Lift Your Feet Up! Suck That Tummy in! Get Moving!

Yuma Lakes RV Resort

So, on Tuesday, Mar. 31st, it was time. I was melancholy in my last post but now it is time to Buck Up and get moving! Sounds like an exercise regime and for the Suite, I guess it is. 😂

Good morning
from
Park Place RV Park

Her feet get pulled up, her slides get brought in and her wheels move, all for the first time since Nov. 1st. We were as ready as we'll ever be. I was not surprised to feel a bit of nausea when I came downstairs at 6:45. I'd been dreading the move, in a way.

Gibbs was anxious while we
prepared things inside.
So much so that he didn't want to 
go for a walk with Mom.
Not while Daddy was in and out 
of Black Beauty.

That passed quickly and I started doing the remaining small jobs that are on my to-do list when we are packing up. Bill was outside, much to Gibbs' dismay (he knew something was up, bigtime), dumping tanks, bringing our Starlink in and packing our power cord and sewer hose away.

So, we pulled out,
stopping briefly at the office to
say goodbye to our Managers.

When Linda came over for
Pokeno this afternoon,
she took a picture of our
empty site. 😞

Gibbs is not a good traveler, not since the summer after his very first winter south. We're not sure what changed but that confident, sleepy pooch was no longer. 😒 He is better now, with a few tricks we've tried but still gets anxious. 

Diesel prices continue
to rise and saying goodbye
to the Q mountain.
(I climbed 2x this winter!)

Without the sun, these
pictures are quite dull but I
do enjoy this ride.

We said goodbye to Sue and Fred and pulled out of the park we've called home for 5 months. With only 90 minutes to drive, we arrived in Yuma Lakes RV Resort around 10:30. It is located on the east end area of Yuma. We turn off I-95S onto 7th Avenue E for about 3 miles.

Pictures from the drive.
Yuma Proving Grounds
the aerostat blimp, construction
and Yuma lemon grove.

We are Coast to Coast members and benefit by staying in this park for points, equivalent to $10/night plus $3 for electric. We got set up on Site #14 and immediately moved indoors. The houseflies are awful, 😫 spring here is different than in the Q, where we had the occasional one here and there. 

Other than being hot,
he enjoyed the ride enough.

Bill hooked us up to water and electric and joined Gibbs and I inside. The nice thing about rv'ing is that when you move, when you step in the door, nothing has changed. You are always 'home'. For Gibbs, that is huge. 💕

Fields harrowed for planting
This row of palm trees indicates
our turn is coming up.

I had a coffee and we relaxed until noon. After a bite to eat, we left the little guy in his happy place and drove into town to pick up things we needed at Walmart. We are only here 3 nights, long enough for a short time in Los Algodones before we move again.

Our turn towards the
park, onto Ave 7E

We stocked up on our Walmart things, stopped at Sally's Beauty Store and O'Reilly's Auto Zone for BB's air filter. They were all in the same mall so one stop shop and were back home before 3. I really wanted a DQ ice cream cone but it was out of our way so tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow! 🙏

Arrival

The afternoon was spent in front of our laptops. We have not sat down to actually plan our route home. There were suggestions, hints and a few ideas tossed around but today we formulated an actual PLAN that we both like. You'll just have to follow along to find out what they are!

This pretty tree was
right beside where we parked
in the Walmart lot.

I made myself a tasty Caesar and since our NCIS shows started at 5 pm, we decided on a throw together kind of supper. Apple pie and cheese were on the menu and saved cooking. With the a.c running, every bit helped.

Easy set up on Site 14
The trees are a nice touch

We reached a much more bearable 93F/31C today under cloudy skies. Tomorrow will be even cooler so we are h-h-h-appy!!! We watched our programs and I focused on finishing today's post. Gibbs is confused but curious, wants out, often, but only to check out all those new smells!

Good night from Yuma

A great day but I'm still thinking I'm in Quartzsite. Funny feeling. 🤭 Thank you for following our journey.

Park Departure, Clouds and Rain, KOA Greeting

I am thrilled to report that when I woke up at 6:30 on Thursday, Apr. 4^th, 

everything was still. No twirly whirls in my head today. Yay! They never last long, the longest being about 4 hours and as long as I remain in one position, no mishaps or falls. But I will tell you that when something like this happens to me or when you get sick, the first day of feeling good again is like a rebirth. I’m sure you’ve experienced that feeling too.

