Tucson, Arizona

Thursday, December 30, 2010
Tucson, Arizona 46 degrees and WINDY in the early morning. Buster was shaking a little with the wind gusts in the forty mile an hour range. There was no sunrise today as the cloud cover prevents that. And rain started again with the wind gusts slowing down going partly sunny.  (To enlarge pictures; Click on picture to enlarge, click return button (<) on your browser to return to post)

 
Driving Silver Sally today around Tucson we noticed the snow we like to see, on mountain tops away from where we are driving. Northern Arizona (Flagstaff) at over 6,500 feet got a large amount of snow causing interstate 40 Kingman to Holbrook & 17 Flagstaff to south Phoenix closures.
 

Carole, Jackie and Avery are coming back from Texas and there planned route is interstate ten and that was good planning early this month. We expect to see them on Saturday night and Sunday here in Tucson.
 

Monday or Tuesday we get our mail then we head west to Gila Bend for the night and then to Quartzsite on Plomosa Road campsite.

                 Happy New Year to all

Tucson, Arizona

Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tucson, Arizona 43 degrees and partly cloudy. There is weather moving east from California that will vary in Arizona from rain in the south (Phoenix) to snow in the north (Flagstaff).
Well rain came to Tucson. AZ after we arrived back at Buster in the late afternoon. Televison is showing snow in the north and difficult driving conditions there in the snow. We checked out getting our mail sent to us here in Tucson. Red sky at night sailors delight, red sky at morning sailors take warning. In the picture west is some what to the left, where the weather is coming from.  Temperature was up to 55 degrees today you can tell there is change in the weather. (To enlarge pictures; Click on picture to enlarge, click return button (<) on your browser to return to post).

Tucson sunrise

Locating the facility for mail general delivery. Sally drove us to the post office closest to our parked location and got directions to the general delivery post office (85726). Drove there and verified that information then called Lakewood, NM for a shipping of our mail.

Buster parking spot

With the doctor visit done and prescriptions delayed with messages between pharmacy and doctor delay and delay and Buster does not delay Buster moved out on time. Leaving more mail forwarding thus locating more post office locations to locate. The life of a full timer is more complicated in the mail forwarding area but what else is new.

Tucson, Arizona

Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Apache Junction, Arizona 46 degrees and partly sunny nice day. To 61 degrees in Tucson partly sunny (hazy sunshine).  (To enlarge pictures; Click on picture to enlarge, click return button (<) on your browser to return to post).

                                  Our last sunrise in Apache Junction, Arizona
The package of mail we were waiting for came today. Buster traveled the back roads from Apache Junction (AZ 79 & AZ 77) to Tucson, Arizona. I wanted to stay off the interstates with the heavy volume of traffic there is there on Interstate Ten. The speed limit is posted at 75 and Buster does not want to travel faster than 62, or he drinks diesel too fast at those higher speeds. The local television reported tonight a traffic accident eastbound on interstate ten, I do not know if the area of the accident or if we would have been there but I insured Buster's trip by not taking the interstate today.

                              East of Apache Junction headed south on AZ 79  

                                  North of Tucson southbound on AZ 77

Apache Junction, Arizona

Monday, December 27, 2010

Apache Junction, Arizona 46 degrees and mostly cloudy to 66 degrees very nice day. (Carefree Manor RV Park)

We are getting ready to move down to Tucson, Arizona Tuesday or Wednesday, awaiting a package in the mail from Lakewood Post office to arrive before Buster leaves Carefree Manor RV park. It will only be one hundred mile trip from Apache Junction to Tucson. Carole (our oldest) and Avery (her son) should be in Tucson on Sunday to tour the Pima air and space museum.

We went Chinese today in Mesa on South Signal Butte Road. (To enlarge pictures; Click on picture to enlarge, click return button (<) on your browser to return to post)

Eastern Super Buffet

This evening there was to be Mexican Train scheduled in the clubhouse, we were the only ones there to play, this is a nice clubhouse.

Entrance  to Clubhouse

Apache Junction, Arizona

Sunday, December 26, 2010


Apache Junction, Arizona 48 degrees and mostly sunny to 72 degrees very nice day.
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Sunrise Apache Junction, AZ

New York Pizza in Scottsdale, Arizona. Good pizza

Apache Junction, Arizona

Saturday, December 25, 2010


Apache Junction, Arizona 48 degrees and mostly sunny to 77 degrees very nice day Christmas.

Christmas in Arizona

We went to Casino Arizona for dinner today they had a special Buffet for Christmas. Otherwise an uneventful day.

