Monday, December 9, 2019

Guess Who's Coming to Visit! - 12/09/19

Guess Who’s Coming to Visit!
December 9, 2019
Yuma, AZ

On a few occasions we are fortunate to come upon a tarantula traversing through the desert. We find them fascinating to watch as they slowly meander to wherever they are going. They tend to be quite large, about 2 to 3 inches in size. On December 9, 2019 we encountered this specimen (see picture) visiting our campsite. They blend in so well with the desert ground, one has to be careful not to step on them. Obviously, you should always have a flashlight with you when walking about the desert at night!

Tarantulas give some people the creeps because of their large, hairy bodies and legs. But these spiders are harmless to humans (except for a painful bite), and their mild venom is weaker than a typical bee's. These spiders can live for up to 25 years and can be domesticated into affectionate pets. They are generally docile, very timid and bite only when provoked.

The desert tarantulas hunt on or near the ground. All tarantulas can produce silk; this species line their burrows with silk to stabilize the burrow wall and facilitate climbing up and down. Tarantulas mainly eat large insects and other arthropods such as centipedes, millipedes, and other spiders, using ambush as their primary method of prey capture. The biggest tarantulas sometimes kill and consume small vertebrates such as lizards, mice, bats, birds, and small snakes.

Monday, November 11, 2019

Yuma, AZ - 11/11/19

Travel Itinerary:
11/11/19 - Monday
Depart From: Las Cruces, NM
Depart: 7:00 am
Odometer: 125,062
Arrive: 4:45 pm
Odometer: 125,582
Trip Mileage: 520
Trip Time: 9 hr 45 min

Destination:
Imperial Dam LTVA
Winterhaven, CA
GPS: 32.28950, -106.782978
Google Maps: 431 miles - 6 hr 46 min
Campsite: Herman's Horse Path
Cost: $180.00 (September 15 through April 15)

Gas Expense:
PIC QUIK #10
Las Cruces, NM
Price/Gal: $2.459
Gallons: 15.304
Amount: $37.63
Odometer: 125,062

Pilot #593
Tucson, AZ
Price/Gal: $2.509
Gallons: 20.173
Amount: $50.61
Odometer: 125,325

Comments:
So nice to be back in the desert again!

We will be dry camping at the Imperial Dam LTVA through early April 2020.

Imperial Dam LTVA is located about 25 miles north of Yuma, AZ

Looking forward to enjoying warm, sunny weather during this winter season.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Las Cruces, NM - 11/10/19

Las Cruces ("the crosses") is a city in New Mexico, on the edge of the Chihuahuan Desert.
Las Cruces is the second-largest city in New Mexico and the seat of Doña Ana County.
As of the 2020 census the population was 111,385.
The Las Cruces metropolitan area had an estimated population of 213,849 in 2017.

Las Cruces is the economic and geographic center of the Mesilla Valley, the agricultural region on the floodplain of the Rio Grande which extends from Hatch to the west side of El Paso, Texas.

Las Cruces is the home of New Mexico State University (NMSU), New Mexico's only land-grant university.

The city's major employer is the federal government on nearby White Sands Test Facility and White Sands Missile Range.

The Organ Mountains, 10 miles to the east, are dominant in the city's landscape, along with the Doña Ana Mountains, Robledo Mountains, and Picacho Peak.

Las Cruces lies 225 miles south of Albuquerque, 42 miles northwest of El Paso, Texas and 41 miles north of the Mexican border at Sunland Park.

Places to Visit
The interactive New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum features livestock and gardens.
On the Rio Grande, Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park has trails and birdlife.
The Museum of Nature and Science includes desert animals and hands-on displays.
In an old depot, the Railroad Museum has model trains and explores the local impact of railways.

Space Travel
Spaceport America, which has corporate offices in Las Cruces, operates from 55 miles to the north, and has completed several successful manned, suborbital flights.
The city is also the headquarters for Virgin Galactic, the world's first company to offer sub-orbital spaceflights.

