Hi to you all. We are still in Benson Arizona, where the weather for the last few days has been REALLY cold. The other night we Froze all our water lines but did not burst any thank goodness.

So now what have we been doing since the last update. Well we have been remodelling our motorhome inside. We have put in a new floor and removed the dining booth. As you will see by the pictures it looks much better giving us more room. We really enjoyed doing this project and of course appreciated the help from our good friend Tim. He actually designed the layout. For Thanksgiving we joined others in the clubhouse and just stuffed our faces with turkey and all the trimmings. What a great meal that was. The ladies from each table supplied the food.

Our Christmas was good also. We joined about 250 other people from the park in the clubhouse. We had 22 people at our table and the food that was supplied by the ladies of each table was fantastic. We all went home to our rigs ready for a nap. On Christmas morning we called all of our kids and grandkids and had enjoyable conversations with them all.

For New Years we are going back up to the clubhouse where we will enjoy fun and games no doubt. Plus we get snacks as part of the event. Looking forward to that tomorrow night. Other than the remods we have not been doing too much. Oh forgot to mention that Susan had to go to the dentist in Tucson. She had an appsiss (not sure if the spelling is correct) and had 2 teeth removed. She is ok now and has decided to use the dentist down here instead of the one at home as she like him. So more work to do next year. I was hoping to get a flat screen TV but now Susan say's that we are walking on it and she eat's with it.

Well thats what we have been up to. We would like to Wish you ALL a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR. May all your wishes and dreams come true and may 2008 be a HEALTHY one for ALL.

Take care all and stay safe and warm. We love you all.

So here we are in sunny Benson Arizona after a great summer. After leaving Calgary and the snow we crossed the border at Sweetgrass Montana and headed south. The driving through Montana and Wyoming is just beautiful. The roads are great and there is not really that much traffic. As we crossed the state line into Colorado we could see smoke in the distance. Then we realised it must be coming from California. That night when we stopped in Moab Utah we tuned the radio and sure enough that was where it was coming from. We were planning on stopping in Moab for a couple of days, but you could really not see much with the smoke.

Next morning we got up had breakfast and continued on south. We finished up in Flagstaff Arizona, staying at the Walmart even though there were signs saying 'No overnight camping". Susan did go in and check with Walmart and they said it was ok. That night was really cold. The past 3 nights we had had frost but this night was the coldest. We left Flagstaff and headed towards Phoenix. The road was quite busy but we just continued our drive around 60mph, with everyone zooming past us. As we approached Phoenix the traffic really built up and became rather busy. After managing the traffic through Phoenix we got onto I10 and headed East towards Tucson. As you approach Tucson about 10 miles west the road work begins. They are in the process of widening the highway to 4 lanes. This road work goes on for about 15 miles. Pain in the you know what, but will be great when its finished.

We arrived at the SKP park around 4pm and were escorted to our lot. We did not manage to get one of our usual lots, but we are moving on Wednesday to a lot on the front row which is where we like to be. The weather has been just fabulous. The sun shines and we have been up in the 80's just about every day. Of course Tim & Jan are here and Mike & Betty are arriving next week. The only couple we are waiting for are Jacques & Louise who are in Texas right now visiting some friends. We hope they will be here for thanksgiving later this month.

The pictures above consist of Susan with her latest grandson Sean who lives in Canmore Alberta with his mom & dad Becky & Patrick, and 2 pictures of the sunset tonight Saturday November 10th.

Thats about it for now, so take care everyone until next time.

So here we are back on-line at last. It has been quite a while since the last post and for that we apologize. We have had the Motorhome in for repairs and have been off-line ever since, after trying some used equipment and then just going back to our own that we know works.

So to catch up with what has been happening, here we go.

We left California and headed north. Arriving back in Mission in time for the wedding on the 24th March. The wedding was just great and was enjoyed by all.

For the next month we just packed boxes and got ready for our move to Tan. On the 15th May we took the Motorhome in for repairs caused by the tire blowout back in October. As the repairs were being done we asked that they check out the slideout as we thought it had dropped on one side. They called us a couple of days later to tell us that we needed a new floor on the slideout at a cost of $4500. After getting over the shock we told them to go ahead. Well a couple of days passed and we needed some things out of the MH so we called and asked if it was possible for us to come and get them. They said it was ok, and so went drove over and on arrival they said the MH was ready. I of course called their bluff, but know it was ready to go. The was not a new floor required just some adjustments as it had not been installed properly during manufacturing.

The best part was it was only going to cost $1500. We now have the MH back and it s in storage.

