Day 39 - Blythe, CA

Here we are... along the Colorado River. Pretty isn't it? We even seen a loon. I thought we were back in Minnesota for a sec. The loon was to far away to get a picture. Had a look at it with the binoculars.

We got here about 3:00.

We looked in the book for just the right RV park & Hidden Beaches sounded really pretty. River front sites, it said. We figured it was pretty close to Quartzsite. But we were pretty disapointed. Didn't get the river front we requested because we also wanted full hookups and couldn't do that by the water. So we are 3 rows back. With weekend full timmers on both sides and back of us. so there is LOTs of stuff all over. Boats, motor cycles, wood, sheds, big dogs. No cable. But I must say the people are nice. We were invited to their bond fire tonight but just to tired. (is that what 'old' does to you?)
The beaches are really hidden.... Just look at our beach.

The best part of it all is that there is grass. Well, kind of. Pretty dry and kind of weedy but it isn't crushed rock like the AZ park. I am sure it will work out ok. Just that we paid a price to be by the water and........... It even said fishing. then to find out that there is no fishing in the winter. Ok, I have complained enough. Sorry!

Tomorrow is race day. we get 3 channels (kind of) on TV so hopefully we can watch the race. It is in California this week. Maybe we will have to listen to it on the satalite radio in the pickup. Or follow it on the computer. Maybe the neighbors will watch it . That would be nice.

Next week is flea market time in Quartzsite.

Good night

I forgot to tell you that I found the pottery I wanted. Well, almost what I wanted. Not quite the color I had hoped but this will do.

Day 38 - California here we come!!

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.....Hi there! We are in Quartzsite AZ for the night. The trip was so pretty in spite of the cloudy skys and rain. The mountains got bigger. Seen lots of fields. It was hard to tell what was planted in them. One was onions. One was broccoli, and I think the picture was a field of lettuce. The ways of irrigation was pretty neat. I wonder why the blimp. There was no writing on it. Fun to see anyway. We parked for the night in a simple camp site. No hookups.

The sun was setting as we got here.

Tomorrow we will go the the Hidden Beaches Camp site across the Colorado River in Blythe CA.

The wind is really blowing. Our camper is moving pretty good. We will be rocked to sleep!!

Our best wishes to our new friends, Pat and Leroy. May you have safe travels. Their RV was behind us in AZ City. They are going to Texas on Monday.

Good night all, God Bless

Day 37 - Trip to Coolidge

I am laughing because the pictures never go on in the order I want them too. I hope you enjoy them anyway.

The white plane is called the Guppy. NASA used it to pick up shuttle pieces that was to big to ship by truck. The only other way they could have taken it from California to Florida was via the Suez Canel and that was to expensive.

The bubble is located at the bottom of a B17 plane and the place a bombardier sat...all hunched up. I can't see anyone bigger than my 8 year old grandson fitting in there.

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....Looks like it warmed up a bit in Minnesota & Iowa. I sure hope it continues.

We went to Coolidge today and met Ken and Marie, Mels half brother, for lunch. We had a good visit. On the way home we stopped at Verizon phone to get our phones to work without using a password. We so need one of our grandkids to get our phones to work. :-)

Molly got another bath. She sure gets dirty in all this sand and gravel.

I got a good start packing up stuff for our move tomorrow. Will finish in the morning. Plan to leave here by 11. check out time. Checking in to Hidden Beaches RV Park on Sat. morning. I hope we get a spot close to the river.

We have been concerned about Dad's hearing and called the nursing home to have them check his hearing aid batterys. they said they will check on it. Called later and again...they will check on it. A friend went to check on it and seen & told Mels uncle. He couldn't even find the hearing aid. Believe it or not Dad didn't even have it. It was in his shoe.......Go figure. Where was his shoe? I have no idea. Guess it wasn't on his foot. I wonder why the nursing home didn't make sure he had the hearing aid on in the first place. He can't hear a thing with out it.