Travel Itinerary:
11/10/19 - Sunday
Depart From: Meade, KS
Depart: 9:05 am
Odometer: 124,498
Arrive: 9:05 pm
Odometer: 125,062
Trip Mileage: 564
Trip Time: 12 hr 0 min

Destination:
Walmart #5155 1550 S Valley Dr
Las Cruces, NM 88005
GPS: 32.28950, -106.782978
Google Maps: 431 miles - 6 hr 46 min
Campsite: WM
Cost: Free

Gas Expense:
Pilot #1083
Stratford, TX
Price/Gal: $2.349
Gallons: 20.299
Amount: $47.68
Odometer: 124,631

Corona Mini Mart
Corona, NM
Price/Gal: $2.999
Gallons: 20.079
Amount: $60.22
Odometer: 124,890

Comments:
Spent a very long day driving. Will try not to do this again!

While driving through a mountainous area of New Mexico on US-54, we encountered a 2 x 4 piece of wood on the highway. It was at night. It was too late and dangerous to avoid hitting it. Our Ford E-150 cargo van and trailer ran over it. Fortunately, no damage was done to either vehicle. Just one more reason I try to avoid driving at night.

I made a note to make sure the next time we travel to Las Cruces, NM on US-54 we have a full tank of fuel. While traveling south on US-54, south of I-40 to Las Cruces, we only encountered one fuel station, which was located in Corona, NM. We did need fuel and were fortunate to find the one in Corona.

The Walmart, located a short distance from I-10, is a popular place for RVs to spend the night. Only downside was the constant noise from traffic on I-10.

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Meade Lake SP, KS - 11/09/19

Meade is a city in and the county seat of Meade County, Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,721.

Named for Civil War General George G. Meade, the county contains the cities of Fowler, Meade and Plains. The Lone Tree Massacre in which a survey party, sent by the U. S. Government to survey land southwest of Dodge City, was attacked and killed by Cheyenne Indians on August 24, 1874.

Travel Itinerary:
11/09/19 - Saturday
Depart From: Emporia, KS
Depart: 11:10 am
Odometer: 124,192
Arrive: 6:55 pm
Odometer: 124,498
Trip Mileage: 306
Trip Time: 6 hr 45 min

Destination:
Meade Lake State Park
Meade, KS
GPS: 37.169944, -100.433990
Google Maps:  miles -  hr  min
Campsite: SB7
Cost: $29.00
(camping fee = 21.00 + 3.00 processing fee + 5.00 daily vehicle fee)

Gas Expense:
ShortStop #13
Emporia, KS
Price/Gal: $2.279
Gallons: 12.450
Amount: $28.37
Odometer: 124,192

Casey's General Store #3458
Pratt, KS
Price/Gal: $2.329
Gallons: 18.649
Amount: $43.43
Odometer: 124,390

Comments:
We arrived at the John North Ford dealer in Emporium, KS at 7:30 a.m. The service department opens at 8:00 a.m.

The service rep was kind enough to schedule our Ford E-150 cargo van for service, despite having a full schedule for a Saturday.

They replaced the cooling fan on the engine and we were on our way by 11:10 a.m.

Kudos to John North Ford for their excellent customer service.

On our way through Kansas, while looking for a place to spend the night, we discovered a delightful state park in Meade, KS. There are several campgrounds within the park to choose from.

Friday, November 8, 2019

Emporia, KS - 11/08/19

Emporia is a city in and the county seat of Lyon County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 24,139.

Emporia was founded by five men from Lawrence in 1857, when Kansas was still a territory battling over slavery. The name of the city was derived from ancient Carthaginian Africa.

The town charter prohibited gambling and the sale of liquor, making Emporia the first prohibition town in the world – 61 years before National Prohibition.

By the 1880s, Emporia had established two colleges. Several of the downtown buildings date to this time period.

In 1953, Emporia became the first city in the nation to celebrate Veterans Day, thanks to the idea of a local shoe salesman.

The Lyon County History Center houses one of the state’s largest genealogy collections. Learn about the families who built Emporia at the Lyon County History Center and the Howe House and Welsh Farmstead, built in 1867.

Several local landmarks are on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Downtown Historic District, Howe House, the Granada Theater, Kress Building, former College of Emporia campus, and stone arch bridge.

Emporia has also been home to several notable people over the years, including world-renowned author and editor William Allen White. White’s stately historic home, Red Rocks, is available for public tours.

For more information on Emporia click here: Emporia.

