Thursday, January 29, 2015

DENTIST IN LOS ALGODONES

Wednesday, January 28  - We headed out of the country today. We went to Los Algodones, Mexico. We made this trip five years ago during our last visit to Yuma.

Now that is one big bottle of Tequila!
Los Algodones, MX

We watched three guys hand-paint vases, pictures, stones, etc. They do beautiful work. So beautiful, Marsha had to make a purchase of a vase she can’t live without….geesh!

Los Algodones

Wires everywhere!
Los Algodones

Lots of little alleyways full of shops.Los Algodones

As a matter of fact, we've become quite the Mexico border town visitors the last five or six years visiting dentists. We couldn't get an appointment with our past dentist in Los Algodones, so we tried a new dentist at Oasis Dentistry, Dr. Edwardo, and were very pleased.

Oasis Dentistry

This was the most modern, high tech dentist office we've ever visited, including our previous dentists back in Ohio. All the latest equipment and all very new. Paul was especially impressed with the camera the dentist used to show Paul the inside of his mouth. It was about the size of a pencil with a lighted tip. No need to try to see a reflection in that over-head light....ha ha!

Several nice waiting rooms with a free coffee machine.
Oasis Dentistry

We both got cleanings and Paul had x-rays and a thorough exam. Only $35.00/each. The dentist did suggest additional work for Paul, but he's going to wait until we visit our dentist in Nuevo Progresso, MX, to get a second opinion.

After our dentist visits we met Karla and Eric and Sandie and Jim for lunch. Those clean polished teeth didn't last too long. We enjoyed our lunch and a couple Margaritas with friends.

L-R Paul, Eric, Jim, Sandie, Karla, MarshaLos Algodones, MX

Jim and Sandie were heading home so we did a little shopping with Karla and Eric. Karla had ordered new glasses so we shopped awhile and then visited the Mercado and listened to the music while the glasses were made. We even did some dancing. What a fun time!

That’s how they make Margaritas in Mexico….delicious!Los Algodones, MX

Not sure Eric knew what he was getting into shopping with us. We ended up buying a clay bird bath - can you believe that!

Los Algodones, MX

Well, guess who had to help Paul carry the pieces back across the border? The sales guy carried it to the border, but we still had a ways to go to get to the truck. The worst part was there was a long line of people heading north so we had to wait in line for about an hour. Luckily, we bumped into Ruth and Kevin in line saving us a spot and saving us about a 30 minute longer wait. Now, where the heck will be store that bird bath for the trip to Ohio?

Thanks for stopping by.Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

OUT OF THE DUST

Tuesday, January 27 -  We wrapped up our Quartzsite adventure this morning and headed to Yuma. We are staying in Villa Alameda RV Resort (Don't let the name fool you!), but after living in the desert any park with full-hookups is a resort!

We saw lots of migrate workers along the route to Yuma.
mirgtate workers

We almost got stuck without a place to land. After our previous stop in Quartzsite, five years ago, we moved to Yuma and stayed at Fortuna del Oro. We reserved a site there this year only to find at the very last minute, that they no longer honor Passport America. That drove the price above $40/night, which is way out of our price range. So we had to hold off leaving Q until we found a place to stay. We still got on the road by 9:00 a.m.

This is a nice enough park with paved streets, gravel sites, concrete patios, FHU/50amp sites, an activity center, laundry facilities, a pool, and a whole list of activities for the winter residents that spend several months here. We're just happy to find a place to stay for the next four nights.

Site #188
Villa Alameda RV Resort
 

Villa Alameda RV Resort

We are on the corner so only one street view.
Villa Alameda RV Resort

We're here to go to Los Algodones, Mexico, to visit the dentist for cleaning. Los Algodones is a destination for many in the area for inexpensive dentistry, optical, or prescription medicines. We are meeting several friends on Wednesday for our trip South of the Border.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!

Monday, January 26, 2015

FIVE DAYS IN THE DESERT

Monday, January 26 – We have been in Quartzsite, AZ, along with over 100,000 other RVers since last Thursday.

Q mt.

The RV Big Tent Show lasted until Sunday, January 25, but the swap meet tents will be up for many weeks.

The big tent is huge.
big tent

We are boondocking with the Escapee Class of 08-09/Classless Class group. This is the group we were with on our previous visit to Q back in 2010. The group has increased in size since they've opened the circle of RVers to anyone looking for fun!

Here is an aerial view of our group. We had 25 RVs with us.
aerial-view-of-where-we-are

We arrived on Thursday and immediately jumped into to swing of things by heading to the RV Big Tent Show. It was packed! That surprised us because we assumed things would be winding down since this is the last weekend for the show. We actually found something we wanted, rechargeable phone power banks, and Paul purchased some 5th wheel stabilizing bars. He'll let you know more about them once he begins the installation process.

Who has room for this in their rig?Big tent

Marsha can’t wait for Paul to install these.RV show

After a couple hours walking around the show we headed back to the boondocking group for a campfire and Mexican Night. We have a bulletin board that keeps everyone informed of what is going on with the group.

bullentin board

Three of the couples volunteered to serve Margaritas and quesadillas. They did a terrific job and everyone had a blast. It was fun getting to know more of the group and share RVing war stories with each other.

Margarita committee. Thanks for a great dinner and drinks.
DSCN2609

Marsha with some of her Margarita friends…Jeri, Nan and Sharon. That is John (Heyduke) photo bombing the gals.
lovely ladies

Friday, we headed back into town to stroll among the swap meet tents known as Tyson Wells.

Every RVer needs a mask or two…geesh!
masks

We again found a couple things we couldn't live without. We've been looking for a birdhouse made from an old cowboy boot and sure enough a guy was selling them in the swap meet area. We also joined fellow full-timers, Jan and Dave, for lunch. We met Jan and Dave several times over the years in various spots around the country. Another fun couple enjoying the full-timing lifestyle.

This is the cutest table…according to Marsha.
table

We had a wiener roast and Italian night. Both were excellent and thanks to the many who played host and hostess. We took time for the big "group picture” also.

group shot at Q

Each night we had a fabulous fire. It was so relaxing just sitting around talking about life and enjoying each other’s company.

fire

Campfires aren’t just for the night time. Jeri hosted the morning mimosa hour which started at 8:15. Looks like Jeri and Marsha were the only two that could brave the morning cold.

DSCN2633

No visit to Quartzsite would be complete without climbing Q mountain. It was a lovely day, perfect for a hike. It is a bit steep in some places. We climbed this same mountain 5 years ago…it’s grown higher since then! LOL

Q mt

We made it to the top!
RSCN2704

Marsha’s way of handling the steep downhill grade.
DSCN2691

Sunsets are gorgeous here in the desert.
sunset

sunset

Tomorrow we head to Yuma.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!