Home is Where We Park It

Los Angeles Angels Game with Chile Co-worker

Al and I took a Chilean co-worker of mine, William, to his first Major League baseball game.  Unfortunately the Angels lost in the 12th inning but it was still fun to watch the game through new eyes.

Mike Trout

I think the Angels have a new fan!

Nancy's 25 Years at Experian

Nancy celebrated her 25th anniversary with Experian on May 10th!  That's a long time working for one company!

Next up, retirement on June 1st!

TutorMate Year End Celebration

In February I met the student I was paired up for this school year.  How cute that he lost his two front teeth!

After working with my student, Jordy, all school year, it was time for the year-end celebration.  Here are some photos from our visit to his classroom.

I don't know how the teacher handles all those kids everyday!  So much energy in so many kids to manage!

Cinco de Mayo Yard Sale

Staging area in the garage getting ready for the garage sale #2.

And No, the boat was not for sale!

Net profit after all this work, $431! 

China Ranch Date Farm

One of our free days we took a drive over to the China Ranch Date Farm.  I'm not a big date fan but then I haven't really tried too many so we went for the drive.

The ride into the "farm" was pretty cool driving through a slot type canyon. 

China Ranch Date Farm & Bakery

No matter where you go there you are!

Ok, so we had a $5 date shake, walked around a bit, and then drove back to the RV park.

I'm still not a big date fan!  At least now I've tried some to know for sure. 

This place will not be on our "must see" list.

RV-Dreams RV Educational Rally

Monday

The rally started on Monday with the check-in and a catered Welcome Dinner and then Rally overview and Icebreaker.

Howard & Linda

Tuesday
Seminars ran from 9-noon and then 1:30 - 4.  Today we learned about:

• No Right Way to Full-Time
• Emotional Aspects of the Full-timing Decision
• Buying an RV - Pros, Cons, & Must Haves
• Driving Your RV Safely
• Understanding RV Insurance & RV Extended Warrenties

Then there was a catered dinner and RV Gadget Show & Tell.

Wednesday

Today's lineup:

• RVing Basics I (Driving, Towing, Hitching/Unhitching)
• RVing Basics II (Hooking Up Utilities, Dumping Tanks, RV Systems Overview)
• RVing Basics III (Safety & Checklists)

The rest of the day was free to relax by the pool.  

Thursday

• Selecting A "Home Base"
• What Does it Cost to Full-Time?
• Working On the Road
• Internet On the Road

Potluck dinner and Road Tested Newlywed Game

OMG, so much great food!  

And then dessert!

Friday

• Basic RV Maintenance I (Engine/Chassis, Tire & Wheels, Axles, Brakes, Exterior)
• Basic RV Maintenance II (Batteries, Appliances, & Generators)
• Basic RV Maintenance III (Plumbing & Propane Systems & Safety)

Movie Night - The Long Long Trailer

Saturday

• Choosing Campgrounds/RV Parks
• Boondocking/Solar
• Open Rig Walk-throughs

Catered Dinner and Closing night party "Old West"

Jim & Glena

Al & Nancy with Linda & Howard sporting some fine 'staches!

Hey Al, your 'stache is crooked!

Western centerpieces

Sunday

Farewell breakfast

Monday

We had our Trailer and Truck weighed to find out how much stuff we can bring and how the weight looked over each tire.  We have plenty of room to pack up the trailer!  All good to know info!

RV-Dreams Rally Arrival and Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

We attended the 2018 RV-Dreams Education Rally for a week held in Pahrump, NV.

Nancy's been following the blog of this couple for many, many years dreaming of one day doing the same thing and living full-time in an RV.

RV-Dreams blog:  RV-Dreams

We picked up the RV from the storage lot near the Chino Airport and drove to Baker, CA where we got off the 15 and headed north on Rt 127 to Shoshone where we were thankful for a gas station to fill up.  Our tank was getting low and the fuel light came on a few miles before we made it to "town".  I had checked out the route on google maps beforehand so I knew there was a gas station there so I wasn't too worried.

Once we were filled up, we made a right on to Rt 178 and crossed into NV where the road changed to Rt 378 and in to Pahrump and to the Nevada Treasures RV Resort.  Nevada Treasures RV Resort

Getting checked in and set up in our site was easy and we even managed to level the trailer for the first time without too much trouble.

The Rally hosts scheduled a gathering for early arrives a few sites down from us so we could meet other people in the park that were also there for the rally.  Now we know all our neighbors are attending the rally too. 

The next day was a free day for us so we took a trip to the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.

web:  Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

The roads were not paved within the park but it was actually a really nice place!

There were many places to stop the car and get out and walk on boardwalks.

 

Who knew there was so much water out there!  

Crystal Reservoir

And there is a section called Devil's Hole which belongs to Death Valley National Park but is actually in the Wildlife Refuge.

It is very well protected with fencing to protect these little pup fish that are only found in this spring. 

The fish are down in a springs in the rocks here.  See them?  No?  We couldn't see them either.  Thank goodness for the film at the visitor center to know what we were missing!






















See the little blue fish just to the left?  That's a pupfish!
































Luckily the land development was not approved and this refuge was built to protect this beautiful area! 

We visited the park on what would have been my Grandmother Mary's 113th birthday!