Thursday, March 03, 2011

IVAN, JOHN & JUDY…JEAN & SKIP…PLUS –‘LEMONGATE’!!

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My internal Ontario body clock started the day off for me at 2:30 in the morning again.  Max had to go out at 3 so I stepped outside with him.  How nice it is not to have those freezing cold night time temperatures over here in southern California.  So nice to comfortably stand out under the stars again.  I see the summer constellations are swinging into view from the East & readying themselves for their annual march across the summer night sky in a few months.  My old buddy Scorpios is looking as grand as ever.  Looking to the North I could see the glow from a ka-zillion million lights on the other side of the San Bernardino Mountains.   The megapolis of cities was alive for another night.  And, it also told me that RICK had left his 5ver’s outside light on again!!

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THE DESERT HOLDS MANY UNTOLD STORIES

I had today’s blog about our Split Mountain/Wind Caves drive all set to go this morning already but our day somehow got very busy so I will post the Split Mountain blog Thursday.

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DRIVING THROUGH SPLIT MOUNTAINS SANDSTONE CANYON 

Nice to read KAREN'S blog & feel the excitement as they visit the great southwest for the first time.  A few days ago they were underground at the great Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico & later on to the  White Sands National Monument.  Also note in their blog how considerate these two people are in regards to their fellow RV’ers.  Now, why can’t everybody be like that!!  Karen & Steve are in a very special place of ours for a few days right now but I will let Karen tell you about it in her blog later:)))))

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Ever wonder what the mountains around Sedona Arizona might look like cloaked in a veil of snow?  KEN & CINDY lucked out a few days ago by being in the right place at the right time with their camera:))

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Ivan from ROADTRIP 2010 rolled into the neighborhood Monday afternoon & is parked about half a mile from us just over a ridge.  On our walk this morning we trekked over to Ivan’s to see him & little cutey pie Hailey, Ivan’s treasured little feline friend.  Had ourselves a good old RV chin wag & a tour of Ivan’s rig.  Funny to watch Hailey & the Motormouse having a go at each other through the safety of Ivan’s 5th wheel living room window.  Always nice to see Ivan & you never know where he is going to pop up next.  By the way, a little birdie told us Wandering Willy has made it home to BC safely.

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CHECKING THE MAP DISCUSSING FUTURE DESTINATIONS

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HAILEY & THE MOTORMOUSE SIZE EACH OTHER UP

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GETTING TO KNOW YOU:))

We knew John & Judy from RV LIFE ON WHEELS had rolled into the area yesterday but this is a vast land out here near the Clark Dry Lake Bed & we didn’t know exactly where they were.  On our walk over to see Ivan this morning we looked for their rig but could not spot it.  This afternoon shortly after 3 we heard a Motor Scooter roll in behind the RV.  John & Judy had spotted our big American & Canadian flags while going by on the highway.  They recognized the flags from photos I have had in the blog.  John said they have been following our blog for about 3 years now & told us we are the reason they came to the Southwest last year.  I’m happy to report they just love it here & that always makes us feel so great to think we have had a positive influence on someone’s happiness.  And, as usual with meeting RV Bloggers there was no shortage of things to talk about.  And again, here was another great easy going fun loving couple that we felt totally comfortable with.  I could see us ram rodding around out in the desert with our Jeeps maybe next year if they are in the area again.  Great people for sure.  Check out their latest blog about what happened when the bicycles came loose on the back of their Class C.  It wasn’t nice & involved their Jeep which they were towing at the time.  If that wasn’t enough, John had a mishap with his newly built gas powered model airplane a few hours later…  WE KNEW THERE WOULD BE DAYS LIKE THIS.

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JOHN & JUDY ARE FELLOW CANADIANS FROM ONTARIO

Jean & Skip from TRAVELS WITH JEAN & SKIP are heading out in the morning heading for a stop at Joshua Tree State Park before heading further north.  We slipped over to see them before they left & meet their 3 doggy guys.  Jake, Louie & Sophie are 3 loving high energy guys who would make the Energizer Bunny look like he was going backwards.  Sophie & Louie are Boston Terriers & big Jake is well…..big Jake:))  Nice to see their Class A with all the renovation ideas.  Skip is one of those handy carpenter guys & I am one of those yakky Blabberfingers guys. (as evidenced by tonight’s long blog again)  We may see them shortly along the road because we are heading for the same areas they are….only a few days later.  Safe travels guys & give those pooches some smooches for us:))

