5C's Que Pasa

What a beautiful morning! At 7AM it was 60F and by 11:30AM it was 83F.

We actually went for a 30 minute walk early this morning.  Me included. The girls were so happy as I have not walked for three years.  It was a major event for this family.

Yes, all four of us did the big walk.

Back to the RV for breakfast for the girls and hot drinks for us....fake coffee. Not fun being allergic to caffeine. Val and John, the RV on the left, left for Yuma and we will meet them again on Monday.

Not only are we happy to be here in the BLM lands but so is our RV.

It was interesting to watch Caeli today. She decided that this particular bush was her napping area. Yet another area was her pee area and another her pooping area. She maintained the routine all day.

Colin spent the morning sorting out one of the bins.

Carmeh spent the day hunting, either in this bush or in the wash behind the RV. We were always monitoring where she was, especially after hearing the coyotes so close last night.

...and when I could, I just sat in my chair with my feet propped up. Over the day I did manage to read an entire mini novel. My kind of relaxation.

Finally after about 20 other chores, Colin got up on the roof to deal with the fantastic fan problem.

He tried everything you all suggested and non of it worked.  I got on the computer and found an RV place here in Quartzsite that had one Fantastic Fan in stock.  Then Colin checked with the Fantastic Fan folks who said that that fan would not work with our system but we needed a certain other system.  Turns out that that part is a special order item and takes 4 weeks to get to us.  We spent about 90 minutes on the computer using Skype to try and sort this out.  We have a fantastic fan in the kitchen, the bathroom and the bedroom and we use all three.  Finally after much back and forth with various people and the customer service folks at Fantastic Fans we sorted it all out.  The only fan for sale here in Quartzsite will fit our RV but will not work with the wall thermometer which we do not use anyway.  So we will go in first thing Monday morning and get the new fan or at least the guts installed.  Fan cost is $200.00 and the install price is $50.00.  Considering that the RV is 12 years old, it is well worth the price.  Yes Fantastic Fans are guaranteed for life but we don’t want to wait 4 -6 weeks or more for parts and then having to pay to have them shipped to Mexico.  After 12 years of being on the ocean we expect a certain amount of corrosion.  To us this is a good deal and great peace of mind.

Ahh....finally the last C is taking time to relax.

Gosh if we are so relaxed on our first vacation day, what will tomorrow bring?

Tags: Mexico, RV repairs, The girls, travel

Thursday was exhausting.  We drove from Vegas to Lake Havasu City.

Lake Havasu has it all, great mountain views and the wonderful Colorado River.

Once we arrived at the local Walmart I was greeted by long time friend Libby.

We did nurses training together way back when.  Libby lives with MS and manages very well.  She lives half the year in Lake Havasu but was pressed for time today so we had a short visit while she was between errands.

After Libby left I did our final shopping before crossing into Mexico.  Honestly it was my final final.  The fridge is full and of course the RV is also.  Well almost.  Just  two days before we left home Colin discovered that our BBQ was not going to last more than a few weeks.  So I went online and made numerous calls and bought us a BBQ.  A Weber of course as per our friend and “The Weber “Q” Man of Blogland”, George.

So here we are at Home Depot in Lake Havasu were we purchased a Weber 200 on sale for $159.00. What we didn't know is that it was a display item and had no box and we were short on storage space.

So it has to travel inside the RV for now, along with everything else 😕

We are really travelling in the overfull mode and I am counting the seconds until we get to the Isla and can unload.  Yet another newbie RVer to the Isla, thanks to this blog, is arriving on Stone Island Nov. 1st.  Sorry I am not there to greet you Carol but you are at least 2 -4 weeks ahead of schedule.  Please enjoy and relax and I will see you in a week.

From Lake Havasu we headed to Parker where we picked up our black tank chemicals, filled the RV with diesel @ 3.69/gallon and filled the propane tank.  We are ready to go, ready to cross the border into Mexico.

But first we need a holiday.  We have been going flat out.  Once the business was put to bed for 6 months, the RV loaded and ready to go and the drive from cold to heat and all the preparatory shopping done, we, well me in particular, were tired.  So we ended Thursday by a final drive to the BLM lands near Quartzsite.

Now who do you think we should run into in the BLM lands? Non other than John and Val, who will be our next door neighbors on the Isla.

