ZION NATIONAL PARK 2012

Leaving LHC about 4 weeks ago and venturing  back to Las Vegas, where we have a Thousand Trails RV Park we can stay at, free, our plan was to spend a week  here and then work our way back North to our summer job in West Yellowstone.



Elephant Rock @ Valley of Fire

 Las Vegas holds no real attraction for us until......we found the Valley of Fire State Park.  In the middle of a desert, that goes on forever, is a huge outcropping of  fabulous RED/ORANGE rock formations !  Several days were spent exploring all the old history and sights this landscape provides.  Along the way we would park at a pull-out and take off for a hike to view such sights as Mouse's Trap, a bowl carved in the stone from erosion, that holds water for months.  This was a good hide out for outlaws in the old days and was used by a bad guy nicknamed "Mouse" on a regular basis.  

White Dome was another hike that showcased an area that was used in old Western movies.  This was the most strenuous for me as it was steep going down and the temps were in the low 100's.  (I was foolish in my youth and managed to get sun/heat stroke 3 times before the age of 20.)  Needless to say heat really affects me now.  Lots of water, one of those cooling scarves and frequent rest stops later, Norm dragged me out of there !

White Dome Cliffs

A week came and went....finding more and more to do, we ended up staying 3 weeks !

Our next stop......Willowind RV Park in Hurricane, UT about 20 mi. from Zion Nat'l. Park.  The coach is under shady trees and loves the reprieve from all the sun on it's roof! 

In Zion, they have eliminated cars in the Park, so mandatory, free shuttles take tourists up to the end of the road at the Temple of Sinovawa.  It stops at each point of interest and we can get off or on anywhere along the way.

Riverside Walk is a 2 1/2 mi (roundtrip) hike to the Narrows.  This hike was easy and had shade and weeping walls full of fragrant Columbine and other Spring flowers.  Water seeps out of the rocks from the snow melt above giving these plants a place to grow.  The end is an area to rest and/or change to water shoes for those who want to continue across the Virgin River to "the Narrows".

Looking toward the Narrows across the Virgin River

Arches along Riverside Walk

The river is shallow today and can be waded easily. The end of this walk is a narrow cut through the rocks. You can touch both sides simultaneously. This trail continues on and comes out to another more difficult hike that needs ropes, etc. Not my cup of tea !

We pass Angel's Landing.  It is the epitome of hikes here at Zion !  Running about 4 miles in length, hikers climb up the trail which traverses a very narrow ridge across a rock wall.  It is not for anyone afraid of heights or unable to walk well.  Norm says " Ya want to try that one ?"
"Uuhhmmm.....NO ! " was my response. !!  Maybe when we come here another time ! ( Like the next century !)

Columbine Flowers

Flower Garden on Weeping Wall

Our next hike was Emerald Pools.  The upper pool is created by run-off from snow and creates a large pool at the top of many overhanging rock shelves. It drains down into the middle pool and then to the lower pool.  By the time it got to the lower pool there wasn't much water left.  Looked like a run-off pond at home !  Some guy who overheard my reaction said there hasn't been much snow this year so it looks a little puny. 

We had the lunch which Norm put together this morning,  (He knew I wasn't getting out of bed til the very last second !), under a pergola at Zion Lodge.  We spent some time "people watching" and enjoying our crackers/cheese, icy cold grapes, cookies and drink.  Tough way to spend the day !

This is truely the most wonderful way of life, for us, anyway !  We meet some very interesting people, inspiring many to join us on the road.  Just when we think there isn't much more to know about full-timing, someone comes along and teaches us something new.  We love it !!  

Today is Mother's Day and I can't think of a better way to spend it....enjoying all Mother Nature has to offer ....on this...our Mother Earth !!




NEW SEWING MACHINE !

The last few weeks have been both troubling and insightful for me.   As you  all know I have a real love for quilting since taking a gazzillion classes here in LHC.  One of the techniques is called "stippling" and is done on the machine to quilt a specific area or the entire quilt.  The machine needs to have features (free-motion) that allow it to do so.  Apparently, mine doesn't have that feature.  I only found this out after talking to people in the know at classes, stores, online and over the phone.  Each had their own ideas and said I should be able to do this but...nope.   This took me a few weeks and much frustration but just couldn't or wouldn't work.

