Wednesday July 23, 2014 its 9:00am 78 degrees, and our mileage is 32665 for a summer trip to the Family Farm in Iowa, via Arizona and Colorado. We have been up since 5 am and going non stop since we left at 9:00 this morning. So at 10:45 we found that we needed a cat nap. A good 45 minute snooze was just the ticket. After yogurt and snack we got back on the road, only to get a phone call from Marcia that sister Jeannie was in intensive care following her surgery at 7:30. Jerry was quite upset, and we were in Ocotillo Wells and decided to go back home. An hour or so later, just past the Border check point sister Marcia calls again. She talked to Jeannie and everything is fine. So, another decision is made. Get back on the highway and head for Arizona again. So far today, we have seen Golden Acorn Casino three times. Once we even bought fuel and a butterfinger ice cream bar. Poor Earl, he said hes beginning to feel like a yoyo! Cant imagine why! So at 3:00 we are passing Ocotillo Wells. No stopping this time. Thinking of just staying in Yuma for the night. 4:00 and we are 1/2 hour from Yuma. The outside temperature is 116 degrees and we are comfortable at 73 degrees and listening to Old Time radio. Well Yuma didnt pan out for a place to stay. The RV parks are so huge and directions on the highway are so vague, we wasted an hour just trying to find entrances to a few. Finally said %#€£¥&F, and got back on I-8. Found the Tier Drop RV Park in Wellton. Full hook ups and 50 amps for $27. A refreshing salad was dinner tonight. News, and thats it for this long day. The good this is that sister Jeannie is doing well. Thursday July 24th. Leaving again at 9:00 after coffee and a lite breakfast. It is already 93 degrees outside. Mileage is 32,998 and our eta should be three hours to the Desert Shadows RV Park where we always stay when in Phoenix. It was 116 outside and 99 degrees in the coach when we arrived. Thank goodness for a/c. This evening we went to visit Stevie, Fallon and the kids, Evan and Steven. Those little ones are growing so fast. When we got back to the RV park at 10 pm it was 103 outside. Friday the 25th. Another hot one, but we met Steve and the boys for breakfast at McDonalds so the boys could enjoy the play area. Thats another world, but fun to watch all that energy. Later that afternoon we went to see Marcia and JL and they took us to Outback steakhouse for Earls Birthday, and we got to share his birthday sundae with him. Saturday the 26th. Up and out to Marcias to hangout and do some projects. Harbor Freight, mud flaps on the truck, and being with family. In the afternoon we went to see the kids again and they had chocolate cupcakes with a blue car candle, and sang happy birthday to Papa Earl. Back at Marcias we had grilled chicken and tube steak dinner cooked by the Grill master, JL. Watched the movie, Mud, and it was 11:00 by then and a thunderstorm was brewing. It followed us back to the RV with lightning wind and dust. No more got into the coach and all hell broke loose. Some of the thunder and lightning sounded too darn close, and the rain was coming down in buckets. Ive never seen so many lightning bolts so close together. What a show! Sunday July 27th. Last nights storm did lots of damage and dropped 1-2/10 inches of rain As I posted last night during the storm, that this is Mother Nature doing a pre-celebration for Earls Birthday. And today its my honey Earls Birthday! One more since 1945. You betcha!! Sister Marcia came by this morning and we went out for breakfast. That was a very nice surprise. 33,267, 98 degrees at 11:45. Time to leave Phoenix. An hour North on Hwy 17 the temperature is now 90 and we are about 40 miles from Flagstaff. 1:00, we are at 4000 ft elevation, and climbing. The highest elevation so far has been 6000 ft. Winslow was our destination but we passed the only RV park on the way into town so we are in Holbrook, Az at the Good Sam OK RV Park. Full hook ups, 50 amp for $32, and Earl said that we have stayed here before. It is overcast and in the high 70s but through the evening there was just light sprinkles. The best Italian restaurant in town was suggested to us at the office but we were content with a homemade salad for dinner and butterscotch pudding for dessert. (After the cocktail hour) Earl had a loads of phone calls, emails and FB birthday wishes which he really appreciated. Another good day has ended. Monday July 28th. Left at 10:00 again and at 11:16 and we crossed into New Mexico. Stopped at a rest stop 15 miles outside of Gallup and Earl found a cut on one of the 5th wheel tires, so we pulled in at Loves/TA area, called AAA and State Farm Ins. Twenty five minutes on the phone and so much of a hassle and we still have to pay for it and then submit the receipt for reimbursement. I just got off the phone and Earl has finished changing the tire himself, and now its starting to rain. Whew! On another note, diesel in AZ is .45 less per gallon than CA. and in New Mexico the Loves across the way is $3.79 credit. I dont get it! Its now 12:45, time for lunch and theres a Subway next to the gas station. I chose Subway pizza over Chesters fried chicken next door. For me, it wasnt an easy choice! Back on I-40 were seeing bolts of lightning and this afternoon and we are driving through rainfall off and on. On to Albuquerque to the American RV Park. After checking in the Park, we to Camping World, the gas station and Walmart. Found everything we needed and a little more Dinner consisted of brown rice fried with ham and mixed vegetables at 9:00. We forgot about the time zone change and gained an hour so dinner was later tonight. Tuesday July 29th. 10:00 am., 70 degrees and our mileage is 33,731. This RV park has a complimentary continental breakfast every day from 8 to 10 am, so we had a light breakfast before leaving this morning. We had stayed here May 25, 2011 with Pete and Angie on our trip to Branson, MO. Sure wish they had time to do more trips with us. It sure was fun traveling with them. Back on I-40 to I-25 north today. Lots of highway construction on 25 north through Albuquerque on the way to the Sandia Casino. Just passed the Hollywood Casino in San Felipe Pueblo. The roads have been good so far. Todays landscape is so much different than the last few days. Its very green and lush in Santa Fe. Left New Mexico after climbing to 7000 ft and passed the Welcome to Colorful Colorado sign at 2:30, and Its now a comfortable 74 degrees. First town is Starkville and we are staying at the Summit RV Park in Trinidad, CO. Took a ride to the older part of town. Some of the streets are made of red brick and the buildings are from the mid 1800s. Dropped into the Walmart and came out with only 6 items. Tequilas Mexican Restaurants parking lot down the street was packed, so I checked the internets reviews. Very good reviews, and they were right on. I took pictures and didnt realize I had ordered a Grande Cadillac margarita. Didnt waste a drop. We will remember this place. Back at the coach we just relaxed. Tomorrow we hope to be in Colorado Springs. This is it for now, stay well and we will keep you updated in a week. Earl and Diana
Posted on: Thu, 31 Jul 2014 00:18:31 +0000
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