‘YAHOUIE LOUIE’……WE BROUGHT OUR LITTLE ‘SUNSEEKER’ HOME TODAY:))))))))))))))))))

It was another loooooooooooooog day.  More tomorrow……zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

   

  

  

THIS CHEVY SUNSEEKER & THIS JEEP WRANGLER WERE JUST MADE FOR EACH OTHER… A GREAT WINNING COMBINATION:))

WHAT A DREAM MACHINE THIS WAS TO DRIVE

  

AFTER A LONG 9 HOUR DAY AWAY, WE WERE FINALLY HOME………….

THE SMILE ON KELLY’S FACE SAYS IT ALL AS PHEEBS EXCITEDLY CHECKS OUT THE NEW TRAVEL DIGS

GROANER’S CORNER:((  Recently a guy in Paris nearly got away with stealing several paintings from the Louvre. However, after planning the crime, getting in and out past security, he was captured only 2 blocks away when his van ran out of gas.
When asked how he could mastermind such a daring and otherwise brilliant crime and then make such an obvious error...
... He replied: "I 'ad no Monet to buy Degas to make de Van Gogh."...

-------------------------------------------------------------
- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- "If having a soul means being able to feel
love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals
are better off than a lot of humans."
(James Herriot)
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.

PHEEBS & I HEAD UP THE MOUNTAIN FOR SOME BIRDSEED

WHAT!!!! NO BIRDSEED AGAIN THIS MORNING……….
I’ve been getting quite a harassing from our back yard bird community the last couple days.  I suppose running out of birdseed a few days ago had something to do with that.  By 9 this morning, little Rascal Buns & I were Jeeping our way up the Yarnell hill to the quaint & overly cozy hardware store atop the Weaver mountains.  Besides being on a birdseed mission I had taken our gas powered weed whacker with me.  Bought it last November at the Yarnell hardware store.  Runs fine but I couldn’t figure out how to replace the blades on the end.  As figured, the fellas in the store were able to show me how to do that little task.  One big bag of birdseed & the Pheebs & I were on our way back down the mountain.  What a mighty fine feeling morning here in central Arizona. 

PHEEBS & I HEAD INTO THE WEAVER MOUNTAINS & BEGIN OUR ASCENT UP THE YARNELL HILL
Upon my return, Kelly headed for Wickenburg to take care of a little business, grab a few groceries, & of course maybe hit a few second hand shops.  I worked away on my pathways in the front yard cactus garden.  That is, after I was able to spur my wheelbarrow into action.  For the second morning in a row I shoveled in a big load of crushed stone only to have to dump it out again right away.  Problem…..flat tire!!  You would have thought after Monday mornings flat tire & immediate dump I would have checked that tire this morning.  Nope, not a chance.  Loaded er up & yep, dumped er out!!!!  Luckily I have a small air compressor here to blow up the tire.  Will I forget to check the tire next time?  Of course I will, or my name isn’t AL.  

 
MY CACTUS MAN STILL KEEPS WATCH OVER THE CACTUS GARDEN
Some may wonder why we are selling our Motorhome. As much as we have thoroughly enjoyed all the space a 33’ Motorhome has to offer we realized now that we have our home base established in central Arizona, we would not be traveling as much or living in our rig for five or six months of the year like we once did. Our RV lifestyle had changed & our trips would be shorter.

PHEEBS PUTS ON A SHOW FOR HER NEW SHEEP PALS
 
PHEEBS HAS AN ADMIRER…”I THINK I LIKE THAT CRAZY DOG MOM”
After buying our Congress house in March & having never once slept in it before having to return to Canada last April, we were not sure how things would go when we returned in early November. But, ‘go’ they did, & after a couple months we both knew we had made the right decision in buying our southwest house. Now the problem was, what do we do with our Motorhome. Give up RVing? Not a chance!! We still want to travel, only we don’t need anything that big to travel in anymore. Hence the search for a smaller RV began.  I may have more to say about this in a couple days.

FROM THIS VANTAGE POINT ON THE YARNELL HILL, CONGRESS AZ CAN BE SEEN ON THE VALLEY FLOOR BELOW
I wonder how many fellas out there have their very own kitchen cupboard space.  Lucky me has my own, both here in Congress & back home in Bayfield, Ontario.  It’s a place where I keep MY very own stuff because I don’t like anyone messing with it.  It’s where I keep MY oatmeal, MY peanut butter, MY honey, MY very own flat bread, & just about anything MY very own self wants MY very own self to keep in there.  Don’t mess with MY Honey Nut Cheerios, MY vitamin pills, or anything else which might be found in MY kitchen cupboard space either.  So there!!  And, how did I end up with my very own kitchen cupboard space?  Easy, Kelly just got tired of me years ago going in the kitchen cupboard & messing with HER stuff all the time.  In no uncertain terms she relegated me to MY own space:))

THERE’S A LITTLE DOGGY FACE IN THAT WINDOW
Many folks out there have a Sirius Satellite Radio system.  Ever notice the little dog icon on the radio?  There is a connection between the word Sirius & that little dog.  It is the name of the ‘Dog Star’ which follows the mighty hunter Orion across the night sky.  You can see Sirius the Dog Star every night now in the southern sky.  First find the constellation Orion which is fairly easy.  Look for 3 stars in a row angled downwards.  Follow the line towards the horizon & slightly to one side & you will see the brightest star in the night sky.  That is Sirius, the Dog Star.  And, it is that little fellow your Sirius Satellite Radio is named after.  Now, slip on outside & see if ya can find yerself that little doggie…………..  