OK, so the next step is to find a machine that did have this feature.   Again, I spoke to everyone I could to see what they had or recommended.  Jon Ali ( a local quilt store) had some machines to look at and try.  I found a very nice Viking.  My taste being what it is......the machine sells for over $1600.00 !  Yikes !    (I know...... a good machine isn't cheap but when you're on a fixed income it is alot!)  There are two other ladies that ordered and paid for this machine but none were in stock at this time and they had no clue when to expect any.   They'll call when they are in.  

Maybe I don't really need to do any free-motion.  Norm says, wait til we get to Bozeman and look at the quilt stores there.  They have several that are nice stores. 

A week later I got a call from a gentleman named "Charlie" and he owns Odegaard's Sewing Center in Flagstaff, AZ.  He says a friend of mine called and explained my situation and he would like to help.  The machine I liked was not in stock at his store either but he would call Viking and find out why they were back-ordered, then let me know.   Two days later he called back and had a brand new Viking Sapphire 875 computerized machine ready for me to pick up.  Flagstaff is a 4 hour drive from here, one way !  No, can't do that.   We bantered back and forth and after much joking, dickering and such, Charlie said he'd sell it to me for $899.00 , pay the tax and ship it at his expense, it would arrive on Tues. (This was Thurs.).   You Betcha, OK !

I was very excited and knew I wouldn't sleep much for a few days.  The next morning Norm took me for coffee, his phone rings and it's Linda telling him FedEx just dropped a BIG box at their door.   Good ole Charlie sent my new machine overnight express !!  Now THAT is superior customer service !   I couldn't believe my eyes !  Just so you know Charlie is my Hero !  

I had to send Norm out for ? (whatever) so I could play with my new toy !   It came already threaded so of course I had to try it out.  Put the fabric under the needle and hit GO.   Whoa !....did it ever !    Now, how do I get that fabric out from under the presser foot ?  Took me 2 days ..... had to read that manual 4 times !  I've called one of the stores in Bozeman and we've set up some time to teach me how to use this puppy.   I'm sure glad I took all those computer classes in Feb......this is all computerized and could be very  intimidating !   Norm says, now I have to find someone to buy my old machine.  Kinda tough when we're on the road.

Just as an up-date.....the Jon Ali store still has not contacted me.   Don't think I'll do much shopping there.   Now I can only hope the small spool of thread that came with the machine will hold out til I get to Bozeman.   Not sure how to thread it !  Back to the manual !!!

APRIL !!

      My oh my !!  Spring is really here and we've been notified of our Summer work schedules.  Time to think about making sure all our gear is ready to move back to West Yellowstone.

       Last week it was a wheel bearing, then found out the harness wiring had rubbed down to the copper wires.  All taken care of, now.  Engine was tuned and lubed before we got here, the paint re-done last Christmas and  interior beautified in February. 

      One of our first stops will be Las Vegas, again.  It's got a Costco, Camping World, Bass Pro Shop and a Joann's so we can stock up on goodies !  Funny, we thought it wouldn't be a big deal to make a Costco run while we are here but it's a LONG drive to Vegas and back, about 300 miles round trip.  Next time we'll stock up on the necessities. 

      On one of Mary Ann's FB posts she said there is a different kind of beauty here.  We thought we'd miss the trees, as she said but the desert is gorgeous.  I love learning about the various cacti and to see and smell such fragrant blooms ... we hear coyotes yipping almost every night and road runners and jack rabbits run under our coach every day.  So far no snakes !

      It's hard to describe it all...but believe me it is a wonderous place.   Two things I can't get used to...1) remembering it is winter, when the temps are so warm and 2) the amount of dust that my vacuum picks up everyday !   I think I've single handedly cleaned the entire desert or at least replaced it once or twice ! 

       Lake Havasu City (LHC) is a mecca for retiree's.  The resources have been thought out well and if anyone were to say there's nothing to do here it's their own fault.  I have told you of all the classes, etc, but beyond that the lake provides all kinds of play as does the desert.  Next year we plan to get a small boat for Norm to fish from and if I get my way I'd like to get a side x side desert vehicle.  ( We'll have to load up on sunscreen or we'll be two little crispy critters !)   The biggest problem with getting these toys though, is, not the cost but where do we store them?  Hmmmmm!  All in all our stay here has been alot of fun !

       Norm just reminded me that next time we head this direction (south) we are going down the Coast.  We haven't seen ocean beaches for way too long ! There are some very nice (we're told) Thousand Trail Parks along the California coastline that we need to experience so our arrival in LHC, next Fall,  will be later.

