Syd and Charlie’s Meanderings   

2006     2007

We have for a long time toyed with the idea of traveling around in our motor home full time for a long while. Friends and family have asked for us to keep a journal of our travels, this is an attempt to do that. I will try to up date this every week or two so check if you want and see where we are at and been up to. I’ve camped out all my life, in tents as a kid, VW camper van as a young man, a pop up trailer and a 26’ Hi Lo trailer. The Hi Lo I shared with my Mother who also loved to camp. We had the camper when I first met my wife Syd and introduce her to the joys of camping. Over the years I have a lot of good memories and adventures camping with Syd and the kids. When our” youngins” went off to collage we sold the Hi Lo to help with the cost of going to school. We always hoped to get another camper some day. After a trip to Winfield KS, to the Blue Grass Festival the third weekend of September we camped out in a tent for four nights. It got very cold in nights and we froze most of the time. In 9-03, never again did we want to suffer like that so we decided to get another camper. I found a Motor Home, a 1991, 32’ Fleetwood, Pace Arrow. After many camping trips we started toying with the ideal of living full time and down sizing.  After making the decision to sell our house and do it, I was involved in a Skydiving accident February 5, 2006 while doing fun jumps with friends; I had a very fast and hard opening of the parachute resulting in a compression fracture of my T7 vertebrae.  I was in the hospital for four days and had to wear a back brace 16 weeks and off work, on and off for 12 weeks. We put our house up on the market in March and in three days sold it and closed on May 19^th. Because of my back I was not able to help pack and move very much, thanks to Syd and some very good friends we were able to have sales and move our stuff into storage. After the sale we started living in the Motor Home full time at area state parks lakes, mostly Clinton Lake by Lawrence KS, and Hillsdale Lake.

2006

05-21-06. At the end of May we flew to Las Vegas for a week to celebrate my 50^th birthday and our 15^th wedding anniversary, we renewed our wedding vows Vegas style with my brothers, Shayla and family. In June we took the Motor Home to the Dyck family reunion. Becky, our youngest daughter moved back to Fort Scott KS from CA. with her two very precious children, our grandchildren Noah 1 yr old and Eliza 3 yrs old. We spent several weekends at Gunn Park in Fort Scott visiting them. Went to the Fort Scott Good Old Days festival, Father’s Day weekend with them and had a good time.

 8-05-06. I started Skydiving again and got current doing Tandems on the weekends.

08-24-06. After being back at work 6 weeks full time without the brace I got laid off just before we were going take off for Des Moines, Iowa for a Life on Wheels conference. We saw it as a sign to finely take off for good. On the way back to KC we stopped at my cousin Ann’s for a good visit. Syd had to go to the doctor’s when we got back and found out she had strep throat. We learned a lot about full timing in our RV and a need for a home base so we decided to set up with a club called Escapees in Livingston Texas.

9-6-06. September we went to Winfield again for the Blue Grass Festival. This year we got there two weeks early in time for the Land Rush. Becky and the kids spent a week with us there and enjoyed all the music.

9-24-06. A week later Syd and I flew back to Las Vegas for Syd’s Moms 75^th birthday saw some shows and ate a lot of good food and had a very good time.

10-07-06. Having everything taken care of and saying our goodbyes, we took off finally for our new adventures. First stop one last weekend doing Tandems in Osage City and saying good byes to our skydiving friends. The company that made my parachute traded my old one in on a different model with out a history of bad openings. Made two test jumps on it this weekend with no problems. Syd pulled a muscle or pinched a nerve in her neck and was in a lot of pain all weekend. I knew a massage therapist in Osage City and called her up and made an appointment for her. After working on her for about two hours it helped but was still in a lot of pain.

10-9-06. Monday a trip to the chiropractor in Osage City and then another on Tuesday.

10-10-06. Then we drove down to El Dorado State Park then a visit with my old buddy Rod and to store our truck on his farm and a cook out.

10-12-06. Drove to Coffeyville KS, camped at the fair grounds two nights and went into the Dalton Defenders Museum and Death Alley where they were all shot. Syd still had a lot of pain in her neck and shoulder so I found a Doctor in Coffeyville for her; because of the pain and numbness going down her arm they did a EKG, a hell of a time not to have any Ins. Gave her a prescription for a muscle relaxer. That evening we went to a Chili Feed and Bluegrass concert at the Brown Mansion, a nice evening.

10-14-06.This morning while Syd was getting ready I went to Coffeyville’s Aviation Heritage Museum, the Funk Aircraft was manufactured here. We took a tour of the Brown Mansion with its Tiffany chandeliers and glass windows and many fire places. Then drove down to Bartlesville OK and set up camp at the cities Johnstone RV Park.

10-15-06 Drove into Tulsa in the car today to the Radio Shack to replace our internet card that got broken when the computer fell off the table on the drive to Bartlesville. Rain all day today so we went to a movie and saw “The Departed.”

10-16-06. Another rainy day and Syd’s neck and shoulder is still in a lot of pain. While she getting ready and watching her soap I drove into Dewey OK to see Tom Mix Museum, unfortunately it was closed on Monday so I checked out the antique shops. Back to a chiropractor in Bartlesville for Syd. X rays revealed that say she had a retreating vertebra and thinks maybe a pinch nerve. Dr. thinks she needs a MRI. He sent her to a M.D. Doc for some drugs tomorrow and another treatment, sounds like were will be here for a while.

