Mittry Lake, AZ

Here we are at Mittry Lake.  I've never been here before, but some friends are already camped here, so Jeanne and I caravaned down to Mittry.  Right now we have Jeanne, Kim, Suzanne, Debbie, Gayle and Jim, Chris, Jimbo, Charlie and Marti and me.  And of course, our various dogs and cats.  CB was here, but left a couple of days ago.  So it's quite a group!

It's much prettier and nicer here than I thought it would be.  There are lots of good places to park right by the water.  I planned to stay for a few days, but it's so nice I'm going to stay longer.

The picture below is the view out my front windshield - can you see the Great Blue Heron on the hill - he's looking left.  From the center of the photo, he's about at 10:00.

Here he is up closer:

Below is right outside the windshield - we are really close to the water and have a great view of the water birds.

This afternoon I got more photos of the heron - right in the water ahead of us.  He ducked in a couple of times and got his outer feathers wet.

This structure is behind The Palms - the water winds around land areas, and right here it comes through the hill, I guess, to the canal alongside us.  It looks like something that was built a long time ago.

This was my view in my first site, the main lake, then I moved to the other side of the parking area, where I was closer to the water in a canal.  The lake view was nice, but I like my present site better, mostly because the water is much closer. 

This is the path to the main lake area where the dumpsters are.  When it's hot, and it's been hot every afternoon, we always take this way back to get a little shade.

This photo below is the main part of the lake - with the mountains in the distance, the palm trees and the other trees, bushes and reeds, it's just beautiful. 

Not a great photo in this light, but this Snowy Egret was perched on a rock by the lake.  I love these guys with their big yellow feet:

This beautiful Great Egret was hanging out in one of the canals along the road going toward Mittry Lake.  They are so regal looking.  There were two American Coots there with him.  

One of the hummers at Jim and Gayle's hummingbird feeder:

Hummingbird shadow at the feeder through my curtain in the afternoon:

My friends said a vulture comes and roosts every night in one of the trees near me.  Here he is our first evening as the sun was setting.

There are two birds in the water in front of The Palms every day fishing for food - a male and a female Lesser Scaup.  This is a new bird sighting for me.  Here is the male:

There is good Internet through my Verizon hotspot and good TV channels.  Jeanne has no AT&T phone service, and my Verizon phone calls haven't been great unless I put the phone in the Wilson Sleek.  Then the calls will go through and hold until I hang up.

Mittry Lake is a very pleasant surprise, and I'm sure I'll be coming back again.

From me and Katie, have a great Saturday, everyone!  :)

Review of the STONE WAVE Microwave Cooker

I read about this item in Karen's post on RVing: The USA is our BIG Backyard.  It was for sale on a TV infomercial for $19.99 plus $8 shipping, but at the Dollar Tree, they are $1 each.   You can read Karen's review on her blog, and see what she cooked for their first meal with the Stone Wave Microwave Cooker.

So when Kim left for Joshua Tree, she said she'd stop at the Dollar Tree in Blythe and see if they had them, and would pick one up for me.  Kim drove into our camping area last Wednesday morning, and she got me one!

It's a great deal at one dollar, and even comes with a little cookbook.  I tried it out that night, first baking the onion, then following that up with their suggestion of using some of that onion to make French Onion Soup. 

Stone Wave Microwave Cooker and little recipe book

This is the front of the box.

Onion in broth after being cooked - I started to break it apart and removed it from the crock.

Just a little broth left.

I put the onion on a plate on my cutting board and sliced it into small pieces.

I followed the recipe for French Onion Soup - added more broth and onion pieces.

Sprinkled grated Parmesan Cheese on top.

Next put some salad croutons on top.

Laid cheese on top - I had Monterey Jack so that's what I used.

Heated in the microwave with the top on per the instructions.

Done!  Super hot!

First bite with some broth, croutons, unions and cheese,  YUM!

I think this French Onion Soup was about as good as any I've had.  One thing I did, though, that probably added a bit more flavor, was this:  I had a roasted chicken that I bought at Smart & Final - it was plump and juicy and there were juices on the bottom of the container.  I put those in the crock for the initial baking of the onion, and that's what was left in that "little broth left" photo.  Then I added beef broth that I bought when I continued on to make the soup.  I think the roasted chicken juices probably made it more tasty, but instead I could have sprinkled a little bit of spice here and there and probably had the same result. 

