Elton John Tribute Concert at Spotlight 29 Casino in Coachella, CA

March 1-19, 2015... The 2^nd – We weren't able to bring the slide in once again, however we were able to push it in. We left Gila Bend for the Foothills of Yuma in the rain. The further west we got the more sun we saw. We stopped for lunch in the motorhome and arrived at George's lot around 130p. George's brother and wife (Keith & Judy) are staying in the park model and Doug & Fran are parked in the RV space. We were going to look for another lot to rent but when we got their Doug and George thought we could park on the lot as well. It took some time to figure out the electrical hookup. We ended up plugging in to a 110 plug for the time being. It's a bit crowded but we all fit.

That evening we met George's other brother, Harold & Helen as well as George's, girlfriend, Coralee. We all had happy hour together!

Over the next couple of days Doug put in a 30 amp hookup for us to use. The sewer hose will work with a few extensions. We share it with Doug/Fran. Mike caught a cold so was under the weather for several days the first week of March. Dixie worked on Medical Accounting charges and deposit.

Dixie, Doug & Fran met Bob Graff & Carol at Applebee's for lunch on the 6^th and then went to the Flea Market. We have had several dinner's together with the group.

On Saturday, the rest of the gang went on a motorcycle ride to Parker.

On the 8^th we went with Doug & Fran to shop a bit and then went to dinner at Da Boyzs Italian in old Yuma.

Dixie ordered a single burner Induction Cooktop from Jane & Jerry at the show – it arrived on Monday, the 9^th. We are now in search of a couple of pans that work with it.

The gang went on another ride, this time to Borrago Springs. We hung out and caught up on computer work. Things are coming together for the Hawaii trip. We got all of our days at the condo in Maui and Kona. Less than two weeks away.

On the 10^th Fran & Dixie went shopping in the afternoon. I found some pans for the induction cooktop at Marshall's – over course we had to buy a few other things as well.

The 11^th was a trip to Algadones, Mexico. Doug had a chipped tooth and we both had our teeth cleaned. We tried out Bob Graff's dentist, Dr. Alejandro Marques Reyes (928-366-5872). We had our fish/shrimp taco's from the street vendor and then had a beer and listened to Pepe. We bought some tile street numbers and a holder for the Turner house. The line was bit long but we made it through in just over a ½ hour.

The 12^th Doug & Fran went back to Algadones to get his crown put on. We made dinner for them, Keith/Judy and George/Coralee.

Friday the 13^th we went to the flea market in the afternoon and then to George & Coralee's for dinner. George has a wonderful house and patio area. We met a nice couple from Edmonton (Norm & Carol). Norm used to live in Shanavon and spent time in Turner in his early years.

Fran flew to Maui on the 14^th. She flew to Portland to meet up with Camilla and then to Maui.

Mike & I went back to the flea market on the 15^th with the intent of buying a sun shade to add to our awning. However they were out. They will order one and hopefully we can get it next Thru. Doug flew to Phoenix with John to pick up Angie.

The 16^th Dixie went back to Algadones with Doug. He lost a filling on Sunday. The dentist he went to last week was full so we got the name of George's dentist and went there. Dr. Erik Escobedo Cha was able to fill it and we were in and out in 20 minutes. Doug really liked this dentist so we will try it next time. (928-227-1048 escobedodental.com just in case I lose the card). We walked around a bit and then tried a new place across from the square for a shrimp salad. It is located upstairs and has patio dining overlooking the street. Leaving today was quick, just a short line at the gate.

Doug left for Danny's on the 17^th. He will overnight there and then go to Santa Ana to pick up Levi, Tyler and Shay on Thurs. They will spend 4 days with him going to Disneyland, California Adventure and Universal Studio's. There will be many first's for Shay...flying, seeing a big city, the beach, etc. Would have loved to be there.

Dixie worked on the 18^th to get everything caught up before our trip. It has been unseasonably hot this past week. We have been walking daily and rode Doug/Fran's bikes today.

The 19^th is packing day....at least putting it in the suitcase as it is pretty much all ready to go. It is cooler today.  Tomorrow is the start of our "25th Anniversary" trip to Hawaii!

Mike & Dixie out of Tucson on the way to Mt. Lemon

February 2015

February 2015.... We started the month out with a Super Bowl gathering at our place that Danny, Lexi, Doug & Fran attended! Fran made Chili and Dixie covered the appetizers. It was a good game, however the Seahawks lost! We enjoyed some fun time around the campfire. Lexi even sat out there with us and talked.

Monday we attempted to go to a movie “The Game Stands Tall” in Cathedral City but when we got there they advised the projector was broke (it was the dollar theater). Instead we shopped a bit and went back home.

Tues. Mike played water vollyball and Dixie sunned a bit at the pool.

Wed., the 4^th we went to Doug & Fran's for dinner and conversation over the campfire!

The 5^th was move day...122 miles to destination Ehrenberg, AZ – Arizona Oasis RV park. We got a site that wasn't too far from the river so we had a little view of it. We will only be here for 5 nights.

The 6^th Bob & Cheryl came from Quartzsite for happy hour and haircuts. We then went to the River Run Bar & Grill in Ehrenberg for Pizza.

The 7^th was a short drive to Blythe for groceries and a little shopping. We had lunch at Popeye's! In the afternoon we went to the pool.

Sunday Dixie went to the church service at the park. We took our chairs to the river in the afternoon and hung out. In the evening we went to the hot tub.

Monday Doug & Fran came in the afternoon and overnighted. We went to the river for a bit and then had a turkey dinner at our place.

