Sad News

Posted on February 4, 2015 by Jim Melvin

I Lost My Mother

Two days after my last blog post my Mother passed away. Since then I haven’t quite felt like blogging and I apologize for not keeping you up to date. I just haven’t felt like it. She was 91 at the time and we were very lucky to have her so long. It was very fortunate I was in Southern California visiting relatives when she passed away. You will really be missed Mom.

She used to always tell us to stop and smell the roses. Her she is doing what she always loved.

A pic of her and my sister Bev at the San Juan Capistrano Mission.

We had a Memorial Service for her overlooking Dana Point Harbor. It was a really nice service.

She will be greatly missed by us all.

Quartzsite

With everything going on with my family I was not able to attend Quartzsite this year. I really missed seeing everyone and will just have to catch up next year.

Back to the Mothership

I called Vince at Lazy Daze and he was able to fit me into their busy schedule to get some much need items repaired/replaced. Vince was really great and did everything I needed done including replace the refrigerator, oven, toilet, kitchen faucet, and two new AGM house batteries, and ladder plus numerous small items that needed attention. It sure was nice to get everything taken care of.

Still in SO CA

I am not sure when I will be leaving SO CA as there are some other things that I have to attend to, but once I do I will probably head to Yuma to get my rig washed and waxed plus see my Mexican dentist to have my teeth cleaned.

Southern California for the Holidays Brrrrrrrrrr!!

Posted on January 4, 2015 by Jim Melvin

Off to sunny SO CA to warm up – HA!

I couldn’t wait to get out of Fernley and down to SO CA for the holidays. I will warm up for sure down there and enjoy all the nice sunshine. I stopped in Beatty, NV again where it was a bit warmer then Fernley but not much. Then headed straight to Orange County to visit family and friends.

I stayed a few days in a pull through site at O’Neill Park. But then realized it was not a good site for either solar or WiFi so moved to a back-in site where everything is good. Great solar and 4G Internet. How could it get much better? Well as it turns out it could be much better. The weather was freezing. It seemed like I was back in Fernley. One night it rained on the valley floor but snowed in the Saddleback Mountains just a short distance away.

Chica and I went over to my sister Bev’s home and spent the holidays with she and my brother-in-law Bob. We had a great time and Chica was glad to see their dog Lando. They get along great and loved to run in the park.

Visited my Mom

Bev and I took Chica over to see my Mom one afternoon. Unfortunately I didn’t get any pics. We did go back another day to visit her without Chica and I got this clip of her. She put on Bev’s glasses and was interested in going through her purse. HA! She is doing well but is very frail and doesn’t talk too much. It sure was good to see her though.

Chica visits Santa

Bev and Bob have a cute Santa in his sleigh. Chica fit in there perfectly and she was very content sitting on Santa’s lap.

I’m sure she was wishing for lots of cookies and fun toys to play with.

Here Chica is with Lando.

Plus a pic of Chica, Lando and my sister Bev.

Heading to the beach

In a couple of days I will be heading to the beach. I will spend a week at Doheny State Beach right on the ocean in Dana Point, CA. I have always wanted to stay there but it was always crowded and hard to get a reservation. It is supposed to warm up this week so looking forward to it. More pics to come.

Soon on to Quartzsite

I usually get to Quartzsite, AZ around the 4th of Jan. This year I will be a bit late. I intend to arrive in Q on the 14th just in time for the show. I will be camping at Rogers 1/2 acre as I have done in the past. I hope to catch up with a lot of my friends when there. If you are heading there be sure to stop in and see us. It is a blast.

1 1/2 Days To Go

Posted on December 19, 2014 by Jim Melvin

Almost over

My term at Amazon is almost over with only 1 1/2 days remaining in my schedule. By 11:00pm Saturday I will be done. KAPUT!!! I will probably be heading out Monday morning for So CA to see family for the holidays. I can’t wait to get into some warmer weather. This winter wasn’t as cold as last year (thank God) but it is still cold.

I go thru 5 gallons of propane a week trying to keep Chica comfortable. I will really be glad to get to a warmer climate.

