Taos, New Mexico – Day 5

The motorhome is currently parked at the Fraternal Order Of Eagles Airee #3849. I expect to be here for several days.

I took the Bronco and drove about three miles to the central plaza…and was greatly disappointed.

Many cities in the southwestern United States still retain the old Mexico flavor…that is a large central plaza with an old church usually 200-300 years old. Not so in Taos, New Mexico. It can be precisely described in only ten words…a small central plaza with shops, shops and more shops. Everything is so commercialized and touristy. How disappointing for a history buff like myself. Even those sites they claim as historical are presented in a very touristy way. A great place if you enjoy lots of art museums, art galleries, art shops and general tourist shops.

I spent two hours wandering around hoping to find something interesting and came away with these meager photos…

As always you may left click upon an image to see an enlarged view and then click once again to see an even larger view…

Enjoying beautiful historical sites is another joy in the life of a full-time RVer! No so today!

You can read all about the town of Taos by clicking this Wikipedia link…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taos,_New_Mexico

If you have not checked out my new Ramblin Man’s Photos Blog, you can do so by clicking this link…
http://ramblinmanphotos.wordpress.com/

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2012
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/panamaorbust

The Great Adventure Dinette Window Photos…So Far…

Back on November 29, 2011, I began what is my 6th circumnavigation of the United States. It will be Mary’s 2nd.

I’m calling it The Great Adventure, because it’s different from my other five circumnavigations…in which the routes were kinda-sorta preplanned. This time…with the exceptions of attending my oldest grand-daughter’s high school graduation in June 2013 in southeastern Connecticut…I don’t know where were will be going or when we will be there! Hence…The Great Adventure.

The only plan is to live a day-to-day lifestyle and let the wind blow us where it may!

Another thing different about this circumnavigation…in addition to our daily Blog entries documenting our experiences…is in every overnight parking spot I’ve decided to take a photo out of our dinette window.

For instance here’s the view out of our dinette window at our current parking location of Dancing Eagle Casino RV Park, Casa Blanca, New Mexico…

As always you may left click upon an image to see an enlarged view and then click once again to see an even larger view...

During the course of this two-year circumnavigation I’m expecting that we will park overnight in somewhere between 250 and 500 locations. In addition you need to know that when I park the motorhome…I do not say to myself…where’s the best view? It is strictly by chance what view ends up outside of our window.

You need also to remember that we overnight a lot at free locations such as Eagles and Moose Clubs, the American Legion and VFW. Free is good but the views are not always spectacular…but usually somewhat interesting.

Finally I started taking these photos once we departed Yuma, Arizona. Prior to that time all the previous overnight parking locations are repeats from previous times since I travel those routes somewhat regularly.

With that said, I’ve got 25 out-of-the-dinette-windows collected so far. You can see them all by clicking the below link. Once there, click the slide show button…
https://picasaweb.google.com/110455945462646142273/GreatAdventureDinetteWindowPhotos#

After viewing the 25 photos I think you’ll agree that the full-time RVing lifestyle exemplifies the saying of “Variety Is The Spice Of Life”! The constant changing of scenery, people, local foods and music is most stimulating. I never tire of it!

I intend to post this Blog entry periodically as The Great Adventure rolls along..

It will be fun to look at the 250 to 500 photos that will finally end up in this collection when the circumnavigation has been completed!

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2012
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/panamaorbust

2011-2013 – 6th Circumnavigation Of The USA…Update #2

This Blog posting…which I will post from time-to-time…will be used to present my/our travels on this almost two-year circumnavigation of the United States…my 6th…Mary’s 2nd. During these circumnavigations, I try to travel on roads I’ve not seen before…I’m about 90% successful in that regard.

The only things I know about our potential destinations during this upcoming adventure is that I/we plan to spend a good portion of 2012 exploring the State of New Mexico. In 2013 we’re planning to attend my oldest grand-daughter’s high school graduation in June in southeastern Connecticut. Other than that…we’ll just have to find out one-day-at-a-time where our fates will send us.

