Sky Valley Resort

Sky Valley Resort

74711 Dillon Road

Desert Hot Springs, CA  92241

760-329-2909 or 888-894-7724

5/11-5/14/13

Have you ever felt as if you were the only special person in the entire world…well that is exactly how this crew made us feel.  Since we are hanging out in the same area and checking out all the resorts nearby we arrived at 9am to check in, but the office was closed until noon.  We called the Assistant Manager and he sent someone over immediately.  We were way early, but she apologized and said to make it up to us she would put us in a Super Site. 

We paid $15 per night with our Coast to Coast membership without any additional charges for water, electric, sewer, on gravel with a patio, patio set under shade trees and a gazebo…WOW!  No cable but they offered a $20 value for internet but our DirecTV and Verizon MiFi and phones worked perfectly.  Unfortunately our entire time there was a heat wave going on with temps reaching 108 so we could not enjoy the patio as much as we hoped.

The restrooms, laundry room and other areas were kept immaculate.  

The hot spring pools were wonderful which we took full advantage of every chance we got, especially when the sun went down.

Feeling like a million bucks we decided to check out the on-site Restaurant and we were thoroughly impressed.  We had breakfast because they serve it all day and it was the best food we have ever tasted and the friendliest staff we have come across. 

The House Omelet had all sorts of vegetables that complimented one another with some secret sauce that tantalized the tongue with every bite and topped with fresh avocados and sour cream made it a special breakfast.

If we ever decide to settle in somewhere this place would be high on our list and we would highly recommend it and will come again and again and again.  Love the area and love this resort!

For more photos, check out our Picasa Web Albums.

Where Do Your Choices Take You?

Everything you do is based on the choices you make.  It’s not your parents, your past relationships, your job, the economy, the weather, an argument or your age that is to blame.  You and only you are responsible for every decision and choice you make.  PERIOD!

After reading this the other day I knew we were once again on the right track.  Whenever something someone says, or does, or writes or reads hits a core deep within, we have learned to pay attention.

Life is about choices, not blame, but your own damn choices that only you can make.  Sure others can influence those choices if you allow them to, but nobody or nothing can make your choices for you and there IS always a choice.  It may not be the one you want but there are always choices.

We choose many times to travel the roads less traveled because we are never in any hurry, or at least try to plan it that way.  This time as we traveled to the resorts in the Desert Hot Springs area we chose to get off I-10 and take Dillon Road.  Even though it was much more scenic, it was also very wavy.  Those types of roads do not appeal to me but we would never have known if we did not get out of our box and try it.

We have been doing that a lot lately, trying new things.  Something we never would have done before adventuring out into this lifestyle.  New doors are opening all the time for us and we are learning to step in and see what it is all about.

How about you, do you tend to go with the normal, safe choices?  Or, do you tend to step out of your comfort zone and see what the other choices could bring you?  A few of you, we already know the answer since we keep in touch and read your blogs.  It is so nice to see the choices we all make every moment of our lives!

Writing Once Again

Guess we needed a break from blogging, and it was well spent.  We have been working on our first book in our series of “Along the Way with J&K”, this one titled “Rags to Riches…Our Spiritual Journey in a RV!”  All it needs is a tad more tweaking and it will be ready for publishing.

Then more of the series will include writings of our travels, our reviews, particular cities and places we have been blessed with being able to visit while living this wonderful lifestyle.  The series will also include books about Boondocking, finding work along the way, Casino hopping, and remodeling on a budget and so many more stories that are just wanting to be completed and published.  We have been dormant long enough, it is our time, our time to finally do what we love and have fun while we do it.

For now we are in the Palm Springs area soaking in the Hot Springs and loads of sunshine, a little too much heat coming up for the next few days but we will muddle through.  We will be heading to the Coast in just a week or so to cooler temperatures and some adventurous work and sightseeing opportunities.

We absolutely love this area and if we ever…not likely…but if we ever give up our wheels we would love to stay in this area.  We did notice the town itself Desert Hot Springs is going downhill fast, looks like a lot more transients in the area and the businesses are either closing up or becoming very rundown.  We now head into Palm Springs for any of our needed essentials, a much nicer area.

Life is always what we choose it to be, it is always our choice in what and how we view what is happening in our lives.  We are still learning to take each opportunity and make the most out of it, doesn’t always go the way we want it, but we always make it through with more knowledge then before.  These past few months have not gone as we would have liked them to go, we came in contact with some pretty difficult people that were not honest and forthcoming.  They weren’t bad people, just misguided and some very dramatic, something we do not do any longer.  This took our lives in a direction that was not clear so we made mistakes along the way and got off course, but we are so happy to announce we are back on course and ready to begin living our lives to the fullest once again. 

Caliente Springs

Caliente Springs

70200 Dillon Road

Desert Hot Springs, CA  92241

760-329-8400 or 888-894-7724

5/7-5/11/13

We paid $15 per night with our Coast to Coast points with NO additional charges for water, electric, sewer, on a level, sandy site with a patio.  Our Verizon MiFi and phones had great reception but they offered WiFi at no charge.