        You have heard, from Norm, on FB, that we're dying in the heat......the last couple of days have been in the low to mid 70's and just perfect for anything outside and for sleeping.   I guess it will get hot again just after Easter so we'll plan to head north.   After Vegas, we'll look for a campground near Bryce & Zion Natl. Parks.   The kids were little last time we were there so it's probably changed just a tad.  The elevation is higher so temps will be cooler.  Gotta get re-acclimated for Montana !  (Our Winter).  :)    We'll go at this slowly !     It'll feel good getting back on the road....until we have to fill the fuel tank !!   Gad's, that's going to be a shock !!! 

       Many of you are on Spring Break.....only how many more days til the end of school ?   Enjoy your time off......we love ours ! 

        Just a quick note.....remember to.take care of your health !   That's one of the main topics of conversation (as well as Hot-Rods) among retiree's.  Many have such issues reguarding their health and are unable to do much at all....they really envy those that can and regret their lack of foresight.  Sad...Sad !    Soooo much to do........but you need to be able to walk & breathe.....at the same time !!

      

     

     

SPRING BREAK !

      You keep hearing me say that I can't believe how fast the time goes. Well, Lake Havasu City (LHC) literally caters to it's Snowbird and I for one am going to take advantage of as much as I can ! 

      This last month I have been enjoying all the quilting I can.  I took a Basic Quilting class to start, as it's been a long time since I've done any sewing.   The instructors for all the classes I've taken are very low-key and flexible so even if I think I've made a big boo-boo they know how to fix it without tearing it completely apart.  I like that !  Our first quilt was called "Sunshine".  Southwest colors were my choice... we had two 8 hr sessions to finish and me being me couldn't settle on what everyone else was doing, so I added some pizzaz by including a cactus on one corner.  It turned out great and is actually a favorite so far.

      The next class was Applique....also known as the 'A' word.  Most people stay away from this technique as it can be complicated.  It couldn't have been easier !  Bettye is a world class instuctor and well-known in the quilting world and she showed us how to take the stress out of applique.  I was surprised, when I went home to finish for the next class, how relaxing the hand appliquing was for me.   Go figure.  I will include more in my next work.

      Paper Piecing is an art unto itself.  It's difficult to describe the technique but I was sure it wasn't for me......Surprise.....Suprise !   It's actually easier than any of the others !   The ear of corn picture is paper pieced and the flower is appliqued.

      Ok, now these were my Quilting Classes....then in between I enrolled at the Mohave Community College for computer classes.  These are usually 4-5 hrs of instruction reguarding how to use your computer to it's full advantage ( like the kid's do !).  It caters to us 'older' folks who don't use computers all the time.  I learned how to navigate through Windows 7, how to organize my folders, take digital photo's, edit them and make a slide show presentation with sound out of selected pic's, AND how to make hardbound books from selected pic's.   Whew !!!   So, what do I do in my spare time, you ask ?

      Norm's routine is to leave me off at either the library or the quilt shop and go over to the Island to do his 3.6 mile walk.  (Or so he says).  This week the college kids are here for Spring Break and they are PARTYING!  You can see the kid's (wearing next to nothing) on one side of the canal whooping it up and the old guys on the other side drooling !  Were they ever that young and muscular, they ask....did the girls look like this back then ?   Nobody can remember !  Ha

      It's fun to watch the retirees, though.  It reminds me of Jr High.  The 'girls' are dressed in co-ordinating seer-sucker outfits or petal-pushers (not capris)and are found hanging out in their little groups.  Hair is done perfectly and they giggle.   The guys are all puffed out in preppy outfits (khaki shorts and golf shirts) or cut-offs and Tees.  They're busy talking hot-rods and bikes (motor) ,  really important stuff !   We do go through another childhood......!   Nothing is taken too seriously and "everybody lies" !   So much fun !!!!

      The weather has been amazing !   I know you guys are tired of hearing Norm post that but it's true.  We get a few days of wind here and there but the sun always comes out sometime during the day.  LHC doesn't put street lights in the residentual areas...so at night the stars shine bright.  We often take our chairs and sit out beside the coach watching the shooting stars....not too good at identifying any constellations, yet, but we found a book to help.   Then it's off to bed.....we have to get up early to go have coffee with the "old farts" in the morning.

Life may be tough for retirees but I have to say, if you get the chance, become one !!
    

Early Spring Frenzy !

