Time to Start the Journey Back HOME

Well we have been in Quartzsite for 2 ½ months enjoying the sun and it is finally time to start our 3,000 mile journey back home to our summer camp http://www.brushwood.com/ in Sherman, NY. It has been strange during this time to call home and hear about the snow we missed when we have only had sun and a few rain showers. We look forward to returning next winter, for we found 2 thrift stores that had great deals for 50 cents and one dollar.
We left around 11am on Tuesday after Airaday finished her last day of work at Sweet Darlene’s. Darla’s last day was a few days before that on Friday. We then headed about 40 miles down the road to Parker, AZ to do some Wal-mart shopping and cash in our casino points at the Blue Water Resort & Casino. We both earned $10.oo and used that money to go and see the movie “Training Your Dragon” at the casino theatre.
On Wednesday we went 50 miles down the road to Needles, CA to the Rainbo Beach Resort. This park is right on the Colorado River and has a pool and hot tub as well as a beach and boat dock. From what we are told they are quite the happening place in a few weeks and they claim to have a very nice $6.oo Prime Rib dinner on the weekends. We found this place because a good friend from our RVW camping group is just next door in another park. Today she came and got us and took us down the road about 20 miles to Avi Casino for they have a ½ roasted chicken dinner with beans, corn, soup or salad and pie for only $5.95…Yummy
On Thursday April 1st we head for the Hoover Dam and Las Vegas, NV.
The winds are picking up and a storm is brewing, so wish us luck going over the mountains.

It has been awhile, but we are still alive

It has been awhile since we last updated our blog, but we are still alive. We have just been very busy with work and our time in Quartzsite. On March 12 th we went to a hot springs to celebrate Darla's birthday. We have both been working at Sweet Darlene's restaurant. It has been very interesting to say the least. There is a great bakery here in Quartzsite, it is the Quartzsite Bakery, they have the best doughnuts, pastries and coconut macaroons. In two weeks we will be on the move again. We are going to Aspen and Denver Colorado then to South Dakota. After that we will be headed back home to Sherman NY and our camp family. We miss all of them, we are here in 80 degree weather and when we call home they always seem to be in a middle of snow. I guess all their snow is starting to melt though. We hope it is all gone by the time we get there in mid April, or at least by the time we have to drive over the mountains.

Hanging out at Quartzsite, AZ at the Big RV Show

We arrived in Quartzsite AZ on Friday January 15th. We stayed at Casa Del Sol for 4 days, to get acquainted with the town and get the camper charged up and ready to dry camp in the desert with our RVW friends. We went site seeing and stopped at Reader’s Oasis Books and met the owner, who gave us a small concert on the piano. He can be found at the bookstore everyday, and wears nothing but a thong most days. On the days he has more then that on, it is just a jacket. He has over 80,000 books and knows them all. Airaday found a job at Sweet Darlene’s Restaurant, cooking eggs 5am-2pm.
On the 19th we headed out to the desert, at Road Runner Mile Marker 99 BLM long term land. We met all kinds of really nice women, who are members of RVW. The weather was rainy and on Thursday night the 21st a storm came through with 70mph winds. We survived the storm, but a few of the other campers had small problems. Airaday and I used the opportunity to help people out and make some more friends. It turned into a nice bonding experience, but a few pulled out early because the storm was too much for them. On Friday night we went out with some of the girls to a fish fry. There was no seating left inside the building, so we were sat in a make shift tent that had live music. I think we got the better deal; we had entertainment while we ate.

Resting in Phoenix AZ

We are staying 2 nights in Phoenix AZ at Covered Wagon RV Park. We are getting the camper, and ourselves, ready for Quartzsite. We did some shopping, cooking, and much needed cleaning to the camper. It is beautiful weather here, it is 8:10pm Wed. Jan. 13th and it is 66 degrees. The park is small, downtown, older hookups, and they charge to take showers. We are glad we have a shower in our camper. They have a pool that is open year round, but the water seems a little chilly. The price is good though, all the other parks around the area are $10-$15 higher. Plus we have a beautiful sunset and oranges growing next to us. *** We will try to post more often, but Quartzsite is dry camping, no electric and maybe no internet.

Pictures from the Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon to Phoenix, AZ

We are currently in Phoenix, AZ at a Flying J for the night. It is very warm and we both have short sleeves on.
We left the Grand Canyon today. We had loads of fun while we were there. We stayed at Camper Village for two nights (Which is a full hook up site for $32 a night plus $2 a person over one), then at Mather Campground last night (Which is a dry hookup site for $15 a night).
The view from all the lookouts and areas around the rim were spectacular. We did not go hiking due to all the snow and ice on the trails, but we saw several people who were brave enough to get some hiking in. We took a lot of pictures, but nothing does it justice other then seeing it in person. Did not see anyone riding mules down the trails, but we did see 2 rangers getting mules ready to go down the canyon to check trails and pack in supplies for the ranger station at the bottom of the canyon.
We meet some people who work at the various lodges and restaurants at Grand Canyon. They work through Xanterra, so we stopped off at their human resource building and got applications. They also run the lodges in other national parks, so we can apply online with them to work at our choice of parks. We told them we would be available next winter, if they need any help.
The prices for groceries and daily living were very steep. Bananas were 89 cents a pound. People who work at the bottom of the Grand Canyon at Phantom Ranch have to hike down to go to work and back up when they are done. The rangers work one week on and one week off. The ranger we talked to said she thought that Xanterra employees work a 12 day stretch and then get 4 days off. The rangers also get to have there stuff take down by special mules. The workers at Phantom Ranch must hike in all there stuff or use a $65.00 duffel service, which is also available to the guest. Guess we will have to work up top for a few years, at least this is what Airaday thinks….lol

On the move-Grand Canyon for 3 days, 4 nights

We headed towards the Grand Canyon, off exit 195 in Flagstaff on Route I-180 the scenic way. You can go into Williams and take I-64, which joins up with I-180 about half way there.
As we got closer to the park we decided to get the National Parks and Federal Lands Pass. That way instead of paying $25 to just get into the Grand Canyon and then paying to get into other national parks later, we paid $80 and can get into any national or federal park and stay at any BLM land for a whole year. They have over 390 parks that participate in this pass, so it will pay for it self in time.
We are camped at Trailer Village inside the park, and will be staying 2 nights and using the free shuttle to get around. They have full hook ups, which is nice for we can run the heater and the electric blanket tonight. I see some snow, yet not as much as our dear family back east seems to have right now.