[VAC] 02/20/01 Tuesday - EEWCRC

["Terry Tyler" <tylerbears@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

"Exploring East & West of the Colorado River Caravan"

Hurray! Hurray! This is another sunny day in the southwest. 

After breakfast, our Leaders shepherded us to the Yuma Prison where a tour guide filled us in on the
35 year Yuma Prison history. She knew her stuff, was jovial and enthusiastic, told anecdotes about
dozens of inmates and unusual incidents that occurred. This was one tough prison with the hottest
weather imaginable.

On the way home, we stopped at Arby's for lunch. When ready to leave, the Van's starter objected
slightly but did start the engine. Not wanting to begin the caravan with a questionable starter, I
stopped at the Ford Dealer. Seeing he was too busy to help, I asked for a referral to a recently
opened garage whose owner was a young man and had just restored his truck/car. 

John's Auto Service on 22nd Street was recommended. John McCloud has been in business seven months
with a few friends. He diagnosed the problem, removed the old starter, installed the new one,
charged the standard NAPA parts cost, used the book rate for the job and I was out of there in less
than an hour. Not bad for being a first time customer, plus the starter came with a nationwide
warranty. Coincidentally, John had seen the Airstreams parked in the fairground on his way to work
with his father who works at the fairground. John gave me business calendars for distribution to our
group.

Back at Happy Hour, we learned about a device for receiving pages nationwide and sending email
wirelessly. The cost is similar to what we pay for pocketmail. I'm convinced it's a full time job
trying to stay current with new developments in this field. 

For supper, our Caravan Leaders and two other couples put together a simple meal (lasagna, salad,
bread sticks, cake). I think it was designed to show how easy it can be for two couples to prepare a
big meal and serve it to a dozen couples. Plans for tomorrow's day-long visit and lunch at a Mexican
restaurant in Algodones, Mexico were discussed. Discussion during the meal included how to bargain,
what to pay for specific items and how to have fun doing it.

When our Caravan Leaders offered their cell phone number for caravaners to contact them if a problem
occur while on the road, everyone shared their cell phone numbers with each other. We liked the idea
of having phone access readily available to each of us while traveling. This is the first caravan
where we've experienced this degree of communication capability.

After supper, we learned to play a table game called "Joker." Sandie picked up the strategy quickly
and with her female partner, they trounced the two guys. It's been a great day.

Terry
mailto:tylerbears@airstream.net