Arizona in February
Trip Start
Feb 01, 2009
1
Trip End
Feb 28, 2009
Apache junction, Arizona
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Feb 2- Monday-we had a bad night here-Charlie was moaning and finally told me his chest hurt-panic-but it was the right side, not the heart side, so we assumed it was gas and acted accordingly. He had snacked on all kinds of things last night, overindulging as usual. He was up in the recliner off and on and I just didn't sleep good though he didn't want any help from me or the medics. I am up at 8 and he is still sleeping and seems to be ok. Charlie up at 9, napping by 11, napping at 2 and napping at 4 - He is really feeling lousy but won't contact his doctor. The blood just didn't do it for him this time! We did get the van cleaned out and started packing for LV. He still wants to go-------
Finally got him to let me call the doctor, who called him back, and Charlie downplayed how bad he felt, so they decided to get an antibiotic for him. I will pick it up as soon as it is ordered. It is now 10PM and no word on the prescription- we drove up to Walgreens once and they had nothing. Doc office called and said it would be soon but no word so I am going to bed- Charlie went to bed some time ago.
Feb 3 - Up before 7 and called the pharmacy-they finally got the order for his pills so I showered and headed out to get them. 7 pills for $116 and they were not covered at all by his insurance-will have Dar check into that when we get back. Back home with them and Charlie was up, drinking his juice and taking his pills. BUT-he could not take these new pills within 2 hours of vitamins, milk, calcium or orange juice + a few other items. So now he can't take them till after we get on the road! We ate, finished our packing and were out of there at 9:30-The Nuvi took up clear across Phoenix instead of the shorter freeway! Charlie was going into sleep mode so I took over the driving. He woke around Kingman and drove on from there. We came over the dam and the new road/bridge is partially done and it is going to be a beauty - plus way up in the sky! On into LV first picking up Dana and Chuck at the convention center, then back to the Flamingo where we all checked in, with adjoining rooms which is handy. They came over, talked a while, then left to go for a walk while Charlie finally got a much needed nap. Finally out to dinner, but without Charlie- we drove to Cozumel Mexican Grill for and enjoyable meal-Chuck and Dana, Laura, Heather and John (all salespeople) and me for dinner. Driving back Charlie called asking for a vanilla shake so we found him one-the rest scattered all over town and I took the shake to Charlie, but first got lost in Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville Bar. It is big and packed and looks like a fun place. Charlie seems to feel a bit better but his temp is up. I am going to bed early too-before 10 pm.
Feb 4-Wednesday-Up early-Charlie took his second pill, and to our surprise actually is much better. Cannot believe the difference - these are magic- drugs! Dana and Chuck had gone out for a walk and bought a small coffee pot but no cups so had coffee in the small glasses that are in the room- Hot to handle! Finally off to breakfast at Denny's a couple of long blocks away, where we waited about 20 minutes to get a table and due to slow service spent a lot of time there. Back to the room to get cleaned up for the trade show. We drove my van there, dropped Dana and me off, looked for parking and since it was so far away Chuck dropped Charlie off and went to park. Chuck showed up at the "Better Tools" BetterTools.com booth but no Charlie-After a couple of phone calls got him onto the correct floor and to our booth. He rested for a while and then to Bullet Tools to talk to the owner (who had lost over 100 lbs since we had seen him in Coeur d'Alene Idaho last June) about working together on some things to help both companies. Later He, his son-in-law, Chuck and Charlie headed over to a Roofing trade show to talk with a mutual customer. I wandered around finding a pool shark giving a show on the upper floor and ended up being his assistant - and they were filming his show! ChefAnton.com Back down to our booth where I spent the rest of the afternoon. At 5 John and his 'girls' (Dana, Lori, Heather and me) headed out to his car via a trip through the shops in the Venetian. Somehow we have missed seeing this one so enjoyed it, and at last we all squeezed into his small rental car and headed back to the hotel. Dana's mon, dad, uncle and aunt are staying at a nearby hotel so came for a visit. After they left we headed out to Outback for dinner. Charlie feeling pretty good and finally hungry. Wandered about for a while after, watched a bartender juggler-he was terrific! Bought some Starbucks coffee, watcher a spray can street artist and finally home to bed, but some how didn't get there till after 10.
