Another field trip looking for the end of the rainbow.
We went to Tucson on Saturday and Sunday back to Apache Junction.

This time we headed off to Tucson, AZ to get the lay of the land and do drive byes on a list of homes we wanted to check out that were in our price range. Not so much in our $ range but things we wanted in a property. Big enough for RV parking, a shop or garages for Terry, views for me, (I don't want to be hiding behind brick walls in a development that feels closed in. I need to see out, not just up.  A place we can keep and enjoy now for the winter season and later when we come off the road. We don't want much do we.   We know that this is out there as we have found a couple, but they are in sale pending and in Apache Junction. 

Now in Tucson... we had many listings to drive by out on W Picture Rock Road and later down to the southwest on W Ajo Hwy. 
We got worn out just trying to find places..... The roads are like third world. Just dirt paths never been maintained.
Talking to a real estate person that happened by one property we were taking pictures of confirmed our thoughts.  He said the roads will never be upgraded. Many were almost impassible. A couple of homes were ok but you could hardly get to them even in a truck. Let alone try to get an RV in there. Let me say this about that... They sure look different in the listings than in real life.

We were beat and it was getting late, close to sundown and we had yet to find a motel. Ya think we would plan ahead and reserve one. 
Na Da. We made it back to downtown Tucson in the dark using my trusty Droid X giving directions to me in a city I had not driven before. Right to a Motel 6 where we landed. Not fancy, but clean. $54 for a non smoking room with double bed. I gave up that nasty habit many years ago and nice to be able to say... yes non smoking (without bed bugs thank you...) I think they may charge extra for non smoking... as he had to search for that in his computer... we are in AZ after all. 
I couple of stiff drinks were in order (after we were checked in don't ya know) since we drove by a liquor store on the way to the motel. 

Later off to a Waffle House just down the street for food as it was too late for the buffet across the street. 

This is the one we went to but a day view since picture taken form Goggle Earth. 

I found them looking for places to eat again on my Droid X. I love this smart phone. I had a 10 oz T-bone steak... and it was darn good to boot.  Terry had their three pork chop dinner... (now these are not Iowa chops to be sure) but they were covered in sausage gravy and tasty.  You just know they would have hash browns down to a science. It's set up so the cooking is done right up front across from the tables. The front row of tables are even served from the center isle. It was fun to watch the cook do his thing right in front of us. We had never been to a Waffle House or even heard of them. They have got this serving food down pat. I get into watching places like this who have their act together. It was a work of art as all worked together to get the food on the table. None of it's not my job at this waffle house as they were helping each other and it wasn't that busy.... not even close to the after bar rush that I'm sure they must get. I later called the cook over (from just a few steps away) when we were about to get up to leave and gave him a $5 tip. Don't think he gets much of that. He said "Glad you enjoyed"... 

Anyway we made it through the night in a strange bed with only two tiny pillows (placed clothes etc. under each to help).  Had to use my Droid X tethered since the motel WiFi was not free... screen came up wanting payment.  I should have asked as we were in a line of motel chains all advertising the same price on their signs. Bet others had free WiFi... But I got my Droid X so who cares. 

Now off topic...  I need to download  Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (would you believe it is a 100 to 500 Meg download) and wont tell you how much, but I know way too much for me to download over my satellite internet service. So could have paid $2.99 and got it for the laptop (64 bit) but still needed it for my desktop (32 bit).  Guess I'll just go to McDonald's and have a 99 cent burger and download it. We shall see.  Think I can get microsoft to send a CD with it on. Will need to do more checking on that. 

OK so back to our field trip... I'm trying to forget it.  But you want to know all about how others get stressed out Don't Ya. 

We got up as Terry said it was going on 9 AM so I got up as he took things out to the truck...  THEN I looked, you got it, at my Droid X and announced it was still before 8 AM. 

We did get going and left to head north via HW 77 (so to stay on blue roads) so we could take another look at stuff in Apache Junction. 
At this hour in the AM on a Sunday morning we were so done for now with Tucson if you get my drift... We just wanted to get out of town. 
We were impressed with the area going up HW 77 northeast out of Tucson and I did a U-turn and came back when I saw a   Just what we needed...  I had driven by several IHops or Dennys that looked crowded.  Who wants to wait forever for service when we are on a mission.   HomeTown Buffet  is another chain (who knew) but we had a very relaxing great Sunday brunch. 
Normally when I get behind the wheel I just drive on and on. So for me to stop for a restaurant experience is a surprise for Terry. Even I know what is need from time to time. I hit a home run with making a stop at this place and knowing it would be fast as it was after all a buffet. But it turned out so much more... Staff was friendly and welcoming. Food was first rate... and at fast food prices. We left happy... but still ready to get out of Dodge or Tucson as the case may be... 

