And then there were Three.

     Here's the new RV, my third in four years.  It is a Sunseeker...I guess, so am I.   After 2577 miles, many hundreds of dollars in gas, and nights at truck stops,  I am now in sunny Arizona.  It took 6 days for me to drive that distance, but one extra day to sit out the tail edge of Hurricane Sandy.  I made it out of the East quick enough, but stayed a day in Indiana while the windy edge passed.  I had good travel days after that.  The 'gas cap' light and 'check engine' light came on a couple of times.  I stopped and had a Ford dealer check it out and turn off the lights.  Their computer said that it was the gas cap and some goop was put on to create a seal, but the light came on again.  So I still need to get that checked.
    After 2 time zones and changing the clocks back, I'm pretty sure I'm younger.  At least it feels like it.  The stiff joints aren't feeling badly and the sunshine just makes one happier.   I am getting things organized in here, and getting into routine at Towerpoint RV Resort in Mesa.  Because I waited for the RV to arrive and the days ticked by, I didn't do any volunteering or visiting along the way.  I wanted to beat any possibility of snow.   I hope to do some volunteer work while here in this area.

     Happy Thanksgiving
 

   

Finally

I decided the Georgetown was too big for me and it had some issues.  So I ordered a new RV, a Forest River Sunseeker.  I had hoped it would arrive sooner than it did, but finally I took possession of it on Friday October 26.  I hastily loaded it and got on the road two days later.  I tried to get ahead of Hurricane Sandy.  I did end up in some wind, but certainly not anything like what was in the East.  I had an engine light come on that first day, but after having someone check it with the computer, found that it was nothing to worry about.  The stop did delay the traveling west a little.
In all the haste to get away I did not take a picture of it.  So that will come later.
I am headed to Arizona the long way.  I want to avoid November snows.  So not only is the RV a Sunseeker, so am I.

Pennsylvania

After spending some time with family and friends, I am now headed for Pennsylvania.  Hope to visit with more family and friends during the summer.  Hope everyone is finding a way to stay cool.  Plenty of hot going around all during the trip.
There's been some problems with the RV.  Hopefully they will get that fixed at the place of purchase.  I am thinking of trading George in....yep, that's right.   I like a lot about it, but there's lots I don't like.  So, I'm window shopping again.  We'll see if just what I want exists.

At the place of my address

I have to admit, it was a pleasure to leave Washington.  I had enough rain and cold.  The rest of the country actually seems to be having summer.
and now....
I'm 'home'!!!!  I am in Box Elder, SD.    There is a small campground now at my address where I am staying a few days to tour the area.   Sturgis, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Badlands, Custer State Park, Wall Drug, and Black Hills....gold.  Lots to do in little time.

Pe Ell, Washington

I have been at a NOMADS project here for 2 weeks.   There are 5 members to the team.  We are working at this church, which was an old school building.  The town of Pe Ell is very small and rural.  Most of this very small congregation are elderly.  They are unable to do the major repairs themselves.  So we have been there, repairing water damaged ceiling, built a wall where there was an archway, scraped and painted the outside windows, cleaned the kitchen, and worked on landscaping.  One more week then I'll be heading east.

Washington

I've had a wonderful couple of weeks.  I was able to visit with family, be pampered, and visit Seattle.

It was fun to do such a variety of activities: mani-pedi;  a trip up a snow covered mountain and down to the water in Puget Sound;  a whale search aboard a cutter cruise to Friday Harbor, which proved to be whale-less; sightseeing in Seattle at Pike Place, shops, space needle, and a folk festival; canoeing; campfire; and lots of excellent eating.
Now I'll be going to southern Washington for a three week project.

Leaving Idaho

     I spent 2 1/2 weeks at Twinlow Camp.  I enjoyed the time there and working with the staff.  I did some more painting and cleaning.  I also weeded and raked.  In a forest of spruce and ponderosa pines, there's a lot of raking to be done.
     When I left, I spent all day driving to northern Washington to visit family.  It was too much for me in one day- I was ready to sell the RV for the first offer.  But I made it there, and got refreshed while being spoiled with all the pampering.  There were some sunny days before we were  provided with a week of true Washington weather.  Get out the rubber boots!

