.Places We Have Called Home In 2020

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

April 27, 2020

Temperature 96 Degrees

It’s So Hot It Can Suck The Life Right Out Of You!

Another Trip Down Memory Lane

You have to know that when it is 74 degrees at 6 am in the morning it is bound to be another hot day.

Hot enough – figuratively speaking – to suck the life right out of you!  Actually, today was a mild one, we only reached a high of 96 degrees.

Though the air conditioner doesn’t really work right, it works well enough to keep Elvira relatively cool and comfortable.  Given the fact that it is fifteen years old I don’t really see any sense in spending a lot of time nor money in trying to diagnose and fix it.   It, like a lot of things on Elvira, needs to be replaced.  But we knew that going in.

Let’s take Another Trip Down Memory Lane.

Sitting here wanting so desperately to get back on the road again my mind went back to one of our most memorable road trips that we’ve taken already.  That was our trip up The Natchez Trace Parkway.  Everyone should take a trip on the Parkway at some point in their travels.  There is no truck traffic and very little of any other kind of traffic.  The Parkway takes you through some of the most beautiful countryside you can ever image. One of the things I remember most about our trip on the Parkway are the bridges we had to go under.  Each bridge had enough clearance for our rig to go under – with a foot to spare – yet when I came to the first one I remember actually sliding down a bit in my seat!  As if doing so would have made any difference at all.  Of course we went under each and every bridge without an issue.

When I began to think of our farmers and the problems they are facing today in my mind I went back to this museum in Mississippi.  What a wonderful and informative place it turned out to be.

How about this for a rocking chair.

This museum traced the rise of agriculture and forestry in the Mississippi river bottom area from the area’s first inhabitants up to and including the present time.  There was so much to see and do we spent the better part of a day here.

My appetite for catfish is well known in this house.  Thus, I found this display absolutely fascinating.  What I discovered was eye opening.  It turns out that when farmers in the area began to look for alternatives to their usual crops they turned to farming catfish.

 

When I think of all the places that we have called home in our travels this had to be one of the oddest.  It was the overflow lot for a local funeral home.  Do I have to say it?  We never heard a word from our neighbors!

 

We’ve been to National Parks, well known Museums and everything in between.  I’m willing to bet, though, that these two attractions are seldom – if ever – visited by most in their RV Travels.  What a shame for each in their own right are fascinating exhibits.   We went out of our way to visit each and we never regretted for a moment our decision to do so.

Thinking of the vital role trucks and truckers are playing in our country today this is what I saw in my mind’s eye.  This museum in Bangor, Maine is the size of two full football fields and everything transportation is within its four walls.

Time now to put my mind in park and call it a night.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  Yes, it is definitely getting hot but we’ll get through it.  Actually, it’s great that we’re here for the heat because we can get an idea of what a typical summer would be like here in this area.  So here we go!

On the lighter side.

Thanks for coming along again with us today.  We always appreciate your company and your comments.  Keep safe 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

April 26, 2020

Temperature 100 Degrees

Baby It Is Hot Outside

I never thought I’d say this It was just too hot to do a thing.  My apologies to those who are still suffering from temperatures in the thirties and snow on the ground.  I would, if I could, send you some of our heat your way.  However, since I can’t I’ll at least think warm thoughts for you.

We began our Sunday with worship at our home church.  Once again a fantastic worship experience.  They had choir members, each in their own home, join together in an anthem.  Pastor’s message was uplifting and comforting as he reminded us once again that even the midst of crisis God is there to protect and shelter us and see us through.

The winds around here are just too unpredictable to leave the patio awning out all the way.  One minute the breeze is next to nothing, the next minute it is blowing up a storm.  However, I’ve learned that I can at least leave it out just this far with no issues.  This gives us the necessary shade we need on the passenger side of Elvira during the hottest part of the day.

I cleaned them, did some minor repairs that were necessary – but would they work?  Today, with the outside temperature at one hundred degrees, was the day to find out.  Since we only had thirty amps at the pedestal I knew that I could only run one unit at a time so it was the front one we were going to try.

