Less is more, ever heard that saying?

 

        Yesterdays talk with Chris & Colton

I heard this many years ago, I agree with it, yet always looking for that? What? Better tool, fancier truck, bigger whatever, better whatever. I would say we are always looking, but really I can just see from my perspective. 

I'm happy with what we have, as well as our way of living. Still I look, does this cause a delema? No, I just look an say to myself, this is what I wanted, and I don't need anything more. I have looked towards the minimalist ways, and some I agree with, but I do pack more than I need, tools especially, and I justify it by saying to myself "If", If we ever breakdown where we are by ourselves, I want to have the ability to get going again. 

I said that before we headed to Mexico I would like to get a set of wheel bearings and seals for the trailer, just in case. I didn't. Now just before we leave I'm thinking 🤔 lol dam, shoulda got them. Now I say "Oh well" 

How much do we need? As we travel and live in our house on wheels, we need much less than in a bigger house 🏡 we still pack more than what we need. Almost every long term stop I clean out the basement, and throw out something. I go through all the plastic boxes and say yes to this, and no to that. I know this move to Mexico I'll get rid of a few more pounds of gear. Probably get a few more things to bring back too lol.

Funny as soon as I said pounds, I thought of my weight, and that I didn't weigh myself this morning. Oh well, I can another time, coffee ☕ is good, I cleaned out the box I keep beside my chair this morning,

fire 🔥 place is throwing a little heat, 6am. Life is good. 

That's how fast my mind changes from one thought to another, normal? I'm not sure, but I know my mind blinks away in different directions all the time. One word does it. Lol I laugh to myself now, how it really doesn't matter. I'll get back to cleaning house again sometime. For now coffee ☕ warmth, and this phone to peck my thoughts on. 

My back is hurting much less now, I was really concerned a week ago, had a pain I hadn't had before. It's still there, just not as bad. I hear a truck go by 😃, soon we will be with them, traveling towards our new RV park below Tucson. De Anza RV Resort sounds like a nice place, looking forward to the travel, and seeing some different people, places, things. Always excited to travel. 

 I'm still getting used to this new phone, moving around from screen to screen is so different, I have to be careful not to loose what I'm doing as I swipe to look at another screen. Funny how you get used to one way of doing something, like I've trained how the machine works, now a new machine, and have to learn to do it all just a little different again. As my son says "First world problems" in a sarcastic way 😁😆

I sigh, I don't really have any problems right now. All is good. I feel Polly stiring, I look at the clock 6:20, will she get up? Never know, she also gets excited about traveling. Two more trucks pass by, I really don't hear them most of the time. Polly now asking "what time is it?" 6:22 lol, she's up! 

We have a ritual of packing up, we both like some time to have coffee ☕☕ before we get started, and once in gear, we become a well oiled machine. Polly has her stuff she does inside, and I outside. We try to stay outta each other's way. I'm kinda a pain for her if I finish before her, as I'm like"You done?" I laughed to myself now, I'll try today to be a little more tight lipped today, lol. Me lol. 

Polly's making the bed now, she's on it today. We are pretty much ready to go, but something's still have to be done. The satellite 📡 dish, we always have to remember to put that down before we leave, and yet want to watch a little TV before we start the final pack up. I've moved with it up before, just in the park, almost of the time someone says, "hey u got the 📡 dish up!" People in the park watch out for each other. 

I'm going to quit pecking here now and finish my first coffee ☕ and get ☕ #2 

Love traveling, will be a fun day. 🤗 

We leave at 9am. Will meet the rest of our travel crew at the first rest 🛑 stop. 

Our last day in Yuma.

          TacoBell for dinner was different

This morning we'll do our shopping for what we need that may not be able to get in Mexico. Polly has a list, I have added a few things. Shopping at Fry's, then fuel up with our 20 or 30% discount due to groceries we have bought. A good deal 👍

We played in the poker tournament at Fortuna yesterday, Polly out quickly, I was not far behind. Still was nice to see so many faces we have got to know from many fun times playing poker. Who knew what we would be attracted to here in Yuma. 

Our first time here we came and met friends Don & Chris, friends Polly grew up with. We really enjoyed the place Fortuna, especially the people. The next few years we got to know poker players, especially Jim & Sharon, they showed us all the games as they also became immersed in the games. 

