Daughters and December Birthdays

Where Are We Today

Pilot Knob RV Resort

Daughters and December Birthdays

I'm sure we all know someone who has a birthday in December, or you may be one of them. The closer to Christmas the birthday is, possibly less importance is put on it. Personally, we have a grandson, step - sister, 4 friends and a daughter with birthdays this month.

My four daughters, Krystal, Jessica, Charlotte and Yvonne

Bridgette my step daughter

Anyone with a December birthday is special, because you get to celebrate with the one that this Christmas season is all about, the birth of our Savior.

This post is about one of the people listed above, one of my daughters. I have been blessed to have four daughters and a step daughter, all intelligent, strong and beautiful, each in their own way, none the same.

Krystal Jane

 December 24th, 1983, about 3:20 pm, in a blowing snow storm, Krystal  Jane Richards came into this world. Her mother and I lived about 18 miles outside of the city of Stratford, Ontario. That morning we headed into town as Krystal was letting us know today was the day. Her mother didn't want to go to the hospital right away, so we went to my mom's, which was less than 1/2 a mile from the hospital.

 Krystal and I

I don't remember exactly what time we headed over, sometime just after noon, I think. We got checked in, up to the third floor and into a birthing room, which was something new at the time. With the wind howling, snow blowing and not being able to see a 100 feet out the window, she arrived. Perfect in every way.

So  today I want to let her know, you are not forgotten and you are loved, so a Very Happy Birthday to you Krystal.

Also a Merry Christmas to you and that special man in your life.

Krystal and Matt

That's it for this post, thanks for dropping in for a read on this special birthday. Until the next time, take care, stay safe, Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year.

 

Two Projects

Where Are We Today

Pilot Knob RV Resort

Winterhaven, Ca.

Two small projects have occupied a little of my time the past couple of days. The first was the replacing of the ball seal on our Domestic toilet. This is normally an easy task, with the water turned off, step on the foot pedal to open the ball, you grab hold of the old seal and pull it out. Then you make sure that the ball  the ring where the seal sits are clean. Depending on your water supply, there may be a build up of hard mineral deposits on these parts, as it was on ours.  While trying to get it all off the back side of the ball, pushing a little too hard, the arm on one side of the ball popped out of its socket. Now I have to remove the toilet to get it back in, which actually was a good thing, as it allowed me to remove a lot of hard mineral deposits from the inside of the base and around the ring seal at the floor. Once complete and re-installed, everything worked as it should. Sorry no pictures, not a pretty sight.

Cutting one of the uprights

Measuring one of the 6 inch pieces

Project number two, was making a support for our sewer hose. We have one of those cheap slinky type ones since our first RV 10 years ago, have never liked it. Now the one I have made, isn't anything new, you will see all kinds similar to this one. It is made from PVC pipe and plastic eves trough.

The first base and upright done.

The base is made with 4 elbows and 4 tees, 4 six inch pieces of pipe, 3 four inch pieces, 2 five inch pieces and 2 pieces at whatever height you want. The base is made by gluing two six inch pieces into each side of the tee, on the other end of the six inch piece is glued an elbow. Make two like this and then glue a 4 inch piece between two elbows. The upright pieces are made from two elbows with a four inch piece between them, a five inch piece sticking up in each one and whatever length on the bottom side to determine the height. The upright is not glued to the base, so it can be taken apart for storage.

Two uprights, the eves trough and still using the old slinky one until I get more eves trough.

The 10 foot piece of eves trough was cut in half so I can adjust for different lengths and also for storage. A second piece will be bought for longer lengths when needed. 

Hopefully the picture is worth the words to describe the above instructions.

Pat capturing me at work.

That's it for this post, thanks for dropping in. Until the next time, take care and be safe.

 

Where Are We Today

Pilot Knob RV Park

Christmas is almost here, another year has nearly slipped by and once again we find ourselves at pilot Knob RV Park in Winterhaven, California. This is our fourth year here and hope to have many more.

As Patsy has showed you her decorating of the Suite inside and eluded to my handiwork outside, I thought I should show you what I've done.

My Christmas Lights
With the extension on my flag pole, I ran lights all the way to the top and along the ground under the trailer. Added the solar string in the tree and the 3 candy canes also lights in 4 windows.

So that being said, here is a picture of exactly that. Short and sweet is all you get this time, but I hope you stay tune for more to come. Thanks for taking a peek, until the next time, take care and be safe.

 

Two For One

Where Are We Today

Elephant Butte State Park

Elephant Butte New Mexico

Lions Beach Loop "B" Site 75

Two For One

Good Morning from EBSP

Our drive yesterday from Saragosa, Tx. Rest area to EBSP was a pleasant one, bright sunshine and little traffic. The route continued on I-10 until just north of El Paso to Hwy 25, north to our present location. Climbing to almost 4700 ft. above sea level, we again enjoy the open country, cuts through the rock of the foot hills and mountains in the distance.

