ko-op, heading about 10 miles east to The Foothills to try to find us 2 serviced sites in any of the 4 RV parks there. They found themselves a serviced site, starting today, and another serviced site for us in the park "next door" to theirs, starting Friday. So ... all's well that ends well !

We departed this morning, with Tom and Ruth-Anne, for a day trip to El Golfo de Santa Clara in Mexico. We drove about 25 miles south to San Luis, Arizona, and crossed the border into San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico. All day long Joanne’s skills as a navigator were ... poor, to say the least. Oh, well, everybody has “off” days. For the first half an hour or so into Mexico, the area was agricultural, thanks to the irrigation of the Colorado River. But then the landscape turned into desert waste land, much like West Texas. After about an hour of scruffy desert, we reached the Gulf Of California / Sea Of Cortez, and the little fishing village of El Golfo de Santa Clara. It was not at all what we expected. We thought it would be a quaint, prosperous little fishing village, with a long wharf, with shrimping boats tied up. Not at all ! No wharf. Just a lot of really beautiful, wide, soft sand beach. No shrimping boats. Every family in town seems to own and operate a little fishing skiff called a panga. It was an economically poor town. Lots of poverty evident. But then again, what seems like poverty to affluent “norteamericanos” / gringos might just be the norm in little Mexican fishing villages. It seemed to be the fishing “off” season. The pangas were mostly up on the beach, or in the yards of the houses. People were repairing boats, and repairing fishing nets. Everybody smiled and waved. There were skinny dogs of all sizes roaming freely everywhere. All the roads in town were soft sand. They all led out onto the beach. The pangas are launched by hauling them on roller trailers onto the beach, then into the water. We drove out onto the beach. We drove along the beach. I shifted Lanoire into 4WD mode, and hadto drive quite quickly through the softest sections of sand to avoid just sinking in and bogging down in the sand. I veered off into the water for a few seconds, just to allow Lanoire to “experience” driving in the Sea Of Cortez. She has had her wheels dipped in the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Gulf Of Mexico, and now, the Sea Of Cortez. HA HA HA ! Joanne says she refuses to wash the salt water splash marks off Lanoire. HA HA HA ! We walked on the beach. We collected unusual and pretty shells. We saw a dead stingray in a tidal pool.

We drove into the only RV park in town, and asked some people there for a restaurant recommendation. They sent us to a little “hole in the wall” place as they called it, with good food. We found our way there, and had a very nice lunch. It was, indeed, a little “hole in the wall” with good food. Joanne and I each had the “comida del dia” ( lunch of the day ), a bowl of wonderful, home made soup, with 3 fish tacos made with a local fish called corvina. I don’t know if there is an English word for corvina, since the staff in the restaurant did not speak English. After lunch we drove around town, sightseeing. We stopped at a bakery, and bought some pan dulce. Betcha didn’t see that coming, eh ? HA HA HA < SNORT > HA HA !

After a bit more driving around, we headed back north for the border. Halfway back to the U.S. we had to stop at a Mexican military checkpoint. A couple of kids in uniform, brandishing machine guns, unable to speak any English, who wanted us to get out of our truck so that they could search for ... I don’t know ... drugs, I guess. In the city of San Luis Rio Colorado, while trying to find our way back to the border crossing, Joanne navigated me onto a one way street, in the wrong direction, during rush hour traffic ! We finally got ourselves back to the border crossing, and crossed into the U.S. uneventfully.

Back at Kofa Ko-op we dropped off Tom and Ruth-Anne, and picked up Sandy and Peachy to go out for dinner. We had dinner at Texas Roadhouse, a local steak house. It was okay, nothing special. We had a pleasant time chatting with Sandy and Peachy.

 

DSK

January 24 to 30, 2008

January 24 to 30, 2008

Yuma, Arizona

 

Thursday ; Today was sunny and mild. A few drops of rain fell overnight. This morning Joanne went shopping with Ruth-Anne to Arizona Market. I measured and drilled holes in the Fan-Tastic fan for the MaxxAir vent cover mounting brackets. Then I applied the third and final coat of rubber roof compound around the Fan-Tastic fan. I took Bo for an obedience training walk. Haven't done that in about a month. Not bad ... a little unfocussed on the "stays".

This afternoon I read and napped while Joanne went Wal-Martin'. When she returned we gave Bo a bath. We still haven't given him the semi-annual haircut he usually gets in December. There's been just a few too many cold evenings and nights for him to have short hair. Maybe soon. He'll definitely need to have a haircut before our Baja trip.

After supper I prepared for and rehearsed my magic show for tomorrow evening. It takes longer to prepare a magic show than it does to perform it.

