Infamous Hell Hole, Yuma Prison!!

I've heard about Yuma Prison over the years, being such an old west history buff, but was VERY surprised when we arrived yesterday at it's location on the river.  It was so much smaller than I thought it would be.  However, later when we calculated 6 men to a cell, counting the number of cells, it could hold maybe 250-300 people.  Small numbers by todays prison standards!!

Apparently the Colorado river used to flood this entire region and  could be up to 10 miles wide.  The prison was built on high ground at the rivers edge.

As we entered, it was easy to imagine how awful the conditions must have been. 

Seven original prisoners were brought here to build the first cells, which then became their home.  Six men were assigned to each cell.  Believe me, that doesn't leave much room for moving around.

The first stop was the barber shop where the men were shaved bald.  Apparently that helped with the lice and other critters roaming about.  Looks like he had a small fireplace, as a stovepipe hangs from the ceiling in this room.

Here's what you would see every morning.  No electricity, no heat and only fans moving the already scorching air around "outside" the cells.

Six metal bunks were placed in each cell, replacing the wooden ones that were infested with termites.
There's hardly enough room to have two guys standing on the floor.  You can only see in this picture because I added the light.

To keep busy when they were not on a work detail, they made horsehair hobbles and created fine knitting work.  Yup ... even the men knitted!!   Most of the inmates were of Mexican or Indian descent.  The horsehair work is just amazing.

Although much has been destroyed when sold to the railroad for a right of way, there is still a lot left to be preserved.  Without the people of Yuma making donations, this prison would have been closed and probably destroyed completely.

One of the infamous was Pearl Hart ... a stage coach robber who got off scott free on that charge, but the judge nailed her on stealing a gun.  The gun here was actually hers.  There being no place to house women in the prison, the other men were forced to make four new cells just for the ladies.  Pearl spent a couple of years here.  

Next we stopped at the Quartermasters Headquarters ... the supply depot for the armies in this area.  I would LOVE to take one of these saddles home and try it out.  It's not much different from mine with the exception of stirrup leathers.

Around the buildings were lot of old equipment, from a honey extractor to a bottom dump trailer and this McCormick Deering tractor.  

Two covered wagons were parked out front ... I cannot imagine leaving everything I owned, loading up this wagon with food and provisions, then spending months traveling/walking across the United States through these mountains and deserts, let alone dealing with the Indians who just wanted to be left alone.  I rather think it's amazing that the West was settled at all.

Leaving here, we passed Yuma's military memorial.  It's a beautiful park and worth a stop by to pay your respects to those who helped keep us a free country.

Today .... FLEA MARKET TIME!!!!!

Just HOW Do You Get Into This Thing???

When we arrived in Yuma, Dan found a mobile RV washing/waxing guy and set up the appointment for us.  The provided a wash and complete hand wax using Meguiars wax, and washed the car for no charge.  While waiting for them to arrive, I asked Dan if he knew how to access to the front of my RV, since it appeared that's where everyone air fill nozzle is.  We looked inside ... we looked outside ... we looked everywhere.  Finally Dan makes a great suggestion ... maybe I should look in my owners manual.

Luckily, I kept the whole huge bag with 25 books in the lower bay.  Ten minutes of looking through the manual, I not only found the lever to open it, but I found the air fill in the same place.  AND I found a maintenance schedule!!!  Guess that should be my reading material for the next couple of weeks.

The motorhomes done and looking sparkly clean, Patty and I then took off for an hour shopping ... not long enough to do any damage.  A quick stop at Petco, Goodwill and Walmart and we were home again.  One of the great advantages of traveling with the Last Chance Ranch, is the cook prepares all the meals.  Many of you may not know Patty by her other name ... the Casserole Queen!!   From Dan's steak to Patty's chicken rice casserole, I've had the BEST vittles this trip!!  

Today is lets-play-tourist day!  Heading out to the peanut patch and the infamous Yuma Prison!!

South of the Border!!!

For my friends that were envious of me heading to warmer weather from our lows of 34-36 degrees .... don't be!!  It has been around 32 every night.  Right now, it's 36 but feels like 18 with the wind that has been blowing nonstop!!!  Poor Jonathan hasn't seen any of the sites ... I have his cage wrapped in two heavy towels, covered with a wool blanket, sitting on a heating pad and he's still chilly!!

