April 2020

This month is brought to you by the letter "Q".
The Q is for quarantine!
Since the Covid-19 virus is running pretty rampant in many states and quarantine has become the new normal, it gives us time to start thinking about packing up and making our way back to Oklahoma by the end of the month.
With this said, we will be paying a lot of attention to "hot spots" and make sure we are able to get back home without any issues.










We have yet to sell the Taj-Mah-Hauler and that makes me a bit sad but it is what it is.
The Taj will be loaded with all the "stuff" that we really need to bring back, so it will be fine.







Chuck has finished all the modifications to McClass"C" and she now has new suspension & steering stabilizers.
I am happy to report that it has definitely made a difference!














I have been messing around with a few things in the "C" as well.



















The brownness of the rig is getting a little paint.
Not painting the walls or the woodwork but a few small fabric changes are in order.





I took the headboard out and "painted" it with chalk paint.
The way I see it, if I don't love it I can always change the material, but I have to say I think it is a winner!





Since I wasn't able to go to the store and buy fabric to change out the valance boards I painted the one in the bedroom to see if I would like it.
I have to admit I am not overly excited about it, but once again, I tried.

April 7th we got to experience our last full moon in Yuma for awhile.
It was a very nice moon but oh so non eventful....sure miss our howlings!

















That same evening we saw the Space Station fly over.
The path was perfect for viewing as it basically flew over our house!
















More shenanigans with the neighbor that lives behind us with his parrot.
Our Toucan sported a mask (Walmart sack) to show him that we are taking all needed precautions to keep the neighborhood safe.

Glad we have enjoyed the moon and space station last night because the weather has made a change and April 8th we had a dreary day.
The wind blew like crazy and it was even a bit cold, so we stayed inside most the day.

The sun was back on April 9th and I got the old Solar Tea jar that mother wasn't using any longer and made some Arizona Solar Tea.
















Since going shopping is out of the question I have resorted to the next best thing and placed orders on Amazon for a few things to add to the Casita.
I was so excited when the "garage jewelery" showed up today.
It isn't much, but I think it gives the doors a little more character.
Nice thing is that they are magnetic and can be removed when we leave in a few weeks.
You ask why would I want to remove them, well, I think the 115 degree weather might be a little too harsh on them (and really didn't want to leave them to see) .





More deliveries today included blinds for McClass"C".
Anyone ever have an RV of any type know the shades in some of the older models lack a lot.
They are terrible to raise and lower and I for one have restrung way too many of them while in business!

Out with the old and in with the new.
We put in the cell shades so that we get some help with heat as well as cool weather.
Same cordless product we used in the Taj-Mah-Hauler.
Sure does clean up the windows.
I only wish I would have been able to get some fabric and re-cover the cornice boards during this process.....oh well, there is always tomorrow!













With the pandemic in full force we are seeing a lot of produce being given away.
Todays bounty is cauliflower and white asparagus.
I can't say I have ever seen white asparagus.
The lady said it was reserved for all the 5 Star restaurants.
Guess our little abode will be 5 Star when I cook it!













Chuck wants to use up some gas in the RZR before we retire her in the garage until next season.
We take a little ride to the solar fields that are close to the house.















He shows me a little area that he calls the whoop de doos and we do just that around the small track.
It was nice getting out and exploring the area even if it was close to home.















My back wouldn't be able to handle very much of this but all in all it was a good ride.
The back issues remind me that I need to make an appointment with Dr. Doyle when we get back to Oklahoma.











The mail brings the sweetest letter and picture from our granddaughter today.
















Cooper knows I like Frida so she sent me a picture she made.
What a wonderful uplifting piece of mail from home.
























Cooper has been doing a paint by number painting she got for Easter.
She has been sharing pictures of her progress.
The painting is officially finished today.

I am so impressed with Paint by Number!
Has come a long way for sure!!!!!

During our morning walk today April 19th I was able to take some really great pictures of some of the cacti that are blooming in the neighborhood.
















The cacti are Argentine cacti and I am in love with them.
The colors are so beautiful and am so amazed at the size of the blooms.


















Sadly they only bloom one to two days, so you better catch them in their splendor.
















We are busy packing up the trailers and garage and getting ready to exit at the end of the month.

