Day 16....Cold day in AZ

Brrrrr.......... It is cold here. A have a coat on and turn the furnace up day. It was ONLY 54 degrees. Almost as cold as Minnesota and Iowa!!!

We just went for a ride this afternoon. Looked at some possible RV parks to move to and the one we liked was filled up. So guess we won't go there. My big requirement is that it has cable TV so we can watch Daytona week and the Nascar race. Not long to wait for that now..... Gooooo Mark Martin!!!!

I seen this cactus in that park. It was so red or purpleish. really neat.

We had a good supper. I made BBQ ribs and the trimmings. Mostly microwave cooking so was easy.

We will check out some rummage sales tomorrow. not sure if there is any but we will look anyway.

Take care and God Bless

Day 15 - Visiting friends

Don and Jackie Schacht from Rochester. Jackie is a good friend, school mate & Red Hatter with me.

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Jack and Gail Rooker from Oronoco. Gail is also a Pine Islander and Jack is Mels truck friend.

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Hello, We had a good day visiting these friends who also are in Arizona for the winter.

We visited Jackie and Don at their camp site in Green Valley. About 75 miles from here. They rent what is called a Park model. like a trailer house. Really pretty one. Then we went out to lunch. It was so good to see a them. Then we went back north to Tuscon and met Jack and Gail for coffee. We haven't seen them for a long time. In Minnesota we live about 40 miles apart but had to come to AZ to see them.

Home again and had a small supper and then just been sitting around. And fighting with my computer. I have so much trouble getting into any site or email until after 10. Not sure why.

Tomorrow will be a quiet day at home. I might even go swimming. :-) Come on over. That is if it is warmer than today. Was only about 55 and windy. Needed a jacket.

Thanks for stopping in.

Diane

Day 14 - Lunch with brother

Hello to all,

We are so missing out of the big storm at home!! (sure we are ;-0 )

It was a sunny 65 here. Turned the A/C on in the pick up for the first time. Got chilly tonight though. Had to put a jacket on.

We met Mel's half brother, Ken, and his wife Marie for lunch today. (Their picture above)

What an enjoyable visit. They are in a camp site north of us. Their home is in Rochester, MN.

The other picture is just a huge cactus. Oh how I would love one of those.

After lunch we got a few groceries and I bought a little Sago palm tree to take home. Still looking for an affordable big cactus.

We even had supper out. We went to Eva's Mexican Restaurant. Was ok but Mexican food is not a favorite of mine. It was good though.

Tomorrow we will travel to Tuscon to meet another friend, Jackie.

Come back tomorrow for all the details.

Good night. Stay safe and stay warm.

Day 13, House cleaning day.

See what I got today? Almost as pretty as yours, Terri. :-)

Now I need a pedicure.

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It was a busy day. I washed clothes this morning. There is a real nice laundromat here.

It has been a long time since I used a laundromat. I even paid the same dryer twice.

I meant to push the button for the upper dryer but hit the button for the one I already had running on the bottom.

Then I did some house keeping. Vacuum and stuff. Mel washed some outside windows.

This afternoon we went ot Casa Grande and shopped the used a bit shops. Martha should have been with us. I wanted some AZ looking things like pottery or something but found nothing.

Other campers have such cute ornaments in the fronts of their place so wanted something.

I did bring along a real looking rose bush so I got a basket to put that in. Looks so real that one lady even smelled it.

Tomorrow we will be having lunch with Mel's half brother. Not sure what from there.

so good night to all. Thanks for stopping by.

Day 12 - Day of rest

Hello everyone, We had a very quiet day. Church service at our Camp site was very nice. After we just rested in the camper. It rained all day so wasn't even outside other than untangling Molly!!!

Last night I about broke my neck... I slipped on the steps coming from the bedroom and landed hard. But guess I have enough padding as I wasn't hurt other than my feelings. I sure got Mels attention!!

Today Molly got into one of her running moods and after about the 3ed time from couch to bedroom going on one side of the bed, on the bed down the other side and back to the living room and on the couch and back to the bedroom. this time she run right into the step with her nose. Poor little girl... she didn't run any more. She had to be held a while then was ok.

We traveled 2062 miles to get here and got an average of 11.75 miles per gallon. Not bad, eh?

Sorry, no pictures today. Will get some tomorrow. Not sure what we will do but I am sure Mel will think of something.

I hope the rain and then freeze in Minnesota doesn't cause to many problems. Kind of scary.

Stay safe...

Good night

ok just one picture....

Day 11

Is this the life???? the middle picture is just the front yard of some house. only seen a couple with grass. Most have just the small rock and all kinds of cacti.

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It was 70 and sunshine again today. We didn't do to much today. Went for a ride and looked at houses and the yards. All stucco and mostly brown . Looked for some rummage sales but must have been to late as all we found was signs but no sales.

We had a pasta supper. cheese tortellini. I made it with hamburger and pasta sauce. We never had this kind of pasta before. Just caught my eye in the grocery store. It was really good.

I see it is warming up a bit in the North. It might rain here tomorrow.

I hope I can get up in time to attend chapel service here at the park.

