Life Since Mittry Lake

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Jim Melvin

Paradise Casino

After I left Mittry Lake I headed to the Paradise Casino. From there I drove into Los Algadones, MX to have my teeth cleaned by my dentist Dr Eva Urena. All went well and I didn’t have to have any other work done. I got out of there paying only $35. Not too shabby!

While I was over in MX I decided to have my hearing checked out. I found the place my friends from a couple of years ago got their hearing aids. They had lots of good things to say about them so went in without an appointment and they said to return for a hearing test in about an hour. I love the fact that you can go in any office without an appointment and they will get you in so fast.

My hearing test results were exactly what I have thought for some time. My hearing is going down the drain. She recommended several types of hearing aids including one that only costs $695. However she mentioned that I would probably be in there in a year or two upgrading to new hearing aids. I decided to go with the better hearing aids. I gave her half of the amount and told her I would be back in a week or two to pick them up and be fitted.

My teeth cheaper the Chica’s

The last thing I would have to do in Yuma was getting Chica’s teeth cleaned. A vet in CA told me that she had Periodontal disease and quoted me a price anywhere from $850 to $1100. YUK!!! I took the quote to the Animal Hospital of Yuma and they quoted my a price of $470 for the same procedure. However they wanted to see her first before going ahead with anything. I took her in and they said she had a mild case of Periodontal disease and needed a tooth extracted. But what she had could be cleared up with a deep cleaning which would only run about $185. What a difference.

Anyway I took her in and since I had her teeth cleaned there last year, they gave me a discount and only charged me $165. Now she is good to go for another year.

Let me see – My teeth – $35 Chica’s teeth – $165. DUH!!

Scattering of Ashes

I then returned to CA and stayed at O’Neill Park. My sister Bev had found online someone who would scatter my parents ashes in the Saddleback Mountains. How cool is that. We originally planned it for February 28, but it was raining and overcast and we had to postpone it until March 7. I got up early on the 7th and took a bunch of stuff over to a picnic site where we would be able to see the plane when it flew over scattering their ashes. Once the family showed up we were all ready to view it. She circled several times before scattering the ashes. It was really a beautiful site. I tried to get pics but they didn’t come out too good. We combined both my father’s and mother’s ashes together. It was their wishes to have their ashes scattered over Saddleback Mountain and we were so happy that we finally carried out their wishes. I will never see Saddleback Mountain again without remembering this day and the beauty of seeing their ashes float down to the trees.

We then spent the afternoon roasting hot dogs and eating a great picnic lunch. It was fun seeing everyone again.

Back in CA

I wanted to see if I could qualify for Lasic surgery on my eyes. I HATE wearing glasses and was hoping I could have the surgery so I would only need glasses for reading. I made an appointment and went in to see the eye doctor. I found out that I have cataracts and astigmatism in both eyes so the doctor suggested I have cataract surgery and he would also replace my lens to correct the astigmatism. He would do one eye at a time with a period of time between eyes. I was ready to go.

Then he stated that he would have to get an OK from my primary physician. My previous primary physician was with Kaiser Permanente who I have not see since I started full timing almost 5 years ago. I usually went to Renown Care in Reno each year and they would renew my prescriptions.

I checked on the Internet to find a Primary Care Physician in the area and I found a real gem. I was able to make an appointment on line and was notified by his office almost immediately. I went in and he checked me out but wanted to run a CT Scan of my heart and blood work as well. The CT Scan came back with a 324 result so he suggested I seen a Cardiologist as well as a Pulmonary doctor because he could hear some noise in my lungs. I went to the Cardiologist and after speaking some time with her she wanted me to take a treadmill test.

I finally got the OK from my new Primary Physician and made the appointments with the eye doctor. I had to go in and get further measurements of my eyes and scheduled the right eye to be done on the 2nd and the left eye on the 8th. There is usually a two week wait between eyes but he knew I would be headed up north for a summer job so he made an exception.

Back in Yuma

After much prodding and poking by doctors I returned to Yuma to pick up my hearing aids. That went very well but they didn’t order the charger for me as I requested so I will have to return later. I also stopped in to see Gayle and Jim at the space they are renting in Yuma while their get dental work completed. It was a really nice area and very scenic since they are so close to the mountains. Chica also enjoyed seeing Sophie and Elvis and had fun on a walk with them. I stupidly didn’t get any pics while I was there.

Heading to Phoenix

I was going to spend a few more days in Yuma, but when the temperature hit 94 and we have no hookups at the casino I decided to go where I have full hookups. More on that later.

