RVing -- First Year Firsts

 

We travel, some of us forever, to seek other states, other lives, other souls.

 

It’s not long and this year will be history.  It’s been another year on the road.  Who would have thought we would still be satisfied with it after three full years?  When we originally started out we were thinking a year or two and maybe three but that was about it.  Now look at us.  We’re pretty content with our lifestyle.  Well, at least for now we are.  We’ve had good times and we’ve hit a lot of speed bumps but then again, hasn’t everyone else?

<<   First trip out  (notice the small pix I posted in my first year)

When we started our life on the road, we really didn’t know what we were getting into.  I was so very excited at just the thought of being on a forever vacation.  Camping or RVing had always been a vacation so why would it change?  We had gone a lot of places in our life and done a lot of things. We had traveled a great deal and were used to it.  We had also seen a lot of places including much of the USA.  The speed we saw it at was like a tornado hitting an area though.  It was just so we could say we had been there, done that and move onto someplace else we hadn’t seen.  We were working so didn’t really have the time to “toot” around other than on the weekends.  We didn’t have the time to digest everything we saw either.  Thus, the idea of “tooting” around in a 5th wheel was really appealing.

Super people we met the first year  >>

 

We had a 27’ 5th wheel trailer.  Terry was already retired so he went back and forth to Washington while I worked.  I guess you could say he was a kept man.  Was I jealous?  Most certainly I was.  He was playing and I was working.  Wouldn’t you be jealous?  I loved going places.  I especially loved going places in an RV.  Then, I had an idea or rather a brainstorm.  Why couldn’t we both fit into that little 5th wheel trailer and just travel around in it a bit?  So, the story began of our life on the road.  We had a lot of first year firsts.

Whoever would have thought other people do this?  Whoever would have thought people live in RVs for years and years and love it?  I'm talking about the people who live in an RV and  use it as an RV.  Not those that just stay put.  We were amazed to discover that we weren’t the only ones considering a life on the road.  There were thousands and thousands of similar folks out there.

<<  First year campfire & boondocking

We found several websites, forums and clubs dedicated to folks who had dreamed and planned for years of finally retiring to an RV.  This hadn’t been a spur of the moment thought with them as it had been with us.  They had actually worked towards this for years.  It didn’t take long to jump in, meet folks and listen to their ideas, plans and suggestions.    For us, this was a new thought.  We were ready to go and we wanted to go now.  Others were still in the planning stage and had been for many years.  It was their retirement plan. Their life dream.

We quickly found a group we attached to and began tapping their knowledge bank.  From them we learned about downsizing and about staying connected.  We learned about internet and TV on the road.  We learned about inverters, generators, water conservation, LEDs, fuses, propane, weights and so much more.  We could do this.  We thought we could really do this.  And, we did.

More first year boondocking   >>

We’ve learned a lot about RVs, travel and equipment. It’s almost been like going to school all over again. In this new life some of the things we took for granted and were a necessity before, have no place at all.  There are many things we’d do exactly the same and many things we’d change. We’ve learned what we really don’t need and what we really do want.

We’ve learned that what may work for others doesn’t necessarily have to work for us.  We’ve learned a lot about RVing places and RVing folks.  We are now three years down the road and we’re still loving what we’re doing.  We’re not exactly doing what we thought we’d be doing but that’s okay.  We’re doing what we enjoy doing …. for today.

The RVing places change with the time of year.  We’ve come to love certain areas more than other areas.  We’ve learned we don’t like the big RV parks with hundreds of people.  These work for some but not necessarily for us.  We still love some of the Thousand Trail parks, the Elks lodges, the small parks, military bases, COEs and even BLM land.  Some things never change.

Just like one park doesn’t fit all, neither does one type of RVer fit all.  We’ve learned RVing friends are different than the friends you left at work or at home. Some of those RVing friends become RVing family and are real treasures.  The friends you left at home can’t quite understand why you’re doing what you’re doing.  It’s hard for them to relate.  The people you meet along the road share the same adventure you’re currently on. 

<<   More first year firsts

That first year we didn't know where we would be the second year or the third year.  We experienced a lot of first year firsts and even second year firsts.   This year will soon be behind us and we've had even more firsts.  

We are still “tooting” around in an RV. However, it’s no longer the 27’ 5th wheel we started with.  We’ve made lots of changes to fit us.   The new year is just around the corner.  We know more firsts are ahead and probably more changes too.  Only time will tell what they are.  It’s been an amazing ride we’ve been on.  The most rewarding part of this ride is the people we have met.  We definitely have met some keepers!  The exciting thing about this is you never know who else you’ll meet just down the road.

