Deja Vu !!

Funny ... it feels like I just drove past these beautiful flowers a few hours ago.  Oh yeah ... I did!!  They were just as pretty the second time around!!

It was NOT as boring a drive as I expected, since the scenery was beautifully green, the skies blue and there was NO wind!!  YAY!!

I won't bore you with the details of the same scenery, I'll bore you with some leftovers from Tucson instead.  My days and image dates are so messed up, I apologize if I've told you this or shown these pictures before.  It all seems to be a blur.    

Before I left the first time, Patty, Dan and I went to Saguaro Corners for dinner.  THIS time, instead of mac 'n cheese, I ordered the John Wayne Burger.  I'm sure you can't get better than my Cowboy Hero John's namesake!!  It was so huge I couldn't get it to stay upright while I snapped a picture.  The burger was cooked to perfection and smothered in barbecue sauce and crispy fried onions.  YUM YUM!!!!!  I ate every single bite!  The fries were also delicious, but I didn't have any room left.

I did actually make it to the Container Store, although it was rather hard to find.  The Mall up north is on several levels, with no directory that I could find.  I drove around and around until I found the Mall Cop.  I'll ask for help.  Well that's funny ... there was NO ONE in the vehicle, and it was parked out on the road side, far from the buildings.  Maybe it was shift change or maybe he was sleeping in the back seat!!

Another couple of turns around the block and I finally found it!!  I'm a country girl ... I've never been in such a store in my life!!  SO MUCH organization stuff ... I loved it!!  It's basket time!!  Originally thinking these shelves were what I was looking for, I wasn't totally sure of the measurements, so I passed them by.  They said I could order them on-line.

I DID find a PAT chair.  Patty's sewing buddy and my newest friend has these in her sewing room.  Bungee chairs.  Whoever heard of these?  It's lightweight, on rollers, bungee comfortable to sit on and raises and lowers making it perfect for sewing, embroidery or computer work.  Cooper gave it the smell test and said it could stay.  Actually, it's going to stay in my sewing room at home.

I found some boot trees to keep my boots upright (truly necessary if you wear tall shaft boots), some C hangers to keep all those small "Barbara" purses I have (taking up valuable storage space) hanging in my closet, a pink thingy (I've no idea what it's called) that keeps my razor on the shave cream can instead of the shower floor and a package of gizmos that keep your phone cords handy instead of hanging down the side of my kitchen cabinets.    Did you notice I name things after the people who suggested the great ideas?

In the end, I wound up at the favorite RV store, Walmart, where I found these two bins of shelves that fit perfectly in my closet.  I even have TWO drawers still empty.  I'll work on filling those next month in Sacramento.

At any rate, I finally arrived in Quartzsite, fueled up for my epic run to Indio, a two hour drive assuming I don't get lost, and parked at my favorite Park Place RV Park.  Most of the winter visitors have left, leaving the 12 spaces around me completely empty.  The dogs can bark all they want!!  

I contemplated unhooking the Jeep and hitting up Silly Als for some pizza, but fell asleep watching Josh Gates crawl through the tiniest of underground caves that made me close my eyes in a total claustrophobic attack.  It wasn't any better when he went cave diving (I was gasping for air in two seconds), something even as an instructor, I could NEVER do.  It's a good thing I fell asleep.

Keeping close eyes on the time ... I don't want to arrive in Indio before noon, because you know how you can get in trouble for that ... I'll hang out with the puppies for a few hours.  

I haven't forgotten Granddaughter Laila's horseback riding ... I just have to dig back through my files and find the pictures.  Happy Trails .......

Great Place But No Cigar

I have no idea what that means, other than I won't be handing out cigars to celebrate the purchase of my new place.

As soon as I hit the fairgrounds at 6:00 pm (boy were they surprised to see me back), having lost an hour along the way, I met the realtor and my two friends at the house .... in the dark .... with flashlights in hand.  We walked the perimeter first, getting stuck with cactus along the way.  It looks pretty well kept in this picture ..... it wasn't in person.  Knee high grass and cactus were everywhere looking to poke you.

