Happy New Year

Baxter's New Look

It was time for Mr. B to get his last Arizona grooming of 2016.

Looks pretty good, probably feels better and he sure smells better.

Now he's bushed and resting...

But he's coming around...he is a 'Baxter'!!!

Christmas Day Brunch

Well we were not sure if our Christmas Brunch would be as delicious as the Thanksgiving Day Dinner we enjoyed at the Francisco Grande  but no worries...everything was delicious again.

This time more friends joined us to celebrate the Day and a good time was had by all.

Click image for larger view.

Click image for larger view.

Merry Christmas!

Have a joyous and safe holiday season. All the best in 2017!

Christmas Day Brunch

We had such a great Thanksgiving Dinner at the Francisco Grande we are going back for their Holiday Brunch,,,,and what a Brunch menu they have!

Think the count is at 4 or 5 couples so the table will be festive with great company.

Hope everyone's holiday season will be filled with joy and happiness.

Some bad/sad news...R.I.P. Bailey

This morning we had to put her to sleep and put an end to more suffering with no relief possible for quality of life.

Bailey had been sick since we got down here and have had her into our vet here in Casa Grande a couple of times since Nov. 23. Last Friday we brought her in again and the vet said she needed a blood tranfusion and more care than she could do here. Took her immediately up to the Emergency Animal Hospital in Gilbert (suburb of Phoenix) where she had been since.

She had serious issues with fluid in the lungs, which they drained, which lead to respitory problems and labored breathing. Also had a sack with fluid around her heart and other big issues.

They say it could be the Valley Fever which is prevalent down here in the desert, cancer or the immune-mediated hemolytic anemia they discovered she had.

Obviously we miss Bailey dearly. She loved camping and swimming anywhere but especially on our trips to Eagle Lake north of Susanville, CA. With that we have her ashes in a beautiful urn and she will continue to travel with us. When not on the road she will be on our fireplace mantle at home.

Dinner as advertised

Delicious!!!

We arrived about 15 minutes before our reservation time but our table was setup and ready...a good start for our Turkey Day feast.

After ordering and sampling a pre-dinner beverage we headed to the buffet.  Everyone said whatever they had off had off the buffet menu was excellent and with all the different dishes it was easy to get into overload early. Most of us just stuck with what we enjoyed most from previous Thanksgiving dinners.

L-R: me, Mike S., Mike & Debbie and Mary A. 

Betty was behind the camera.

Guess who scored a turkey leg?

All in all we have to give this dinner at the Francisco Grande an excellent rating. Found out that they will be doing a Christmas dinner and the gals are talking about coming back for that...hard to disagree.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Happy Thanksgiving

Hope everyone has a wonderfull day and if you are on the road...safe travels.

Some History about Thanksgiving around the world.

Thanksgiving Day Plans 2016

This year in S. AZ Thanksgiving Day Dinner will be a treat for 6 of us. For a change someone else is doing the prep, cooking and cleanup.

Here is the Menu for where we are going and only 20 minutes away;

Here is where we'll be...The Francisco Grande Resort.

A little History;

"The Francisco Grande dates back to 1959 when San Francisco Giants owner Horace Stoneham developed the property as a spring training camp for his popular Major League Baseball team. Then Arizona Governor Paul Fannin attended the dedication before the first exhibition game in 1961, as did National League president Warren Giles, to an overflowing crowd. Optimism swirled like desert dust devils when Willie Mays hit a 375-foot home run off Gaylord Perry in the forth inning of the first ever game at Francisco Grande. "Francisco" was taken from the San "Francisco" Giants and "Grande" was taken from Casa "Grande"; thus the name "Francisco Grande." 

While Willie Mays, Willie McCovey and Juan Marichal were honing their Hall of Fame skills, the Resort became an exclusive and intimate desert hideaway for Hollywood elites. Legends such as John Wayne, Dale Robertson, Pat Boone, and Gale Gordon made the Francisco Grande their home away from home."

You know if  'John' was there I have to visit. :)

We'll have a post Thanksgiving Dinner 'Review'.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Arrived SW Arizona for the Winter

As planned we left Reno last Friday for our trip to Eloy, AZ.

Our first stop was Woodbridge, CA (Lodi) where we stayed at the local Elks Lodge for 2 nights. Saturday we picked up our quartely wine shipment.from Oak Ridge Winery. Great 2 nights to relaxagain in our rig.

Our site at the Lodge.

Nice view of the adjacent golf course from the Lodge bar.

Sunday we made the 4+ hour drive down the 99 to Bakersfield and the Orange Grove RV Park...our normal stop going South. Picked some oranges off the many trees to take along.