We traveled to many different parks in Yuma then, and played and met so many different people, from many different places. Thanks Jim & Sharon for showing us the ropes. 

While here this short time, 2 weeks, we tried to see and visit with as many as we remember from past times here. Happy hours have changed a bit, we have been off the alcohol for awhile now, and enjoying happy hours just the same. Mostly we enjoyed the Poker with friends. We kinda got a glimpse of many, and some we remember we're not here. 

Friends that usually are with us, or us with them Don & Chris, & Rob & Dawn were asked about by others who miss seeing them, as I'm sure they miss being here. All in all was a very emotional time for me knowing that we won't be here long, but still got to give hugs, and visit with friends we see when south. 

Our lives carry on, we will have fun with different friends, and of course meet new friends as we travel. Just never forget the friends we have met here. Been a blast Yuma, will be back in March for another round of hi how are y'all, then will head north slowly. 

After poker yesterday I searched out and caught up with Charlie & Linda, neighbors we met in Fortuna. Was such a fun meeting, big Hugs from Linda, Big Smile hand shake with Charlie, as we talked I called Polly who had gone home early and was making cookies, Charlie's favorite. So when she finished, Charlie and I went over in his quad and picked her and a few cookies up. Charlie had to have one right away, so did I. Mmm 😋 good, sugar free almost. 

         Only 1/2 of the cookies left now lol

We made it back to there site and Linda had some goodies out for us, and right away she gives Polly a huge hug. We became such good friends living close to each other before, was so nice to see them again. We sat and yaked, telling all, how our lives are going, where we have been, and the stories became so much fun. 

Then the neighbors came home and we met them, from Colorado Terry & Rob I 🤔 think? They were nice, and are traveling as we are, but still have a home in Colorado. As Linda called them, "Young bucks" there only 60 lol 😂😆

Then not long after another friend stopped in, and we met them, Jim & Marnie? Hard to remember the names now. They are from Alaska, was fun talking with them, they are from Valdez, where the snow gets above the roof of houses in the winter. Not for me 😳

All in all a great day,

 dinner at Taco Bell 🌮 a first for us, was great 👍 food was good, even included a desert in the box I ordered, I was surprised. Was a nice way to end a beautiful day. We both were a little cold in the evening, as was not the warmest day yesterday, but bed early and some TV made for a quick to sleep for me. 

Today we pack up, and be ready to travel. So looking forward to travel again, someplace new, someplace different, new faces, new RV park. Always excited to move. 

Sure do love this Life 🤗♥️

Polly got up at, 5:30! WOW! 

Just now she looks up at the clock "7:00 already? Is it really 7:00 😳 she asks me?

LoL 😂😂😂🤣🤣 we both have a good laugh at that LoL 😆 so funny how she said it 😆

Highways, Frieght trucks & traveling.

I find the highway traffic interesting as we stay in an RV park where I can see the traffic go by out our rear window. I wake early almost every morning, before the sun comes up and people start moving in the park. I hear the trucks and smaller traffic going by, I try to guage what time it is by the amount of traffic passing as I lay in bed. I'm not always right, this morning I thought 5am, was actually up at 4 😁 

The traffic is minimal in the night, but early in the morning it gets heavier, trucks make up a huge part of this on this one of many interstate highways. Highway#8.

This leads me to think of just how much we depend on trucking of goods we need to every corner of our world. Not a small task, every thing we want or need came to us in a trailer, attached to a truck. Before covid we all just took the supply of our goods for granted, when we went to the store the shelves were always stocked. Covid shutdown the world in many places. And fast! 

People started to stockpile immediately when the rumor's started, toilet paper, paper towels, napkins. I was shocked, stores couldn't keep enough on the shelves. Not because they couldn't get it at that time, the demand was just too great. To this day we go to the store and something's we expect to be there are just not, sometimes. 

         This truck is loaded with cars being

          shipped east to Pennsylvania area. 

As we travel we learn alot, trucks are where ever we are. Mostly big trucks & trailers, but in town there are also many smaller delivery trucks. Here at the resort we see FedEx, UPS, usMail, (our mail room staff pick that up I found out) Repair vans, Washing vans always something, someone coming in delivering a package, or a service. 

