And the Beat Goes On.

We returned from Mexico on April 8th.  We were going to replace the useless 1000 watt inverter with a 2000 watt inverter. We also asked RV World to submit our entertainment center for replacement under warranty. We played 2 CDs on it and it quit. So we pulled into their remote parking site and I opened the windows to get a breeze. The bedroom window exploded into a thousand pieces. So I asked them to submit it for warranty. It was denied by Forest River. I then called Forest River and complained. They decided to send a replacement window, but I would have to pay to have it replaced. So not right, but what can you do when getting back on the road is your primary goal.

When we were in Iowa, Camping World said the window needed to be replaced because it was hard to open and wouldn't latch in the open position. We decided to put it off until we got to Arizona. Camping World in Mesa wouldn't even look at it for 6 weeks. So we waited until we got to Yuma. RV World fiddled with it and we could open the window and latch it in the up position. No replacement needed. How did we do? Four months later the window exploded into a thousand pieces. Forest River refused to warranty it. I will never buy another Forest River product.

I think my next trailer will be a used trailer. All the problems should be fixed. 🌝🌝🌝

It took four weeks to get the new window and an hour to install it. The 2000 watt inverter was installed and didn't work. Another three days to get the parts and get it fixed. Oh the joys of full time RV living.

Our time in Yuma was pleasant. The weather was warm. 102 degrees warm, but mostly in the 80s and low 90s. We had friends to visit with. We were able to visit with John and Linda Wilde who we met a couple of years ago on RVillage and live in Yuma for the winter. Several of our friends from El Golfo, Mexico were staying at Yuma Lakes RV Resort and so we were able to visit with them. Then, of course, there was the inevitable exploring for places to eat. The American Veterans post became our favorite place, especially for breakfast.

Check out the prices on the menu. The coffee is free.

I loved the biscuits and gravy, but I started getting a half order because a full order was too big. So $2.00 plus one egg for 50 cents. I don't understand why this place doesn't have a waiting line stretching around the building. It is open to the public. It gets even better. A glass of wine is $2.25 and from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM draft beers are $1.00. Hold on then there is Karaoke three nights a week and live country music three nights a week. We spent a lot of evenings at the Am Vets.

Dancing to the country band at the Am Vets. These old folk know how to have a good time.

Julieanna's Patio Cafe in Yuma was one of our favorite lunch places. I love the birds. When it wasn't too hot we would sit outside right beside the birds. The food is terrific too.

Now that everything is fixed, we are on the road headed home. We do occasionally stay in a rest area or a Walmart, but our favorite places are Harvests Hosts.

Hangar 25 Air Museum, Big Spring, Texas

Hangar 25 Air Museum, Big Spring, Texas

Tennessee Valley Winery, Loudon, TN.

Tennessee Valley Winery, Loudon, TN.

 We also like to stay at a Coast to Coast campground for two or three days in order to dump our tanks, take on water, plug in and take a soothing, longer than normal, shower.

Our campsite at Stoney Creek Resort, Greenville, Virginia.

Our trip so far. September 2018 to May 2019. Almost home.

Soon we will be home for the summer. Leave us a comment so that we know you visited our site.

The Saga Continues

We made it into Yuma. Our mail finally caught up with us. Thank you Teri. We were stuck in Yuma Lakes. Not a bad place to be stuck. The temporary tag expired on the trailer and I had to fly back to New Hampshire to apply for a New Hampshire title and registration for our trailer.

While we were in Yuma we decided to buy an awning sunscreen, which we have not needed to use yet, so you don't get a picture of that. However, at the same location was a sign company that made decals. We decided to have a decal made.

While in Yuma I worked hard at getting the trailer set up so that everything was stored nicely. This is all the storage that there was in the garage.

I thought that I would take it down and relocate it. First, it had no left side because it was built against the wall. Secondly, it disintegrated when I tried to remove it from the wall. So I bought 3 cabinets to replace it.

This was the start of the changes that we made to make the garage an extension of our living space. The TV doubles as a monitor for the computer. 

The artist is in residence. Pictures have been added to the walls. A two drawer nightstand has been added against the sidewall. The printer fits nicely on it.

Racks for linen have been installed above the bed. Easily removable when everything needs to be raised  to accommodate a toy. Bench seat is open on the left, and the right side is made up for Jake's bed.

