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Hi Everyone
Sorry it's been awhile since our last blog but we haven't had internet connection until the park we are in now.
Hope everyone is well as we are here.
3/1/11
It has stopped raining again and today we drove to Carson in LA to drop off the old motor home to the holding yard before she heads off to Australia.Well we truly hope that we get to see her again as the place where we had to leave her certainly wouldn't have been our choice but we have to trust the people in Australia who do this for a living!Everything went smoothly there so we caught a taxi straight to Union Station and managed to get seats on the overnight Amtrak train to Flagstaff.Riding the Amtrak has always been a great experience for us and this trip was no different.We had to sit around the station for awhile though as we weren't able to check one of the bags we had with us (one of those cheap stripey bags) which had our sleeping bags and pillows in as they don't take that type of bag in checked luggage so we weren't able to go for a walk around China Town as we had planned as the bag was just too awkward to try and lug around so we just sat and relaxed for a couple of hours.We boarded the train and got comfy in our seats and left LA at approx. 6.45pm.It would be a lovely trip to take if it was in daylight!The seats are just so comfortable and relaxing.We went off to the dining car at 8pm for dinner which as usual was very nice and so much cheaper than restaurant prices.We were seated with two young guys who were travelling separately and they were both really nice.Eric was from Chicago and he was heading home after holidays (he prefers the train to flying even though it takes 2 days to get there). Chris was from Cottonwood and he was heading home after going to LA to look at Colleges there. We chatted for quite a while with them and as the restaurant closes at 9.30pm they asked us to leave!We went back to our seats and settled in for the night which seemed to pass really quickly, so we obviously slept quite well.
4/1/11
We were woken at 5.30am for our 6am arrival in Flagstaff.We had both had a reasonable amount of sleep through the night.Those overnight coach trips certainly get us ready for plans and trains as well.......When we got to Flagstaff it was -15oC and it was fffffreezing!!!!!!There was snow everywhere.We stayed in the station building which was nicely heated until our shuttle arrived just before 7.30am then we headed off to Camp Verde to the RV Park where we had left our new motor home.Noel really enjoyed the drive as he got to sit in the passenger seat and enjoy the view as he doesn't get to see much when he's driving, and the scenery through there is spectacular especially with the snow around.We saw two bald eagles along the way also which was really special.The driver Jack was really nice and full of lots of information along the way.When we arrived at Camp Verde we found a few problems had occurred there in the three days we had been away and our friends had all left the RV Park the day before.That was a bit of a shock to us.We knew Paul and Sandy wouldn't be there as they left the same day as us to start their trip down to Mexico for 2 months but we were just expecting the others to be there. After hearing a bit about what happened, we collected the keys to the motor home and because it was so cold, we decided to head south to the warmer weather also, as they had, and catch up with them to say good bye on our way through to drop off the new motor home.Mike and Jan have moved to Phoenix and staying in the same park as their friends Mike (Montana) & Kaylynn who had come to Camp Verde for New Years.We called in to visit them and were convinced to stay the night there also so it was great to have a really nice catch up again.We went out for dinner together and then come home and chatted some more before heading off to bed.
5/1/11
Today we headed over to Buckeye which is just outside of Phoenix to the south west and called in to see Ken & Chris and George & Barbie there.We didn't arrive at the RV Park until around 3pm so we booked straight in for the night and got a site right beside them which was great.We chatted the night away and I left around 11pm to go to bed but Noel didn't get in until around 1am as they were talking so much about all kinds of things.Ken & Chris are coming out to Australia, hopefully at the end of this year, which will be great.
6/1/11
We both woke up and felt really tired this morning so have decided to stay another day in Buckeye.The days are absolutely glorious here and we are in short sleeves all day.It starts cooling down around 4.30pm and by 5pm you have to put a jumper on but hey, it is winter!We had a great day with our friends just relaxing and chatting, eating and drinking.I'm sure they will be glad when we leave tomorrow to have a rest!Old "Have a Chat" is really living up to his name although everyone else is keeping up with him as well. We are going to miss them all when we leave as they have been really great friends to us and have included us as part of their group and we are looking forward to continuing our friendship with them well into the future and catching up with them on future trips to USA.We really have felt so at home because of them.It's almost like being in the hood!
7/1/11
After another late night we've slept in a bit later than planned but I'm not leaving here until I have sent this off in case I don't have internet again for awhile.Today we are heading off towards Las Vegas.We have decided to leave the motor home there at Noel's parents' friend's house.He lives in Henderson which is just outside of Vegas and has room for us to store it there so we thought we'd try that instead of leaving it in Yuma this time.We wanted to leave it somewhere that is a little easier for people to get to.Closer to LA would have been our preference (which is why we went to Anaheim) but we weren't particularly happy with the storage facilities that we looked at so until we find one that we are happy with (and can afford) we will keep it at Bob's place.We'll look around some more storage options when we come over again next time.
Well I better get moving I guess as it is time we were starting to pack up and move on again.We'll be in Las Vegas for a couple of days and will stay at Sam's Town RV Park and get the last bits and pieces done before we take 'Matilda' out to Bob's house and close her up until someone comes to visit her again.We will then hire a car for the trip back to LA and call in to visit friends we met last trip in Apple Valley on the way.
Hopefully this wont be the last blog before we leave, but that will depend on internet connections.Can you believe that we will be home this time next week!The time has flown by.
So until next time, take care of each other and be careful on those wet roads.
Tons of love to everyone
Noel and Pam
- comments
Carmel Hi We are just back from Kingscliffe. Had a couple of nice days but otherwise wet and windy. Raining here as well at the moment. Sounds like you have had a great time and had no real hick ups. Safe travel home and looking forward to catching up. Take Care Love the Thomass
Jane I always enjoy reading about your adventures, and I wonder how Pete & I could fit in a trip to USA. One day we will. Safe trip home. Be prepared for wet weather. Catch up soon once you have unpacked. LOve to you both. Peter & Jane xxx
Gen Hi, It has been wonderful being able to follow you on your travels in the USA. Good that you had such a great rip in spite of some of the weather. It still was much better than here. Today was fine but there is a storm coming in this evening and plummeting temperatures for several days. I had a good Christmas with family in Calgary. Pat, my daughter, will be home on Jan 22 and stay for the first anniversary of Clarence's death. It is so hard to believe that it is already a year and I still miss him so very much. Have a good trip home and please keep in touch. Love, Gen
Stephanie Saxton Hi Pam & Noel I can't believe that it's less than a week until you fly home! The trains in USA sound facinating and it's snowing again! We had dinnner with Bec & Mia last night, they are both looking forward to seeing you when you get home. The rain had been persistant all weekend and they have Sth East QLD on high flood alert, with all the rain it's looking to rival '74 floods. It seems with all the wet weather in QD & NSW the rabbits are heading to Canberra (they have just released warning for rabbit plage in ACT). I'm heading down to Canberra with work on Wednesday/Thursday so I'll let you know if it'll be a new educational tourism trend :) Be safe and make the most of your last few days on holiday. Much Love Steph, Tim & Thumpa xoxox