March 30 & 31, 2012: Ehrenberg, Arizona

MAR  30, Friday, Ehrenberg
I finally got Tengo connected on my computer.  For some reason, I had a heck of time to bring it in!?  Anyway, Val went for her exercises and I had a guy come in to fix the day shade in the bedroom.  Afterwards, we got propane from the Park for $22 then we went to Blythe to shop at Ace, K-Mart and a drug store for a plate for my BBQ and a vibrator for Val’s back (seriously, get your mind out of the gutter!), her old one broke.
Once back at Ehrenberg, we went to a bar/saloon we frequented last year and had a pizza and beer.  Once home again, we relaxed reading our books.  It is hot again, 32*C! The A/C is on full blast.  Val has a roast on for dinner that we bought back in Yuma. 

MAR  31, Saturday, Ehrenberg      
Another month gone by, where does the time go!  This was a relaxing day at home and another very hot day, with wind increasing in strength as the day went by.  Tomorrow the forecast is for cooler temperature; sure looking forward to that.

Mar 25 to 29,2012; Winterhaven CA to Ehrenberg, AZ

MAR  25, Sunday, Los Algodones, Mexico
We had a very lazzzzzy morning!  We left around 11 am for Algodones in Mexico.  After crossing the border which is nothing by the way from this side, one just walks in; we first stopped at a glass place and bought prescription glass for me @ $65 US.  Being Sunday, they won’t be ready until tomorrow which is fine by us.  We went for a bit to eat at a local plaza; Val had tortilla soup (her favourite) and I had a chicken burrito with salad and the ever present re-fried beans.  After a couple of cerveza, we walked the market and I bought a belt which I needed then crossed back into the States with no line up.  We decided to call a day and came home.  IT was a hot day with fair to strong wind keeping things cool down a bit.

MAR  26, Monday; Back to Algodones and shopping in Yuma
We went back to Algodones around 11 am to pick up my glasses which were ready.  As soon as we got them, we went back to cross the border which already had a small line up and as we got across, the line had grown almost 4 times longer; busy Monday!  Afterwards, we went shopping at Fry’s and Walmart for some vegetables and a few things we missed the last time.  We had brunch at Denny’s and came home around 4 pm.  Walked Tucker, had a quick Happy H then it was dinner.  Another nice warm day but much cooler than it has been the last few days.  My new glasses are great to drive with!

MAR 27, Tuesday, Geo-Caching
We went geo-caching just before lunch and were back by 1 pm.  We found them all!  This was a hot day so didn’t do much.  Val went to the club to do puzzles and I read my new Vince Flynn. 
We got our e-mail this afternoon and I learned that our life insurance with TRANSAM will go from $115 to 580/month as of May 9 of this year!  Talk about major rip-off; an almost  500% increase.  Needless to say that we cannot nor are we willing to pay that outrageous amount.  That news really spoiled my evening!

MAR  28, Wednesday, Last day in Winterhaven/Yuma
Val went for her last day of exercises here.  After breakfast and showering, we began the process of loading the bikes, kayaks and putting all unnecessary items away.
In the afternoon, we went into town to top up on fuel and picked eggs and milk.  While at FRY’S, we saw an ad offering two roast for the price of one so guess what? Duh, we bought two for $14!  I also fuelled up @ $4.09 at Barton Fuel on Hwy 95 then came home
It is hot, 32*C outside and we have to A/C going full blast. 

MAR  29, Thursday, To Ehrenberg, AZ
We left at 9:30 this morning and already it is 20*C; it’s going to be a hot day!  We took Hwy 95 North and by 11:15 AM we were in Quartzsite where we stopped for body fuel.  We had some excellent hamburger made with real meat, not that frozen stuff, and homemade fries.  We continued on to Ehrenberg and arrived here at Colorado River Oasis Park (WHR) at 1:15 pm.  It is hot...32*C in the sun and not much better in the shade.  All the spots by the river are taken so we found one with some shade and parked by 2:30 pm.  After setting up, we drove to Blythe in California, across the river to the bank and a half hour later, we were back home.  Time to relax and enjoy the day!