Apache Junction, Arizona

Friday, December 24, 2010


Apache Junction, Arizona 43 degrees and mostly sunny to 68 degrees very nice day Christmas Eve. Sunrise at the Carefree Manor RV Park Christmas eve. We stayed out of trouble today going out to a late lunch. These pictures are our street on Christmas Eve. (To enlarge pictures; Click on picture to enlarge, click return button (<) on your browser to return to post)

Sunrise Christmas Eve

Street lights Christmas Eve

Bonnie Christmas Eve

George Christmas Eve

Merry on Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas To All

Apache Junction, Arizona

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Apache Junction, Arizona 48 degrees and mostly sunny after a rainy night. That California rain finally moved thru Apache Junction and is now eastbound. Clouds were low and a nice shaded view on the local hills to 61 degrees.

Care Free RV Park

The picture say’s it all, nice sunrise with wet streets from last nights rain.We drove Sally around today finding plenty of people out in the malls shopping and eating in food courts no economy problems bring on the Canadian dollar. Plenty of Alberta and other Canadian plated cars.
                         Merry Christmas


George & Bonnie hope everyone has a safe and Merry Christmas

Apache Junction, Arizona

Wednesday, December 22, 2010


Apache Junction, Arizona 59 degrees and partly sunny. More rain, 47 drops on Sally's windshield today with temperatures to 77 degrees partly sunny in the afternoon. This evening after dark the California rain finally came with a real rain the rest of the night.

Care Free RV Park loking east

Street Name

Apache Junction, Arizona

Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Apache Junction, Arizona 61 degrees and partly sunny. Late afternoon we got some rain one hundred thirty seven drops. We only got this as California was hammered with rain and snow at high elevations.

Apache Junction, AZ Sunrise

Driving around checking the area out and had lunch at Casino Arizona. After lunch we visited with Cleo & Paul at their home picking up our mail that had arrived. Stopped at a Walmart on the way back to Buster in Apache junction.

Apache Junction

Monday, December 20, 2010

Happy Birthday Christine

San Carlos, Arizona 43 degrees partly sunny to mostly cloudy and 77 degrees in Apache Junction, Arizona.

Day Break San Carlos, AZ

Buster at Apache Gold Casino a black top RV camping area with full hookups. The casino and RV park is right beside US 70 eight miles east of Globe, Arizona.

Buster at Apache Gold Casino

A nice 65 mile drive today US 70 to US 60 into Apache junction, Arizona. More mountains today 4,6oo feet the highest point and Buster had no problem the curves are not tight on US 60 and the grade up going west is very easy. Coming down on the west side is steeper and one tunnel to navigate. Definitely warmer even tho the clouds were blocking the direct sun with light breezes.

Mister Canon stayed in the back as Buster needed more of my attention navigating the road into Apahe Junction.

San Carlos, Arizona

Sunday, December 19, 2010
Deming, New Mexico, 39 degrees partly cloudy to mostly sunny at 67 degrees during the day. On to San Carlos, Arizona. On the road again, traveling day two hundred and two miles trip today just what we like to average for a travel day. Buster stopped at Apache Gold Casino with a RV park (black top) full hookups 50 amp electric, along US 70 on the way to Globe, AZ. (To enlarge pictures; Click on picture to enlarge, click return button (<) on your browser to return to post)

I 10 West New Mexico

Driving interstate ten (65 miles) on Sunday truck traffic was noticeable overall there was light traffic this day. That section of interstate is posted at 75 MPH and Buster is doing only 62 (fuel milage is better at this speed), everything passes you by. US 70 there were no thru trucks only some local trucks even car traffic was lower than the interstate with this route being shorter to our destination very nice traveling.

US 70 Arizona

Deming, NM

Saturday, December 18, 2010
Deming, New Mexico, 31 degrees partly cloudy to 55 degrees high today.

Pancake breakfast at the Dream Catcher RV Park club house this morning. We got out early to wander some stores then went to lunch at the Adobe Deli it is out of town about ten miles east.

Unique place at the end of a paved road, the building was built as a school in 1955 and converted into a restaurant. Open dining is in the small gym with two dining areas one for groups and a classroom converted into a smoking area. Very good sandwiches and onion soup at lunch. Beef & Pork dinners are also very good. Mister Cannon did not come out today, no pictures of the Deli.  (To enlarge picture; Click on picture to enlarge, click return button (<) on your browser to return to post)

Truck & Train I 10 Deming, NM

It does not effect our sleep but we do notice the road noise (I 10) and the railroad trains horns. During the night the trains do not use the horn much, during the daylight hours the trains blow the horn for crossings a few times at each crossing.
Tonight it was cards Hand & Foot two tables of four, with George playing and loosing.

