It's Christmas Eve!

 Lookie here ... blue sky!  Can you believe it's Christmas Eve?  Wow did this year go by fast!!  

This Christmas Eve Eve, as much as I wanted to just lay in bed all day, we were up early and heading out on a morning dog walk.  I don't know how Cooper does it because I KNOW he doesn't drink THAT much water.

Here I am, snuggled in between the orange trees.  If you haven't stayed here around December or January, you are missing out on the free oranges.  Try for the high ones though ... they are the best.

We were off early, but not near as early as I would have liked.  On the other hand, I don't have to go 55 mph in this rig, and though I don't like to speed, we cruised along at or a little above the speed limit the entire way.  All went well until I stopped for fuel in Barstow.  

I stuck in my credit card before looking at the pump.  Flying J only had B20 diesel at the pumps.  I cannot use that in my engine.  I cancelled, then drove across the freeway to see what I could find.  Diesel #2 was at the Union 76 station, so I rolled in to the honks of cars.  I put the gas cap on, but didn't close the little door.  Good grief ... that's embarrassing!  Diesel #2 was $4.89 a gallon.  Barstow is always the most expensive.  

Then it was on to Yucca Valley, heading to Indio.  That's when I realized something about this rig.  If you let it roll downhill, it will get up to 120 ... not my cup of tea.  Usually when you set the cruise control, you are out of control going downhill.  In the case of this rig, you set the cruise control and it keeps you there.  You would think sooner or later it will let go, but it seemed to work kind of like a Jake brake.  Well that was fun!

Just past Indio, the construction began.  That should have slowed us down a bunch.  I'm here (still alive) to tell you that the uphill traffic heading east through a massive 55 mph construction zone, went 75 mph the entire way ... cars and trucks alike.  For one, I was shocked at the speed, and for two, I was surprised that this little diesel engine not only kept up, but could have passed them all.  

Going West was another story altogether.  Luckily I wasn't going that way because traffic was a parking lot for five miles heading downhill.  If you are traveling anywhere near this place, go another way.  

At long last, 6 hours later, an exhausted Nancy pulled in to the RV park.  Bill came to meet me in the office and got a reprieve.  This time he didn't have to park my rig!!!  Not that I was any good at it, but I got it in the 30 x 50 spot with no trouble!!

After setting up, I walked over to play with Gibbs in the gazebo, and chat with Patsy and Bill.  It's so good to see them again!!  Soon Patty and Duncan came over.  What a nice couple!!  We discussed lots of things including Starlink, because by then I had discovered there were NO television stations around here that my rig would pick up.  Noooooooo I MUST HAVE TV!

A wonderful invitation to dinner ensued, but I had to feed Mr. Cooper first.  We went for a walk around the park and were just in time to watch the sunset.

That turned into THIS.  Nothing like being welcomed back to Arizona with a nice sunset.

Bill grilled sausages, which I smothered in relish and mustard.  YUM YUM!  Much better than that tuna salad and crackers that was on MY menu.  I sprang for dessert ... three ice cream drumsticks from Nestle.  They disappeared before I could take a picture.

Just look at this cute Christmas tree.  All the decorations Patsy and Bill have put up make it so Christmasy and warm.  I think I have room for a string of lights over the kitchen sink, but that's about it.

Mr. Gibbs got a whole bag of goodies ... that basket I won at the Sheriff's Canine Banquet.  Most likely they are all too big for him, but he loved the green thingy ... whatever it is.  

Cooper wasn't left out ... Gibbs gave Cooper an indestructible parrot to chew up that looks suspiciously like Jonathan.

In two seconds he was on it ... squeaking the squeaker!

And would you look at this?  Patsy said she knew I didn't drink much, but that I would probably like this.  Like it, I LOVE it!!  Basically I do drink it with a few bites of pancake.  I can't believe I have been so lucky to meet such wonderful people in my RV life.

And so the night ended, but there will be more Starlink discussions, and maybe a Dish Network dish in the mix because it's way TOO quiet around here with no TV and no radio ... 

Which reminds me, I actually did subscribe to SiriusXM last night.  There's no CD player in these things and I needed something to keep me company besides stations that are not in English.  Now I can listen to every single Hockey, Basketball, Football, Baseball and every other kind of ball game, all day long, AND have music.  Three months for free, then $9.99 a month for one year.  Bill said I can download the app on my phone and listen at night while having a breakdown because of no TV.  Hey, it's better than the quiet of nothing!!

Today I'm off to Tucson .......

I'm wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas Day tomorrow with your family, or your significant other, or your little fur kids.  Thanks so much for riding along with me ... you have all become MY family!!