Tuesday, April 28, 2015 Taking It Easy

This morning we decided to investigate the base.  We went to the BX first and got a few items for the dogs.  Next we went to the Commissary.  We returned to the RV and put away our stuff and had a snack.  Then we went walking around the famcamp with the dogs.  We saw the Thunderbirds doing a practice run!  They are awesome!
 I don't know that we did much of anything else except kill time and sit outside.  Steve did practice taking some pictures. Then it was time for supper.  After that we watched a little TV.  Later we decided to do the Laundry.

These are fat Palm trees!

This is a baby palm tree!

I was happy - we walked enough today that I got in10,000 steps!  Woo Hoo!

Not much exciting this date.

Monday, April 27, 2015 Fixing Things

OK, today was started out with plumbing.  Steve was concerned that our Black tank dump valve was not operating correctly and might give us future trouble.  Well we certainly don't want trouble with that! Plus there is a waste water flush that had a leak in one of it's parts that he wanted to identify and repair.  In addition, I had put in a call to VA to order meds for Steve and we wanted to get that squared away today. 

We found out from the Winnebago parts people where the Winnebago dealers were located in Las Vegas.  Well, we are in North Las Vegas and the dealers are in the south part of Las Vegas.  So off we went with our trusty GPS.  The traffic was a little wild, even in the pickup.  We went to Camping World first, and they had the black tank dump valve, but not the other part. Next stop was Finley's RV, which was much closer to our RV.  Steve went in not expecting much, but guess what!!  They had the part and the guy didn't charge him anything because he had to wait!  Wow what a nice guy!  If we need anything else - we will go there!

We returned to the RV and Steve put these parts on and we walked the dogs.  We really enjoy walking around here and just checking out the place.  We took it easy the rest of the evening -because Steve was about pooped out from plumbing!  Glad that is done for awhile.  And, oh my--the drive to the two places and back to the RV was over 50 miles.  This place is spread out!

Sunday, April 26, 2015 Driving to Las Vegas

Well this was a beautiful morning for a drive.  The temperature was cool, the sky was clear and we had an easy setup and departure.  We gassed up the RV before hitting the highway and some people asked Steve how to get the gas going.  It was one where you have to lift the handle after removing the nozzle.  They were not from around these parts, possibly German.  They had a rented Class C motorhome with no toad and were very happy for the help to get the gas pumping!

I had been worried about traveling up US 93 re: downgrades and/or elevation or curves.  My concern came from reading the Mountain Passes book we had.  Well my worries were unfounded.  There were only two downgrades of 6%.  We didn't have any trouble.  Then we started enjoying the scenery. It is magnificent country.  The views are big!  I don't remember mountains from two previous visits to Las Vegas, but there are mountains!  It is desolate but very interesting and beautifull in it's own way.

We arrived at the Desert Eagle Fam Camp, Nellis Air Force Base around noon or one o'clock.  There is no way to tell what time it is anywhere out here!  Arizona did not follow Daylight Savings time and Nevada is on Pacific time  -so we are always somewhat confused as to what time it is.

Anyway this famcamp is very nice! and the guy who checked us in was very informative and nice.  He got all our information and gave us a packet.  He also got on his nifty golf cart and guided us to our site.  That is so helpful after driving.  We were glad that we came in on Sunday, because the traffic was not too bad.

Well we did dthe usual setup chores and ordered pizza and walked the dogs.  After it got good and dark, we ventured out in the pickup to see the Strip.  We made it there and drove around, but were unsure where to park.  

We just looked at lights and sights then returned to the RV.

Saturday, April 25, 2015 London Bridge is NOT Falling Down

Today we got a pretty good start and after walking the dogs and having some breakfast, we were on  our way.  We packed some cold drinks and snacks and headed south to Lake Havasu City.  This is where the London Bridge was erected after being purchased and shipped here.  It was quite fun to see the London Bridge, the marvelous boats, and the beach type activities. 

People ride all over in dune buggies.  This place is a Spring Break spot also.  And of course retirees hang out here in the winter!  The water looked inviting!  There were some very expensive boats and other nifty toys here.  We strolled around and took some pics.  Next we had lunch.

Then we drove to  Oatman, AZ on old Route 66.  We must have seen hundreds, maybe thousands of motorcycles!  We saw the "wild" Burros!  They almost got in the pickup with us while Steve was taking pictures!  The dogs went nuts!  Not only do our dogs hate people, motorcycles, bicycles, big trucks, and other dogs, we can add Wild Burros to that list!

We could barely drive through Oatman, because the bikers were there in force!  Not sure if there was an event or just a regular Saturday happening.  And we had a very fun, curvy mountain drive back to Kingman.  We stopped as often as possible to take pictures.  We would do this drive again!  The scenery is so interesting.  It is other-worldly, desolate, historical, end-of-the-world and many other descriptors!  It is one of those drives that you could see different things driving north or south and at different times of the year.

