Flagstaff, Arizona

Yesterday was a beautiful day for a drive, and that is just what we did. It was 143 miles from Cactus Ranch to J & H RV Park in Flagstaff. The trip was pretty much uneventful. The sky was so blue, with puffy white clouds. This is the first view of the San Francisco Peaks in Flagstaff from I-17.




We pulled into J & H RV Park around 1:30 p.m. and set up the trailer. We had forgotten about the higher elevation of the area--it's around 7,000 feet. By the time we got done, we were worn out, huffing and puffing. This is the same park we stayed in last year when we were on our way up to the canyon. We like it because the sites are very level pull-throughs, and it is pretty. However, is is $40 a night. That's us, in the trailer between two motor homes.



The sunset yesterday was beautiful, again. This is looking out toward the San Franciso Peaks:




Today was a busy day. It started out with breakfast at our favorite Flagstaff restaurant, Miz Zips. They serve breakfast all day for a pretty good price, and their coffee is good. I like places that will serve me eggs any time I want them. It's just not right not to. It always seems like a penalty to me for sleeping late when a restaurant closed up the egg carton at 10 a.m. Anyway, Miz Zips is on Route 66, that famous highway. I just like the idea of eating my eggs on Route 66.

After breakfast, I got a haircut, a manicure, and a pedicure. The girl did a good job on my hair. she only took off about a half inch, and cut some bangs. I had wanted to just let it grow all one length, but the front was growing funny, with just a little bit that was too long to be bangs, but too short to stay back with a hair band. So, I went ahead and cut the bangs, "fringe" to my English daughter-in-law. It looks ok. Keep in mind it was a windy day and I let it air dry instead of using a blow dryer on it, and I didn't have a brush in the truck:



After all that was done, we went to the game store for Fabgrandpa, and to Joann Fabrics for me. You know I had to get my fabric fix. I got five coordinating prints in chocolate browns, teal blues and creams, for a project I want to work on. Can't wait to get started on it.

Next, we went to Wal-Mart for a stock up of toiletris, paper goods, and part of the grocery list. It took quite a while, but we did get about half of the planned shopping done today. Then we went home and unloaded the truck and put everything away, ate some lunch, and took a nap. A looonnng nap.


When I woke up, I offered to take FabGrandpa out to dinner, so he suggested the Swadhe Thai Restaurant in the old town part of Flagstaff. Yum! I am ready for thai food anytime. I ordered Woon Sen Soup and Pineapple Shrimp Fried Rice. The soup had those clear bean thread noodles, chicken, and bok choy, and was delish. And what can I say about the fried rice except, if you have never had it, you do need to try it.



He ordered Won Ton Soup and Spicy Seafood Fried Rice. The waiter asked him "How spicy do you want your rice?" They have from 1 to 5 on the spicy side, so he ordered "3". It was so hot it made his whole head turn red, and it had squid-y, octopi looking things in it, along with the shrimp and scallops. I told him to never order "seafood" in a Asian or Italian place, you just never know what you are going to get. He ate it though, and said it was good.


Here is the sunset we saw when we walked outside to go home:


Tomorrow, there's more shopping to do. The last time we did a big shopping trip for groceries was on February 27, so it is about time.

Oh, Mah Holy Hell!, Y'all!!! or Telephone Troubles, The Resolution..

When I hung up the phone from talking to Verizon's customer no service department on Saturday, I was less than happy with the experience. The person I spoke with had offered to credit 50% of the $188.75 roaming charges that were on my bill from my trip to California. That's roaming in MEXICO. When I told her that would be unacceptable, and asked to speak to a supervisor, she said someone would call me on Monday. And I thought, "yeah, sure" but I told her, "Yes, that is what I want."

So, yesterday when was at the laundromat, my cellphone rang, and do you believe it was Verizon? The very same person I spoke with on Saturday told me she had discussed my bill with her supervisor and they had agreed to take off 100% of those pesky roaming charges. Just like that. No further discussion, begging, pleading, or letter writing required. I thanked her very much.

