Places We Have Called Home In 2019

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

Dec 29, 2019

Temperature 61 Degrees

Hall of Flame – Phoenix, Arizona

We’ve been here since Friday and we’re slowly settling into a routine.  We’re checking out places to visit.   We’re attending to monthly maintenance issues.  Setting up medical appointments.  In essence, the stuff of everyday life.

This being Sunday we started the day by listening to a message from our Pastor at our home church in Florida.  It, as always, provided a lot of good food for thought for the coming week.  After that it was time to settle back in the recliner and prepare for a day of football.

OK, I don’t know how far we will get with this blog since our internet is so poor.  I have to stop every three or four words to let the page catch up with my typing.

New day and the temperature is still in the 40’s but the big difference today is there is no sun due to total cloud cover.  It will be a day in which we’ll have to run the heat pump most of the day.  Our electrical bill at the end of our four week stay should be interesting.

Time to step back a couple of weeks to a fascinating place we visited in Phoenix.

 

This is a little known but absolutely interesting museum that we discovered and visited.

Barbara at the front counter purchasing our tickets.

The museum’s founder.

What prompted him to found the museum.  The main takeaway for me was . . .in 1961 he established the National Historical Foundation to promote fire safety and to preserve the objects that tell the story of firefighting through the Hall of Flame’s programs and exhibits.

Following are some overview pictures of the museum’s exhibits.

Time now for a closer look at some of the exhibits.

A unique chess set to say the least.  Take a closer look, the boys in blue have their pistols pointed at their counterparts who in turn have their hoses pointed back at them.

The Hall of Flame’s collection of graphic materials includes lithographs, prints, engravings, paintings, and photographs of a wide variety of subject material.

Nathan Currier, a long time member of the New York Volunteer Fire Department.  He wears a red shirt and a leather helmet which were the two constant uniform items of the 19th century volunteer.

Nathan Currier this time in the role of a rescuer of helpless victims.  Usually this is a young child, or as in this case a helpless woman.

Two display cases of miniature statues of fireman.

Hall of Flame has over 400 helmets from all over the world in the collection of fire helmets. Most of them are from the United States, Great Britain, Germany and France.  I, for one, never knew there were so many different varieties.

The 9/11 Memorial Pony was created by the director of an arts project in Sante Fe, New Mexico.  It is a memorial to all those police, firefighters and emergency personal who died in the collapse of the World Trade Center.  The horse was felt to be an appropriate symbol because of its wide use in the American fire and police service since the nineteenth century.  The saddle faces the rear symbolizing the death of an important person.  A special paint was applied that changes in shade from fire engine red to flame yellow.  Beneath the pony is a coffin like base that contains a FDNY helmet,  together with a cap of a New York Police Officer and a cap of a New York and New Jersey Port Authority Officer.

The entire crew of Recuse Four died in the collapse of the World Trade Center.  The truck was repaired and placed back in service.  It was retired in 2011, purchased by a Chicago based organization that restored it and exhibited it around the country.  In 2017 it went on exhibit at the museum and in 2018 it became a permanent addition to the Museum’s exhibits.

That’s it for now.  I’ve pushed my luck with my internet connection.  I’ll try and add more later in another blog.

We continue to travel hand in hand down The Road of Retirement.  Our new home is a great one, but with one little problem – we have a bird that likes to dance on the roof and from the sounds of it breaking open some type of shell.  He’s been driving us nuts – literally.

Thanks for checking in with us.  We always enjoy your company and your comments.  Till another blog, take care.

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 2019

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

Dec 28, 2019

Temperature 58 Degrees

A Beautiful But Empty RV Resort

Time for Clean Clothes

Rigging for Chilly Nights

Neither of us wanted to get out of bed this morning.  But come 6 am and I just had to – don’t ask me why – get up.  It’s just one of those things.  No problem, however, that’s what they make recliners for – naps in the afternoon.

Not much doing today.  I took a look at the connector for the lights on the car.  Its burnt and unusable.  The question is why?  That I don’t have a clue about.  I figured I’d just replace the whole wiring harness and the plug.  Until that is I traced it back to its origin.  Down, way down under the dash.  No way am I going to get in there.  Time to call in the cavalry.

One more thing I don’t understand.  This is a fantastic RV Resort.  The monthly price is about two to three hundred dollars less than others in the area.  Trust me we would not be here if the price was through the roof.  The roads are all paved and smooth.  The grounds are well manicured and there is not a bit of trash in sight.  The laundry room is spotless and the machines are reasonably priced.  Yet, the park is basically empty.  OK, it is more of a manufactured home park than an RV park.  Still I just don’t get it.  Ah well, it is what it is.

What did we do today?  Nothing much.

We got our laundry done.  The laundry room is right across from our site.  That’s what I call convenient.

We rigged Graybeard for chilly nights.  Reflex in the windshield which reflects the heat back in.  A night or two ago we took it down and wow what a difference.  You could feel the cold coming through the windshield.

The other secret weapon in our chilly night arsenal.  We learned the value of putting up an insulated curtain in the doorway.  It blocks the draft that usually comes through the door.  Now we’re ready.  With the heat pump and small electric heater nights have not been that bad.  During the day with no trees in sight, by 8:30 am the sun really begins to warm up the rig.  But when that sun goes down, oh boy does it begin to get cold.   One thing we know for sure, it will be Florida next winter!

