November 22-29th, 2008

Got a heck of a rain storm on Wednesday, the 26th and decided to pack up and head for the Blue water Casino tomorrow for Thanksgiving dinner with a couple of friends.

The casino has free RV parking and had an interesting rock band Friday night where I ran into another WINer, “Cowboy Roy” and his friend, Glenn from Oregon. We danced a few fast ones (me very cautiously guarding my recently sprained ankle) and then put a couple of dollars in the slots. I actually doubled my money. Big win, put in $2 and left with $4. Saw the most unusual camper in the casino parking lot. It was a couple camping in a tent made in South Africa on top of their car.

Next morning there was a boat race in front of the casino. The casino also has a great indoor water slide and pool, arcade, miniature golf and a movie theater.

Hit the road again and hooked up with some more WINers, Carolyn and Warren in their rigs at Brenda, AZ where we parked on some BLM land close to town. Views are spectacular and we are the only ones camped here.

Yep, made it to Oatman via the Old Route 66 and back again okay. Truck is shifting strong even though there are still a few drips from both pans this morning.

NOVEMBER 21, 2008

Yes, I think I will stay at the Windsor Beach State Park another week just to be sure my truck is going to be ok. I still have a small leak from the oil pan plug and transmission pan and I’m keeping an eye on it. Think I will go on a trial run tomorrow to Oatman and check it out. Here are a few more pics of the State Park. The rangers are about to hire me if I spend any more time here. I really do love it here, though. Weather is perfect and everyone is so nice. And, the price is right at $10 a day.

November 18, 2008

Okay, is this “dejavu” or what? I had small leak from my oil pan plug on my truck and
thought I just needed it tightened yesterday so I took it in to my favorite mechanic here in Lake Havasu City. While I was there I decided to have the transmission flushed, new filter and try the new, expensive synthetic fluid everyone raves about.

They were so nice at the repair shop and didn’t even charge me labor since I had such a bad time last year with the tranny going out three times. When I picked it up, I went up to the local Walmart to pick up a few groceries and everything seemed fine.

Well that didn’t last as on my way back I couldn’t get it over 35 mph. Truck just wouldn’t shift, so back I went to the shop. Poor mechanic was totally frustrated when he test drove it and said there was major problems going on with the tranny again.

Sooooooooo, here I sit at the State Park again just like last year, waiting for them to figure out what the heck is going on. I hope it won’t take another 23 days like it did then. I was planning on heading down the road from here in a couple of days and start my adventure again.

November 12,2008

Well let me tell you how I celebrated Veteran’s Day yesterday. It started out as
Another beautiful day here camped at Lake Havasu State Park. Decided to take the dogs, Chewy and Trucker, to the doggy park early so I could go bowling with my friends later.
Enter…..MISS KLUTZ………..somehow I managed to step off the sidewalk edge and my right ankle folded up underneath me and down I went. I was down for the count. The pain was so sharp, I wasn’t able to get up for a few minutes. Finally I was able to get up and hobble to the nearest bench where I rested for a few minutes.

Meantime, a large Boxer dog enters the scene and gets into it with a couple of Pitbull puppies and Trucker goes over to investigate. At that point, I decide I better retrieve my dogs and get out of there before the mayhem starts.

I managed to drive back to the camp and spent the rest of the day with icepacks and my foot up. It was nicely swollen already and really hurt.

If that wasn’t enough excitement for one day, around sunset I hear a noise outside and Chewy has broken loose from his collar and disappeared after a rabbit. I hobbled around in the dark for a good half hour and called his name, but to no avail. I came in and put my foot up for about a half hour and couldn’t stand it and got in my truck and started searching in vain. Ironically, I just had a chip put in him yesterday and registered it online that day. So I figured if someone found him and turned him in to the pound or vets, they would scan him. However, if the coyotes got him, forget it and there are zillions of those pesky devils in the park.