Today we set off to cross the border into Mexico.  This always makes me nervous for some reason.  Despite my many trips to Mexico and South America, I've never really felt relaxed.  Passport in hand, we just walked right across the border on the concrete trail.

There are snowbirds galore here saving lots of dollars by getting their $300 glasses in Algodones for as little as $79.  For those that don't have insurance, this is a life saver.  Here's the tip of the day .. Walmart has frames for as little as $18 and you can get an examination including the lens for $59.  That's what Patty did ... and she could have gotten another pair for half price.  Can't beat that!!!

As we walk around I'm amazed by the number of store fronts advertising Dentists.  There must have been at least 50!!  A whole STREET of Dentists surrounded by hundreds of snowbirds!!  And Pharmacies on every corner.  I've just never seen this before.  You go snowbirds!!!

By now our stomachs are growling for those famous fish tacos, so we head up the street to a small vendor with a patio out of the wind.  Here's what the tacos look like ... oh sorry, I inhaled them before I could take a picture.  If you go to Dan's blog at Travelbychance.blogspot.com you can see the last one of his three!!!  They really hit the spot!!

As in all Mexican towns, there are dozens of small shops, selling everything you can imagine.  There were more metal sculptures here than I have seen before.  Walls of them shining in the sun!!  I was tempted to take a couple home, including the 8 foot tall giraffe ... but kept my wallet in tact ... at least for a little while.

Down a far back alley, we ran across a seller of rugs.  I'm a sucker for nice wool rugs.  I had one all picked out until Patty said "I would ask the price first".  My wallet cringed .... $400.  The haggling began!!  I like to barter ... it's fun.  Rarely am I able to walk away, especially if it's something I really love, like this rug.  It's twice this size and would make a nice entry piece in my house, but the price was just too high.  I did however, purchase the slightly smaller version for less than half of the asking price.  Next time I'll bring more cash!!!

Still waiting for Patty's glasses to be made, we sat down in this outside bar (in the sun) and had a coke while the one-man-band sang oldies but goodies.

Local characters were everywhere.  You are accosted every few minutes by people selling "stuff".  We tried to be nice ... they are just trying to make a living!!  I asked to take a picture of one lady, she said NO.  I offered a dollar, she said "NO!!   TWO dollar!!!"  I got three pictures!!  For two dollars, I probably could have gotten three bracelets!!

This guy stood and watched the gringos dance to the one-man-band.  When he saw my camera pointed towards him, he immediately looked away.  This picture was a sneak attack ...

These two little girls and I'm guessing their brother, were dancing around on the sidewalk, to the music the snowbirds were dancing to.  Someone came over and gave them a dollar each.  You should have seen their faces.  Pretty soon they were dancing on the dance floor, collecting LOTS of dollars.  Smart cookies .... I bet they made $5.00 each!!!

Patty's glasses retrieved, we headed out the return concrete path.  A quick check of my passport, "what did you buy" and "are you here alone" and I was passed through to good old American soil.

Most people of Mexico are VERY nice and VERY polite.  I know the "hawking" of goods is how they make a living.  I just never know if they are telling the truth or not.  If I were them I would tell the gringos anything they wanted to hear, in order to sell my stuff and make money for my family.  But I think no one wants to be taken advantage of, and maybe that's why I'm so leery about what they tell me.  Now that I've been to Algodones, I'll be less nervous on the next trip south of the border!!

I Need An Electrical Degree!!!

Ok ... you guys that drive these huge houses down the road HAVE to be pretty darn smart.  There!!  I said it!!!  Sorry ladies, but the longer I drive this behemoth, the more I find I should have paid attention in my high school electronics class!!

We're off to Yuma ... lovely country here if you like the desert ... and I do.  It seems so desolate and lonely out here.  Around every corner, I imagine myself on one of my horses, riding cross country to the next town.  How the heck did they know which way to go??  and where the water was??  I'm sure trails in those days were immediately covered by sand storms.  Course I would have been a bank robber trying to escape!!  Or maybe Annie Oakley heading to the next town for a shooting match!!  What a hardy people they were!!