"When did I ever have time to work?" Yea, yea..we've heard that sooo many times from retiree's that it seemed to be a catch phrase,  we had no clue what they were talking about.  This last month we FINALLY understand !


The middle of January was the Balloon Fest. We volunteered for Night Glow, helping the balloons set up and hover While the sun went down.  It was spectacular !


The next week-end was the BBQ & Chile Cook-Off.  We volunteered there as well.  I believe Norm has posted pic's of all these events on his FB page so you may have heard of these already.


On week days we are out at the Island walking the 3.6 mi. walk/bike path, sight-seeing, or visiting with current & new friends.  We are now considered one of the regular "Old Farts" at McDonalds coffee in the mornings.  Seniors are very resourceful and take advantage of anything 2-fer, free or on a coupon.  We have been well informed so we do our part to fulfill our end.


The local Community College (MCC- Mojave Community College) offered a week-long series of classes last week.  Everything from swimming, kayaking,golf, Botanical Gardening, etc.  We signed up for three days worth.  Norm will have to tell you about his classes but my first day, all day, was learning computer basics.  Second class taught us how organize pictures on Picasa and then make a movie with them, including music!  Another was taking all our Pic's and creating a hardbound book of any special event or trip.  Fantastic!   By the end of the day my little brain was on overload trying to figure out what I wanted to do first.  I spend evenings pouring over even old snapshots to include in my next project.

Wednesday was quilting.  Lot's of coupons and free patterns.  I signed up for three more day-long classes on basic's (again), appliques and paper-piecing.  It feels so good to have time to sew again !
When I'm done I'll post pic's of my accomplishments. 


Thursday was Journaling, Creative Writing & Short Stories.  Again lots of good information, however, my head is still wrapped around quilting!  Near the end of our classes Norm & I met up and took one last class together.  "Exploring the Backcountry on ATV's".  Now I was already excited over the idea of backroading, (Norm posted pic's about this, too)..... FORGET about computers and sewing !!  I want to get a Polaris RZR S 800, or Arctic Cat 1000 Side X Side dirt buggy !!!    WHOA what fun!!
Norm says, "Do you know what those things cost?"   Hmmm.....I'll figure out a way...hmmmmm!

"2012"

We are two weeks into the new year and things are not slowing down !

Our holidays were spent in Denver & Winter Park, CO. with our kids.  Had a great time in all that snow but it's ever so nice to be back in warmer weather.

Norm & Bob had prepped the coach for new paint along the roof-line before we left and Bob  had it all done  by the time we got back.  He did a super job and we are grateful !  Griz looks brand new again !   The inside is next.   We're back outside the big motorhome garage, now, and loving the beautiful sunsets every night.

People have told us many, many times how they don't know how they had time to work after retirement because they are so busy......well, now we know what that feels like.....and it is fabulous !   With most of the coach-work done we have been able to get out and see the area.

Norm found some interesting hikes so we did a nice easy walk the first day out to Lk. Havasu.  The next day was a 6 miler through "Crack in the Mountain".  You may have seen the pic's Norm posted on FB.  It was MUCH more strenuous involving climbing...even down dry falls in a crease through the rocks.  At some places the space between the walls was only a couple of feet wide, not for the claustrophobic, but quite an adventure. The trail getting back was either back the way we came (which was not an option....this girl was NOT going to get her back-side  back up that 7 ft sliding rock!) so we went around and uphill but no climbing was involved.  The scenery is breathtaking....no trees to obstruct the view. Really a fun day !   Until I got home and sat down for awhile !  OMG !  My legs were NOT going anywhere soon ! 
Took two days to feel anything but pain in my legs !  

 Oatman is an old gold mining town about 50 mi. from here.  It lies on the old Route 66 highway .  Don't know much about it so I'll need to do some research.  What I do know is there are about a dozen wild burros that make Oatman home.   They like to be fed alfalfa chunks but they LOVE carrots....which I had....two pockets full!    Two baby burros followed "mama" around town and were adorable !  They have stickers on their heads saying "Do not feed me ANYTHING".  Because they are still nursing it's difficult for them to digest hard food and they could choke.   Locals in town staged a shoot-out for us tourist-types.....fun but a bit too noisy for me.