Hope you all have a great Sunday.

good nigh

Diane

Day 10, We are here ! Arizona City

Our very own lemon tree. Right beside our camper.

Is that a big cacti or what? must have been 15 feet tall. I wish I could see it in bloom.

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Welcome back. I really hate to rub it in to my family but golly, it is hot here!!! hehehehe. It was 70 here this afternoon. Was so very nice.

We spent most of the morning at the tire shop. I found a nice place in Tucson on the net. It was just a couple of miles from where we stayed last night. We got new tires for all 4 camper wheels. It even pulls nicer now. Most of the tire shops, oil changes, etc are open air. they only have a roof.

We got to our camp site about 1 this afternoon. It is really nice. I hope to get some pictures tomorrow. www quailrunrvresort.com Heated swimming pool & mini golf. They had a fish fry tonight.

It took us a while to get set up being we didn't know what we were doing but Mel got it all figured out. Didn't know we were suppose to have our own TV coax for cable so got that along with groceries. Will hook that up tomorrow. Also didn't have a piece for the sewer hose. It works but ... so got that too. Walmart is only about 8 miles away.

Not sure what tomorrow holds. I think just rest a bit and enjoy the sunshine on our patio.

I want to find a book or web site to tell me what these plant names are. All so cool!!!! And so big!

Oh my, just realized that tomorrow I have to wash dishes again.

Good night

Diane

Mel thought this was the perfect spot as there are 4 truck stops near by. should keep him in coffee and balony talk for a few days. ;-)

Day 9 - Tucson, AZ

Hello to all, It was a beautiful day today. 65 and sun shine. Some dark clouds but not to bad. Had some cool winds for a while. Had to put a coat on. :-) Molly keeps looking for grass but none to be found. She doesn't like the sand in her paws.

A sign in the rest area said poisones snakes and insects could be in this area. yuk....

Seen none.....thank goodness. Mel said to cold for them to be out. I hope he is right.

We mostly just traveled today. Beautiful mountains sights all day. No off road adventures.... except for one. Stopped at a rest area to let Molly out and we must have drove over something on the way in as another flat tire. big hole in the bottom. Mel had the necessary tools to change it but the spare is what we took off yesterday so not a good one. Tomorrow we have to go to a tire shop again.

We reserved a camp site in Arizona City called Quail Run. http://quailrunrvresort.com

I hope it is as nice as the web site claims. Will be there after the tires are done with.

Plan to stay there at least a week. maybe 2.

I been following the weather in the North land. Feel so sorry for you. ;-)

Crank up the thermostats. Add another blanket.

Take care and God Bless

Diane

Day 8, NM/TX line

Hi there,

I am finally able to read and send my emails. It has been a long 2 days. ha!!

Today we got into the mountains of TX. ohhhh so pretty. but was so cloudy that the pictures didn't turn out very good. Will be more tomorrow as we go threw NM and into AZ.

Thank you all for the invitations to visit that we have been getting. We are going to try and see as many of you as we can.

We found a couple of camp sites we will check on tomorrow. Plan to park near Arizona City and rest for a day or two. Then just take the pickup on our trips around the state.

We had a small problem today. Stoped at a rest area for lunch and couldn't get the kitchen slide back in. With the help of another camper Mel pushed it in so we could travel. With the help of "Good Sam" we found a place to fix it. I guess a screw fell out. At the same time a tire was going bad so had to replace that also. Kind of an expensive and frustrating day.

But tonight the phones and computer both work again so I am happy.

I have GPS on my computer and kind of fun to see where we are going. Of course with Mel being a human map we don't really need it very often.

Mel and Molly had their ice cream and already in bed so guess I will go too.

See you in New Mexico tomorrow........Maybe even Arizona.

Good night

PS... got to 65* today. First day in spring coats.

If you would like to leave a comment just click on the word comment at the bottom of my post for the day. thanks.....

Day 6 & 7 Ford Stockton, TX

My cousin, Yvonne and her husband, Jim.






Mel and Molly, near Fort Lancaster TX.





Hi there,
Sorry I didn't blog last night but I had no signal. I even had computer withdrawals !!
We used the phone when we left my cousins and then it was gone until late this afternoon.
No phone and no computer! Are we spoiled or what? Still can't get into my email. Hope it works later.

We had such a great visit with my cousin. It has been around 20 years since we last met.
So much to talk about. So many family changes. Their home was so pretty. Nestled in a side street of Early TX. Home made brownies for lunch and Chili for supper. We also got to meet her daughter and grandchildren.

We then got the news that Mels dad (94 years old) had fallen and is in the hospital with a broken hip. The day before my sister in Law, Nancy, from Park Rapids had unexpected surgery. What news when we are so far away.

We seen a lot of beautiful scenery today but it still isn't very warm. Yes, I know it is warmer than home ... but still cold for here. 40 degrees and misty rain and fog all day. Molly seemed to always find the sand burrs. Lots of cactus, yukka, and I think they were aloe plants.
We washed our pickup and camper finally. It was so white from the snowy roads. Also seen, would you believe, a drive threw beer store. Hmmmmm wouldn't that be illegal??? should be!