A neighboring couple joined in on the search with me and drove around in their jeep also looking for him. This park is quite large, over a mile to the entrance and so much underbrush to hide him from view, but I kept trying. Almost three hours later, I decided it was hopeless and went back to my trailer. Well…….lo and behold, there sits Chewy, tongue hanging to the ground and looking quite weary. I felt like killing him, but hugged him instead. Today we are off to Petsmart for a stronger collar.

November 9, 2008

Went down to the Desert Bar today north of Parker and reunited with a bunch of WIN’s that I hadn’t seen since last trip. It was dejavu for sure. There was Bagpipe Bob, Larry Larson, Chuck Brothwell, Maniac Mike, Andy Parmley, Richard, Dick Webb, Shari, Vicki, Carol Wilson, Joanne Jones, Tom Cassidy, Paul Aakervik, Bill, Francine, Bob Ceelen and so many more whose names escape me right now. It was so much fun even though a little windy and a pretty loud rock band. Everyone had a great time dancing.

November 6, 2008

We made it! Got to Lake Havasu just before 4 pm, 80 degrees (I’m loving it) and windy. Stopped at the Prospector’s RV park and said hello to a couple of WIN’s, Carol Wilson and Bob Dwyer. They are moving on to Parker tomorrow.

I decided to go on down to Windsor Beach State Park and found my old favorite spot from last year was available. The park is 90% full, how lucky is that. The two hosts Scott and Terry remembered me and my trials and tribulations with my truck when I was here last year.

Settled in, sat back and relaxed after the long drive. Trucker and Chewy are loving it. So many bunnies and quail to stalk and the lake just yards away to swim in. They are in heaven. They are also having a ball at their daily romp in the beautiful Lions Dog Park they have here.

2008 TRIP JOURNAL

November 5, 2008

Woke up after a nasty storm yesterday to a frosty morning in the 20’s at home in my driveway where I’ve been camping out with the dogs for the last few days until my caretaker/tenants moved in. Scraped the frost off the windows and off we go, me, Trucker and Chewy. Caretakers offered to take care of Red, thank goodness. That’s one last dog to walk and deal with the pickup detail.

Arrived at Ash Springs around 3:30 pm (MST) and welcomed the almost 60 degree weather. Trip so far was uneventful. Truck is running strong. Little snow here and there along the road and some wind, but otherwise fair sailing

JANUARY 11-16

WENT BACK TO QUARTZSITE, MM 99 FOR 6 MORE DAYS. PRETTY QUIET THERE, BUT THE TOWN IS BOOMING AND THE RV SHOW HASN’T EVEN STARTED YET. “DOC” WAS THE HOST AND IT WAS MOSTLY FUN AND GAMES, ETC. I TOOK IT EASY AS MY LEFT LEG IS STILL HURTING A LOT WHEN I TRY TO BEND IT. ALLERGIES STILL BOTHERING ME. STARTED USING A NETI POT LAST NIGHT

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JANUARY 16, 2008

DECIDED TO MOVE UP TO THE SCHEDULED QUARTZSITE SITE ON PLUMOSA ROAD. LOT OF OLD WINS THERE I HAVEN’T SEEN FOR AWHILE. ANDY SHOWED UP AS WELL AS BOBBI AND KATIE, AND CAROLYN AND WARREN.

JANUARY 17 -24, 2008

LOTS OF DANCING STILL GOING ON. HAD A PARTY OUT IN BOUSE TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY MORNING CAME DOWN WITH SORE THROAT AND COLD. EVERYONE ELSE HAD IT OVER THE HOLIDAYS AND IT FINALLY GOT ME. LEG IS STILL HURTING, GUESS THIS WILL GIVE ME A CHANCE TO REST IT UP. FOUND A TRAILER YESTERDAY AND MADE AN OFFER. LOOKS LIKE I’VE BOUGHT A TRAILER. IT NEEDS SOME TLC AND THE OWNER WAS A SMOKER. HOPING I CAN GET IT CLEANED UP. FINALLY REALIZED I CAN’T AFFORD THE DREAM TRAILER I WANT, BUT AT THIS PRICE THIS WILL DO FINE IF EVERYTHING WORKS LIKE THE GUY SAYS. KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED. IT’S A 28’ SPLASH BY NATIONAL, AN ENTRY LEVEL TRAVELER WITH THE BASICS. SMOOTH SIDED WITH A 14’ SLIDE WITH 2 RECLINERS AND DINETTE. BEDROOM AND BATH IN THE FRONT, LOTS OF WINDOWS. . HAS NEWER FRIDGE, TIRES AND BATTERIES.




















