End of one year, Beginning of another

Bye Bye 2018. Hello 2019!

Christmas day at the pool

Not that 2018 was a bad year, but I am looking forward to this new year.

Small hurdles we have jumped have been repairs to our trailers fridge that was a problem for a few weeks this summer, it kept turning off, that turned out to be the electrical inverter not the fridge at all. We learned to go to where we have confidence in the technicians ability to diagnose the problem, and replace to one part needed first time. Then just before we left for the states the hot-water tank electrical element stopped heating the water, so got the same guy, Chris at PC Auto in Duncan to replace this. Fixed, or so I thought. He did say he had a problem with one hose, and he showed it to me, said wouldn't stop leaking, so he replaced it. All good I think, till we noticed wetness under the cupboard when we had Jim and Sharon here for dinner a week ago, and then became after-dinner entertainment. Who can look in the cupboard the longest, and where is the water coming from, and how do I access it. lol😆 This made for an interesting evening, as Keith and Diana stopped by, and came in for a yak, so all 6 of us now take a turn at looking at what was the problem.

I turned off the electricity to the tank, and drained it and wiped up what I could get at till the next day as I have best energy in the morning. That is another thing I have learned about myself that works good for me.

Next morning I took things apart, and dried it all up, and we waited with all the drawers out, and all the stuff out from under the sink, and the heat vents out to see what was the problem. Next day after a nights thought I remembered that there was a problem leak he fixed, so I refilled the tank, and found the leak, tightened the fitting and fixed. Well fixed for a short while then leaked again, this time I had a bowl under to catch the water. So now I tighten some more, and even though it stops, I have no confidence the fitting wont leak again. So now like my son showed me, look on the internet and see what others have done. I find out that there is a replacement part that has crimped fittings on the pipe, and this I like, now off to the RV store here with a picture of the pipe. Don't want to take it apart yet, we have water now.

Water heater rear at side of trailer

connections back of hot water heater 

I talk with the plumbing guy at the store and he suggests a hose that is used in house plumbing, and I agree, and off I go with what I think will work. Yes! This did the trick, had to drain and refill the tank again, but no leaks and I have confidence this will not be a problem again. Fixed, well not finished yet, all had to go back in, drawers, heat ducting, and stuff under sink, we Polly did stuff under sink.

Hmm, feels better to be back to normal. Ahh

Oh well not really, next to the saga the red light by the hot water tank switch comes on, Shit! Now what? On to the internet again as probably the thermostat, and look at what others have done. I get a video on you-tube that an Australian guy did, and did well, that explained how to diagnose the thermostat and if needed how to replace it.  Outside to the back of the hot water tank and the pressure relief valve is leaking, drip drip. OK I think this is an easy fix just re-position the valve as sometimes the valve just doesn't get seated correctly. The red light still on and water heating up too hot still a problem.

Like usual I just wait awhile and think of what is going on, and I come up with that the water leaking on the wires may have caused corrosion, and lets clean the connections before I take the thing apart. Water here has much salt in it, so yes that was the fix. I just cleaned up the connections, and Ta-DA Done. Ha Ha, I can laugh now, but with everything apart our home was looking like a mess, and not much room to move. On the positive, Polly makes adjustments as we go through this like "No Problem, I can do this" Makes me feel so good to have Polly help by just let me think it out.

I don't know if there is a moral to the story here, but I am seeing a theme in that the internet helps me when I have to do most anything now. I have learned through my son's prompting to use this as someone else has already had this happen, and has made a video of how to figure it out.

Another bit of learning is that as you know I like to take pictures, many pictures. This last year I realized that I take more pictures now with my phone than a camera, so before we left this year I got a new phone, one that could take better pictures. Huawei P20 pro, (Thanks to Ashley for the help) was my choice as camera was most important. I have spent almost zero time at getting to know how to operate this camera, just been pointing and shooting. With my camera I did spend much time learning how to use it, still much to learn, but this phone camera is all about the software I'm told. This is how it makes life just a little easier for me as just point and shoot, at least for now. I still have to pull out my Nikon if I want a close up of something far away, or want a very sharp image for some reason. For most all I want this phone camera will do it.

The other learning was that going through the many images one day, I said to myself, and then to Polly, holly crap, we sure did a lot this year, Wow, was a really good year!💗💖💕💔💓 As you can see I found out I can put in Emojis here huh.

