Corona virus as we travel, being careful.

   Arizona Market sales well timed t-shirt

We knew when we left Yuma that we had to be careful as we traveled through many towns and city's. Fueling up, bathrooms, distancing, cleaning our person, all important. How we did our traveling was careful, but we still had to shop once, before we got to BC to make sure we had enough to keep us for most of our 2 week Quarantine. Polly went into the Walmart in Boise Idaho well I walked Bosco and looked for the best way out of this parking lot.   

 

As I looked around with Bosco he did his usual walk around the edges till we came to a memorial. It was a bunch of teddy bears in a small tower. They looked dry but had a rain soaked look, all drooping and weathered. I told him no peeing on this, something happened here and not your peeing post. As I walked around the lot looking for the best way to leave here, I was always aware of the memorial. 

Polly called as we are connected now with phones better that ever as both of us now have at&t phones that make our traveling easier. Polly asks do you need anything? Nope, and she checks out then makes her way to our traveling home . 

As we load the trailer with the groceries I noticed a young man walk up to the memorial, he stops touches one of the teddy bears, then I see his arm and hand go limp, he was surly remembering. I just had to ask, if you know me, I just had to ask. 

As I approached he started to walk away, I called out and he did stop, he was not looking at me, kinda evasive. I asked if he knew what happened, and yes he knew. He explained how a woman with her 2 children were in the car staying overnight with a heat source that used some kind of gas. During the night a fire started. The woman got one child out, but didn't get the other one. He said if you go online it's there, check it. He said this a few times. He told me the husband had given her the stove, and he had stolen it from the Walmart, and he went to jail for it. Also said the woman went to jail as well, as she was charged with child endangerment. The family had been evicted from there home. The child went to Foster care.

He seemed to be better at talking with me as time went on, but still kinda evasive. He said before we parted that he was working at Walmart when this happened 2 years ago. 

I didn't pry into his life, but I thanked him for explaining this to me, and yes I did look it up. I just can't imagine as a parent how this woman could handle this. I wondered when I saw the pile of teddy bears in a Walmart parking lot. 

Here is a link to the article I looked up

Mother and children in car fire

Always good to ask as information puts us in touch with is happening in this world as we travel through the many city's, towns and places. 

We all look at people that are homeless in different ways, not knowing how they got there, or why the stay there. I have my opinions, and so do you. What I know is the numbers are growing. 

We all have had tough times in our lives, how we respond is different for all of us. Most of us have the ability to survive in much life gives us. Some decisions are critical. 

I am sure we are fortunate, and I believe we are lucky, but I have to think things through and make good decisions. Fortunately our decisions have been in our best self interest. 

Hoping this continues is what we all do. 

Making it happen is what we are all tasked with. So far so good. 

This story touched a nerve in me, I believe it helps how I view people that are homeless. I will see people now, not judge as harshly as I have before, but understand circumstances have not all been the same for everyone. 

We are very fortunate.

I don't take this for granted. 

Life is good, very good, even in Quaritine 😁🤗♥️♥️♥️ 

Leaving Yuma, or going home? Hmm? Corona virus has changed all our lives.

Here we go getting ready to leave the sun & warmth of our winter Oasis for our spring rains & cold nights on our island. Not a totally unpleasant thought, knowing we will  be seeing our children, grandchildren & friends again. That spring flowers will be up everywhere, and when the sun shines it will be beautiful and warm. I see our small island so much differently now, as from a distance with the world in upheaval, it seems so small.

Where to start is my delema at this moment. So much forces us to make the decision to travel home earlier than our plan. Lucky we can make the decision, not have it made for us.

We, most all of us, have been watching as this virus has spread throughout our world. We see it daily change how we act as the information is town at us in the most brutal ways. We want definitive information, yet most of what we get tells us there is still so much unknown.

Anyway, friends and family are concerned that we should be on our way, the resort we stay at is getting emptier, and much that we would do here is being closed down, so might as well make the move now. Still yesterday after packing the basement of the trailer up, and getting our home all ready to travel I just had to have a last swim. 

