December 2016 to Jan 9, 2017

Left Texas headed to Earp Ca. to see friends that were staying in Emerald Cove just across the state line from Parker AZ. Park is located on a nice portion of the Colorado which normally is nice during the winter, this time not so much.

First we went to Quartzite with friends to camp on BLM land for a few nights, gave our friend Sid time to operate his new drone. And of course a little jeep time too! We then choose to run over to the Salton Sea which is pretty interesting place which was sold as the Rivera of California in the 50's and 60's.

The Salton Sea was formed between 1905 and 1907 when the Colorado River burst through poorly built irrigation controls south of Yuma, Arizona. Almost the entire flow of the river filled the Salton Basin for more than a year, inundating communities, farms and the main line of the Southern Pacific Railroad.

Read more: http://www.desertusa.com/salton/salton.html#ixzz4VKNRfFG7



Slap City is on the land of a Marine Training base used to train men and women during World War II. All of the former buildings at Camp Dunlap were removed. The remaining slabs however, were not removed, and became what is now called Slab City. Squatters and snowbirds have taken up roost at this old, abandoned military base. It all started back in 1965, when Riverside County placed limits on the length of time allowed for a campground stay; the BLM had enacted similar rules



Read more: http://www.desertusa.com/desert-california/slab-city2.html#ixzz4VKPYHdOG
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Along the Parker Dam road there are plenty of burrows some are young ones, cute and fuzzy.



and as one might suspect in the local diners parking lot, among the trucks and trucks is a Rolls!



Needless to say with all the wind rain and dirt in the air the motor home took on a whole new color.





Smiling Bill, what can I say:


He was elated that we had rented a couple Razors to play out in the desert around Lake Havasu and what a blast, the dunes were awesome

We have moved on over to Phoenix to meet up with more friends from the west Jim and Sue. Staying at Canyon Visit RV resort.  Sun set on the mountains from our site.















We wanted to see Frank Lloyd Wrights house in Phoenix. One of Frank Lloyd Wright's most innovative and unusual buildings is under attack.

Nestled in a quiet neighborhood in Arcadia, Phoenix, the David and Gladys Wright house features a circular spiral ramp that mimics the Guggenheim Museum. When construction finished in 1953, critics called it Wright's best work since Fallingwater. According to Neil Levine, a prominent Wright scholar, architects and historians say its one of the 20 most significant Wright buildings. 

The home was a gift for Wright's son David and daughter-in-law Gladys, who lived there from 1952 until Gladys passed away in 2008. In 2009, Wright's granddaughters sold the home to a preservationist who pledged to take care of the property. Just three years later, the family reneged on their promise, selling the home to luxury home developer 8081 Meridian for $1.8 million. Immediately, 8081 Meridian secured a lot split permit for the property from the City of Phoenix with the intent to demolish the David Wright house to make room for two luxury homes.

On to the next sight, so off to Mystery Castle:

The reality of dying was thrust upon Boyce Gully in his prime. Choosing not to live a life of quiet desperation awaiting the end, he ran away from home, family and friends.

Those were sad but wondrous times of soul searching and physical creativity. In his heart was permanently etched the vision of those precious moments when he and his little girl, Mary Lou, built sand castles on the beach in Seattle. How she would cry when the tide washed them away. “Please, Daddy, build me a big and strong castle someday that I can live in. Maybe you ought to build it on the desert where there is no water.”

He would just smile. Perhaps, it wasn’t a coincidence that he migrated to Arizona. He built Mary Lou a native stone castle - eighteen rooms, thirteen fireplaces, parapets and many charming nooks and crannies, then furnished it with southwestern antiques.

Boyce Gully died in 1945 before he could send for his family. His “princess” was an adult when she moved into her “castle” and began living her fairy tale, perpetuating her dream. She shared her “home” by giving guided tours of her beloved Mystery Castle until her death in 2010.

Today, the castle remains open for tours from October through May. The Mystery Castle Foundation, a 501c3 organization maintains the property so that future generations can share in the history and magic that is My Mystery Castle.

Then a nice hike among saguaros way above Phoenix

Hole in the rock was pretty cool, great hike and a lot of fun.

From here we'll head to Tucson and will do some sight seeing there before traveling on to see our friends Steve and Raymond and their new home in Los Cruces NM before heading to Texas for our dear friends Pete and Patty's wedding..

This is a summary of our last few weeks traveling

August 22, 2016 Grapevine Tx

Well the campground is suppose to be fully functional for our Labor day guest. That is exciting since its been a long time coming.

This year has certianly has had its ups and downs. With traveling back to Grapevine and not getting in the park as expected to my dad passing in June its been a challange.

At least we are slowly working thru my folks stuff at their house and before we know it our time in Grapevine will be over.

Bill's mom is moving after being in the house she is in for over 40 years. That move will be interesting I am sure but this should be a good move since she is moving next to Bill's sister. However this will require that we get the new place in order too. Some painting and some general repairs. After completing her move we are likely going to load up a van and take stuff to Florida as well as Bill's car. Then we'll fly back to Grapevine to finish our duties here before heading west to see friends we've not seen in a couple years.

Thats about all the news for now.

May 30, 2016 Grapevine Tx

WOW finally the campground has opened 1/3 of the sites and no cabins.

But its about time we were so tired of the Elks parking lot, although thankful
that we were able to stay in Grapevine for when we were working it was an easy
commute.

We are now right up front in H1 which provided more room for the cars and a coverd
picnic table and no neighbors to the east of us. At least now we can even open the day
shades and let a bit more light in. Love those shades, but sometime it makes it too dark for
me.