'Tis life on the road.

Happy Birthday to Me

 

The older the fiddler, the sweeter the tune.  - English Proverb

Saturday we took our last ride in the desert at the base of the Superstition Mountains. It had been fun riding in this area.  However, on this day the ride was a little different for us since it had rained the day before.  Some of the trails were a little muddy.  

Notice the difference in tires. 

Guess which one is mine and which one is Terry’s. 

Guess who cleans the ATVs when we return from a ride.

Riding in the mud was so much fun!

After our ride, we loaded the ATVs on our trailer for departure Sunday morning.  It always feels good to be on the road again.  We weren’t going far but we were moving again.  That nomad spirit sure doesn’t take a rest for very long.

Our drive wasn’t far.  After saying goodbye to our neighbors we pulled out of the park for our 41 mile move down the road.  Since departure day was Sunday, traffic was very light.  When we arrived at our new site, we were thrilled to discover that only three other RVs were there.  We loved that.  It’s so unlike parking lot RV parks.

Monday we’re finally celebrating my REAL birthday.  I’ve been celebrating the birthday for about a month now.  Remember my surprise birthday party last month?   That was when all the celebrating started.   It started with an ATV outing with the “kids”.  They used that as an excuse for a surprise birthday party.  It was fun and it was wonderful.  

Then, a couple weeks later I posted that Terry and I did a little birthday shopping too. 

This was another early birthday present.

We didn’t intend on being anywhere close to a shopping mall over the holiday weekend.  We HATE to fight the crowds and even hate standing in lines more.  However, we did have a couple things to return to Harbor Freight and we just happened to pass Joann’s Fabrics.  Thus, we had to stop.  I had a couple 50% off coupons.  After all, my birthday was just around the corner.  I had to buy me something.  Well, actually, Terry is the one who stood in that long line and bought them. You can guess by the purchase that I’m hoping to get my sewing machine back from the shop soon.

This is what WE bought ME as more birthday presents.

Our plans for the day?   Well, we’re meeting our friends, Jim and Sandie, on Monday for brisket and ribs.  Nummy. 

Happy Birthday to Me!  Happy Birthday to Me! 

(And, many more)

**  Also, Monday is “D” Day for the Dahls!  Congratulations on the closing!!

Back to the Shop … again?

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A hobby a day keeps the doldrums away.

Don’t ask  me if I’m a little annoyed.  Just figure that I am.  My sewing machine went in the shop  on Monday the 7th because of a chipped bobbin plate.  While there I figured it was time to just have the machine serviced  … MISTAKE!   I picked it back up a week later on the 14th.  It went back in the shop on the 15th because now it had misaligned embroidery. I picked it back up another week later on the 23rd.   Machine could hardly sew.  Red lights flashed everywhere when turned on.   Obviously, they readjusted it but didn’t test it.  It went back in the shop on the 24th.  Hopefully, the third time will be the charm.  All this wasted time and no projects finished. One more time and I’m buying a new machine.  Just don’t tell Terry ‘ cuz then I’d have to say he was right since he told me to do that three weeks ago.

Even though the park we are at is a mecca for ATV riders in that it borders miles and miles of state land, we have discovered that it’s actually not quite right for us.  We’ve been able to do a lot of riding. We’ve met some really nice people.  That part has been good.  What we have discovered is that anything other than riding we want to do, any part we need to pick up or any place we want to see is a long ways off.  We figure the extra gas we've had to buy for our vehicle just to get back and forth to town has made our stay here pretty darn expensive. The park is nice and would work great for folks who like to stay put.  Obviously, that just doesn’t work too well for us. So, very soon it’s going to be ………….. on the road again.

<<  Check out the sign on the back of this car.

We had our Thanksgiving dinner in a very unique setting.  It’s not that we didn’t have other places to go or hadn’t received invitations to share a meal with friends or at the park.  We just decided to do something different.  This is what we wanted to do.  We’re eating our turkey dinner under a cactus.  Yes …. we had the trimmings but since we didn’t have a table with us, we could only handle one food item at a time.  Now who else can say they’ve done this?

This is one of the camera mounts we moved to the back of our ATVs. We have two mounts and can just change the camera back and forth to take turns depending on who is starring in the next video.

