December 2020 and we are "weary"!

December 1st and the Thanksgiving Cactus is showing off.

The cactus has been blooming since before Thanksgiving and it just keeps going. 

 

Chuck has been doing some more upgrades to the Leprechaun.  

Thank goodness the weather is fairly warm and he is able to work in the barn.  

The new inverter charger combo has been installed behind our fireplace and should give us ample power for our rig.  

So glad he was able to get this finished before the snow comes.

December 13th we have Snow!  
I wish I could say that I just love it, but I don't.  

Don't get me wrong, it is very pretty.  Its also nice to be in a nice warm home and not having any power issues.  The snow stayed around for a little longer than normal.  

Usually we have snow one day and then the following day it is gone.  

Christmas is here and the Pandemic has made it just a little different this year.  

Just like Thanksgiving we took precautions with Mother and Louie as we didn't want them to get sick.

Mask were worn to protect them and us.  

We watched our customary Christmas Eve Church Service but this time it was on the TV.

This was different, but it worked.

One thing I got from the sermon was the word "Weary".....

I think this word really does say it all.

I am truly "weary" from all the changes we have endured this year due to Covid-19.

We all have to adapt and go with it, but we also can be "weary".....and I think we are!

As always the kids were excited to start opening their presents. 

 

Cooper was shocked when she got a roll of toilet paper.  

Little did she know we had placed her yearly Pandora Christmas Charm in the middle of the hole.  

I caught her ripping out the tissue paper just in time to save the charm. LOL

Cash was so excited to have his wireless gaming ear phones with a built in microphone.  

He couldn't wait to play a game with some of his friends.  

We so enjoyed the time we got to spend with our little family. 

These times  are becoming so very important to all of us.  

Mother and Louie were worn out from their outing and the ride home was pretty quiet.  

I know I enjoyed the day, and they seemed to as well.

Christmas Day we spend packing McClassC up so we can head out on the 26th.

Diana and Chris are going to follow us to Arizona. 

One more sleep and we will be on the road.

I am so ready to get back to some warmer weather.  

Dec 26th

We are meeting Diana and Chris to start our journey west. 

We meet them as we get into I-40 west around 9:20 am. 

Looking forward to the trip. 

Weather is supposed to be good and we are looking forward to some sun! 

Dec 27th
Santa Rosa was very windy all night. 

We start out around 8:30 am and hit big wind as we travel 54. 

The worst of the winds were to the little town of Corona. 

So glad we have all the steering and other improvements on the rig. 

I don’t think this drive would have been very pretty without them.
We got out of the wind as I predicted. 

The drive thru Alamogordo and over the pass was good. 

We did make a stop just before the pass to eat some lunch. 

It was so nice to get out of the rig and feel the warm sunshine.

 Our drive thru Las Cruces was fine. 

We hit wind as we got outside of town on I-10. 

It was pretty heavy wind but we were driving straight into it.
We made a stop at Lordsburg to get some fireworks for our friend Tony. 

I had an address and we drive straight to it only to find it was closed. 

Their sign said to go two miles down the road. 

We did just that and I ran in to buy the fireworks that were requested. 

Diana went across the street to the Loves Truck stop and pick up some individual size Godfather pizzas. Looks like we are set for dinner. 

We get to Bowie, AZ about 4:30 and check in at Mountainview RV Park. 

This little hideaway is one of my favorites. 

No frills but such an easy stop for us. 

When we were checking in I purchased one of their famous Pecan Pies. 

Pizza and pie is in order tonight!  

I speak of this RV park being one of my favorites but if you can’t stand hearing the roaring of trains this will not be your place to stay. 

They literally sound like they are coming through your door. 

I guess I got used to the noise as I felt I slept very well!

Dec 28th
On the road at 8:30 and making our final drive to Yuma. 
The discussion of lunch has come up and we thought we might just eat something from our rigs.            Diana had said that if we didn’t stop somewhere to get food they would have to attempt to eat frozen salad’s and I sure didn’t think that sounded appetizing!!!

We stop for what we thought would be a quick lunch in Gila Bend. 

We knew there was a Subway with easy off and on access. 

As we get to what was once a Shell station we find it has been replaced with a brand new Flying J Truck Stop. 

The parking that was once across the street is now gone. 

The Flying J was a lot tighter and a lot less space to park. 

We occupy two of the three spaces that we marked and open and run into the Subway and place our order. 

As I was attempting to pay something happened. 

The card reader wasn’t reading any credit cards. 

After a supervisor and then finally the big boss shows up they still can’t seem to get the computer rebooted. 

The line behind us was growing like crazy. 

