D&D Jones

2011-09-30T19:58:00.000-07:00

After getting new trailer springs, equalizers and extra frame support we were able to get back on the road about noon today. Cascade Diesel and RV Repair in North Bend WA sure did a great job and they only charged us for 6.5 hours work when it seamed to me that they put in 8-9 hours. Was pleasantry surprised when presented with the bill. Put in a long day driving and made it to Eagles Hot Lake RV Park just outside of La Grande, OR.. Looking forward to a quit night away from the freeway noise. Should make it to Boise, ID in time for the Grand daughters birthday party tomorrow.

2011-09-29T14:38:00.000-07:00

Left Sedro-Woolley, WA yesterday morning at about 900 AM. Got about 90 miles down the road and blew a tire on the trailer. This was just outside North Bend, WA. Got the spare on and went into North Bend to the Les Schwab dealer. Got a new spare and as they were checking torque of the lug nuts noticed that the trailer frame was sitting on and wearing away part of one of the tires. Limped down the road about 3 miles to a repair shop. They could see nothing wrong except that the springs were almost flat. Spent the night in their front parking lot. This morning found out that while we have 7000# axles the springs were only rated for 300# (7000# axles times two is 14000# and 3000# springs times four is only 12000#) So my 13000# trailer weight sitting on the axles was actually over weight for the springs but not the axles. New springs were ordered and while waiting for them to make the 40 mile trip up from Seattle the shop took things apart. They then discovered that one of the equalizers between the two axles was way worn out. This was the major cause of the trailer frame sitting on the tire. New equalizers wont be here until 430 this afternoon and they are the first part needed to put things back together. Springs arrived already. So another night will be spent in Cascade Diesels front parking lot. Plans for being in Boise by Friday for our Granddaughter's birthday party on Saturday are not going to happen. Earliest departure time from North Bend seams to be about noon on Friday and Boise is about 500 miles away. Probably wont be in Boise until Sunday.

Traveling

2011-05-11T09:27:00.000-07:00

After a wonderful time in Canyon De Chelly we traveled to Bluff, UT. In almost five years of traveling, most of the time without reservations, we ran into a park that was full when we arrived. Since we usually stop early in the day this was some what surprising. But even in the little town of Bluff there were two other parks and the one we stopped at was almost empty. After resting up we moved on to Green River, UT. Interesting driving in Green River as the whole main street was under construction. There were three lanes set up separated by those bright orange barrels. At the end there was a truck directing us to the middle lane. Since there was nothing telling us to change back to the right we stayed in the middle. Not much traffic but soon there was several vehicles coming towards us in the middle lane. Sine we were close to where the RV park was suppose to be and there was plenty of room on the left shoulder, over to the shoulder we went. Got out and walked about a half block to the park entrance to figure out how best to get there. After spending the night it was back onto that road under construction. This time we wove through the barrels to the right lane and out of town. We had chosen a park exactly half way between Green River and Henefer, UT. It had some good reviews and even looked good on Google Maps. When we got the park there was a semi trailer parked across the entrance. The park was empty and the gas station and store was obviously closed. So it was back to the books and we located a park about 20 miles down the road. By now we were approaching that great valley that houses Salt Lake City and all those other smaller towns. Since most of the streets in almost all the towns in UT are named the same and in the valley they are so close together. This confused our GPS and we were directed to the right address but in the wrong town. A call to the park got us the information that they were across from the Flying J, a destination our GPS recognized, so we got there with only a small detour. Then it was off to East Canyon just south of a small town of Henefer, UT. A couple of nice sunny days here and then the rain moved in for about three days. Tomorrow it will be off to Draper, UT with the opportunity to our grand daughter dance in a regional dance competition on Friday and Saturday.

Canyon De Chelly

2011-05-01T14:29:00.000-07:00

After leaving Globe, AZ we spent two nights just outside of Holbrook, AZ. Just doing nothing. Then on Friday we traveled, in the wind, to Chinle, AZ. Chinle is the home of Canyon De Chelly National Monument. Saturday we took a eight hour sixty mile guided tour into the canyon area in a propane powered truck. In order to enter the canyon you must have a Navajo guide with you. If you want to see about 70 pictures of canyon walls from the bottom up, with some pictures of ruins the you can do so at
https://picasaweb.google.com/Scubadave2000/April2011# . Today we are just resting. Tomorrow it is another travel day of about 100 miles. Heading north to Utah.

Globe, AZ

2011-04-27T21:45:00.000-07:00

Well we made it to Globe, AZ on Monday and went to the Besh Ba Gowah Archaeological Park on Tuesday. Interesting reading and seeing what is still there after all this time.

Even got Diane into the woods!

Well OK the city street is about 100 feet down the hill.

