Thursday February 21st

Looks like the 'peace and solitude' part of the holiday is over: all the clan are arriving for the wedding, and Steven, Tina, and Fuzzy came in Thursday night. Believe it or not we managed to get everyone and everything (including two car seats) into the car at the airport and get everyone safely back to Sams Town.

Wednesday we did a couple touristy things - Ethel M chocolate factory and the scenic drive out to Red Rock Canyon. We hadn't done either of those on the last trip. Funny the things you see along the side of the road here, like a wireless tower disguised to look like a tree (not sure if that'll fool the Russians) or a homemade tow truck made from a Lincoln Town Car. Wednesday nght was out to dinner with the gang (Sean and Alicia, Brent and Carmen, Claire, Diane, and Cliff and Kathy). The day started out cloudy, and we got some rain in the afternoon (still beats the heck out of snow, though).

Thursday we spent the morning cleaning the MH and doing the last of the laundry (told you the holiday was over). In the afternoon we spent a couple hours in the casino, checked out a K-Mart, and did a dry run through the airport to make sure we could find the right terminal later. Then it was back to the park, a little more casino for me and a rest for Wendy, a bite to eat, and back to the airport to pick up the kids.

For anyone not sure of where Sams Town is, it's NOT near the strip (a bonus for me). It's out on Boulder Highway in Henderson, about 1/2 hour from the airport and 20 minutes from the strip. In the picture with the sign you can see the strip and judge the distance for yourself. The last picture I took just to show that we're not the oldest unit in the park anymore. Also, check out the lot sizes - we usually have more room that this at Wal*Mart!

Tuesday February 19th

You probably figured it out already... we have internet! Yaaayyy!

We pulled into Sam's Town in Vegas this morning, and have now done two things that I haven't done since I left:

1. Paid for a campsite - we're on full hookups for the next week.

2. Paid for internet - after not having it for the past few days, we both decided it's worth it. 20 bucks for the week, but what the heck.

The last post I had prepped was for Saturday, and now that that's uploaded here's an update on Sunday & Monday.

Sunday morning we bid farewell to Quartzsite and moved up the river to Lake Havasu. This is a long weekend in the states (President's Day), and the weather was sunny and warm, so of course all the local sun bunnies were out. Imagine Kelowna on the May long weekend. Unless there's a big chunk of Lake Havasu that's out of sight of the town, I think if all the speedboats pulled up on shore went out on the lake at once you could probably walk from one side to the other.

We stopped at the BLM dispersed campsite "Craggy Wash", which is just on the north side of the local airport which is in turn on the north side of town. Don, if you ever stop here the road goes right up the canyon about 5-6 miles and there are camping spots al the way along. We didn't know this so wound up setting up at the bottom, and only found out after we unhooked the car and went for a cruise. Had we been staying longer than 1 night it would have been worthwhile to move.

So anyway we took the car & went back into Lake Havasu, did London Bridge & some shopping. The last pic is the view of Lake Havasu out our back (bedroom) window in the campsite, by the way. Sorry, I guess I should have cleaned the window first.

Monday we moved on up to Laughlin,and overnighted at the Riverside again (same spot as the trip down). This time we actully checked in and got a permit, though. It was still free, just had to fill out some forms. Wendy did well, but I contributed my usual amount to the greater good.

This morning we made the move up to Vegas - a long drive for us after the past few days. I think we covered about 80 miles in the MH today.

Saturday February 16

We did the loop over to Bouse, up to Parker, across to the California side, down to Blythe, and home. Lots of desert to see, if you're into that. There's access to a whole bunch of backcountry roads around Vidal CA, but on the map most are marked as 4WD roads. Since the area's so dry I think a lot are probably passable in 2WD, but maybe with a little more ground clearance than the Cavalier offers. I do see a little 4WD SUV in our future sometime...

Stopped in at Mayflower county campground along the river, just to check it out. $18/day or $250/month, with hookups, boat launch, etc. Looks pretty much like the typical campground you'd see in Canada in July. This one'll be closed for the season at the end of March, though.

Back to the campsite, and it was even warm enough for Wendy to change into shorts, miracle of miracles. Happy hour, dinner, a couple games of crib, and a few Corner Gas episodes and it was bedtime. Big Time Saturday Night in Quartzsite (but not much different than our Saturday Nights in Lamont).

