Yuma AZ

Last week Fran and Ian flew back to Canada and we got on the road again heading south. Thought we may stop in Quartzsite for a couple of months but, as we drove in and saw how baren it was, we decided to continue on to the foothills in Yuma. We had been to this area last year for a month and really enjoyed our stay. So we drove in, found a 'for rent' sign on a lot we liked and moved in. It's gated, inexpensive, clean and the neighbours are really friendly. The view of the mountains from our window is picture perfect. Hooked up with friends Bill and Doris (full timers) and Steve and Rene (Idaho) who come here every winter. Nice to see them again. We'll drive the car up to Quartzsite for the swapmeet in January. Have had a few rainy days so have had time to spring clean some cupboards. Met up with Tiffinrvnetwork friends, John and Bev from Ottawa, while shopping at Walmart the other day. They are on their way to the Baja. Will be interested to see how that goes for them as we have that adventure on our 'bucket list'.

Las Vegas

Took Fran and Ian to Hoover Dam with a quick stop at Lake Mead to get John's NP Passport stamped. We were surprised at how large the NWR was and had not planned on the time to explore. So added that to our list for next year. The tour guide at the Hoover Dam had told us that the water was down considerably but that, because of lots of snow this past winter melting into the Colorado River, it had gone up a foot. Hopefully this reverse in weather conditions will continue and the water in the lake will go back up to where it should be. Picked up some information on scuba diving as Dione and Bob are interested in doing an underwater adventure there one day.

Las Vegas

We were up very early in the morning to begin our long drive from Vegas to the Grand Canyon. John and Ian took turns driving while Fran and Sheila watched a dvd of Death Valley. It turned out to be a perfect day for touring. The Hermits Trail route had been closed for upgrading but it appears it may have re-opened that morning. We were able to drive along the entire route, stopping to look over into the beauty of God's masterpiece. We expected it to be similar to Bryce Canyon or Zion NP but it was completely different. Next year we may consider taking the mule ride down to Phantom Ranch to stay for a few days. Even tho it was cool up where we were standing, it was in the 80s at the bottom of the canyon with a lake and beach to enjoy as well. Added that adventure to our 'bucket list'.

Las Vegas

We have seen so much of the beauty of nature since starting our touring two years ago that we could not believe we would continue to be so impressed as we explore new areas. But Death Valley was beautiful. It was so cool to walk at Badwater Basin, 282 feet below sea level, the lowest point in North America. Fran and Ian were equally amazed at the variety of colors in the mountains. Artist's Palette accurately describes the red, yellow, orange and green colors reminding one of the minerals in the rocks and earth. This picture is of them standing at Zabriskie Point, the outlook over Gold Canyon. Furnace Creek holds the record for second highest temperature recorded on earth when in 1913 it reached 134'F. The most profitable and longest-sustained mining activities in the region centered on talc and borate. We didn't see much wild life except the cutest 'kit fox' who trotted up to the car and shone it's big brown eyes on us, looking for food.

Las Vegas

Fran and Ian flew in from Toronto this morning to spend a week with us touring the Las Vegas area. We'll enjoy gambling plus we'll do some touring as well. Found a coupon in the Motorhome magazine and decided we could splurge and stay at the Outlook RV Resort at the south end of the strip. Good decision as this resort is really pretty and clean. We are parked across from the pool, hot tub and showers and, because the park is not busy right now, it feels like the conveniences are there just for our use. After giving our family a few hours to rest and a good meal, we drove the strip to give them an overview of what to see and what to do stopping finally to enjoy the Paris, Ballagio and Ceasar Casinos.

Los Angelas California

We had a great time touring Hollywood Blvd with Tony and Barb. Saw the Kodak Theatre and the autographs of the stars in the sidewalk out front. We took a tour of Beverly Hills and saw the homes of the stars (didn't see any of the stars). Ate at our first 'In and Out' restaurant and that was a lark (and the food was decent). Another fun and interesting day with our friends.

Los Angelas California

How appropriate that we are spending our time with Tony and Barb, the same couple with whom we toured the Civil Rights Movement in Alabama. We were in Selma where, in 1965, Martin Luther King led a march to the Capital Building in Montgomery demanding that African Americans have the right to vote. And last night, John and my first vote as U.S. citizens, we helped to vote in President Obama. Not just because of our options or because he is African American but because we believe he is smart, honest and sincere in his quest to make a difference. It is amazing and exciting to a part of this history. It is so sad that his gramma could not have lived just a few days more to enjoy the results of her hard efforts in raising this young man. We believe McCain's speach last nite was the best one we have ever heard

Los Angelas California

We spent the day at the Getty Center yesterday with Tony and Barb. What a totally amazing museum. It was so big and complex that we could not get all of it all in in one day. From the art collections, to the sculptures, plus the gardens and everything in between, it was very impressive. Web site it http://www.getty.edu/ if you want to take a look. If in the L.A. area, def put on your list for a 'must see'.