Not much to report today. We left Needles earlier than usual (8:15) since our drive was about. 4 1/2 hours. Our destination was Orange Grove RV Park in Bakersfield, our first stop on the trip. After setting up, Sue, Gio, Pat and I started a game of Mexican Train. We got to double 2's and had to stop for dinner at Outback. I think several of us agreed that Rod's Steakhouse in Williams was better. After dinner we continued our game with Sue winning.
Tomorrow we will be on the last leg home. It has been a great trip with wonderful friends and many stories and memories to share.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Day 15 - October 19, 2013
Today started as a lazy morning. Gio and I got up around 7:30 and sat around drinking coffee and checking our emails and finally getting dressed around 9:30. About this time Susie came over because Rex thought we might have killed each other. Ha, ha, Rex. You still have us trailing you.
We decided to go to Oatman, AZ, a ghost town that is now a tourist area. It is a couple of blocks long with stores on each side of the street. We managed to help their economy with several purchases. The burros roam the streets looking for those tourists who have paid for food to feed them. One shop owner warned me to keep my bag out of their way as they have been know to rip them out of your hands. There was also a shoot out between bank robbers. The really neat thing about that is that they are Shriners and are accepting donations for the Shriner's organization which helps children. After the show we had lunch and I had a Navajo taco. They use fry bread instead of a tortilla and I haven't had one of those since I left Susanville in the late 80's. Only difference is that in Susanville it was shaped more like a pizza and this was a ball of dough that they deep fried. All in all, it was a fun day.
Tomorrow we leave for Bakersfield and then the next stop will be home. It has been a great two weeks with friends and many good memories. Only regret is that when we get to Bakersfield we had hoped to have dinner at Buck Owen's Crystal Palace. When Sue called for reservations, she was told they were only open for brunch on Sunday and we won't get there in time.
We decided to go to Oatman, AZ, a ghost town that is now a tourist area. It is a couple of blocks long with stores on each side of the street. We managed to help their economy with several purchases. The burros roam the streets looking for those tourists who have paid for food to feed them. One shop owner warned me to keep my bag out of their way as they have been know to rip them out of your hands. There was also a shoot out between bank robbers. The really neat thing about that is that they are Shriners and are accepting donations for the Shriner's organization which helps children. After the show we had lunch and I had a Navajo taco. They use fry bread instead of a tortilla and I haven't had one of those since I left Susanville in the late 80's. Only difference is that in Susanville it was shaped more like a pizza and this was a ball of dough that they deep fried. All in all, it was a fun day.
Tomorrow we leave for Bakersfield and then the next stop will be home. It has been a great two weeks with friends and many good memories. Only regret is that when we get to Bakersfield we had hoped to have dinner at Buck Owen's Crystal Palace. When Sue called for reservations, she was told they were only open for brunch on Sunday and we won't get there in time.
Needle Mountains
Oatman Street
Post Office
Burros on street
Bank Robber
Siesta Time
Don't know why you can't feed them
Colorado River
Friday, October 18, 2013
Day 14 - October 18, 2013
Today was our last morning in Williams. We got up and Gio and I left a little before Sue and Rex so that we could put about 15 gallons of gas in the motorhome. The price was $4.09 a gallon, so didn't want to fill up the tank. Kingman was 100 miles away and the price there was $3.29. Quite a difference. Anyway, we pulled into the Mobil station and as I started to put in my credit card, this man in a Shell/Bridgestone shirt came over and asked if my husband was inside. At that point Gio came around the other side and he said, "Or is it just you two ladies". I told him is was just us. At that point he said he wanted to show me some cracks on the side walls of one of my tires and that he had seen a bubble as we drove in. I didn't see anything. He then said that he could take it off and check it out for free. I told him I would call my brother-in-law who was at the RV park nearby. Sue said they were on the way. When they arrived, the man was no where to be seen. Rex checked it out and off we went. I think he was a scam artist thinking he had two feeble women. He doesn't know Gio and me.
