Places We Have Called Home In 2020

Places We Have Called Home in 2019

Home Is Where We Park It:   Rancho Rialto RV Resort, Yuma

January 10, 2020

Temperature 68 Degrees

RIP Marti You Will Be Missed

We began the day on an up note anxious to get out and about and investigate several attractions we had discovered on line.

However, our day ended on a down note.  Six months ago our Marti went to live with our daughter Amanda.

It was a difficult decision but one we believed was in his best interest.  He was never able to get comfortable with our constant travel.  Every time we brought a slide in or out, or whenever we started the engine he became highly agitated.  The first few weeks at our daughter’s house were tough on him but slowly he began to accept his new surroundings.  It was truth be told tough on us as well.  Many a time we wanted to go and bring him back.

Then several weeks ago things began to go down hill.  He began to become highly aggressive often turning on Amanda and her other dogs. He was constantly trying to tear into anything that had food inside.  His appetite was unquenchable.  He was constantly whining as if he was in pain.  He began to have multiple seizures day after day.   A trip to the vet, tests were taken and it was determined that he had either cancer or a brain tumor.

We made the decision to try certain drugs and wait a week or two and see if he would get better.  Today he went back to the vet and the results were worse than before.  The seizures were back.  He had lost a lot of weight.  Bottom line, he had cancer and was slowly starving to death.  So we made the difficult decision to send him across the rainbow bridge.

Rest in Peace my friend.  You were a big part of our lives for over ten years and you will be, have been, sorely missed.  We enjoyed the years you gave us. I’ll never forget those evenings when I held you on my lap.  Nor how you treated our bed as your’s and your’s only.  There were challenging times indeed but the good times far out weighted the bad.  Yes, there is a hole in our hearts tonight with your passing.

Well, we did a lot today but forgive me I’m just not in a writing mood right now.  Sorry.  I’ll bring everyone up to date starting tomorrow.

So ends another day on The Road of Retirement.  It’s with heavy hearts that we close out our day.  For sure, there is a time for everything in life.  A time to live, and a time to die.  Goodbye Marti.

Thanks for checking in with us.  We always appreciate your company and your comments.  Catch you tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard 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

Places We Have Called Home In 2019

Home Is Where We Park It:   Rancho Rialto RV Resort, Yuma

January 9, 2020

Temperature 61 Degrees

Odds And Ends On Our Walk Around The Park

Steamboats On The Colorado

Out and abut this morning we came across

this park model for sale.  Our curiosity got the better of us so we stopped in.

There’s a second door from which a deck can be added.

This is the front living room.

Looking toward the bedroom.  We have more room and more drawers in Graybeard than in the bedroom of this unit.

The bathroom.  Ok, its a bit bigger than what we have now.

The kitchen.  We both agreed it looks nice and has a bit of room.

After we finished our tour we both agreed poor quality doesn’t just exist in new RV’s.  Everywhere we turned we found issues in this unit.  As we walked up the steps to enter there were several cracks in them that made you wonder if you would fall through.  Inside we found walls that flexed, counter tops pulling away from the wall, carpet so thin that thin crust pizza is probably thicker.  All this for a ridiculously high price.  No thanks.

Moving on

This is our neighbor’s rig a 2001 Dutch Star.  We asked him about it and he said it was the best coach he ever owned.  Everyone we talked to who owns one says the same.  Our search for one continues.

This is a 2008 Fleetwood Discovery for sale.  We met the owners who gave us a tour.  That full wall slide sure opens up the inside.  They’re selling it because they just purchased a park model here in the park.

That was our daily walk this morning.

Now for a bit more history regarding the Yuma area.  Tonight we’re going to explore

the part that steamboats played in the development of Yuma and the surrounding area.

Steamboats were able to navigate from

Port Isabel in the Gulf of California to the mouth of the Grand Canyon.

Lower cost of transporting cargo from California was the driving force behind the rise of steamboat traffic.

I found it fascinating as to how they were able to cross sandbars that got in their way (2nd paragraph).

Some of the steamboats that ran the river.  The first steamboats were side wheelers but later the majority were stern wheelers.

When a steamboat docked at the quartermaster depot, cargo was unloaded on to a dolly that ran on tracks up to the supply depot where it was unloaded.

The only two stack  steamboat on the river.

A model of the steamboat in the picture before it.

The captain’s log for the Cocopah.  

There were notes about high winds and sandbars that blocked their passage.  Each day the steamer took on more wood to feed its boiler.  The captain had to note how many cords were purchased and from whom.  The steamboats voracious appetite for wood eventually decimated the native trees that once populated the river banks.  Today through the efforts of conservationists and volunteers the trees are making a come back.

The first steamboat company.  The importance of the Gold Rush.

Some artifacts from the Steamboat era.

