Morning Coffee with my Sis, Shopping in Quartzsite, Already!

Quartzsite, Arizona

On Wednesday, Nov. 24^th we woke fairly early. Up before the sun for sure, which joined us after 7 am. We had our tea and coffee while sitting at our laptops and, as I made them, listened to the beep, beep, beep of our inverter telling me that the Keurig was using more power than what our batteries had stored up. I don’t fret about it the way I used to; they’ll bounce back. And they did. 😊

Gearing up for a few great photos

It was looking like a beautiful morning so I went out to capture the rising sun. I even focused on a panorama picture as I made a full body circle out in front of the Suite. I was expecting a spectacular photo but instead ended up with this nice one.  

Wow!! (I must be missing something.)

Our set up - together
in the morning light

The pink mountains in the opposing sky are just
as lovely

I didn’t tell you about the mishap with our bathroom door so I will now. Lessons we learn on this journey.

Waiting

At one of our stops, I don’t recall if it was for the night or just a rest stop, I used the bathroom and closed the door which opens out into the hallway. The door has to be closed because the large bed/hall closet slide closes against that wall with the door. There has been an issue with the bathroom door, on occasion, the latch not catching. This time, it didn’t and I neglected to look over my shoulder to check. At our front door is the panel where we push the button to close slides.

Pop, there it is!

You can’t see the slide come in for this one while holding the button. It was almost halfway in when I heard a crunch and took my finger off the button immediate. Yup, you guessed it. The door had come open and slide met door which pulled the bottom hinge partway out as well as some of the door jam. It took a kick at the hinge to get it back partially in place to close the door tight and carry on. There were a few expletives, I have to admit, this one was my fault. Crap!

It isn't as big a step as at home but he
can still survey for us

Bill knew it would be an easy fix. First, he went into town with our Blue Flame heater to see if RV Lifestyles could fix it within the week that we’re here. He also had some other stops to make and returned disappointed that Herb’s Hardware, a popular spot for the guys, was permanently closed. ☹ He left the heater, pleased that Dennis said he could do it today. Yay! Back home, he discovered that he had the proper screws and took care of the door pretty quickly and easily.

Gayle visits with her morning coffee
Such a cute picture! ♥

While he was gone, Gibbs and I sat outside with Gayle. A morning ‘happy hour’, just us 3. ♥ We had some breakfast, bacon and eggs, around 9:30 and Bill kept himself busy fixing our towel bar which hangs over the above-mentioned door. He cut the hooks off and screwed it directly on, assuming that has been the issue with the closing. Or at least part of it. When I answered the phone from Dennis, we got cleaned up and went into town to pick up our heater and do some shopping.

We went to a favourite vendor in town this morning

The heater just needed a really good cleaning, some parts that Bill couldn’t get to obviously, and all for a mere $30. So worth it. Those guys at RV Lifestyles are THE best. 😊 Such great service. Then we walked the strip of Quartzsite that had some vendors who were open for business. It seemed very dead but we wandered, separately, into some of our favourite places. I’ve wanted to replace my knock-off crocs so found a pair I liked plus a couple of Jasper stone bracelets. It was hard to choose but I loved the colours.

It is very interesting to see what people
are camping in - I love it!

Back home, Bill climbed up on the roof to tilt our solar panels in the wind. We aren’t exactly facing the proper direction to get the best out of our panels, didn’t think that through when we parked but for a week, we’ll manage. 

Bill got the panels tilted late and attached his
weather station

I visited over at Gayle’s, her friend, Judy, who is from Alberta and parked across the road was there and it has been a while since we’ve seen them. Gibbs was very good over on our patio mat, we’re working on the barking, and I could hear other dogs barking but he was mostly quiet. Good dog!

New 'Crocs'

A new addition to my everyday wardrobe
Jasper stones
Just because I loved the colours

Now, I've got salted pistachios

The wind just vamped up and the dust along with it, so we came inside when Bill finished and I made a tea. We know about the winds here but it hasn’t discouraged us from coming here yet. It isn’t always this windy so we roll with the punches. 😊 We’d planned on grilling burgers tonight and despite the gusts blowing from the NW, mostly, he had success and we were eating by 5:30. We missed Happy Hour today – with anyone – because of the winds. Tomorrow!

