Apache Junction, AZ

Tuesday and Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Apache Junction, Arizona 37 degrees’ and sunny to 63 degrees’ and sunny.

Buster & Sally parked in Apache Junction

We got out in Silver Sally and found a Home Depot for a replacement for the water filter that froze and cracked the bottom of the canister that holds the cartridge. We now are filtering our water. This is to keep the particles out of the fixtures as the water here does not taste good, bottled drinking water time.

Shay & Creed

Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Apache Junction, Arizona 39 degrees’ and sunny to 67 degrees’ and sunny.

Bonnie and Carole

Carole, Jackie and Avery arrived here today round noon from Deming, NM. Avery and the dogs got a chance to stretch, burn off some energy, in the empty space behind Buster.

Bonnie and a boy (Avery) with his dirt

Then we took Avery to an indoor amusement place in Mesa, rides and games.

That gave the adults time to visit and talk.

Apache Junction, Arizona

Sunday and Monday December 26, 2011

Sunday, December 25, 2011
Apache Junction, Arizona 36 degrees’ and sunny to 63 degrees’ and sunny.
We talked to our North Carolina children and grandchildren. We hope everyone had a good Christmas, we did.

Apache Junction sunset

Monday, December 26, 2011
Apache Junction, Arizona 41 degrees’ and sunny to 63 degrees’ and sunny.

Bonnie and Buster in Apache Junction, AZ

Work on the water pump day, I have to take down the wall to access the pump location. With that wall down I checked the voltage at the pump with the switch on and off. I was able to turn on and off the voltage with the switch and proceeded to remove the water pump.

Apache Junction, Arizona

Thursday, Friday and Saturday, December 24, 2011

Thursday, December 22, 2011
San Carlos, Arizona, Apache Gold Casino RV park 40 degrees’ and partly sunny to 61 degrees’ and partly sunny in Apache Junction, Arizona.

Easy sixty-one mile drive today mostly on US 60. After lunch we went computer shopping and found an ACER ASPIRE with a Intel processor, five hundred GB storage Windows 7, four GB memory now customizing to my needs.

Snow at The Ranch looking out the main exit

The Ranch House

Merry Christmas to All our readers and glad we are not at The Ranch this Christmas

Friday, December 23, 2011
Apache Junction, Arizona 37 degrees’ and mostly sunny to 64 degrees’ and mostly sunny.

Well I needed to replace the left rear turn signal in Silver Sally and took car of that today. It is difficult to drive knowing the signal is not indicating to the vehicle following you.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Apache Junction, Arizona 36 degrees’ and sunny to 63 degrees’ and sunny.
Some last minute shopping and a night drive arround the local area to see Christmas lights.

The Escapees Dreamcatcher Deming, NM

Wednesday, December 21, 2011
The Escapees Dreamcatcher Deming, NM 30 degrees’ and partly cloudy to 56 degrees’ and partly sunny in San Carlos, Arizona, Apache Gold Casino RV park.

US 70Leaving New Mexico

Two hundred nine miles for Buster from Deming. This is about nine miles east of Globe, Arizona. Buster stopped in Lordsburg, NM for a drink of diesel fuel ($3.769) before driving on to the RV park on US 70. The buffet was closed (after the regular lunch hours) as we were inside the casino after two and we ordered off the menu. Then I spent time cleaning Busters sides from our wet driving day on Monday. Well the train (dominos) stops for a while.

Deming, NM

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

The Escapees Dreamcatcher Deming, NM 32 degrees' and cloudy to 53 degrees' and partly cloudy. Yesterday's trip was two hundred ninety one miles, thirty four miles difference weather we go thru El Paso, Texas (longer) or Cloudcroft and Alamogordo, New Mexico.

Today Silver Sally's battery was recharged over night and Sally took us to Los Palomas, Mexico. Eye glass day. Bonnie had the eyes examined and new sunglasses (transition lenses) and I had the left lenses replaced in both pair of glasses as they were falling out frequently. While waiting for the glasses we had lunch at the Pink Store here in Los Palomas

At The Pink Store

After dinner four of us played Mexican train dominos' George and Bonnie and Art and Sherry. Girls against Boys, tonight Boys win.

Deming, NM

Monday, December 19, 2011
The Escapees Ranch - Lakewood, NM 41 degrees’.


