Friday, March 13, 2009

Today was another beautiful, warm day – lots of sunshine to enjoy. This morning I spent some time trying to figure out our route home but we still aren’t sure what way we are going to go. Because of all the severe tornadoes at that time of year it is always a challenge to figure out the best way to go.

Late this morning we went to Wal Mart to pick up a few groceries and stopped and got our veggies from the Friday morning veggie seller here at the park, she always has nice fresh veggies at a much better price than the grocery store. She didn’t have any asparagus left when we stopped but said she was expecting more in about a half hour so fortunately when we got back from Wal Mart she was well stocked again.

When we got back John decided to go to the market to get a couple of books but I declined to go as I had picked up some books when we were there yesterday. After putting the groceries away I sat out and read for a while then I went for a swim, it is the first time in over a week that I’ve been for a swim so I really enjoyed it.

Tonight is burgers for dinner then a nice quiet evening.

Today our daughter Kelly and family were off to Ottawa as Derrick is starting university at U of Ottawa in the fall and today was the day for touring the university etc. Hope they have a good time and good weather!

As always, today was another great gift of a day in the sunny south and we look forward to another good day tomorrow.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Today was another sunny warm day here in Yuma, perfect weather as it isn’t too hot – high 70’s but it is supposed to get up into the 80’s in the next couple of days.

This morning John went out to see if he could find anybody who could/would fix our heater and didn’t have much luck. Looking at the internet it seems like if it doesn’t work there is no fix for it – sure don’t like that!

This afternoon we went to the market as they have ceramic heaters there, we checked them out but still think the catalytic one is better. John has sent Can-Am an e-mail asking them about fixing it so we will see what they have to say before we make any decisions. While at the market we picked up a few books but that was the extent of our spending.

When we got back we sat out and read and all of a sudden it was time to think about dinner – where does the time go!

Today is the usual quiet evening of either TV or reading.

As always, today was another great gift of a day in the sunny south and we look forward to another good day tomorrow.

Tuesday/Wednesday, March 10/11, 2009

The weather has been nice – sunny & warm. Tuesday was a pretty quiet day, we really didn’t do anything. We had a visit with a couple down the road who are from Leamington,, ON but basically it was a day of reading and spending time on the computer.

Tuesday night our catalytic heater quit, not good, so we will have to get it checked out.

Today we went out for lunch to the Olive Garden with John and Irma, we all had the soup and salad and it was very good, sure didn’t want a lot for dinner tonight.

When we got back from lunch we sat out and read for a while, then I felt the need for a little nap so came in and had a nap then headed down about 4 to do laundry, I picked a good time as it wasn’t real busy, gotta like that. Certainly there is not a lot happening in our lives, we are just enjoying the nice weather.

As always, the last two days were great gifts of days in the sunny south and we look forward to another good day tomorrow.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Today was a nice sunny day with temperatures in the mid 70’s – perfect weather as far as I am concerned!
This morning John went down to the office and informed them that we weren’t interested in either of the sites they had suggested we could have instead of this one and said we would like our deposit back – preferably in cash. Cheryl seemed quite surprised to hear we didn’t want one of the alternate sites and said she would have to talk to Donna, the owner, about the refund; John had the distinct impression that this was a new one for them. Anyways, a couple of hours later one of the workers stopped and gave John an envelope, our deposit refunded in cash, so we are happy.

John went out this morning to get fuel and propane so I took advantage of his absence and cleaned the rig and washed the floors so that is a good job done for a couple of days.

Shortly after he came back we went out to Sears and Lowe’s to check out a couple of things and when we got back John and Irma were sitting outside so went over for a little visit and to tell them we had got our deposit back with no hassle. We asked them if they would like to join us for a lunch at Olive Garden so that is what we will do on Wednesday.

Tonight is our usual quiet evening, I have a good book to read and John is keeping one eye on the TV.

As always, today was another great gift of a day in the sunny south and we look forward to another good day tomorrow.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Today was a partly overcast day, in fact it was probably more overcast than sunny but the temperature hit the low 70’s so it was quite pleasant.

This morning we got bumped for next year, we had been confirmed for a 3 month stay but apparently someone wants our spot for a seasonal site so we get bumped unless we want to take it as seasonal – no thanks. They have offered us two other sites but neither of them are in the area we want so we will just request our deposit back. We have really been struggling with coming back here next year or doing something different so this has just helped us make up our minds. After 4 years here we have seen and done everything there is to do in Yuma so it is time to move on and explore other places.