Friday February 15th

OK, so I haven't posted for a few days. I plead extenuating circumstances. As I write this it's 3:00 Friday afternoon, and we're (Wendy and I) in La Paz road campsite back in Quartzsite. Not sure when we'll have internet again, so put your head back to Friday when you're reading this (I hope that's easier than going back to 1971, for some of the younger crowd out there. You know who you are).
So here's a quick recap on the week:
On Monday the plan was to check out a potential RV site for Wendy's arrival, and then do some other touristy things. Unfortunately plans change, as Monday morning the car wouldn't start. Crank like a bugger, but no go-go. After diddling around a little we hitched up and hauled it to a GM dealer in Chandler. Long story short, the fuel pump was gone (OK, it was still there but it was on strike) so it was Tuesday afternoon before we got it back working again.
Needless to say (but I'll say it anyway) sightseeing potential is seriously cut back when your transportation mode changes from 40 mpg to 6 mpg. So Monday afternoon was hilited by a trip to the laundromat (not an unpleasant experience when you can sit in your kitchen and play crib while waiting for the machines to finish), and Tuesday morning was hilited by intensive cleaning of the living accomodations in preparation for the arrival of the queen bee. Tuesday afternoon we picked up the car and headed back to camp.
In our travels we passed by a sign for another casino - the Gila River Wild Horse Pass casino just out of Phoenix - so we decided to check it out. Lots of RV parking and fairly close to the airport, so rather than making the 20 mile trek out to Maricopa and back we bunked in there for the night.
Wednesday morning we did a little pre-scouting for a dump/fill station, since we were down to about 1/8 tank of water and the grey tank was full. Found one at the Flying J on I-10 just west of Phoenix, then we scooted back to the airport and did a couple (OK, about 15) trial runs at finding the right terminals for Wendy's arrival at 2:00 and Don's departure at 11:30 Thursday AM. As it turned out, finding terminals at the Phoenix airport is a breeze; finding parking isn't. Anyway, picked up Wendy and headed back to the casino, where we arrived in perfect time for happy hour, then had the buffet dinner (because we couldn't cook, right? No way to wash dishes with the grey tank full).
Thursday we (Note: "we now means Wendy and I) got Don dropped off at the airport, stopped by Beaudry RV to pick up a few parts and deposit some spittle on the floors of some of the new class A's, and then hitched up and headed west. After a stop at Flying J to dump off/water up/gas up we reached Quartzsite about 4 PM. We had a short look around and wound up back in the La Paz area where Don and I stayed, mainly because I didn't want to spend a bunch of time hunting up a new site and I knew that area was OK. Wendy decided to do a little impromptu cleaning, and upon opening up a cupboard that (I swear) Don and I didn't know existed found a bag of potatoes and the remains of a bottle of wine from last fall. Honest, I don't know how she sniffs these things out. Anyway, once she was done playing in the cupboard we had a nice meal and settled in for the night.
Friday was a sleep in / lazy day. After we did get up and get breakfast done we cruised Quartzsite and the area. Don - all the big tents are now gone, as are about half the people in the long term areas. The place is starting to look like a ghost town, and I imagine in another month it will be. And that brings us pretty much right up to current.
I asked Wendy if she wanted to add anything, and the only response I got from her was "There's no freaking snow". She says that'll mean something to the folks back home, so I guess she's OK with her trip so far even though it's been a little chilly since she landed. Highs only in the mid 60's today, but it's supposed to get back to normal for the weekend. Hope so.