 

Friday ; Today was sunny and warm, with a bit of a breeze. This morning I installed and caulked the MaxxAir vent cover mounting brackets on the Fan-Tastic fan. This afternoon our neighbours from Riverside RV Park Resort back home in Keremeos, B.C., Gil and Maria, and their little dog Buppy, came by for a visit. First we took Bo and Buppy ( and Emma ) to the dog park for a play session. Then we sat outside in the warm afternoon sun and snacked on tortilla chips and Joanne's great, fresh guacamole while we chatted.

At 5:00 P.M. we all went to the clubhouse for the park's baked potato dinner. Salad and large baked potatoes smothered in a variety of toppings. After dinner I performed a repeat / continuation of my New Year's Eve magic show. Unlike New Year's Eve, tonight my magic skills were sharp, and my performance was flawless. And very well received < taking a bow >. Woo-Hoo !

Tonight’s baked potato dinner was a fund raiser to benefit the “Kofa Kats”. A few years ago this park had a problem with a colony of feral cats. The park rounded them all up, and took all of them except four to the local Humane Society. They took the remaining four of them to a vet, had them spayed or neutered, then set up a cat house on the park’s grounds for them. They are provided food and water daily. They remain semi-feral, and their job is to control the rodent population in the park. Apparently they do a very good job. At the end of my performance I “passed the hat” and everything I collected I donated to the Kofa Kat fund.

 

Saturday ; Today started out sunny and mild but developed a thin overcast in the afternoon. This morning I installed the MaxxAir vent cover over the new Fan-Tastic fan in the kitchen ceiling, completing the installation of the Fan-Tastic fan. Then we invited Tom and Ruth-Anne to join us at Yuma Lettuce Days in "historic old downtown".

Yuma Lettuce Days is Yuma's annual weekend celebration of local agriculture. The Yuma area farms grow 95% of North America's lettuce in the winter. Mostly Romaine and Iceberg. They also grow other green vegetables like cauliflower, onions, cabbage. I was surprised to learn that there are 345 days per year of growing season here. Only the hottest 3 weeks of August are unsuitable for agriculture, when the temperature is up around 120 degrees. And I was surprised to learn that they grow 3 very distinct crops. In the winter they grow lettuce and other green vegetables. In the spring and early summer they grow a high quality wheat that is mostly shipped to Italy for pasta production, and Sudan Grass which is shipped to Japan to feed their Kobe beef cattle. In the late summer and fall they grow cotton. WOW ... 3 crops per year per farm. No wonder farm land around here costs $28,000 per acre.

Yuma Lettuce Days stretched across about 4 blocks of downtown. There were many vendors and information booths. At one of the vendors I bought a small, light, cheap, really neat denim backpack. I'll keep it in the truck, because we often go places where one or both of us ends up carrying all kinds of stuff. Like all the information we picked up today on some local National Wildlife Refuges, some tourist guides and maps for Erbon and Lorraine, recipes Joanne picked up, etc.. There was "the world's largest salad bar" set up, selling all the salad you could eat for two dollars. We were planning to have a huge salad lunch, but the line-up was about half an hour long, so Tom and Ruth-Anne wanted to go to a local restaurant. Worst food and service we've experienced in a long time. We got a couple of free packets of Yuma lettuce seed. I wantto grow some next summer. Joanne thinks that's futile. It will just be marmot food. We got 4 free tickets to go on a 45 minute bus tour of the local farming area, with narration by a woman from the University Of Arizona. That's where I learned the information I wrote above.

I have given up on trying to buy a spare leaf spring for the trailer at the local Mexican operated leaf spring shop. I sent an e-mail to the manufacturer of the original leaf springs on the trailer, located in Dallas, Texas, asking for their assistance. Wish me luck.

 

Sunday ; WOW ... when we woke up this morning it was actually raining. Quite a rare occurrence here in Yuma. It rained lightly, intermittently, all day long. That rain should result in spectacular spring blooming in the desert in about 6 or 8 weeks.

The clouds and rain inspired me to have a lazy day. I read a book. I applied for a job. HA HA HA ! Never thought I'd be doing that again ! But I found an intriguing ad in the Yuma County Super Shopper we picked up yesterday at Lettuce Days. An employment ad targeting Canadian Snowbirds from B.C. and Alberta. That's about half the population of Yuma in the winter. HA HA HA ! They are looking for B.C. and Alberta Snowbirds to work for the summer providing ground support to aerial fire fighting teams stationed at airports. When I fly out of Penticton, I see forest fire aerial combat tankers stationed there, so maybe there is an opportunity at the Penticton Airport. I neither need nor particularly want a job, but it's worth finding out more information. Might be an interesting adventure opportunity. They plan to interview right here in Yuma. Unfortunately, they are interviewing starting the day after we leave here in a couple of weeks. Oh, well, if they’re interested in my application, they’ll figure something out. I think it’s obvious from their ad that they’re capable of “thinking outside the box”. My pilot’s knowledge of aircraft systems and aviation might be valuable.

