Time in Arizona Ending Soon

I have been here in Quartzsite, AZ since early Dec, flew home for Christmas, then Jolene and I came out at the end of December. Arizona has been great, the sky shows every night have been awesome. The desert, after some heavier than normal rain is green, there are flowers. The Painted Lady butterfly migration has come and the stragglers are still fluttering by.

The RV selling season is about over out here. We are looking to put on one more show, down in Yuma. We shall see. If we do it, I hope it is successful. Our last sales are all getting deliverd now. Would be nice to have another one in the chute before we head out.

Little flight back to Florida to take care of some issues and then on the road.

We Believe in Angels.

We believe in Angels. We have always been guided. Blessed. Lucky. Way back. Just newly wed, just out of the Air Force, heading back to RI from Utah. Pulling our first RV, a 1967 Starcraft Vacationer Deluxe with a Chevy Van. Van having trouble running cool, tried all sorts of work arounds, but it just ran real hot. Finally, in western PA, a bearing seized. Meant the engine had to be torn down, bearing, and as it turned out rings as well, all had to be replaced. Bad situation, but our angel was in the form of John Wilson in Zelienople, PA. Just inside the border with Ohio, between Rt 70 and Rt 80. We limped off the exit, stopped at the busy service station, and was told, no they couldn't help, but we could set the camper up across the street, and in the morning ask the station owner across the street. Next morning, first thing, I asked, and his door was open to us. John let us use a service bay, (I did my own work), he also let me order parts I needed at his cost. Took a week, between tearing down, assessing needs, ordering, etc. John would not accept anything in return, what he has in return is my eternal gratitude. Not only did he help us out, he cemented a lesson I learned growing up, you help others. Golden Rule, now commonly used term is Karma. Whatever. John helped with no regard of how it would impact him. We accepted with open hearts. This event seemed to set a form for us in our life. I had a job awaiting me after the service, I had worked for NCR before enlisting. I had the job reserved to come back to. I had visions of a long career at NCR. Didn't happen. In early 1973, NCY, reacting to market conditions laid off a large percentage of their employees I was one. My angel stepped in and I was recruited to a bank I had done work at in my NCR raining. Big career change, from a tech to a computer operator. This lead me through training, kicked me into getting my college degree, and gave me my career for the next 30 + years.When I left that career I flew to Florida to see my folks and while driving back from the airport we stopped at Lazy Days RV. Dad had asked what I had thought of doing next, I mentioned, maybe sales. We walked in and it popped. RV sales! I have always liked RV's, had a good understanding of RVers wants, why not turn that into selling? Dad knew one guy there, as we walked into the building, Dad spotted him. As it turned out, he had been promoted to General Sales Manager. 3 Days later, after numerous interviews I had an offer. My angels were still watching over me. Karma, luck, whatever. My angels watch.Without hitting every occurrence in our lives, let me just say again, we believe in angels.Of course, our latest has been finding this position at Old Faithful. All the positions had been filled, however one couple had to back out and we were lead to the opening. A cool thing s also happening in getting to Yellowstone. To get there from here we pass through Ogden, Utah, Jolene's hometown. So we will be stopping of course to see family. While there, either on the way out, or our place to stay in the motorhome while there, we will be at Willard Bay. This is the very first place Jolene and I camped in that little tent trailer, 37 years ago, to the month. This went a bit long, but there ere a couple events I felt compelled to share. If you got this far,, thank you. When your angel nudges, go with the feeling.

Looking for a truck

Well, our plans are moving along. Currently we pull a utility trailer with 'stuff' and our motorcycle. Being in Yellowstone at 7200', the temps and weather not always be bike weather, hence, we need a vehicle. Truck works best because it can carry the motorcycle as well as our bicycles. The stuff will get distributed between the motorhome and possibly storage or a yard sale. The truck can be towed behind.

Have been scouring Craigslist to find the right one, have found a couple good ones, but have to act fast. Haven't had the time to act fast yet.

Good candidate will be a Ford Ranger, extended cab, 5-speed, long bed. Mazda, Chevy, Dodge will also all work just fine in this configuration. Like to get something 99 or older, mainly to keep the cost down.

We want a manual transmission because it would not require modifications to tow with all 4 wheels down. An automatic would need a driveshaft modification, this gets expensive.

Why is it that all the trucks that match most of this description have been red with red interior, and with the year requirement, they all seem quite faded.

Looks like I shouldn't have too much issue selling my trailer, I had two offers on it today! Just not ready to sell it yet. DIdn't even have a For-Sale sign on it!

We Got the Job

Jolene and I found out about the opening at the Old Faithful Visitor Center Bookstore, applied, interviewed, and accepted the offer. We are looking forward to May when we arrive. This will be a new experience for us, the workamping thing is something we have wanted to do since we first heard the term. This is our first time.

We will be 'Kamping' in our 1997 35' Southwind. A great older motorhome, we bought it back last May. Somehow we were guided it seems. It is funny how life leads you down paths, you just have to be willing to be guided and follow your guide. Opportunities abound, be adventurous!

We will be Working in the Yellowstone Associatins bookstore at the visitors center at Old Faithful. http://tinyurl.com/58lvr4 This link is a live webshot of Old Faithful.

My plan is to update this weekly while getting ready go, and hopefully daily when we get there.

I will be taking some fly fishing lessons and Jolene will take a class on native plants and how early americans used them in medcine, food etc. We will both take a class onb the geology of Yellowstone. These will help us working with customers in the bookstore.

Some of my blog will focus on my attempts to learn fly fishing. From getting some equipment to learning knots, to maybe even landing a trout in a clear mountain stream.

Jolene is not comfortable as a computer person, so I will update her thoughts as related to me on the classes she takes.

Koda, our chihuahua is along for the ride, and how he loves rids, whether in the car, the motorhome or on the motorcycle, this pup loves travel. So, for this summer, he will be where the wild things are, on a leash and not left alone outside. To us he looks like our faithful companion, to the wildlife in Yellowstone, probably just a between meal snack.

Our plans for the time between now and May include finishing out the RV season here n AZ, then some us time, meet up wth friends in Zion for a few days, then up to Utah, stopping and camping in the Ogden area. We will spend a day or two atAntelope Island. I usually visit this island whenever visiting Jolene's family, and always wanted to camp there. There is a bison herd on the island as well as the antelope. They roam freely, so you may end up having one walk by your campsite. Our next campsite will be at Willard Bay. This is in north Ogden, and this is the first campground we visited, way back in 1972 in our first camper, just after we were married. This has been a long winding wonderful path.

From Willard Bay we will likely stop in the Idaho Falls area, get smoe food stocked up and be our last stop before arriving in Yellowstone on May the 12th.

All for now. Hope you enjoy our journey as we will.