Mexico Day

The line to get out of Los Algodones and back to the states
The policia in Algodones near the exit line
Finally after a 1 3/4 hour wait we are at the border

We went back to Mexico today to get a couple things we did not have enough cash with us to get the last time. It was windy today and a little cool, I never took my jacket off. But of course the sun was out.

Hobbes was glad to see us and immediately wanted to go outside for his walk. As long as there are no diesel trucks running he will walk anywhere you want him to. He would rather sit in the sun, but it was too late when we got back. Tomorrow should be a good day for Hobbes to be out.

Birthday

Yesterday was H's birthday, 66 years old. We spent the day enjoying the sun then went out to dinner last night at Mimi's Cafe. Food was good and we brought home a Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie (a piece) but it was huge, we shared it but it was too much, H ate it.

Today the sun was out really bright again, and warm. Hobbes and I sat in the sun to read(like I have said before Hobbes is smart.) H is working on another jigsaw puzzle. Of course H and I rode bikes, too.

During the night our hook up to water must have failed(we use a splitter in order to hook up 2 hoses.) Our neighbor heard a noise about 0500, and checked, water was spraying everywhere from the hookup. He shut it off, we didn't realize it was off until H got up at 0730. No water. He loves having to do things like that early in the AM. We carry extra splitters, so no problem.

Phoenix

Saturday we went to Phoenix to visit our niece, Denise, and her husband, Ron. we left at 0700 for the 2 1/2 hour trip. The sunrise over the mountains was beautiful, the clouds just made it better. It turned out out be really sunny. We had a really good visit at Cracker Barrel and walked around the new Cabelo's. On the way home H wanted a bottle of water but he wanted a raspberry flavoring packet added, since he was driving I opened the bottle and put it between my knees while I opened the packet. Well, H hit a bump and the bottle slipped, so the automatic reflex is to catch it with your knees. You guessed it, the water went all over me. I had to put the air conditioner on with the vents aimed at my legs in order to get dry. I eventually did get dry by the time we got back home. We got back late and Hobbes was extremely glad to see us, stating he was really hungry(since he no longer likes the dry food.)

Last night the wind picked up and it began to sprinkle, since Yuma only gets 3-4 inches of rain a year, we thought it would stay sprinkles. It rained all night and into the morning. H decided it would be a good day to wash Moose since it was already wet. He ended up getting soaked, so I got to do laundry since you cannot keep wet clothes lying around in small spaces like Moose. Tomorrow the sun will be out again.

The jigsaw puzzle is H's last one to put together. Denise gave him a 3-D puzzle to work on, we'll see how long that takes him.

Address

Today it was cloudy, rare in Yuma, the clouds hung just over the foothills and it sprinkled. Now at 1PM it is sunny and beautiful again. Nikki called this AM to tell me to put our address on the blog. We will be here until 2/11/07. Because H has a birthday coming up on 1/28/07, he will be 66.

Fortuna De Oro RV Resort
Hal and Pat Newhouse Site 815
13650 N. Frontage Rd.
Yuma, AZ 85367

Another beautiful day!

Hobbes enjoying the sunshine. A puzzle H put together, it was

missing a piece.

Hobbes has the life any cat would want.

Algodones

Today we went to Algodones, Mexico, just a few miles back into California then south a few miles. Algodones is a border town. Many Americans go there for medications, dental work, or glasses. We went just to look around. We did buy a few things, a hat for H, some jewelry, some purses. I got to use my bargaining skills. We parked on the American side and walked across the border. We stayed too long, so the line coming back was about 1 1/2 hours long. We met a couple from Vancouver, Canada, the wife was born in Scotland and we had a really good conversation, it made the time go so fast.

I forgot to take my camera so no pictures today.

H has started a new jigsaw puzzle tonight, so the table will be tied up for a day or so. I still am reading a book, that will keep me busy for another day.

I could used to this kind of winter.

Today is just about perfect, sun so bright that you cannot function without sunglasses. We spent part of the day biking, reading, sunning, and grocery shopping. I learned a lesson, in Yuma you don't go to the grocery store on Saturday or the first Wednesday of the month. Saturday everyone is there, the first Wednesday they give senior citizens 10% off. Too many people for me.

Yesterday we went to look at motor homes, they just are easier to park and set-up than 5th wheels. We won't be getting now, though we did find some really nice RVs, great prices too.

