Val Vista RV Resort, Mesa, AZ

We have been here for over two weeks and enjoying every minute of it.

Our first week here we reconnected with folks we knew from our previous stay here, did some shopping and reacquainting ourselves of the area. We also made a visit to the doctor to have Sarah’s knee checked out, she had fallen and it still hurt. It is getting progressively better so she is mending well.

Work is exactly as we expected. Sarah is working in the costume shop, which has been enlarged but is still too small, I doubt they could have a big enough space. I am working on the truck and enjoying it. Cal-Am bought a strip mall just outside the entrance to Mesa Regal RV Resort and this has given the décor team, which we are, part of, the opportunity to consolidate a lot of the decorations and props. Again, there isn’t enough space here to consolidate all but we are getting many of the items in the building, the excise will be housed in three storage containers.

Mikki, our boss, does a good job of hiring people to work on the team. We have another good group this year. Tonight is the welcoming party for team members, I am glad we all have name tags, at my brain age is old and I have a tough time remembering everyone’s name, although by April I have mastered most of them.

I am trying to decide whether to try to hook up with a local TV and internet service or keep what we have. Our internet service is through Mellincom.com it is a monthly, no contract, service. I can cancel and restart anytime I want without a big penalty, a $19 restart fee is all I pay. I get 20 GB per month for $70; the service is through a Verizon Mifi unit at 4G. It is a good deal for us because I can start or stop the service on the first of any month. We will have to see what I can find if anything with a good deal.

Bill & Ludella, friends from our last stay here, called last week and wanted to know if we wanted to go look at motor homes, so we did.

Now, as expected, this area is loaded with camper sales lots. We managed to look at three different lots and did see a couple of units we thought would work for us. I still want to look at more lots because the selection is enormous and there will be a bigger selection in Feb and Mar. So, if we find something we like we may trade or may stay with what we have for a while.

Here is a picture of our site:

We fit everything onto the site, I wish they would get rid of the tree, there is no fruit on it, I think it is an orange tree. I have asked that it be trimmed but that hasn’t happened yet.

Veteran’s Day is always a good day and this year it was no different. The day before Veteran’s Day Sarah and I went to have a free lunch, for me a veteran, at Bar Louie in Tempe, AZ. We both had hamburgers and they were very good. I had expected a long line etc. and there were maybe ten people in the whole place. So we had an enjoyable meal.

Next, we went to the Verizon so I could have them fax the paperwork needed to validate my discount. Let me begin at the beginning. I received a letter from Verizon in September saying I had until Oct 21 to validate my employment. Since I am not employed anymore I called them and said as such, I told them I have a veteran’s discount and since I was validated as a veteran once why do I need to do that again, since once a veteran always a veteran. They said I still needed to do it. After four attempts of trying to validate my status, I get someone who tells me the owner of the account is a Mark User. Who is Mark User, I asked? I had no idea and neither did Verizon. So the person at Verizon changed the name of the owner to my name and I figured that would be the end of it. Not quite, I checked the status a couple days later and the account still wasn’t validated. I talked with a supervisor in the validation department and she said to get it all corrected she needed to create a new account record, I said ok, so she asked me some questions and then she said I would have to fax my discharge papers to her to validate the account, that is how we ended up at the Verizon store. This did end on a good note, the supervisor called me the account had been validated and because I am a veteran, I would not have to validate again.

I understand validating those who are working or not a veteran because employment status can change and a person may or may not be eligible for a discount. As for retirees, there are other discounts available to them. Anyway, it took a month and a half but I succeeded.

So we are settled in for the next five months and we are going to enjoy the sites of the area and visit some of the places we didn’t see the last time we were here.

Take care and Dreams Do Come True

Timing

 

Do you believe in Fate, Karma, Coincidences, Grace of God or Guardian Angels? I do and I believe yesterday is positive proof of them being in our lives. It happened yesterday and the more I think about it the more I know it to be true.

We left Deming, NM earlier than we usually leave a place heading to our next destination. We stopped twice at rest areas for a break before getting into Tucson. Deb Baker had told us the night before there was construction on interstate ten and to expect delays. So I wanted to get through Tucson before mid afternoon and the rush hour. I had forgotten Arizona does not do daylight saving time so we would not have had a problem even if we left Deming later than usual.