Inside we were at ninety two degrees when we turned the front AC on.  Yea, I know we waited way to long to run it.  Thankfully, it ran – at least after a fashion.  It would run for an hour then shut down for five minutes then start again.  This pattern was repeated throughout the whole afternoon.  Be that as it may we were able to get the inside temperature down to eighty five degrees.  We were happy and comfortable since it held that temperature without an issue.  Bottom line, at least we know the front unit works.

That was it today on The Road of Retirement.  What did we do today?  Due to the heat we sheltered inside and let the AC keep us cool.  It was just too hot to be outside even for a brief walk.  They say this weather is going to hang around for at least another week.  In fact by Thursday they are expecting the temperature to be in the neighbor of one hundred and six degrees!

On the lighter side

Time to go.  Thanks for joining us again.  We always appreciate your company and your comments.  Keep safe.

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

April 25, 2020

Temperature 93 Degrees

Projects, Just A Few Simple Ones

Supper, Blackened Catfish

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Yes, the heat is on.  When I got up a 5 am this morning we were already at 74 degrees.  Imagine that.  So this is what it is like during the summer months in these parts.  The lack of humidity, however, makes it livable.  There is a small tree off to one side of Elvira under which I sit and I’m perfectly comfortable.

A few simple projects today.

I had to replace the prop rod on the last locker door on the passenger side.  The door would no longer stay up on its own.

I’m still working on a solution for the bedroom slide motor mount.  It is the black shelf in the picture above.  The motor is bolted to the shelf and the shelf is held in place by six simple, short lag screws into the plywood sides of the locker.   What were they thinking.  I’m going to reinforce the shelf in two steps.  First, I’ll purchase and install three inch L brackets which I will bolt both to the shelf and to the side walls of the lockers.  Second, I will purchase threaded rod and install the rod between the shelf and the floor of the locker.  Over engineered?  Maybe, but my belief is better safe than sorry.  After all, if that shelf ever comes loose that’s the end of the slide going in and out.

Projects finished it was time for our afternoon supper.  On the menu today for me was blackened catfish bites.  How do you know if they’re made correctly?  One, maybe two bites and your eyes should start to water up.  Mine did indeed.  Suffice to say, Barbara knows how to make this dish correctly.  I absolutely loved every bite from beginning to end.

Time now to go traveling.  I decided if I can’t physically go wandering around the country than I’ll do so in my mind.  So let’s take a trip down memory lane.

Everyone seems to be looking forward to the return of major league sports.

Which reminded me of this baseball we discovered in 2019 when we were in Florida.  But this is not just any baseball.

A little internet research and we discover that:  Pioneers, a Volunteer Network, also known as the Telephone Pioneers of America, or simply as the Telephone Pioneers, is a non-profit charitable organization based in Denver Colorado, U.S.A. It was founded in Boston in 1911 as the Telephone Pioneers of America, with 734 members, including Alexander Graham Bell who received membership card No. 1.

Regarding Beeper Baseball a little digging and we find that: Beep baseball is a challenging, physically-demanding and enjoyable competitive sport for athletes who are blind or visually impaired.  Whether in the batter’s box or in the field, athletes use a combination of strength, skill and auditory senses to focus on the beeping ball and buzzing bases.

Today there are teams in most every state and a series of regional tournaments are held in various locations throughout the year.

Our current pandemic brought back to my mind

this artifact that we discovered in a hospital museum in Foley, Alabama.  What is it?

It is a Show Globe.  I bet if used today there would be a lot of towns with red in all three parts.  Maybe we should bring it back that way people would actually see that, yes, we have a very real pandemic loose in our country.

A certain news briefing regarding a suggestion that bleach or light rays injected into a person as a cure for our current virus

reminded me of this and

and this.

Truth of the matter is people with no medical knowledge have been suggesting quack ideas as to what will cure you for years untold.  Yes, they are still around today.  Unfortunately, as in the past and so today most of their ideas do more harm than good and in some cases could – and did – actually killed the patient.

