April 21 to 29, 2006

Hi again, It's been a while. We are now home at our site on the North Shuswap. What a busy week and what a trip coming up Oregon and Washington!!! But let's start at the beginning.

April 21 saw us leaving Baker City at 07:45 a.m. Topped up fuel in La Grande then onwards. We were following this big wide load with a pilot car for a while then passed it and the pilot car, who pointed to us at the trailer. Put the window down only to hear we had a flat on the 5th wheel!? Pulled over the side and kicked all the tires but found no flat so kept going. At the bottom of the pass, we stopped for a break and that's when I discovered the thread on the rear right tire had just blown away leaving the undercover exposed.....Lucky it didn't blow coming down. We limped to Pendleton to Les Schwabb and after a discussion, decided to change all four as they were due anyway. Hit the road two hours later.

Drove into Washington State and near Basin City ( 2 hours from Pendelton) we had a big blow out! Boy, was I ever mad. This felt like a deja-vue! Anyway after a few calls, we got a Les Schwabb in Basin City. The owner was kind enough to come out and change the flat for us. We limped into Basin City, a very tiny farming community. After a discussion the owner suggested we change all four tires for another brand at NO COST to us. I agreed but it meant we had to spend the night there.
Altitude: 779 feet GPS: N46,35' W119,08'

April 22/06
Next morning, at 7 a.m. we rolled into the garage and got all four tires changed and were on the road by 9 a.m. No further trouble coming home and the crosssing went smoothly with only two question asked from teh Canadian border people. Arrived at our site at 7:30p.m. that evening and after setting up, went straight to bed
Altitude: 1177 feet GPS: N 50 degree,54' W 119 degree33'

We travelled a grand total of 5000 miles and were 5 1/2 months away from home (North Sushwap).

April 23-29

It was a busy week doing our income tax papers in order, get the truck serviced, got a new cellular plan with Telus which is very similar to Verizon so back to our old cell number, 319 0609 Now the plans are to head for Chilliwack this Sunday, the 30th, come back to Logan Lake on May 10 and spent 5 days there then back to our site for a few days then off again to Calgary to my grand-daughter's volleyball tournment. No rest for the wicked.

Some impressions about being home again.....fuel is at 1.02, bloody expensive!!! Food is more expensive than Mexico and hamburgers are exhorbitant. $8. versus 1.50 in Mexico. The pace is much faster and everyone is in a hurry. Wish we were back there again!!!!!!!!!!!

Bye for now. Will write again while in Chilliwack, my half hour at the libray is over

April 20, 2006

We left our site in Winnemucca around 9 a.m. Another beautiful day! We crossed into Oregon at 11 a.m. and into Idaho at 1:45.
Stopped in Rome, Oregon for lunch and for fuel at Ontario, Oregon. reached our site, Mountain View RV Park around 4:30 p.m. This is a neat place. Very western looking with old building and all.

Altitude: 3453 feet GPS: N 44,03' W 117, 43'

We are getting closer to home. Spoke with the Tates tonight. Nice to hear familiar voices again. Makes us feel home sick.

Tomorrow, we will head into Washington and stopped somewhere near Hwy 97.

Good night

Maps to Alamo and Minnemucca, Nevada

April 18 & 19

Left Bud and Judith on April 18th at 0830 after saying our good-byes. Traffic through town was heavy but no problem. On the west side of town, we went up Hwy 101 to Hwy 60/93 and headed north-east towards Kingman and Nevada beyond.
Arrived in Kingman at 2:30 p.m., topped-up on fuel then onward to Las Vegas. Arrived at 5 p.m., had dinner, took on more fuel then headed on to I-515 then hwy 93 to Alamos where we stopped for the night at 9 p.m. in a Chevron parking lot. Drove 340 miles (732 km)
Altitude 3479' GPS: N 37, 22' W 115, 09

I had forgotten how desolate the desert in Nevada is. There is absolutely very little to see, yet the beauty of the desert is absolutely awsome.


