Road Trip Back in Time – Swansea Townsite

We all scrambled into Big Boomer bright and early, excited to take our trip back in time to Swansea Townsite, about 30 miles northeast of Parker.  Located in the middle of nowhere, Swansea was a thriving copper mining development in the early 20^th century.  By 1909, 500 people lived in the town, which included saloons, a general store, post office, railroad depot, even a moving picture house!

 

We stop along the way to take in the pretty vistas, crystal blue canals, and blooming desert flowers! 

 

 

Me and Claudia enjoying the flowers!

 

I've turned into quite an ornithologist!  Caught a glimpse of a Phainopepla!

 

 

We now reach a sign, “17 miles to Swansea". The initial road looks paved. Piece of cake—we’ll be there in under an hour, tops. No way, Jose! The last 7 miles were all gravel roads, with steep inclines and sharp turns. Yes, this was real “white knuckle” driving. The roads were so rough, we were bouncing around like a bunch of bobble head dolls! Let’s put it this way: I now feel qualified to ride a mechanical bull! Once again, Big Boomer was performing the duty of an ATV!

 

 

 

 

 

The Road to "White Knuckle" Driving!

 

 

Two hours later, we reach our destination.  Thank goodness, they have a port-a-potty!  Especially after that ride! 

 

Although most of Swansea Townsite has succumbed to weather erosion and vandalism, there are adobe structures, mine shafts, exposed stone foundations, and remnants of copper, now with a green patina, that tell its colorful history.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Greetings from Los Algodones!

“Hey, pretty lady, you want a bag, a bracelet?”  “Senor, you like?  I have liquidation prices today!”  “You need dentist?  You need glasses?  You need Viagra?”

 

Welcome to Los Algodones, BC, Mexico!   Yes, this is the place where Canadians and Americans get all their dental, optical, and pharmaceutical needs met at bargain basement prices (teeth cleaning for $25; eye glasses with exam for $29, commonly-prescribed hypertension drug Toprol for $3).

 

We heard lots about this place, but decided we wanted to see it for ourselves.  We met up recently with our pals from Amazon, Jerry and Jack, who gave Claudia, Mike, and my family the tour.   What culture shock for me!  Every step you take, vendors accosting you to sell you something.  People hawking all sorts of wares, some very pretty, some pretty gaudy!  From jewelry, to Harley-Davidson knockoff t-shirts, from paintings to lawn ornaments, from asparagus to prawn!  And if a vendor doesn’t have exactly what you want, he/she will get it for you by visiting one of his/her “cousins” at a booth two blocks away.

 

 



Of course, Daddy could not resist buying the jumbo prawn!



We had lunch and cocktails at El Paraiso, The Garden Place, enjoying the live music and the camaraderie.  Burritos, booze, buddies, and a band—nothing could be better to round out our Mexican experience!

 

 



Me and my buddies Mike, Jack, Jerry, Claudia, and of course, Margherita!



That is nothing better except going through those border gates and arriving safely back in the good old U.S. of A!

 

 



Just a short distance more to get on the other side of that fence and back to my homeland!


Well, it's been a busy day and I'm pooped out.  Too much fiesta!  Time for a siesta!

 

Rambling RV Rat's Rant-Obamacare Strikes Again

Worrying about healthcare just makes me sick!

 

Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Texas, having lost too much money in 2015, is no longer offering its PPO plan for 2016—the one in which my parents were enrolled.  Instead, they are offering only HMO plans, which does not bode well for the RVing lifestyle.  This is a double whammy from Obamacare for my folks.  As I mentioned in a prior blog, we had a short-term, catastrophic insurance plan in January 2015, but it was not ACA-compliant, so we are subject to the penalty for 3 months of 2015.  We were forced to move from South Dakota to Texas in March 2015 because we could not get ACA-compliant healthcare in South Dakota without a “permanent” address.  Fortunately, Texas recognizes our mail forwarding address as a permanent, physical address, thanks to Escapees taking that battle to the Texas Supreme Court several years ago.  So we were able to get an ACA-compliant plan off the exchange and obtain subsidies.  Ironically, we never used the services.  We are a pretty healthy family and have no medical conditions for which we require regular doctor visits.  Anyway, back to losing our plan…

 