I get a text from a guy that had been looking at the Taj-Mah-Hauler and he says he is buying it and will have a check in a few days.
I told him we were planning on pulling out on April 26th but if we need to stay longer to let us know.
On April 24th we are sitting in front of his bank and doing our sale transaction Covid style.








We will be delivering and setting up the Taj-Mah-Hauler for him on April 26th.
All the packing that we have done is now being undone and getting the Taj ready for its new home.
The buyer is in the Army and stationed at the Yuma Proving Grounds.
His family is stuck in Tennessee due to the Pandemic and he is buying the trailer to have something to live in and when his family is able to join him he will have them a place to live.








April 25th is officially our last day to pull Taj-Mah-Hauler.
I know it is bitter sweet for Chuck as he loves this rig...but our needs have changed and this is the best thing for us to do!
It is supposed to be 105F today so we wanted to get started fairly early with the setting up.
Derek was excited to get his (new to him) rig set up.










We finish by noon and head back to the house so we can now figure out how the heck we will get all the stuff back to Oklahoma.

Starting over on the packing as it is decided we need to take our RZR trailer back with us so we can return some items to Derek in the fall that go to the Taj-Mah-Hauler.
This involves clearing out the garage again so we can get the trailer out and remove the RZR off it.
You see, we are so organized we are dis-organized!

It really didn't take too long to get things undone and done again.
I think the plan will work out great.
Only bad part is that we will still be driving separately as we have to bring Big Bertha back home and sell her.
Things change rather quickly for us sometime and we adapt to what we are given.
I had really wanted to get the 5th wheel sold and not to have to haul her back to Oklahoma.
It all works out, sometimes not in the sequence we want but it usually works out the way it is supposed to.

April 27th the Higdon's are heading east to Oklahoma.
Big Bertha has a 12' trailer with a few extra vehicle parts on it.
The McClass"C" is pulling Lil Bit the Jeep.
We are out of here.....but first a few tearful goodbyes to our wonderful neighbors.
Jay comes out and gives us brownies for the road.
Doris and John come out and give us virtual hugs.
As we round the corner I need to stop and use the trash cans of Tony and Heidi's.
They come out and we say our goodbyes.
Man, I hate to leave these wonderful people....so much love!!!
It won't be long before we come back....well, at least that is our hopes...with the Pandemic who really knows!

Chuck is driving the "C" as we head out.
We want to see how well she does with the small but trying mountain pass we immediately come to on I-8.
I am happy to report she got an "A" and all systems are go.
Our 1000 mile drive is happening.
Time to escape this heat!

Chuck has planned for us to take 3 to 4 days to get home.
I know we will get closer to home and start pushing it a bit, but today we will stop in the little town of Bowie, AZ at the Mountain View RV Park.

Seems a little strange to be out amongst people even if we are really still staying socially distant.
I have to say we have been really good at staying to ourselves in Yuma.
I can't say it has been fun but we felt we needed to stay safe.
I am still driving Big Bertha with my trusty side kick Bronco.
I know she would much rather ride with her daddy but I'm not interested in getting her hair in both vehicles!
We stop in Gila Bend and fill up the "C", and we discussed me taking over but we decide its best for him to drive thru Tucson.
I have to say I am good with that!




The traffic on I-10 was so much less than we are used to but the traffic was still brisk.
We stayed in the outside lane and navigated our way through town without any major life threatening mishaps.

When we get on the outskirts of town Chuck pulls into a truck stop and I fix us a bite to eat for lunch.
It seems like it is my time to drive the "C".
Bronco is delighted to have her daddy with her in the truck!

It was nice to get to the Mountain View RV Park and set up.
I have to say that setting up the "C" is so quick and easy!
The weather was a little cooler that what we had been having in Yuma, and I think we both rested quite well.

The next morning we are up and ready to get on the road and tackle some more windshield time.


Our plans for today is to stay outside of Tularosa, NM.
I am driving "C" today and I am impressed with her handling of the Jeep.

We stop and fuel in the town of Tularosa as Chuck has made sure we have our tank topped off on the "C" as we aren't sure how the fuel mileage will actually be since we are towing Lil Bit!
The stop of the day is only about 14 miles down the road.
It is very early in the day (1:00pm) and as we get closer to our destination we decide to abort the idea and keep moving.
As we drove past the spot we were going to stop at I can say I am happy we are moving on.
Its out in the middle of nowhere and there are 3 spots available.
Didn't look like a very hopping place and we are really thinking we can make some time today and actually get to Santa Rosa, NM for the evening.
This being said, we will then dead head it to Oklahoma the next day and be "home"!