Tues., the 10^th we headed for our next stop – Sundance 1 RV in Casa Grande. We caravaned – us in the lead, then Fran with their RV and Doug on the Harley! We stopped near Tonopah for fuel and a Subway. We took the route to Gila Bend and then over on I8 arriving around 3pm. Our sites that were suppose to be next to each other turned out to be at opposite ends of the park. So much for best laid plans. The park is nice – lots of park models with RV's interspersed. Glenn & Henrietta are also here.

11^{th -} We had happy hour with Glenn & Henrietta and then went to an Elvis impersonator show (Danny Vernon from the Seattle area). It was wonderful show – he looked and sounded a lot like Elvis.

12^th - Fran & Dixie went to a Yoga class and then we all drove into Mesa to the Camping World and another RV store where Doug bought a portable Ice Maker. We had a good lunch at the Mexican restaurant.

13^th – Fran & Dixie went to Walk Away the Pounds. We went to the hottub and had a fire at Doug/Frans

14^th – Shopping and dinner at Doug/Frans

15^th – Dixie went to church at the park. We went with Doug/Fran to Mt Lemon out of Tucson. We made a stop at the Biosphere but didn't have time to take the tour. We started going a back way to Mt Lemon thinking we could make it a circle trip but found out part of the way there the dirt road is closed until March. We headed to Tucson and made the drive up from there. It was a very curvy road but the scenery was beautiful. The saguaro cactus were plentiful right out of Tucson. There was even snow near the top. Once back to Tucson we made a stop at a Trader Joe's and then intended to go to a Mexican restaurant we had been to before – however the wait time was very long. We headed out of Tucson to find another one, however it wasn't so good. We put on over 250 miles for the day!

16^th – Went to the pool. Forgot that it was a holiday – lots of kids! We had Glenn/Henrietta & Doug/Fran for happy hour.

!7^th – Dinner at our place. Also gave Mike a haircut. Mike & Glenn worked on the Frig. Trouble shooting the outside fan which has never worked.

18^th – Doug replaced the thermostat in the Frig fan. Not an easy task but we now have a fan working for the first time --- almost 10 years later!

19^th – More yoga. Fran & Dixie went shopping. Doug's new phone came off his belt case while on a motorcycle ride on Florence Blvd...ooops someone ran over it. We met him at the Verizon store where they ordered him a new one. We had dinner @ Doug/Frans.

20^th Dixie gave Henrietta and haricut and we stayed for happy hour.

21^st. We drove to Maricopa to the Ak-Chin Casino to check it out for an overnight stay. Nice casino and grounds!

22^nd. Dixie went to church. We all met a classmate of Dixie's, Diane Granlund Brady in Chandler for lunch. We went to Rudy's Barb-b-cue and had a great meal and fun conversation. From there we made a stop to see the Total Wine & More store and then a stop at another Trader Joes......it may be our last one this year!

23^rd – Laundry & then packed up for our departure tomorrow. During our stay we did utilize the exercise room and the exercise classes a lot. The weather has been much cooler the past few days.

24^th – We departed from Sundance RV1 park at 10am. Got propane at Norris RV, made a stop at the Walmart near Maricopa and then drove to the Ak-Chin Casino. We overnighted in the parking lot. There is a huge movie theater there so we went to see “MacFarlene USA”. It was a great movie! When putting the bedroom slide out we found it didn't work. The sheer pin broke...again (happened in 2006 & 2010) We tried to replace it with the one we had but it didn't work. We called Doug and sent several pics but never could get it to work.

25^th – Tried working on the slide again but no luck. We left with the motorhome and fueled up at Fry's. We also made a stop at the Ace Hardware buying more pins. We arrived at the Phoenix Raceway Park for the Good Sam Rally around noon. We got set up in the parking lot – it was great to find out we had a 30 amp electrical hook up. Dixie will be working for a company called Always Shinny Wheels & RV selling stuff. Dixie & Henrietta went over to the tent which is in the infield of the track. We were real near by but we have to drive as there is only one entrance into the infield and it is on the other side. We went over the items for sale and checked it all out. Mike & Glenn looked at the slide problem and were able to get it out. We had happy hour at Glenn/Henrietta's.

26^th. The Rally tent opened at 10am today. We all took the tram there however it took over a half hour. In the future we will have one of the guys drive us there! It was a very busy first day of sales. It was fun, but tiring...not used to being on my feet all day! Mike & Glenn worked on the slide problem. They got it working but it broke again. This time the slide is stuck in the 'in' position.

27^th – Another busy day at work! Open from 9a-5p. Today they got the slide back out. We went to the night show – a Beattle tribute band. They were just ok!

28^th – Work hours today 9 to 5 again. Still pretty steady business. Learning lots about tire valve extenders, pressure gages, etc. Also pitching “Induction Cooktop” and a “Roadmate Dash Cam”. It rained some in the early evening. We went to the night show again, tonight’s act was a Neil Diamond tribute band. They were good, much better than the Beatles.

March 1^st – Last day of work 9 to 3 today. Henrietta and Glenn left on Friday after work so it is just the 3 of us today (Jane & Jerry Lihue – the owners). Mike came around 230p to help us pack up. By 4 we were finished and getting ready for the road. It was a good 4 days of work – lots of time on my feet but worth it (got some spending money for Hawaii). Heavy rain was in the forecast so we decided to leave today. We headed the 60 miles to Gila Bend where we overnighted at Augies Quail Run RV park.