Getting things done at Mittry Lake

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Jim Melvin

Still at Mittry Lake

Since I arrived here I have replaced my GPS, Dish Receiver and pocket camera. My camera stopped working last year but didn’t want to spend the money to replace it. It was a Nikon CoolPix and I loved the camera but it just stopped working. I had already sent it into Nikon during it’s warranty period and they were able to fix the problem, but since then it started the same problem over again and decided it was time for a new one.

I went to Best Buy where I was able to pick up a new Sony Cyber Shot. I looked at them all but decided this one had many of the features of my Nikon and would be easiest to get used to. So far I am very happy with it although the flash pics aren’t the greatest. I guess I will have to read the manual for a change. Sure Jim!

My next item was a new GPS. My old one was a reconditioned unit I had bought through WOOT several years ago and it gave me many years of instructions on how to get where I was going. Then on the way to Yuma I plugged it in and it never did come on. I picked up a new Garmin at Best Buy also and am really please with it. I looked at several different models including the TOMTOM but decided on sticking with the Garmin in the same size I had. So far I like it much better then the one I had.

Last but not least, I set my Satellite Dish up but couldn’t get the receiver box to even turn on. I contacted Dish support who determined that I might need a new receiver box. They gave me the address of a local retailer in Yuma so I headed over to them to see if they could test my box. They plugged it in and again nothing. They did have a replacement box in stock which they programmed for me and now I also have TV. Hot Dog!

Chica’s Teeth

When I was in So CA I took Chica in to get her nails clipped and saw the vet. He mentioned that she had a loose tooth and possible Periodontal disease. YUK! Poor little girl! He gave me an estimate of $800 – $1100 to get her fixed up. I thought I would go to the vet in Yuma at Foothill Animal Hospital to get a second opinion. Before I took her in I stopped by there with the estimate I received from the first vet. They literally cut that in half and said it would cost less then $500, however they wanted to see her first. Then next day I took her in and the vet examined her and determined she didn’t really have periodontal disease but she did need a good teeth cleaning. It is common among her breed that plack really builds up. I took her in to the same vet last year and they did her teeth then so early Thursday we are off to the vet. They will also bring her up to date on her shots and trim her nails again (they grow so fast).

Please Daddy, not the dentist again!

Life is good at Mittry Lake

Lots of friends, great weather, good food, and its totally FREE. What more could you ask for.

Off to Yuma

Posted on February 16, 2015 by Jim Melvin

Thanks

I would like to thank everyone for the thoughtful comments concerning my Mom. I am so lucky to have so many friends like yourselves.

Finally off to Yuma

I was finally able to pick up my rig at the Ford dealer where they fixed my steering box, upgraded my A/C and did my front brakes. Then I went back to Doheny State Beach for 2 days to get organized and purchase food. My sister Bev took me to Costco and Trader Joe’s where I really stocked up. I packed up on Friday morning to make the drive to Yuma. Glad to get out of all the traffic in So CA.

Cool driving

I am sure glad that the Ford dealer was able to fix the A/C. Since my rig is an older model they could not just add freon, but had to upgrade to the latest freon they now use in all the new vehicles. It was getting hot crossing the desert and both Chica and myself were nice and cool.

Mittry Lake

I headed straight to Mittry Lake where I met up with friends who were already there. Jim and Gayle, Debbie, Chris, Jeanne, Barbara, Suzanne and Kim were already there and Chica and I moved right in. Martin and Charlie arrived later and it was good seeing them. It sure was fun meeting up with old friends as well as some new ones as well.

Chica also met here friends Sophie and Elvis as well as Rupert and Eliot, Katie and Riley. She was really glad to see them.

Visited Stan

The next day I drove over to the Paradise Casino to visit Stan who was a fellow camp host last summer at Baker Lake. He had called and mentioned that he would only be there another day or two so decided to stop in and pay him a visit. He is going back east to Mississippi. It was good seeing him before he left.

I also need groceries so headed over to Fry’s to restock my new refrigerator.

Off on a hike

A few of us left on a hike about 9:00am to avoid the heat. It was a hike I have done many times before so knew where we were going. This is a pic of our rigs looking back from our hike.

I will take more pics of the area and Chica once I get my camera charged up.

I am glad to be back on the road and meeting up with friends.

New Flooring Looks Great

Posted on March 9, 2014 by Jim Melvin

Long day at the dentist

Thursday was a really long day for me at the dentist. I left Hot Springs LTVA about 8:30 to make my appointment at 10:30. There was an hour time change when entering California and the dentist goes by Arizona time. I got right in on time and they started with my new bridge. No matter what they did it did not fit right as it was too high when I bit down.

