February 20, 2010
We really enjoyed Desert Hot Springs; sunny weather, palm trees in foreground, snowy mountains in background! What could be nicer? We took the rotating tram trip, 8000ft up in 10 min., to see the snow and ponderosas up close. We also saw the rocky mountain up close, courtesy of the tram. You feel like you can touch the rock passing by.
We have often talked about the necessity of me learning to driving the coach. There has always been a very good excuse/reason in the past...weather, traffic, wind, horoscope, whatever! Friday, February 19, looked like my luck was going to hold with a heavy wind and visiblity limited from the blowing sand. However, we out ran both and got to a straight stretch of I-10 where Russell asked, "Ya wan'a drive?" With no appearent excuses available, we pulled over and made the Big Switch!
Driving a 40ft coach with a tow car for the first time is very frightening! For Everyone; Driver and Passenger! Russell says it is way easier than the 5th wheel - OMG I'm glad I didn't get that experience! Actually, I did quite well and any version you hear to the contrary is just viscious rumor. I thought I had held my own and was ready to relinquish the wheel when Russell said, "We don't need to pull over, just let me slip in there." I was officially too scared to move. He grabbed the wheel and told me to slip out of the chair for him to take over at 50mph. WHAT? But it did work, and we are both here to talk about it, but don't believe everything Russell tells you!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Palm Springs, CA
VALENTINE'S DAY, 2010
We made a long drive, seeing more of Interstate 10 from Phoenix to LA. Mission: to get a customized "mask" for the RV. The 6 year-old clear coat is pitted and pealing, very ugly! Covering the problem is way cheaper than curing it in this case. Mitchell describes his location as "Just east of Palm Springs" becauses he refuses to say the "LA word", clearly a man in denial! His Rancho Cucamonga location is about 70 miles "east of Palm Springs" near the intersection of I-10 and I-15, which any map will locate you in Los Angeles. However, we spent roughly 24 hours, got the cover we planned on and a windshield cover as well. We also indulged in a nice meal and saw the first movie we've been to in many months, "Up In the Air."
The movie hit home in some respects because it deals with a man who chooses to live on the road. Of course, he is alone, working, and in the air for his travel, but it is still a life style choice. Our choice is to live on the road, and that does cause "distances" with family and friends. As we rack up the miles, I do wonder if Sam Elliot will appear to give us an exclusive travel card at some point.
The Palm Springs area includes at least 6 separate communities nestled in the valley between snow-capped mountains. We are staying at the Sands in Desert Hot Springs, a geiser haven if there ever was one, so we fit right in! We continue to work on the rig, wash, wax, and plan Z on organizing. In between we have watched Olympics, lounged in the hot tub and pool, and shopped at the local trade fair, where we got an education in Dates and Raisins. Very tasty stuff, not to be compared with grocery store fare. We leave on Thursday, but I could esilyspent the winter here.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Phoenix
February, 2010
My friend Laurie commented, "Ya'll must really like Phoenix!"
Yeah, we do! In the NE corner of the city, you are looking up at mountains all the time. We are sitting between Four Peaks and Red Mountain. The cloud cover has produced spectacular sunrises and sunsets! The distant mountains are shrouded in a haze of blues and greys. On the many cloudless days, these same landscapes are painted in golden reds. One evening we were treated to the sun, in all its blazing glory, settling between a pair of peaks, washing the valley in golds and reds. it really did defy description, my meger attempt is pale in comparison to the all-too-brief event.
We made a very brave attempt to bicycle a popular 8-mile stretch of highway that was reported to be "all down hill". Not True! I slowed everyone down in my out-of-shape ability to handle the uphill sections. The ride was glorious, however, and I hope to do it again with more success, but not today!
An event I was totally in shape for was a day at the Phoenix Art Museum. We spent the morning at the huge Ansel Adams exhibit, even more exciting because we have seen the locales. We enjoyed 2 different tours with docents and a relaxing lunch in the garden. It was the kind of day that inspires and awes.
There has also been time to shop, repair, relax, eat, and on occassion, work. Russell has really whittled down the to-do list associated with the new Monaco. I think he knows a few folks at the Monaco factory by name. He has mentioned a tour of the factory in Eugene, Oregon. Good Idea.
