Places We Have Called Home In 2020

Home Is Where We Park It – Escapees North Ranch, Congress, Arizona

May 5, 2020

Temperature 99 Degrees

Shopping Monopoly

Working on the Last Few Projects

What a beautiful sunrise this morning.  Add to it a bright blue sky and it had all the makings of another great day.  A great day it was, indeed, complete with record setting temperatures. Yet, this they say was one of the coolest days this week.  Tomorrow we’re going for over 107 degrees in the Phoenix area.  Here in Congress we’ll definitely be in the mid to high 90’s.  A wee bit warm to say the least!

Breakfast was absolutely delicious.  I had a scrambled egg on an English Muffin with sausage.  I also had my usual glass of orange juice and a couple of cups of coffee.  Yummy.

Yesterday when we were checking out at Safeway Supermarket Barbara was given a Shop and Play Monopoly Game with a stack of playing pieces.  I’ll give her credit, she spent a good part of last night and this morning going through everything to see what she had won.  When all was said and done she had won over twenty dollars in free groceries.   Since we had to go into Wickenburg today on another errand we decided to stop back at Safeway and claim our goodies.  Hey, free is free and we like free!

One of the projects I tackled today was really a monthly maintenance item.  The first of each month I have to back flush and regenerate Wesley our water softener.   Most people who own one this size can get away with doing this every three months.  But they are not full timer’s like us.  Because of the volume of water we use it needs to be done every month.  Small price to pay for the benefits it provides us.  We would not be without it.

Next, on the list was coating all the slide seals with 303 Aerospace Protectant.  I know of one seal that will need to be replaced in the future since it has a small tear in an upper corner.

This is the last project I tackled today.  This is the passenger side rear slide motor.  It is bolted to a metal shelf.  The shelf is attached to the locker side wall with six short lag screws.

I decided better safe than sorry so I decided to install L brackets that would tie the shelf and the locker side walls together.  I finished this side today.  Tomorrow I have to figure out how to do the same on the other side.  Problem over there is that there are numerous electrical boxes, wires, etc. that make getting the drill in where it is needed a bit difficult.  I’ll need to be very careful not to short something out or accidentally disconnect some existing wires.

So that is how our day went on The Road of Retirement.  We were able to finish a few projects as well as get a good start on others.  The new AC is keeping us cool and comfortable.  It’s real test will come tomorrow.  Given the temperatures they’re forecasting, probably anything we do will be inside.  I believe I see a day ahead working on the computer and a marathon game of Mexican Train.

On the lighter side.

Thanks again for joining us today.  We always appreciate your company and your comments.  Keep safe.  Wear your mask – if not for yourself then for someone else.  Remember, six feet.  Wash your hands.  Catch you tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and it’s two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!

Places We Have Called Home In 2020

Home Is Where We Park It – Escapees North Ranch, Congress, Arizona

May 4, 2020

Temperature 91 Degrees

Foraging For Food, Hopefully The Last Time Before We Leave

An Easy, Relaxing Day

-The Last Time Before We Leave-

How sweet those words sound to my ears.  But will we be able to stay out on the road?  That is a question that still needs to be answered and which will probably be answered by what happens in the month of June.  If what they’re predicting comes true we may be once again ordered to stay at home.  In which case we’ll find an Escapee park to hunker down in.

I spent this morning cancelling previous reservations and making new ones.  The park owners I talked to by and large have no idea what to expect this summer.  They have no idea whether they will be overrun with campers or run out of business because the virus comes back.  I definitely feel for them as I do all small business owners throughout this great country of ours.

We know now that we will definitely be trying to get back to Florida for the winter.  The reason being that Barbara set up her appointment with the orthopedic surgeon this morning regarding the possible replacement of at least one of her knees.  Of course this could all change in a heartbeat and we could find ourselves spending our winter back here in the Southwest.   But as of now, it’s Florida here we come.

This afternoon we went foraging for food we hope for the last time before we leave.  We went to the Safeway in Wickenburg.  If there is a shortage of meat, toilet paper, or whatever in other supermarkets you would never know it by shopping here.  Granted, some items are selling for a premium price but they have whatever one needs.  In addition if you love sea food this is the place for you.  I could spend hundreds of dollars on what they have.  Their seafood case lacks for nothing.  You name it and they have it.

We purchased what we needed with a few extra goodies thrown in for good measure.

Look what I found!  I haven’t seen a case of Sam Adams in I don’t know how long.  I grabbed a case and when Barbara said take another I wasn’t about to argue. 

Barbara was also able to get one of her favorite wines.  So we both came home winners.

That’s about it for our day on The Road of Retirement.  We came back home, had supper and then just sat back and relaxed.  Sitting back and relaxing comes to an end for me tomorrow.  I have a number of projects I have to complete before we leave and time is now short.  I’ll work a couple of hours each day and I’ll get them done.  Ah, life is good.  Sometimes I feel so guilty just saying that knowing what so many others are going through and the untold suffering being experienced by countless individuals.  I’ve said it before but it bears repeating we are two of the most blessed and fortunate people alive.  Thank you Lord for the daily blessings we receive.

On the lighter side.

Thanks for coming along with us today.  We always appreciate your company and your comments.  Keep safe.  Wear a mask – Not for yourself but for others.  Remember six feet.  Wash your hands.  Till tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and it’s two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!

