Red Sky at Night...

Our home for a week in Site #89 at Escapees North Ranch RV Park in Congress, Arizona

   Many times we've heard the saying, "Red sky at morning, sailor take warning.  Red sky at night, sailor's delight!"  From the looks of the sky this evening, tomorrow will surely be delightful!  We've been in Congress, Arizona for just a few days now, catching up from our desert adventure in Quartzsite.  

Captain Charlie and Princess Zara love the dog park!

   The Escapees North Ranch RV Park is very scenic and located in the high desert.  The sunrises and sunsets are absolutely spectacular.  We are surrounded by Escapees, better known as SKPs, who are generous with hugs and helpful information.  The Shelties enjoy an enclosed dog park where they can run and bark.

Girl talk!  But the guys were listening!

   Last night we were invited to a pot luck dinner with friends at the home of Denny and Susie Orr.  Denny has been an instructor for the school for a number of years, having taught lots of folks -- myself included -- to safely drive their RVs.  The 'girls' shared stories and laughed so hard Valerie's cheeks and neck actually hurt.

   This evening, Valerie decided it was time to resume her walking regimen.  But what began as a power walk quickly turned into more of a photo op.  This is what the camera captured:

   We have a busy schedule tomorrow through the weekend, with shopping and Boot Camp, so it was a good time to relax and enjoy the beauty around us.

Big Wheels Keep on Turning!...

George looking for seminar material!

 It's been a week since we left the comfort of full hook-ups in Apache Junction and headed out to the desert to host the RV School's annual get-together that coincides with the Sports, Vacation and RV Show in the Big Tent at Quartzsite, Arizona.  We stopped for propane and fuel on the way west.  George decided to ditch the dash cam in favor of a GoPro -- a crazy looking gizmo he wears on his head that holds a camera.  Valerie couldn't help laughing every time she caught a glimpse of him.

Quartzsite, Arizona

   The gathering was great fun!  Generators hummed across acres of BLM land beautiful sunrise to beautiful sunset.  Lots of instructors and students were reunited after some time on the roads.  Inside and outside the big tent there were tons of vendors selling everything one might want for the RV lifestyle.  We managed to get back to the campsite having resisted the temptation to buy anything at all!  As the expression goes when one lives in such a small RV space -- "something in, something out!"  We enjoyed lots of fireside chatter and met many wonderful new friends.  Maybe we'll get the last of the dust out of our coach before we return to the desert next year.

Friends fireside!

   We left friends with heavy hearts and many hugs this morning and made a short drive to Escapees North Ranch RV Park in Congress, Arizona to prepare for the upcoming Escapees Boot Camp this weekend.  George will present seminars and instructors will teach private lessons, and RVers will share lots of information along with plenty of camaraderie.  It will be a busy weekend.  Boot campers always rejuvenate our enthusiasm and remind us of the days when we embarked upon our own adventure.

Gorgeous desert sunset!

   Congress is just a short drive north of Wickenburg and a bit further south of Prescott.  We're working on our travel plans for the year, but for now we've decided our next stop is Las Vegas.  Meanwhile we'll catch up on laundry and blogging, get together with friends, walk the dogs, and continue to plan this year's calendar.

Congress sunsets are spectacular, too!

Auld Lang Syne

   What a great year 2013 proved to be!  As Valerie has attempted in the past, we remember our journey over the past twelve months at year's end. 

The Superstition Mountains near Apache Junction, Arizona

   January 2013 found us in Arizona -- where we traveled from Benson to Apache Junction to the RV Driving School's annual gathering in Quartzsite.  We especially enjoyed meeting with many of the school's friends, instructors and their students to share stories over a campfire in the desert.

   Following Quartzsite, we drove the short distance to Congress, Arizona for the annual Escapees' Boot Camp, where much important information is shared and great friends are made.

London Bridge is not actually falling down!

   Several friends invited us to accompany them from Congress up to Lake Havasu City for the annual "Winter Blast," a fireworks extravaganza where dealers demonstrate their products for buyers and the public.  We enjoyed the fireworks and the sights, including the renown London Bridge, which has been relocated here.  We parked first at "The Steps," BLM land where we first located high atop a hill with friends.  Valerie learned the joy of ATVing and George lost his wallet -- at least that's what we believed for many months.  We stayed at Lake Havasu State Park on the water for a few days and endured some extremely high winds.

