Johnny decided to hit the road and fight the wind. Some areas are worse than others. It has become a fight at times for him holding the steering wheel. But still this coach rides much better than our gas coach did and even the dogs are much more comfortable.
I made us stop at a KOA before Oklahoma City so we can catch 44 north then 65 south to Branson, MO. The Branson map we have makes the area look huge when it really isn't. I decide to call the KOA there and get directions. Good thing I did. First the town is a smaller strip than I thought and the KOA is 4 miles from 65. I get directions because I am told the GPS will take you on a dirt road.
So off we go for 4 nights to relax a day and then see some sights.
Hope the drive there is better than today's drive. This KOA we are at has a restaurant here and we have decided no cooking. Anyhow I am getting short on food so may have to look for a grocery store or try to hold out till Memphis and hit Walmart.
I just hope the winds dies down so we can get a good night sleep. Daisey has decided not to eat dinner. She's a little stressed today. Poor baby...I wish I could make it better. Although she is traveling great sitting next to me. Even Lacey is starting to stay more in her bed than on my lap....
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Friday, 6/13
So it's Friday the 13th. Are you superstitious? I am a little. Don't want to jinx us so I'll be quiet for now.
We are on the road to Amarillo, TX. Another 300 mile day. The wind is still blowing and not fun for Hubby to drive. On the way we passed the area where we saw the bad accident and the road is all burnt and area marked with a cross. So we know what happened at this accident.
We arrive at the same KOA we stayed at on the way west. Hubby is not happy cause they have the train that runs every 10 minutes. Well after we settle in and start watching the news.....trains are the least of our problems. Severe storms coming our way. Possible hail and wind gusts up to 70 MPH. Crap, just what we need. So we keep watching the updates and this thing is coming at us at 55 mph. Now the bad thing is when your not sure what county your in or nearby roads to see how close it is to you. I have packed a flashlight and leashes in my purse incase we have to run for the bathrooms. There is a large group with kids camping in tents right across from us. They are actually on a hay ride and oblivious to what's happening. The sky is starting to get a dark gray with a hint if bright pink/purple. Sort of pretty. Then the winds start and it rains. Doesn't last too long and calms down pretty good. And just when you think it's over.......bam......the wind hits again even stronger. So strong we pulled in 2 slides for safety and to lesson the noise. This goes on for a few hours and then calms down to about 15-20mph. If the wind is still bad we may not leave in the morning. We should get a t shirt....."I survived the high wind storm" in the morning.
Guess there is something to Friday the 13th........
We are on the road to Amarillo, TX. Another 300 mile day. The wind is still blowing and not fun for Hubby to drive. On the way we passed the area where we saw the bad accident and the road is all burnt and area marked with a cross. So we know what happened at this accident.
We arrive at the same KOA we stayed at on the way west. Hubby is not happy cause they have the train that runs every 10 minutes. Well after we settle in and start watching the news.....trains are the least of our problems. Severe storms coming our way. Possible hail and wind gusts up to 70 MPH. Crap, just what we need. So we keep watching the updates and this thing is coming at us at 55 mph. Now the bad thing is when your not sure what county your in or nearby roads to see how close it is to you. I have packed a flashlight and leashes in my purse incase we have to run for the bathrooms. There is a large group with kids camping in tents right across from us. They are actually on a hay ride and oblivious to what's happening. The sky is starting to get a dark gray with a hint if bright pink/purple. Sort of pretty. Then the winds start and it rains. Doesn't last too long and calms down pretty good. And just when you think it's over.......bam......the wind hits again even stronger. So strong we pulled in 2 slides for safety and to lesson the noise. This goes on for a few hours and then calms down to about 15-20mph. If the wind is still bad we may not leave in the morning. We should get a t shirt....."I survived the high wind storm" in the morning.
Guess there is something to Friday the 13th........
Friday, June 13, 2014
Thursday, 6/12
Well we are leaving hot and dry Monument Valley. Got an early start and started heading south. We were not sure how far we would make it. This is the first time that I actually got Lacey off my lap and in her bed while traveling. Guess she got tired of me constantly putting her in the bed every time I needed to get up or move. It even gave me a chance to sit a little sideways and take the pressure off my sore hip. Sure hope she continues to travel in her bed from now on.
Well we are back in Albuquerque, at another KOA. It's very clean, but still no grass. All pavement and pebbles and extremely hot for dogs to walk on. So I will try to wait till there is more shade between RVs to walk them. I told Johnny to go lay down and we all took another nap. Now I really understand why there are siestas. It is too hot in the afternoon to do anything but sleep. I must be getting too old to walk around or sit outside in the heat of the day. I really miss my cool, rainy, Tennessee.