This morning was pretty quiet then this afternoon we went to Hastings Books, Fry’s & Wal Mart. John didn’t get the book he was looking for but at Wal Mart he did find his shorts on sale so he is now all set for summer. We stopped for a little visit with Brenda & Steve when we got back as John wanted to thank Steve for some information he had e-mailed to John.

When we got home John & Irma, our neighbours, were just heading out for a bike ride so we told them we had got bumped, everyone seems to be worried about this happening if they haven’t signed up for at least 5 months. We ended chatting for a while and they gave us a brochure for a park near San Diego that they had checked out last week and thought it was quite nice – something to think about for a month next winter.

Steve C. left a comment on our blog asking if they had a solar water heating system on their roof. The picture is of the house below Ron & Nancy’s but yes, it is a solar water heating system and we’re not positive but it could be for heating their pool.

As always, today was another great gift of a day in the sunny south and we look forward to another good day tomorrow.

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Today was a nice day but a bit cooler, I don’t really mind as I do not like temperatures in the high 80’s and 90’s, I just can’t function in that kind of heat.

This morning was spent trying to get caught up on my blog and the pictures we took, I managed to get the pictures done and post Wednesday’s blog, the rest will have to wait until tomorrow. I also talked to Kelly and Pat but there was no answer at Nan’s so will try her tomorrow.

This afternoon we went to Wal Mart and Fry’s as the larder was kind of empty so we are now good to go for a bit. John saw the shorts he likes on sale at Wal Mart but they didn’t have his size so I guess checking out another one will be something to do tomorrow.

As always, today was another great gift of a day in the sunny south and we look forward to another good day tomorrow.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Today was a bit overcast and quite cool and windy. It was time to say goodbye to Ron & Nancy and thank them for an absolutely wonderful visit, one we will always remember. A lot of pictures were taken before we departed to help remember this visit and we left with the hope that we can get together again next year and hopefully do some sightseeing in and around San Diego.

Ron & Nancy on their back patio



Nancy, Ron & I



John, Ron & I



Part of their backyard



View from their backyard



The drive down the mountain from their place was beautiful and the homes are spectacular. They live above the Lawrence Welk Resort so I got a picture of that for my sister and also some pictures of the view they have.





The Lawrence Welk Resort



We took the long way home and went back to Desert Hot Springs to check out some RV parks for next year. We didn’t find anything that we liked other than the one that Jim & Linda are in and the problem with that park is that the streets are very narrow so it could be a challenge to get into and out of a spot without doing some damage to the trailer. We will have to think on this one for a while. It was also very windy there and somehow I think that is probably normal when you see all the windmills in the area and we aren’t big fans of a lot of wind.

The mountains around Desert Hot Springs were pretty with the clouds just sitting above them and the shadows.







We were well past the Salton Sea when the wind finally died down and the temperatures rose to the mid 60’s. When we got back we stopped at Ronnie’s and got a pizza, it is the first time we’ve tried a pizza from there and the pizza was good but it is definitely a take out spot rather than eat in.

By the time we got home and ate and unloaded the truck we were finished for the day.

As always, today was another great gift of a day in the partly cloudy and cool south and we look forward to another good day tomorrow.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Today was a nice day and Nancy made us a yummy breakfast of bacon and eggs. We chatted until about noon when we went out so they could show us around Escondido.

View from their backyard



Ron & John in Ron's den




We toured around there, a pretty place down in the valley, then drove through the countryside and ended up at the casino. John and I signed up at the casino and with signing up we got a coupon for a free buffet dinner – a $27 meal. Nancy had a coupon for herself and she managed to get one for Ron (Nancy goes to the casino about once a week with her girlfriends and then gets the coupon in the mail). We all played the machines for a bit but nobody had much luck and Ron got in line about 2:30 for the buffet (which started at 4). I went to spell him off and we talked for a bit then John came to spell me off so Ron went to sit down and John & I stood in line, then Nancy came to spell us off. For about the last half hour John & Nancy stood in line while Ron & I sat at a table near the line and talked.

The buffet was really good – had lobster and crab claws as well as lots of other seafood and then the usual buffet goodies – none of us came away hungry!

We went back to their place and spent the rest of the evening doing what – talking. We also had a little slide show on John’s computer of our kids, grandchildren, and my brothers & sister etc. and they showed us pictures of their trip to Banff last September for Ron’s niece’s wedding.

As always, today was another great gift of a day, and a very special day with Ron & Nancy and we look forward to another good day tomorrow.