April 19th saw us get up at 6:30 and be on the road by 7:30 after a good cup of coffee. We went uphwy 375, the extraterrestrial highway. We stopped in Rachel for breakfast and some pictures taking. A really neat place closed to the famous "Area 51" known for its aliens and UFO spotting. Bought a hat as a souvenir!!


Drove on to Tonopah where we fuelled up then took hwy 376 north to Austin. We climbed to an altitude of 7,200 feet then down to 5400 feet into Austin. What a beautiful pass and a slow drive down but very panoramic view of the desert and the town. Stopped for lunch then continued north on hwy 305 to I 80 and the end of our day in Minnemucca, Nevada. Drove 310 miles and arrived at 5 p.m. We are at the Winnemucca RV park for $22. after discount with Escapee.
Altitude: 4403' GPS: N 40 degrees 51 ' W 117, 43'

Tommorow, we will be in Oregon.

April 13 to 17, 2006

Thursday April 13:
We went to see the Casa Grande ruins. Very interesting history. Stopped at a road side pub for lunch then came home. It is really hot out there....95 degrees! The a/c is working fulltime.

Friday April 14:
We listened to the spiel this morning and decided to join. We also joined "Resort of Distinction" which also gives us lots of places to stay and for free. This will help for our trip East.
We left Casa Grande at 2 p.m. and arrived at Bud and Judith at 4 p.m. Very windy on the I-10. Also lots of traffic. Went out for dinner at the golf club.

Alt: 1272' GPS N33,20' W111,58'

Sunday April 16: HAPPY EASTER!!
Went golfing today at a different course. Very interesting, challenging and beautiful course.
Afterwards, we came home and relaxed. Had turkey and pork for Easter dinner with a spiced vegetable mix, a fruit salad, mashed potatoes and bread....DELICIOUS!!!! Had two helping :-)

Monday April 17:
Today we will go shopping for grocery and then to the post office to mail Kim's shawl. Tomorrow, we head out north to Canada. Looking forward to see our site.

April 10, 11 &12, 2006

We are finally at Casa Grande and all settled in in site 135. 4 days and 5 nights free thanks to Collen and Mac but we will leave on Friday the 14th after we listen to the selling spiel and head for Bud and Judith.
Altitude 1400' GPS: N 32.55 W 111.45

Man, what a trip back this was!!!!! Full of unwanted adventure! We left San Carlos at 0830 on Monday the 10th after saying good-bye to Chando and Joseph. Traffic was light but the road seemed rougher going back. Travelled at 95 km/hr ( 50-55 mph) and the road through Hermisillo was really nice with just a small section of construction. They've done some major improvement on the by-pass.

We stopped in Benjamin Hill to get fuel and somewhere there, I lost my interact card which I didn't notice until we crossed the border. Approx 50 miles later, I got a blow-out on the right rear tire. So, here we are on the highway, pulled over as much as we can with traffic coming over the hill and headed for us. I put the warning reflectors out and just then a Federal police pulled over and gave me a hand changing my tire. That was a welcome first experience, having a cop help you. So after what seemed and eternity, we got the tire change and I was on my way. The police never asked for anything except to say good-bye and safe trip.
As a side note, Val was behind the 5er with another cop and at one point, his boss called and didn't believe him that he was directing traffic so Val had to get on the phone and set him straight....different world, ain't it!? Val got his whole family story while standing back there...what a girl!!!!

Anyway, we left and stopped at mile 21 to check in and returned our tourist cards. I am not sure if we were supposed to but better safe than sorry, then we headed for the border. No problem at the military check point but had a one hour wait at the border with a minor search. All polite and very friendly whcih always makes this easier. It is a very busy crossing with mexican everywhere and border vehicles on the US side.