   Valerie decided to ride Amtrak's Southwest Chief for old times' sake from Needles, California to Kansas City to celebrate her grandson's third birthday.  It was quite a sleepless 32-hour experience, and one upon which she will cheerfully pass in the future.

Needles, California - Many monuments are erected along the infamous Route 66.

   Upon her return, we traveled through Joshua Tree National Park for a visit with RV Driving School instructor, Jerry Caldera, in Yucca Valley.  

   Our next stop was the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds in Lancaster, California.  We had the privilege of meeting there with Jerry Ray, long time instructor for the school, who subsequently passed away following a lengthy illness, and his wife Arlyne.  We also had the pleasure of meeting with instructor Steve Mulcahy and his wife, Laura.  And there was a surprise visit from former owners of the RV Driving School, Dennis and Carol Hill.

Scenic California Highway 1 - the Bixby Bridge was constructed in 1932.

   From Lancaster, we traveled to Patterson, California to prepare for the upcoming Escapees' WARE Rally in Lodi.  The winds were continually so high we could barely open and close the door to the RV without struggling to keep it from being torn off the hinges.  Cabin fever set in, finally, and we decided to head out for a day's adventure.  We drove over to Highway 1 and headed down the Pacific Coast towards our destination -- The Hearst Mansion in San Simeon.  The castle and the views were phenomenal, and the trip turned into a two-day adventure of a lifetime.

Sunset in San Simeon

   Lodi was great fun.  We were joined by instructor, Frank Piccolo and his wife, Sharon.  We had some repairs done on the motor home and headed to Carson City, Nevada, where we toured the State Capitol Building -- very impressive!  

The RV park where we stayed in Reno was extremely close to the airport!

   We moved from there to Reno, where we were much too close to the airport but still enjoyed the trails at the nearby river.  A drive around Lake Tahoe was the real highlight, though.

Our first glimpse of Lake Tahoe was simply breath-taking!

   Early May we proceeded east through the Bonneville Salt Flats and arrived at Syracuse, Utah, where we had anticipated a less hurried return to Antelope Island, a delightful park where the buffalo roamed and the campground overlooked the Great Salt Lake.  Sadly, the biting gnats had also deemed it a good time to visit, and we left after only one night while there was flesh still left on our bones.

The gorgeous site on Antelope Island in Syracuse, Utah which we abandoned due to biting gnats!

Moab, Utah

   Next stop on our wish list was Moab, Utah.  This was a first for both of us.  We were dazzled by the colorful rock formations, and thunderstorms did not dampen our exhilaration at this marvelous place.  

Despite her fear of heights, Valerie made the climb up to the Delicate Arch!

   We have longed for years now to return to Durango, Colorado, the place we discovered was a soft place to land, thanks to many marvelous friends who welcomed us there when we decided to run away from our home in Minnesota, what now seems like so many years ago.  

Beautiful Downtown Durango!

Seven Falls near Colorado Springs

   
   From Durango we traveled to Walsenburg and then to Colorado Springs and to Central City, which Valerie confused with Central Denver, mistakenly believing it would be a short distance to Denver International Airport from which she was off again to see the grandkids in Kansas City, who have cast a real stronghold on her heart.

Cheyenne Mountain State Park in Colorado Springs provided a beautiful view!

   We stopped in Cheyenne, Wyoming en route to Gillette for back-to-back rallies of FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association) and the Escapees, again touring a beautiful State Capitol Building and grounds.  These rallies are busy, but we always enjoy reconnecting with friends we have encountered throughout our RV years.

We so enjoyed this phenomenal view of Central City, Colorado directly out our front window!

   Between rallies, we visited Devil's Tower and stayed at the National Park with a beautiful view of the iconic mountain.  We enjoyed watching the climbers, the hike and learning the history.

Devil's Tower, Wyoming

   Our travels after the Fourth of July took us into South Dakota, where we visited friends, national monuments, and anticipated with excitement an extended visit to the Twin Cities and family there.

Mount Rushmore near Rapid City, South Dakota

   The engine whistle noise we noticed on our motor home in Gillette, which was diagnosed in Rapid City, was finally determined to be a leaking gasket, which we took time to repair at in White Bear Lake.  Meanwhile, Valerie had work done on the plantar fasciitis she had struggled with over the past year.  Family and friends kept us entertained and George taught some lessons until time for us to depart south again towards Kansas City.  Valerie again took care of some medical maintenance issues and we spent time memorable time with family and friends.

