Friday, January 16th, 2009
Yes Dorothy it is a happy new year!After yesterday's "miracle" safe ditching of a US Airways A-320 Jet.Luck and divine guidance played a hand, but experience and training were I believe a larger factor in the outcome.This crew led by a most talented professional aviator in the left seat make those of us in the airline business proud.Like the admiral said at the loss of his aviators from his aircraft carrier in "The Bridges AT Toki-Ri" where do we get such people?The real heroes are not in hollywood.They're right next to us!I have flown with a few I consider this way.Boy, was I lucky!
We are firmly planted in Indio, Cal-E-Forn-Ya, Palm Springs.If your wondering, we were a while in blogging- well Mr. Laptop passed away a few days ago.It had been sick a long time.You know virus, infection and finally cardiac arrest.I think it's in "Sony" vaio heaven.So-
here we are on a new 2.5 pound acer aspire net book.I love it.This is my first go on it and typing is just fine.Even came with a small mouse.Can print wirelessly and internal wifi.It's about eight times more capable than the Vaio.But not to bore you, if you want to supplement your PC or big laptop, at a reasonable price try one.The bad news is, I can't get any pictures on it for now.Hence no picture on bloggy for a while.
Getting back, weather has been great.Clear blue skies, temps in 80's.Cools to seventies after sunset.Yesterday it was 85, so we went to pool and hottub.We were here about a week went we got our first taste of California's welcome to Indio 4.5 earthquake!We were sitting in the motorhome when it started bucking around like some giant was jumping up and down on the back.Daisy slept thru it, Lindy got crazed when I looked at her as if she was responsible.Lasting only about 3-5 seconds, I jumped up and ran out the door to see what was happening.Another couple of folks came out to announce the quake.They were californians and started to tell me war stories of prior experiences.Tell you what, for an east coaster like me, it was an eye opener.I'll take our hurricanes thanks very much.We've been relaxing, enjoying the weather and shopping a lot.Lots of great stores here.The three of us drove to Temecula over some impressive mountains with a winding road, severe drop offs and no guard rails.Lindy was not amused.They were on her side!Got tickets to a doo-wop concert to see Danny and the Juniors coming up and a visit to my cousin in Santa Anna.The park had a nice lunch,(free margaritas included) last week
met some nice folks there.Not many easteners here though.Hope to have pictures next time for you.Really pretty countryside around us.Now checking new Nikon cameras to capture it......Adios

Entrance to Outdoor-Resorts

Sunday, January 4th, 2009

Our last week in Casa Grande went by with the arrival of New Years Day.About 15 of us went out for pizza at the hut.Passable but not terrific pizza.After arriving back home we watched all the crazy people in times square freezing their rears off in 17 degree cold.The crowd looked smaller than I've ever seen in 40+ years.At ten local time, the year flipped since that made it midnight on the east coast.The time changes never really bothered us in our working days but it sure has us messed up now.We think it has to do with the stomach!Anyhow, we were all ready on new years day to launch with an early (10am) departure.Having done the pre-launch drill the day before, ie: disconnect everything but electrical power, store movable objects in the coach, take on some water for the trip etc.

The 325 mile leg to Indio Palm Springs, went without a snag.We stopped halfway and Lindy made a nice lunch.Daisy got a walk in, and the weather was superb.Lots of hills on arrival into the Indio area.In fact thirteen of the last 25 or so miles had a 3-5 % grade down-

hill.We zoomed thru 80 miles an hour on some straight aways.Finally used "jake" brake to keep speed at a more comfortable 65-70 before resuming my normal 60MPH on the level portions of the road.The RV resort is really nice as you can see the entrance in the above picture.Lots of palm trees, waterfalls and ponds and colorful flowers.A class A only park that offers lots of amenities.Think we'll enjoy these next two months here.

Yesterday, we went to a local craft fair about ten miles away.A place called Desert College.Lots of nice things and good food too.Daisy enjoyed meeting a few other dogs that were strolling the grounds.We bought a beautiful glass piece of a dachsund that was made with gold

melted in the glass.The fair goes on every saturday and we decided we will have to return to see it more because it is very large.The weather forecast is expected to keep temps in the 70 range so we brought out all our summer clothes once again since we didn't need them in Arizona as we expected.Today we visited a market in La Quinta to get some fresh fruit.Afterward, Lindy went to a nice supermarket called "Ralph's".We're taking Daisy with us everywhere because when we change locations, she is a little disoriented.That is, she doesn't understand what happened to the familiar walk she had (in Casa Grande), or where her "friends" went.Consequently, she is very needy during the transition and wants to be held and reassured we are not leaving her.We give her gobs of attention and hold her even more than we usually do during the transition period.She

usually adapts in a day or two.