We are learning a lot of things about ATV riding.  However, we have had our share of little "mishaps".    I took out a mesquite tree heading back on Thursday.  The trail we were on had three fast dips.  I was going a little too fast to maneuver them and stay on the road.  Needless to say, I crashed into it. Ouch!

Terry learned he can't drink and drive.   He rode over a small bush while trying to down a Pepsi.

‘Tis life on the road.

Happy Thanksgiving

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Turkeys hate this day.  For us, it’s another pleasant day on the road.   What will we do?  We have no idea.  We may (or may not) enjoy a good traditional Thanksgiving meal.  Or, we may (or may not) save a turkey and eat a cow.  

HAPPY THANKSGIVING --- ENJOY YOUR DAY!

This is Quartzsite

A closed mouth gathers no foot.
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Even though a few hundred RVs have already moved into Quartzsite for the winter, it’s not going to be long until thousands more start showing up.   After all, this is definitely the place to be in January.  This is Retirement City USA.   Everyone else is there!   Well, almost everyone else.  We’re not there yet.

Saturday rolled around and that was the day we had written in ink that we were going to take a scouting trip to Quartzsite. The ink only dried, of course,  when we were actually in the Jeep and on our way there.  We figured it’d be about a 2 1/2 hour drive each way …. give or take another hour or two depending on the number of red lights we hit getting out of "Dodge" and traffic through Phoenix.
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The little town of Quartzsite comes alive and expands at the seams when all the snowbirds start heading south  in their little house on wheels.  During January there is no vacancy at the RV parks in town and the BLM land around it overflows with boondockers.  I'm certain by now you know what boondocking at the BLM is.  It's staying on public land without hookups.  Most RVers are pretty well set up for this before they decide to commit for any long term stay without hookups.  They have generators, batteries and an inverter.  Some RVers have even installed solar panels or wind generators to charge their batteries.  Folks have gone to great extremes to be able to stay for months at places just like this without having to move into a full hookup park.  If you drive around the BLM area, you will also notice that many places look like plots of land.  Rocks have been collected and positioned just like ranchers do with a fence.  PFC pipe and tarps are used to expand the size of the patio and provide protection from the wind.  It's definitely quite a place to be.
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We had driven through this desert oasis many times. Our first stop in an RV was January 2009, then in 2010 and again in 2011. There’s just something exciting about being where all this activity is. However, come February, we’re usually more than ready to pull out and go someplace else but it always feels good to spend a little time in Quartzsite where everything and everybody is at.
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The first year we visited Quartzsite we had never boondocked before but had made plans to meet a group of about 15 other RVs in the BLM. We weren’t really equipped for this.  We had two 12-volt batteries, a very noisy portable generator and no inverter.  Every time we wanted “electricity” we had to go outside and start the generator.  What did we do?  We booked a park in Quartzsite for the month of January with the idea that we could go back and forth.  Once we met the group, we discovered it was much more fun to be in the BLM with them than stay in the park by ourselves.  We learned a lot.  By the following year we had changed rigs, had an on-board generator plus a smaller Honda 2000, four 6-volt batteries and an inverter.   We’re still way behind lots of folks but this probably is the extent we need to be.  Oh, we do have a blue boy for the dump and now even a water bladder.  So, are we ready or what?
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After the holidays more and more vendors will start putting up temporary storefronts.  We also discovered that some merchants raise their prices during this time.  At one local grocery, we noticed two price stickers on canned goods.  You might imagine that your price is not the lower of the two.   It’s definitely the place to be but you might consider stocking up with groceries and other necessities before you head that way. The necessities are expensive but the toys are pretty cheap.

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The reason for this trip was not to stay but to actually look around and try to figure out what we want to do and where we want to go.  Well, we also wanted to say "hello" to Dave and Millie who had already arrived for the winter.
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The place isn’t overflowing yet with vendors. It will be very soon.  We did hear that more vendors have signed up this year than last.  That's good news. What we are trying to decide is whether we should stay in Gold Canyon or go ahead and move to Quartzsite.  Then, we have another decision if we do.  Should we go out to the BLM  or move into an RV park there.  Decisions, decisions and there are pros and cons with each one.  You might guess that one of the major considerations is about the ATVs. There is one park in town that has an active ATV club. If we move there, we might be able to eavesdrop on some of the conversations regarding great places to ride.  Even though we wouldn’t be there in January, we might just learn a thing or two.  However, there are also many, many ATVs in the BLM.  Well, at least we don’t have to make the decision on where to go today.  Thank goodness.
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There are several different places people can pull into on the BLM land around Quartzsite.  Some places parking is totally free as long as the boondockers move 25 miles down the road after a 14 day stay.  There are other areas where there is a fee. However, who can really complain about the fee?  You can stay 14 days for $40 or purchase a 6 month pass for $180.  This 6 month pass is good at many other BLM areas and not just around Quartzsite.  It can be used in the Yuma area, Lake Havasu and even at the ever so popular Hot Springs LTVA .... remember that one? It even has hot springs right on the BLM!