Poor guy. No wonder he is unhappy when he couldn't hear anything. I think we will be spending a lot of time there when we get home just to see what is going on.

Not sure if I get a chance to write tomorrow night. I hope you miss me if I don't.

good night

Day 36 - Pima Air & Space Museum..... Part 2

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....Lets try this again. We visited the Air museum yesterday and it was so interesting.

Claimed to be the 3ed largest air museum in the US. Over 300 planes & parts of planes were displayed. I wish I could remember all the names of them. There were Bombers, Cargo, Migs, refueling, seaplanes, attack aircraft, fighter aircraft. The picture inside the hangar was a B29. One of the big ones. We took a tram ride around the grounds for over an hour and a half. The guide told us about every one there. "Pres." Mel is coming down from Air Force One. Presidents Kennedy and Johnson used this one within the US. It is just a small one. DC6 I think.

We had a fun afternoon.

We went on to Green Valley to visit our friends, Jackie and Don. They got a new winter home. It is so nice. They will enjoy that. Together we went to a Mexican restaurant for supper.

I don't usually care for Mexican food but this was good.

We got home again about 10.

Late on Tuesday night we heard and felt a very big boom. It really shook the camper. We looked all over but couldn't see any cause. Never did find out what it was. I did hear on the news that the metor that went over and landed in the NW someplace caused a sonic boom. I wonder if that is what we heard.

Last night we got to see the moon eclipse. A red moon.

Now the electric is off all over the park. And I guess way up and around Casa Grande. So whats the deal??????

I better say bye before I lose it all again. Be back tonight

Day 36 - Pima Air & Space Museum.....

Oppppps! I give up for the night. I got all the pictures up and then I didn't have signal enough to hold them. So I did it all over and also wrote the note. Finally done. But guess what. Signal left again and lost it all. Now I am to tired to do it over so will start over in the morning. good night

Day 35 - Oh, so nice out.

No pictures today. Didn't go anyplace. Just enjoyed the beautiful day. About 75*.
I did my home made chicken noodle soup . It turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself.
I thought sure it would draw my kids here. It does at home. But it didn't work.

I swam for a while and then just sat in the sun.

We are moving on Friday. Going to a RV park in Blythe, CA. Right on the Colorado River
Checking in there on Sat. morning. Still hoping our friends will be able to join us there.

Thats all for today.. Good night

........Happy Birthday to brother Bart...

Day 34 - Shopping

How do you like my new stuff?

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.I washed cloths and bedding this morning and then we went to Casa Grande for some shopping.Got a few groceries too. Going to make some chicken noodle soup with dumplings in the morning. Come on over.

Two family birthdays this week. My daughter in law, Jen and brother in law, Kit. Happy Birthday !

We are thinking of moving on by the weekend. Not sure where yet. I have to figure out how to take my garden along.

We have been trying to figure out Molly. She is a barker. Sometimes she really drives us nuts. I guess she has also been bothering one of the neighbors so we have been trying to think of how to train her not to bark. We were advised to try the shock collar. We just didn't think this was a good idea. Sure don't want to hurt the little thing. But we don't want to upset the neighbors either. We checked on a collar today. A pet store lady assured us that these collars are good. So we will think about it. But you know what? Molly hasn't barked all evening. Not once. hmmmmmmmm ....Does she know what we are thinking??

Good night

Day 33 = Race day "Boogity boogity!"

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. 1) This is a mouth wash machine I found in the rest room of a restaurant. I have never seen this before. 2) This mansion is in Sadona and owned by the inventor of the lazer. Even has a big telescope on top. I wonder how big the house staff is. 3) Our neighbors moved on today.

Such a sweet couple. Their home is in Michigan and own a resort. If your interested you can click on the pictures to inlarge.

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Today was race day. This is about all we did. It was a good race but a surprise ending.