Since we were heading by the Salton Sea, I asked to stop for pictures.  We followed a circular road around the housing development before hitting the road again.  I thought this was pretty much a ghost town, but we found lots of nice homes, nothing picture worthy except a passing shot at the motel sign.

Lunch time rolled around, and I swear, Dan could find a good hamburger joint with his eyes closed.  In El Centro, we stopped at Farmer Boys ... world's greatest!!  For a fast food joint, I have to say their food was pretty good.  Since the calories were shown on the menu, Patty and I tried to stay light with a chicken wrap.  Although the service wasn't that great ... we were through eating by the time Dan got his burger ... the food was pretty darn good!!

At last we arrived at Suni Sands RV Resort in Yuma.  Their definition and mine of "Resort" are two different things.  After navigating around the sharpest turns I've ever made, we pulled into our site and got hooked up.  Everything appeared to be going perfect.  I was looking forward to heating, microwaving and some TV.  After dinner at the Last Chance Ranch Mobile Chuckwagon, I walked into my coach to find everyone shivering.  I tried to turn the heater on, but it wouldn't work.  The lights worked, but not much else.  Back to the Chance house to get the electrical wizard, he explained all about WANTING 120 volts versus HAVING 106.  For the ladies, that means you can have lights OR microwave OR television OR heat ... but you can't have more than one at a time!!  This is where I should have paid attention in my high school electronics class.  The surge protector I had installed in Indio worked well by the way.  It shut off everything when the voltage got too low so nothing was damaged.

By 5:45 this morning, everyone else had turned their TV's off and I had a "little" more power to work with.  Really, I thought you just had to get used to driving this thing down the road.  I didn't realize I had to learn so much about electrical systems, fuel systems and engines (which I haven't gotten to yet).   As I sit here in the dark freezing (I have the dryer on) I'm becoming much more appreciative of electricity!!!  Bump bump ... uh oh, there went the surge protector.  Better go check that meter again!!!

Clowning Around!!

With a theme of Under The Big Top, you would expect the parade to be circus oriented ... and it was to the delight of all!!  It was bigger than many small town parades and some of the costumes were hilarious.

We didn't realize we had the chairs placed on the shady side of the street.  It didn't take Patty long to cross over to the sunny side, trying to warm up a little.

We started out with the local fire department ... always love to see these guys!!

The Dingling Circus brought lots of colorful lions and tigers and clowns .. oh my!!  Most were throwing candy at us.  You KNOW we were making mad dashes for that!!!

From cowboys riding ostriches to monkeys gathering change ... they were all here!!  The crowd clapped and whistled for every one!!

Fierce lions and tigers were everywhere!!!!  Even on the back of golf carts.

The California Coasters had their section of clowns too ... throwing candy, popcorn and peanuts!!

The last critter to lumber by was this huge elephant.   He was the hit of the parade.  Following behind was a pooper-scooper with bucket in hand, picking up ... well you know what ... all along the route.  It was so funny everyone was laughing and clapping!  I think he was the hit of the parade!!

It's not over until the fat lady sings .... and here she was!!!

A perfect ending to a great week at the FMCA rally!!  Today our group gets to be pooper-scoopers ... well sort of.  We have the clean up duty for this entire area, then it's off to Yuma Arizona for a week.  See you there!!!

FIRE!! FIRE!! and Ice Cream Gone Bad!!

Up early again, I checked the schedule to see what seminar would fit me best.  Having recently heard stories about RV fires, I thought that might be a good start.  I don't think I have ever used a fire extinguisher.  On the ranch, a shovel was the best tool we had.  Mac The Fire Guy was presenting "Fire Safety in your RV", so Patty and I headed out early to listen in.  It's 30 degrees and we are in an old quonset hut building, freezing.  We're hoping the actual FIRE part starts soon so we can warm up!! After several terrible stories, he went into detail explaining how to get out of a burning motorhome with as little damage to your body as possible.  Opening the windows often is the first preventative measure, to make sure the rubber has not sealed the escape window shut.

Next up was an explanation of how smoke detectors work.  The problem we all have is that cooking morning bacon often starts the detector screeching, with no way to turn it off.  Mac has a detector with a reset (or shut up) button.

