SAID GOOD-BYE TO UNCLE HARRY TODAY UNTIL NEXT SPRING

IT WAS NEARLY A YEAR AGO WE SPENT A COUPLE NIGHTS AT RUSTY'S RV RANCH  NEAR RODEO NEW MEXICO UNDER THE WATCHFUL GAZE OF ARIZONA’S LEGENDARY CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS

Out of our last 6 border crossings into the States we have been singled out 3 times for so called 'agriculture checks.'  This involves having to disembark the rig (dog's too) and wait outside in the cold while custom inspectors go through your stuff.  This is followed by a long wait at the end of a constantly growing line of people until you find yourself at a counter inside a building with an often as not grumpy custom's officer firing questions at you.  This is never a pleasant experience (generally an hour) from start to finish and is the main reason we always dread border crossings.  We have been free of those border checks for 2 years in a row now but will our luck hold Saturday morning at our Port Huron border crossing or will we be randomly singled out again!!  We'll see...........

PLAYING A GAME OF ‘STICKS’ WITH MAX, CHECKERS AND CORA A YEAR AGO TODAY AT AN IOWA REST STOP

One year ago tonight we overnighted in a little county park in Lindsborg, Kansas on our way west and the following night we made it to Dalhart, Texas.  It is sad when I look back in my blog to that time a year ago and see all my photos of Max and Checkers each day happily traveling along on their way west with us.  Little did we suspect that 5 short months later neither one of the guys would be with us anymore.  Very sad.

<<< TOOK THIS EARLY MORNING SUNRISE PHOTO THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD OF THE RIG SOMEWHERE IN SOUTHERN IOWA A YEAR AGO

Been toying with the idea of hooking the utility trailer up to the back of the Jeep behind the Motorhome.  Why?  So I can take my treasured recliner with me:))  Ok, just joking about that but I consider recliners to be one of the greatest inventions of modern history.  I do love my big cushy recliner but it's way too big for the Motor Home.  First spotted it sitting quietly amongst a bunch of other recliners in a Sears 'Outlet' store in London Ontario about 6 years ago.  Walked over to it, sat myself in it and pulled the wooden reclining leaver to stretch myself out into full blown comfort.  It was love at first snuggle.  Half an hour later we had the chair in our mini-van heading for home.  Me and my Buddy have been nearly inseparable ever since.

LAST YEAR’S MORNING DOGGY WALK AT RUSTY'S RV RANCH

I sleep in it, sometimes eat in it, write portions of my blog in it, snuggle with the doggy guys in it, catch daily catnaps in it and just generally spend too much quality time in it.  Kelly has sometimes threatened to have me taken to the hospital and have the recliner and I surgically separated.  Sometimes there are furry critters sleeping in it and keeping it warm for when I get there.   From my control center recliner I can open and close our patio door for the guys when coming in or going out.  I can clearly check the daily temperature on a tree outside the window and of course have full control over TV and Stereo systems via remotes conveniently located on a renovated marble topped cabinet/table out of a Phaeton Motor Home.  I can answer the telephone from my recliner and reach one of my Canon cameras for impromptu doggy photos or easily slip out of it onto the floor for a game of doggy toys with the guys.  Yep, I'm going to miss my good old cushy recliner Pal alright and on our return in the Spring it is one of the first things I tend to reunite with when coming into the house.  I look forward to that big huge sigh of relief as I blissfully sink into the welcoming and enveloping arms of my dear old friend:)) 

ROLLING THROUGH HUTCHINSON KANSAS NOVEMBER 10TH 2010

I always carry a 'pruners' with me on our morning walks for trimming back small branches or tall weeds along the forest path. For three years now I have used the blue handled cutters in the photo below. I even take these cutters to the southwest with me each year and carry them on our mountain hikes sometimes trimming back any protruding or low hanging branches growing across the trail.  

MY BLUE HANDLED PRUNERS ARE NEVER TOO FAR FROM MY SIDE WHEN OUT ON THE TRAIL
Jerry's post over at OUR LIFE ON WHEELS was of particular interest to me today.  I totally understand Jerry and Suzy feeling a need to prioritize things and go with the necessary and welcome changes in their busy lives.   They have decided to change some of their blogging habits and I understand why.  I always find the topic of blogging interesting and I always enjoy reading people's thoughts regarding blogs or blogging.

KELLY SAYS GOOD-BYE TO UNCLE HARRY TODAY

We slipped over to Mitchell Ontario this morning to see my Uncle Harry and say good-bye before we leave Saturday.   He's doing pretty good and we feel comfortable that he will be fine over this upcoming winter season.  He is in good hands at the Ritz Villa.  He sure is going to miss Pheebe though.  Uncle Harry always has been a caring 'dog person':))

I REMEMBER HOW GREAT IT FELT LAST YEAR ON NOVEMBER 12TH TO FINALLY BE STANDING IN THE SHADOW OF THE MIGHTY CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS ONCE AGAIN

GROANER'S CORNER:((  A State legislator is awakened in the middle of the night by his wife, who whispers, "I think there's a thief in the house."
"Not in the House, my dear," her husband says. "Perhaps in the Senate, but not in the House."