10-17-06. We went to chiropractor this morning for a treatment and then went to the Tom Mix Museum and sat thru one of his Movies with a 10 year old Mickey Rooney. Ate lunch at the Half Dollar Café and had some of the best home made French Fries. Then to the MD to get some Meds for Syd. Visited the Red Dirt Soap Co, Keepsake Candle Factory, drove by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Price Tower and GeoCache Johnstone Park’s first oil well in OK and an old train and station.

10-18-06. Went to the chiropractor this morning again. Then we broke camp in Bartlesville and drove 12 mile to Osage State Park on the Osage Indian Reservation, the fall colors so pretty and the park is very nice.  We paid to stay here until Monday hope to be out of here then. Cleaned house and enjoyed then nice weather.

10-20-06. After today’s visit to the doc we went to Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve. Spent a beautiful day there, the fall colors where wonderful, Phillips 66 founder’s retreat and Indian collection and came home and took it easy. The park we are staying at we can’t count the number of Deer and turkey and other wild life we have seen.

10-21-06. I went to Skydive Airtight in Skiatook, OK  today and made three skydives, first from 12,500 solo jump above a solid over cast of clouds 5,500’ to 4,500’. It was fun to jump threw them, second jump 5,000’ hop an pop, third from 4,000’ but the winds picked up and had to land in 37 miles winds backwards in real funky turbulences, ground winds, scared me and I’m fearless. I went out to eat with all my new skydiving friends. Syd stayed home and rested all day.

10-22-06. Today was a lazy day just kicked back and did as little as possible. Walk up to the observation tower and looked out over the valley and looked at all the great fall colors read on a good book and helped Syd with her craft project.

10-23-06. The Doc is having Syd get a MRI tomorrow because of the numbness in her arm and still being in pain after a week of treatment. Went to Tulsa to pick up mail and came back to the park and read and watched the squirrels and little top notch birds play all around me. The birds got so they would land on my chair and one squirrel came up to me and put his front feet on my chair and stared a me waiting for me to share some food with him. When a hawk few down and though the trees it ran under me.

10-24-06. Syd had the MRI and tomorrow will go back to the Doc’s to hear the results and sees if she gets a cortisone shot. Slept and watch TV.

10-25-06. Syd has two herniated disks and a pinched nerve, they scheduled a cortisone shot for tomorrow.

10-26-06. Everything went OK at the out patient surgery clinic with the shot and came back home and took nap.

10-27-06. Went to the Doc and Syd is doing A lot better, if no pain on Monday we are going to take off for Texas. Bought a new mattress today, hopefully it will help both of us sleep better with no back and shoulder pain.

10-28-06. Went back to Skydive Airtight and made three eight way attempts out of two C182 Cessna’s, and then they had a Halloween costume party afterwards. Syd went on a hike and saw lots of wild life, armadillos, turkey and deer.

10-29-06. Went to Frank Phillips Home today in Bartlesville, it was very nice place and Museum in the carriage house. Beautiful day today and walked around the park one last time.

10-30-06. Ye Ha! One last stop at the Doc’s office and Wal-Mart and then on our way to Texas. Drove all day and arrived at Lavonia Park in Texas just out side of Dallas and set up camp.

10-31-06. Drove into Plano TX to check out some stores and shop. Drove to Denton TX to shop a Camping World and picked up things we need for the motor home. Gift certificates from Camping World for Holiday gifts would be great!

11-2-06.  Stayed around the camper and did some maintenance on the motor home.

11-3-06.  Getting ready to leave the brake light came on and the brakes felt soft on the motor home. Spent 20 minutes looking for the master cylinder that was hidden and hard to get to. Checked brake fluid that was low, went to Wal-Mart and got a can of brake fluid and the brakes work just fine. Drove to Corsicana, TX to pick up our mail. Then on to Huntsville TX and camped at Heartland RV Park.

11-7-06. Saturday we arrived at Livingston, TX. A very nice park with lots of trees. This has been our goal so far to establish a home base. Been getting to know the people and going to their activities, ice cream social, movies etc…  Change our address to: Charles and Syd Dyck, 107 Rainbow Drive # 797, Livingston, TX 77399-1007. Always include our last name and #797 or we won’t get your mail! Our phone numbers are the same, Charlie’s 913-226-8889, and Syd’s 913-226-8699. The rest of the week we’ll be getting our car and motor home inspected and tagged here in TX and new drivers license, insurance, etc… The weather’s been great, mid 70’s sunny all but one day; it rained 5” or so all day. 

11-11-06. Went to Skydive Spaceland today south of Houston TX and made some fantastic jumps from 14,000’. First 6 way we did 7 points and 5 points on the second 6 way jump. 2 points on a 10 way skydive. A point is a different formation made while free falling a 120 mile per hour; each jump lasted about 60 seconds. A 6 way is how many persons on a jump; all skydives made from a Super Twin Otter.

11-13-06. Spent all day on the phone working on getting insurance on cars and health, tags and drivers license. Hopefully get it all done tomorrow.

11-14-06. Ye Ha! Syd and I are now Texans, celebrated by getting Cowboy Hats and Boots! We got our tags for both the truck and Toyota, the lien releases were faxed in.  Now we’ve got to get our driver license and registered to vote. We ate lunch at a really, really good Mexican restaurant, had a beef and potato burrito and tamales. Then spent the afternoon at Lake Livingston State Park checking out the birds and walking around the woods and shore line.

11-18-06. Yesterday we checked out of the Escapees camp grounds and drove to Rosharon TX, where Skydive Spaceland is and camped in one of their camping spots. Our computer got broken in the move, has cracks and black spots all over the screen, a pain to use and will have to take it in to be fixed. Went over and made a solo jump from 14,000’. Our camp site has a good view of a pond and runway so we can watch the planes take off and the jumpers landing.

