Home again

Hello family and friends,

We are home!

Molly got a bath almost first thing. I think half of AZ was on her.

We have been visiting with family and getting all kinds of hugs from them and the grandkids. I sure missed that.

Now to get the camper unpacked and cleaned. We did get all my plants in and the dirty cloths but that's about all.

Tomorrow will be busy too as we need groceries. Will head for Rochester right after church.

Funny how things seem so different. I even forgot how to run the remote for the TV.

We visited Mel's Dad too. He seen us way across the room with a wave and a big smile. He is in a nursing home now. Almost 95 years old. He fell and broke his pelvis right after we left. We felt so bad. But he is doing ok. Not liking the nursing home but doing ok.

We had such a wonderful trip with memories to last a life time. I have about 1500 pictures to print out. That is one bad thing about a digital camera. I take and take and take. Maybe only half of them will be worth printing out. Come over and see them.

This will probably be my last post. I thank all of you for your visits. I hope you continue with emails.

Love to all.

Take care and God Bless

Diane, Mel, & Molly

Day 58 - Hills, corn, & SNOW!

Yes, we are in Iowa.

Dinner with family. Now that's the best part of a vacation.

We got to Des Moines about 6:00 today. Parked in Wal Mart. Terri, Bob and Aidan met us here and took us out to Outback Steak House. We even had a blooming onion. mmm was that good. (thank you Bob and Terri) Amanda flew to NY today...all by herself. She will spend Easter with Bob's family.

It was northern MO when we seen some snow on the side hills. a little more in Iowa. The rivers and ponds were still froze. Showing some melt on the edges. Big snow piles here in the parking lot. It was 60 though so a nice day. So not really any snow other than what the snow plow piled up.

We visited the birth place of Jessie and Frank James in Kearney, MO. Another interesting museum. This is the house and the museum was in a different building.

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Iowa even had hills. Finally seen woods and corn fields too.

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Tomorrow we are getting our camper winterized. With the 20 degree nights we don't want to take the chance of freezing up the pipes. Then home... Oh the joy!!!!

Good night and God Bless

PS... Seen gas for $3.36 and fuel for $3.96

Day 57 - Kansas

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The Flint Hills of Kansas. (click on pictures to enlarge)...........

....Hello,

We are in Kansas City MO. Same place we spent the second night of our trip. Only now there isn't any snow and ice.

Just so amazing how every state has its own look.

Do you remember the news last year of a tornado taking the whole town of Greensburg KS?

We went threw it and it is still really sad. Lot of houses are in process of rebuilding but still lots of ground were nothing or no one came back. Trees are down or broken for miles around.

Holes in the ground where once a basement was. Red Cross hospital tents are still there.

We stopped for lunch in Pratt KS. Seen fuel for $3.95. We paid $3.79 I don't pay to much attention for the gas price but one was $3.29.

I was lazy for supper and we had Big Macs and malts.

Good night and God Bless

*****Big hugs to grand daughter, Amanda, for a great report card!!

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Seen some really wild lawn ornaments. This guy really had some imagination...

Day 56 - Going home

Hi there,

We are in a truck stop in Mead KS. Mead is about 50 miles into Kansas from Oklahoma.

I am still thrilled with the scenery. I want to finish the book I am reading but just to much to look at out the window.

For some reason I haven't been able to get into my email all day. Yahoo wouldn't open no matter what way I tried. I haven't checked yet tonight. So if you have left me emails you know why I haven't answered.

Just north of Albuquerque there was remnets of snow on the ground. uffda... I wasn't ready to see snow yet anyplace but the mountain tops .

We were on route 66 a few times. Seen a gas station called Kicks 66. It was a Philips 66 on Rt 66. Neat.....(remember the song... Get Your Kicks on Route 66 ?)

Mel is so thrilled with his pickup. It goes right up the big hills with ease. We have been getting over 12 mpg. Fuel is $3.89 here.

We went threw a town in OK that wasn't much more than a ghost town. Old abandoned buildings and cars. Although there were some people around. There was an antique store still full of stuff but closed. I wish we could have got in there.

We seen oil wells, windmills, wheat fields, & a gigantic cattle lot. Must have been thousands of cattle ready to be made into T-bones. And, of course, hills and rocks and flowers and..........

We didn't stop at anyplace important. Just stopped when Molly asked us too and for lunch and fuel.

We will try to make it to Kansas City tomorrow. Unless we find places to stop and slow us down.... :-)

Good night and God Bless.

Day 55 - Beautiful New Mexico

I have electricity now so will post yesterdays page again. My battery went dead last night just as the pictures were downloading.






Hello,



What a beautiful sight seeing trip we had today. I always like NM and now I even like it more.