They called the lab and they sent someone over to discuss it. They decided it would have to be remade so they had to take another impression and then sent it back to the lab. The dental assistant told me it would take at least another hour before they would get it back and that I could wait in the lobby. I mentioned that I also had to have a wisdom tooth removed. I then was taken to another chair and they prepped me for the removal.

Pulling that wisdom tooth was a frickin bummer!!!!! She had to break it into several pieces and cut the gum as well. I didn’t feel any pain, but heard a lot of crunching noises as she was pulling it. I needed 3 stiches to sew up the cut in the gum.

Then it was off to the lobby, where I must have read every National Geographic magazine they had. I got these pics of the lobby from Debbie when she was there a few weeks earlier.

It was beginning to get very hot and the air conditioner clicked on and soon it was getting rather chilly. So I waited outside in the courtyard.

Finally the new bridge came in and off I went. I am hoping I won’t have to see her again for another year. Should anyone ever need any dental work done I highly recommend Dr Eva Urena on B Street.

Flooring almost complete

Peter continued working on my flooring while I was at the dentist. It is almost complete except for the entrance. What a huge difference this makes. However we did run into some obstacles along the way such as this small box right in back of the passenger seat.

We just put the lid back on it and left it. It is behind my first chair and cannot be seen anyway.The biggest problem we faced were the bolts that attach the house to the truck chassis. They were all along the passenger side of the rig and stuck up about 1/4 inch from the floor.

In many spots the tile would fit over it nicely but there was also one right at the entrance. I plan on purchasing a thick rug to cover it up and prevent anyone from tripping on it.

Aside from that everything looks really good and I am very pleased with the new look. It is so much better then the old carpet and much easier to keep clean.

You can read more about how Peter of American Traveler Fame installed my new flooring at his blog post I cannot begin to thank Peter enough for all the great work he has done.

I don’t know why RV manufacturers continue to put carpeting in RVs. For us full timers it isn’t really practical. Many of us spend a great deal of time in the desert and carry sand and dirt in on our shoes which gets in the carpeting.

Desert Sunset

I again had a beautiful desert sunset to end my day.

Batten down the hatches

Posted on February 28, 2014 by Jim Melvin

Rain on it’s way

The rain that hit Southern California is headed this way. That means making sure I have everything I need for a few days as I don’t want to be traveling down muddy roads. Going to Yuma requires driving on a dirt road for about a mile and then it turns into pavement. Hopefully we will not be hit too hard.

Dumped tanks and got estimate

Yesterday I dumped tanks and filled up with water. After that I drove into RVDecor in Yuma to get an estimate on replacing my carpeting with wood flooring. My carpeting is really hard to keep clean especially when you are camping in inclement weather such as rain and snow. Besides that I just want a new and improved look. The owner came out and checked my rig and told me they could put in wood flooring and new carpeting in the cab. Great, but how much. $1800. YUK!!!

Since I don’t have that kind of money floating around I told him thanks for the estimate and drove back to Mittry Lake. It is something I will definitely have to save for. I have replaced my window blinds and when I am at my sister’s home in a month or so I will change the curtains over the kitchen window and the door. Then I only have one more blind in the back to replace. While I am in Yuma, I am going to Lowe’s and pick up a kitchen faucet.

Vet Appointment

While they were here Debbie and Gayle and Jim took their animals into the Foothills Animal Hospital for shots and checkups. They were very happy with them and so I called yesterday and was able to get an appointment for Chica at 2:15. She is going to have her annual shows, nails trimmed and teeth cleaned. The vet is not her favorite place to be, but hope all goes well and we are in and out in a short time. I will let you know how things go.

This was a piic of her at her first vet visit last year in Mesa, AZ.

I will try to get a couple of pics this time as well.

Chica’s Birthday

Posted on February 26, 2014 by Jim Melvin

Chica’s Big Day

Yesterday we celebrated the day that Chica and I first met each other. It was on February 25, 2013 that we both came into each others’ lives. Since that day we have traveled in 2 countries, 2 provinces, and 10 states and almost 10,000 miles. We have been in 100+ degree heat in Libby, MT and -4 degree cold in Fernley, NV. But it has been a wonderful experience for us both. Her she is trying to play with her friend Elvis.

I bought a big cupcake for her and we lit the one candle.

I’m not sure she knew what was going on but she was sure hamming it up for the camera.

Then I got the presents out. I am not sure she is too keen on a new collar, but I’m sure she will like it better then the one she has. She also got a small beaver and a small ducky. She really likes both the beaver and the ducky.

It was really a fun day.