We actually roll into Santa Rosa RV Park around 5pm along with a few other folks.
Chris was glad to see us and asked what the deal was with the truck and trailer.
Chuck told him the story of selling our 5th wheel and that Big Bertha was making her way back to Oklahoma to probably be sold as well.

Chris has his restaurant open and of course we think we should patronize him and order dinner.
We have tried most of his food on the menu and really aren't overly impressed with some of the food so tonight we tried the fish and chips.
It really is nice to have it delivered to the site.
I thought the fish and chips were really pretty good.
They were a bit over cooked but hey, at least it was done and I didn't have to cook it!
The park continues to fill up with late arrivals and we even have a neighbor.
The time is starting to change on us and we have lost an hour today.
Tomorrow as we hit the Texas border we will loose another hour.
Have to say that the two hour change of time takes a little tole on me.

Up and ready to get on the road on this final day of travels I get in "C" and follow Big Bertha to the highway.
The winds are supposed to be up today and we are hoping by starting early we will miss some of it.
We stop and fill with gas in Vega, TX.
Of course Big Bertha is still fine on her diesel.
It is so nice to have an auxiliary tank...little fact...she can go close to 1400 miles without having to refill her tanks.
If we tow, it drops to around 600 miles, but gosh it is still amazing to have that capability!



Chuck takes over driving as I wasn't very excited to drive through the construction in Amarillo.
Think this is a lot safer for us as I would like to get home with all the fenders and mirrors on the Jeep.
By 10:40am we are making our way through Amarillo and yes, the wind is blowing!












Other than the wind the rest of the trip was non-eventful....thank goodness.
We roll into Chukadi Acre right around 3pm.


So nice to be "home"....to a very overgrown yard!
I have already been in contact to have the yard mowed and the soonest they could get here is Saturday.
We will just have to look at the mile high grass for a few days!
Bronco seems to be quite pleased to be back in the land that has grass!
It does really look nice to see the color "green" everywhere!






We will self quarantine for a couple of weeks as we have come from a relatively low infected area.
Oklahoma however is still seeing growth in cases.
The Mayors of each township is beginning to slowly relax the "stay at home" suggestion.
We are going to be busy for awhile getting unpacked and getting things back to normal around here but it is truly nice to be back "home"!

I will also add that I am so very proud of my mom and step dad.
They have been very good and have stayed home since this all began.
My step-sisters have stepped in and gotten them their groceries and what ever else was needed.
Their only big issue was that lightening hit their Cox Cable in February and according to the Cox repairman, their TV and land line phones are fried.
They didn't want anyone else in their house so this has had to be on hold for a few months.
Once we feel it is safe, Chuck and I will go over and check everything out.
So glad the cable guy at least hooked up their little 20" TV for them to watch in the living room.
Crazy times for sure!

February 2019 The Quest To Find a Casita in Yuma, AZ.

Today is the first day of February and we are
saying goodbye to Diana & Chris.
They are going to head back to the frozen tundra of Oklahoma.
Although I hate for them to leave I think I am glad we are staying in the warmth just a little bit longer.







Chuck and I have been in contact with our realtor and she is going to show us a few places in the Foothills that we think might be something we might want to purchase.
We look at several and think we will keep looking for the time being.

As we leave a place Chuck turns down a street we hadn't explored and there is a place for sale that peeks our interest.
Long story short, Deena meets us later that day and we are really really interested.

By February 3rd, we have found our winter home, we hope.
A little negotiating with the owners and it looks like we have a deal.
Wow, that was fast!
We are going to be the proud owners of a 460 square foot Casita and double car garage.


It's kinda funny because the garage has more square footage
than our living quarters.
It is pretty exciting to see a lemon tree and an orange tree on the lot.
We even have palm trees....never in my mind would I ever think we would own palms.

