VISITING FRIENDS IN CALIFORNIA
CHRISTMAS WITH FAMILY IN CALIFORNIA
BUSY TIMES HERE AT VALLE DEL ORO
LOOKING AHEAD TO THE CAMP OUT
DON’T FORGET PICNIC DAY
PLEASE REVIEW OUR BOOK
NEW ADDRESS

It was fun to hitch up and take off for a little trip after sitting still since September. Although we hated to leave all that was going on here and the friends that are here, we also wanted to visit friends in California and of course be with family over Christmas.

We left early on Friday morning, December 18 and drove straight across the desert on I-10 arriving at Desert Hot Springs early in the afternoon. Yes, it was more than the 200 miles we normally do, but there is not much between Phoenix and California. Okay Quartsite is out there, but that was not our plan this time.

FRIENDS IN CALIFORNIA

We had not made reservations, but were able to get into Catalina Spa Coast to Coast park easily even though it is their busy time. This is a very nice campground, but it is in an area that is constantly windy and this time it was also cold so we didn’t spend any time in their wonderful hot springs pool. After setting up, we took off in the car to visit good friends Jack and Esther Perram who have a park model at Desert Sands which is just down the road. You may remember that we stopped to see them at their home in Kettle Falls, Washington, this past summer. We made plans for Saturday which included the College of the Desert Flea Market and a trip to Thermal so I could pick up some dates. I like to buy 15 pounds at a time and eat them like candy. If you have the new book you can look on page 314 for a little more about this part of California. Go to the What’s New page for pictures of the infamous windmills that we write about in that same section. Http://www.movinon.net/whatsnew.htm

Before we left Saturday, I had put on a big pot of split pea soup. With the cold wind trying to blow our motorhome over, it just seemed like a soup kind of day. We had fun shopping and picked up the cutest Santa Claus to set on the dash and another watch. Esther and I have this thing about watches. The Dates at Oasis Date Gardens were wonderful and we had our first date shake; it was heavenly.

We also stopped in to visit friends at the Thousand Trails Park in Indio. Sandy (Sanford) and Sherrie Harper, Simon and Barbara DeBeer, and Pete and Ginger Shilts had all let us know that they were there. Sherrie was waiting for us, but her husband, Sandy, was bell ringing in front of Sam’s Club. Sherrie said that he used to be a grouch at Christmas, but since he decided to volunteer as the bell ringer for Salvation Army his attitude had changed. We only had quick visits with everyone, but did get our hugs. Networking with other full-timers is such fun. 

Sunday we visited Gary and Maryellen Mencimer at Outdoor Resorts in Cathedral City. Wow! What a place! You will love seeing their place (I have pictures on the What’s New Page.) www.movinon.net/whatsnew.htm These full-timers that we have written so much about, purchased a lot there last spring. So they are in a different phase of full-timing that many enjoy. With a lot at outdoor resorts they will probably return every winter. They like it there so why not? There is a beautiful golf course, and they have fixed up their site beautifully. They have a golf cart, a big BBQ grill, a nice patio table set and  have even added a patio heater. It looks a lot like home. They gave us a tour of the facilities and we were quite impressed. After the initial investment (lots are $30,000 and up- - - mostly up), their annual fee plus tax is about $2,500 per year. But that includes greens fees so it is not a bad deal. It is a classy place.

As we were driving around on Sunday, we happened to pass Sam’s Club so stopped to give Sandy his hugs, then we went back to Jack and Esther’s for a lovely evening. Jack had prepared a delicious Caesar salad for dinner and Esther had set a beautiful Christmas table. The wind blew harder than ever that night and it was even difficult to sleep. We worried about getting out on the road the next morning (it was time to move on), but Monday morning dawned beautifully.  We woke to clear skies and no wind. What a relief.

CHRISTMAS WITH FAMILY IN CALIFORNIA

On Monday, December 21, we drove to just north of Los Angeles and did not have any problem navigating the freeways. We had been that route many times and knew it well. Once settled in the campground (Valencia Travel Village on route 126) we drove over to Mark’s house (Barb’s son) and as soon as we pulled up in front of the house Robyn and Jonn rushed outside to give us lots of hugs.

Mark was off that week and the kids were out of school, so we just visited and at Mark’s request, I made lots of fudge -- - both chocolate and peanut butter. It really turned out good  which surprised me, because sometimes (especially when I am counting on it) it doesn’t. 

Of course Christmas Eve, we attended church with the family. After church they took off to spend a traditional Christmas Eve with Ana’s family in Alameda. We knew they wouldn’t get back home until 2 or 3 in the morning and didn’t want to be up that late so we went back to the campground. Christmas Day was very traditional and we enjoyed a lovely day (including turkey dinner and all the fixings) with family and Ana’s parents. Also joining us for dinner was Mark and Ana’s new pastor. Fairly early in the evening we went back to the campground and visited with good friend, Dick Stewart. He had driven down from Pismo that morning after he had put Carol on the plane to visit friends in San Francisco. Dick’s mother lives in Pasadena so after getting settled in the campground he had driven the car to spend the Christmas day with her. The three of us enjoyed the rest of the evening.