I think we are so fortunate, we wake, pickup our phone, looking at what we say we need, punch a few buttons, well actually just tap a screen, and a few hours, days or heaven forbid a whole week or more, and our goods arrive. We are now used to this kind of service. When this service is interupted we act like this is abnormal. In a few years we have come to believe that anything we want will appear at our door in minutes, days or a week,  But it will appear! 

If those trucks stopped, we would be so screwed. I like what we have now, I like to order from the phone, and get what I want when I want it. 

Our system we have in place, highways, Frieght trucks, delivery vans, mail room, site delivery all depend on manufacturing, and that depends on raw resources. Our cell phones are made of tiny little pieces, but they all came from this earth. No astroid dropped them here, we humans, some very smart, developed the process to make what we need and want, and trucks are just a part of the puzzle. 

I laughed just now, as I stopped for a second and looked up, another truck went by, lights all along the side, and then another then quiet for a moment, then another. Is a comforting feeling, knowing that this virus we have been dealing with has almost run it's course, and people in trucks are working to catch up so we can once again expect to see what we order show up in days. 

Are we finished, is this the end? I'm not sure, but here in Yuma, Arizona I have felt much different than in BC, even if we hear of covid here, people are not nearly as scared now. 

Going into Mexico next, there are some that warn us they wouldn't go, it's the stories, the big unknown that holds us all back. Tuesday we make the move, and if like we experienced in February of 2020 San Carlos is as expected, and I think it will be, we are about to enjoy a great time, meeting new and different people, enjoying food that we may not have had before, seeing sights we have not seen before, and hearing a few less trucks, and more cars. 

It will be different, and that's what is exciting about traveling, new and different experiences.

It's now 5:14am, I'm about as awake as I can be, I just felt Polly move about in the bedroom.

Another truck goes by 😃

It's Saturday morning, we have a Poker tournament today at Fortuna de Oro, Duane and Charlie and others put this on, there will be many there, and some will wear masks, and some will not. Normal is beginning to happen. I'm happy to say this makes me feel so good. 

Always looking forward in this life we live🤗♥️

Polly got up 😳, I'm surprised, 5:28 and Polly sitting beside me ♥️🤗 yup, life is good 👍😊

Another truck 🚛 went by 😊

Aproching my old age I think about what's next?

Not always, but in my thoughts I do think what's next. I'm happily going about my life, and so is Polly, but what's next? 

We have worked to retirement, raised children, grandchildren, Enjoyed many friends and family 🤗. What now?

Went south, saw a few things we had never seen before, enjoyed the sun and warm during the winter, traveling east, going north. Now what, did woodworking, I like it, but is that it? 

What now? 

Well here we are again, south

having stayed north through the covid shutdown, meeting friends we had met here in our travels before. The card games at Fortuna have been fun, so many familiar faces, all happy to see you as well. A yak here, a yak there, and we all get to the cards. 

Playing cards is a serious (well not really) game we all love. Why? If you asked the player's it's the people, and the excitement of the hand. Everytime you are delt a hand you have a chance, and a choice. You make a decision every time your delt. When you add a few $ to it it gets even more interesting. 

As we age our minds are still working, sometimes overtime, we need something that drives us to keep us interested in the next moment, the next day, week, year. Everybody finds what this is an gravitates to it. Here in the resorts south we found for us it was cards that we loved. Others like pickle ball, shuffle board, darts, swimming, exercise so much to do here in the warmer desert weather. 

      We love the mountains here in the 

                  Foothills of Yuma

I sometimes wished we were at the pool when the sun is out

and the card game is on, but I mostly choose the friends and the cards over the pool. I can't say how much fun I've had with so many different people from so many different places, all friendly enjoying what's left of there life. Some we have gotten very close to, we follow each other's lives when we are north on FB so we have some information about how they are doing, but when we get back south we want to get together again and joke and laugh, exchange how were are doing, and just see each other face to face again. 

    We went to the show last night, was      really good music 🎶 a fun show for all 

      Masks were worn, but except for a              little foggy glasses didn't notice

Sunday today, we expect friends from the north to pull into Yuma today, we will get together with other friends here already, and we will travel even further south with in a week. Looking forward to all gettin together and planning our take off to Mexico. 3 rigs all headed to San Carlos, looking for the sun, sand and new experiences. Now that's how I do old age, our time here in Yuma is shorter then before, still will get to visit with our card friends, as well as many others. 