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Hot Springs LTVA  -  Our 2011 trip

 Boondocking at LaPosa South is especially popular because large trash bins, fresh water and an RV dump is available.  The line at these facilities can get mighty long in January if your timing isn’t right.  Last year we had a perfect spot.  It was close enough to the facilities that we could watch the line.  Being close to those facilities certainly has an advantage. 

Even though most vendors hadn’t set up yet, there were still quite a few ready to make some sales. We always enjoy checking out the local consignment shop. You just never know what might be in there. We weren't disappointed on Saturday either. The shop was already set up and it appeared that business was booming. We even contributed to the daily sales total by purchasing a 45 gallon water bladder. It was the same one we had already planned on purchasing from Camping World within the next few days. Evidently someone bought it, didn’t use it and wanted some cash for it. We snatched it up and saved about $35 on the purchase! Aren't bargains fun?
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This is the famous Millie!

Dave and Millie were just where they said they would be. Well, it actually wasn’t that easy. We had to hunt them down and then they had to find us. Do you get the picture? After a few hours eating a late lunch at the Palo Verde Restaurant together in town, we solved all the world’s problems. The meal was fantastic but not as great as the company we got to enjoy. It was certainly nice visiting again. I have a feeling we’ll be doing a bit more of that over the next few weeks or should I say couple of months? In January we expect a whole gang of people we know to start showing up. It'll definitely be a fun, fun month. Maybe, I shouldn't have used the word "gang" but again, maybe that's a good description after all.

Last year --- our dinner with Dave and IYQ (aka Lee) in Quartzsite

We arrived back at our own little home on wheels well after dark.  It was a long day but a fun day.  Now we have to think about those decisions we still need to make.  We're leaning both ways.

‘Tis life on the road.

Gadgets for “Q” and Filly’s

Everyone is a friend, until they prove otherwise. 

I remember a couple of years ago when we had our first winter visit to Quartzsite.  It was amazing all the neat little gadgets you could pick up from one or twelve of the hundreds of vendors there.  We actually discovered some of these little gadgets were a necessity.  Well, knowing that we were soon going to be heading in that direction I picked up a few more little gadgets from the sale bin at Harbor Freight.  Check out the $2 bargain headlamps.  You might think this is funny but it’s not.  When there before all of us bought the little led lights that attached on your cap to make the nightly path to and from the campfire a little easier to see.

I also found another little $2 LED light that could easily be hung on Duchess’ leash for night time outings.  I wasn’t through with my finds though.  Check out this magnesium fire starter for $1. Now I know it probably isn’t as good as one of those butane BBQ fire lighters but heck for the price, why not give it a try?  Besides that was a well spent $1 ‘cuz we were helping out the local economy.  Will we find these things at “Q” cheaper?  Well, maybe but with bargains like this, I didn’t want to chance it.

I wasn’t through with gadgets from the dollar-ish table.   A few times we found that we needed to siphon water from one place to another.  Perhaps, we’d need to do that again. Or, maybe we’ll want to siphon gas from the Jeep and fill a gas tank for the quad or a generator.  There’s nothing like being prepared.

Terry also found some little treasures of his own but his treasures meant he had to do some work on the trailer.  At least with my little finds there was no work required and only a place to stash them until we get down to our next destination.

 

In addition to that the real reason we went to Harbor Freight was to pick up a ramp to load our Vinson ATV on the trailer.  Now that we had all the work done on the trailer so we could side load one of the ATVs, we still needed to get a ramp to actually get it on the trailer.  This is the great ATV ramp we found down there at a great price. We did discover that the width needed a little tweaking.  However, that's the easy part.  The hard part was finding the ramp at the price we wanted to pay.

After our bargains, we just had to take another ride.  We just had to.  I think I enjoy the rides even more than Terry does.    It’s peaceful and there isn’t a lot of traffic or red lights on the trails.  The desert really is beautiful.  However, we did see one thing that we didn’t like.  Someone dumped a load of old tires out there.  Ugh!