Man was that nice, good to leave on a warm relaxed day, while the world seems to be falling apart on the TV, and in the stores. I shake my head as I peck away here. 

I met two couples at the pool that were yakin, of course I joined in for a minute before my swim. Terry extended his hand and I shook it knowing the new rules, I still was not able to turn away a friendly gesture we all have used all our lives. 

Then as I swam one couple left. As they said there good byes I realized the two guys had met in the gym. As they yaked they talked about getting to the bottom pin! They were talking about achievement at a piece of equipment in the gym. Common ground. Isn't that where we all start, friendship starts there. 

These two guys were saying good bye, and also saying see you next year, maybe.

After my swim I sat and drank my beer I brought, and yaked with the couple left, Terry and Shawna from Northern Saskatchewan. He had just bought a park model here at Sundance in December, sight unseen from an older couple from Naniamo. They looked very tanned as if they had been in the sun most every day. As we talked I realized Shawna had been a month in Mexico, and had only been here a couple weeks. They seemed very happy together. Shawna was leaving early tomorrow as she had a flight to catch in Phoenix at 10am. Terry was going to stay till the end of April as his medical was paid up. 

I said to them, "Terry, you'll probably be going home soon, as it's going to be lonely here" he agreed. This place is going to get very quiet now, so many leaving all same time. The news dictates it.

So moving forward we will have to quaritine when we get home, this we have plans for, but will surely be tough as I like to be out and about. At least trails are many at Arrowvale where we will stay for the next few months. Bosco will be happy to be back sure.

Life is strange right now, getting home may be just what we need, who knows 😀

Loving our life as we move forward. 👉

Always liked the cowboys saying, 

Forward Hoe 🤠 

Back in Yuma, so "Mexico, how was it?"

Our group we traveled with Ian & Deanna Carruthers, & Rock & Janine Kellog sure made it a fun relaxing trip 😀🤣🤣

The question we get asked "How was your trip to Mexico?" Great, really Great.

Before we left we heard many stories from many people about how unsafe Mexico is, and not to go or take a chance. We went anway, and are happy we did. 

We got back safe and sound after spending February 1st traveling to San Carlos, Sanoro, Mexico & staying at Tonaka RV park till the 29th, then left on myMarch 1st for Peurto Penasco till the 5th. 

Our first trip to Mexico with our trailer and truck. We were worried as so many stories of trouble, but we had not one incident. People were friendly, services were a little different than here, but fuel was easy to get, and groceries were very easy to get. Fresh fruit and vegetables were brought to the RV park once a week, fish lady came Twice a week with fish, shrimp & lobsters, 5 gallon bottles of water was every day delivery to your trailer, propane truck came by every day, even if we didn't need any. 

Our friends from Port Alberni greeted us after we got set up, Glen & Carleen Tilly, Janni & Glen Pearson. Also met Roy & Sherri Little, & Ed & Kathy Carrier all from Port. There were many people from all over BC, Canada & USA. 

We had fun at 🐎 🐎 🐎 horse races for Pesos, and happy hours at many places. Meeting many others that are here for first time as well. We went to happy hours around town, and dinner at many good restaurants in San Carlos. 

Our first night we went to a Greek restaurant on the beach with a band that played all Jimmy Buffet songs all night, as we had our feet in the sand, and munched on Cheese 🍔 Burgers in Paradise 😎😀😁

Beers 🍺🍺 we're good too!

Was a fun way to start our visit here. 

We traveled into Guaymas, a much bigger city south of San Carlos. Walmart was our shopping this day and was a new experience as nobody spoke English, this wasn't a tourist town. We got what we needed and back to our park. 

The beach was across the street from the park, but was a small inconvenience crossing and sand was nice to walk in, and Shell's were plentiful. Dolphins in the bay were a regular sight, and boats of many kinds fished with net, and rods. Also boats that cruising along showing charter's the 🐬 Dolphins as they came up in front of the boats.