Sunday February 10th

Well we made it to Maricopa all right, but unfortunately we were detected part way here. The Wal*Mart truck met us on I-8 west of Casa Grande but we have our fingers crossed that he didn't see us make the turn north at Stanfield (Nope, didn't see any underwear factories. Big feedlot, though.) No WiFi at the casino, so again I'm writing this to file in hopes that we'll come across the internet somewhere in our travels.
This casino's about 3 times the size of the Desert Diamond, and word has it that it pays a little better (which I think means, occasionally). For my perspective, it only cost me about $6 yesterday instead of my usual $10-$15, so I think I must be money ahead right now. I'm sure that math works from some angle. Anyway, there are about 10 or 12 assorted RVs in the lot so it's a lot less crowded than Desert Diamond.
Filled up with propane on the way here yesterday (tip: don't get in line for propane at the Flying J on a Saturday afternoon). This is the first time we've taken on propane since last fall, and we only took 13.1 gallons ($42.10). That strikes me as not very much considering the fridge has been constant on propane, we usually have the furnace kick on a few times overnight (especially up to a few days ago), and we've been doing a little cooking (OK, not a huge amount, but some). I'll include pictures of Sunday breakfast &supper, just for proof. Note the COFFEE CUPS visible in both pictures.
Today we blasted into Phoenix for a Sunday drive and scout around. About the only stop was Cabela's. Took the picture of the thermometer in the car in the Cabela's lot when we came out. Yes, the car was parked in the shade (of a semi trailer), and yes, it's still in Celsius (I haven't figured out how to switch that one over to F yet).
The other pic is our parking spot in the southeast corner at the casino. We could have been on the asphalt but chose the gravel as it's a bit further out. I like this picture because it's "Fleetwood Row" - 2 older Bounders with a newer Discovery pusher in between. The Discovery left this morning and we now have a Newmar pusher beside us, with a full-timer couple from Northern California. They were nice enough to let us tap into their internet signal tonight - we just did a quick email check though as we didn't want to impose on their hospitality.
Okay, about the WalMart truck story... For those of you who don't get it, go rent the movie. Pop it into the DVD. Put yourself back into early 1970's mode... before Star Wars brought big special effects to the theatre. Watch the movie. Then re-read the blog. Trust me on this.
No Wal*Marts in Maricopa that we've been able to see, so we should be safe for a couple days...

Saturday February 9th

He's found us. We have to move.

We've been avoiding him for almost two weeks. We see him in the oncoming traffic lane, or pulled off on the side of the road in rest areas and parking lots. Sometimes he even passes us going in the same direction, but pretends like he doesn't even recognize us.

Today he's in the truck parking area of the casino. I spotted him while I was walking Gab, but I think he didn't see me. But he knows we're here. Somewhere.

Like Dennis Weaver in "Duel", we're being pursued by a semi truck. Not a fuel tanker this time - even worse. This truck is a Wal*Mart truck. I don't know how he always seems to know where we're going let alone get there ahead of us, but somehow he does. Just when we think we've lost him, there he is again.

Also like the semi in "Duel", the demon Wal*Mart truck is often driverless. It was this morning, and it has often been when we've spotted it in rest areas and parking lots. Sometimes it tries to fool us with a mannikin or something in the driver's seat, but we know it's not real because we never get a good look. God knows what horrible things are taking place in that windowless sleeper box, though. I shudder to even think of it.

Which is why we have to get away. North, I think - that'll fool him. Until now we've been moving south, so the change in direction just might throw him off... for a while. Somewhere where there's lot of traffic, and maybe we can hide in the crowds. Near a big city like... Phoenix... for example... maybe just on the outskirts a bit in a place like... Maricopa. He wouldn't think of looking for us in a place like that, would he?

OH MY GOD I JUST THOUGHT OF SOMETHING. What if he reads this blog - then he'll know! But wait - trucks can't read. Or maybe demon trucks can. Just in case, WE'VE CHANGED OUR MINDS. WE'VE DECIDED NOT TO GO NORTH. WE WILL PROCEED IN A SOUTHEASTERLY DIRECTION THROUGH NEW MEXICO AND TEXAS, AND EVENTUALLY ALL THE WAY OUT INTO THE GULF OF MEXICO WHERE WE'LL PARK UNDER 400 FEET OF WATER. Hope that worked. Pray for us just in case.

Friday February 8th

Not much to report today - haven't even taken any pictures. Today was a day for puttering on a few things that needed fixed, then starting cocktail hour a litte bit early (2:00's not bad, eh?). After all, it's the weekend! Nice to relax a bit after that hectic pace all week. Pour yourself a beer, and go sit in a lawn chair.

