[VAC] Off list but on line - Rockies Rally

["Terry Tyler" <tylerbears@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi All,

We're unsubscribing from the two A/S lists during February and much of March while attending the
WBCCI Hobo Rally in Blythe, CA (starts 5 February), then the WBCCI caravan "Exploring East & West of
the Colorado River 2001" (3 weeks), plus visiting California relatives and later, returning to
Colorado Springs for more playtime with #1 grand daughter.  

So far this Winter, our travels have been mostly in Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico and
Colorado. We've parked on BLM land in Arizona and California, at campgrounds with hot mineral
springs (we like them a lot), at the Slabs in Niland (too crowded for us), at an Airstreamer's home
(delightful courtesy parking experience) and at other unusual places.

Because silver and turquoise are abundant in the Southwest, we searched for a Silversmith to custom
make a set of ear rings from stones we bought at an opal mine in Mexico. We found one in Deming, NM
and while we looked on, he made them to our design and showed us what he was doing every step of the
way. During subsequent visits, next year's Christmas shopping got off to an early start. 

This month, we're parked on 1/2 of a house lot in Foothills area of Yuma where thousands of other
RVers are doing the exact same thing. The monthly rate for an RVer on a half lot with water,
electric (8 cents a kilowatt), sewer and telephone hookup ranges from $100 to $200. As an aside,
yesterday we learned of lot owners who want us to stay on their lot for free, if we will agree to
look after their lot while they're away. Our cost would only be for electricity. Opportunity knocks
again.      

Because Yuma is so close to Mexico, we've made several trips to Algodones, where we've bought new
eye glasses, had dental work done and shopped for bargains. The number of RVers walking across the
border every day is literally in the thousands. Sandie's electric rascal is a familiar sight in the
village. Many vendors recognize us, greet us enthusiastically and show us variations of what we
bought during our last visit. We enjoy the friendly chit chat. It's fun for us.

We've even played the slot machines at the Quechan Indian Tribe Casino. Everyone who parks on Indian
Tribe land at the border of Algodones, Mexico gets a parking coupon worth $2 in nickels to play in
the slot machines when they come back across the border into California (10 miles from Yuma). The
only way to win is to pocket the roll of nickels and walk out of the casino. We don't do that.
Instead, we play the nickel slots, leave the $2 there and chalk it up to recreation.  

Some list members have asked if we ever use regular commercial campgrounds and RV parks. Yes, about
half the time. But, all of them are part of our "membership system" subscription where full hookup
RV sites cost either $5/6 per night or 1/2 the regular rate. By subscribing to various membership
systems during the last 11 years, our per night costs continue to be exceptionally economical. 

The AT&T cell phone with 450 minutes a month (no long distance charge and no roaming fee) is one of
our most desirable and useful pieces of equipment. It's great for keeping in touch with our son and
DIL, our daughter and my mother without feeling like we're running up a big phone bill. It's also
helpful for calling a service truck when our van decides it needs a little specialized attention
while on the Interstate.<grin>

Although we'll be off list for a month or so, we'll still be on line for email. After details of the
VAC Rockies Rally firm up, let us know and we'll start publicizing it in the Blue Beret. There are
three columns remaining before our tenure with the magazine is completed this year.   

Later,

Terry
mailto:tylerbears@airstream.net