We were back to Filly’s Roadhouse on Thursday night for our favorite duo in the area – Brant and Kerry.  Those guys really are fantastic.  We love listening to them and we love going to the places they perform.  Of course, the singing was fantastic but the company was even better. We met Jim and Sandie there.

  

Friday we're off for a long ATV ride up to the Superstition Mountains with a group.  Later in the evening we have reservations at the Arizona Opry.  We’ve always wanted to go there so we finally we will get a chance to.  The problem with coming to this area later in the season and wanting to go is that all the seats are usually booked.  That’s not the case this time of year.

Saturday?  It’s a weekend and we’re taking a little trip to Quartzsite .... maybe.  Well, not to stay but just for a visit.  We rarely get bored and I bet you've already figured that one out.

‘Tis life on the road.

Wickenburg and SKP North Ranch

 

Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in the fruit salad.

 

Wednesday we took yet another drive.  This time we were in the Jeep and headed north.  The problem with our location and every place we want to go is that we’re on the wrong side of the city of Phoenix.  Getting through it adds about 70 miles to any trip we think we might want to take.  Needless to say, it took us a while to get through the traffic and through the city.

Wickenburg is a little town (population about 6500) with a very colorful past.  The town itself looks like it’s right out of the Wild, Wild West.  Well, maybe that’s because it really is.  There were constant conflicts between the the settlers in the area and the hostile Indian bands.  Gold brought the settlers here and gold kept them coming for many years.  There are many mines in the area as well as ghost towns. . 

The streets of the town even remind you of that era.  You’d think you were in cowboy-ville and we’d certainly like to check the town out a little bit more.  However, this day we didn’t have time to do a lot of that.  It was just a trip to scope the area out.

We also made a stop at the SKP North Ranch RV Park.  We’ve visited quite a few of the SKP parks but this was our first time here.  We were a little amazed to discover that many of the “homes” at the back end of this Escapee park were on deeded property.  There were a few for sale signs and we checked out the price.  They weren’t cheap.  We were thinking that perhaps the folks didn’t realize  Arizona had just gone through a major slump in real estate prices.

Terry stopped by the office to pick up some information.  Normally the SKP parks and their volunteers are just about the friendliest ever.  Not so in this case.  She was professional and cool but friendly is not a word that Terry used.  We were told she was ”having a bad day.”

There were also RV lots and an area for short term stays.  We stopped and talked to several who were parked on the rental lots.  Parks like this are so unlike the parks where snowbirds return year after year after year. The neighborhood changes constantly. Every newcomer to a SKP park is looked at like a future potential friend.

Another thing about this park we liked is that it borders BLM land and has a gate at the back of the park for ATVs to enter and exit.  One fella even gave us a trail map of interesting things to see on the trails.  He encouraged us to spend a while at the park riding the ATVs and especially to the old ghost town of Stanton.  However, he did indicate that one would have to go up Suicide Hill on their ATV to get there.  Now do you think I was excited about doing that?  NOT!!  The name certainly didn’t make that trip sound inviting.  I’d like to do the ghost town but not if Suicide Hill is the only way to get there.  He said it wasn’t that bad but bad to him and bad to me probably are two different things!!  The park has Verizon and ATT service.  We always check that out because cell service is important to us.

We had originally planned on meeting Sandie and Jim at Superstition Skies for another evening  of entertainment with Brant and Kerry.  Jim was fishing at Canyon Lake and he didn’t quite make it back in time.  We’re letting Jim take the blame for none of us being able to go.  However, secretly we were happy (but don’t tell him that ‘cuz we want him to feel guilty).  After our drive of the day we were pretty zonked so we were a little relieved our outing had been delayed for one more night.

<<----- Sunning on a picnic table – hadn’t seen this before and would NEVER do it.

Another little outing in our future is – Quartzsite!  Okay, we’ve been there before and actually done quite a bit of boondocking in the area.  We’ve also stayed at one of the local parks.  In January this little hole-in-the-wall town bursts at the seams with thousands of RVs for the annual RV show.  People congregate in groups there from all over and it’s quite an exciting adventure.

We already planned on meeting a group in January at Quartzsite.  However, we’re in search of a secure place to park over the holidays.  We had originally thought we would just fly to Washington over the Christmas holiday but now we’re thinking we might just drive.  Flying would be cheaper, of course, but if we drive, we have our car and we can come and go as we please. By moving down the road a bit, we save a couple hundred miles each way by traveling from “Q” over traveling from “G”.  We’re thinking why not just park there in December. Who knows what we’ll do until we do it.  Anyway …. in a few days we might make this little trip to check it out. 