The AZ desert was starting to bloom. (see picture taken yesterday) I wish there was more but a little early yet.



We stopped at a War Memorial that was so nice. It was a short wall with all the names and behind the wall was a huge walk way shaped in a star. It had plaques all around with a short story of all the wars.



My words can't describe the beauty in the hills and mountains. I took so many pictures. I wish I could show them all to you. You will just have to come over and see.



We were in Truth or Consequence NM and went threw a museum there. Lots of Indian things and a tribute to the TV show called Truth or Consequence. So much to look at in there.



Picture is of Geronimo. The town itself was pretty neat.



Then we got to Albuquerque at dusk. Mel drove up a hill to show me the city lights. Just awesome. as far and you could see... both ways. My camera doesn't take good pictures of night lights but here is one from a little earlier. (see picture)



I am running out of battery again so will say good night and God Bless

Day 54 - Homeward bound

Jackie and Don and ..... Who is that man in the black hat??? :-)


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Hi there, I don't have much battery so will make it short again.
I wish it would have lasted another week. Didn't want to start the generator just for the computer.

We are in Deming NM. Didn't get to far today. We met Jackie and Don just south of Tucson.
We had lunch and a good visit. They are really enjoying their new winter home.

Heading out early in the morning. Parked in a Wal Mart lot for the night.

So good night all. See you tomorrow. I can plug into the pickup so will have more power.

God Bless.

DAY 53 - On the road again

Hello,

We are in Tucson. We will spend the night at the casino. Meeting friends Jackie and Don for lunch here at 11:30 tomorrow. We will head north from here.
It was hard saying good bye to A.G. & Audrey. We had such a good time with them.
They went north and we went SE.
We just enjoyed the scenery while traveling today. The desert is starting to bloom.
I have to make this short. My computer battery is almost gone. I will have to replace it when we get home. I only get about a half hour use from it. We didn't start the generator so I don't have electricity either.
See you tomorrow night.
God Bless

Day 52 - Last night in CA

We seen the Partridge Family bus today. Welllll, something like that!! . ................
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A.G. and Mel deep in something!!


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Perfect weather today. Thinking about the cold in Minnesota. Should we head for home? Should we stay another week? I say it is warming up there. Mel said I hope so. Mel is already planning for next year. He thinks we will stay here much longer . (I don't think so.)


But we will start off tomorrow. We got a good start on packing things and will finish in the morning. Hope to leave here by noon and be in Tucson by tomorrow evening.





We were treated to a wonderful Beef and pork roast supper with all the trimmings. Audrey really cooked up a good meal. We ate on the picnic table and enjoyed the view along with the great meal. She made grapefruit pie for desert. Yes, you read right..... Grapefruit Pie. And was it good!! Thank you Audrey and A.G too.





I did get our clothes washed today. Also a few groceries for our trip.

See you in Tucson......

Good night and God Bless.

Day 51 - Fun with friends

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Pretty gardens at one of the RV parks............................................

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Hello to all, It was a nice day. No wind and around 70 degrees.

I made beef stew in the crock pot and then we went with our friends, A.G. & Audrey for a

nice ride to Quartzsite.

Seen some big campers and motor homes for sale. Fun to

dream. Went to a couple of rummage sales in a pretty RV park. Visited a church. The Pastor being the dad to Wilson's home pastor. Then checked out a couple more venders at the flea markets.

I really think it is best that we didn't come here in January when the market was in full swing. I sure can find some nice things. :-) (mostly jewelry) Right now there is only a few places left to shop in.

When we got home the stew was done and Audrey added a nice coleslaw. Good supper and good company.

Tomorrow is wash day.... Then, I wonder what .

Good night and God Bless

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Molly went to sleep on the way home in the back window on a pillow. Isn't she cute?

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Day 50 - More wind today

Welcome back. Hope you had a great day.

We happly had surprise company today. Friends, Wayne and Cindy Kiehne from Stewartville, MN were heading for Del Monte, CA with a load and stopped in Blythe and gave us a call. We and A.G. & Audrey had coffee and a nice visit with them.

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It is so windy again today. We weren't out very long. The Wilsons and us went out for lunch in Blythe. Another great meal. Big Big Big salad bar. mmmmmmmmmm.....

Home again. Mel took a nap while I gave Molly a bath and then read.

Audrey shared a book with me. 90 Minutes In Heaven by Don Piper. A true story about a surviver. He was pronounced dead after and accident and remembered being in Heaven. Much more than I can discribe. So good.

On the way to see the Kiehnes we came up on a bunch, flock, herd, what ever you call a few hundred sheep. They were being moved from one field to another and going right down our road. They were having quit a time keeping them going where they wanted them to go.

