Just after we sent the book off to the editor we heard from good friends, Dick & Carol Stewart;  they were coming our way on their way to Colorado. We decided to stay a couple of extra days so we could visit with them. We really had a lot of fun. They were able to park right next to us and since we weren't working 12-14 hours a day, we had time to visit and play. One day we took off in their jeep on a long, long ride through the nearby national forest. When Ron and I had taken a ride on some of the same roads earlier in the year, we were amazed that no one was back there in this wonderful playground. The day we drove with the Stewarts it seemed like most of the population was in the forest and even the traffic (on dirt roads) was heavier then we could have imagined. We had no idea that it was elk hunting season(bow and arrow). Needless to say, we didn't see any elk. What elk would come out of hiding with all those hunters around? But we were very lucky to spot a cow moose with two calves and stopped to watch them for quite a while. You might remember that we saw our first moose ever (a bull moose at that) this summer and right near where we saw the cow. Maybe they were related.

Even though the days were still warm  the nights and mornings were downright chilly. It was time for us to head south and we started out early on Tuesday, September 15.

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THE TRIP TO MESA

We had planned to take our time and even take a few weeks to get to Mesa, but something strange was affecting us. A magnet was pulling us to Valle del Oro in Mesa, Arizona. We knew (for the first time in our full-timing life) where we were going-- knew the site, even had a phone number already. We knew the area, our church and even though we don't own the lot, the rent was paid for a whole year and all we had to do was drive in, plug in the phone and electricity and we would be all set. We started out to go slow, then said, "Lets just get there." I was starving for a WalMart fix, a permanent, a good grocery store, a computer store, an office supply store; I wanted to get back.

We drove south on Wyoming 89 until we hooked up with 30 which angled south and east until we ran into I-70 for just a few miles. Then we turned off on U.S. 191. We would take that all the way back to northern Arizona. This was a road we had never taken before. Some had warned that there were some pretty good grades on that route, but Ron wasn't afraid — not with his big diesel and pac brake.

Our first stop was for fuel in Cokeville. We were surprised to find such a nice truck stop on a U.S. route which was not near an interstate. Friends who had visited us in Thayne and gone that way had e-mailed us of the good deal. Diesel was only $1.01. We loaded up. The first night we camped at Steinaker State Park just north of Vernal. It was a wonderfully quiet campground with long paved sites and it wasn't more than a mile off of 191.  And the $8 fee (no hookups) made it even more appealing.

Although 191 had dotted lines (scenic route) next to it much of its way south, we were disappointed at the scenery. Maybe we had been spoiled by being in Montana and Wyoming much of the summer. We did have several long 10% grades and by the time we were heading down the last one, Ron said, " I think I have had it with mountain driving."

We made it to Blanding, Utah, the second night and stayed in a passable campground. There wasn't much to the town — I even had to cook because there weren't any decent looking places for dinner.  We got up extra early for the last part of our ride to Mesa. We figured we would be back by afternoon especially since we gained an hour (Arizona does not go on daylight saving time). As we were pulling out of the campground onto the highway, the motorhome rocked so badly that many of my dishes fell out of the cupboard (in all our years this never happened before and this  cupboard shuts tight). Let me tell you that Corelle breaks when it hits a tile floor and/or a Corian counter top. There was glass all over the place. Immediately Ron pulled over on the shoulder and we cleaned up the mess. We both thought that it was just an unusually terrible bump or that I hadn't closed the cupboard tight. With the mess cleaned up, we started out again, but didn't get more than a few feet. Big trouble!! We realized that we had lost the air out of the rear air bags again. In fact that was why the turn onto the highway was such a disaster. These things ride worse than a broken down hay wagon when there is no air in the suspension.

Remember that I said Blanding wasn't much of a town? And if you look on a map you will see how far away we were from a big enough city to have a diesel truck repair service. We pulled into the first parking lot we could get into which was Blanding's little airport parking lot. Ron called Spartan and they knew right away what the problem was and tried to direct Ron into bypassing the system so we could at least go on. My darling husband is darling but he is not mechanical. He couldn't even see what he was supposed to be looking at. He decided to drive the car back into town and see if maybe there was someone who could help us. When he asked around he was directed to a small garage. Folks in town thought that the young mechanic could fix us up. Ron talked to him and we decided to give him a try. It was either that or be towed to Flagstaff or ???