The next few days are spent driving over to the property and getting the paperwork done so we can close in a couple of weeks.
No kidding we have gone over and stood at the property hoping to see neighbors moving around so we can get the feel of the neighborhood.
We have seen no one.
Sure hope they are our kind of people....LOL

We had the guy come and do a home inspection and while he was there, we actually meet some of our neighbors.
The couple on the corner that are starting to build a new home came by.
We meet Jay and his wife Pat.
They inform us of a couple of things that they thought we should know about the property.
We already knew the things they were telling us.
I told Chuck I wasn't sure if they were trying to warn us on our behalf, or trying to scare us away from the place...LOL

Everything is in order and we will be making a trip back to Oklahoma to celebrate our grandsons 8th birthday, and then turn back around and close on our new Casita!





February 9th we pull out from Sans End RV Resort and head back to Oklahoma.
Bronco was excited to be on another trip.
She is quite the travel dog.









Our first night is in Deming NM.
Chuck tries to find us a spot to park at the Walmart there, but there were just too many big trucks and trailers around there for me.
You know how it is when you are driving thru a Walmart parking lot....well, think what it's like pulling a 43' trailer behind you.
I was a nervous wreck.
Plan B goes into action and we pull out of the parking lot and go right next door to an old K-Mart parking lot.
Oh my, so much better.

We find a spot to pull in and call it a day!


The following night we roll into Sweetwater, TX. and again pull into a Walmart parking lot.
I go inside to make sure it is OK for us to park out there, and I am talking to this lady explaining what we are doing, and this lady speaks up and says, "she doesn't speak English, but I work here as well, and you guys are fine to park where you are at".
At this point in our travels, we are just glad to be able to sit down and rest especially since it has gotten colder and it is now raining.
There is road construction on the frontage road and a few times during the night we heard crashing and banging going on.
Nothing ever hit us so it looks like we have survived the night at Sweetwater. 




Traveling in February is always a bit tricky since you never know if you are going to get caught in a snow storm or even a wind event.

So far Chuck has been able to get us where we need to be and we should get back to Oklahoma without any issues.

Once home we start packing the Taj-mah-hauler full of the "stuff" we brought back from Arizona last season.
Looks like we will have a place to put all those talavera pots and solar lights we bought for our other lot.

















I don't even want to mention that it is COLD in Oklahoma and the weather is really not cooperating to well with us. 
We are having quite a bit of wet stuff coming from the sky.

 We celebrate Cash's birthday a day early this year.
What can I say about this grandson of ours.

He is absolutely the cutest guy I have ever seen.
He is sporting a few less teeth in the front and when he smiles it makes you laugh.
Cash is growing up way too quickly....but that is what they are supposed to do, right!











Cooper seemed to like the necklace that we had made for her in Mexico. 
So wonderful to see her smiling face.
Thankful to know that she is healing inside and out from the bus crash. 
Time heals all wounds 








The reason we celebrated his birthday a day early was so we could get back on the road and try to beat some of the weather that is looking pretty bad for travel.
We will be taking what Chuck calls the "southern" route back to Yuma.







I can truly say driving thru El Paso, TX was interesting.
I am being nice to say "interesting".....so many people...going the same direction as us...and driving like crazy!
We just held steady in the middle lane and Big Bertha and Chuck maneuvered their way thru all the construction and masses of vehicles.
I guess I never realized how close the Mexican border was to El Paso.
Upon looking at the map, I realize it now!








We stop for the night at a KOA just outside of El Paso...it is actually in the town of Anthony, TX.
This place is really nice for big rigs.
Every site is a pull through and you have so much room between each site.
The lot was pretty empty where we parked.
There are some full time residence in an upper area, but where we parked, it was pretty empty.
I guess it wasn't quite empty enough for our next door neighbor, because when we pulled in they scampered to put their cat back in their rig and that was about the only time we saw them.
The gentlemans scowling face said pretty much everything as we maneuvered to get into the site.
I guess he thought he was going to be the only person here tonight.

It was so nice to be stopped and set up by 3pm.
We unhook and drive to fuel Big Bertha so we can make some miles tomorrow.

2-19-19
We are up and on our way by 8:30am as there is snow in the forecast and we would like to get through the area before it gets bad.
I had no idea that we were so close to New Mexico....Anthony is right on the border!
You now know why I don't navigate these trips, I am just along for the ride....and sometimes a few directions  :)

We are about an hour and a half along on our trip today and we find snow.
The flakes are pretty large and it is coming down like crazy.
The wind is bad as well, so today may be an interesting day for sure.







The snow lets up before we get to Deming, NM. but the aftermath of the snow they have been having is showing on the mountains.




