Author: Contessa Jewall

Happy Easter everyone.

We are less than 20 miles from the Canadian border. We will be home by noon today.

A week or so ago the Bayfield Bunch  mentioned this song. I have not listened to it for a long time. Truly one of the greats.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKCVAXhVMkY 

Have a listen to this show performed on November 6, 1993. I love how they care so much about what they are singing and how they look at each other not to mention how their voices blend.

https://youtu.be/Bxryb3xN-Lo 

Al Bayfield, thank you for Simon and Garfunkel and stirring my soul. A great link, feeling nostalgic. Robert and Michelle every time we travel this road we think of you.

Oops at the border. Need to publish before I lose my USA internet. No time to put in video format, just click the links please.

We left Las Vegas Thursday morning as planned but just a bit later. I debated sharing this but you all know that I am totally honest and don’t hide anything. At the RV park in Las Vegas, the RV is parked at the back of the site with the car in front. Colin went to move the Jeep around to the back in order to hook up. I caught his eye and thought that he was telling me to drive the RV ahead a few feet. This is about the limit of my RV driving. So I started to slowly move ahead when he jumped out of the car and yelled NO!! So I slammed on the brake but my foot slipped and I went further ahead. I had assumed that he had unplugged the electrical cord but he had not 🙄  I had damaged the electrical post.Yikes  😳  😯  😥 So we called maintenance and they eventually came by ( it was coffee break time for them ). They looked at the damage and declared that things were okay enough. I did crack the 50AMP plug which they said they could replace. They were very nice about it and did not require us to pay anything.

So we were finally driving at noon with no food for us to eat. We stopped in Alamo at 1:15 where we fuelled up, fed the girls and I prepared something for us to eat as we drove. Lowest price yet on this trip for diesel at 4.29. We are travelling with Dianne and Bob and they were ahead of us and took the slightly longer road to Ely ( 42 miles ). They arrived about 40 minutes ahead of us. We had lovely pull thru sites side by side but it was cold so there was no visiting. Fortunately the sun was keeping us warm in our RV. This was our last night with power so I planned dinner accordingly. However because of the expected freezing conditions we did not put our jacks down nor put the slides out. You may recall that a few years ago it froze and we could not get the living room slide in. Colin had to go up the ladder with a boiled kettle of water to pour along the metal cladding over and over until it thawed out. So we were being cautious. We drove 250 miles yesterday.

Today, Friday the 7th, we woke up to no frost or ice. I had got up in the night and did check the outdoor temperature and it was 27F. It was expected to go down to 19F which is around -8C. Fortunately clouds came in and the temperature did not go any lower. We were on the road about 8:15AM, had a stop in Wells at 10:45 and lunch at a rest area along I84 about 2PM. The snow on the mountains and the ground was dazzling. We have never seen so much snow in all the years that we have travelled this route.

Just before our stop for the night tonight on the Idaho/Oregon border we stopped at exit 28 at a Maverick where diesel was only $3.79 per US gallon. A savings of 50 cents per gallon based on the great low price of 4.29 we paid yesterday in Alamo. So we have an extra $34.40 in our wallets. Today was a longer drive, 428 miles. We are tired tonight.

But first I have to explain what happened when we drove into this rest area. There were two other RV’s there ( turns out it was three ) and we knew them all. Folks from where we live, in Holiday Park. Unbelievable coincidence. We all had had traveled Mexico over the winter. Some more than others.

We had a nice drive from Q to Vegas on April 2nd but as we arrived the winds started. It was a bit of a gong show checking in what with a long line up and a very very slow check in system. Then Colin could not get the Jeep unhooked because of being directed into a right lane which left the Jeep torqued. It needs to be straight to unhook. Solved that problem by being allowed to drive to our site and unhook there. Did a quick set up to get inside out of the wind. The girls loved the fact that we get sunshine through a window at some point during the day. They were not impressed with the chilly wind.

The Isla has been consistently 82F/ 28C and now here in Vegas we are dealing with 42F/5.5C. We are expecting rain showers and a high of 53.6F/12C once we get home. However the temperatures here in Las Vegas will getting back to normal but only after we leave 😥

Our neighbours from back home in Kelowna arrived about 45 minutes ahead of us and without planning were only 5 RV sites away from us. We hadn’t seen them since the end of January when they left the Isla to get their RV painted in Mazatlan while they stayed in Las Jaibas. Too miserable to sit outside even in the sun so we did a quick catch up inside our RV. I was too tired to do anything like have a proper happy hour or go for dinner. It was only a 200 mile drive but I am still low on energy. Fortunately they are going to enjoy two shows and dinner out while here. Maybe in November, I just want to stay in the RV right now and regain my health. FYI my knee has not bothered me since early March.