Finally the lady behind the register said something about cash and I told her that I could pay with cash. Diana did the same and we got out of the store. 

So much for easy!!!  

Have to say the subs were really good. 

I know Diana and Chris liked them better than their frozen salads that were in their camper!!! 

We get back on the highway and have a head wind all the way to Yuma.

It is so nice to see our place when we make our way through the neighborhood.  

Chuck has already determined how we will pull the two rigs into our lot and we begin doing that fairly quickly after we get the gate opened. 

Chris gets his RZR unloaded on the street and we begin getting our lot filled!  

The rigs are on the lot, the gate is closed and the dogs can roam freely.

So glad to be back!!!!!

Dec. 29th

I am not saying that we didn't maybe move our McClassC a few times but I think it is where Chuck wants it.  

If not, there is plenty of room to move it around.  

We have two rigs and two RZR's and a very large Dodge truck and our Jeep on the lot, and there is room to spare.  

Really this is no different than last year when we had both our rigs on it but I have to say I am so excited to have the Biggs here with us! 

The cool evening gave us an opportunity to build a fire.

We had firewood from last season so we used it and enjoyed a nice roaring fire. 

Dec 31st.

We are hosting a New Years Eve Party.

Our theme this year is a PJ Party.

We had plenty of food and drinks to go around.

We even played a drinking game.

Fireball was the drink of choice and it was a lot of fun.

We had a beautiful evening to enjoy the full moon and a wonderful fire with friends. 

Times like this really do warm your heart and soul.

I am closing this years blog with a well wish to everyone that has had dealings with Covid.

My hopes are that the coming year will bring some new hope for this dreaded virus and stop tue spread.

Mask up!  

Christmas 2018

It’s officially the day after Christmas and I am sitting here reflecting on the last few days.






















I can use all the adjectives that I know to express my feelings of the Christmas we have just spent with our small
but mighty family, but there really aren’t words to say how big and happy my heart feels.

















The true feelings of the holidays rush into your heart and it makes me feel so overwhelmed with the love that you feel for everyone that touches you throughout the year.











We miss the family and friends that have left this earth way too soon.

We delight in watching the sparkle in the children’s eyes of total innocence and belief that a Big ole jolly man in a red suit comes and brings them all toys while they sleep on Christmas Eve.

I cherish every memory of Christmas from long ago to the present.

I hope all my friends have had a good Christmas as well.

It can be a very sad and difficult time I know.

You are all loved by me and I just want you to know this. 

Thanks for being a part of my life. 

Merry Christmas :)

December 2017

December finds us in Oklahoma and enjoying time with our family and friends for the holidays.

We are missing our friends in Arizona.
We actually got a surprise call from our friends Ida and Steve.
Steve was telling us that they were hearing some strange beeping from our trailer.
Not good!!!!
Long story short, we find that Chuck failed to flip the switch from solar back to land service.
The solar panels are packed away so you can see we are in a world of hurt here.
Looks like the refrigerator stayed on as long as it could and you guessed it......smelled like a dead body in there.
Man, I am thinking we are going to owe some people some big thank yous for taking care of our mess.
Just an example of being distracted and not going through our check list thoroughly.
So glad it wasn't any worse....but I think we have learned a lesson from this little snag.

The birthday's have been celebrated, and I am so excited to get something I had been wanting for quite a while.

Mother got me a Cricut for my birthday/Christmas gift.  

I am so excited to learn how to use the darn thing.

It is a bit intimidating, but I finally decided to get it out of the box and set it up.

Diana got herself one as well, so we can be lost together!  

I was able to make a few simple projects for Christmas and I have to admit I was kinda proud of my accomplishments.

The grandkids are singing at their church a couple of times this year, so we make sure we are there to enjoy their performances.  

Cooper had some speaking parts for their childrens service and she really did well.

Cash sang his heart out and was so cute up there with all the other kids.  

I got brave and made some Rae Dunn look alike ornaments for our daughter in law.

They really turned out cute, and would have loved to work on more, but time is flying way to quickly.

Cash and Cooper have a sleep over with us and Cooper had to try out her creativity with the Cricut.  

I think we are hooked on it!

The grands helped me deliver presents to my friend Darla.

Their dog (Katy) loved the attention they gave her. 

Our final Friday Night Dinner Ride for us was December 22nd.  

Lynn surprised us by bringing some of the best Fireball Jello Shots!!
They were so festive.....and I know what I am going to make when we get back to Arizona!!

December 24th is a busy day for us.  

Church, and again the kiddos got to sing with the children's choir.  

We have our traditional Christmas Eve present opening.

The kids were so excited.....it really makes this time of year very special.

Looking through their eyes and seeing all the anticipation of Santa was just too much fun.

