Grand(s) Time in SoCal

October 15 - November 15, 2020

Tombstone, Arizona - Frazier Park/Acton, California

Happy Thanksgiving all!

Once back from our New Mexico jaunt we return to our slow and quiet lives at our little desert oasis. The weather continues to be much warmer than we like, and it's a lot dryer than it was last year. 

Still hard to believe we've been here a whole year!! I don't imagine there's anyone who isn't saying "hard to believe" about most of 2020. 

A quick storm cools our temps for a couple days.

The motorhome goes to the shop for it's coolant notification and engine light issues. Not living in it means we can leave it for several days - another new experience for us. They don't find anything major and replace a cap that wasn't holding pressure. Hopefully that will be all it was since that simple fix cost a fortune :-( 

There's already "the list" of things we want to get done before heading out this Spring, none that keep us from traveling now. After two and a half weeks back at the house, we're packing up. Jeff is going with us this time too.

It's a very important trip to SoCal - to welcome our sixth grand child! Ezra's brother is due on November 4 and we head west on November 1. 

The longest drive we've done is the 380 miles to Desert Center, California, and we do it every time to break up the 600+ mile trip to see the kids and their families. All I-10, some of it pretty, some of it city traffic, none of it very exciting.

We moochdock at our friends' new place, and enjoy getting caught up with them over a nice dinner. Of course I fail to get any pics.

Spectacular California sunset.

Leaving Monday morning we hear from Brian that Shalise has been in labor for a couple hours (OMG!), but no rush. Their new house is an hour from the hospital so I can't help but feel a little bit rushed :-) 

The 250 miles to Frazier Park, California, go by quickly despite the added excitement. Except for the brakes coming on in the Jeep going up the Grapevine (I-5 grade out of Valencia). So glad we have that handy light that comes on when the Jeep brakes engage! Bill wiggles the thingy and they go off. Thankfully.

Back in the golden state.

We have a baby coming!

Set up is just plugging in and jumping in the Jeep at Lake of the Woods Mobile Village about six miles up the hill from their house. The "up the hill" becomes relevant later in the week.

Brian was right. There's no rush. Still, labor is happening and after giving us a short tour of the new digs, they're off to the hospital! Glad we didn't wait another day expecting the due date to be too early. 

Elliott Alexander Smith arrives on November 3, 2020. 7 lbs, 6 oz, he is a healthy little boy with a full head of dark hair and gray eyes. Ezra is excited that his little brother is finally here, and does well staying home with his Uncle Jeff for two nights.

Hours old.

Perfect

Ezra sees Elliott for the first time.

And shares him with the family.

I'm grateful to have this lovely experience to keep my mind off the election. Even when it's fairly obvious that Biden has won, it will still be a week before I can finally take a deep breath of relief. 

The newest family member and his parents arrive home to a very happy big brother, grand parents and uncle on Wednesday afternoon. Elliott sleeps most of the time, each day becoming more alert, giving us an occasional smile. He's a sweet and easy baby.

We visit and cook and eat and watch movies and play games each day, arriving about 10, leaving about 8. It's a lovely week of just enjoying family and welcoming little Elliott Alexander to the world. 

A final day of shorts and sunshine.

The big boys play a game.

The Smith boys.

Brothers

On Friday the weather takes a big turn with rain, snow and wind. It definitely feels like we're in the mountains, and with the RV park 500 feet higher than the house we're below freezing all night for our last three nights. It's beautiful and magical.

Now a fan of snow zoomies!

Backyard at the motorhome.

Backyard at the house.

For the first time in many years, my Steelers play Bill's Cowboys on Sunday. It's a fun game although those having-a-horrible-season 'boys nearly beat my undefeated team!!

What a blessing to have this very special time together. I'm so glad we arrived in time to be there for Ezra, and to welcome Elliott home.

Sunday night we drive to the rig in snow and ice, more than I've ever driven in! The next morning there's 3" of soft and crunchy white around and on us. We make a quick drive down the hill (the road is clear) to say our good-byes to the family who are headed out for a doctor's checkup.

While we're getting ready Ezra has brought his "snow bowl" inside to play with.

