April 2020

This month is brought to you by the letter "Q".
The Q is for quarantine!
Since the Covid-19 virus is running pretty rampant in many states and quarantine has become the new normal, it gives us time to start thinking about packing up and making our way back to Oklahoma by the end of the month.
With this said, we will be paying a lot of attention to "hot spots" and make sure we are able to get back home without any issues.










We have yet to sell the Taj-Mah-Hauler and that makes me a bit sad but it is what it is.
The Taj will be loaded with all the "stuff" that we really need to bring back, so it will be fine.







Chuck has finished all the modifications to McClass"C" and she now has new suspension & steering stabilizers.
I am happy to report that it has definitely made a difference!














I have been messing around with a few things in the "C" as well.



















The brownness of the rig is getting a little paint.
Not painting the walls or the woodwork but a few small fabric changes are in order.





I took the headboard out and "painted" it with chalk paint.
The way I see it, if I don't love it I can always change the material, but I have to say I think it is a winner!





Since I wasn't able to go to the store and buy fabric to change out the valance boards I painted the one in the bedroom to see if I would like it.
I have to admit I am not overly excited about it, but once again, I tried.

April 7th we got to experience our last full moon in Yuma for awhile.
It was a very nice moon but oh so non eventful....sure miss our howlings!

















That same evening we saw the Space Station fly over.
The path was perfect for viewing as it basically flew over our house!
















More shenanigans with the neighbor that lives behind us with his parrot.
Our Toucan sported a mask (Walmart sack) to show him that we are taking all needed precautions to keep the neighborhood safe.

Glad we have enjoyed the moon and space station last night because the weather has made a change and April 8th we had a dreary day.
The wind blew like crazy and it was even a bit cold, so we stayed inside most the day.

The sun was back on April 9th and I got the old Solar Tea jar that mother wasn't using any longer and made some Arizona Solar Tea.
















Since going shopping is out of the question I have resorted to the next best thing and placed orders on Amazon for a few things to add to the Casita.
I was so excited when the "garage jewelery" showed up today.
It isn't much, but I think it gives the doors a little more character.
Nice thing is that they are magnetic and can be removed when we leave in a few weeks.
You ask why would I want to remove them, well, I think the 115 degree weather might be a little too harsh on them (and really didn't want to leave them to see) .





More deliveries today included blinds for McClass"C".
Anyone ever have an RV of any type know the shades in some of the older models lack a lot.
They are terrible to raise and lower and I for one have restrung way too many of them while in business!

Out with the old and in with the new.
We put in the cell shades so that we get some help with heat as well as cool weather.
Same cordless product we used in the Taj-Mah-Hauler.
Sure does clean up the windows.
I only wish I would have been able to get some fabric and re-cover the cornice boards during this process.....oh well, there is always tomorrow!













With the pandemic in full force we are seeing a lot of produce being given away.
Todays bounty is cauliflower and white asparagus.
I can't say I have ever seen white asparagus.
The lady said it was reserved for all the 5 Star restaurants.
Guess our little abode will be 5 Star when I cook it!













Chuck wants to use up some gas in the RZR before we retire her in the garage until next season.
We take a little ride to the solar fields that are close to the house.















He shows me a little area that he calls the whoop de doos and we do just that around the small track.
It was nice getting out and exploring the area even if it was close to home.















My back wouldn't be able to handle very much of this but all in all it was a good ride.
The back issues remind me that I need to make an appointment with Dr. Doyle when we get back to Oklahoma.











The mail brings the sweetest letter and picture from our granddaughter today.
















Cooper knows I like Frida so she sent me a picture she made.
What a wonderful uplifting piece of mail from home.
























Cooper has been doing a paint by number painting she got for Easter.
She has been sharing pictures of her progress.
The painting is officially finished today.

I am so impressed with Paint by Number!
Has come a long way for sure!!!!!

During our morning walk today April 19th I was able to take some really great pictures of some of the cacti that are blooming in the neighborhood.
















The cacti are Argentine cacti and I am in love with them.
The colors are so beautiful and am so amazed at the size of the blooms.


















Sadly they only bloom one to two days, so you better catch them in their splendor.
















We are busy packing up the trailers and garage and getting ready to exit at the end of the month.

I get a text from a guy that had been looking at the Taj-Mah-Hauler and he says he is buying it and will have a check in a few days.
I told him we were planning on pulling out on April 26th but if we need to stay longer to let us know.
On April 24th we are sitting in front of his bank and doing our sale transaction Covid style.








We will be delivering and setting up the Taj-Mah-Hauler for him on April 26th.
All the packing that we have done is now being undone and getting the Taj ready for its new home.
The buyer is in the Army and stationed at the Yuma Proving Grounds.
His family is stuck in Tennessee due to the Pandemic and he is buying the trailer to have something to live in and when his family is able to join him he will have them a place to live.








April 25th is officially our last day to pull Taj-Mah-Hauler.
I know it is bitter sweet for Chuck as he loves this rig...but our needs have changed and this is the best thing for us to do!
It is supposed to be 105F today so we wanted to get started fairly early with the setting up.
Derek was excited to get his (new to him) rig set up.










We finish by noon and head back to the house so we can now figure out how the heck we will get all the stuff back to Oklahoma.

Starting over on the packing as it is decided we need to take our RZR trailer back with us so we can return some items to Derek in the fall that go to the Taj-Mah-Hauler.
This involves clearing out the garage again so we can get the trailer out and remove the RZR off it.
You see, we are so organized we are dis-organized!

It really didn't take too long to get things undone and done again.
I think the plan will work out great.
Only bad part is that we will still be driving separately as we have to bring Big Bertha back home and sell her.
Things change rather quickly for us sometime and we adapt to what we are given.
I had really wanted to get the 5th wheel sold and not to have to haul her back to Oklahoma.
It all works out, sometimes not in the sequence we want but it usually works out the way it is supposed to.