I know we’re all anxious to get back to our favorite restaurant.

In my mind I immediately went back to this Olde Tyme Soda Fountain.

Then I hopped on over to

The Fish River Grill

Guess what immediately caught my eye?  Turtles!

What a funky and unique counter.

Fish and Chips.  I had no problem eating every bite.

Leaving Alabama and heading north we go to Maine.

Here at the Anglers Restaurant I had my first taste of real Maine lobster soup and

my very first Maine lobster feast.  You better believe I cleaned my plate that day.

All of the above was served by a wonderful waitress by the name of Ann who had a smile a mile long and a wonderful disposition to go with it.

Of course we’re also being told don’t forget to exercise.  On that note

my mind went back immediately to the Pensacola Lighthouse.

and my climb

all the way up to

the very top!  That was one whale of a workout that day.  It’s sort of funny, I seem somehow to completely forget that getting up is just one part of the workout.  As they say who goes up must at some point come down.

What a view, spectacular no matter what direction you looked.

Well, time to go home now.  Just for this evening.  We’ll be off again sometime soon.

That brings to a close our day on The Day Of Retirement.  I must confess it really felt great to go back and visit some of those wonderful places from the past.  I have to go traveling like that more often.  It just makes one feel good when they’re forced to physically stay in place.

On the lighter side.

Thanks again for coming along today.  We always appreciate your company and your comments.  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

April 24, 2020

Temperature 91 Degrees

It’s Getting So Hard To Just Stay In One Place

Today We Did Absolutely Nothing – Well Almost

I absolutely love this place.  There’s just something about this whole area that has grown on me.  I can’t quite put my finger on it.  Maybe it is the isolation.  The sense of being in the middle of nowhere yet with everything you need not far away.  The people here in the park are second to none.  I truly feel at home here after just one month.  I could come back here again and again.  In fact we plan on doing just that.

That being said, I want to leave.  I want to roam.  I want to get on the road.  Sitting in one place is really getting hard.  OK, I know the reality of the world today.  I know what is best for everyone.  I’ll continue to hunker down.  I may not like it but I’ll do it because that is what is being asked of each of us and I want to do my part.  Just be forewarned, if you hear a loud scream sometime in the next few days from the Southwest it’s only me venting!

That was the central theme of today.  We made a vow between ourselves to do absolutely nothing.  I’m still waiting on parts to come in to complete several projects.  The word on the street is that they will be here sometime next week.  Until then things are sort of on hold.

To be honest we did sort of do something.

We had to pick up a package that Fedex claimed that they were unable to deliver yesterday at 7:30 am because no one was home.  Excuse me, I was sitting in my recliner, the front curtains were open and the door was also open so don’t tell me no one was home.  Over the years if there is one delivery service we have had problems with consistently it has been Fedex

. Today we found out what we believed happened.  We have a regular driver here in the park who is really good about delivery.  Yesterday was his day off.  The substitute driver probably drove up and down the road, and when he failed to see our site number back on the electric box he came to the conclusion that no one was home.  It’s happened numerous times in the past, here and in other parks.

Since Family Dollar is right around the block from the post office we stopped in to see if we could score some more toilet paper.  We did!  Bottom line we are set for at least a month now.   Along with the food and staples we purchased yesterday the freezer is now completely full as well as the six containers in the under storage locker area.

Back home we decided to finish the game of Mexican Train we started last night.  I’d like to say that I triumphed but I can’t.  Today Barbara cleaned my clock.  Ah, but there will be other days and other games.  Just you wait!

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  We sat back and just enjoyed the day.   The heat is on and I believe we’re not quite used to it yet.   It came on so suddenly and went so high.  They say that this is really much too early for temperatures in the nineties and one hundreds.  The word is within another week the temperatures will settle back into the eighties.  We’ll see.  We’re not suffering by any means, since there is usually a strong breeze each day that helps to cool things down.

On the lighter side.

We hope you had a great day today.  If not resolve to make tomorrow the best day yet.  Thanks for joining us today on our journey.  We enjoy your company and your comments.  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!