We got through Tucson without any problem; some slow down due to the construction but nothing significant. We were around Picacho Peak when I could see a dust cloud just blowing across the interstate. There was a freight train running alongside us and I was watching it, but when I saw the dust cloud I radioed back to Sarah, she was following me in the car, and asked if she saw the dust. She said she did. I was concerned but I also saw it was going to be across the road before we got to it, so I was not too worried.

It was not more than five minutes when I heard and saw a state trooper heading the other direction with lights and siren on; I counted four of them within a few minutes of each other. I thought to myself there must have been a bad accident; I did not even thinking about a dust storm causing it, http://azstarnet.com/news/local/dead-in--vehicle-pileup-on-i--near-picacho/article_8c66c1e4-91c3-51e5-b0cb-488425a55b50.html.

If you cannot link to story here it is:

"3 dead in 19-vehicle pileup on I-10 near Picacho Peak

I-10 Picacho Accident

Photos by Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star

A crash investigator — one of many at the scene — checks one of the heavily damaged cars caught in the pileup on Interstate 10 near Picacho Peak. As many as seven tractor-trailers also were involved in the chain-reaction crash at midday.

2013-10-30T00:00:00Z 3 dead in 19-vehicle pileup on I-10 near Picacho PeakBy Carmen Duarte Arizona Daily Star Arizona Daily Star

6 hours ago  •  By Carmen Duarte Arizona Daily Star

0

Three people were killed in a 19-vehicle pileup on Interstate 10 near Picacho Peak on Tuesday after a swift moving dust storm passed through the area, authorities said.

The chain-reaction crash north of Tucson involved up to seven tractor-trailer rigs, and the rest were passenger vehicles, said Bart Graves, a Department of Public Safety spokesman.

The interstate was shut down for hours.

The pileup was reminiscent of a crash along the same stretch of highway in October 2011 that killed one man and injured 15.

In Tuesday’s pileup, “there were crunched vehicles between semis, and you can’t tell they were vehicles,” Graves said.

“Vehicles rolled onto the side of the highway following the impact of the crash,” he said.

The pileup occurred at 12:30 p.m. when a dust storm moved in. It subsided about 15 minutes later, said Graves.

“Winds were at 29 mph, and there was zero visibility,” Graves said.

Dozens of DPS officers were called to the crash site and closed the interstate’s westbound and eastbound lanes in order to get officers and medical crews to the scene.

Three helicopters took patients to the University of Arizona Medical Center in Tucson, and Phoenix’s St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, and Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center.

At least 12 were injured, according to The Associated Press. Graves could not confirm how many were injured. He did say the injuries ranged from serious to critical.

One of the dead was identified as Gordon Lee Smith, 76, of Mead, Wash., Graves said. He said the identities and hometowns of the other two may be released today.

“We are trying to piece together the actual chain of events that caused this crash,” said Graves.

The interstate had up to six miles of backed-up traffic through the afternoon into Tuesday night as DPS officers investigated the pileup.

The Picacho Peak area is prone to dust storms that develop suddenly and can quickly reduce visibility to zero for drivers.

The area has farms and ranches, and agriculture is a factor in dust pollution.

The National Weather Service had issued a blowing-dust advisory shortly before the pileup, with wind gusts of up to 30 mph reported in the area.

DPS officials recommend that motorists caught in dust storms slow down, exit the highway at the nearest off-ramp and get as far away from the road as possible.

Motorists should turn off their vehicles’ lights and remain in the vehicle with seat belts fastened.

Contact reporter Carmen Duarte at cduarte@azstarnet.com or 573-4104."

If we had been five to ten minutes later we could have been in the wreck or at the very least been sitting on the road for hours. We watched the local news at nine last night and the westbound lanes were still not open.

So, bottom line I believe our guardian angels were working overtime making sure we were through the area before this dust storm caused its mayhem. We are very thankful we made it safely to Mesa.

Val Vista RV Resort, Mesa, AZ

We made it. We arrived at Val Vista around two this afternoon, took a couple of hours to get set up and then relax time. We did go over to see our boss Mikki and to see the new décor team digs. We will work Mon, Tues, and Weds, noon to four.

We have a nice spot, we back up to University Ave and it was an easy back in for me. There is enough room on the site for the truck and car and enough area to sit outside.

Remember the couple Ron & Romona who we saw in Santa Rosa? They left Santa Rosa at least an hour before we did and when we pulled into our site at Deming, NM they were in the site behind us. We hadn’t told them what campground we were going to be in either. Nice couple, we had dinner with them and enjoyed visiting with them.