Finally, we are outside setting a fire so we can all thaw out.  When he asked for women volunteers, my hand went up first.  The fire was started with diesel and gasoline and he said "Fire!! Fire!!, put the fire out!" then continued to scream and yell, running around like crazy!!!  It startled me at first, but the point was that you have to be able to THINK in a crises, not panic.  Remember, my thought was to practice  using a fire extinguisher.  Except mine didn't work.  He's still screaming ... mine still isn't working!!  So he called for the backup extinguisher ... hers didn't work either!!

Finally, when the fire is really going, he grabs a small can and puts it out.  Two more demonstrations of how to put out larger fires and I was starting to thaw out a little.  A later purchase included several fire extinguishers for the RV and the tow vehicle, as well as a smoke alarm with a "shut up" button.

Off to have our group picture taken, we all posed and said cheese while at least four cameras were passed back and forth ... just in time to head for the ice cream distribution point.  The Golden Spike members volunteer for the Ice Cream Social, passing out the bars and trying to make sure everyone gets only one.  Apparently people have actually changed their shirt and come back through the line to be sure they got TWO .50 ice creams.  At any rate, the Schwans truck should have been parked and ready, but the only yellow around was the Golden Spike shirts.

Dan asked that I check my smart phone for the local Schwans dealer to see if the order had been placed.  Not too smart after all, I could only get the corporate office in Michigan.  Long story short, no order placed, no ice cream.  Everyone quickly covered up their yellow shirts so the crowd wouldn't thrash us!!  The announcement of no ice cream, made the local ice cream vendor happy, because everyone just moved over to his site and bought their own!!  Unfortunately at this late date and time, I'm pretty sure there will be no free ice cream in the future for this huge group.  Hmmmm, now I'm craving ice cream.  Think I'll mosey over to the ice cream vendor.

Under the Big Top -- In Other Words, Shopping!!

The theme of this Rally is Under the Big Top ... and they have a huge tent filled with vendors selling everything motorhome.  Come on girls and guys ... it's shopping time!!!

 Patty and I started off early at a "Don't Go Without Velcro" seminar.  It soon dawned on me that THIS rally was more about commercial "selling" seminars than those I have previously attended.  Although they give you good ideas, they are mostly selling something you can't live without.  I think I heard my checkbook sobbing in my purse!!

We met Dan at the Big Top and headed in.  I'm looking for a tire pressure notification system, so if I'm going down the road and one goes flat, I'm notified immediately in order to prevent further damage.  Nick Russell, Tom Westerfield and Dan, all like the "Tire Tracker" model and that's a recommendation I can't pass up.  First purchase ... $463.00.  The good news is that the units each have a small battery, replaceable for $2.50 instead of replacing the entire sensor for $35.  As we moved on, I picked up an over the door security/porch light, a sewer hose support, and couldn't live without the mixer that will turn skim milk into whipped cream!  In fact, if you buy 3 you get one free!!!  Patty and I split the purchase!!

By now, we have noticed the "tent" is moving quit a bit from the wind building up outside.  By the time we left the building (checkbook now sobbing annoyingly loud!!) the wind and dirt was unbearable.  We headed back to hold up in the RV's.  I peeked out one time to get this picture.

As the wind died down, Dan knocked on the door and asked about my power.  The lights are on, so I assume I'm ok, but down the line, there were some outage problems.  How could that be??  The electrical service wiring here is so professionally done!!  About that time, the two electricians came to check it out, as I took a flash picture.  Boy did they jump!!  Note to self .. no flash pictures around electricians ... it looks like something arcing!!!  Yup .. this is our hookup!!!

One last trip back to the Big Top for Patty and I resulted in a few more necessities.  Design-it-yourself earrings and a squeegee with pads for washing the motorhome sparkling clean!!!  We picked up our earlier-ordered signs ... Buzzards Roost with a cow skull for me and Last Chance Ranch with saguaro cactus for Patty and Dan ... and headed back to a pizza party at the old corral.  Perfect ending to a nice Big Top shopping day.

A Segway Kind of Day!!

