Wanderin

Well, I just looked at the map ... we just might go a little farther(Barstow?), perhaps. We'll get it fixed in Phoenix. Terry wants to get to Phoenix. His folks are having some health issues so the pressure is on again for him to get there to help his mother.

We have a short travel today too. It's only 170 miles. We had to have one in there someplace or have a really, really long day. We decided today would be it especially since we wanted to wait until the winds calmed down around Needles. So, this afternoon we'll pull into the Orange Grove RV park in Bakersfield. We now have a windshield to replace in the motorhome. It cracked at the top. Fun. Fun.

Those little planes sure get themselves into trouble! I knew it! I knew it! I knew you'd show up at the Vancouver Elks. I guess we got out of there just in time.

Nothing worked as planned. We didn't stop where I programmed the GPS for us to stop so by the time we flew by our intended destination, I had no idea where we were heading. We just knew California here we come as we left Washington and Oregon behind. That's my report. Now I have to figure out what our destination is going to be for tomorrow. Not that we'll stick with it but just so we have a plan we can erase.

Well, we've been sitting here next to Carol and Steve for 12 days!! Has it really been 12? Our tanks aren't quite overflowing but they are certainly close!! We've really enjoyed their company and will miss them. However, we know we'll connect again in Arizona. Not so sure what time we'll get out of here. The fog seems to have rolled in and it's pretty thick out there! We thought we better run before Spiker arrives. Rumor has it he may just be this way tomorrow! ............ on the road again!

Well, next week at this time we plan on eating with Jim and Sandie at Panda Express in Apache Junction!! I know she's not going to fix us dinner like Toni did so we'll have to settle for going to HER favorite place. Get to feelin better, Lee!

Steve thinks he's riding a horse!

You're SO funny! Well, we're heading into Quartzsite from the west and you're heading into Quartzite from the east. I hope we don't collide! We just might be there about the same time. Or, maybe we won't? You know how well we stick to our plans. Sandie's on my case to hurry up and get to Apache Junction. I can tell already what this winter is going to be like!!

You don't know what $$$$ is? Is that stuff you use instead of plastic. Don't you have a tree in your backyard that grows them? Now what Wine Country are you off to? I hope we don't have to have OUR spies watch out for you in this direction as you sail by? I guess we didn't look at them because you hadn't suggested we look at them yet. Now why didn't we think of that first?? We could have put one on top of the other!! However, trailer dilemma over. We bought another one. We also pulled Steve out of hiding and drug him all over the countryside. Carol put us in charge of him while she went off to play tennis. Steve was put to work cleaning and testing trailers and quads. Then, he even came back for more. It was a great day and a lot was accomplished. I really like days like that. It looks like we might actually start heading south next week!!

Never thought of it that way but it certainly is approriate!! hahaha Hmmm... I wonder how big we would have to get to put our vehicle, two quads and our boat on it. I don't think a 20' flat bed would be big enough but maybe if we stacked them on top of each other just maybe!!

You are so funny, Mr. Spiker ... just so funny. You just knew I'd have to go look at the map to see where you moved that stupid pin. What a spoof! You aren't in New York! Well, we've decided we're going to move without moving our pin. That way you won't have a clue where we are. Today was a busy one. We did get new tires on the car. I'm almost expecting them to go flat since we got such a great deal but I just looked out the window and they're still holding the air. Laundry got done and then we did some more quad trailer looking. We're looking again tomorrow and would like to get this thing behind us so we can start heading south. Steve and Carol are still hiding from us. We must have really tuckered them out on Monday since we haven't seen the whites of their eyes since then.

Well, Steve's a sly one too. We wore them out on Monday so they hid from us yesterday. Do you think they're saying something? Today we're off to get tires and other ($$$) stuff. Maybe we'll decide what to do about our quad and trailer problem. I wish someone would fix that for us. Cranberry juice isn't strong enough to make us feel good about it.

Thanks for clarifying that. I was beginning to get very worried.