Well that is about all for now.

Dreams Do Come True

Santa Rosa RV Park, Santa Rosa, NM

We are in Santa Rosa, NM, we have been here before on our first trip to Mesa we stayed here. It is a nice campground, I don’t believe I would want to spend the winter here but for a couple days it is nice. One of the few parks we have been at where the Wi-Fi is very good.

As I said in my last blog the truck was having some problems. The sound of the engine change to a high pitch and black smoke was coming out of the exhaust. The biggest change was it had no power.

We called the Ford dealer in Salina, KS and they said they could get it in on Thursday, so we left Smith Center about three and arrived at the Salina KOA about six. First thing Thursday we dropped the truck off at the Ford dealer, they called about noon and said it had dropped two injectors, the emission control valve and a couple other things needed replacing. Of course I told them to fix it, about two thousand in repair cost. Fortunately we have an engine warranty on it, so it picked up almost fifteen hundred of the cost. I was happy about that.

We left Salina, yesterday morning and headed down Hwy 135 to KS 61 to Hwy 54 and into Guymon, OK, getting there about two thirty. We got all set up then went to Wal-Mart and put fuel in the truck. Then church and put gas in the car. It was 34 degrees this morning but we got out of Guymon at eight forty-five this morning and arrived here in Santa Rosa, NM about one thirty mountain time.

Tomorrow we are heading south on Hwy 54 to Hwy 70 through Las Cruces, NM and interstate 10 into Deming to stay tomorrow night. Tuesday into Tucson for the night to see Debbie Baker and Wednesday into Mesa on Weds.

So far it has been an interesting and trying trip at times, but enjoyable.

Now I have to apologize for not remembering to mention having dinner with Merilee, we got to see her a couple different times and as always had a good time with her.

Sarah is doing a great job of following me in the car, I do miss her riding with me but I know we will enjoy having the car with us in AZ.

When we were in Salina I was sitting in the camper and noticed a Alfa motorhome pulling a trailer go past us on its way to a site. When we got our site at Guymon I noticed a Alfa motorhome with a trailer and then this morning as they were leaving I waved to them. We left within a few minutes of them. We stopped at a Flying J at Tucumcari, NM for a break. When we came out of the building a guy was standing there smoking and asked me if I was driving the fifth wheel, I said yes. Long story short, it was the same Alfa we saw in Salina and Guymon. They are now parked here in Santa Rosa RV Park the same as we are. Ron & Ramona started there adventure this year, they are nice people. Sarah & I wish them safe travels and hope to see them again down the road.

Till Later – Dreams Do Come True

Smith Center, KS

We are at the Excel Service Center to have the technicians fix a couple of minor things on the camper. Hopefully they will be able to do it all tomorrow and we can get back on the road Thursday.

Coming over today we had a 20-30 mph head wind and the truck was struggling, no power and blowing black smoke at times. So either the wind was tough on it or we have a problem with the truck. We will see what happens Thursday.

We left the Kansas City area this morning, we had a great time there.

Last Weds we met Lindsay & Vince and their baby Sophie. I held Sophie for a long time and she didn’t complain a bit, she has good taste in men. It was great to see Lindsay & Vince also but Sophie was the center of attention. Hopefully we won’t wait until she is a teenager to see her again.

We spent lots of time with Steve, Lynne and the kids, watched a movie with Nick, Pacific something, it had great computer animation in it. I may have to watch it again.

Lost out on seeing Zach perform in the band at a football game due to rain, darn. I promise Zach sometime before you graduate from HS we will make an effort to attend one of your events.

We had a great visit in Kansas City with everyone. Now it is on the road and hopefully we will make it to Mesa without any further truck problems, I hope it is dirty injectors, I put some cleaner in the fuel so we will see if that does any good.

Till later,

Dreams Do Come True

Griff’s Valley View RV Park, Altoona, IA

What great weather we have been having, aside from one storm, it has been beautiful here.

Sarah has finally been to her last doctor appointment today, all of them gave here glowing reports. She is FREE of cancer and we have been given permission to head south for the winter. So on behalf of Sarah I want to thank everyone for your positive thoughts, prayers and encouragement you have given her this past year. Sarah is looking good, feeling great and has her orneriness back. Life is good.

We have done our fair share of eating out this past week but in deference to our kids I will not elaborate except to tell who we ate with, Mike & Sheri, Cynthia, Tiffany & Matt, Bryon and Alexa, Laurie and Marci, Russ & Candi and Orren & Norma. We enjoyed every minute with each of them and the food was always great.

