The Beginning of the 2017 Excellent Adventure

First of all, a big shout-out to Cathy Croxton and Joe Myers for getting my 2017 blog up and running.  Although they make their living by doing this sort of thing, I keep reminding Cathy this is a non-paying job, but she certainly gives me first-rate service.  So, thank you Cathy and Joe



We have finally begun our trip, but it has been a slow start. Our slow start is due to some health issues of Collins' and he can't get into the doctor until 6/7. So we are dragging our feet, or wheels, in the hopes that they can catch up with us next week. We've sort of been in this slow-down mode for a couple of weeks, finding different jobs to keep us occupied I guess -- we don't want to get too far ahead of them.

Mazie started us on a mission of CB antennas because the antenna they had was magnetic and would not stay on the fiberglass roof of their RV.  Mazie was researching CBs on the internet, then called Joe, who started his own research project.  He located a CB dealer (which Mazie had also found) just 4 miles from our house, so we went over and talked to him. We got our new antenna first, on Tuesday, 5/23, since we of course had to check it out before we could recommend it to our friends. Collins and Marilyn came down on Friday, 5/26, for a couple of days, with the main purpose of getting a new CB antenna for their RV. Unfortunately, they also had to replace their CB, so it became an expensive trip.  But that mission was accomplished and they left on Sunday. Dave and Mazie Johnson arrived at our house on Tuesday, 5/30, also to get a new CB antenna. So if we ever get on the road, we should be able to communicate.

Having gotten the CBs taken care of, we (the Johnsons and the Froeschkes) left on Thursday, June 1. But we only went 141 miles, to the Brundiges in Chino Valley. We have been here 2 days and will probably leave Sunday, although the hospitality here is hard to beat.  And in the meantime, we are helping Marilyn reduce the contents of her refrigerator and freezer!

But this is an excellent campground.  Plenty of room, with electric (although Joe and I are only on 20 amp, Dave got the heavy-duty plug-in). Collins' RV is still in the back, not packed yet.

Not only is this a full-service campground, it's also a bed and breakfast (and lunch and dinner).  And we have certainly made ourselves at-home.

So we spend our days just messing around, reading a little, playing cards (teaching Hand and Foot to the Johnsons).  Marilyn and I went to some garage sales on Friday while Collins gave Mazie some lessons on using a scroll saw (she just bought one, after their recent visit up here to the Brundiges).

Today (Saturday), Joe worked on our RV again -- still having trouble with our step.  Mazie got Lesson #2.  Looks like we should be ready to move on tomorrow.

Our plan is to head north to Grand Canyon Caverns, near Peach Springs, AZ for a tour. Then along historic Route 66 to Seligman and Kingman. Not sure of our route from Kingman, and we are hoping the Brundiges get good news at the doctor on Wednesday and will be able to head out to meet up with us, probably in Reno. This has been a tough year to get on the road, so many variables it was hard to know when to load, when to leave, and when the 6 Rusketeers will be able to regroup.  Hopefully, better days are ahead. Oregon and Washington -- here we come.