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GREAT RE-CAULKING JOB ON THE MOTOR HOME

A COUPLE OF TIRED PALS

Our morning was basically a repeat performance of the previous morning.  Again, we started the day with sunshine as we headed for Mitchell to take Uncle Harry back to the Dentist for a tooth filling.  Harry was wide awake and raring to go and everything went off like clockwork again.  Nice for Harry to get out for a cruise in his wheelchair even if it was only a block to the Dentist.  We sure lucked out weather wise for this venture.

  

LEAVING THE CARE FACILITY – CROSSING A QUIET STREET – HEADING UP THE SIDEWALK – ARRIVING AT THE DENTIST

The Motor Home was ready to be picked up this afternoon so Kelly and I headed for STORMRUNNER'S RV SALES AND SERVICE.  They sure did a great caulking job on the rig after first stripping off all the old stuff which we should have actually had done a couple years ago.  Both end caps were re-sealed as well as the side mouldings and other areas on the roof and coach that needed it.  I’ve had a loose driver’s side mirror for quite awhile and they tightened that up as well plus secured the awning’s lag bolts which unbeknownst to us were in the process of working themselves loose.  All and all we sure appreciated the extra effort and attention paid to detail.   A job well done.  Dianne and Harry generally head to Florida in the winter but this year they are heading for the great American Southwest for a welcome change.  Yahouie Louie…..   Chances are good that we may very well see them somewhere in our travels.

With the roof caulking done now, that wraps up all the maintenance on the rig and the Jeep before our trip.  Each year we try to do a bit of upkeep on the vehicles.  Last year was new tires all way round for both the Jeep and Motorhome.  Rig’s generator was also serviced.  This year was undercoating, caulking and oil change tune-ups.  This RV life sure isn’t cheap I’ll tell ya.  Just re-newed our COACH-NET roadside assistance coverage for $106 and it looks like personal travel insurance this year is going to cost us about $1,300 for half a year. 

After losing Max and Checkers back in April the thought of 'no more pets' briefly entered my mind.  The thoughts of having to go through all that sorrow and anguish of loosing a beloved pet again seemed overwhelming.  Fortunately, that thought did not stay with me.  The many years of love and happiness a best Pal can bring far outweighs the eventual sadness in the end.  Years of playful memories, endless hours of toy time, quiet talks and morning walks.   Furry snuggles and scruffles that last for years and years with big brown eyes and floppy little ears.  Ahhh, tis a dog owners life indeed.

Having a best doggy Pal or two or three gives me a purpose.  It gets me out of the house for walks, it gets me down on the living room floor for playtime and it gives me a sense of well being to have a furry little or big dog curled up on my lap sound asleep.  Also gives me a sense of caring and how nice it is to wake up in the morning with a happy doggy face full of slurpy’s looking at me raring to get another day of boundless energy started.  Sometimes it’s the other end of the doggy with a big black powerful tail smacking me in the face.  I don’t mind it….I love it.    I don't really miss being around people much anymore but I sure do miss not being around my furry Pals:)) 

<<< LIKED THIS CARVED WOODEN TREE TRUNK SCULPTURE OUTSIDE THE DENTIST OFFICE

And, speaking of furry Pals, Pheebe is doing very well at being home without us for longer periods of time.  She hasn't ruined anything but does have a habit of bringing things out of Kelly's room and placing them all on the living room floor.  A big Teddy Bear on Kelly's bed is the usual favourite along with some socks and shoes.  Nothing chewed up, ripped or destroyed.   I wonder what the little Motormouse thinks when she sees her big Pal Pheebs trotting by with Mom's socks in her mouth.   

It was nearly one year ago that fellow RV’ers and Bloggers Bruce and Margie died in a tragic accident in Pismo Beach, California.  Today, the young man who ran them down was SENTENCED.  Thanks for that link EMjay. 

Noticed some winter storms are already moving into the Sierra and Rocky Mountains of the west and for sure those early storms are going to have a bearing on our travel plans by the time we get out there.  If we have to scrap our Four Corner's plan we may end up just taking our usual route down through Indianapolis, Little Rock, Texarkana, Gainesville, Roswell, Alamogordo and Las Cruces.  It's all going to depend on last minute departure times and weather in the mountains.

We did hear from Jeannie and Ray near McNeil Arizona a couple days ago and it looks like we will be returning to the Ranch again this year for awhile.  They are in the process of putting their winter travel plans together so we don't have any dates nailed down yet.  Always nice to touch base with old familiar faces and places:))

GROANER'S CORNER:((  Fred got home from his Sunday round of golf later than normal and very tired. "Bad day at the course?" his wife asked. "Everything was going fine," he said. "Then Harry had a heart attack and died on the 10th tee."
"Oh, that's awful!"
"You're not kidding. For the whole back nine it was hit the ball, drag Harry, hit the ball, drag Harry."