We went to the regular Sunday evening ice cream social. We chatted with Lynn and Micha who have returned here to Kofa Ko-op with their dog Gypsy. We met them here when we first arrived early in December. We also chatted with a man from the B.C. Okanagan Chapter 33, who has no recollection of ever meeting us before, despite the fact that we were camped beside him for 3 days last spring at the Chapter 33 Spring Rally in Summerland, BC., and despite the fact that I performed a magic show at that rally. Some people ... ! !

The woman who ruined my New Year's Eve magic show with her medical emergency had another medical emergency again during the church service in the clubhouse this morning. I'm glad she didn't attend my magic show again 2 nights ago !

 

Monday ; Happy 54th Birthday to Joanne. “A mi Amor en su cumpleañ os”.

Today was sunny and warm. Tom and Ruth-Anne went to Los Algodones early this morning for dental appointments, so Emma came over for another doggie pyjama party. Teddy is disgusted when he's trying to snooze at the foot of the bed and Bo and Emma are playing on the bed. I'm on Teddy's side. I also find it hard to sleep when 35 pounds of dogs are jumping on and off me.

This afternoon Lynn and Micha invited me to bring Bo and Emma to the dog park for a play session with Gypsy. The dogs romped, we took them for a long "pack walk", then Lynn and I did an obedience session with Bo and Gypsy. Emma isn't obedience trained.

Tom's, Ruth-Anne's, and Sandy's dental ordeals continue. Tom and Ruth-Anne met Sandy and Peachy at the dentist's office in Los Algodones.

I took Joanne for her birthday dinner to Famous Dave's Barbecue. We were joined by Tom and Ruth-Anne, Lynn and Micha, and Sandy and Peachy. On the way to Famous Dave's, We stopped at Wal-Mart for me to buy a birthday cake. I had them write "Feliz Cumpleañ os Mi Amor" on the cake. HA HA HA ! We had a very pleasant dinner and long evening of chatting with friends. Sandy and Peachy had been dropped off at the restaurant by friends, so we drove them back to their RV park.

MAN OH MAN OH MAN ! ! ! If I hadn't seen it with my own two eyes, I wouldn't have believed it ! Aerial crop dusting ... at night ! ! ! YIKES ! ! ! An "Ag-Cat" crop duster was spraying fields along the road to Sandy and Peachy's RV park. Flying about 5 feet off the ground, spraying the crops, then yanking up and over the utility wires at the end of the field, turning around at a 90 degree angle of bank about 20 feet off the ground, clearing the utility wires by inches, then dropping down to 5 feet again to continue spraying. IN THE FREAKIN' DARK ! When I first saw the plane, he was flying towards me with his bright lights shining at me ... I thought it was a large tractor trailer truck bearing down on me ... driving across a lettuce field ? ? ? HUH ? Then his lights abruptly pointed upwards and he flew over the utility wires and road that we were driving on. HUH ? ? ? ? ?

 

Tuesday ; Today was sunny and warm. Once again < sigh > I spent half a day on the phone trying to find a spare leaf spring and mounting tie plate for the trailer. I finally succeeded ... hopefully ! After many phone calls, I found a place in Phoenix that has what I need. I sent an e-mail to Erbon asking him to pick them up for me in Phoenix on his way out here to Yuma. While I sat in the clubhouse making phone calls, Joanne went Wal-Martin'.

Erbon phoned this afternoon. He and Lorraine are in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They are willing to go pick up my parts on their way here to Yuma. Hallejuhah ! Perhaps my "trailer spare suspension parts" ordeal is coming to an end. We took Bo and Emma to the dog park for a long play session. Joanne phoned her sister and had a long chat. And Tom's dental ordeal finally seems to be coming to an end soon. Poor guy has been through about a month of misery getting teeth pulled and partial dentures made and fitted.

Yesterday at the restaurant Micha and Peachy were discussing the use of Google Earth. So tonight I downloaded and learned to use Google Earth. WOW ... HA HA HA ... KEWL !

 

Wednesday ; Today was sunny and mild, a bit windy at times. I've been suffering a mild colitis flare-up for the last few days. Joanne has been "encouraging" me to take it more seriously. Today my colitis flared up considerably more severely. I guess I should have listened to her.

This morning we drove out into the desert about 15 miles west of Yuma to pick up Gil and Maria. They had invited us to join them for a day trip to the hot springs near Holtville. We picked them up, then headed for the hot springs about 50 miles west. We spent some time soaking in the very hot mineral waters, then drove into the little border town of Holtville. We had lunch at Gil's and Maria's favourite little Mexican taco stand. MMMMM ... best burritos we've ever had. We found a Mexican bakery in town. WOO-HOO ... Daniel gets pan dulce ( dullchay ) ! The Mexican term for pastries is Spanish for "soft bread". We drove Gil and Maria back to their boondock camp out in the desert and visited briefly before returning to Kofa Ko-op.