From me and Katie, have a great Thursday, everybody!  :)

Onward to Ehrenberg BLM land, a frustrating $$$ day, and a RANT

On Tuesday Jeanne and I left Quartzsite and headed west to Ehrenberg.  Our friend, John, is here and we wanted to spend a few days visiting with him.  The weather has been great, warm and no wind, since we've been here.  We're leaving tomorrow, heading to the Yuma area to visit with more friends.

Thursday I had a couple of appointments in Blythe, CA - about 12 miles from where we're camped.  Neither turned out very well:

Social Security Office/Discover Card Issue

1.  First I was off to the Social Security office.  I had an appointment and they saw me right on time.  When the woman asked if she could help me, I told her  "Well, according to Discover Card, you are the only person in the whole world who can help me. "   She laughed.

What is happening is this - since Social Security declared me deceased last August, things have been good.  My banks, credit cards, etc. have all resurrected me, and Bank of America even opened a checking account for me, as well as giving me a debit card and a credit card.  This was when no one else would talk to me because I was dead.  B of A was great.  Of course, I was there, in person, with all my IDs, etc., so they took a chance and believed me.

Anyway, the only credit card I have that wouldn't remove the "Deceased" notation on my account is Discover Card.

I've talked to them twice and they INSIST that they need a letter from Social Security stating "THEY made an ERROR,"  no letter = no removal of that notation.  Period!  I told them I had spoken to the SS four times on the phone, because other businesses also wanted something like that, and I was told they DON'T do that.  So the other businesses accepted a notarized statement that I was alive (Proof of Life), a current Social Security Award letter showing what I receive each month (you can print out a current one with the current date from their website).  I scanned and photo copied and faxed current bank statements showing my Social Security automatic deposits, etc.  LOTS OF PROOF.  Discover card also got all the proof, but they won't accept it.  ONLY A LETTER FROM SS ADMITTING THEY MADE AN ERROR WILL WORK FOR THEM.

So I'm sitting there in the SS office, and start telling the woman my tale, and she interrupts me, "We don't do that."   Don't do what?  "We don't send letters to ANYONE except our clients when we need to inform them of a change in their Social Security Award." 

I told her that I'd talked to various people at SS on the phone and that's what they said, but they suggested that maybe I could get a letter in an actual physical SS office.  Maybe the offices have the letter that is needed.  That's why I was there.

Then I told her that three different people at Discover told me I needed that letter from SS.  I told all of them that SS doesn't send that letter.  They INSISTED they have many, many letters in their files from SS stating they made the error.  One was the first person I talked to, Carlos, the next was his supervisor, Zenda.  I faxed the docs to Zenda, who promised to contact me when she received them.  When I didn't hear from her, I called back two weeks later and talked to Jerry.  (I have names, dates and time of day for my calls.)  He found my documents, proving that Zenda DID receive them, but DIDN'T call to let me know.  Jerry confirmed that I need that letter from SS.  Totally frustrating.

My lady at SS looked me in the eye and calmly said, "They are lying to you."   She said they can't have the letters they are talking about in their files, because this IS no letter like that sent out.  TO ANYONE.  She wouldn't even give ME a letter that said what Discover Card wants.  She told me to call Discover back and keep asking for supervisors until I go up far enough to get one that will remove the notation of my death.  Then she did print out a copy of the letter stating what my benefit will be for January 2015, direct deposited into my checking account in February.  She said that's the only letter she can give ME. 

So....

I'm going to call Discover Card on Monday and tell them again what I need them to do.  I'll write, call and e-mail everyone important in the company up to the President/CEO/Board of Directions if I have to.  And CC the governmental agencies that regulate them.  And I'll CC AARP, too!  After all, they are denying a senior citizen her credit record!

The reason this is an issue for me isn't that I want my Discover Card.  I NEVER used it, and once I was deceased, they immediately closed it.  But that Deceased Notation on my account with them is preventing the credit reporting agencies from showing that I have any credit.  Even though other credit cards have removed the Death Notation.  If I try to log into one of the Credit Bureaus' websites to purchase my credit score or look at my credit bureau account in the "one-free-per-year-per-agency" deal, either there is nothing there and no option to press, or it shows no accounts.  Absolutely no credit account for my entire life.  And until Discover Card cooperates, I have no credit.  If I need to purchase something like a car or a park model, or, say, rent an apartment and they want to run my credit to make sure I'm a good credit risk, I won't have a report.  And that's a really crappy thing for Discover Card to do to me.