Historic Attractions:

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Travel Itinerary:
11/08/19 - Thursday
Depart From: Jacksonville, IL
Depart: 10:55 am
Odometer: 123,805
Arrive: 6:55 pm
Odometer: 124,192
Trip Mileage: 387
Trip Time: 8 hr 00 min

Destination:
Walmart #557
Emporia, KS
GPS: 35.07948, -107.55738
Google Maps: 385 miles - 6 hr 5 min
Campsite: Walmart
Cost: Free

Gas Expense:
QIK-N-EZ #57
Jacksonville, IL
Price/Gal: $2.549
Gallons: 21.041
Amount: $53.63
Odometer: 123,808

Pilot #252
Kearney, MO
Price/Gal: $2.299
Gallons: 25.819
Amount: $59.36
Odometer: 124,058

Comments:
As we were approaching the entrance to Walmart, I noticed a loud noise comming from the engine. Everytime I accelerated this noise would occur.

Once we were settled in at the Walmart, I looked for a Ford dealer in Emporia, KS. There was only one that I located; John North Ford.

Our plan was to take our Ford E-150 cargo van to the dealer early the next morning to get it checked out.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Jacksonville, IL - 11/06/19

Jacksonville is a city in Morgan County, Illinois. The population was 19,446 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Morgan County. It is home to Illinois College, Illinois School for the Deaf, and the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired.

Jacksonville is the host city for Eli Bridge Company, the world's oldest manufacturer of Ferris Wheels and other amusement rides. W.E. Sullivan founded the firm with the introduction of his first portable "Big Eli" Wheel on the Jacksonville Square on May 23, 1900.

Annual Events
Prairie Land Heritage Museum Steam Show & Fall Festival Days
See horse-powered equipment, antique tractors, gas & steam engines, demonstrations on bailing, blacksmithing and more. Steam train rides, very large flea market and food. Last full weekend in September.

Ron Milton Race of Champions MOWA Sprints
Head over to the Jacksonville Speedway for an exciting night of racing. 305s, Mods, Street, and Micros.

Pumpkin Festival
This festival is held in late October on the Historic Downtown Square.
Activities have included a petting zoo, kids’ corner, apple and pumpkin activities, smallest and biggest pumpkin contest, pie eating contest, pumpkin drop and so much more!

For more information on Jacksonville, Illinois click here: Jacksonville.

Travel Itinerary:
11/06/19 - Wednesday
Depart From: Chicago, IL
Depart: 1:05 pm
Odometer: 123,579
Arrive: 5:00 pm
Odometer: 123,805
Trip Mileage: 226
Trip Time: 3 hr 55 min

Destination:
Jacksomville, IL

Comments:
Will spend two days visiting with relatives before continuing on our journey to Yuma, AZ.

Sunday, July 7, 2019

New Family Member "Sloane" - 07/05/2019

We welcome a new member into our family!

Soon after the passing of our beloved Mirabella, a female Shih Tzu mix, on June 30, 2019, we welcomed Sloane into our family.

The passing of Mirabella left us longing for the companionship of another Shih Tzu. As we discovered with Mirabella, their personality makes them a wonderful family pet. They're playful, they love to be near humans, they're charming, and they are friendly dogs.

The Shih Tzu is an Asian toy dog breed originating from Tibet. This breed is well-known for their short snout and large round eyes, as well as their ever growing coat, floppy ears, and short and stout posture.

We adopted Mirabella from Second City Canine Rescue (SCCR) in Palatine, IL so we searched their website to see if they might have another Shih Tzu available for adoption. Fortunately they did! They had recently rescued a female Shih Tzu mix from a shelter in Alabama.

We adopted Sloane on July 5, 2019. Her foster mom at SCCR was a fan of the movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and gave her new foster-care rescue the name "Sloane". In the movie Sloane Peterson, played by actress Mia Sara, played the role of Ferris’ girlfriend.

Sloane was born on 05/09/2012. Her owner lived in Alabama and had passed away, and Sloane was sent to a kill shelter in the area. Over thirty states have what are termed "holding period" laws. These laws provide the minimum required period that an animal (usually a dog or cat) must be kept at a pound or public animal shelter before it is sold, adopted out, or euthanized. Typically, the holding period runs from five to seven days. Fortunately for Sloane, the animal shelter contacted SCCR and they rescued her.

We have become so endeared to the Shih Tzu breed and feel blessed that we are afforded the opportunity to provide a loving home to another dog approaching her senior years.

We look forward to many memorable and enjoyable moments to come with our Sloane!