JANUARY 11-16

WENT BACK TO QUARTZSITE, MM 99 FOR 6 MORE DAYS. PRETTY QUIET THERE, BUT THE TOWN IS BOOMING AND THE RV SHOW HASN’T EVEN STARTED YET. “DOC” WAS THE HOST AND IT WAS MOSTLY FUN AND GAMES, ETC. I TOOK IT EASY AS MY LEFT LEG IS STILL HURTING A LOT WHEN I TRY TO BEND IT. ALLERGIES STILL BOTHERING ME. STARTED USING A NETI POT LAST NIGHT

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JANUARY 16, 2008

DECIDED TO MOVE UP TO THE SCHEDULED QUARTZSITE SITE ON PLUMOSA ROAD. LOT OF OLD WINS THERE I HAVEN’T SEEN FOR AWHILE. ANDY SHOWED UP AS WELL AS BOBBI AND KATIE, AND CAROLYN AND WARREN.

JANUARY 17 -24, 2008

LOTS OF DANCING STILL GOING ON. HAD A PARTY OUT IN BOUSE TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY MORNING CAME DOWN WITH SORE THROAT AND COLD. EVERYONE ELSE HAD IT OVER THE HOLIDAYS AND IT FINALLY GOT ME. LEG IS STILL HURTING, GUESS THIS WILL GIVE ME A CHANCE TO REST IT UP. FOUND A TRAILER YESTERDAY AND MADE AN OFFER. LOOKS LIKE I’VE BOUGHT A TRAILER. IT NEEDS SOME TLC AND THE OWNER WAS A SMOKER. HOPING I CAN GET IT CLEANED UP. FINALLY REALIZED I CAN’T AFFORD THE DREAM TRAILER I WANT, BUT AT THIS PRICE THIS WILL DO FINE IF EVERYTHING WORKS LIKE THE GUY SAYS. KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED. IT’S A 28’ SPLASH BY NATIONAL, AN ENTRY LEVEL TRAVELER WITH THE BASICS. SMOOTH SIDED WITH A 14’ SLIDE WITH 2 RECLINERS AND DINETTE. BEDROOM AND BATH IN THE FRONT, LOTS OF WINDOWS. . HAS NEWER FRIDGE, TIRES AND BATTERIES.

DECEMBER 17, 2007

HUNG AROUND CAMP TODAY AND TRIED OUT THE NEW SOLAR PANELS. STILL DOESN’T SEEM TO BE CHARGING THE BATTERIES. HAVE TO GET A BATTERY CHARGER WHEN I GET TO YUMA, I GUESS.

DECEMBER 18, 2007

ANDY AND I WENT WITH THE WIN’S TO HAVE PIZZA AT SILLY AL’S. THERE WERE ABOUT 30 OF US AND IT TOOK FOREVER TO GET OUR DINNER. THEN WE ALL WENT INTO THE BAR AND DANCED TO THE KAROKE. WE ALL GOT UP AND SANG “WE ARE FAMILY” SISTERS SLEDGE. IT WAS FUNNY. I SNAPPED SOMETHING IN MY LEFT KNEE WHEN ANDY AND I WERE DANCING TO A FAST ONE. DAMN, SAME THING I DID TO IT A MONTH AGO.