I'm putting all this down so that when I call Discover Card on Monday I'll have my post in front of me to fact check as I'm talking to them.  I'll let you know what happens. Fingers crossed. :)  

New Tires

2.  Next, down the road to Standach Tire and Auto - a Goodyear shop - to have my annual tire rotation, balancing, pressure check, and have the front end aligned.

Last year it cost me $89, and that's what I was expecting this year.  Turns out my inner left rear tire was separating inside and had a bubble.

It was recommended that I purchase two new tires.  He said if they put a new tire next to a 4 year old tire with it's wear, it would affect the new tire.  I agreed to the two new tires, and they put them on the front, and put the two front tires on the left rear.  Thank goodness I had that appointment before the tire blew!  I'll be going through the mountains on the way to San Diego for Easter, and that could have been a real problem on those roads.

I checked to make sure they were giving me the same size tire and checked the dates they were made.  They were the same size, and both dates showed they were made the week of November 10, 2014.  I didn't know what else to check, so...  I guess everything's okay.

I kept the other rear tire and when I go to San Diego for Easter, my son is going to take me to his tire guy where he gets a really good deal (he has a fleet of trucks - around 50, I think) and will get me a better deal on the cost of four more new tires.  And I want his guy to see if my current spare, which is 10-years old but in perfect condition, or the tire just removed from the left rear, is a better spare.

They checked my spare at Standich and said it looked perfect.  No cracking, no anything that they look for to show the tire isn't good.  They said because it was covered and on the rear of the RV rather than stored underneath where it would get lots of dust and dirt, etc, it probably would be good longer.  I don't know, though.  I've heard different stories about 6-7 years MAX, but then I've also heard it depends on the actual tire.  So I want another tire guy to give me his opinion.

$520.88 later, I was heading back to camp.  What a frustrating, expensive day!

Hawk

But I did get this great photo of a hawk with his dinner up in a tree.  After leaving the SS office I was driving along a side street when I saw him fly up into the tree.  I stopped to get a picture, not realizing he had the bird in his talons.  I took a bunch of photos, he was turning his head back and forth, wanting me to leave, and checking his exit options.  When I got out of the truck he took off.  But I did get one good clear hawk face:

For My Lazy Daze Friends

I was driving along headed toward Blythe, slowing down for the entrance to California, this older model Lazy Daze was in the next lane.  It was a short motor home. like mine.  It looked to be in very good shape - those LazyDazers take good care of their rigs:

I haven't been doing much here in Ehrenberg, AZ - just hanging out taking an occasional walk with Jeanne and Riley.  They have take some long walks with John, but my heel was bothering me last time I walked a distance.  Today the three of use went to Wal-Mart in Parker and I bought a pair of their good shoe inserts to see if that would help.  I've taken two walks longer than my usual 20 minute ones, and both times I had heel issues.  It went away in a day or so, but still.  Hopefully these things will make the difference.   

Sunsets and Full Moon

I wanted to show you our gorgeous sunsets Tuesday and Wednesday, and the full moon rising on Wednesday evening.  None of these photos have been touched up.

Sunset Tuesday evening:

Then Wednesday evening as the sun was going down, the eastern mountains were beautiful with the glowing colors and the shadows:

The sunset was so brilliant, it was hard to get a picture of it:

A bit later I took Katie out to go potty and saw the moon just peeking over the mountains that were now dark:

I always miss the moon when it first starts coming up, but Wednesday I got to see it from the glow on the mountain top, to the edge of the moon coming up, then almost all the way...

 ...then completely risen from the mountains.  It was really beautiful.



Next time I'm posting a review of a cooking product I just got and tried out.  It got a Thumbs Up from me.  

From me and Katie, have a great Saturday, everyone!  :)

Last days at Quartzsite - and Stove Top Grill review

The Goodyear Blimp

The day after Superbowl Sunday I saw this in the sky - The Goodyear Blimp.   I remember seeing one when I was a kid in San Mateo, CA, just floating overhead.  I think it has a motor now - maybe it did then, too.  I wondered if it was going home after flying over the stadium on Sunday.

