Thursday in Quartzsite

[asirimarco]

Good Morning to All - I have been reading but keeping the on line time down. Will be glad to get home to unlimited Internet. We are in Quartzsite just one day from home. Planned on being home today but wouldn't you know. Weather decided to kick up the wind 20 to 30 with gusts up to 40. Not the kind of day Bill likes to drive in. So will just putter around here today, maybe start putting things into bags so easier to unload when we get home.
Pretty sure this was our last year to go to Mazatlan. The weather there is changing, seems like every year it is getting cooler and more wind there. And Covid was still a factor in what we did or did not do. Sections of the highway is horrid and the tolls continue to up. Two days ago we blew a rear tire just north of Tucson. Luckily no damage to RV and we got off the freeway and we have roadside assistance so just put out the money for new tire and lost a couple hours. And as Bill thought about it the next we went to tire place in Gila Bend to have other back tires checked. The two on the driver's side rear were in bad shape so had them replaced too. Ouch! unplanned expense. Paid 4.69 for fuel yesterday - it will get us home. Went up 10 cents from the day before.
Been 146 days since we left home. Sure hope the mice stayed away this winter. I just want to get home, unload and rest and enjoy.
Not going to do much today as it will be busy once we get home. Every time I says, lets unload this slowly, but then I try to get everything done as quickly as possible. Oh well.
Hope the weather warms up for those of you up north. I forget it is actually still early in the year but seems like it is remaining colder than it should be. And the tornadoes already starting. Glad we don't have to drive to Indiana any more.
Sorry about the rambling on - just wanted to check in.

[Pooker]

Carol,

It is always sad to make the decision to stop our travels, but, as you say, things just keep getting harder to do as time goes on. I'd just like to thank you so much for taking us along each year on your trips to Mexico, and for all the wonderful pictures you shared, the local flavor, businesses and restaurants we were able to enjoy with you and Bill. If you do decide to stop these trips, please continue to post your wonderful pictures and experiences in and around Las Vegas.

Thanks again, Evie

[BirdbyBird]

What Evie said! And good luck for finding warmth in the winter.....I can find warmer but not always as warm as my body wants....

[Bethers]

My body wants warmer this morning as I'm still cuddling under the covers. Lol Yes, I understand. And I agree with Evie that you need to keep posting whether home in Vegas or on any trips.

No plans here today other than trying to get some longer walks in (some have been skimped on).

[RitaMc]

Carol, Thank you for posting your travel experiences. I have followed your blog since joining the group in 2011. I have always wanted to winter in Mexico and have lived vicariously through your postings. We do get to Yuma and over to Algadones ( but because of Covid haven't gone for 2 winters). Keep posting about any travels you do do. I live a pretty boring life so don't post. I think you all would fall asleep with any postings I would make. It has been a tough winter here in MN. Still January weather. Hopefully will get some camping trips in this summer. Last summer was too hot a d summer before only self contained campers could be using g the campgrounds. I hear price has gone up here in MN.

[BarbaraRose]

Good evening gals!
We are having gale force winds here right now! 50 to 60 mph winds blowing sand, dust, palm fronds etc all over! Sounds like a hurricane out there! The wind is so loud it almost sounds like thunder.

Just got home from work. I worked with the new girl that just started yesterday. She is fresh out of school but luckily it wasn't too busy today. Tomorrow there is a new guy starting but he has been doing hair for awhile and is a bit older. I have tomorrow off. Hopefully the wind will calm down some by then! Just walking (fast) to my car at WM and then from my car to my house, my eyes are burning and irritated from the dust! There are piles of palm fronds laying all around the streets and yards here in the park! It has been really windy lately but I haven't seen it this bad for a couple months!

Gonna relax tonight. My shoulders are both sore tonight. Tomorrow I have 2 haircuts in the morning and then will see what part of the house will get worked on. No other plans to go anywhere, especially if it is still windy.

Carol, sad to think you won't be going to Mazatlan anymore but I can understand. Hopefully, you can take shorter trips around the west, occasionally. Will you downsize your rig?

Rita, good to hear from you! Any news is interesting here! I have read cute stories on FB that you posted about your granddaughter. Also the weather is a common complaint we like to share here. And your upcoming spring gardening would be good to talk about for those of us who do that or at least attempt it.

Update on Linda (bikerchic): she is back in Des Moines and has rented a small apartment there. She is selling her trailer and might get a class B for shorter trips in the future.