After all of this was done we rented a van to take all our stuff up to Tan Island. This is an island that a friend of ours owns and she asked us if we would like to spend our summers up there in a little house that her son had built. We of course said yes so we took her up on her offer. The only way to the island is by boat so everything had to be unloaded from the van into a boat and then from the boat up to the house. This took us about a week as I had to have the van back in Abbotsford a week later. So a week later I drove the van back to Vancouver stayed for a couple of days and then returned to Tan driving the Suzuki full up with even more stuff.

During all of this moving etc. I took a fishing trip with my buddy Dave to try and get some halibut and prawns. We drove to the west coast of Vancouver Island and set up camp with 4 other guys. Now these guys had done this before cause the way they set up was just great. They set up a tarp tent that consisted of their sleeping area and the dining area, as well as a wood stove. We were gone for about a week and returned with some halibut and about 800 prawns. Great fishing trip.

So now we are residing on Tan Island for our summers. There are some pictures of our view from our little house on this post.

Top picture. View looking North.

Second picture. The road to our house.

Third picture. View looking East.

Bottom picture. View looking South.

We have been working away at getting the house organised and we have installed solar panels on the roof together with an inverter and a small generator. Everything is working just fine and we have all the power we need. We also have satellite tv as well as our internet. Now the internet was another story. It took me 3 weeks of trying every possible position on the roof on the deck everywhere but I just could not get a signal. We finally decided to return the used sat. dish complete with lnb to the guy we purchased it from. But before we did this we had to confirm that it was the equipment and not me or something else. So we packed it all into the car and returned to the mainland. We set up our equipment from the motorhome and got online in no time at all. Now we had to set up the used equipment which I did. Tracked in the satellite but could not get online. This confirmed to me that there was something wrong with the used equipment. So we packed up all the satellite equipment and returned to Tan, dropping off the used stuff on the way, bearing in mind that each trip to and from the mainland is an all day trip including 3 ferries. Back on Tan I was up and running within the hour.

That's what has been happening with us up till now. We have just finished lunch of homemade Clam Chowder both red and white which Susan made from scratch using fresh clams from Mansons Landing and fresh vegetables from the garden. Delicious.

Thanks Joyce & Jeremy for all you are doing for us, we love you.

Until next time. Susan & Les

Tomorrow we are leaving FoY and heading north to BC. We have enjoyed our winter travels as usual but they are far too short.

On Sunday afternoon we were invited to a BBQ at our friends which was attended by about 40 people. These were people from all walks of life and all retired. A good time was had by all with good food including Salmon from Prince Rupert BC. Above are a couple of pictures taken at the BBQ. Please note that we all had sunglasses on as the temperature was around 90 degrees F.

We will be driving with our friends Jim & Joyce and going up the Interstate #5 which is the most direct from here.

When we arrive in BC we will be parked in our usual place, so if you pass by drop in and say Hi and visit a while.

Top picture is Jimmy, Joyce's husband.

Middle picture is Susan on the right talking with friends.

Bottom picture is Joyce enjoying a drink with Trevor the host of the BBQ.

Flowering Borganvilia at FOY

Flowering Cacti at FOY

We are still at FOY enjoying the sunshine. The temperatures have been on the rise and today we are climbing up to around 90 deg. This coming weekend the temps are supposed to reach 97 deg. Yes that's correct, 97 deg. F.

Whilst we have been here we have managed to catch up on a few jobs that needed our attention, as well as re-organise ready for our departure for home.

We have enjoyed the company of many nice people as well as attending a few parties which we have enjoyed.

Yesterday Susan & I took a day into Palm Springs to do some shopping. This was to be our last trip into the big city, so we made sure we did all the thrift store's we could. Yes Susan managed to purchase more clothes etc. But that's ok.

We will be leaving FOY and heading for BC next Wednesday the 14th with Jim & Joyce. The trip will take us about 5 days so that means we should be home around the 19th. Not really looking forward to the drive as the weather further north is not as good as it is here. Also the weather in BC is VERY wet and chilly, but we must return. Our time is up in the US.

That's about it from down here, so as usual we say, stay safe and keep warm we love you all.