Thursday February 7th

Up bright and early today (8:00), and on the road almost immediately (9:00-ish), off to Colossal Cave park. We were the only participants on the 9:50 tour, so John the tour guide stretched the half hour tour into about an hour for us (we're slow learners, I guess). If you're in the area (just east of Tucson off I-10) I highly recommend the tour.
From there, we headed south to Tombstone and Bisbee. Everything you hear about Tombstone is correct... it is indeed a giant tourist trap. Bisbee is a neat old town... but if you go make sure you go through the old town and don't just whiz through on the highway.
On the return trip we came cross country on highways 90/82/83. Trip was uneventful other than making an unfortunate turn into Fort Huachuca military base, where the MP was quite pleasant and told us exactly how to get the heck out of there. Big sigh when he looked at my Canadian driver's license, though, so there must be a few of us that make that wrong turn.
Back at camp about 5:30, just in time to get a warning from a new neighbour lady about her overly protective german shepherd and how she couldn't be responsible for any vet bills. Don, Gab, and I decided to take our cocktails out on the patio tonight, and shortly after we got comfortable she moved her truck and fifth wheel another hundred feet away. Probably a coincidence. Anyway, the lot is getting crowdeder and crowdeder every day, and we've seen just about all of this neck of the woods that we want to for now, so maybe it's time to mosey on.

Wednesday February 6

I'm writing this on Feb 7th, in case anyone's confused, and I hope to get it posted sometime on Feb 8th if all goes well.

My apologies to anyone who's been checking in over the past couple of days, as there haven't been any posts. If in fact anyone HAS been checking in. But if no one has, then this is all moot anyway and I'm just talking to myself. Nothing new there, really.

Wireless at the casino seems to be a bit hit and miss. Mostly miss. We parked along the back edge of the lot and had no major problems picking up the casino's WiFi, until other units started to arrive and park between us and the building. Whenever someone takes the spot right between, we lose the signal. As you know, Wilie Nelson wa here for a couple nights and graciously lent us his signal, but he pulled out yesterday (Wednesday) just as I was uploading the day's pictures, so that update crashed. Right now there are about 50-60 RVs in the lot, two of which are pretty much diectly between us and the building. Of course I could move, but I kinda like this edge spot.

Anyway, if you're reading this then I must have got a signal at least temporarily. On to the Wednesday post:

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Whew! A busy day today - we didn't get in all the tourist attractions we wanted to, and we still never got back for happy hour until about 5 PM.

For starters, we had more frost this morning. I'll not include a picture since the last one didn't elicit the degree of sympathy for which I'd hoped. Suffice to say that it was a tad chilly walking Gab first thing this morning in my thongs (the feet ones).

We had planned to do the Mission Mine tour, the San Xavier Mission, the Old Tucson Studios, and the Desert Museum. We had to pas on the Desert Museum, but we did manage to get caught up in a 10 mile line traffic jam between Old Tucson and the mine.

I'm just going to throw a bunch of pictures into today and let them speak for themselves. The only thing to add I think is that Don was pretty happy we both got the senior discount at the mine tour... I was somewhat less happy, but hey, 2 bucks saved is another 1/2 hour in the casino tonight.

Tuesday February 5th

Woke up this morning to FROST on the car, if you can believe it. Thermometer says it got down to 29.6F last night (OK, everyone together please: "Awe, poor poor Vic & Don".) OK, I feel better now.

As advertised, we crossed the border into Nogales Mexico today and partook of one of the largest yard sales I've EVER seen. I made so many friends among the vendors... they were all calling me their "best" friend. We got out of there relatively unscathed; just a few trinkets and we each got a great $6 haircut. Here's a picture of Don's, but you'll have to wait a bit to see mine (I tried to get him down to $4, since there weren't many hairs to cut, but it didn't work). A side benefit of the haircut was that we got to watch some Mexican girls shaving other Mexican girls while we got trimmed. (-:

Back in good ol' US of A, we had lunch (told you we didn't stay in Mexico long) at the IHOP, and I got my fix for country fried steak out of the way. Then we took Highways 82/83 back again for the scenic tour of the mountains (I didn't take any pictures, but just imagine Kamloops/Barriere country with a few prickly pear cactusses thrown in). Just one roadblock along the way where the US Border Patrol had a look in the car, and back home again to the Casino.

Gab was pretty happy to see us when we got back - she was on motorhome guard duty with Mojo today. She did a pretty thorough inspection of the car (moreso than the border patrol) to see if we'd brought anyone back with us and was quite disappointed that we hadn't (in a dog's world being gone 6 hours is equivalent to being gone a week). Mojo on the other hand didn't even know we'd left.

Willie Nelson's playing the casino tonight, but we didn't get tickets. Only one song I'd want to hear anyway. I do have to say thank you to him though - the WiFi I'm on right now has an SSID "Me and Paul", and is much stronger than the casino signal. Since Willie's busses are about 500 yards away right now, I'm just guessing...