We drove back and this young man was able to get us on the road again by communicating with Spartan, but it was just meant to be a temporary situation. We couldn't put the jacks down. It was late in the afternoon before we were on our way and we had decided to drive to Flagstaff yet that day (night) and find our way to the repair facility there. The motorhome still rode rough but not nearly as bad as before. We had hopes that the next morning we could get totally fixed. We arrived in Flagstaff by 7 p.m. or so and parked in a big empty lot next to the repair facility (Southwest Peterbilt). That turned out to be fun because there was a very active train track right behind us and I swear that long freights went by every half hour all night long.

Friday morning, Ron talked to the service manager and maybe because he had had a rough week and it was Friday, but he wasn't very helpful. He didn't think he could take care of us and said he would have to order a part and it would take a week or more. The thought of camping in front of that noisy train track wasn't very appealing. I called Spartan and they said we should go on to Mesa, get settled in our campground and he would send the part we needed to Massey in Phoenix. When the part came in, we could just pull out of the campground, drive across town and get fixed. As we were moving out of the truck place in Flagstaff, Ron hit a little chuck hole and out came some more dishes. More mess!! For the rest of the trip, I used a bungie cord to keep the cupboard closed and decided it was all a blessing; I wanted new dishes anyway.
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BACK IN MESA

We are back in Mesa, Arizona, at Valle del Oro RV Resort, and it is beautiful here. The weather has been quite perfect— hot and sunny during the day and cool enough in the evenings to sleep with the windows open. This is the first time in nearly 10 years of full-timing that we have ever returned to the same place for a winter two years in a row. Ron went right to the Mayo Clinic and got a clean bill of health. He has not been on the hormone medication since January yet his PSA has remained within the normal limits. We are really pleased that he doesn't have to go back on the medication yet.

The motorhome got fixed and Massey Diesel Repair did a fantastic job. The part came in on a Thursday and so we planned to take the motorhome in Friday morning. But that was the same day that Ron had his appointments at Mayo. Ron could have dropped the motorhome off, while I followed in the car, then we could have gone to the clinic (way north and east of the repair facility) then we would have had to repeat the travel scenario after his appointments. I suggested that he go to the clinic in the car and I would take the motorhome. You should have seen the look on Ron's face as I drove off with our house and left him with only the car. We had agreed that whoever got through and back to the RV resort first would wait in the parking lot for the other to arrive and then we would back the motorhome in.

I had no problem driving even though it was rush hour and the facility was over 38 miles away off of I 10 on the west side of Phoenix. They went to work right away and got everything working and properly adjusted and I was on my way back to the park by 11:30 a.m. The only stop I needed to make was to get fuel (we like to have a full tank when we are sitting for any length of time). It was my first time to fill this baby up and it wasn't hard. The service manager, Dennis, at Massey's had directed me to a truck stop that was on my way home would be easy for me to get in and out of. Since I was coming back to the park so early in the day, I wasn't excited about sitting in a parking lot waiting for Ron to get back. His last appointment wasn't until 2:45 and the clinic is 45 minutes away. On the way back, I decided that I could back the motorhome into place by myself. I always direct Ron so I knew where I had to go. I even thought I could line it up perfectly to the patio.  And guess what? I did just that and after I had the electricity and phone hooked up, I called (our voice mail) and left a message for Ron that he didn't have to wait for me in the parking lot; I was cool and comfy at home. It was fun!!

By the way have you noticed the ads for our park in Trailer Life and Highways magazines? They have a special going on that you can't or at least shouldn't ignore. With the coupon from the magazine you can stay here for up to two weeks for only $8 a night. What a bargain!!! It is good now and until June 1999, but cannot be used in January, February or March. So look for the coupon and come on down. Then you will see why we have fallen in love with this park and area.
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MOVIN' ON CAMP OUT # 2

If you are going to be in our area this winter we would love to have you join us at either our camp out or picnic. For those wanting to camp with us the dates are February  2-4, 1999. It will be held at Lost Dutchman State Park in Apache Junction, Arizona. The picnic date is February 3.

 If you can camp with us we need $5 to hold your spot (there are only 30 spaces so it is first received first saved).  We use this money to pay for the group camp site fee and to buy lots of fire wood for our nightly campfires. The camping fee (paid at the time you enter the park) is $10 per night. There are no hook-ups but a dump station is nearby. After you register, I will send directions.

 If you just want to join us for the picnic on Wednesday, Feb 3, come out to the park, bring a dish to pass plus your table service and lawn chairs. Everyone participates in the potluck-campers and day visitors. The fee to enter the park for the day is $4.

We really had a lot of fun last year and plan to have even more fun this time. Before you mail a check to reserve your spot for the camp out, E-mail us to see if we still have room then we will give you the address to send your deposit to. All are welcome to the picnic and no reservation is needed.

Until next time.....Happy trails!