Little boy in the big chair
Look at those blowing locks

Supper was great, just a cheeseburger, loaded. This afternoon, I pulled the bag of UNsalted pistachios out of the cupboard. I bought them by mistake, I wanted salted, so read up on how to salt them. They are still in shells so I boiled them in salty brine and then baked them on a cookie sheet on the Weber for 15 minutes. Oh my, that worked like a charm so I’d been munching on them on and off this afternoon. They are loaded in nutrition, a bit too many carbs but high in other things too. ♥

We love this little 'teddy bear'

We did dishes and settled in for the night. We read our books until 8 pm when CSI-Vegas comes on. It’s the new one with Grisholm and Sarah on screen again. 😊 I dusted this afternoon, on the mail level, something I think I’ll be doing a lot of and I also Norwex dry mopped the floor. It was badly in need and is much improved. We have had a great day and I’m sure there is another one in store for tomorrow.

Simple burger for supper

Our sunset picture
Taken by Gayle ♥
Good night!

Thank you for popping by!

Wet! The Next Leg, Sister News, Check-In with Home

Walmart, Terra Haute, Indiana

On Thursday, Mar. 19^th we were both woken by the sound of the rain, wind and thunder at 4 – 4:30. Surprisingly, as windy as it was the Suite didn’t budge. It must have been coming from the right direction. I hope the Journey beside us was sheltered as well, they were right beside us. I didn’t get a picture of our stopover though, too wet this morning. It was still dark at 7 so after Bill had something to eat and we got washed up, we led the way out of Joplin at daylight.

About half hour down the road, I remembered to take a picture

Lots more standing water in the fields today

 We pulled out of there at 7:45 and got on to I-44E. First stop was a TA Travel Centre for fuel and we both topped up at $2.35/gal. Ken was going to lead but we had to pull out for another truck behind us. We got back on the interstate and drove slowly until Ken caught up. The rain was forecast for all across the area, with a large front coming through Missouri at 10 am. We were blessed enough to miss real heavy rain and only received light showers periodically to start the day.

Ken passing to take the lead

It was uneventful until around 11:30 we pulled off at a Full Facility rest area for lunch and a leg stretch among other things. We sat for about ½ hour. I will go on and review the St. Clair Rest Area for two reasons. One, thank you for being open to patrons who need a place to pull over and stop. 

We had a dry morning, just cloudy and mild

There are still things worth taking pictures of
The wipers went a lot from the road spray

Two, how frustrating it is when single family vehicles pull into the large spaces reserved for transports and rv’s. That is very inconsiderate. We can’t park anywhere else.

The Eads Bridge in St. Louis

There was some confusion (A LOT!) on our part and perhaps on Ken and Kim’s when we approached St. Louis. Kim got a message from their Garmin gps that the bypass I-255 to the south was closed. We suggested the I-270 which runs north and that is what we both took. Our gps’s would not recognize this bypass and we both ended up going in different directions. There was about 30 minutes at least of uncomfortable driving trying to get back on track. Our gps helped us there.

Many of us travelers will recognize this huge cross too

 Once and only when we finally got onto I-55N and eventually I-70E did I relax. I do believe “I never want to go through St. Louis again!” spouted from my lips. That was not fun at all and tensions do run high in those instances. On the other side at Pocahontas (😊 ) Bill pulled into a BP station just off I-70E and gave Black Beauty a well-deserved drink. She was almost breathing on fumes with just over 60 mph to E. We never go that low but once in the heart of S.L., we were stuck.

More dryness and we thought it was funny that
this transport got between us for the longest time
He was from Ontario and waved when he finally passed Ken and Kim

 The rain in the middle of our confusion did not help matters at all. It was so heavy that traffic was almost coming to a halt but of course, we’re in the city so you keep going. One of my biggest pet peeves, everyone needs to slow down! Back on the highway, the rain had once again stopped completely and that was a nice relief. 

There is sure a lot of standing water in the fields on either side of the interstate. The mild 67F surprised me when I stepped out of the truck at the station. It was lovely!

I think they've had enough rain, don't you?

Kim and Ken messaged to meet us at the designated Walmart location so we had a couple of hours to go before seeing them again. It all worked out and soon enough, we were entering Indiana. I missed the Illinois sign and then was too late also for this state. You can see by my picture that all I got was a blur. I tried!

this is my picture of the Indiana sign
don't blink or you'll miss it, like I did!