12-11-06. Finely got our computer back today so I can up date you on what’s been going on with us.

11-18-06. We stayed in Rosharon TX for 5 nights and I made several jumps at Skydive Spaceland. We drove in to Houston several times, went to the Galleria, a huge shopping mall, took the computer to CompUSA to get fixed. Went to Johnson Space Center and saw a movie all about the history of space and then went through the museum and saw moon rocks, space suits used on different missions. Took a tram ride through the Space Center and saw Mission Control Center, a historic site, the training area for the Astronauts with a full size mock up of the shuttle and space lab.

11-23-06. Pick up mail in Rosharon on our way to Galveston TX crossed over to the Bolivar Peninsula on the ferry, Motor Home and all. Stayed at the Bolivar Peninsula RV Park a week in Crystal Beach TX, celebrated Thanksgiving there with the traditional meal; turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, home made pumpkin pie and whip cream and spent the day on the beach. Drove into Galveston several times and crossed over on the ferry. Saw lots of sea gulls following the ship and  people feeding them. There were pelicans on the peer and dolphins swimming around. In Galveston went to Moody Gardens and saw the Deep Sea movie on the giant 3D Imax. Entered the rainforest pyramid with exotic animals, fish, birds, butterflies and plants. The Aquarium Pyramid has 1.5 million gallon aquarium with stingrays, sharks and penguins and more. Walked through the Festival of Lights with different themes. Went to Galveston old town and walked through the shops there, ate at Fisherman’s Wharf Sea Food Restaurant next to the old historic tall ship Elissa. Checked out the Train Museum with old engines and train cars and toy trains.

11-30-06. Left the beach and 70+ degree weather and drove to San Antonio where the temperature dropped to 50 and 60 degree weather during the days and 30 to 40 nights. Stayed at Hidden Valley RV Park for 4 nights. In San Antonio we went to the Alamo and checked out its museum. Walked around the River Walk area and ate at the Hard Rock Café. Went to Historic Market Square watch is the largest Mexican marketplace outside of Mexico.

12-4-06. Drove across western Texas to Pecos TX and stayed at Escapees TraPark RV Park. CompUSA called Monday saying our computer was ready and I told them to send to Pecos. Friday it still was not here so I called them back and they had not sent it yet! Needless to say I was pissed. They then promised to send it over night, which in Pecos is Monday not Saturday. While in Pecos we saw West of the Pecos Museum an old Saloon and Hotel. The Saloon had a shoot out where two cowboys were killed and the spot where they fell was marked with plaques and the bullet holes marked in the wall, door and windows. There was a replica of Judge Roy Bean’s Saloon and store. Went through the zoo and saw longhorn steers, buffalo, ostrich, peacocks and antelope. We walked through the Christmas lights in the park. Drove up to Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico one day, a beautiful cave. I walked down and all through this marvelous cave. Spent a day in Fort Stockton, saw the worlds largest Roadrunner statue, Paisano Pete. Walked through the fort and drove around town checking out their Historic Tour of places throughout the town.

12-11-06. We got our computer back and took off for New Mexico, Staying at the Escapee’s Dreamcatcher RV Park in Deming. Not much to do around here, pretty desert and mountain scenery. Did our grocery shopping at Wal-Mart, stayed three nights.

12-14-06. Arrived at Escapees Saguaro RV Park today. They have a lot of activities here and beautiful desert, mountain and sunsets. We saw a western band The Elliot’s concert and danced in the club house.

12-15-06. Went to Tucson and finished up our Christmas shopping and ate lunch at a place called Sauce, a very good Pizza shop. Went to the Visitor’s Center and got lots of information about Arizona. Something we try to do where ever we stay.

12-16-06. Bisbee is a neat little mining town that was turned into an artist community with lots of Art Galleries, antique shops and restaurants. Spent the day walking around town checking it out, ate at a very good café, stopped at a Winery and had to taste their different wines. The Queen Mine in Bisbee closed over 30 yrs ago, it opened up in the 1870’s. I went on a tour into the tunnels of the copper mine on a train that took us in. I had to wear a rain coat, hard hat and lantern.  Had a great time.

12-20-06. The Pima Air and Space Museum is the third largest Air Museum in the world. It had every thing from a Wright Flyer replica to a SR-71 Blackbird. We took the tram tour around the lot and saw attack aircraft, bombers, cargo planes, fighter aircraft, helicopters, Migs, Reconnaissance, Refueling, Sea Planes, Trainers, and many Specialty one of a kind and prototypes. In other words a hole sh.. pot full of them, over 200 plans in all. The 380^th Bomber Squadron was based in England during WWII. There was a Memorial hangar with B-17, B- 29, B-24, B-25, PT-17, C-47, Combat Gliders and a German V1 Missile. They even had some Presidential planes; Air Force One, Two and Air Force  ½ as President Johnson jokingly called it.

12-23-06. We went down to Naco, Mexico today to pick up some prescriptions and some Tequila called “Herradura”.  Stopped in Bisbee AZ on the way back and ate lunch and went to The Bisbee Mining Museum to check it out as well as the exhibit they had in conjunction with The Smithsonian Institute. Also saw the strip mine there, which was huge.

12-25-06. MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone! We ate a Christmas meal with the Escapees in their club house. Everyone brought a dish and we will get together tomorrow to eat left overs.

12-27-06. Went to the RV’ers candy store Camping World in Tucson and bought  new steps for our Motor Home. Did some other shopping and ate at a Mexican Restaurant for lunch. Spent the afternoon driving up to Mt. Lemmon at 9000 feet in Coronado National Forest. The drive was very scenic, thousands of Sequoia cactus and then a forest of trees. The sunset on the way down was breath taking.