The trip began from Murphys, California on November 29, 2011 with 35,956.5 miles on the motorhome odometer. In addition to showing the route taken, I intend to also document where I/we parked during this journey. My guess is that within the about next 700+ days we will park in about 250-500 different places. Here’s the map so far which you may click on to see in a larger view…

#        Date          Location

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

001 – 11/29/11 – Bakersfield, CA – Loyal Order Of Moose – Lodge #2178

002 – 11/30/11 – Riverside, CA – Fraternal Order Of Eagles – Airee #997

003 – 12/01/11 – Thousand Palms, CA – Thousand Trails RV Resort

004 – 12/17/11 – Slab City, CA

005 – 12/18/11 – Winterhaven, CA – Paradise Casino

006 – 12/20/11 – Yuma, Arizona – About 12 miles north on BLM land

007 – 01/03/12 – Winterhaven, CA – Paradise Casino

008 – 01/09/12 – Slab City, CA

009 – 01/16/12 – El Centro, CA – Loyal Order Of Moose – Lodge #1033

010 – 01/17/12 – Winterhaven, CA – About 8 miles west on BLM land.

011 – 01/18/12 – Winterhaven, CA – Pilot Knob RV Park

012 – 01/22/12 – Winterhaven, CA – Quechen Indian Casino

013 – 01/23/12 – Yuma, AZ – American Legion Post #19

014 – 01/24/12 – Wellton, AZ – VFW Post #6790

015 – 01/25/12 – Painted Rocks Historic Park, AZ

016 – 01/27/12 – Ajo, AZ – VFW Post #3570

017 – 01/28/12 – Organ pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ

018 – 02/02/12 – Apache Junction, AZ – Loyal Order Of Moose #2039

019 – 02/03/12 – Apache Junction, AZ – Golden Sun RV Resort

020 – 02/13/12 – Tucson, AZ – About 20 miles north at Mary’s friend’s home.

020 – 02/17/12 – Tucson, AZ – Loyal Order Of Moose #1964

021 – 02/24/12 – Nogales, AZ – VFW Post #2066

022 – 02/27/12 – Lake Patagonia, AZ – Arizona State Park

023 – 02/29/12 – Sierra Vista, AZ – VFW Post #9972

024 – 03/03/12 – Douglas, AZ – Belle Starr’s Silverado Ranch

025 – 03/06/12 – Columbus, NM – Pancho Villa State Park

026 – 03/11/12 – Deming, New Mexico – Rockhound State Park

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2012
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/panamaorbust

Here’s Where We’ve Been…

for the last three days and nights while we waited for the repairs to my Ford Bronco II transmission to be accomplished by my friend/mechanic Mike…here in Monroe, Washington.Mike did the work at his home only a couple of miles from here. This place belongs to the Fraternal Order of Eagles and has about six RV parking spots in a park-like setting along a small river. It’s been a very nice, peaceful and enjoyable stay only a short walking distance from the small downtown.

But the work is now completed and so this morning we’ll depart for Thousand Trails RV Resort in La Connor, Washington for a brief four-day stay. The weather lately has been just delightful…70-75 degrees…sunny with a few scattered clouds and a very pleasant gentle breeze. The Weather Wimp…as my life-partner Mary calls me…has been a very happy camper! 

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2011
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://lulu.com/panamaorbust

We Visit The Eagles In Monroe, Washington.

Yesterday Mary and I drove the motorhome the about 60 miles south  from Bow to Monroe, Washington. We’re back for a three night stay while my friend/mechanic Mike pulls the transmission from my Ford Bronco II to replace a leaky seal. While the transmission is out…I’m going to have him replace all the transmission seals as well as the engine rear main seal. Mike’s place is only about two miles from this site…but there’s no room to park the motorhome…so we’re park at the Eagles #2327 RV parking area. It’s located along a small river about one mile away from the Eagles Club itself in downtown Monroe. We’re expecting the work to take two days. Mike said his nephew will be helping him. I told him that I would also be available if he needed me.

It was pretty, peaceful and quiet…and only $10.00 a night for electricity and water. Normally we would stay at Thousand Trails while in this area but the park only has 97 sites and it’s booked solid through the Labor Day weekend. So this becomes a really convenient place to stay while the work is accomplished on the Bronco. Mary and I spent one night here about six weeks ago.

