Getting ready to bolt!

Well the deer isn't getting ready to bolt, but Debi and I are. Laundry today then "spool up" tomorrow and get ready to head further south. The plan is to leave Hurricane Utah about 8:30 Friday, when we enter Nevada and California it will be an hour earlier so we time it to go through Vegas about mid morning. Getting through that I-15 to the 515 loop is always challenging pulling a trailer but easier mid morning when the traffic is lighter. Plan on meeting up with Sally Hayward for lunch in Needles California then press on to Blythe California. Saturday the plan is to finish the trip to Apache Junction Az.

We've had some horrendous wind here the last couple days, one about needs an anchor to throw out to keep from blowing away, I looked like a drunk staggering down the sidewalk during yesterday's morning walk, I was literally having trouble standing up walking into the wind. "No officer, I don't need a sobriety test, I need a sail" We've been in contact with Lary and Sharon Lozier, their RV park is a few blocks away from ours in AJ so we'll get together for lunch or something. Ahhhh, retirement, it's all I expected!!!

Tuacahn Theater

Anyone who's spent any time in St. George has attended an outdoor preformance at Tuacahn theater. Some of the "headliners" play here and pack the ampitheater. We went to an "art fair" yesterday at Tuacahn but were unable to see the theater portion of the area. The theater is surrounded by beautiful red cliffs and apparently that has something to do with the acoustics?

We went with Sutherlands yesterday and after Tuacahn went househunting (not for Debi and I) to Mesquite Nv and Beaverdam Arizona. Saw a really nice little 2 bedroom 2 bath house in Beaverdam in a retirement community for $145,900. It was surely a beautiful day here yesterday, as I type this morning though, the wind is rocking the trailer pretty good. Our friends and family north of here will get the snow and rain and we'll get the wind. In checking the forecast for our Friday launch it looks pretty good. Temps in Mesa Az will be in the low to mid 70's with overnight lows in the low 50's. Instead of going through a bottle of propane every 4 days like in Wyoming before we left, the bottles are now lasting 3 weeks.

Football and baseball today, my New York Yankees got their game rained out last evening so will go today!! Go Yanks...Go Broncos..and Cardinals....etc...etc.... wow..innundated with sports events every day. Got to pinch myself to make sure I'm alive..

"gorge"ous

Sure some pretty canyons and gorges in southern Utah. This one is near Toquerville Ut. Debi was a little nerveous when I pulled up to the scenic lookout and there wasn't anything to stop the truck from rolling down the hill.

Had lunch with Bob and Tib Sutherland yesterday and Henry and Linda Schmidt at Olive Garden. Went to the movie "couples retreat" at a local movie theater afterwards. Was kind of a cool movie.

Hope this "updating" the blog twice a week instead of everyday is working out for everyone. We are beginning to "spool" up for our trip further south. First city is of course Las Vegas, hope to hit that mid morning Oct 30th. We'll overnight it at an RV park just south of Blythe Cal. then on to Apache Junction Az. Oct 31st , even traveling through Phoenix isn't bad if you hit it right. I'll travel in time from age 62 to age 63 just before we launch, hopefully I won't be too old and broke down to negotiate the curves and roads in the upcoming days.

Hey, How bout them Broncos 6-0, been a while since they've had a team I can stomach to root for. "Bore on Broncos"!!!!!

Wierd cloud

Was with the Sutherlands the other evening and watched this cloud for some time over Pine Mountain. It just sit (sat?) there in that one position. Had the "5th wheel washers" in a couple days ago to wash and wax our rig. They did a super job (a photograph wouldn't do justice). Went to the Casa Blanca casino in Mesquite for their Friday night seafood buffet, wow, was it good. My Saturday weigh in revealed a couple of extra pounds. We'll stay in and watch some football today. I'll head out shortly on my morning walk and do the usual two miles. I see by Pinedale's webcam and accuweather that Pinedale has been sweltering in the tropics. We'll head out of here Oct.30th and continue our southern routes.

Silver lake and the cirque

Can't remember if I posted this one or not from my walk into Silver lake area in August. Ominous clouds that day but no precip.