It's funny with all the problems we have had with our RV, our friends who are in Yellowstone have had their hoses freeze at night because it's dropping to the 30's. They also can't get their outside steps to go in and have to push them in and the driver has to go in the drivers side. They also had a rock hit their windshield and put a crack in it that was growing. I think they were able to get someone to come out and stop the crack from growing till they get home. So see it happens to all of us. So that's it for the night....trying to find a repeat on tv the I haven't seen over 50 times. Wonder where we will land tomorrow.
Well we are leaving hot and dry Monument Valley. Got an early start and started heading south. We were not sure how far we would make it. This is the first time that I actually got Lacey off my lap and in her bed while traveling. Guess she got tired of me constantly putting her in the bed every time I needed to get up or move. It even gave me a chance to sit a little sideways and take the pressure off my sore hip. Sure hope she continues to travel in her bed from now on.
Well we are back in Albuquerque, at another KOA. It's very clean, but still no grass. All pavement and pebbles and extremely hot for dogs to walk on. So I will try to wait till there is more shade between RVs to walk them. I told Johnny to go lay down and we all took another nap. Now I really understand why there are siestas. It is too hot in the afternoon to do anything but sleep. I must be getting too old to walk around or sit outside in the heat of the day. I really miss my cool, rainy, Tennessee.
It's funny with all the problems we have had with our RV, our friends who are in Yellowstone have had their hoses freeze at night because it's dropping to the 30's. They also can't get their outside steps to go in and have to push them in and the driver has to go in the drivers side. They also had a rock hit their windshield and put a crack in it that was growing. I think they were able to get someone to come out and stop the crack from growing till they get home. So see it happens to all of us. So that's it for the night....trying to find a repeat on tv the I haven't seen over 50 times. Wonder where we will land tomorrow.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Our Day In Monument Valley
Wednesday, 6/11
A good night with Daisey. She actually woke me up telling me she had to go out. She came to me for her pills and ate all her food. I cooked us a small breakfast and did a few loads of laundry at the facilities. $3 a wash....WHAT!
So far the most I've paid was $1.25. Well I have no choice. I want to get my quilts washed and a few little rugs.
We are off to the Welcome Center and decided to drive the 17 mile tour in our car. This way we would be inside and maybe better for Johnny. But after just a little driving we decided to turn back. The roads are VERY bad and with our luck something would happen to our car and then what would we do. We went back to the restuarant for lunch and then John Wayne's cabin. It was used on some of the sets for some of the movies he made. They also have a cute museum with lots of info on the Navajo and the movies shot here. Did you know Back to the Future was filmed here? I didn't.
A little interesting story about a young man we talked with who worked in the restuarant. His name is Remington, after a famous artist. He is a server at the restaurant. I asked our server if all the kids around here spoke Navajo. Thinking they did, she answered no, only one who works here. He came over to us and proceeded to tell us a large group of the kids living here are in gangs, but that wasn't the path he wanted to take. He just graduated high school. He lives with his parents and grand parents and they continue to talk their language. He also explained to us his religion and how and where he goes with the elders to pray. They really go into tepees and sing and dance. He told us how their drums and staffs were made. Praying started on a Saturday night going into the next day. They talk out their concerns, problems and health issues. He explained about their Navajo names which he could not tell us. They are private only used for praying. He explained that when he
was born he almost died and everyone praying to the sun, sky, and fires for him to breath again and all their beliefs brought him back to life. I asked him if he had a talent for art and he said he did pencil drawings of the area. He said he loved to draw. His grandparents gave him their horses and sheep and he also loved to draw them. He planned to go to college unlike the other kids in gangs. He said his younger brothers would take care of his animals while he was away. I asked him what he planned to study and he said some commercial art and then he wanted to go to a trade school for welding. He really seemed to know what he wanted in life and it wasn't getting into drugs, alcohol or gangs here. He took the time to tell us about the Code Talkers during WW II and some of the words they used and their meanings. He even encouraged us to read the book The Code Talkers.
This is a view from our Camp Ground. Goulding's Camp Ground. Very nice. Very pretty surroundings. But VERY HOT, DRY and DUSTY!!!!
After lunch we decided to come back to the coach, take a nap and then walk the girls. We have relaxed the rest of the day and will be leaving in the morning working our way back home. Although it will take another week or so.