At the moment ( 10:25 P.M. ) we're watching the national weather report on the late news. BRRRRR ... we sure are glad to be here in Yuma.

 

DSK

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January 17 to 23, 2008

January 17 to 23, 2008

Yuma, Arizona

Thursday ; Happy 9th Birthday to Joanne's niece Madeleine

Today was sunny, windy and cold. My goodness, how can it be this difficult to buy routine parts for an RV, in a city inundated with RV's and RV dealers ? ! ? I spent the entire frustrating morning in the clubhouse making about 2 dozen phone calls, including calling Camping World in San Diego, and using the computer to research cross reference part numbers, trying to find the correct shock absorber for the trailer. < sigh > I finally succeeded ... maybe. Checker Auto Parts allegedly ordered the correct shock absorber for me, and it is supposed to be here tomorrow. Wish me luck ! What a disaster it could be to have to deal with a suspension breakdown out in the middle of nowhere in the desert of Baja California, Mexico. No wonder all the tour books and caravan companies recommend having spare trailer suspension parts when travelling the Baja.

This afternoon Joanne went Wal-Martin'. I would have loved to go along, but I had to read a book, nap, and play in the dog park with Bo. HA HA HA < SNORT > HA HA !

Ever since she first tasted Cajeta ( "j" sounds like "h" ) ice cream a few years ago Joanne wants some every time we are near the Mexican border. She has been unable to find any here in Yuma. Today she found a jar of Cajeta flavouring in the ice cream syrup section, along with the butterscotch syrup, chocolate syrup, etc.. So she bought a jar, and a tub of vanilla ice cream. Oh, boy ... now she will be able to have her beloved Cajeta ice cream. The Cajeta syrup is "elaborada con 100% leche de cabra" / made with 100% real goat's milk ! HA HA HA !

We took the Wi-Fi phone to the clubhouse to phone Madeleine and wish her a Happy Birthday. While in the clubhouse we met Barry and Jackie, friends of ours from the SKP B.C. Okanagan Chapter 33. They were here a week or so ago, for one night, and have returned again for an overnight stay. While chatting with them, Madge, another Chapter 33 friend of ours arrived in the park. Yuma seems to be a popular spot with the B.C. Okanagan people.

 

Friday ; Today was sunny and mild. The continued horrific declines in the stock market are scaring me !

This morning before departing Kofa Ko-op our Okanagan friends Barry and Jackie came over to see our new stained glass window and visit for awhile. After they left we went shopping. First we bought a Fan-Tastic fan for the trailer. I will install it where the existing roof vent is in the kitchen. Then we went to Arizona Market and bought a pair of vinyl tire covers for the trailer to protect the tires from deteriorating in the sunlight during the hot Okanagan summer. And we bought a 9 x 9 RV mat for use in our summer screen tent gazebo. We drove across town and picked up the shock absorber that Checker Auto Parts ordered for me. And it's the correct shock absorber for the trailer. Hurray ! While at Checker I also purchased a locking fuel cap for the truck, as advised by the Baja RV caravan tour company. For lunch we bought some taco burgers and Cajun burgers at a fast food place. They were good !

This afternoon I refilled a propane tank, we played with Bo and Emma in the dog park, then I began to work on the vent pipe plumbing repair job that I have been avoiding. I cut a couple of sections of pipe, and got the new sections of plumbing pieces assembled and prepared. Probably tomorrow I'll tackle the main part of the job, cutting out the old cracked section of vent pipe and installing the new sections < sigh >.

Well, I guess things could be worse than losing $120,000 in the stock market. We could still be living in Winnipeg. My sister reports by e-mail that the temperature is < snicker ... chortle > 47 degrees below zero ! ! !

 

Saturday ; Today was sunny and warm. This morning I worked on repairing the cracked elbow in the kitchen waste holding tank plumbing vent pipe. It was a very difficult job, because of the confined space I had to get my arms into to work on it. Especially difficult was sawing through the pipe on each side of the broken elbow. Even with the special little saw I bought specifically for this job when we were in Quartzsite. I think I did the job correctly. I hope I did the job correctly ! Plumbing isn't exactly rocket science, but then again, I don't have much in the way of plumbing skills. All that remains to finish the job is installation of a support strap. I'll do that tomorrow, after I'm sure that the plumbing pipe cement has had sufficient time to dry and cure. I'm hoping that a support strapwill provide just enough bracing to prevent a recurrence of the pipe or elbow cracking again due to travel vibrations.

This afternoon we drove over to Sun Gardens in Bard, California, about 10 miles away, for date shakes. MMMMM ... Bo has never met a date shake that he didn't like. HA HA HA ! Joanne bought some dates for baking, and I bought some dates rolled in macaroon coconut, for munching.