Polly just got up, "Good Morning 😊" we say as she brings me a coffee ☕ I made it earlier, been busy on the phone. We both have new phone's now, so are enjoying this. As we yak I realized it's not Sunday yet! Lol today Saturday, we are going to the casino with friends Rock & Janine, I heard that Elvis will be there. Looking forward to this show, Polly is looking forward to a different casino, and just the thought of a casino gives her a rush. 

This is our old age, this is how we choose to do old age. Sometimes I think to myself if we keep moving forward in some way we will not get caught, well just keep moving lol 😆

We know that it's a slow slide now to the older age, but we both keep moving forward, enjoying new experiences, different friends, (As uncle Doug say's "You can Never have to many Friends")

I believe that. Looking forward to every day, meeting new people, and living life to the fullest. 

Love our life on the road, today Yuma, AZ, next week San Carlos, Mexico 🤗♥️

PS, called Uncle Doug , he called back this am, he's ok but not great, at least we got thru. Will call again tomorrow and tell him how we did at the casino, and what the show was like. He is showing us what's to come in life. He's showing us what's next! 

What to say about the last few days?

  Why we went to Indio, #friends. We met Dave & Marian a few years ago when friends Neil & Deb from Port Alberni were at Indian Waters RV park, they said comon over is nice here. So we did for a couple weeks on our way to Yuma. We met so many good friends there, Alex & Deb, Rich & Evelyn, others I'm sure I forgot, just how it goes. Happy hours, pool times, pool volleyball, cards, and other fun games. Just a great bunch we met. 

This year was different, the group from before has scattered, each for different reasons, although the price raise this year has stopped many from staying here. 

          Governor's ordered 

.          our transmission pan off

   Some photos of the transmission shop

We managed 3 day's, that turned into 4 due to a transmission hickup. Fixed now, but after some driving around in only low gear, called safe mode I'm told. Headlights fixed too, phone SIM card didn't work this time, so still working on that part. Just a bunch of stuff that complicated a visit. 

We did manage a very nice dinner with Dave and Marian on the last evening, Thank again was Mmm 😋 good. With some fun conversation after dinner, about the changes as well as there unsure plans for next year. 

Pool was nice, Polly and I did get into it Thursday afternoon for a nice swim. Was beautiful just the two of us, volleyball just finished, so was quieter.

Sun close to going down when we left. Transmission was on my mind, but was scheduled to be repaired Friday. I shake my head at all we did in those few days, after being out of our home for a couple months, much to do to get it all back in shape. 

   Pool at Sundance is really big, so warm

We moved to Yuma at Sundance RV park in the foothills close to friends here. Still a few things to get fixed, but comfortable here in the sun close to familiar grounds. 

       Our view Out our window today

Fry's today Polly says, need some grub. I'll go to the phone place get that figured out, then visit friends here. Looking forward to our 2 week's here before we head to Mexico. 

Since we started travel, both Polly and I have had a few times we miss Bosco as dog parks we went to, or rest stops, so many times we stopped for him. 🤗❤️

Onward we go. Loving this traveling life ❤️🤗

Early morning, coffee ☕ a fire🔥& FB

Was a long fast trip here from the north, but comfortable now, got the light's fixed in our truck yesterday, pigtails were broken X2 so the guy replaced them. Come home and a light system in our home not working properly Polly show's me, glowing and switch won't turn it on. I checked it out  as I started to write this, took the panel of, took the wire's off the switch, still glowing. Put it back together and will take it to someone that can dignose it better that me before I screw something up that will make it worse. 

That's how life goes, get one problem resolved, "and I turn around" as a friend of ours says and have another problem. This one I'll let a trailer guy figure it out.

Phone 📱 was another problem yesterday, went to get a new SIM card from at&t, of course go to at&t store, nope we don't do prepaid, have to go to Walmart. So I go there, and yes they sell Sim cards, but won't install them. So back to at&t store, get guy to install and hook up phone. After an hour or more, can't do it, won't hook up at&t to this phone, is a Huawei phone, banned in USA. So now get another phone. I'll do that today, maybe 🤔

Next a jump in the pool, I said I would so I did. Was so nice to be in the sun again, was quieter late in the afternoon, and sun went down after an hour,

 I made it, and will again today for sure. Met two couples one from Saskatoon, one in the middle of a new home build moving to Idaho. Both interesting conversations. Had to finally get outta the pool, got wrinkled fingers 🖐️🖖was a nice dip anyway.