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WHO’S HOWLING AT WHO:))

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LOUIE, BIG JAKE & SOPHIE

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JEAN & SKIP….SEE YA DOWN THE ROAD GUYS

I think this was a record day for us visiting with people here in California.  Ivan, John & Judy plus Jean & Skip.  We are getting to be quite the social Butterflys I’d say.  Tomorrow I plan to stay in bed for the entire day so that I have absolutely nothing new to write about tomorrow night & can then fit in my Split Mountain blog:))

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And, a final few thoughts on what what one commenter has termed, ‘The Lemon Gate Blog.’  I did wake up this morning feeling much better than the day before about all this.  It is true that I am waaaaaaaay to sensitive for my own good but it’s the way I have always been & figure it’s the way I will probably continue to be for these last remaining years.  I thank readers for their many comments & emails.  Thinking back I probably shouldn’t have used the word ‘Snitch’ in that Lemon episode.  I explain that now as having my Tom Sawyer hat on when I wrote that.  I think Tom & Huckleberry may have snitched a pie or two & some cookies in their day & my off handed slightly humorous reference about that set the wrong tone.  And to answer the question of why I posted about the lemons in the first place I can only say that it was a happening that was part of our day & it never occurred to me we were doing anything wrong & it certainly never remotely occurred to me that it would generate a negative response from some folks.  Kelly reminded me this morning of the thousands of positive comments & hundreds of emails we have received over the last few years & not for us to take a hand full of negative responses & let them bring us down.  Thanks to everyone for their understanding comments, support, & advice:))

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Now, with a word about the commenters I hasten to add this….we received two emails of apology this morning that we graciously accept.  I think there is a lesson to be learned here for all us.  We sometimes say things in haste while sitting comfortably behind our computers in the security of our own homes.  It is so easy to type out some careless thoughts & hit the ‘Send’ button before rethinking ourselves.  I’m sure we have all done that at some point including myself.  The internet with all it’s email & instant messaging programs, comment access & open forums plus the advent of blogging is akin to the old wild west days where the old saying went something like, “shoot first & ask questions later,”  It is so easy to ride into town, shoot up the main street & just keep on riding right out of town the other way.  When we hit that ‘Send’ button it’s kinda like a Cowboy stepping out into the street, pulling out his 6 shooter, leveling it & firing a shot off at the other feller down the street.   Once the trigger is pulled there is no time for second thoughts & no way of running down the street after the bullet to stop it from hitting it’s intended target.

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D’YA SUPPOSE THIS LITTLE BUG IS HITCHING A RIDE…YA RIGHT:))

We live in an age where we computer people are all blazing new trails every which way just like in the old west.  Not a lot of rules & regulations out here.  Encounters are going to happen, personalities are going to be challenged & some shoot outs are going to occur.  The lesson in all this for me is just as everyone has suggested.  Toughen up & don’t get my Mossmagator in such a big knot.  Hopefully we can all move forward from this Lemon Gate affair having learned something from it to be better people….. & even better friends…10-4:))

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GROANER’S CORNER:((   

Q: How can you tell if an elephant is in the refrigerator?
A: The door won’t shut.

Q: How can you tell if an elephant has been in the refrigerator earlier?
A: Footprints in the butter.

Q: How do you get an elephant into the fridge in the first place?
A: Open door; Insert elephant; Close door.

Q: How do you get a giraffe into the fridge?
A: Open door; Remove elephant; Insert giraffe; Close door.

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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.

Tuesday, March 01, 2011

VERY DISAPPOINTED

It is rare for me not to publish comments, good or bad but this morning was an exception & I chose not to publish 3 accusatory comments.  In fact, one was so rude that Kelly suggested I not read it, & I didn’t.  This is my third attempt to write the blog tonight & I am going to try very hard to keep a lid on my feelings about all this.  My first two attempts were written in anger & I have to stay away from that!!

The negative comments were in regards to Kelly picking up some lemons by the side of the road next to an orchard yesterday.   If you look at the photo you will see the lemons have have already been picked from the trees with the exception of the one on our dash with leaves on it.  I’m sure it would have rotted on the tree if left there anyway.  Kelly first spotted the other lemons on the ground as we were driving.    In Ontario where we have many apple orchards it is no big deal to stop & pick up fallen apples on the ground. 