Susan & Les

Joe relaxing after dinner under the Palm Tree

Most of the Guest's for dinner

Susan & Joyce enjoying their meal along with the wine

Lillian & Derek enjoying "English Night"

So we have been at FOY now for nearly a week. The weather has been very acceptable but sometimes very windy. Our friends George & Maureen from BC that have been visiting with us here left this morning to continue on with their travel adventure. Being newbies and we understand they just want to keep on the move. We have had a very enjoyable week visiting with the 'English' that were still here when we arrived but they left yesterday. Susan & I are wondering if it was us or ???. George and Maureen have spent time using the pools and hot tubs much to their enjoyment, and so they should. On Sunday night all four of us went down and played shuffleboard in the games room. Susan & Maureen vs George & Les. After lots of fun and ribbing each other I must have to say, well the girls won. Yesterday we all went down and played Boccie Ball. Now that was a lot of fun. Once again boy's vs girls. The first game went pretty quick with the boy's winning by a long shot. The second game was quite a bit different and the girls really came on strong. But to no avail, the boy's won both games.

As the English were leaving on Monday morning Joyce our friend who lives here at FOY for the winter put on a splendid supper on Saturday night. We had roast turkey with all the trimmings and wonderful vegetables. Lots of food and lots to drink. A good time was had by all.

We are going to spend the next couple of days doing jobs around the rig and re-organising stuff ready for our return to BC. We should be back in BC around the 15th - 20th of March as we have a wedding to attend.We wont say who it is but why would anyone get married in March so we have to cut our winter jaunt short, and so that everyone can freeze their butts off. Don't worry Ni---- & M--- we will be there. Only pulling your leg. That's about it from here for now. We hope you all enjoy this new way of reading about our travels. I must admit I am enjoying doing it this way.

Stay safe and keep warm. We love you all. Susan & Les

George's Rattlesnake

Today Saturday we took our friends George & Maureen for a ride in our Suzuki. On our drive along a back road and because the weather was so hot we came across a RATTLESNAKE. Luckily enough George had his camera with him and took the picture that you can see. It was not a very big one but big enough. Probably about 30 inches long.

More pictures from Fountain of Youth.

These pictures were taken from in front of the Motorhome

These are our friends Maureen & George from BC. This is their first trip as NEWBIES.

We arrived here yesterday and set up in dry camp. The weather is HOT. Yes and I mean hot, we reached around 85deg. today. We are not complaining but it sure is different from what we have been experiencing lately.

This is our view at 6.30pm from the motorhome Note the egret coming in to land.

There is something at the end of the RAINBOW in Quartzsite.

This is a picture of one of the English Rigs we were with in Quartzsite.

Here we are now in Yuma for a week after attending the Gourd Festival in Casa Grande and the RV2WAYSAT Rally in Gila Bend. We had a great time in Casa Grande with Susan & Jan looking at various ways to carve and paint gourds. The 2waysat rally was very interesting. There was about 100 satellite dishes set up and there were lots of interesting seminars. Yuma is nice and warm and sunny and we are here to get a few things done before moving onto The Fountain of Youth in Niland California.

Gaia,Susan and Les

Susan,Les and Gaia at FOY.

Our Christmas in FOY was great. We had a lot of fun with the 'English'. After New Year we set out to the Anza Borrego Desert to camp for a few days. We took Gaia sightseeing and she enjoyed every bit of it. We drove her to Palm Springs on the 4th January as she had to return to Calgary. On the 6th the 'English' came out as they had never camped out in the desert before. We had lots of fun and laughs around the campfire at night. The following Thursday we drove to Quartzsite so they could see what happens to a town of 3000 when all the RV's arrive. They could not believe their eyes. There were rigs and people as far as their eys to see. The really enjoyed their stay in Quartzsite. They all returned to FOY the following Tuesday. We stayed with one of the couples as they had front wheel bearing problems and were waiting for new bearings to arrive from the UK. Their bearings arrived the following Monday and they were thankful for that. After the bearings were replaced they headed back to FOY and we headed to the East side of Q to join the BOOMERS. After a few days of visiting and catching up with the news with people we had not seen for a while we headed to Tucson. We were going to meet up with another friend who had flown in from Winnipeg. We spent 3 days in Tucson and then headed to Casa Grande where Susan is going to Gourd Carving classes. The weather in Casa Grande has finally warmed up. Today Sunday it is going into the mid 70's which is about time. When we leave Casa Grande on Wednesday the 7th we are heading for Gila Bend so I can attend an RV2WAYSAT Rally. We will be there for 4 days and then heading to Yuma.

Picture's above: top :-ready to carve the turkey at FOY.

second :-Susan & Gaia at Fonts Point Anza Borrego State Park.

third :-Gaia,Susan and Les.

lower:-Susan,Les and Gaia at FOY. Thats the update for now. Until the next time, stay safe and warm. Susan & Les