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4-29-30-2024 & 5-1-2024
We have had 3 days of doing nothing. I have had 3 solid days of some of the worst back and leg pains so far on our adventure. It is a little tough rationing pain meds some days. The minimalist way of life required for the RV lifestyle takes a little getting used to.
Had Dinner last night with our dear friends Joan and Kenneth Norris. They live here in Vegas and it is always good to spend some time with them.
4-28-2024
We got reservations for Red Rock Canyon and headed over first thing this fine morning. This is one of those places you will always see something new
everytime you come. Changes in the plantlife, lighting, time of day and many other factors contribute to this. This place makes me wish I had my old legs and back. I really miss hiking. Later we went over and watched the water show at the Belagio and then a nightime view of The Sphere. It is really something at night. Click on image to see todays pictures.
4-27-2024
Our friend Miz Black joined us last evening for a couple of days. So today we went out and saw some stuff in Las Vegas. It is a very interesting town and we will see some out of the ordinary places to visit. On this day we tried to take the scenic drive thru Red Rock Canyon but found out you need a reservation in order to do that. So we made a reservation for tomorrow and headed into town to see the Fremont Street experience. This is something you need to see at least once in your life. It is a full blown multimedia experience. Music, dancing and lots to do. We had lunch at White Castle and then took off for Hoover Dam for a tour. One that took us down into the divergent tunnels and the turbine room. Definetly a worth while activity.
Click on the Image below to see todays pictures.
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4-26-2024
Today was just a clean up day. I think I am going to call a mobile RV repair to fix the holes in the back wall. They are small and while do penetrate the first layer of the wall they appear superficial. The new tow bar came into Camping World here in Vegas and I will pick it up first thing in the morning. I expected to have a few incidents and have to make some little repairs here and there but so far it has been one thing after another.
Nickels and dimes will quickly drain the piggy bank. We just been hanging today waiting on our friend Michelle who is joining us for a couple days here in Vegas. We are looking forward to it.
I would like to take a minutee and comment about material on this site. It has become painfully obvious to me that I cannot produce content on a professional level as fast as I want. Getting old is not for sissies. If you have been checking in on a regular basis you know we did not get any practice trips with the RV. That means we took to the road cold and have been making all those fun little discoveries as we went. Now with the first month under our belt we will be broadeining our presentations to more than pics and quick descriptions to the full multimedia videos we normaly produce. That means keep coming back and reading the dailies, seeing the pics and partake in the worlds beauty as Miss Lynn and myself stumble through life.
4-25-2024
We have been planning to live on the road like Gypsies for a long time. When talking about it just about 100% of the people I discussed it with
agreed it was an wonderful idea and they all would love to do it. The fantasy of being truly free is something everybody has. The fantasy is great and you get so wrapped up in it you forget a bunch of stuff. Like you still have daily stuff that has to get done. The floors still need to be swept. The laundry still has to be done. shopping, cleaning and a bunch of stuff that also needs attending to. We only traded our apartment for the RV. The only difference is the scenery outside that front door. We have only been at this for a month but we have learned a million things. The fantasy is one where everything runs like it should. The reality is things break and they wear out and it is going to cost money on upkeep. Today we had another incident with the RV and the Jeep. I had a moment where I needed to hit the brakes. I stopped in time but the jeep bent the tow bar and it flipped the front of the Jeep into the back of the RV. Now I need to replace the tow bar and get the backwall repaired. A grand here and a grand there, pretty soon it becomes real money. The only pic I got for you today is the Jeep in the bent tow bar.
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4-24-2024
We got the Jeep back first thing this morning and immediatley took it out to Snow Canyon State Park. Beautiful drive, Jeep works great.
I am sure you have noticed by now that I love shooting landscapes. Click on the image below to see some from Snow Canyon today. Snow Canyon is a great little State Park that has some real diverse hiking trails that lead to volcanic tubes, caves and scenic landscapes. Click on the image below to see todays pictures.
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4-22-23 2024
We planned on getting up at 4am so we could be at the Jeep dealer in Saint George when it opened. However it was the same old story about wait time. They recommended a placce, same story, their recommendation however was a hit and they were a transmission shop. We dropped off the Jeep they said 2 days and we went and got a RV space and slept the afternoon away. Tuesday the 23rd we just did little chores like grocery shopping and laundry. You sometimes get caught up in the fantasy of visiting all these cool places and foret the everyday things still need attending. Sorry Kiddies no pics today.