In the meantime on Thursday …. we’re going to relax and ride the quads – perhaps.

‘Tis life on the road.

Back to the Shop

Don't tell me worry doesn't help. Whenever I really worry about something it never happens.

One of the outback shots from my little ATV video camera.  Gorgeous scenery is to be enjoyed.

How many times do you read the directions that come with your new toys?  Sometimes I do and other times I don’t.  Sometimes that works out and other times not so much.  The latter was more the case with the new little trail GPS which had unfamiliar waypoints.  I didn’t read the directions.  After all, how many years have we had a GPS??  They are a snap .... or so I thought.   After we had the new trail GPS mounted on the quad, we hit the desert to try it out.  I have discovered a trail GPS is totally (and I mean totally) different than the kind of GPS units you use in your vehicles.

Terry and I rode about ten miles Monday.  By the time we got so far out, all the land markers disappeared.   Thank goodness I have a good sense of direction and knew which way the RV park was or we might have ended up in Flagstaff.  I certainly couldn’t figure out how to read or even route the GPS.    Obviously before we depend on it again, I’ll resort to reading those directions and figuring it out.

 
Terry couldn't decide which flag he wanted so now he has both -- US Navy and the pirate flag ---- >>

I was so thrilled that my sewing machine would be ready for pickup on Monday.  After all, I have projects that need finishing.  The receipt indicated it had been given a “complete sewing machine overhaul”.   I was anxious to try it out. The stitching worked fine and the new bobbin plate was perfect.  However, the embroidery stitching was out of sync.  It was totally misaligned.  So …. back to the repair shop it had to go.  Now how disgusting is that?  At least we kept it long enough so that I could tweak the little flags for Terry’s quad before the shop got it back.

There's never a dull moment with us.  We still had other things that needed to be done.  So on Monday we also dropped off our trailer to have it enlarged.  Remember we bought the trailer then the second quad and not the other way around.  The two quads we have now didn’t fit the trailer.  Thus, we needed to have a little creative welding done.  We had taken pictures, measured and drew up what we wanted.  Tuesday we got to see the finished product.   R & G Welding did a fantastic job of enlarging the front with removable sides and adding a back plate for a storage container.  Just in case you ever need it and are in the area, they also install tow packages and brake systems for RVs and toads at great prices.

The weather is gorgeous in Arizona right now so we have options on outside things to do.  We can either take a long quad ride checking out more Arizona scenery, visit North Ranch or we can do laundry and entertain Duchess. We might even fill up our propane tanks.  I think we're down to the fumes. It's early in the day so decisions haven't been made yet .... well, other than that we're meeting the Dixons this evening to scope out more entertainment in the area. 

‘Tis life on the road!

Hanging Out Around Apache Junction

By the time a man is wise enough to watch his step, he's too old to go anywhere.

 

We’ve been a little busy the last few days.  We weren’t really doing a heck of a lot but it always seems we’ve got something going on or something that needs to be done. 

One thing we wanted to do on one of those busy days was return to the huge Mesa Swap Meet but it’s only open on the weekends. I bought some material there a week ago and wanted more of it before they ran out.  Since this place is so big and we really didn’t want to stroll all the way through it again, we decided just to walk the outside loop.  That’s where the quilt shop was and that’s where we also found little flags for our quads.  Why is it that all the really cute flags are taller than wider?  We needed the wider ones for the ATV poles.  They were only $3 each so we bought a few.  Of course, once we got them back to the RV, we discovered they needed to be adjusted so the pole could slide through and my sewing machine is still in the shop.  We also bought our first Christmas present.  Or, was it our second or third?  Ugh!

Another stop was made so we could get a license plate for our ATV.  We figured if we didn’t do it soon, our luck might run out and we’d get stopped.  It didn’t take long.  The hard part was finding a place open on Saturday to get the title transferred and the plates.  We had made a stop at the DMV on Friday but then realized it was a holiday and no one was working.  One thing about licensing the Arctic Cat in Arizona is that there is no sales tax if purchased from a private party and Arizona licensed the quad for road use.  There are so many snowbirds in the area that they are used to out-of-staters using the address of their RV parks for the title.  However, the title is just printed at the time of transfer.  Actually two stickers are required.  One is for OHV (off highway use) and the other is for normal travel on the road.  No matter what state the quad is licensed in an OHV sticker is required on it.

