Hitting the Highway

Walmart, Deming, NM

On Friday, March 28th, as scheduled, the Jello was set well and good. We were up, packed and pulling out of site #39 at 8:05. Our neighbours were out preparing for their wash and wax so we exchanged information.  I've really enjoyed meeting them, Sue especially. 🤗

Good morning!
Leaving Yuma Lakes RV Resort.

Some very pretty views on today's
journey.

It was a pleasant 61F/16C under a blanket of cloudy skies. A good day to travel.  We turned onto Araby Rd. and jigged the roundabouts and hopped on I-8E. Yup, there it is.  Our first step towards the east and home. 

These Ocotillos were not even bright green
but their flowers were gorgeous.

The interstate was smooth and once we were out of rush hour, it was clear driving with little traffic. We watched Saguaros disappear, temporarily, but the Ocotillos were beautiful in their blooming glory. I couldn't get a picture worthy of showing until we stopped at a rest area near Dragoon. 

Sitting at the rest area, I asked Lila
what she thought of the trip so far.
She was enjoying it!

It was 10 am and the leg stretch felt good for all of us. Business taken care of, we pushed onward. We arrived at Denny's/Flying J Truck Stop at 11:30, fueled up, parked in behind the store, opened slides to let Gibbs inside and went in to meet Ken and Nancy.  How good to see them again!💕

Making the correct turn toward
Eloy and Tucson

Eggs Benedict and hash browns and
avocado. Yum!

This is the 3rd time we've met here
and hope to continue seeing them each year,
for as long as we all can!

After a great catchup and delicious meal, we were on our way again. They live at Picacho Peak RV Resort, just 15 minutes down the road. It was 1:15 when we got back on I-10E. We got a few rough areas but nothing bad at all. Bill was keeping our speed around 60mph in the 75 zone. He is monitoring our new tire minder, learning how it works. 

the Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Farm that
Ken works at.
A pretty dragonfly overpass and the streets
of Tucson.

Pictures of Saguaro along the way.
They returned near Tucson and beyond.
Teddybear Cholla cacti here too.

We stopped at the Dragoon (?) Rest Area, aka the big boulders for another stretch and facilities break. I don't know the real name but it is 'the big boulder r.a.' to me.  They are amazing all along that route. 😁 We were on the road again at 3:25. 

About 10 miles before the New Mexico state line, I-10 got rough again.  Once into the new state, it was much improved. Their welcome sign was also new to us, it's large and beautiful! It was a loss of an hour for us when the time jumped from 4:55 to 5:55. 

Dust storm!! Not really, there was
construction to the right of the highway and it
was windy. We mostly missed it.

The Continental Divide was not very close to the well-advertised trading post so I missed getting a picture of that sign. However, we did see that it was 4,585' elevation. Whenever I see those large advertisements it reminds me of the trip Bill and I took in our Toyota Corolla to see Michael, my little brother in Cold Lake, Alberta. The signs there were for WALL drug store. Nice memories. 

The 'big boulder' rest area.

At 7:00 MDT we found a spot at the Walmart in Deming, NM for the night. We are not alone but settled in nicely, away from interstate traffic noise. Now, if the truck beside us would only stop running…,…🤔🤔  

Gibbs, was unimpressed.
He looks pretty scruffy here.

Neither is us is hungry for a meal so we may only be snacking before we crash for the night. We do have a few groceries too pick up in the store. Gibbs was pretty good all day and I may have found a solution too make the long drive more accommodating. One more day and I'll share it if it works again. 

We crossed into New Mexico, lost an hour
and it looked like we stepped into another world.
The land was flat for miles and all the cacti
and shrubs were gone.

We are sitting at 73F/21C and it is a clear sky tonight. This was a great day!

this greenery really struck me odd.
All the trees are brown............not!
Arrival at Deming for the night and a water
tower for my blog.
Good night!

Thank you for stopping in. 