Just a few days ago they emailed and asked if they could travel with us.  Their original travel companion is having medical issues.  Val and John are driving to Mexico for the first time this year.  They came up our stairs on the Isla, one day last year to ask about RVing there and from that brief conversation they now live in our RV park in Canada, Holiday Park Resort, and now will be travelling with us to the Isla as well being as our neighbors.  Then to meet them here, well as Val says, ‘it was meant to be’.

We usually park in another area here but the only nice spot left this time was next to Val and John. I guess it was meant to be.

We only drove about 220 miles today but with all the errands it seemed like much more.

We are here for four nights and three more full days.  A vacation before we head into Mexico.  Many thanks for all the blog comments and private emails with suggestions re our fantastic fan problems.  Colin will try some of them tomorrow and I will let you know how we manage.

Meanwhile I am falling asleep at the computer….time to get my vacation going.  Bedtime!

Tags: friends, Holiday Park, Isla de la Piedra, Mazatlan, Mexico, Stone Island, travel, Tres Amigos RV Park

We had frozen slide outs Wednesday morning.  While our 2 slides were out the night before and we were sleeping there was a light rain and then some snow and it seems that that was enough to freeze it all up.

The slides came in but the metal piece that wraps around the rolled up slide piece would not wrap up. It was in the frozen straight out frozen position. What to do but boil the kettle and bring it up on the roof.

Colin had to go up 4 times. We had to de thaw the living room slide and then the bedroom slide that you see here.

It was about 30F at 7:00AM. Our creative approach worked and we were driving by 7:30AM.

It had been a snowy night! We had fog for just a short time and then the sun came out.

I received a few comments about staying in Ely and the cold.  We were aware of the situation but we were not willing to drive any further that day.  We really were very cosy inside the RV.  The frozen slides were a first for us.  We have had to break ice off the slide canvas top in the past and have had a sewer hose break into pieces because of the cold but never this particular situation.

As the sun came out we were able to experience nature at her best.

About 100 miles north of Las Vegas the trees are just starting to turn yellow.

It seemed to take forever to arrive in the big city. Not a great shot due to the haze and travelling down I15. That is the speedway on the bottom left.

Once we got to Vegas we managed to pick up 18 cases of wine at Trader Joes and then moved on to a Walmart.  They didn’t have everything I need so we shall have to visit another one tomorrow.  Finally got to Camping World in Henderson about  4:30PM.  We just discovered Wednesday that our Fantastic Fan in the kitchen is not working.  Camping World informed us that the Fantastic Fan company in no longer very fantastic.  It seems that they have been bought out by another company who are not as good at upholding the reputation of the company.  Camping World refused to even look at our problem.  No one carries the parts.  They were willing to sell us a new one but we don’t even know what the problem is.  This may be an issue for us in Mexico as we do use our fans a lot.  We have three of them and may have to exchange the kitchen one with the one in the bedroom.  We have sent out a few SOS’s.

I am becoming more and more enraged with our Verizon service.  I can email out and do the blog today but can’t receive emails. I see a big change in my future re our internet needs.

We spent most of our evening here at Camping World storing and sorting.  This is a great RV as we seem to be able to just keep putting stuff in.  I think we are about maxed out and actually we don’t need anything more.

It is time to just get on with the vacation.  We are in the midst of changing our plans for the next two days so no map as to our destination.  It is a work in progress.

Tags: RV repairs, travel, Wine

At 7 AM Tuesday morning we were not certain that that was even possible.

The weather advisory was not promising. Colin is all of his wisdom said, let's go for it, they always predict the worse.

The day started out with sun quickly followed by fog patches.

One minute we were blinded by the sun....

...the next cooled by the incoming fog.

The entire day was a game of peak and boo with the sun and the fog.  Much like Caeli…

Earlier in the morning I was looking for her. Finally after my calling her name several times she made a noise....she was hiding under the bed pillows where it was warm. She really did not want to come out of hiding.

As we entered Nevada the mountains showed just a dusting of snow.

So pretty and distant...

Yet as we passed Wells, the snow was so very near. We even experienced a few snow showers.

It was only a 336 mile drive but the girls were soon bored. Carmeh went from me to Colin and back to me and finally settled next to Caeli.