When Patty said it was "rough", she was right.  Really, I thought a good tractor operator could whip that into shape in about an hour.  The inside wasn't as bad as I expected.  However, it seems the owner decided to remodel himself, texturing the bathrooms with inch thick plaster and painting with colors that would make you want to throw up ... maybe that's where his color choice came from.  

Even if you watch every episode of Chip and Joanna Gains Fixer Upper, it doesn't mean you know how to remodel.  He retiled the kitchen counter with half inch thick grout.  When the pieces didn't really fit, he just glued them on anyway.  Note to self ... gut the kitchen.

The small bathroom had almost-black VERY rough tile he had glued on the floor.  A cleaning nightmare.   The wooden cupboard he had used for a sink was covered with very dark two inch tiles.  He must have then poured some kind of goo over it all, but wasn't too careful.  It dripped on to the floor.  The bath surround didn't fare much better.  Another GUT job!!

The master bath was ... well livable ... just don't eat before you enter.  At over 2,000 square feet, the house had plenty of space and sort of an open concept.  I could have made the laundry room into a  fifth bedroom, it was so big.  I kept saying "I don't know girls ... look at THIS", but truly a lot of it really WAS cosmetic. 

In the end, I stayed up with the nicest Realtors in the world until 10:00, getting it written up.  Here's the deal on the short sale.  Having had a previous buyer, the bank had already gone through the approval process, getting okays from the divorced owners and approving the sale price.  Those buyers backed out, but no one told the bank.  That meant for ME, it would close in 30 days.  

Bright and early, with absolutely NO sleep as I re-designed the kitchen and bought furniture for every room (in my head of course) and worried myself about the condition, I trotted off to take a look in the light of day.  

Since I had called the Building Division, I knew all the setbacks.  There was plenty of room to build an RV cover on one side next to the existing 30 amp plug and a 20 x 30 garage on the opposite side for my car.  Packrats are a problem here ... your vehicle needs to be protected.

I dug down beside the house in several places to find the skirting totally rotten.  They nailed it on, then pushed dirt up all around it.  That's BAD!!  It meant termites were a big problem, as evidenced by their little tubes running up the sides here and there.  That's a BIG EXPENSE to dig out and replace it with concrete block or flashing.  

Finally, while walking on the back patio checking out the construction and looking for wood rot, I noticed a hollow sound on several of the tiles.  Hmmmmm that's not good.  Around the corner I went, pulled back the weeds and found THIS!!  Squirrel heaven.  I could almost fit in the hole myself.  Upon further inspection, I discovered the hole underneath was so large, the concrete had broken and fallen down, making for the hollow sound from the tile.  

That was the death bell I heard in my brain.  This entire patio would have to be removed.  I saw dollar signs.  Especially since the Realtor and I had discussed just how much money I could put into this place and not go under water.   I would be looking for my scuba equipment if I purchased it.  

I sent Vince a note saying I was withdrawing my offer.  They said they understood perfectly and that was that.  No cigars this time around!!  No matter, it was really fun to see my two girlfriends again and say hello to the people at the Fairgrounds RV park.  

This morning I'm off again for California!!

Short and Sweet

Well ... I'm back in Tucson.  I was actually happily parked in the Elks Lodge in Indio when my Realtor called to say he had found a three bedroom two bath modular home on one acre exactly where I had been looking.

I called Patty and Pat (who happens to live a couple hundred yards behind this place) to go take a look.  It's rough they said, but it looked mostly cosmetic.  I must be crazy in the head, because I drove seven hours straight back to the fairgrounds where I parked the rig and raced off to meet them.

They were entirely correct .... it needs a LOT of SOMETHING.  I know Dan and his tractor can make quick work of the grounds where are now covered in weeds and cactus, as well as the entry road where I can just pull my RV up to the side of the house and plug in.  That's the best part.