We spent a day at the Pearl farm that produces black pearls, and many varried colours of different Pearl's. The tour was very informative, as we learned that pearls are not created from grains of sand which we all thought and we're told. Of course we bought one Pearl 😁

All in all we had a very good time in San Carlos and will go back again next year. 

We traveled to Peurto Penasco with an additional couple Glenn & Margret Caputo a couple we met as neighbors at our RV Park, we got to know them well, they are from Trail BC. We will see them again sure. We stayed at Playa de Oro RV park on the beach, was nice to walk to the beach without crossing a road. The park was in an area that is older, and a little run down, but was in demand years ago.

Peurto Penasco was different than San Carlos, a little less organized, and more stray dogs, as well as roads that needed much repair. The Malecon was very nice, with much sales of so much collectable stuff and many restaurants. 

The beaches were beautiful, and you could walk forever.

We visited Tony & Christine Parra, a couple we met at Totonaka RV park, they were staying Playa Bonita RV, this is where we would stay if we go back again. Was a better beach, and close to town. We had a good last visit with them, will see them again sure. 

Our trip back through Lukeville Boarder crossing was uneventful, we had our passports checked, and we're waved through. All except Ian & Deanna, they had the dogs sniffing them so a check was in order. We waited on the edge of the road for about 15 minutes, then off we went back to Yuma.

Waiting for Ian & Deanna at boarder check

As I write I'm shaking my head, this was so much easier that we thought, and beaches that were worth the travel. We have found new adventure in Mexico 😎🌮🌯🇲🇽

Next year we will surely go back again, with much less concern. Love this life😁

Comfort zone? What's yours?

         Mountain View RV Ranch

We left Mountain View RV Ranch, south of Tucson, AZ. close to the boarder on February 1st for San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico. All of us hopefull we would have a safe, uneventful trip to Totonaka RV park. 

We had done our homework, thanks to Deanna & Ian, Janine & Rock. We bought our tourist cards in Algodonas, a boarder town close to Yuma. Margaritas & lunch were good there too🥂😀

L-R  Polly, Lyn, me, Janine, Rock, Ian, Deanna.

          Mmm 😋 good Margaritas 

Next we applied for insurance by fax and telephone,  and received our Mexican vehicle insurance, as well as our medical insurance for mexico, all in one application. I checked at the vet for Bosco, all his shots up to date no need for a check. We bought some pesos for the highway tolls on the way down. Made sure our rig and truck were all good to go. Got a tire fixed the day before, slow leak was a bolt stuck through the tire. Glad I got that done ahead of time.

All 🦆🦆🦆 ducks in a row and off we go.

We lined up as we left with Rock leading, us in the middle, and Ian behind us. At the boarder a wrong turn ended up just a little confusing, but we went through and we're directed to a wide spot where the Mexican Boarder official checked our vehicle identification number on the trailer with our registration, and looked inside the trailer. 

OK, your good to go. Hmm, that was easy, but now I'm in the lead and was not prepared for this. So I went a short way down the road to a wide spot and pulled over. We regrouped, and off we went. The road was narrow at first as we drove through Nogales the housing was shack like, unexpected, yet accepting. I'm thinking, "I wished I could get a picture here". We are definitely in Mexico now!

First time I have ever drove in Mexico.

 The concrete road looks rougher than in USA, just a little different.

Not too far, a few miles and we were in the desert, traveling at between 60-65mph. Life is good😀 highway not too busy.

We pass through a toll booth south of Nogales $112. Pesos, then off we go. Next toll is $56 @ Magdalena, where the toll road goes around the small town. We stop here and fuel up and have a bite to eat. Breakfast 😁 

Again we travel fast & free 😎 Rock leading towards Hermosillo and the last 2 tolls. $176. + $227. Not bad, total $39.50 Canadian dollars.

 This is where the best highway change just happened, the bypass is complete, and we pass through easily, missing the Hermosillo, capital of Sonora with all the traffic and confusion. Most of the highway is concrete, with some pavement.

          Magdalena is the red dot

We stop for fuel around lunchtime and after a half hour we are on the road again.

