Wednesday, March 27, 2013

RV LIVING !

Yesterday, I had some real technical difficulties with this Blog.  So much to say...then after 45 min. of writing, it just went away !!  I really HATE that !!
OK, so here we go again.....

I have been asked to include more details about our travels as some of our friends are just getting started with the RV lifestyle.  Welcome aboard and get ready for the ride of your lives !  We have been "helpful" in getting several friends 'on the road' and have learned from them, now, as well. 

We purchased a campground membership many years ago and now only have minimal yearly dues.  Our sites are free at their parks so we use them a lot.  Next month we elected to stay in a private campground in Lake Havasu so we could visit a number of friends that will also be in the area.  Staying a month is usually more cost effective than paying by the night.  (If we leave earlier than our scheduled 'out-date' it's almost always cheaper or at least a wash, cost wise.)

Right now fuel is our biggest cost.  Staying for as long as is possible helps to keep that down.  All of dates were set up months ago and on paper it looked great.  I think we have extended our stays each time we move to a new area, though.  Finding our way around is always an adventure....thank goodness for GPS !  About the time we get to know an area it's time to move on ! 

Each place has it's own peculiarities.  Down here in the desert, it's so nice to wake up and know the sun will be out !  We live in shorts, tee-shirts and sandals and have enough 'dainties' so we don't have to do laundry for almost two weeks. (We don't have a washer/dryer in our coach. Opted for the storage instead. )  I've been known to wear the same shirt for more than one day...and Norm ?..... Well ? 

I love seeing the different cacti and plants.  Having flowers blooming in Feb. & Mar. is such a treat.  There are farmer's markets with all kinds of fresh locally grown fruits and veggies so salads and stir-fry for us.  We were in the Artichoke Capital last month and ate our fill of huge, fresh artichokes.  Local strawberries are at a number of roadside fruitstands along with grapefruits and lemons we pick right off the trees, here at the park.  I think Norm has already told you about the dates from the palm trees shading our coach.  ( Only eat one or two a day, folks ! )

For the golfer's....Palm Springs has over 100 golf courses ! 

Evenings are spent talking to other RVer's .  Just walk down the streets and somebody invites you to sit and share.  This is where you learn the really GOOD stuff.  This is our first time here so those who are in the know love to share all the great watering holes, restaurants, cheap places...Tues night Taco where it's $1.09 for three tacos !  things one must see, gardens, museums, lakes, hikes, bike trails, cool stuff for your rig... you name it ! 

We have a mail forwarding service so our mail gets to us once a week, I pay our bills over the phone .... anything big like insurances, etc is on auto pay.  TV is satellite and we opted for an automatic roof mounted version.  We had the portable dish and almost killed each other trying to get it set up each time !  Now, it's just a push of the power button.  Tough way to go ! 

Maintenance is ongoing ..... but we have found the more things get used, the longer they last. (As opposed to letting things just sit in storage. )  But, like in a house, things need to be fixed occasionally.

Jobs are available everywhere.  If extra income is needed, part time or seasonal jobs can be found in any area or place you may want to stay for a bit.  There are a number of resources ... Workamper... for one. 

FUN is why we're out here !  We don't do anything if it isn't fun !  I have enjoyed my quilting, etc. so much and have so many projects in my head just waiting to get made !  Norm is still waiting to get to Yellowstone so he can fish... his passion !  In the meantime, we hike, bike, sightsee , do nothing at all and taste our way where ever we are !  We knew, this is what we wanted to do since we first got married ! 

Hope this helps those looking to join us out here ! 

"Those who wander are not always lost ..."   ( my favorite quote !)





Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Palm Springs

I was hoping to regale you in our travels since we left Bothell last December.  But .... my creative juices were just taking hold when ( after writing for almost an hour ) the entire thing ...just ....went away !!!  I can't believe it !!  Well, I guess it wasn't that entertaining after all !

Currently we are in Palm Springs, CA.  It is beautiful here.  There is desert all around us, to be sure, but it's amazing what the addition of water can do. The temps when we arrived were in the low 90's.  Norm finds refreshment in the pool and mine is in the air-conditioned coach, sewing !  It's weird to have so few younger folks around. A lot of canes, grey hair or no hair, wrinkles, etc.  Most of them are in bed by 9:00pm and their rigs are all dark.  (Uh-oh....I'm in bed by 9:00 !  Guess I'm officially an old geezer !)  LOL.  We are parked under palm trees that offer some shade. In the evening the sounds of the palm fronds blowing in the breeze is sooo calming and the numerous fruit trees  give a special tropical scent to the air.  I have to pinch myself to be sure this is real !

We are finding our way around but our favorite drive is down Highway 111.  There are over 100 golf courses in the area and each one has an entry that is more beautiful than the last !  Makes me wish we golfed !  It's funny to see so many golf shops, golf cart sales rooms, golf cart service, golf cart parking spaces and then all the golf therapy clinics !  OMG..... golf is a serious thing here !  (Norm is bummed out.. he's still looking for the fly-fishing stores !) 

Residential housing is laid out within enclosed walls complete with security gates.  Landscaping is fabulous.  Palm trees of all kinds, cactus, large and small and fragrant flowers and bushes everywhere.....and it's only March ! 

We drove to Joshua Tree Natl. Park on Friday.  The elevation is about 5,000' so the temps ran in the high 60's-low 70's, much cooler than in the lowlands..  It's a fairly small park compared to what we're used to but it has some great hikes and beautiful viewpoints.  I couldn't help noticing the difference between this area and PS.  There are no gated communities, no fabulous gardens.  The housing is meager at best and the sand and dust cover everything ! 

Lots and lots of changes for us but we never tire of them.  Have a wonderful Easter this Sunday !  :)