NEW SHED

I GOT THE OLD SHED FROM A NEIGHBOR YEARS AGO FOR FREE. HE EVEN DELIVERED IT TO MY SITE. TODAY I PAID $100 TO HAVE IT HAULED OFF TO TO THE JUNK HEAP.

OLD JOE SAID HE GOT THE SHED FROM ANOTHER RESIDENT, LONG DEPARTED, AND I’M SURE THE OLD SHED LIVED HERE IN THIS RV PARK FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS.

TODAY I TOOK DELIVERY ON OUR NEW SHED.

THAT’S IT, PREBUILT AND PAINTED AT THE FACTORY, AND BUILT ON SITE.

 

IT ONLY TOOK TWO GUYS FIVE OR SIX HOURS TO PUT IT TOGETHER, TOUCH UP THE PAINT, AND THE NEW SHED WAS MOVE IN READY.IT HAS A BIG FRONT DOOR AND I CAN EVEN STAND UP INSIDE.

TURKEY

MARY GOT A TURKEY AT WORK FOR CHRISTMAS, BUT SINCE SHE HAD TO WORK ALL WEEK-END, THE BIRD DIDN’T HIT THE GRILL UNTIL MONDAY.

FOG

FOG IS AN UNUSUAL EVENT ON THE LOWER MOHAVE DESERT. ALSO WE DON’T HAVE TO PUT UP WITH MUCH RAIN, THE ANNUAL RAINFALL IS JUST OVER SIX INCHES. SO YESTERDAY WE HAD RAIN, TODAY FOG, AND THE FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, CHRISTMAS EVE, IS MORE RAIN.

MARY AND I WOULD LIKE TO WISH YOU ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS, AND MAKE IT A SAFE ONE IF YOU’RE TRAVELLING. MARY IS WORKING ALL WEEK-END SO IT WILL BE JUST ANOTHER DAY AROUND HERE.

KINGMAN, ARIZONA

AFTER 18 YEARS ON THE LOWER MOHAVE DESERT IN THE WINTER, YOU THINK I WOULD GIVE UP WRITING THESE GOOD WEATHER BLOGS, WHILE THE WINTER WEATHER SUCKS IN THE MIDWEST.

AFTER LOOKING UP TODAY’S SPOONER WEATHER I JUST COULDN’T HELP MYSELF.

HERE WE ARE GETTING THE SCOOTER READY FOR A SCOOTER TRIP TO KINGMAN. THE OLD ORIGINAL ROUTE 66 RUNS JUST EIGHT MILES WEST OF WINTER CAMP THROUGH OATMAN, OVER THE BLACK MOUNTAINS, PAST COOL SPRINGS, INTO GOLDEN VALLEY, AND ON TO KINGMAN, ABOUT 50 MILES ONE WAY.

KINGMAN IS THE COUNTY SEAT FOR MOHAVE COUNTY, WHICH IS THE 5TH LARGEST COUNTY IN THE COUNTRY. WE PARKED AT THE VISITORS CENTER, AND DID A WALK-ABOUT DOWNTOWN.

IF YOU LOOK REAL CLOSE, YOU CAN SEE ME JUST CLIMBING INTO THE ENGINEERS SEAT.

HERE IS A GOOD SPOT TO PARK MY BUTT WHILE MARY LOOKS THROUGH ALL THE SHOPS.

  “SUNNY & 72”

DEAR SANTA

 

 

TEST BLOG

MY COMPUTER PUCKED AND DIED! AFTER TWO DAYS OF TRYING TO GET MOVED INTO MY NEW LAPTOP, I CAN HONESTLY REPORT THAT GETTING MY OWN PASSWORDS WAS THE HARDEST. THE COMPUTER REMEMBERS PASSWORDS, AND NO I DON’T HAVE THEM WRITTEN DOWN. WHAT’S YOUR EMAIL PASSWORD? OR THE PASSSWORD FOR THE BLOG, OR EVEN AMAZON?

I DID FIND USING GOOGLE CHROME INSTEAD OF INTERNET EXPLORER HAS MADE MY MOVE EASIER. THINGS SEEM TO DOWNLOAD, INSTALL, AND RUN MUCH BETTER.