Zara is amazed by the city life from Aunt Patti's window!

   We left Kansas City in early October and headed for Goshen, Indiana, where George was scheduled for seminars during the Thor Diesel Club Rally at the Elkhart County Fairgrounds.  We again enjoyed the company of old and new friends and Thor owners.

   Our next commitment was an Escapee Boot Camp early November in Livingston, Texas.  Although we could have taken the easy route south, we decided to head east and south in an attempt to meet with some of the instructors with whom we do not often have an opportunity to visit.  These patient, knowledgeable and courageous men and women have helped to instill skills and confidence in so many people!

   So we stopped in Canal Winchester and met with instructor Terry Bacus and then moved through Kentucky, Tennessee, and on to Columbus, North Carolina for a visit with instructor Paul Nordan, and his wife Kristina.  We then met with instructors Beau Endres and wife, Connie, and Don Lundby and his wife, Maureen at a travel stop as we were all passing like ships in the night before we took a break in Jacksonville, Florida for an entire week!  George flew from Jacksonville to Minneapolis to celebrate with his sister and brother-in-law a surprise anniversary party, and we connected with instructor Chuck Urwiller and his wife Gayle before heading east to Pensacola.

   We enjoyed a nice meeting with instructor Tom Keyes in Pensacola and again headed east with a stop in Rogersville, Alabama for another instructor meeting with Jimmy Johnson and his wife, Gail.

   Our trip took us through Louisiana and Mississippi before we landed in Livingston, Texas at the Escapees headquarters, better known as Rainbow's End.  The Boot Camp was filled to capacity early and a second Boot Camp was scheduled for the following weekend.  Instructors Glyn Carson and Arthur Jacobson taught a record number of students, but we had commitments in Arizona for Thanksgiving so we had to make some time heading west.

   We stopped for a meeting in Benson, Arizona with instructor Sharon Del Rosario and her husband, Don.  We arrived at a winter favorite, Meridian RV Park, where George had plans to fly to Minneapolis and surprise his kids while Valerie's daughter flew down from Boulder for the holiday.

   We enjoy the friends we've made over the years at Meridian.  There have been many social gatherings, as well as outside activities.  George took care of his medical appointments and finally succumbed to wearing glasses daily.  Valerie flew out to Kansas City for a short visit and returned on Christmas Eve.

   New Years' Eve we celebrated with friends at the resort.  We laughed and danced and anticipated another great year on the road.  We've launched our newly designed website, and we'll continue to improve upon that.  We'll make travel arrangements, write articles, blog, coordinate the advertising, schedule rallies and private lessons, seminars and seminar presenters, pay bills, exercise, clean the coach and care for our two traveling companions, Princess Zara and Captain Charlie, and we'll make new friends while we cherish time with the old.  In our spare time we'll put on a lot of miles as we photograph old barns and churches and the natural beauty which surrounds us.

   Looking back on 2013, somewhere along the journey, after hours of searching, canceling credit cards, and monitoring for identity theft, George's wallet was found by Valerie, just beneath the passenger seat of our Subaru, where we both had searched countless times.  If we had to define this year, it would probably be recalled as a year we encountered numerous high wind storms, watched lots of fireworks displays, and enjoyed spectacular fall foliage.

   Such is the life of full-time RVers.  We meet a lot of phenomenal people.  We see so many awesome sights.  There is seldom a dull moment.  Continually we learn, and we long to keep moving.  We think back upon the days when many people told us in so many terms that we were "crazy."  We have learned that possessions, once treasured, are actually meaningless.  It is the experience and the loved ones that matter in the end. We are thankful for good health and have no regrets about our chosen lifestyle. 

   How intriguing that we found the lesser known verses of that yet familiar song, Auld Lang Syne: 

"We two have run about the slopes, 

and picked the daisies fine;

But we've wandered many a weary foot,

since auld lang syne.

(Chorus)

We two have paddled in the stream,

from morning sun till dine;

But seas between us broad have roared

since auld lang syne."

Happy New Year, 2014!  Wishing you safe and fabulous journeys!