Feeling we had no other options, we are now enrolled in Liberty Healthshare, which is faith-based health sharing.  As members, we are exempt from the Obamacare penalty.  Liberty Healthshare emphasizes they are NOT an insurance company.   Funny though, they sure act like one!  They would only accept Mom on a provisional basis.  They looked strictly at height and weight, and based on the Body Mass Index (BMI), deemed my Mom obese.  This set Mom off royally and she began her rampage.  They asked her no questions.  How did they know that she wasn’t a body builder and the weight represents muscle, not fat? (trust me, she ain’t no body-builder).  How did they know if she had a temporary medical condition?  (Again, not the case, but Mom’s battle is all about principle!).  Mom is the first to admit she was packing more weight than she should have.  But she is very active and always has been.  She donates blood regularly, exercises regularly, does not eat fast food at all.  Cholesterol levels, Hba1c levels, blood pressure—all A-OK.   She is probably the healthiest fat person you will ever meet!  But her arguments fell on deaf ears.  If she wanted coverage, she must get “counseling” for her “overeating disorder”, consisting of one phone call a month, at a cost of $80 per month (on top of our regular premium), for a minimum of 3 months!  WHAT!  She can join Planet Fitness gym for 10 bucks a month!  Well, nothing motivates my Mom more than saving money.  The minute they told her about this requirement she started to diet, losing just about half of the required pounds before January 1, when the counseling and enrollment in Liberty Healthshare began.  She just reached goal, so she is hoping for an early “release” from the "fat farm food police" to save some money.  Wish her luck!

 

The good angel on my right shoulder said, “Your Mom did the honest thing by reporting her actual weight at the time she applied for coverage.”   But the little evil devil on my left shoulder said, “Honesty—forgetaboutit!  It’s over-rated!  If she understated her weight by just 2 pounds, she could have avoided this whole dilemma! Two little pounds would have brought her BMI under 30, making her just overweight (instead of obese), for which they do not require counseling.  A little white lie never hurt anyone.”  I’m still deciding which one of these characters was right!

 

Which one would you listen to?

  

Just talking about this whole debacle has got me all stressed out.  And when I am stressed out, I eat!  Don’t tell Liberty Healthshare—they might put me on a diet too!




Rambling RV Rat Stress Binging

Dust in the Wind

It’s been a whirlwind here lately!  And I’m not speaking figuratively either!   We have experienced severe wind gusts, some up to 50 miles an hour, kicking up dust so thick you couldn’t see the mountains behind us.  The words “shake, rattle, and roll” really take on a new meaning when you sit inside an RV during one of these types of storms.   The winds were so strong, our wind turbine got knocked down, with one of its blades busted!  Another project for Dad to work on…

 

And did I mention that it has been COLD!  We wake up to 38 degree temps!  We feel like we are back East!

 

We took a ride down to Yuma recently to do some errands and to visit Escapees Kofa Co-op.  Since we will represent Escapees at the Quartzsite RV Show again next year, we wanted to familiarize ourselves with some of the club locations.  The Kofa Co-op is a nice place, not too big, not too small, offering all the amenities you need, including a swimming pool and spa.  They have lots of activities in the clubhouse, which has a HUGE saguaro tree outside.



I look like an ant compared to the size of this cactus!

 

I especially like the pretty landscaping in the common areas--a resident volunteers his time to transform these areas into park-like settings.  Looking forward to staying here in the future!

 

 

 

Yuma’s contrasting terrain amazed me, with lush green fields of fresh lettuce, cabbage, and cauliflower and groves of orange trees amid the barren brown earthen desert. 

 

I saw a herd of wild burros grazing, too.  Unfortunately, I was not able to get a photo of this exceptional moment in nature—me not having fingers is really a bummer! 

 

 

 

We started line dancing lessons at the QIA (Quartzsite Improvement Association).  Even though we attended dance classes last year, we are still at Level 1.  My parents are not as agile as I am (translation—they are terrible dancers!).  But we have fun, especially since some of our buddies from the RV Dreamers group have taken up class as well!

 

 

Heading out for one of our daily hikes now.  Talk to you soon!

Greetings and Salutations From Quartzsite Arizona!

