donf888

Well,,,, it's (somewhat?) official -- we have "flunked" full-timing (but, not exactly!)... After two years of full-time in the RV, and still not reducing the volume of "stuff" in storage, we (me!) got frustrated and resolved to get outta the rental-storage. If we can't get rid of it, at least let's build equity in a "closet" that we own! Having spent the last nine years visiting Mesa (AZ) during MLB spring training in Mar (plus challenge-level square dancing), we bought a place to store our stuff; so, now, we can visit our stuff (ie, start winnowing it down to more manageable volume) every winter-spring without paying "rent" -- rather, pay a small mortgage on a place with space for our RV (it's nearly a third of an acre, centrally located to our activities and accumulation of winter friends)... in a 55+ community. We just got our stuff moved into the place during the holiday week (so didn't get bit by the database bugs), are now on our way east (KS, OH, NH, NYC, SC, etc.) for the duration; plan to be back to AZ sometime in Nov, holidays & early Jan in CA, then back to AZ for Feb-thru-Apr. Wishing safe travels to all! Cheers (from Winnemucca), -Don

GREAT to hear Jim's home and recuperatiing -- hope you can get him something better for the pain! We're glad to be gone from the heat -- back in Calif for family events (Petaluma last week for youngest niece graduation with RN & BS degree; next up, BIL becomes a new deacon grad, then we'll head east to visit Mom in OH,,, and the rest of the country east of the Mississippi). Cheers, from sunny San Jose! -Don

Finally, moved toward Calif -- left Mesa on Tues, got as far as Q, yesterday did a day trip to Algodones for DDS (cleanings, $10 each), shop for grandkid items, & the all-important lunch at Ma-D-Som for some music, margarita & food-combo! From Q we will head to Beaumont (lower-CA grandkid visit), the onward to SF area (via Pacific beach at Rincon Hwy) to attend family graduation (youngest niece getting RN & cum laude BS degrees). -Don

Finally, moved toward Calif -- got as far as Q, day trip to Algodones for DDS (cleanings, $10 each), shop for grandkid items, & the all-important lunch at Ma-D-Som for some music, margarita & food-combo! Checked up on the "house sale" in Mesa, learned the City was not being cooperative, so we plan to visit the planning dept ourselves tomorrow (back-track, day trip w/out the rig). We're trying to buy a place that has this huge RV-port (20' wide x 70' long) --perfect for our 63' combo plus car parking AND a guest slot with FHU on the side yard. It seems the contractor told the seller no city permit needed, just the HOA (from which they did have approval back in 2010 when it was built); we just gotta determine what level of "trouble" the lacking permit might cause if closer scrutiny occurs... We wanna ensure it's not something the City could (eventually?) come down later and demand removal or major modification. From Q we will head to Beaumont (lower-CA grandkid visit), the onward to SF area (via Pacific beach at Rincon Hwy) to attend family graduation (youngest niece getting RN & cum laude BS degrees). -Don

NOT to say it's always this good, but the 4G in Mesa has been somewhat satisfactory since mid-Feb... FWIW, my latest test, a few minutes ago: -Don

You both are in our prayers; hang in there... hope you can "see" a good prognosis soon! Sorry we missed the lunch gathering a couple weeks ago(?)... been off-the-grid awhile! Best wishes! -Don

Sorry to hear Jim & Val had abit of dump-valve debris to recover... hope all is well now, despite they're brrr-north! Dave & Renee, Jack & Roger -- we'll be visiting Camp Horizons in mid-July, en route to OH, NY & NH. Meanwhile, Fannie's lobbying to go to Yuma (for Algodones shopping) on our way back to Calif. for family events mid-May; we're in escrow on a property here in Mesa -- if it closes on time, we'll head down to Yuma around 03 or 04-May. If you're still there, will swing by to visit! Cheers, to all! -Don

Sorry,,, we'll miss seeing you (Mike & Jo Ann) in Mesa; we couldn't get into a site until the 15th, so we'll meander into Tempe around the 13th, to check on our "fit" for the 15th. We're still in Q, learning the ins-and-outs of long-time boondocking --- finally used the water bladder (and helper pump) to refill fresh water without moving the 5'er; discovered our fresh water gauge registers "almost empty" when it still has nearly 25 gallons (that's TWO more days, for us). Using the 45 gal. bladder filled the 70 gal tank to the over-fill point... will be glad when I get a See-Level installed,,, sure will be nice to have accurate readings of all three tanks, for future boondocking ventures! (Hope to do that project sometime during the next month, while in Mesa.) Safe travels to all! -Don

Hey, Jeri -- we plan to arrive in Q (at the party coordinates) on Sat; decided not to fight Friday traffic coming outta LA... maybe will see you & others?!? After Q, for the end of the big RV show (and maybe new DTV deal?), we plan on Tempe/Mesa -- scouting possible land-purchase options to "store our stuff". -Don