Tomorrow will be in New Mexico. Hope you will come along.

good night

Day 5, Still in Dallas

pic 1...coming into Dallas
pic 2...The "grassy knoll" on Dealey Plaza
pic 3...Where the shot supposedly came from
pic 4...Molly says,,"oh goody, there finally back"
pic 5...leaving Dallas

Dealey Plaza
What an awesome place. I could just feel the tension. clusters of people all telling of their own theory's. We stood in all the places....where he was shot, where the shooter was or they think he was, where the people fell for safety of the gun fire, a brake in the curb where a bullet hit. The Book Depository where they say the shot came from on the 6th floor. Where Jack Ruby was jailed for 3 years before his death. You must go there sometime.
We also visited briefly the "Old Red Museum". Mostly Dallas and Texas history.
Beautiful old courthouse building with a huge clock on top gonging like Big Ben.
Had maps of the US and Texas as it changed. Some as old as early 1800's.

It actually got in the 50's today. Windy though. but sunny.
Seen a palm tree!! And Elvis is alive after all. We seen him atop a car dealership. ha.
Leaving the city we watched a beautiful sunset.
Stopped for the night in a Walmart lot in Eastland, TX.

Tomorrow we visit my cousin who I haven't seen in about 20 years.

Good night and thanks for riding with us.

Diane

Day 4, Dallas TX

We seen such beautiful lakes all around McAlester OK - Lake Eufaula





Gilly's bar....



Hi there,
We still haven't been in any warm weather. It did hit 40 in OK but mostly in the
30's. Even here in Dallas it is only 35. I guess I shouldn't complain knowing what it is at home!!! brrrr. Hope youall are keeping warm (notice my Texan drawl? ha!)
It was mostly just driving and watching the scenery today. Stopped for a shower and also at a Walmart to get a few groceries and LP tanks for our little heater.

Planned to go to Gilly's but after finding it- just south of the center of town, it just wasn't an area that we wanted to leave the camper and Molly so we just drove by. Pretty dark part of town. (I was tyring to find it on a map when my computer froze)

My computer just didn't want me using it today. It froze up twice. The first time I called Tom for help. Was suppose to take the battery out but just couldn't. But with time and patience I finally got it. Then had to find my way back to the site I was on. by then the roads were rough and I kept hitting the wrong keys. So I put it away for a while. Tonight it locked up again but I fixed it right away that time. Thanks for your advice Tom.

I wish MN roads were marked like they are here. not just white lines on the road but they have little strips that look like lights. So easy to follow. And you should see the over passes. I wish I would have a picture. not just one road going over the other but maybe 5 levels going every which way. So glad Mel knows how to follow the signs.

We are parked in a grocery store parking lot for the night.

Good night and thanks for stopping in.

Diane

Day 3, Big Cabin, OK

Hello to all.





This picture was taken in Des Moines at Terri and Bob's. Our last snow storm for the season. (I hope!)

We got over the freezing mark today. Up to 46 degrees and no snow on the ground. We been following the temps at home. Boy, is it cold up there!!


We had a good lesson learned last night. Went to bed all nice and warm but very early this morning it got quit chilly in here. Well, the generator run out of gas. It was only 39 degrees in here. We put on another blanket and started our little LP heater. Stayed ok in here but sure got dressed in a hurry when we finally got up at 7.

We had a big buffet breakfast in Oak Grove, MO before we visited OOIDA big office building. Had a nice tour seeing where the magazine was written, the XM radio studio, insurance offices and so much more. Very interesting.






This is a neat bridge going over the Missouri River in Kansas City.


Tomorrow we will head for Dallas. See you there.

hugs, Diane

Day 2 - Kansas City

We are still in the cold weather. But we did stop at what sounded warm. " Isle of Capri" parking lot. We had dinner at this casino and spent my usual $20. but came out with 0...
Not lucky like some I know!!

The camper warmed up nicely with the furnace and fire place running so we are happy. Sure we have a fireplace in here!! Only 25 outside. But clear sky. Not snowing.

After Terri made a nice lunch we left about 1 this afternoon. Roads were clear by then. We did get over 6 in. of snow last night. We seen lots of tracks to the ditch so must have been pretty slippery earlier.

I still don't have everything put away so will find a place for it all in the morning.

We plan to visit OOIDA (Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association) and a historical truck museum tomorrow.

Terri showed me how to add pictures so will try that tomorrow too.

Good night
Diane

We are still in the snow.

Hello everyone,
Thanks for all the well wishes that was sent.

We are now at daughter Terri's and family in Des Moines. The snow started about 20 miles out of town. The roads were already a little slick. Seen one accident. We stoped at St. Johns Lutheran, Bobs church and joined in their supper and short service and then on to their home.

Mel backed the camper into their long driveway just fine.

Now we are waiting Terri's return as she has been in Nicaragua for the past week visiting the coffee farmers there. This is for Lutheran World Relief. She should be home about 11:00.

We will leave tomorrow afternoon and head for Kansas City. weather permitting....

Bye for now
Diane