SO THIS IS A TEST BLOG TO SEE IF MY BLOGGING SOFTWARE IS TALKING TO MY BLOG ALONG WITH PICASA FOR PICTURE EDITING.

BY THE WAY THIS IS THE NEW J-POLE HAM RADIO ANTENNA AWAITING INSTALLATION WHEN THE CABLE SHOWS UP.

OK, END OF TEST, LETS SEE IF THIS WILL POST?

  “SUNNY & 63”

DECEMBER 1ST

THANKSGIVING

IT’S BEEN A WEEK SINCE THANKSGIVING AND A BLOG. NOW IT’S DECEMBER AND WE HAVE ONE HOLIDAY DOWN AND TWO TO GO. THANKSGIVING DINNER DREW A NICE CROWD.

CHRISTMAS

NEXT UP IS CHRISTMAS DINNER AND THEY HAVE THE SIGN-UP SHEET POSTED ALREADY. THE REASON IS BECAUSE CHRISTMAS DINNER IS FREE AND THEY ARE CUTTING OFF THE SIGN-UP SHEET WHEN IT HITS 110 PEOPLE.

BESIDES THE DINNER, THERE IS ALSO A CHRISTMAS CARD MAKING WORKSHOP, A COOKIE EXCHANGE, AND A LEFSE COOKING DEMONSTRATION PLANNED.

ADD THAT TO THE REGULAR HORSESHOES, BOWLING, MOVIE NITE, MINI GOLF, CRAFTS, AND AT LEAST THREE DIFFERENT CARD GAMES OR DOMINOES AND IT MAKES FOR A BUSY SOCIAL CALENDAR. OH AND DON’T FORGET MARY’S THREE TIMES A WEEK EXCERSISE CLASS AT 8 AM.

ANODE ROD

THE RV REPAIRMAN WAS HERE THIS WEEK AND ACTUALLY LATCHED ON TO THE BROKEN ANODE ROD ON THE HOT WATER HEATER WITH A CHANNEL LOCKS AND MANAGED TO REMOVE IT. A NEW ONE INSTALLED AND BINGO WE’RE BACK IN BUSINESS!

FURNACE

THE REPAIRMAN REMOVED THE FURNACE NEXT AND AGAIN WE LUCKED OUT WITH SOME GRIT IN THE BLOWER MOTOR OR A LOOSE WIRE. WHEN HE RE-INSTALLED, IT WORKED JUST FINE!

 

BACK TO WORK

NOW THE BAD NEWS. MARY RETURNED TO SLAPP’IN JACKS AT THE CASINO ON TUEDAY AFTERNOON. I’M SURE GOING TO MISS MY FAVORITE PLAYMATE WHILE SHE’S AT WORK.

$HED $HOPPING

NEXT UP IS TO COMPLETE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SHED.

IT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE BUYING A “TUFF SHED”, 6’ X 6’ IN A BARN STYLE. THE SHED COMES IN A PRE-PAINTED KIT AND WILL BE BUILT ON SITE BY A CREW. SHOULD BE DONE BY CHRISTMAS.

ANTENNA

I ORDERED A NEW HAM RADIO ANTENNA AND ANY INSTALLATION PROJECT DONE BY ME WILL SURELY RATE A BLOG.

SCOOTER

THE SCOOTER NEEDS TO GO INTO THE SHOP FOR SERVICE AND A RECALL THAT I’VE IGNORED ALL SUMMER. I’VE HAD THE SCOOTER FOR A YEAR ALREADY, AND IT HAS 4,000 MILES ON IT. IT’S STILL IN THE PLANS TO HAVE THE SCOOTER MADE INTO A TRIKE THIS SEASON.

BUSY BUSY

SO WE’VE BEEN BUSY BUSY THIS LAST WEEK AND THE BLOG BRINGS YOU ALL UP TO DATE.

HAPPY THANKS GIVING

WE’RE HEADED UP TO THE CLUB HOUSE AT 4:30 PM FOR COCKTAIL HOUR FOLLOWED BY THE TRADITIONAL THANKSGIVING TURKEY DINNER AT 5:30 PM WITH 60 OF OUR NEIGHBORS.

