Old Man Winter Has Not Left Yet...

Where is spring in Colorado?  When we arrived on Monday, the temperatures were not so bad, highs in the 60’s, lows in the 40’s.

Well after a very windy night on Wednesday, the cold front came and is suppose to stay for the next 3 to 4 days, with highs only in the 40’s and lows in the 20’s. It snowed so hard yesterday there were times it was a total white out, most of it never stuck, we do have a bit of snow around but what is really hard to take is the temperatures that took a outrageous dip. However, by Tuesday it is suppose to have highs in the 70’s, lows in the 40’s, definitely can’t come soon enough for us. The first day with the wind and cold was tolerable, second day…well not so much but now that we are into the 3rd day of really cold temperatures and almost continuous white outs…well this is not at all what we like to see.

Jerry has been helping the maintenance guy get some things ready but I stayed hibernated in our rig for the past few days, catching up on my writing, reading and TV watching and that is the plan for the next few days for both of us.

A New Perspective

It was a rough night with gusty winds howling through the area. It is always a bit nerve-racking being in a new location and not knowing what to expect from the weather and remembering where we are located can at times sooth my apprehensiveness, especially when we are not in a threatening area, which we are not.

View from our back window this morning!

Researching for what to expect with the local weather in this area or any area has been a challenge. The normal conditions, such as how windy does it normally get, how severe are the storms and do they get tornadoes? These are just some of the questions we usually have when we get to a new location. If anyone has a website they go to for this information, please send us the link.

Our site for the next few months!

In my search for finding what I am passionate about, I have discovered that I love photography, writing, music, writing music, traveling, NASCAR and so many other things, but have now discovered that there is a big difference in what I love doing and what I am passionate about.

This morning I came across an article that got my blood boiling,  “When Do You Say Something About How Another Mom Treats Her Kids in Public?”

Due to the extensive abuse I suffered as a child, I have discovered that I am very passionate about ever allowing it to happen to another child. Again, still not sure what it is I need to be doing but I now know that it has to do with children and abuse. It needs to stop.

There should not be one child on this earth that should have to endure this kind of pain. Parents are suppose to protect the children; they are suppose to teach children that this sort of behavior is not normal and children need to know that they should never tolerate it from anyone, even their parents. Yes, children need discipline but clearly that line was crossed in this and many other situations. Ridiculing, kicking, yelling, smacking, punching, shoving, and threatening harm to them are just a few absolute no-no’s when disciplining children.

It makes me ashamed to know that any adult could just stand by and do nothing while an innocent child is being abused. There are no excuses for this sort of behavior, and yes it is a fine line to walk to make sure that we do not become abusive ourselves. We all need to step up and go that extra mile to help prevent this from happening and make everyone aware that this is not normal behavior.

If I ever encounter anything close to the behavior that the author witnessed, I would like to think that I would step up and do all that I could to stop this from happening again. I also know that I do not want to wait around to see if this sort of event ever happens in my presence. There is something more that I can do today, suggestions are truly welcomed because it is time for me to share the pain that I endured as a child. Not because my parents were monsters, but because I was raised by parents who were also abused and it was all they knew.

This sort of pattern needs to stop once and for all. It is not a legacy that any generation should be proud to pass on. Let’s join together to put an end to this and please tell me that you would not be one of those adults that just stood by and watched it happen!

Be You!

What the world tells you is to be like everybody else. What the world needs is for you to be you. -- Ralph Marston -- Creator of “The Daily Motivator”

Every morning we saturate our minds with the best possible scenerios with a little help from some websites that we have been following.

We try to be open to all the possibilities, even though at times they sound so outrageous. This morning took some extra persuasion to open my mind when I read this article, “Kill Your To Do List”.

The writer suggested that we wake up in the morning, and decide what One Thing we were excited about and then focus on doing that, pushing everything else aside, clearing distractions, and allowing ourselves to get caught up in the moment.

Is he serious? There is no way I could do this.

What about all the things I have to do?

What about…?

And, how can I…?

Oh, and let’s not forget…?

All these thoughts began to take over and I thought this would be such a stupid way to live my life. Nothing would ever get done. Exactly…right?

Nothing would get done except what totally needed to get done in this very moment because after all there is only this moment.

On my death bed, would I regret, not fixing the bed those few times?

Or, leaving the dishes for the morning?

Or, would I regret not taking that time to take a long walk in the woods taking photos of the surrounding nature?

Or, would I regret not taking that time to snuggle next to the man I love instead?

Or, would I possibly regret not giving my passions of photography and writing my full attention?

