Got the new home home, almost

Because a storm was headed our way Wed when we picked up the new RV we decided to stay a few days at a park in Apache Junction.

Thurday’s last light on the Superstition Mts.

Glad we did as it rained all night and Thursday.

Friday’s sunset

The original plan was to go home Friday until we heard about the snow and freezing temperatures where we live. Not to mention the crazy New Years Eve traffic.

Snow on the Superstition Mts.

Instead we went out for an early dinner and were asleep long before midnight. Then this morning dawned clear and cold.

Even cold inside as we’d run out of propane during the night. Definitely time to go home.

And it just kept following us.

The last leg home is the Big climb up Yarnell Hill. The Weaver Mountains sure looked pretty with a white dusting. I held my breath almost all the way as the old truck pulled along at a whooping 27mph.

There is snow and this is as far as we go. At least for today anyway. Won’t be sleeping in it tonight, darn it.

There’s a new gal in blogtown

Yarnell is a funky little town with a lot of talent. Trish is just one of our local artists and she’s recently started a blog. I encourage you to check it out by clicking here.

Virtual RV tour

We waited over a week after looking at and deciding to buy this 5th-wheel. Felt like forever. When I get something new I want it NOW.

Come on in

As most of you know, I’ve been living in an RV of one kind or another for close to 14 years. All of them old, like 1970s or more.

Wait a minute the slides are still in, just let me push the button

Last summer Mike moved into my 1977 27 ft. 5th-wheel where we managed to survive the summer.

Much roomier with the slides out 

I’ve wanted to upgrade ever since I got the last 5th-wheel six years ago. But you know how finances sometimes go.

Desk and entertainment center slide

Right now I feel like Little Orphan Annie visiting the Big house. But don’t worry, I’m sure to get over that as we move our own stuff in. It still feels like a model home instead of our home.

Opposite slide

Due to lousy weather we’re kind of camping out in it at a KOA in Apache Junction. Rain here for 1 1/2 days but 8-10 inches of snow at home.

Now we’ll go upstairs

We ventured out Thursday and bought a few goodies including a VCR/DVD player which Mike hooked up to one of the two TVs.

It’s a good space to be in but I’m ready to get it home and really settle in.

On the right

Yet the weather seems against that. Not just gray skies here but an ice coating on the Yarnell snow and it ain’t getting any warmer.

Check out all those mirrors

So we paid for another night and will welcome the new year in our new home.

On the left

Probably be asleep at the appointed hour.

On the right

Hope you enjoyed the tour.

Laundry chute under sink

And this was The final selling point!

I hope you all experience health, happiness and the joy of NOW for the New Year and beyond.

SWF – Sunrise in the desert

Wednesday morning we drove early to pick up the new  RV. Then we waited for FedEx, the bank, new tires…

Rolling home

As you read this we should be on our way to sign the last papers and finalize the deal on our new home, a 2004, 36 ft Keystone Challenger with 3 slideouts.

However, a storm is also headed our way. Probably only rain in Apache Junction where the 5th-wheel is parked. Rain/snow in Yarnell. We may just decide to stay in it  for a day or two before towing it home. Don’t know yet but we’ll go prepared. So, I may be offline for a few days.

Happy New Year to All! May 2011 find you as happy as we are.

CouchSurfing in South Africa

After the excitement of meeting some of the Mount Frerer police to straighten out a little fender bender and getting a new rental car my journey continued west through the Eastern Cape. A land of gentle hills and rivers.

I’d tried to pre-arrange staying with several Couch Surfers during my visit in South Africa but due to my lack of timed schedule most didn’t work out. Not so with Bob and wife Lesely in Gonubie along the Indian Ocean.

A brai, or BBQ, was planed for the evening with a few friends coming over. Even with a few sprinkles of rain there was a magnificent sharing of food and fun.

After most of the guests left the party continued inside at the bar with Lesely, Bella another CSer from Australia, and Ron.

I finally slipped off to my room, wonderfully painted by Lesely’s daughter who no longer lives at home.

And after a delightful breakfast and coffee overlooking the Indian Ocean I continued my journey west to Addo Elephant Park. (More coming.)

MWT – Getting ready for the move

Last week Mike moved all the campers

to make room

for the new 5th-wheel.

To view more of the world, or to share your own, go to My World Tuesday by clicking here.

PS: Due to my not thinking, what else is new, and the fact that today seems to be a Federal holiday, I can't finish the banking thing today so won't be able to get the new 5h-wheel until later this week. Sure is hard to take care of business during the holidays. Just impatient. A virtual tour will be coming.

SS – City and country scenes

As most of you know, I don’t spend much time in cities. Yet last week when we drove over two hours to look at a 5th-wheel, then  bought it, we had to drive on freeways, basically looping around the north and east side of Phoenix. Which along with all the “suburbs” is HUGE!

Along the 101 Loop concrete walls display some very interesting and simple patterns.

Not easy to photograph at 65mph in heavy traffic.

SR89 S to Wickenburg

Thank goodness the first half of the trip there is really scenic.

Saguaros near Lake Pleasant

To view more scenes from around the world, or to share some of your own, go to Scenic Sunday by clicking here.