12-28-06. SNOW!! Wow! Big flakes coming down and sticking to the ground. The cashier at Wal-Mart said she hasn’t seen snow here in Benson for almost 15 yrs. Not the kind of weather to travel in, but we took off to Casa Grande AZ .With in 25 miles the snow turned into rain and then the sun came out. So we had a good trip after all. After setting up camp I met some friends at Skydive AZ in Eloy for drinks.

12-29-06. I spent the day jumping out of a Skyvan with friends from KC and will jump with them tomorrow also.

2007

01-01-07. Happy New Years Everyone! Last night we brought in the New Year with the Escapees here at the Rovers Roost RV park club house. They brought food and dance until the wee hour of 10:00 PM. Us youngins’ were the last to leave and went back to our motor-home and celebrated the mid night hour. Just took the day easy and veged out.

01-05-07. Syd spent several days working on scrapbooks for our grandkids, cutting pictures and paper with her paper cutter. That resulted in flaring up her back and arm again and putting her in great pain. Today we spent looking for a doctor in snow bird Capital, at least a four week wait, so we went to a high dollar walk-in clinic the only thing available. The Dr. spent 2 minutes with her and charged almost $200. That’s $6000 an hour not bad. We filled the prescriptions at Wal-Mart, a zoo.

01-06-07. Today went to a bluegrass and antique car show. Lots of old cars, Corvettes and 57, 55 Chevy’s. The bluegrass was OK but Syd and I both think we are spoiled with the music from Winfield we listen to every year. Came home and watched the Chiefs suck against the Colts.

01-07-07. Spent the day replacing the steps on our motor home.

01-08-07. Because of the holidays our mail was sent to our last address in Benson so we had to drive the 100 miles back to pick it up. On the way back we stopped at Sonora Desert Museum in the Saguaro Nat’l Park. A living Desert Museum with living animals and plants native to the Sonora Desert. They also had an area with hummingbirds that would fly around. Saw a nest they were building, very interesting. Another beautiful sunset on the way back home to our motor home. Tried out my new camera and will try to down load to my computer and put on web.

01-15-07. Got back from Las Vegas after a wonderful trip to help celebrate my brother’s birthday. Friday we drove through the AZ desert and into snow in the northern part and crossed over Hoover Dam. Picked up Eric and Margie at the airport, their plane was two hours late because of ice on the runway in KC. Syd stayed at the hotel that night because her back and shoulder were hurting so much from the drive. We went and ate at a wonderful Italian restaurant for Eric’s birthday. Went on the Monorail to the Tropicana to see “Bodies-The Exhibition,” human bodies preserved like never before. Saturday Eric, Alan and I went on a hike in Red Rock Park 2.5 miles and to 5000’. A beautiful canyon and view and put an old man like me out of breath. We all ate at the buffet at the Rio and then saw Penn and Teller; they put on a very funny show. Sunday was spent at Alan’s friend’s house watching football games and went back to the Tropicana to see three comics at their comedy club. Today dropped Eric and Margie off at the airport and drove the 350 miles back to Casa Grande.

01-16-07. Our friends Reno and Sharon were on their way back from San Diego CA to their home in CO from a trade show they attend every year and were passing through Scottsdale AZ. We drove up there an met them for dinner at a very nice pizza restaurant. It was fun to see old friends and visit with them.

01-21-07. This weekend we went to a fair in old town Casa Grande. They had lots of old cars, tractors and craft booths. We wandered around checking out everything. Sunday went in to Mesa AZ to a huge shopping mall and then to a movie, called “The Fountain.”

01-22-07. Went to a pain specialist Dr. today to see if anything could be done for Syd’s neck, back and shoulder. He wants her to get a series of pain blocker shots. We set up an appointment for Wednesday.

01-24-07. Went to Tucson AZ for the first series of shots, about seven in all. Syd slept most of the rest of the day. In all that's been going on, I didn’t realize what today's date was and forgot to call Shayla for her birthday! Bad Dad! Very Bad Dad!

01-25-07. Called Shayla and begged forgiveness and wished her a belated happy birthday and all was forgiven.

01-26-07. My friends from McPherson KS, Troy and Karen, flew down here to spend their vacation jumping at Eloy in the good weather we are having. Its been 70 plus here this week after a cold spell of low 60’s. While back in KS, its been snowy and below 30. We made five jumps from 13,500’ everything from 6 way formations to ten ways. This was a fun day.

01-27-07. Went to an Ice Cream Social in Casa Grande park, had ice cream sundaes and listened to a band play bluegrass, beautiful day.

01-28-07. NSTIW or OMFG, 75 degrees, Twin Otter, 14,500’, 20 way. Went out to eat at Cracker Barrel with Troy and Karen.

01-31-07. The Doctor gave Syd over twenty seven shots today in Tucson when we drove in. Stopped at Picacho Peak State Park on the way back home and I went on  a hiking trail up the peak. I walked only about one mile while Syd slept in the car.

02-01-07. Got up early and drove to Claremont CA in our car to go to my brother Harold and Cass’s wedding this weekend. Stopped at General Patton’s Memorial Museum along the way. It had lots of tanks from WWII thru Desert Storm. Arrived there around 4:00 pm settled down and then went out to eat at an Italian Restaurant with Cass and her son Rick. Harold was still at work teaching a night class.