Or, would I regret not achieving the satisfaction from living this moment to my fullest potential?

Living a good life, is living my life from deep inside myself and doing all I can to do it with enthusiasm and excitement. The sooner we all begin living our lives from that core of passion within, the sooner we will all become all that we are meant to be and then our world will be the best it can be.

Entering Colorado

Our first time as a couple going into Colorado, many years ago, Jerry traveled this route but we can now cross it off “our” bucket list. We crossed the state line and stayed overnight in Colorado and will be hanging out for a few months working as Chefs at a Dude Ranch.

From Camp Verde RV Resort we headed north on I-17, through Flagstaff, Arizona where there was still some snow and lots of frost on the ground and roads.

Once through Flagstaff we took US-89 N until...

Taking US-160 E into Colorado. This road at times was so rough, we had things flying around the rig, other times the road was like silk.

The views were spectacular with the mountains in all shapes and sizes, the animals, cows on the road, wild horses running free and of course the sheep and one particular animal we are not sure exactly what it was, we think it might have been some sort of Alpaca. Many of our photos didn’t turn out, not really the best way to take a photo while driving down the highway but we keep trying and some really turn out great.

While we are here, we have added several new items to our “Bucket List”. Horseback riding, white water rafting and visiting Four Corners and Mesa Verde NP, just to name a few.

Our Contribution to the RV Lifestyle

RV Lifestyle Experts, Jaimie Hall Bruzenak and Alice Zyetz just launched their new book, Retire to an RV: The Roadmap to Affordable Retirement Living and we were a part of it. Yes, it all began quite awhile ago, but we knew it would manifest itself eventually and it did.

If you choose to purchase this or any of their books, please, click here to visit Pine Country Publishing.

Thanks Jaimie, you have been a great part of our lifestyle, from your interview with us while we were on our first job at the Kaibab Lodge at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon to today of launching your new book that includes our contributions.

This was my favorite photo of the day, this is a view through a window not a painting or framed photo!

These windows are where the previous photo was taken!

Camp Verde RV Resort

1472 Horseshoe Bend Drive

Camp Verde, AZ 86322

928-202-3409

The memberships they accept are, AOR, RPI, ROD, WHR & Coast to Coast which we used and paid $10 per night for water, electric & sewer.  They do offer WiFi for an additional charge and have some other hidden charges, none that effected our stay.

Our site was level, grassy and gravel and so were most of the interior roads.

They have several laundry facilities, the one that we used was nice because it was adjacent to the game room. While laundry was going on, we worked on a puzzle, played games, read books and relaxed in some comfortable chairs…always a plus when having to do this chore. The other laundry area and shower house was not as nice but still were kept very clean.

The clubhouse had a restaurant and was set up very nicely for gatherings.

The spa was heated but they had already stopped heating the pool which made it unusable because the weather was still cold and the water was frigid.

Located only a few miles from a WalMart, many restaurants, fast-food joints and other major stores made it very convenient but at the same time there were no freeway or train noises which made it very peaceful.  Whenever we are in the area, we will gladly stay here again.

 Check out more photos at our Picasa Albums!

Change Will Do Us Good

“What I’ve experienced is that I can’t know the future. I can’t know if anything that I do will change what happens tomorrow. I can’t know with certainty, but what I do know is if I do nothing, nothing will change.”
—James Orbinski (1960-); Former President Of Doctors Without Borders

This week, we watched American Idol and instantly knew that there is something out here in this lifetime that we are suppose to be doing, for the children. It’s that feeling deep inside that has always nagged at me and even though it feels as if I am not any closer to finding out what it is, I know the answers are there.

Whatever my purpose in this life is, it has to do with children. They are the innocent ones, the ones who can be hurting so badly but never stop smiling. They can be in excruciating pain but the sweet sound of laughter still pours from their hearts. Each one of us can learn from every child we encounter.

We will keep looking for that purpose. In the meantime, we will enjoy the roads we travel and keep our hearts open to the possibilities that are available to us.

Will be back on the road again tomorrow, traveling north through the Four Corners and other interesting places, weather looks marvelous!

Change Our Thinking

"The best way to predict the future is to create it." Peter Drucker

What a wonderful way to live life. No more excuses, no more complaining, no more blame, no more wishing and hoping, just downright creating.

If you knew for sure that your dream could happen, would you continue wasting time on worrying that it might not?

We are stepping up our game and intend to live the life that we were meant to live and invite all of our readers to do the same. Life is too short to wonder what could have been. Now is the time to allow your best to shine through. Let’s all be the new media and spread the encouraging word instead of all the chaos and drama. It’s time for a better life for each and every one of us, let’s help change the world by first and foremost changing ourselves into the best we can be and always seeing the glass as half full. It’s a choice you know and only you can make that choice.