Sunday, June 30, 2019

A Sad Day - 06/30/19

Mirabella
09/05/2008 - 06/30/2019

It is with a heavy heart that we share with you our beloved Shih Tzu, Mirabella, passed away early Sunday morning, June 30, 2019. She was born on September 5, 2008 and would have turned 11 years old in a few months. We adopted her from Second City Canine Rescue, Palatine, IL, on October 21, 2017.

On our travels south during the 2018/2019 winter season we noticed Mirabella became sensitive at times when we would pick her up. Upon arriving home in early May we made an appointment with our veterinarian to get her checked out.

On May 24, 2019 an x-ray revealed she had a large mass on her spleen. On May 28, 2019 she had surgery to remove her spleen. During the operation it was discovered she had several tumors on her liver. The pathology report showed the mass on the spleen was hemangiosarcoma, a fatal form of blood cancer, that had metastasized to her liver. Life expectancy was projected at a few weeks. With our veterinarian’s approval, we were determined to keep her as comfortable as possible to the very end.

Following her surgery, she had mostly good days. She had her frisky moments and took nourishment normally. On 6/26 a noticeable change started taking place. Longer periods of lethargy, loss of appetite, bowl movements were smaller and watery. Even with all of that, she strived to please. She would eat if I hand fed her, which I did! She would always stay close to us and find an inner strength to momentarily become her old self, full of energy and dancing in circles to accept a treat.

On Saturday, 6/29, as the day wore on it became apparent the end was near for our beloved Mirabella. We kept her medicated to ease any discomfort she might be experiencing. She was having difficulty standing toward the end of the day and would just lay in the yard when we took her out for potty breaks. Saturday night Sharon took her upstairs into to our bedroom and put her into her favorite spot in the room where she sleeps with us every night. The poor girl was so weak. I checked on her at midnight and talked to her, she was still breathing and somewhat alert and just looked up at me with those sorrowful big eyes of hers. I just felt she knew the end was near. Upon awaking at 6:00 am I went over to check on her and she had passed.

We will always cherish the pure joy this 15 pound bundle of energy brought into our lives over the past 2 years and 8 months. R.I.P. our beloved Mirabella.

Monday, May 6, 2019

Chicago, IL - 05/06/19

Chicago, is the third most populous city in the United States, following New York City and Los Angeles. With a population of 2,746,388 in the 2020 census, it is also the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the fifth most populous city in North America.

Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago was incorporated as a city in 1837.

Famed for its bold architecture, Chicago has a skyline punctuated by skyscrapers such as the iconic John Hancock Center, 1,451-ft. Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) and the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower. The city is also renowned for its museums, including the Art Institute of Chicago with its noted Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works.

After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which destroyed several square miles and left more than 100,000 homeless, the city rebuilt. The construction boom accelerated population growth throughout the following decades, and by 1900, less than 30 years after the great fire, Chicago was the fifth-largest city in the world.

Chicago is an international hub for finance, culture, commerce, industry, education, technology, telecommunications, and transportation.

The economy of Chicago is diverse, with no single industry employing more than 14% of the workforce. It is home to several Fortune 500 companies, including Allstate, Boeing, Caterpillar, Exelon, JLL, Kraft Heinz, McDonald's, Mondelez International, Sears, United Airlines Holdings, US Foods, and Walgreens.

Landmarks in the city include Millennium Park, Navy Pier, the Magnificent Mile, the Art Institute of Chicago, Museum Campus, the Willis (Sears) Tower, Grant Park, the Museum of Science and Industry, and Lincoln Park Zoo. Chicago is also home to the Barack Obama Presidential Center being built in Hyde Park on the city's South Side.

Chicago's culture includes the visual arts, literature, film, theatre, comedy (especially improvisational comedy), food, and music, particularly jazz, blues, soul, hip-hop, gospel, and electronic dance music including house music.

Of the area's many colleges and universities, the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and the University of Illinois at Chicago are classified as "highest research" doctoral universities.

Chicago has professional sports teams in each of the major professional leagues, including two Major League Baseball teams.