For somebody to accuse us of taking someone’s livelihood away by picking up those lemons is in my opinion uncalled for & way over the top!!’   

Unfortunately, both Kelly & I let this cloud our whole day.  It is highly unusual to see Kelly feeling down about something but today was one of those very rare days for her & that in itself is upsetting to me. 

Criticism I grew up with & understand.  Suggestions from readers I take to heart.  Mistakes in the blog pointed out by readers are welcomed & if there is something confusing about a topic I go back & try to rewrite & explain it.  But, to be accused of stealing someone’s livelihood & whatever that other blog comment had in it is where I draw the line.  Enough is enough!! 

Now, it is up to me to resolve my anger with all this & get things back into perspective!!  I am not up to writing about our Jeep trip to Split Mountain & the Wind Caves today or post any photos.  Maybe tomorrow……..

IT WAS A 2 CANYON DAY

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GREAT MORNING FOR A HIKE IN ‘LITTLE SURPRISE CANYON’ & KELLY LISTENS IN ON A BOTANIST TALK

Despite starting my day at 2:45 a.m. I didn’t feel too bad.  It seems my internal clock is still in the Eastern Time Zone & this latest hour time shift from Arizona to California has really messed  up my clockworks.

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Nevertheless, it was a sunny morning so out the door we went, hopped into the Jeep & headed for a place called, ‘Little Surprise Canyon’ just on the southwestern edge of Borrego Springs.  We had heard there were some flowers blooming there.  . We did find some flowers but not as many as we had hoped.  This is a reasonably easy trail in a picturesque little canyon.  A bit of rock scrambling keeps things interesting.  Kelly did well despite having her bothersome knee wrapped in a knee brace.  It was just so great to be out on nature trail again & the surrounding mountain scenery was it’s usual breathtaking self.

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DESPITE A BANDAGED KNEE KELLY DID THE WHOLE TRAIL 

From Little Surprise Canyon we we drove around Borrego Springs a bit looking at many of the beautifully landscaped expensive ‘movie star’ type homes.  There certainly is a lot of money here in Borrego & yet….no big box shopping malls or high end Foo Foo shops.  Just a great plain Jane little town & that is one of the many things we love about Borrego Springs.

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BORREGO SPRING’S PALM CANYON DRIVE

Took a drive out through Henderson Canyon to Coyote Canyon where we had seen a lot of flowers last year at this time.  But, not this year.  That deadly cold snap a few weeks ago has damaged a lot of the flora in the area.  We saw rows upon rows of orange & lemon trees all damaged & frost bit.  There are acres & acres of fruit trees that may or may not recover.  Sections of Palm Trees are brown & whole rows of shrubbery are shriveled & dying.   

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Where we saw flowers & greenery in Coyote Canyon last year at this time we only saw vast stretches of gray desert plants hit hard by the freezing temperatures.  As we clambered along a very bumpy, sandy & hard packed desert road we gained some altitude & it was apparent the frost damage wasn’t as bad at the higher altitudes.  We drove 7 or 8 miles crossing a couple creeks along the way.  The 3rd creek crossing meant we would have had to turn up stream & drive in the creek for a few hundred yards before climbing out of the stream & back onto the hard packed sandy road.  We decided at this point to turn around & head back to Borrego Springs & grab a bite to eat.  It was a nice drive on a reasonably good road with maybe half a dozen rocky sections.  Nothing too serious but just enough to bounce us around inside the Jeep like a couple of manic ping pong balls.

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Kelly talked me into a fish Taco at Jilbertos & I was surprised I liked it.  I just thought of it as Fish Burger.  In fact, I might just even get me another one some time:))

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Back to the rig & let the doggy guys out.  Jean & Skip dropped over for an hour & we had us a good old desert chin wag.  They are beginning their homeward trek in a few days back up to Vancouver Island via Death Valley.  Spring starts much earlier on the Island than it does in Ontario so they are feeling the urge to head home. 