One more stop at a fuel station for a break, i fill up again, just in case, even though only 1/2 hour away from San Carlos now. 

                        We made it!

            Entrance to Totonaka RV

After a short break we head onto our RV Park, register, and pick our site. Wow, all went so smooth. I can't believe how concerned we were over what turned out to be such a uneventful trip. We are all feeling much better about driving in  & staying in Mexico now. 

    Our welcoming party, friends from PA

Dinner & Music with friends our first night

         We made it to the beach ♥️🤗

Hurry hurry, Rush, rush 🏃‍♀️🏃🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

       My view as I write this today😊😎

Our lives as we go are mostly in a hurry. Alabama has a song for this, and as I tap here I look up the song and listen. So easy to get what you want now, so fast too. I want to listen to a song, plink, and there it is. I want a meal, plink and it's on its way. You want information, and again plink, and you have so much you have to check to see what the real goods. 🤔

We think what is here on the internet is true, even though we know it might be misinformation, we often don't sift through it to see, we often accept what's written.

So as we go rushing around in a hurry, we hear a few words on TV, or radio, we read a few on the net, and we believe much that is not true. Then we continue to rush and hurry to get, be, have what? Shaking my head again, and a little snicker 🤭

I have found a place where early in the morning I can write, and relax in the sun as everybody hurrys off to were ever as fast as they want. 

i pulled up my pants legs, and catch the warm sun, listen to the sounds, and enjoy the hurry around me, people walking dogs, people going to work, many times quiet too. 

There is a stop sign in front of our RV park, and most do not stop, but some do. 

Better pick up my pace. It's a race, and there ain't no room for someone in second place 😲

All I really gotta do is live and die, but I'm in a hurry and don't know why.🤣🤣🤣

We are conditioned from early in life, and all through life to be there early, be there first, get er done, hurry, you don't want to be last. 

Talking with others we met yesterday I again learned we can, and do plan to take our time as we go along at this time in our lives. We take time to smell the 🌹☕🌹🥀🌹 roses as the saying goes. 

Today that's exactly what I have done, woke early 5:30, stayed in bed and listened to the sounds of the cars go by early, first just a few, then more. Then the birds and the sound of Polly sleeping and Bosco too, he concerns me as never know when his days will end, so I listen closely for his breathing, and give him a pat to make sure all is good.

Coffee ☕ is my next move, and then the day starts to light up

 

and I take a walk to the ocean and watch a fisherman and the dolphins 🐬 as they start their day searching for food. 

As I sit and plink away, the young guy comes and waters the plants here in front of the office. Everything by hand here, labour is cheap, so much is done by hand, where we have higher labour costs, so we make machines to labour. Save us time, as we are as the song says, "In a hurry"

I see people here that are doing there daily routine, not hurried. I'm learning to do the same😊🤗♥️

Loving life here in Mexico, San Carlos at Totonaka RV park 😎🇲🇽🌴

OK what's next 😁

Good Morning 🌞 Sunshine 😎

If you think about how we all think, (most won't) we start out with a want, something, new car, house, clothes, money, whatever, or just a feeling, happy, secure, love. So many choices we have. The part I notice often is when you get, achieve, fulfill your desired want your mind goes directly to "OK, what's next!" Often before you really enjoyed what you now have. I laugh as I tap away here, we are now in Mexico, with many others, a trip I planned many years ago myself, and talked with others about doing and they planned, and as a group we made it here. Then my planning mind goes to, what's next... 🤣🤣🤣 I laugh quietly as Polly was sleeping, now she is awake, Bosco puked, woke her up fast. Now Polly says, what time is it? 5:30am😁😲

I don't think she's getting up.

What I was trying to get to was we all seem to want, and when we get whatever it might be, our mind often goes to "What's Next" 

Here I sit in my easy chair, comfortable, on my way to my 2nd cup of coffee, ☕☕(Mmm 😋good) thinking and being satisfied with this beauty place we have traveled to. And what comes to mind, What's next! LoL 🤣

Well for now it will be the next walk on the beach, and the look around where we are, but the underlying thought is to move on to the next whatever. Why I'm not sure, just wanted to let you know, put it out there, that this is what we all do. 