The inside, on the other hand, is a big fat mess.  It looks like the guy tried to remodel, texturing the walls of the 2000 square foot home.  He should have taken lessons first.  It's livable, so that's saying something, but honestly, the kitchen tile he installed is a disaster, as are both bathrooms.  It will all have to be removed and redone.   Chip and Joanna ... I need you!!

The rest just needs paint.  It has dual pane windows and absolutely no mold or mildew of any kind ... a VERY good thing.  There's a huge concrete patio out back, but the screened-in part will have to go.  There's even a small fenced in area for the puppies.

So here's the thing ... it's a short sale, which means it's cheap.  I can back out at any time if any of my inspections don't turn out well ... like the roof, foundation, termite inspection ... that sort of thing.  It is definitely a PROJECT house and I'm not sure I'm up for that.   Were I just arriving in January ... maybe.  But at this point, I was in the "going home" mode.

Right this moment, I'm going to lay on the couch and pray for a little more sleep.  As you can imagine, I was up all night long, my brain being fried and my muscles sore from the drive.  I did finally go to sleep about 2:30, but awoke to the guy next to me clanging things around in his pickup at 4:00 am.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Can You Believe The Weather Man?

That would be a resounding NO!!  I have THREE weather apps on my phone and they all said to stay put since 20-25 mph winds with gusts up to 60 would be blowing dirt and sand my entire route, not to mention the snow over Tehachapi.  Being the conservative scaredy cat I am, I decided to wait it out in Indio.

Here's the last beautiful Tucson sunset that happened when my camera was packed safely in it's case. Patty let me use her phone to capture it.  

At any rate, since I couldn't get in touch with anyone at the Elks Lodge RV Park in Indio, I waited around Quartzsite just long enough for the winds to come up nicely.  Actually it wasn't too bad for the first hour, then the crosswinds began.  Even though I had not dumped ANY of my tanks and had filled my water tank, it pushed me back and forth across my lanes like a drunken sailor.  

By the time I made it over the last hump into Indio, it finally quit ... just in time for me to stop at the Elks Lodge.  I've never been here before ... that always puts me on edge.  Ready to check in, I was informed that NO ONE checks in before noon.  I burned that into my memory as I parked on the side and waited.  Really, I had no problem with that at all, since it gave me a chance to relax before the big parking test ... backing in.

In no time, there were 18 rigs parked around me trying to get their toads hooked up.  They were a Southern California Tiffin Owners group heading to the FMCA rally in Chandler.

While waiting, since it was close to lunch, I decided to try Barbara Westerfield's latest trick for reheating pizza.  Fry it!!  Sounds weird, right?  Instead of nuking it, fry it in a frying pan.  I'm here to tell you that pizza was twice as good as when it was first purchased.  Nice crispy crust ... just delicious!!  I would recommend you thaw your pizza first however.  I plunked mine down frozen and it took a little longer.  The pan is empty because I scarfed it down in 30 seconds.

About that time I checked my phone, then looked at my watch.  NO WONDER they thought I was early.  Somewhere along the line I missed the time change.  Lo and behold, I knew the check-in crew.  They host the Elks Park in Florence Oregon where I stay at least twice every year.  They actually came and got me an hour later for my parking exercise.  Luckily, the three spaces across from me were empty, so it was a cinch to park.  NOW however, those spaces have been filled and I doubt I can make the turn to get OUT. 

The only tiny problem was the couple who walked their dogs right in front of mine, just as I was exiting the door.  I try really hard to be sure no one is around, since Jessie doesn't like other dogs AT ALL.  She barked up a storm.  

I immediately said "my dogs are not dog friendly" (as I tried to hush her up) which usually results in the other people moving their dogs further away.  Oh gee the man said ... you have two yappers ... as he let his dogs run right up to Jessie (????)  If you told me your dog was not DOG friendly, I would cut a wide path.   Some people just don't have a clue.  

