Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Time to Rotate Tires, Sad Farewell, Gorgeous Day, Members Park


On Tuesday, Dec. 11th we were both awake around 6 when Clemson had to go out. He slept through the night, yay! and then decided to stay downstairs. Double yay! That means some cuddle time for his Mom and Dad without a little furball in between us. We were up by 7 to greet this bittersweet day. It was moving day for us and as much as we were anxious to get settled in a park for a month, it was sad to say goodbye to our hosts, George and Rose.

Cloudy skies first thing
It was light enough for me to go out right away so slipped on my jacket and go for my walk. I walked southeast on Kibbey and up around to Palo Verde N. right onto Inverness and then around to Daniel back on Palo Verde N. You don’t care but one day I might want to know which streets I took. It was a nice walk with some unique decorations and homes. I keep seeing the timid bunnies but can’t catch them on camera. Just their blurred fluffy white tails as they hop away from me.

I didn't hear any 'geezer' play but love the sign
cute!
such a lovely bunch of cacti
By the time I walked home, this was what the sky was doing for me
I couldn't choose just one or two to include so you get them all
Back at the ‘ranch’ I made my tea and George came out to say goodbye before he left for a doctor’s appointment. We wished him well, in case he wasn’t back before we left and busied ourselves packing up. I made us poached eggs on toast again as it was quick and filling. After dishes, we got washed up and dressed. We were parked over the sewer dump spot so pulled slides in and Bill moved to the street so Rob could pull up and dump as well.

Getting things packed up
We finished up and parked at the end of the lane
so Rob could use the dumping facilities
Just like a full service campground!
George made it back on time and Rose came out to say goodbye. We got some pictures of us at the front of their house and Rob pulled out of the laneway at 9:10 am. Such a fun visit. We’ll see George and Rose after Christmas in Quartzsite and look forward to that. Travelling with us in the lead, we stuck to I-95S and drove through the scenic area of Parker Dam. Our brains weren’t working this morning and we forgot to bring Bill’s Dashcam into the truck after charging it. Duh!

The ladies

The whole Happy Campers crew
George, Pat, Patsy, Bill & Clemson, Rob, Rose
The rest of the 3-hour drive went smoothly and with a stop at Mcdonald’s in Parker and a break at the Yuma Proving Grounds, we arrived at the California Inspection Station. After hearing about a stop our friend had here and how particular the agents were by taking 2 apples, I was a little concerned. Do I tell the truth and lose my remaining apples or do we just say nothing? In 98% of the times we passed through here, we were just waved on.

Bill Williams River which runs from Alamo Lake

Such a beautiful drive

Then a guy flashed his lights at us so we slowed down
If you look close you can see why

We were grateful for the warning because around the bend was this mishap
blocking one lane
Familiar sights along our route
The Big Tent location
We'll be back
The blimp near Yuma Proving Grounds



Today, we probably would have been fine to just wave and carry on but Bill came to a stop (as the sign says) and the fellow looked friendly as if he wanted to talk to us. He wanted to make conversation about the license plate on Black Beauty. ‘“On our way” to where?’, he asked. So, we explained briefly and the question of do we have any fruit was posed. I crossed my fingers and just said no. I had 3 apples, 2 lemons and 3 key limes. Then we proceeded to ask for more info how much was allowed etc.

this cauliflower field has been freshly picked

And the workers walk this one to see if they've missed any
I couldn't get my zoom lens on quick enough to get
a good picture of this Osprey

We would have been fine anyway as he told us just enough for a couple of days is not usually a problem. They don't always (obviously) but tend to ‘look the other way’. He advised that a good practice is to buy Washington apples and you would be fine. Good to know. We don’t usually buy a lot of apples anyway so no biggie. 

Inspection Station - friendly guys
After a bit of a mix up (us waiting for Rob and Pat and them waiting for us) we arrived at Pilot Knob RV Resort.

Home sweet Home for a while
Sue in the office was very helpful and we got the sites we wanted and were set up by 2:30 with the exception of our satellite connection. For some reason, it was being tempermental and just wanted to take its time coming in on its own. I made us each a sandwich and we planned a later supper for tonight. I’d bought a roasted chicken at Smith’s the other day. Rose and I split the deal of 2 for $10, we couldn’t pass it up. So, we invited Rob and Pat to share it with us.