RV has new shoes

I got 2 new tires for the front end. I checked out prices and the Purcell’s in Fernley gave me a great price on a couple of Michelins. I had to set my alarm for 9:30am to get up and go to Purcell’s after only three hours sleep. YUK!! I will be so glad to get back to normal sleep habits. This night shift is for the birds!

Heading to Southern California

I will probably take my normal route down 95 when I head to California. I always stop in the Beatty RV Park which is about 100 miles north of Las Vegas. Then it will be on to warm climates. HURRAH!!!

I am looking forward to seeing my Mom and sisters and their families as well as a few friends. Then after the first of the year it is off to Quartzsite and Roger’s 1/2 Acre and all my friends there. If you are anywhere near Quartzsite in January stop by for a few days and take part in the fun.

Back on the Road

Working is OK as it helps to get the money for tires and other RV repairs and a little bit in the bank as well, but it sure will be nice getting back on the road. I really miss that when I am working. Chica misses that as well. See you all down the road!!

My Workamping Experience

Posted on October 2, 2014 by Jim Melvin

Camphosting in the Northwest

To begin, Washington was the only state I had not visited in the west. So I jumped at the chance to work there. As many of you already know I signed up for the job last January while visiting the annual RV Show in Quartzsite. I just happened upon the Hoodoo booth, since at the time I was not really looking for a job. After talking to Rob (who turned out to be my boss) I was offered the job at Panorama Point on Baker Lake in Northwest Washington. We went over the pay and job duties and I signed up with them. The whole process took about 15 minutes.

Then I had the whole winter to prepare for the journey north. The first thing I did was NOT work but spend time with my friends for a few months. I also took the time to go to Algadones, MX for dental work. Then it was off to see my family over the holidays, before heading north to WA.

VERY wet weather

When I arrived in the campground it was pouring rain and didn’t stop raining for several days. I hoped I didn’t make a mistake and come to a climate that continually rained. However the rain did stop eventually and the weather was a bit chilly but very nice. The summer turned out to be fantastic. It did rain a bit but nothing really bad until August when it poured and poured.

Camp Host at three different campgrounds

I parked my rig in a nice spot in the Panorama Point campground.

We had to drive 100 miles to orientation and then the campgrounds officially opened up on Memorial Day. The campgrounds I was responsible for were Panorama Point, Boulder Creek and Shannon Creek.

Panorama Point has 16 campsite including the host site. Many considered it to be one of the nicest of all the Baker Lake campgrounds. I ran into many people who returned there year after year. I even spoke with one man who’s father had brought their family to Panorama Point when he was eight years old and he had been coming back there every year since. He is not 62. WOW!

Boulder Creek is a small 10 site campground located on Boulder Creek. It doesn’t have any direct access to Baker Lake. It was located a mile from Panorama Point.

That is Mt Baker in the background.

Finally Shannon Creek is a 20 campsite campground at the very northern end of Baker Lake. It is located 5 miles from Panorama Point. It is also down 3 miles of gravel road. This is the view I have twice a day on my way to Shannon Creek.

This is a view from the beach at Shannon Creek. Many campers would park their cars at Shannon Creek and boat over to the other side where there were several dispersed campgrounds.

Most of the campsites are small and perfect for tent camping, but there are also many RV type campsites, especially down by the lake.

I had to make the rounds of all three campgrounds twice a day taking the money from the posts, writing receipts, cleaning pit toilets, firepits and campsites. I also had to charge campers for extra vehicles and sell firewood. It kept me busy most of the day.

Days off

Each camp host was assigned 2 consecutive days off where we were on our own to do what we pleased. That was GREAT! We still had to deal with campers that came to our door, but we could leave the campgrounds completely as I mentioned in previous posts.

However we had to fill in for camp hosts when they had their days off. It made for a long day, but that was only 2 days a week and the days off made up for it.

Company vehicle supplied

Each camp host was supplied with a company truck and all the equipment that was needed. We also had a cage that was filled with firewood for sale. If we needed anything at all Hoodoo supplied it for us.

No maintenace

Hoodoo has a crew that performs all the maintenance. That includes lawn cutting and weed eating. They also did all the repairs on the campgrounds whenever needed. It sure made or life easier.