Twinlow Camp Rathdrum, ID

     I have been here a week.  What a beautiful spot!!!!  The camp is on the side of a hill (mountain) and goes down to a large lake.  There are some summer homes beside the camp's property, but otherwise, very secluded.  I am parked in front of a large house, one of the camp's original buildings.  I can use the facilities there (kitchen, shower, washer/dryer).  It has a large staircase going down to it's own dock.  cool.  In the picture, I am standing on the deck of the dining hall looking down at the lake.  My RV is in front of the house.
     So far, I have cleaned the dormitory-like facility that is used for retreats, helped a group install a tongue and grove pine ceiling in a cabin (I got to use the power tools!!), and am now painting window trim in the original lodge.
     Last week was cold and damp, but this week has been perfect!!  I can sit on the dock and read and feed the fish.

Moab, UT

    Over the weekend I was able to take a tour offered by a local non-profit agency, Canyonlands Field Institue.  They offer camps for children free of charge.  Some of that cost is underwritten by the funds collected from these tours.  It was very reasonably priced and was awesome.  For four hours we road in a van to various parts of the area enjoying the unique scenery. (Arches National Park is here.)   I had chosen the "Moab's Ancient Past" tour.  We went to see petroglyphs and pictographs.  LOTS of them. (The first one pictured is Kokopelli and the other is Moab Man.) There was some hiking involved so I got my exercise too.  We even had time to go view the dinosaur tracks-seriously.  So cool.....well, actually it was hot with the area setting record temps.  I then visited the Earth Day bazaar and shopped (of course) in the downtown area.
     I am completing my volunteer time at the Christmas Box House.  Lots of praises in having been here.

Next, I will be heading north to volunteer at a church camp in northern Idaho.

Christmas Box House Moab, UT

 

  I am volunteering at this children's home.  It was founded by one of my favorite authors, Richard Paul Evans, who wrote The Christmas Box and many others.  This place is a Family Support Center.  It offers emergency shelter for at- risk children, day care, and works with state family services.  Another worthy cause.  I have been doing deep cleaning, washing windows, sanitizing toys, and getting to those things that the staff can never find time to do.
     This project is one that I wanted to do, not part of NOMADS.  So I am staying at a campground.  It happens to be in town and less than a mile from the Christmas Box House.  So I am able to ride my bicycle to and from 'work.'  The grocery store is on the way and downtown is just a couple blocks away. The weather has been glorious, so riding a bike or walking around has not been a problem.  Praises.
     Moab is very small, but full of people visiting the Canyonlands.  Lots of mountain bikers, jeeps, atvs, etc.  

Roadside Assistance and The Four Corners

As I headed to Colorado I had the opportunity to use Good Sam Club Roadside Assistance. It was a windy day- I shouldn't have travelled. A gust of wind pushed me off the road, blessedly nothing serious happened. Then I noticed that the slide-topper (a small awning like cover that protects the slide-out when it's in use) was flapping in the wind. Not only was it causing me to have more difficulty driving, but if it ripped off I was afraid it would cause an accident. The slide is 20 feet long. I was able to pull off the road at an old motel and call for emergency assistance. It took a couple of hours (I was far north of Flagstaff), but the good-looking :) young man was able to roll the topper back up. It had not ripped apart, just unrolled. Then I was on my way again.

I stopped at the Four Corners monument and did a little shopping- I can find something to buy anywhere. Love that Indian jewelry. I made it to Montrose, CO and had a nice Easter. I have not had a problem with the slide-topper. Now I'm headed to Moab, UT.

Leaving Towerpoint - Mesa, AZ

Yes, the time has come. Many here have already left, going to their homes up north. I've been in denial about it and have left the packing to the end. I will be spending Easter with my brother and family in Colorado and then volunteering at a children's home in Utah. So.. time to hit the the road.

Trip to Madison, WI

Flew from AZ to WI for a short visit. Had a good time visiting. Went to St. Patrick's Day parade that went around the capitol building. Don't have to do that again, but I got to hear pipes and drums that made it all worthwhile.

Festival at Towerpoint RV Resort

The week was filled with activities. There were free concerts, food, and dancing. All the craftsmen and artisans had displays. There are a lot of talented people here! The different sports had resort tournaments. And the parade!... these people went crazy. Fun.

Trip to NYC

I am still in Mesa, AZ, but I went NYC for a long weekend. It was a great visit with my daughter. I got to see pictures of her trip to Eastern Europe. We went to a couple of shows. There's nothing like "Carrie" the musical.

The picture is a part of the skyline as we crossed the Hudson on a ferry to go to Ikea.

February - Mesa, AZ

I'm still enjoying the winter in Mesa, AZ at Towerpoint RV Resort. I was recently blessed with a visit from Pennsylvania friends. I even had the chance to visit with my brother and sister-in-law briefly. Good times.

Happy New Year

Hope everyone had a good Christmas. Here are some 'winter' pictures from AZ.