Mark Martin had some bad luck. Ryan Newman won. 6 of the top 8 cars were Mopars.

(Dodges).

I am still waiting for a few phone numbers. I have emailed some but no answers...

thanks for stopping by. Good night

Day 32 - Wide Blue Yonder !

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We were at the SkyDive Arizona park in Eloy. Skydivers and parachutists come from all over the world to practice and learn the art of skydiving. Even the military. The aircraft takes them to 13,000 feet and they free fall for 1 minute before they open the chute. They are so high we can't see them leave the plane or free fall. We hear the plane and a moment later we see nothing, then one parachute and another and all of a sudden 10, maybe more, are in sight. What a pretty sight.
They also offer balloon rides but didn't see any there today. I would so love to go in a hot air balloon.

We planned to watch the Busch, opps, I mean Nationwide race (name change) but didn't have it on the cable here. So I followed it on the computer. Tony Stewart won.

We found a couple of rummage sales this morning. Can't believe how hard it is to find one after following the sign on the road. They need some Minnesota know how!!! You see a sign on the main road with an arrow and that is the last you know where to go. We just looked for stuff in the yard, maybe blocks away from the sign.

We enjoyed supper out. Went to a BBQ rib buffet. So good. Molly enjoyed the bones.

Thanks for checking in. Good night

Day 31 - Just hanging out !!

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Just like Molly in the picture, we just hung around because it was raining out all day.

I did a bit of house cleaning and made some crock pot stew again.

The stew turned out better this time. was so good. Had banana cream pie for desert.

We have been watching a lot of racing this week. So good to have it back

Truck races tonight. National races tomorrow. The big Sprint Cup Daytona 500 on Sunday. Yaaaaaaaaaaaaa. Mark starts out 12th. He can do it this year!!

Russ said to turn the TV around and watch it outside. Turn it up and people will just flock around to watch it with us. I wonder? I think they all will be at Russ's house watching.

I wish we were too.

Trey and Amy are going to the cities for a nice warm motel with pool. That sounds fun too.

Good night, God Bless

Day 30 - Happy Valentines Day

1. The alter in the Chapel of the Holy Cross

2. Mel

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Good evening, Hope you had a great Valentines day. We had some good pancakes at IHOP.

I had blueberry. Do we have IHOP's in Minnesota?

The next thing today was to get my phone fixed. But there was no fix to it. I had to replace it. I was so hopeing that it only needed a new battery but no. Now the process of getting phone numbers in again. I wish one of my quick fingered granddaughters were here to put them in for me.

Just watching the Discovery channel on TV. How they make hotdogs. Now I know why I don't like them!!!

The Twin Race was on at noon. Had to watch that. Mark did ok. The big Datona 500 is on Sunday. This afternoon we got groceries.... again. We went to a Spanish grocery store. Food City. Lots of hot peppers around there.

Good night

Day 28 & 29 Scenic wonder.

..................................Hello, Hope you all have warmed up a bit. It was cool and windy here but still very nice. Tomorrow will be kind of stormy with wind and rain. I hope it don't last long. 75 to 80 for the weekend.

Yesterday, Tuesday, we drove to Camp Verdie to visit nephew, Shannon and his wife Christine.

About 150 miles from here and north of Phoenex. They have a lovely home with view. Chris's decorating talents are something. They treated us to a lunch at a Pizza and salad restaurant in Sadona that was soooooo good. Then a tour around the area. I can't even discribe the beauty.

It was so awesome. I got a stiff neck from looking so hard. I took so many pictures that I wore out the batteries. This happened when we visited the Chapel of the Holy Cross. So I had to buy a post card with that picture. This is a Chapel built into the red rock. You will just have to come over and see all my pictures when we get home. We didn't get back to our camper until 10 pm. It was a good day.

Today we stayed home. Visited with the neighbors. Went for a swim. Washed some cloths.