Happy to report that the first two nights here I slept nine hours each and ten hours last night. The first night it was so windy that the RV was actually shaking. Monday, day two, remained windy with garbage flying everywhere. Yesterday remained cool until about 4PM. The girls refused to go out to do their business. Finally we broke out their puff coats which helped with the shivering.

Monday I did laundry and had to be careful the car door was not whipped away. No way could I walk back and forth to move the clothes to the dryer. Yes it was that windy. Yesterday, Tuesday, was a long day of errands and we had the girls with us which they like even if they are stuck in the car. Today I have one quick shop at Walmart for burger buns, fruit, romaine and whatever else I might need. Then I plan to just relax just as I have been doing since we got here. So far no wind. Maybe I’ll go for a walk with the kids.

I did contact my doctors office yesterday and they are taking extra days off for Easter. I have a telephone appointment with her next Wednesday and one in person next Friday. Sadly they are now only doing 10 minute appointments which is not enough time to discuss my cough, never mind a few other issues.

Today Colin was able to find my lost photos by using my camera flashcard in his laptop. So I will get to work on those in the next few days.

Thanks for understanding why I have been quiet since we arrived here.

 

I did some math a few hours ago and since we left home on October19, 2022 we have driven 3,629 miles. More to come and potentially very cold temperatures.

Usually I write a blog post based on photos that I have taken. Today I am going back to when we left the Isla and a few observations, no particular reason other than I am having problems downloading my photos from March 6 – 28th. I should have taken a photo of this incident but I could not believe it. On our first stop as I walked back to the bathroom I noticed that the new convention/microwave oven door was open and the large glass plate that goes around and around was 1/3 out of the oven. So of course I removed the plate and put it on the bed thinking what a lucky catch. Same thing next stop – just the door open. So we now duck tape the door closed. I guess we will have to get Erik to make a fix re the level of the door or something.

Both truck stops were fairly quiet and we mostly slept. I have no idea how ( well I guess I do ) why the girls have been in bed with us. It took 1.5 days for them to settle downs we drive and fall asleep almost as soon as we started to drive. However Carlie who has always sat with me has moved to Colin and Ciela has moved to me.

The entire drive has been mostly overcast and not hot, just warm enough. In the past we have needed A/C at both truck stops and also at our first night stop in Ajo. Just opening the windows is all we have needed to do. I checked the weather today from here to home and we will be getting cold but we won’t be driving in snow.We have certainly enjoyed watching the flowering jacaranda trees and the wild flowers the past few days. We also saw many cacti with almost the end of every arm in full bloom. So beautiful. I was not in a place we could slow to take a photo but I don’t’ think I will ever forget that vision.

Because we were dry camping and really didn’t have a generator unless Colin went to all the trouble of setting up the portable one we usually only use for A/C. I had planned meals that we could use the stove top. We ate delicious ( my best yet ) egg salad sandwiches on fresh bread each of the four days. So yummy. One night I was so tired that I had my shower and then went to bed at about 8PM and slept until 6:30AM. Apparently Colin and the girls slept in the living room and even closed the door to the bedroom and I slept the deepest sleep in have had in years. I am tired.

I like to think that my coughing has diminished a bit. Colin does not think so. One of my blog readers made a comment one or two posts back that I just might have Valley Fever. If I am like this when I get home I will see my doctor asap. I did try taking an antihistamine three days in a row as suggested by yet another blog reader but it did not make a difference. I truly appreciate all of you who make suggestions. This cough has be stopped. My chest is sore.

We had no issues with any of the various police stops, always waived through. That included the huge military check at Benjamin Hill. We always pretend that we don’t understand what they are asking. Eventually Colin says San Carlos – yes that is where we are coming from and it is not a lie, we spent the prior night there. We never say Mazatlan. Eventually Colin points to the Canadian flag sticker and says Canada, we go to Canada. We are then waived through.