We made very good time today and our first stop in Ely was to the local hardware store, True Value.  Our 10 X 10 gazebo that we have on our site on the Isla was blown away by storms a few months ago.  The only place we could find a replacement in all of Canada and the USA was with True Value.  They had 3 in the warehouse, somewhere back East and had one brought in for us.  So we had it loaded into the RV and off to an RV Park for the night.  We always stay at this park as we have 6 boondocking days ahead of us and this is a good place to dump and fill with fresh water.  Besides it is always cold here at this high elevation and so it is nice to plug in for a night.  We had also used this address for our online purchases, mostly dog food.

22 five pound bags and no they can't be purchased in Mexico.

That long box is the gazebo which will have to travel right where it is for the entire trip. It is 80 inches long and weighs 78 lbs and there is no where else it could possibly go. Those smaller boxes were things for me and a large box of dog toys. Yes Teri, they needed more toys!!

Once we were settled and hooked up we went for a family walk. It was very cool @ 38F.

With fresh snow on the mountains and those heavy clouds we knew we would be in for a very cold night. Colin made sure all of our hoses were put away other than the electric.

Once back inside we all did what made us feel good. Me a glass of wine, Colin his guitar and Carmeh her toys and Caeli, well let the picture tell the story.

She is sitting under a chair ( her dog house ), guarding the dog food ( blue/green bags ) but most important of all she is sitting in front of her own personal heater.

This is a shot with the slideout out and so the gazebo box sits in the middle of the room.  Behind the driver’s chair are but 2 of the 5 cases of  fruit drinks we brought with us.  We are not minimalists.  We like our stuff and when we get to out destination we will just sit and enjoy.  We notice that so many others are never ever there but off somewhere, but then everyone is different.  We go to the Isla and stay on the Isla and just enjoy.

This has taken over 2 hours to write as the Verizon internet link is horrid.  So if it seems disjointed, it probably is.  The temperature is dropping outside but we are toasty warm inside.  On a similar note, Bob of The Caretaker Chronicles asked how we kept warm in the front part of the RV, as we drove.

One of the first things we did when we purchased this RV way back when was to install a curtain behind the driver and passenger seats.

The curtain keeps the heat from the engine heaters right within the cab area.  Also when when travelling in hot climates the curtain keeps the A/C coolness right where we are seated.  Another benefit is that at night we just have to draw the curtain ( it is actually 3 pieces ) across the rod for privacy.  Much easier than dealing with those fussy front window curtains.  By the way the curtain is not all the way to the ground so that the girls can come and go as they wish.

Our plans are in a change pattern but we do still plan on heading to Las Vegas tomorrow.

Not too long of a drive, about 260 miles but we have several errands to run there. Yes folks, more shopping!!

Welcome to the blog, Don from Vernon.  Colin met, not me, as I tend to stay where it is warm, these folks as we were leaving Mountain Home, Idaho Tuesday morning.  The only thing is they were planning to go all the way to Vegas, over 600 miles in one day. They are interested in travelling to Mexico one year and we sure hope that they do.  Meanwhile, Don let us know if you made the trip to Vegas in the one day.  Quite the long day I say.

Tags: Isla de la Piedra, Mazatlan, Mexico, Stone Island, The girls, travel, Tres Amigos RV Park, Wine

That was our day Monday.  Oh yes, we did see the sun for 5 minutes a one point.  We experienced it all.  Actually the most amazing experience was being woken up at 1:00AM Monday morning by a fella blowing leaves.  He had a huge pack on his back with a large leaf blower in his hand and was just walking around the rather empty parking lot ( except for us ) making noise.  First of all it was so windy that is was a complete waste of his time but I guess that is what he was being paid to do, blow leaves. But to where?  They were just scattering every which way as he tried to blow them into to pile.  Whatever for?  We both finally went back to sleep.

Up at 6AM and driving at 7AM.  I liked seeing the communities come to life as we drove through.  A bedroom light on here, a kitchen light on there.

This was not fog but dust. The wind was so strong that the soil from the fields clouded the skies.

We crossed into Oregon about 9:30AM and of course I missed the Welcome to Oregon sign.  But this is when we started to get some fog.  It really was a strange weather day.