Hmmm,,, don't quite know; we still honor our (one, last) volunteer committee work for a square dance event the third w/e in Jan... in a couple years, the 3rd Sat rolls around to be "early" enough that we could get there around the 16th, or so. (I guess it's a matter of "letting go" of past associations -- but, since we're always nearby for the holidays (with half the grandkids & all Fannie's sibliings, etc.), seems obvious what our January itinerary will be. -Don

As has been our tradition, we are late getting to Q (just in time for the end of the show), hopefully this weekend. Currently on the beach at Ventura, have been fighting connect/disconnect issues with a new aircard from Verizon (UML290). Will test a couple more days before deciding whether to keep or not! Heading to Pasadena for a couple days, then onward to Q! Hey to Eric & Karla, Jim & Sandy. Cheers, to all! -Don

Hey Renee, Our visit to Yuma is (currently) "on hold" as we are trying to get into Mesa as soon as possible -- to shop properties for sale. Would still plan to visit Yuma, so we can visit our dentist in Algodones, etc -- just not the top priority at the moment. Will surely look you up when/if we get down there for more than an hour! Hey to Dan & Dorcas -- hope Colorado is treating you "right", etc! -Don

YEP,,, I certainly understand Brian's sentiment -- BUT... 1) We already "know" we'll not settle in FL or TX, 'cuz we love Calif & AZ (what-with all our grand-kids spread between N. and S. Calif, plus all Fannie's siblings in the SF area); 2) We have been to Yuma, it's fine and dandy for winter "hibernating", away from the cold parts of the country -- AND, we like the numerous developments that allow TWO RV's plus a good size home/casita for "stuff"; 3) We have been to FL, multiple times over the years (in Nov, Jan, Mar/Apr, and Sep); it's too buggy and humid for our tastes (AND gets colder than AZ in Jan-Mar worst parts of winter); 4) We plan to visit RGV some year, if only to visit the many HDT'ers that settle there, and (maybe) do some square dancing with folks we know down there -- though we don't expect to fall in love with it; the past three seasons, while we were enjoying mid-70's in PHX area, TX & FL froze their tushes... Nov-2009, etc. 5) We do love Mesa, especially since we have many friends and activities there -- March is MLB spring training, Oct-thru-Apr is low-to-high level square dancing (which gets me outta the house and moving, feet AND brains). We are looking for a Yuma-like property that we can live in several months of the year (and store the stuff we haven't found a way to part with)... so, we'd like a place to park our RV, a guest RV, and house to hold "stuff" we don't wanna carry with us while we're traveling). PLUS, it's winter weather is (typically) warmer than TX or FL, in Jan & Feb -- and, it's close enough to "back-track" to family & doctors in Calif. Turns out my Medigap is significantly cheaper than TX or AZ would be, and fully portable,,, so, we continue to prefer the Calif & Mesa climate in winter. 6) FYI, lottsa folks seem to like Q and/or Parker dam/Havasu area; we're still checking that out -- though, we know there can be some serious winds in Q & Yuma, it hasn't deterred us from checking it out. We have dentist in Mesa (did my implants, was competitive with Algodones), we visit friends (you might know Renee & Dave) & Mexico when in Yuma -- that's a day trip from Mesa, but a much easier visit with the rig down there. Of course, we're still "just learning" and still finding our own way, but that's the current plan (still in Jello). Will try contacting you guys when we get into town. -Don

Hi Mike, We are trying to get into Sun Life early, (like 1/29 or so), but don't yet know whether that will work. Will look for you if we get there in time for Super Bowl... (Why are you leaving so soon?!?)

Hey, there, Gail & Bonnie --- we almost came up to visit last June (in WI), but got "detoured" for NH-repairs (again!), so only got at far as Milwaukee... will keep tryin'! Mike -- We plan to be nearby for most of Feb-Apr (Sun Life in Mar)... lookin for a place to "store" our stuff; we've been going to Mesa the last 8 years, staying at Sun Life, for the month of March (MLB spring training & winter square dancing)... Still enjoying sunny skies & mild temps in SJC for another 2 weeks, then heading to Q for the big tent show. -Don

So, Sandie... does the "rest of the story" include a new check-list item, so you both *know* the hitch is secure?!? We had a 5'er for many years, pulled with the old Dodge PU, never had the problem, 'cuz we had a visual and mechanical locking-handle that could not be in place unless the hitch bar was closed. Now, with the air-hitch, the hitch/release bar only moves from 8 (locked) to 9 (pre-hookup, loose), to 10 (open) --- BUT there is a "sight window" that only becomes visible if the hitch bar is fully/properly closed. The first year we had the new rig, I didn't fully realize the relationship (re. the sight window), one day needed to move the rig a couple sites over from the current site, took a "short cut" (by NOT installing the safety "loop/key-ring" thru the sight window), assumed the jaws were locked (observing they were "closed" around the hitch pin), pulled away from the 5'er, watched it come crashing down on the hitch -- made a $700 gash in the trailer's fiberglas, front cap,,, luckily, no damage to truck or hitch. BTDT -- as many others have, also! -Don p.s. Been offline several weeks, just read Terry's good news -- glad things are going well for Jeri & Terry! p.p.s. Will be in N. Calif the next several weeks, then off to Q last week of Jan; hope to catch up with you there (or later, in Mesa).