02-02-07. Got up early again to pick up my brother Eric from LAX who flew in from KC and then went out to breakfast with him and Harold. My son Adam came over and spent some time with him before the wedding. Harold’s daughter Jenny and her husband Ivan went to pick up their Grandmother Marian to bring her to the wedding and were in a car wreck. Marian had to be air lifted to a hospital with a broken hip and JJ taken to another with bruises. The wedding it elf was very nice, held in the Botanic Garden in Claremont. We wandered around the gardens beforehand. The wedding party and a lot of the guests were dressed in Renaissance costumes. The reception was held in a Mexican Restaurant were the Margaritas’ flowed freely.

02-03-07. Visited with family looked at wedding pictures and worked on Adam’s car and watched the KU Texas A&M basketball game and ate Italian again.

02-03-07. Got up early again and drove Eric back to LAX and then ate breakfast with Harold at Cable Airport’s restaurant. Headed back to Casa Grande  and stopped in Quartzsite, AZ, and checked out their flea market and RV stuff and then home and watched the last half of the Super Bowl.

02-03-07. Syd had what will hopefully be her last Dr’s visit today to get a series of shots for the pain in her back and shoulders. Hopefully this will take care of things.

02-12-07. This week the Gypsy Journal, an RV publication that we get, had an RV rally at the Casa Grande Fairgrounds. We drove over for the seminars on RVing life styles, working on the road, fire safety, taking care of awnings and tires etc…

02-27-07. We have been keeping busy up dating our résumés, going to the library and enjoying the wonderful weather we’ve been having. I’ve gotten in the habit of taking an afternoon nap everyday, a sure sign that I’m getting old. Today we drove to the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. Casa Grande or “Big House” is a 4 story Hohokam ruin over a thousand years old that still stands. We toured the museum and had a guided tour with the park Ranger. He was hilarious!

03-03-07. Drove into Phoenix to do some shopping and then to the Pizzeria Bianco, which opens at 5:00, but  we started standing in line at 4:30 and by 5:30 they took our names. Syd found out about this place on Oprah. For one of her shows last Fall, she sent her friend Gayle to travel the USA and find the best pizza. The show focused on 5 places but this was #1. The food channel has this in the top 10 Pizzerias in the USA. They also own a bar next door that sells appetizers, and everyone hangs around outside until they call your name. It was fun and we got to talk to some interesting people. After a 4 hour wait we got settled and got our pizza. It was very good and worth the wait but will do it only for special occasions.  We had a wonderful evening.

03-04-07. Happy Birthday Syd! Our children and her parents didn’t remember her special day as she didn’t receive a phone call from them. Not a happy camper! As anyone who knows Syd, birthdays and special occasions are BIG things to her! We drove into Tucson and went to a movie. Saw “Wild Hogs,” which was pretty entertaining.

03-10-07. Drove up to Roosevelt Lake in the mountains east of Phoenix today. What a beautiful drive, canyons, cactus, tunnels. Stopped at Tonto National Monument and saw the cliff dwellings that overlook the valley.

03-12-07. We have been sending out our resumes to work at camp grounds around the country, and went on a interview at one close by. For a variety of reasons have decided not to work at one, but we still need to work for awhile, so today I went to Phoenix and handed out resumes and had interviews at three different print shops and had two job offers. I decided to take the one in Scottsdale AZ. They want me to start next Monday.

03-18-07. Moved up to Mesa today and set up in Deserama Ranch RV park. It’s a 55 plus park with a pool for those hot AZ summer days.

03-19-07. Started working at Cross Point Printing in North Scottsdale today. Its about eighteen miles from were we are staying and takes about 30 minutes to get there and 45 min. to get home. I cut thru the Indian reservation to stay off the 101 Highway a six lane parking lot in the morning. I found a fruit stand on the reservation that I stop at that has good prices.

03-23-07. After working four 10 hour days they let me have Friday off thank God!!!! Going back to work after seven months off is hard on an old man like me. Standing on my feet and running up and down the press has made every bone in my body hurt. Just veged out and slept all day and did nothing.

03-24-07. Another perfect day weather-wise. We love hearing about the cold and snow and ice back home. Drove up to Superstition Mountains and Lost Dutchman state park and Apache Lake up in the mountains and stopped in Tortilla Flat an old stagecoach stop and had there famous prickly pear ice cream, it was worth the trip. A very beautiful and scenic trip, we are continually amazed at the majestic beauty.

03-31-07. I’m continually amazed that know matter were we go that Syd can find  a Stamp Convention! We went to one here in Mesa this morning. Did some shopping and went to a movie this after noon.

04-01-07. Spent the day at the pool with Coronas, need I say more.

04-07-07. Opened a bank account so I can cash my check. Drove up to Cave Creek and Care Free, another scenic drive, and checked out there art shops etc… and ate at the Satisfied Frog.

4-18-07. Boy this month went by fast. Worked all week and veged out on the weekends, to tired to do to much of anything. I did take up playing shuffle board here at the RV Park every evening at 7:00 pm. Some of the snow birds are very good. We found a less expenses park to stay at that included utilities. It is across the street from were we are staying and move to day to the Ambassador Downs RV Park.

4-19-07. Syd came into work with me today to help with a big project that we are working on. She was sore after being on her feet for eight hours and decided not to work on Friday. Work is hell on old ladies too!

4-21-07. Drove out to Sun City West to meet with our good friend Bettina and her friend Jane. They came in to see Bettina’s Aunt Lucy. We went out to El Paso BBQ restaurant; it was good but not KC BBQ.

4-28-07. Went up to Sedona to see the red rock canyons. It was voted the most beautiful place to live. We sat on an out door balcony at a restaurant to eat lunch and had a beautiful view of the valley. Lots of western movies were made here from Elvis to John Wayne. Drove up to a church built on the side of a cliff that had another magnificent view of the valley. Walked around the town and looked at all the artist galleries.