I've had Miss Jessie for eight years and I LIKE that she barks.  No one gets near my rig or my house without me knowing.  Being single, that's a good thing!  I know there are barky dogs that probably irritate you (and sometimes me) to no end, but please be patient ... you don't know what that dog has been through that's making him a barker.    Jessie came from a puppy mill where she had to fight for food.  That's the reason I get up at 5:00 in the morning, so they can be walked when no other dogs are around.

It's been exceptionally quiet here, okay, maybe a few barking puppies.  I actually got some sleep last night with no jet engine heat pumps next door.   How can YOU sleep with all that noise?  Please get a small electric heater for when you are plugged in at a park.  It's SO much quieter for everyone!!

I checked the weather this morning and the "BIG" storm that would last through Monday night has magically disappeared.  I could easily leave this morning with lots of huchy-ing around to get "un-parked" and make it back in time for the Magic Kingdom of Bingo, but I've already changed my Bakersfield reservations three times.  I really hate to call them again, so I'll stay here in beautiful downtown Indio one more day.

Since California time will change in a few days to the same as Arizona, which I'm used to, I got up at 4:00 this morning.  I can hear everyone saying UGH ... NO WAY!!!  It's okay, that means I'm going to bed at 8:30!!!  

A Bad Day For Horse Trailers

Finally time to hit the road, I was sorry to leave Tucson.  I definitely love the desert!  One of these days I'll stop in at Picacho Peak for a little hiking and maybe get up close and personal with an ostrich.  Unfortunately, it didn't take long for traffic to get bad.

I don't usually travel on Saturdays because of the weekend warrior traffic, but already extended a week and needed to get in gear.  There was a big fire outside of town, but no fire trucks in sight.  Since it was on a farm, it must have been set on purpose.  

Having had horses all my life, horse trailers are a familiar mode of transportation.  I have a good trailer that has new tires and recently even had new brakes installed.  It's all about the safety of the horses for me.  You would never catch me going 75 or 80 mph on the highway with my trailer.  That's just crazy!!  It's a horrible rough ride for the animals.  Try riding in the back sometime!!

When I turned West on Highway 8, traffic eased up a bit.  The first horse trailer passed me going at least 75.  In no time, I had to swerve to miss a huge chunk of rubber in the road.  The horse trailer was parked on the side with two guys trying to bend the fender back into place.  

As much as I was enjoying all the wildflowers and actual green grass in the desert, I was on high alert for pickups pulling trailers.

Now on Highway 10 heading west amid this traffic, another trailer loaded with horses that just passed me began swerving and almost hit the truck to it's right, before quickly pulling over in a cloud of dust.

One right tire had blown, sending shreds of rubber all over the cars following him.  Luckily I was far enough behind to miss it all, including the half tire left in the middle of the road.

It didn't slow anyone down.  The next six horse trailer also passed me ... I remained at my safe 62 mph ... before it blew a tire, which completely ripped off the left fender.  I just don't understand why these guys are endangering their lives and everyone else, not to mention their horses, by traveling at such high speeds.  I have to say I'm thankful for the 55 mph speed limits for trailers in California.

The roadsides were beautiful, but this section is pretty boring and I began to get tired.  Time for a break, some cheetos and a long tall water bottle.

When I pulled in to Quartzsite to the (you were right Dan) Arco fuel station, it was very windy, hot and I was tired.  Instead of dry camping in the desert, I pulled in to the Park Place RV Park for a nice level, 50 amp, $23 site.  

That's when I discovered the weather from here to California includes High Wind Warnings.  RATS!!!  So I'm posting this blog Saturday night, as I'll be on the road by 6:00 am, hoping to beat the weather to Bakersfield.  Wish me luck!!

UPDATE:  Not that the weatherman is ever right, but with the high wind advisory and predicted snow over Tehachapi, I'm only going as far as Indio today.  Better safe than sorry!!

Honing My B & E Skills

That's not Breakfast and Entertaining ... it's Breaking and Entering!!  Yup -- at least I'm handy at SOMETHING!!