We also drove out to Hualapai Mountain Park to look for elk, but did not see any.  Then we returned to the RV to relax and have supper. 

Friday, April 24, 2015 Walmart

We slept in a little this morning.  After walking the dogs and having breakfast we got our grocery list together and went to Walmart.  The most important reason for going to Walmart was to get my prescriptions refilled.  The first part was easy, spoke to the girl at the window and got the refills started, well one medicine was out of refills, but she said they could request a refill electronically.  OK, Great I said.  

Then Steve and I shopped for all the necessary supplies for the next few days.  By the way, you would have thought it was Black Friday by the number of people at this Walmart!  We returned to the pharmacy area to pick up my meds and the first problem was that one was only partly filled (14 days, not 30 days) and the one that needed renewed had not been processed yet either.  So the pharmacist got the correct number of meds in my bottle and I re-checked the refill process.  Next we checked out with the groceries and supplies.

I got to thinking and decided to call my doctor's office to make sure the refill got called in.  It was good I did because they didn't have any request.  So I then called the Perry Walmart and the Kingman Walmart and got it straightened out. Getting meds on the road can be tricky.

We went home and unloaded all the stuff.  We had soft tacos for supper and took it easy.  We deserved an easy night since it was a rough go at Walmart.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Oh Joy!  The shots arrived by UPS truck 

today!  That means we are headed west!  We started stowing things away and disconnecting utilities.  Then we hooked up the pick-up for towing.  And away we went!

We headed to Kingman, AZ for a few days.  After we arrived -we went to a park that did not look to good to us (Circle  S).   It seemed to be mostly long-term RVers.  So we went to Fort Beale RV Park in the historic part of town and were much happier with the location.  It is tight but seemed well maintained and nice. 

We parked, got set up and since we were tired, we went to In and Out Burgers to eat supper.  I didn't want to cook!  LOL  They only have burgers, cheeseburgers, fries, shakes and soft drinks!  And they taste really good!  Fresh beef, fresh potatoes, and fresh-baked buns!  It is a chain that originated in California.

That is about it for this day.

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Wednesday started out with me getting a big goose egg on my forehead.  I was playing with Buster and his hard head and my hard head collided!  Wow did that hurt!  I got a bump and black and blue spot.  

Steve worked on trying to change a washer and connection in our sani-flush.  But even though we had the outside plumbing part, we could not get a washer that worked.  We went around Holbrook to the Tractor Supply and also to the Dollar Store.  Anyway, that killed most of the morning.

For the afternoon, we took a drive to Showlow AZ, but couldn't find the park we were looking for.  We have not got the GPS figured out quite right yet.  Sometimes it doesn't feel our touch and sometimes it seems to respond very slowly!  On the return trip to Holbrook we stopped at Pintail Lake.  It is formed from waste water provided by the town of Showlow.  It provides a great wetland for waterfowl and other migrating birds.  We enjoyed our walk and the dogs were extremely happy to run around. 

Later in the evening, I worried about when Steve's shots would arrive and what we should do if they did not make it.

That about did it for today!

Tuesday, April 21, 2015 Petrified Forest

We took the dogs for a pretty good stroll this morning, then returned to the RV to pack a lunch for the day.  We are headed to the Petrified Forest today!

We went in the south entrance and got to the visitor's center.  The dogs went nuts barking!  They hate other people.  So we got them out then after we got them settled down and away from the people, I took them and Steve started taking some pictures.  After a while, he relieved me and I took a few pictures.

I visited the Petrified Forest when I was 12 or 13.  But I think back then I was not impressed.  In fact if I recall correctly I was underwhelmed.  It is so much more interesting now, learning how this was formed and appreciating the beauty of the petrified wood and the other surroundings.  

This is the Tepee Area, aptly named.

Of course Zoey is doing her part to help Steve drive through the park!

A really nice older couple was at this pullout point at the same time as we were.  They wanted me to take their picture, which I did.  The lady noticed I was from Oklahoma and she said she grew up in Weatherford.  Her first husband was a preacher at Vici.  I told her I grew up in Woodward!! Small world!  Then I showed her how to use her iPhone to take a panoramic shot as I did on this picture.  She thanked me and seemed so happy to learn about it.

This bush smelled delightful!  I wish I could have bottled the fragrance.

This was our lunchtime view!

And a flower that was pretty.

Another amazing view. As you are driving through the park, these viewpoints just come up so dramatically.  

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and plan to do more sightseeing tomorrow.

We did take a nap when we got back to the RV.

I caught up the blog posts tonight and now it is time to go to sleep!