We were asked a number of different questions crossing from Mexico into the USA. Like when we crossed from Canada to the US back in October we were asked to take the dogs with us and to step out of the RV. Before exited we were asked if we had any medications from Mexico, did we have any seashells, what had we purchased while in Mexico,They did not ask where we were and nor for how long. They did ask where we got the girls from and how old they were. They were very specific about fruits and veggies. We said we only had two bananas, then they asked about apples and oranges. Colin told them that we had eaten the fruits on the way down that morning. They also asked about eggs and other veggies. We of course had no meat.They did ask about alcohol and we explained that we were still drinking wine that we had purchased in the US on the way down to Mexico and we knew that we had to drink it before Canada. They said that that was allowed, good to know. As we know no raw eggs nor veggies/ fruits with seeds. We told them that we had thrown out tomatoes and cucumber. Cabbage, carrots and spinach were okay. They took our two potatoes? We were never asked about drugs nor guns. They did ask for the keys to the car before we stepped out of the RV. One fellow asked the questions and then he and a female ( possibly his senior ) went inside. I moved towards the door to add that we did not have meat but we had veggies sausages and veggie ground. That is when I saw them in the kitchen garbage can. They came out with tomatoes, potatoes and orange peels. They left us the cucumber. There was a third agent outside with us showing us photos of his brothers doxie. Was he keeping us company, distracting us or what? They never did look into the Jeep but they did ask if there was something they might find that they shouldn’t. We had nothing to hide and were totally honest. They were very nice to us and I think that they trusted us.

We found diesel for $4.45 in Gila Bend at the Circle K. Then we saw a price of $4.15 at both the Pilot and the Arco just as we came into Quartzite. Love’s was charging $4.69. We are happy with what we paid. So we are dry camping in Quartzite tonight. Colin was going to put the generator thru its paces while he made dinner but he just didn’t want to run the generator and disturb other campers. Instead we are using the RV propane oven for the first time in many years.

Tomorrow we are off to Las Vegas for a few day of relaxation. Not sure about posting, you will just have to drop by and check. I so appreciate all your comments. I hope that you understand that I don’t have much time to post never mind answer your comments but I do love reading them 😀

Going to try and download some photos. I may not get to proofing my spelling – sorry!  Send me a comment or email if I should fix something.

 

 

 

 

 

As of 5:30PM today we are parked in an RV Park in Ajo, Arizona. No problems with the RV, the girls nor us. Interesting border crossing, they went through our garbage 🙄 We left at 7:30AM and are too tired to do more than relax a bit, have dinner and get to bed early. Tomorrow we only have a 2 hour drive. Talk to you then.

Day two on the road went well. We drove 312 miles and all was well. Ferne had a few technical issues to sort out before we left and it all was to the good before we drove away.

We are at the Fletcha station on the turn off to San Carlos. That means no wifi! I am posting this using my iPhone as a hotspot.

I made notes all day long to share with you but I am in the midst of a coughing session and with the wifi situation I am going to eat or not and go to bed early.  We did not sleep well last night and I feel worn out.

The girls did better today and managed to sleep a lot but are still unsettled and restless. One is on me and the other on Colin as we drive. Perhaps I can use my iPad to catch up on my posts tomorrow.

Just wanted to let you know that we are well. Tomorrow late afternoon we will be back in the US.

 

 

 

We have more wine than we need to get home and so I sold some yesterday and today.

The past few days have been spent packing up, moving our plants and cleaning. The dust has been so bad that the RV screens had to washed on both sides and wiped down. The RV roof was the dirtiest we have ever seen it.

Sadly the weather has cooled down again. This morning it was 66F and there was a great deal of fog. Colin loaded our Mr. Buddy, it appears that the road ahead is going to be chilly. April 6th we will be in Ely, Nevada.

Personally I have been reading the same book for close to a month. It is interesting but I need to read it more often to keep up with the story. I am sad to admit that I have totally stopped doing my kinesiology this month mostly because I have had no energy. Nor have I walked the beach but once or twice as I have been trying to protect my chest. A blog reader made a comment on my last post suggesting that I try using an antihistamine for a few days as it helped her cough disappear. Today was day two of using Claritin non drowsy as that is all I have. I think I might be just a bit better. I will take another one tomorrow.

The girls know that something is happening. They are sticking to each other and were not happy at loosing the freedom of their yard when we had to put them in a pen yesterday. They did have a great run on the beach and chased many birds. So happy that they were able to have a wonderful last day.

