Proving Grounds open to the public once per year to show off their operations.  The police officer Domby, pictured  below,  said I could call him if we had a difficult time crossing the border 😬 ...He's so cute we might have to do that!

US Navy cadet program age 14 years

At this Resturant desert can be served outside if you wish.

...just a random opinion in the middle of these pretty door pictures.  I think who ever created the toilet seats in our new RV never had to clean one...just saying...

Love the new Bathroom minus the toilet seat.

Had to cut off the stereo system to get the side by side in the garage.  Do I have any volunteers to help reattach and install the unit? Guessing the back camera that doesn't work anymore, is some how related to this unit.  

Randy is telling Bob the screen doors do not shut...imagine that...another problem..tell me it isn't true.

March had a few less horror stories other that that horrid virus thing.  Here are a few fun things we did in the southern Arizona area.

Getting the new RV was not without incident.  February was very stressful.  The trade between RV's went well but there were a few bumps in the road.  You can take that comment literally.  Just as if trading an RV without seeing it, the days in-between , and the distance wasn't trying enough Bob took a speed bump too fast.  In fact he didn't see it.  Directing Bob while driving is helpful most of the time.  It is said that, "it takes two people to maneuver an RV",  is gospel.  Advise isn't always received well so I pick choose the incident to advise upon.  In this case it wasn't a good idea not, to warn of the speed bump.
Basically the days during the traveling to the trade were a little less than fun.  The following are a couple of pictures of the events that took place and we will just leave it at that and spare you the gory details.  Yes the MacBook Pro is toast.  Thus no blog until now April 2.  Fortunately the Host camper was made to twist so by the time we reached Lakeside California the frame twisted back to its proper position. Yeah!
So lastly, as I was talking to the insurance company I told them to add a cracked truck windshield to the claim because while I was on hold a rock hit the window.  Yes a rock hit our window and cracked it, seriously speaking, yes it did, right then and there.  All that ends well, is well.  Or is it?  That was not the end, but for now we will leave it at that.  Ahhhhh!

We successfully picked up the new 5th wheel and drove it back to Yuma where we waited a week for our RV repair appointment on Monday.  We spent 6 days in their parking lot as they fixed a list as long as our arm of items that needed immediate attention.  This RV still had new coach stickers on everything but it sat outside under a live oak tree for it's whole life at the previous owners home unloved.  Attention was needed due to neglect.   With the added 1,140 watts of wonderful solar power added we were good to go.  

 Any RVer's out there know how to get deep, rotten, live oak leaves and pollen stains off an awning, let us know in the comments section below. The awning was rolled up inside out. These two pictures show the stain after it was professionally power washed with strong cleaner and my scrubbing with a magic eraser and Simple Green.  There are two  massive awnings on this thing.  The back, third awning is waiting until I am brave enough to open it.

Did I forget to mention the truck?  😩  First estimate was $19,990.  Second estimate happening in Holland at a later date.  We'll just leave this conversation at, February was stressful.  🤓. Time to open a White Claw on the new porch.

...and hold our Gracie...

This season Bob's back was killing him so we decided that maybe we needed to sell the beloved truck camper and get something with a place he could lay and stretch his back.  A toy hauler crossed our mind so we started looking.   After being very disappointed with the dealerships offer, we knew we needed  to sell our rig first and that should be done in the West... then it rained for 3 days straight.  It was a rare sight in Yuma, AZ.  
So for three days I searched the internet placing truck camper for sale adds in 5 places.   With this search I kept running across an add for a 2016 44' Dutchman Toy Hauler for sale in California.  It was beautiful, same year and same price as our camper. It was used only twice.  I showed it to Bob several times saying that too bad it was so big . Had it not been to large it would be perfect.  The couple had it for sale since September and said it was too big.  On the third day of rain I was looking at the toy hauler again and asked Bob if he thought it would be a good idea to text these people and see if they would like to trade it for something easier to sell and smaller to store?  This way we could have a toy hauler to sell out East and wouldn't have to wait in West for truck camper to sell.  And so it happened...we were now the proud owners of a toy hauler.

Our beloved truck camper's new home.  Do you know the song lyrics," it never rains in Southern California"?  I'm here to tell you that it does rain, in Southern California. It rained off and on for three days.  That made the move very special mixed with a little sandy mud.  

A special thank you to very wonderful previous owners , Mitchel and Pilar.  Thank you so much for your hospitality and home cooked meals.  You welcomed us into your home without hesitation and warmth. Love from us to you.

A full moon calls for a cook out in the desert and a side by side ride through the valley of the names.  This area goes on and on, with names people create with rocks they find and quartz rocks they bring in.  It was interesting to read and see.

Judd and boys checking the potatoes.

California law states fires must be off the ground.  Thus the washing machine drum, square rod and field disc part.

...and such is life in the desert with a full moon.

This is Bob's idea of posing for a photo...and his back hurts so he is stretching it.  Pictured Below is Fry's a fabulous food store with many things I'm not sure I would eat but they are pretty.  Great chrisanthemum plants that last 3 weeks. for $9.99!   

One of the countless veggie fields in Yuma.  It is really interesting to watch the workers tend the fields.  After the rain it was unbelievably muddy for days.  

We took the side-by-side up the rocky cliff and had all these views in one place.  North, east, west and south directions. It was a long way up this tiny mountain and we all decided that we like the less intense drives better😱 Never again on this trail!!!!

Thank you again Gay and Randy for your wonderful oranges from your trees.  It is truly a slice of heaven on earth.