Anatomy of a post

For those of you who might be curious as to just how I "do" this blogging I thought I would let you in on the process. No secrets here...First, I have never been at a loss for words ahem, just ask my folks. So visiting is second nature to me and that's how I approach writing. Second, as a teen, I thought I might write a book. As I matured I realized just how difficult and demanding a calling that would be and I felt talentless in the face of genius such as Harper Lee, Margaret Mitchell and Louisa May Alcott...hard ...no impossible acts to follow....so I became a reader instead. This blog is a bit of an effort to write, but please friends, do not confuse this attempt, I do not even try to deliver great thoughts. If I entertain, even just a bit, then I am well pleased. I have nothing profound to say...and you can quote me!
Third...I get my inspiration from the photos we take...they shape my posts.
Fourth...I don't try to share every little detail. There are some very good blogs out there that delve into the nitty gritty of life on the road. I just hope to share some of the fun and pleasure we enjoy while traveling.
Fifth...I won't lie...sometimes we get frustrated but that never lasts long and we keep amazed at just how fortunate we are and have been.  It does not take much to entertain us and our expectations are modest...we have been completely satisfied with our journey so far.
Sixth...we look forward to every day.
Seventh...we don't plan on doing something big every day, that would be too demanding, expensive and exhausting! People share good tips on spots to camp, sites to see and places to eat we love those. We have met so many fine folks along the way!
Now...I have rambled on, may have bored you, sorry....I will leave with a photo.

  

 

Tally ho,

Cathy

REMEMBER ME???

Let's see...I have been AWOL.....sorry peeps. Not a single post yet for April...and we have been on the move...east, back towards NC for granddaughter's graduation in June (hi Jazmine!).
Spent time back tracking towards Rice and the Casita factory to get a bit of warranty work done. We stayed a few days in San Antonio again,

While in San Antonio we weathered a huge storm...pretty scary, but MiniPearl held her own!

 

 

Leaving San Antonio behind we headed towards Rice...we stayed at a Corp of Engineer's park on Lake Bardwell just outside of Ennis, TX...THE BLUE BONNET CAPITAL OF TEXAS!!!  Again, my camera does not do justice to the beauty...

 

Fiona has her eyes on a big black bird who is no dummy...she is on a short leash 😊!

Had the wonderful opportunity to meet up once again with friends Marla and Brian. Always a good time! And hope we see them again this summer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here we are at the Corp of Engineer's park outside Hot Springs, Arkansas...

It is a beautiful spot, Paul has been able to fish almost every day.

 

 

No bites...but still having fun...

 

 

Fiona keeps watch

 

We enjoyed a relaxing time here in Hot Springs. The weather was, for the most part, warm and sunny. Since we are not "on vacation " we don't feel the need to go DO something all the time. I have read two books, Paul is finishing his Institutes of the Christian Religion...a huge tome written by John Calvin...my books are kind of semi-cozy mysteries....Mr. Churchill's Secretary, and oh, I forgot the name...by the same author a Maggie Hope mystery....all WW II era and very entertaining...not any where near as deep as Paul's reading 😊

We leave here on Sunday morning traveling to Rogers, ARKANSAS and yet another COE. At $7 a night for water and electric we cannot complain and they are all so pretty too. While in Rogers we hope to eat fried chicken and visit the Walmart art museum which is new and quite amazing, so I have been told....

Tally ho,

Cathy

 

 

 

We had a great time in Vegas

Thirty nine years ago we made our first PCS (permanent change of station) move from Wichita, KS to Las Vegas, Nevada. I was PG with baby #3...now known as Sarah Breen...we were very young....We were pretty preoccupied so did not do much we did the Hoover Dam and bike rides and had a baby. Elvis was at the Hilton...Sinatra was on stage somewhere too! This was the Vegas of the Rat Pack ...not all that sophisticated or polished...the food was cheap and good and so were the drinks. Playing the slot machine was easy, back then...We went once, each of us had $10.00 we could loose. And we did.
I've been back several times for the Tea Expo...but that was business. Paul had not been back since we left in 1974. What a difference.
We stayed at the Nellis AFB Fam Camp, which was very nice, and at $19 a night, we had the best room in town. We went to the Bellagio for the dinner buffet...

 

mine👆

 

His👆

 

 After dinner we enjoyed a walk around the hotel...

 

The lobby is simply gorgeous

 

My camera cannot do this ceiling justice.

 

Then we went outside to see the fountains put on their show...

 

A perfect night.

