Monday Dec. 3
We
got in gear and I took Terry to the Rock Club this afternoon so he could
spend time with friends, and see what was happening at the shop. He lives
for the shop activities, and misses it since his hospital visit. So he
got to spend a hour or so and then after running errands I stooped back
and picked him up.
I
went to the bakery to get a loaf of whole wheat bread and a 5 gallon bucket.
Then to the library to take back a book and get another one. Haven't had
much time to read lately. I have had time, but I can't concentrate.
I took newpapers to the hostital but never read them. Off to get a vender
item replaced as it was defective and they gave me a new one. Stopped at
the tire dealer in Q who is building a huge new store (new loc not open
yet) to see what they could do for me for tires for the PU. The have Bridgestone
215/85/16s for $115 each. May go with this deal. Later we dropped of a
couple wire wrapped items Sandy had wanted Terry to do for her, and I helped
them on a couple of computer problems.
Now
home and will have to nurse Terry's cyst. Then relax watching part two
of the SiFi channel's Tin Man series. Have not spent much time watching
the SciFi channel but the promos during the Tin Man, led me to see that
might have to change this winter.
Things
are growing with more and more venders and they almost hve the I-10 Bus
route on the west side done. The RV dealers are pulling in with their rigs
to sell. So sing along now... "It's beginning
to Look a lot like Quartzsite". or should
I say Christmas. No snow, but it may rain again this weekend!
On
Dec. 8 Q has its annual Parade of Lights. Last year we went to it, or should
I say we tried to. On a dark side street I backed into a car I couldn't
see in my rear view mirror. $750 damage. (paid out of pocket instead of
Ins.) Sort of put a damper in the spirit of things.
We
went right home. I knew I should have just put up a 
sign and been done with it!!
I
was know for years at work to hang a Santa and I mean hang, over
my desk, with a round button pinned to it that said Just
Say Bah! People came from
far and near to see it.It was a tradition. The last couple of years
the noose thing seemed a bit much so I took it down. Never had any complaints.
It was only 4-5 inches tall. We had good laughs over it.
We hope as days go by to
get out and about more and get some updated pics of the action in Q. Terry
is not even taking any pain meds. I don't know how, but he isin't.
Tuesday Dec. 4
Stephen and Brigitte Brighton
stopped by for a visit. We met them last year when they bought a Alarm
It unit from us. We talked about their solar system and how much power
it takes to run a desktop computer. And also all things RV. It was fun
and hope to see them again this season around the campfire. They
have built a portable dump tank just like ours and have been following
our web site for a long time.
We also had a visit from
a longtime blog follower who is staying at the B 10 Campground in town. 
The picture Terry took was
not so good. He has an excuse. Hope we can get another one of him somtime.
While online we got a severe
weather alert pop up for Quartzsite. (we use a program called Weather
Watcher) Seems we are going to have the Oregon storms move down south
on Fri. and Sat. and give us heavy rain again at the end of the week. More
fun times in the soggy desert. WOW two weeks in a row. Can't wait for the
action. Will have to get my police radio turned on and listen to the road
closures. Said temps in the upper 50s.
We think the grocery stores
here are still on their summer stocking schedule as whenever we go in they
are out of milk, eggs etc. Don't know what they will do when the
crowds really get here. You need to shop on Thursday as that is the sale
flyers first day. They do have some good deals if they have it in stock.
Just might be people are here early this year, getting off the road and
settling down, due to the higher cost of driving down the road.
Checked more on tires but
found out the Bridgestone M779 tires ($115) I was looking at, at the local
American Custom Tire shop are OEM PU take offs. The local guy sez they
have a warrenty but I called a regular Bridgestone dealer in another city
and was told they would be calssified as used and no factory warrenty.
So not a good deal as I first thought. Am going to call the local Chevy
dealer in Parker and tell him to get me the GoodYear Silent Armor tires.
($170) I should have and he said in his email he will meet or beat any
quote I can get on the the GoodYear tires. Sometimes you have to spend
a bit more to get want you need, and not just a fly by night deal. We live
on the road, so cheap tires are not the way to go, when you could have
one go bad in the middle of nowhere.
Friday Dec. 7
Today
is that start of another weekend and as the rest of the north country is
getting snow we are in for a bit of bad weather also. Just got a Weather
Alert... Strong winds 30-40 sustained and gusts to 60 mph tonight and Sat.
with rain. Had Terry take our sun screens off the canopy frame so it won't
blow down. It is cloudy and cool. Warnings of dust outs with blowing desert
dirt. Looks like a night to curl up with a good book and have plenty of
gas for the generator.
Had
to deal with bank issues today. You know when you travel you don't get
mail regularly, so I missed some notices of some CDs coming due. Well with
automatic renewal the rate dropped about 2.2 %. not good. And that was
with a extra .25 added for being a good customer. Ya Right. They always
do that on automatic renewal. So I called and said you are offering
5% online, why my low rate, and got new CDs made up. Got my interest back
up where it should be. They were past the 7 day grace period but if you
add funds they will cancel and redo. I do banking online but the CDs are
sent out US mail. Wish they would sent the renewal notices via email.