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2011
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://lulu.com/panamaorbust

It’s Called Lone Tree Point For A Reason…

Yeah, you got it…a large tree on a point of land projecting into Padilla Bay of Puget Sound. It’s part of the one-half mile of waterfront of where I am currently camped at Thousand Trails RV Resort in La Connor, Washington. Here are all the photos I’ve taken so far that show the tree…

Let’s start with a couple of Google Earth views. First from 2,455 feet directly above you can see the total campground layout…

Moving slightly south and down to an elevation of 514 feet, we get a view looking in a northerly direction…

Now down on ground level here are the photos that I’ve taken…

In the last two photos, yes, it’s an Eagle which frequently can be seen there atop the tree. Even the Eagles likes it here. I would venture to say that everyone physically able who visits this campground takes the time to walk on to Lone Tree Point. It’s a very delightful, almost spiritual, kind of place.

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2011
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://lulu.com/panamaorbust

Eagles Club #2327 RV Parking Area, Monroe, Washington

Yesterday Mary and I drove the motorhome the about 13 miles from Everett to Monroe, Washington. The parking area is located along a small river about one mile away from the Eagles Club itself in downtown Monroe.

It was pretty, peaceful and quiet…and only $10.00 a night for electricity and water. Today we’ll move the about six miles to Thousand Trails Thunderbird RV Resort along the shore of the Snohomish River in Monroe.

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2011
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://lulu.com/panamaorbust

Last Night I Lost My Cherry-oke!

I left Manteca, California yesterday morning and drove about 50 miles to arrive in Sacramento not knowing where I would be parked for the night.

When I’m approaching a city/town with which I am not familiar, I get on Google Earth to seek out possible places to park such as American Legion, VFW, Eagles and Moose Clubs, sometimes even a Wal-Mart. All I’m really looking for is a spot that is relatively flat, safe and quiet. Since our motorhome has a solar panel, I really do not need an electrical hook-up as we get our electricity from the sun.

Approaching a larger city like Sacramento is a little more difficult because as the population intensity increases, property prices increases, which usually means parking lot size decreases. Such was the case here. There seemed not many choices in this part of the city. My first prospect was VFW Post #1267.

Google Earth allows me to zoom down on their parking lot to evaluate how well it might accommodate the size of the motorhome and the Bronco of which the total length is 46 feet. Hmmmm…it didn’t look very promising…

Since it was my first potential I decided to swing into the parking lot to check it out. I ended up getting permission to park from the post commander as shown by the yellow line. And am I ever glad I stopped here!

At this point I must tell you that In my many years of Rving that I have stayed overnight in hundreds of similar places. Usually people are friendly wherever I stop. But this place is the friendliest place of everywhere I’ve experienced! Only about 30 people were there, but each and every one of them noticing a strange face (me) came over and introduced themselves and welcomed me to their post. Now that’s something that has never happened to me before!

At 4:30 PM during happy hour I went in for a drink. Only a few folks so I left deciding to come back for the karaoke at 7:00 PM. That’s when all the friendly folks approached. Scotty was the karaoke DJ (the guy in the cowboy hat) and he did an excellent job. Everyone here liked my favorite kind of music,,,classic country from the 60′s 70′s and 80′s…all right! One thing I noticed was that EVERYONE sang including the bartender.

Sure enough folks were soon asking me if I sang and I told them I had never sang karaoke before. Sure enough Scotty urged my to lose my cherry-oke, his term for losing one’s virginity to singing in public. I had had just enough to drink…so how could I refuse?

Are you ready to see me lose my cherry-oke? What song did I decide to sing? If you’ve got the courage, click this link…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aewbjWZdIhk

I got to thinking this morning, how appropriate it was to lose one’s cherry on April Fool’s Day!

My only disappointment was that my life-partner Mary wasn’t here to share the occasion with me at this very friendly place. I’ll just have to make sure I get her here on a Friday night (karaoke night) sometime soon.

I’ll spend one more night here before moving on tomorrow morning. In case you are wondering…there’s no karaoke on Saturday night, but all my good friends will be there!

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2011
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://lulu.com/panamaorbust

So, What Do I Do While In Banishment?

I jokingly refer to my separations from Mary as “Banishment”. In reality when we first got together in 2008, that was part of the deal. She still has a home and four rentals that require her attention, so we knew that 3-4 times a year she would have to return home to attend to business.