And I really did something dumb. I had my cell phone in my swim suit and went in the pool. good bye cell phone. So I hope none of you tried to call me today. You can call Mels phone if you want. Tomorrow we have to make a trip to Verizon. The race is at noon so won't be doing any shopping.

We got good news that our very dear friends from Wyoming might come down. I hope.........

Good night. sleep well.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY - Much love to all.

Day 27 -

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1. Some parking lots have a cloth type roof to protect the cars from the hot sun of the summer....
2. The entry to our RV park...........
3. the front of one of the park model homes. Those are the pots I want...................
4. The sunset tonight..........

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Hello to all my snowy friends.

I did some mailing this morning. Cards and bills. then we went to Casa Grande to find me a swim suit cover. I found 2 terry cloth dress type things at good old Savors. Mel even found a swim suit. But I doubt that he will use it. Maybe he will go in the hot tub.
Should I post a picture? Naaaa, I better not. ;-)
Along the way we found a couple of treasures.. We bought a used bike. Now if we can get the seat low enough for me to reach the pedals it will be great. Every one rides a bike here. I wish I would have brought mine from home. Then we came upon a guy selling plants from the side of the road. Next to jewelry plants are the hardest thing for me to pass up.
I got 2 neat cactuses. My garden is getting bigger.
We got home just in time for some swimming. Mel and Molly cleaned up the bike while I was gone.
Tomorrow we will travel North of Phoenix to visit Mel 's nephew, Shannon.
We might not get back in time for me to write but hope you will check in on Wed night.
Going to cool down for a couple of days. way down to 65. hehehehehe

Day 26 - A swimming nice day

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The first picture is the entry to Mexico from Nogales. Looked really dark in there.

The second is our swimming pool. 88 degree water. In the background is the mini golf and the building is the workout room (that I use every day. Sure I do! haha) There is also pool tables in there. Notice the beautiful blue sky.

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Hi there,

How ya doing in the cold and blowing country? It was cooler here. Only 75* today. :-)

I didn't leave the park today. After church and dinner Mel & Molly went for a ride and I went to the pool. There is an ice cream social at the pool on Sundays so we had a strawberry sunday before I got wet. Oh and we watched some of the qualifying for the Daytona race right after dinner. For supper Mel started the grill. We shared a table with our camper neighbors. They are from Lakeville, MN.

Thats it for today. Stay warm. Good night

Terri, You didn't drag me to the Burt Bacharach show. I loved it.

Day 25 - I really hate to tell ya !!!

.Hello everyone. Today was a great day. 80 degrees.
You all will have to come and visit us and get warm. I follow the home temps on the computer and from the boys. Brrrr it is cold in Dexter. But here it was so warm. I went swimming and it was so great. Swam for a couple hours and then the hot tub. It is a heated pool but it won't have needed it today. I WALKED back to the camper and made a pork chop supper. Mel babysat Molly for the afternoon.

This morning was rummage sales around the camp but nothing big deal. I did get a neat ring for 50 cents.

Other than church tomorrow I don't know what we will do. Maybe more swimming. :-)

...............................................................................................This picture was taken in Nogales.

I think it is the Mexican border fence.

One of the little roads down there, North of Nogales, was so different. It was like riding a roller coaster. They weren't plained flat like the roads we know but just followed the lay of the land. Up and down and up. Not high but still up and down.

Day 24 - Off to Mesa

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These are some of the over pass walls and sound barriers.
Aren't they pretty?





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Oh what a beautiful morrrning.... Oh, what a beautiful day! .....Can't you hear me singing?
Maybe a good thing! But it was about 75 degrees & sunny today. Tonight is the first night we don't have our fireplace going.