Anyway don't have to worry about those for awhile, but have others coming
due and should stay on top of them. We are having too much fun fulltiming
to pay attention to CD expiration dates. Guess I should print out the various
expiration dates and put them on the calendar.
Terry is back off to the
the rock club for the afternoon. Looks like pork roast for supper. The
General Store had a special going on. Noticed were are getting lots of
hits on the
rock club site as there is an article about Q and a link to it on the
RoadTrip
America site.
Going to log off and sutdown
1:15 PM as it is starting to RAIN in the desert.
UPDATE: 7:30 PM Well
it didn't rain for long... more like a few sprinkles. After Terry got home
he/we cleaned the 5er (vacuumed, etc.) as we will be cooped up in it this
weekend due to the weather. It just feels better when cleaned and the desert
dust is knocked down a bit. Here we go again, trying to keep a 5er hospital
room clean. (Terry is doing good, must be clean enough so far.) We will
find out next Friday at 10 AM when we meet with the surgeon, for a checkup,
if I have marketable Nursing skills.
Sometimes it's the little
things that get to you. Last night with the wind blowing (it doesn't
take much) the pull strap to the canopy bangs against the trailer side.
Today we taped it down so no more noise. Looking for a good nights
sleep. The end curved piece is hard material so you can use a rod to catch
it and pull the canopy down. I bet you have had this happen to you also.
Couldn't resist this picture
from back home on I-80 I-235 at Ankeny, IA from the traffic cam.
Don't think it's now so
bad in AZ.
Monday Dec. 10
On
Sunday we got up and went to Blythe, CA to Sizzlers for their Sunday brunch.
I was a little disappointed. Had a big salad bar and Mexican food bar just
like normal and off to the side on tables pulled together was a few warming
trays with sausage and scrambled eggs, hash and of course pancakes and
they would make an omelet for you. But that was all. Didn't even have any
toast. But it was still good to get Terry out for a outing.
Later
scanned the forums and read several topics about Boondocking and Solar
power etc.
So
I had somne thoughts on that.
Some
posts thought they could do it for next to nothing. They hear Boondocking
and think cheep. Not so.
Two
rules... Go to a solar dealer and tell them what you want your system to
do for you, and not just tell them what you have to spend to see what you
can buy. You have to get enough equipment that it will work to do what
you need from it. (It's like buying a computer... what do you want it to
do is the first question.)
Boondocking.
Is
it the way to go.. or stay in a RV parks.
(For
a winter season like in Quartzsite)
What
it costs either way. Statements geared toward trailers. MHs are are
a whole another bread.
We
figure the electric cost in an RV park is about the same as paying for
gas for a generator when boondocking.
(You
can get ripped off on electric rates in RV parks when they meter you.)
Do not run a heat pump or electric heater in an RV park if you are metered
for the electric. You will be sorry. Ask what the metered rate is and if
there is a meter reading charge.
You
will be running a generator at night even with solar. (Honda 2000
at $1000 or Honda 3000 at $2000) Let's hope you already have one. Don't
buy one of those cheep noisy ones whatever you do. You will be run out
of the BLM or campground by your neighbors.
The
propane usage is about the same (in an RV park or boondocking) so that
is a wash. You will want to run your fridge on gas not electric.
Now
you'll want solar. At least 2 130 wat panels 3 would be better. = Now $700
each.
Solar
Controller $200
1500
w xantrex inverter/charger refurbished one) $700.
Batteries...
get the AGMs.. need at lest 4 at $140 each. You just can't add to what
you have. They need to be all the same type and made on the same date.
OK get the golf cart cell types for $100 each. Do you really want to check
water levels all the time. And they have to be in a sealed box to control
the gassing. AGMs take a charge faster and you can run them down lower.
You can even lay them on their sides.
To
get it all installed $700 or more. Plus cables and parts.
As
you can see it's NOT cheep to Boondock and do it so you will be happy without
electric from the grid.
Now
if you are in a RV park at $300 or more a month if you stay for several
months at a time. Just pull in for January and it may double. It's like
paying rent or owning the home. Money up front for gen., solar, etc. and
then it's yours. You only have to pull into a RV park when you want to.
So
we are talking at least $4000 or more to do it so you can be comfortable.
You
can spend several winters in an RV park for that amount of money.
You
have to deciede what it is you want... to reach out and touch your neighbor
in an RV park. (like in a parking lot) OR Yes, sometimes activities
to keep you busy, music, pot luck dinners, etc. OR have
the freedom in the BLM with campfires and lots of space to be away from
others. Yes you will meet your neighbors in the BLM and have get togethers
if you want them. Many people came back year after year to the same
spot. People do look after each other in the BLM in Q.