Bass Pro Shop is located in Tempe.  One more stop just because we had to.  That’s such a fun store to walk around.  You find all these neat little toys you didn’t know you had to have.  Terry found a few.  We also looked at trail GPS units that might be good for finding our way back.  I’ve watched too many of the “I shouldn’t be alive” shows where the problem was in getting back where they came from, I guess.  Even though we already have two GPS units, they aren’t the ones that are good for trails or atvs.  It’s not that we know much about the waypoints on a trail one because we don’t. 

On the way back to the RV we made a stop at the Arizona Casino.  It wasn't really on the way but kind of it was.   We didn’t go to gamble.  We went to donate a few bucks and that’s just what we did.  There’s no gamble about it at all. 

Later in the day when we got back to the corral, we saddled up our horses and hit the trail again.  This time I wanted to try my little video camera on the front of it to see if I could get videos of our rides.  I had ordered a tripod mount and used it on my other quad but it never seemed to tighten up.  These bars were a tad bigger.  I figured it might work.  It did!!  The camera didn’t tip over.  The only problem you have with using a video camera on a trail is that the pictures bounce all over.  There’s absolutely no way to get a nice smooth ride let alone a nice even video.  At least I have no clue how to do it with a tripod mounted on the machine.

We weren’t through yet.  We had been wanting to go back to de la Cruz, a Mexican restaurant in Gold Canyon since we had been here.  We visited in October when we flew down to check out the RV park and liked it then.  Saturday night was no exception.  It’s a great little Mexican restaurant.

Sunday morning we found  an eTrex Legend CX GPS unit on Craigslist.  The unit was in nearly new condition. We walked away with it for $80. I thought it was quite a deal.  Figuring out and following waypoints is a lot different than following roads and highways.  Now we need to figure out how to use it.  There are maps online we can load on it.  However, most of them aren't places we intend to be.

In the afternoon we ended up going back to the Mesa Swap Meet to get a bid for some welding work.  We were loaded with pictures of our trailer since it now needs to be enlarged by about 3 inches to fit the Arctic Cat.  When we bought the trailer we had the smaller Suzuki.  This last ATV is just a few inches too long to fit.  Now to wait for his cost estimate.  Ugh!

Then, of course, we again met Sandie and Jim for a late lunch in Apache Junction.  We also got to stop by and check out their new 5th wheel.  Since Jim is a fisherman (what a fisherman he is!!) their whole place is fishy.  Well, it’s not that it smells fishy.  It’s decorated to make Jim really feel at home.  The theme is fishing.  Really cute ….

One of the downsides we discovered of being this far out in our RV is  ….. it’s a long ways out!  The nearest grocery store is nearly 7 miles.  If we need to go anyplace for anything else, it’s a good 15 miles at least.  We’re not liking that part of being so far from every place.  However, only time will tell what we do about it. 

Discounts, Discounts, Discounts

Money can't buy happiness, but neither can it buy poverty

Discounts are all around.  Sometimes it’s just difficult knowing what stores offer them.  Many senior discounts (from 50+) are not advertised to the public and the only way to know if one is offered is to ask ask a sales associate if that store provides a senior discount. We all want to get the most bang for our buck.  The more bucks we save, the more $$$$ we have for fuel for our RVs.

I absolutely cannot guarantee any of the stores listed below still exist or that the discount is still offered since I just copied them and put them in a table.  However, it certainly doesn’t hurt to ask.  Also, don’t forget about military discounts.  Many places such as Lowe’s and Home Depots offer discounts to veterans. 

**  Discount varies according to location

Restaurants

Applebee’s: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+) ·		Arby’s  10% **
Ben & Jerry’s: 10% off (60+) ·		Bennigan’s: **
Bob’s Big Boy ** (60+)		Boston Market: 10% off (65+) ·
Burger King: 10% off (60+) ·		Captain D’s Seafood: **  (62+) ·
Chick-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee (55+) ·		Chili’s: 10% off (55+)
CiCi’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)		Culver’s: 10% off (60+) ·
Denny’s: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members (55+) ·		Dunkin’ Donuts: 10% off or free coffee (55+) ·
Einstein’s Bagels: 10% off baker’s dozen of bagels (60+) ·		Fuddrucker’s: 10% off any senior platter (55+) ·
Gatti’s Pizza: 10% off (60+) ·		Golden Corral: 10% off (60+) ·
Hardee’s: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)		IHOP: 10% off (55+)
Jack in the Box: up to 20% off (55+)
KFC: free small drink with any meal (55+)		Krispy Kreme: 10% off (50+) ·
Long John Silver’s: various (55+) ·		McDonald’s: discounts on coffee everyday (55+) ·
Mrs. Fields: 10% off  **  (60+) ·		Shoney’s: 10% off ·
Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+) ·		Steak ‘n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday (50+) ·
Subway: 10% off (60+) ·		Sweet Tomatoes 10% off (62+)
Taco Bell: 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+) ·		TCBY: 10% off (55+) ·
Tea Room Cafe: 10% off (50+) ·		Village Inn: 10% off (60+) ·
Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+) ·		Wendy’s: 10% off (55+) ·
White Castle: 10% off (62+)