Now on forward north.... feeling awake with only decaf coffee.  Terry got a cup of hot tea.  He even had breakfast Meneudo soup.  Whatever that was.  I'm not doing a google search... you can if you are into that... 

OK, did I say it snowed in AZ... I lied and told our friend Tad it didn't, but it did....

HW 77 heading north. 

As we got to Apache Junction north, no snow on the ground as they are 1000 feet lower.  Cars were pulled over taking pictures of the Superstition Mountains.

We drove around Apache Junction unprepared as we hadn't done a current listing research. So we just drove around looking at listings we had found before and getting a more idea of the lay of the land. Today the views were much better than we had been here last time in the rain.  Just look at the views from possible home sites. 

This is the view you get from most everywhere in the north sections of AJ.

Now we did make a few calls to voice mails and later emails about a couople of  places that may meet our wants. 
This one does have a Terry want... A huge building shop with water and electric. 

Want to see more here is the listing... 
You are bound after clicking on the listing link NOT to make an offer. 

We saw it last visit but thought it was a sale pending but got a call form the agent saying it was active with no offers and would be happy to get a showing for us this weekend.  So we may go back for a another field trip (this could get old) weekend again. 

Now I liked another listing with great views 

See this one but it is sale pending...

 The agent emailed back that it has a sale pending offer WELL above the asking price.  She sez I could put in a back up offer if there is a problem with the offer in place.

Now in this market with depressed values and with 50% of homes underwater, who in their right mind would offer well above the asking price for a house.  Now you should understand the agent I'm talking to is the selling agent as I called the number on the sign. Do you believe everything someone tells you? When the contingent on this property expires on Thursday, later this week she will get back to me if there is a problem with the first offer. 

We are in a mode where agents are starting to take an interest that we are serious abut buying property.

I'm sort of getting a feel for all the bumps on I-10. At least the sped limit is 75... A speed I would never do pulling a 5er... but it might be good to clean out the fuel jets in a diesel,  wondering if that is a good side to these trips... 

So we have one property to visit, Terry's prime site and another that might go back on the market so we shall see.... 

Stay tuned to see if we make a lifestyle change. 
Or if we say screw it and continue on with life as we now know it... 
I know one thing... After we got back from even a one night stay in a motel in Tucson it was great to get back to our little 5er home. This has been our home for the last six or so years and no matter what you call it...  It is "Home Sweet Home".   It does feel good crawl into your own snuggie warm bed at night. 

When we sold our last house to do this lifestyle we said never a sticks and bricks again... so what are we doing... 
Who knows at this point and at this hour of the night as I post... not sure... 

More Later.... 
 
 

Tuesday Feb. 22

A field trip in the rain on Sunday...

It was nice when we left Quartzsite Sunday morning... but of course we drove through Phoenix during a downpour. 

OK this shot was without rain but this was on the return trip later in the afternoon heading back to Q.
What we should take pictures in heavy traffic in a downpour and kill how many including us?

Or trek was to to get to Apache Junction to drove around checking out the area and drive by a bunch of places I tagged on my S&Ts printout. Now you know by now giving this info to my trusty navigator is never my best move. When Terry sez turn right I usually always go left. I did grab the map from time to time so as to make sure we were heading in right direction (along with a little yelling which is always necessary when frustrated) but ya know Terry did do OK as we got into this going from place to place like we were delivering pizzas.  Now it did get a bit much when I had to adjust the wiper speed while concentrating on driving. All the while declaring to anyone within hearing (yelling again) that my Droid X navigation system could do this better.  But I'm driving so that is not PC.  We did find most of the addresses as planned while still maintaining a speaking relationship when all was said and done. 

We had a long list of places to assess and like all things in this life, most didn't live up to the way they looked in the listings or even looking at them in Goggle Earth. We did find a couple of properties we would consider and now doing more research on them. 
But now you have to get a life if you think I'm going to show you pictures of them.  What you think... after all the research and study... you should be able go  grab one of them before we make an offer. 