Once
you do the outlay of funds to equip your rig, you are free to do it your
way on any boondocking site. You can take the dry campground site and not
have to pay for the full hookup site.
You
spent HOW much to buy that diesel PU and your big fifth wheel.
Then you should consider the need to budget $5 K for solar and batteries
so you can use it like you may want to. That is IF you don't want to stay
in RV parks all the time.
Sure
I have not walked a mile in your moccasins, so the path you take may be
different. Just have fun doing it!!
Here
is how we did our system. The Joys of Solar power How
we made it work for us
Got
questions just email.
Tuesday Dec. 11
The
days are just flying by... 20 something till Christmas... No, I am not
going to pull up the calendar and do a count. Like Nick's
blog (who does great things with his The
Gypsy Journal also writes about his distaste for the commercialization
of Christmas!) More important for us is the IOWA caucuses on
Jan. 3rd. We are from there, so we take that stuff to heart. Sure
if they would do away with the electoral college, YES but life is not that
easy to change what should be. Damn. Us humans are so complex, and change
is hard.
A neighbor
south of us is big time into the holiday spirit with decorations. All run
off a generator. We are all way of the grid here. They are having
fun, we can tell. Good for them.
We didn't take this picture.
I had Terry try a couple times but the pics didn't turn out (we didn't
want them to think we were stalking) (people sneaking up on your campsite
taking pictures could get you in trouble with generator thefts going on)
so Judy from Fulltiming
Road Runners had this one our their site (who is just down the
road told me to use it. Thanks Judy. It is a community here in the desert!
Now would you do this setup
running it off your generator. It is the first time we have seen
this in the BLM in Quartzsite, AZ. I'm a Bah Humbug kind of guy,
but if you have pics of others doing this while boondocking,
off the grid, send them, and I'll see if I can post them.
We are doing good, as in
Terry after his hospital stay. It is colder, early for this
time of year in southwest AZ, but looking back up at IOWA and the ICE storms
we are feeling lucky. In AZ, ICE does not mean frozen water.
Thursday Dec. 13
It
got COLD last night.. This is December not January in Q. We are warm
and toasty in our 5er. We turn the heat down to 55 at night. Why Oh Why
they don't make an efficient forced air furnace for RVs. I have asked that
question before and never got a good answer. Think it is time to post that
again on the forums. I mean you can get a unit that is 90% or more for
your home and for your RV mabe 10% if that. WHY.
We
went to Blythe, CA as an outing event today. We needed new
sheets, as after we bleached one set, a hole tore in it. These things are
not cheap, a 300 thread Queen set was $50 at Kmart. Got black printer
ink for our HP F380 unit for $14.95. A good price (if there could ever
be a good price for printer ink) but we like the unit as it is also a scanner/copier.
It has a small footprint (10" D X 16" W X 6 1/2" H) and fits in our cabinet
over the computer desk. I have had several Epson printers but after this
HP unit I am sold.
Terry
is at the table getting out greeting cards to some people we care about
and have addresses for. If you don't get one we still care, and
wish you well, but we are lucky to get any sent at all. Last year I don't
remember if we sent any... This year we are getting a few sent... next
year we hope to do better.
Trying
to do better with the Bah Humbug thing.
We
meet with the surgeon at 10 AM tomorrow (Fri. Dec. 14) for a follow up
on Terry's operation. We get to see how good a nurse I have been, and how
well he has been healing. I think things are going very well, and
Terrys back end looks good. We shall see, or should I say, HE (doctor)
will see as, I am tired of looking and his rear end, and need a second
opinion. As in doctor talk.
You
all stay warm and have a great Friday and weekend. If you are in Q, get
out there as the venders are out in full force. Shop till you drop as they
say. I got my Bah humbug shopping done today and Terry does not have a
clue. I am so bad. He thinks the sheets and new underware we got today
at Kmart were the gifts of the magi. We have everything we need and
when we want anything we just go and get it. Gifts are not what they once
were when I was a kid when we waited all year to get anything. We were
poor. Farmers in Iowa. A few years we didn't get much of anything, at Christmas.
But I didn't feel we were any different than anyone else. Now I know how
much that must have hurt not to be able to do a big Christmas every year.
We always had a nice tree, with lights. I wish I had the angel that was
always on top.
And
the bubble fake candle lights. You had to make sure they were upright so
the bubbles would go up the tube. WOW That was great to watch
as a kid. (I hadn't thought about that, untill now as I write this) (I
can see them now) Found a picture on Google.
My
parents are gone now, and my two brothers have gone their own way, not
being in contact any more. Here I go remembering times past. Many
people find this time of year the most lonley time of year. We can only
try to do our own thing and be with friends who are close, so we are not
drawn into the process that the expectations of us, are not more than what
we can, or want to be. I hope you keep the season in prospective and enjoy
good thoughts. If you are alone, find comfort that there are others
like you, and you will find times better, so you can be happy, and find
the things that make each day fun to get up too and enjoy.