4-21-2024
With the day to just hang out we realy wanted to take a drive through Bryce Canyon. We would need to do it the RV and now that I am feeling comfortable driving it, it should not be a problem. When we got to the entrance of Bryce we were informed of a list of scenic overlooks we were banned from because of the RV. It doesn't cost me anything because I have the senior pass, so it shouldn'tbother me but it does. Regardless, we went inside and visited the overlooks that we could. We have been here many times and have some great pictures and memories.
Click on the image to see todays pictures.
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4-19-20-2024
Waking up
the morning of the 19th left us with the very real fact we have no car and need to get the clutch fixed asap. We hooked up the Jeep and headed back towards Moab. Every repair shop we approached was the same story, "Can't get to it for a week or 2" This means we need to get to a bigger city. I called Saturday to a Chysler Jeep dealer in Saint George who said they would take a look at it on Monday. So we hobbled down the road and paused for a quick visit at one of our favorite plaes Goblin Valley. If you have been following us for a while you know we have even flown our drone here. Afterwords it was a venture out into the dispersed camping areas outside of Goblins. And in case you are not aware of what dispersed camping is. Basicaly it is free camping on federal land. Usually on land administered by the B.L.M. (Bureau of Land Management) Although you will alo find it in many national forests. There ws a small storm moving in so there was some very interesting wind that came and went throughout the night.
The next morning was beautiful and we once again hobbled down the road. Went down a different way than I intended but somehow ended up in Bryces Since we had until monday we decided to get an RV hookup for the next 2 nights and get a little rest. One thing they never mention in the brochure is how physically taxing this kind of lifestyle can be on a 60+ year old body. There is a lot to do living on the road. My back and legs have seen pain levels that sometimes put me to tears. Miss Lynn had a streak of 4 days without a fall. I am really holding out hope we can get her back to normal walking and balance. My girl is a real fighter and is going through something I can't imagine. Even with all of my physical chalenges.
4-18-2024
Today was one crazy day. We dec00ided since we were in the Needles District of Canyonlands, we would try one of its most famous trails, "Elephant Hill". I knew it was a tough trail but holy cow! It was fun and completly challenging but unfortunatley we blew our clutch out and was stuck blocking the trail. Fortunetly for us a man named Cory and his family came along and dragged me off the trail. I did not get his last name but I am extremly grateful for his help. Thanks again Cory. We then had to hire a recovery service to get us out. The service that waas called was the Trailmater who is pretty famous on youtube. They showed me that while the clutch was out, in 4 low it was possible to slowly creep it out of the canyon. Then they impressed the hell out of me by doing just that. Pretty incredible driving guys!!!! Thank you very much for everything. Click on the image to see the days pics.
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4-17-2024
We packed up and left the KOA in Moab and I have nothing but nice things to say about the property and the staff. We will definetly be back. As we headed south with The Needle District of Canyonlands National Park as todays goal. First we had a couple of stops with one of them being the Needles Overlook. We have been to Canyonlands before and looking for a place to duck out for a couple of days This would be the perfect place. We lucked out and got a disabled access campsite. Setup everything and
then took a drive. This part of Canyons NP does not have a lot of luxuries and is a dry camping area. We picked the Elephant Hill Trail to explore the next day.
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4-16-2024
Today has been a great day. I am sitting here writing down some thoughts of what we did today and I am really starting to relax. This new way we are living is good for me and I am starting to resent every moment I wasted in an office. I know I should have done this years ago. Today we were up and at em early. We decided to go back out to Hurrah Pass and Chicken corners. Trails we have done before and knew it would be another test for our little Jeep. I am also happy to report that it did great. There is nowhere we can't go. Click on the image to see todays pics.
I also want to gve a shout out to a young man named EVAN who traveled the Chicken Corners trail with us today. We hope where he split off from us he had continued safe travel.
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4-15-2024
Today was going to be a busy day. Miss Lynn wanted t get out early so we could see the night sky. Moab is in an area that has been designated as a dark sky area. We got out early enough but there were rain clouds starting to move into the area. Those same cloods helped with the light as the sun began to rise, We got some great shots and went back to town
for lunch and a lttle rest before driving out to Dead Horse Point State Park. We had been there once before but didn't get the greatest of pictures and we wanted to try again. We did not have any better luck the second time around. We arrived just in time for a rain/ice/snow storm hit and the pics were not good. Check out todays pictures here
4-14-2024
After coming down off of the mountain we had a little time to kill before checking back into the KOA so we did a little shopping, washed the RV and Jeep then did our laundry.
