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.

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.

Waiting for the rig

Posted on April 22, 2014 by Jim Melvin

Been a while since I last posted

Sorry it has been so long but have been busy getting ready to head up to Washington for my new camp host job. I traveled to Southern California where I have been spending time with my sister Bev and brother-in-law Bob. I spent 2 nights at O’Neill Park in Orange County and then took my rig into the Ford dealer near by to have a few things checked out. They are very busy this time of the year so I have left it there while they ordered parts. My front end needs work and it also needs service as well.

Chica and Lando

Lando is Bev and Bob’s dog and Chica got to know him last Christmas while we were there. So they are now getting more and more familiar with each other and sharing each other’s toys at times.

We took them to the nearby park to run in the grass. They had a great time together.

Chica even enjoyed playing in the swings and slides area.

Birthday party at the beach

One day we were invited to a friend’s grandson’s birthday party at the beach. The weather was great and the party was fun.

Things I have done in the past several days.

Hiked with Bev at a nearby park.

Visited my Mom at their annual Easter Egg Hunt for the little kids.

My Mom is doing well and was really glad to see us. I will take Chica over to see her tomorrow.

Getting rig ready

Bev has been very helpful in getting my rig organized. I definitely needed a woman’s touch in there and she definitely supplied it. I had already installed shades in three of the windows, but needed curtains on both the door and in the kitchen window. We bought the material and she sewed some drapes for me.

While the rig is parked in the dealers lot ready to be repaired, we have gone over there several times and they let us do things inside the rig. First of all I got rid of a lot of unneeded junk.. I finally removed the back valance and tossed it. Bev is also going to make some curtains to replace the old curtains Lazy Daze they had installed in the rear.

Today we went and installed some of the curtains. I forgot to take any pics so will have to show you in a later post. They really turned out nice and I am very pleased with them. I can’t begin to thank Bev enough for all the work she has done.

Repairs tomorrow

The dealer said they will be working on my rig tomorrow and finish it up by Wednesday. I may move it back to O’Neill Park for a couple of days and finish it up and then begin my journey up to Washington. I am supposed to be up their by May 14, but am planning on getting there on the 10th to get organized in my new campsite.

Last day in Yuma!!!

Posted on April 8, 2014 by Jim Melvin

Last day in Yuma

Hooray!! This is my last day in the Yuma area. I am still at the Paradise Casino where I am parked with very few other rigs.

I have been here 2 1/2 weeks and no one has hassled me at all. I am getting to know Yuma pretty good now. The weather this last week has really warmed up. It is supposed to be 101 degrees tomorrow. That is way too hot for my blood. Chica’s too! This is a pic of her in the morning when she enjoys the warmth of the morning sun. In the afternoon it is quite different as she finds a cool spot out of the heat.

Last Dental Appointment

I go in to Algadones, MX for my last dental appointment tomorrow at 9:30am. I need to go for a permanent crown and then I am off to the races. I am hoping I can get out of there early and through customs without waiting in a long line. Two weeks ago I had an early appointment and breezed through customs without any line at all. Last week because I didn’t get done with the dentist until 2:00pm I had to wait an hour in line. I think a lot of people go across the border for lunch and when lunch ends they high tale it back across the border, hence the long lines.

Off to CA

Once I get back to my rig I will hook up and be off on my 4+ hour journey to O’Neill Park in Orange County CA. I have stayed at this park many times as it is convenient to my family. It does not have hookups, but that is OK as I have my solar panels and that gives me plenty of solar with the nice blue CA skies. I am also looking forward to getting into cooler temps in CA. Chica is too!!

Heading to I-10

I have decided to take catch the I-10 around Indio and then head into Orange County. It will be later in the day I will be hitting all the traffic, but I will be going against traffic pretty much. Anyway I am not in a big hurray as I have already made reservations.

Cha-Ching!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted on April 21, 2012 by Jim Melvin

Cha-ching, cha-ching!!

I noticed my rig had been sluggish. So as you remember I took it into the Rancho Santa Margarita Ford dealer and had a major tune-up and a rebuilt catalytic converter. After driving down and back to Oceanside I now noticed that it was idling rough and was missing. It was then back to the Ford dealer. I dropped it off and spent the night at my sisters home. They called to inform me that one of my injectors was not performing properly and recommended replacing it. They would have to order the parts and would install them the following day.

I picked it up yesterday and it does run very smooth now. It made a huge difference. I hope this is the last time I will see them for a while. I have to dip into my savings to pay for all the repairs, but it was necessary and it is my home I am talking about.

Ready to make tracks

Anyway I am back at O’Neill Park and will be wrapping things up in So CA very shortly. I have a couple more appointments my sister set up involving my mother’s care and finances. I also have to take a new passport photo to send in to renew my passport. I am also seeing my old ski buddy on Wednesday for coffee, conversation and dinner. Then Thursday morning I am off on my newest adventure.

A couple more photos of O’Neill Park. During the week there are only a few campers here but on the weekend this place really fills up.

Stay tuned folks.

Hiking with friends in O’Neill Park

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Jim Melvin

Campground pics

Last night I got a few pics from my campsite of the mountains…

the rear of my campsite…

and the sunset…

Meeting up and hiking with friends

Today I went hiking with my friends Nancy and Brion whom I had met last January at Quartzsite. I have been following Nancy’s blog Wish You Were Here! and she in turn follows my blog. When she found out I was at O’Neill Park she emailed that it would be fun to meet up and do some hiking. So today Nancy, Brion and myself decided to hike the Live Oak Trail located within the park.