 

 

 

 

 

 On Saturday we took a bus tour

 

 

 

 Had a ball...saw neat stuff and learned much about Las Vegas

 

 

Fremont Street

 

 

Fountain outside the Wynn

 

 

 Of course the Grand Canal!

Then, Saturday night we saw....

Great show!

So...we enjoyed our time in Vegas!

 

Tally ho,

Cathy

 

A bit of desert love

Phoenix is home to a most amazing botanical garden. Paul and I spent an afternoon oooing and ahing over succulents.

 

But first...we had lunch!

 

Mine 👆

 

 

His👆

 

Then we began our journey. I took almost 100 photos...no, you cannot see them all...maybe later?

But, I will share some highlights

 

 

 

 

Then these

 

 

 

And more

 

 

 

 

 

If one picture is worth a thousand words...well hard to describe the beauty...but hope you enjoy.
Tally ho,
Cathy

 

 

 

 

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A BATTERY MAKES

Thanks to attending the Boondocking Rally sponsored by RVDreams Journal we discovered our battery was the problem. Now, we had the battery checked by Casita and they said it was 100%A OK...but it wasn't...so we bit the bullet and bought an AGM no maintenance battery. That, along with our 90Watt solar keeps our little MiniPearl going full speed without needing any electricity! So we can enjoy staying at places like this....

 

 

OWL CANYON

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, that's what I call excellent location!

We are so glad we have the ability to access these spots. We enjoy seeing the "sights" but the night sky at Owl Canyon rivals the lights of Vegas!

Tally ho, Cathy

 

 P.S. http://shop.rvsolarnow.com/90-watt-folding-portable-RV-solar-system-Economy-Series-SLP090F-12S.htm

 

Just thought you would like to see our solar system (play on words???)

Just had to share

 

We are VOYAGERS!

 
…A QUOTE FROM STERLING HAYDEN’S BOOK, WANDERER
To be truly challenging, a voyage, like a life, must rest on a firm foundation of financial unrest. Otherwise, you are doomed to a routine traverse, the kind known to yachtsmen who play with their boats at sea… “cruising” it is called. Voyaging belongs to seamen, and to the wanderers of the world who cannot, or will not, fit in. If you are contemplating a voyage and you have the means, abandon the venture until your fortunes change. Only then will you know what the sea is all about.
“I’ve always wanted to sail to the south seas, but I can’t afford it.”
What these men can’t afford is not to go. They are enmeshed in the cancerous discipline of “security.” And in the worship of security we fling our lives beneath the wheels of routine – and before we know it our lives are gone. What does a man need – really need? A few pounds of food each day, heat and shelter, six feet to lie down in – and some form of working activity that will yield a sense of accomplishment. That’s all – in the material sense, and we know it.
But we are brainwashed by our economic system until we end up in a tomb beneath a pyramid of time payments, mortgages, preposterous gadgetry, playthings that divert our attention for the sheer idiocy of the charade. The years thunder by, The dreams of youth grow dim where they lie caked in dust on the shelves of patience. Before we know it, the tomb is sealed.

Tally ho,
Cathy

Do you ever wonder???

...if you made the right choice? I think it is healthy to question, anything and everything. It is good mental gymnastics. Took me at least two years to choose our traveling home. During that time I followed a fellow's blog who was full timing in a Lazy Daze class C rig. I really liked that rig. REALLY. But the price was very high, the class c is big and I discussed the driving with a DAR friend of mine who had a class c and had driven it coast to coast. While she said she had a fabulous time, she did say the rig was top heavy and tended to sway with the wind...scary. So...money, size and handling helped to move me away from the Lazy Daze. (are you wondering where Paul is during all this??? I kept him updated on my findings, but, I really think he was humoring me at this time he didn't believe we would actually do this!) Even though I moved on, I always was curious to actually see a Lazy Daze. They are made in CA and you don't see many out east...so, we were within an hour's drive of Montclair where the factory is located....we took a trip over to have a look!

 

So here it is...we got there right at lunch time. The guy who showed us around was less than enthusiastic. The office was old, dingy and messy...not a good first impression and quite the opposite to the Casita showroom. Their production was really primitive and I saw just 3 rigs being built...again, far from the factory in Rice.

 

 

Lots of Casitas here

 

 

 

 

Every model Casita makes is proudly displayed in their spotless showroom where you are able to freely inspect each one on your own, or get all your questions answered by a friendly and knowledgeable sales associate. Quite a different experience than the one we had at Lazy Daze.

 

After the trip to see the Lazy Daze I was well-convinced that we made the right choice for us....Paul agreed!

 

Tally ho,

Cathy