But then, it made me wonder why put those charges on there to start with. I think maybe there are a certain percentage of people who just pay the bill, no questions asked. And there are probably another certain percentage of people who make the call to ask for a credit, and the first line person offers 50% credit, and they are happy with that, and pay it. And Verizon laughs all the way to the bank.

I am not normally so cynical about things like this, but dang it, 50% of that bill would have been almost $95.00. That is a lot of money out of the customer's pocket and into Verizon's, just for using your cellphone service in an unfortunate location. And their TV ads, the "Can you hear me now" ones, as well as the newer ones that tout their "network", what a crock. Those adds make you think you can get service anywhere you go. I was sitting in a deck chair, at the beach, in a well populated town, and couldn't make or receive a call.

And to be honest, I didn't even try to use my cellphone because IT actually told me I was roaming, and I was afraid those charges would accrue. But when I tried to use my internet wireless card, no such message was received. That wireless card was picking up three bars, but when I tried to connect, it was very, very slow--it took me OVER AN HOUR to get to my g-mail account to try to read my email. That was the only time I tried to use it, the rest of the time I went to the coffee shop. So, for ONE HOUR of internet usage, that was incredibly slow, I was charged $188.75.

So, now that my rant is over, the point I would like to make here, is that if you are traveling near the border, either with Mexico or with Canada, and you use your cellphone, pay attention to your next bill. You could be roaming in devious territory.

Scenic Sunday

This is the entrance station at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The photo was taken on May 9, 2008. The park opens on May 15th each year. I was there because this is where I work. I am a seasonal park ranger there. I just love my cubicle!

For more Scenic Sunday photos, click here.

Oh, Mah Holy Hell!, Y'all!!! or Telephone Troubles, Again...

(Sorry, Hotfessional!, but this situation calls for the use of that bit.)

My vacation to California is coming back to haunt me! Remember how I told you that I couldn't get a signal in our motel room, and I had to go to the coffee shop to get online? I got my Verizon bill today and DANG! they are charging me $188.75 for roaming in Mexico. Even though I never once used my phone in Tijuana, and I certainly didn't take my computer over there and get online. And I just used the wireless card in the room the first night to try to get online but it took just about an hour to get to my g-mail account. Just look at this:


Global Roam - Mexico kilobytes -- 37,750 37,750 188.75
Total Roaming $188.75
Total Usage Charges $188.75

Their customer no service department actually told me that since they could not determine where the usage originated, they could only offer me a 50% credit. And of course I said "That is unacceptable." The supervisor was not in today and will be calling me back on Monday. Then she jabbered on about how I could have set my account to have alerted me to there being roaming charges being accrued. Which I had no idea I could do, since I was not going to a foreign country, I was only going to California. Like she was trying to make it MY fault that I was being charged ridiculous charges for roaming in Calfornia.

Just as information, I walked into the Verizon store in National City, California while we were at Best Buy, which was right next door, and talked to one of their people. He told me not to worry, that if I got roaming charges on my bill they would take them off. But, he didn't note my account that I asked the question. So, I guess Verizon thinks I am lying about not using my service in Mexico--at least that is what they implied. There WILL be follow-up.

Just Stuff

This was the view from the gas station the other day. It's funny to me because it looks like the cowboy is trying to capture the elephant.

We've been busy cleaning out every bin and cubby hole in the place. I tossed out clothes I haven't worn in a year, old socks, old medicines. Donated some books and magazines to the rec room here at the campground. Shredded old papers and filed some stuff that needed keeping. Paid the tax bill. Found a can of soup in the pantry with an expiration date of May 2003!!! That got tossed, along with a jar of pickled beets that I have no idea where they came from . Just a little bit more to do, and we'll be ready to go.