Packed him up head him up and moved Buster out, headed for Deming, NM today via El Paso, TX. There is packed snow on US 82 between Cloudcroft and Alamogordo, NM and north of Las Cruces, NM on US 70. Buster does not want to get cold wet feet today.

Buster driving thru Guadalupe Pass

Silver Sally, Buster and Bonnie at The Ranch

Well I did not think to check the Texas Dot site for road weather closings or warnings. Guadalupe Pass was snow covered we topped out about 5,920 feet and about twenty miles snow covered varying from a total of four inches with rain or ice. There were plows out but I kept Buster rolling slow and had no problems traveling. The wind was a blowing from the west southwest and was the worst near the end reaching Deming, NM. Arriving here we discovered the switch we turn off in Silver Sally when towing was not set correctly resulting in a dead battery.
 
Our ACER computer is not powering up properly, this is being written on backup computer. All my software disks are back at the ranch and I only have minimal programs on this computer. I usually use Outlook for e-mail display and not the g-mail display so everything is weird. Home and end with other function keys in a different location and no number pad on the side, messing up passwords and user names
After dinner six of us played Mexican train dominos’ George and Bonnie, Art and Sherry and Rich and Rosalie. Girls against Boys, tonight Girls win.

The Ranch - Lakewood, NM

Sunday, December 18, 2011  The Escapees Ranch - Lakewood, NM 43 degrees’ and cloudy to 56 degrees’ and partly cloudy. Football Sunday


Today is get Buster ready to roll day, compartments packed underneath and cabinets inside. Put away things outside on the lot. Dump the black tank and stow the hose.

Before happy hour tonight we had a birthday celebration for one of our members "Cowboy" 92 today. At the end of happy hour we gave our good by’s to everyone until March.

"Cowboy"

The four of us played Mexican Train dominos' George & Bonnie and Don and Doris. Girls against Boys, tonight Boys win.

The Escapees Ranch - Lakewood, NM

Friday and SaturdayFriday, December 16, 2011
The Escapees Ranch - Lakewood, NM 27 degrees’ and partly sunny to 46 degrees’ and partly sunny.

Board meeting for me and Bonnie went to ladies coffee. We leave The Ranch Monday morning for Deming, NM Christmas vacation for me, yea.

The four of us played Mexican Train dominos' George & Bonnie and Don and Doris. Girls against Boys, tonight Girls win.

Saturday, December 17, 2011
The Escapees Ranch - Lakewood, NM 32 degrees’ and cloudy to 43 degrees’ and cloudy.

Bonnie and Maryann went to Roswell "alien town" today and I went with Rich to Carlsbad with nine other trucks from the Ranch went to help the Elks Lodge 1558 deliver to needy families. Christmas hams and fixings. Carlsbad Christmas Anonymous provides the addresses of the needy the Elks lodge provides the food and delivery. It is rewarding experience to deliver a nice meal to a family in need. The neighbor next to Buster Rich and I used his pickup truck to deliver to nine families.

Cut throat dominos', Mexican Train, Three of us played George and Don and Doris. George won a close game.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011 The Escapees Ranch - Lakewood, NM 39 degrees’ and sunny to 63 degrees’ and sunny with a cool breeze.

Town Hall meeting today members of the co-op discuss the operation of The Ranch.

Escapees Chili chapter # 23 luncheon was held this month at Chaps in Artesia at a Mexican food restaurant. Twenty of us gathered there for a nice luncheon and chapter meeting. Bonnie and Maryann went visiting a retired Ranch Hand Cass now living in Artesia.

Silver Sally and Buster in the Arizona Desert

We are looking forward to Quartzsite, the gray cool weather here in December is getting to us now. We need the change and are looking forward to that boondocking life.

Thursday, December 15, 2011
The Escapees Ranch - Lakewood, NM 30 degrees’ and partly cloudy to 46 degrees’ and cloudy, to a light rain.

MEWS - (Men Eating Without Supervision) four of us went in two vehicles to The Paddock restaurant east of Artesia, NM about five miles. I had to get back for a finance committee meeting.

The four of us played Mexican Train dominos' George & Bonnie and Don and Doris. Girls against Boys, tonight Boys win.Tonight Bonnie went to a bible study in Artesia and I went to an Elks lodge meeting in Carlsbad with Soren and Barbara.

The Escapees Ranch - Lakewood, NM

Tuesday, December 13, 2011  The Escapees Ranch - Lakewood, NM 36 degrees’ and s foggy - cloudy wet morning to 47 degrees’ and cloudy wet all day.