We have met a bunch of truly interesting, nice people so far on this winter excursion.But then, that's half the fun of a motorhome.Not even a the halfway mark yet, we're looking forward to meeting even more.This truly is a lifestyle you have to experience to fully appreciate.Kind of like sex, describing it doesn't have the same impact as doing it.........

Monday, December 29th
Well, there went christmas.Does everyone feel the speed of passing time?Must be that extra second there adjusting for on new years eve.We like the "build up" to Christmas after Thanksgiving.We did get tired of hearing Burl Ives' Holly, Jolly, Christmas.Never heard our favorite "Snoopy & The Red Baron" by the Royal Guardsmen.We did enjoy Christmas eve with our canadian friends from BC and two american couples.A very interesting conversation with Bob (pictured here) about his seven years at the Hanoi Hilton and flying.He's one great man.
Christmas day found us in Tucson after an easy 75 mile drive.Our Wolfeboro neighbors have a home they spend winter at to escape the cold.We had a great meal prepared by Lindy.Betty and Jack are in their 80's so they liked not having to cook.Daisy was along and enjoyed her day too.A pleasant relaxing day for everyone.We left just as the sun set trying to avoid driving in the darkness.The speed limit on two lane I-10 is 75.So you can cruise at 55-60 as I would like.Makes night driving a lot harder at that speed.We got home with time enough to watch the tube and almost got to see our video of the best christmas movie ever, The March of the Wooden Soldiers.Laurel& Hardy at their best.We fell asleep before I could start the movie.Channel surfing!It's a guy thing.Anyhow we watched it last night.Can't believe it doesn't even get a mention among all the trash christmas movies out there.We have pretty much decided to spend next christmas in Wolfeboro and leave for winter after new years eve.We just can't travel out west that late because of nasty weather.So we'll go south to Georgia, South Carolina or the old standby, Florida.Maybe do out west every other year.We certainly enjoy the motorhome lifestyle either way.
On friday after christmas, the three of us drove up to Deer Valley airport north side of Phoenix.I had a phone conversation last summer with a tech rep for Shell Oil.Turns out he has a Bell47 like mine and has operated it ten years.We arranged to meet at his hangar to see the aircraft and pick his brain on maintenance issues since he maintains the machine with a little help.I got an awful lot out of that meeting.We also decided that the general Phoenix area was more desireable to live with access to lots of stores and services.In general some nice neighborhoods.After we left the hangar, we were starving.We stopped at the airport terminal and were pleasantly surprised to have a terrific dinner.Wish this airport was closer to NH!Another 75 mile drive and we were back at base.The next day was a do nothing, nada, day to recover from 300 miles of travel on the previous two days.Fully recovered and ready to go, the three of us drove up to Mesa for the big indoor flea market there.It was OK but not as good as we expected from all the folks who recommended it.We saw it all in about two and a half hours.Daisy got some good sleep in the truck and we got about a hundred bucks of stuff.I guess our "stuff" low level light was flickering.
Today, Jack & Betty drove up from Tucson.They loved the coach and were enthralled with the size.They saw it back in Wolfeboro when we first got it but it had all four slides retracted since it was in a "travel" mode.They had a class C motorhome so I think they were remembering its' size in their mind.We took them to the Olive garden, Jack's favorite restaurant.As usual they prepared a nice meal.The weather has been real nice with tomorrow expected to be 70 degrees with bright sunshine.That is forcast all week.So we had great weather the first and now, last week here.With fairly good weather the rest of the time save for those three or four days along the way of showers and wind.We'll be on the move New Years day to Palm Springs.Hopefully all the drinkers will be home recovering and the rest of the folks watching football, leaving the roads clear to travel.Happy, safe & healthy new year to all and God Bless Us Everyone....................................