Deming, NM

Friday, December 17, 2010


Deming, New Mexico, 31 degrees mostly sunny to partly cloudy and 46 degrees high today with a stiff breeze.

Dream Catcher RV Park Club House

Easy day about Buster at Dream Catcher RV Park
They play Mexican Train only on Friday nights, Bonnie and George played in separate games two tables (6 and 4 players). Bonnie and her partner won George and his partners lost.

Deming, NM

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Deming, New Mexico, 31 degrees mostly sunny to 67 degrees. Later in the day mostly cloudy and the rain came during the night. You know those larger type drops spaced out slowly falling on the roof for just a few minutes.

Boarder Check Point on the Road

Pictures I said there will be pictures today, from Sally on the road to Columbus, NM the US Boarder Patrol check point, then the boarder crossing to Las Palomas, Mexico and the Pink Store. (To enlarge pictures; Click on picture to enlarge, click return button (<) on your browser to return to post).

Boarder Crossing point

Pink Store Las Palomas, Mexico

Pink Store Left & Bonnie

Bonnie outside the Optical store (yellow)

Pink Store

Bonnie inside the Pink Store

We needed to get the frames adjusted after we got back to Buster on Wednesday we realized they were a little off. Today the frame adjustment went well and we were done in a short time. Lazy afternoon at Buster then at four happy hour in the clubhouse. At six there was dinner baked enchilada casserole with salad and dessert.

Deming, NM

Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Deming, New Mexico, 40 degrees mostly sunny to 67 degrees. There was wind today and I am glad I was not driving Buster today, with westerly wind gusts.

Sally drove south thirty miles to Columbus, NM then three miles more to Las Palomas, Mexico today so George & Bonnie could get new glasses. Four pair of glasses $355 with examination. Two pair sun glasses and two pair bifocals.
Mister Canon stayed at Buster resting, George was lazy about using Mister Canon today (no thought about carrying him concentrating on the glasses). There will be pictures tomorrow. We both want a redo on the fitting and shaping of the frames with pictures.

We were done with the picking frames and examination at one thirty with two hours to kill. So to the Pink Store for lunch (Mexican of course) I had tacos with rice & refried beans. Then mosey around the store Bonnie got ear rings.

Deming, New Mexico

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

The Ranch Lakewood New Mexico West of the Pecos River 32 degrees mostly sunny.

I picked up and put away the lights and snow men. The water hose we use here stays here as I have heat tape and insulation on this hose. Finished stowing everything else Buster drove to the office and got the tires aired to cold pressure. We paid our electric bill and cleared the Ranch going to Artesia for fuel.

leaving Artesia going west

On the road again, traveling day Alamogordo, NM Deming, New Mexico. (To enlarge pictures; Click on picture to enlarge, click return button (<) on your browser to return to post)

Climbing to Alamogordo

Departed Artesia about noon headed west to Alamogordo, NM and a long easy climb to Cloudcroft at 8,650 foot elevation. Starting with a desert landscape going to forest



Down thru a tunnel and into Alamogordo 4,550 foot elevation four thousand feet change in sixteen miles. The turns are ok going into the down grade at a low speed downshifting the transmission and an exhaust brake helps control the speed very well. I follow the signs for truck speed limits ten miles per hour below car speed.

Descending from Cloudcroft

Buster's Driver

Then to Deming , NM Dream Catcher RV Park getting checked in and setup just before dark at 5:30 PM 70 degrees mostly sunny. Buster went 251 miles from Lakewood to Deming, New Mexico.

Descending into Las Cruces, NM

The Ranch

Monday, December 13, 2010
The Ranch Lakewood New Mexico West of the Pecos River 25 degrees mostly sunny, to 71 degrees.

Packing up Day

Final packing day for Buster and putting things away in the shed that we are not taking with us. Took the tire shields off and stowed them under Buster. Uncovered the tow bar stowing the cover under Buster. Put the chairs and table in Sally.

Happy Hour December

We were at happy hour tonight and said our good-by's and see you in Arizona to many friends (SKP's) there are a lot (6) of rig's pulling out tomorrow. The close of happy hour is our singing of "Happy Trails" and waving to all present.