Mens coffee at the Ranch House today no one went to Artesia for doughnuts, there was no volunteer or thought about who would go the day before as Ron of Greg are not in the park at this time. Then a water committee meeting for me, mostly talking about the cold and possible frozen water pipes. Then later we went to Artesia.

Bonnie went for her monogram and bone density test this afternoon, arriving early helps to get done early.

No train tonight.  Don & doris went to Hobbs, NM today getting back late.

The Ranch - Lakewood, NM

Monday, December 12, 2011 The Escapees Ranch - Lakewood, NM 41 degrees’ and foggy - cloudy wet morning to 46 degrees’ and cloudy with a mist rain after dark.

This solenoid has two five ampere blade fuses (little brown dashes in the picture) on the control circuit of this solenoid. The solenoid is used to turn off all twelve volts in the house when going out the door. The slang term is "sales mans switch" when going out the door he can turn off everything inside or if you put your coach in storage turns off all twelve volts in the "house". So I am going to bypass this all the time as this dose also turn off the refrigerator which we do not want to happen.

Blade fuse to the right end of the solenoid

Board of directors meeting this afternoon. We will leave The Ranch next Monday for Deming, NM.

No domino’s tonight as Doris has a medical procedure this afternoon and were not back at train time. I went to play cards, hand and foot.

The Ranch - Lakewood, NM

Sunday, December 11, 2011
The Escapees Ranch - Lakewood, NM 32 degrees’ and sunny to 37 degrees’ and partly sunny.
NFL Sunday

Solenoid with jumper cable connected

Well I found the problem, I also had to find where in Buster it was located, with the twelve volt (DC) electric power system. A relay or solenoid was not picking up allowing the twelve volt (DC) electric power to pass thru, I have jumped across the solenoid (picture with jumper cables) and have twelve volt (DC) electric power now on. I do need to replace the solenoid or find the reason the control voltage is not there this week in warmer temperatures.

No domino’s tonight as Doris has a medical preparation procedure to accomplish so we did not play domino’s.

The Ranch - Lakewood, NM

Friday, December 9, 2011
The Escapees Ranch - Lakewood, NM 27 degrees’ and partly sunny to 43 degrees’ and sunny.

Busy all day with park business two meetings and then happy hour.

The four of us played Mexican Train dominos' George & Bonnie and Don and Doris. Girls against Boys, tonight Boys win.


Saturday, December 10, 2011
The Escapees Ranch - Lakewood, NM 28 degrees’ and cloudy to 34 degrees’ and Cloudy cold overcast day.

Waking up this morning there was no twelve volt (DC) electric power to operate our water pump, furnaces, lights or refrigerator. It was cold to work outside first trying to locate things and troubleshooting. Regular one hundred fifteen volts (AC) was working fine.

Bonnie was out on a "girls" outing to Dexter and Hagerman, NM crafts fairs. They are northeast of Artesia on NM route two. There were seven "girls" in two vehicles checking out the fairs and having lunch.

The four of us played Mexican Train dominos' George & Bonnie and Don and Doris. Girls against Boys, tonight Girls win.

The Escapees Ranch - Lakewood, NM

Thursday, December 8, 2011
The Escapees Ranch - Lakewood, NM 21 degrees’ and sunny to 43 degrees’ and sunny.

MEWS - (Men Eating Without Supervision) five of us went in two vehicles to The Paddock restaurant east of Artesia, NM about five miles. One gentleman a visitor who also wanted something from a plumbing hardware store. We all assisted him in obtaining his purchase after breakfast.

We arrived back a the Ranch a state well water inspector was preparing to leave, our equipment seemed to pass but the state is wanting more plans if someone tries to contaminate our water storage.

Helen and Helen

Then it was back to Artesia for a departing member, Helen (2) is leaving our membership next week. There were about seventy attendees for a surprise Mexican buffet luncheon. Then off to Walmart bumping into many of the lunch attendees, then a bath for Silver Sally at the drive thru car wash and a tank of propane gas for Buster. By the time we arrived back at the Ranch it was time for happy hour.

The four of us played Mexican Train dominos' George & Bonnie and Don and Doris. Girls against Boys, tonight Girls win.

The Ranch - Lakewood, NM

Wednesday, December 7, 2011
The Ranch - Lakewood, NM 10 degrees’ and sunny to 37 degrees’ and sunny.