Our days in Valencia were sunny but cool and the evenings were down-right cold, but we were comfy and cozy in our motorhome.

We left bright and early (6:50 a.m. PST) on December 26 to head for Mesa. Traffic was light through LA at that early hour (and on a holiday weekend) and we easily made it back to Mesa by 4:30 MST (3:30 PST). Yes, it was a long ride one-day ride, but we needed to get back to get ready for our busy activities here at Valle del Oro and besides we wanted to spend some of the holiday time with more of our extended family who we had left behind here. We know that it is hard for non-full-timers to understand the bond and comradery of our full-timing family. It is remarkable how close we feel with our full-timing friends.

Besides getting ready for the classes I am doing (computers and communication) and the Fools Follies, we needed to take care of business.  We are trying to get some magazines interested in reviewing the new book. We are also trying to get the book into Camping World (it should be there by February). We have been making lots of phone calls trying to have the book available in all of the major book stores, and into Amazon.com. It was good to be back in a location where I could use the phone and Internet at will.

Our old and dear friends, Jim and Norma Neve, (non-full-timers) from Michigan arrived in our park on January 30. They are renting a fifth-wheel for the month of January. Because they were here and there were other friends who hadn’t met each other, we hosted a happy hour. What a wonderful time we had. Judy Adkins & Cec Conway came over from their park in Apache Junction; Rich & Bobbie Brookmann just happened to drive up for the day from their campsite in Casa Grande; Berni Kranz & Susan Stienert, Elaine & Bud Hamm, Toni & Teresa Taddei, Karen Johnston ( Patrick was sick), and Jim and Norma were all staying in this park. We enjoyed several hours of great conversation and snacks. We were especially lucky to have Toni with us. This new full-timer is a professional photographer and took a terrific group picture of us all. Look for it on the What’s New page. (What's New )

For New Year’s Eve, Jim, Norma, Ron and I went out for dinner to a new restaurant that Jim and Norma discovered. Bavarian Point is located on the south side of Main street between Greenfield and Higley. They serve wonderful German food and plenty of it too. We ate early then came back to the park to attend the dance. The four of us joined Bud, Elaine, Tony, Teresa, Grant and Nancy for a great time.

We only have one more opening for the Camp Out, but will take names for a waiting list if you are interested.  The camp out will be held February 2-4 at Lost Dutchman State park in Apache Junction. The park is located a few miles north of town on State Route 88. We have reserved the group campsite which is at the base of the Superstition Mountains. The scenery is breathtaking. Let’s hope it warms up a bit before then. Ron promises to have lots and lots of fire wood on hand. But we can guarantee that the fellowship will be very warm. This is an old fashioned camp out, with nothing much planned. Grant & Nancy Joy will lead a few hikes for those who are interested. For those who like touring, Goldfield (a ghost town) is practically across the street from the state park entrance and the famous town of Tortilla Flat (population 6 ) is just a little ways up the road. The fee for the camp out is: $5 to reserve (we get that and it goes for the reservation fee, firewood, and paper plates etc) and $10 per night to camp which is payable at the park entrance when you arrive. There are no hookups but water and a dump station are located in the park. If you are interested in attending the camp out, please call us at 602-373-6547 or if you have to cancel call that same number.

If you are in the area and would like to attend the picnic, please bring a dish to pass, lawn chairs and yourself to the Lost Dutchman State Park early in the day on Wednesday, February 3. We will visit and get to know one another, before actually eating (about 2:30 or 3:00). The park will charge you $4.00 to enter for the day and in this lovely setting it will be a fun day. You do not need to call or reserve to attend the picnic.

Now that Movin’ On (the book) is featured on Amazon.com, we need to have a few of you review it so that others know what it is about and if it is worth buying. We have nothing to offer for this except thanks. But we really would appreciate your taking the time to do this for us. We know that the books arrived at a bad time (just before the holidays) and many of you have said that you haven’t had time to finish reading it yet. After you have read the book, it is easy to do a review. Just go to Amazon.com,  and click on the link to “review the book.” Or go to Barnes and Noble and do the same. Barnes and Noble Thanks in advance.

We found 12 more copies of An Alternative Lifestyle. If you didn’t get yours now is the very last chance.  It still is a good book with lots of wonderful stories which aren’t in the new book. Go to www.movinon/aalbook.htm

We haven’t moved, but our address is changing due to the fact that the Escapee mail service has had to automate to handle all the mail they receive. From now on, please use the following address when writing to us. The changes involve the street address and zip code.