I MUST REMEMBER TO TAKE THAT LITTLE GREEN FROG OFF THE DASH WHEN I’M TAKING PICTURES
I really liked the ‘it’s just a dog’ article BIGDAWG AND FREEWAY** posted.  I love dogs & it instantly angers, disgusts, & saddens me when I hear someone say ‘it’s just a dog’.  I have absolutely no interest or respect for anyone with that kind of mind set.  My tag line at the end of every post by James Herriot says it all, “If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans."  I couldn’t agree with James Herriot more…………..

And just about every time I’m ready to give up on that Blog Followers list, I am inspired by another new Blog Follower.  WANDERIN joins us as our latest fellow traveler.  Welcome aboard my friend:)) 
 
Jim over at JIMBO'S JOURNEYS just survived his first day of towing a toad behind his Lazy Daze.  Even made it through the mad crush of Phoenix Arizona totally unscathed.  No small feat I hear.  Atta boy Jim, you can do er:))

Think we just might take ourselves for a little drive over to Parker Arizona in the morning & see what’s happening….:))

GROANER’S CORNER:((  What's the difference between outlaws and in-laws?
Outlaws are wanted.
-------------------------------------------------------------
- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- "If having a soul means being able to feel
love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals
are better off than a lot of humans."
(James Herriot)
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.

‘FOR SALE’…2003 DAMON CHALLENGER……………

 

Turned out to be a busy morning for us.  Finished up putting a few southwest decorations in the rig & then drove it over to the CONGRESS DEPOT MARKETPLACE on highway 89 to set it up with a ‘FOR SALE’ sign in the window.  Climbed up on the roof & put the solar panels up.  Slides out but not the awning.  Winds are too unpredictable here in the southwest to leave a rig unattended with it’s awning extended.  Felt kinda sad as we drove away leaving it there by itself.

 

Sure looks bare at the south end of the house without the Motorhome sitting there now. I’m kind of a sentimental character & I do get attached to things. We have had so many pleasantly great memories in that rig over the years. And, a few sad one’s as well. The Bayfield Bunch is that Motorhome, & that Motorhome for 5 & 6 months out of every winter has been a part of the Bayfield Bunch travels for 6 years. I’m always sad to see old friends go………but wait a minute, we haven’t sold it yet.  I sure do have a habit of getting ahead of myself sometimes…………...

  

Aunt Jean arrives this Friday evening from Sarasota Florida & we are seriously hoping for some warmer sun drenched weather for her. It will be easier traveling around in the Jeep this year for Kelly now that Bev & Jim in Wickenburg have lent us their Jeep’s rear seat.

 

Not being sports minded people at all here, we didn’t have any interest in the Super Bowl game.  We do usually check in on the half time show though.  I lasted about a minute & that was enough of all that noise!!  The only talent I saw was in the special effects with all the laser lighting & pyrotechnics.  I really think they should raise the bar & use that prime piece of time to put together some seriously talented, gifted, & quality musicians for that half time show each year.  Enough of that inaudible hollering & bouncing around fluff so many of those generic performers do nowadays.  Come on folks, how’s about rounding up some seriously qualified musical talent for next year!! 

 

While wheel barrowing some crushed stone around this afternoon I was reminded of something my Grandfather used to say.  I was just a wee little feller & we lived in a small southern Ontario village.  There was a forest less than a mile from our house we called ‘Kaufman’s Bush’.  Each year in around this February time we would sometimes here the first cawing of Crows.  Grandpa always said that when the Crows cawed up in Kaufman’s Bush, it always meant Spring was just around the corner.  It was the raucous cawing of Crows I heard overhead this afternoon that reminded me of my Grandfather.  Of course here in the southwest these noisy flying fellows are called Ravens.  A slightly larger version of the Crow, but the same rasping sound.  I wonder if my Grandfather ever knew that…..

FOR SALE AT THE CONGRESS DEPOT MARKETPLACE ON HIGHWAY 89 JUST SOUTH OF CONGRESS, ARIZONA

It is not unusual for me anymore to fall far behind in my blog reading.  I just have not kept up with everyone like I used to just a few short years ago.  Doing some reading this afternoon I caught up with a fellow Blogger who has been on my side bar a long time.  Reading his latest post I saw something was wrong so backtracked a few posts until I saw Sam’s post from last Wednesday.  Sam’s wife Donna, is facing very serious heart surgery this coming Friday.  Reading Sam’s post I sensed the urgency, the fear, & Sam’s deep love for his wife Donna.  This is a difficult week over at, SAM & DONNA - 5TH WHEEL VAGABONDS.    