We left home base in Livingston, TX on January 5 and traveled westward ho.  We passed through some cool little towns, including Fredericksburg, TX, home of Hondo’s On Main.  We first learned of this little gem from watching Texas TV’s “The Bucket List”.  Known for its ½ pound Angus burgers shaped into a “donut” and topped with fried onions and special sauce, my mouth was salivating just thinking of these juicy, succulent beefy treats.  And look, 10 parking spots available right on the street in front of the place—we can pull the rig right in parallel to the curb!  How lucky can you get!!!  Mom no sooner pulled us curbside that I dashed out of the truck to Hondo’s front door.  Alas, luck would not be a lady for me.  Hondo’s is closed on Tuesdays!  I crawled forlornly back to the truck to learn in our excitement and disappointment about Hondo’s, we missed our turnoff to get to the highway.  Now “Gerda” our GPS has rerouted us on the “scenic tour” through narrow country roads with low-lying trees.  Mom’s face was pale as a ghost, with white knuckles to match.  But finally we got back on the main drag, and Mom was able to breathe again.  I, in the meantime, focused on tomorrow’s planned dinner stop: Cattleman’s Steakhouse in Fabens, TX. 

Once again, time was not my friend!  Daddy forgot about the time zone change and we arrived at Cattleman's at 2 p.m., way too early for dinner.  Worse yet, they are not open for lunch on weekdays.! We ended up driving through to Deming, NM, where we visited Escapees Dreamcatcher RV Park.  For $18 plus tax, we had a full hook up, pull-thru site, and an opportunity for us to catch up on television, laundry, and sleep. And, much to our surprise, we were greeted by some folks we met at Escapees Rainbow RV Park in Livingston who also worked at Amazon with us!

Left before dawn the next morning, anxious to arrive and set up in Quartzsite!  We pulled in and registered 5 minutes before the La Posa South LTVA office closed, thanks to Mom feeling the need to stop at Walmart for a haircut (we won’t go there!).   We traveled down the main road, hoping no one of the multi-thousands of boondockers took “our spot” in the 11,000+ acres of BLM land.  Thankfully, my “marker” was still in place and “our spot” was vacant!

My Marker--A Self Portrait and Triple R Initials--For Rambling RV Rat, of course!



"Our Spot" in La Posa South LTVA

We escorted Mike and Claudia in the next day (they have been our traveling buddies and co-workers for several months now) and introduced them to the fun-filled lifestyle of boondocking, including watching the beautiful sunrises and sunsets.  God surely paints a beautiful canvas!





An Incredible Sunset

And Another!



Endless Color!

 

Capturing Sunrise During a Morning Hike

Before we knew it, it was time to work the Escapees Booth in the Big Tent!  What a wonderful experience working with Lisa/Jim and Briggs/Anne, and meeting so many Escapees and Xscapers members, old and new!

The social life here in Quartzsite is prolific!  We have attended happy hours, dinners, and campfire circles (and hosted a few events ourselves) with Escapees, Xscapers, and our friends from the Montana Owners Club.  Got a chance to catch up with fellow Amazonians who were in Quartzsite attending the RV Show, too.  Not to mention the fun times we had with Phil/Rudee and Marie/Bob, our co-workers from Crazy Horse Memorial.  And, of course, the great get-togethers our special buddies Pam/Red and Steve/Dianne put together for the RV Dreamers group.



RV Dreamers Get Together--I Look Pretty Good!

(Photo Courtesy of Steve Colibaba)

We loved reconnecting with old friends and making some new ones.  And we are thrilled so many younger folks have "graduated" recently to the full-timing lifestyle.  Life is too short--enjoy it while you can!



Which is what I am doing right now!  Got some feathered friends visiting me—a pair of gila woodpeckers and several hummingbirds come regularly to our window feeder!  I am so happy to see them--Tabby the Cat, not so much.



 



 



Happy 2016

Happy New Year Everyone!

 

To bring you up to date, Mom and Dad survived Amazon peak season!  It was a unique experience. The job was, as everyone warned, VERY physical.  It required lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling oversized, overweight boxes, some as heavy as 60 pounds!  Everyone suffered from back aches, swollen ankles, stiff and numb hands.  At times the job was very frustrating and confusing.  Standard operating procedures, work schedules, and management directives changed daily.  For example, mandatory overtime AND voluntary time off were in effect AT THE SAME TIME.  How crazy is that!  Not crazy enough to discourage Mom and Dad from applying to work next season!