The "actual" FMCA rally doesn't start until Thursday so there is no rush (we thought) to get going this morning.  About noon, Patty, D and I headed out to sign up for some of the artsy craftsy classes they are having.  We were interested in the knitted scarf ... really cute ... and expected to get our names on the list.  The signup tables opened at noon.  We arrived at 12:08.  One minute later we were told they were full -- no waiting list -- no "come over just in case someone doesn't show up" -- simply we were too late.  Disappointed and a little grumpy, we headed back to our coaches when I spied the Segway Guys!!

I have always wanted to ride one and get some information.  I heard they ran about $2500-$3000.  Pretty pricey toy but I thought well worth it.  After a discussion/lecture on the electronics and how they work, I was told to just climb on and be still.  I was surprised at the amount of balance you have to have for this.  It is VERY touchy!!  If you lean forward and put pressure on your toes, off you go.  If you lean back and put pressure on your heals, you back up.  And I was OFF!!!

Kind of shaky at first, but boy is this fun!!  I'm riding the larger "off-road" model.  With a range of about 12 miles for this version, you can go on trails or roads, anywhere it can get traction.  The second model is for city use, with smaller tires and a range of 25 miles.  It will fit in the bay of the motorhome, but must be kept plugged in and charging every day.  Once the battery loses it's charge, you lose $1000 for a new one.  The shocker came when D asked just exactly how much it was.  A cool $6200 -- and that was with a $500 discount for the show.  Thank you very much ... we left!!!!

We did come back later, bringing Dan with us.  Being a Harley rider, he had more than enough balance and took off like a shot!!  Too bad the sticker shock killed this idea!!

Next up was the Chapter Fair where different FMCA groups try to lure you into joining them with all kinds of candy, displays and pictures showing what a great time they have together.  I'm pretty partial to my Golden Spike group, but did pick up a couple of brochures.  Heading back to the motorhomes, we stopped in at a couple of models ... just checking out the new floor plans.  I had never seen nor been in some of the brands.  I have to say, with the exception of the new L shaped couch (with movable chair) I still like mine the best.  I did however, find this desk design that I want to put in place of my love seat to allow for a recliner.  I didn't have to go far.  I found it right next door in Patty and Dan's rig!!!

Time for another Happy Hour where we listened to a short presentation by SkyMed, an emergency air transportation service.  Should you become sick or need an emergency trip to the hospital, they will not only fly you there, but provide someone to take your motorhome wherever you might want or need it. They brought a large selection of wine and cheese with them, so we all listened intently!!!

Food, food and more food.  I think I have food coming out my eyeballs ... it was tri-tip potluck dinner night!!  The guys did an awesome job of barbecuing the meat and the side dishes brought to the tables were empty in 30 minutes, including my broccoli salad.  What happened to the frozen Peanut Butter Pie you ask???  That's a story for another day!!!

A Lazy Day in The Sun!

Hearing about all the cold weather here in Indio, we were pleasantly surprised to see 70 degree temperatures yesterday.  That's very good for my parrot Jonathan.  He's definitely a warm weather kind of guy.  I was up early ... 4:30 am kind of early.  I pleaded, coached and finally yelled at Cooper to give me 30 more minutes!!  It was not a second later and he was standing on my head!!

Since the Chance household with the breakfast Chef lives right next door, I headed out with my bottle of pancake syrup as a subtle hint.  It worked!!!  Pancakes and bacon were whipped up in the blink of an eye and were ohhhhh so good!!  Miss Gracie wasn't quite up yet ... snoozing on Patty's lap.

Once everyone was moving and shaking, Dan came over to see about a Best Buy run.  Seems his Nikon Coolpix cable didn't find it's way into the motorhome ... and what is a blog without pictures???  Jessie took full advantage of his presence ... she loves to play the Purr Game with him.  He pets her, she "purrs" rather loudly and viciously!!  All in play though ..... REALLY she's just playing!!

Most everyone in this group has animals ... either cats or dogs.  I haven't been introduced to all of them yet, but two beauties live with D and Bill Hall.  Westies they are called .. the sweetest disposition I've ever seen.  Sophie and Bitsy (not sure I'm spelling that right) just LOVE scratches and pets.  While D and I talked, they stretched out for a nap.