Moral of the story: Phoenix is a GREAT place to winter!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Back in Phoenix
January 28, 2010
I think the entire country is in the grip of some weird weather this winter. Russell felt that Phoenix, a place we like for lots of reasons, was the best choice for sunny skies and relaxing. So it has rained for a good deal of our two days here... maybe it's us!
We camped in Junction, TX for 2 nights. We stayed an extra day due to strong winds blowing in from the west. It seemed that I-10 was the corridor for a nasty system that included gusts of 60mph. We also spent 2 nights in Las Cruces. Our 3 travel days from Houston to Phoenix covered more than 400 miles each. I guess we needed to rest in between each leg.
Our new-to-us home has performed admirably on the long road trip. We have learned a lot about the systems, driving capabilities, and kinks still to be addressed. Each day we perform some task that makes our Diplomat a little more like home.
My Mom continues to struggle with her lung condition. The tests she underwent proved negative, so she can't recieve the proposed treatment. We will be back in the near future to spend more time with my family.
I think the entire country is in the grip of some weird weather this winter. Russell felt that Phoenix, a place we like for lots of reasons, was the best choice for sunny skies and relaxing. So it has rained for a good deal of our two days here... maybe it's us!
We camped in Junction, TX for 2 nights. We stayed an extra day due to strong winds blowing in from the west. It seemed that I-10 was the corridor for a nasty system that included gusts of 60mph. We also spent 2 nights in Las Cruces. Our 3 travel days from Houston to Phoenix covered more than 400 miles each. I guess we needed to rest in between each leg.
Our new-to-us home has performed admirably on the long road trip. We have learned a lot about the systems, driving capabilities, and kinks still to be addressed. Each day we perform some task that makes our Diplomat a little more like home.
My Mom continues to struggle with her lung condition. The tests she underwent proved negative, so she can't recieve the proposed treatment. We will be back in the near future to spend more time with my family.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
COACH TRAVEL
Houston, TX
January 10,2010
We have made 2 road trips in our new home. This is why we switched to a class-A RV! The travel is very comfortable. Russell says it drives better; less vitbration, less fight. We have enjoyed having full facilities available during travel. Although I didn't make and serve sandwiches enroute, it was a simple process at the rest stop. No need to pack a cooler or have crumbs in the truck. We worked straight from the frig to the table!
Our first jaunt was to Waco...easy. We snacked enroute and enjoyed the short trip. We got to see Russell's Mom, who is doing quite well. We brought her to the new "house" for a visit, which was great fun.
We are in Houston to see my folks. Mom has not been well, and her lungs just get worse. Everyone is concerned for her. We will know more about treatment options after next Monday.
We'll write more, maybe even have some pictures after that. We are very happy to be in non-freezing temps!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
A NEW YEAR, A NEW RIDE!
Three wet weeks in Brownsville prompted some creative internet surfing. Russell landed on a very attractive, low miles class-A which started the negotiations by email and cell phone - love technology! So the hunt began for a TOAD-rv speak for a tow vehicle - also online. The only obstacle was the 13-hour drive from Brownsville to Valley View, TX (just south of Gainsville). The rig looked as good as promised and the deal struck!
Less than two weeks later, all goals have been accomplished! We are now mostly settled in our 2004 Monaco Diplomat with a 2005 Saturn Vue tow car. We moved in from the 5th-wheel beginning 12-22 with all goods stowed in some fashion by 12-23. It was not a pretty picture, but we rolled out of the dealership and headed for a park in Denton to sort out all of the details.
We are staying in the Dallas area to continue tweeking the minor repair work and learning new systems. We anticipate travel in more comfort with easier extended travel. No more repeated attempts at hitching, and many other chores that we had come to dread. BONUS: I won't hit my head on the hitch again.
The down side of all this activity was canceling our plans to meet friends for New Year's at Ft. Davis. So these dear floks adjusted their plans and drove to Dallas to join us on Christmas Day. What an awesome gift!
Pics to follow, we haven't had time yet!
Less than two weeks later, all goals have been accomplished! We are now mostly settled in our 2004 Monaco Diplomat with a 2005 Saturn Vue tow car. We moved in from the 5th-wheel beginning 12-22 with all goods stowed in some fashion by 12-23. It was not a pretty picture, but we rolled out of the dealership and headed for a park in Denton to sort out all of the details.