Feb 5- An overcast day-yesterday was a perfect blue day. Going on 8 AM and just getting my day started. I am not feeling super after last nights supper so went along to breakfast and had tea while the rest ate buffet. Next stop was the trade show again, and after helping for a while Charlie and I headed out to do some looking. When we arrived back at our booth Dana and I took Heather to the airport, then dropped off 3 boxes of supplies to a dealer and back to the Venetian where we park - then the ½ mile walk to convention center. Later we helped tear down the booth, leaving John and Lori to complete it. We went back to hotel, finally heading down town where we arrived in time to see the Fremont street light show, then dinner at Binions, then meeting up with Danas mom-Nina and dad-Dave, uncle Jim and wife Marlene. Charlie called Mary and she told him to bet $!0 on the slots for her - We did, all 8 of us helping, Charlie putting in money and me pulling the handle, and 3d to last pull netted Mary $40!! We took a picture of the paper payout and phoned it to Mary and also called her. Out for another street light show, then back to the hotel, all 8 of us in my van-a tired and giggly bunch. Finally bedtime.
Feb 6-Friday- We met Danas family at Imperial palace for a buffet breakfast-the one there is very good. It was almost noon when we left- we ate and talked there for a couple of hours. They left to go back to Arizona, the 4 of us back to the room for a bit, then to the van and headed out for a drive. Not the best weather day- rain off and on and cold. Did the Red Rock area, stopped at Bonny Springs for a drink and to sit around the wood fire talking, toured a town I have always liked, the tiny Blue Diamond, back to the hotel to relax for a bit before we think about eating again. Then out to Harrah's for a huge buffet! I ate so much I was almost sick! They do have a very good buffet. Then we wandered around outside for a while, people watching and just looking - it is cool out tonight, and finally back to the Flamingo where we are staying and finally to bed.
Feb 7-We didn't get up till 8 and the 4 of us not off to breakfast till about 10. Chuck spent a long time online trying to find a 'cheap' hotel for the next 2 nights-finally finding the Riviera for $24 a night!! We checked out of the Flamingo and headed to Terribles for a buffet breakfast-that was a brunch but very good. We didn't leave there till after 1, then taking them to the Riviera. After dropping them off we headed out of town in the rain - it has been raining all morning - and headed back to AJ, a 6 hour drive. It rained hard most of the way - our only stop was for an ice cream in Kingman, and home by 7:30. Put a few things away, did some catch-up and of to bed, 2 tired seniors, but, it had been a very good 5 day holiday. The trade show went well and we really enjoyed spending the time with Chuck and Dana - the most time we have spent with them. The weather was perfect until this morning - just a good holiday.
Feb 8 - Sunday - We both slept in-I was up at 8 and Charlie not till noon! He is feeling sooooo much better, but still did a lot in Las Vegas so was tired. We just hung around here till late afternoon when we finally just had to get dressed and go for groceries. It has rained most of the day, with severe rain showers this morning. And cool- 43 degrees at 2 pm, but up to 52 now at 10pm! Charlie called Matt about the Jeep and he is waiting for parts, possibly by Thursday. No problem with the weather being so bad-we can't go jeeping until it is nicer.
Feb 9-A cool night and rain this morning so we just hung around the house all day. Mid day the weather looked better but temp never got over 55! After a dinner of cabbage soup Charlie drove down to Queen Creek to check on how the Jeep was doing - It is a long ways from done, but mostly because some parts won't be here till thurdsay. Just after he arrived home it began to storm in earnest- winds, pouring rain and 50 degrees. Enough rain to interfere with the TV picture. Tonight was Obamas talk-telling us how bad of shape we are in and Bush may have made it so bad we will never recover---but we know with his stimulus program there can be no recovery. It is set up to fail and we will just be in worse shape than ever-but he has set it up to blame the Bush regime, even though the Dem congress is how we got into this mess. End of soapbox!