I'll let you know where we land tomorrow.........
A good night with Daisey. She actually woke me up telling me she had to go out. She came to me for her pills and ate all her food. I cooked us a small breakfast and did a few loads of laundry at the facilities. $3 a wash....WHAT!
So far the most I've paid was $1.25. Well I have no choice. I want to get my quilts washed and a few little rugs.
We are off to the Welcome Center and decided to drive the 17 mile tour in our car. This way we would be inside and maybe better for Johnny. But after just a little driving we decided to turn back. The roads are VERY bad and with our luck something would happen to our car and then what would we do. We went back to the restuarant for lunch and then John Wayne's cabin. It was used on some of the sets for some of the movies he made. They also have a cute museum with lots of info on the Navajo and the movies shot here. Did you know Back to the Future was filmed here? I didn't.
A little interesting story about a young man we talked with who worked in the restuarant. His name is Remington, after a famous artist. He is a server at the restaurant. I asked our server if all the kids around here spoke Navajo. Thinking they did, she answered no, only one who works here. He came over to us and proceeded to tell us a large group of the kids living here are in gangs, but that wasn't the path he wanted to take. He just graduated high school. He lives with his parents and grand parents and they continue to talk their language. He also explained to us his religion and how and where he goes with the elders to pray. They really go into tepees and sing and dance. He told us how their drums and staffs were made. Praying started on a Saturday night going into the next day. They talk out their concerns, problems and health issues. He explained about their Navajo names which he could not tell us. They are private only used for praying. He explained that when he
was born he almost died and everyone praying to the sun, sky, and fires for him to breath again and all their beliefs brought him back to life. I asked him if he had a talent for art and he said he did pencil drawings of the area. He said he loved to draw. His grandparents gave him their horses and sheep and he also loved to draw them. He planned to go to college unlike the other kids in gangs. He said his younger brothers would take care of his animals while he was away. I asked him what he planned to study and he said some commercial art and then he wanted to go to a trade school for welding. He really seemed to know what he wanted in life and it wasn't getting into drugs, alcohol or gangs here. He took the time to tell us about the Code Talkers during WW II and some of the words they used and their meanings. He even encouraged us to read the book The Code Talkers.
This is a view from our Camp Ground. Goulding's Camp Ground. Very nice. Very pretty surroundings. But VERY HOT, DRY and DUSTY!!!!
After lunch we decided to come back to the coach, take a nap and then walk the girls. We have relaxed the rest of the day and will be leaving in the morning working our way back home. Although it will take another week or so.
I'll let you know where we land tomorrow.........
John Wayne Here We Come
Tuesday, 6/10
We are on the road again to Monument Valley. About a 4 hour drive. We are staying at Goulding's RV Park for 2 days. We have set up camp and I'm making pot pies for lunch and hoping Johnny can rest a little since he's not feeing too well and the girls can get settled in. Daisey did well on the trip now she's on the couch calming down. Poor baby.....
We decided to stay around camp so Johnny could rest. Daisey has actually started walking outside. You must be careful where the dogs walk. The pavement is very hot and could burn their pads. I try to keep them in the shade. I decided to brush out Lacey and wash her ears out. She is not happy with me. She really needs a bath but I'll wait till we leave the desert area.
I cooked dinner in. I had a frozen meatloaf and it really hit the spot. Then Johnny went back to bed to rest and I started working on one of my UFOs. Falling Leaves Quilt. When the sun started going down I was able to walk both girls and then we settled in watching repeats on TV. So glad I'm able to catch up on my blog. Just wish I could show pictures. Soon........
We are on the road again to Monument Valley. About a 4 hour drive. We are staying at Goulding's RV Park for 2 days. We have set up camp and I'm making pot pies for lunch and hoping Johnny can rest a little since he's not feeing too well and the girls can get settled in. Daisey did well on the trip now she's on the couch calming down. Poor baby.....
We decided to stay around camp so Johnny could rest. Daisey has actually started walking outside. You must be careful where the dogs walk. The pavement is very hot and could burn their pads. I try to keep them in the shade. I decided to brush out Lacey and wash her ears out. She is not happy with me. She really needs a bath but I'll wait till we leave the desert area.
I cooked dinner in. I had a frozen meatloaf and it really hit the spot. Then Johnny went back to bed to rest and I started working on one of my UFOs. Falling Leaves Quilt. When the sun started going down I was able to walk both girls and then we settled in watching repeats on TV. So glad I'm able to catch up on my blog. Just wish I could show pictures. Soon........
