A dry run!

For those of you who have frequented Quartzite, you should recognize the Readers Oasis, with its proprietor, the naked book seller.

Only today, it was 59 degrees when we were there and he wasn’t naked. Well he started naked, but I made the comment that the wind was out of the North, and he said “yea and I’m going to have to break down and put some pants on.”

So the next thing you know, he had his sweats on. I’ll bet that doesn’t happen too often.

We made the run to Q from Phoenix, around lunch. It is 150 miles from out here in Mesa, but folks run 80 all the way over on I 10. In fact, I was only going about 79 or so, and I was being passed in the center lane like I was in the way. Gota love those folks going to California.

We spent the afternoon driving around Quartzite looking for the swap meet location. We got some gas at the local Pilot station, and went to a swap location across the street. But it wasn’t big enough to be what all the hype is about.

Loyce declared that if this is all that is here, you can count me out in the last of January. But I didn’t give up. Finally in desperation, I drove the length of the town on the interstate, since it is somewhat elevated.

I decided that we hadn’t spent any time South of the big highway so I took the overpass in the middle of town, and bingo, there it was. But by the time I found where we were supposed to go, it was almost 5 PM and everything was closing up.

Loyce has been looking for a folding basket with wheels to tote the laundry with when she doesn’t drive the car. And low and behold, right out by the front, there were the baskets in four different sizes. So she got her basket.

We didn’t spend any more time, because most of the tents were tarped up. But at least when we go back, we won’t be such a novice at finding our way to the swap meet.

We came back to Mesa at the same 80 MPH that we went over, but were not passed as quickly heading East.

Finally, we passed a cop on the Westbound side with his party hats going. Had him a four wheeler on the side, giving out party invitations. That slowed the whole bunch down to 65, even though the speed limit was 75.

So tonight, we are all worn out, even though the night is sill young. Must be RVer midnight, 9PM. But that’s what happens when your………

Retired Rod

Oil Change / Spice it Up!

When you drive all over the US attending Christmas and the like, you spend your oil change fairly rapidly.  Like cash in the bank, you start with 3,000 miles of fresh usage and it backs off from there. 

Ours has backed off into the negative, like 3,600 or so since we got it changed, so it was not optional to get it done.  I decided that I needed a different Wal Mart, to do the work, since our oil change fiasco from the last time.

I picked the store up on McKellips and went right for it.  The folks must have thought I was an old crank, as I stood right by the fence and watched the work progress, but tonight, I know for sure the oil plug was put in and tightened.  The old filter was tossed away, and new oil was poured from bottles.

In the afternoon, we went out to a new quilting store that my wife did not know about.  I had stopped by the quilters activity room and the gals suggested Mulqueens that was just West of the front entrance to our park. 

It was a full service shop with several long arm machines, both for sale and where the shop quilts as a service for their customers.  They had Christmas bolts on sale for 50% off, and that was the hot item of the day as all the customers were in a frenzy.

From there we went to Ellie’s spice shop Penzey’s from her blog Just Travelin from a couple of days ago.  I looked, and we had one over in Scottsdale, so we went over to see what we liked.  Nice place, but it isn’t a franchise.  Stores are all company owned.  No opportunity there, but we got some good spices just the same.

From there we went to Camping world, and bought a small fold up table that goes between the lawn chairs.  You know, to hold your soda, but it is tall enough to eat on too.  Pick it up in the middle and it folds flat in one stroke.

The rest of the evening was sitting around and watching tube.  And me on the internet catching up on blogs.  Not tough duty, but then we are retired.

Retired Rod

Football Junkie!

A football rocking chair potato.  That’s my MO for today!  I’m on my fourth game as I start this blog.  And I haven’t watched too much football all year, but started with the Hawkeye game this morning at 9 AM.

Since I am a graduate of the University of Iowa, I watched that one with more than passive interest.  We won big!  South Carolina was not on their best game for the last half of their season.  So had we lost, it would have been a really bad thing.

I did bolt for a quick shopping trip during the first half of the Rose Bowl, since Penn State looked so outmatched by USC.  I went to Target first looking for a portable table to use outside, and then I stopped at Home Depot.  I kind of just walked around in that store for exercise.  When you are in a RV, you do not have much need for stuff in the Home Depot.  They do not have any of the repair items that go in the mobile style home.

Once back home, I got caught back up in the football, and here I am.  Day passed with college ball.

I haven’t even read the normal blogs that I usually visit daily.  Maybe tomorrow will get back to normal, what ever that might be.

Retired Rod

Happy New Year / Tortilla Flat

After all the morning routine here at the RV park, we decided to go up in the nearby superstition mountains to the town of Tortilla Flat. The description of “town” is a little bit liberal, as it is about 3 or 4 buildings in the creek valley above Canyon Lake.

A tourist trap with a restaurant and curio shop. Another building is a gift shop that they sell Ice Cream Cones, for $3. There is also a campground in this valley, but the drive up, would not be for big rigs.

This is the restaurant.

Looking down the street at the Ice Cream store in the distance. In between was an open air picnic area, with a live band. Drinks and food were available from a stand in the back.

The band was playing Willie Nelson hits.

Canyon Lake

At the waters edge.

A rugged canyon before the lake.

Picture of the inside of the restaurant. Wallpapered with dollar bills. Note the saddle seats.

Rock formations across from the buildings. Like a mini Devils Tower.

Across the road to the East.

Tonight we celebrated the New Years Eve by going to Garcias, a Mexican restaurant that is West of here about 2 miles. We had one in Des Moines years ago, but I think it is no longer. It is quite good, with all the chips and salsa, and the burito muchaca. I am stuffed. Will have to make it until midnight because I am too full to go to sleep. LoL

Tomorrow I look forward to the Iowa Hawkeyes playing on New Years Day. Can’t beat that, when your alma mater is in a new years bowl. May miss the parades though, as the game is early early.

So Happy New Year, and we hope that this year is the one, that will make the difference in your life. For us, we have another grandchild on the way, and are overwhelmed with joy.

Retired Rod