While checking outside my rig for weird smells ... it's a pain to have a sensitive nose ...  my neighbor Greg noticed a wasp nest in my heater exhaust.  Well that's a good way to start a fire!!  He pulled it out with his handy dandy leatherman tool.    We made another round of the rig, whereupon I looked one more time in the exhaust vent to find another, even larger nest.  YIKES!!  This is NOT good.

Luckily I had run the heater several times, burning them out (so I did NOT get stung), and thankfully did NOT catch anything on fire.  Greg says .. you know Nancy, they make screens for these things.  No, I didn't know that, but I'm getting one.  With no definite conclusions on the smell other than at least it wasn't propane (maybe something someone was smoking), I headed off to Camping World to pick up said screens.  Take note here ... as I left, I noticed the other neighbor's generator was running.  That's weird!!

Upon my return with the screens, I read and REREAD the directions for attachment.  It's a well made screen with a cheap spring to hold it in place.  That doesn't bode well for going down the highway, but I'll give it a shot.  Isn't it amazing what you can learn even after 6 or 7 years of RV'ing?  Finally installed, I was beginning to be overwhelmed by gas fumes from the STILL running generator.  

I asked Greg if he could turn it off, but he said the bay doors were locked.  I pounded on the door, but no one answered.  Greg and Paula were the recipients of MUCH more exhaust than I was, which seemed to activate our breaking and entering set of skills.  

I walked to the office and asked they please contact the owner of the rig to return and hit the OFF button.  If not, I wanted permission to shut it off myself.  He said okay and I was out the door in a flash!!  

I won't tell you how we opened the bay door, because there's no use telling ALL my secrets.  Besides, some unscrupulous character might read this and decide to try it on YOUR rig.  At any rate, being a careful listener of Mr. Chance's fountain of information, the door was opened and Greg was able to shut it off after SIX hours of noise!!  There were high fives all around!!   There's nothing more exhilarating than honing your skills!!

Later, the owner returned early only because his wife thought she might have left the frying pan on the hot stove.  Good grief people!!!  We all might have burned up!!  PLEASE take the time to SLOWLY and DELIBERATELY walk around your rig every single time before leaving, to make sure everything is turned OFF!!!  

The last supper at the Chance residence was another Patty HIT ... a chicken and pasta casserole.  It's hard to say goodbye to such good friends, but we'll catch up in a couple of months at a California Rally.

For those heading this direction for the Escapade, here's your new digs.  Full hookups newly installed.  Just be careful of the deep gully you have to cross to get in to the spaces, unless they have a secret entrance somewhere.  My rig wouldn't make it without going at a sharp angle (and maybe not even then), which has been known to break windshields ... so please be careful!!  

I'm heading out this morning .... my timing couldn't be better.  There is a huge Gun Show starting today.  Wish I had known, I would have stayed a couple of extra days, but alas the Magic Kingdom says they require my services for a few weeks, so I'm heading off this morning to the Castle.

I'm going to miss the Coyotes who sing to me every morning!!

SO Many Internet SCAMS!!

The internet has made life SO much easier.  I don't have to dive into all the traffic driving 30 miles or more to get things I need at home ... I can just go online and order it shipped right to my door.  Unfortunately, that also means giving out your email address and phone number.  Here's a tip ... you can have as many email addresses as you like, so set one up to use only for those online orders.  All the junk you receive can be handily deleted and not bothered with.

As Nick Russell has stated many times, there's hundreds of ways people will try to get in your wallet or your bank account.  From your son being arrested in Mexico needing an immediate money order for a lawyer to that REALLY big refund you are getting from the IRS ... don't fall for ANY of them.  If the tiniest little question pops up in your head ... DON'T DO IT!!!

Here's a couple of examples of things I get EVERY SINGLE DAY!!

FedEx #4442 Cannot Make Delivery ... click here to verify information.  NO  NO  NO!!  If you think Aunt Bessy might have sent you something, PLEASE call Aunt Bessy BEFORE you even open the email.

