Overnight ride to Lake Havasu City

I joined a riding group here in the valley called the East Valley Road Rascals. The organizer, Sherry, does a fine job of picking out rides and events to attend. This time we left Saturday morning for Lake Havasu City to watch the Christmas boat parade. It's a big tailgate party along the shore near the London Bridge waiting for nightfall and the arrival of the boats. I'd like to say that I was able to get pictures of the boats, but I'd be lying. I found a setting on my camera for night landscape pictures, but alas, I'm no Cory Parris (nor do I have his camera).

One big bonus included in an overnight motorcycle ride is the opportunity to sleep in a big bed with a full size bathroom just across the room!

On Sunday we headed north to Route 66 and the town of Oatman so we could pet the wild (?) burros. From there we followed 66 to Kingman, had lunch at Mr. D's then headed home. 120 miles of mind numbing, butt numbing hiway 93 to Wickenburg.

Everybody made it home safe, with only a couple visits from law enforcement (not me).

Acres of chrome, paint and big engines.

Kaiser Darrin roadster

 Dave and I went to the final Goodguys event of the year and wandered through acres of hot rods, rat rods, trucks and sports cars. Dave took pictures of every Studebaker entered and searched in vain for trim pieces for his Starliner at the swap meet.

I think the Lincoln Zephyr flathead V-12 is a piece of art.

Lincoln Zephyr flathead V-12

Pretty Planes and Crusty Cars

Larry, Dave and I rode to Casa Grande to attend the Copper State Fly In.  Larry was in the Air Force a hundred years ago and thinks he still is, Dave really enjoyed his flight in the B-17 and likes old stuff and I enjoy their company.  After the fly-in, we rode to a wrecking yard that had Studebaker parts that Dave thinks he needs.  Then it was a quick ride to Tag's in Coolidge for lunch (on Larry!). A nice day.

Dave and Larry walking toward "Sentimental Journey".

Bi-plane row

Isn't this Sky King's old plane?

P-51 Mustang

See anything you need?

WalMart workers

Seems the battery in my truck didn't hold up over the summer months. The truck started right up when I connected the battery, but over the course of the week, it died.
Since it was a WalMart battery, I returned it to them in case there was some warranty left. There was! They gave me $44.45 for it.  While I was there, I decided to get the oil changed, too.  Waiting for that to be completed, I browsed the auto parts area and picked up some wiper blades and an air filter.  When the boys in the lube bay completed their job, the paperwork magically spit out of the printer under the sales counter.  The work order did not include the battery.  The guy behind the desk went out to the garage to get it straightened out. A new piece of paper came forth from the printer. The sales clerk rang everything up, I slid my ATM card through the card reader, he handed me my receipt and I drove home. Looking at the paperwork when I got back to the park...
They didn't charge me for the oil change!
I'm not going back - it would just confuse them further.
We've all seen the e-mails with pictures of the people of WalMart. Maybe they should include some of the people that work there, too.

Staying busy

Sold my little 4 x 8 shed to Frank and Kristi, moved it to their site in the park. Got my trailer situated on my site with John's help. Got the motorhome parked and all of the services connected. Put all of the stuff that was in the small shed in the bigger shed that I bought from Dave and Paige. Got the broken windshield on the Ranger replaced. Have an appointment to get the rear tire on the Harley replaced tomorrow.
Still have a long list of things that need to be done. I was hoping that the temperature would drop 20 degrees or so before I started them. Need to wash the motorhome and put on the window shades. I have to organize the new shed, but am going to wire it first - after Larry gets here to help me.

I bet you thought that I just float in the pool all day. That reminds me.... This is me and Dave last year, but you get the general idea.

On my way to AJ

I WILL UPDATE THIS POST DAILY.

Had Friday dinner with Ross and Patti Friday night, got in the motorhome and drove to Prosser, WA, for a nights stay at Wine Country RV Park. Full hook-ups, cable television, wifi, $29 - but pay showers?

Got up and hit the road at 8 headed east on 82, merged on to 84 in Oregon headed for Idaho.  Pulled off in Wendell, ID, for Saturday night. Staying at Intermountain RV Camp. Water and 30 amp service in the pull thrus, no cable, but has wifi - $20. Still pay showers! Pretty setting. 413 miles. A shorter day tomorrow - I promise! Maybe just to Ely, NV.

US Route 93 out of Twin Falls, Idaho, is the pits. Rougher than a corn cob. As soon as you cross in to Nevada it smooths out - except for the areas under construction. To someone driving a car, this route in northern Nevada must be boring as hell, but in a motorhome with a crosswind, it's plenty exciting. I stopped in  Wells to catch my breath and get gas. On my normal walk around I noticed that two of the tires on the trailer were wearing funny. As it happens, the Shell station was also a tire store. The owner said that the bias plies had separated. Buying new trailer tires was on my list of things to do, just not right now. Near as I could tell, these were still the original bias ply tires. The owner was sympathetic and said he had four good used Goodyear radial trailer tires. Now I have them.

I made it a short day so I could watch the NASCAR race and the Seahawk game - besides I'm retired. I am spending Sunday afternoon and night at the Ely KOA. A little pricey at $39, but I'm worth it. Only 277 miles today. I was off the road by noon local time.

Up early again and no reason not to get moving, so I did. 454 miles to Blythe, CA, on the Colorado River. An elevation drop of about 4,000 feet. Only 185 miles to go tomorrow. As usual, driving thru Las Vegas is the pits, but it was better than last time. Route 93 between Needles and Vidal Junction has to be one of the worst 2 lane roads in the country. There were delays on 93 so I didn't cross Hoover Dam one last time. The bypass bridge is scheduled to open in October.

Here are my hot feet soaking in the cool Colorado River.

Arrived about noon. Moved a shed, got the truck running, opened up my awning for the first time since I left AJ in May. About 100 degrees. Floated in the pool a couple times. My ac is finally catching up and it's after 8! May ride up to Payson tomorrow.

Retirement of a friend

Sunday, Thom and I met at the Bremerton ferry for a trip to Seattle/Ballard and a visit with my friend Ken (aka "my ex-wife's-twin-sister's-ex-husband" or Kenny-Pooh).  Ken spent 30 years working for various  government agencies that luckily all subscribed to the same retirement program. Those agencies included the University of Washington, the City of Seattle, City Light and Sound Transit.  Since he didn't spend enough time at any one of them to warrant a retirement ceremony, he decided to hold his own and invite the people that mattered to him. I'm not sure why I was there.
Felipe (Let or Leto to his old friends) served as the master of ceremonies.  He and Ken have been friends since high school.  It seems that everywhere Let got a job, Ken followed.  Let joined the Marines - so did Ken.
Congratulations Ken, retirement is great.