Things Were Going So Well

Quartzsite, AZ  High 44  Low 25

Things went really well yesterday. We got everything done and were on the road by 10:00. We sailed through Phoenix with nary a slow down. Usually the mess where the 202 joins I 10 is stop and go but not yesterday. We stopped at the rest area to “rest” and also grab a sandwich for lunch. Easy going the rest of the way to Q. Sun was shining, it was beautiful. Took Exit 19 and all of a sudden, our perfect day wasn’t so perfect anymore.

We felt the trailer jerk really hard and heard a horrible clunking noise. Not a good thing. Luckily they are building a new Chevron station right there and the entrance to the station has a nice pull off because the road isn’t finished. Jim got out to take a look. Discovered that the bolts had been sheared off the capture plate on our hitch. That was letting the trailer move around freely all over the place.

Wish I knew how to put an arrow on a picture. Anyhow – that flat plate that’s hooked to the kingpin (supposed to be hooked) is what came loose.

Jim back the trailer into this spot which was safe from traffic. Had to get us unhitched and then figure out what he was going to do to fix things. And nothing goes smoothly.

In the meantime, I sent a text to Jeri to let her know what was happening. She contacted Toni and Doug  who were already camped at Q and they came running to our rescue. Sure am glad they did. Between Jim and Doug they were able to get the old bolts out of the holes, retap the holes and put in new bolts. Took about three hours and lots of Doug’s muscles.

 

Finally, hitch it up and get to the campsite. We were really tired by this time. Toni had fixed us a wonderful dinner of beef stew with dumplings followed by a chocolate lava cake with ice cream. And I’m still drooling. It was wonderful.

Nan and John arrived last night but we were so tired we told them we’d visit with them today. So nice that we get to make new friends.

Didn’t have any internet last night but was too tired to really care. We were in bed by 8:30.

Now let the fun begin.

Check, Check, Check, and a Slight Delay

Apache Junction, AZ  High 70,  Low 42

Tuesday morning we picked up my sister and headed out to the bread store. That’s where we were headed when we got our WARNING.

A couple of years ago we found the Alpine Valley bread outlet store at Country Club and Southern in Mesa. They have the best sunflower loaf I’ve ever eaten. And the best thing, it’s only $.50 a loaf. 

• Bread – check
• Said good-bye to Aunt Happy – check
• Went to Costco and filled the freezer with meat – check
• Jim packed everything away from outside – check
• Jim did other stuff outside – check
• Laundry – check
• Dog food – check
• Toe nails done – check
• A bunch of other stuff – check

Our buddy Paul is going to Australia and New Zealand for a couple of months and is leaving his rig and truck (MDT) in Mesa. The truck needs to be run occasionally so Jim had to learn how to start it. After the lesson, the three of us headed to Dianna’s for a fantastic ham dinner.

After dinner we decided to check out Rustler’s Rooste. Supposed to have good country music and we though we could do a little dancing. Wrong.

This guy greeted us as we walked up to the door.

The band and dance floor are down on the first level where you have to order food to sit down there. The bar area is on the second level, far away from the music. Very strange set up. The band sounded pretty good when we walked up to the railing.

They do have a slide from the second floor down to the dance floor and yes my dear hubby had to try it out. (notice all the children)

We sat in the bar and had one drink and then left. We also checked out the menu and it’s pretty pricey. Not sure we’ll be back.

Bobbie and Paul

Jim, Dianna, and Kathy

Not sure why there’s a nutcracker here but a good photo op.

When we got home we checked the weather. Oh no!! On Thursday they are showing wind gusts up to 50 mph in Quartzsite with lots of blowing dust. We do not move in that kind of weather so our trip to Q is being put off until Friday. Guess that means we get to relax on Thursday because everything is done.

Also, the temperatures are going down, down, down. Lows in the 20’s during the next five or so days while we’re in Q. Now isn’t that fun. But we’ll be with great friends and that will make up for it.

The View Through Our Rear Window

Apache Junction, AZ  High 70  Low 42

9:30 a.m. Yep, that’s a Mesa officer of the law behind us. Sure does make the heart beat faster and the blood pump a whole lot harder. Jim saw the lights in the rear view mirror and pulled over to let him go by. Gee – he pulled in right behind us. Oh goodie.

Officer: I’m Officer Talley. Do you know what you did wrong?

Jim: I have no idea.

Officer Talley: You made a right hand on red turn from Greenfield onto Broadway. Did you see the two signs posted there stating No Turn on Red.