Last Day Here

Yuma Lakes RV Resort 

On Thursday, Mar. 27th I woke up to the sound of Bill stepping outside. It wasn't even 7 am yet and my man was at work! He wanted to check (& top up, if necessary) the tire pressure on the vehicles before it got hot. He didn't just fall off the turnip truck yesterday, that was very wise. It was a decent night for sleeping with windows open in the Suite, downstairs and up, even the little one beside our heads. With just a sheet over us, perfect!

Good morning!
This is the view to the west from our Suite window

It was a pleasant 62F/17C when I came downstairs for breakfast. We had a few things goin on during the day today but I was slowed down, somewhat, by my sciatica giving me some grief. It has been on and off throughout most days but this was a bit uncomfortable, to say the least. I'm trying not to grumble and complain because that isn't pleasant for anyone, so pushed onward. 

I took Gibbs out for his walk after my tea was done and we explored more smells at the dog park. There are a few nice sized 'paintable' rocks here so they slipped into my back pocket. 😂 Upstairs, I sorted our dirty laundry, it has been 12 days since we did it last. I expected more but other than our underwear (tsk, we all wear them!) we seem to have been wearing things a little longer. There were also a lot of Bill's t-shirts and my tops though, naturally. 

The laundry room was large enough
but only half the lighting worked.

We walked up the berm to join George and Judy for our last Bocce Ball game this season. There were 8 of us playing for the most part and during the last game, Sue (our neighbour whom I've come to know from the pool) joined to learn and play a round. She loved it and they may hang around longer just to partake in some of these games. They've been heavily involved in dental work so haven't had much time for fun while here. 

Gibbs does his  best to snuggle
in behind us - still.
Although, now he needs a boost up!
I might have the bigger chair space.

We always have a good time, enjoying the comradery of the mangers (George and Judy) and guests (Chuck, Bev, Dorothy, Al, Randy and Jeanine) here. Everyone present this morning gave us a handshake or hug, wishing us safe travels and good luck with everything, hoping to see us in the fall or spring of next year. 😍Very nice people. Back at our site, I did some relaxing, trying to ease my discomfort, while Bill hopped in the shower. Mine will be later this afternoon, before, after or in lieu of, the pool. 

We drove to the laundry up at the clubhouse and once we figured out the 'machine driven' payment procedure (!!) loaded 2 machines. Together, 30 minutes later, we switched them to the dryers. Washers are $1.50 and dryers are $2.00 (my reference) and they did a good job.

My next book has me
chuckling again.
Stephanie Plum, you'll never learn.

When the clothes were done and folded by the two of us, we were happy to have that job done. We may do laundry once more before we return home. Oh! By the way, I finally heard back from my laundromat boss in Durham. He says he does want me to work again this summer, that his maintenance man will be more than happy to hand over the reins. 😂😂 I'm quite happy about that, I was concerned that things had changed back home. Rumours, you know. That means that all 3 part time jobs await me when I'm ready.

We had lunch at noonish and planned supper. While Bill and Gibbs snoozed, I relaxed by starting my blog post. Today is cooler than the previous 3 but still in the low 90's/30's. Tomorrow is moving day and the heat wave will break and the winds will return. Hopefully nothing too bad for driving to our next destination. With us pulling up stakes in the morning, I wanted to do a dusting and vacuuming through the Suite. So, with Gibbs safely tucked on Daddy's lap from the big bad machine, I took care of business. 

Supper was delicious although
my broccoli steamed a little too long.

Supper was pork ribs in Madame IP, broccoli for me, fried potatoes and corn for Bill. It was all very good except that we turned the a/c off as a precaution while things cooked. It would likely be fine but we are not in the mood for an issue! 😜 We loaded the dishwasher one last time (for our journey home) as Bill dumped tanks earlier today. We have only the weather station and Starlink dish to stow away in the morning. 

Again, looking west, this time
at the sunset.

This has been a good day for our last one in the park. We reached a 'still hot' high of 92F/34C today but dropping slightly below 60F/16C overnight.

For those keeping track....

By the way, we caught our mouse in
an old fashioned trap. Hopefully, the one and only.

Good night!

Thank you for popping by.