Monday we headed out on the 58 going to Needles, CA where we stayed at the Needles KOA for our last overnight. No pics from here.

We left early Tuesday for the 6+ hour drive to Eloy, AZ and the Silverado RV Resort arriving around 2:30pm. It was like old home week seeing friends again we have known for a few years.

We will be here until early April and will post updates during our stay and please post any comments here in our Trip Journal.

Trust everyone is fine and if on the road safe travels.

Headin' out....

UPDATE November 8, 2016

Since the service dealer still has not touched our rig and they aren't giving us satisfactory answers we will pick up the rig tomorrow get it home, pack it up and head out this Friday. The service we wanted done is not a safety issue.

First overnight will be the Elks Lodge in Woodbridge, CA which is about 175 miles and a  3:15 hour run. Plan now is 2 nights there before going to Bakersfield, CA. and Needles, CA each for 1 night.

Should arrive in Eloy at the Silverado RV Resort on Tuesday the 15th in plenty of time to get ready for Thanksgiving.

We'll try and provide updates as we go.

Reno to Arizona....

We are anxious so we might be leaving a little earlier than planned. Looking forward to....

Have the rig out of storage and in for a little service as of Oct. 31. When done we will leave for Eloy, AZ  instead of going back into 'short' storage till the 15th..

Plan on spending time with friends locally this week.

So....stay tuned and of course will have updates.:15

Verdi, Nevada

Final Update Monday October 17, 2016

We are back home after a wet & windy last 4 days at Gold Ranch RV Resort.

Steady winds of 45-50mph with gusts to 70-80 and heavy rain all day and all night since last Friday. Never saw so much rain in the Reno area! Woke up this morning with snow on the close by mountains so it was cold too.

Finally quieted down enough to pack up and leave today.

Don't get us wrong we had a great time with very good food (Sasquatch Tavern & Grill, Verdi Grill & Pizzeria and the Sierra Café at Gold Ranch.), drink, close friends and lots of cards (Hand & Foot).

This WILL be our last local trip with friends before leaving for S. Arizona (Eloy) on November 15th. Check back for updates as we head West then South next month.

Trust everyone is fine and if you are on the move...safe travels.




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Update Wed. October 12. (Photos added)

We really enjoy this Park and the things near by....only 30 min. from home.

Weather turning with high wind warnings starting tomorrow thru late Friday and rain.

Back home Monday.

Topaz Lake, NV

Weather was gorgeous and everyone had  a good time. Ended up with 8 rigs going down.

A few pics attached as you can see.

Spoke a little early about probably this trip being our last with local friends. Ginny & Greg suggested going to Verdi and the Gold Ranch Rv Resort near the NV, CA border.

Who are we to say no and we'll be there until Saturday. Updates as we have them.




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We leave early Friday October 6th for Topaz Lodge to join our Elks RV Group...Reno Rollin' Elks. Short weekend trip as we will return home on Sunday.

This trip is all about celebrating October fest. Members bring various dishes to share from bratwurst with sauerkraut to German Chocolate cake. We will post an update with pics when we can.

This will probably be our last local trip before leaving next month for Eloy, AZ for the winter and we will have updates on the way down. Plan is to leave Tuesday Nov. 15  with overnights in Lodi, Bakersfield, and Needles, CA arriving in Eloy and the Silverado RV Resort on Friday Nov. 18th. 

Concert under the Cliffs

What a great time with friends in Coleville/Walker at Meadowcliff KOA Resort.

Saturday September 10  was their annual Concert under the Cliffs.

Here are some photos from the event.

WOW!! Bev (maker of the quilt) on the right, with Marine Sergeant Major and family with the top quilt raffled off during event.  The Sergeant Major is based at the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center adjacent to Coleville.

Folks starting to arrive.

The Black Hawks provide some pretty good music.

Bev and Dennis' granddaughter Melody having fun and helped with the raffle.

Goergous evening.

Wouldn't you agree?

MEET THE HOSTS

Tim and Mary Fesko

Arrive as Strangers, Leave as Friends

Tim and Mary have been in the hospitality business for over 17 years. 

After purchasing the Meadowcliff Lodge and Restaurant in 1997, they 
immediately increase the business from a 10 room motel to 20 room. 
10 years later seeing a need in the valley they live in,they set out 
to build a top notch RV park catering to those that love the RV'g lifestyle. 
After 5 years with the new RV park, they desired to take the RV park 
to another level of service and there is no better of a place than KOA. 

Tim and Mary look forward to serving you, your family and friends here 
at the Coleviile/Walker KOA.


Thanks to Tim, Mary and all for making this a most enjoyable weekend.