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TODAY WE MET FELLOW RV’ERS RICHARD AND KATHY ROUSSEAU

A beautiful Autumn day.  We slipped down to Mitchell, loaded up Uncle Harry in his wheel chair and headed on out the door and down the street to the Dentist.  It’s a short half block walk along some sidewalks, across a highway and through a parking lot to reach the dentist and all went  well.  Harry enjoyed the ride.  Tomorrow morning we do it all over again because the Dentist, while cleaning Harry’s teeth found a cavity (don’t they always) and said for us make another appointment.  Hard enough on Harry today getting him out of his wheel chair into a dentist chair and now he has to do it all over again Tuesday morning for another short half hour appointment.

KELLY AND UNCLE HARRY CHECK OUT THE SPORTS PAGE AT THE DENTIST THIS MORNING
Took the Motor Home in to STORMRUNNER RV SALES AND SERVICE when we got back to have some caulking done on the roof.  No sign of Dianne or Harry but I’m sure they will call us when it’s done.  Home again and soon as I sat down for a minute in my big chair I was out like a light for a couple hours.  Seems my world is slowly tipping over for whatever reason with me sleeping more during the day and less at night.  Maybe I should just get myself a night job sweeping floors at Wal-Mart and be done with it!!

TWO LITTLE BUMS ON AN OLD COUCH
Late this afternoon we met a couple fellow RV’ers for supper at THE DOCKS in Bayfield .  Richard and Kathy Rousseau live in Tecumseh near Windsor Ontario and haul a big new 38’ Avalanche fifth wheel.  They have been reading my blog for awhile and had emailed a few months ago saying they would be passing through our area and wanted to get together, say Hello and buy us supper.  Thought that was pretty darn nice of them.
Fresh from the rain soaked Ohio Gypsy Journal rally south of the border they were sure glad to see todays sunshine.  They had also been to the RV Dreams rally.  Their rig was parked at THE OLD HOMESTEAD RV Park not far from us and they invited us back to their unit.  Beautiful 5th wheel complete with a very clever outside kitchen tucked away in the bedroom slide.  Richard is one of those ‘jack of all trades’ kind of guy and has already made many great renovations and improvements to their rig.  Some guys just got all the smarts!!
As is typical with all RV folks we have ever met, Richard and Kathy were very friendly and easy going folks.  Eager to share ideas, stories and travel adventures.  RV’ers have a special bond and whenever together there are no strangers.  I have a feeling once they return home and become settled, they just might turn their sights towards the blogging world:))   



GROANER’S CORNER:((  The average woman would rather have beauty than brains because the average man can see better than he can think.
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-Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
-Until one has loved an Animal, their soul remains un-awakened.

OUR PICASA PHOTO ALBUMS

The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.

AND TODAY WAS MY UNCLE HARRY'S 94TH BIRTHDAY:))

A RELAXING AFTERNOON

To-day was my Uncle Harry's 94th Birthday & once again he came all they over from Woodstock Ontario to spend it here in Bayfield with us.  His friend & ours, Grace, drove him up.  Until just a few short years ago Harry was always at the wheel but he finally sold his car a few years back & now lets others do the driving.  And, he was a fine driver right up to the day he decided it was finally time to step aside.

SO NICE TO SIT OUTSIDE ON THE PORCH TODAY

We were happy the weather cooperated today with sunshine & warmer temps.    Nice to sit outside on our front porch.  Uncle Harry has always enjoyed coming here & seeing all the improvements we have made to the house & grounds over the years & he is the fellow who made it all possible for Kelly & I to buy our place here nearly 7 years ago.

SITTING IN THE SUN ROOM WATCHING THE BIRDS AT THE FEEDERS

HARRY & MAX HAVE ALWAYS BEEN BEST BUDDIES

We sat & watched the birds at the feeders & I showed him how I'm able to take the bird photos with the long telescope/lens & camera set up.  For supper we had Harry's favorite frying sausage from Krug's Butcher shop in Tavistock, Ontario.  Our family has been buying frying sausage there ever since I was a kid & it's always Harry's fav.  Scalloped potatoes with cheese sauce cauliflower &  creamed corn was followed by oven warmed apple pie & ice cream.  All Uncle Harry's favorites.

HARRY HASN'T LOST HIS APPETITE FOR GOOD OLD KRUG'S FRYING SAUSAGE:))

It was sad today to see that most of his mobility is gone now & even a walker is a struggle for him.  His voice is weaker & body frail, yet it was only a month ago we were playing pool together in Woodstock.   He hasn't lost that twinkle in his eye or his smiling chuckle but  as I helped him into the car after supper I seriously wondered if he was going to have enough strength left to ever make it back again for another visit.  

A HELPING HAND FOR THE MAN WHO FIRST EXTENDED US A HELPING HAND A DECADE AGO

With Grace at the wheel & Uncle Harry looking so very slumped in the passenger seat I watched as they backed out the driveway & then made their way down the road.  I watched, as I have done so many times before over the years..........................

HEADING HOME...............................

GROANER'S CORNER:((  You know, some days I get all the exercise I need just by pushing my luck!!

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The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...... AL.