After hitting Best Buy, we came out  with wallets a little lighter.  Dan couldn't get just a cable, so opted for a whole new camera (my kind of thinking) and I got two Cobra walkie-talkies.  It's so much easier to keep in contact with other coaches when traveling .... and to keep track of Patty when she wanders off on flower forays!!

You would think this blog revolves around food ... and it DOES!! across the street is a Five Guys Hamburger joint, one of Dan's favorites.  They have the best burgers ... just like homemade.  Talk about getting it your way -- you tell them exactly all the condiments you want, and that's what you get.  This is the "small" burger!!  Yummy!!

Back at the Roving Castle, we gathered a few snacks and headed to happy hour, after which ... you got it, more food ... we headed to the Fisherman's Restaurant again for more fish.  This time however, I discovered the "Under 300 calorie" menu.  A huge piece of Mahi Mahi with veges and a salad.  It was so good I couldn't get my camera out before I took a big bite!!

Totally stuffed, we passed on the key lime pie and chocolate decadence cake.  Today is the Chapter Fair and Craft Class signups.  All of the different Chapters of FMCA gather to explain what they do, and to lure you into joining with offers of chocolate and other scrumptious stuff.  At this point, I'm still full from yesterdays lunch, let alone dinner, so I doubt I will be lured anywhere.  The Craft Classes they have are extensive.  I'll let you know what I sign up for!!!

Under The Big Top!! FMCA 2013

Having recovered from the bird cage crash (yes, Jonathan is still alive), we arrived at the huge parking lot next to Walmart in Indio, where 16 motorhomes spent the night, in order to be staged in the morning for the short trip to the fairgrounds.  The FMCA Golden Spikes group is impressively organized!  It is an amazing feat to have 16 motorhomes AND tow vehicles, all end up at the same place, in order, at the same time (after I ran the last red light that is)!!  In less than 15 minutes, we were on our way to our parking spots with a "group space" in between for happy hour.

My bestest friends Patty and Dan Chance arrived just as we did ... seems like I just saw them yesterday.  Once parked, Dan helped me with my electrical hookup and I'm set up for the week.  I met two couples parked facing me, from San Francisco and Arizona.  The men were rather surprised to find out that I drove the RV ... AND towed a vehicle!!  Come on guys ... your wives can do it!!!!  Teach them how!! I do have to add here, however, that the lead RV Kurt Simon, slowed down just for me when he heard the squeak in my voice answering his question of "is this speed ok?"

Happy hour came fairly quickly, so armed with some appetizers, we sat around and chatted for an hour before dinner.  I have never come across such a friendly, diverse group of people.

Sunset came quickly and was beautiful ... much better than pictures can show.  Especially since taken with my phone!!  I promise to get the "real" camera out today!!

Now I'm full ... I was still full from lunch ... and it's time for dinner.  'D' and Bill Hall, Patty, Dan and I went to the Fisherman's for dinner, a place I had never heard of.  They have indoor and outdoor seating and great service!!

 As you walk in, a huge menu with everything fish, is on the left.  This picture shows only HALF of the menu.

Orders are placed at the counter, then brought to your table.  We are actually inside the building ... it looks like a fish market!!

Prices are really reasonable and portions are huge.  I had my favorite mahi mahi tacos, as did Patty.  Bill had a variety platter with enough food on one plate to last me three days.  He's already eaten half of it!! 'D' had her favorite crab salad, as did Dan ... it looked wonderful!!

Perfect ending to a great day.  Thank goodness I don't have to drive for a few days!!  The rally doesn't actually start until Thursday ... not that it matters, cuz I never can remember what day it is.  Under the big top will be vendors galore and lots of seminars from Catholic Mass to bracelet making to chassis maintenance to charm school!!  Should be fun!!!!

C R A S H!!! What To Do When Disaster Strikes!!

Just keep on driving!!!  That's my advice and I'm sticking to it.  Thankfully it all came out ok in the end, but it was extremely stressful as it unfolded!!