Would I do it again

You bet!! All the camp hosts on Baker Lake were invited to return the following summer at our final camp host meeting. I am hoping to get the same campgrounds. It was a great job and the pay was good. I was able to save some money while also visiting much of the surrounding area. Washington is a very beautiful state. It was GREEN from the day I got there until the day I left.

Crystal Hill Hike

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Jim Melvin

More Hiking

We decided to take a turn into the Kofa Wildlife Refuge that was on the road a few miles before the Palm Canyon turnoff. It led to Crystal Hill on a long washboard road. It was even further than the Palm Canyon Road which was about 7 miles.

At one time there was a campground back there, but only saw one camper. The road is pretty rough so getting a rig back there would cause a lot of shaking of everything inside.

Here we are all making our ascent to the peak.

We all made it to the top. It was a very nice view.

Sara at the top with the mountains in the background.

On our descent we ran into this very small cactus.

Also got a few flower pics but there weren’t too many flowers in bloom.

We also found this old mine that had been blocked off so that you couldn’t enter it.

The group all meeting at the bottom in the wash.

It was a great hike and all 12 of us (and 2 dogs) enjoyed it. The road was very dusty going to and from and my Sami is now covered in dust both inside and out. Another GREAT day in Quartzsite.

Amazon Friends

Posted on January 26, 2014 by Jim Melvin

Meeting up with Amazon co=workers

While still working at Amazon many of us talked about meeting up while we were in Quartzsite. After spending two plus months in Fernley, NV with temps as low as 4 degrees, we all wanted to warm both our bodies and our rigs up. So the best way to accomplish that was to head to Quartzsite.

Kathy planned and scheduled a get together and notified everyone. So we all got together and hashed over old times. It was really fun and I saw some people I hadn’t seen since working at Amazon.

I took my friend Sara along as she was interested in working at Amazon next year.

Everyone brought goodies to eat and it there was plenty to talk about. Barb, Kathy and Al chatting away.

Even Jessica and Max from Harper’s magazine were there.

It was a great time. The day was probably the worst day we had experienced since getting to Quartzsite as it was very cloudy and the sun never did break thru. But we all had a great time reliving some of the crazy Amazon experiences and finding out what everyone was going to be doing and where they were going this year.

Hiking to Palm Canyons

Posted on January 25, 2014 by Jim Melvin

Palm Canyon Hike

The other day a bunch of us drove the 23 miles down to the Palm Canyon turnoff and the 7 miles on a washboard gravel road to the Palm Canyons trailhead. It was only a 1/2 mile hike up the canyon to the spot where you can see the palms growing on the walls of the canyon.

This is looking in the opposite direction out to the Chocolate Mountains.

A bunch of us gathered at the trailhead.

You can see the palms growing out of the rock.

A couple more pics of the canyon.

Sara checking out the canyon.

We met this couple coming down the trail. I knew them from Amazon. Funny how you always manage to find friends in the most out of the way places.

Some of the group decided to hike further up the canyon.

A better shot of the palms. It is amazing how they grow up there among all the rocks.

We are planning another hike to a trail we passed before the Palm Canyons trail so stay tuned.

QUARTZSITE, AZ

Posted on January 13, 2014 by Jim Melvin

Ideal weather

The weather this year so far has been ideal. It is in the low to mid 70’s during the day with almost no clouds. At night it may get down in the mid to low 40’s. Lots of sunshine means great solar. I have been able to play my music during the day and watch some TV at night. I also run Chica’s bed warmer off my inverter at night and she really loves that.

Hiking

I have been doing a bit of hiking the past few days. Sara of (rvingsolo fame) and I hiked up to the old silver mines that you can see from a distance across Yuma Rd.

This is the mountain with the big Q on it.

Also hiked into town a few times to check out the flea markets. Everything looks the same as in past years. Yesterday we hiked into town to the produce market to pick up some fresh veggies and fruit. The only problem was that the produce market as we knew it was no longer there. The store next to it selling a variety of things had taken over for them when they let their lease lapse. They had a few veggies and some fruit but not nearly as good as the old produce market. Bummer!!!

Tailgating in the Desert

Yesterday we had a tailgate party for the Chargers – Broncos game. It was really fun. Some of us were rooting for the Chargers (me) while many were rooting for the Broncos.