Saturday Dec. 15
The
meeting with the surgeon on Friday (for the followup on Terry) went fine
as he said things looked great. Sez we must be doing all the right things
to keep things clean. We have an appointment to see him again on Jan. 4.
Sure is nice that he (the Doc.) comes down to Quartziste for office hours
on some Fridays. His nurse/scheduler was there and said there was no copay
needed as this was a followup visit. I said this must be the first time
in medical history, no charge to visit a surgeon. We all had a good laugh
over that, and the Dr. was close by to also get in on it. He has been great
with us and understands that we are fullimers living in the BLM. I looked
on the web at our insurance site (was afraid to do it as scared if things
went wrong and they would tell us we owed big bucks) Well the event was
about $1.5 K for the hospital and $10 K for the doctor. All covered AND
our obligation was $150. I will sleep better now. We have been paying imputed
income on the value of Terry's insurance throught my employer (I now retired)
(Qwest) for years. If you don't know about imputed income... It is I pay
regular income taxes on the value of what they say is the value (cost)
of what they pay (they are self insured) for his health insurance since
he is my dependent. (domestic partner) The (IRS) won't let companies pay
the full cost of insurance and I have to claim it as regular income. Not
great but acceptable, as not to have insurance at all for Terry, would
not
let us be fulltimers. In this case we are very grateful for the coverage.
Qwest has gotten to deduct the cost of Terry's insurance, for years, and
never had to pay anything as he doesn't even take any meds. We have paid
imputed income for value, and never had a claim, so as self insured (Qwest)
has had to pay nothing out for Terry's care, so now we get to collect
in a small way. The only winner was the IRS as they go to collect the
tax. Sure, us not a costing much for Qwest over the years, has
made them able to pay for others. That's good! We all want to keep the
costs down.
Enough
of that... Terry went off to get a Silly Al"s PIZZA as it is Saturday
Night. There is a meteor shower later tonight... We shall see if
we get up to go out in the cold to watch. We may just stay inside as it
is COLD out there tonight. Perhaps a good camp chair with a holder
for a drink to keep me warm and bending my neck up looking at the sky....
Sunday
and a newspaper to read (how nice) as of Dec. 31 the Arizona Republic paper
will not send their paper over here anymore so we shall se what we do on
Sundays in the new year.
Sunday Dec. 16
By
your roving reporter Terry
It
was a quiet day in Quartzsite. got up late, got a paper, got tea
made, got caught up on e mail, got a little breakfast made and got to get
out of this sentence.
Unlike
yesterday when I was very task oriented, (hauling water and waste water,
getting propane and cleaning the kitchen) I did not get much done.
Had company a couple of times, Bob of Sandy and Bob fame stopped
by in the morning to return a tool he had borrowed, then stopped back early
evening to bring us a very nice hand made Christmas card that Sandy made
for us.
 
Some
times the nicest of things are those that are handmade. Sandy took
a lot of time and effort to make this wonderful card. I counted at
least 19 layer of folded paper behind the cutout front page.
You
did an excellent job on this wonderful card Sandy!
I played
about a bit this afternoon getting some wax models ready to be cast.
I am currently working on a couple of roadrunner charms, some arrow head
pendants, and a couple of belt buckles. Have more time for these
as the Christmas gifts are done, wrapped and packed for shipping.
Off to the Post Office tomorrow and the out of town gifts are taken care
of. Then time to play in the rock club shops. Have a couple
of projects that I want to get done in time to display for the QIA Pow
Wow at the end of January, including casting the waxes shown below.
 
The
stones will be removed prior to casting, the models show better with
the cabochon in place.
Tuesday Dec. 18
It
has been clear and in the 60s and since Bob and Sandy are working the entrance
station to the long term camping area at the gaurd shack. I have
been going down in the afternoon after I drop Terry off at the rock club
and spending time with them. For you guys back in the office in Iowa this
IS much more fun, than the stress of getting installers to get their T-1
lines to work.
Sandy
took a pic of Bob and I at the picnic table.
I
bought a little helicoper toy (Bob had one, so I had to have one also .
(must be helicoper envy)
It
is a bunch of fun and for only $15. It uses inferred and is ment to be
played with indoors. It flies great. They make other ones which are MUCH
bigger... and are suited for outdoor use. The vender in Q who has them
has found the item of the winter for a hot sales item.. May have to upgrade
when I get (earn) my wings.
UPDATE:
7 PM Just got done flying this thing around the inside of the 5er.
WOW I was able to control it and fly it around. The trick was to give it
a power boost on the controller up lever to get off the ground and then
back
off and let it fly itself.
Now
we are at the statement "Big boy and their toys "He who dies with the
most toys wins" I was once given a T-shit with that slogan on
it.