They use sheep to clean out the end of the alfalfa fields. The farmers here cut hay (alfalfa)every 28 days. It drys in a couple of days and then bailed.

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Good night and God Bless

Day 48 - Company coming

Meet our dear friends from Wyoming. A.G. and Audrey Wilson.

They arrived here this morning. And then treated us to a breakfast buffet.

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Today was mostly getting caught up with each others news. We made a trip to a produce store and got some veggies, grapfruit, oranges. Also picked up some things at the grocery store for a picnic supper at camp. More talking and a little walking.

I got some Irish soda bread with raisins. Oh boy is that good. Haven't had Irish soda bread since Terri had it in NY. In fact I think I just might have another piece.

good night and God Bless.

Day 47 - Another trip to Quartzsite

We went back to Quartzsite today and visited an interesting cemetery. It is where Hi Jolly is buried.







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Read the story about Hi Jolly by double clicking on this picture..........................






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The rest of the cemetery was so different then how we know them. But a cemetery in the desert is still very nice.























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This fish pole sculpture is also in Quartzsite. It is huge. even a fish on the end.















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..........................It was a much nicer day today. Not as warm as before but at least it wasn't windy. The Great Horned Owl is still in her nest. I wish I could get a picture of her. Up to high.

Many big campers came to this camp today. Part of a Good Sam rally. They will only stay one night here then move on. I guess you would call it a convoy. The camper that parked next to us is a $175,000.00, 40 foot fith wheeler. It sure makes our place look small. I wonder if theirs is paid for!!

Does anyone know how to make bead jewelry? I bought some beads today to see if I can do it.

Our friends from Wyoming, A.G. & Audrey, will arrive tomorrow. I can't wait.

Good night and God Bless

Day 46 - Windy day

Hello

It was soooo windy today. gusts up to 40 mph.

Opening the door about pulled me out with it. We stayed home all day. Only time I was outside was to chase a lawnchair and our flag.

The picture of the mountains shows them almost out of sight from the dust. At one point they were not visible at all.

Even had white caps on the water.

We watched the race. We almost went to this one. Took place in Las Vegas. But with it so windy we were glad we didn't.. We enjoyed it anyway........

Edwards won. I like him too. To the "Jr" fans ......oh shucks. ;-)

I crocheted a bit but don't like what I did so will start over some day.

I made a meatloaf with fried potatoes and mixed veggies for supper.

Not sure what we will do tomorrow. Only thing for sure is to get fuel for the pickup.

I hope it won't be so windy. I hear more icy roads in Minnesota.

I also heard that so many of Austin business's are closing. Kay jewelers, Cash wise grocery store, and maybe even Yonkers. Thats to bad. I like them all.

Hope you all had a good weekend.

Good night and God Bless

Day 45 - It works!

Yaaaa... Mark Martin Won the Nationwide race in Vegas!!!!! .............


Welcome back, I have been checking on my wet camera all day. But, it just wouldn't go. I left it open and in the dry air but nothing happened. We went for a ride and I wished so many times I had my camera. Boats and those skidoo's or what ever you call them, was in the river but no camera. Tonight we enjoyed the local race at the half mile blacktop race track not to far from our camp. It was really fun but not as many spin outs as the dirt tracks. Along with the regular modified, street stocks, and factory stocks, they had vintage midgets. These midgets were old and were driven by drivers who were all over 55. Most were in their 70's and 80's. It was fun to watch them go. And did they go! Before the race started they were all in center field and we could go and look at them close up. But no camera....

Home again... tried the camera. IT WORKED! I am so happy.

We were at a rummage sale and the lady only spoke Spanish. Amanda, I sure wished you were with us. (my granddaughter,11 and grandson, 8 speak and write Spanish.)

There wasn't anything there we wanted anyway.

And big hugs to Mackenzie, (granddaughter,12) who made the better than A honor roll. Sorry, but I don't remember what the title is................................................




Good night and God Bless

Day 44 - Oh shoot!!!

Hello to everyone. No pictures tonight. You will never guess why. My camera isn't working.
What happened you ask? Well, it is like this.......... I had the camera by my side while riding in the pickup. We were on our way to rummage sales and grocery shopping. Molly decided to get in my lap and bumped the camera. The camera fell to floor. That doesn't sound so bad you say. I unhooked the seat belt so I could reach to pick it up. Molly has a cup with water in it in the cup rack which is on the center floor. The camera fell in the water. (now you know the rest of the story) Oh no.......not again, I said. I quickly pulled out the card and batteries. water run out of the camera. I dryed it the best I could and it is now air drying on the table. Does it still work? I will let you know tomorrow.