Thru the cuts in the rock. I-10

Entering New Mexico

Arriving, we took a drive to Lions Beach Loop "B" and found an open site, which we grabbed, and then cancelled our reservation in the Quail Run section. We prefer where we are over all the rest. Loop "B" is the only section that you can't make a reservation for, it is "first come first serve. The host told us that is to change next year and will be by reservation only, like the sites in the rest of the park. All set up around 2 p.m.

All setup on site 75

Today we woke to clear skies before the sun was up and Pat was out the door for her morning walk. I had my first brew of coffee for the day and read blogs. Once that was completed, washed and dressed, out the door I went. Today I wanted to empty the basement storage area, vacuum it out and do some re-organizing. I have an idea for getting rid of a couple of the rubber maid bins, so I wanted to test out my theory. When we get to Pilot Knob, I will try to make the changes. While doing this, I found that the track for the sliding doors down there was loose, so repaired that before putting items back in.

Basement emptied out

All clean and putting things back in

Test a switch I added to the water pump

The rest of the day, was a puttering around kind of day, playing with the satellite dish and getting out our string of solar lights and one  other solar light.

That's about it from me today, be sure to keep reading Patsy's blog for a more in depth read of our day. Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to any comments you wish to leave. As I type this the winds have picked up and gusting to 25 mph. Until the next time, take and stay safe.

Prayers and hugs to you George and Suzie.

 

Our first Road Runner of the Year beep-beep

 

Travel Day 11-17-2019

Where Are We Today

Rest Area Saragosa Texas

Tonight we are at this rest area , exit 212 off I-10, at the bottom of the exit ramp.

This has been a great travel day, leaving the Sam's Club parking lot just before 8 a.m., we were on I-10 within 5 minutes, rolling through the rest of the San Antonia construction. Being Sunday, there were only a couple of workers out moving pylons, probably for tomorrow. Even with this being major road work to I-10, the travel areas of it are fairly smooth, in fact, I would rate the days travel as being an 8 out if 10 for an average.

Construction at San Antonio

Our 347 mile route through this part of Texas sees a lot of open country and change in elevation, climbing from 600 ft. to over 3300 ft., with speed limits starting at 60 mph., then to 75 mph and finally topping out at 80 mph. We of course,  cruise along at 65 mph., that's plenty fast enough for our likening.

Up and down thru the cuts in the rock

The scenery is breath taking, as you look out over the open landscape, with the foothills rising to the mountains we will see tomorrow and the first glimpse of cactus. This is the southwest that we come to enjoy each winter.

What a view!

Thanks for stopping by, check in with

Patsy for an in depth look of our day. Until the next time, take care and be safe.

Prayers and hugs to you, George and Suzie.

 

New Orleans and Westward

Where Are We Today

San Antonio, Texas

After spending a great week exploring in New Orleans, we have been " on our way" west for the last two days. Traveling on I-10, except when taking the by-passes around Houston and San Antonio, we have made steady progress in our journey westward. The roads have been acceptable, if you remember my road ratings from our second year, I-10 and the by-passes get an 8 out of 10. There was one section, for about the first mile into Texas that was a 5 out of 10, boy did it shake things up in the trailer.

During our time in New Orleans, we made three trips down to the French Quarter. Trip one, was exploratory, just driving, checking things out.

The Famous "Cat's Meow"

Bourbon Street

The second trip was right down to Decatur St, parking at lot P401. Now we have heard the horror stories about not being past the time you have paid for, or you will come back to find a boot on your vehicle. To get it removed is a cost of $90.00 plus the parking time, the horror stories are all true. We did see two vehicles with them. Here's the thing though, you can actually go on line, pick the parking lot you want, enter the time you want to start parking and set a time to leave, pay for it with a credit card and you have now reserved a spot ahead of time. This also allows you to go in and out during that time. Also, you can download their app and do the same thing plus, if you think you aren't going to get back in time, go on the app and add payment to the time, so no worries. This is how we did it. From here it is an easy walk to The French Market, Cafe du Monde and Bourbon St.

Having Fun on Bourbon St.

Beignet  mmmmm!

Lastly, we decided to go back and do Bourbon St at night, taking in the sights, music and food. We also went to The Cafe du Monde for a hot drink and a Beignet, it melted in your mouth, they are served warm and are to die for, a must if you visit, the cafe is open 24 hours.

Listening to the music

Cafe du Monde

There are many other things to do, steam boat ride on the Mississippi River, tours of cemeteries, carriage rides and double decker bus sighting tours,  to name a few. So you see, we have to go back.

Steam Boat Tour

Double Decker Bus Tours Hop on and off any time.