Such a lucky big boy!

First deep snow prints at the new house.

Back at the motorhome we have a new adventure! Heavy snow built up on the large slide topper keeps it from coming in all the way. Oh dear...... Bill pulls out the ladder and a broom and is able to clear it away. The sun on the other side has melted enough for the other two slides to come in easily.

At least we have bright blue skies!

Once we're slides-in and jacks-up we take Hwy 138 across the high desert to Hwy 14 to our next stop in Acton, California. Our usual park in Valencia is booked for the month of November so we were happy to get the last spot in this nice park about 25 miles from the rest of the family. Bright and sunny, it's still chilly for the next four nights. 

Even with COVID restrictions all of the Valencia kids are working so we manage to squeeze in visits with all but Richie, our youngest, Bill's number four. He's possibly been exposed to the virus and is being responsible. We're bummed to miss him, but appreciate the reality of today's world.

We spend a few hours in Nick and Jillian's backyard. Our second oldest, Bill's number one. Maximus and Mason are lots of fun, keeping us all entertained. They're growing too fast, and we miss being able to spend time with them. Fortunately their parents are great about photos and videos and chats while we're not here. 

Mason talks the whole time while Maximus plays with his very cool toy. 

Emily isn't able to get away from work :-(, so we spend a couple hours with the grand daughter and her daddy Travis, our fourth oldest, Bill's number three. With five grandsons, Reese is the only pink in a sea of blue for us. And of course she is the cutest little girl who ever lived!! What a bundle of happy giggles and wiggles she is. Her first birthday was Tuesday and it's so hard to believe she's already a year old.

Daddy and his beautiful little girl.

A room full of toys but nothing as cool as a pair of sunglasses.

Our last night in town Corey and Christie come to the park for chili bowls. Bill's second oldest, our number three. They celebrated their first anniversary in October and are both doing great. Of course I fail to get a photo although we have a great visit.

With COVID numbers rising again and shut downs imminent, we return east on Saturday morning. Sadly it means we don't see grand child number six - Henry Miles is my "borrowed daughter" Megan's little guy who will already be a year old the end of December. I hate missing a chance to see him again :-(

Henry, our munching Munchkin!

I'm hoping we can come back in February to get some more time with all these kiddos! Our summer plans include spending time here on our way to the coast. Praying the good vaccine news and stronger leadership will make a real difference in all our lives by then.

We again stop for the night in Desert Center. This time we sit around the fire with our friends, and enjoy the beautiful desert views of where we spent so much of our youth.

Desert twilight

Back to Tombstone, the motorhome is unpacked, parked and plugged in. A few projects will keep us busy, some visiting friends will make us smile, and the holidays will be quiet. I'm hoping our 80 degree temps will drop soon and we'll get some much needed rain. 

Elliott two weeks old

I'm missing the babies, wishing they were all closer, and that visiting wasn't such a chore. And I'm grateful they are all safe and healthy and happy.

Glad We Went, Glad We're Back

October 8-12, 2020

Gallup, New Mexico; Holbrook-Globe, Arizona

Our week in Santa Fe flew by, and too soon we're heading back down the road. Again, it's weird to be "returning home" rather than continuing on to somewhere new. Still, with the pandemic amping up again, we're grateful for that little home to return to.

With the exception of a short slow-down for road construction east of Grants (and a pretty area to enjoy the reduced pace), it's an easy 200 mile drive on I-40.

Deep red on both sides.

There's no sign of what pushed all this rock over the edge in just one spot. 

We're always happy to be traveling in our house during these delays.

We've stayed at the USA RV Park before, easy and level and good for a couple nights. Like all the parks we've seen since San Antonio, NM, it's nearly full. 

I've read several novels set on the great Navajo Nation, including the wonderful series by Tony Hillerman. And yet another Southwest gem we've missed is Window Rock, Arizona - the capitol city of the Navajo. Friday morning we take the 40 minute drive through the reservation on CW-1. 

Melting Mickey Mouse

There's a lot of activity in the little town with sellers along the highway and drive-through eateries doing a brisk business. Back in Arizona, there are less masks, but still the majority of people are wearing them.