Your Costco Gift ... Maybe give Costco a call first.  I sincerely doubt that businesses are giving away free prizes.

Your Order Refund is Ready to be Processed.  If you did NOT order something (or even if you did), please DO NOT fill out any form with your bank information ... or ANY information for that matter.   Don't think "how lucky am I, they made a mistake and I'm getting $300 in my account".  What you will find is they will take three times that amount OUT of your account.  Don't fall for this scam friends!!

My Friend ... Cannot Make Delivery.  Verify information.  Did you order something?  Is it your birthday? If you can't nail down who sent you something, IGNORE the message.  Sometimes the English or the spelling will be a dead giveaway.

Anyone, either by Phone or Email that requests money.  HANG UP AND IGNORE.  Call the Police and report it if you feel the need.  If they threaten to kill your relative or keep them in prison forever, tell them you did't like him anyway.

Urgent Answer Required ... That's code for I want to get in your bank account, not your pants, in which case I might just talk for a minute or two!!

FBI Code 43254.  Unless you've sent a message about something blowing up ... I hesitate to write "those words" .... trust me, the FBI could care less about you.  Maybe if you're a Nazi spy or something, but if you're just a regular person, this TOO is a scam.

IRS is BLOCKING all your Bank Accounts.  RESPOND IMMEDIATELY!!  NO NO NO!!!  The IRS won't send you an email OR call you on the phone.  Do NOT give out any of your bank information to ANYONE over the internet.  Tell them to take the house, it's a mess since the fire anyway.

BMW CEO - Stables of Lotteries and Promotions.  Verify information for your winnings.  Do you really think BMW is giving away money or maybe a car?  There's how many people in the world and you are just SO lucky?  Listen to this one ... I'm going to win a 217 BMW and $800,000.  If this ended up in my junk folder, it's because of internet gaming restrictions.  I should take this seriously.   They are licensed by the International Association of Gaming Regulators.  Call this number, whereupon they will tell you to pay the $12,000 tax to their account before it can be delivered.  SCAM SCAM SCAM!!!

I receive not 5 or 6 of these scams a day, I receive in the hundreds since my email address has been mine for many, MANY years.  Please don't give up your hard earned money to these criminals who seem to come up with better and better ways to convince you they are legit.  Unfortunately the ease of the internet dictates we must be ever more vigilant of our bank accounts.

I spent a lot of time yesterday with this crazy dog.  Just like a little boy, he's so darn cute when he's sleeping, but when he wakes up, he's a tornado around the rig!!

I finished up three more quilt blocks before dismantling my machine.  Due to some upcoming commitments, I have to return to California.  Hopefully my house hasn't floated away in all the rain they have been having.    I'm very happy to say I'm not leaving today, since the winds have picked up to the point I can barely open my door!!  

After watching granddaughter Laila at her horseback riding lesson (pictures tomorrow) Patty, Dan and I went to Saguaro Corners for dinner.  This is the John Wayne burger.  Good grief it was HUGE!!!  So big that when I cut it in half, it wouldn't stay upright.  Cooked to perfection, I ate every single bite.  By midnight, I was wishing I had only eaten half as I choked down some Tums.  UGH ... I should have known better.  On Thursday nights they have small bands playing really great music on the patio.  Go early!!

I have a couple of errands to run today, one to purchase screens for the heater vents on the outside of my rig.  Thanks to my neighbors Paula and Greg (did I get your names right?  You know I'm terrible at names) we found some wasp nests.  You'll find out tomorrow if I got stung!!

Just Smelling The Roses

Some days it's good to just sit and smell the roses.  In spite of my want to see absolutely everything, it was time for a day of rest with the puppies.  It didn't turn out exactly as I planned because even when you plan nothing, the jello gets shaken by the wind in Arizona and plans change.

It's so nice to hang out in my 74 degree rig.  It's been cold and windy the last few days so I cranked up the heat for the puppies and Jonathan.  That's when I received the phone call from the place I purchased the embroidery machine.  