While we were watching the game three other rigs pulled in. Marti and Charlie, Cookie and Frank as well as Jim and Pam. Everyone got parked and set up and came over to partake in our party. Jim and Gayle (Life’s Little Adventures) rode their bikes over from where they were staying to join us as well for a bit before they rode back.

They will be joining us about mid week along with Debbie.

Lots of rigs

Right now we have 12 rigs and Rogers 1/2 Acre is growing. At least two more rigs will be getting here the middle of the week. There is plenty of room for expansion and everybody is pretty much spread out. COME ON OUT AND JOIN US!

Arrived in Quartzsite

Posted on January 7, 2014 by Jim Melvin

Wonderful time with family and friends

I was really glad to see my family and so many friends for the holidays. Bev and Bob were great hosts and showed me a wonderful time. On the 3rd I left their house to return to my rig to get it ready for the trip to Quartzsite. B & B had gone out to Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern and picked up some chili and deviled eggs for me and dropped them off at the rig. This is a pic of Bev with Chica.

I usually only see my family once a year at Christmas and it is always a great time.

Back on the road

I left So CAL on the 4th and landed in Quartzsite that afternoon. I immediately drove to the RV Pit Stop and filled up with propane then headed to the La Posa West LTVA where I paid my $40 for my first two weeks here. Then it was off to the dump station where I dumped my tanks and filled up with fresh water. Now I am ready to go. I found many friends who had just arrived that day and John led me to a great spot. It sure feels good to be out in the desert again. We have a great spot with lots and lots of room for anyone who would like to join us.

A bit chilly

The days have been nice with clear blue skies. Yesterday the wind blew from the north. Everyone was saying that it was blowing the cold air in from Fernley, NV where I worked at Amazon. Last night the temperature got down to 31. I didn’t run the furnace but had the catalytic heater running all night. Here are a couple of pics showing how Chica stays warm.

Her favorite spot is right in front of the Wave 3 catalytic heater.

All of us are quite comfortable out here in the desert as you can see from the next pic. Working on a rig you always need a box of wine handy. HA!

Come out and join us

If you are anywhere near this area (within 1,000 miles – HA!) stop in and join us. Roger and John went into town and picked up a lot of firewood and we have fires every night under the stars. During the day it warms up nicely and we always have a Happy Hour to BS about just about any subject anyone can think of.

Enjoying family friends and WARM weather

Posted on December 29, 2013 by Jim Melvin

Back in Southern California and loving it

This year I decided to drive to So CAL for the holidays. I used to fly in from Reno, NV after working for Amazon, but this year after rescuing Chica from the depths of Mesa, AZ I decided that driving would be much better.

I stopped in at the Beatty RV Park in Beatty, NV for the first night and then drove the next night to O’Neill Park in Orange County. Then called my sister Bev and Chica and I spent the next few nights with Bev and Bob. They were thrilled to see Chica and she got along well with their dog Lando.

The next day Bev had invited a bunch of old friends over to have a party. It was great fun seeing everyone and catching up with all they and I have done.

It was a blast seeing everyone. Then we headed inside to exchange presents.

Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern

The next day it was off to see my famous tavern in Dan Point, CA. What a neat place! I wish it was named after me. That Jimmy must be rich.

Here I am having a glass of wine. Jimmy’s had a beautiful view of the ocean.

Here I am having a great time with Bev.

Great to see Mom!

The following day we stopped in to visit my Mom. I took Chica with us and as you can see she made herself at home on my mother’s lap. It was sure great seeing her and we had a good conversation.

Christmas Day

Then Bev and Bob had my niece’s Dani and Megan over with Todd and Chris. It was also a good time. I got to meet Harper who is Megan and Chris’s new baby daughter. She was such a dear.

Bev and Harper on Harper’s first Christmas.

Chris and Chica sure had fun together.

After all the company had gone home Chica and I had a nice afternoon enjoying the beautiful warm temps and blue sky.

It sure was a great couple of days. Then I went back to O’Neill Park and my RV and Chica and I are just relaxing and enjoying this great weather. I will be seeing more friends before I leave on the 4th. I will then be headed for Quartzsite, AZ to meet up with more friends in the desert for our 4th annual GTG.