We can’t do it for you, your spouse can’t do it for you, your children can’t do it for you, your friends can’t do it for you but you can help change the world with just a few kind gestures daily. Try it for a spell, if you don’t like it you can always choose to go back to creating the life you don’t want by dwelling on all the bad in the world.

Here are a few websites we have stumbled upon that assists us in maintaining our newfound attitudes.

Zen Habits / Learn how to turn your everyday challenges into a Zen Moment!
Arvind Devalia's Blog / He has such insight!
The Gratidudes / These Guys Are Great!

Page Springs Park

1951 N Page Springs Road

Cornville, AZ 86325

928-634-4309

Using our Coast to Coast membership, we paid $10 with NO additional charges for a water and electric only site on the creek.  If we wanted a full hook up we would of paid $3 extra per night, and even though we had just come from boondocking for a week, we wanted to be by the babbling brook. Not having to use a CD while meditating was perfect. This place did not offer any great amenities but what they did offer instead was a serene, quiet place with nature.

Sitting in back of our rig watching the birds, eagles, ducks, fish and cranes entertain us was well worth the inconvenience of not having a pool or spa. No highway or train noises to be heard since it was miles away from everything.

There was no cable, the laundry room had only 2 washer and dryers, and the shower houses were a bit outdated but maintained well. The phone/Internet service was terrible and from what we were told, Verizon is the best reception. We would probably not return, only because it was out of the way and we really do like our conveniences, especially Internet and they do not offer WiFi but is being looked into by the owner.

Our PIR Experience

When we work any of the tracks, we feel we are representatives of the race track and we take it very seriously. Since we are avid NASCAR fans, it is much easier for us to really appreciate exactly how to treat the fans. We understand that not all fans are on their best behaviors but we do not wish to dwell on those few, we instead choose to look at the thousands of great fans that rode on our tram or passed through our lives those few days we spent working at PIR.

The fans took very good care of us while we rode the tram in the infield. Many stopped our tram and gave us cold drinks, food and a few even tipped us because they said we were informative and very entertaining. We received many compliments because we treated each and every fan with respect, even the few cranky ones, because after all the amount of money that each fan spends is enormous. We understand that without the fans, we would not have a job. We also believe that what just one fan spends will just about pay our entire salary for the week. So we choose to give them the best customer service possible. We understand that it is always a choice of how you react to circumstances but we also know that there are certain people in positions that really should not be there.

Friday, we worked the early morning shift and was off in time to watch the Nationwide race, so for that night we were just fans. We witnessed a few things that we felt were not acceptable behavior from several of the workers. There were several times that we heard them use a tone of voice against the fans when it was not called for in that instance. There is no excuse for this type of behavior. People who are unable to give the best customer service for any reason, should reconsider doing this type of work because there are plenty of folks out here that would love to do this work and will do it with the pride of knowing that each fan is the reason they are there. Complaining over and over about how bad the fans are in our opinion is not productive, choosing to see the thousands of good fans instead of the few bad would be most productive.

We really love working these events and we feel the fans are the best ever. After all, if we didn’t like it, why on earth would we continue doing anything we are not happy doing. Living this lifestyle has given us a new outlook in all aspects of our lives and if we are not doing what we love, we do not do it.

We Are at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR)!

Just to update everyone, we made it to PIR and will be here for the week.  Since we are boondocking and working, it always limits our time to write much, we will be keeping up with our email as much as possible but usually that is about it.  Will share all of our adventures and catch up with the your latest adventures next week, in the meantime, safe travels to all.  

Life is Grand!

Happy Easter

Holidays are never the same any more and believe it or not, we are alright with that. Since we chose this lifestyle and became orphans, we no longer have family to share it but again it seems to suit us just fine. Many RV parks have some sort of gathering and usually we do not attend. We are fine with being with one another and not doing all the traditional things for any given holidays.

We will be doing our laundry and preparing ourselves and the rig to boondock for about a week while we are at Phoenix International Raceway.

We consider ourselves lucky to have found one another since we carry the same values, are able to go with the flow, especially when challenges arise and are able to live with one another without any drama in such a small area.

Hope you all are with whom you love and with whom you choose to spend your time with, otherwise, why on earth would you stay?

There Is Something To Be Learned From Every Challenge…

What will you learn today?

