Busy Is As Busy Does

 

As we grow older we don’t lose friends, we just learn who the real ones are.

How busy are we?  Well, we thought we were busy in Quartzsite but there we had three weeks to get everything in.  Now that we’re back to the big city we’ve been running around in circles and we haven’t even been here a week yet.

We did luck out on Sunday.  Just as scheduled two RVers moved out of their sites.  I was so excited when I saw the first one that I parked our Jeep right behind it.  It wasn’t the best spot in the park but it was one that would soon be empty.  Then ….. I saw more movement.  The folks in the very end spot started disconnecting.  I got excited for just a moment.  That was the site we really wanted because it meant no neighbors on the side of our patio … nothing but empty space.  We had it before.  It’s a site you can kind of imagine that you're in the desert with all that space.  Well, you can imagine that until you decide you want to turn on the air conditioner or maybe the microwave … then, you can just go ahead and do it.  Yep … for now this looked like we were going to hit the jackpot.  It didn’t take long to block all access to that site and clear only a route for our motorhome to enter.  It didn’t take long at all.  Before you knew it … they were gone and we were there.

The rest of the day was spent getting rid of some of the accumulated dirt and dust we had been collecting on the inside.  That definitely is not an easy task when you’ve been sitting in the desert for a while.  We’re figuring it’ll be an on-going task for the next few days or maybe even a week or two.

Speaking of a week … our week is pretty well planned out for us and most of it is in ink.  Monday was allocated to cousin, Shelley.  Tuesday was put on the schedule for Terry’s mom.  Wednesday we’ve crossed off while my brother visits to check out the Elks RV park.  Thursday we’re back to Terry’s mom and also his aunt and uncle who have just arrived from Missouri.  Friday we’re looking forward to a planned outing with Roger and Lynn.  Saturday I discovered a Genealogy Fair in Phoenix.  One of the seminars is on genetic DNA so I certainly have no intention of missing that.  Sunday may be a day of rest but Monday we’re back at it and that week is even busier than this one with Terry heading to Portland.  EEK!!  What’s wrong with us and all this scheduling?  Would you say this is what you call busy? 

We’ve also been reading the ads and checking out the Wranglers looking for a replacement for our RZR.  One Terry wanted to buy right to begin with.  It was the first one we had looked at but you know he’s like that.  The big negative is that it was at a dealer’s lot. Dealers here have to collect Arizona city, state, county and whatever tax.  Private parties don’t.  It’s hard to buy from a dealer when you have an additional 10% tax to dig out of your pocket plus ridiculous document fees added on. I find that pretty difficult to do. 

Is this our new JAG ?

We’ve been looking at the Wranglers between the planned meetings.  We saw another one we both liked.  We want a DEAL!  We need something to put that JAG hood ornament back on!  (Will this work, Denise?)  Let’s see what’s going to happen. We’re offering.  Are they accepting?  Only time will tell.

‘Tis life on the road.    

No Room At the Park

"Readiness is all." - William Shakespeare

After just a little over three weeks of hanging around Quartzsite, it was time to say good-bye.   Most of the folks we had been with had already left.  There were only five left after our wheels started turning and we headed east.  Even Quartzsite seemed to be emptying out compared to what it was just a week or so ago when the Big Tent was at its peak. 

It’s not that we weren’t ready to go.  We were. We had been there, done that and hitch-itch had definitely set in.  Our first stop after leaving Plomosa Road was the RV Pit Stop.  We took on propane and left the contents of our tanks behind.

The drive wasn’t long.  It was a mere 140 miles or so down the road.  We knew where we were going but we had no reservations/  We were just hoping there was a spot for us.   We were told two RVs would be moving out that day but reservations weren’t possible.  Instead of pulling out, the RVers extended … much to our dismay.  However, we were allowed to park in their lot just one night and wait.  We’re waiting and watching for any slight movement that may appear as if a site might become empty.

