We left Phoenix after a few days and headed for Borrego Springs, CA. Did some back roading and drove 50 miles to Julian one morning for breakfast. (yes is was good, we had been there before).

We had to go to Wal*Mart to get M a wrist brace. It has helped her a lot.

After it started getting warmer, we decided to head to Lancaster, CA, to see the Poppy Fields in bloom. Stayed there a few days and then came over to San Simeon, CA, on the coast to wait for the poppies to be in their full splendor. We have been here for a about a week, did a day trip up to Point Lobos state park, near Monetrey, one of our favorite spots.

Got to Phoenix yesterday. MH engine still missing after changing three Plug-coils.

Today after checking in on the market, went to Bartlett Lake searching for wild flowers. There were a few, just not what we were expecting.

Met Tim, (Margaret's son) as he was heading off to parts unknown, Anchorage, AK, to start a new job and a new adventure in his life.


Later made a trip to Harbor Freight! They have a lot of things I have needed in the past, but just not today. It is the kind of place you need to live close to in order to run out and get something you need now!

first on

This is my first blog post

Just to let everyone know, I went to the doctor on Friday for high
blood pressure.  It was 180/120 Started taking a diuretic / ACE II
inhibitor combo (Hyzaar) to bring it down.  Will check cholesterol at
a later date.  I had sausage and eggs for breakfast that day and he
said it would not be a good day to check cholesterol levels.  Did a
random blood sugar test and it was 69, he said it did not get much
better than that.  Below 120 is good.

Have been at the Rim for a week now.  Just got setup in mud and snow.
Been in an apartment for a week and glad to be home.  Park opens May
16, a week late.

The North Rim, Grand Canyon National Park

Thing are interesting here to say the least.  The North Rim side of the Park will not open until the 16th of May because of the roads inside the park are still blocked, having received 25 feet of snow this winter. Jim Beaushay (sp?), facilities manager, said they have been plowing since Mar 10. The state's road crew is coming in today to help out and the road will be close to traffic all day.

The water is shut of to Norton Court (employee RV parking)  because of a water leak loosing 8,000 gallons a day so I moved into one of the apartments, and they haven't even tested the water lines coming up from the canyon yet.  My bedroom window is on the north side and all of the roof snow was piled in front of it.  I spent yesterday afternoon moving the snow and taking the plywood from the window so it would not feel like living in a cave.  Snow is still blocking a lot of the light but it is better that total dark.  I like  the daylight when I wake up in the morning.

Because of budgets, not all fee collectors will be here for the opening and will have to do OJT when they get here.  I did have a 3-day weekend coming up this weekend but that has been changed and I
am off today and will have Sat. and Sun. off.  I got the name of a good doctor in Kanab and will try to get an appointment for Fri or Mon if possible and adjust my schedule as needed.  My BP is still  running high.

We might be able to get the RVs in this weekend but the sites are very soft.  I might just bring mine on in and just set up in a parking lot for a few days. Better that sharing the apartment.  My roomies are an older (than me) couple (Married 51 years).

My assigned RV site is the same one I had in 2001, not good for the Sat. Dish.  Will try to get another that looks like it has a little chance.  None are real good for it.

I went out yesterday to gather some things from the RV that I had forgotten.  Jacob Lake did not have the Blue Cheese Burger on the menu.  I asked about it but the girl was new and didn't know about it.  Coming back in I saw a coyote pouncing at something in one of the snow covered meadows and knew you would love to have seen it.

Got to the N. Rim Sunday.  Road still in bad shape and park will not
open until the 16th.  Was schedule to open on the 10th.  Had to leave
my MH 45 miles out and am staying in an apartment until I can get it
into the park.

Looking forward to a great summer again.

Good morning All

I left Las Vegas yesterday and am at the Virgin River National Recreation Area between there and St. George. UT, about 20 S. of St. George.  It is a "mini" Grand Canyon and I am in walking distance to
the river.  It is still muddy form the rains earlier this year that were so heavy in ht St. George Area. The view is great although the view radius is rather short, but it is 360 degrees. Will be staying here for at least a week.  That will give me time to visit Zion National Park on the way to the North Rim.

I am in a totally dead spot for Cell Phone, so will only get messages when I drive into town.

Good morning All,

At least it is still morning here.  I am in Las Vegas, NV.  Got here yesterday.  Spent the day before with Margaret, had a good visit, then went on my way.

I drove through a lot of wind on my way west.  Started as I was leaving Tulsa, OK, and got worse from there.  Stopped early  a number of days because of the wind.

I had lousy weather while in KY and traveling back west, but here in Vegas it is ideal.  55 degrees last night going to 78 today with 45% humidity and nothing but blue skies.  I will stay here a few days
before heading to St. George, UT and then heading to The Rim for the summer.

I am planing to see a doctor while in St. George.  Seems my Blood Pressure has been higher than normal (for me) the last month or so, so I will have it checked and go on meds if necessary and then monitor it
from there.  Will also have my cholesterol checked.  I know it is high, so might start meds for that too.

I have had a bad ear infection for the last few days.  Whet to a Dr. Sunday morning and got a script for ear drops.  Have Swimmers Ear.  An external infection.  Had a lot years ago in FL.  Wet humid conditions is not conducive to the ear canal staying dry and an infection can set
up.  Ear and side of face get very tender and lots of pain.  Taking Advil and Tylenol for pain.   Hope it clears up in the next couple of days.  Ear cancel has been swollen closed for since Sunday.  Its my
good ear and hearing has been very difficult.

Gas prices jumped 20 cents yesterday.  Will cost a lot more to drive west than it did to drive east.  Am looking to head out after my ear had cleared up a couple of days.

I am really enjoying the visit with Earlene. Got to talking to here about Colorado and she was very familiar with the Quray, Silverton, Tin Cup area.  Her and Charles spent some time there years ago.

Since I sleep in the driveway we do not have to entertain each other all the time and only eat a few meals together.   I grilled a couple of NY Strips last that were very good.  She has Chili for lunch today. I have done a few of her HONEY DO things, but not a lot.

This morning I am sitting in Frankfort, KY visiting my family in this area.  Margaret and I are no longer together, but it was great while it lasted.

Just got back from Bloomington IN. where Arron is Law/Business school going for a JD/MBA, wants to work on Wall Street.

Lee is in Med School at U. of KY with another year to go before internship.

Since Mexico Margaret and I  spent most of the time in the west and southwest. Winter before this was spent in SE CA. / SW AZ.  Spent last summer in the high Rockies of Colorado.  Being a 10,000 feet is great but you just can't make a decent cup of coffee.

I just spent four months volunteering at the Salton Sea State Park in SE CA and am going to return to the N. Rim of the Grand Canyon for the summer.  I really enjoyed working there the summer of '01.  I will be a seasonal ranger, wear a badge, but they wont give me a gun!!