We are staying in the Dallas area to continue tweeking the minor repair work and learning new systems. We anticipate travel in more comfort with easier extended travel. No more repeated attempts at hitching, and many other chores that we had come to dread. BONUS: I won't hit my head on the hitch again.
The down side of all this activity was canceling our plans to meet friends for New Year's at Ft. Davis. So these dear floks adjusted their plans and drove to Dallas to join us on Christmas Day. What an awesome gift!
Pics to follow, we haven't had time yet!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
TEXAS
November, 2009
We drove from Albuquerque to Dallas in a single day, with the obligatory stop at the Big Texan for lunch. This is not recommended. We could’a stopped, should’a stopped, but Russell was determined to arrive into the Metroplex and negotiate an unfamiliar campground in the dark, after a long day. The man loves a challenge! Fortunately The Treetops Campground had given us a long, wide pull-through and a wonderful manager to help us accomplish the goal with as much grace as possible.
It was so wonderful to have trees with leaves falling and a damp chill in the air. It felt like being home again, which, of course, it was. We had time in Dallas to enjoy friends and Kyle, take care of business and see doctors. We headed to Waco for more of the same, and then to Houston to enjoy Thanksgiving with more family and friends. Even the right football teams won! It was a wonderful few weeks. In Waco we revisited Skipper and Connie at their RV Park, the River View. We found a great location to revisit on return trips in Dickinson, The Palms RV Park.
More of Texas awaits! About 30 years ago, we planned for a vacation at South Padre Island, but a devastating hurricane in that area changed all of that. This seemed like a good time to finally get to The Valley and South Padre.
The drive south is fairly long and uneventful in terms of terrain. Russell kept looking for when The Valley started, trying to spot high points in terrain so that a “valley” could be determined. Never found it! The best definition I could come up with is that the valley includes land that drains to the Rio Grande, and it is low elevation, even if there is no high elevation to show a contrast.
We arrived in true Geezer Heaven at Winter Haven Retirement Village. This gated community in Brownsville is second home to many Canadians and other Winter Texans, even quite a lot of North Texas Texans who like to wear shorts and t-shirts all year long. There is a nice mix of RV’s, park model homes, and brick homes along the man-made canals. Golf carts are the transport of choice! Although the weather has been less than perfect, we have been able to ride bikes and walk most days. The food shopping is terrific and we have tried new recipes with the available produce.
We drove from Albuquerque to Dallas in a single day, with the obligatory stop at the Big Texan for lunch. This is not recommended. We could’a stopped, should’a stopped, but Russell was determined to arrive into the Metroplex and negotiate an unfamiliar campground in the dark, after a long day. The man loves a challenge! Fortunately The Treetops Campground had given us a long, wide pull-through and a wonderful manager to help us accomplish the goal with as much grace as possible.
It was so wonderful to have trees with leaves falling and a damp chill in the air. It felt like being home again, which, of course, it was. We had time in Dallas to enjoy friends and Kyle, take care of business and see doctors. We headed to Waco for more of the same, and then to Houston to enjoy Thanksgiving with more family and friends. Even the right football teams won! It was a wonderful few weeks. In Waco we revisited Skipper and Connie at their RV Park, the River View. We found a great location to revisit on return trips in Dickinson, The Palms RV Park.
More of Texas awaits! About 30 years ago, we planned for a vacation at South Padre Island, but a devastating hurricane in that area changed all of that. This seemed like a good time to finally get to The Valley and South Padre.
The drive south is fairly long and uneventful in terms of terrain. Russell kept looking for when The Valley started, trying to spot high points in terrain so that a “valley” could be determined. Never found it! The best definition I could come up with is that the valley includes land that drains to the Rio Grande, and it is low elevation, even if there is no high elevation to show a contrast.
We arrived in true Geezer Heaven at Winter Haven Retirement Village. This gated community in Brownsville is second home to many Canadians and other Winter Texans, even quite a lot of North Texas Texans who like to wear shorts and t-shirts all year long. There is a nice mix of RV’s, park model homes, and brick homes along the man-made canals. Golf carts are the transport of choice! Although the weather has been less than perfect, we have been able to ride bikes and walk most days. The food shopping is terrific and we have tried new recipes with the available produce.
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