In the meantime, we may not have had hookups but our fresh water tank was full and our gray tank was empty.  The RV dump was just 50 feet away.  Can you guess what we did after spending three weeks boondocking in the desert?  We both took very long hot showers – boondocking or not.

That’s it.  That’s the update.  We’re alert and ready to move into a developed RV site.  If not, we’ll have to continue our search this day as our time here will be up.  What we’re hoping is that the RVers scheduled to move out are early risers.  We hope they don’t extend.  We really, really hope they don’t extend again.  With Terry heading to Portland next week for a doctor appointment, this would be the perfect place to be.  It is not only close to his mother’s place but also close to the airport.  Our fingers and toes are crossed.  We’re ready …. but are they?.

Either way ... we know the next two weeks or so are going to be very busy for us.

‘Tis life on the road.

RVers: Similarities and Differences

“To make mistakes is human; to stumble is commonplace; to be able to laugh at yourself is maturity.

There’s a lot we know about other RVers and there’s also an awful lot we don’t know.  Some things we share and some things we figure it’s best not to share.   In the same way we share with those who have similar interests.  We don’t share all things with all people but usually only the things we have in common.

We share our RVing life with those who are interested in it and don’t share it so much with those who aren’t interested or with those who cannot possibly understand why we enjoy it so much.  After all, if one hasn’t done it, how can they understand what it’s like to be out in the desert with nothing but mountains, cactus, sunsets, sunrises and a dark sky filled with thousands of stars?  How can they understand the peacefulness of boondocking if they are tethered to hookups?  How can they understand if they haven’t experienced it?

We have more of a tendency to share our past experiences with those who may have had a similar one or even around the campfire when everyone else is sharing.  There are many things to share from the places we’ve traveled, places we’ve lived or even stories of the life all of us have lived.  Even though politics and religion is taboo in most circles, it still is shared with those who have similar interests. 

We share hopes and plans for the future with those who have similar hopes and plans. Maybe it’s a planned trip, a new RV destination or even just a trip to a local eatery that we share.  It could be a hobby such as sewing, woodcraft, geocaching, gaming or even blogging. It’s that birds of a feather thing.  We share with those who enjoy the same things we do and not necessarily so much with those who don’t.

 

We share outside activities with those who enjoy the same activities.  Some of us like to hike, fish, kayak or just soak in hot mineral water.  Then, there are some who just enjoy the serenity of the ocean, collecting seashells or just listening to the waves.  It’s always nice to have someone we can talk to about things we like.

Some may think that there’s not a lot we really know about each other on the road but really there is an awful lot.  Sometimes we know more about the fellow RVer than even their best friends or family know.  We know some things but not all things.  Some folks are open books and other folks ….. well, not so much.   The similarities and differences both are what keeps RVers together.

 

This knowledge gathering is pretty typical of what goes on around a campfire in the evenings. Everyone has to have a turn.  Sharing is not one-sided. In Kindergarten we had what was called show and tell.  Not much has changed since kindergarten.  We still have those show and tell times except it’s no longer being moderated by a teacher.  It’s usually in the light of the fire and no subject is off the table.  Much is learned.  Much is discussed.

As we do sit around that campfire now and share our life ten years ago, twenty years and even 40 years ago, it’s interesting how many of us were really not so similar years ago.  We may not even have liked each other.  We walked along different pathways in many different circles. … then.  Time changes many things.  Maturity changes us.  Friends or acquaintances that never would have been due to differences in thought, action or location so long ago are now part of each other’s life.   In most cases maturity, understanding and the desire to share a lifestyle has taken hold. 

We still may not be the same in all ways, all thoughts and all ideas but we have grown where we can still enjoy the company of others and share our chosen lifestyle.  Not all RVers are alike.  We still pick and choose who we want to spend time with.  Some we enjoy more than others and some not so much.  However, we do have wheels.  Those wheels help us flee those we want to put distance between and those wheels also take us closer to those we want to share time with. 