 

Sunday ; Today was sunny and warm. This morning I installed a hanging strap brace on the plumbing repair I did yesterday, from the pipe to the underside of the kitchen counter. Not surprisingly, that proved to be much more difficult than I thought it was going to be < sigh >. Well, at least the job is now complete. Hurray ! I hope the pipe lasts at least another 9 years or so before it cracks again from travel vibration. Maybe we should avoid travelling in Newfoundland and Labrador again ! My repair should be at least as strong, probably more so, than the original work done by the trailer manufacturer. Joanne has more confidence in my repairs than I do. She says that my perfectionism is likely to be produce a far superior result to the teenaged high school dropout working in Forest River's factory that did the plumbing when the trailer was built. Then I repaired a folding chair that is on its last legs, figuratively and literally. I helped Joanne clean the trailer windows. She's got the trailer looking pretty good ... ready for Mexico !

After lunch we took Bo to the dog park to romp with Emma, then Joanne went Wal-Martin'. I began working on the installation of the Fan-Tastic fan I bought for the trailer a few days ago. A Fan-Tastic fan is an RV roof vent with an embedded multi-speed, reversible fan in it. It can be used to exhaust air out of the trailer, or bring fresh air in on days when it's not quite hot enough to use the air conditioner. I'm going to install it where the kitchen roof vent is, and use it as a kitchen exhaust fan. I spent the rest of the afternoon removing the existing roof vent out of the trailer roof / ceiling. Maybe tomorrow I'll get the Fan-Tastic fan wired and installed. Then I'll have to reseal the roof with rubber roof cement. Sure hope it doesn't rain over the next few days.

Late this afternoon we went to the park's ice cream social. We chatted with a couple from Kelowna who have just arrived here. Then we chatted with a woman who has just completed treatment for breast cancer.Her surgery wasin March, and she finished her chemotherapy and radiation treatments a month ago. We returned to the trailer for a late supper and to watch the Amazing Race finale.

 

Monday ; Today was sunny and warm again. A perfect day for working up on the roof of the trailer. This morning I went shopping. First I went to RV Connection for more of my spare suspension parts. I bought a trailer inner bearing and race, and a pair of axle seals. They didn't have the outer bearing and race. I ordered a set, and it should ( hopefully ) arrive in about a week. On the way to Lowe's I refilled with diesel, which has come down in price considerably since the holiday season. At Lowe's I returned a surplus plumbing piece, and bought an electrical adaptor I anticipate needing in Mexico. I phoned American Spring to check on the progress of my leaf spring and mounting plate order. The leaf spring is ready, the mounting plate has not arrived yet.

This afternoon I worked on the installation of the new Fan-Tastic fan. The job went well ( for a change ! ) and I competed the basic installation. Tomorrow I'll probably apply the first coat of roofing cement. The day after that I'll do the second coat of rubber roofing cement. Then I'll reinstall the MaxxAir vent cover. I'll have to drill into the Fan-Tastic fan frame to reinstall the MaxxAir cover.

Joanne invited Tom and Ruth-Anne over for supper. She made Caesar salad, moussaka, and date pie. She got a date pie recipe when we were at Sun Gardens Date Farm. It was very good. Seemed almost like a cross between pumpkin pie and French Canadian tarte au sucre ( maple sugar pie ). This was the first time Tom and Ruth-Anne have ever had moussaka. They're not very adventurous eaters, as we found when we were down in Los Algodones with them.

 

Tuesday ; Today was sunny and warm again. It certainly is nice to have this kind of weather when doing outdoor work. This morning I went up on the roof and applied the first coat of rubber roof compound around the new Fan-Tastic fan vent in the kitchen ceiling. Next I began to clean the MaxxAir vent covers on the bathroom and bedroom ceiling vents. One thing led to another to another to another ... and I ended up spending the entire day removing and cleaning the MaxxAir covers, and removing disassembling, cleaning, repairing, reassembling and reinstalling the bathroom ceiling fan and vent and the bedroom ceiling vent. What a lot of grime from years of road travel. Tomorrow I'll apply another coat of rubber roof compound, then repair and reinstall the bathroom and bedroom MaxxAir covers.

I recently bought a new type of "super glue" at one of the flea markets. I used it for the first time today. Works great ! Glued my thumb to the little crack in the bathroom ceiling fan plastic trim ring real good ! Had to rip a layer of skin off to remove my thumb !

I was fascinated watching a Marine pilot conduct a training exercise in a fighter jet right over top of our trailer. He was flying tight 360º turns at 90º of bank, then pulling it straight up and flying upside down loops. WOW ! ! ! I sure hope he had a light lunch.

After supper, I printed and reconciled our January MasterCard statements.