Kind of cool to see it moving along in the sky over the desert.  When my son, Tom, was little, he called it "The Blump."  Always made us laugh.

Another Foodie Episode

At the Big Tent in Quartzsite, Jeanne, Nancy and I walked over and Jeanne was looking for this Stove Top Grill.  She had seen it the day before, thought about it, and decided to go back and get one the next day.  It looked pretty good to me, too, so I got one.

I did what the demonstrator/salesman did - marinated some sliced chicken, two kinds of squash and a potato (in Italian Salad Dressing with some garlic and herbs added), then popped them on top of the grill when it was heated. 

You place the grill over one of your smaller burners, add at least a cup of water in the trough in the outer metal thingie, place the grill down in the middle and add food.  I turned them over to grill each side against the metal twice.  

When the slices were soft enough, I plated them - and added some cranberry sauce for the chicken and a little butter on the squash and potatoes.  Then a little dab of sour cream on the potatoes.  


OMG!  Every bite was a little slice of heaven.  I was surprised it was sooooo flavorful - I'm soaking more squash and some artichoke hearts (that were in a jar in water from Sam's Club or Costco) in marinade right now, and with a little chicken again will grill them all tonight.  Add a baked potato and this will be dinner.  I'm hoping to have enough for leftovers for tomorrow with some rice on the side. 

I love it when I get into the cooking mode.  It comes and goes, but it's here big time right now.  :)

This is what the box looks like that mine came in:

And here's the photo that was on-line showing the Stove Top Grill:

It's super easy to clean, and flat enough to fit in my pot drawer, so I didn't have to make space for it. 

I looked out the window the last morning at Quartzsite and who did I see up on her roof?  Nancy!  Checking for shadows on her solar panels.  She ended up moving her rig to get more sunshine on her panels.  I think she said her TV antenna was causing an issue by casting a shadow on one of the panels.  Hi, Nancy!

That's it for now.  I have another review of a little $1 cooking thingie that I'll post soon that was a great deal, too.

From me and Katie, have a great Friday, everyone!  :)

Warm Cherry Pie with Rich Vanilla Ice Cream

Denise invited Jeanne, Kim and me over for Pie and Ice Cream.  She said she'd go to Sweet Darlene's to get the pie if we would bring some GOOD vanilla ice cream.  Deal!!!

So on Saturday Jeanne and Kim and I went to Roadrunner Market to pick up the ice cream, and these beautiful Chow Chows were in the car right next to us.  The man who owned them said they love people, and feel free to pet them.  Aren't they beautiful?  Look at the black tongue...  These dogs are HUGE!

We got the ice cream and headed over to Denise's site.  Do we look determined and hungry walking through the wash?

After quick hellos and visiting for a tiny second, we got the ice cream out of the bag, and Denise started cutting the pie.  She already had plates, and napkin-wrapped forks ready for us.  She individually heated each slice, just perfectly - added the ice cream scoop and handed them out.   Oh, Yeah!

This is my plate, half eaten.

When was the last time you had warm cherry pie with ice cream?  It's been years for me.  Conversation stopped.  But the smiles continued.

Good to the last drop - not bad manners, just great cherry pie flavored melted vanilla ice cream:

UMMMMM, GOOD!

Then we went outside and relaxed for a while in the beautiful warm afternoon weather.

It was a fun visit.  Denise was trying to get a group photo and set the timer on her camera.  When the timer is set, it takes three photos in quick succession.  The first time it went off, Kim and I were laughing so hard I was crying.  Finally we got it together, but she had to set the camera twice more to get decent photos.

WELCOME to our newest Followers, George and Suzie from Our Awesome Travels!  They have been RVing full-time since August 2006!   They both retired young and have been traveling and exploring Canada, the USA and Mexico.  George ran his own restaurant for 10 years before retiring, and still loves to cook.  I've read about his fabulous dinners on other people's blog posts. George is one of the planners of BloggerFest 2015, but unfortunately they had to miss it due to pressing family issues that sent them to Ontario, Canada.  Thanks for following along, George and Suzie - Katie and I are very happy to have you on board!

From me and Katie, have a great Thursday, everyone!  :)