 

RVers are no different than others in that people in our lives come and go.  We’ve probably met more folks in the last few years around a campfire than ever before.  Some have become friends and others are just passing through. With those just passing through there is no obligation, no responsibility and no expectation.  We may just share a good time for just one campfire.  We may see them down the road in another place, another time and at another campfire or we may not.  With friends .. we make plans to see them again and look forward to the next time we can share that campfire.  Again .. it’ll probably be in another place and at another time.

What a life.  It’s a good life.

‘Tis life on the road.

Mark it “SOLD”

Faith is knowing there is an ocean when you can only see a stream.

 

 

Time will soon be drawing to a close in Quartzsite.  It’s just about time to move on down the road for us.  Most of the folks we were with have already left.   We’ve also been here for much longer than we normally stay any place.  Well, any place but the state of Washington that is.  However, we’re still keeping ourselves pretty busy doing a whole of nothing.

 

 

Another member of our little group pulled out Thursday.  We all gathered around and exchanged hugs.  Some place down the road, we’ll meet again .. sometime and some place.  This time it was just a temporary farewell to Dianne and Tom.

 

Later that day we decided to check out another area on Main Street.  To me it was pretty dang junky but Terry likes to browse through junky stuff like this.  He’s always looking for a treasure.  Thank goodness he didn’t find too many so we were good to go on down to the next set of vendors.

 

Next stop was a flag shop.  We had something special in mind and actually found it.  I’m sure most of you have seen the flags with just one star in the middle.  Do you know what it means? It  signifies we have a family member serving in the military.  To us this flag is for Justin and we want him to stay safe.

In trying to keep up with all the others who post pictures of food on their blog I'm posting my food picture.   Here’s a fruit smoothie I was just getting ready to mix up ---- strawberries, blueberries, banana and a little orange juice … yummy.  I thought I'd share.  Well, I'm sharing the picture but not the smoothie.

     

Then, Thursday night it happened.  Yep ... it finally did.  We SOLD the RZR.  We always have some type of plan even though we rarely stick to the plans we make.  We're not quite ready to give up trail riding so this time our plan has been to replace the RZR with a Jeep Wrangler. With a Wrangler we'll no longer have to haul a trailer.  That part of this RVing stuff will definitely be behind us ... no more trailers ... ever!

 

The evening was ended with a campfire.

 
 

Friday was laundry day.  After all, we can't leave this place with dirty clothes.  There are a couple laundromats in town but one has Main Street Eatery attached to it.  Golly ... wish we had discovered that place earlier.  Prices are low and food was great.  It's also a convenient place to eat while your clothes are being washed.

‘Tis life on the road.

 

Pictures Tell Lots of Stories

Do not follow where the path may lead.  Go where there is no path .. and leave a trail.

Just when you think there is nothing to blog about, it’s time to pull out the pictures taken over the last couple days.  Pictures are a wonderful reminder of everything you’ve done especially when you’ve been so busy not doing a heck of a lot … or that’s what you  might think.  At least that’s what I thought this morning.

Julie’s sunset shot.

I normally take a lot of pictures.  However, I don’t seem to be taking as many this year as last year and certainly not as many as the years before.  I think that’s partly because I’ve blogged about this area before.  I was surprised at how many I had actually taken.

To begin with we’ve had some absolutely fabulous sunsets on the desert. That’s one thing Arizona and Texas can boast about … their gorgeous evening skies.  They come in all colors and all kinds of  beautiful.

Another thing we noticed was how fast gas prices can jump in Quartzsite. One day we were driving down the middle of Main Street and the advertised pump price at the Shell station was $3.19. The next day we noticed the pump price had jumped to $3.39!! Now that’s quite a jump in one day but right down the street the Pilot Station had gone from $3.14 the day before to $3.15.

  

Terry loves the turquoise!

The Desert Oasis Bookstore in Quartzsite has quite the reputation.  The reputation as most of you know is due to the attire the owner wears (or doesn't wear).  I’m sure his attire alone is the big draw to his store and accounts for quite a few purchases there.  He even poses with people but not with ME!  We made a stop at his store but really had a reason for it.  You might have guessed …. I wanted a detailed book on chromosomes and Terry was looking for something on polishing gemstones.  There certainly are a lot of those around this area.  It didn’t matter what we were looking for though.  We struck out on all three.  First of all 3 Socks wasn’t there, I couldn’t find much about anything to do with science and Terry couldn’t find what he was looking for either.