 

Wednesday ; Ho hum ... another sunny, warm day here in Yuma. The weather man on last night's late TV news was getting all excited about the possibility that it might actually rain on Saturday. HA HA HA ... here in Yuma they treat a few drops of rain like some major weather disturbance.

This morning I made my monthly "Kirby needs money" phone call to my investment broker in Penticton. Then I went over to trim a couple of Emma's nails. She has a couple of problematic claws. Ruth-Anne says that's common in Scottish Terriers. I got up on the roof and applied the second coat of rubber roof compound around the new kitchen Fan-Tastic fan base. Then I reinstalled the MaxxAir covers on the bathroom and bedroom roof vents. Joanne took Bo to the dog park while I fabricated a 3 prong to 2 prong "Mexican" electrical plug adaptor for our trip down the Baja.

After lunch we went to American Spring to exchange the incorrect leaf spring they sold me for the correct one which they manufactured for me. When we arrived there, the correct leaf spring had not yet been made, despite them telling me on the phone yesterday that it was ready. Today they acted like they didn't know what I was talking about. I really hate being jerked around like that ! ! ! We went to Arizona RV, then Yuma Home & Farm, before driving out to the Foothills to check out some details at Sun Ridge RV Park, and to look at dinette chairs at Foothills Mattress & Furniture. Hopefully Sun Ridge RV Park will have two vacant sites for one week when Erbon and Lorraine, our friends from Ottawa, arrive here in a few weeks. Our last stop was Albertsons for grocery shopping.

 

DSK

January 10 to 16, 2008

January 10 to 16, 2008

Yuma, Arizona

 

Thursday ; Today was another beautiful, sunny, warm day. We spent the entire day with Tom and Ruth-Anne down in Los Algodones, Mexico. We hadn't planned to be down there the whole day, but that's how it turned out. We headed down there for Tom's appointment at noon. He had an adjustment of some sort made to his lower denture plate. He has another appointment in a week and a half, and it might be the last appointment he needs to complete his "loaner" teeth. HA HA HA ! I have dubbed the product of his dental work this season to be his loaner teeth, because they are only intended to last him for a year, when Dr. Camacho will be doing more permanent dental work on Tom, like implants.

While Tom was at the dentist, Ruth-Anne, Joanne and I went to get haircuts. Gee ... great value, but Mexican barbers / hair stylists are determined to cut hair shorter than the client wants. Mine was determined to expose the tops of my ears. This is the shortest my hair has been in about 40 years. I certainly got my money's worth, having that much hair trimmed off, and my beard trimmed, for $4.00. Yeah, you read that right ! We went back to the dentist's to pick up Tom, then went for lunch to Pueblo Viejo ( Old House ) Restaurant. Tom and Ruth-Anne prefer Pueblo Viejo to El Paraiso ( The Paradise ), which Joanne and I prefer. Lunch was good. The Margaritas were watery.

After lunch we went shopping for what we came for ; a stained glass window for the door of our trailer. A new neighbour of ours has a gorgeous stained glass window in the door of his trailer, and when I went over to find out where they got it, they told me it was in Los Algodones. So ... we went shopping for one, and bought one today. There are a few stained glass artists in Los Algodones who are making some pieces specifically the size of the windows in RV doors. I was intending to buy one with a desert scene, like our neighbour's. But we bought one with cardinals on it, appropriate since our trailer is a Cardinal brand. I drove a hard bargain, based on the price our neighbour said he paid. But perhaps I should have found out how many years ago he paid that price, because I really had to "negotiate" hard to get my price.

We returned to Dr. Camacho's for Ruth-Anne's first dental appointment in 18 years ! She was impressed with the results of Tom's work, and she broke a tooth the other day, so she reluctantly submitted to seeing a dentist. She was expecting to have an examination and quotation on having her broken tooth repaired, and having her dentures replaced. Well, at the first of her two appointments this afternoon, Dr. Mr. Camacho examined her, a hygienist cleaned her teeth, then Dr. Mr. Camacho repaired her broken tooth, and Dr. Mrs. Camacho took imprints for dentures. They asked her to return for another appointment in a couple of hours. Ruth-Anne was extremely impressed. The charge for the examination, cleaning and tooth repair was $60.

So, we had another couple of hours to kill in Los Algodones. We went shopping for ... of course ... new and exciting forms of chocolate for Joanne. And ... to be fair, I must confess ... Mexican pastries for me. We went to El Paraiso to sit in the warm afternoon sun and drink Margaritas. Good Margaritas. Not like those watered down ones at Pueblo Viejo. We returned to the dentist where Dr. Mrs. Camacho fit Ruth-Anne with the toothless denture plates which were already back from the lab. Ruth-Anne said they fit great. In 2 weeks they'll be ready, with teeth in them.