A shower, and a long walk home, with just a towel around, didn't want to put wet shorts back on. Will remember to bring another pair next time, not into the routine yet 🩳😎

Dinner was awesome, Polly made an orange flavored chicken Mmm 😋 good.

After we visited with friends, Dave and Marion. Was nice, we haven't seen them for 11/2 years. Will spend time with them again today no fix it today I'm thinking, just enjoy. 

I turn another light on and the light dims, I turned the awning lights on and the dim lights go out? I'm going to think about this till it's fixed I'm sure. 😆😂

Polly wants to go to Walmart today, chicken wings are in her sight's, using the leftover sauce from last night's chicken. Aut to be good, so the day starts. Coffee ☕, a message from Chris, A message from Cindy, a little writing here, Polly making plans & off the day goes. 

Relaxed and warm here in Indio watching the pink reflection of the sun come up on the mountains. Just how we want it ♥️🤗

Love our Life ❤️

Feeling Happy, tired, sore & optimistic.

The last few days Polly & I have been busy getting ready to go. We realized long ago the longer you stay in one place the more stuff you have unpacked, aquired, moved around. We thought we were prepared, but being in a house we spread our wings. Packing up was intense. Polly was cleaning and arranging inside the house, I was same outside. I made a promise to myself, next time we return I will only work with what I have, no more aquiring more wood, or tools. As a matter of fact, I'm going to sell some on our return. 

Moving when just our stuff is not too bad, but after being in a house for 2 months Polly wants it to look good to leave, and she did, but of course she was some sore yesterday upon leaving. I on the other hand had done all the strenuous moving a couple days before our move day. So had a chance to heal up. 

We did laugh as we traveled, feeling free again, sore knee or two, sore back, Polly was just tuckered out. I told her we are just a couple old folks! 😆 She laughed. We are and that's ok, well heal and we are on our way south 🥳

A few get outta my way, hey you idiot! That idiot stopped for a green light! Frikin fools! Then Polly says I remember doing that before, I had to agree I had made that mistake too. I laughed, Polly got me on the right track. Wonderful how that works, we bing off of each other like pinball, we get each other on track as we go through this life. 🤗❤️ Ain't it the way!

We arrived in Victoria with as expected less snow, still cold out, sun shining all the way. 3 trailers on the dock overnight. I had to go say Hi 😉 to the others, I walk over and open with "I hear this is where the margaritas 🍸 are served!" That got the group laughing, and off we go talking about where we are each going. El Central is there destination, I tell them Indio, Yuma, San Carlos, Mexico. Where are you from is asked, Port Alberni I say prouly. As I say it I realized I'm in my grubs, and they are all dressed up. One couple from Courtenay, one couple from Duncan. 

Next question they ask is "where you planning to go to tomorrow?" I say "Salem, Oregon." Whoo, that's way further than we travel, 2-3 hours that's us, and hotels, not staying in our rig. Says one couple, from Courtenay. The other I think staying with them. We are stay in the trailer, we like it, even if cold, it will warm up. The conversation ends as the start to talk about dinner, and hotel. Off I go, dig out the generator, and get the satellite 📡 dish going. Was frozen to the roof, took 2 trys, and when the dish did get off the roof, the arm that picks up the signal was stuck to the dish as it swung around looking for the signal. I laughed, then thought about the ladder, and getting up there ideas started 💡Get a screwdriver and pry it off? Pour hot water on it? Should I stop it from turning first? My mind was trying, always knowing I didn't want to take the ladder off the trailer, and didn't want to take a chance today. 

Hmm lol 😆 I waited just the right amount of time, and busied myself with other things, Wander a bit, take a few pictures of our beautiful overnight camp in the center of Victoria (always kinda happy we found out this little jewel 💎 of information) I went back to the side if the trailer, looked up and the arm on the dish had broke loose, was sticking out but not finding the signal yet. I take out my phone and hit the app that finds the satellites, I laughed, a tree and a building just about in the way. Hmm move the trailer now, with slides out? Ahh just wait. So inside I go to warm up with Polly, don't worry about it she says, we can go without for a night or 2. I smile, she knows I don't give up easy. 