Retail and Apparel

Banana Republic: 10% off (50+) ·		Bealls: 20% off first Tuesday of each month (50+) ·
Belk’s: 15% off first Tuesday of every month (55+) ·		Big Lots: 10% off ·
Bon-Ton Department Stores: 15% off on senior discount days (55+) ·		C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (60+) ·
Clarks: 10% off (62+) ·		Dress Barn: 10% off (55+) ·
Dress Barn: 10% off (55+) ·		Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location) ·
Hallmark: 10% off one day a week **		Kmart: 20% off (50+) ·
Kohl’s: 15% off (60+) ·		Modell’s Sporting Goods: 10% off ·
Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions ·		Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday (55+) ·
The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off (55+)		Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month (55+)
The Plant Shed: 10% off every Tuesday (50+) ·

 Grocery 

Albertson’s: 10% off first Wednesday of each month (55+) ·		American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday (50+) ·
Compare Foods Supermarket: 10% off every Wednesday (60+) ·		DeCicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+) ·
Food Lion: 6% off every Monday (60+) ·		Fry’s Supermarket: free Fry’s VIP Club Membership & 10% off every Monday (55+) ·
Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+) ·		Harris Teeter: 5% off every Tuesday (60+) ·
Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week **		Kroger: 10% off **·
Morton Williams Supermarket: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)		Publix: 5% off every Wednesday (55+) ·
Uncle Guiseppe’s Marketplace: 5% off (62+)

 Travel

·

Alaska Airlines: 10% off (65+) ·		Alamo: up to 25% off for AARP members ·
American Airlines: various discounts for 65 and up (call before booking for discount) ·		Amtrak: 15% off (62+)
Avis: up to 25% off for AARP members ·		Best Western: 10% off (55+) ·
Budget Rental Cars: 10% off; up to 20% off for AARP members (50+) ·		Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+) ·
Clarion: 20%-30% off (60+) ·		Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+) ·
Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+) ·		Continental Airlines: no initiation fee for Continental Presidents Club & special fares for select destinations ·
Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off (50+) ·		Econo Lodge: 20%-30% off (60+) ·
		Greyhound: 5% off (62+) ·
Hampton Inns & Suites: 10% off when booked 72 hours in advance ·		Hertz: up t0 25% off for AARP members ·
Greyhound: 5% off (62+) ·		Hampton Inns & Suites: 10% off when booked 72 hours in advance ·
Hertz: up t0 25% off for AARP members ·		Holiday Inn: 10%-30% off depending on location (62+) ·
Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+) ·		InterContinental Hotels Group: ** (65+) ·
Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Traveler’s Discount (50+); 20%-30% off (60+) ·		Marriott Hotels: 15% off (62+) ·
Motel 6: 10% off (60+) ·		Myrtle Beach Resort: 10% off (55+) ·
National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members		Quality Inn: 20%-30% off (60+) ·
Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+) ·		Sleep Inn: 20%-30% off (60+) ·
Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount) ·		Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50 and up ·
United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)		U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)

 

Activities and Entertainment

AMC Theaters: up to 30% off (55+) ·		Bally Total Fitness: up to $100 off memberships (62+) ·
Busch Gardens Tampa: $3 off one-day tickets (50+) ·		Carmike Cinemas: 35% off (65+) ·
Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to 35% off ·		U.S. National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off additional services including camping (62+) ·
Regal Cinemas: 30% off ·		Ripley’s Believe it or Not: $3 off one-day ticket (55+) ·
SeaWorld Orlando: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)

 

Miscellaneous ·

Great Clips: $3 off hair cuts (60+) ·		Super Cuts: $2 off haircuts (60+)
Verizon Wireless: Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus Plan $29.99/month (65+) *		Jitterbug: $10/month cell phone service (50+) ·
AT&T: Special Senior Nation 200 Plan $29.99/month (65+) ·