4-29-07. Went to church at Tempe Friends Meeting today, the only one in the area, an unprogrammed meeting. Checkout down town Tempe and ate lunch at The Big Fat Greek Restaurant.

5-5-07. Spent the day getting our taxes paperwork together to send in to our accountant. When we first moved up to Mesa our mail got lost in the Phoenix post offices and we had to wait 30 days for it to be found and return to TX and then sent back to us. Lots of our medical receipts and birthday gifts for Syd were in that box. Syd while out on a walk got some fire ants on her feet and they had a feast on her. Her feet swelled up and itched and hurt for a week.

5-11-07. Got off work at noon and went down to the pool to cool off and turned into a lobster as the temperature reach 105. Went out to the Pizza Stop in Mesa, home of the world’s largest Wurlitzer Pipe Organ with over 5,500 pipes. The lady that played it did a very good job playing everything from Mozart, Wright and Disney. Went to a Custard place here and had a Concrete, Sheridan's and Ted Drew’s has nothing to worry about! We received news about a good friend Dean’s passing; he had been fighting a blood disease for several years.

5-12-07. Went to the parks coffee and donuts gathering in the morning and found out they were going to have a pot luck dinner in the evening. An added bonus, the park manager and his Chinese wife put on a Karaoke show for us. We spent the day at the Mall in Chandler, a huge Mall that was easy to get lost in.

5-13-07. Happy Mothers Day! Made breakfast for Syd and she received phone calls from all three of our kids and cards and a gift from two of them. After several tries Syd finally got a hold of her mother and wished her a Happy Mother’s Day and was told she got gifts. We just veged out today in the 100 plus degree heat.

5-26-56. What a gift to the world happened today! 51years later I celebrated my birthday with coffee and donuts with the folks here at the RV park and they sang happy birthday to me. I received calls from old friends and from both brothers and all three kids. Syd and I went and picked peaches and Syd made cobbler later. I was taken to The Black Angus Steak House for dinner. A very enjoyable day thanks to my lovely bride.

5-30-07. The Company that I’ve been working for I’ve been having problems from the get go. My first pay check bounced as well as another one,  both paid up later but not until messing up my checking account. May 1^st I was supposed to receive health insurance and every time I ask about getting it he said he was working on it. My last pay check I noticed it was 6 hrs short, when I confronted my boss about this he said it was to cover spoilage I had on a job, in over thirty years in printing I have never heard of this or had it happen to me. I ask about the insurance and he said it was going to be too expensive and was not going to get it, I reminded him that it was part of our agreement for me to come working for him and he said it was too much money and he could not afford it. I walked out of his office and packed up all my tools and filled out my time card and put it on his desk and walked out, I don’t need this shit! Not at my age.

5-31-07. Went and picked up my check today and 8 hrs for holiday pay was not included. I called the Dept. of Labor and asked them if what they did was right and they said no and wanted me to fill out wage claim form and send it in which I did today. The Dept. of Labor will investigate and check the company’s books and make a determination as to the legalities. Hopefully in six months I might get a check.

6-2-07. Coffee and donuts with the RV park group and back at the camper to pay bills and update my blog. We are paid up to the 18^th here and wondering were to go next, always exciting planning new adventures, plan on seeing a few things around here and head out, so keep an eye on this very blog to see were and what we do.

6-9-07. This week we've been running around doing things in this area. Monday went to a rubberstamp shop and scrapbooking store that Syd wanted to go to. Syd’s watch broke the other day and when we were at a Hello Kitty store I saw one of their watch’s and bought it for her. Friday went to another air museum in Mesa, AZ. This was a Commemorative Air Force museum  which restores and flies old air craft. Some of the planes on hand were: Sentimental Journey B-17, B-25 Mitchell bomber, C-47, F4 Phantom, MiG 15, MiG 21. Ate at LJ’s pizza here in Mesa.  They had a band of harmonica players there to entertain us with some very unusual instruments. We enjoyed the evening. Today coffee and donuts and then to a huge flea market that had everything under the sun and we walked for miles. Been spending a lot of time at the pool working on my tan but all I do is turn red.

6-14-07. Mon. I took Syd to Dr. Q’s office in Casa Grande to get some shots for her neck and back. Tuesday we went to a pot luck lunch at the RV Park and then drove into Phoenix to see the Phoenix Art Museum. Asian, Latin, western, fashion and contemporary art. Wednesday sat around the pool and worked on my sun burn some more and took it easy. Today went to Mesa’s Southwest Museum; it had every thing from dinosaurs to conquistadors, from the old west to space age.

6-15-07. Had a good time at the Hall of Flame, a museum dedicated to Firefighting. Over 90 fully restored pieces of fire apparatus, date from 1725 to 1960. Everything from hand pulled and pumped to horse drawn wagons, steam and gas engines. Then to Tempe to eat at Riazzis an Italian restaurant, very good food, we had Veal Marsala, Ravioli and a bottle of Chianti with a canoli for dessert.

6-16-07. Coffee and donuts with the RV park people and said our goodbyes. Took it easy the rest of the day.