Need to find some dinner here and find something to watch on TV. I think I am done with my recent gourd project except to spray a sealer on it but can't do that until the wind settles down. It is a simple gourd project but there is a story behind it, so will share that on a separate post when I get it completely finished.

Have a good night!

[JudyJB]

I am seriously considering that this will be my last winter in Florida. I have been alternating winters in Florida with the desert Southwest, but I have been having mosquito problems again. I was about ready to leave in mid-December, but the weather cooled off and I ended up staying because a few chilly nights really controls the bugs. However, the past two weeks, nights have been up to high 60s and low 70s, so the mosquitos have been really awful. And with my CLL, even though I am in a good remission, I am still having really bad reactions. My mosquito bites sting and burn, as well as itch, plus they have a red middle but also a little black spot in the center and a welt around each one that is at least an inch wide. I am OK if I get one or two bites, but if I get more than 4 or so, they all get really bad. It's like my immune system thinks I need serious protection, so it over-reacts and causes an allergic reaction. (At least that is what my CLL doctor thinks might happen. Another CLL patient with this problem says her doctor thinks that when immune system is weak, histamine system takes over.)

I had 8 bites about 10 days ago and they were getting slightly better, with my using cortisone cream and taking a lot of Benadryl and using ice packs, but then I got another 15 on this past Monday just making a few trips to walk across the road to do two loads of laundry. And then even the older ones perked up and got redder and more sore. I got no sleep at all on Monday night, and was putting ice packs on them all night, plus taking heavy duty pain meds. I took a brief nap on Tuesday afternoon, but headed to urgent care on Wednesday, yesterday, and they gave me prednisone. So, now they are not stinging as much and calming down, but the prednisone makes me jumpy and shaky. The real puzzle is why I barely go outside and get bites, and other campers don't get bothered!!

I have been inside other than doctor visit yesterday, so today went out for a walk to the pier, but wore long pants and a long sleeved top with a hood. Also sprayed pant legs. Ever go for a stroll bundled up when it is 85 out and humid??? Was really perspiring by the time I got back to my AC. No sense being in Florida if I cannot go outside even when there is a gorgeous beach to walk on. Maybe another year I will come for just November through January?? Or just stay in Arizona and New Mexico where there are hardly any mosquitos??

Anyway, I have to pick up some of my aunt's belongings in Venice, so am leaving here on Saturday and spending a couple of days near Venice, then heading down to Midway campground in the Big Cypress Preserve to visit with my cousin. I have been rearranging my reservations for the next month so I can head north to at least Georgia about two weeks early. The area around Atlanta has had some cold nights, even a couple below freezing, so should not be any mosquitos there. I'll stay at Old Federal on Lake Lanier and spend some time with my aunt. Then head back to Ohio a bit early.

[snowball]

thanks for telling me what the green light was Barbi would be interesting to see but doubt I ever make it to Hawaii it's long been on the bucket list but....
so cold tonight it's 10 according to the phone hopefully there won't be wind ...
Carol can't tell you how often as I'm heading to Q or even leaving that I get stalled in Needles due to wind... wise move to stay there with the winds that high...
I don't travel well in the wind... did you stay at Shady Lanes again at least I think that is the name of the RV Park I will miss my trip to Mexico via your trips Carol but we all do what we need to do... hence why I'm freezing in Jackson Wy instead of being in Q right now... would have enjoyed a visit...
been really a do nothing day... did make a creamy chicken veggie soup...didn't6 get it as think as I would have liked but still was good... it made lots... I can't seem to make soup that doesn't feel the whole pan... I need to go get some of the seasoning the long French name something something Providence I think is the last part of it it was used in the soup so I had to substitute. but liked the soup well enough that I might make it according to the recipe I hate to read reviews on recipes where the reviewer will say didn't like it as well as others but I did this and this and this... if you review it it should be what the recipe said to do... so I'm not reviewing it not that I ever do but it was good
I did order my mail asked a question got an answer keep forgetting to call and do that... so some time next week I might be able to do my taxes...
it might be a good idea to avoid the area's where lots of mosquitoes are Judy... but they are hard to escape
you all have a great day think I've rambled on long enough while saying next to nothing
sheila

[MandysMom]

Sheila, I think you maean herbs d'provence
Tired tonight. First trip to Costco since I got sick. Could not get near fuel station as lines were backed up clear out in street to parking lot. Just as well, tank on car at 3/4 still, no point wasting a gallon in line. Got my usual chicken for Stormy and stuff for me. Got extra, hopefully a month worth. Very tired tonight. Gas as of today $5.09 at Costco, but expect higher by morning.
Velda