Today Sarah had her last doctor appt and like I said she got a good report and so she is walking the mall with her friend Gail. Gail and her husband Joe are moving to Clear Lake, we wish them the best.

Tomorrow we are heading to Omaha, just with the car, so Sarah can attend eight hours of classes so she will be able to renew her cosmotologist license next year. It cost a bit but we do save enough on the products she buys to pay for fees.

We are coming back to the camper Saturday night. Sunday we want to spend some time with Cynthia, on Monday Sarah has an appointment with a lymphedema therapist to help her with some exercises to forestall any onset of lymphedema.

Tuesday we head for Kansas City, we are staying at the KOA in Oak Grove, MO. I  picked this because there are not very many campgrounds in the area with full hookups and it is close to the Truman Library, which I want to go see, if is open by then.

We family in the area, Steve and Lynne and kids, and my niece Lindsay and her husband Vince. We hope to see Lindsay & Vince so we can take a look at the new great niece Sophie. We haven’t been able to get hold of Lindsay & Vince so we will have to see what happens.

After KC we head over to Smith Center, KS the the Excel service center for some minor work on the camper. Our plan is to be in Mesa on or before November 1.

Today was the culmination of a busy year with the best news ever, Sarah is cancer free and can get her life back to normal, we are very thankful for God’s grace and blessing on her and all the thoughts and prayers sent her way. Again thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers.

I believe that wraps it up for now, I probably won’t write anything again until we are in AZ, so stay safe.

Dreams Do Come True

Time to Say Good-Bye

Before I forget Emily, Isabel and Eli got a cat, well a kitten really, if it lives to be a cat it will be because of its ability to find hiding places. Have you ever seen kids carrying a cat. It is draped over their arm and looks like it will be squeezed to death. The kids seem to like it so I guess it will be ok. Emily does clean the litter box so that is a plus.

Well we didn’t buy a motor home last week in our trip to Lincoln but we did find one we liked a lot. It was new so now I have to find a used one with similar floor plan and one we can afford.

Sarah had a tooth bothering her, she just had them cleaned earlier in the month, the dentist put something on the tooth and said it would be fine. The best part is there was no charge. I guess I will have to go to them for my dental work, that is as long as they give me the happy gas, I have to have the gas or I can’t do it, I tell them up front I am a BIG BABY when it comes to the dentist.

We met our realtor Bob Pew and his wife Laurie at Paradise Bakery for lunch on Thursday. They are great people, I have some concerns about the closing on the house when we are gone but he says not to worry, it a can be done. I believe him.

Friday was spent with the kids at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch, http://www.valaspumpkinpatch.com/, this is the third or fourth year we have gone, the kids like it so it is an annual event.

Saturday no soccer but Marie & Daniel took part in a church sponsored event to help the poor in downtown Omaha, so we babysat the kids with Eddy & Elia. It was a “Convoy of Hope” event, they are “one of the world's finest disaster relief organizations, we will provide groceries, shoes, haircuts, a health fair, family portraits, live entertainment, lunch and prayer to thousands of neighbors”. There were people standing in line, in the rain, at 7:30 am and the event didn’t start until 10 am. This just goes to show even though the government has said for years they are taking care of the poor, it doesn’t seem like they are doing a very good job of it.

Sunday was a afternoon full of softball. Isabel had a game at 12:50 pm, followed by Emily’s double hitter. We finished about 4:45, what a great time watching the little ones play softball.

We were all invited over to Marie’s parents home, Eddy & Elia, for dinner. What great parents, the food was great and before long it was time to say good-bye. I hope we will see them when we drive back to Omaha on Oct 11 for Sarah to attend a day long session of classes on the 12th to be able to renew her beautician’s license.

Today I have removed the branches from the top of the slides, aired up the tires, and dumped the black tank. I did find out I have a problem with my air compressor, it leaks air when it gets to 100# of pressure, so I have something amiss with the compressor. I may wait until we get to AZ to get it fixed, we’ll see.

We finally made it to Gerda’s German restaurant. Last Wednesday we went to Gerda's with Ernie & Shirley’s and it was great.  We each had something different and for dessert I had German Chocolate cake, it was absolutely fantastic. So I guess the third time is a charm.

Tomorrow we leave for Griff’s RV park and we will be there until the 15th.

So until later – Dreams Do Come True.