If someone told me 10 years ago this is how my life would be at 63 I'm not sure I would have believed them. Not sure how long this plan has been in my mind, but here we are. Polly was a very big NO a few years ago, but as the opportunity to do this came forward she came in board, and darn, here we are.

 Lucky?  well it was planning, as well as meeting people that wanted the same experience, and connection to continue the plan, and commitment. This is how we 3 couples managed to be here, by the water, on the beach, with our asses in the sand and a beer 🍺 in our hand. 

 Sounds so great, but I do like a chair better, and a group of friends sitting around talking, laughing, a beer in hand, some food on the table as we continue to plan the next part of our adventure. We did this yesterday afternoon, funny how it started so casually just a beer and a yak, then comes another couple, and another, and a new face shows up, and the plans go forward with more people on the same path. 

Darn I love this life, as I tap here on this phone I shake my head, really, I'm shaking my head chuckling. What a way to live. I think we are living like the songs we have heard are about, except we still have our Wife, or Husband, truck, trailer, dog, and some $ to help us along 😘🤗

♥️🌴🌴Loving life here in San Carlos, 🌴🌴Mexico 🇲🇽

Happy New year 2020 now what?

    Squinting as we look forward to 2020

  Looking 👓 forward 🔍the future is Bright

Beginning a new year is always fun, and as we enter this year we leave behind a fun filled year with some frustrating moments, as well as times we just didn't know exactly how to react to situations. Mostly we, Polly & I had just so much fun. 😄😁

Friday we drive to Palm Springs to pickup Polly's sister Lyn, she will stay here with us for most of January and we will have more fun, darn😃🤣🤣🤣

Looking past that we will meet up with friends we met along our travels that have the same interests, Ian & Deanna and 2 other couples that we will travel with in a caravan to San Carlos, Mexico for the month of February. A new experience we are looking forward to. Not sure how this will go, but likely will be just more fun! 😊🤗 🇲🇽🌮🌯 ♥️ Ahh, we can handle it I'm sure.

March we have a loose plan to make our way back to B.C. visiting new places as we go. Never know where we will go, or what we might see. When this kinda time happens, Polly usually comes up with a

"I was thinking!" LoL 🤣

Looking forward to this year we have plans to visit the North. Yukon, Alaska

and Northern B.C. We have to and want to return to Vancouver island before we go and stay awhile, Polly has to have cateract surgery, and we have a few hugs, to give and get, as well as stories to hear, and a few to tell. Then all going well set our sights on the highways North in late May.

As we make up a plan I'm always thinking ahead of who we will stop and see along the way as each town we pass through we have family and friends. Thinking will they be busy? Will we be able to spend time with them? What is the best time? But as we go we likely will just go, and let it get sorted out as we go. 

The route we take is likely through the center of BC, and towards Dawson Creek where the Alaska Highway starts. Planning to be in Dawson City for June 21st as longest day of the year, I'm told is a big celebration there. We like to celebrate, and the longest day in a place that has some of the shortest days will be fun I'm sure.

Then the trip towards and around Alaska with so much to see is planned for the next month. With no schedule ahead for sure we will take our time and get a real good look around, likely will be just one time we will go there. 

Then we may just head East after this, not sure. This is play it as we go, stay in BC till we head south again, or make this the big trip East again. One of the determining factors is Polly's next surgery as the second eye will have to be done, and never know when that will be scheduled. 

Planning is all good, but as we now have to deal with Dr planning too, we must always be able to adapt to the next change in plan. Life goes on. 

Now for today's plan 😊, friends arrived yesterday that we haven't seen since last year at this time, so got to go have a visit with them today for sure, a walk with Bosco, Polly is going to give him a bath today. Poker at high noon. Oh and Happy hour at the pool at 3, gee time sure flies when you're having fun! 😃🐾🐾😎🤣🤣