We made a trip with Freddy and Delcie to the Parker Wal-Mart.  On the way there we made a side trip down Shea Road.  This is where the races will be held this weekend.  RVs can park along the rim of the canyon and watch the cars race below.  It’s about 7 miles east on Shea off of I95 just south of Parker.  

We finally made it to the Parker Walmart and got our shopping finished.  While I stood guard over the groceries that were packed in the back of Freddy’s truck, I felt the truck jerk.  I thought about it a second and then got out.  The occupant in the truck next to him was loading groceries and there was a big scratch right down the side of Freddy’s truck …. perfect to his grocery cart. It appeared as though the cart had been jammed in but hard to prove, of course.  However, I'd probably be a little cautious if this small tan truck from Oregon pulled into a spot next to me.

Duchess met a couple new friends on the desert.  Dogs tend to do that.

Here's another Doberman ................... and, here is Nell

  She also chased the fella in the sky.

You can find just about everything in the shops around Quartzsite including hats.  Here are a couple silly hats.

Delcie has been knitting some pretty gorgeous scarves.  What do you think of this?  Hand-made by Delcie!

The weather has been perfect for campfires and we’ve been having our share of them.

And, to think … I thought I didn’t have anything to blog about.   All I had to do was look at my pictures and see that I really had lots more than I thought.

‘Tis life on the road.

Plomosa and Overwhelmed with DNA

 

There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge.

 
The rain finally moved away from the area.  Our solar kicked back in on Sunday and actually charged our batteries again.  In other words even the sun was shining.  It’s predicted to be out and sending its rays our way for the near future.

   

Big Tent crowd is gone!

Most of our little group also moved from the fee area at LaPosa.  It’s not that we’re cheap …. but we are.  Actually, it really isn’t even the $40 as much as getting a little change in scenery.  We stayed up until the day we needed to renew and then moved in the rain and puddles and mess. 

There are seven of us now sitting here.  It’s peaceful and seems just a tad cleaner than LaPosa.  We like it here.  Alas, though that time is catching up with us and we will soon be moving back to the Phoenix area for another week or so before we start edging a little towards the Northwest or is it Southwest?  You know how we rarely know where we're going until it's time to go.  However, every once in a while we have a commitment or two and that's why we're going to Phoenix.

Remember at Christmas time I received a DNA testing kit?  There are several companies that offer DNA tests for genealogical and/or health results.  The companies all have their differences, indicate they have the largest DNA base for sharing and have different fees.  Some of the differences are minor and others are major.  My results were finally available and it’s been difficult to break away even for a campfire at times.   I have been glued to my 991 from one website and 883 from another.  These are just early matches and I'm reading all I can about chromosomes, hablogroups, genome, mtDNA, markers, SNPs, STRs and such.  I don't know about you but much of that is new jargon to me.  I’m like a sponge though and trying to absorb every bit of information I can.  There’s so much to read about genetics and so much to learn in order to be able to use the information. Science was never my bag but boy I find it interesting now when it applies to my ancestry.  A few of my matches have helped by leading me to other databases and DNA sites.  Right now though I’m a bit overwhelmed.

 

Some of the DNA websites allow you to upload your raw DNA data to their databases and others won’t.  Some are more  detailed, use different testing techniques and need to be converted. Some collect DNA via saliva and others by a cheek swap.  In addition to your ancestry composition you can also learn what genes you carry with tendencies for certain diseases, traits and such.  Genealogical research has been my big hobby  for over 35 years so this is just the next step.  To me it’s absolutely fascinating.  I just need time to get into it more.

