Boomers

Terry and I spent the last two weeks of January boondocking in the desert near Quartzsite, AZ with more than 147 RV’s, which belonged to the Boomer BOF of Escapees Club.

Boomers like to eat and have fun so the activities centered on those themes. We not only had Happy Hours with snacks, a pot luck dinner, a chili lunch, two wiener roasts, a wine and cheese tasting, pancakes in the morning fixed by Gretchen 2 but we even had pizza fixed in a clay oven and food fixed in Dutch ovens.

Evenings were spent by the fire circle with one night of singing and dancing to 50’s and 60’s songs. A traditional “Geraldine” contest was held.

Meetings were held on techy subjects such as solar power and boondocking. Women held special meetings on women’s issues. The writers had two meetings where we learned more about each other and practiced writing. Crafts, especially beading, was done by several women.

The weather was beautiful with glorious sunsets and even a rainbow after the one dust-settling shower.

Celia’s Rainbow Garden

Terry and I went to Celia’s garden with our friends, Rollie and Sharon Vander Zyl but we didn’t bring a camera. (The picture of Terry and I was taken by Sharon.) I returned with another friend, Janet M. who took the picture of me. I also took a picture of Janet sitting on one of the benches.

Celia Winer was a miracle baby since she was only one and a half pounds when she was born twenty-five years ago. When she was five years old, her parents, Paul and Joanne Winer decided to settle down in Quartzsite, AZ. Celia became ill when she was eight years old and died soon afterwards.

A memorial was built behind the city park, which became Celia’s Rainbow Garden. Many other folks have also built memorials to their loved ones. The peaceful garden is planted with every kind of cacti and desert tree and bush along it’s rocky paths. A group of Saguaro Cacti stand as sentinels in a Stonehenge-like formation. You are encouraged to sit a spell and contemplate the beauty of the garden.

Author’s Fair in Quartzsite

For fourteen days, I have been selling my books, RV Chuckles and Chuckholes- The Confessions of Happy Campers and More RV Chuckles and Chuckholes- More Confessions of Happy Campers at the Author’s Fair held at the Readers Oasis Books in Quartzsite, Arizona. (I took Sundays off.)

I wore a different hat each day to prevent sun damage to my hair and so I didn’t have to be concerned with “bad hair days”. I was wearing a colonial bonnet with ostrich feathers on the day that I called Bob Hamilton about an interview. He said to come at 3PM so I did- pink/purple hat and all. I thought it was a radio interview and who looks at you on the radio? Guess what? It is a video interview! You can view this interview on the front page of http://rvdream.com/orhttp://nrs.blogtronix.net/rvdreamradio

Lynn Benjamin, editor of Penwheels, sold her book; Jacob’s Tails. . .(Back-to-the-Land) but I didn’t get a picture of her. There was a picture of Lynn and me along with four other authors in the “Desert Messenger”, which was captioned “note-the authors wear clothes.” That is because the owner of Reader’s Oasis, Paul Winer, doesn’t wear clothes.

This picture is of Paul talking to authors (L to R) Debbie Hilbish, who wrote a poetry book called Bits and Pieces; Frever Fields, who wrote children’s books called Frumpy Mc Doogle and the Boy who made a Poem and Frumpy Mc Doogle and the Legend of the Ruby Toad and Joe Gerard who wrote WWII stories called Flight from Tokura and Out of Focus. My friends, Alice Zyetz and Jaimie Hall Bruznak, also sold their books; Support Your RV Lifestyle, RV Traveling Tales and You Shoulda Listened to Your Mother at the Reader’s Oasis.

I not only sold books but also had fun talking to the other authors. Frever quoted poems, Debbie read poetry, Joe told yarns and I told stories, which made everyone laugh.

Opal's 80th Birthday

We were invited to the 80th Birthday that Mark Allen gave for his grandmother, Opal, who had a Birthday on Jan. 1 and his mother, Cheri, who had a birthday on Jan. 5. The cake said that his grandmother is 80 years old but it didn’t say how old his mother is. Smart Man!

Opal and her husband are good friends of ours that we meet every year at Emerald Cove. I wrote about them in my book, “More RV Chuckles and Chuckholes-More Confessions of Happy Campers.” Opal will tell you to go to page 100 and read about meeting Frank and their life together.

DON’T TRAVEL LIKE THIS!!!!

We have been recovering from the stress of the last two weeks of 2008. Not only did we have the stress of the loss of Terry’s brother during the holiday season, but also we traveled 3773 miles in eight days with the most severe weather we have en-countered in two weeks time. There was snow, ice, hail, sleet, fog, wind, and tornados.

We didn’t take many pictures of our trip but one photo was taken of the home where Terry, Bill and Dennis grew up near Sugar Grove, IL. The other photo was taken in AZ. (We drove the new highways near the old Route 66 from CA to the Chicago area of IL.)

Why didn’t we fly? When we left our RV in storage and started the trip in our car, Dennis was still alive. We didn’t know how long we would stay in IL. The airport was closed and many holiday flights were cancelled to IL.