It was a bit overcast but still a beautiful day nonetheless. We hiked for about 3 miles total and got to a very high point in the park where you had a beautiful 360 degree view of the surrounding area……

Great scenery…

This is a view of the neighborhoods in Orange County. Unfortunately we couldn’t see the ocean. On a clear day you can see all the way to Catalina Island.

Here are some beautiful views of the Saddleback Mountains….

This is Coyote Canyon Trail which we took down to the park entrance…

A pic of Nancy and Brion…

And a pic of Nancy and yours truly…

I thought this was a neat tree pic with the mountains in the background…

After the hike Nancy treated us to lunch at Fuddruckers. They have great hamburgers!!! I hadn’t been there in many years but it was fun. Thanks Nancy for the lunch and thanks to both you and Brion for a great day of hiking.

Still in SO California

Posted on April 7, 2012 by Jim Melvin

On the move…

Last week I moved from Oceanside Elks to the Mission Viejo Elks. I had to attend a memorial to a prior boss. I was only at the MV Elks for 3 days (which is all they allow at one time). You just park in a parking lot with no hook-ups. I then moved out to O’Neil Park for 2 days only. I knew I was taking my rig into the local Ford dealer (where I have taken it several times before) for service and check a few items.

Need some work done on rig…

I took my computer with me so I had something to do while in their waiting room. They were going to check my brakes and a normal service, plus also check to see why it has been so sluggish lately.. When going down the mountains I can smell the brakes. I am very careful when driving in the mountains and don’t stand on my brakes all the time.

All I needed was a simple check up…HA!

They said that the brakes were OK, but also suggested I get a major tune-up. It hadn’t been done in some time so went ahead and took care of that. They road tested it and it was still sluggish. I needed a new catalytic converter. BUMMER!!!

So after replacing the catalytic converter it runs really good. Lots of pep. I still might have them replace the rear brakes anyway and turn the rotors. Better to do it now then when I am on the road somewhere in no-man’s-land trying to find someone to help me.

No place to call home!

After leaving the dealer on Thursday I returned to O’Neil Park and requested 6 nights. NO WAY says the park ranger. We are booked through Easter. She did have space available for that night only. I stayed there that night. PANIC MODE!!! I called several other parks in the area and they were all booked up. Then I called the MV Elks and they said come on down. They don’t have very much space and there were already 3 other rigs there, but I was able to squeeze into a spot. I am here for 3 days and then will probably return to O’Neil Park as I am only allowed 3 days maximum at the MV Elks.

Back to Oceanside in another week

I also got in touch with my son and we decided to meet up in Oceanside where we can hang out and catch up with each other. So it looks like I may be returning to the Oceanside Elks for another week. I am really glad I joined the Elks when I did. They are life savers this week-end when everywhere else is full.

HAPPY EASTER !!!

Special time with family and friends

Posted on February 2, 2011 by Jim Melvin

After Quartzsite I decide that since I was so close to my family that I would go there for a few days. I parked my rig at the O’Neill Park campground (sorry no pics). The main reason I wanted to see my family was that it was the 1st anniversay of my Dad’s passing. My sister Bev picked me up at the campground and I spent a few days at her and Bob’s home. She and I also picked up our Mom and we took her to lunch and then to the San Juan Capistrano mission where we lit a candle for 0ur Dad.

Be sure to click and then click again to enlarge all photos.

Here we are at lunch.

We walked across the street to the mission and walked through the grounds. I hadn’t been there in many years. Her is a pic of my sister lighting a candle for my father. We miss you Dad!!

Some more pics of the mission and the grounds.

It turned out to be a great day and one that I will always remember.

I also got to see my sister Chris and her husband Chuck who were kind enough to give me a CD of my father’s letters he wrote to my mother while in boot camp during WWII. They are priceless. I am working on a book that will include many pictures and other memorabilia of this time in his life. Thanks Chris and Chuck for making the CD for me.

While parked at O’Neill Park two of my good friends came by to visit and go out to dinner. Randy was my ski partner for many years and he drove me down to Fashion Island in Newport Beach, CA. We had some coffee and chocolates and relaxed and talked for hours in the big cushy chairs they have in the mall. We then decided to go to P F Chang’s for dinner (one of my favorite restaurants). We spent the day talking about all that happened since I last saw him many months ago. It was a kick.

Another night Millie picked me up and we went out to dinner at Amber’s Cantina (another favorite). She has been one of my very dearest friends for many years. Again it was a kick as we got caught up with the happenings in our lives.

I also stayed with Bev and Bob for a few days and watched a couple of basketball games. I really miss being able to watch the Lakers on TV, although I do keep track of them via the Internet. I also got my dog fix with Lando their Corgi. He and I are best friends.

I left O’Neill Park on the 9th and traveled to the beautiful Jojoba Hills Escapee park in in Aguanga, CA. I had made arrangements to have some warranty work performed on a meter I had installed earlier. I only stayed there one night, but sure did enjoy the beauty of the area.

All in all I had a wonderful time with family and friends. I may not be back in this area for another year as I have plans of heading east to visit my son and grandchildren in the spring.