Each
year Quartzsite is more enjoyable, as we become friends with more people.
Having friends is the secret to it ALL. Been fighting the lines at the
post office picking up packages and sending things off. We have met many
from our blog and reading others blogs who are here also. Who would know
all the people you can meet by sending a signal 22 thousand miles up and
down to a satellite on the inernet. The internet was ment to reach prople
around the world, yet we find it also just as good to reach people just
down the desert road. Within sight of each other.
Terry
is baking shepherd bread and it smells good as I type. (6:30 PM)
Thursday Dec. 20
Terry
went to the rock club in the AM. Sandy stopped by with a dish of dressing
that she was fixing for the rock club Christmas dinner. Then Judy
stopped by with English Toffee. WOW. Treats comes a knocking. Must be the
season. Thanks. We had an appointment to get oil changed at the Parker
Chevy dealer, and do stops at the bank, hospital to pay the insurance deductible.
They hadn't sent the bill yet but I went online to our Ins. company and
knew what it would be. The hospital was surprised to see us but decided
they would take the money. Then to CVS drug store to return overbought
supplies I got to treat Terry. They gave the refund in a store credit card
(since I lost the receipt as I was not of clear mind at the time) so we
went and bought booze and champaign to celebrate the season and New
Year. And of course some groceries at Safeway.
 While
waiting at the Chevy dealer Terry picked up a copy of the Colorado
River Reporter and it had an article in it about Rainbow trout
being stocked in Valley lakes. That peaked our attention. So when we got
home I got on the web. Seems they stock 1,000 or more 8 to 10 inch
rainbow trout each month (some larger) in the local CRIT lakes. (Four
times each winter, during the last two weeks of Nov. Dec. Jan. and Feb.
WOW. CRIT is the Colorado River Indian Reservation. We have been
here for a few years in the winter and didn't know that. Terry is always
asking me what I want to do to keep busy as he is so involved with the
rock club. Well.... fishing would be good. TROUT in AZ and within 20 -
30 miles of Q. For $35 season license.
So
now you must keep this secret to yourself. Don't tell a soul.
OK,
OK... so here is the web site with all the info is http://www.geocities.com/critfishngame/
So
if it gets crowded, you will step aside and make room for us since we told
you about it. Please...
Friday Dec. 21
So
do you have all your shopping done. I do and it was a pain as I wanted
to find that last item. Not needed but I wanted to get it for Terry.
We went to Parker yesterday and I still wanted an add on item for the biggie
gift. So I went to Radio Shack in Parker and CVS pharmacy and no luck so
after Safeway we took the back road in CA down to Blythe, CA and went to
Kmart and their Radio Shack. Still no luck. Did get a genetic version of
what I wanted as this item is so new, not out on the market yet. By that
time it was late and I was getting grumpy. Got back to Q and hit the General
Store at five till 6. (closing time) for eggs and hamburger. We had
enchiladas. (Not bad) They were a little grumpy at the meat counter also
as they wanted to close and get out of there. Guess the customer is not
always right even in Q.
Today
the wind warnings did come to pass. And a bit cool. The furnace ran on
and off most of the day. If you had a canopy out you retracted it today.
We are talking a low of 29 on Christmas. It is sunny so great to charge
the batteries. It must be very cold up north for temps to get this
low down here. But we are warm in our 5er. and have the fridge full so
we can hibernate and just enjoy being alive and with each other. Going
out for dinner on the 25th at La Casa Del Rancho in Q. The same place we
had a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner.
Hope
you are happy with friends or family to enjoy about the only time of year
when people try at least to be nice to each other. If you are alone, just
get through it, and things will look better next week. I promise. It always
did for me in years past.
Just
got an email from Sandy.. they are going to Blythe tomorrow and asked if
we wanted anything. So oysters are now on the list for good
eats. It was a family tradition in our home. So this year O stew or
fried O might be the ticket on Christmas eve. Don't we all stick together
out here in the BLM in Q.
|
Saturday Dec. 22
Sandy
and Bob found out what life can be like in the desert southwest. No oysters
or fruit ckae to be had in Q or Blythe. What's a person to do. They are
going back to Blythe on Sunday to see if some come in. In the meantime
we found a small gift of smoked oysters in cottonseed oil at Family Dollar
for them.
"You
got mail" as AOL used to say, from David and JoEllen with
a picture of their campsite in La Posa Tyson Wash. here in Q.
They have a fun web
site The
Great MisAdventures of David and JoEllen
Update: Bob was over
for happy hour and we got on the web and cell phone and searched for Oysters
and Fruit Cake. Well I found Bashas in Parker had oysters
AND fruit cake. Bob and Sandy will be on the road in the AM
to scoop up the goodies they cherish for the holidays. Safeway and Albersons
didn't have a clue, but Bashes came through.
And they can have a family
outing and check out the trout fishing areas (above post) on the way back.