In the Litchfield, IL area, we traveled over ice at 10 mph in 4-w drive with about thirty vehicles in the ditches and ambulances coming and going. We kept moving because Dennis Miller’s funeral was for the next morning.

East of Tulsa, OK, the sky was so white we could hardly see so we stopped awhile. Then the sky turned black. We turned on the radio and heard that four tornados were spotted in the area. We stopped at McDonalds since it was safer in a building than in the car. The manager turned a large TV to the weather station and asked each customer what direction they were headed so she could tell them when it was safe to go.

Near Albuquerque, NM, we were still encountering winds with gusts of 60 to 70 mph that we had experienced all through OK. A van with luggage strapped on the top speeded past us. We saw the medical helicopter before we saw the van turned on its side. Interstate 40 was closed for half an hour both East and West while medics evacuated seven people.

Thanks for your prayers for our safety. After we arrived home to our RV, we were stressed out! We needed to sleep in our own bed, eat regular meals with vegetables, and get hugs from our friends. My friend, Karen gave me a massage. My friend Wendy emailed me that she walked past an RV that looked like ours and wondered where we were. (We were parked two rows from her.) She listened to me and went to the hot tub with me.

Then I had a severe migraine headache and needed to sleep it off.

Now we are planning for our trip to Newfoundland in 2009 but we will stop when the weather is bad.

Dennis K. Miller

December 25 was not Christmas for us. It was the day after we buried Terry's brother. We got the phone call on Sunday morning, December 21, that Terry's brother Dennis was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Aurora, IL with a heart attack. Since he wasn't expected to live, we tried to find the best way to get to IL. The planes were grounded at O Hara airport so we put the RV in storage and drove the four- wheel- drive car.

Dennis K. Miller died on Sunday evening, December 21, 2008. He was born October 23, 1946 to William Charles and Flossie R. Miller and lived near Sugar Grove, IL with his parents and brothers, Terry and Bill until he joined the Navy. Darla Jo Miller and Dennis Keith Miller, Jr. were born while their father was in Vietnam.

Dennis worked as a deputy sheriff in Fallon, NV before returning to IL. His daughter, Stacy Miller was born in IL.

Twenty-two years ago, Dennis met Dorothy Benson and became a part of her family, which included her grown children, Greg (Tammy) Benson, Larry (Cathy) Benson and Tanda (Eric) Gevleve. Survivors also include his daughter, Stacy (Benjamin) Maffit and grandchildren, Dezirae and Reese Mafitt.

In October of 1996, Dennis had a cerebral hemorrhage, which resulted in paralysis to his right side. In spite of his handicaps, Dennis loved to travel in his scooter as he went out to dinner or shopping. He went to the County Fair, “walks” around the park, and several lakes, the zoo, and to the Covered Bridge festival with us. He delighted in moving faster in his scooter than his brothers Bill and Terry could while walking. Bill, (William Charles), who lives in the Dominican Republic, joined us for two summers and for several holiday celebrations when we visited Dennis and Dorothy. Dennis loved to hear his granddaughter, Dezirae, age 15, sing and watch her play volleyball. When we visited Dennis, Reese, age 6, came to show grandpa his Halloween costume.

Dennis held the Vietnam Service Medal (with three bronze stars) and the Vietnam Campaign medal. He was buried on December 24, 2008 in the Abraham Lincoln National cemetery with military honors.


Pictured are my husband, Terry, myself, Dennis and Dorothy. I will miss Dennis. He had a special name for me. He called me “sis”.


We arrived safely home to our RV on December 28th safely in spite of ice, snow, fog, hail, sleet, wind, and a tornado.

We plan to stay in this campground for two weeks and then go to Quartzsite, AZ.

Visit with Jerry and Suzy

Jerry and Suzy write a blog that I always read. One blog intrigued me so much that I asked for permission to include it in my 2008 book called More RV Chuckles and Chuckholes – More Confessions of Happy Campers. They graciously gave their permission. We met again at the Gypsy Journal Rally last February.

Since we were in Benson, AZ last week, we notified Jerry and Suzy that we were coming to the area and were invited to visit them. They have made a charming “casita” or family room out of their storage area at the Escapees Campground. It has space that we envy for their two tower computers, desk, three file cabinets, a new TV and four comfortable chairs. The casita is decorated with a four-foot Christmas tree and banner of the Three Wiseman. I asked Jerry and Suzy for a picture of them but they sent a picture of us.

Later we went out to dinner with them at the Apple Farm. RV friends have so much in common that four hours passed before we knew it. Hope to see Jerry and Suzy as our paths cross again on the road and at Escapee functions. Meantime, we will read each other’s blogs. Thanks for a great visit!

Western Christmas

On our way to Arizona and the border of California, we traveled 230 to 519 miles a day, camped before dark, disconnected our towed car and drove into towns to see the lights. These pictures of lights are from Fredericksburg and Fort Stockton in Texas.

In Arizona, we drove our car into Tombstone for a Cowboy Christmas. Stagecoaches offered rides through town past the O.K. Corral, the Birdcage Theatre and the 1882 Courthouse. Terry and I ate onion rings in Big nose Kate’s Saloon while listening to live cowboy music. The Boot Hill graves, covered with stones, are behind a fence made of cacti.