About 13 miles from Needles, our destination, all of a sudden I saw smoke coming from under Rex's
5th wheel and then the tire shredding. He saw it also and fortunately, we were at an exit where he could pull off, When we got out to look at the tire, there was hardly anything left - only the rim There was also damage to the outside of the 5th wheel. Sue had just said at the gas station with us that they never go on a trip without tire problems, either for them or the other couple they usually travel with. After waiting a little over an hour, the tow truck arrived and Rex insisted that Sue, Gio and I go on to the park. He was going to stop at Big O to get a new tire (which turned into four new ones).
Now we are back at the Desert View RV Park in Needles for two nights. Tomorrow we are going to a "cowboy" town in the area. Someone said burros wander the streets. We'll see.
Leaving Williams, AZ
Think this is a water pipeline from the Colorado River. (Just seconds before tire blew.)
No explanation needed.
Beautiful downdown Needles from our RV park with a full moon.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Day 13 - October 17, 2013
Brrrrrr. Woke up this morning to no water coming out of the faucet. That could mean several things, but the most logical is that the hose is frozen. Yep, the temperature outside is 25 degrees. No problem. I just switched on our pump and it now draws water from my water tank. Thank goodness for that!
What to do today. Shopping is always an option, so Sue, Gio, Pat and I went back to the Train Depot gift shop and then on into town. Of course, we managed to help the Williams' economy. Keep finding things for the grandkids and their parents. Did find a top and earrings I had to have (along with Gio and Sue). We could be triplets if we all wear the top at the same time.
After grabbing a sandwich back at the RV park, we decided to go and play golf. Couldn't make up our minds on 9 or 18, but after 9, we decided we had had enough. Elephant Rock is a beautiful, well manicured course, but longer than the ones we have been playing in Roseville. After finishing the 5th hole we were supposed to cross the road to the 6th. A resident of the area said that if we wanted to just play 9 we should continue on at 15, which was right there before crossing over. We decided that was a plan for us. Hole #17 was almost straight up and then hole #18 was a par 3 that brought us back down out of the clouds. Again. a great course.
We went back to Rod's Steakhouse for dinner with our friends Pat and Ted Fidler. Last week we were 15 dining and we were fortunate enough tonight to have the same waiter. He is so efficient and went along last time with a prank on Ted. Another of our group had asked him to give Ted the check for all 15 dinners. Thought he would have a heart attack when he saw that. We all had a good laugh. The food there is great and I really enjoyed having prime rib again tonight. Wish I could bring some home to Jennifer and Kim!
Tomorrow we will be back in California in Needles. Must say I am anxious to get back into some warmer weather.
What to do today. Shopping is always an option, so Sue, Gio, Pat and I went back to the Train Depot gift shop and then on into town. Of course, we managed to help the Williams' economy. Keep finding things for the grandkids and their parents. Did find a top and earrings I had to have (along with Gio and Sue). We could be triplets if we all wear the top at the same time.
After grabbing a sandwich back at the RV park, we decided to go and play golf. Couldn't make up our minds on 9 or 18, but after 9, we decided we had had enough. Elephant Rock is a beautiful, well manicured course, but longer than the ones we have been playing in Roseville. After finishing the 5th hole we were supposed to cross the road to the 6th. A resident of the area said that if we wanted to just play 9 we should continue on at 15, which was right there before crossing over. We decided that was a plan for us. Hole #17 was almost straight up and then hole #18 was a par 3 that brought us back down out of the clouds. Again. a great course.
We went back to Rod's Steakhouse for dinner with our friends Pat and Ted Fidler. Last week we were 15 dining and we were fortunate enough tonight to have the same waiter. He is so efficient and went along last time with a prank on Ted. Another of our group had asked him to give Ted the check for all 15 dinners. Thought he would have a heart attack when he saw that. We all had a good laugh. The food there is great and I really enjoyed having prime rib again tonight. Wish I could bring some home to Jennifer and Kim!
Tomorrow we will be back in California in Needles. Must say I am anxious to get back into some warmer weather.
Gio
Me
19th hole
Herd of deer that live around the golf course
The Train Depot is getting ready for the Polar Express to the Grand Canyon with their Christmas decorations.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Day 12 - October 16, 2013
Today was to be a very relaxing morning, but Gio had caught up on her sleep and was up at 6:15 a.m. We had a leisurely breakfast and a little after 10:00 a.m. Sue, Rex, Gio and I headed to the Deer Farm, a few miles down Interstate 40. When you enter and pay your admission, you can also get some food in cups to feed the deer, which, of course, we did. Just outside the entrance to their was a cockatoo who had a pretty extensive vocabulary. As you entered the deer area, they all came running to greet us and check to see if we had food for them. They were quite persistent and even fought each other off if they got too close to what they thought was their food supply. They had other animals you could view also, including a camel and llamas.
