sandsys

Steve, if you go to Balboa Park and see the La Mesa Club's huge HO scale model railroad of the Tehachapi Loop check out the operator's desk called Caliente. That's the job I worked the last time we operated at that model railroad. Not always fun having your back turned to the kids in the aisle. But the electric signal system developed a glitch so they pulled out a big hand-operated order board for me to use and I got to hoop up orders. That was fun. Linda Sand

Here's my update: Sold my RV so I probably don't even belong on this forum anymore. I'm still in Durham, North Carolina, where the are predicting snow tomorrow. Now that I said a cuss word I better go hide. Linda Sand

My van is now officially sold and on its way to its new home in California. If you think you see it out there, go introduce yourself to Joanna and tell her I said, "hi." Linda Sand

Thanks for that update. Linda

I'm not sure you can see the fireworks from the north BLM area if you mean Craggy Wash. Most popular appears to be "the steps" under the power lines east of 95 south of town. Linda Sand

I am so glad you sold BessyBus 1. I was more worried about yours than mine. Linda

I sold my RV this morning. Got my asking price! I wonder how long it will take me to stop talking as if I still have it? The buyer is an experienced traveler who will only be using it part time while she is caring for her elderly mother. She and I have been emailing one another so I know how excited she is. That makes me happy. Linda Sand

One of the hardest things to do is give up on a live game and head for your car only to hear the crowd go wild as you are walking through the parking lot. Linda Sand

I was a Boy Scout, too. Linda

Oh. Memories of the shotgun "incident". Linda

We're not having rain. We're having drizzle. And mist. And fog. At least it got warm enough to not be sleet. I'm out of here tomorrow. Watch it rain as I go to the airport. Linda Sand

Tina and Jeff, I'm so sorry for your loss. I still miss our first kitten some times so be aware that Sadie may stay in your hearts and memories for years to come. Linda Sand

Thanks. Sure glad I'm not competing with Bessy Bus, though. Linda

My van is now for sale. Details at http://sandcastle.sandsys.org/2014/12/lindas-rv-for-sale/. Linda

We turned my RV over to Sportsmobile yesterday and we are on the road to home. SMB will clean it up, fix things on the short punch list, and write up the ad for it--hopefully using some wording I suggested. I'll let you all know when it is officially on the market in case any of you know someone in the market for a rig like mine. It was a good run and I'm glad I got to meet those of you I did meet. Wish I was going to be with you all again on Plamosa Road but I'll be back in North Carolina then working on getting healthier. Linda Sand

I'm thinking I might get some sliced turkey from the deli and some pumpkin pie and go right for the turkey sandwiches and pie. The leftovers are the best part of the meal anyway, right? Linda

I pulled the Sand Castle into Rainbow's End site 65 in the rain this afternoon. Was only supposed to be a 20% chance so I guess i got all of it on the last 20% of my miles today. Came down pretty hard while I was driving but was just misting when I went out to hook up my electric. I filled my water tank yesterday so didn't bother with that connection yet. I was planning to have a yard sale while here but the checkin office says no can do. Nothing commercial. I never thought of a yard sale as commercial but that's what they said. So now I have to figure out what to do with the things I was hoping to sell before turning in my RV to sell it. Anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do with things like an induction burner with it's pots and pans, my electric space heater, various utility adapters and extenders, etc.? I don't really want to pack them to ship home since I have no use for them there now that my RVing time is ending. Heck, we still have stuff from our model railroad hobby that we haven't used since before we hit the road in 2008; I sure don't need to start another collection of stuff we're not using. Linda

After many nights at Walmarts and rest areas I'm in a real park tonight. Drained my fresh water tank all the way down so I needed hookups. Not a fancy place but $25 got me water, electric, and screaming fast wifi so I'm happy. The faucet was so low to the ground there's barely room to hook it up. And a rose bush attacked me as I plugged into the power pole. But It's nearly 9 pm and I have not had to turn the furnace on yet so I feel like I'm living the life of Riley. I should make it to Rainbow's End tomorrow then I get to start cleaning out my RV. Ugh! Any of you readers hanging around there watch for my yard sale. Gonna have some good stuff. Linda Sand

Jerry & Janice, I'm not going to make it as far as Beaumont tomorrow but should make it all the way to Rainbow's End the day after. But I did dump yesterday so no longer need your help doing that. (A nice young man at Rainbow Plantation helped.) Thanks for the offer, though. Linda

Oh, I can think of so many smart remarks to make. So, now that you are immune to everything you won't need any more baaaad whiskey? You also made me remember Charlie Weaver saying, "Grandpa broke his glasses today. Now he's drinking from the bottle." That should give you an idea of how tired I am tonight. So tired I'm sitting in the Louisiana Welcome Center parking lot because Walmart was too far off the freeway to make it there. Linda

Which you could read as "don't stand too near the fire." Linda Sand

Not something to look forward to but when the time feels right you do it anyway. My thought are with you as you decide. Linda

What a wonderful offer! It looks like I'll probably be passing through Beaumont late afternoon on Thursday, Nov. 20th. If that looks doable for you remind me when the date gets closer and we'll at least do a meal and maybe an overnight. I have no idea what my dump needs might or not be that far away in time. Linda

I'm headed to Rainbow Plantation tomorrow where I plan to wait out this current storm. Then on to Rainbow's End where I plan to be for Thanksgiving. Then on to Austin where I will turn in my RV to Sportsmobile for them to sell for me. I am sad to report that but I just can't do everything I need to be able to do to keep on RVing solo. It's been a good run. If you see me along my route stop and say hello and goodby. And of you happen to see me connecting my dump hose, come pull that valve for me, will you? Linda Sand Ps. I'll probably have a yard sale at Rainbow's End so stop by and see if I'm getting rid of something you want.

I'm celebrating your good news by raising a glass of diet soda since I no longer drink wine. Linda Sand