Fixing and Washing

Today was a day of fixing for me. As reported yesterday, we had a blow out of our roof. Today after looking at it, I found that probably it was something the factory should have done about 9 years ago. This motor home has a fiberglass roof, which is good. The edges hang over the side and fit into a channel. I talked to the factory today and they said that the edges are suppose to be, I guess glued is the best word, into place. Well there was no bonding of any sort on the edges that pulled out. All 32 feet or so of them. The good news is I was able to get the edge back into place. There is damage on the front of a tear of about 2 inches and on the back a larger area maybe 10 inches. In other words there is a major fix in the future. But as of today I got it all back in place. I put a run of duck tape all the way along the seam. The way I figure if duck tape will hold a NASCAR together at 180 mile/hour the Snuffy should be fine at 65. If you can see it in this picture the roof is loose. Second picture is my fix. A nice strip of Duck tape from one end to the other.

On a better note. After I did my stuff and Sue did laundry, we went to breakfast/lunch at the casino. The same one we were at yesterday. Last nights porterhouses steak dinner was good/ dinner and drinks were around $30 bucks. Today I had breakfast and Sue had lunch. $15 bucks. Prices are good in Nevada casinos. Gambling for the last two day. We put in $61 bucks and cashed out around $120 bucks. So if you add up the numbers we came out ahead. Anytime you can leave a casino ahead it is good. Carlie could have cared less.

Tomorrow we will head to Laughlin, Nevada. Actually we will be staying across the river in Bullhead, Arizona. It is an RPI park. We belong to RPI. This means we get to stay there for $10 bucks a night. Only a half mile from another casino. This will be year number four for us in Laughlin. This year we get to see Mel Tillis. Should be a lot of fun. Saturday or Sunday we will head out and end up in Surprise an Happy Trails.

Trip from Beaver to Mesquite Beaver 56259, Mesquite 56405 Total 148 Miles

A bummer day

Today started out in Beaver, Utah. The place I posted last night. The weather reports were BAD, so we got going early to move south and to the sun. The trip down I-15 was just fine until we got to "Virgin Canyon" There had been a lot of wind but was mostly on our tail. Then the bummer happened, as we were crossing a bridge in a canon, we got a gust of wind that made the right side of the motor home go Opps. I thought it was the awning blowing out. Fortunately there was a quick pull off. When I looked outside at things I found that the right side of the motor home roof had come loose. I'll explain this later after I find out the seriousness of it all. So I got up on the top in the wind and did a major speed tape fix. (Duck Tape) That stuff works for airplanes and NASCAR, so it worked for us. 20 miles later we parked at Oasis Casino in Mesquite, Nevada. Here is my temporary repairs. Tomorrow I have a borrowed ladder set up an I will try to put things in a better condition.

In the mean time. We parked at the Oasis Casino where we where two years ago. Another, Opps---The casino was closed because of our economy. Guess Obama has not bailed out the casinos yet. Anyway, we just had to walk up the street to find one that was open. (Owned by the same folks)

Kind of neat. First two pictures are of a empty casino and the two pictures of a full casino. I guess they have that much control of our money. As to our gambling. We went in with our normal 20 bucks each. Currently we have $32 left. We will be here for two days. Sue sill do laundry and I will look at the roof. Any way we are parked in a nice spot.

We are settled in for the evening watching the Biggest Loser. I want to want to watch Dancing with the Stars next. Night for now. Resting in Nevada. Charlie was upset so was in hidding so he doesn't to finish the blog.

Fun and a run from weather

Well, we had a great time in Moab. We were going to go further south down to Monument Valley, Page and that way, but they are predicting lousy weather coming around here. They say it is in Seattle now and on the way. Bad words like snow. When you are hanging around 5000 to 6000 feet things get cold fast. With all this information we decided to go a different direction. We are now in Beaver, Utah. Still at 5000 feet but much further south and west. We are 140 miles from Mesquite, Nv., warm weather and an open pool. Not to mention a casino. Our trip was uneventful as can be noted how bothered the dog was.


We picked a KOA campground in Beaver. It seems to be a nice place. Has all we need like cable TV so we can watch Dancing with the Stars. They said not to hook up the water hose because it would freeze tonight. That's OK I just filled our water tank and put the hose away.



The sunset was beautiful tonight. Suppose to be "Red sky at night, Sailors delight" Hope that works with Motor homes. Besides that the moon was out as well. Sues cold is getting better. She started to find things to clean. I'll be in trouble soon. Really, I'm glad she is felling better.

Charlie is relaxing tonight. He had his Woffie and Sock. He likes it here. There are three weiner dogs on the left and to Scotties on the right. Tomorrow it will be on to Nevada.

Moab 56017, Beaver, Ut. 56259 Trip 242 Miles

Archers National Park

Today it was Arches National Park. Sue would not let me take her picture as she has a cold, so I had to pose. This was outside of the visitors center. From there you drive up a twisty road and get to see all kinds of cool things. The drive is about 18 miles from the entrance to the campground at the end of the trail. There are some side trips to various points of interest.