Last night we went to see a showing of "Giant" with Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, and James Dean. It was a fund raiser for the community food bank, they had appetizers and desserts, plus popcorn and sodas. I don't think I had ever seen the entire film before, it was fun.

Cold!!!

Here it is Thursday already. I don't know where the time goes. We have been really lazy. Only walking and riding bikes. And, of course, reading books. Right now H is working a jigsaw puzzle, he has been at it all day and it takes up our table. That means we can't eat there. He didn't even go out for a bike ride with me today. I froze while riding today. The wind is coming from the north, the temp is about 58 today, the sun is bright but that wind is frigid. In fact there is a freeze warning tonight. Feels like mid fall back home. But it will be warmer by the weekend.

I see there is going to be a rodeo here in early February, we have never been to a rodeo. Looking forward to it.

There are lots of activities here at the campground, but most are dancing or learning to dance, H doesn't like to dance. Bingo is tonight, that is something that H loves to do.

Foothills

Our view from the back of the camper.
These foothills have a very beautiful glow when the sunsets.

The weather has been very beautiful here in Yuma, the sun is so bright. Today we did nothing but our walk then read in the sun. I probably was in the sun too long. My skin feels a little tingly and I have raccoon eyes from my sunglasses.

Hobbes

Hobbes resting.
Ditto.

These pictures are for Nikki, She said she missed seeing Hobbes. So here he is. I took him outside today on his leash, but the wind was so strong it bothered his ears. He would only sit out in his carry case which helps block the wind. We went out for a drive and in some areas the blowing sand created a distance site problem. Even with the sun out so bright it felt cool due to the wind.

Pictures from yesterday.

Wind turbine, one of many, positioned along a ridge in California.
An irrigated field in the desert.
Areas along the road where people camp in order to use there ATVs on the dunes.
Dunes in the background.

Today was beautiful here in Yuma. I got a slight sunburn just sitting outside with the cat for a short while. We biked, the ground here is flat, no hills to bike up. But our campsite backs up to the mountains, so we have a really good view from the back window of Moose. We are staying here for a month, campground not does have the pretty looks of the one in Escondido, but they have lots of activities. I think we can keep busy here.

Yuma, AZ

Well, we made it over the mountains without incident. We arrived in Yuma at about 3PM but everything takes time. The office was really busy then when we got to the site it took a little while to get set up. First we needed to level it, which took two attempts, then we decided to back it up more because the slight dip between the back wheels of the truck and the site was putting a bind on the hitch. Ended up being perfect, but then H needed to hook up a longer water hose and couldn't seem to find the right connecting piece, so it was late when we finished so we went out to eat.

Hobbes loved the trip, I held him on my lap the whole time. As long as he doesn't have to be in the carrier when we travel he is happy. Right now he is sleeping on the bed.

Last Day in California

Looking down the beach behind the Hotel Del Coronado.
Last look at the ocean.
Beautiful flowers by the hotel.

Today was our last day here in Escondido, we took Mandy(Christa's daughter) to the airport, then went on down to Coronado for lunch. We ate at a little bistro sidewalk cafe, walked around the town then came back to get things ready to leave early AM tomorrow. We are going back to Arizona for a while, before head back further east. Don't want to get home before the snow is out of there. We are getting used to it being a little warmer than Ohio.

Beverly Hills

H and I.

Rodeo Drive.





Mandy.



Just something pretty without a label.

We went to Beverly Hills while we were in LA. We all purchased something there, even though it was only a drink from Jamba Juice at the end of Rodeo Drive. Couldn't afford anything else.

More Hollywood

Another picture of Grauman's.
Captain Jack Sparrow!

Again!
Star Wars.
Crazy.
Die Hard.
Tom Hanks.
Johnny Depp again, big feet.
Yeah Donald.

Hollywood

Grauman's Chinese Theatre, the location of the footprints, hand prints and signatures of the stars.
No explanation needed.
Bourne in the sidewalk.
This picture is for Todd, our son, who loves Oakley glasses.
Me with Antonio Banderas.
Elmo accosting everyone.
Christa with her favorite star, Sandra Bullock.
The Hollywood sign on the hill.
Had to stand in the middle of the street for this shot. We couldn't find a closer view.

We went to Hollywood on Saturday, a very overcast day, but it had stopped raining. I have more pictures which I will put on in the next several days.