On Wednesday we moved up to Holbrook, AZ. It sure was fun going down into the Salt River Canyon and then up the other side with the big truck pulling our home. Would not have been any where near as much fun with a small truck.

2011-04-24T19:28:00.000-07:00

OK I know it's been awhile and I should not let other things get in the way. But when you are having so much fun doing other things it's hard to keep up a blog. Anyhow after spending the last six months in Benson, AZ doing too much stuff, it's time to move on. Will be working our way north on the travel about 150 miles and stay at least two days plan. First stop will be Globe, AZ and a visit to Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park. Perhaps I can find time to post more about that after the visit.

Catching up

2008-07-22T08:54:00.000-07:00

After spendin g two weeks in Tijeas, NM looking out our back window at the motor home two feet away we moved to this spot about 100 miles south of Moab UT.
Much better view. Then we spent a week in the Moab area and had a view of this
But we were staying much farther away than where this picture was taken.

It was then across UT and into Idaho for about 5 weeks in Boise visiting the grandkids. When we left Boise we took our oldest grandson, Dawson, with us to western Washington. The other two grandkids and their folks followed about 10 days later and picked Dawson up at Diablo Lake so he could spend some four wheelin time over in Twisp. Then for two nights all five of them were with us at Skagit River Woods. This is when Grayson, the youngest learned to go up stairs

Since they have left we have been busy observing the local full time inhabitants
We even had three of them trying to get into the house at the same time, that sure caused a ruckus. Then this morning we saw out our rear window two black tail deer wonder across the road and through the campground.

Will have to write more when we have regular internet access.

SNOW

2008-04-21T12:12:00.000-07:00

Left Lakewood, NM on Thursday the 17th. Weatherman said that there would be a headwind of about 15-20 mph and if I went about 300 miles north I had a 20% chance of hitting a little snow, less than an inch. So headed off. Passed through Roswell, NM with the sun shinning and only one alien spotted. Got about 140 miles down the road, about 10 miles south of Vaughn, NM, which was the planned stopping point for the day, and things started to get damp, not with water but some snow. Lightly at first but it increased and with the wind we were close to being in a blizzard. Since there was no where to stop, there is nothing between Roswell and Vaughn except open range farms, we slowed down and kept going. Got into Vaughn at about noon and parked in a small park. Took this picture out the back window after the snow let up some.

The gravel campground road on the near side of the fence and the paved city street on the other side of the fence did not get covered. But the rest had about one and a half inches. The day before this it was about 80 or 90 degrees and the dark roads absorbed some of that heat and kept the slippery stuff off the roads. By about 3:30 pm almost all the white stuff was gone.

The next day we went farther north and did not see any more than a little snow in some of the shady spots. We arrived in Tijeras, NM (about 10 miles east of Albuquerque) and at 6,600 feet with the tempature about 60 degrees.

On Sunday April 20th we got a call from a friend in Sedro-Woolley, WA and she told us that she woke up to about five inches of snow and it was still coming down. And this was happening on the 20th of April! The day, 34 years ago, we got married. I do not recall any snow falling after the first of April the 48 years I lived in the Skagit Valley.

To "celebrate" the day we went with some people that we meet in Lakewood who were from Anacortes, WA, to old town Albuquerque. This is the site of the original town and the old buildings are currently used as stores. Albuquerque was celebrating it's 302 birthday that day. Then we went out to dinner.

2008-04-11T07:47:00.000-07:00

We have been slowly moving across Texas. Spent a week in Pecos waiting for our mail to arrive. Then we crossed into New Mexico and are currently in Carlsbad. On Wednesday we went to the Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

View out over the valley from the Visitors Center at the park. We entered the cavern via the Natural Entrance. To reach the bottom it is about a mile and a half and goes down about eight hundred feet.
View down the opening.
As you can see it is a fairly steep down hill route. This route has three sets of switchbacks with a short level spot in between. Even though there are signs warning about the down hill trip Diane deceided to try it and made it all the way down. The entrance is home to lots of swallows and they can be seen flying around. Once partway into the opening you can look back at
Took lots of pictures in the cavern, some without flash to see the farther away features and some of them turned out fuzzy. they can all be seen at http://picasaweb.google.com/Scubadave2000/April

After reaching the bottom Diane stayed at the snack bar and I made the mile and two tenths treak around the Great Room. This is fairly level trail that can be made by wheelchairs.

We could have taken this way down instead of walking
It is amazing what a little acid and water can do to rock!

2008-03-31T17:23:00.001-07:00

Stopped by a little town today called Langtry, TX. Founded by a character named Judge Roy Bean and named after his supposed sweetheart, Lilly Langtry. She never even visited Langtry until a year after Judge Bean died. Judge Bean made his fame and fortune by doing such things as sponsoring a fight that was illegal in TX. But when the Rangers showed up they could do nothing because the fight was being held on the south side of the Rio Grande. He was also known for recessing court proceedings to tend to his other interest, the Saloon and Billiard Hall

This is the second Saloon as the first one burnt down. The first one was also Judge Bean's home.