On Monday, we'll go to the Wash Tub one more time to do laundry, stop by the bank, and fill the truck with fuel. We'll be so ready to go! We'll be heading out on Tuesday morning, headed for Flagstaff. And just in the nick of time, too:

The weather forecast for next week here in Wickenburg:

Sunday: 93 degrees (F) 34 degrees (C)

Monday: 98 degrees (F) 37 degrees (C)

Tuesday: 100 degrees (F) 38 degrees (C)

HOT! HOT! HOT!

One Week To Get Ready To Go

We talked to the boss man at the job yesterday, and finalized a return to work date, so we will be rolling down the road in just one week from today.

The plan right now is to leave here on Tuesday morning, and go as far as Flagstaff. We'll spend two nights there so we can stock up the pantry and get some needed supplies, then we're off to the North Rim again. We should get there on Friday afternoon. I can hardly wait!

Scenic Sunday

Snow at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. This was taken last year on April 26. To see other photos from Scenic Sunday, click here.

One More Thing From Our Visit With Geogypsy

A while back, Gaelyn wrote about getting a deal on a pair of cut glass earrings. I admired them when she posted a picture of them on her blog.



When we were up there visiting last week, she gave them to me. I have to say, I adore them. They are clip ons, perfect for me because my ears aren't pierced. My maternal grandmother was from Austria, so I like to think that maybe someone I am related to had a hand in making them, and somehow they made their way to me after all these years.


You just never know. Thank you so much, Gaelyn!

To My Waitress

Darling, I know being a waitress is a hard job, that it is both physically and mentally exhausting. I know that when your co-workers don’t show up on a busy Saturday morning, and you are the only one working, that it can be hectic. But you know what? I really don’t want to hear how stressed you are. When you are taking my order, I am the ONLY customer you need to worry about at that exact moment.

Sweetheart,when you have customers who ask you questions about how the foods are prepared, you should pay attention. If you hear us ask if there is any wheat in a particular dish, it is NOT because we are testing you, or trying to make your life miserable. We ask those questions because we NEED to know. We shouldn’t have to tell you that if we eat even a few crumbs of wheat that we’ll have explosive diarrhea for three days, that all of our joints will ache and hurt for a week, that we’ll have a headache worse than your last hangover. All you need to know is that we asked that question, all the rest of it is TMI.

Honey, when you take my order, I would appreciate it very much if you would actually write down that I requested NO BUN on my hamburger. When you bring said hamburger to me, and it is sitting there all nice and pretty on that delicious looking bun, don’t give me any flack about asking you to bring me another one BECAUSE I CAN’T EAT WHEAT. Oh, and that thing you said to me about it being a POTATO roll? Read the ingredients label, sweetie. It still has WHEAT in it. And don’t look at ME like I’m stupid when I say that, because I HAVE BEEN READING LABELS FOR MORE YEARS THAN YOU HAVE EXISTED ON THIS PLANET!!!

And, Cutie, most of all, don’t be surprised when your tip is the bare minimum. Part of what I determine to be good service includes whether or not you actually listen to what I ask for. And part of it has to do with whether or not I can actually eat the food you set before me. I’m not talking about how the cook did his job, either. I get just as tired of telling you what I can’t eat as you are of hearing me say it.

Babydoll, I know you think that it is not your job to keep me from getting gluten on my plate, and I agree, it is not. That is MY responsibility. But since I have done the studying, and have educated myself, and know what I can and can not eat, when I relay that information to you by ordering my meal with no bread, you could at least give me the courtesy of paying attention. While my gluten intolerance is not life threatening, some food allergies can be. So, next time you get a customer who is asking lots of questions about food ingredients, pay attention. Please.

A Visit To Geogypsy, Part II

After we went to the Shrine of St. Joseph, Gaelyn said she wanted us to see another place called Noah's Ark. It is on the same road as the shrine. Of course we said "OK".