I kept myself busy during the easy parts of the journey today by crocheting the back of my sweater. If, for some reason, it doesn’t turn out and needs to be rippit rippit out, it kept me occupied. We arrived at Walmart in Terre Haute, exactly as we’d planned but were too tired to go any further. It was 5:40 EST. We lost our last hour and are now the same time as at home.

Today's collage was of water towers
My favourite is always the Lebanon bumblebee

Once set up beside our friends, Kim asked about a Happy Hour. We walked next door for about 30 minutes and Ken toasted us again as that would be our last – for a while. The plan is to scoot out early and make it home tomorrow night. Keith was trying to make it tonight and we haven’t heard a peep from Jo-Anne and Bob whether they made it home today. Shaun, if you are reading this, ask them to drop us a line!

Last Walmart set up, this season too

We came home around 7:15 and I made up a box of Mac & cheese with our last 2 big wieners for supper. I didn’t feel like chili tonight but Bill would have been fine with that. Our solar panels got no sun today so our batteries were not charged enough to last the evening. Bill turned the generator on before H.H. and after dishes, turned it off for the night. Now, we’ll make it through until morning. I sat to work on my post and then joined Bill in my chair.

A humdrum supper but it tasted good
and we had Jell-o for dessert tonight

Tonight, I heard from my sister, Gayle (& John), who spent the winter months in the Baja, Mx. They crossed into the U.S. yesterday (took 45 min) and soon blew a truck tire. Bad luck for them but he put the spare on and they have 4 new ones on order. It was good to hear that they are okay and resting in Quartzsite until that happens tomorrow or by Monday and they will make their trek homeward too. I feel relief that they will soon be on home land.

My first sunset in a long time!!

Bill’s step-Mom, my M-I-L, also called to make sure we were safely at a destination for the night. Thank you, Marilynne, for keeping tabs on us. It means a lot. This was a good day for the distance we’ve travelled. About 460 miles but I could well have done without the St. Louis experience. We survived and if that was a challenge, we passed it too. The rain needs to fall somewhere and it just happened to be on our travel day. 😊 We made it safe and sound and so did our friends.

And it was a beaut!!
Good night from Terra Haute, IN
and Happy Spring!

Thank you for checking up on us. We are doing well.

Early Morning, Keady Market, Sister Visit, More Perennials, Kettles

Home on the Ridge

I was actually woken by the alarm this time. The late nights must be catching up with me, but you know what? Life is short and what’s the saying? “I can sleep when I’m dead”! So, on Tuesday, June 25^th, I pushed out of bed even though another hour of sleep would have been pretty darn wonderful. I’ve set my own schedule so I’m the one who is responsible for keeping that schedule. No hands would be slapping me but my own if I slept in.

The lot at Keady was filling up

Once out of bed, washed and teeth brushed, I drove into town. Today, I remembered to take the bed sheets, Bill’s chair blanket and towels from his London trips. It was a quick hour and that’s a good thing because it is so warm in the Mat. I think I’ve said that before. I retrieved our clean clothes and looking at the sky and seeing some blue patches, brought them home to dry. I stopped at the bank, deposited our ‘sales’ money and my pay and drove home.

You name it, they have it
You've all been to markets before so I didn't take a lot of pictures

As I neared Baptist Church Road the blue patches were gone and the clouds were a darkening gray. Oh-oh. So, with the four of us having plans to head out at 9, I decided to have my tea and wait until we returned to hang them out. That way, I could better monitor their drying time. Bill had some toast and jam and I had a few pieces of cheddar. We drove to the Keady Market. It is only open on Tuesdays so always a busy place. Otherwise, the town would be missed if you blinked.

Some people have some neat ideas and this was one I liked in particular
There was another one I liked better but didn't get a shot
I might do one some day and this will jog my memory

We parked on the grass in the area and it was already getting filled up. We pretty much walked together but drifted here and there from each other around the tents. First in couples, then the girls and guys and then together. Bill and I found things for ourselves and then I picked up on a deal for peameal bacon that I couldn’t refuse. We love peameal bacon. Sold! We headed back home and, on the way, stopped at my sister, Gayle’s, place outside of Chatsworth.