We had a pretty quiet morning. The electrician came to replace the faulty plugin.
Then I just tidied up the place a bit. This afternoon we went to the Mesa Flea Market. This is about 60 miles north of here. It is huge. Didn't find what I wanted but did get a couple of things.
I want a clay pot with the southwest paint or design but the ones there that I liked were over $100. I didn't want one that bad. It was a huge market. We didn't even get threw it all.
Guess we will just have to go back sometime. Oh well, Quartsite is another huge flea market and we hope to get to that one too. That is where Mel's folks spent many years. If I still don't find a clay pot I will have to check out NM. :-)
Tomorrow is rummage sale day at our RV park. I have no idea what to expect but I certainly will find out.
I hope all in the Minnesota snow storm will stay warm and safe.
Is it in Iowa too??????

good night

PS... Daytona races this week.. #8 is the one to watch. No, that isn't Jr.!!

Day 23 - Day trip south

1. On the way to Patagonia, AZ

2. Randy and Anna Speirs

Tuscon

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We left the camper at 8am. What an early hour for a vacation! But it was worth it. We had a great day. We headed to the pretty little town of Patagonia. Taking pictures of the beautiful scenery all the way. My cousin, Eddie Qualle lives there. What a thrill to see him. Sorry I couldn't print his picture as it turned out pretty dark. I haven't seen Eddie for years. He grew up in Cannon Falls. Thanks for lunch Eddie!

We went on to Nogalis. Nogalis is right on the Mexican border. We just drove around and looked. Very interesting town. Lots of hills.

From there we headed north again. Kind of NE of Tuscon. There we visited Randy and Anna Speirs. This is Bob's aunt and uncle. They also had a guest from England. Gunilla made Swedish meatballs for supper. We sure enjoyed our visit.

Back to the camper about 9. Sure tired tonight .

It was over 80 degrees today. Oh so nice.

Good night and God Bless

PS... Daytona races start on Sat. Mark Martin - #8 - got 2nd for the Shoot Out. :-)

Day 22 - Hair cuts

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Pictures are: Mountain view on the way to Casa Grande, a cotton field, my little garden in front of the camper, Molly enjoying her ride. She is laying on the dash.
If you want to see a bigger picture just click on them.
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Another warm day in Arizona City. Must have got to 73 today. Still cool after dark.
We even went for a little walk. We met a gentleman from Rochester. And then to find out that he lives in South Port. He knew the Mork & VanNurden name. His last name was Younger. Does anyone know him? He owns one of the park models here in the park.

I made some crock pot beef stew this morning so it really smelled good in here all day.
We mostly sat in the sun this afternoon.

Both Molly and I got hair cuts today so we are pretty again. We also got groceries .
I wish we didn't have to eat. But we do a good job of it.

Tomorrow we go to Tuscon to visit my cousin who lives just south of Tuscon. Then visit a Air museum. We will also visit Bob's aunt and uncle who have invited us for supper.

So I better get to bed. Big day tomorrow. Come on back and see how it went.

good night

Day 21 - Good friends visit museum

................Hello and welcome to Arizona.


We had a great day today. Friends, Jackie and Don came to visit.
They are Minnesota snow birds now in Green Valley, AZ. We had lunch up the road from us at a family restaurant. We had chicken parmesan. It was mmmm so good.

We then traveled northeast about 40 miles to a little historical town called Florence. It was a pretty ride with the mountains all around but in a distance. We spent most of our time there in the Pinal County Historical museum. What a collection of Southwest materials.
There was Indian exhibits, bullet and bared wire collections, guns & ammo collection, Cactus furniture; (as pictured) parlor furniture, light purple dishes from before WW1, trading post display, ranch and cowboy display, Tom Mix collection, AZ State prison collection, antique tools
quilts, a 1980's Brougham carrage, and so much more.

Jackie and Don had to leave us from there. We went back threw Coolage and looked up Mels half brother but didn't find them home. We did enjoy seeing where they live for the winter.

We also found a dirt race track along the way but there won't be any races until after we leave this area. shucks...

Picked up a pizza and home again.

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The pictures above were taken at the museum. The big chest is my next jewelry box!!! (Talk about wishful thinking)