One of the sights is "Three gossips" As you can see it looks like it must be three ladies. Now how could they name a pile of rocks like this "Three gossips" It is really amazing how these rocks have just been left this way.

A little up the road is the "Balanced Rock" The sign says that the rock on top weighs 3500 tons. If you look at the rock it looks like it has been cemented in place. But if you look at all the stuff around the area you see that there is a strip of I guess they would call it the layers of the past geological times that run at the same level. Still how does that thing stay up there.

Still further down the road is the stop off point to see "Delicate Arch" There is what they call a moderately strenuous walk of about 1.5 miles with a elevation climb of 500 feet. Had Sue have felt better, I'm sure she would have dragged me up the hill. So we took a picture from the view point. Actually it's a picture of a sign. Next time we will make the trip to the arch, :)

At the same parking lot was a old homestead site called "Wolfe Ranch". The story says that a fellow named Wolfe who was injured in the Civil War homesteaded there in 1800 or something. He built a small home in the rocks with a dirt floor. Family showed up a few years later and and convinced him to built a better home with a wooden floor. The new place might be 10 x 20 feet. They had a corral for cattle. They must have been very happy. Hard to imagine in this day in age.

I didn't take any pictures at the campground. I did enjoy driving thru it as this is the place Howard ad Linda of "RV Dreams" spent last spring. They are the ones on the left of my blog. I have been reading their blog for a long time. It was interesting seeing the campground that the talked about so much. Howard takes some really good pictures of the place they are at. Check them out at "RV Dreams"

On the way back down the drive we stopped at what they call "Windows" There were three or four archers in this area.

After we left the park we stopped at a new walking bridge over the Colorado River. Now we can say we walked across the Colorado River. It was a really nice bridge just for walking. The view was also very good.

After a full day we came back home. The guard dog was waiting for us. I had to go to the store for Chicken Noodle soup for Sue. Charlie suggested some flowers so we had a festive dinner of soup, crackers and flower. Charlie felt good. Sue was happy.

Moab, Utah and a bit of back and forth

As I sort of expected yesterday didn't have much to talk about, We just traveled from Mountain Home to Springville, Utah. Stayed at a place called East Bay RV Resort. We stayed at the same place 2 years ago. Nice place just off the freeway. Charlie liked it because he got to go for a long walk. There was a nice black and white cat hunting across the drive. It was a really long drive (for me) yesterday 345 miles. Elaine thinks I'm a wimp. :) :)





We left there today on the way to Moab, Utah. The drive was kind of sneaky up. We ended up at the summit at 7500 feet. Then it was slow down to here, around 4500 feet. I told Sue we should have stopped and hit a golf ball up there. Most of the drive was just driving. Utah doesn't seem to have many rest stops. Charlie was upset. We finally pulled off at an exit and had lunch.

We got into the Moab area around 1:30. The reason we are here is to see Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, as well as what is in the area. The scenery changed a lot as we drove today. It went from kind of waste land to mountains and the red cliffs. It is really amazing how the geography changes as you drive.

As we were coming into the area we saw a RV place that looked OK. I thought it said cable TV. We were headed into Moab to another place so we kept going. Well that place looked bad so we went backwards about 7 miles. Well they didn't have cable so we went forwards back to Moab. Opps.... We got stuck in a cattle drive. Yes a Cattle Drive. Seems that they had a small bunch of Cattle that needed to get from Moab across the Colorado River. There is only one bridge, so they stooped traffic for a few minutes. You could tell that the cows crossed the bridge as they left, shall we say a sign.




Anyway after we got back to Moab again we found a really nice place called Spanish Trail RV Park, Three miles south of the McDonalds in Moab. Turns out this is a really nice place. Charlie likes it. Cable TV, good Internet and a nice view. So we are now hunkered in and watching TV. Sue has a cold so she is happy to sit. Well not really. I made the mistake of showing here Solitaire on line a few months back. Now I have to fight for the computer. Even Charlie felt sad. He doesn't know how to press the key board.











He was being a good dog and watching out for Sue.


So, tonight is TV and rest. Tomorrow we will do some exploring. This is suppose to be a beautiful area to check out. The town looks like a lot of fun too. Being Utah we have not yet seen an Osmond except on TV last Monday. Charlie is on the watch.




For the Blog record and those who don't know or those who have forgotten. If you see something like This in highlight, if you click on it it leads to something different, like the web sight of where we were at or going or something interesting. You never know, it might even be a bunch of gals working hard. Another thing, and I don't know how this works. If you double click on a picture, sometimes it gets bigger. I don't understand this one, just try it some times. Lastly at the end of the post is says comments. From what I hear you have to register to do that. I don't know but it is nice to know that someone reads this thing. On the right is says e-mail Joe or Sue. If you would like to say anything click there. Other wise just enjoy. I do every night I do this thing. Also never forget the Joe-isms. This is where you get a laugh because I can't speel.