6-17-07. Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads out there. Syd gave me one of her world famous cards and a book on Humming Birds so I can identify the different kinds that come around our feeder. Becky was the first to call and wish me a happy father’s day. She and Tyrone and our grandkids were off to the KC zoo. Syd took me out to JB’s restaurant for brunch, all you could eat buffet. Adam called while waiting for food to wish me a happy fathers day. Then went to the Superstition Market, a fruit and vegetable store we love for the variety and super low prices. Shayla called from San Diego, CA, were she and Bob went for the weekend, to wish me a happy father’s day. We called and talked to Syd’s folks and wished her Dad a happy father’s day. Also called her brother. The rest of the day spent cleaning and washing the RV getting it ready to travel tomorrow. The check cashing place called and said my last check bounced. It’s up to them to get the cash from my ex boss, but they needed his phone number, so I gave him his cell number. Don’t know what will happen with all of this but I will keep my blog informed of the on-going saga.

6-18-07. As Willie Nelson would sing ”on the road again” up I17 to Flagstaff at 7000 feet 10 to 20 miles per hour at times. It took us almost 6 hours to travel 150 miles. Our Motor Home is not meant for a 7% grade and this altitude. A beautiful drive from Phoenix, a desert to pine forest. Staying at Black Bart’s RV Park where we checked in .

6-19-07. Had trouble getting our satellite dish hooked up and had to call dish network to walk me thru it an found a cable that came loose on our trip up north. Took it easy most of the day and checked out old Flagstaff and did some shopping at Amarillo candle shop. Went to an old tavern and we drank couple of beers while we did the laundry a few doors down, and meet an old gent that rode with Teddy Roosevelt ruff riders and thought I was Robin Williams.

8-20-07. Drove through AZ89A Oak Canyon. A magnificent drive thru a red canyon to Sedona and then spent most of the day in Jerome. Ate lunch that we brought in a park overlooking a wonderful view. Lots of artist type shops to look over. Found a Kaleidoscope shop that is the largest shop in the world, it had Kaleidoscopes of over 90 artists some that I have heard of before. I ended up buying one of the lower end ones to add to my collection, most were over a thousand dollars. Checked out some shops in Sedona and back through Oak Canyon.

6-21-07. Awesome, the Grand Canyon is awesome. A beautiful and ever changing drive up to the Grand Canyon, tall pine forest, aspens, desert and mountains in the short drive from Flagstaff. We ate lunch at the picnic tables under the pines at the Pioneer Cemetery, old and new head stones of people who worked and lived at the park over the years. The most prominent was a couple from Kansas, he helped build the trails, she taught in the school. Rode the shuttle bus from look out point to point.  I walked a mile and a half from one point to another. The view was awesome wherever you were and ever changing. The trip back we came across some elk a couple times.

6-22-07. “Well, I’m a standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona, and such a fine sight to see. It’s a girl my lord, in a flatbed Ford slowin' down to take a look at me!”  We came to Winslow, AZ to pick up our mail today but it had not caught up to us yet, will have to check later. While here we stood on the corner and took our pictures with the bronze statue of a guitar player “taken it easy” with 7 woman on his mind. We stopped at Meteor Crater to check it out, long drive to see a big hole in the ground. The price was so high that we turned around and left without seeing it. Flagstaff had a Movie on the Square night in old town. Down town was bustling with activity, concerts, telescopes; we looked at Jupiter and 4 of its moons. Happy Feet was the movie and a lot of families with kids running around, a nice evening.

6-24-07. Went to another Museum today in Flagstaff, the Museum of Northern Arizona, lots of Indian pottery, rugs, woven baskets, Kiva paintings, jewelry, dinosaurs and rocks.

6-25-07. “I’m out on the highway, looking for adventure, what ever comes my way, like a true nature child, I was born, born to be wild, I don’t ever want to die…..” Left Flagstaff today and first stop in Winslow to get out mail. Becky and Shayla’s Father’s Day gifts were included, very cute. Shayla sent a hat with Sammy’s picture on it saying “ My granddoggy loves me! Becky sent a shirt with Noah and Eliza’s picture on it saying “ we love our grandpa!!!” I miss them all very much and can’t wait to see them in July. Spent the day at the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Park. The Painted Desert was very pretty but after seeing the Grand Canyon there is no comparison. The old inn they restored was neat. The Indian ruins with all the petroglyphs was neat. Walked through the petrified forest, was fun. Saw a lone antelope by the side of the road. A very hot day, we sat in the shade and looked out over the desert and enjoyed the view. Spent the night just outside the park for free at a road side store and a rock attraction.

6-26-07. “You can get your kicks on Route 66” we been following the old 66 highway since Flagstaff and into New Mexico. Drove back through the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest to get back on I40. Saw some more petroglyphs and multi-colored and layered hills. Stopped in Gallup, NM to eat lunch and get a picture of highway 666 sign - the devils highway. Eric should know this town because his favorite author, Tony Hillermen, writes about it in his books about the area. Went to the Gallup Cultural Center Museum, it had a lot of Navaho artifacts and showed how they weave their rugs and do their silversmithing and pottery. The drive to Albuquerque was very scenic but slow in the mountains. Staying at Hidden Valley RV Park in Tijeras, NM, just out side of Albuquerque, our first night out of Arizona in six months.

6-28-07. Went to Old Town Albuquerque and spent the afternoon walking around checking out the shops and artist galleries. The old San Felipe Neri Church on the square was over three hundred years old, founded in 1706, and we walked through it. Found another kaleidoscope shop that was neat. We watched some Flamenco Dancers in the town square gazebo that were very entertaining. We ate supper at Church Street Café, the oldest Mexican restaurant in Albuquerque, almost three hundred years old, very good.

6-29-07. Today is our 16^th Anniversary. A low key day; did laundry, read, and just took it easy. Tried to go out to eat but there was a wreck on highway I40 and they were diverting travel past our exit of the RV Park so we decided it was too much trouble to get out and  turned around and stayed home.