I did break away from all my reading and studying yesterday for a couple little outings including a jaunt on the JAG (aka RZR).  We also went back to the Big Tent to see if there were any specials.  I can report that there weren’t any big ones.  We made a couple small purchases.  One was a speaker to plug into our little AC/DC TV we use while boondocking and the other was a stove top grill.  The speaker was $10 less than a week ago so we did get a deal on that.  The grill … well, we paid $2 more than Freddy and Delcie did the day before.  I guess you win some and lose some.

The other night we took our dinner over and sat out with Freddy, Delcie, Toni and Doug.  It wasn’t a potluck.  It was just taking the time to sit together with our own food.  Jeff and Tina brought us some wood for our campfire but the wind was a little breezy so we figured that a campfire will have to wait.

New place …. new view

‘Tis life on the road  

Arizona Desert Hopping

"Never let yesterday use up today."

 

Saturday was moving time again.  We were moving from spot in the desert to another.  As our luck would have it, it was one of the few days that it rained all day long in Arizona.  That’s right …. all day long!!  What made that even worse was the fact that the lines to the dump at the LaPosa BLM had been mighty, might long.  We had a choice.  We could either decide we were just going to kill a couple hours in line waiting to dump and fill up with water or we could get partially ready the night before – in the rain, of course --  and finish up early in the morning.  Well, not real early but at least before many others did.  That was the plan and it worked. 

Not a creature was stirring except for Roger and Lynn who were parked by us.  They had the same plan.  They had no intention of sitting in that line if they didn’t have to.  All four of us looked like wet mops but that’s the way it was.

There were mud puddles just about at every dip and if the ground wasn’t packed, you’d definitely sink in because the rain made it soft.

There was no line whatsoever and only one other RV was dumping and filling.  Our timing was absolutely perfect.  We figured no one else wanted to get out in the rain.  They probably thought since we were Arizona it wouldn’t rain all day and they’d do it later.  Wrong!  It rained all day.

 

We didn’t have a long drive.  It was one of the shortest moves ever …. 13 miles.  However, it was raining there too.  It seems we may have better cell service and internet here though.  That’s a plus because over the last few days our phone couldn’t call out or get data and our internet – both AT&T and Verizon – were sometimes on and sometimes off. 

We do have puddles at the new place.  Duchess found them for us.

Over the last few days the weather had been nice and there was a bunch of outdoor activity that took place.  One was the fixing of Denise’s rig.  Terry and Doug went at it building a box to hold her batteries.  Doug also added bins to the back of Lee’s (aka IYQ’s) truck.

Denise had been ill and wasn’t up to moving her motorcycle into her toy hauler. Thank goodness we had a couple in our group who also had Harleys. Mike and Julie took charge and did it for her.   Again, thank goodness for that. 

Now that part of our Quartzsite adventure is behind us.  We’ve moved and are on to another one.  The first thing on the agenda was Happy Hour at the Prather’s.  It was an inside event because it was still dripping outside.

Heidi, their Yorkie, even performed tricks for us. You can tell by this picture how fast she was circling to get her little treat. She knows a lot of tricks.

.

We also visited Dianne and Tom at La Mesa RV. We caught Tom in the act of actually working! They bought a new-to-them motorhome and were busy unloading and loading it.  It's quite a beauty too.

Notice what we have back with us …. the RZR and the trailer.  We had it sitting at one of the consignment shops in Quartzsite.  While there it was stuck in the middle of all the other stuff accumulating dust.  It absolutely looked like crap.  Terry went down and hauled it back so we got a chance to drive it around again.  What we did discover is that even though the tank was full when we took it there and no one took it for a test drive, the gas tank was now empty.  We also noticed we no longer had a hitch.  Oh well … what can you say.  Besides we thought we had priced it very low but by the time a fat commission was added to it it wasn't necessarily a very low price. Oh well, we’re back to hauling the trailer at least until we get to Phoenix.

I think I’m caught up now.  This is the last day of the Big Tent and we plan on being there around noon.  Normally the crowds have left by then, vendors are closing down and offering sales.  That’s the plan.

Some folks figure out all ways to haul their toys.

‘Tis life on the road.