We arranged to meet another couple at a restaurant in Portland yesterday. I've been following their blog and read that they were in Portland. We sat up a meeting place and then drug Steve and Carol along. We discovered a few things that were very, very interesting. One was that they were Escapees and two was that they would really be part of the Class of 2009 as that's when they started full-timing. We invited them to hop on the forum and introduce themselves. Steve tried to scare them away with all the tales he knew about the rest of you. Hopefully he didn't accomplish that and we'll be hearing from them soon. They plan on heading south and hanging out around the Yuma area. You know us. We invited them to join us and I actually think they just might. If you see a John and Judy posting here, you'll know who they are. They were very nice and I think they would fit in with this group just fine!! We all know Steve and Carol are night owls. I know I can't keep up with them even though I tried but it's the morning thing that gets me. I can't go to bed at midnight and still get up with the roosters.

Enough of this pain talk!! You boys get to feeling better. We want everyone to be well! Actually, we'll be good and won't start much trouble with them until after the weekend. Our daughter lives about 2 miles from here so we're kicking around a bit with them over the weekend. Come Monday though ..... watch out 'cuz the Williams' and the Dwyer's are going to leave their little mark in this small town.

When we pulled into the Elks yesterday it was nice and quiet and nearly empty. Next thing we knew a rowdy bunch decided to move in right next to us. They partied all hours of the night and told hilarious stories for all to hear. We were certainly tired by the time we could relax and take some ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzz's. It kind of reminded us of Steve. Wait!! It was Steve and Carol. :lol: And, in the normal RVing fashion we went out to eat. Isn't that what most RV'ers do? Well, today now we're meeting a couple of blogging partners in Portland and we'll drag them along with us.

Eek! You're coming this way? Well, we beat you and only two of us here so I think you might be able to squeeze into one of the other 15 or so spots.

Today is moving day. Actually, we're just going to practice going south a tad. The sun is out but the propane is nearly empty. I think that's a good sign. We're moving about 32 miles south to the Vancouver Elks. Steve is moving today too. How do I know? I received a text from him at 1:30 this morning. Now I know why he takes so many zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz's.

How funny is that!!? I'll ask Duchess if we can borrow one of hers!! We'll be seeing you in "Q" in a couple of weeks. That's one of our stops along the way. Thanks all for the input.

Thanks Lee. My brother discovered about the same thing. He pulled out and up the road with his car on a tow dolly. Thank goodness it was a bit up the road to fill up as the car was almost totally unhooked from the dolly. He had heard a noise during the night and saw someone at the back of his rig. They ended up leaving before they finished the job. I guess that's why I've always been a little hesitant to stop in one and stay overnight.

Here's a question for all of you ..... have you ever spent the night when traveling through at a rest area along the freeway? If we're just traveling through and want to keep going without the hassle of finding a park, we've usually looked for a truck stop or Wal-mart. I used to think it was because rest areas weren't as safe. We're thinking why not? Anyone have input or done this?

We are just north of Chicago and the weather has been beautiful. Justin's Navy bootcamp is now behind him. The passing review ceremony (bootcamp graduation) was pretty spectacular. At least we thought it was. Tomorrow he leaves for Pensacola and we head back to Seattle just to drive south about 120 miles where the motorhome is parked. I just looked at that weather and it's certainly not as nice as it is here. Over the next 10 days or so we're going to get some things done we need to finish and then start looking for a little break in that weather to head south.

Lake Pleasant or even Cave Creek might work. They are both fairly close to I17 as you're coming in but would sure save a huge distance over going around.

Congratulations Karla and Eric!! This little baby will sure bring lots of joy to your life!! Sandie -- I17 to 101 Loop to 202. That pretty much will bypass Phoenix coming from the North. It'll also keep you on good roads. You could stay just north of Phoenix and make that trip on a Sunday morning.

Here's my update on Terry's dad -- He's still in the hospital and probably will stay there until they transfer him to a rehab center in the next day or two. He will probably be there about 3 weeks but not sure after that where he will go. They are thinking it probably won't be to his own home. Only time will tell. Not sure how long Terry will stay in Phoenix. I'll probably head back to Portland tomorrow or the next day. We did get a chance to check out the park in Gold Canyon today but I'll tell you about that later. I'm tired!!