No swinging doors on this Saloon.

Second half of the building, Billiard Hall entrance around the cornor to the right. No entry from the Bar?

Can't stay away from the Bar!

View from the Bar.

This is a copy of the House and Courthouse Judge Bean built after the fire. It is only one room.

On the Road Again

2008-03-30T14:51:00.000-07:00

On this last Tuesday we meet up with Diane's cousin Norman in Hidalgo. He was dropping a load of produce at the terminal and had to wait until all the proper paperwork came through and he could drop the trailer. After talking for a couple of hours we left him there. On Friday we moved out of Mission and spent the night in Zapata. Small park on Falcon Lake. Suppose to be a national bass fishing tourney there starting the day I am writing this. On Saturday we moved to Crystal City. Home of the Spinach Festival and it even has a statue of Popeye in the center of town. The park is actually 3 miles out of town on the Nueces River.

These ducks were just ahead of the spot we were given for the night. A little ways behind us is the Nueces River.

In the center of this shot is the first deer that came out for some food and drink. It is hard to see because they blended into the background very well.

There are a couple of deer at the waters edge near the center of the picture. This was by far one of the best parks we have stayed in during our travels. Most of the sites are in the trees and a lot of them back up to the Nueces River.

Parakeet attack

2008-03-01T17:48:00.003-08:00

Woke up the other morning to a tapping sound on the bedroom window. Looked out and saw a wild parakeet pecking on the window. It had somehow managed to land on the 3/8 ledge that is outside the windows. It soon lost it's balance and flew away. It, or another, returned two more times to do the same thing. The last couple of mornings Anne May has been coming up and staring out that window so no parakeets.

Pic of what is outside our bedroom window.

The Boganvillia has been in bloom since we have arrived here last December. Just the other side of that is
No wonder the birds like to spend time outside our bedroom.

We attended the Winter Texan Fiesta today. This is a festival put on by the Mission Chamber and if you get a ticket from the Chamber or Member then you get a free lunch. Lunch was a deli ham or turkey sandwich with lettuce, tomato and cheese with a pickle and chips. They said they made 3200 bag lunches this year. Then to top it off you get to enjoy the music and some poetry from some nationally known singers and cowboy poets. While these were not the "Big" names they were people that regularly perform in Branson, MO and Nashville. Also spotted today was this Kenworth from Ontario, Canada

This rig said it was a 1969. Sure is a nice looking rig to tow a fifth wheel with.

Orchid Tree

2008-02-19T20:04:00.001-08:00

There is an orchid tree here in the park and it has come in bloom recently.
I know that those of you that still have snow on the ground, or the threat of snow, really want to see nice flowers on a bright sunny day so.....

Went to Mexico today to get some medications. Saved over a dollar a day for the ones we bought. Also about half price for Revolution for Anne, so she can get rid of the fleas. First time on the road she has gotten fleas.

You asked for it

2008-02-15T17:54:00.001-08:00

Someone asked about Swedish Weaving so here is a pic.

And here is our dinner companion tonight

He even squawked

Seat Belts are in

2008-02-11T17:56:00.001-08:00

Two shoulder belts and a center lap belt. Not hard to do just time consuming getting everything just right.

Mor Dearg back home

2008-02-10T17:53:00.000-08:00

Got back home on Saturday, was done Friday night but did not hear the phone ring so missed the call. Beside the new clutch parts there was a broken spring. Clutch works much easier now. Just need to get use to the new pressure plate and where it grabs hold.

Went for all you can eat pizza on Friday night. Weekly thing for the park here. Group meets at the local Peter Piper Pizza and enjoys salad and pizza all you can eat. Then there are some drawings for door prizes. First three weeks we went Diane won something. First one was a deck of playing cards (shaped in a circle), then it was a stuffed something that we did not think looked good so she gave it away, the third time was a stuffed sunflower.

Saturday after picking up Mor Dearg, some friends that we meet last year in Q came into our park. After catching up some with them we all went to a musical JAM. Several people come into the park club house and bring their banjo, guitar, keyboard, etc and play music. Not bad for some old non-professional musicians.

Today I started to put seat belts into the back of Mor Dearg so that someone can sit on the jack knife sofa we have in the back as we travel down the road. First I had to empty out the storage space, not only under the sofa but the storage boxes on either side of the cab as well. The sofa was removed to provide working room behind and below where it sits. Then holes were drilled into the floor for mounting the belts. I now need to get two longer bolts as the floor was thicker in a couple of the locations than the provided bolts would go through. I did manage to mount the two shoulder harnesses to the back wall. Will get the bolts in the next day or two, no need to rush things. When done the two outside locations will have shoulder and lap belts and the center position will just be a lap belt.