The growth that living this lifestyle has gifted to us is phenomenal. Challenges are always a part of everyday life but through each one we choose to learn something. Not always life changing results but growth just the same.

Living our lives with more Zen has become a part of our daily routine. Meditation and learning to allow life to flow without trying to control it is becoming easier to do. Here are several websites we found that are really helpful tuning in to our Zen lifestyle. One is Zen Habits,  has some really enlightening articles. The other is Make it Happen, referencing the book by Arvind Devalia, a very wise soul.

Surrounding your day with all the positiveness available can truly help with all your choices, this we learned after reading Eckhart Tolle’s book, we continue using his website and we became fans on his Facebook as another resource to keep ourselves focused. 

We are also interested in finding new ways to continue being frugal, not only because we are living on a small budget but also to lessen our footprints on this world. Doing things more “green” is always something we strive to do and saving money in the meantime is always a great blessing.

Join us in our journey to change the world one moment at a time.

Monday Morning Fire

While enjoying our first cup of coffee, we began hearing some commotion outside…a rig was on fire. The police were there in a minute, but the fire department was a long wait for them to get there. The smoke changed from white, then gray, then black, then the flames when the fire department finally came on the scene. Neighbors moved their rigs and vehicles away from the flaming one, while others turned their hoses onto the area. The owners, we soon found out were not in their rig, instead, she had taken her husband to the hospital earlier.

When something like this happens, first, thankful there was nobody in it, then the gratefulness that it was not us rushes through my body, then the inquisitiveness of wondering if somehow this could have been avoided and what is it that we can do to prevent this from happening to our rig. All of these thoughts and more rush through our thoughts and we again are grateful for all we do have.

Then other thoughts begin to trickle in, being true to yourself…something we continue to work on. We still have it in our heads that we have to please everyone else and do what would make us look good in others opinions which changes who we are. So this is still an issue with us but something we are becoming much more comfortable in doing more everyday.

This morning was one of those times, my first response about things like the events this morning is to grab my cameras and begin snapping shots and videoing. Instead, I felt as if it was the wrong thing to do, I did get some video in but my forte is still shots and I allowed my thinking to stink up my thoughts. Anyway, I did get some photos but the point I was making was that before I could take them, I had to go a few rounds with my always fighting inner dialogue. There are times, I wish I could get out of my own head and just live my life the way I truly want to and stop worrying over what others think.

What Can We Do When We Are Ripped-Off?

Spread the word!

Never take a taxi from Laughlin, Nevada to Bullhead City, Arizona, instead call an Arizona cab to take you across the border. We are staying at a resort in Bullhead City and took a cab, which is less than a mile to the Laughlin side, the charge was $3.30 plus a $2 tip, totaled $5.30. Later that day, we hailed a cab from the exact location but it was a Nevada taxi and the total was $8.90. While we were waiting…yes, waiting at a light the meter ran over $1.20 additionally. We were appalled and tried to explain this to the driver, but he became belligerent instead. Needless to say, no tip for this taxi driver.

Why is it that he felt it was okay to double charge us? He felt justified and how is that so? How is it that he then became angry at us when he was leaving? He continued to sit there as we began to walk to our site, we were approached by a guest and asked about our cab ride and we began to advise them not to use this particular cab company and he felt it was okay to come and try to stop what we were saying. He became very rude, saying some very nasty things. Of course as much as I feel I have grown, there are times when I haven’t grown at all. As he became more and more irate, screaming out of his taxi some really outrageous words, I lost it and flipped him off. Something I have not done in so many years and can’t justify that reaction but will let it go and move forward.

Then…I received an email today regarding the biggest rip-off that happened a few months ago to us. Someone who was working for that same company has come into some real problems with them. The couple that owned the website business had undergone some major issues. They lost their home and had not been paying the employees that were hired around the time we began work with them. These employees also learned that even though they had been taking out taxes on their paychecks they did receive, they did not pay IRS. Also, they apparently stole a RV, the story is that they were offered to drive a RV to a location and was to arrive on March 4th, but has not been heard from since.

For sure they are in deeper trouble then we could have ever imagined and we are very grateful for only losing out on 20 hours of pay but it just irks me that they can and do continue to screw with people and get away with it. I really tried to warn people, I wrote so many letters and plastered them on the internet anywhere I could but some folks just think that it won’t happen to them…but it does. I know that people can change and I always try to give a person the benefit of the doubt but really now, if they won’t even admit they have a problem, do you really think someone can change?

Again, let me reiterate this company, it is azcarsandtrucks.com, the owners are Jim Scarmozzino & Kim Harper-Scarmozzino. They are not to be trusted and do not say what they mean nor mean what they say. Please…please…please…be very careful when dealing with these people, they are very shady characters and it will cost you.

