Not as Bad as We Thought!!!

Electrical repairs to the RV were minimal because the culprit was the the ground wire in the electrical power cord that hooks into the power pedestal ...cost about $90.00 to fix that, which reactivated all the “outlets”, so the TV’s weren’t damaged.  However, the convection/microwave got it’s “board” fried and will have to be replaced...this happened to us last year, so Don went down and bought the part and the RV Electrical Repairman will come Tue or Wed to install it..  several hundred dollars.  I guess that means I'll have to cook again!!!

A few photos for the time being and then I’ll take a hiatus from “blogging” except for special events and local trips in the SW via the pickup.  Only photos from new hikes will appear this year as we repeat some hikes every year.  Our first event (in addition to Sunday 49er activity at the local “bar”) will be the 7th Annual “Day of the Cowboy” at Gold  Canyon Golf Resort (about 2 miles from here).  In addition to live country music, gunfights, vendors and a BBQ, there will be a Corvette Car Show so expect some photos of Nancy's dream car!!!

This is our home for the next 5 months… same spot for at
least 5 years

Our garden or "gravel" art.  Patio "carpet" not out yet…
as we're having too much fun and it's 90 degrees. 

One of the many reasons we winter here.

The beautiful skies

are often adorned with Ultralights in flight.

"Look Mom - no hands"

After watching the 49ers win 42-10 against the Jaguars,
Don noticed this in the parking lot…got his keys
in his hand 

but they won't start this 42 Packard Coupe

with a fabulous hood ornament

End of the Road... Back to Basics

Sunday we headed down to Wickenberg AZ (for lunch at our favorite mexican restaurant, Anita's) and then on to Cave Creek Regional Park near I-17, north of Phoenix.  We were going to stay in this nice rural park for 4 days before heading to our final destination, Canyon Vistas RV Resort in Gold Canyon AZ.  We just unhooked, connected the electricity and all of a sudden all the electrical in the unit went out...  and you could smell “burnt rubber”, so we hooked up, and left the park and headed for Canyon Vistas, only 1 hour 20 minutes away... to be closer to a big city.  We’ve been here one day, and the electrical RV specialist will arrive tomorrow to diagnose and hopefully fix the issue.  So we are back to basics, living with 9 volt lights, an extension cord strung in thru the window to the electrical post outside (to run our computers) and propane taking care of the refrigerator, hot water and stove.  I'll let you know how it turns out...

Sites along the way...

Never seen Ocotillo turn gold in the fall before

Easy to park at the community center in Wickenberg ...

Movin On... to Kingman

We decided Saturday might be an easier day to get thru Las Vegas, pulling Stubby... and that was a great decision.  And this was the first time we went thru the area with no road construction.  I bet Sunday’s are even better.  I didn’t shoot many photos since we’ve been here, done that many times before.  I’ve included a few, just because this photographer can’t resist...  We also stopped by son-in-law Richard’s “inheritance home” just north of Kingman about 5 miles to show him it was still standing.  Our most exciting event was when Don pulled into a TA Travel Center to fill up with diesel before we pulled into our RV Park for the night.  As he headed for the car/truck pump, swinging wide, he quickly  stopped and asked me to get out and check the vertical clearance.  12’6” and we are 12’ 8”, so I motioned him to back up and swing around to the “big boy” pumps...

The Big City - Las Vegas

Nice view of Lake Mead

The new Bridge over the Colorado

more scenery as we head south

a distant lake

distant mountain formations

Richards "inheritance"...

Don lines up with the Big Boys...

Gold Butte Back Country Byway

Instead of hitting the pickleball... we decided to hit some dirt roads, just to clear our heads.  Incredible beautiful BLUE sky contrasting “red rocks” and other geological wonders did the trick, along with some great geocaching.   Don’s day today...  score 4 to 1 in case you’re counting.  Four days driving me to St George UT and 1 day devoted to his interest.  Sounds like a good ratio to me.  These photos are for all of you to enjoy, but especially for my friend Marge, who doesn’t “do dirt”.  See what your missing Marge!!!

Sites of the day....

Geocache over there, on top of the red rock...

Don's getting ready

No, it's not in there.

Close up of the top of the formation.

Eyes and a nose...

tunnels...

and pockets to look in.

Don finds it up on top

and assumes the "sign-it" posture.

Heading down

from the top...

Other great geological formations

Into the canyon

Don  climbs the stairs and walks the dam

While I photograph other sites

and enjoy this scary creature...two eyes, large nose and
left ear hole...

End of a fun day...

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

UGLY comes first...  Wednesday’s mixed doubles match resulted in the quickest 2 games (to 11) that either Bill or I had ever played.  It seems like the whole match (both games) was over within 5 minutes.  We lost 11-0 the first game, then 11-1, the second game so we didn’t get totally skunked!!!  Bill didn’t even get to serve in the first game!!!  We both actually had some good shots in the second game, but not when we were serving so no points gained.  Moving down to the Consolation Round, we still had to play a couple of 4.5 players (9 years younger than myself).  That’s an excuse in case you don’t recognize it.  And we lost 15-0.  That was the 3 games today with only 1 point for the “good guys”.   And way too much time sitting between games.   Oh well, we’ll forget that by morning due to our advanced age.  And, tomorrow is another day.  

Thursday....  We thought we were going to play 3.5 ladies skill level-age group (70-74).  However they didn’t have many 65-69 players register at this level so they grouped us all together.  BUMMER...  However, Janice and I played well today and actually had some good long games, and won a couple.    And I enjoyed watching friends from home, Sharon Klotz and partner Claire Norton, once again pick up the silver in our event...  Women’s Skill Doubles 3.5 (ages 65+). 

Summation:  A great experience.  Glad I get to play 75-79 next year and I’ll take advantage of the rule that we can play down a skill level due to advanced age after we reach age 70  (missed doing that this year), so I'll play with the 3.0 players where maybe I’ll score a few more points... and hopefully win a few more games!!!

Don and I had fun geocaching on the way back to the RV Resort in Mesquite and saw more stunning scenery along the way.  Stay tuned as we continue our travels...

1st Cache today... The ole Hanging Tree

Beautiful Datura blossom

Don's normal "signing the log" position

A fun series of geocaches... about 5 in all,
great ole metal containers.

Looking down to theVirgin River from cliffs above...

Down stream...

across the river

Pink flowers are about 1/2" across

Your guess is as good as mine...

On the way back to camp...