My doofus wife forgot to bring our passports ! Returning across the border with only Canadian driver's licenses was not a problem. As we arrived back at Kofa Ko-op, another pair of friends of ours from the SKP B.C. Okanagan Chapter 33, Barry and Jackie, were arriving.

 

Friday ; Today was sunny and very warm again. I guess the chilly part of winter is over, here in Yuma.

This afternoon we invited Tom and Ruth-Anne to join us on a shopping trip to Yuma Park & Shop, also known as the "dog track flea market", because it is located at the Greyhound racing track grounds. I was disappointed. Most of the vendors' booths were vacant. We didn't know that most of the vendors only show up on Saturdays and Sundays. HMPH ! Joanne bought some produce. I bought about a bazillion pairs of socks for five bucks. HA HA HA ! Every year about this time I buy about another bazillion pairs of socks for five bucks. Standard Mexican flea market prices for socks. HA HA HA !

On our way back from Yuma Park & Shop we stopped at an RV parts dealer where I bought a new trailer door window frame. Joanne wants me to change the trailer door window frame in conjunction with installing our new leaded stained glass window. The existing door window frame is very "yellowed" from years of sun exposure. The new one I bought is black, so it won't discolour from sun exposure, and hopefully will "frame" the stained glass window nicely.

As soon as we returned to Kofa Ko-op Joanne took Bo to the dog park. Teddy wanted to go outside because he could see that it was a beautiful day. I took him over to the dog park and left him in there with Joanne and Bo. Teddy didn't seem impressed with the dog park. I guess he just wanted to sit outside in his tent. We spent the late part of the afternoon sitting out in the wonderful sunshine, munching on tortilla chips and freshly made guacamole. Nice work if you can get it !

We did some minor maintenance and “home improvement” work, then went to see tonight’s entertainment in the clubhouse. The entertainer was an < ahem > elderly gentleman, suffering from a cold, wearing an oxygen canula, and singing along to recorded instrumentals. Kind of a one ( old ) man Karaoke show. Gee, Pops, once you have to start taking oxygen full time, maybe it’s time to consider giving up the “professional singer“ gig. We snuck out halfway through his show, and headed off to El Pollo Loco to buy some take out dinner.

 

Saturday ; Today was sunny and very warm again. This morning I installed our new leaded stained glass window into the outer half of the new door window frame, using silicone. Tomorrow I will remove the old window and frame from the door and install the new frame and stained glass window.

This afternoon we went to the Gunfighters Gathering at Yuma Territorial Prison State Park. The Gunfighters Gathering is an annual event. About a dozen or so "re-enactment" amateur theatre groups from Southern California and Arizona come to compete. They each stage a short play / skit, dressed in period costumes, and are judged by a panel of judges. The venue is the ruins of the old Yuma Territorial Prison which is now a state park / museum. We watched three of the interesting short plays, then walked around the grounds and museum.

Sunday ; Today was sunny and mild, with an extreme wind resulting in a desert sand storm.

Well, after 13 days without smoking, I have just gone out at 11:00 P.M. and bought a package of cigarettes. I can't tolerate the misery any more. Joanne, everybody else around me, and I are fed up with my miserable behaviour.

This morning I worked on the installation of our new stained glass window. First I removed the old window and frame from the trailer door. Much easier said than done. Then I installed the new frame and stained glass window. Much easier said than done ! And the job isn't finished yet. The new frame is for a door not quite as thick as ours, so the inside of the frame doesn't quite squeeze against the outer frame and window. Maybe our door is a little thicker than standard because our trailer has the "arctic package" option. Or maybe the stained glass window is not quite as thick as the standard piece of glass in a trailer door. I will have to install some manner of gasket on the inner frame to secure the window in place. Perhaps foam weatherstripping tape will do the job. I guess it's not really surprising to me that a trailer "home improvement" project does not go as easily as expected. But the new stained glass window in the door looks superb.

This afternoon Sandy and Peachy came over for a barbecue hosted by Tom and Ruth-Anne. We spent the afternoon and evening visiting. We drove Sandy and Peachy home because of Sandy's inability to drive after dark. I drove their van and Joanne drove our truck.

 

Monday ; Today was sunny and warm, still a bit windy in the morning.