Saturday, we have a meeting for the Balloon-Fest volunteers.  This is the 2nd Annual Lk. Havasu's Balloon-Fest. These are the big hot-air balloons and this year they are expecting between 68-70 of them.   When we were at the Visitor's Center we heard some folks mention the need for volunteers.   We asked about it and were quickly escorted around royally, so now we'll be helping with the ground part of landing and loading the balloons.  It's called the Balloon Glo....the balloons are lit inside by the burners against the night sky.  Don't know much more than that til it happens....next week !

The Parks Dept. has put together a variety of classes,  over a week's time, called "Spring Frenzy".  People with knowledge of any specialty have donated their time and expertise to teach the rest of us, hopefully.  We signed up for computer classes, digital camera info, journaling and of course quilting !   This happens the first week in Feb.   Soooo much to do !
We haven't even had time to get the kayaks out, yet.

I posted this on FB but I would like to say it again....."Thank You" to all our friends who have insisted we visit Arizona !  We are having the best time...waking up (at a civilized ) time to sunshine everyday, knowing we don't have to be to work,  there is always an adventure waiting to happen and then watching the gorgeous sunsets out our living room window at the end of the day......doesn't get much better !

LK. HAVASU, ARIZONA !!

      With the help of the 'map app' on Norm's phone we made it to our friends place in Lk. Havasu.  They have a beautiful home...all done in Southwest decor.   Bob has done much extra work on their landscaping, tile floors, a new motorhome garage and shop, stucco fence on the property lines and much more that I can't think to list here.


      They built a 'pad' on one side of the house for those of us in our own homes.  We got settled and spent the next few days catching up on 'stuff' and seeing some of the tourist attractions.   This is a very nice place and we are enjoying it.   One thing we have wondered about is the weather....it's been cooler than we were lead to believe !  Linda says it's because we brought the clouds with us....hmmm.....hope not !   They are great hosts and have made us feel very much at home.


       Monday nights we have a standing date for $1.00 tacos at BAD MIGUELS.   Love it !   Norm and Bob's birthdays are just two days apart so we used both free burger coupons at RED ROBIN.  Loved that, too !  They drove us out to Parker, AZ. and then to Quartzsite.  BIG eye-opener !  There are not alot of motorhomes in Quartzsite, yet, but you can see it's starting to fill more and more.  Norm says, Nope !  Don't want to see this place with a gazzillion coaches around....you couldn't even go out for lunch....way too busy !


      I have to share this story....Norm came in awhile ago and is hungry for lunch.....okay, I'm ready....we go...eat and then he wants to go to London Bridge and take some pic's again.  (He accidently deleted them from his camera the other night !)  We're looking at these funny looking ducks in the lake when a man walks up and starts telling us about these birds....one thing leads to another and he's not only from the Seattle area but from Bothell and he used to be a Firefighter.  "Hmmmm...." Norm says...you don't happen to know a guy named PP do ya ?"   The man looks at him funny and says "Yeah....I'm PP !"    Here's two old farts who haven't seen each other for years looking at one another...can't believe how old the other looks...and finally they start to laugh !   They both were very involved , many, many years ago in fishing, any fishing but primarily Bass fishing.  The expressions on their faces was PRICELESS !!     They talked forever about who's where and where to fish here in AZ, etc.  It was one of those moments we will remember but what were the chances of this happening ?   CRAZY !!!


      Norm and Bob are doing some paint work on 'Griz' so at the moment we are parked in the motorhome garage.  They have the spots almost sanded so Norm is putting up tarps and paper to protect the rest of the coach.  Really is a big undertaking.....Bob is the best when taking on these projects....we are lucky to call them friends.  


      Next week we leave for the Las Vegas Airport....going to Denver to see our kid's.   Nikki and her husband, Wes just moved into a new home there, so Brian and us will fly in for Christmas.  Staying the week to enjoy the snow and then back to Lk. Havasu.  


      There really is so much to do here.  One of our planned trips is to Oatman.  Apparently it is an old mining town, but the wild burros hang around and we can feed them.... carrots !   (We are so easily entertained !)  There are cool marsh areas and coves on the Bill Williams River so we'll take the kayaks and do some day paddling.   The Visitor's Center gave us a list of trails to hike.....so that's on our list, too.   I found a Quilt Store and it's helping host a week long Quilt-fest.   Exciting !!!   The Rotary is looking for volunteers to help with the 2nd annual Balloon-Fest in Jan.  so we're signing up for that.   Lots to do and we haven't even seen much of the state....could take us years to get out of here !


     This may be my last Blog for the year so I'd like to wish each of you "A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS"!