This blog post has taken a great amount of time, mostly because I have been unable to transfer photos from my camera to my desk top. I finally was able to download a few to share here by using the laptop. Complicated and time consuming. I still have favourites that I knew I took but can’t find. I think I need faster internet speed, etc. Hopefully I will have more of those photos to share with you in the days to come.

 

I do apologize for not posting. There have been a number of things occupying our minds and our time. I can’t believe that I have gone 16 days without posting. However I am still sick. Fortunately the sore throat is gone. I went to a doctor here on the Isla a week ago and have been on two different types of medications. The meds were to help suppress my constant, painful and irritating coughing.  My cough is still there although less frequent. I suspect that I have some sort of virus that just won’t go away. For some reason I have little vitality and need to sit more and even nap a few hours per day which is not usual for me. I wake up tired. It is not Covid as I have done numerous home tests over the past 25 days and am negative.

Colin had the same symptoms for about 5 days but while he rebounded back to normal I have not. In the middle of this under the weather time something happened to us which has created a huge amount of turmoil and resulting stress for us. It has taken us over 14 days of tension and anxiety to deal with the situation. Suffice to say that there will some changes for us here on the Isla next November, things that we have had to put into motion this past week.

Our departure day is in two sleeps, meaning we will begin our trek north this Wednesday. Colin has taken up the brunt of the work this month from grocery shopping, to planning and cooking meals. Oh and cleaning 😎 I am hoping that as we slowly drive away that my cough will miraculously disappear.

I have lots of photos to share with you but I need a few more days to get back on track. It has been exceptionally dusty ( perhaps my cough is related to this dust ) here this winter with constant fine dust flying because of ATV’s, horses, tractors and vehicles. We finally did get warmer weather. It actually reached over 84F inside the RV a few times last week.

I have shared a few miscellaneous photos taken this winter. Many more to come.

Once again I am very sorry of the lapse in my blog. I really could barely sit at the computer.

 

 

 

We attended two evenings out before Colin left for Culiacan.

We were so very surprised to discover that once out of that place it was not windy and was much warmer. We were worried about taking the lancha back to the Isla and freezing but instead it was calm with nary a ripple on the ocean.

A week ago today, Saturday evening we were invited to a bonfire and firework display.

We really did have a wonderful time at both of these events but I certainly could have done without my sore throat and horrid cough which I am still dealing with 😥 Am I being punished for going out two nights in a row? I am on the mend and I believe that within 2 days, 3 at the most I will be back to 100%. In other news we are finally warming up outside. Thanks for checking in.

 

 

 

 

 

The afternoon that Colin left, my good friend here in the RV Park who I have known for many many years, Ferne, came to visit for a bit. The girls love her and it was a good distraction for the girls. For some reason we always are having an enjoyable chin wag and photos are never taken.

We had an exceptional visit that of course included vino. Time breezed past and we were both surprised to see how close we were to 6PM. A memorable long afternoon well spent. Certainly both the girls and I enjoyed our cherished time with our amiga.

I have to say that the girls became very needy with Colin gone. This is the first time that they have not had us both at home 24/7. They were okay the first full day, Monday, but after that they clung to me. Literarily.  They had to both be sitting on me if not next to me.  And I do mean both in my lap at the same time. They would run to the window at night looking for Colin and start barking. They would not settle at night in the bed, of course every time I got up to go to the bathroom they got up and wanted out to see if Colin was back. It certainly was not relaxing for me. I had no freedom.  If I sat at the computer to write a blog they were both right there pushing against my leg with their noses. Then the whimpering began, a very soul wrenching cry 😥 Of course they were not having their daily beach walks. I can’t mange them on my own. Likely next winter as they should be moving slower 😆 Hmm I might be as well 😎 But we love them dearly and know that they will change as they get older.

The following is Colin’s return. Ferne graciously agreed to pick him up at the Embarcadero. I knew that they had arrived back to the RV park so I took the girls into the front yard to distract them. Colin came ever so quietly into our site. I did a one minute video. They were so surprised that they did not even bark.

We had a grand reunion and today was their first beach walk in four days.

I was unable to go with them as I have had a sore throat that started last Saturday. We had been to a function on ( I will post about it ) Friday that was outdoors and I caught quite the chill. Then I lost my voice on Tuesday and Wednesday. I have found my voice but still have a very sore throat. I did do a Covid test and I am just fine. But a beach walk will have to wait a bit longer.