The desert is in bloom here in Mexico. I took this picture on one of our rides.

I also took this picture of a lily while on one of the rides in the Sonoran desert.

Up on a high plateau.

Down in a canyon.

Out in the desert. A lot of desert verbena in bloom. 

Stopped for a break.

At the grocery store buying two to three weeks of groceries for six needy families. The members of the RV park in El Golfo support a weekly outreach program that feeds six needy families every week. We are blessed to be part of this program.

One of our stops. Besides the food we take several buckets of shoes and clothing. There is always a box of toys as well for the kids. You would think it was Christmas from the big smiles on the kids faces after they choose a toy. It is so heart warming to be a part of this wonderful program.

Across the street from one of our stops was this fellow making repairs to his home. He was nailing up scraps of wood to close up the gap between the roof and the walls. The wind must have torn the fabric back that was covering his roof and the gap. He will have to pull his roof cover back in place when he is done. There is always work to be done around the house when you own a home. Let's be thankful for the things that we have.

Sunset in El Golfo.

Sunrise reflecting off the side of the trailer.

Gorgeous sunrise in El Golfo.

Everyday of the week there are activities in the clubhouse. These two pictures are from Sunday afternoon when we get together and play cards. It is such a blast. 

Until next time. Adios, desde Mexico mis amigos.

Bulldog Canyon - Tonto National Forest - Mesa Arizona

When I began writing this we were relaxing on a site in the Bulldog Canyon OHV (Off-Highway Vehicle) Area in the Tonto National Forest. The weather was perfect, sunny and 75°f.

Our journey has been interesting this year.  Our first stop was near Troy, NY and we were able to visit with my daughter Sarah and her boyfriend Max.

We continued our journey with one more stop in upstate New York. It is such a pleasure to be able to visit with a dog handler I served with in Vietnam 50 years ago, Walter Ballard and his wonderful wife Donna.

Next up was Debbie and Jeff Obrock. What a wonderful couple.

Life is good! Then it happened. Our trailer was broken. See previous post. We bought a new trailer. However, our travel plans were scrapped. We went on to visit Debbie and Richard Dirksen, who made some tater tots that we described having at a restaurant. Wow, what fun. Next up was Tim and Flo Kooi. We went to church and Sunday school with Tim and Flo. Then we visited Kay's Aunt Myrtle Kooi and cousin Janice (Kooi) Head in Streater, Illinois. 

While in Streater we visited with another cousin of Kay's, Sherri (Kooi) Sears and Tim Seers. It is so much fun to connect with family and friends as we cross the country.

Tim and Sherri Sears

From there we went on to Iowa and visited with Larry and Yvonne Voss, friends from Tuxburypond RV Resort. Sometimes we forgot to take pictures. Well, there's always next year.

As reported in our previous post, we couldn't go to Mount Rushmore because significant snow was in the forecast. We turned South and backtracked to Kansas City and met up with Mark and Karen. Mark also writes a blog: https://ourfutureinanrv.wordpress.com/. If you are thinking about buying an RV, then this blog is a must see!

While we were in Missouri, Jeannie, Kay's cousin's daughter saw that we were there and messaged us. Wow, we got together. What an unexpected treat!

Jeannie and Mike

Next up, Colorado Springs. We had to drag our feet for a week because the temperatures would be too cold and our water lines would freeze. When it warmed up we were able to visit with my son Bill and his lovely wife Denise. We also got to visit with my cousins Clyde and Kim, and Harvey and Mary Lou. Again we forgot to take pictures.

However, Kay did manage to take some pictures as we drove to the Tonto forest.

Fog rolling over the ridge

Snow capped peaks

Beautiful drive through the canyon

We love Bulldog Canyon and the wild horses..

Jake checking out the wild horses

More wild horses near our campsite

Love the desert sunsets

Wild horses near our site

Jake checking out the wild horse on the edge of our site

Ocotillo

Saguaro and desert vegetation

Our new trailer all set up in the desert. Free camping.

Cacti

More cacti

Palo verde

Our trip so far, or, how we avoided bad weather

Next up, Yuma and then El Golfo de Santa Clara, Mexico.

We are at Yuma Lakes RV Resort and will be here until the registration for our new trailer is resolved.