Life has been good to us, and we have been good in our life. Polly is happy and healthy as she slides open the door and looks at me asks with squinted eye's and says "What time is it?" 5:52 I say, and she slides the door shut, and back to bed she goes. LOL I love that girl. Bosco lays beside me in what is Polly's seat when she is in the living room. He would be right up to me but the armrest separates us, and the laptop is on my lap, or he would be there. Me I do what I like as we go, and plan ahead for more interesting places to go, and things to see.

Friends in a funny face picture

People we meet are very friendly, and some are just even more than you can put in words. We met some new friends in Indio that we got to know fast, and will connect with again. Here in Yuma we met some new friends, and reconnected with others from last year.

Here we all are better picture

The one thing that helps us all stay connected as we go is Facebook. Such a great way to keep connected, and even with all the crap that goes on on "The Book" as Americo's Mom calls it, we manage to keep up with family and friends lives, and where people are and can we meet up. This makes life easier to stay connected.

This was our first Christmas away from Family, and even though was much different, we did enjoy being in the sunny warm weather, and able to enjoy the pool on Christmas day. Our friends are new to us, as we are to them, so as we get to know each other better we find the love for each other that we have with many friends before.

Love this life, and looking forward to another beauty year of fun, travel, learning and new friends.

Yuma now. Our life = Living The Dream, are we?

We are in Yuma now, was a short trip to get here and no stress on the drive, back at Fortuna De Oro for the next month or more. Different now as many people stay home till after Christmas, so we see a little different side of this place. Christmas, Ho Ho Ho! Here we come.

We have had many comments on our Facebook re-"Living the Dream". Some even say Living life Vicariously through your travels, or something like this.

Usually I think Hmm we are doing it right hey! Well having a good look at what we are doing we are truly happy with our decisions in life, and at this time in our life Polly and I have often had the conversation about what next? Plan? We often are going by the seat of our pants, and we like it like this way. No solid plan for what comes next gives us the option to change midstream what when and where we go, and who we are with. Man this is some beautiful freedom at a time in our lives when we can. Well almost! As I type Bosco gets up and starts the stretch, and passes a few times in front of me letting me know, now he sits and gives me the look! Back in a few, walk time!

Well that was a nice walk, Bosco was in the lead most of the way, he did his duty, and marked the trail all the way. We walked through the gate out into the desert not far from home. The trail or path is well defined, also someone has been marking it with rock piles, often with Quartz top rocks making it well, beautiful, and just a little more interesting. The desert is mostly rocks and gravel, with washes that are left from the rains that come infrequently here. We still have not seen a rain in Yuma. As we walk along Bosco has to stop for me as pictures are my marking, and I stop for him for his marks, a good symbiotic relationship.

Bosco smells the marker

 The washes have many forms of plants growing, and cactus of many kinds are usually where it is the driest above the wash. Like all forms of growth, there is a micro-site of growth, and here the landscape looks barren, until you try to travel a distance, then you realize all the different plants, and that they have a pattern as you go from place to place. I relate this to when I was planting trees. Until you look past the job at hand, you don't see the relationship all the plants have with each other. Here there is definitely a pattern, and as we walk I see the different patterns. I won't bore you with details, just to let you know, I'm having fun learning, and so is Bosco.

Our walk is about an hour, and he is satisfied, and so am I, time to get home, get cleaned up and get to the next phase of this day, Lunch at Cactus Garden RV park, as we have been told they put on a very good BBQ burgers or hot dogs, and more.

Well this was a great lunch, with much variety, and many people attending, sure was a good choice to hold off on breaky, and take in the BBQ. 3-4 long rows of tables, and 20 to 30 people at each table made for a full room. We sat across from another couple from Washington State, and got the best report on the Hydroplane races that happen on the Columbia River the week before Seafest in August. Where to stay, and where to watch the races, may even see them if we go, as they go every year now.  A very nice spread, and $7.50 for the 2 of us for more than enough to eat. We will return.

Cart at Cactus Gardens like a Dodge

Christmas decorations are everywhere

Then on to the Poker tourney, and another win, Gee I could get used to this winning kind of playing. Polly also did good, especially in the beginning, she said she felt kind of embarrassed as was huge pile of chips soon after she started. But as time passed she managed to share them with others. I on the other-hand never had any huge wins, but managed to stay to the final table and ended up with a split with Dave for the final amount, even got the high had too, that was fun.