But in this market not sure we should rush.   I've checked the counties assessor's web sites. A prime site in east AJ with great views we are looking at was assessed at $231K in 2008 and in 2010 at $116K and now offered for $99.9K.  We have now done a tour of what is offered in Apache Junction... next we will go to Tucsun. I've got a selection of property searches for that area also. Just to show we are thinking... the altitude in AJ is about 1K feet higher than Q and and Tucson is another 1K higher.  So lots of things to consider in this search. Winter in Tucson would be cooler than what we are used to in Q. 
Might be we just give up the search and do a longer term study later on. A new report now sez values are still dropping and soon 50% of homes will be underwater in this country. That is a sad statement to be sure. But we do think now is a good time to be looking and if we find a place we should go for it. 

So Ya got a nice site on a 1-2 acre site with views, a large shop (garage, building) with RV parking. 
Oh and did I say a nice house on the property for us to live in besides a huge shop would be nice. 
We've been through the more garages than house issue before... We had a hard time selling our last sticks and bricks back in IA in 2003.  A split foyer with three garages under and two more detached. So now we are looking again... and as much as Terry wants  large garage spaces to do his thing we are watchful not to make repeat mistakes of the past. 
BUT...
We have found a couple of listings in Apache Junction and many more in the Tucson area that meet that and much more.
This is scary... does Tucson meet our needs or is somewhere else better? I even searched the Wickenburg area. 

They say when you find a property you love... just go for it...  and STOP looking further. 

Stay tuned as we kick it up in a slightly higher gear and trek off looking for a winter home with an RV landing spot. 
That also could fit the bill to become a home when we get to be old  and decrepit. At times I think I'm there now.

If Bob and Linda from Because We Can  can find a place to land so can we... They found their place in south Texas in Mission. 
We have been there and it's nice, as my mother stayed in Weslaco next door for many years in an RV resort park. 
As they write...   "Life isn't a dress rehearsal so we've got to grab for the golden ring every chance we get".
We are trying...  to  find a great spot for us to view the sunsets while soaking in a hot tub or floating without a care in a pool. 
Those are my wants...  and Terry's wants are a huge shop to piddle his time away with his hobbies.  (woodworking, metalworking, silversmithing), and more. 

You think we are nuts..., I hear Ya...  but with the current property values, we are finding listings that offer this and more..

Stay tuned to see if we find it... 
 

Saturday Feb. 19

It can rain in Q Don't Ya Know... 

Looking out our 5er door... 
This Toy Hauler 5er moved in and me thinks he may be disapointed as you know he wanted to get his off road machines out and ride... baby..ride. 

But not today... 

It rained on and off during the night and was nice sleeping with the pitter patter on the roof. 
Would you believe we even had some thunder and lightening. It is so nice to wet things down and have that fresh smell. 
It rained most of the morning and cleared up past noon. We were all getting tired of the small dust storms the last few days. 
This is just what we needed. 

We held off heading over to Apache Junction due to the weather and glad we did as I got several new listings sent to look at.  Got them marked down in S&Trips. We shall see when we head over to look around.... thinking it will be just on a whim when we wake up early and we say... Lets Go...
 
 

Thursday Feb. 17

We didn't drown in the hot tub.  As some had worried, and some had hoped. 

It has turned slow in Quartzsite and to be frank, haven't had much to blog about. 
I have to take comfort from Andy over at  MyOldRV.com who likes to say if you are going to blog at least have something to say, instead of just doing the mundane blog thing.  Now if I could only write like him I would have it made. 

Anyway on with my mundane post...

If we don't change our minds we are off soon to check out the real estate market in Apache Junction. 
If you are not famillilar with Arizona, Apache Junction is on the east side of Phoenix. Another mecca for snowbirds like Quartzsite. 
They even have a Gem and Mineral Club. Not anywhere near like Q's but what can I say. They're trying and Terry could help them make it beter, I'm sure. 

We call ourselves RV fulltimers... (living off the grid for months on end) using solar and  generator power when needed.

So what are we doing... thinking about real, real estate.  Not just a big appliance box under an overpass. 

For years now "home" meant a PMB number at a mail forwarding outfit in South Dakota.
We remember what we went through to get rid of our house, and that was in 2003 before the housing bubble burst. It still took 8 months to sell, at last when we had left for the winter when we were in Texas for the winter.  We did make a bit and didn't have to sell short like so many today. 

So what NOW...

We are having the time of our lives... or so they tell us. You know who they are... the ones who are still working and wishing they could quit their jobs and sell thir house and live this lifstyle. Life is good, but, everyday is not a day fly fishing or camping in a remote location like the dream protends. That special vacation camping trip you remember so fondly, was great, but it can't be continued day after day. For one thing it would wear you out if you tried. You do get flat tires along the way to deal with, from time to time. No... Real people, live real lives. 