We talk about dinner, Polly says let's just go across the street, Days Inn has a pub and a dining room. I'm thinking a nicer restaurant. No decision made. Polly is busy deleting programs that are on the PVR. We have a few movies we could watch. 

After I warm-up a bit, I go outside and take a few photos, now it's darker, beautiful place this is, so grown up since I was young. The harbour is surrounded by buildings, hmm funny how we, people, do this. Find a beautiful place, then build the heck out of it until it becomes just a jungle of buildings, then we call it beautiful 😍

I take a few photos, is cold, but beautiful. As I get further from the trailer I look over and the dish has stopped turning, ahh it has the signal. Ta ta da daaa, She be Done 👍 I say.

Inside I turned on the TV and shaw box and we check out the weather once again, looking good 👍 we getting snow north, but here we getting warmer, and rain as we go. Hopefully no snow mixed in. 

Success, setup, electric working, tv on, heat happening, who needs a hotel, we got it all here, and don't have to pack up to move into the room. 

This is a long talk this time, but was an interesting day, at least I think so. 

After a little TV I say to Polly let's go for a walk around the parliament buildings, then dinner? Ok? Not to happy about cold, Polly  bundles up as I do, and off we go. Was frikin cold alright, but Polly had gloves, she held my had, and we walked down along the harbour side

 

then thought of crossing over but Polly said, No! Don't want to get hit like the woman on TV. Yeah, that was brutal, we saw this just before we left, a woman got hit crossing the street, showed the whole scene on TV. That's why I stopped watching news, not for me the way it's presented. We waited till the crosswalk. 

We walked around the parliament buildings, snow removed from the walks, and saw the soldier that is in front, always a reminder of our past. The building was beautifully lit, and on top a statue of Captain Vancouver. I say to Polly " I wonder if & when they will take that down? I'm sure he did something that offends someone now!" 

We move on, that thought won't help the mood. LoL

        Parliament buildings lit up

We passed a few others walking by, some with dogs, some with children, and as we look get to the frozen fountain I realize there is ribbon around it closed area the sign says, can't walk around the fountain. I laugh again, of course there are tracks all around it inside the ribbon. 😆

As we leave the grounds heading towards dinner, one couple goes by say's "Happy New Year" and we back! Made the mood even nicer 🤗

Days Inn was closed, so I say let's try that place we have been to before, Polly resists again, with a few more excuses, no reservations, new years, not dressed up, I'm persistent once again, and we get to the Harbour House restaurant, people all sitting by the windows, looking full, Polly says, you go in, I'll wait here. So get out the mask, and get inside, glasses fog right away. I wait a bit, they are busy. After about 5 minutes a man aproaches, I say I don't have a reservation, 2 please. He goes away, comes back and says we have a table for you. WOW 😳, that felt so nice, he said "we wouldn't let anyone starve on New Year's Eve." Boy, that felt good.

I go get Polly, who is now making friends outside, and we get in show our documents, and are seated. Warming up, we order warm drink for me, Polly a non alcoholic beer. I let her warm her hands on my coffee ☕ just had to have a shot of Sambuca with it. 😋 Mmm. 

Polly thanked me for insisting, the restaurant was as we remembered. We had a wonderful dinner, with much to take about, and so much to watch as people all around, only waiters wearing masks. I talked about this once, but didn't want to ruin the mood. 

Was an excellent dinner, Polly had seafood Linguini, I had ribs, Mmm.

 We had our share of looking at so many different people, I watched the kitchen, Polly kept an eye on the world inside this restaurant. Was an excellent evening. We walked home carefully, down the salted but slippery ramp, and into our warm home on the dock overlooking the harbour. Yep a room with a view tonight, lights all around. TV went on, we got warmer & Polly was out! I tried a few times to wake her, maybe bed time I'd say, she be, no I'm staying, then back to sleep. After the third time I was tired, we heard a few fireworks, but 10:15, time toget to bed. We both tired now. We were up early, and did alot before traveling. Was time to sleep 😴 💤

Happy New Year 🤗❤️ 

Loving travel again, Love our Life ❤️🤗