Happy hour!
And we think Clemson is small
That settled for 6 pm, we heard a couple of motorcycles nearing our site. Lori and Roland came in for a visit on their way home from shopping in Yuma. Oh, and of course little Shatzi. She looked adorable in her Santa coat and pink sunglasses on the back of Lori’s bike. 
Roland waiting to hear that Lori is ready

Lori and Shatzi are good to go too

They stayed for maybe an hour and we caught up on each other’s lives. Rob and Pat joined us at our insistence. They are family too. It was about 5:45 when our company arrived and I put some tossed garden salad into a bowl.

this view is so cute, with the little head twisting and turning each way
and her ears flopping
Rob and Pat brought wine and garlic rolls. What a lovely cheap meal tonight! And no real prep time and no one had to cook. We put the dishes in the dishwasher and sat around and finished the wine. 

The guys gave us the table and they shared the raised coffee table


It was a great meal and there are leftovers for another night
I added the bones to the freezer bag for soup
What a hoot, laughing and carrying on with these two. It was probably 7:30 when they went home, we were all pretty tired. This has been a great day, with a high of 70F/22C today and no wind at all. Absolutely perfect.

All settled on Sites 79 and 80
The night is young but after downloading my pictures, I could hardly keep my eyes open. I’ll need to finish this in the morning. I hope you’ve enjoyed your visit to my post.  Tomorrow is laundry day and we both have lots.

I appreciate you stopping by.
Thank you!

14 comments:

  1. A great travel day. I think each Inspector has their own ideas about what is allowed, our fellow never mentioned Washington Apples, just 'grown in California' was his take. Glad you got to keep your fruit.
    You folks are only a short hop away. Perhaps we'll get a visit in before Riley and I head out for Borrego Springs.

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    1. Thanks Deb, I agree about the inspectors. We learned from this one and hopefully get waved through from now on. :)
      It would be nice to see you for sure! Keep in touch, I think you have our card with our numbers to text.

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  2. I sure enjoyed my visit to your blog. Just imagined we would be there too, (dreaming on) It was in our plans for this year. Well, sometimes we have to wait for the good things. Reading your blog makes up for our overcast sky and cold temps. Keep posting those nice pictures.

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    1. Thank you Marlene, we were really hoping to have you come and join us somewhere here. We'll look forward to whenever it works for you.
      thank you for your kind words.

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  3. Nice that you are settled into Pilot Knob, love that area we will be there in about 10 days hope to see you then if you still there. Great that you got to see Lori, Roland and Shatzi again, super people.

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    1. Looking forward to when you arrive. This feels like yet another 'home' for us. Love it here.

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  4. It really looks like fun. I can't wait to be down in the South West again next winter. Say hi to all.

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    1. Next year! We miss those of you who chose Florida when this is the place to be! haha

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  5. I never get tired of the ride from Lake Havasu through to Yuma. We are hoping to be in the area you have landed in just before New Year's just not sure where yet. So maybe all our schedules will work out, you will all still be there, and we will have a chance for a visit. (Of course, before that we do have to get out of Escanaba. Fingers crossed it happens in the morning.) Glad you got to keep your apples...:)

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    1. We are hoping that you make it to this area too! It would be great fun to have you join us for Christmas and if not, at least Quartzsite. That is in your plans, I hope.
      Safe drive in the morning. We will be thinking of you and praying you 'get out of town' easily.

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  6. After seeing your picture, yes indeed we were at the exact same spot at the same time. Just going in different directions. That would be hard to plan!
    Enjoy Pilot Knob and we will see you there.

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    1. that is hilarious! Rob and Pat said they heard a horn honking but didn't know where it was coming from. Were you in the coach or just your truck?
      Looking forward to seeing you here........soon!

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  7. I'm surprised you were stopped at that agriculture crossing. We have crossed through there many times and most of the times there is nobody there, and the odd time there was, we were waved through.

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    1. I think we could have driven through but he wanted to talk about Black Beauty's plate and then it morphed into more when Bill said we were staying at Pilot Knob. First time we've stopped too.

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