I spent much of the day shopping for trailer suspension parts. The RV caravan tour company we are going down the Baja with advises that trailer suspensions are the most common cause of breakdowns and delays on their caravans. So, since Harvey is about 10 years old, I decided it would be prudent to carry spare suspension parts on the trip down the Baja. A few days ago, I got underneath the trailer to identify and measure all the suspension components that seemed vulnerable to breakdown. Buying a new leaf spring, shackles, bushings, nuts and bolts, u-bolts, mounting plate, equalizer, and all associated hardware seemed like a good idea. But I didn't know exactly what and where to measure. I had determined by phone a few days ago that the most likely place to get what I need would be American Spring. We found our way to American Spring, a grungy little company operated by Mexicans in a grungy industrial park area of Yuma. The man serving me thought that the best way to ascertain exactly what I need was to send one of his employees back to Kofa Ko-op with me so that he could identify and measure what I need. I kind of like the Mexican approach to doing business. We loaded Enrique ( Enreekay ) into the truck and drove back to Kofa. It was a kind of quiet trip. Enrique "no habla ingles". He crawled underneath the trailer, identified and measured, and we drove back to American Spring. I bought everything I need, except for 2 parts. One they have ordered for me and it will likely be in tomorrow, and one I will have to shop for elsewhere. I hope they sold me the right parts. I'll crawl underneath the trailer tomorrow with the new parts and try to verify that they are correct. No sense carrying spare parts that don't fit !

We also went to Lowe's and I bought some more "home improvement" stuff. Hopefully the foam tape that I bought will complete the stained glass window installation. I also bought plumbing materials to replace a cracked plumbing vent pipe in the kitchen. That's going to be a very difficult job, because of the confined space that I am going to have to squeeze my arms into to cut out a cracked section of pipe and replace it. Oh, well, at least it's only a vent pipe and not a water pipe. Because it's only a vent pipe I wasn't forced to deal with the problem immediately when I discovered it a month and half or so ago. Back then I just temporarily fixed it with insulated foam pipe wrap.

 

Tuesday ; Today was another sunny, very warm day. Too bad our day didn't go as planned, and we didn't take as much advantage of the great weather as we should have.

We slept in and got a late start to the day. Oslo came over to tell us that his family was leaving. We spent the rest of the morning saying our farewells to Terry, Donna, and Oslo. This afternoon I crawled underneath the trailer with all my new suspension parts and spent quite a bit of time verifying that they were correct. Most were, one was not. I will have to return to American Spring tomorrow to exchange the leaf spring, and pick up the u-bolt mounting plate they ordered for me. They phoned this morning to tell me it had arrived.

I spent the rest of the afternoon removing and reinstalling the stained glass window. Installation method "A" didn't work out. Had to formulate "plan B" again ! It was one of those jobs that if I had known before I began how difficult it was going to be, I might not have undertaken to do it. Ignorance is bliss, isn't it ? ! ? Joanne spent the afternoon waxing the last side of the trailer, using a wax product that she has never used before. Her favoured product has been out of stock at Wal-Mart for the last couple of weeks, so she bought a substitute. And did not like it at all !

So we spent the day doing work, instead of going out to visit our neighbours from back home in Riverside RV Park Resort, Gil and Maria, and their dog Buppy. They are boondocked out in the desert about 15 miles west of here. Bo will likely be very surprised and excited to see Buppy. Buppy is his "best friend" at home.

 

Wednesday ; Today was sunny, mild, and windy. We spent the morning running around trying to find the correct spare suspension components I am trying to buy for the trailer. HMPH ! I'm glad that we're trying to buy these components before we actually need them. If they're this difficult to buy in a city the size of Yuma, how impossible would it be to buy them if we had a breakdown in the Baja in the middle of nowhere and needed them immediately ? ! ? First stop was American Spring where I was returning the incorrect size of leaf spring, and to pick up the mounting plate they ordered for me. They did not have the correct size of leaf spring, and will have to fabricate one for me. And the mounting plate was incorrect. They will have to order another one for me. Then we ran around to a bunch of other shops trying to find the correct size of shock absorber for the trailer. Tomorrow I'll phone Camping World in San Diego and check if they have what I need.

We went for lunch to In-N-Out Burger. As always, the burgers were great, but the fries were terrible. HMPH ... might be the last time we eat at In-N-Out Burger. We drove about 15 miles west on Interstate 8 into California and found our way to where Gil and Maria are boondocking in the desert. Yes, yes, Bo was very happy and excited to visit with Buppy. Gil and I took Bo and Buppy for a walk in the desert without leashes. Bo's off leash behaviour has become quite good. Whenever I commanded him to "come", he returned. Good dog, Bo ! Gil and Maria are spending their eighth winter dry camping in the desert. To each his own ! I can't say that I find the idea of camping out in the middle of the desert for extended periods without any services very appealing. For those who do, it becomes a competitive challenge to see how long they can make their fresh water tank last, and how long they go without having to dump their waste holding tanks. Gil and Maria fill ten one gallon water jugs every time they come into Yuma for shopping, then transfer them to their fresh watertank on the trailer. They dump their grey water in the desert, and only hitch up the trailer to take it to a sewage dumping station to dump their black waste holding tank once a month. YIKES ... I guess neither of them have ulcerative colitis. HA HA HA !

I spent the evening updating my investment files < huge sigh >.

 

DSK

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