Places We Have Called Home In 2020

Home Is Where We Park It – Escapees North Ranch, Congress, Arizona

May 3, 2020

Temperature 88 Degrees

A Breath of Fresh Air

Projects, Propane Detector

Worship, Colts Neck Reformed Church

We have a plan and a time frame now and it is like a breath of fresh air.  We know when we’ll be leaving and we know where we will be going.  It’s a plan with a lot of flexibility built into in and I believe it will be a lot of fun.  Yes, the open road is definitely calling our names and we can hear it loud and clear.

Yesterday when I tried to install the new propane detector I immediately ran into a problem.

The old detector was considerably larger than the new one.

There was no way I could mount the new one in the preexisting hole.  It would just fall in and that was not good.  What I needed was something to cover the hole and to which I could mount the new detector.  Easy if I still had a home workshop.

What do to?  My friend Ron who lives here and is the moderator for the park’s bulletin board for permanent residents said Post your request on the bulletin board, there are a number of wood workers here who I’m sure would be able to help you.

Eight o’clock this morning I put the request on the bulletin board.  Literally, within minutes I had several residents call to tell me we can help you out.  The people around here are just super.

This is what Kathy cut out for me in her workshop.  I was only looking for a simple piece of plywood.  She insisted on a finished piece of wood saying it would definitely look better.

The finished project.  The wood covers the preexisting hole and the new propane detector is fastened to the cover.  Slick, hey?  Good for another seven years.

Project finished.

It was time to go to church.

This is a picture of the sanctuary which is to the left above and the offices and meeting rooms are in the building to the right.

A picture of the sanctuary inside.  The slips of paper on the pews are the names of individuals who are members of the congregation.

The actual worship service began with gathering music and then three members of the congregation each in their own homes gave the responsive call to worship.

Our first song.  Truthfully, I enjoy to a certain extent worship in the rig.  After all I can make a joyful noise unto the Lord at full voice and not frighten everyone around me.

Our Associate Pastor delivered the Message for Children.

Special Music Here I Am Lord.  Lyrics in part are:

Pastor Scott delivered the morning message from the book of Job.  Yes, we may have questions.  We may be hurting.  We may be asking when will it all end.  Such where the questions also on Job’s mind and heart.  Yet, he never faltered in his faith in God.  And in the end his faith was rewarded.  So let us even now as difficult as it may be walk not by sight but by faith.

Today was also communion Sunday.  With a bit of bread and a glass of juice we participated in the Lord’s Supper with the rest of the congregation.

The rest of the day was sort of a carbon copy of yesterday, and the day before, and the day. . .you get the idea.

We skipped breakfast this morning and went directly to our mid-afternoon supper.  We had meat loaf, mashed potatoes, asparagus and for me a glass of ice coffee.  Once again I proudly became a member of the clean plate club.

We played some more Mexican Train.  Today, after several dismal showings was my day to shine.  It’s not often that I beat Barbara but I managed to prevail today.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  We have a new plan in place.  Let me see is it Plan C or Plan D?  I’ve lost count of how many I’ve put together.  We’re excited.  Yet there is also a twinge of sadness.  We’ve come to love this place, and we’ll miss it and the people in the neighborhood.  Overall, the day did not disappoint.  Thank you Lord for keeping us safe, healthy and still in love and enjoying one’s company.

Food for thought.

Thanks for coming along with us today.  It was great having you with us on our journey.  We so appreciate your comments.  Keep safe.  Wear your mask.  If not for you then for others.  Wash your hands.  Catch you tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and it’s two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!

Places We Have Called Home In 2020

Home Is Where We Park It – Escapees North Ranch, Congress, Arizona

May 2, 2020

Temperature 89 Degrees

Mark The Date, May 15th And We’re On The Road Again

Projects Went Nowhere Today

Today was a marked contrast to yesterday.  The morning was cool and the day remained the same.  Not to mention there was a stiff southerly wind of about 20 mph.

Breakfast was great as always.  I had a breakfast burrito, fried Spam, a glass of Orange juice and a couple of cups of coffee.  A great way to start the day.  Now, if I only had something to do.

The decision has been made, we’re moving out on Friday, May 15th.  We’re going north to Kingman, Arizona.  We’ve made reservations at Fort Beale RV Park which has excellent ratings on Campground Reviews.  Why are we moving?  Why not!  We’ve sat still long enough.  The Stay At Home Order will be lifted that day.  There is no reason not to get back on the road.  North Ranch has been an excellent port in the storm and still remains at the top of our list for a possible permanent home base in the future.

One project on the list today.

I wanted to install the new propane detector, it is the item to the right on the table above.  I wanted to but it was not meant to be.  The new one is considerably smaller than the currently installed unit meaning there are some fitment issues.  I, therefore, had to take a step back and figure out what to do.  I believe I have an idea that will work and I’ll share it with you tomorrow when I actually install it.

That brought us to our afternoon supper.  On the menu today were chicken cutlets, rice and cauliflower.   Oh yea, my sweetheart knows how to cook up some scrumptious meals.  You better believe I cleaned my plate!

The new AC is working great.  It keeps Elvira at a reasonable temperature inside which means we are very cool and comfortable.  No complaints from either of us.

That brings us to the end of our day on The Road of Retirement.  Not much going on which was fine by me.  Tomorrow I’ll pick up the pace now knowing in two weeks we’ll be pulling out.  Oh just typing that brings joy to my heart.  The road is where we belong.

This says it all.

Thanks for coming along with us on our rather short day.  It was nice having you and we always appreciate your comments.  Keep safe.  Wear your mask.  Wash your hands.  Till tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and it’s two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!