Tonight with the friends mentioned above we went to a restaurant that serves mexican food. Of course it was closed. So we ended up about 5 miles down the road at another mexican resturant. There must have been something about us because we got our drinks and the order taken just fine but it was over an hour to get our food. Another foursome, right next to us, came in just before we did, got their food and had left before we had our food. After eating we had to signal about three times to get the bill. Can you say little tip for you buddy.

Great Weather

2008-02-07T11:58:00.000-08:00

Weather has returned closer to the normal for this area. 75 for highs and 55 for lows, with lots of sunshine. Much better than a few days ago.

Mor Dearg is taking longer than expected. Needs a new clutch slave cylinder as well as having the fly wheel resurfaced and the new pressure plate. Also lots of small fluid leaks from the transmission. Will be in the shop until Monday, that is taking into account Texan Time for the repairs, so it may be sooner. Without transportation there is not much going on.

HOT

2008-02-05T18:48:00.000-08:00

Must have been about 95 today here in Mission. About 30 miles down the road they say it got to 102. Earliest day in recorded history that a city in the US has reached 100 degrees, old record was Feb 9, also in Rio Grande City, TX. Cold front coming in tonight, should be about 58 for a low and then only 75 tomorrow.

Took Mor Dearg into the Volvo shop today. Clutch may need to be replaced, should know exactly what and how much tomorrow.

Diane has been making some place mats with Monk Cloth and yarn. Using Swedish weaving technique. Making some with green background and some with an off white background. She has even been "teaching" another lady how to do this.

She is disappointed that there is no quilting going on here. Lady in charge had something come up and had to leave. Other lady's not interested in starting the chosen project or starting some other quilt so no quilting time set up. Maybe she can finish the two quilts she has been working on since before we sold the house.

More sunshine

2008-01-31T11:54:00.000-08:00

The weather here has been sunny one day and cloudy the next. Highs up to the mis 80's but mostly around 70-75. Lows have been from the mid 40's to the mid 60's. And the near future is forcast to be much the same. Much better than the single digit highs that other areas are having.

Things have been quit here, have not done much of anything. Did manage to wash three fourth of the trailer over a two day period. Then the sun came out and started drying things faster than I could wash.

Did go to lunch with 17 other HDT owners at the Blue Onion in Weslaco January 30. Good food, good time, nothing better.

Intro

2008-01-25T12:11:00.000-08:00

Meant to start this for some time. They say better late than never. Now an abbreviated version of the great Adventure so far.

The DW (Diane) and I have been talking about becoming full time RV'ers for some time.

In Feb of 2003 we ran across a 2001 Alfa Ideal that was still new. The dealer of course wanted to get rid of this so we ended up paying a medium used price for the new rig. A great deal for me.

I knew that a light duty truck to pull a larger fifth wheel would not be in anyones best interest. I researched the matter for some time. After loosing out on a purchase of a medium duty truck in May of 2005 I purchased a 1999 Volvo 610 to use. It ended up being cheaper than the MDT. Of course the grandson had to label it Grandpa's Big Red Truck.

In April of 2006 we sold our home of over 20 years and moved into the Alfa. Less housework and no yard to keep up, things were getting better. In Sept of 2006 I retired from 30 years of being a public servant and we hit the road. Now life was great.

First stop, of course, was a trip to Boise, as that is where our two sons live with the grandkids. After spending a month there it was time to head south to avoid the colder weather. This was why we wanted to full time. No more snow or floods to worry about.

That first winter we spent mainly in AZ, with some time in NV and CA. We meet several other folks that sold their homes in 2006 in Quartsite, AZ. AZ has some very beautiful sights such as:

After visiting the Grand Canyon we returned to Boise for another grandkid fix. During the two months there our third grandchild, Grayson, was born in June.

He joined his older brother, Dawson,

and older sister, Bailey,

Then on July 7, 2007 our oldest son got married. Outside at Riggins Hot Springs in Idaho on a 107 degree day. Tempature could have been better but all had a good time.
After that we returned to Western Washington for a cooler summer.

After a short return trip to Boise it was a quick trip east and south through WY, CO, KS and then a month in Guthrie, OK visiting friends. After that it was on to TX. Here we connected with a few of the Fulltimers Graduation Class of 2006 that we meet in Quartsite last year and also some new ones who because of the weather did not make it to Q.

Along the way we have meet up with several other folks who have opted to use, as we have, a class 8 truck to tow their fifth wheel trailer. There are several here in the Mission, TX area, where we are now.

Hopefully I can keep this blog updated now that I have started it. Of course I will not be blogging about snow, like my son is, or other such cold weather things as we hope to avoid them all together.