2013-03-23

Today we had to say goodbye to our friends Susie and Denny Orr, and those we met at the Chapter 44 rally.  We finally got on the road at the crack of 11:00.  We drove through Quartzite on I-10 to Ehrenberg, AZ to stop at the Flying J for both diesel fuel at $3.89 per gallon plus propane at $2.799 per gallon.  We continued on to Blyth, CA where we turned right on to US 95 which took us to Needles, CA.  Marilyn noted that Needles, CA is where Snoopy’s brother lived, but we did not see the Saguaro that he was always living under.  We are staying at the Elks Lodge.  In our old Elks RV books, this lodge only had dry camping.  Boy were we surprised to find 8 full hook-up sites with 50 amp electric.  We have electric hot water, and Marilyn is doing 2 loads of wash tonight.  Nice.

Here is a map of today’s route.

2013-03-21, 22

During the afternoon of the 20th, we had boat races here in Arizona, in the campground, in a homemade lake, with homemade (or should I say RV made) boats.   Marilyn won the Booby Prize for her boat made out of a plastic cocktail glass with a straw for a mast, and an Escapee Decal for a sail.  Oh, and she also won a bottle of wine.    

For lunch on the 21st, we went back to Organ Stop Pizza for a pizza buffet, and we also got to listen to the pipe organ one more time.

Breakfast on the 22nd, the end of the rally, was interesting because the guys cooked for the ladies, and served the ladies.  The guys were not allowed to eat with the ladies, not even their wives.  These pictures show the guys and gals at different tables.   This was the end of the rally, and most of the Chapter 44 members headed for home or other parks.

After our 4pm social, 10 of us drove out Apache Trail to the Mining Camp Restaurant for dinner and a show featuring the McNasty Brothers.   For dinner, we had water, tea and lemonade; rolls and raisin bread with prickly pear jelly and coleslaw; then it was barbequed beef ribs, chicken, ham, string beans, baked beans, potatoes; and finally, a cookie with raisins.   Then Denny Orr received a special treat since his birthday had been the day before. 

Type at you later.

2013-03-19, 20

Yesterday morning, Marilyn went for a walk and line danced.  I went to the morning tech talk – problems, tips about rving.  After lunch, Marilyn and I spent some time looking at the calendar and distances to try to do some planning for our trip into California that begins on Saturday.  As we were getting ready to go out to see the Dutton’s Show, Marilyn heard a loud noise, and when we went out to see we found that part of a Saguaro Cactus had broken off and fallen onto the awning of one of our rally attendees. The top of the center trunk had broken off.

The Dutton’s have a theater in Branson, and we had seen them before at a Winnebago National Rally in Forest City, Iowa.  We thoroughly enjoyed this family of entertainers.  

Once again (it happened at two shows in Alaska, I was picked out of the audience Amy, one of the singers,  to get up while she sang and danced.  Dennis Hill took this picture which I downloaded from his blog.

Type at you later.

2013-03-18

Today was wash day, then we stopped to pick up bread along with a WalMart stop for the rally.  After lunch, I took a nap, and Marilyn went up and registered us for the Ch 44 rally.

We had another great happy hour, announcements by Susie Orr , and adoptions.  Marilyn and I were adopted by Jerry & Earlene Bloomquist.  Dinner was at 5pm provided by the chapter.  Dennis Hill smoked the pork butts for BBQ sandwiches, we had slaw, and some of the ladies baked brownies. 

After dinner, we watched a movie projected onto a sheet.  The title was “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”.  It was cute, about a group of UK retirees going to live in a hotel in India.

Type at you later.

2013-03-16 & 17

Yesterday, the 16th, we left Phon D Sutton National Forest Park on the Salt River, and drove back to Usery Mountain Park.  We have arrived early for the Escapees Chapter 44 rally that starts on Monday.  Before we left, we walked down the road a little ways to take this picture of multi-armed Saguaro.   On the way to Usery Mountain Park, I stopped for diesel fuel at the Standard Station down the street at $3.79 per gallon.  There is street construction which may contribute to their reduced price on diesel, but they charge the same for gasoline.  Oh well, and their lot was not level so I did not get a good fill.  After we parked at, I looked out the window, and our neighbor must have had a stow-a-way.    For dinner, we went to an excellent Chinese Buffet.

This morning, the 17th, Marilyn and I along with Carol Hill went for a walk around the Merkle Trail.  Of course my position was following:    After lunch, Marilyn and I went to WalMart, and then I took a nap.  We had a nice Happy Hour, dinner at home, and relaxing for the evening.  Marilyn made Brownies for tomorrow’s dessert.

Type at you later.

The Ides of March

Today is the 15th, Julius Caesar’s Ides of March.  We have been busy relaxing here at Phon D Sutton Park in the Tonto National Forest.  We have been going out to dinner or lunch to avoid the 90 degree weather here near Phoenix.  Museums have helped, as well as the shade of rigs and awnings.  It sure is nice to sit and relax with friends like Denny and Susie Orr.

We saw this hawk back at Usery Mountain Park. 

At Goldfield on the 12th, a former mine, we walked through the tourist stores. 

Then yesterday, the 13th, we enjoyed the Superstition Mountains Museum, which is also on Apache Trail. 

Elvis had one of his Hollywood marriages in the chapel that is now at Superstition Mountain Museum.

Today, the 15th, Marilyn and I went to the Arizona State Capitol Museum, which is housed in the former capitol building.   The museum has wonderful displays from Arizona history.  The first floor contains exhibits including the Silver Service from the USS Arizona.  The silver service was removed in 1940 before the Arizona moved to its Pacific Fleet mooring at Pearl Harbor where it was sunk by the Japanese on December 7, 1941.

After returning to the house, we enjoyed the sunset from various perspectives.

And my final picture of the evening resembled part of a young lady’s anatomy. 

Type at you later.