It's just a Win Win.
Terry has a roast in the
oven and after Sandy gets him aluminum bread baking pans (after their trip
to Parker) he is baking Date and Bannana bread. We told Bob to also get
us a loaf of fruit cake along with oysters. Bashas even said they
would hold some fruit cake back for them. WOW.
See things can work out in
Q, but at times, you have to work at it. Helps tp have the Internet and
cell phones. Saves on gas to drive, and not know if they have what you
want, or need.
Monday Dec. 24
Christmas
Eve, wow it does happen and we are having a good time. It has just
been the most perfect day in the BLM in Quartzsite. Warm and no breeze.
One of those days you can sit out all day and feel like it was ment to
be this wonderful just for you. Terry went around and gave
out bannana bread to friends and later we went to Q for last minute supplies.
Sandy and Bob came over for sunset happy hour and a nice fire. It was that
warm that we could do that. We are inside now all showered and ready to
have a nice supper of fried oysters and New York strip steak.
Earlier
today we had visit from Jim and Chris Guld of Geeks
on Tour
Jim and Chris are on the
left and our good friends, Sandy and Bob of Colored
Outside the Lines are on the right, who stopped by while Jim and Chris
were here.
Chris and Jim have been
computer support professionals since the early 1980s. And now live in their
motor home full-time and travel the US, giving seminars at RV Rallies,
and generally helping RVers and RV parks with their computer needs. You
can take some lessons from their seminars with Computer Training Videos.
Do visit their site to see an Introductory Video about Geeks on Tour.
And sign up for their free newsletter. They do know this computer stuff,
as their slogan suggests. When you need computer help, they are the ones
to go to.
We had a great visit talking
about our web sites and travel adventures. What fun people to be around.
We were so happy they took the time to stop and visit as they were in Q
for just a day or two visiting friends at Rainbow Acres.
Tuesday Dec. 25
Christmas Day
By
your roving reporter Terry
It
does not seem like Christmas today, more like a Sunday. Things have
been quiet and mellow. Time to reflect on what we have been blessed
with, the companionship of others, our friends, and the thoughts of our
families.
Got
the paper this morning, it was late, and got one of the very last copies
of the Arizona Republic before it was sold out. In a few more days,
Jan. 31st there will be no more distribution of the AZ Republic in Quartzsite,
have to enjoy the last few editions while we still can. Guess it
is not profitable to haul papers to Quartzsite, Parker, Lake Havasu, and
Kingman, We are left with USA Today (I hope?) and the odd weekly
papers printed for Parker, Blythe, and Quartzsite.
Went
to La Casa del Rancho for our Christmas Dinner today at Noon. We
got there a bit early, and were ahead of the Crowd. When we left
they were starting to roll in, it should be a big day for them.
They were closing at 3:00 and having their Christmas dinner there at the
Restaurant for the Staff and their families, a nice touch for all that
work there.
While
eating our christmas Dinner today, it was hard not to notice the individuals
who came in for lunch by themselves, sitting at the counter, sharing Christmas
with strangers at the counter. A person should not be alone at Christmas,
yet many are. And we at the La Casa are the lucky ones, There
are many less fortunate then us, the poor and dispossessed of the world
suffering from the cold and privations of poverty. There are so many,
and so few resources for them.
We
should all be ashamed that anyone goes hungry in a country as rich as ours.
We should cast shame on the the marketer's who create an endless variety
of gadgets, gizmos and assorted junk, and then through advertising convince
us we "need" buy the newest and greatest. Isn't it time to simplify
our lives, some times a low tech solution works as well or better then
its high tech replacement. Some times we need to assess what truly
is a need, and what is a want, for us in trailers it is often times
easier, we have not the room. Also if boondocking, we have
not the electric power for the endless variety of electronic devices.
When
we went full time I was forced to give up my prized Kitchen Aid mixer,
how would I be able to cook or bake without it! I found out that
all the functions of the mixer could be done with a fork spoon, whisk or
paring knife. Same goes for the coffee pot, one that sits on a stove
burner will still perk good coffee when we need it. And our camp
toaster while slower then an electric toaster still works for us.
It's all a matter of adjusting priorities and living life a little slower.
Have
to have Ron check all of this prior to posting, may be a little much
of the editorializing. Till tomorrow, Terry.
Wednesday Dec. 26
Christmas
is over and time to get busy, so I worked on medical claims online with
Terry's recent hospital visit. Well would you believe we had a few
glitches in the claims area? Naw, never could there be a billing problem
with insurance. First they got the wrong name of the patient on some
of the claims as it showed up online. Terry Paulsen came up as Terry Bunge.
But after talking to the Ins. Co all the hospital claims looked good. No
problem even with the wrong name.
Now if you are in
Quartzsite or coming this winter, be advised the La Paz Hospital Clinic
in town next to the fire station on the north side, has a new doctor (November)
and she is not set up to accept some insurance payments at this time. You
may declared out of network and
have to pay the whole bill instead of a copay.