Good to visit with old friends here at Willowind RV park. We've been out and about with Bob and Tib Sutherland in the St. George area. We've decided to "cannonball" it down to Blythe Cal. on US 95 when we leave out of here Oct. 30th. We'll overnight it there then on to Apache junction Az. on Halloween (that's a frightening thought). Win and BeBe Farnsworth are already in Apache Junction, we'll see them there. Supposed to hit 88-90 degrees here Saturday, we've established a "no whine"(temperaturewise) zone here though, after our unscheduled late departure from Pinedale.

Uh oh!

That's red and blue lights going on that Police vehicle. I passed them on my morning walk. The wrecker had just left with a car in tow and the guy standing to the left of the police car had his arms folded and a big scowl. I only said good morning and walked on. What ever it was wasn't good...

To save repeating everything here that I do on facebook, I'm going to begin updating this blog every Tuesday and Sunday. I find myself trying to create stuff and I think that If I only update two days a week it will be easier on the eyes and on me. Just wanted to give everyone a heads up so you don't go in and find the blog hasn't been updated and begin to cuss...We don't want you cussing!!

South!!

Now let me see, was there some reason I wanted to stay in Wyoming this winter......"I DON'T THEENK SOOOOO".

Life is good

Finally!

Left Pinedale at 6:15 a.m. and had an uneventful trip to Hurricane Utah. When we left Pinedale it was snowing lightly and cool. Arrived to 76 degree temps. This is more like it. New truck really preformed well. The "built in" engine brake is really nice going down hills.

Maybe tomorrow

Apparently The service guys at Wolf Dodge are having problems installing the "hitch" on the new Dodge. Hopefully it will be done today.

Well so much for the animated characters in the post below...Back to the drawing board

Wow, no heavy snowstorms in the area

http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/images/smilies/beer2.gif

Here we go again...

New ride

Wow, Wolf Dodge really came through, got a really good deal on this one ton and the warranty covered the blown engine in the old one. We should (God willing) be hooked up and rolling before noon tomorrow.

09 Dodge 1 ton

This is what our new ride looks like (color will be red over khaki??) at any rate, me and the loan company are "happy campers". Should be in late late tonight from Pampa Texas.

Mohave desert

Another picture of the Mohave desert from one of the rock hunts with Sally and friends.

Got the new truck on the way to Pinedale. One of Wolf Dodge drivers is picking it up in the morning in Pampa Texas (cause it's a 2 wheel drive) and it will be here tomorrow night late. The game plan is to switch the hitch and towing stuff over Wed. and sign the papers. Should be out of here Thursday by noon (I hope).

Actually the snow has been kind of fun and I think we'll appreciate the warmer climes better after an ordeal like this one.

Let the negotiations begin!!

Two things in life are difficult. #1. Getting hammered in depositions by a $200.00/hour attorney and#2 negotiating on a new vehicle . The dentist is a distant 3rd.

"Dodge gone"

Looks like I'll trade the old Dodge off and get a new one. Should have delivery of it early week and be on the road Thursday morning again. I'm getting a two wheel drive as I only use it for around town stuff and towing. I have a beater 4x4 in Pinedale that I use to haul wood and hunt in.

If you believe 5 day forecasts, Thursday looks like a good travel day.

Maybe soon??

Negotiating with Wolf Dodge for a different truck. Met with one of the sales guys this morning and we're trying to work the details out. If it goes through we'll be able to leave for the south about a week from now. I sure hope so, I've burned 7 gallons of propane in 5 days here!! Yikes!!

Uh Oh!!

This doesn't look good. Blew the engine in the Dodge diesel, got 5th wheel towed back to Tim's yard and the Dodge to Wolf Dodge. The good news is...It's still under warranty... Now we'll see what happens. Not sure what this is all going to entail??? We had just left Tim's yard and was southbound to Provo and got about half way between Pinedale and Big Piney when it blew. We had Good Sam roadside service and they paid for the towing. We just hunker down and wait a day...days...a week??? Not sure yet??