Jim and Sandie: No sir, we had no idea we couldn’t turn there.

Officer Talley: May I please have your license and proof of insurance?

Jim: Yes sir.

Officer Talley goes back to his vehicle and in the meantime another police officer pulls in behind him. Now what? We need two officers to handle three old people? (We had picked up my sister.)

Second officer visits for a few minutes and then turns off his lights and drives off. (I think they are being extra cautious because there have been several police officers shot in this area in the last couple of weeks.)

Officer Talley: I am just going to give you a warning. There are only about four or five intersections in Mesa that do not allow you to turn right on red. So please pay more attention in the future.

Jim: Yes sir. Thank you sir. We certainly will.

All-in-all the experience wasn’t too bad and that is thanks to the attitude of Officer Talley. We have met law enforcement personnel that seem to have an arrogant, power hungry, bully type attitude. (Most of the Billings, MT police force.) But Officer Talley was polite and took the time to explain that intersection was the scene of several bad accidents and the signs were there to cut down on the number of accidents.

And we are really happy that he only gave us a warning and not a ticket. Needless to say, we are reading every sign at every intersection.

List – Zilch, Dinner – A-Plus

Apache Junction, AZ  High 66  Low 43

Absolutely nothing got done on our to-do list. But that’s okay.

We went to Church, and then Jim watched a very depressing football game. His beloved Redskins had a great first quarter and then fell apart. RGIII, the quarterback, was playing with a hurt knee. Don’t get me started on how stupid I think it was to play him. He could have done enough damage to ruin his entire career.

But we were able to end the day on a high note with dinner at the Black Bear Diner with Rod and Loyce . We caught up on Christmas, grandkids, the shiny new bike!, and talked about them coming to Q to camp with us for a few days.

Monday is back to the list. But with some fun thrown in.

Way Past Due

Apache Junction, AZ  High 59  Low 35

One chore that I’m really not good at keeping up with is defrosting the fridge. I let it go way too long. Today was the day to fix that problem.

Ugly isn’t it.

While I was attacking the ice build up with hot water and my spatula, Jim was outside putting away the Christmas items, rearranging the shed and getting it organized. He also cleaned and filled the batteries and checked tire pressure.

Jim and Scoots ran a couple of errands and Skitz kept me entertained.

Getting stuff done and counting down to Thursday. Sure wish the weather was going to cooperate. We have a cold front coming through next week-end. Down to freezing at night.

Still working on that list.

Apache Junction, AZ  High 58  Low 38

Today we accomplished:

buying dog food

mailed the birthday card

got propane

stocked up on books

bought printer ink and a few groceries

went to dinner with great friends

visited with the neighbors

The best part of the whole day was going to dinner with Jeri, Terry, Paul, Dianna and Bobbie. We went to the #1 Eastern Super Buffet. A Chinese place that we really, really like. Jim and Jeri go for the seafood. Terry likes the Mongolian grill. Dianna and Bobbie take a little of just about everything. Me, I go for the orange chicken, the fruit and those little dessert cookies – kind of like elephant ears. (no pictures)

However, Scooter thought the best part of the day was going with Dad to get propane. She loves to go for a ride if I’m not going. She gets to sit in the front seat with Dad. If I’m along, she’s relegated to the back seat. When Jim grabs his keys she looks at me to see if I’m going to get my coat on. When she sees I’m not moving, her whole body starts wagging.

Now Skitz is the exact opposite. She hates to go anywhere and she gets really excited when Mom stays home with her. 

Checking The List

Apache Junction, AZ  High 63  Low 37

Truck – lube, oil, filter – check

Truck – transmission external filter changed – check

Dianna – driving lesson – check

Dianna – trailer moved – check

La Mesa RV finally finished all the odds and ends of things that needed to be fixed on Dianna’s RV. The floor needed to be replaced, the shower stall glued to the wall, the outside shower hose leaked, the table had big gouges in it. You know, those things that are wrong with every brand new RV.

Putting the towing mirrors on.

She needed to move it from the RV lot to the storage area that belongs to her housing development. She decided she was going to do the driving as long as Jim was riding with her. Wow, she did an excellent job. I followed them and the only thing I could tell her was that occasionally she forgot to use her turn signal.

She was going to try and back the trailer in but it was a really tight turn with a Jeep in the way so Jim backed it in for her. Just a little practice and she’ll be doing the backing up just fine.

As a thank you, she took us to dinner at Outback. Now that is a great payback. Now we need to plan a trip for her. She was going to join us at Q but her plans got changed.

Now on to the other million and one things on our list.