Feb 10th - Tue-The rain is over-and the sky is mostly blue, but only got to 55 today and was 43 last night - not typical AZ weather. They had over 12 inches of snow in Flagstaff overnight! We hung around here again today and just didn't do much. Charlie had a 1½ hour phone conference with the plant-they are going to lay off several more people. Too bad, but until they can get more work things will be lean.
Feb 11th-I was up early again and Charlie at 10-We didn't do much today-I cleaned house and did floors while Charlie went for a 'test' walk. He called me an hour later to come and pick him up-He had walked 2.2 miles up Idaho Road. Fixed us a hamburger for dinner. Charlie has lost 20 lbs in last 3 weeks-getting sick sure helped that!
Feb 12-I was up early for an appt with my Merrill Lynch guy, but just before I left got an email saying it was cancelled-Marc was sick. Charlie up and had more crisis at the office so spent most of the day on the phone and emails. Stayed home in the cool weather again - just not comfortable out! Late afternoon Charlieg and Sheila stopped by for a visit.
Feb 13 Friday-Charlie was up early and off to make some sales calls, first one at 10, and I thought he was only doing one, but he did several and didn't get home till well after 4. He did get some leads though. I did laundry including all the throw rugs-as I was getting the cart out of the coach storage I managed to trip over a folded chair and land on my palm, elbow and knee! Hand is bruised tonight but that is all the damage I did! 37 last night and only 55 high today- This is getting old. Charlie called Matt tonight and there is a chance the jeep will be ready sometime Sunday, but he didn't sound too hopeful.
Feb 14- Valentine Day - We exchanged cards this morning, then over to the clubhouse for breakfast. Back home and Charlie took a nap, while I talked with Carol, via phone, for at least an hour! Enjoyed it. After his nap Charlie went out to the car and came back with 2 boxes of candy for me-Since I hadn't gotten him anything I handed one back to him and said Happy Valentines day - LOL. Still only 55 degrees, nice out but cool. Early afternoon we headed out to do a bit of urban caching and did several hard but satisfying ones. We did meet another cacher at one, helped him out, went with him to one we had just gotten, and then on to one we both wanted to try by a devious cacher we know. We spent a long time there getting nowhere, so finally called Fireman who gave us a hint that put us in the right area and finally I found it! His wife came by to check on us. Good to see her again-we need to go do something with them. Really a devious hide! Groceries and home where it is cold again tonight-and rain expected again this week- will we ever have good weather???
Feb 15th Sunday-Weather still the same- will AZ weather ever come this season? Wayne stopped by for a visit and we had our breakfast after he left. About 2 we headed toward Queen Creek caching, doing 15 out of 16 tried. Some were really easy and some were great hides. About 5 called Matt and he is in Peoria so the Jeep did not get done today and I doubt it does tomorrow either as he has a full time welding job. Charlie getting antsy about getting it! Home about 6 and fixed dinner. Doug called me; he and Davis have started caching as Stahlman_Brothers and did their first 3 today, including one at the cemetery where Jim, their dad, is buried. I logged all our caches, read a bit and then off to bed.
Feb 16- We were up early this morning because we had to take the motorhome into LaMesa RV to have a window replaced. The drivers side window is double paned, but has lost a seal or something so has moisture in it. Tiffin had sent a new window for us. It is about 10 miles west of here and a quick trip with me following in the van. After getting that settled we headed over to WaffleHouse for breakfast, then to Camping World for some replacement lightbulbs (that did not work when we got them home!). Finally back home where Charlie did a good job of re-parking the coach into our tight space. Caught up on things here, got everything put back where it belonged and at 5:45 headed out for Someburros for a geocaching event. The food here is excellent- best Mexican I have had, and family owned with authentic ethnic food. We shared a polla funito and it was still almost too much food! But really good! We met a lot of new cachers (new to us) and had a great time- best time I have had at an event. They are having this event every month - at different eateries around town. Charlie called Matt and he is not done and it may be at least Thur before we get the Jeep back.