She claims I’m a distraction (Who, Me?) whenever I’m at her home and “can’t get much done when you’re around”, So, she has requested I stay away so she can get things done. Hence my joke about being banished!

If you have not seen it, here’s our “business card” that we hand to people as we meet them on the road.

So, what do I do while in banishment?

Well, first of all,I try to stay in decent weather conditions. Then I try to take maximum advantage of my Thousand Trails RV Resort membership, so that I have maximum comfort during my banishment. That means security and utility-generated electricity.

Since I’ve traveled my usual Western route of Washington in the summer and the desert southwest in the winter for 16 years, I’ve seen most of the attractions.

So…here’s what I do…

I think a lot about what an interesting life I’ve had and lucky guy I am. All my life I’ve enjoyed wonderfully good health. At 70 years of age, I have never had any major illnesses or pain or surgery. I’m not on any kind of prescribed medications. I still have all of my own teeth and most of my hair. Can you put a price on that?

I think about my wonderful family and my many great friends and acquaintances.

I think about how lucky I am to have traveled so extensively in my life. 26 countries while in the U.S. Navy. I started RVing in 1962, retired at age 55 and have lived on the road full-time for the last 16 years. I’ve got a lot miles on my body and oh, the people I have met, the places I have seen and the experiences I had.

In addition, I…

* do my daily blog, do research and play spider solitaire on my computer,,

* go for walks,

*read (I’ve been an avid reader all of my life.) Why are a good book and an RV much alike? Both can take you to many wonderful places,

* visit friends and meet new people,

* chat with family and friends on my cell phone,

* visit with my fraternal brothers at the VFW, American Legion, Eagles and Moose,

* watch an occasional movie,

* get lots of rest and relaxation,

* listen to lots of great music on our XM satellite radio and six-channel surround-sound system,

* do routine maintenance and repairs to the motorhome and Bronco,

* miss greatly Mary’s wonderful meals.

Finally, I think about how lucky I am to have met my life-partner Mary. She is a delight and brings much laughter, joy and happiness to my life.

But as she and I have discussed…moderation is the key to a good life. So, in reality banishment is a good thing. It gives us time apart to think and reflect about our relationship and really appreciate the times we spend together.

Kind of brings a tear to your eye, doesn’t it?

I’ll leave you with on of my favorite photos of Mary…

Did I tell you she brings lots of laughter into my life?

So, in banishment, I think and appreciate what a lucky guy I am!

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2011
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://lulu.com/panamaorbust

Vernal, Utah

Jim says:

We had planned to leave Graig, Colorado at 9:00 AM. As usual I did my “walk-around” inspection on the out side of the motorhome and Bronco prior to heading down the road. One of my tire pressure indicators said I had low tire pressure on the outside rear tire on the driver’s side of the motorhome. I got out my trusty tire pressure gauge and instead on 90 #’s…it was reading 30 #’s. Not Good!

So I got out my electric tire air pump and re-inflated the tire to 90 #’s. Since the next town down the road was 120 miles distant…it was imperative we had the problem fixed before leaving town. We went to the local truck tire repair place and they found the extender to be leaking, We had a new one installed and by time we finally got on the road it was 11:30 AM. Along the way we crossed into the State of Utah…

Entering Utah

120 miles from Craig, the first town in Utah is Vernal. Mary drove about 100 miles and I drove about 20. The next town up the road is 120 miles away…so we decided to spend the night in Vernal. Utah appears to be a strange state…for outside of Salt lake city I cannot seem to find a Moose or Eagles Club…or a VFW or American Legion. Vernal does however have an Elks club and despite not being Elk members…they allowed us to park on their rear dirt parking lot for the night. The barmaid Sheila told us that beer is only 3.2% as opposed to all other states at 6.0. Then, the state law requires they have this electronic gizmo on the hard liquor bottles that regulates exactly one shot. Paper records are required to be kept to verify the clicker count controlled by the electronic gizmo. Sheila told us the Mormon religion is behind these strict alcohol regulations. In all of my travels, I have never seen one of these electronic gizmos before. Sure glad I do not live in Utah!

The below map shows our progress to Vernal, Utah.

Our progress to Vernal, Utah.

Today we’ll continue our westward-bound journey,

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2010
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