Phoenix Sun, Heat, Sunsets & More Friends!

CAVE CREEK, ARIZONA

Since our last post we have been staying pretty busy!
We haven't even had time to get the toppers on our slide outs replaced. That may have to wait until the next time we come down here in the fall.

We really enjoyed our time in Cave Creek (north side of Scottsdale). Here are a few more pictures of that area.

The spring desert is beginning to bloom!
Grasses, plants & flowers are coming to life!

It won't last long, the hot summer is coming!

Most of our days are in the mid to high 80's F.

We also headed out to a li'l place that is an old mining town.
Its called Jerome. 

I'm not sure my description can do it justice. It reminded us of Italy as the town is built into the side of a mountain. 

The mine is no longer operational but many people still reside here. The shops have transformed from the usual small town businesses (and at least one Brothel) to little shops and restaurants. Lots of souvenirs and copper trinkets to be had here! 

A Town that time forgot?
This is the actual US Post Office sign.
She's a tad in need of a face lift!

A few Law Men have been killed here over the years.

This was an old Brothel.
Read the notes.

The Ladies who worked at the Brothel.

As you come up the mountain road you can see the town.

Amazing they engineered & built this place so long ago.
Right into the side of the mountain.

Times were good a long, long time ago.

The "Hood"

Some interesting old vehicles left behind too

Lots of views from up here at over 5000 feet

Walking the narrow little streets

I ran into a old friend here from the early 1980's. Back when I worked in Vancouver.
It is a small world!

The Mine - Mostly Copper it seems.

Its a big hole!

Had a great lunch here at the Haunted Hamburger.

We survived it too! 

I NEED WATER, COOL WATER!
The other day we wanted to see what Lake Pleasant was like. Wow this was really nice! An oasis right in the middle of a very hot desert!

Marina, restaurant & boat sales
What more could you want!

We tried to get lunch here but it was packed with a line up.

I wanted to rent a boat too!

Lots of camping around this lake.
I would recommend that you go to the State Park side.

APACHE JUNCTION
One day we were out doing errands and ended up over in Mesa and Apache Junction. One of my favorite chicken wing places on earth is here in A.J.!
So off we went to Filly's for a feed of breaded wings.
Sometimes the service is a little slow, they get really busy. But the quality of their wings makes up for it!

Filly's Roadhouse, Apache Junction
Have the "Breaded Wings!"

Cow Pokes really do ride in here for a meal!
They have live bands & dancing too.

If ya can't bring your horse, then bring your
favourite tractor!
An elderly couple drove these here for dinner!

All at the base of the beautiful Superstition Mountains!

BOUNDER GETS A TREAT!

For quite some time now we have been discussing replacing the old TVs (2) in the motor home with some new technology. So yesterday (March 11th) we moved over to Apache Junction and checked in at our usual resort there called Golden Sun.

Today (March 12, 2014) I got at it!
I started the chore of replacing the front TV. The old one weighs at least 75 lbs! It works very well and has a great picture. But... Barb was always scared that one day we would hit a bump going down the road and the TV would come bouncing out of its cubby above the dashboard. She was sure it would kill us both and make a mess of the motor home as well. 

The old Panasonic Boat Anchor was given notice to move out!

So, after three years of much thought and putting it off we decided now was the time.

The Master Carpenter at work...

As most of you know, I am no finishing carpenter and things like that scare me. I can stud walls, build basements & garages but fine detailed wood work is not one of my skills. Really it doesn't even excite me to attempt it, but I had run out of excuses.

After removing the old TV and pulling a muscle. It was time to take the cabinet apart. I sat and thought... How to make this work. We got a new TV (Sharp, 32",LED, 1080p) and a multi directional mounting bracket.

After a lot of thought the design began to take shape. Some wood found here and there, a few things borrowed from a few friends and we were well on our way.

I won't bore you with all the details but it went pretty good. I even got the job done. I just know our motor home will get much better gas mileage after getting rid of that old boat anchor of a TV!

My next phase of this upgrade is to install an "Inverter" so the TV and related equipment will run off the "House Batteries" (2 X 6 Volt, Golf Cart Batteries). This way we will not have to run the Generator when we are dry camping or "Boon-docking" somewhere without "Shore Power" (a plug in). It will save us a lot of money in generator fuel.

So you may be saying where is the finished photo of the new TV?
I'm not done yet but when I am I will try to remember to post it for you. We love it!!

OUR PHOENIX FRIENDS
For the last two winters we have come to this same resort and have friends here as well. It was great to get together and see them and share some laughs and a few meals.

Bonnie & Rob are from BC and we met them last year. Unfortunately Rob was ill but Bonnie was able to join us.

Ruth & Don live full time in their huge motor home. Their summer home is up in Whitehorse, Yukon. Their winters are right here. They have travelled extensively over the years and know most everything to know about living in your rig. We have become great friends over the years so it was great to see them as we almost missed each other this year. They just got back from a winter down in Mexico with their rig!

L to R: Ruth and Bonnie.

Barb and Donny!

Ruth, Bonnie and Barb - Happy Hour Daily at 330pm!

Cheeko!
Ruth & Donny's dog. Born in Mexico on a beach. Now their Happy RV Companion!

Well that's all the news up to March 12th.
We expect to be heading west either tomorrow or the day after. (13th/14th).

I think I know where we might go next? One really never really knows for sure with us. As you may have noticed, often we only plan 15 minutes in advance. That's all part of the adventure of "Bounding the Borders!"