From the Deer Farm we went to Bearizona, a drive through wild animal park. There we saw bison, wolves, mules, mountain goats, pronghorn deer and bears Some were so close we could have reached out and touched them. They also had a bird/raptor show. The announcer was at one end on the stage and another woman was behind us. When she brought out the birds, the woman behind us would put food on a perch and the bird would fly to it, sometimes only inches above our heads. They also had a woman standing by two cages of ravens. If you gave the raven a dollar bill, it would take it and drop it into a jar. See video below. After the show we at lunch and then took the walk around the park where they had more animals for you to view. Both parks were very interesting and I think everyone would agree, very enjoyable.
We are not back "home" waiting for time for Rex to start the BBQ and prepare our pork loins. We do eat well! Tomorrow there is talk of playing golf. I did bring my clubs, but not sure I am ready to play here
From the Deer Farm we went to Bearizona, a drive through wild animal park. There we saw bison, wolves, mules, mountain goats, pronghorn deer and bears Some were so close we could have reached out and touched them. They also had a bird/raptor show. The announcer was at one end on the stage and another woman was behind us. When she brought out the birds, the woman behind us would put food on a perch and the bird would fly to it, sometimes only inches above our heads. They also had a woman standing by two cages of ravens. If you gave the raven a dollar bill, it would take it and drop it into a jar. See video below. After the show we at lunch and then took the walk around the park where they had more animals for you to view. Both parks were very interesting and I think everyone would agree, very enjoyable.
We are not back "home" waiting for time for Rex to start the BBQ and prepare our pork loins. We do eat well! Tomorrow there is talk of playing golf. I did bring my clubs, but not sure I am ready to play here
Harris Hawk
One of the smallest falcons
Owl
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Day 11 - October 15, 2013
Today was the day we have been waiting for - our train trip to the Grand Canyon. We arrived at the train depot and at 9:00 they had a wild west show which started the theme of the train ride. At 9:30 the train departed on a 2 hour and 15 minute trip to the canyon. On the train there were western entertainers who really got the passengers in the mood. We arrived at 11:45 and boarded a bus to ride to three different areas to view the canyon. We were looking 10 miles across from the south rim where we were, to the north rim. Didn't seem possible. After the bus tour we had time to go to the Bright Angel Lodge for lunch with Sue, Rex, Gio, Dave, and Jackie. At this point it was time to board the train again and depart at 3:30 for our ride back to Williams. On the return trip we had more songs from our entertainers and then as we looked out the window, four robbers came riding up and boarded our train. I think they did quite well monetarily, as they seemed to find all the money we had hidden on ourselves. The sheriff did manage to arrest the robbers just before we arrived back at the depot. All in all, it was a fabulous day!
Wild West show
Western Entertainers
Colorado River
Alligator Rock
Gio, Rex and Sue
Pronghorn Deer
Raven
Bright Angel Lodge
Our rail car
Gio being robbed
Monday, October 14, 2013
Day 10 - October 12, 2013
Day 10 started at 9:30 when we left Gallup, New Mexico and drove to Williams, AZ. We had a rather long drive (about 202 miles), but it was much more enjoyable than the last time we made it. Today there wasn't any wind! There wasn't much to see, so this blog has only a couple of pictures. Along the way we passed Meteor Crater, and was glad Rex didn't take that exit (remember my glasses issue?) We did hear from one of our traveling companions that they stopped there and there wasn't any wind. Hard to believe. We arrived in Williams around noon, having gained an hour back, and spent a quiet afternoon. Rex BBQ'd again for us. Gio and I eat dinner with my Susie and Rex every night. After watching Dancing With The Stars we went back to our motor home and I am now trying to send this out. Tomorrow morning early we board the train to the Grand Canyon. Should have some good photos for tomorrow's blog.
A fort along Interstate 40
First sign of winter in the mountains
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