Produce Stands

One big advantage of staying in the Yuma area is the great produce stands they have. We got to going to one that was not too far from us and had very fresh produce and really good prices. I didn’t really stock up as I wanted to cook it when it was really fresh. So I might go into town and stop here on the way home. This one was located on Hwy 95 just south of 7E.

Martha’s Gardens

A couple days ago we all piled into Jim and Gayle’s car and decided to check out Martha’s Gardens. They have all types of dates there in many sizes of boxes. It was very nice with lots of places to sit and eat.

However they were very expensive so we decided to buy dates at the smaller produce stand shown above. The dates there were very good.

Yuma Water

The water we got from the RV park was not very tasty and we heard that water in the area is not really good. That must be the reason that you see water stands everywhere throughout the Yuma area. Normally you get 5 gallons for a $1. We even found one stand where you get 5 gallons for $.50. What a bargain. Here we are getting a supply of drinking water.

Jim, Gayle and Debbie depart

I have had a wonderful time with Jim, Gayle and Debbiie. Thanks so much for showing me such a great time. Chica had a great time with Sophie, Elvis, Rupert and Elliot as well. They left this morning for more adventures in California. Chris and I are left. I have a couple more dental appoints the first week in March and will probably head to Phoenix/Mesa area the second week to meet up with my son and attend some Spring Training games.

The weather here has been fantastic since I arrived here on the 3rd, however it is scheduled to rain this weekend so that will help keep the dust down. It should also bring out the desert flowers. I will take a few hikes before leaving to get more pics.

Yuma River Days

Posted on February 17, 2014 by Jim Melvin

All aboard

We all piled into Debbie’s car and headed off to see the Yuma River Days. Jim decided to stay back. It is a small street celebration with arts and crafts, clothes, food and music. Immediately after parking the car up strolls Chris. We keep running into him in different places/countries. How ironic! We all walked thru the exhibits together and then shortly afterward Chris had to leave. It was a cloudy day which helped to keep temps down a bit, but it was still very hot.

The festival takes place in the old downtown section of Yuma. Here is a pic of the historic Yuma Theatre built in the early 1900’s.

This used to be an old Casino, but has been changed into a diner. Very Cool!! I got this pic of Gayle behind bars. HA!!

Chica’s Relative?

While walking thru the exhibits I saw this lady carrying a Chihuahua that looked very similar to Chica. Too bad I didn’t bring Chica to see if they knew each other. DUH!! I am sure.

At the end of the exhibits they had a couple playing music. They were just getting warmed up.

This ice cream cone sure looked tempting. I didn’t get one here but did manage to sneak one in later in the day.

Arizona Marketplace

Chris had mentioned that there was a flea market much like we experienced in Quartzsite. So off we went. We found a spot where it was a mall atmosphere with many small booths set up inside a big building. Not what we were looking for. Debbie found out what we were looking for and at 4th and 32nd streets you will find the Arizona Marketplace. Lots of RV accessories, food, hardware, etc. The same stuff we saw in Quartzsite although all the vendors were entirely under a shaded roof. Much cooler. It is only open from Thursday thru Sunday and the admission is only $.50 so we plan to go back some other time.

Have you ever heard of toilet tattoos? I never had, but they had all kinds.

We finally got tired of wandering through all the stuff and headed home.

Dumped/Added water

This was the first day I absolutely had to dump my tanks and take on water. It had been 14 days and felt I really conserved. I had to drive 8 1/2 miles to the Laguna RV Park where I had to pay $10 to dump and $5 for water. That is really cheap considering I haven’t paid anything for camping.

Another beautiful sunset

We all sat around talking and enjoying our beverage of choice and got to experience another beautiful sunset. The sunsets here have really been fabulous.

A lazy President’s Day

Today I don’t plan on going anywhere except maybe a short walk around the campsite with Chica. No plans means a nice relaxing day.

Toothless in Yuma on Valentines Day

Posted on February 14, 2014 by Jim Melvin

Me and my valentine sleep in…

I awoke this morning late. Chicka was still asleep but jumped up and demanded I let her out immediately to do her duties. Good girl!!

Toothless in Yuma

My non tooth is doing well and healing properly. Haven’t had to take only one pain pill the first day, but none since then. Whenever I think of pulling teeth, it reminds me of when I had Chica neutered. The vet mentioned that she still had some of her baby teeth and wondered if I wanted to have those extracted as well. I agreed and when I picked her up the vet/dentist gave me a baggy with 6 extremely tiny teeth. She was not a very happy girl and she would not let me come within 10 feet of her for almost a week. Very hard to do in a 26 1/2 foot RV. I wonder now if they gave her Novocain for dogs.