Travel Itinerary:
05/06/19 - Monday
Depart From: Jacksonville, IL
Depart: 2:30 pm
Odometer: 119,904
Arrive: 8:00 pm
Odometer: 120,162
Trip Mileage: 258
Trip Time: 5 hr 30 min

Destination:
Chicago, IL
Google Maps: 336 miles - 3 hr 52 min
Campsite: Home
Cost: Free

Gas Expense:
QIK-N-EZ #57
Jacksonville, IL
Price/Gal: $2.299
Gallons: 16.678
Amount: $38.34
Odometer: 119,800

Comments:
So nice to be back home for a while.
Will be back on the road again in November.

Saturday, May 4, 2019

Jacksonville, IL - 05/04/19

Travel Itinerary:
05/04/19 - Saturday
Depart From: Lamar, MO
Depart: 8:50 am
Odometer: 119,491
Arrive: 5:15 pm
Odometer: 119,883
Trip Mileage: 392
Trip Time: 8 hr 25 min

Destination:
Jacksonville, IL
Google Maps: 338 miles - 5 hr 49 min
Campsite: Relative's House
Cost: Free

Gas Expense:
Westland Travel Center
Kingdom City, MO
Price/Gal: $2.599
Gallons: 21.694
Amount: $56.38
Odometer: 119,699

Comments:
Very nice to be back in Illinois.
Will spend 2 nights visiting with family.

Friday, May 3, 2019

Lamar, MO - 05/03/19

Lamar is a city in and the county seat of Barton County, Missouri. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 4,532. It is known as the birthplace of Harry S. Truman, the 33rd president of the United States.

Travel Itinerary:
05/03/19 - Friday
Depart From: Sayre, OK
Depart: 8:10 am
Odometer: 119,086
Arrive: 6:45 pm
Odometer: 119,491
Trip Mileage: 405
Trip Time: 10 hr 35 min

Destination:
Lamar City Park
1909 Walnut St.
Lamar, MO
GPS: 37.486024, -94.282711
Google Maps: 389 miles, 5 hr 41 min
Campsite: Open lot, grass sites.
Cost: First night is free, subsequent nights are $20.00.

Gas Expense:
Turner Turnpike, MM 178
Stroud, OK
Price/Gal: $2.499
Gallons: 16.287
Amount: $40.70
Odometer: 119,287

Flying J #669
Joplin, MO
Price/Gal: $2.389
Gallons: 13.130
Amount: $31.37
Odometer: 119,450

Comments:
Very nice city park with a nice walking path.
Campground is located on a large grassy lot.
Pretty nasty during raining weather. Ask me how I know!
Partial payment/gravel vehicle paths separate the grass campsites.
No electric, water or dump station.
Restroom by campground is pretty nasty.
Will spend one night here while en-route home to Chicago.

Thursday, May 2, 2019

Sayre, OK - 05/02/19

Sayre is a small city in, and the county seat of, Beckham County, in western Oklahoma. It is halfway between Oklahoma City, and Amarillo, Texas, on Interstate 40 and the former U.S. Route 66. The population was 4,375 at the 2010 census.

Sayre was named for Robert H. Sayre, a stockholder of the Choctaw, Oklahoma and Gulf Railroad.

Travel Itinerary:
05/02/19 - Thursday
Depart From: Santa Rosa, NM
Depart: 10:05 am
Odometer: 118,776
Arrive: 5:50 pm
Odometer: 119,086
Trip Mileage: 310
Trip Time: 7 hr 45 min

Destination:
Sayre City Park
Sayre, OK
GPS: 35.273184, -99.645359
Google Maps: 306 miles - 4 hr 33 min
Campsite: 75
Cost: $12.00

Gas Expense:
Pilot #1070
Santa Rosa, NM
Price/Gal: $2.709
Gallons: 16.835
Amount: $45.61
Odometer: 118,791

Flying J #705
Sayre, OK
Price/Gal: $2.549
Gallons: 21.526
Amount: $54.87
Odometer: 119,084

Comments:
Scenic city park and campground.
$12.00 per night camping fee.
Some sites are on gravel and some are on grass.
Pull-thru gravel sites will easily accommodate big rigs.
Electric and water at each site
Dump station located within campground.
Restrooms with flush toilets and free showers.
Large area for walking, but watch out for goathead stickers.
Only downside is the park has a lot of the goathead stickers.
Campground is located adjacent to the city golf course.
Other campground amenities include:
rodeo arena - playground - swimming pool - baseball field - tennis courts - small fishing pond.

Will spend one night here.