Sorry for you loss, Rod -- best wishes on continuing your journey! We're headed to SJC for Dec & part of Jan, then plan to visit Q during the second/final week of the "Big Tent" show... left TX abit over a week ago, got the MCD shades (used HDT Rally discount), what an amazing experience -- they truly know how to "under-promise, over-deliver"! -Don

DITTO, from Sou. Calif (Temecula) -- HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL, CLASSMATES, LURKERS, NEWB's & wannabes! -Don

Thanks, Dave & Wanderin -- hey, I think we met you (Wanderin-Jeri w/out Terry?) back in Mesa last spring, dinner organized with Jim & Sandie, Eric & Carla, Soos (one of ya'). We'll be there, BUT VERY LATE; we still do committee work for an event in N. Calif, the w/e of 3rd Sat (that's 18-23 in 2012); so, we'll look around for folks once we arrive -- too late for the big party... but not too late for the Big Tent show. Cheers, -Don

I cannot FIND this post you referred to... can you please advise?!!? -Don p.s. We're in Temecula for T'giving with all 4 g-kids -- just arrived after getting new MCD shades installed (back in McKinney) and a short visit to PHX for replacement winch cable, so the smart-loader is back in working order (we think/hope). p.p.s Can't recall the MAP location, need to re-discover that bookmark... maybe someone can re-post that, also?!? (Ooops --- I found it, and update our pin; we did stop-over in Q, en route, just o'nite at KOFA Mtn park,,, sorry we couldn't visit, Lee-IYQ; maybe next time -- after Jan 23, or thereabouts.)

WOW,,, nice rig, Sandie *and* Jim --- Congrats! FYI, we, too, made abit of a change this year --- we finally got a commute vehicle (smart) with a truck to carry it around the country. Full story in this post: http://www.rvnetwork.com/index.php?showtopic=92505 Cheers, to all! (We, too, plan to be in AZ for mid-Jan to mid-Apr; hope to see you again, then!) -Don p.s. Next week (from MI), heading east to NH to visit the truck-bed builders, my eldest son in NYC (sometime after Labor Day), then back-track to KS for HDT Rally (via Toledo, to check-in on Mom, once more). As usual, Calif for the holidays -- 4 grandkids (2 south & 2 north) plus all Fannie's siblings.

We are at Camp Horizons (big surprise), getting some work done. It's almost done, hope to exit before the holiday! PLAN is to head east after visiting friends in Salina to shake down the latest repairs. Will stop at Amana (if only for a brief purchase, tho there's a nice PA park there). We wanna revisit the COE park just off the I-80 near Iowa City -- stopped there overnight on our way to KS, will spend a couple nights so we can explore the area more,,, then onward to Elgin (nice county park) to get schooled on a handy water softener system for RV's (the camp host has it, want to finish a conversation we started last time thru there). Then, hope to rendezvous with baby sis & husband down by Cumberland Falls (Levi Jackson state park, KY),,, if all goes well! Ultimately, back to OH (for Mom) and on to NY & NH for "you know what" with Mark(?) & Henry. -Don

Well,,, it's been awhile since we've posted; we've made the circuit from SJ to Q to PHX, Yuma, Q & back again, barely got abit of the flavor of the snowbird season,,, mostly stealth-mode and visiting dentists, tho we did connect with some friends in Yuma; made new friends in Q at the (small) PA park there -- maybe will visit on the way back to SJ for final doctor visits & grand-kid b'days in April. Will continue our "normal" March gig here in Mesa (this being our 8th year visiting for March) until it's time to head back to SJ via Q, Temecula, Ventura (we can never get enough of our ocean visits, right on the beach), hope to "lighten the storage load" while in SJ for a couple weeks before heading off to Ohio to visit Mom (maybe for Mother's Day,,, tho she doesn't really know what day any day is anymore). Will try to drop by to see E&K over at Valle Del Oro, sometime this next week. -Don

Thanks, Davena --- we were visiting her RN cousin in LA for B'day & SuperBowl, then up to the Bay Area for (my) doctor visits & Valentine's Day; finally headed toward PHX via THE BEACH on the 25th, stopped for a couple nights at Q (late season shopping), arrived PHX on Thurs; now, onward to spring training and warm weather...70+ before 10am, rises to about 83 late afternoon. Best regards, to all!

Mike, We tried to find you off US Hwy-95 at the La Paz Valley Rd (aka, N. 53rd St) intersect; found several class 8 trucks, but not yours... sigh --- maybe more details for this senior moment. The main question is: what do folks do here, and where?!? We parked just north of Q off Tyson Rd @ US-95; will breeze by the Main Event tent, etc tonight & in the morning... (Thanks for the directions... maybe we'll stay there when we get back from PHX.) We need to get to PHX for dental work/intervention, so that's gonna impact our visit abit; we'll double back after dentist issues are stabilized. -Don