Mel made some salsa tonight and it smells like an onion in here. He did good for the first try.
Does anyone have a good recipe?

Our neighbor owl is hooting. so neat. Mother owl still sitting on her eggs in a tree a couple of campers down. Daddy owl comes at dusk and stays in the tree with her until morning.

Good night and God Bless

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Does anyone remember this car? Mel had one almost like it as a teenager. His was a yellow convertable. It is a 1950 Hudson Hornet. The first NASCAR champion, Red Byron, raced one like this............The old car carrier is a 3000 White . early 50's.....The bear is in one of the flea market stores. Just look at the turquoise it is wearing........Which one is the chief?.......................

We made another trip to Quartzsite. We looked around a car lot that had really cool, but really expensive cars. Mostly from the 50's. I love the cars from the 50's. Back to the market place and a bit more shopping. Not to many venders left but enough to spend some time there. Still have a couple to check out. Molly gets to walk with us. She likes that better than sitting in the pickup. She met many other doggies. We had a coupon for a free chicken dinner if we bought one so we ate supper at Popeyes. (I told you Mel was cooken!)... Headed back home just at sunset. (picture below taken at the West end of Blythe main street)

Sat out by the water for a while then came inside and checked out our purchases.

Weather looks bad again in home area. I hope not to bad.

Good night and God Bless.....................................

Day 43 - Enjoy the view day

Hi there. Another 80 degree day. We just stayed home. Watched the water go by. It is so pretty out there. The birds are singing, the sky is very blue. We visited a bit with the neighbors. Molly and I took a short walk. All this fresh air sure makes me tired.
For supper I made pork chops with mushroom sauce, baked potato, corn. Mels turn to cook tomorrow. I hope!


I only took one picture today. It was a crop duster plane. But it didn't turn out very good. I will post it anyway. It just cleared the tops of the trees in the camp. Molly started barking as I was trying to take the picture so didn't try any more shots. Love and hugs to all.....good night

Day 42 - Wash day

The first 2 pictures are the irrigation ditchs used for water the crops. They are bailing alfalfa not far from here. Smells so good.

#3 is the entry to our camp

#4 a bunch of sheep. These are on our road to the camp. Notice the black sheep. So cute.

#5 The sun is setting. looking kind of SE.

Washed cloths today. We decided to just go into Blythe to do laundry as there is only 2 machines here . I had 3 loads. Turned out well. Another beautiful day. It was pretty windy this morning but it was nice this afternoon. Molly found a new friend a few campers down. Another little white Bichon. He was a seven year old but they played nice together.

We took a little ride this afternoon. This morning I made a pot roast in the crock pot with potatoes and carrots so supper was ready when we got home.

After supper we just sat out and watched the beautiful sunset.

Good night & God Bless

Day 41 - Flea market

Good evening, I had a good morning. After talking to the office about the prices here we got
$140 back. Nice eh? I found that it was cheaper to rent for a month than it was for 2 weeks so they rewrote our papers and gave money back. Sure was nice of them. We made the reservation by phone so didn't know about any of this at the time. Then we got their brochure and found a lot of other info that they didn't tell me on the phone.
We spent the afternoon in Quartzsite. Did a lot of shopping even though most of the venders have all ready left. I was pretty disapointed for that. I guess they start leaving the first of Feb. We should have come here first. Next time... I got a couple pieces of jewlery. Mel got a tool. We found a race track too just a few miles from our camp. Sat. night stock car races. The Nascar race was rained out yesterday and was held today. But we missed it. Mark didn't win anyway.

Picture 1.. mountain view on the way to Quratzsite. Hwy 10. Picture 2.. Mel watching the river at the back of our camper. The edge of the cliff is just in front of the picnic table. Picture 3... If you click on it to enlarge you can see a few the desert campers. They park all over the desert for free. Called Boondockers. No water, elec, or sewer. have to use your own water tanks and a generator. I forgot to take pictures at the flea market. Next time.

Take care & God Bless

Day 40 - Now this is camping!

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Our view today.


A dock is just below us. But to many steps for me. I think Molly would jump right in if we would let her.


We found out that we could get a lake front sight after all . They will come and dump our tanks so we wouldn't need the sewer part. So we moved right away. What a beautiful view we have now. We seen 2 Loons today. Still to far away for pictures. I will see if the road goes down far enough to get a closer look.


There is an owl nesting on 3 eggs just a little ways from us. Been watching her.



We have been watching the race but it got rained out. Haven't heard yet when it will be.



It was 80* today. No place to swim though. lake to cold.



Mel made supper tonight. Wasn't that nice?



Good night and God Bless ...................................
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I took this picture putting the camera up to the binoculars. ..
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normal size