The Tire covers are off

I did an engine check tonight raising the jacks building air pressure and checking oil pressure. Took down and stowed the windshield covers.

The girls (Bonnie, Doris, Sherry & Judy) won tonight. The boys (Art, Don & George) won 23 and lost 29. Art & Sherry, Don & Doris and Jim & Judy will be here playing the rest of the winter and George & Bonnie will return in March.

Jim & Judy are off the end of the week for Washington state for a grandchild fix. Art & Sherry will go to Deming for Doctor visits in January.

The Ranch

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Dec 1 2009

The Ranch Lakewood New Mexico West of the Pacos River 25 degrees mostly sunny, to 50 degrees and windy today.
It was cool with the wind blowing, biting needing to be covered up. Last year on December first this is what we awoke to in the picture above. It has not been like that until today cold but no snow. Bonnie went to church and I stayed Buster inside doing planning for our trip. We went to happyhour a four

The boys won tonight (28 - 23 girls). The girls are (Bonnie, Doris & Sherry) George won the double twelve. We the boys (George, Don, Jim & Art) were winning all night.

The Ranch

Saturday, December 11, 2010
The Ranch Lakewood New Mexico West of the Pacos River 43 degrees mostly sunny, to 65 degrees.

Lakewood Post Office

I went to the post office today as I was expecting a new head gear for my c-pap mask. Did more straightening and de-cluttering here at our site, all preparation for leaving The Ranch this coming week. We went to Carlsbad for lunch and filled Sally's gas tank $2.72 a gallon at Wally (best price). Happy hour at 4 PM, one couple is headed to Key West for the winter. Most visitors passing thru say they are headed to south Texas or are headed to Arizona for the winter.

The boys won tonight (28 - 22 girls). The girls are (Bonnie, Doris & Sherry) George won the double twelve. We the boys (George, Don & Art) were winning all night

The Ranch

Friday, December 10, 2010
The Ranch Lakewood New Mexico West of the Pacos River 30 degrees mostly sunny, to 74 degrees.

The Ranch House

There was a morning meeting at the Ranch House that lasted about a half hour. Then back at Buster I was starting our picking up and stowing for getting under way next week after mail is caught up to date. Then another meeting at two in the Ranch House and happy hour at four.

Looking north from our site

The boys won tonight (28 - 21 girls). The girls (Bonnie, Doris & Sherry) George won the double twelve. We the boys (George, Don & Art) were winning all night.

The Ranch

Thursday, December 9, 2010


The Ranch Lakewood New Mexico West of the Pecos River 30 degrees mostly cloudy. Clearing after eleven to mostly sunny to 75 degrees. I noticed today the temperatures in North Carolina eighteen degrees in Fuquay Varina with a expected high of forty one Brrrr. Tonight eight o'clock hour eastern 63 here in Lakewood and 27 degrees in Fuquay Varina.

The Paddock

MEWS equals Men Eating Without Supervision, we meet at the Ranch House and at 8:30 we car pool (3 cars today) to The Paddock restaurant east of Artesia. This is a normal Thursday morning activity here for many years today eight of us went to eat breakfast today. After MEWS if a stop at the propane gas dealer to have a tank refilled. Then to the hardware store I needed some screws and nuts for a repair project.

There was an important package to mail today, that I took care of after MEWS today.

The boys won tonight (28 - 20 girls). The girls (Bonnie, Doris & Sherry) George won the double twelve. We the boys (George, Don & Art) boys and girls were winning back and forth all night. Going into the double blank we were ahead the double blank stalled no one could cover a double with the boys winning the game (Mexican train domino's).

The Ranch

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

The Ranch Lakewood New Mexico West of the Pecos River 25 degrees mostly sunny, to 64 degrees.

Town hall meeting at ten today discussing documents used when memberships are transferred to a new member.

Then a twelve thirty Chili chapter luncheon in Carlsbad we had a separate room for our luncheon meeting about twenty six attendees. Yes we are in town so  a trip to Wally is in order, it is twenty five miles to Carlsbad so you pickup anything that you might need or not have to make a separate trip there or Artesia.

Happy hour at four back at The Ranch, we are busy people here at The Ranch.

Cows at The Ranch

We need to go traveling to slow down. We are awaiting some prescriptions then it is off to Deming, New Mexico for a few nights. While there we will have our eyes checked in Las Palomas, Mexico just across the boarder from Deming. Then it is on to Mesa and Scottsdale Arizona for Christmas.

We played four people tonight at train as Bonnie & Doris went to bible study.