The Window Rock Tribal and Veteran Navajo Memorial Park is still closed. What this means is the main parking lot is closed, the flags are not flying, and the restrooms are unavailable. But access is open for walking through the information and getting you up close to the incredible formation that names this place. Only one other person is at the memorial, and another up on top of the "window" (there's a short, steep trail we pass on). 

Situated behind government buildings, this place holds a feeling of sacred quiet all its own. The huge Code Talker memorial is impressive and I'm reminded that the Burger King in Kayenta near Monument Valley has an exhibit everyone says is a must-see :-))

Window Rock

Between the posts are the names of Navajo veterans who gave their lives for our country.

So big!

A giant bear stands watch from across the street.

Saturday's drive is a quick 95 miles to Holbrook, Arizona. Although we take our time getting ready and driving on I-40, we still arrive at OK RV Park sooner than they're ready for us. We're only here one night and the park is 1/2 full, but we are 30 minutes earlier than the official check in. We've been here before and the long pull-throughs are level and everything works well. We always laugh at the half a dozen sewer hookups along many of the sites. 

Always good to have options!

We venture into Romo's for our last restaurant meal. Distancing is attempted, and most everyone is masked, so not feeling as safe as New Mexico, but not bad. Their Navajo Tacos are some of the best we've had.

Like our first night in Deming, New Mexico, I book us a night in Globe, Arizona, just so we can watch football on Sunday before making our way back to Tombstone. Football and the scenic drive turn out to be the only good parts of our Sunday.

We head south on Hwy 77 to Show Low where I was unable to find a vacancy, and continue through the pines on Hwy 60. On one of the short grades the second check engine light comes on again (the one that came on for a few minutes when we first started this trip), as well as the Check Coolant notification. Bill has already checked it but I find a place to pull out and he confirms it's full. Also the engine temp isn't going up. So we continue on. 

The Salt River Gorge is a stunning drive. Long views and beautiful canyon walls, it's on every list for scenic drives in Arizona. But it's steep. On both sides. For long stretches. There is no civilization for miles. And miles.

Not what you want when you are having "coolant" issues. 

Nothing to do but continue on with all fingers and toes crossed and prayers for divine intervention. The big pull out of the bottom is grueling at 30 mph in 3rd gear. The light and notification stay on, but still no over-heating and no "new" bells or lights. The stress is exhausting.

Of course we make it to Globe just fine. Until we have to reroute to avoid a 12' bridge and then make a very tight right turn over a narrow bridge to access the tiny RV park that has seen better days (like most of Globe). Although I've made reservations, the man has no record of us arriving but fortunately he doesn't hesitate to give us the last FHU site. It's snug and unattractive, but our satellite connects and I'm very glad to get backed in, shut it down and take a break!

Football and sandwiches and early to bed. We'll get up early and make the last leg to Tombstone on Monday morning.

The battery on the Jeep is dead.

We're able to push it out enough to pull the rig forward to jump start it. 

The cables fry. AAA will be an hour.

Bill calls a local tow company who sends out the nicest guy in town to get it jumped. Success after a couple tries. While paying the $50 I notice the brake lights are on in the Jeep. Our hero notes that the "same thing" happened in his car. Long story short, we fiddle with the pedal and it turns off the lights (undoubtedly what killed the battery overnight), Bill follows me through the tight turn and over the narrow bridge then hooks us up and we're finally on our way.

But......

Instead of taking us on the easy, flat route through Safford, the GPS routes us through more mountains and Tucson. About the same distance, but the last thing I want is more damn mountains! Nowhere to turn around so we again make the best of a beautiful drive and will the rig to just get back to Tombstone. 

The pathetic begging works and it's an uneventful drive with no second check engine light or notifications.

The first engine light that's been on since we left turns off as we turn onto our street. Can't make this stuff up!

I'm so glad we took the short getaway to New Mexico, it was wonderful to be back on the road and exploring. After the last two days I'm just as glad to be back at the house. It's also good to see Jeff!

Tuesday Jeff takes me to Sierra Vista for a new battery and I make an appointment to have the coolant light issue resolved.

Seems like months since we got back from New Mexico :-)