 

DFW-7 Fulfillment Center in Haslet, TX

Amazon is a great opportunity to make good money in a very short period of time.  Plus you get the bonus of a comprehensive exercise plan and workout without paying for a gym membership!  Mom and Dad both dropped several pounds, as did most folks with whom they worked.

 

I got a sneak peek at the operation, and had a fantastic tote ride, just like riding a roller coaster in an amusement park!  And I learned that Amazon truly sells EVERYTHING!  Legos (enough were received to build an entire Amazon Fulfillment Center), Ninja juicers, cat litter, nutrition bars, cell phones, pillows, and DVDs.  Books of every genre are available, from self-help books to children’s readers, from best- selling thrillers to various versions of the Bible.  You know all that stuff “As Seen On TV”?  Well Amazon sells all that, too!  Amazon even sells “adult entertainment” items.  So if you are feeling frisky, no need to visit a XXX store.  Amazon’s got what you may need or want.  As Amazon prints on its promotional t-shirts, “stay calm and order on”!

 

It's like a roller coaster!!! Wheeeeeeee!

 

 

Meeting some terrific folks was another benefit of Amazon.  During the last few weeks of work we actually had the opportunity to “socialize”.  We joined about 15 of our fellow work-campers at The Rock, known for its brick-oven pizza (it was good, but not worthy of a Rambling RV Rat 5-cheese rating).  We joined Mike and Claudia and Tammy and Marty (who also worked at Crazy Horse with my parents) for a tasty lunch at Sweetie Pie’s Ribeyes.  What a cool place!  In addition to serving you great food, the waitresses and waiters give vocal performances.  Now that is service with a song!

 

Sweetie Pie Makes a Scrumptious Ribeye!

 

Mike and Claudia and Susan and Rodger, fellow Amazonians, attended our “clean out the fridge” get together, assisting in finishing up all the great food we had left over from Mom’s holiday dinners.

 

We enjoyed our time in Haslet and Azle, but all good things must come to an end.  Mom and I took our final three-mile walk and saw some of our animal friends along the way.

The cows have come home!



Our Neighborhood Road Runner!

 

Then we all headed “home” to Escapees Rainbow Park in Livingston, Texas.  We have visited all the “hot spots” of Livingston:  the newly reopened Walmart, Joe’s Italian Grill, Dollar Tree, and the meat counter at the Route 146 Gas Station convenience store, picking up some tasty sirloin and strip steaks. We even attended movie night at the club house.  Notably, we learned that celebrating the holiday season “Texas style” requires fireworks and gun shots.  Tomorrow we get our vehicles inspected and registered.  Then our exciting trip to Livingston comes to an end—we head out to the Arizona desert.  We look forward to seeing Steve and Dianne, Pam and Red, John and Shirley, and all our other fellow RV Dreamers, Montana Owners Club members, Xscapers, and Escapees members that we met last year.  We also want to meet new folks, too.  So stop by the Escapees booth in the Big Tent at the Quartzsite RV Show--we will be there!

 

Until then, I bid you adieu!

PoPo, the Rambling RV Rat

Merry Christmas!

To our family, near and far

To our friends, old and new

Merry Christmas to you!

 

They say “home is where the heart is”, and I agree.  And for us, “home” is also where the RV is parked, which is now in Azle, TX.  But no matter where we are at Christmastime, we celebrate in style—delicious food, pretty decorations, and good company!
 

 



Grandma's Nativity, a family treasure, now about 50 years old!

 



 

Our "Charlie Brown" Tree and Electric "Yule Log"



 

Even Stewey and Dewey Decorate for Christmas!

Hey, Tabatha the Cat Snuck Into My Picture!

We had our traditional Italian Christmas Eve dinner:  antipasta, stuffed shells with Mom’s homemade sauce, and fishes:  fried shrimp, fried calamari, mussels, and bacon wrapped scallops.  Dad is the fry master, making the best shrimp and calamari ever!  We started eating at noon, with Mike and Claudia joining us for two of the courses before they headed to Dallas for a 5:30 church service, and we just finished up our dessert at 9 p.m. while completing our Christmas Eve ritual of watching "A Christmas Carol."

 

Dad The Fry Master

I am one stuffed stuffed rat!  Now it’s time to get snuggled in bed so the visions of tomorrow's menu can dance in my head:  a huge roast beast and Mom's homemade cheesecake!

 

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!