I'm on my way to the FMCA Rally in Indio California.  As always, the problems of the "children" have to be taken care of first.  I boarded the horses in an excellent facility, ManeStay ... located not far from my house.  PERFECT!!!  Since no one is available for long term housesitting, I'm taking Jessie, Cooper and Jonathan (yellow head parrot) with me. Jon has a traveling cage, so after loading up the motorhome, I bungeed (is that a word??) his cage to the chair and off we went.  Here he is sitting up on the counter later in the day ... alive despite his trials.

The trip to Boron was beautiful and uneventful.  This was what I woke up to ... gorgeous desert, freezing cold!!!  I could hear the rain hitting the motorhome, and when it stopped, I just KNEW it was snowing.  Thank goodness it wasn't, because I don't think I could stand the stress of driving in snow!!  Little did I know what was in store for me.

Once there, I met up with members of the Golden Spike FMCA group who were also spending the night before traveling on to Indio.  We all went to dinner at a mexican restaurant called Domingos.  GREAT food.  If ever you pass through Boron/Mojave area and are hungry, definitely stop here.  Awesome service too.  "D" and Bill Hall enjoying their meal.

Next morning six motorhomes caravanned to the Morongo Casino for a HUGE buffet lunch.  I was still full from Domingo's dinner, but couldn't pass up the mac and cheese and the most wonderful roasted turkey ... oh and 4 desserts!!!  I love this group ... they totally take care of you and know the best spots to eat.

From here, it was all downhill!!!  We left the casino headed to a Pilot Station for fuel.  The huge round-a-bout you exit through is slanted to the right .. and if you go just a little too fast, the chair, including the bird, CRASH to the floor!!!  I tried to take a quick look back, but we're heading on the freeway and there's no time.  The dogs are panicked ... I figure the bird is dead ... there's nowhere to stop ... I have an instant migraine ... so I just KEEP ON DRIVING!!

As I tried to look back and assess the damage, I'm yelling at the dogs to lay down.  I was afraid Jessie would attack the cage.  Well no worries there, because it had broken totally apart ... next thing I know, the bird is crawling up the child gate behind my seat.  More yelling at the dogs because Jessie looks like she's going to attack, and I drive down the freeway 60mph one handed, trying to reach back and get the bird on my right hand.  All to no avail!!!  The poor dogs are now shaking in their boots ... not knowing why I'm yelling!!!

After what seemed like an hour, we arrived at the Pilot fuel station and pulled into the "trucker" side.  I grabbed the bird, sort of reassembled the cage and stuffed him in it.  You cannot image how large an area one quarter cup of bird seed can cover on the floor, along with the same amount of water.   Clean up later ... you are in the trucker line.  Get the fuel and get out!!!

So my ATM card didn't work, nor did any of my credit cards.  I have to go inside ... except I forgot to get the island number and I can't find my Flying J card.    Second trip inside .. I told the attendant 22, she thought I was on 21, which is where she credited the $125 for fuel!!  Two trips in to the cashier later, Tom and Barbara Westerfield helped me fuel up and we were off again!!!

Finally arriving at our destination parking lot to await transfer to the Rally site, I spent 30 minutes cleaning up bird seed.  I'm sure I will never get it all.  The good news is that the bird is alive and is eating this morning.  Only the next couple of weeks will tell.  Birds can become very stressed, resulting in illnesses later on.  I'll keep him on a heating pad so he's toasty warm.

I'm definitely hoping I got it all out in one day and the rest of my trip will be uneventful ... or I'll be snuggling up with the bird and the heating pad!!!!

Take That, Mayans!!!!

We made it another year!!!  Take that, Mayans!!!  Happy Happy New Year to everyone!!!

Ofelia and I spent New Years Eve hanging from the upper reaches of Metalmark Climbing Gym.  Totally a 5.10 climber now, I bombed out big time.  You just can't climb hard on Saturday and again on Monday.  We decided we need a weeks rest in between!!!  Fun time anyway ... we tried several new routes and watched a "HUNK" put up new routes on the lead walls.

Not a party person really, I spent the evening with my puppies, playing with their new Christmas toys.  I watched the "ball" fall into the new year and snuggled up with the babies.  At least until 5:30 when Cooper heard a noise ... and it was on!!  "Throw the ball, Mom!!"

So here's to lots of ball-throwing in the New Year.  Hope you and yours have a wonderful 2013!!!