Saturday, December 20th, '08

Nice weather is back here in Casa Grande.After a few days of strong wind and rain showers.We spent the day at the Pima air museum which is adjacent to the Davis-Monathan AFB.D-M is where some 10,000+ military aircraft are stored.The museum currently has some 270+ aircraft on display.Most are outdoors.I've included a few of the pictures I took for my aviator friends.A great place we hadn't been to in a lot of years.The best thing is Daisy was allowed to go in with us.We were there almost four hours!She was bored on occasion but we were glad we brought her since we were 75 miles from the "house" and didn't want her to spend a whole day alone with an occasional dog sitter visit.After the museum, we drove onboard the AFB to visit the BX and commisary.Lindy did all her christmas food shopping at the commisary.Daisy was glad by that time to get some rest in her bed in the truck cab.So we were able to get dinner and shop without guilt.You "dog" people know what I mean.we got back to the hacienda on wheels about 9 pm.Yesterday the weather was really good so we took a ride to Marana airport.

We wanted to look at a "light sport" aircraft we are interested in.We had met with a nice guy who flight instructed in it and arranged for a demo flight.Lindy & Daisy waited while I flew for nearly an hour!Some demo.He had said 20 minutes.But we were having such a good time exploring the aircraft (and spectacular views) that it turned into a lot longer.The instructor basically never touched the controls so I got a good idea how I would enjoy the machine.He was a retired newspaper reporter/photographer.Very interesting gent.We will consider this aircraft if and when I stop lusting over my beautiful Bell 47.I'll try to put a picture of each on the blog for you.

Hard to believe we have a few days left 'til christmas.We really miss being home in NH for that.'Though they are having horrible weather back east.Next year we are tentatively planning staying in NH 'til after New Years eve.Don't have a destination picked just yet, but would like a warm spot.Arizona has been colder than expected so hopefully, Palm Springs will be warmer.And Nevada by march should improve.We've been happy that there have been no big problems with the equipment.I have gotten to clean/wax the coach so that it'll only need a good washing back in NH before storing at "the landing".So for now , I will crank up my favorite ZZtop

CD and sign off.

Saturday, December 13th

Well folks, now that we spend a lot of time in one spot, the blog slows.We're having to good a time here in Casa Grande, Arizona.Right

between Phoenix and Tucson it's a nice spot.Weather is dry with day temps in the 60-75 range.At night it's in the 40's.Usually low 50's by 6am.I've been getting away with a blast of heat from the overhead A/C heat exchangers.They'll raise the temp 15+ degrees.This precludes burning diesel fuel in the main heat system.We use that for serious cold.We've been to Tucson to visit some neighbors from Wolfeboro who have a winter home out here.We'll spend christmas with them.Also visited the Army western training site that I spent three weeks at in early 90's for a tactical "cobra" traing course.Another field had a bunch of old airliners and fighters.Got a good walk among the old dogs.Most are being restored for wealthy aviators.DC-6's & A-4 jets were common.We will visit the Pima Air museum that we haven't seen in years.We are surrounded in our motorhome by canadians.A lot from BC.A real nice bunch that we've had several happy hours with.It didn't turn into a "drunk in"!Florida was a little different in that respect.One of their "mates " was an american from Texas.Since there are at least five of us "Bobs" in the group, he was already called "air Bob".Rightly so.He and I hit it off quickly.You see, Bob, a retired American Airlines Captain started out his career as a fighter pilot in the US Air Force.Surviving being shot down by north vietnamese gunners in his F-4 Phantom, he was a "guest" at the Hanoi Hilton for Five years!Now 68 years old and in remarkable shape, he flies air races and trains pilots to fly a bunch of "civillianized" fighter aircraft.He has some interesting tales.Unfortunately he had a short airline career being hired in his mid-forties.We meet the most interesting people out on the road.Maybe that's why Willie loves it so much and wrote that great song.Lindy and Daisy have enjoyed the road probably more than me.I do love it, but it would improve if I could tow along my Bell 47.Heck, with the truck attached we'd trail about 90+ feet of gear!For those interested, regular gas out here is as low as $1.49/gal.Diesel at $1.99.The RV park is enormous.Surrounding a beautiful golf course, it has all the amenities such as pools, hot tubs, activities etc.We will be here 'til New Years Day.At that time we will travel about three hundred miles to Palm Springs for our two month stay there.A good day to travel usually since people are trying to recover from the "eve" partys and the rest watch football.We'll try to get a weekly report out in the future.We don't want to bore you too much.So, everyone have a safe and pleasant Christmas and New Year.'Til the next blog write.....