Days before Christmas



We left our home in Minnesota on a dreary day, a Sunday to be exact. We stayed our first night in our new Class-C, Ford powered Four Winds RV.  Our first night was in a small Iowa town at their City Park. As it turned out we were the only ones to stay in the park that night at a cost of $15.00 for full hook up.  Barb started a fire with twigs and branches laying about on the ground from the Oak trees while I set up for the night making the necessary connections of water and electricity.  The fire was a real nice touch. Unfortunately we have not had one since.
The next day we drove until I think Fayetville, Arkansas where we spent the night in a KOA. Very expensive for just water and electricity, $35.00.  What is now funny was the connecting of the two black water hoses so we could reach the sewer hole.  I bought a plastic connector for the job and with Barb's help I managed to get the two hoses connected.  Of course it sounds easier than it did as it took the better part of 2 hours to complete the job.  As I was emptying the black water tank I would raise the hose like kneading a snake when much to my chagrin they came apart and I was sprayed with the contents. Not a pretty picture. Barb went back to the office and purchased the 2 clamps I should have bought in the first place. Now partially covered with poop water and chemical we began the odyssey of connecting the hoses. Let  me say this; I will never disconnect them again!!
After leaving Arkansas we drove to Barb's Aunt Bernice's house in the little Oklahoma town where Barb was born in her "Granny's" house as were her cousins.  Now Barb has not seen or talked to her Aunt in 40+ years and we had no idea where or even if she and her husband Jerry lived there.  We parked across from the Police Dept. as Barb researched on her lap top.  After 30 minutes or so I wrote down the information and walked across the street. Upon entry into the PD I asked if they knew a Woodrow so and so and the response was  you mean "ole Woodrow" who died in 2006?  Long story short we found several of her cousins and her Aunt and Uncle.  We spent a day and a half with them and it was a very enjoyable time.  We left with plans to return next year and spend a week.
We spent 2 days with my old partner, Chet in Mesa, Az. at an RV Resort. We had a most enjoyable time. We walked around in shorts and t-shirt as our part of Minnesota was getting 10 inches of snow. I love the Sun and warm weather.
After leaving Mesa we spent one night on the road and got into the kids house in Oregon the next evening. Worrying about money for gas we drove pretty much straight through arriving here in the early evening of Dec 12th or so.

It is so nice being here with the kids and grand kids. We love this time of year and Christmas is my favorite holiday. The excitement and look on the kids faces make it all worth it.