Our Last Day In The Canyon
Monday, 6/9
Daisey slept much better last night. She let me rub her belly and turned on her side for more rubbing. A good sign. She ate breakfast well and went out without a problem. Bring her back in and she shakes for a while and shies away from you when you walk by her. I think we are going to have a longer recovery for her mentally. She's just afraid anything or any move she makes is going to hurt her. I just feel so bad for her.
We decided to finish our tour of the Canyon. Since this is our last day here. Johnny is not feeling so well. He has suffered a little with his breathing because of the altitude and the dryness and dust is killing his sinuses. We did the rest of the rim and actually I think today was the best. It was a little cooler and clearer. The views were just beautiful.
The fire on the north rim seemed to flare up a lot today, and we saw some helicopters flying around too. We were told one was taking supplies down to the ranch and the other may have been filled with water for the fires.
We had a good tour and stopped at the Bright Angel Lodge for lunch. When we returned to our car parked at the Market we realized it had been hit. GREAT! Just a little ding on the back fender. I went shopping to stock up on milk and eggs and sinus meds for Johnny and we came home for the remainder of the day. I sew some, napped, and then grilled chicken for dinner.
In the morning I will finish putting away everything and we will be on our way to Monument Valley. So until we land there I will close for now........later
Daisey slept much better last night. She let me rub her belly and turned on her side for more rubbing. A good sign. She ate breakfast well and went out without a problem. Bring her back in and she shakes for a while and shies away from you when you walk by her. I think we are going to have a longer recovery for her mentally. She's just afraid anything or any move she makes is going to hurt her. I just feel so bad for her.
We decided to finish our tour of the Canyon. Since this is our last day here. Johnny is not feeling so well. He has suffered a little with his breathing because of the altitude and the dryness and dust is killing his sinuses. We did the rest of the rim and actually I think today was the best. It was a little cooler and clearer. The views were just beautiful.
The fire on the north rim seemed to flare up a lot today, and we saw some helicopters flying around too. We were told one was taking supplies down to the ranch and the other may have been filled with water for the fires.
We had a good tour and stopped at the Bright Angel Lodge for lunch. When we returned to our car parked at the Market we realized it had been hit. GREAT! Just a little ding on the back fender. I went shopping to stock up on milk and eggs and sinus meds for Johnny and we came home for the remainder of the day. I sew some, napped, and then grilled chicken for dinner.
In the morning I will finish putting away everything and we will be on our way to Monument Valley. So until we land there I will close for now........later
The Story of Trailer Man
Ok Funny Story
This guy pulls up in this white travel trailer in the spot across from us. Now......he pulls in and halfway out the other side.......now......he backs up without turning his wheel to align the trailer.......now......he pulls forward again........now.......he backs up and his trailer wheels go on the curb.....this occurs 3 more times.....pulls forward.....backs up.......this is going on for 15 minutes. Now he pulls out and goes around the block and comes back and does the same stuff for another 15 minutes. I actually dozed off a little and when I woke up he was now trying to level the trailer putting and taking away wood under his jacks. Never putting anything behind his tires. So I hear Johnny laughing his butt off and I get up and look out the window....now he is trying to park his vehicle that is too big for the area left. He doesn't know how to parallel park and pulls up and backs up.....pulls up and backs up on the curb....again for 15 minutes. We are laughing so hard that I have tears in my eyes. Then he decides to pull up on the grassy area you shouldn't park on. Now I am not making this up. I couldn't if I tried. And if I wasn't laughing so hard I would have made a video. Now mind you he has been at this for 2 hours now and still has to hook up water, sewer and his gas. 3 1/2 hours later he is still walking around his trailer trying to hook up the gas and a mule deer comes strolling down the street right in front of us. And I don't mean like back home, I mean with in 5-10 feet from us grazing. So Johnny went over to the guy to warn him so he wouldn't come face to face with a surprise. He doesn't speak English and walks around the trailer and jumps when he sees the deer.
I'm gonna venture to say this guy was at it for over 4 hours. I know we have done dumb things and will continue to, but this guy really doesn't belong camping. He can't even drive his vehicle away without driving on the curb. Funniest Home Vehicles would have loved this one.
Next day....you won't believe this but after all the hours of work setting up last night. This guy is packing up to leave.
He gets in the vehicle, backs it up to the tow bar. Pulls forward a smidge.....gets out to look.....gets back in, and backs up a smidge....gets out to look. NOW we counted 27 times he does this and he's still in the same spot. He gets out....walks around the trailer....bends down to look at something gets back into the vehicle. Turns the wheel and backs up back to where he started. This took 15 minutes. He now hooked the tow bar and backed up a little.