A very big thank you to our prewar troops defending Pearl harbor, Hawaii in 1941, seventy years ago.

Busters’ stand pipe faucet froze again overnight but thawed out early. The water compartment did not freeze as I added a personal heater to the compartment. We had tank water and the pump worked normally. Today I added insulation to the faucet, so we well see what tomorrow brings. I did not prepare more or better as we are pulling out about the nineteenth for Deming, NM and Arizona. Did not anticipate the temperatures getting this low this early in the winter. Wait a minute it is still FALL.

Cut throat dominos’, Mexican Train, Three four of us played George and Don and Doris.
Doris won a close game.

The Escapees Ranch - Lakewood, NM

Tuesday, December 6, 2011
The Escapees Ranch - Lakewood, NM 5 degrees’ and sunny to 23 degrees’ and sunny. The snow stopped sometime over night with dawn breaking into a sunny cold day with our water line frozen.

Nice seeing this sunrise today

Nice seeing this sunrise today, even though it was cold morning, there was no more snow than what I saw last night after playing dominos'.

Buster iced

Mens coffee at the Ranch House today Ron went to Artesia for doughnuts, in the cold snowy morning and was back by eight-thirty. Then a water committee meeting for me, mostly talking about the cold and frozen water hoses and pipes. Then later we went to Artesia for propane gas and Walmart. I use two portable tanks one normal twenty pound (needed filling) and a thirty pound so as to not use the main tank installed in Buster. Busters’ installed tank is full, and will be used if needed.

When we returned the temperature out side was over twenty and our left neighbor was outside to tell me there had been water gushing from Buster. He did turnoff the water when realizing what was happening. Turns out the water filter in the compartment froze and broke out the bottom of the filter (plastic). The short hose in the water compartment was also frozen. I removed them both then connected the water line with heat tape directly to Busters inlet, the water worked fine. I had purchased a small heater for that compartment while at Walmart. A lot of people use 100 watt light bulbs for this purpose, Walmart was out of 100 watt bulbs and the clip on fixtures with the aluminum reflector.

The five of us played Mexican Train dominos' George & Bonnie and Don and Doris with a visitor Audrey joining the game. Girls against Boys, tonight Girls win, when the boys go out one of the girls remaining tiles is not counted, the score sheet is only counting two against two.

The Escapees Ranch - Lakewood, NM

Tuesday, December 6, 2011
The Escapees Ranch - Lakewood, NM 5 degrees’ and sunny to 23 degrees’ and sunny. The snow stopped sometime over night with dawn breaking into a sunny cold day with our water line frozen.

Ice on Buster

Mens coffee at the Ranch House today Ron went to Artesia for doughnuts, in the cold snowy morning and was back by eight-thirty. Then a water committee meeting for me, mostly talking about the cold and frozen water hoses and pipes. Then later we went to Artesia for propane gas and Walmart. I use two portable tanks one normal twenty pound (needed filling) and a thirty pound so as to not use the main tank installed in Buster. Busters’ installed tank is full, and will be used if needed.

Look what Silver Sally has to step in

When we returned the temperature out side was over twenty and our left neighbor was outside to tell me there had been water gushing from Buster. Turns out the water filter in the compartment froze and broke out the bottom. The short hose the water in connection was also frozen. I removed them both then the water worked fine. I had purchased a small heater for that compartment while at Walmart.

Windmill Vista looking east

The five of us played Mexican Train dominos' George & Bonnie and Don and Doris with a visitor Audrey joining the game. Girls against Boys, tonight Girls win, when the boys go out one of the girls remaining tiles is not counted, the score sheet is only counting two against two.

Add caption

This plow is overkill

The Escapees Ranch - Lakewood, NM

Sunday, December 4, 2011
The Escapees Ranch - Lakewood, NM 28 degrees’ and cloudy to 43 degrees’ and partly cloudy. A nice day to be inside. Tonight coming back from "Train" there was snow on Silver Sally, and it was raining when we went to the Ranch House to play domino's.

NFL football Sunday
The five of us played Mexican Train dominos' George & Bonnie and Don and Doris with a visitor Audrey joining the game. Girls against Boys, tonight Boys win, when the boys go out one of the girls remaining tiles is not counted, the score sheet is only counting two against two.

Monday, December 5, 2011
The Escapees Ranch - Lakewood, NM 32 degrees’ and SNOWING to 19 degrees’ and snowing.