DECEMBER 19,2007

STILL HOBBLING AROUND ON MY SORE LEG. ANDY AND I DECIDED TO PACK UP, DUMP AND GET WATER IN TOWN AND CARAVAN TOGETHER TO YUMA TODAY. NOTHING MUCH TO DO HERE ANYWAY. IT WAS A SHORT TRIP. TRUCK SEEMED TO BE RUNNING OK EXCEPT I NOTICED A LOUD INTERMITTENT WHISTLE OCCASIONALLY. MAYBE THE TURBO. JUST TURNED THE RADIO UP AND IGNORED IT. GOT TO YUMA JUST BEFORE 1 PM AND A LOT OF THE WIN’S WERE ALREADY THERE. JUST A SANDY PARKING LOT BEHIND THE VFW AND RIGHT ON THE INTERSTATE 95 NEXT TO THE RAILROAD TRACKS. IT’S GOING TO BE A NOISY TWO WEEKS. OH WELL, AT LEAST THE WEATHER IS NICE HERE. IT WAS IN THE 70’S WHEN WE ARRIVED.

DECEMBER 20-JANUARY 4, 2008

OMG, DANCING EVERYDAY AT VFW AND THEN IN TOWN AGAIN AT NIGHT AT MICKEY B’S, COUNTRY ROADS RV PARK, MOOSE LODGE AND FORTUNA DE ORO RV PARK. THESE PEOPLE ARE DANCING FOOLS. HAVING A LOT OF FUN, BUT CAN’T KEEP UP THE PACE EVERY DAY. O.J. CAME DOWN ON 21ST AND I SIGNED HIM UP FOR DANCING LESSONS. HE WAS A LITTLE HESITANT AND SHY AT FIRST, BUT IS REALLY CATCHING ON TO THE DANCING. HOPE I’M NOT CORRUPTING HIM. DON’T THINK SO, ONCE A NICE GUY ALWAYS A NICE GUY. HAD DINNER ON HIS BIRTHDAY 29TH AT RED LOBSTER. WAS GREAT. STUFFED OURSELVES. CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS PARTIES AT THE VFW WITH MORE FOOD. GOT TO START WATCHING IT, I’M PACKING ON THE POUNDS. O. J. LEFT FOR IDAHO ON THE 3RD OF JANUARY AND GOT BACK THE 4TH TO SNOWY GOODING.

ON TO MARTINEZ LAKE NEAR YUMA PROVING GROUNDS ON THE 4TH WHERE I FINALLY GOT TO DUMP AND GET WATER. NOT MUCH HERE AND ONLY A FEW PEOPLE SHOWED UP, BUT I WELCOMED THE QUIET AND ABLE TO GET SOMETHING DONE SUCH AS LAUNDRY AND CLEANING FINALLY. STILL HAVEN’T FOUND THE TRAILER I WANT AT THE PRICE I CAN AFFORD. HOPEFULLY BETTER LUCK AT QUARTZSITE. FINALLY TRACKED MAIL DOWN. IT’S STILL SITTING IN LAKE HAVASU SO FAXED THEM ANOTHER FORWARD THIS TIME TO QUARTZSITE. GOOD LUCK.

WENT DANCING AT THE LAKE MARTINEZ CANTINA. SOME COLORFUL AND EXPENSIVE HOMES AROUND THE LAKE AND SOME REALLY DUMPY ONES, TOO. NOT MUCH HERE.
WIN’S THAT SHOWED UP WERE CHUCK, HOST AND GIL, JIM, JOY, BOB LARSON, BOB DWYER, BOB FROM PIONEER CALIF., JUDY, JOE, BONNIE SAM FROM CAMBRIDGE, IDAHO………………

DECEMBER 16, 2007

WENT 4-WHEELING WITH ANDY AND SOME OTHERS. RODE WITH ANDY. WE PACKED SNACKS AND STOPPED FOR LUNCH. HAD A GREAT TIME. WHEN WE GOT BACK ANDY INVITED ME TO DINNER WITH WARREN AND CAROLYN AT JANET’S CAFÉ IN QUARTZSITE. FOOD AND COMPANY WAS GOOD. AFTERWARDS WE PLAYED CARDS. PHASE 10. I LOST OF COURSE.