Christmas in Houston

Our children, Robert and Raymond, flew with their families to Houston to meet with us for an early Christmas celebration. Shirlee, Christine and Sharon graciously allowed us to spend two nights at their home so we could avoid the three hours of travel time per day to and from our campground.

Seven-month-old Sara has changed since we saw her at one month of age. Laura, who turned four this week, became reacquainted with all of us. When she forgot our names she described us. She called Teresita “the aunt with the black hair.”

We also visited with Jamie and Juan and their baby Jay Jay. He had his first birthday last week and is doing especially well since he was only three pounds and eleven ounces at birth.

In Houston, we enjoyed the decorations, food, and gifts, but most of all spending time with family.

Our Christmas Tree

Although we will be saying hello to our parents in Mesa, AZ and our friends in Emerald Cove Campground on the CA side of the Colorado River, and will stay with our Boomer friends in Quartzsite, AZ.; it is hard to say good-bye to friends we have known for nine years here in Texas. My plans include singing in the choir at the Emerald Cove Campground at Christmas and selling my book at the Readers Oasis Book Store in Quartzsite during the last two weeks of January.


We found our little two-foot Christmas tree in the basement storage of our RV but couldn’t find the little ornaments. I got these pewter Longaberger baskets this summer from my friend, Michele who lives near Eagle River, Alaska and felt that the little Longaberger basket that holds my books on my bed-stand, belonged under the tree. My granddaughter, Amanda, gave the Precious Moments snowman and girl to me after our trip to their headquarters in Carthage, Missouri. I bought a string of lights, a package of teardrop ornaments, and a star. The star reminds us of the star of Bethlehem and the reason for the Christmas season-the birth of the Christ child. May you have a blessed holiday season with friends and family.

Crescent Moon, Jupiter and Venus

I saw an amazing sight when I walked to the clubhouse on Monday evening, December 1. Just below the crescent moon were two bright stars. I later learned that they were the planets Jupiter and Venus. I called to Terry to look at the sky and take pictures. Then I called friends and relatives to suggest they look in the western sky. Some things in nature can’t be captured well in photos. As my friend Joan wrote, “The moon and stars were awesome! “ Hope you saw it too.

We have been very busy with friends at Castaways RV Park. Lil, our activity director, keeps us very busy. Not only do I go to the American Legion to play Bingo but play Sticks, Garbage Bingo, or Crazy Rook in the evening at the clubhouse. Irene and Dick drove us to “Yo Mama’s” for barbeque and then to the Texas Opry Jamboree. I joined a group of ladies who wore red hats and went to lunch at Sam’s Boat. We went to Vernon’s Catfish for dinner and we had a wonderful Thanksgiving meal in the clubhouse. Teta prepared the two turkeys and ham that were furnished by the owners of our campground. We had “all the fixins” since everyone prepared a dish to bring.

Our Thanksgiving service was also held in the clubhouse with our resident pastor, Oliver. I led the singing and sang a solo on a song written thousands of years ago by David in the 103rd Psalm.

Hope your Thanksgiving was just as happy as ours was.

Clear Lake and Galveston Area of Texas

Our daughter, Joy, showed us the area around Clear Lake and Galveston that received massive damage during Hurricane Ike in September. RV’s are parked in Sea Brook as temporary homes for many of the residents who were flooded from the thirteen-foot high waves during the storm surge. The house that Joy lives in only had windows broken, fence damage and pool equipment broken when a neighbor’s tree fell on the property. Homes on the beach weren’t so fortunate. The Dairy Queen even had a sail boat float to the front of the building.

Although the historical buildings along the Strand are still standing, they are without electric power two months after the disaster. We saw generators and huge temporary sewers used by workers who are cleaning up the flooded area. The traffic lights are not working but there wasn’t traffic since the shops are closed. Further inland, you see windows that are boarded up and tarps on some roofs but most people are living life much as before the hurricane.

We boarded the free ferryboat to Crystal Beach, where there wasn’t much left. We saw boats in trees, piles of debris, and areas where houses used to be. These pictures show some of the devastation.

On a happier note, the fifteen-minute ferry ride was delightful. Terry, Joy and I loved watching the porpoises dance in syncopation and convort in the waves. Unfortunately they moved so fast that it was difficult to photograph them. The gray pelican was more accommodating. I was amazed at their wingspan.

In Kemah, some of the restaurants are beginning to open. We had a delicious meal at the Salt Grass restaurant before returning to the campground on Lake Conroe.

Terry's Birthday

Terry was so surprised when he saw the desert for the Brunch in the Castaway’s RV Clubhouse – a chocolate Birthday cake topped with a yellow ducky wearing a Texas cowboy hat. He made a comment years ago that he never had a yellow ducky so I bought him one. Since storage in an RV is at a premium, it was placed in a closet and then given to a grandchild.

Terry asked about it again this year so I bought him a new rubber ducky when we were at Wall Drug Store in South Dakota and waited to give it to him as a topping for his cake. I said that it is a reminder for Terry to have fun this year. Hope you have fun too.

To see a photo more clearly, double click on the photo.