Did I ever mention that it is COLD!!!!
My gosh this has been an interesting trip....from warm to cold a few times now.




We hit another band of snow along the way today as well.




By the time we make it to Willcox, AZ. the skies are clearing and it looks like we made it through the "weather" event we were dreading.







Our plan is to boondock in the town of Eloy, AZ.
It is outside of  Tucson and will be a good stopping point for the night.
Our friends Joe and Ernie live very close to our stop and we have been in contact with them and it looks like we will get to see them this evening.
Another couple, Danny and Linda will be joining us as well.
I love it when these impromptus come together.

We park in the gas station that just so happens to have a Dairy Queen in it.
Our friends come by around 5 and pick us up and we go over to the Denny's for some dinner.
It was a really nice evening getting caught up on every ones lives.
We ended up back at the 5th wheel and had a margarita or two while sitting in the middle of the parking lot. 

We are hopeful that they will come and see us in Yuma once we get our Casita set up!





The final leg of our travel goes very well.
I have talked to our realtor and the owners of the Casita have given us permission to park on the lot.
In fact we are getting there early enough that we can go to the title company and sign our documents and get this transaction completed today.





I had no idea that in Arizona, you don't get the keys to your new property upon closing...you have to wait for them to have the documents recorded....so it looks like we will be staying on our lot this evening, but will not be able to take possession until possibly tomorrow. :(
Deena felt it was OK for us to unload the Taj and put the stuff in the garage, so we made it happen.

The title company let us know that we could have our keys today.
What an exciting day!
Deena meets us over at the Casita and we officially have keys to our new to us property.

We have even met our next door neighbors, Cathy & Don and feel we are going to fit in nicely with this little group of misfits....LOL





Now the fun begins.
Doesn't take us long to decide to rip out the oak long piece of cabinets that line the walls as you enter the Casita.
I think it just dates it so much.
Yes, we will have something else there, but not a ten foot long cabinet!
Poor Chuck!

We found a really cool dining table that is pub height for the area that had the very long cabinet.
Oh, by the way, we just moved the oak cabinets to the garage, so we repurposed them quite nicely.













During the past few days we have scoped out some stuff we think we need so we make a run to the local furniture store and pick up some "tiny house" recliners.
They should fit perfectly.
Bronco isn't sure what the heck is going on.
The doors are wide open to the Casita and she can sit inside or out and see everything that is going on.
I think she approves of our new little abode.














It didn't take me long to realize I can't live with the white walls in the Casita.
Since we have a strange greenish colored tile with grey grout, I think a gray color for the walls will work.
A trip to Lowe's to pick up color samples and it didn't take me long to pick one out.
Greyrock Inn from Glidden is the color we went with.
It is amazing what a little paint can do to update a place.
I think the walls were very thirsty as well, because the one gallon of paint was completely used on the main area of the Casita.
I bought a couple of gallons with the intent to paint the bathroom as well, but I am going to save that for a later date.



Chuck and I ventured out and had lunch at Wheezy's one afternoon.
The food and the service was great and I think we will be back here for future meals.
Our waitress had a cute and sassy haircut so I asked her who cut it.
She gave me the girls name, so I will be looking into this in a few weeks when my hair is due to be cut.



I woke up with an idea to put the peel and stick wallpaper on the insides of the barn doors.
Of course I had a roll in the trailer, so I was able to get one door done.


It really looks great, so I ran to Walmart and picked up another roll and got both doors done.
I am not sure how the paper will hold up on the doors while we are not here in the Summers but I can always come up with another idea if it doesn't work out.







February is coming to a close and I think at this point it has been a very productive month.
We are now officially land owners in Yuma, AZ....actually we are in The Foothills....found out that is what you tell people....LOL
We are quite happy with our purchase at this point.
Our next door neighbors invited us over for a Happy Hour so we could meet some other folks.
Wow, I think we hit the mother load on good people....I think we are going to fit in with this group quite nicely.
Time to settle in and enjoy our place and our new neighbors.
I got a text from Diana & Chris and it looks like they are coming back out to Yuma to see us.
She asked if they could squat on the property.
Surely by now she knows they are always welcome anytime and anyplace.
They will be driving out, so I told her to bring an air mattress and head this way.
Now I am excited...we officially have our first guest coming to stay with us.
Goodbye February....hello March!