When Nothing Goes Right…Go Left!

This phrase caught my attention the other day, it is so inspiring, soulful and fits us so perfectly. Living this lifestyle has changed our lives forever, we are no longer the same people we were five years ago. We have grown so much and continue to learn and grow daily.

We had a wonderful vacation…funny how that always sounds weird for us since in all reality, we are always on vacation now living this lifestyle. A four night stay at the Venetian in Las Vegas included a suite with all the amenities. The suite was huge, bigger than some of the apartments we have lived in and definitely much bigger than our RV. We were able to do a few things that living in a RV fulltime limits, we took full advantage of this and enjoyed it immensely.  The service was exceptional, everyone went out of their way to make sure we were well taken care of, as it was the last time we visited.

One of the things we weren’t comfortable with was being on the 23rd floor during an intense wind and thunderstorm. It was very unnerving and even though it was on our last evening there where we had planned to stay in and rest, we chose after hearing the wind howling through the window and vents to go down to the casino and play a little.

This ended up being the best call ever, we hit a jackpot that returned all of the money we spent for the entire stay, including dinners, gambling and all recreation.

We also need to remember to pay attention to the time of the year. Living this lifestyle we have a tendancy to forget about holidays or weekends or Spring Break as it turned out to be. Young college kids everywhere, partying to all hours of the night…loudly. A good night’s sleep was not easy to achieve, we missed our home, as humble as it is, it is still our home and it feels right.

We walked down Las Vegas Blvd to the Riviera, Circus Circus, and Slots-A-Fun...what a difference just a few blocks makes.  This area was junky, dumpy and we were grateful we did not head that way at night, it would have been even worse.  The service from every person we came in contact with down in that area was such a big difference then the other areas.

The only thing the Bellagio offered was the spectacular Fountains.  Otherwise, our experience was terrible. Jerry never had a card before so we signed up and he was going to receive a $10 slot play, but when we went to turn in our temporary card, they claimed he already had a card which he did not, it was showing up because the lady that signed us up had already put in our information. After a few minutes of trying to explain to this gentlemen who was trying very hard not to give us the $10, who acted as if it was coming out of his pocket, we decided it was not worth the effort so we just left.

Caesars Palace was another stop for us, we absolutely loved the moving walkway...anything to save us a few steps was great and very inviting.  As all the others they had the latest slot machines, tables, keno and sports betting, the only difference seems to be the decor and service.  Everyone we came in contact with was nice but nothing outstanding.
 

Our first night we ate dinner at Harrah's, since it was the closest to the Venetian and offered the most for the dollar.  It got even better when we were standing in line and another guest gave us a coupon for a 2 for 1 buffet which saved us over $25.  The slots were a bit loose, so we were able to play for a few hours without going over our budget.
 

 
The Mirage offered a spectacular Volcano show that was scheduled every hour on the top of the hour which we could hear from our suite at Venetian, but it was even better when we watched it from the sidewalk.
 

 
The Palazzo is the sister to the Venetian, the gaming floor had the latest slots and a few different ones too but it was much smaller.  Even though the service was good, it was not as fabulous as it is at the Venetian but the ambiance was incredible.  
 

 
 
They have a restaurant at the top of the tower, we didn't go up but instead we had lunch at the buffet in the Paris Casino.  The ambiance was exquisite, every detail was as if we were in Paris, France.  Large gaming floor with all the latest slots and tables.
 

 
 
 
 
 
Planet Hollywood was the only one on the strip that was offering free slot money and a spin on the wheel without having to get hundreds of points on your new players card. 
 

 
Treasure Island had some fun slot machines and the show was wild but the crowds were terrible right after the show.
 
 

 
The Wynn was even more than we had anticipated, from the magnificent structure to all the shops and even the gaming floor had so much class.  We had a blast here and the service was fantastic! 
 
 

 
Mosaic has always been one form of art that has entriqued me and these pieces at the Wynn were absolutely magnificent.  Everywhere you look, there is another piece, on the floors, ceilings, and walls.  These photos do not do any of it any justice at all, the work was priceless! 
 
 

 
One very noticeable change in Las Vegas is the perks, not so many to the everyday people like us.  Most player cards only give freebies after gaining lots of points, which means lots of money, something we do not spend.  Also, meals in Vegas are no longer affordable, the prices have skyrocketed!  They really need to go back to the days where they give 2 for 1's a little more frequently.
 
Check out all of the photos on our Picasa Album website.