Feb 17 -Tue - Up fairly early - I have an appt with my Merrill Lynch guy, Marc Salem at 11:30 so headed out about 11-we had a nice visit and are leaving everything just as it is for now. Then we talked politics and travel till his next appt showed up. He had been to Rome and Croatia recently giving us lots to talk about. Then out to Bigler Dermatology for the growth on my L index finger. I liked the guy as opposed to the guy in AJ that cut this growth off several years ago. He was a total jerk! Rude and condescending. Lane said he has heard that from sooo many that have transferred to him for treatment. Anyway, he does not know what the growth is or why, after removal 2 times, keeps coming back, always bigger. He decided to freeze it off, with a huge and extra bit of 'ice' and see what happens; if it returns he wants me to call a 'hand surgeon' as nerves are involved in the growth. It hurt last night but today looks almost normal, but I know it will be worse in a few days, and it is almost to the bone so could get ugly! After dinner we headed to the clubhouse for the Bernie and Red show. We saw half of it last year and knew it would be good and it was. The do funny skits and sing-this particular show is 40 and 50's number 1 hits. Really enjoyed it and laughed lots!! www.bernieandred.com
Feb 18th- Charlie off at 8:15 for golf. Supposed to be sunny and 70 today, and it is about time! He came home after 3 and had enjoyed the day. A few business calls and supper, then he headed south in the van to visit his Jeep and see how it was doing. May get it back tomorrow. Charlie finally home and the Jeep is almost finished - just need to finish fabricating the front bumper and attach it. Probably pick it up tomorrow evening.
Feb 19th-Hung around home all day, doing not much of anything! Lazy! Charlie on the phone most of the day, as usual. After dinner we did grocery shopping, then home where he is on the phone again---Called Matt and Jeep will probably be ready tomorrow night-we will see-
Feb 20th-Friday-After a night of restless sleep we got up fairly early. Today was the first warm day in some time and nice to see the sun again! We hung around here till mid afternoon and then decided we just had to get out in the warm sunshine! Off for a ride, first stop was the place where we sold Charlies other RV a couple of years ago-just to look. While there met up with a delightful couple and spent at least an hour chatting with them. Next headed for Sams Club where we bought a few things we had been needing. Next-4 caches on our way to TGIFridays for dinner with a 'buy one get one free' coupon we had. A good dinner and while waiting to be seated Charlie called Matt to see what time tonight we could come and get the Jeep-and much to Charlies disappointment Matt said not until tomorrow night! Charlie not happy about that but nothing we can do about it! Finally home as the day cools off and to only be 49 here tonight, but high 70's tomorrow.
Feb 21- Saturday- Up early and over to breakfast by 8. Back home and did stuff around here till 11, and after a long phone call from Dar, we headed out to drive and maybe cache. Not sure where we would go, but eventually ended up in Scottsdale, where the rodeo parade had just ended. Found a parking place and spent a couple hours wandering around at the street fair and caching when one was near. Finally left there and did a few more in Scottsdale, then headed home where I fixed a meatloaf from a recipe Dar had sent me, and it was good. We were to head to Queen Creek for the Jeep about seven, but Matt called near 7 and suggested we wait till tomorrow. We will but Charlie sure getting tired of this 'one more day' thing. Supposed to take 1 week and has now been 3 ½ weeks. Charlie is still on his 'diet' and since the end of January he has lost 24 lbs! It is beginning to show and he looks good and feels good.
Feb 22-Up late and messed around here till noon, then called Matt and he said it was ready! Off we drove to Queen Creek, actually several miles south of there, and the Jeep was our back parked up on the rock pile he has in his back yard. Looked good, and Charlie drove it on and off the rocks trying it out-there is one piece that hung down too low under and Matt is re welding it while we take off and do 3 nearby caches. Back to pay for and take it home, but first a trip up an extreme hill nearby-where we barely had room to turn around - took about 5 back and forths with no room for any mistakes! Matt called to tell Charlie he had written the check but forgot to tear it out and give it to him! I waited while he went back to Matts, and a bit later had a call that they had something else that needed attention so I headed on home. About an hour later Charlie arrived and the neighbors and us talked outside for a while. Dinner, computer stuff and off to bed after a snack of warm tapioca.