As part of my "deal", I got All Access for free.  It's a monthly magazine packed full of designs and instructions, including a CD.  Usually, they send it to the store and you pick it up.  Since I live in California, I paid the postage to have it sent to me there.  The phone call said my book had arrived at the shop.

Wait ... it's supposed to be shipped!!  Two calls later they verified that fact and said they would mail it.

Wait!!  I'm still in Arizona, I'll stop by and pick it up.  There began the saga of All Access.  I finally left my den of warmth and snuggly puppies in a terrible wind and drove 35 minutes to the store.  OH! the salesperson said ... we can't find your magazine.  We looked everywhere!!  Sorry ... there's nothing I can do, you'll have to come back later.

Ah NO ... I drove 35 minutes to get here ... I'm not going anywhere.  When I gave her the names of two ladies I had spoken to, she finally reluctantly called one.    Long story short, the book magically appeared in the file cabinet at her feet.  I assume they will mail the rest of the books once a month, I asked?   I have no idea she stated.  Okaaaaaay then ........... did you ever notice that sometimes the roses don't smell so good?

I'll call the company myself.  It's funny how once you've purchased something, the service thing goes out the window.  No worries, I've got a warm house and puppies happy to see me.  I spent the rest of the day on the couch, with a little embroidery on the side.

To make it even better, the sunset was rather warming and soothing, except for the part where I saw it, grabbed my camera and raced to the bandstand in my slippers, freezing because I forgot my coat.

Luckily the camera has vibration reduction, or every image would be blurry!!  Way off in the distance it started to rain as the sun was setting.  How cool is that?

You've heard of purple rain?  This was pretty close ... pinky purple rain.  I'm glad it was far away and not getting ME wet.  About that time the sprinkler on the grass below came around and got my feet wet.  Yikes!!  I looked around for a little cover.

These clouds looked like a fire breathing dragon, but I guess I have a pretty active imagination, since it doesn't look that way here.  

I could't stand it any longer ... the wind and cold was getting to be too much, even though I was hiding behind a large steel beam.  I counted my blessings as I walked back to the rig .... really fast!!

People are clearing out here since we all have to be gone by March 14th I think.  Except that is for the one next to me with the roaring jet engine for a heater.  Hillbilly Heaven (not my description, it's on the front of his rig) on the other side has a very low front tire, so I doubt he's going anywhere any time soon.  

Sometimes just smelling the roses isn't all it's cracked up to be .... time to find another attraction!!

A Gem In The Desert

Sometimes you find great places by mistake.  It happens to me a lot, since I either get lost or go to the wrong place, which I THINK is what happened here.  As a result, I found a gem in the desert you really must visit.

It's not exactly easy to find, although the address IS correct.  The problem is as soon as people come to the dirt road, they turn back.  Keep going until you see a large mailbox with the name FRANKLIN on the side.  It looks like you are going to someone's house, not a museum, and you would be right.

This is the small building on the left as you enter, with an even smaller home on the right.  Turn left between the two buildings to find a three-car parking area.  This building was the mechanics shop where Franklin Automobiles were restored and now houses part of the museum.  

There's not a lot of information out there on it's owner, Thomas H. Hubbard and I did not take notes. Let's see what I can remember.  As a mining engineer, Thomas loved old Franklin cars which were built between 1902 and 1934 in Syracuse New York.  He loved them so much that when the mine closed down, he moved to Tucson, bought a large section of land for pittance and began his new life.

This beauty is a 1905 Model A Runabout.   I can just imagine toodeling down the road in this magnificent car.  Check out the picnic basket on the side, with a rear wicker umbrella holder.

Every single Franklin car made came with a clock as standard equipment.  They also came with a luggage package, usually including two hat boxes, one for the man and one for the woman.

With it's four cylinder engine and two speed transmission, it could go a whopping 30 mph.  