Got to keep the everyday things straight.
4-13-2024
We stayed the night up on La Sal mountain. We found a disperesed camping site along with several other vagabond campers and it was real nice. We got up early and headed back into Moab. After running a few errands we decided to drive along the Colorado river along the Kane Creek side to hopefully find a nice little campground but it being a Saturday there was no luck there. Went back sevral miles and finally parked it and took the Jeep off for a little 4 wheeling fun. We had found ourselves at the begining of the Hurrah pass and Chicken corners trails both of which traveled on last year
and it was fun so why not? The first part of the drive along Kane Creek is incredible with its towering walls hundreds of feet above.
Click on image to see more of todays pics
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This area is extremly busy and while the trail for the first part is wide enough for 2 vehicles be careful. There are a lot of reckless people out there. We had decided to go to Chicken corners but we made a wrong turn somewhere and ended up on a portion of trail that shouldn't be traveled alone so we turned around discovered our mistake and again headed towards Hurrahpass and Chicken Corners but by that time it was getting late in the afternoon and we had not eaten or found a camping spot for the night. so we postponed Chicken Corner for another day. It seemed like all the campgrounds were full so we headed back to La Sal mountain where we stayed the night before. It was another lovely evening. |
4-12-2024
We are still getting used to
this free gypsy lifestyle. Learning how to setup and break camp takes time. Finding good RV sites is tricky and I have a feeling there are going to be times we can't find a spot and will have to park in some unusual places. All part of the experience I guess. I am having fun but the pain levels are out of control at times. But now that I think about it, it was the same way sitting at home. I am loving this new way of life. I am however worried about Miss Lynn. So far her balance has not improved but it has only been 2 weeks. She tells me she is having fun but I am not sure. She falls far too often and I am worried it is only a matter of time before she suffers a serious injury. I try and help her up and down everytime she moves but she is obstinate and tries to do it herself which far too often results in a fall. By the time we got packed up and on the road it was midday and we needed to find a good camping spot for the night. We took the La Sal mountain loop road and found a great place and decided to camp for the night. Click the image to see some of todays shots.
4-11-2024
We stayed the night in the KOA campground and it was
real nice. Got up early and headed into Arches National Park. This park has become one of our favorites and it has a fairly intense 4wheeler trail. The tower arch trail as it is called has 2 parts to it and the first part has a very challenging section that I thought Miss Lynn wouldn't like but she was a trooper. We took some great pictures and went back to Moab for lunch. We decided to go for the Schafer switchbacks trail in the afternoon. We had actually tried this trail last June when we came here but had to turn back because we thought we had lost my phone. I am glad we went back t was a great trail to drive.
Check out the days pics.
4-10-2024
Today was the first day of actual adventure. By the time the oil change was done yesterday we went back to the campground to checkout and fill up the propane tanks. The heater had gone out in the middle of the night so we figured it was time. The guy at the KOA said they could not do it. Stating since it was new and since it is the first real fill up it needed to be purged and they did not do that. So off on another 30 mile trip across town. (For being such small cities they are really spread out) once this was done it was midday and we are still in Idaho. From there we hit the road and made some distance ending up in Price Utah spending the night in their walmarts parking lots. Wednesdy morning left us with only 120 miles to get to Moab. I had already decided we would spring for the first 2 nights at a full hook up campground. Still working out the bugs of living like this. I am not sure how Miss Lynn is taking to it. This Parkinsons she has is eating her up fast and it is a heartbreaking thing to go thru. Her balance has become so bad I need to walk her from seat to seat. I am hoping the forced increase in activity will get her balance back. Please keep her in your prayers.
We were lucky enough to find a KOA that let us check in early and that gave us plenty of time to hit a trail. The directions for the trail we wanted were not as acurate as I had hoped. Still we zipped around the hils for a few hours and really fell in love with our Jeep. We called it a little early so I could get caught up on this whatever this is.