Ringing in 2014!

   

Kansas City, Here I Come!

The 4' tree fits nicely atop our steering wheel.

   Following George's Minneapolis Thanksgiving trip, we began to further settle into our spot at Meridian RV Park in Apache Junction, Arizona.  This is a 55 and older park with RVs only and no park models.  We've been visiting here during the winter months for four years now and have met some fantastic people.  There are so many activities from which to choose, and the facilities are nice and clean.  We especially like the dog runs so that our two Shelties can get some good exercise while we're here.

   The shopping season was short this year, and I had planned a six day visit with my son and his family in Kansas City before Christmas, so I shopped and wrapped and packed and shipped until I dropped.  I at least found the time to put up our very small Christmas tree.  One evening when I was pretty much shopped out, a gorgeous sunset met my tired eyes as I exited the store, as if to say things could only get better, which they did.

A gorgeous Arizona sunset was a beautiful sight for shopped-tired eyes!

   I found time for some hiking with fellow campers and morning workouts, while George participated in the "Liar's Club," a group of men who gather to solve the world's problems over a cup of coffee.  I checked the weather before packing my carry-on bag to learn, as is so typical, that my day of arrival the high would be 61 degrees and two days later would be below freezing.  Needless to say, I had to pack lots of layers for this trip.

A few of the folks that make hiking far more interesting!

   My sister, Leanna, picked me up and the airport and we had a fabulous lunch at Ruby Tuesdays.  I joined her and her daughters for shopping, lunch and a movie the next day.  We saw "Delivery Man," a comedy with Vince Vaughn, which was lighthearted and fun.  

A googly-eyed Grady!

  There's nothing quite like children, though, to brighten the holidays.  My son, Rob's, kids are now three-year-old Grady and one-year-old Annalynn, and they are extremely entertaining.  I had packed a few silly items I picked up at the Dollar Tree, which I thought would amuse Grady -- ugly fake teeth, google-eyed glasses, and a whoopie cushion. 

Many thanks to my son's family for a memorable holiday!

   I was waiting inside their home, and when I heard Mommy's car pull into the garage, I slipped on the bad teeth and went out to the car to greet them.  My plan was that he would ask what had happened to me, and I would say "Oh, did I forget to brush my teeth again?" and go upstairs and pretend to brush and then come back as normal.  FAIL!  Instead ugly-toothed Grandmother was met with a horrified stare, so the prank ended there.  We explained that I was wearing fake teeth like the vampire teeth he had from Halloween.  I then felt the need to discuss my next two pranks to Mel, his mother -- which was beyond wise, because little did I know that this three-year-old boy had asked Santa for only one thing -- a "whoop" cushion!  So, not wanting to spoil Santa's surprise for such a good boy, I handed Mom a spare, just in case of breakage.  I was thinking to myself how surprised Santa must have been about Grady's unusual request.

Christmas in the Park was Grady's idea -- and a gorgeous one at that!

   And Grady had his own plans for me.  He wanted to take me to Christmas in the Park, a holiday lights display out at Longview Lake.  It really was spectacular, and although he's a frequent visitor, I found it special that he wanted to share this experience with me!

Annalynn stealing big brother's chair at every opportunity.

   Little Annalynn, with her newly found mobility, is now competing for Grandmother's attention and for brother, Grady's, chair and toys.  The firstborn is learning just how difficult sharing can be.  When we were about to open a few presents early before my departure on Christmas Eve, he explained that he and "Sissy" would share their gifts and that she could keep the trash.  Thankfully, she's of an age where she really likes the bows and wrapping, and he'll eventually get bored with riding her pink train with her little pink purse over his arm and go back to football and video games.

   My daughter, Lindsay, flew into Kansas City from Boulder.  Her friend, Kevin, drove down from the Twin Cities, and the two of them joined us for a fabulous dinner Mel prepared the Monday before Christmas. The "big kids" kept me up much of the night with an especially challenging jigsaw puzzle, but our teamwork and determination prevailed.  What a great visit!

The most DIFFICULT jigsaw puzzle I ever helped to work!

  Lucky for a very tired me, I was selected for the TSA Pre-check on the way home.  So the airport was a breeze -- no line, no need to remove my laptop, coat or shoes, simply the change in my pocket and I was through screening!  I napped through the Christmas Eve talent and music program back here at the park, which George thoroughly enjoyed, and the two of us spent a wonderful Christmas Day and dinner with friends together at Meridian.  