Home we go, no shopping today as Bosco is waiting for us, and as we get in he always wants to jump jump! Hi Buddy, and not long and off we go again, this time to the dog park for a visit he likes this, so do I. I meet a woman from Oregon who tells me of her trip to New Zealand, and what she saw and where she went. Was very interesting, she and I agreed that when started travel we go away from our area before we travel close. Hmm, like ↷ over there, way over there ↷ has more to see. We both agree we need to see more of our own State/Province. Bosco met her dog but had no comment, at least not one I could hear.

I make my way back home and have a yak with some people I met yesterday from Minnesota that have happy hour every day with another couple around there propane fire, we joke and laugh about Canadian as the one guy likes to slander us in a fun way, and I back to him about the American way!

Relaxed, Happy, Fun, Warm, Beer in hand walk. Now a spaghetti dinner with friends tonight, Polly has no cooking to do. Gee does life get any better. I don't know?

I haven't talked about the warmth of the pool, or the diversity of the people we meet, or the beauty of the sunrise, the friendliness of all we meet, or the happy hour. Dam life is good.

So yes I think this is "The Life!" As for "Living the Dream", yes I guess we are. Our dream, may not be everybody's dream, but for now this is our dream, and we are fully enjoying every moment.

Loving our life here in Yuma. 

Moving day, here we come Fortuna De Oro, Yuma.

Left Right Center was a fun game we played. Thanks to all for the big win as luck was mine a few times as we played this game and a few more. Love this picture, so much fun!

Blog is a weird name for writing your thoughts about where you are what you saw and did, who you met, and what these experiences mean to you. So like me I looked the word Blog up and now I understand where it originated from. Web Log is what the term started from, then the term became weblog then the short we use now Blog.

OK all systems go now, I had to talk myself into writing this morning as I have done this before, and when we are moving I can take too long to write, and that can make us late to get going.

I start early today, and have relatively good internet right now, so GO!

We have had a really good time here at Indian Waters RV in Indio. People are friendly, like everywhere we go, and we met some that we have plans with in the future. The park is laid out in a very organised way, with very wide roads, easy to back in sites, with grass on some, and gravel on others. Pools are clean, and warm, chairs plentiful, and less people as early in the season. Hot tubs are very nice, and big private bathrooms, all with big showers. Clubhouse makes for some limitations, as only one place to hang out with bigger group, so when scheduled for on group, others not participating may not be allowed in. The plans call for another clubhouse soon, as well as another Pickle ball court, 4 not enough. We don't play, but is a big deal to many. I could say more, but you will have to come check it out sometime as nice place.

We came at a good time of year, and will return in November again next year all going well. The Tamale Festival in Indio was a good surprise, and the welcome back night here with a Mexican dinner this week with the owner showing up with his plans and a Q&A for the group was a good experience. First time we have seen an owner at an RV resort that spent the time to explain what his plans are for the future of his 11 resorts, and letting you know they have grown enough, and want to concentrate on these 11, and make positive changes to what he has, not to acquire any more.

Made plans twice to go up in a balloon, but never made it yet. will save that for the future. Sun is up now, Bosco has come out to join me, he doesn't write, but gives his curled up beside me support.

There is much to do here, and we have left some for next time. I did get the running boards on the truck well we were here, something Polly and I have both wanted for awhile. Good experience as the shop that did the job Crawlur-Offroad is a long term father son shop, and they did a great job. This is our Christmas present to ourselves this year.

We met a couple here that flew in from the island for a week, Susan and Scotty. Was a nice lunch we had with them, and I was kind of surprised as I had forgotten that Scotty worked weekends at Chemainus mill, so got to catch-up on some of the goings on there, and Polly and Susan worked at the Bay in Naniamo together, so they got some catch-up too. Was nice to see them.

The reason we came here was Neil and Deb, friends from Port Alberni were here, and they gave the invite to come and stay awhile, so we did. Thanks you 2, made for a very nice stop, and will look forward to visiting often as we travel.

 

Now off to Fortuna De Oro for a month to spend Christmas and New Years. Will be a very different year as first time away for Christmas. Looking forward to seeing friends from last years time we spent there, and like usual, meeting more people. Everywhere we go, there are just more friends to meet, love that about travel. Loving our life!