Just about the only negative was that they have only one trash area located at the entrance which was such a pain to get to so we just held on to our trash for the four days we were here until we left. 

They have a 9-hole Golf Course that was reasonably priced to walk the course or bring your own ride.  

We played billiards, ping pong and shuffleboard in the game room.

The restrooms and laundry room was kept clean, as well as the grounds were maintained well. 

The hot spring pools area was fabulous that we enjoyed several times.

This resort is a gem in the desert and even though we have been in this area so many times we could not get into this resort with our membership but it was a quiet time of the year when all the snowbirds had already left and we had the place almost to ourselves. It was so nice enjoying the hot springs, the weather was a little warmer then we like it but it was a great visit and would highly recommend it and we will visit again.  

For more photos, check out our Picasa Web Albums.

Mother’s Day Gifts

This post was prepared for the NerdWallet’s Mother’s Day Your Way Contest at NerdWallet.com.  Check out their site for coupons, ideas and so much more!

I have always struggled financially due to my “lack” mentality and this particular year was no different.  I was always the one who came up with the “creative” ideas, at least that is what I called them, my family called them cheap.

I have given lottery tickets with no big winners.  I have also given self-made coupons that they could turn in for hugs, free babysitting, a day of cleaning and so many other ideas.  And, the most important were the hand-made items that I have created throughout my years for my family.

This particular year I made my mother this absolutely beautifully crafted photo frame filled with years of photos of our family all in a collage form.  It also included little poems I wrote about the mother that raised her five children mostly by herself and did the best she could with what she had at every moment.   

I poured my heart and soul into this photo frame that was in grand scale.  I searched through tons of photos, not just from our childhood but from my mom’s just to find the perfect ones to add to this creation.  Searching to find photos of each of her children with their families was not an easy task since many of them were extended and guarded.  Secrets were well known in our home and for this creation I did not want to let any of them show and most certainly did not want to leave anyone out either. 

Finally after months of creating I had what I thought was the best I could have done and presented it to my mom.  Tears filled her eyes and even though she did not say it, I could see it in her eyes that she appreciated all the love I put into this present.  Unfortunately a few years later she passed away and now I have no idea where it ended up, most likely in the trash somewhere since my family thought it was just another of my cheap ideas.

When Mother’s Day comes around this year as I have been doing now for so many previously, my goal will be to make it through all the hype and hope I do not cry all day long.   Since my mother passed away and then losing my only daughter so many years ago I just pray for peace within to get me through.

Palm Springs Oasis RV Resort

Palm Springs Oasis RV Resort

36100 Date Palm Drive

Cathedral City, CA  92234

760-328-4813 or 800-680-0144

5/2-5/7/13

With our Coast to Coast membership we paid $19.04 per day, $15 in points and the rest at check in for Resort Fees and taxes.  Even though those extra charges annoy us, it is still usually a great deal for the type of resorts they offer.

A smaller resort with under 150 sites, ours was water, electric, sewer, level on a concrete slab with a patio.  Our Verizon MiFi and phones had great reception

The restrooms were immaculate and the laundry facilities worked perfectly, we were in and out in record time.

Conveniently located near restaurants, stores and so much more and they have a spa and a fabulous pool that we took full advantage of due to the weather flirting with temperatures near 100 degrees.

It was off season during our visit, so there were not many sites filled.  It may be more cramped during peak season but we would highly recommend staying here and we will visit again.

For more photos, check out our Picasa Web Albums.

Wine Tasting

It has been almost a year since we have posted any of our wine tastings...we think it is long over due...enjoy!

We usually pick up our wines at local grocery stores, Walmart and we have also found a few new places to purchase them.  We have been shopping at BevMo for a few years while in California and Arizona.  They have a wide variety ranging in prices but mostly mid to high dollar wines.

Our favorite new place is Total Wine...it has the best wines and they range low to high dollar with many in our budget range.  Unfortunately they too are limited to certain areas in Arizona.  We will keep looking for more like these in different areas.

This first one might not fall into a wine category, more like a beer but will probably not be something we try again so we included it here with the wines.

Bud Light Lime-A-Rita – We paid about $1 per 8oz, has an 8% alcohol and we gave it an 8 rating.  Produced at Anheuser Busch in St Louis, Missouri, we could taste the Margarita with a twist.    It is a malt beverage ale with natural flavors, including caramel coloring and is very refreshing.  We salted our rims as we would with a margarita, but the beer taste stood out and for that reason we would not purchase it again but it was good!

Yellow Tail 2010 Riesling – We paid $6 per bottle, has an alcohol percentage of 12.5 and we gave it a 7.8 rating.  Produced in Yenda, Australia region, we tasted a slight fresh fruit flavoring.  This wine has a little after bite and not as sweet as other Rieslings we have tasted.  The colder it got the smoother it got and we might purchase it again.  

Gascon Malbec – We tasted our first Malbec but did not take any notes, only this less than perfect photo.  We recall that it was a more stout wine than we anticipated it to be.  We do not have a price since it was a gift, nor do we have any of the other information to share with you.

Mirassou Moscato 2011 – Another California Moscato produced by Moscato Bella with such a clean, clear, light, refreshing and sweetest taste that would be great with any dessert.  It has 7.5% alcohol content and we paid $5.99 and would absolutely purchase again and again.