That’s it then for our day on The Road of Retirement.  While we’re here we’re just going to take it easy.  We’ll go to Mexico for some dental work.  In time we’ll get the lights on the car straightened out.  Hopefully, there will also be some sightseeing in the mix.  There is also my monthly maintenance list I need to go through.  In short, eEnough to keep us occupied but not too busy.

Thanks again for being a part of our day.  We always appreciate your company and your comments.  Till 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 2019

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

Dec 27, 2019

Temperature 53 Degrees, Periods of Rain

The UMOM Jinx Took A Bite Out Of Us

Travel Day

Home Sweet Home, Our Last Stop On Our Map For 2019

Today was the day.  Time for jacks up and time to roll.

I got a good deal of what needed to be done last night so this morning it was easy going.  Amazingly, even the rain held off.  We just took it easy, did what needed to be done and by 9:30 am we were ready.

That’s when the UMOM Jinx took a bite out of us.  I pulled forward, Barbara came up behind with the car so that I could hook it up.  Tow bar on, but wait a minute, we had no lights on the car.  A little investigation revealed that the plug on the car had literally melted into a couple of pieces.  With a little help from our friends we jury rigged a connection.  It lasted all of one block before we were back to no lights on the car.  Nothing else left to do but motor on.  When we get to Yuma I’ll either have to figure out how to fix it on my own or get some one to do it.  Given my experience with all things electrical it will probably come down to some one else.  I’ll give it the old college try and take it from there.

The trip to Yuma was an easy one.  We had a bit of traffic in one spot.

We had rain off and on for half of the trip.

Then, I saw it.  I said to Barbara

What in the world, a lake in the middle of nowhere.

Then we got closer and realized it was really acres of tin roofed buildings!  The jokes on me.

Then we spotted this – no idea why it was there.

Remember the words from the Sound of Music – Climb Every Mountain.

Hey, look what lane I’m in!  The left.  I dropped Graybeard down into fourth and marched up the mountain passing four semi’s in the process.  Sweet.

Up, up and away!

Almost there.

Time to go back down.

This is definitely the land of RV Parks.

We made the last turn, time to look for our new home.  Look for the horse I was told.  And there it was in the distance.

Actually, there was three of them.

We made the left turn into the RV Resort.

And started down the entrance road leading to the office.  Wow, this is one fancy RV Resort.  Well, more manufactured home park but we’re not complaining.  The price was right, especially for this area.

Our new home, site #273.  It is hard packed gravel, dead level, all utilities right where they need to be.  Water pressure is 70 pounds so a pressure regulator is definitely in order.  Gertrude is off the left rear and perfectly happy with her view of the Southern sky.

Actually, you get two sites for the price of one.  Our site goes from the Air Stream trailer to the left in the picture above to the driver’s side of our rig.  They said that they do this because so many people bring ATV’s and trailers that they just found it easier to provide a space for them along with the site for the rig.

That’s it for our day on The Road of Retirement.  It was another great day.  Yea, we had and still have a minor issue to resolve.  The day, though, overall was an A+ from start to finish.  Graybeard did his thing and once again brought us to our new home with no fuss or muss.  Thank you my friend.  Our new home is absolutely perfect in every way.  Time now to turn on the heat and find a few extra blankets.  It’s a bit chilly here but we’ve escaped the worse of the bad weather that swept through this area.  Thank you Lord for the blessings of this day.

Thanks for coming along with us.  We do appreciate the time you spend with us and always look forward to 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 2019

Home Is Where We Park It:   UMOM New Day Centers, Phoenix 

Dec 26, 2019

Temperature 55 Degrees, Rain

We’re Finished

Packing Up – We’re Moving Again

Oh boy what a chilly morning.  OK, it’s not as cold here as in other places.  This morning’s temperature was 49 degrees.  But when you’re used to the 60’s to 80’s it comes as somewhat of a shock.  I do believe, however, we’re getting used to it.

Simple breakfast this morning.  Just a bagel, juice, and a couple of cups of coffee.  It was enough to get me moving.

First part of the day was spent over in the toy room.

This is a part of what is left after Christmas.

Everything that is left – not much of a demand for basketballs and footballs this year –

needs to be sorted than boxed and labeled.

The boxes are then put on pallets.

Everything is then shrink wrapped, loaded on the UMOM truck and taken to storage.  The toys will be given out during the course of the year as birthday presents, distributed to other agencies for their use and some will be brought back next year.

I spent half a day doing this, Barbara spent the whole day at it.

The rest of the day I turned my attention to getting us ready for jacks up tomorrow.

I had to adjust tire pressure, put Wesley away, store the step ladder, wash the windshield, and so on, and so forth.  Its just part of our lifestyle which we readily accept.  I’ve done all that I can today.  Tomorrow we’ll do the rest.  In the rain it appears.  So be it.

Reflecting back on our two months here, we can both honestly say this has been one of the best experiences we’ve had as fulltimer’s.  We’re leaving with the knowledge that we’ve had a chance to give back for all the blessings we have received.  We’re leaving with so many new friends who we believe we’ll see somewhere, someday on down the road.  We’re leaving with a hundred and one new memories that are absolutely priceless.  Are we tired?  Oh yea!  We’ll probably sleep for the next month while we are in Yuma.

That’s it for our day on The Road of Retirement.  We’re down in the 40’s already.  A steady rain is falling.  It’s going to be a cold, damp evening.  Time for an extra blanket.  Hopefully, we’ll get a break in the rain in the morning.  Only need about 30 minutes but it’s not looking good right now.  Time will tell.

Thanks for joining us again today.  We always appreciate your company and your comments.  Keep warm if you are up north.  We’ll catch you again 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