WAIT.........he's not leaving, just trying to reposition. OMG!!!!! You just can't believe this...LOL......After all the hours of work yesterday, and he's still in the same spot only 5" further back. And still no room to park his vehicle. He's now back to trying to level the trailer and has walked circles around his trailer putting wood under the jacks and then takes them out again just like he did yesterday. Repositioning wood from one side to another. We are now into 20 minutes of this process. He's now hooking up his water and electric again. This guy has got some set of patients. So 30 minutes later the task is done and he rides off in his vehicle..........it is 8 pm and he still hasn't returned.
It's been 2 days and no trailer man. I'm a little concerned. With all the weird things going on in this world I decided to go to the office and tell my concern. It turns out he has paid till June 17th. I was told he may be from a company that rents out trailers to families. So maybe some people are due in soon. So strange......
I finally went to the office with my concern about trailer man. He's paid up till the 17th. So they think he may be a company who set up campers and brings in families to camp. Finally 3 days later trailer man shows up in a van full of orientals. He is there for hours unloading groceries, water, etc. So now we know. But you have to admit it was funny in the beginning.
This guy pulls up in this white travel trailer in the spot across from us. Now......he pulls in and halfway out the other side.......now......he backs up without turning his wheel to align the trailer.......now......he pulls forward again........now.......he backs up and his trailer wheels go on the curb.....this occurs 3 more times.....pulls forward.....backs up.......this is going on for 15 minutes. Now he pulls out and goes around the block and comes back and does the same stuff for another 15 minutes. I actually dozed off a little and when I woke up he was now trying to level the trailer putting and taking away wood under his jacks. Never putting anything behind his tires. So I hear Johnny laughing his butt off and I get up and look out the window....now he is trying to park his vehicle that is too big for the area left. He doesn't know how to parallel park and pulls up and backs up.....pulls up and backs up on the curb....again for 15 minutes. We are laughing so hard that I have tears in my eyes. Then he decides to pull up on the grassy area you shouldn't park on. Now I am not making this up. I couldn't if I tried. And if I wasn't laughing so hard I would have made a video. Now mind you he has been at this for 2 hours now and still has to hook up water, sewer and his gas. 3 1/2 hours later he is still walking around his trailer trying to hook up the gas and a mule deer comes strolling down the street right in front of us. And I don't mean like back home, I mean with in 5-10 feet from us grazing. So Johnny went over to the guy to warn him so he wouldn't come face to face with a surprise. He doesn't speak English and walks around the trailer and jumps when he sees the deer.
I'm gonna venture to say this guy was at it for over 4 hours. I know we have done dumb things and will continue to, but this guy really doesn't belong camping. He can't even drive his vehicle away without driving on the curb. Funniest Home Vehicles would have loved this one.
Next day....you won't believe this but after all the hours of work setting up last night. This guy is packing up to leave.
He gets in the vehicle, backs it up to the tow bar. Pulls forward a smidge.....gets out to look.....gets back in, and backs up a smidge....gets out to look. NOW we counted 27 times he does this and he's still in the same spot. He gets out....walks around the trailer....bends down to look at something gets back into the vehicle. Turns the wheel and backs up back to where he started. This took 15 minutes. He now hooked the tow bar and backed up a little.
WAIT.........he's not leaving, just trying to reposition. OMG!!!!! You just can't believe this...LOL......After all the hours of work yesterday, and he's still in the same spot only 5" further back. And still no room to park his vehicle. He's now back to trying to level the trailer and has walked circles around his trailer putting wood under the jacks and then takes them out again just like he did yesterday. Repositioning wood from one side to another. We are now into 20 minutes of this process. He's now hooking up his water and electric again. This guy has got some set of patients. So 30 minutes later the task is done and he rides off in his vehicle..........it is 8 pm and he still hasn't returned.
It's been 2 days and no trailer man. I'm a little concerned. With all the weird things going on in this world I decided to go to the office and tell my concern. It turns out he has paid till June 17th. I was told he may be from a company that rents out trailers to families. So maybe some people are due in soon. So strange......
I finally went to the office with my concern about trailer man. He's paid up till the 17th. So they think he may be a company who set up campers and brings in families to camp. Finally 3 days later trailer man shows up in a van full of orientals. He is there for hours unloading groceries, water, etc. So now we know. But you have to admit it was funny in the beginning.
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