N  33* 36.468

W 114* 31.468
ALT: 269 ft

We drove 113 miles in 2 hrs and 25 minutes (driving time) @ an average 47 MPH

March 21 to 24, 2012: Yuma

MAR  21, Wednesday, Yuma
A beautiful warm day in Arizona!  Val went for exercises at 9 this morning and after showering, I went out and unloaded the kayaks, set the BBQ and the dish and to make my day, as I was hooking everything and getting ready to be frustrated in finding the signal, Val yelled that we had connection at 61% signal.  WOW!  Am I good or what!??  We spent the day at home relaxing and enjoying the HOT day!  I noticed that my lockers were full of dust, probably from that wind storm we had at Puerto Penasco; everything is covered in a fine sandy dust.  We had a light dinner then Val watched the tube while I spent the evening working on our tax return.

MAR  22, Thursday, Breakfast with friends
We got up early to go to COCOPAH CASINO to meet Jack & Mim, Ed & Judy for breakfast along with friends of theirs.  We had a great visit and talked about each other’s trips and adventures.  After saying our sad goodbyes, we went shopping for groceries and dog food then came home and put everything away.  Tucker was happy to see us as we had been away 6 hours.  Temperature outside is over 90*F (30*C), dry and hot!  After dinner, we sat outside practically the whole evening and when we went to bed, it was still over 20*C
 

MAR  23, Friday, Yuma

I finally completed our income tax this morning and Val is getting a good return as usual and I got to pay, albeit a modest amount.  Val went for her exercises while I was doing the taxes.  Another sunny and hot day!  Val did laundry today and spent time in the library chatting with the ladies and doing puzzles.  I did some business on the net then read my book.  Another quiet day at home and very hot out there, over 30* again.

MAR  24, Saturday, Flea Market
After a lazy morning, we went to Yuma to the RV flea market and bought a few items to replace or repair the damage done at the border.  We spent about 2 hours there and while having lunch, we met a couple from Chilliwack of all places; their last name, Thiessen and he worked in Federal prison at Kent.  After all the shopping, we came home and took Tucker for a walk then got ready for dinner.  We called grand-daughter Hayley and wished her a Happy “18” birthday! 

March 20, 2012; Crossing at San Luis de Colorado into the USA

MAR  20, Tuesday, Back to USA and Yuma

FINALLY, we are in Winterhaven, California near Yuma at Pilot Knob Park! We are staying under R.O.D, which is no cost to us for 9 days. 
WHAT A DAY!  It began with a nice sunrise and blue sky.  We were up by 7 am, had breakfast, showered, put the rest of the stuff away and were on the road by 9 am.  To start things right, we took the wrong turn and ended up by Cholla Beach but found our way from here and were soon on Hwy 3 west and north.  The scenery was very flat, boring yet beautiful: the desert has a way to fascinate you.  We were following the sea of Cortes and at times, we could see across to the Baja.  Lots of sand dunes and small brush along the way. This is a very well maintained and beautiful highway and I recommend it to anyone interested in taking it.  At Golfo de Santa Clara, we turned right and the highway became #40.  At Estacion El Doctor, we went through a police check but didn’t stop then a few miles later, a military check point.  Trucks were parked on the right lane so we had to swing into the left lane and drive to the front of the line.  A soldier asked us something but we couldn’t understand him so he waves us on but a few feet later, another soldier waved us into a lane where we were searched again.  The funny thing is that they search inside but not the lockers, go figure. 

Anyway we were soon on our way and a few miles more, we turned onto toll hwy 197 which cost 210 pesos (approx $19.Cdn)’ we could have driven on the free hwy 40 by we wanted to get to the US quickly.  15 miles after the toll, we entered San Luis de Colorado and after fuelling up (700 pesos), we proceeded to get lost, sort of.  I knew where we were in relation to the border but couldn’t find the turn off (no signs).  When I finally figured it out, a taxi driver signal us to follow him and took us to the right turn.  We gave him $2.00 US and got in line for the crossing.  It was 1:50 pm.

