Update: 03-29-15

Apache Junction    H91  L60

Judy and I have completed our last full week here in the sunny and rapidly warming southwest.  Yesterday temps reached the mid-nineties. Although the temps are about 8* above normal.

This past week Judy and I have been busy making preps to hit the road next Wed. It wasn’t all work though, we had time to participate in our park activities such as cards and shuffleboard.  We even had time to go out with some of our friends and meet new friends!

Tue we met new friends Sandie & Jim for a lunchtime meet and greets. They are fulltime RVers and Sandie chronicles their travels in her blog, “Where Are the Dixons Today?".  Check-out the blog. Judy and I hope we get to see them later as they travel north.

 

 Saturday we met up with our friends Margaret and Tony to take in the Tempe Spring Arts Festival.  Afterwards we had lunch at one of the many micro-breweries. Tempe is the home of Arizona State Univ.

      

Tonight we are going to participate in an evening of shuffleboard under the lights.  Last Sunday evening we played in the Can Am (Canadians vs  Americans) shuffleboard match. It was so popular we are going do it again.

The only other thing we did this week was buy an investment property.

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next Blog: not sure,  but it will not be more than a week or so.

Almost Time to Go

Apache Junction, AZ   H83 L60

Our time is almost at its end, just over a week and we will be departing Arizona.  Judy and I had planned to leave this Friday but have now pushed our depart date to April 1st.  I wanted to have the wheel bearings repacked and April 1st was the earliest appointment I could get. Seems I am not the only RVer to have the same idea. So, after we get packed up and leave the park we will go directly to the service center for the appointment, and hopefully be on the road headed to Las Vegas a couple of hours later.

I finally got around to completing a project I heard about in Oct. of 2012.  I know… If you have slide toppers you are aware that in heavy or sustained rain they will sag and retain water because they don’t drain fast enough.  since I am heading back to Oregon I decided to take on my project. I fabricated slide topper supports that will keep rain from collecting on the toppers.  I would only use them when we stay static for week or more or if rain is in the forecast.  I have also added the support removal on my “day before departure” check list. It would not be good to put the slides in with the supports in place.

     

Judy and I have been very impressed with this area of Arizona.  The climate is absolutely fabulous. It is hard not to like an area that the sun shines over 330 days each year.  Yes, it gets HOT here in the summer but the humidity is low. Have you ever been in Georgia or Florida when the temps are in triple digits and 100% humidity?  The area has lots to do and see so we both agree that they’re possibilities here.  Judy and I took time to checkout a nearby 55+ retirement community because as we all know, nothing is forever so we must have a back-up plan for the day we have to leave the road. To our fulltime friends, don’t read too much into this. 

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next Blog: before we leave AJ

The Grand Canyon

Apache Junction, AZ  75H  59L  light rain

Last week after Judy and I visited the Red Rock Scenic Byway in Sedona we continued our drive a hundred miles to the Grand Canyon South Rim. It had been thirty nine years since our last visit! We were a lot younger back in April of 1976. One thing that had not changed, was the Grand Canyon, it was just as GRAND.  Although I tried to capture the grandeur in the pics, only a visit in person will do that. 

Grand Canyon

     

 

     

     

That is all for now.   Thanks for stopping by. 

Next blog: in about a week.

* Workamper Position Madras Oregon -  I have been informed that PGE has two workamper positions available. One is a 40  hour position (maintenance) at Pelton Park.  Contact me for details. This is a great opportunity and will not last long. Must pass a physical and drug screening.

Sedona & the Red Rock Scenic Byway

Apache Junction, AZ.    H85 / L59

Monday the weather in Apache Junction was just right for a road trip, which is not unusual for this part of the country.  That’s the reason folks flock here.  Judy and I headed a hundred fifty miles north and west to Sedona, AZ. This area is well known for its red rock formations.  The drive was very enjoyable and we made it to the Red Rock Scenic Byway (AZ 179) in 2.5 hours.  The drive is only seven miles but the views are magnificent and endless. The highway runs through the center of Sedona. Sedona is a very nice small tourist town with plenty of eateries and specialty shops.   

Sedona, Red Rock Scenic Highway

     

    

     

     

Chapel of the Holy Cross

The Chapel of the Holy Cross was built into the buttes of Sedona and was voted as one of the “Seven Man-made Wonders” of Arizona in 2007. Click for more info.

    

                                                                                    

        

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next Blog: in about a week.

Pelton Park – Madras, Oregon

Judy and I will be heading back to Pelton Park in 18 days so I wanted to do a blog dedicated to the park. I will be adding it as one on the featured links on the blog.  We are ready to get back to the park. Hope to see some of our blog readers at the park.

Pelton Park is a recreational facility owned and operated by Portland General Electric (PGE), the state’s primary electricity producer. The park is located 10 miles north of Madras, Oregon on Lake Simtustus. The lake is fed by the Deschutes River and was created when Round Butte Dam and Pelton Dam were built.  PGE uses it to generate hydro electricity. 

Pelton Park is a favorite of many area campers and some not so local. Campers enjoy the water recreation opportunities offered by Lake Simtustus such as fishing, skiing, boating and personal water craft riding. Located at the south end of the park is a marina and Roxy's Cafe & general store, also owned by PGE but operated by a private contractor. There are many area attractions nearby. A few of these are, Warm Springs Native American Museum, Ericson Aircraft museum, Smith Rock State Park, and Lake Billy Chinook State Park.. The Painted Hills are located about an hours drive away.  This park is considered one of the “best kept secrets” of Central Oregon but the word is getting out.

Photo Gallery

   

   

    

Marina & Roxy’s

   

  

Happy Campers

    

  

Beautiful Views

   

   

Important Park Info:

Seasonal CG: Last week of April – Last week end of Sept.

Address: 3300 Pelton Dam Road  * best to enter off HWY 26 North of Madras 

Phone: 541-325-5292

Total Sites: 66

RV Sites: 48  (largest up to 45', 30 &50 amp ) * most sites are electric only, fresh water stations are located throughout the park and at the office to fill fresh water tanks.  Tents are allowed on RV sites (one plus RV or two without RV. Four sites have water and electric

tent only sites: 03 (shared water stations) Tents are allowed on all RV sites (one plus RV or two without RV.

Yomes -  15, two bunk beds, electric       Cabins – 03

Comfort stations: 04   # showers: 06

Cost per day:  $18-25 (weekly discount)

Reservations: online or by phone (online Mar. 16 2015),  Waterfront sites go fast, reserve at least 2 months out for weekends if visiting June – Labor Day

That is all for now. Thanks for stopping by.