Graveyard Tours

VooDoo

Last night we stayed at a Wal-Mart in Vidor Texas and tonight we are at a Sam's Club in San Antonio, Texas. We have one more night on the road before we get to Elephant Butte State Park.

Entering Texas and a mile of rough road

Vidor Wal-Mart

Sam's Club San Antinio

Our spot, goodnight from San Antonio

This brings you up to date from my perspective, please stay tune to Patsy for a more detailed day of our adventures. Thanks for stopping by, until the next time take care and stay safe.

Prayers and hugs to George and Suzie.

 

Two Days Travel

Where Are We Today

St. Bernard, Louisiana 

Leaving Southern Trails RV Resort, in Unadilla Georgia, we travelled a short distance on I-75 before taking exit 99 onto US 300. This is a very smooth four lane hwy with moderate traffic that took us to Albany, Georgia. From here we were onto US 90/2, a two lane, smooth driving hwy, down through Donalsonville, Malone, Campbellton and finally Graceville, where we turned south onto US 77 which took us to I-10. Reaching Pensacola, Florida, we stopped at a Cracker Barrel at 8050 Lavelle Way.

NCIS New Orleans  I'm a fan of the show, this is on St. Ann St

Our second day of travel was a short three hours along I-10 to an out of the way campground called Richards RV Park at 350 Bayou Rd. St. Bernard Louisiana. It is nothing fancy, but it is quiet with full hook ups for $125.00 U.S. for the week. We are 15 minutes from Bourbon St. New Orleans where we will take in a new experience over the next few days.

New Orleans VooDoo Doll (just for my buddy, you know who you are)

Make sure you follow Patsy to keep up with our adventures. Thanks for stopping by, take care until the next time.

 

Our First Leg

On Our Way

Today We Are Here

Southern Trails RV Resort, Unadilla Georgia

After three days of driving, we are taking a couple of days to relax. Since leaving Stratford, Ontario last Saturday, 961.2 mi/1546.9 km. of pavement have rolled underneath us, as we make our way  to the south west this year.

Coming over the bridge into Michigan

Our journey so far, has taken us to Unadilla Georgia for a brief, couple of days rest. From here we are heading to Pensacola, Florida, then west to New Orleans, for a couple of days. Eventually, we will end up at Pilot Knob RV Resort in Winterhaven California for a month.  

Going around Toledo

Our first night in Lima, Ohio at Cracker Barrel

Our driving days have been good, no rain, the typical bad roads in Michigan with construction and smooth sailing after that. The heaviest traffic, going around Atlanta on By-Pass 285 and the ding-bat drivers that don't know how to merge when entering a freeway. Oh ya, the two idiots that had to race to the head of the line of traffic, so they could cut in front to get to their exit, nearly missing it and being hit by a large pump truck.

Entering Tennessee

Beautiful mountain scenery

Of course, we have had some beautiful scenery, especially going through Kentucky and Tennessee, and great hospitality at the Cracker Barrels we have over- nighted at. Also a little shopping accomplished.

Georgia on my mind

Southern Trails RV Resort, Unadilla Georgia

For more details, keep following Patsy at,HERE , and she will keep you filled in. Thanks for stopping by, until the next time, take care and be safe. Also a big shout out to George and Suzie, who aren't making the trip this winter. Know that you are in our prayers and in our hearts. 

 

Holding Pattern

Where Are We Today

Bob's Shop

I sit writing this, late Wednesday afternoon, Oct.30th, 2019, it is the countdown or un-official start of our trek to the south-west. We left " The Ridge" late Monday afternoon, heading for Bob Francis's shop, on the outskirts of Stratford. Here we are in a holding pattern until Saturday when Bob,  Jo-Anne and their dog Higgins  will join us in our travels south. They are the newbie's to this snowbird life style, having purchased a new Redwood 5th wheel trailer this spring, are anxious to start a new adventure.

Bob's shop with ours and theirs 5th wheels

Today, we made the trek to Costco in Kitchener, for the last stock up of supplies before heading across the border. It has been a dull rainy day, so no outside stuff has been accomplished. A little reading and some snoozing on my part, some book work and blog reading to pass the time.

For those of you who follow Patsy, patsyischillin.blogspot.com, you know we were in Akumal, Mexico last week for my youngest daughter's wedding, where we all had a great time.

Pat and I after one of our dinners at the resort

So, if all goes according to the jello plans, we will pull out of here by 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning, crossing the border at Sarnia/Port Huron, heading for an overnight at a Crackle Barrel in Lima Ohio.

All dressed up, about to head out for the wedding of Jess and Matt

Thanks for stopping by, I will be updating off and on over the course of the winter, also stay tune to Patsy as you know she is the real writer in the family.

                                      Until the next time take care and stay safe.   

                                   

Our last sunrise in Mexico