MARY IS MAKING AN APPETIZER OF STUFFED DATES WITH ALMONDS AND CREAM CHEESE AND WRAPPED IN BACON.YOU’LL HAVE TO ASK HER HOW THEY TURN OUT, I’M NOT TOUCKING THAT COMBINATION WITH A TEN FOOT POLE. SHE ALSO HAS A BATCH OF “CHRISTMAS CRACK” WHICH IS ALWAYS A WINNER!

YOU SPENT ALL SUMMER LOOKING AT PICTURES OF MARY’S MOUNTAIN YARD AND FLOWERS, SO I THOUGHT I’D THROW IN A FEW PICTURES OF HER WINTER QUARTERS FLOWERS.

THESE ARE THE SUMMER FLOWERS THAT WE HAULED HOME FROM THE MOUNTAIN AND ARE TRYING TO KEEP ALIVE FOR NEXT SUMMER. THE NEIGHBOR ALSO HAS HIS IN THE GROUP AS HE RETURNED TO IDAHO FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

OUR THANKSGIVING WEATHER IS “68 & SUNNY”

ARIZONA SUNSET

AS THE REST OF YOU ARE GETTING YOUR FIRST LOOK AT WINTER AND SNOW, I THOUGHT I’D POST AN ARIZONA SUNSET PICTURE.

IN ARIZONA WE HAVE TWO SKI RESORTS AND THE ONE IN FLAGSTAFF OPENED TODAY. THAT’S ONE OF THE ADVANTAGES OF LIVING IN ARIZONA, YOU’VE GOT THE MOUNTAINS AND TWO DESERTS, SONORA AND MOHAVE DESERTS.

LAST NIGHT WE ACTUALLY LEFT THE DOOR AND WINDOWS OPEN. TOO BAD IT WON’T LAST, AFTER CHRISTMAS WE WILL BE IN JEANS AND SWEATSHIRTS UNTIL SUMMER RETURNS AT VALENTINES DAY.

WE’VE BEEN SO BUSY THESE FIRST 5 DAYS THAT I HAVEN’T HAD THE SCOOTER OUT. I TWISTED THE NUT OFF THE ANODE ROD ON THE HOT WATER HEATER, THE FURNACE WON’T RUN, AND THE SHED HAS BEEN DECLARED TOTALLED. MOHAVE RV REPAIR WILL BE HERE ON MONDAY TO WORK ON THE HOT WATER HEATER AND FURNACE, AND WE’VE BEEN OUT $HED $HOPPING.

FOR THANKSGIVING WE’RE ATTENDING THE RV PARK DINNER WHERE THE TURKEY AND FIXINGS ARE PROVIDE AND THE SALAD AND DESSERTS ARE POTLUCK.

SUNDAY WE WERE IN LAKE HAVASU FOR COCKTAILS WITH JOE AND ROSEMARY, NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS FROM THE MOUNTAIN. SUNDAY NIGHT WE MOANED WITH THE REST OF THE CHEESEHEADS OVER THE PACKERS 4TH CONSECUTIVE LOSS.

  “SUNNY & 72”

 

BACK TO THE LOWER DESERT

 WE RETURNED TO MOHAVE VALLEY FOR THE WINTER THIS WEEK. WE STAYED THE FIRST NIGHT IN LAUGHLIN AT THE COLORADO BELLE CASINO AND HAD OUR 2 FOR 1 BURGERS AT THE REGENCY. WE DIDN’T WIN ANY MONEY. I STAYED AWAY FROM THE CRAPS TABLE, AND MARY PLAYED SOME VIDEO POKER FOR NICKELS.

IT WAS NICE TO ARRIVE BACK AT WINTER CAMP AT 8:30 AM AND HAVE ALL DAY TO GET THE CAMPER OPENED BACK UP. WE FINISHED ALL THE HOOK-UPS AT 2:30 IN THE AFTERNOON AND HEADED OVER TO SAFEWAY AND THE 95 ROADHOUSE FOR LUNCH, WHISKEY, AND COLD BEER.

DURING ONE OF THE JULY MONSOON STORMS OUR SHED LIFTED RIGHT UP OFF THE BASE AND THANKFULLY A FEW FULL TIME RESIDENTS WERE ABLE TO PICK IT UP AND PUT IT BACK. SO OUR FIRST PROJECT WILL BE DEALING WITH THE SHED.