7-2-07. Drove up highway 14 the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway to Santa Fe. Spent all day walking around old town Santa Fe, check out shops and artist galleries and walked through St Francis Cathedral. Went to the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, and saw a lot of neat paintings that she did that spanned her 98 years.

7-4-07. Happy Birthday America! What a fun day we spent in Albuquerque’s balloon park. For $1 dollar cover charge we watched dance contest winners dance on one stage, on the main stage watched a western band play while watching dark clouds come over the Sandia Mountains. When it started to rain we made a mad rush to the Governors VIP tent and watched it hail, big marble size hail. New Mexico weather is a lot like Kansas, if you don’t like it wait 30 minutes and it will change. After the storm we went back to our lawn chairs and while they dried the stage off a magician came out to us and gave a show to Syd and me and the people by us. He said that he was suppose to go on, but due to the weather, etc., they just told him to go out in the crowds. So we got a semi- private show. Then the show continued with Redline 7000, an oldies band that played classic Rock and Roll. The governor of Albuquerque got on stage with them and played guitar for some songs. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts played and then the grand finale of fireworks show.

7-5-07. The National Atomic Museum in Albuquerque was a nice find. It had exhibits on Marie Curie, the mother of radiation, x-ray machine development and medicine, nuclear ships and submarines and an exhibit all about the Manhattan Project. There was a replica of Fat Man, the first atomic bomb tested in New Mexico, and Little Boy, the one dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. And real Atomic Bombs of every shape and size, a Trident and other missiles, and the atomic bombs that were on a plane that crashed in mid air while refueling over Spain.

7-6-07. We were going to leave today but were having trouble with our hot water tank and had to have some one come out and look at it. Cleaned up and did grocery shopping wash clothes.

7-7-07. Lucky day! Left Albuquerque, NM, today and drove down I40 to Tucumcari, NM, then up US 54 thru Texas, Oklahoma and into Kansas, the first time back in 10 months. Four states in one day, a long drive. Camped in Arkalon City Park about ten miles out side Liberal, KS, driving into the park we saw a bunch of jack rabbits, wild turkeys.

7-8-07. Checked out Mid-America Air Museum here in Liberal, KS, the fourth largest in the US. It had over 100 aircraft in great shape. The planes that impressed me the most were the Grumman  TBM Avenger, B25J Mitchell, P-51 Mustang, F-80c Shooting Star, F-104c Starfighter, F-86h Saber, F-4 Phantom, F-14 Tomcat and Corsair. They had displays on Cessna and Beechcraft manufacturing in KS, and a space exhibit. An Ace fighter pilot name Colonel Tom Thomson of Oklahoma City, OK, donated a lot of the planes to the museum and flew 65 different planes in one day to Liberal to set the record of flying the most different  planes in one day on his 65th birthday. George, an 80yr plus gentle man was our guide, and took Syd and me behind the ropes and let us sit in some of the aircraft. He was a radio operator in a B25 in WW2, and told us about the hanger the Museum is in being hunted.

            7-10-07. Reluctant to leave this beautiful park we are staying at with all its wild life. We headed to Wichita KS to see my friend Mick and had a few beers at the Eagles Lodge while it rained real hard, the first rain we have seen in a long time. We were going to stay at El Dorado lake park but it was still raining when we got there and I didn’t want to get wet setting up so we parked in Wal-Mart parking lot for the night then to the park.

7-17-07. Woke up early and drove to Ottawa, KS, to see my friend Jen and drop off my skydiving gear for a repack had a nice visit. Set up in Clinton Lake and went in to KC to my daughter Shayla and Bob’s house. My daughter Becky, Tyrone and grandchildren Eliza and Noah meet us there and we went out for pizza. Eliza was so excited to see us but Noah didn’t know who we were after a year away. Back to Shayla’s house and had a very wonderful time with all.

7-18-07. Went to lunch with my brother Eric, it was good to see him again. Then a hair cut and a drive out to Osage City’s airport to make a skydive with friends. They were excited to see me and have me back. I made a couple coach skydives with up and coming jumpers. After six months of not jumping I realized how much I missed it and the camaraderie of friends.

7-19-07. One of the reasons we came back to KC is to go to Syd’s niece’s Baree’s wedding. Syd and her brother Eric volunteered to make the out of town gift bags. We went to the hotel they were staying at to put everything together, had lunch and headed home. Shayla and Bob came out and brought chicken to grill out. Sat around the campfire and had a nice time.

7-20-07.  Friday we ate dinner at Carmen’s Café an Italian restaurant in Brookside area of KC. Twenty five family members, aunts, uncles, cousins grandparents, and parents ate a very nice meal.

7-21-07 Saturday family members and friends of the bride and groom ate at Jack Stacks Bar BQ a very nice event and good food and the first time to have Boulevard Wheat Beer since coming back to KC.

7-22-07 The wedding was at Longview Mansion in MO. The ceremony took place out side with the reception inside. We formed our own little party with in a party with my daughter Becky and Tyrone. Lunch was in the big tent was very good and the band and dance afterwards were nice. We sat with Don's sister and family, a very nice lady. Afterwards drove Syd’s folks home and went over to Becky’s to see the grandkids.

7-29-07. Had a great weekend with Becky, Tyrone, Eliza and Noah, they came out and we went swimming, Tyrone grilled chicken and started a fire and cooked s'mores.

8-4-07. I had a busy week working, first did some inside house painting for Jeanie, Eric’s sister in-law and then through Manpower, a night job working in a print shop bindery in Lawrence. Ready to relax this weekend.