We've been very busy between trying to get the park and the sites cleaned and my dad
being in and out of the hospital our time has been split up all across several counties here
in the DFW area.

So we are starting a 10 day shift to easy into June HA HA.

About all the news for now

March 16, 2016 Grapevine, Tx

Well where has the last two months went? Wow seems time just slips away so quickly at times.

Things here in Grapevine were looking good, the lake was receding and it looked like maybe we would be back in the park about the 15th, then we got more rain and the lake rose 5 feet. Lord, whats going on that we just can't catch a break.

We did take a little break from the grueling schedule(roflol) we went to Fort Lauderdale to furnish our house we bought back in October. The trip was very productive and provided a nice break from the DFW activities. However there was no time to take in the beach, but that will happen with time.

Otherwise all is going pretty good, dad is a bit more settled at Prestonwood Court, my son is getting settled in the condo with Riley and wow the weather in the DFW area is in full bloom of spring.

I am going to attached some photos of our place in Florida and our recent move in. Hope you enjoy.

Front view and circular drive which we are debating on how to change, more black top, paver or concrete

Back patio and two large mango trees.

Yep the motor home will fit right there with a few inches to spare. 

Looking North from dock, canal has a wider area for boats to turn around at North end

A boat passing by our small dock that goes down into canal

Hope you enjoyed the outside of our Fort Lauderdale home, now for inside.

Yep, a trip to Home Goods to help furnish the house

Modani makes their delivery, less the living room chair :(

Great place for morning coffee, watching the boats maneuver the canal

Sofa and ottoman made our living room

TV all set with tv stand that can be added to later to make a wall unit

Spare bedroom for now, yep guest wouldn't like that full size air mattress

Bedroom is about done, bedding on platform bed from Modani of Miami

Dining room all set

December 7 2015 Grapevine Tx

Well what a year it has been in and around the lakes in North Texas.

In May 2015 Lake Grapevine rose to a point it forced the city to close The Vineyards on Lake Grapevine due to rising water. The water rose from under 535 to over 560 taking over the entire park. We returned in time for the November/Thanksgiving opening to help with preparing the park for the reopening. We made it thru Thanksgiving, then the water began to rapidly take over the park again.  Opening the 24th of Nov and we closed again on the 29th. So sad to be in this situation again. the water is presently at 551 and it looks like the Corp of Engineers are releasing 500cfs, and now it appears that the lake may begin receding. Its amazing what 16 feet of water can look like. Our RV site at the Vineyards is definitely Water front today.

Our return to the DFW area was to be near family and friends for a while and this sure stretches our interest to be in the area. We have chose to camp out basically in a parking lot at the Elks club. Fortunately we had water and electric. To have sewer is important and we have contracted with a company for an external holding tank that will be pumped out weekly. We are thankful for this as it has allowed us to stay close by for our work schedule.

With that said, I was able to accomplish one of several goals and that was to convince my 89 year old dad to move to assisted living. Nine months without my mom and his over all decline in health made this necessary. So over the next few weeks we will be working to get him settled and hopefully finding that some of the stress of living alone can be helped by the staff at Preston Wood Court. I definitely have to say that my hat is off to Jeanette who stopped by while taking a tour of the facility. She stepped in introducing herself , sitting down on the floor next to my dad who stated that "today is the worst day of his life". She took his hand and said "WOW then you must have had a wonderful life then if this is the worst day".  My dad then began thinking and talking about his life and you could see he was proud to reflect on his many years. I believe she single handedly turned this situation around. From there going forward he was more responsive and accepting of the idea of moving to an apartment.

My dad is making a big change from living in the house he and my mom bought over 38 years ago to moving across town to be closer to my sisters that live in Carrolton and Plano.

In addition, I'm here to support my son who is in the process of a divorce and taking on the responsibility of their six year old son. Over time I feel this will be good for my grandson and of course my son. Jeffrey thinks the world of that kid as most dads do of their sons.

Other than that, have not gotten to see any of our Dallas friends yet and hope we will get that opportunity soon.

North Texas weather has been so pleasant over the week and we could only wish for it to hold out like this for a few months.


  

November 14 New Orleans

WOW another night in Florida after leaving Tampa then we traveled thru Alabama, Mississippi and landing in New Orleans. Last day was about 357 mile a long day of driving by our normal standards. Although Bill drove the majority of the way, I drove the last 40 miles getting us to the park in New Orleans. When playing on my phone, acting as a DJ on Pandora and txting the trip was quite short LOL

Got word Oncor has agreed to turn the power on and the city of Grapevine is throwing all resources it sounds like on getting the Vineyards in top notch shape to open for Thanksgiving.

So we will still leave NOLA headed to Dallas Monday, stopping over in Shreveport then cruising on into Grapevine Tuesday. May stay at the Elks club for a night so we are close by and can make the big move over to the Vineyards.

We're looking forward to seeing everyone and imagine it will be like riding a bike we'll fall back into a routine and seeing familiar faces.

Winter in Texas oh yeah! We hope for a mild one!!

November 9 Tampa Bound

Well its time to say good bye to FTL, headed to Texas. We enjoyed the boat show here yesterday although very warm in the sun upper 80's felt like 95.

We'll spend a day or two in Tampa with friends we hosted with at the Vineyards then we will begin our journey to Tx in hope they are ready to accommodate us after the big flood of 2015.

Last we heard power should be back on by the 12th, we hope or we maybe hanging out somewhere else until they get everything up and running.

They are hoping to be open for Thanksgiving, which should be totally a booked weekend.

After we get to Grapevine Tx I will post to sum up our trip and what we encounter along the way.