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ALWAYS LOVE WHENEVER WE COME ACROSS WATER & I HAVE A FEELING THIS IS SPRING WATER COMING FROM THE SURROUNDING MOUNTAINS

I think most, if not all of us out here remember the ‘Cold War’ era of the 50’s & 60’s.  Back yard bunkers, duck & cover, atomic blast, radioactive, hydrogen bomb, fallout & ICBM’s were just some of the common everyday phrases of the time.  I think the Inter Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) threat was one of the scariest things hanging over everyone’s head.  Huge Titan missiles located in secret locations all over the country ready to rain down atomic death & destruction on our Russian enemy at the time.  One of those deadly, hidden & mysterious Titan missile silo’s was located just south of Tuscan Arizona.  Ivan over ROADTRIP 10 just toured that very missile site…..and he’s got pictures!!

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EVEN SOME MOSS IN THE CREEK….& DID I GET A SOAKER TODAY?  AS A MATTER OF FACT I GOT 2 SOAKERS WHEN MY FOOT SLIPPED OFF A ROCK WHILE CROSSING THE CREEK.

A few months ago we had the pleasure of meeting Eve at the GRAPEVINE CANYON RANCH.  Eve is the owner & driving force behind the Ranch & is one of those charming ladies who have had a rather remarkable life.  In her latest post Eve writes about her first flight in a small airplane in Australia.   She describes that plane as looking like a car with wings on it.  Check out Eve’s blog & see what career changing events that first ‘shaky’ flight actually had on her life ….FIRST FLIGHT 

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KELLY SNITCHES SOME LEMONS FROM ONE OF THE MANY ORCHARDS

And a fellow RV’er & blogger hangs up the keys & packs in her blog with a few parting thoughts about the fulltime lifestyle.  BOONDOCKING BLOGGER

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WHILE DRIVING IN COYOTE CANYON THE PHONE RANG & IT WAS MY UNCLE HARRY CALLING FROM THE RITZ VILLA IN MITCHELL ONTARIO

Check out the comments on ERIK'S RV BLOG as they wrestle with the decision whether to replace the older RV carpet with laminate flooring or new carpeting.

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And I just noticed on Facebook that another fellow RV Blogger is packing in her blog.  For reasons some of us bloggers well understand, Jo at the WANDERING WISHNIES is calling it a day.  We will be keeping an eye out for you Jo….just in case:))

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GROANER’S CORNER:((   

Boyfriend v Computer Husband Software

Dear Tech Support,

Last year I upgraded from Boyfriend 5.0 to Husband 1.0.  What I have noticed is a slow down in the performance of the flower and jeweler applications, which had operated flawlessly under the Boyfriend 5.0 system.  In addition, Husband 1.0 un-installed many other valuable programs, such as Romance 9.9, but installed undesirable programs such as Sport 7.3, NFL 3.2 and Tennis 4.1.  Conversation 8.0 also no longer runs and Housecleaning 2.6 simply crashes the system. I've tried running Nagging 5.3 to fix these problems, but to no avail. What can I do?

Your faithfully

Desperate Susan

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Reply from Tech Support

Dear Desperate Susan,

First, keep in mind that Boyfriend 5.0 was an entertainment package, while Husband 1.0 is an operating system. Try to enter the command C:/I THOUGHT YOU LOVED ME and install Tears 6.2.  Husband 1.0 should then automatically run the applications: Guilt 3.3 and Flowers 7.5.  But remember, overuse can cause Husband 1.0 to default to such background applications as Grumpy Silence 2.5, Happy Hour 7.0, or Beer 6.1. Please remember that Beer 6.1 is a very bad program that will create Snoring Loudly.WAV files.

DO NOT install Mother-In-Law 1.0 or reinstall another Boyfriend program. These are not supported applications and will crash Husband 1.0. It could also potentially cause Husband 1.0 to default to the program: Girlfriend 9.2, which runs in the background and has been known to introduce viruses into the Operating System.

In summary, Husband 1.0 is a great program, but it does have a limited memory and can't learn new applications quickly. You might consider buying additional software to enhance his system performance.  I personally recommend Home Cooking 3.0 and Single Malt Scotch 4.5.  Finally consider applications such as Lingerie 6.9 (which has been credited with improved performance of his hardware).

Good Luck

Tech Support

--------------------------------------------------------------
EMAIL THE BAYFIELD BUNCH:))
stargeezerguy@gmail.com
 
BISBEE PHOTO ALBUM
http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy/BISBEEARIZONAAFEWFINEPHOTOMEMORIES
 
Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
BLOGGER WEBSITE http://thebayfieldbunch.com/
OUR PHOTO ALBUMS http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy/
 
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.