Feb 23- Monday-An overcast day but the temp did get to 81! Wayne called back around noon and we met him to go 4 wheeling in bulldog canyon. This was a test for the modifications on the Jeep. All worked just fine and we went up and down some stuff I cannot believe! At the first 'test' we met 4 young guys in an older jeep. They decided to join us for the rest of the day and hope they didn't regret it. I think we had them doing stuff they had never done before-there was only one place they could not get back up but there was a go around they could do.
Feb 24th-Up early to find we had not closed the motorhome door-again-guess we both need to try to check that each evening with this warmer weather. Blue sky today. We did get word this morning that the family of the guy we hit, and unfortunately killed, (he just walked out in front of us -not in a cross walk) settled for much less than we had expected. The brother who lives in Peru filed the suit against our insurance company. I'm glad that is behind us now - it was very traumatic. It happened on Flamingo Blvd in Las Vegas 11 months ago, and is always there in our minds, popping up at the oddest times. When we were recently in LV we stayed at the Flamingo Hotel-nothing like a huge reminder! Chuck didn't know that when he made reservations. I got some info for my financial guy, Charlie took the Jeep for alignment but they were too busy, even though he had an appt, so will do it later. I ordered a new and fancy Garmin Nuvi for us - it is also usable for caching!
Feb 25th-Charlie off early for golf and I did the laundry. Just as he arrived home Sharon called to say they were in Quartsite and would be here in a few hours. We headed over to the pool for a swim - lots of people there! They called again about 5:30 and they were at Happy Days RV on Meridian and University where CharlieG and Sheila were giving them their travel trailer/toy hauler to stay in. We picked them up about 6:15 and headed west to Waldo's BBQ where we had a great meal and caught up on them. Back to their place for a bit, then home and eventually off to bed.
Feb 26th - thur- Up early as Charlie had a 2 hour phone conference with Chuck and Bob. Then called Sharon, no answer, tried again later and caught them on the way to get groceries. The shopped, took the stuff back to toy hauler and headed over here where we talked for awhile, then decided to go out to Queen Valley and visit Ken and Joan. Stayed there for quite a while and then left via an ATV route, stopping for one cache and then out onto the QV road, and off it heading towards the paintball jungle. The road through it was a real challenge, but we managed, though with a few more scratches and bruises on the Jeep. Something is wrong with the Jeep- when we go 55 MPH it does the Death Wobble! We cannot tow it if it isn't fixed! It is really scary and if being towed we would not know it had started do the 'wobble'! After playing around on the desert we headed back home where we had a drink and chicken, baked tater and salad for supper. About 7 Gary and Sharon headed home, we washed dishes and caught up on computers till bedtime.
Feb 27th-Sharon called this morning and she, Gary and I will go to the Mesa Swap meet at 11. Charlie will stay home and do business things. We were there till after 4! Bought a few things including a small foldup stool for getting into the Jeep. About 6 Charlie took off to Matts to get the winch installed on the front of the Jeep-and to discuss the Death wobble, but no conclusion at this time, but he will work on it later, prob next week. At 7 Sharon called and I left to meet her, Gary, CharlieG and Sheila at the FeedBag for supper. Had fun and home about an hour later, with Charlie arriving about 9. Busy but fun day.
Feb 28th, the last day of Feb! Up early for breakfast at the clubhouse, then home, and a bit later Wayne called to see if we wanted to wheel today-we made plans to meet him at 11, then later talked to Gary and he decided to go along, then Charlie G wanted to go, and Sharon decided to join us- so all of us headed out to the Bulldog Canyon taking the 10 road all the way through to the Bush Hwy- A challenge here and there but we did fine with the new and improved Jeep! Charlie did a few 'extra credit' challenges while we took pictures! We did 4 caches along the way and at the last one we could see clear to the fountain at Fountain Hills-It's spectacular even from that distance! Home around 4 and Sharon was hoping to get in a bit of sun bathing yet today. Another fun month, and especially now that the sun has come out.