Macaron 2011 Moscato – Produced by Underdog Wine Merchants in Ripon/Livermore, California that has a 9.5% alcohol that we paid $5.99 a bottle.  The sweet honey, nectarines and wild flowered smelled dry but instead was very sweet.  It would pair well with bacon wrapped scallops that leaves your mouth watering for more.  A very clear fresh taste that we have on our list to purchase again. 

Ooh La La 2011 Riesling – From the vineyards in Modesto, this wine has 9% alcohol and priced at $6.99 per bottle.  We bought it for the name and the grapefruit and peach combination gave it a zingy flavor with an almost champagne feeling to it.  It is not at the top of our list to purchase but we would not refuse to drink it again.

Inglenook Sangria – A terrible bitter tasting wine from Ripon, California that has 9% alcohol that we paid $5.99 a bottle.  The citrus flavor had no sweetness, it was closer to a deep dark red, very dry wine that will not be on our list to purchase ever again!

Sutter Home Bubbly Moscato – A sparkling champagne taste with a lingering moist aftertaste, this one we rated a 9.8 and has 10% alcohol that we paid $4.99 a bottle.  With its honeydew melon and peach flavoring giving it a very sweet taste produced in Ceres, California we will be purchasing it in the future for celebrations.

Bodegas Sarviver, SL Lolailo Sangria – This wine is from Madrid, Spain with a 6% alcohol that we paid $4.99 per bottle.  We gave a rating of 9.7 because of its rich, smooth and delightfully fruity taste that is at the top of our list to purchase again.

Cavit 2010 Collection Moscato – This wine from Trento, Italy with its apricot and peach flavoring, 7% alcohol that we rated a 9.3 and paid $5.49 a bottle has a smooth, clean, crisp and bubbly taste that we really enjoyed the sweetness that left us wanting more and more.

Conte Priola Puglia Moscato – An Italian White Wine from Fossalta Di Piave with 8% alcohol that we rated 7.3 and paid $6.49 per bottle has an effervescence flavoring with a champagne touch.  With apple, lychee, peach and pear flavoring, not a true tasting Moscato but more like a sweet white wine.  It has a good clean flavor with a fresh ending that we would purchase again.

Double Dog Dare Cellars Moscato – From the Chile region, with 11% alcohol that we paid $5.99 a bottle and gave it a 9.4 rating.  It is a sweet, smooth wine with a silky finish that is on the top of our list to purchase again and again.

Black Swan 2010 Riesling – A citrus and lime flavored wine from South Eastern Australia with 12% alcohol that we paid $4.99 per bottle is not on our list to purchase again.  We gave a low rating of 6.3 because it is not as sweet or flavorful as some of the other Rieslings we have tasted.  We have noticed there is a wide spectrum of sweetness when it comes to Riesling wines and we prefer the sweeter side.

Beringer Red Moscato – From the Napa Valley region, this oldest grape variety imported from Chile has a very unique flavoring for this Red Moscato.  Having 11.5% alcohol that we paid $4.99 per bottle, we gave it a high rating of 9.5 because of it fresh fruit sweet flavor bursting with a clean ending.  It is a wine we would share with our friends for a night of entertainment and enjoyment.

Beringer 2011 Chenin Blanc – Seems as if we can’t go wrong with Beringer from the Napa Valley region.  Having 11.5% alcohol that we paid $4.99 a bottle, we rated this one 8.7 for its burst of fruitiness and a brisk ending.  This wine could be served with any meal because it is so clean and we will definitely purchase it again.

Beaujolais Nouveau – A red wine made from Gamay grapes that is produced in the Beaujolais region of France is one of those heavy, bold wines that is dry that we do not like and would not purchase again.

Emerald Cove Resort

Emerald Cove Resort

2715 Parker Dam Road

Earp, CA  92242

760-663-4941

April 2013

We paid $10 per night with our Coast to Coast membership, no additional charges for water, electric and sewer site on level gravel with a picnic table and barbecue.  Our Verizon MiFi and phones had great reception and for an additional charge they offered cable.

Our first visit we were crammed into a site on the second row from the lake where our neighbor’s awning was touching our rig and the other neighbor was using our picnic table to sit on while he washed his dog on our site.  We were not happy campers but it was convenient for us while we worked nearby and spent our days off here.

The cleaning people must have had the day or maybe the week off because the restrooms and laundry area were dirty and wreaked of a sour smell.

 The store carried all the conveniences including beer, wine, ice and even lottery tickets.  The Emerald Tiki Bar served breakfast, lunch and dinner with phenomenal pricing.  They also offered Karaoke and Happy Hour Specials on some refreshing alcoholic beverages.

We stayed here several times while we were working in the area during a slow time in between the winter and summer seasons.  Otherwise we believe this park will be packed with kids, toys and lots of activities in the River Rat’s Kid’s Club, more like a KOA on steroids.

If we are ever in the area we would stay here again, the location is great and being on the water is surreal but we would avoid it during peak seasons. 

For more photos, check out our Picasa Web Albums.