At
the start of it all, when we first went in with his condition, they said
my Ins. was good and accepted the copay. Later that night we went to the
ER with his condition. But now, my Ins. Co. (United Health) sez the
clinic will not take payment and we are responsible to pay the total office
visit. $130. After a few calls to the hospital billing (they do the clinic
billing) and the clinic itself. I am told the new Dr. is not set
up yet to accept (in network) payments from my Ins Co. The billing office
said the clinic should have called my Ins. Co. before service to check.
Since they didn't and they took my copay, the clinic manager called me
back and told me they will write off the office visit less my copay. Very
Nice of them. And they will call me when the Dr. is accepting (in network)
payments from my company. We would like to continue to use the clinic as
they are part of the (not for profit) hospital in Parker which we received
great care from. The clinic has nice facalities and right in Q. I have
a Dr. in Blythe, CA but would like to consolidate services for both of
us in Q as (in network). We tried to get to see him but (also backed up
due to the holiday weekend) it would have been days to get in, Terry was
in great pain. So we called the local clinic.
Bottom
line make sure before you go to a clinic or a Dr. they will accept, and
are in network (not out of network) your insurance.
Out
of network we are pay a yearly $450 deductable insted of just $20 copay
as in network. Never had tp pay any out of network fees.
We
got into the clinic in about three hours (the Monday after the long Thanksgiving
weekend) (they had a cancellation) as he was in great pain and I didn't
call my Ins. first, just trusted the clinic when they said our Ins. was
OK. Overall we are VERY pleased with the service we have received from
the whole La Paz Regional Hospital and Clinic network. Trying to
provide quality health care in western AZ is a challenge.
I know,
I know, a lot of personal stuff, and not much on Q and the RV life. We'll
get there with January just around the corner with the big tent events.
But it's also our daily life that might help someone else see what this
life is about, and if they want to go for it. After all, have you seen
pictures of little kids, all gathered around a Christmas tree on this blog?
NO
It
got to freezing last night. I had to get up (bathroom) and looked at our
inside weather unit which gets data from a remote unit outside and sends
it to our inside unit. Said it was 31 and I got back in bed fast. We are
setting the inside temp at 50. It gets cold in January in the southwest
AZ desert, but it seems to be a bit early this year. But the days are nice
with bright sun.
I know
it is warmer in the RGV or FL but it just seems the place to be (for us)
here in Q.
Update:The
Q clinic called today and said they hoped the Dr. would be certified to
accept Ins. payments in just a few days. They have already told us we owe
them nothing more but said they would try to resumit the bill after the
Dr. was certified to see if they could get more money from our Ins. company.
Fine with me. They have been pleasent to talk to, and we woulld like to
stay with them for future office visits.
Friday Dec. 28
Just
a mellow day in Q. Terry at the rock club, me reading, staying warm. Keeping
up with the world news and the first in the nation, caucuses in IOWA as
we are from there, and political junkies since that is where it all starts.
Iowans are used meeting the candidates, and getting involved. They take
it all very serious, if a canidate doesn't know you by your first name
they don't get our support.
Want
to get up close to it all, see the DesMoinesRegister.com
Besides after the caucuses are over they start the farmer seed corn commercials.
Anything is better than those. What good they do is beyond me. Most people
live in the cities (even in IA) and still have to watch them. And most
farmers already know what they are going to plant. Marketing reps. have
to make a living also I suppose.
Can
you imagine how much money is spent in IA on TV ads, hotel rooms, food,
rental cars, etc. by the campaigns. It is a big money making industry for
the state. And you know it does make the canidates work hard to get out
and work, instead of just having national TV ads. Here they have to get
on the ground (for a year or more) and learn what real people need,
or don't need, from our government.
Bet
not many Americians don't know where IA is, (no potatoes, that's ID) and
even many of the local towns that the campaign reports are sent from each
day. I am the webmaster for an IA union site CWA
7102. Political articles are front in center. If you want, go and see
my work on that site.
Sandy
has been over twice trying to get me to go for a ride with her on a big
ATV that their friend (George) has let her use for a week or so. I have
so far refused, as I know I will want one if I go for a ride. We have talked
many times about just this issue of getting these to play in the desert.
But where do we store them in the summer as we have a 5er. and can't take
them with us.
Their
friend has come to visit and also getting solar equipment installed on
his new toy hauler at Discount Solar.
Lots
of snow up north. Guess we should be happy with cool temps as our
only problem. Now if it would warm up there, it would be warmer down
here. So we wish a heat wave for you up there so WE can get warmer also.
Saturday Dec. 29
We
had a knock at our door at 8:30 this AM and we were still in bed. I know
we should have been up but we are retired and it was Saturday morning.