The park was quiet this morning

I guess there isn't much earth here, the tree roots are very visible

Clemson had just done a shake and curled up closer to me so I had to move without disturbing him at 7 when I got up. Bill was already downstairs with his coffee so I sat with him for a bit before going for my last walk here, this spring. It was reading 47F on the weather station and no wind so other than my new neck muff, I didn’t have to layer up too much. It was a cloudy sky with no hope of sun today!

Selfie - provided I obey all the posted rules, I should be allowed to stay

And provided I don't fall in the water,
this might be a nice selfie

I only did a mile before returning and making us poached eggs on rye toast for breakfast. We washed up, did dishes and were pulling out of the park at 9 am. Just a short journey today but 2 hours closer to home. We could keep moving but Bill and Rob have plans to go to the International RC Expo in Toledo together. (Radio Controlled ‘things). We stayed at this KOA last spring as well and it isn’t anything fancy but they treat us kindly and just what we need for a couple of nights.

Lots of geese in this park, I guess we'll soon be seeing our own
geese up on the Ridge

The rain began almost as soon as we got onto I-75N but only lightly. It remained with us for the rest of the trip and when we stopped at the Rest Area for a piddle 20 minutes before our destination, it added to the chilly 39F and gave us all goosebumps. Brrrr. It won’t be fun setting up in the rain and it will be the first time in a long time. We turned onto Middleton Rd. which is a quiet paved country road with pretty properties along the way.

And the ducks saunter across the lanes

It was 10:30 or so when we pulled into the park at Perrysburg.  Oh, and believe it or not, the rain had stopped. Yahooie Louie! There was only one other rv in the park when we arrived which is certainly different than the 10 or 12 last year at this time. It was cold but we were here. We were settled with 2 sites between us, ours being a longer site for obvious reasons. Bill said that it was under new ownership and that there were major renos going on.

The drive was uneventful and we enjoyed this country drive leading us
to the KOA

Once set up, we each had a coffee and sat with our books. It was too cold for us snowbirds to be outside and before we knew it, we were dozing. I never sleep for long in the afternoon so quality time was necessary for me. I went upstairs. It was too noisy beside my sweetie. When I woke half hour later the heat up in the bedroom was ridiculous so Bill turned the source down a couple of notches. We had an apple and some cheddar cheese for lunch and planned on an early supper.

This KOA has new Wifi stations installed since last year, when it was the pits, so the gal in the office asked us to test it from our site and see what we thought. Let me tell you, it is awesome! Many, many parks offer FREE wifi but it is never a draw for us, or a bonus feature because unless we are sitting in the office/clubhouse or are parked right next door, it isn’t worth the paper they give you with the password. You may be able to sign in but it is too slow for our liking.

Here, there is no password. We are not beside the office but there is a wifi station right across the lane and it connected immediately. Not only did it connect, we are able to watch YouTube videos with no hesitation, open email videos quickly and we have done all of the updates on our phones really quickly. I am impressed, we are impressed and I know Rob told her on all of our behalf but I will do the same tomorrow. It justifies the price you have to pay, staying in a KOA.

With Free wifi, I learned the Magic Circle! tadah!
Thank you Nancy K for your help
She is exactly the girl I was referring to

Bill found in their handout that there is a Camping World within 11 miles so we asked Rob and Pat if they wanted to go in to Rossford to check it out. At 2:30 or so, we took a drive. There are lots of stores along the strip, which is Hwy 23/Fremont Pike and Pat’s and my eyes grew big. Oooh! Shopping! There is a TJ Maxx, Hobby Lobby, Meijer’s, Bass Pro Shop, Walmart, Sally’s, Bed, Bath and Beyond and Dress Barn just to name a few.

Clemson isn't as keen on this as we are

At Camping World, we found 3 things for Clemson. He is not keen on new things and won’t even attempt the 3-step that we bought him to help him get up on the couch or the bed. He does like the food mat we picked out for his dish and he will like the little short legged Pet Bed this summer. He is finding it difficult getting up and down off the ottoman he has now. I like it for my feet anyway when I’m sitting outside. I can take the step thing back for a refund tomorrow.

We all like his dish mat

The guys are leaving in the morning for the show in Toledo at 7:30 so Pat and I will take Rob’s truck in the morning and check out some of the shops. For supper tonight, around 5:45 when we were both hungry, I warmed up the rice and stew in the microwave and we enjoyed it just as much as we did last night. There is still one meal for someone. I might freeze it for another time. We cleaned up dishes and did some more online playing. It feels good not to have to be watchful of how much data we use.