Yesterday Carmeh was driving me nuts, she wanted this and that and to just be doing stuff as we drove. Perhaps because of the weather she really settled down and slept most of the day. This is her sleeping on my lap Monday morning. She was so cold and shivering that she snuggled into my lap with a few blankies. She didn't move for over 90 minutes.

Caeli always travels on Colin's lap. She has been doing this since we got her as a puppy. We picked her up in Alberta in the RV and that is her home. Colin is eating fruit as he drives. Note how his shirt contrasts with his warm jogging pants.

This is an Army Depot. I guess that means this is where the Army keeps their stuff and it must be important stuff to have to be disguised so well. The huts are covered with soil and plants and shrubs and blend right into the landscape.

Halfway up the 'big hill' just after Pendleton. We are in the bottom left and still have to climb up to the top right and then some more yet. The summit, Blue Moutnain is 4193 feet, quite the climb.

We hit the fog at the top.

Then we hit the snowflakes. I never did take photos of the snowflurries, too much happening and I just had to help Colin drive 😉

Things finally settled down to very strong winds and rain and more rain.

We actually did see the sun for about 5 minutes today.  It is amazing how El Sol warms the soul.  Yet in about 2 days I will very likely be wanting to turn on the A/C.  What a few hundred miles will change in your life!  Mucho!

We did arrive at our destination of Mountain Home, Idaho by 4PM, in a torrential downpour.  Another Walmart tonight, so we just parked, set up and turned on that wonderful generator and two heaters.  We sure do keep warm and toasty.  Once the computer was set up and Verizon running we called to wish Colin’s Mom a very Happy 99th.  She loved the flowers we sent and the half dozen cards we had mailed.

This huge truck pulling a 5th wheel pulled in five minutes after us. They had 3 massive dogs which where running freely and all around us. There was no way we could take our girls out with those boisterous dogs outside ( they were off leash and jumping and running everywhere as well as jumping up on people ) as we didn't want them to hurt the girls. Doxies are easily 'damaged' if stepped on by a large dog.

So we distracted our girls with toys instead. Turns out that the other RV was just passing through and exercising their dogs. Sadly they did not pick up.

So our girls  finally got their time outside and by then the rain had settled to a light drizzle.  Then I was off shopping again.  This time I only spent $200.00 ( wine, wine and a bit of food ).  Most of it was food and wine and a mouse pad.  I forgot mine at home.  I had a comment from a new blog reader yesterday ask what I would have spent all my money on Sunday night at Walmart.

Well first of all, welcome to the blog Sally.  Yes we do spend a lot of money in Mexico and on food and margaritas.  She wanted to know what I spent that much money on Sunday.  Here is the list… candles $20.00, xmas lights $30.00, 2 bras $36.00, socks $12.00, underwear $36.00, wine $31.00, batteries $15.00 and the rest on food.  I drink wine and although you can buy wine in Mexico it is expensive for good wine, even for just okay wine so I buy it in the US and bring in a six month supply.  There are also several things you can’t buy in Mexico and I buy and bring that with me.  We also buy gifts for friends in Mexico and buy things for raffles that the RVers have to raise money for the poor on the Isla.  We do spend a lot of money on fresh fruits and veggies and water on a daily basis and of course fish.  We shop for clothes and gifts to bring back to Canada as well as eat meals in restaurants and attend concerts and other forms of entertainment. Not to mention the fortune I spend on new plants for my garden each year.  I guess you could say that I like to be comfortable so bring what I need with me.  I hope you keep reading over the next few months and see what we do and how our life evolves in Mazatlan.

I have been meaning to welcome Bob, Sandy and their two French bull dogs to the Isla and Tres Amigos RV Park.  They are the first of my ‘newbie’ Rvers who follow my blog to the Isla this season.  I understand that they are enjoying themselves and the area.  They won’t be on the Isla all winter but will be in a condo in Mazatlan.  There is a possibility they will return to the Isla in March and again next season.  I look forward to seeing you soon.  Meanwhile enjoy the heat and the sound of the waves and of course those fabulous sunsets.

Meanwhile we are expecting to drive through snow and deal with 20F temperatures tomorrow.

From Idaho to Ely, Nevada, a mere 263 miles.

The good news is that it will be our last day of cold for six months  😎

Tags: food, garden, Isla de la Piedra, Mazatlan, Mexico, Stone Island, The girls, travel, Tres Amigos RV Park, USA, Wine