Check out more pics here
One of our first looks at the Rockies
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The Lovely Miss Lynn Doing her best
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Saw this and thought space ships might come flying out
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4-8-2024
Well we took off from the daughters house and headed south east. We want to get to Moab Utah but this is the first time we have not had an actual agenda with places we have to be. It is really nice. So today when the warning light came up saying oil change needed we decided lets stop in Twin Falls Idaho. Shouldn't be a big deal and take too long. I was about to get a fresh lesson on life on the road. First of all not everybody services RV's. I thought Ford Truck, Ford dealer, Right? Guess again. So I ask who and of course they are closed shop so off to second on the list and of course they booked solid for the day and couldn't get to it until tomorrow but there was another place right around the corner. Needless to say we ended up coming back and taking the appointment for 8 in the morning. So tonight we stay in Twin Falls Idaho. Seems like a nice little town and will give us a chance to go out to Shoshone Falls. Miss Lynn have been here twice before but both time the volume of water was rather disappointing. I guess depending on the time of year the water is given to the farmers first drastically changing the beauty of the falls. Today however it was not the case.
4-5 thru 4-7-2024
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WOW On the road a week already. still raining and people have been commenting that we have not provided the beautiful pictures we promised. True! Our first few days have been traveling up to see the grandkids and getting used to the ins and outs of this RV. My daughter does not let the grandkids appear in any way shape or form online. I think it a good thing, however they are getting to the age where soon she will allow it. So while we have been spending time with these boys there are no pictures to share with you. That will change starting tomorrow. Day 8 has us traveling to Moab Utah. The landscape is pretty stark across southern Idaho and Northern Utah but by the time we hit the Rockies the landscape changes and the cameras will come out. I had to take the RV back to the tire shop again as the right rear outer tire was losing air pressure and it had only sat in 1 place for two days. Turns out they hadn't tightened the valve stem properly. |
4-4-2024
Day 4 has the skies opening up and rain coming down and of course I still needed to deal with the whole tire situation. I took it to a Les Schwab tire center and was told why these extended metal valve stems didn't have any flex to them and the break all the time. He had a fix at what I thought was a reasonable price and approved the work. He then came back a little while later and pointed out there was nothing wrong with the existing sensors. I approved using them and he cut the cost more than in half. I don't what your experiences have been with the mechanic trade but most mechanics I have met would have used the old sensors not said a word and billed per the original estimate. Les Schwab has a new customer that will spread the good word about who to go to for tires.
4-3-2024
Our third day of the great adventure has us waking in Fernley Nevada. We had a tire emergency and it was holding me up, so we were at Quinterros before 8:30. When the guys who run this place arrived they said they had no sensor but could replace the extended metal valve stem with a regular one. OK OK I just want to get to the Grand kids and get it fixed properly. He had it fixed in less than a half hour and charged me a reasonable rate. So off we go again but before we traveled 50 miles the interior tire on the drivers side began to leak air. We were still a good 200 miles from our daughters house in one of the most uninhabited
areas of the country. But off we go. The day was spent driving a mighty lonely road but still with its own type of beauty. Sage and tumbleweeds can have their own appeal. We made it to our daughters without any major incident
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4-2-2024
Morning of our second day was beautiful. Sunny skies dry roads are always good for traveling across the desert. We are taking the quickest way to the grandkids and that means some of the starkest landscapes around. As you cut across the Nevada desert you understand
why this place was choosen for the nuclear tests back in the 50's. Not that it doesn't have areas with charm of its own, it just enthrall you like so much of what is to come on this trip.
While we were way out in the middle of nowhere an alert came up on the dash about the inside right rear tire was losing air pressure. So we hobbled down the road to a place in Hawthorne where a young man told us that our valve stem covers were loose. He tightened them and sent us on our way. About 30 miles out of town the air pressure again began to drop in that same tire. Since it had 2 tires we continued to drive to the next town of Fallon where we went to the local Wal Mart. They did everything they could to help us but had no way to lift our rig to even get the tire off. They sent us to Fernley where they told us the Pilot station had the facilities to fix our tire. After another risky drive of around 70 miles we arrived at the Pilot station only to be told they did not have the valve stem or sensor for my tire. |
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They told us if anyone would have it a place around the corner called Quinterros would but they would not be open again until 8:30 in the morning. So it would be Fernly for the night. While it was an inconvienance they had a Loves truck stop and they allow people to park in their parking lots overnight for free. They are one of a number of companies that allow this. Walmart is another.
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4-1-2024
Today we kicked off our great adventure this morning leaving Thousand Trails Acton. We had to make a couple of stops as we went thru Antelope Valley and decided to check out Red Rock Canyon for the night. Definetly early stop but we have always wanted to stay there. This would give us a chance to unpack as we have still not completed that task.
Things are a little hectic with the way our schedule and plans were messed with. It will probably take a couple of weeks to hit our stride but we will get there and become a fun little site. Check out our first days vidclips here.
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