At first glance it looks like just a pile of rocks, but there is more to it than that. This is a place of modern day ruins, remnants of a castle that Alessio Carrarro, an Italian immigrant who had made his fortune in sheet metal in San Francisco, started building in the 1950's to entice his wife to come to Arizona to life. She wanted no part of living here, but he believed that if he could build a beautiful castle for her, that she would change her mind. Carrarro was the same guy who designed and built the Tovrea Castle in Phoenix.


It is amazing to think about building those stone walls and mixing all that cement on the steep cliffs, working around the large boulders there. He must have been one determined man.

When we got to the property and parked the truck, no one else was around. I asked Gaelyn if we would get in trouble if we climbed up to the castle, as we were on private property. She said she had been up there before, so up we went. Soon, the owner, Doug Campblin, joined us on the trail. That in itself was the second amazing thing about this place. He said he encourages visitors to Noah's Ark, because it was too unique not to share. He acted like a tour guide and gave us lots of history about the place. He was certainly a very gracious host.


Here's Gaelyn in the doorway of the castle.


Some of the window sashes and the door facings are still there.


This was really a castle, see that turret up there?


Me and FabGrandpa in front of the "octopus".


FabGrandpa surveying his kingdom.

There is our truck waaaayyyyy down there! yes, we really did climb all the way up. (and my legs hurt like heck the next day!)


A view from the top. These rocks are balanced precariously above the houses below.

The elephant. The reason the place is called Noah's Ark, is that there are a lot of large boulders that look like animals here. Someone long ago painted their names on them so you'd be sure to see them.


The bear. He's looking down on the town of Yarnell.


Another view of the castle.


If you ever get to Yarnell, it is well worth the effort and time to visit Noah's Ark. Yarnell is on Highwy 89 between Wickenburg and Prescott, Arizona. And if you get to meet Doug, tell him FabGrandma sent you.

Check it Out! A Gluten Free Map!

Kelly over at Celiac Chicks has created a great Gluten Free Map! If you are a gluten free person, go over there and read about it, then click over and join the group. Go there and add all the places you know of that offer gluten free stuff. Whether it is a restaurant, a bakery, or a grocery store, add em in! We CAN help each other find a place to eat in this big ol world!

A Visit To Geogypsy, Part I

FabGrandpa had an appointment at the Veteran's Adminisiration Medical Center in Prescott for his yearly physical and bloodwork. Yarnell, where our friend Gaelyn lives, is about half way between where we live and where we were going, so we drove up there the day before his appointment and spent the night.

Before I get into the story of our visit, I will take a moment here to say that everything checked out ok for the Fab guy--his TSH for his thyroid was very good, his blood pressure was good so still no need for blood pressure meds (Dr. Singh, his endocrinologist in Atlanta, told me last year his bp was "borderline" and told me not feed him so much sausage, so we have cut down on it a lot!), no sign of that pesky cancer AT ALL. The did make an appoinment with an optamologist for them to look at his eye, because he has been having some trouble with it, but we think it is because of all the dust in the air out here in the desert. He had the same problem with in Texas. I'll update on that after we see that doc on Thursday.


Ok, where was I? Oh yeah:

The road to Yarnell goes right over that mountain:


At times, it looks like you are going to drive off into the sky:


The two directions of the road go on different paths, with the southbound down the mountain lanes on the upper road, and the northbound up the mountain lanes on the lower road.


This is looking out the window on the passenger side, at the road where we have been. I am glad I don't get car sick:


At the top of the mountain is Yarnell. It is like a littel paradise in the middle of Arizona. After seeing it I can understand why Gaelyn wants to live here in the winter months, even if they get snow from time to time. It is gorgeus. This is the yard between Gaelyn's 5th wheel and Berta's house:


This is the "Little House" where FabGrandpa and I spent the night. It was cozy and very comfortable. Thanks Gaelyn! and Thanks Berta! We really enjoyed our stay, our visit, and the company. We felt so special!