A capstan which was typically used to haul up an anchor or haul ropes when lifting cargo.

The beginning of the end.

Two things doomed the steamboats – the

and

That brings us to the end of another bit of Yuma history.  Tomorrow if all goes well we’ll talk about the importance of the railroad.  Oh, we finally heard it – a train whistle!  If you sit real quiet in the morning, and the wind is blowing just the right way, you can hear it real faint off in the distance.  Now, I feel at home.

That brings to an end our day on The Road of Retirement.  Once again it was a wonderful day from beginning to end.  We slept late.  Played some Mexican Train.  Planned some more trips – we’re looking forward to going to the Quartzsite RV Show in a couple of weeks.  In addition we’ve found other local attractions that we want to check out.  The day ended in a rather unusual way – it was totally overcast with big ugly looking clouds.  The clouds that hovered over us would indeed have probably brought storms and rain anywhere else but not here.

Yes, we watched Jeopardy.  Come on James, you have to pull it together.  We rooting for you.

Thanks again for joining us today.  We always appreciate your company and your comments.  Catch you tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard 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

Places We Have Called Home In 2019

Home Is Where We Park It:   Rancho Rialto RV Resort, Yuma

January 8, 2020

Temperature 70 Degrees

More Monthly Maintenance

Veterans Health Care – Nothing But a Joke

The Key To Full Time RV Life – Always Be Flexible

No I’m not promoting either the trailer or the home behind it.  Rather that glow just over the mountain, that is the beautiful sight I see out the back living room window each morning.  That is the sun coming up ready to shine in all its glory, to shine in that window, fall across my lap as I sit in my chair and warm me all over.

 

That is the beautiful blue sky that hangs over us each day.  I never tire of it nor take it for granted.  I count it pure joy to be able to wake to it each day.

Look what I found on our walk this morning.  Not one

but two turtles!  Now, where in what locker can I find a spot for this bottom one?  Now I have an excuse to buy a bigger rig!

Time for a little more monthly maintenance.  First order of business was to flip the refrigerator to propane and let it run for 12 to 24 hours.  I do this at least once a month with both the refrigerator and hot water heater.  I’d rather discover now if there is an issue instead of waiting until I might need them both on propane and then discover that there is a problem.  So far so good, the refrigerator is running great.

Then I cleaned out and reorganized the junk closet.  Trust me it is organized, perhaps I should have taken a picture before hand.

Next

I caulked the seam where the bathroom counter top joins the wall.  I had done this once before but did it when Graybeard was in the shade.  Guess what?  Once the sun is on the driver’s side and heats things up you’re left with a gap between the caulking and the wall.  This time I waited until the sun was up and the wall was warm, pulled out the old caulking and did it again.

Then I moved on to the shower.  The old caulking between the side walls and the bottom pan was getting a bit funky looking.  No matter what I cleaned it with nor how many times I cleaned it I just didn’t like the way it looked.  So I made the decision to pull all the old caulking out.

Then I recaulked the seam with mold and mildew resistant caulk.  Which is what I used in the first place.  Maybe this time will be better.  Or in six months I’ll just do it all over again.

Then I decided to experiment.

This stuff they say is able to clean and remove stains from almost anything.  I tried it in the bathroom sink.  I filled it with hot water, dumped in a scoop, let it sit for an hour and it worked like a charm.  What about the toilet?  I filled it full of water, dumped in a scoop, let it sit for an hour – presto!  A brilliant white bowl.  Call me crazy but . . .

While I was doing this and that Barbara was on the computer and phone.  She tried once again to get your’s truly enrolled in The Veterans Travel Program.  Once again after almost an hour she hit another dead end.  No one seems to know about it and no one really wants to help.  The net of it is, forget trying to get health care through the Veterans.  Point of fact I tried to get an appointment here for my annual physical, want to know what they told me?  We are not taking any new patients, you need to go back to your own facility where you first registered.  That’s in Booksville, Florida.  So my prescriptions have run out and I can’t get them refilled unless and until I return to Florida.  Bottom line, Veterans Health Care is an absolute joke.

Barbara was also trying to determine when my dental appointments would be.  The first treatments are on January 22nd and 23rd.  No problem, we’ll still be in Yuma.  The next treatments, however, are in February and March when we will be in Ajo, some 2 hours away.  So what now?  The first rule of Full Time RV life, be flexible.  

Would we be able to cancel our reservation in Ajo?  Would we be able to get a site back here at this park?  Yes to both.  We were able to cancel our reservation at Ajo with no penalty.  We were able to reserve a site back here.  The gentleman who is currently occupying site 289 here leaves on February 11th, we come back on February 14th.  Thank you good Lord.