Welbeck Shingle Mill

Gayle had offered me some perennials earlier so after checking with her that she was home, stopped in for a brief visit. John wasn’t home and we didn’t stay long enough to see him but K & K got to meet her at least. Not only did I bring home pulmonaria but also some lamium and dahlias. Yay! I’ll have to get them planted today or tomorrow. She said don’t worry about digging the dahlias up in the fall as she has a friendly consistent supplier which means I now have one in her! 😊

We left there and Bill took us (them) to see the Welbeck’s Sawmill. It is always interesting to see this old still-in-business saw mill. 

You can walk through the mill with us through these
pictures

The last time we came, there wasn't a lot of wood
Lots of logs here today
No one around but it is nice that the mill is open to the public

Seems to me like this old 'shingled' roof is lasting a long time

Kim and Ken checking things out
This was the only touristy thiing we did

We wandered around for half an hour, took some pictures and then drove home. Bill was feeling pretty sleepy but I was mostly feeling hungry. Back at the ‘ranch’ I fried a couple of eggs and had a small slice of my banana bread with butter and cheese. I figure it was okay on my keto plan since it was half and half almond and white flours used.

A couple of cutie patooties

Bill and Ken checking out the different shingles

Huge bales of shavings

Then, after a helpful conversation with Kim yesterday, I slipped into the bathroom while Bill went upstairs to lay down. The scissors were put to use while I cut between 1 – 2” off my hair. The ends need to be neatened up and nothing makes a hair style look worse than someone avoiding a trim. Thanks Kim, for the extra push and opinion to do that. I may have talked myself out of doing it. It looks and feels much better and surprisingly thicker, which is nice.

shorter but still lonog enough to put up

I tried to have a snooze with my sweeties but once I got there, didn’t feel tired. I rested a few minutes and then got up and went for a walk down the lane. I took the Sharpie marker and outlined “THE” in my sign to see how it would look. I like the look but the marker was drying out and my hand was tired, so I gave it a rest and came back up to the Suite. The boys were still sleeping.

From a few feet back, you can't see this change

When at the market, Bill and I also bought one-piece chair covers. We’ve never seen them before and the price worked for us. I am impressed!! This will save our cushions and brighten up the Suite at the same time. We’ve already decided to get another set for a change of décor. Later on when I walked down to the sign, the outline is hardly noticeable, therefore not making a difference in the lettering from any distance. I may as well save my wrist (it is an odd angle) and the marker.

This was a great idea we had!

didn't take long for these to dry

We all gathered outdoors around the table somewhere in the vicinity of Happy Hour time and our conservation ensued. I love the stories that come out and the time passed. 

Beautiful day!

At 5:30 we left for dinner, back to the same direction where we were this morning but this time to Kettles. 

Good food, good friends

It is a great family restaurant, great food and prices are pretty good too. I have one more sale pending for my life jacket but we’d already cancelled dinner out last night for the genny sale and I wasn’t going to do it again. I told him I'd let him know when we were home.

Supper was very good and there was no waiting to get a table on this Tuesday night. Sometimes, you just never know. Ken and I had the Reuben with a side ( I chose Jewels or as Kim calls them ‘tater tots’) and Ken had fries. Bill had fish and chips and Kim had the Kettle Clubhouse with fries. From the comments, I’m pretty sure everything was enjoyed. Kim and I had a doggie bag when we left. We drove straight home; the back roads and I informed my buyer of our eta. We sat out around a last campfire together and waited for John to arrive from Durham.

When we got home I couldn't find Clemson
He was on the floor at the bottom of the bed on my clothes
What a sweetheart

For now, that was our last item and he paid my asking price. All 3 sales brought forth nice customers. 😊 The fire was nice and there wasn’t any wind blowing the smoke around. The night didn’t get as cool either so sitting was comfortable until finally around 9:45 – 10 we all said goodnight. 

I wasn't taking a picture of the sky here
But if you look close at our weather vane, a humming bird sits there often
And now I see that even Chippy made an appearance

I didn’t feel too tired just yet so sat in my chair and finished my book. Bill tried to read a bit but kept dropping off and eventually went to bed.

A nice fire tonight

I sound like a broken record, I know, but these days with our company have been terrific! I don’t think I’ve used that adjective yet. The weather has been great every day since they arrived and today was no exception. 

The temperature between 65 – 77F for the most part. I’m sure it is hotter in certain areas up here on the Ridge, in town or wherever but this is perfect! We didn’t get much rain so I have a feeling I will need to water my flowers and vegetables tomorrow.

Good night from the Ridge

Thank you for coming to visit us today! You know I love reading your comments.