Gaelyn took us on the Grand Tour of Yarnell. This is the yard of one of their neighbors. He has lots of metal sculpture animals there.


One local attraction is the Shrine of St. Joseph. It has several statues of Jesus set amongst the huge rocks. It is a place for quiet meditation. Lots of people visit it.

There are several stone paths and stairways here that you can climb. Or you can just sit in the garden on a bench.

But, the best was yet to come! Check in tomorrow for Noah's Ark....

Forbidden Rice and Sauteed Kale

We drove up to Yarnell on Sunday afternoon and spent the night with Gaelyn, of Geogypsy because FabGrandpa had an appoinment at the VA in Prescott for his physical and yearly bloodwork. More about the trip tomorrow, but tonight I want to tell you about this yummo meal.

While in Prescott, we went to the Frontier Natural Foods store. Among other things that we bought, we got some Forbidden Rice and some lacinato kale. I have been reading about the forbidden rice on some vegetarian and gluten free forums that I read, and have been wanting to try it. But because it is relatively expensive, I didn't want to buy a one pound bag of it and then find out we didn't like it. To my delight and surprise, the bulk food section had some of it and also some Red Bhutanese rice. I got about a cup and a half of each one.

Our dinner tonight was the black forbidden rice, kale sauteed with garlic, and a nice tomato-fresh basil-fresh mozzarella salad. The rice was very good. It was not at all like the black wild rice, which I really don't like. It took a little longer than white rice to cook, about thirty minutes. The flavor was a little bit "nutty", but mild, and it had a little bit of "chew" to it, not exactly like al dente, but not as chewy as wild rice. We will be buying some more of it.

To cook the kale, I sliced it about a half inch thick in shreds, and steamed it for four and a half minutes in the microwave. Then I peeled and sliced up about half a head of garlic, and added it to about four tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet. When the garlic had cooked for about three minutes, I added in the kale and sauteed for about four more minutes. Salt and pepper to taste, and it was done. The kale was still a little chewy, too, but I think that really made up for there being no meat in this meal.

The salad was made up ahead of time, and refrigerated. It was the other half of the head of garlic, diced up; a ball of fresh mozzarella, diced up; a can of diced tomotates drained, a few leaves of fresh basil cut up, salt and peppr to taste; and about a 1/4 cup of olive oil. Mix well and refrigerate for at least an hour.

Tomorrow I am going to try the Red Bhutanese rice with some pork shoulder steaks. And then I'll tell you the rest of the story about our trip to Prescott.

Forbidden rice may not save you from getting a mortgage bond.  But it will make you a favorite with everyone in your house. 

Taking Care of Bidness

Time for an oil change.

While I was waiting for them to finish the job, I was wandering around the shop taking pictures. The owner walked up behind me and said "HEY! you can't take pictures in here!" Then he laughed because he was just joking, but I jumped a mile.

All done and good for another 3000 miles.

Cactus Ranch Trailer Court

As soon as we got back from vacation, we hooked up the trailer and moved about 80 miles east to Morristown, Arizona. We had been looking at campgrounds in the area for a couple of months, and we liked the looks of this one. The fact that it only costs $185 per month and they only charge 11 cents per kilowatt hour for electricity made it that much more appealing. The tiny little office is cute, but no one is ever in there. The manager and his wife live in a mobile home in the back, and transact business there.


Our site is pretty flat, and has a nice concrete pad. There are no trees, but there are not many trees here at all. There is a large tree-like yucca plant in between our site and the one next door.

There are lots of native plants nicely landscaped around the park including saguaros and other cactii that I don't know the names of. There is actually a Cactus Nursery right next door to the campground that has seven acres of different species of cactus. Some of them are quite unusual.


These small cacti are in bloom all over the park. The flowers are about three inches in diameter, and there are lots of them.

Here is a picture of the yucca--those things get pretty big out here.

And as usual, the desert sunsets are gorgeous!