We just happen to be living it in an RV so we are closer to the action, and good times, when it happens. This lifestyle is pretty darn good, just don't make it out for what its not. You still have to take out the trash and dump the holding tanks before you light the campfire. 

So more what NOW...

There will came a time (when we are older and feeble :) when we will want to have a little more structure, without having to dump holding tanks and hustle up fresh water every few days, especially in a winter type location, without being in a cramped RV resort park.  With the real estate market the way it is in Arizona we thought should be looking out for our future interests, so to speak.
It was natural to begain looking right here in Q.  But this place is in denial as to what they think anything is worth in this desert outlaw hangout. 

Sure RVers flock here for the shows and the venders but would you want to call this place home after you stop just coming here for the winter season. Buy a home here and you might just have to live in it fulltime later on. You want to spend a summer here in Q in the desert at temps reaching 120.  Nope, not us either. 

When the RVers leave this place, each spring it dries up to nothing.  The county (La Paz) is about to go bankrupt. They had a civil judgment against them for $12 M and they only have $3M. A judge locked down their funds so they couldn't even pay county payroll lately.  Also reported the town of Q is about broke, so who knows. Next, the town of Q is having a Hatfield-McCoy" ongoing feud. Or now in modern times it's the tea baggers against the Mormon mafia.  Now if the governor gets her way and cuts Medicaid many rural hospitals would have to close per news reports.  That might mean the LPRH in Parker would be ripe for closing along with its clinic in Q.  Anyway western AZ is more and more not looking like that cool a place to call home. Who knows we could always djust rop by for a visit for the 10 day shows in January like everyone else. 

So we are off to see if the east side of Phoenix is any better. 

I was surprised to find so many nice homes on 1 - 2 A lots with RV parking, workshops. etc. that allow horses (not that we have that need). All spread out with unused land between them.  More of a country feel. We especially want to look at the ones on the north side of town that are up higher overlooking the valley. 
 

Now I can say all that by looking at the listings on the computer and google earth, so we shall see if in real life it all holds up to be that appealing. I have pointed to the listings addresses of a must see on Streets and Trips and a print of the actual listings for reference. 

If you want to look at the listings in Apache Junction in the range of  $50K to $150K go to
www.azmoves.com and see the listings we are looking at. 

Opps. a little kick in the pants... I tried to make reservations and it seem rooms are pretty much booked up.  Yesterday no problem, today all gone. Guess we just got out of the having to make plans, plan.  What, I thought we were in a recession.  Might have to move our visit dates or forbid hook up the 5er and land on one of several Passport America Parks in the area. You know we are way too settled in at our winter boondocking spot when we think it would be a pain in the butt to have to lower our solar panels etc. to move our home on wheels. 
I can still sit here and get immediate updates on the market as the real estate sites email me with new listings and when a listing price drops. Sort of like ebay for house shopping. 
 
 

Friday Feb. 11

As things wind down in Quartzsite we turn to thinking about buying property again.

RV lots that can also be built on, or a house with attached RV parking.

What they want for lots and houses here in Q is just delusional. The one big development here in Q that failed a couple years ago has local agents trying to sell the model homes that were built in 2006 (never lived in) and still want big bucks.  No lots have been built on for years, if what we found looking into the records at the county assessor's office is true. Several homes are up for sale as short sales. Just a few of the 103 lots were sold or bult on. 
We love boondocking in the BLM (with all the freedom it gives) but with the real estate market overall as it is, you would be nuts not to at least look into buying a spot to land on for the winter right now.  Me thinks the local real estate maket in Q thinks dumb snowbirds are easy marks as real estate here is inflated compared to what we found by doing a little reserch on other areas. 

Terry's three year obligation as trustee at the Quartzite Gem and Mineral Club expires this season so we are free to explore other locations to land in for the winter. 

Like they say you have wheels just move on... 

NOW... There is a Gem and Mineral Club in Apache Junction on the east side of Phoenix. 
I started looking into real estate in that area. Would beleive you can buy a McMansion 
in that area for what they want here in Q. Many homes on big lots with RV parking, large out buildings, and with views to kill for.  We think we should be taking a mini trip for a visit soon. 

More on this later... To be sure.... 

The weather is to warm up this weekend to 80.  We are getting the hot tub water refreashed so it should be a good time in the tub soaking this weekend. 
 
 
 
 

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