Christmas Day mother and Louie spend with us.

It is fairly quite until the kids come by later in the afternoon and we get to hear all about what Santa has brought them.

Cash got an I-pod, and he really thinks he is pretty cool!  

First thing this morning, he text me to wish me Merry Christmas.  

I say this all the time, but I am so very thankful for our little family.

We are so blessed with health and love abound.  

December 26th we spend packing the Jeep so we can head back to warmer weather.  

The temp is starting to really drop and some of the coldest days that Oklahoma has had in quite a while is coming this way.

Sorry, but we really don't want to hang around for it!








So nice to be back in the desert and warmer weather.
I really have to admit that I love our little oasis that we have created out here in Arizona.
What a great group of friends we have made.

















December 31st and we are having a get together to welcome the New Year that is upon us!

It was a bit cool that evening but we all had our fire pits out and it made for an interesting evening.






The evening was a lot of fun....the jello shots weren't that bad either!
The moon put on quite a show for us.
It wasn't quite full, but sure did look it!



All in all the New Year came in without a hitch.
We are glad to welcome 2018 and ready for a great year with all our great friends.



Time to close and get this blog ready to print!!!
I so look forward to this every year.





More adventures await us and can't wait to be blogging about them.








Happy New Year everyone.

Yes Virginia, there is a Christmas Arizona.

I had commented that I would like to ride over to Christmas, AZ during our visit with our neighbors, Steve & Glenda.
We had heard of a road closing in the area and weren't sure if it was even possible to do this.
Steve found out from his brother that we should be able to get there, so a plan is born!

Upon further googling we read that there is no longer a town since the mine closed many years ago.
It is still someplace to ride so why not check it out!
If you want to read about it, check this link out: Christmas, AZ
We will only have two bikes today since Bev and Ken are on their way to Mexico.

Steve has it mapped out so we are ready to ride about 10 am.
The sun is shining and it is a beautiful day to be on a bike.
We fill the bikes up with gas and we are off to find Christmas.








We make our way to Superior and Steve turns off at the visitors center.
Our first executive decision of the day was made at that time.
We are heading back to grab some food at The Buckboard City Cafe.
Not only was it a place to eat but the location of the Worlds Smallest Museum.
You just never know what you will find on these bike trips.

What a great place to eat.
They serve breakfast and lunch and we all chose breakfast.
The food was very tasty.
A place I wouldn't mind coming back to for sure!





Of course we had to check out the museum before we pulled out.
Since it was the smallest museum it didn't take too long to see everything.






One thing I found interesting was the pieces of old barb wire that they had on display.
It was from World War 2  and came from Chandler, Az.
Apparently they had an internment camp for the Japanese that they held during the war.




I found some information on it here: Arizona Internment Camp

















Back on the bikes we head towards Christmas.
The road was absolutely flawless.
The saguaro are everywhere.
We hit a few areas with 10% grade.
















The area was and still is active with copper mines
I for one hate the way the mines destroy the beautiful mountains and the area around them, but I understand.













Steve pulls over at the little town of Winkelman, AZ, and I go inside to get something to drink.
I asked the clerk which way to Christmas.






She didn't blink an eye and pointed to the Highway Patrol car that was across the street, and to go that direction.

The clerk also told me to tell the patrolman that we wanted to go to Christmas, and they would let us go.
You see the detour of the road was in that direction.
Of course when I walked out I had to announce to our group that Christmas was already over!!!
Couldn't resist it.

Back on the bikes, we make our way across the road.
The highway patrol lady gets out of her car to see what the heck we are up to.
Steve talks to her and she had no idea where Christmas was even at...LOL

She says the road is closed for blasting, but since we only wanted to go about 8 miles up, there was no problem with that.
What a wonderful stretch of road.....All brand new, and no traffic.
We felt like we owned it.

All of a sudden we see Steve's brake lights.
I look to the right, there was the sign we had been looking for.....not on the highway, but on a turnout....with a nice toilet facility.  CHRISTMAS

Not what I thought we would see, but hey we are here, so it was a photo op for sure.
Have to prove to everyone we were here.
Notice we didn't take a pic of the toilet..LOL

Pictures taken and we are on our way back to Winkelman.
Steve stops and tells the police officer that our mission was accomplished.

As we set sails towards Florence, we see a lot of small little towns along the way.
We pass the sign for the Biosphere 2. 
So many places to check out....but that will happen another day!

The whole ride was great. 
The scenery is awesome.
I don't think you could ask for a better ride to Christmas!!!
Thanks to our new friends Steve and Glenda for leading the way.
Our little trip logged about 170 miles today and so many memories.