Terry had been getting up to rush to the rock club to teach all week and
just like people who work durng the week we slept in. We got that
So Sorry and they would come back later. We had, had an email from Butch
and Teresa that they we on their way to Q and had followed our site for
years and wanted to pick our brains when they got here. They had
stayed right next to the gaurd station and then checked in and paid the
fees. So later after they picked out that perfect campsite, they came back
and we welcomed them inside and we had a good visit and answered all their
questions about this thing called Quartzsite. They then, after the visit
with us, wanted to head out and explore Q. We didn't get their picture
for the blog (but we will if they will send us one) They were Gung Ho on
their new life living in their RV. We kind of forgot what the smiles
looked like on the faces of new fulltimers. To think they came to us,
for answers, to their questions. Now that is an honor, we don't quite know,
how to handle all that. After Q they are off to Texas to get drivers licensees.
We
later went to Blythe, CA to ACE hardware and lumber yard, as Terry wanted
to get quotes for wood, etc for a project at the rock club. Later we stopped
at Albertsons for goodies to last us to the new year. We let several younger
people who only had beer and booze to get in line ahead of us as they looked
like they were in a hurry. Maybe they were stocking up for the big NFL
game tonight, or just a Saturday night party.
At
ACE we got some window treatments that we can place in the 5er windows
to help cut down on the heat loss from this company www.Reflectixinc.com
We asked for 1/4 inch Fanfold Insulation (which we have used in the past
and we still had some were using in a couple of windows, when needed) but
they didn't know what it was so we found this product in one of their back
aisles, so we shall see if it does any good. It has been colder early this
year, and it is not even January yet. It doesn't take much to greatly improve
the insulation value of RV windows. Just like a home owner we can do things
in a 5er to save the loss of heat and cut down on the use of propane. Being
Greener is good for all of us. And helps save money.
We
didn't get insulated windows (special order) (we bought off the lot) and
they tend to loose there seal bouncing down the road and a normal single
pane window has a R1 value and a sealed window has a value of about
R 2.1 So what is that about. As we see it the only good about them
is to cut down on the condensation that collects on them. Your views
may very... so if you are happy, with double paned units, that's great,
go for it.
Or
fridge is FULL and looking forward to the New Year. Happy in our 5er home
(boondocking in the BLM in La Posa North) Not having to write that big
check to a RV park each month. And having space between us and another
RV. (unlike in a RV parking lot) Priceless. We don't think
it costs less to stay in the BLM for basic services, you
have to put gas in your generator, (about the same as paying for electric)
(propane for your heat, as you will also have to do in a RV park) dump,
and get water (Free if in the paid BLM sections).
Now
if Lamm's produce would just come back to town, and open a stand.
Monday Dec. 31
It
happened (they weren't kidding)... Stopped delivery to this side of the
state from this day forward. NO Newspapers in Q or all of west Arizona.
No AZ Republic or USA Today.
This
just shucks big time. Not a Happy Camper... I tried to download the USA
Today exact print version for online reading as I have done in the past
but that didn't work either. I spent $1.50 (tried it twice) and it would
not download in to their NewsReader. I know, use the help section, I tried
everything and still no go.
I woke
up with a fast pulse and spent the day relaxing trying to get it to slow
down. What is that all about? Have had that a few times. Will have to have
a talk with my Dr. when we get back to Iowa. I feel fine now and ready
to sort of party inside our 5er. watching DirecTV and surfing the web.
Did you know the new law in AZ for DUI is a mandatory 10 days in jail,
BIG fine, and a breath machine attached to your car that you pay for. About
$10k when your done and did I say First Offense.
New
Years Eve. 2007
We
have food goodies (bacon wrapped chicken livers, marinated artichoke
hearts, fried oysters, etc. and several bottles of cheap (and I mean cheap)
champaign. Not sure they can even call it that. Besides I will just gulp
it down. (Did I say that... I mean small sips to savor the flavor. Wait,
I did say cheap didn't I, so how much flavor can it have. Never have
and never will buy the expensive stuff. I understand the cheap stuff produces
a better hangover... Hope you have a good night and wake up ready to challenge
the New Year. We will try.... |
We
went for a drive late afternoon Sunday, just because we could, and Terry
got this shot. We use software from www.autostitch.net
to make panoramas. So easy and free. We got this software link hint from
Tioga
George.
Almost
forgot, another picture we took while on our drive just west of us in La
Posa North BLM. Hope they are nice people... but with just a warped
sense of humor. Think the finger would look better if the flag was
turned upright. These were not cheap, look a the pole and guide wires.
The finger is funny but the top S & B is not.
We
had a visit from a nice guy (forgot his name) (hope he emails me with it
so I can add it to his picture) who is in Q for just a few days exploring
the area as they get ready to go fulltime. They are from Utah. We hope
to see them back here next year. Very friendly nice person, who has been
following our blog site for years. We were very honored that he stopped
by to say Hello.
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