This purchase should pay for itself back home this summer

Oh! When we pulled into this site, the same one as last year we think, our door opened out to a muddy rut and of course that means traipsing it in and out on our shoes. I swept the floor inside and shook the mats and then when Clemson wanted to go for a walk, I lucked out. It was cold but I bundled up good and took him for a longer one than I first planned. While out and about I noticed a staff member picking up and dropping off garbage.

At least now we have a step instead of just mud

Hmm, when we got around the office on our return trip, he was putting stuff in his personal vehicle. I didn’t know what time it was but just struck up a conversation with him. I asked if the park had any ½ wood pallets (we called them skid in our employment) that we could put down outside our door because of the mud. He couldn’t have been more congenial and told me he’d just dropped a whole one in the dumpster. Lickety-split, he hopped back on the 4-wheeler and went and got it for us. I couldn’t thank him enough.

Rob and Pat's spot just down the road

The rest of the evening was quiet. Bill didn’t set the satellite dish up for 2 nights as we have recorded programs to watch and books to read. That was pretty much it for our day. More light rain began around 6:30 but it wasn’t a bother to us, we weren’t going anywhere. I hope you’ve enjoyed your Thursday. It seems odd to me that we’ve changed locations today, it doesn’t feel like we moved this morning. LOL

Our spot for a couple of nights

Thank you for stopping by!

No Itch but Movin’ On, Friends Reunion in Tucson, Az, BBq’d Ribs

I seem to have an alarm built in my head now. No matter what time I go to bed, I’m awake and ready to get moving around 7 or shortly after. Today, Monday, Feb. 12^th was no exception. I was up at 7:15, dressed, blinds open and out the door for my walk. I headed right out of the park gates and turned west. It was windy but 59F so great walking temperature.

The traffic wasn’t terrible on N. Frontage Road but busy enough that I stayed far enough off the highway. Their pedals were to the metal. 

The clouds are scrambling around the top of the mountain range

I turned into Sundance RV Resort, a sister park to Fortuna, owned by Cal*Am Resorts. It was another option for us to use for our 3 FREE nights. We’d heard that it would be too small and too crammed, that we might not have fit in easily.

Walking around the park, I was still impressed by the care taken in these resorts. A nice sports complex at the front with the same choices we have, but on a smaller scale. I was surprised to see outdoor Curling lanes too, my sister, Cathy, would like those! 

People were friendly, I met lots in my jaunt around past the dog park and the back side. A mixture of rv’s and older park models. I noticed 3 Ontario plates in one area and that always makes me smile.

Nice dog park but I didn't see any dogs playing on the apparatus in there

Such a pretty tree

Baby Ocotillo for Deb D.
It was showing some green buds coming

I walked back home after getting a mile and a half logged and Bill was up at his laptop. I made my tea, which he had prepped and we shared our last grapefruit. Bill had his shower, I washed and cleaned up dishes. There was nothing else to put away other than the hose so I brought the slides in, turned the invertor on and we were on the road by 9:30. Bill stopped at the office to report that the hydro/electric post for our site was very loose. Something they should check out.

One more shot of this fan palm

Almost ready to hook up

So, we drove on a section of I-8E that we haven’t travelled before. It was lovely, nice views, nice mountain ranges all around us. Soon enough we began losing the clear blue skies of Yuma, trading them without choice to the scattered clouds. Our morning coffee was making its route through our systems so we stopped at the first Rest Area at 10:15.

I think it is worth making a comment here for a couple of special ‘someones’. Ahead of us, a 1-ton truck and Cougar fifth wheel (smaller than ours) pulled out. After we both got up to speed (speed limit is 75/rv’s tend to travel 10 mph less), driving a Dodge. Just sayin’.

Pretty views through Dome Valley

Drove through the Dateland area

Saw more trains today than we've seen in for a long time
I guess that is what happens when you don't have long travel days

Bill was impressed by the Gigantic fields of solar
The panels were curved, different than we've seen before

As we find ourselves nearing I-10E, we are noticing the Saguaro, Teddy Bear and Staghorn Cholla again. We are obviously in the Land of the Giant Saguaro. It is interesting how they disappear for stretches of highway and then reappear. We have not seen such an awesome display of the Saguaro before. Every age, height, condition and stature you can imagine. Every family member is in attendance.