We finally got to the gate and that’s when I discovered that I should have been on the left lane instead of the right.  There was a sign saying “RV LANE #6” but the lanes were NOT marked (stupid or what!).  Val went to inquire at the crossing and she was told that it was the last lane on my left which meant I had to block and cross 5 lanes; thank God everyone cooperated.  After the usual declarations, we were told to move to the bus lane, this meant to go out then make a sharp right and go around obstacles.  That’s when all hell broke loose and as I turned I heard this CRUNCH and stopped.  Walking back, I found the side light gone, the power outlet damaged, the sewer pipe holder torn off and the ladder bent a bit.  I jiggled the rig and finally made the turn...my mistake: turned too soon.  I was busy watching the right side and forgot about the left side.  I WAS MAD!!!  After parking at the bus lane, I went out to check the damage more closely and heard this guy yelling to get back to the cab and I told him off saying that I just damaged my rig in their tight check points and was just checking the damage.  He ordered me back to the cab of the truck which I did.  He came to the window and explained that it was the rule and he was so nice that I calmed down.  Two women came to the rig and they had me open all the lockers, the hood of the truck but didn’t want the slides out.  They got one apple out of all this.

By the way: BOILED EGGS ARE NOT ALLOWED ACROSS!

We were finally in the USA and got on Hwy 95 and stopped at Brewster Restaurant and brewery and had a late lunch...delicious hamburger!  Val told the waitress about the “Dirty Banana” we had back at “Capone’s” in Penasco and she went to mention it to the bartender who made a drink, everyone tried it including the owner and they were ALL impressed.  We had a good laugh on it about making it a new bar drink. 

From 95, we turned west on I-8 and arrived at Pilot Knob RV Park at 4:30 pm.  A very looooong day!  I set up the basic and left the rest for tomorrow.  We are here for 9 days, leaving the 28^th.  Our mail has also arrived.

N  32* 44.751

W 114* 45.882
Alt:  250’
We travelled 194 miles (315 Km) in 4:30 hrs @ an average 43 mph.

March 17 to 19, 2012; Puerto Penasco

MAR  17, Saturday, Penasco, Happy St-Patrick’s Day!
We got up to clouds this morning and the humidity is very high...70%!  This had been forecasted so it was no surprise.  A water pipe broke this morning so we were without water for a couple hours and my tank wasn’t filled ass we will be back in the States in a couple days; we have to wait patiently.  Val did a couple loads of laundry this morning then decided to take on the dust inside the rig so Tucker and I were kicked out.
We spent the day in as it was quite windy and although the sun tried to come out, it was cloudy all day.

MAR  18, Sunday, Penasco
We had a very stormy night; I had to get up at 1 a.m. to bring the awning in and pick up the satellite dish and peg it down.  The wind gusts must have close to over 35 mph as the whole rig was shaking as if it wanted to fly off.  I slept on and off until 4 am when it finally abated and it became calm.  At 6 this morning we had rain for about 10 minutes then it stopped. Right now at 8 a.m., the sky in the south and west is very dark with heavy clouds yet, in the north, the sky is clearing so we may have a nice day after all.
The sun eventually made it through but it was mainly cloudy all day with a north-west wind that kept things really cool.  We went to the Ley for some wine and groceries then drove over to the Malecon and had lunch at “LATITUDE 31” Restaurant.  I had a burger and Val, tortilla soup but she didn’t like it, too much tomato juice.  We came home and we reset the satellite then relax inside the rig as it is too cool to sit outside.  I did take Tucker on the beach for his walk and the wind was quite brisk.

MAR  19, Monday, Last day in Puerto Penasco
A cloudy day and much cooler again!  We had a lazy morning then we took a drive to the north side of the estuary and found a geo-cache, walked around then realize that I didn’t have my wallet so we went back to the Park to get it.  Once retrieved, we went to the market to get milk and eggs for tomorrow breakfast.  From here, we drove to a lane called “Curios Lino” ( lane of curiosity) on the north side of town...they sold all kind of wares, pots, t-shirts, jackets, hats etc...  We went to “Capone” afterwards for a bit to eat; I had a craving for pizza and we had heard that they were good so we ordered one.  It was a very busy place with lots of college kids and families.  This is a fun place and the bartender continuously engages the crowd.  He made a shot for everyone at the bar call “Dirty Banana” made of jugermester, pineapple and midori (melon liquor).  When we paid our bill, he made each one.  WOW!  It was good!  This is when I found out that I didn’t have my visa so when I got home, I checked all my pockets and sure enough, it was gone.  I drove back to “Latitude 31” where we ate yesterday and sure enough, there is was.  PHEWWWW!!!!

Back home, I put a lot of stuff away and washed the truck and its windows, readying for tomorrow departure.