Back in Paradise

From this

To this

We are finally back on the road. We were not going to leave until Sunday but a good friend invited us up to their place. We are now in Riverside California. You might recognize this place from pictures in the past. We stayed here last March for a Birthday party. We had such a good time and they enjoyed our company that we are back. Actually we pretty much have an open invitation. It’s nice to have friends like this.

Wow, 18 years

I just did some calculations and figured out that we have spent an equivalent of 18 years camping in our present motorhome. How do I figure? I figured the average camper; well above average maybe, camps 62 nights a year. The calculations are based on 2 weekends a month, plus 14 days of vacation time a year. The calculations are - 2 weekends equals 4 nights a month (Friday and Saturday), times 12 months, that’s 48 nights – then 2 weeks vacation a year, that’s 14 nights – plus the 48 weekend nights equals 62 nights a year. Got that? Now we have spent 3 years fulltiming, that’s 365 nights times 3 years equals 1095 nights. Now take the 1095 nights we have spent in our motorhome and divide that by the 62 nights a year the average camper spends in their motorhome and that equates to 17.66 years. No wonder our furniture needs reupholstering. The rest of the motorhome has held up quite well. And better yet, so have we!

This also brings to light another though. 62 nights a year hardly seems worth the cost of owning a motorhome (sorry to bring that up). We sure have got our moneys worth though.

Dodged a bullet today

Today the big group left here so I could move back to my favorite site. What a hassle you say? Nah, they don’t have sewer hookups here so I have to take a short trip to the dump station once a week anyway. The lucky part is, about an hour after I pulled out of that site, the big tree branch that was hanging over my motorhome decided to break loose. I heard a BIG crack and crash and went to investigate. The branch fell right in the middle of the site (where my motorhome was) between the motorhomes on either side of it. I have no doubt it would have done some damage.

Ready to travel

We are about ready to travel again. We have got just about everything done here in Southern California. I am ready! We were supposed to only be here a few days and it turned out to be a few weeks. I am trying to keep it from turning into a few months.

I have been helping out the guys around the Elks lodge here in their beautification project. The other day we spread wood chips around the tree bases and planted about 100 new plants. I just don’t understand where all the young guys are. Probably the youngest helper (other than me) was 70 years old and the oldest is 91. I tell you what, I worked side by side with the 91 year old, digging holes and planting plants. He took a few more breaks than I did but didn’t quit until the work was done. Seems the younger generation doesn’t want to get involved anymore. They want to use the facilities but fail to show up when the work needs to get done. I can’t tell you how many times they thanked me for helping out and even gave me a few days free in the RV Park.

I thought we were going to have to move on down the road because a big group came in with more rigs than spaces. The Host here told me I wasn’t moving. She said she has splitters for the water and will double up some of them if needed. I did move down to the end so they can pretty much have the whole park to themselves. Friday they will be leaving and I will take the short drive to the dump station then move back into our favorite site next to the patio here. Hopefully we will only stay through the weekend then head on out. Our plan is to catch the 4th of July fireworks in Las Vegas.

Jury Duty

I served my civil duty today and appeared for Jury Duty. After a long day and being chosen to serve, the Defense Attorney dismissed me. The Reason? Well they had us fill out a questionnaire and one of my answers was that I have a problem with the Illegal Aliens in this area. Just so happens the defendant is Hispanic, Huh? Go Figure… Now, I am NOT prejudice against Hispanics, however I must say I am prejudice against Illegal Aliens. Something about the word Illegal and what they are getting away with.

Well, that behind us we will now set up some doctor visits while here and get back on the road.

AH Good to be home

Although we had a really good time in Florida, it’s good to be back in our home on wheels again. It was a long day today. We had to get up at 8:00p ET, which is 5:00p PT to catch the shuttle to the airport in Florida this morning. Three hour wait at the airport, and then it was six hours in the air with a short stop over in Austin and another hour on the shuttle from the airport to our home. So all-in-all we woke at 5:00a PT and arrived home at 7:00p PT. Susan was more bummed since today was NASCAR day because it got rained out yesterday.

Party every night

We have been to a party every night here and tonight is no exception. The first night we were picked up in this stretch bus limo and taken to one of Susan’s cousins house. They all have really nice houses here. Last night we got picked up in this Limo Hummer and taken to another of Susan’s cousins house for appetizers.

After that we went to a top of the line restaurant for a 5 course dinner. Tonight we are going again.

Hyatt Grand Cypress

Tne difference between driving from the west coast to the east coast, as opposed to flying, is that it gives you a chance to get used to the time change. I am having a hard time getting up in the morning since it is 8:00a here and only 5:00a out west. The weather is a bit iffy right now. No Hurricanes, but there is a Tropical storm threat right now. It may get a bit windy around here. But hey, being in Havasu, we are used to wind. The Grand Cypress, where we are staying, is on about 1,5000 acres with golf courses, equestrian trails, a large lake, and a huge swimming pool that sprawls through rocks and caves with waterfalls and secluded spas.

Of course there are gators in the lake.

Susan freaks out in the elevators since they are glass and really move fast. I could spend all day just riding them up and down. This place might be a nice place but I am just not into hotels.

Have you seen this house? It was featured in a magazine and on the travel channel. It used to belong to Susan’s cousin here but he sold it for a more modest, yeah right, house. His new one is pretty spectacular also.

Susan is just having a ball here with all her aunts, uncles, and cousins.