It was hard to get pictures while moving but here is a small collection
of Saguaro (sa-war-o)

At one point, maybe a mile in length, the Ocotillo were plentiful and green, then they were gone too. The Cholla seem to huddle near the base of the mountain ridges as if for safety in numbers and many Saguaro have white tips on their upstretched arms, showing new growth.

Ocotillo (oc-a-tiy-o)

The Santa Rosa Mountains are off in the south, a way over there but they can’t be the same Santa Rosa Mtns. we parked by in Borrego Springs, CA. Two states, same mountain names? Weird. On our left were the Maricopa Mountains, at least these names are according to our Atlas. This is not my knowledge at all. We are under full cloud cover now with 23 miles before the junction of I-8 and I-10 and a dozen drops of rain have teased our dirty windshield.

Warning signs for the blowing dust

closer

Funny how the conditions are just right in this area
for it to become a hazard

 We just drove through the Blowing Dust Area, with signs posted. They weren’t kidding. Our visibility went from perfect to nil for about 5-8 seconds and then clear. 

They sure know the area! That was crazy! With another warning for dust blowing, we were watchful but it dissipated before we got to it. 

Seconds later, it was clear

At the junction we took the exit towards I-10E and pulled into a Pride gas station. Diesel was $2.89/gal compared to Love’s $3.05/gal so it was a no brainer. Pulling in the truck lanes, for the best fit, it always makes me wonder where the driver is with that truck parked in front of us. Just when I start to fret about whether he’ll move by the time we’re ready, he pulls out. Every time! Too funny.

Can someone tell us what these cages are for?
this is the second one in a row
The first one, the gate was open so someone obviously escaped!

It was 12:30 and we were ready for a bite to eat. Maybe we’ll grab a Whopper at the Burger King here rather than opening up the Suite. Yes, I know, you folks with a motor home don’t have to think about that. A burger and fries sounds good and now is better than waiting until we get there in another hour and a half.

We were on the road again at 1:00. The winds are really playing havoc with the garbage in the parking lots and with us folk trying to walk across the lots! The mountains are just silhouettes off in the distance, the blowing dust is flowing across them like lava. How appropriate that Neil Young began singing Four Strong Winds just at that time. 

The sky turned pretty again

The sun is fighting hard to return and blue sky is taking over the sky to the southeast. The temperature has bounced from 73F to 62F and then back up to 73F by the time we arrived at the KOA park in Tucson. We arrived at the gate and were met by Ken and Nancy with fruit in hand. Every site has a fruit tree of some kind, either grapefruit, oranges or lemons. So! We’ll certainly get lots of Vitamin C while here and for days after!

Walking over to Ken and Nancy's, this rig is too big for the site, ya think?

We were set up on Site 1331, one row over from our friends, by 2:45. Nancy invited us to join them for ribs so I will make a salad as my contribution. We have a nice spot as it should be for the price! Bill fed Clemson and we opened things up inside before walking over to see their site and find out times for supper. Oh first, I went out and picked some oranges and lemons off our trees. 😊

Lemons, anyone?

Our snob avoids Molly

We walked around the park and they showed us the pool, the office, a few of the perks that they enjoy. We settled on 6 for supper so after chatting for a while we headed back to the Suite. We both opened our books and soon enough Bill was asleep and lo and behold, so was I! It was a busy day. At 5:30 I got up and made a tossed salad and we walked back over.

Before dinner, Molly makes friends with her guests

Ken’s barbecued ribs were smelling awesome as we walked up so we went inside to join them. Nancy had prepared a feast, even though she said it was ‘nothing’. Rice with mashed potatoes and broccoli, hot german potato salad and julienne green beans, plus ribs, plus salad, plus cheesecake for dessert! My oh my! We were full and she declined my help with dishes. We visited some more before walking back to the suite around 8.

Great dinner with friends

I tried to capture a picture of the red western sky during dinner
but too much was in my way

I wasn’t in the mood for posting my blog tonight so forgive me for leaving it until morning. Pictures are downloaded and the write up will be done here in a couple of minutes. We had an awesome day, moving to a new location to see our friends and making plans for tomorrow. I hope your day was a good one too.

So this is an earlier sunset picture instead
It is gorgeous!!

Thank you for stopping by. I love hearing from you if you wish to leave a comment.