Accumulation on Silver Sally

We were up this morning looking out the window at snow coming down. Going out to Lakewood road there are some "locals" crossing and "eating" actually grazing. The snow is coming down all day and is to keep coming until noon Tuesday. This was an in day, in Buster, in The Ranch House and in The Park office doing work for The Ranch.

Some of the "Locals"

The four of us played Mexican Train dominos' George & Bonnie and Don and Doris. Girls against Boys, tonight Boys win.

Before stepping out of Buster

The Escapees Ranch - Lakewood, NM

Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park

Saturday, December 3, 2011 The Escapees Ranch - Lakewood, NM 32 degrees’ and partly sunny to 53 degrees’ and mostly sunny. Rain mist yesterday, there was some "solid rain" on Silver Sally and scattered some places on the ground this morning.

We went to the Moose lodge in Artesia today for the senior luncheon. I just went to eat Bonnie helped by serving and eating. Bonnie was out of Buster early to help with decorating the Ranch House for Christmas. Bonnie went to the Moose lodge in Artesia again to serv dinner for another function.

The four of us played Mexican Train dominos' George, Audrey and Don and Doris. Girls against Boys, tonight Boys win. Latter I talked with our daughter Carole and we made plans to meet in Albuquerque, NM on December 19,for the day while they are on their way east to Dallas, TX Lego Land. We are planning to go to Apache Junction, Arizona after that. Although we will go past Deming, NM for Bonnie to replace her prescription sunglasses first.

---

---

The Escapees Ranch - Lakewood, NM

Thursday, December 1, 2011
The Escapees Ranch - Lakewood, NM 36 degrees’ and sunny to 63 degrees’ and sunny.

MEWS - (Men Eating Without Supervision) eight of us went to The Paddock restaurant east of Artesia, NM about five miles.

The five of us played Mexican Train dominos' George & Bonnie and Don and Doris with a visitor Audry joining the game. Girls against Boys, tonight Boys win, when the boys go out one of the girls remaining tiles is not counted, the score sheet is only counting two against two.

We took plenty of pictures while at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta in October and here are more that were not previously posted.

Special Shape Balloons

Friday, December 2, 2011

The Escapees Ranch - Lakewood, NM 32 degrees’ and cloudy to 38 degrees’ and cloudy. Cloudy but everything is wet a misting type rain.

Every day while I am here at The Ranch I spend at least part of my time conducting some official business for our SKP Co-op Retreat of New Mexico Inc. as president of the board of directors. There are other discussions with members and managers. Today there was a water distribution pipe the developed a water leak. We monitor water pumped from our two wells and average use per occupied rigs in the park. When this average is below 60 gallons we appears to be ok. When the average goes higher there is excessive use or there is a water pipe leaking and we need to find that location. We found the location near the office in the morning today. When these leaks are found and repair action is in work the water distribution system is down until the repair is complete. We advise all rigs to maintain water in the rig’s fresh water tank.

The four of us played Mexican Train dominos' George & Bonnie and Don and Doris. Girls against Boys, tonight Boys win.

Special Shape Butterfly Balloon

Special Shape SnaglePuss Balloon

Special Shape Little Cop Balloon

The Escapees Ranch - Lakewood, NM

Tuesday, November 29, 2011
The Escapees Ranch - Lakewood, NM 30 degrees’ and sunny to 61 degrees’ and sunny.

Special shape balloon, Bumble Bee
in October

  Mens coffee at the Ranch House today followed by a water committee meeting for me.

Our water use is up and pond water is increasing. With the colder weather some are letting water flow to keep the hose from freezing, wasting water and we are living in a desert.

Then a board meeting in the afternoon. Happy Hour (social) 4 -5 every afternoon greeting returning leaseholders and visitors who have arrived today at the park. Announcements and other regular functions are birthdays and anniversaries and lots of talking - visiting.

Don and Doris returned today but are resting tonight. The train can run (domino’s) tomorrow night.


Wednesday, November 30, 2011

The Escapees Ranch - Lakewood, NM 25 degrees’ and sunny to 63 degrees’ and sunny.

Today is bank day. Richard the treasurer and I are opening an account at the co-op’s bank for holding money for our new member waiting list. We are supposed to maintain a separate account for these monies, and we want to be legal. For many years it was carried on the books as a separate line item but not in a separate account.

Bonnie went to Wednesday church meeting tonight while I stayed with Buster.