This rear tonneau which seated two passengers through a rear entry door which you can see in the middle, was removable so your mother-in-law couldn't ride with you.  What an amazing machine.  Thomas lovingly restored each of these to their original state.  Although you can't touch, you can ask the volunteers to open anything for closer viewing.

Here's a 1918 Model 98 Touring car purchased by Miss Hazel Clemence from Massachusetts to take her father on rides until his death in 1935.  Yes, they know the history of every car here, and it's SO interesting.  

It was rather unusual for a woman to be driving in those days.  There are lots of buttons to push and levers to pull.  Here again is the standard clock and the odometer.  There is even a TRIP gauge.  Who knew they had THESE back in the old days?

This is a 1927 l1B sedan, the last vehicle H. H. Franklin himself rode in before his death.   While  I was there, a gentleman came in and joined the group.  Seems he was a kid from the neighborhood when Thomas was here.  What a great gentleman to talk to.  Thomas would pick him up in his car and take him to the shop, where he would be put to work cleaning car parts.  He has recently lost his drivers license, and so spends lots of time here at the museum.    He has worked on almost every car here.

All of the earlier cars have wooden wheels.  Can you imagine trying to change a flat tire on this baby?  If you own a Franklin today and your wooden wheel breaks, you can actually have another one made for a measly $300.  

Here's another beauty for you ... a 1933 Olympic Convertible Coupe ... a "gentlemen's" full convertible with rumble seat.  Can't you just see yourself driving this down the dirt road?  It came complete with four huge pieces of luggage kept in the trunk ... which is still there ... the luggage that is!  

Thomas Hubbard had a mechanics shop, an upholstery shop with tile flooring (above image) and a paint shop just for restoring his Franklins.  Some were donated to him, but most he purchased from the New York area.  

This particular vehicle is a 1931 Sport Phaeton with a custom body built for Stiffman Kelley II of Lexington MA.  He was rather partial to the Cadillac design, but wanted a Franklin for his wedding trip.  He took a Hersheys chocolate bar to the paint shop and told them to make it "this" color.    This is what happens when you have too much money!!

Franklin originally built aircraft engines, one of which is on display also.

This 1931 Deluxe Town Car began it's life as a 1929 model, then a 1930 and finally a 1931, each time being issued a new serial number.  It was H. H. Franklin's business car in New York City.  Thomas Hubbard got a kick out of dressing up as a driver and picking up Mr. Harrah's (of Harrah's Automobile Collection in Nevada) and taking him on a city tour before they landed at the ranch, comparing notes on cars.  Thomas even restored several of the cars in the Harrah Collection.

This is the hood ornament for the Town Car.  Don't ask me what it is, you'll have to check with the volunteers when you get there.  It kind of looks like a bird, or a plane ... no, it's not Superman.

If you wish, you can also tour the house Thomas Hubbard lived in with his parents.  It's a small adobe, beautifully built, with the original furniture still in tact.  When Thomas died, he set up a Foundation to keep the museum going.  The volunteers aren't exactly great housekeepers ... you know how it is ladies, they are all men.

There's a tiny kitchen with a "pretend sink".  Washing of dishes must be done in the bathroom sink.  Why don't you think the MEN would fix it?  

Thomas Hubbard never married, spending all his life with his automobiles.  His office library is stuffed with every book imaginable about the Franklin cars he loved, along with all of the repair manuals.  There are also many Engineering books from his early days.

If you happen to be in the area, please check it out.  $10 donation ($8 for seniors).   If you LIVE in the area, here's a really great tip.  If you volunteer at the museum when it's open from October through Memorial Day, you will probably get to DRIVE  one or two or maybe even three!!  If I find a place here, I'm signing up.  Every Thursday night they CRUISE THE DRAG for a couple of hours in one of the cars.  If they need parts, you can drive to the store and pick them up.  How fun would THAT be???

Ladies, don't think you will be bored.  The cars were made for women as well as men, with lots of mirrors and secret compartments.  There's even a Golf Door built in to allow easy access to your golf clubs.