Back to some hiking

Jim and Gayle were going on a short hike and asked if I wanted to go as well. I was ready to go after sitting out a couple of days. We hiked past the lake and up to where we should have found the trail to cross the canal on our previous hike.

We walked on the road next to the lake.

We got to the canal which had been our nemesis on our last hike.

As hot as it is there are still many plants and trees blooming.

Hiking Great Egret

We even spotted this Great Egret just hanging out by the side of the road. It did not seem to concerned by us walking so close.

Record Temperatures

The news last night mentioned that Arizona was experiencing record temps throughout the state. It is in the low 90’s here in the Yuma area. Hot but not unbearable. In the afternoon Chica likes to lay on a pillow which is a bit cooler.

OUCH!!!!!!

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Jim Melvin

Tooth Pulled

Tuesday I went to my dentist Dr Eva Urena in Algadones, MX and had a tooth pulled. *$?@^! It was not at all fun and no I did not stop and have a Margarita on the way back home. Now I have to wait 3 weeks for my mouth to heal and then she will remove two crowns and take impressions for a bridge. After getting my tooth pulled I had to go to the Pharmacia for antibiotics and pain killers. Then unlike the previous time I was in Algadones the line going back into the US was wrapped around the block. Oh well, I am glad that is over.

Beautiful Sunset

Last night was a great night for the sunset. The few clouds in the ski really accented the setting sun.

Lazy Days in a Lazy Daze

The weather is really getting hot. It is supposed to go up to 89 today and then into the 90’s this weekend. But a lot of the time we have a nice breeze off of the lake. Chica is certainly taking it easy as you can see.

She loves the sun pouring in through the window.

Mittry Lake Hike

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Jim Melvin

Short hikes

I took a couple of short hikes with Gayle and Jim just after I arrived at my new home overlooking Mittry Lake. We found a trail that led up to some cairns and other interesting things. On the way we crossed over a spillway on the canal. This is a vital key to a hike we took later in the week. I will get to that later.

We followed a trail that led up into the hills. There were several rocky points where we crossed a wash, but no big deal.

Then we got to a spot with lots of cairns and even some Cristmas bulbs hanging from a cactus.

We could even see Imperial Dam LTVA from here.

This was the stopping point for both hikes as we then turned around and followed the trail back. On the way I was able to get a pic of some of the beautiful foliage.

Where did the trail go?

Yesterday Jim and Gayle Life’s Little Adventures Debbie and myself were met by Boonie of Occupation of Independence and Glenn of To Simplify as well as Ted of Life With Kurumi and Chris Ford who also camped with us at Quartzsite. Plus the dogs Coffee Girl, Rupert and Elliot. I didn’t take Chica as many of the rocks were bigger then her.

We started out on the same trail as we had taken before. Once we hit the cairns and Christmas bulbs we decided to continue down the trail.

The trail was well marked and somewhat easy for quite a while.

We found many flowers in bloom along the way.

Where’s a bridge?

Then it got confusing. We could see the canal from the top of the hills, but couldn’t see any place to cross it. Boonie, Glenn and Ted had gone ahead of us and we weren’t sure which way. Remember the first photo in this post. That’s the canal we had to cross. So we took what we thought was the trail to a spot where we could cross the canal. It wasn’t much of a trail, but it seemed our way out. I saw Boonie, Glenn and Ted walking on the other side of the road. They spotted me and were yelling to go higher. So that is what I was doing. I still could see Gayle on the trail much lower and she was telling me to go lower. HELP!

Too Risky!

I took Gayle’s advise and went back down to the trail. Then it got very risky and we decided it would be much easier if we went back on the trail we came in on. You must realize that I am no where near the hiking ability of Gayle and Jim. They are very experienced hikers. So I was getting very tired and all three of us were running very low on water. We really hadn’t planned to hike as long as we did. It was now about 12:30 to 1:00 and it was getting hotter. Then all of a sudden Gayle spotted a car on a bluff not too far from us. The guy (Steven) said he would get us back to our camp so we made our way over to him. I didn’t get a pic, but this was the terrain.

Thank you Steven!!!!

All three of us piled into his car and he had to drive 4 miles back to the bridge that went over the canal which was the road leading to Imperial Dam. Then 5 miles back to our camp. He even gave us something to drink. What a great guy! He was just about getting ready to start fishing in this great spot along the canal when he spotted us. What a good Samaritan!!!

We all got back and sat around the camp for a while exchanging stories and relaxing. It was a great day in that I met so many new friends and Coffee Girl as well. Next time I go hiking I will be sure to take more water and a snack bar.