AHHHH, NOT JUST A FACE A MOTHER COULD LOVE, BUT A SLEEPY LITTLE FACE EVERYBODY COULD LOVE:))

33' 2003 DAMON CHALLENGER
$21,500.

- Chevy V-8 - 8.0 Vortec engine on a Workhorse Chassis
- 51,000 trouble free highway miles
- 2 slides, 5500 Onan generator with 125 hours
- Back up camera & hydraulic coach levelers
- 2 Kyocera 130 watt solar panels, 2500 Trace inverter & 4 in-line 6 volt batteries
- Plumbed for a fuel efficient indoor propane heater
- About 12,000 miles on all new tires
- New toilet in December 2011
- Two new tailpipes in August 2012
- New coach battery in July 2011
- No roof leaks & roofed re-caulked in October 2011

- Small built in computer desk
- New upgraded flat screen Toshiba TV with DVD player
- New Fantastic Air vent fan in 2010
- New upgraded awning in 2008

- Windshield sun screens
- Sirius Satellite Radio antenna on roof
- Fridge & brake recalls up to date & about 10,000 miles on the last oil change...new spark plugs in 2009.
- All onboard systems work, including the A/C & furnace
This Motorhome is set up for boondocking, is in good condition, & has many traveling miles left on it.  Email us at................ stargeezerguy@gmail.com

GROANER’S CORNER:((  Dog looks at human and thinks: "My hero, my friend, my buddy."  Cat looks at human and thinks:
"My can-opener."

-------------------------------------------------------------
- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- "If having a soul means being able to feel
love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals
are better off than a lot of humans."
(James Herriot)
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.

WE LAUNCH PLAN B…….

A FEW MORE SALTON SEA PICS TODAY AS PHEEBS LOOKS BACK TOWARDS THE RIG

 

I am still sticking to my guns about no morning TV news programs. Our TV remains off & how nice it is to start the day without all the repetitive doom & gloom grunge, & bobble headed babblegiggled announcers.  Been nearly 3 weeks now & I’m doin good:))

 

Always so funny every morning when I get up how Pheebs immediately comes over & lays down in my vacated spot with her head on my pillow.  Every morning, without fail, she does this.  Also, at night when I head for bed, she will race into my room, jump on my bed & stretch out right where I sleep.  We always have a big tussle for the spot then & she really enjoys that.  Much the same in the morning.  Soon as she senses I am waking up she is right on top of me, tailing wagging furiously.  We start every morning with a big snugly tussle & lots of happy smooches. She then grabs my spot before my feet even hit the floor.  She is just the greatest little dog of ever:))

Our night time temps remained in the high 50’s & how nice not to have heaters running for a change.  And, how nice to have some short sleeve shirt days happening again.  Well, except for today.  Cloudy & cool with a few rain sprinkles.  

SURE HOPE MOM DROPS SOMETHING SOON

Had an email from long time reader Ray a couple weeks ago saying he & Cindy would be in our area at the Escapee’s North Ranch boot camp seminar this week-end.  Finishing up some classes today they drove over to our place this afternoon for a visit.  New RVing Fulltimers from Salt Lake City, Ray & Cindy haul a big Montana 40’ Fifth Wheel.  Nice quiet couple.  Cindy will be taking driving classes at North Ranch this week familiarizing herself with all the in’s & out’s of big rig trailer towing.  Ray is new to blogging as well so ya might want to drop over, say ‘Hi’, & see how Cindy makes out this week with their big dually Chevy 3500 & looooong 5 slided 5th wheel.  Could be quite an adventure for her:))  RAY & CINDY'S RV TRAVELS 

CINDY & RAY…NICE FOLKS FROM SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH

 

RECENT RAINS HAVE SPROUTED SOME GRASS 

Remember me talking about Plan B a few days ago after our disappointing day in Quartzsite.  Well, plan B is now into full swing & it’s a 2 parter with the first part taking place very shortly.   We are going to try & sell the Motorhome ourselves.

Kelly stopped into the CONGRESS DEPOT MARKETPLACE Saturday & mentioned to Judy we are going to sell our Motorhome.  Judy said to bring the rig on up to her place on busy highway 89 between Phoenix & Prescott where it will have high visibility.  So, that is what we are going to do.  Kelly is also going to list it on Craig’s list.   We’ll see what happens.  If it doesn’t sell by the time we are ready to head back to Canada in April, we will pack our little knapsacks & begin hitchhiking out of town.  Pheebs too…………… 

Of course there is always the second part to Plan B & I may very well have some news about that sometime this week.  And, it might have something to do with Parker Arizona:))  

ONE OF MANY CALIFORNIA ENERGY PRODUCING GEOTHERMAL PLANTS AT THE SOUTH END OF THE SALTON SEA

GROANER’S CORNER:((  Wife by text to husband at work …"Windows at home frozen - what should I do?"  Husband - "spray some de-icer or pour hot water on them"  Wife a few minutes later - "Done that - now the computer won't work at all !

-------------------------------------------------------------
- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- "If having a soul means being able to feel
love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals
are better off than a lot of humans."
(James Herriot)
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.