We drove directly to Tucson that evening and stayed at Beaudry RV resort for $25.
Alt: 2500' GPS: N 32.09 W 110.55

Next morning, I got the tire exchanged and it cost me $78. to pay for the transfer of tires and the mileage used on the blow out tire. Gemini Tire shop were very efficient and very nice people.
Beaudry Resort was nice enough to allow us to leave the 5er there while I did all this run around.

We left Tucson at 2:45 and arrived at Casa Grande at 5 p.m. after fueling at a J Truck Stop. $1.67 for diesel....back to reality.

Today, Wednesday the 12th, we found a shop for a haircut for Tucker, grocery shopping and just relax.

April 9, 2006

Tucker has been watering and keeping guard on Trish's flower







Well, here it is....the final day of our stay in San Carlos! Spent the day finalizing our preparations. Washed the BBQ ( what a job), the outdoor carpet, the chairs and the metal table. Put everything away then went to town to get water and milk.

After a well deserving and refreshing shower, we went around to say good-byes to everyone. For dinner, we went to Charlys' Rock.

Tomorrow, all that there is to be done is dumping and cleaning the sewer lines, put the ambilical cord away, hook up and leave.

We will follow 15 D to the border and either stop at Desert Diamond Casino or stay in Tucson! Depends how late we cross the border.

So....asta luego amigos, Adios San Carlos!

April 1 to 7

This has been a very hot week in terms of temperatures. We hit 105 F degrees with evenings very warm. Today, Friday the 7th, it is a reasonable 80 F Degree. It was a busy week!

April 1 began with a phone call to the kids but no one was home. I was going to play a trick on them but to no avail.

April 4 was sunny and very hot. This was the day that we hit 105 degrees ( 37 C) We started to pack today. Took the front skirt down, cleaned the inside of the truck, took everything out of the lockers, vacuum and washed them down. Very dusty in there! Took the flags down and put them away, same with the lights and decorations, washed the golf bags and put them away.
A very busy day! We had the a/c going all day for the first time.

April 5th was again very warm but didn't hit 100....only 95 degrees F ( 32C) Got up at 6 a.m. and went to the gym for the last time. Said good-bye to everyone. Came home and washed the truck's box and locker, washed the skirt and put that away. Went out for a hot-dog and corona.
Tucker went for his afternoon walk on the beach. It has become a real ritual for him and I have no doubt he will miss that when we leave.

April 6....not so hot today... a cool 80 degrees (25C) with a nice breeze. Washed the roof and awning today and one kayak. Still have to pick up the other at Jim and Celina. Hopefully, he'll buy it.

Today, April 7th, I washed the truck for the last time and the 5er is getting wash and wax this afternoon. Val got a pedicure for the road and we got some cash for fuel and tolls for the ride back to the border.

Two and a half days to our departure!!!

March 26 to 31, 2006

The famous MIFF MEMORIAL CHAIR



Discovered my kayak covers missing!?? Suspect the Holder's may have packed them by mistake so sent an e-mail to them. Today, the 26th, is also the end of the shrimp season. Sunny and hot today

March 29, got an e-mail from Linda....they have my covers and they will mail them to Bud and Judith in Phoenix and we will pick them up there. That's a relief, knowing they weren't stolen!
Went to the gym this morning....only 5 people there from the old crowd.

March 30th, Thursday. It is cloudy today but warm. went to Froggy's with John and Marlene for pizza. A very warm evening.
A dozen RV came in for the night, heading north.

March 31st. sunny and hot.
End of the month already. Decided to change our original plan and leave April 10 rather then the 14th. So I went to Barracuda Bob and made some calls to BCAA only to discover that the papers hadn't been processed. A few hours later, all is well and the dates are changed at no cost to us due to their error! Ok by me! Called Casa grande and changed the dates there too.
Came home and paid for another 9 days at 1040 pesos ($104.) and made an appointment to have the 5th Wheel washed on Friday the 7th.
Count down is on. There are approx. 20 rigs left in the park now and slowly diminishing.

Asta luego!