WE GOT OFF THE MOUNTAIN JUST IN TIME, AS I SEE THE MORNING LOW WAS 19 DEGREES THERE THIS MORNING. HERE ON THE DESERT IT’S 55 AND THE HIGH THIS AFTERNOON IS TO BE 70 DEGREES.

NEW ROOF

THE ROOFER PUT A NEW ROOF ON MARY’S SHOP TODAY.

ONE PROJECT LEFT. CARPET CLEANING SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY. THAT WILL BE WORK, AS MARY AND I WILL RENT A MACHINE AND DO IT OURSELVES.  THAT WILL LEAVE US FIVE DAYS TO PACK UP FOR WINTER CAMP.

CHANGE OF THE SEASONS

BEING FROM WISCONSIN/IOWA WE ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE CHANGING OF THE SEASONS. WE ENJOYED SPRING ON THE MOUNTAIN WITH THE NEW GREEN PLANTS EMERGING AND THE GREEN LEAVES ON THE SCRUB OAKS SEEMED TO APPEAR OVERNIGHT.

NOW IT’S FALL AND THE LEAVES ARE TURNING AND FALLING. THE OVERNIGHT LOWS ARE DROPPING AND TODAY WE HAD A COLD FALL RAIN COMPLETE WITH SOME SMALL HAIL.

WE’VE HIRED A ROOFER TO PUT A NEW GREEN METAL ROOF OVER THE SHOP. THAT LEAVES CARPET CLEANING AS OUR ONLY REMAINING PROJECT ON THE MOUNTAIN. WE PLAN TO LEAVE AND HEAD BACK TO THE DESERT IN TWO WEEKS, SO WE STILL HAVE PLENTY OF TIME.

MR HEATER RAN FOR A SHORT TIME YESTERDAY MORNING TO TAKE THE CHILL OFF, BUT TODAY IT’S ONLY 52 DEGREES ON THE PORCH SO MR HEATER IS BEING FIRED UP EVERY OTHER HOUR OR SO.

“NOT SUNNY & NOT 80”

FALL PROJECTS

WE’VE BEEN BUSY WITH A FALL PROJECTS LIST. HERE MARY IS RESTAINING THE FRONT RAILING.

BESIDES STAINING THE RAILING WE ALSO RESTAINED THE PARK BENCH THAT SITS OUT FRONT.

I KNOW YOU’RE THINKING THAT MARY HAS DONE ALL THE WORK BECAUSE THE SCOOTER IS SITTING IN THE BACKGROUND, BUT HONEST THIS IS THE FIRST DAY IT’S BEEN OFF THE TRAILER.

WE STILL HAVE A SMALL ROOF REPAIR TO LINE UP, AND CARPET CLEANING AFTER IT GETS COLD ENOUGH THAT THE FURNANCE IS RUNNING.

MEAN WHILE WE’RE GOING TO SIT BACK ON THE PORCH AND ENJOY A BUSH LITE AND A JACK ENJOYING THE BEAUTIFUL FALL WEATHER ON THE MOUNTAIN.

  “SUNNY & 74”

BACK TO THE MOUNTAIN

WE SAY GOODBY TO SOUTH PADRE ISLAND FOR ANOTHER YEAR.

WE ARRIVED BACK ON THE MOUNTAIN YESTERDAY (MONDAY) AT NOON. THERE WASN’T A PACKER GAME ON SUNDAY SO WE DECIDE TO HIT THE ROAD AND DID SAN ANTONIO AND EL PASO ON SUNDAY WITH LIGHT TRAFFIC.

WE’RE HAVING FALL ON THE MOUNTAIN WITH A YARD FULL OF ACORNS, OAK LEAVES, AND PINE NEEDLES. THE LONG RANGE WEATHER FORCAST ACTUALLY LOOKS GOOD WITH DAY TIME HIGHS IN THE 70’S AND LOWS AT NIGHT IN THE 40’S. WE WILL STAY ON THE MOUNTAIN UNTIL WE GET TOO COLD AND THEN RETURN TO MOHAVE VALLEY FOR THE WINTER.

  “SUNNY & 72”