Mountain Home 55452, Springville 55799, Moab 56017---Trip 1 347, Trip 218

Day Two and time changes

We are now in Mountain Home, Idaho which is Mountain time. We are watching Jay Leno on TV at 9 PM here, which is really 8 PM yesterday where we watched Jay Leno at 10 PM. We don't know if we are tired or not. Charlie doesn't seem to care.

The day started at the Casino and ended in Mountain Home, Nothing special, just driving. My butt is getting into the routine. We have been from elevation 900 feet up to 4000 feet and back to about 1500 feet. Lots of ups and downs. We stoped at a few rest stops. Charlie loves rest stops. We can not mention the word too early or he gets excited.

We found a nice place here in Mountain Home call surprisingly Mountain Home RV Park. Fairly new. They even have the sewer pick ups where they should be. There is a Super Wal Mart right across the street and a McDonald's on the way to the freeway. We took a walk around the park, well they did it all and I did half. I went out to take a picture and found the guard dog doing his job. OK, it was a slow day and I'm trying my best to come up with something to talk about.

We cooked in tonight. Sue made Turkey burger and cube steak. Guess whose was whose. Cream style corn and salad. Charlie got smiles (nothing) as he had not eaten his dinner then. He has since. Sue wouldn't let me take her picture so I substituted. I was working hard at the cooking.

Tomorrow will be another day. We are headed just below Provo, Utah. Place called Springville. We stayed there a couple years ago. I'll try and find something to talk about.

Today's drive Pendelton 55192. Mountain Home 55452 Total 260 miles

The new adventure begins

Well we finally got out of Dodge. I have been trying to leave since last Thursday. We made it this morning. 301 miles later we are at Wildhorse Casino and RV Park. The trip was uneventful except for my butt. It needs more time in the saddle. I will be getting it in the next few days. The plan is to make it to Moab, Utah by Sunday. That's 1080 miles from home. Then hopefully we will be able to slow down and see the sights.



Wildhores is a typical Casino. they have the RV park, a golf course, a hotel and of course the Casino. At least they have Keno. My good old RCR guys (Richard Childress Racing) paid off again. I think we broke even. Any time you break even it is good. The big surprise was as we walked in the door, who do we run into but Donna and Carol. Some Bothell housewives. Wow would think in the middle of nowhere. Naturally the girls got together for a quick drink while I sort of paced back and forth waiting to go back to the Motor Home. Casinos are nice except for the SMOKE. :( :(.

Carol, Sue and Donna

I love the way they design RV parks these days. This place is very nice but the just don't seem to get the idea where the sewer outlets are. I guess if we were a 5th wheel it would be good as the car is in the front. But with motor homes the car is in the back and that leaves the sewer stuff 25 feet away. Oh well. I guess the designing planning can be summed up with where they put a sprinkler head. If you note the picture the he is right where the wheels turn in to the parking spot. Good luck

Sewer outlet is in front of back wheel of Motor home and dump spot is next to rear wheel of the car

As you can see, Charlie is very concerned with all of this stuff. Actually I think he 1) wants something to eat, 2) wants to go outside or 3) just sitting there looking at my camera.

Home 54891, Wildhorse 55192. Trip 301

On a sad note, for those or you who knew me a few years back. Margie's mom passed away last week. Tony and Jeanne were there with her as well. It was planned surgery that just didn't come out well. Emma Jean was a really good mother in law for a long time. I will always miss Roy and Emma Jean. She will be missed dearly. Some pictures and notes can be seen at www.mountainviewtacoma.com, Emma Carpenter, and if you are a friend of Jeanne on Facebook she put up some very nice pictures as well. God bless and hugs to everyone.

Send off dinner

It has been sort of a packing couple days. Peggy felt sorry for us last night and invited us over for dinner. This was good as most everything is in the motor home by now. It was also very nice of her and Karl. Here is Peggy "The hostess with the mostess"





Snuffy was sitting outside in the Autumn leaves. The leaves are really pretty right now.

Karl and Charlie are best friends. Karl would really like a puppy. :) :). Anyway thanks guys for a good dinner and being such good friends.

Arizona is calling

Yep, Arizona is calling. I went outside this morning and it was raining again. Sue was up in Lynnwood and drove home in a rain storm. She said the wiper would not keep up. But at least the trees are pretty. Took this picture of the rain and the busy down spout.

We will be packing Snuffy this weekend and getting ready to leave. We plan on hitting the road Tuesday. I hope to go down thru Jackson, Wyoming and then thru Utah to Arches National Park. A couple stops in Nevada, like Laughlin and then on to Happy Trails. The weather will dictate which we go. Be happy to be out on the road again. Now I'll be able to put more stuff on the Blog. Charlie will be happy to be south as well. He even needed a rain hat to go outside today.