Early Christmas dinner with Meridian friends

   Our gift to each other this Christmas was a much needed new and improved website for the RV Driving School, www.rvschool.com.  Two holidays down and only one to go!

Family, Friends and Feasts

     For those of us who consider ourselves full-time RVers, the expression so often goes "home is where we park it."  But when the holidays roll around, the familiar adage, "home is where the heart is," begins to gnaw at the soul.  A few years ago, after spending several of our winters south, the kids talked us into coming "home" to Minnesota for Christmas.

I taught my daughter, as the saying goes, "when the hills turn pink, it's time for a drink!"

   Our concerns up to that time had been leaving the motor home and our dog for an extended period of time.  So we left the Mandalay in the good hands of neighbors who had become friends and packed the dog and gifts in the car and headed from Phoenix to Minneapolis.  We enjoyed spending time with our families, and were surprised to become stranded on our way back in Gallup, New Mexico for three days due to a blizzard which closed down Interstate 40.  Oh yes, and how we were reminded that there really was a good reason we had chosen to stay south for the holidays.
   The day before Thanksgiving this year began quite early for me, first dropping George off at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport around 6 a.m. and returning to finalize my tasks and cooking for the weekend so I could relax for some quality time with my daughter.  Just before lunch I again made the airport drive to pick up my daughter, Lindsay, (an acupuncturist by trade), who flew in from Boulder, Colorado to spend her holiday here.

My mother's hot rolls prepared to share with our table

   For our table at the Meridian dinner, I prepared my mother's hot roll recipe (one pan of wheat and one of white) in my Sharp convection oven. These are so delicious and not too difficult to make.  Needed ingredients are:  1/4 C melted butter in small bowl, 3 C flour (can use half wheat), 1/4 C sugar, 2 heaping Tbsp. shortening, a pinch of salt and 1 pkg. yeast dissolved in 1-1/4 C warm (not hot or you'll kill the yeast) water. Directions:  In a cup, dissolve yeast in water and stir.  Mix dry ingredients in large bowl.  Cut shortening into dry ingredients with a fork.  Stir yeast into flour.  If necessary, add more water.  Stir and cover.  Set in a warmish spot (again, not hot) until mixture doubles in size (about 3 hours).  Punch down and allow to rise again (about 1 to 1-1/2 hours).  Turn dough out onto floured board or counter.  Knead enough flour into dough that it can be rolled out to 3/4" thick.  Using a glass with edge dipped in flour, cut circles with dough.  Dip one side into bowl of melted butter.  Fold roll in half, butter side in, and crimp rounded edges together with fingertips.  Place rolls in a 9 x 13" pan that's been lightly greased.  Cover and let rise until double (about 1 hour).  Bake at 400 degrees for 16-20 minutes.  Yields about 24 rolls.  These freeze well and reheat in the microwave.

Thanksgiving hike at Lost Dutchman State Park

   Lindsay helped pay for her trip by beating out 14 players for the Texas Hold 'Em jackpot upon her arrival Wednesday night.  We hiked a trail at Lost Dutchman State Park before an early afternoon community pot luck with turkey and trimmings provided by park management.  

Clever salt and pepper holder!

   
   Friday we embarked on a 37-mile guided ATV tour of Box Canyon about mid-way between Tucson and Phoenix in the Sonoran Desert.  Our guides were terrific, provided training on the RVs and all the needed gear, helmets, bandanas, gloves and goggles, as well as snacks for a fun and informative three hour adventure.  We saw ancient Native American petroglyphs, an adobe stagecoach depot and a huge tarantula!  It was a great time!  azatvfun.com

No Black Friday shopping for these two ladies!

 We had just enough time to rinse off the dust and walk the dogs before we picked George up at the airport and ended the day with entertainment and dinner at Organ Stop Pizza in nearby Mesa.
   

Organ Stop in Mesa -- A great place to enjoy pizza and an amazing musical performance!

   George filled us in on his Twin Cities adventure and how he enjoyed surprising each of his four kids one at a time by showing up unexpectedly.  Saturday morning it was breakfast and another trip to the airport to send Lindsay back home.  One holiday down, and two to go!