The plan for dental care is do a minimal part here, then the majority remaining in Mexico.  We’ve asked, investigated, and talked to any number of folks about dental care south of the border and received nothing but positive comments.  We’ve also received the names of two dental clinics that the staff here at the park and any number of people who are here have been going to for years with no issues.  So, the majority of my dental care will be done south of the border.  The cost for what I need done I could never afford here in the U.S.  That’s the sad but unfortunate truth.

This evening, at this very moment we’re sitting and watching Jeopardy.  James and Ken are locked in an epic struggle tonight.  Who will the winner be?  It’s going to be close.  My money is on James.  And, yes, James it is!  One more night to decide the champion.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  We both enjoyed it from the beautiful sunrise to the beautiful sunset this evening.  I do believe we’re both getting used to this area and its weather.  Its not too cold neither is it too hot.  The big thing here, there is absolutely no humidity.    Did I really say we’re beginning to like it here?

Thanks again for checking in with us.  We always enjoy when you come along with us.  We also appreciate your comments and questions.  Catch you tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard 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

Places We Have Called Home In 2019

Home Is Where We Park It:   Rancho Rialto RV Resort, Yuma

January 7, 2020

Temperature 71 Degrees

Ocean to Ocean Bridge

Plank Road

Now I Know Why – Dental Care in Mexico

Yup, a day late again.  Last night I just couldn’t seem to keep my eyes open.  Not to mention I just couldn’t seem to get my mind in gear nor my fingers.  But today is another day so here we go.

First, the Ocean to Ocean Highway Bridge.

 

A more permanent and convenient way to cross the Colorado River than a rope ferry was necessary due to the amount of traffic at the Yuma Crossing.  In addition town officials were anxious to find a way to access the plank road that was under construction.  The plank road (more about this later) would provide a direct path across the sand dunes to San Diego.

It sounds simple enough.  Build it and they will come.

Unfortunately, the engineers who designed the bridge were from the east and unfamiliar with the fluctuating waters of the Colorado River.  After the foundation was washed away twice a better way was found and the bridge was completed.

On May 15, 1915 when the bridge was completed a young woman named Pauline was chosen to throw the switch for the electrical sign Ocean to Ocean Highway Yuma.  In the ensuing days the town of Yuma celebrated the bridges completion with an automobile parade, horse races, dances, and of course any number of speeches.

In 1978 the bridge was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.  The bridge served the Yuma area until 1988 when due to structural issues it was restricted to foot traffic only. 

In 2002 it was completely rebuilt and opened again to alternating traffic.

We decided we wanted to drive across a piece of history.

Our turn to go across.  I thought it was really neat being able to drive across such an important piece of history.  But that’s me.

Now for the plank road.  Once you crossed the bridge back in the 1900’s heading west what awaited you? You had two choices: go to Los Angles via the Mammoth Wash Trail or go over Sahara-like dues to San Diego.  Like most travelers you would bypass San Diego and choose the Mammoth Wash Trail because it runs along the railroad and was safer.

Business leaders in San Diego frustrated by this banded together to build

the Plank Road a road similar to the one in the picture above.

The first of 13,000 planks was laid in February 14,1915.  For the next two months volunteers and inmates from California’s Imperial Prison worked together to create the Ocean to Ocean Highway.  On April 14, 1915 work was completed and it was now possible to travel from Yuma directly to San Diego.

Traveling the Plank Road was an experience like no other.  The road was built with turnouts every half mile for oncoming cars.  In those days car springs weren’t designed to cope with washboard conditions, and the up-and-down motion of the vehicle over the highway would accelerate as it traveled.  It was necessary, therefore, to stop periodically to let the car quiet down.  Definitely not a road I would have wanted to take Graybeardover!

In 1916 a new and improved plank road was constructed.  This road remained in use until 1926 when when a new two lane asphalt road replaced it.  Today the plank road is now a Historical Landmark and pieces of it are preserved at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC.

So that is a little bit more of the history of this area.  Yuma, when you stop to look and investigate is really a fascinating place.

What else did we do yesterday?  The dentist – ugh.  Now I know why so many people go to Mexico for dental work.  Now I know why I will also, eventually, be going there as well.  We’ll get the first part of what needs to be done here at a dentist in Yuma.  But since it appears I will be needing dentures, we’ll go to Mexico for them.  The cost of dentures here in Yuma, suffice to say I could buy a new compact car with what they want to charge me.  No way am I spending that amount of money when in Mexico the cost would be a fraction of what it would cost here.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  It was an easy day so I don’t know why I was so tired, but I was.  I did some monthly maintenance.  We both read our books for part of the day.  Then there was the trip to the dentist for my initial consultation.  We watched Jeopardy – this is a must.  And that was about it.  Today, will who knows what today will bring.  Let you know later.

Thanks for coming along with us again.  We always appreciate your company and your comments.  Catch you later.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard 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!