April 27th the Higdon's are heading east to Oklahoma.
Big Bertha has a 12' trailer with a few extra vehicle parts on it.
The McClass"C" is pulling Lil Bit the Jeep.
We are out of here.....but first a few tearful goodbyes to our wonderful neighbors.
Jay comes out and gives us brownies for the road.
Doris and John come out and give us virtual hugs.
As we round the corner I need to stop and use the trash cans of Tony and Heidi's.
They come out and we say our goodbyes.
Man, I hate to leave these wonderful people....so much love!!!
It won't be long before we come back....well, at least that is our hopes...with the Pandemic who really knows!

Chuck is driving the "C" as we head out.
We want to see how well she does with the small but trying mountain pass we immediately come to on I-8.
I am happy to report she got an "A" and all systems are go.
Our 1000 mile drive is happening.
Time to escape this heat!

Chuck has planned for us to take 3 to 4 days to get home.
I know we will get closer to home and start pushing it a bit, but today we will stop in the little town of Bowie, AZ at the Mountain View RV Park.

Seems a little strange to be out amongst people even if we are really still staying socially distant.
I have to say we have been really good at staying to ourselves in Yuma.
I can't say it has been fun but we felt we needed to stay safe.
I am still driving Big Bertha with my trusty side kick Bronco.
I know she would much rather ride with her daddy but I'm not interested in getting her hair in both vehicles!
We stop in Gila Bend and fill up the "C", and we discussed me taking over but we decide its best for him to drive thru Tucson.
I have to say I am good with that!




The traffic on I-10 was so much less than we are used to but the traffic was still brisk.
We stayed in the outside lane and navigated our way through town without any major life threatening mishaps.

When we get on the outskirts of town Chuck pulls into a truck stop and I fix us a bite to eat for lunch.
It seems like it is my time to drive the "C".
Bronco is delighted to have her daddy with her in the truck!

It was nice to get to the Mountain View RV Park and set up.
I have to say that setting up the "C" is so quick and easy!
The weather was a little cooler that what we had been having in Yuma, and I think we both rested quite well.

The next morning we are up and ready to get on the road and tackle some more windshield time.


Our plans for today is to stay outside of Tularosa, NM.
I am driving "C" today and I am impressed with her handling of the Jeep.

We stop and fuel in the town of Tularosa as Chuck has made sure we have our tank topped off on the "C" as we aren't sure how the fuel mileage will actually be since we are towing Lil Bit!
The stop of the day is only about 14 miles down the road.
It is very early in the day (1:00pm) and as we get closer to our destination we decide to abort the idea and keep moving.
As we drove past the spot we were going to stop at I can say I am happy we are moving on.
Its out in the middle of nowhere and there are 3 spots available.
Didn't look like a very hopping place and we are really thinking we can make some time today and actually get to Santa Rosa, NM for the evening.
This being said, we will then dead head it to Oklahoma the next day and be "home"!

We actually roll into Santa Rosa RV Park around 5pm along with a few other folks.
Chris was glad to see us and asked what the deal was with the truck and trailer.
Chuck told him the story of selling our 5th wheel and that Big Bertha was making her way back to Oklahoma to probably be sold as well.

Chris has his restaurant open and of course we think we should patronize him and order dinner.
We have tried most of his food on the menu and really aren't overly impressed with some of the food so tonight we tried the fish and chips.
It really is nice to have it delivered to the site.
I thought the fish and chips were really pretty good.
They were a bit over cooked but hey, at least it was done and I didn't have to cook it!
The park continues to fill up with late arrivals and we even have a neighbor.
The time is starting to change on us and we have lost an hour today.
Tomorrow as we hit the Texas border we will loose another hour.
Have to say that the two hour change of time takes a little tole on me.

Up and ready to get on the road on this final day of travels I get in "C" and follow Big Bertha to the highway.
The winds are supposed to be up today and we are hoping by starting early we will miss some of it.
We stop and fill with gas in Vega, TX.
Of course Big Bertha is still fine on her diesel.
It is so nice to have an auxiliary tank...little fact...she can go close to 1400 miles without having to refill her tanks.
If we tow, it drops to around 600 miles, but gosh it is still amazing to have that capability!



Chuck takes over driving as I wasn't very excited to drive through the construction in Amarillo.
Think this is a lot safer for us as I would like to get home with all the fenders and mirrors on the Jeep.
By 10:40am we are making our way through Amarillo and yes, the wind is blowing!












Other than the wind the rest of the trip was non-eventful....thank goodness.
We roll into Chukadi Acre right around 3pm.


So nice to be "home"....to a very overgrown yard!
I have already been in contact to have the yard mowed and the soonest they could get here is Saturday.
We will just have to look at the mile high grass for a few days!
Bronco seems to be quite pleased to be back in the land that has grass!
It does really look nice to see the color "green" everywhere!






We will self quarantine for a couple of weeks as we have come from a relatively low infected area.
Oklahoma however is still seeing growth in cases.
The Mayors of each township is beginning to slowly relax the "stay at home" suggestion.
We are going to be busy for awhile getting unpacked and getting things back to normal around here but it is truly nice to be back "home"!

I will also add that I am so very proud of my mom and step dad.
They have been very good and have stayed home since this all began.
My step-sisters have stepped in and gotten them their groceries and what ever else was needed.
Their only big issue was that lightening hit their Cox Cable in February and according to the Cox repairman, their TV and land line phones are fried.
They didn't want anyone else in their house so this has had to be on hold for a few months.
Once we feel it is safe, Chuck and I will go over and check everything out.
So glad the cable guy at least hooked up their little 20" TV for them to watch in the living room.
Crazy times for sure!