Yuma Winter Trip (Day 15)

12/31/10 (Friday)

We went to San Gabriel City police station to see if we could talk them out of the tickets. But it was too early. It won't start until 7pm. We went to the mission in San Gabriel to look around.

There was a big parking lot, but no overnight parking. At 7pm we went to the police station again, but there was no luck. The policemen is not very friendly and said there is no way out of it. Next thing we walked to the restaurant in 500 W. Garvey Ave. Monterey Park for dinner. After that we left LA and drove to Flying-J in Lebac for the night.

Yuma Winter Trip (Day 14)

12/30/10 (Thursday)

We woke up and started driving to L.A. We stopped by the dim Sum place and eat, but this time I did not buy any pearl milk. After eating, Tom parked our trailer next to the McDonald Place in Monterey Park. Lawrence stay at the trailer while Tom and I walked to look for convenient water outlet. On the way we find several places which we can fill up our trailer. But the best one was still at Dewey & San Gabriel closed to the dimsum place. Tom parked the trailer there and we all have a nice hot shower. Then We went to eat at Sam Woo restaurant. We went back to trailer and went to bed. In the morning we got 2 parking tickets during the night; one at 2 am and another at 6 am for parking with no overnight permit and one on parking on red line. San Gabriel city law require overnight parking permit on all the street between 2 and 6 am. $50 for each.

Yuma Winter Trip (Day 13)

12/29/10 (Wednesday)

It rained in the morning, so I told Tom why we don't we bring the blanket to wash. The rain was continuing while we were inside the laundry place. It costed $4.50 for big load, which I can put two big blankets. After we were done the rain finally stop. Then Tom took me to the tents lot trying to shop again. Since the morning rain most shops were closed, we only find some shop open. I went into one of the gift store. I found myself an iron-on T-shirt cat for only 99 cents, I bought two and also one Quartzsite Map for only 99 cents each. Next door Tom finds a RV Supply shop still open. We went inside Tom saw a lot of supply for the RV. We were looking for a water tank cap which Tom lost it in the Red Earth Casino. We could not find it, so I went and asked the shop owner and he finds it for us, but it cost $6.99/ea. Tom said he will make it himself when he comes back to KTC. Tom wanted to buy some switch for the trailer light, but he forgot the size. We went home to get the switch. We drove into a side street next to the fire station and found the library which they open from 9 am to 5 pm. It was a very small library. We returned to the RV store and get the switch for $3 each. I bought 2. On the way to the gas station, we saw the Hi Jolly sign. Tom wants to go see the Hi Jolly Cemetery, so we turn into that street and arrived at the cemetery within a half mile.

We took a lot of pictures. Then we went to get some gas which cost only $2.99, after that we saw a big rainbow in front of us. I took some pictures.

After we all went back to the trailer Lawrence and I both tell Tom that we want to pack up our stuff and leaving Quartzsite. Because there was nothing here for us to see, we all agree and started packing. Then Tom said why so hurry, why don't we stay over night? We told Tom that we don't want to stay here, it was too boring here, plus you told us the rain is coming again. We keep driving until another Boarder Patrol in front of us (it was between Quartzsite and L.A.) This man (Patrol) asking us where we from? Tom told him we from Yuma. He told us that was where he was born. He asks us did we go visit the Territorial Prison? We said we did and told him it was a nice place to visit. Next stop we went to Winco Foods to shop, we buy a lot of grocery. Then we slept at the Rest Area (about 50 miles) before L.A. The wind and rain was extremely heavy Which caused us to stay there for the night.

Yuma winter trip (day 12)

12/28/10 (Tuesday) - Quartzite

I woke up and started cleaning up inside the trailer and feeding the cat. When I went outside, I said hi to the RVers which parked very close to us. I start cooking bacon and eggs for breakfast. Tom was sitting in the chair and holding one cat at a time. After we all finished our breakfast, Tom drove to the near by tent's lot. Which they have a lot of difference things to sales, 1^st stop I spent $12 for one cane, Bristle Brush for my cat; one 5/pcs Easy Out for Tom; one large suction cups for the trailer. 2^nd stop 3 books for Lawrence for $5, I talk it down to 3 for $4. 3^rd stop two auto sprays paint can for only $2. 4^th stop I brought one mesh brush for my non-stick surfaces pans; one corn & potato brush. We went back to our truck and drive around for food. Tom asked us if we want to go to the Blythe, CA which was 20 miles away. We all agreed, by the time we got there we saw Popeye’s Chicken. I order dinner for 2 at $8.99 includes 5/pcs chicken 2 reg. side and 2 biscuits and drink for$1.10 (this price only if you order two can dine meal or else will cost $1.69). When we get back to Quartzsite, we stop by one of the food market, but they don’t have much food to shop, so I left. On the way back I remember we did not throw our trash away. We came back to our trailer, I warmed up the potato soup for dinner. Tom tried to watch TV, but only two Spanish channels he could find. I wanted to go to bed early, so I can get up early enough to shop again (Tents Lot).

Yuma winter trip (Day 11)

12/27/10 (Monday)

We woke up in the morning and started pack up the trailer and we left the Felicity 14 day’s free camp place. Tom drove to the laundry place where it is closer to the Heritage Library. The laundry clothes wash costed $2.50 a load. At first we wanted to drop Lawrence off in the library, but we just remembered today is Monday and this library closed. After that Tom drove to the Barney’s gas station again and fills up the gas for the truck. We also fill up the water for the trailer. Next stop we went to the 16^th street Del-Taco this time I brought 6 soft tacos and 6 crunch tacos and one bean & cheese to go for only totals of $6.54. We drove 80 miles from Yuma to Quartzsite.

By the time we got to Quartsite it was almost 9:00 p.m.. Tom was lost for a while. But we got lucky and found the Hi Jolly 14 days free camping just down half more mile on highway 95 north. Tom unattached the trailer and drove to the town, but all stores were already closed. We just drove back to trailer and finish our left over Del-Taco for dinner. Tom tries to set up our TV channel, but he only found 2 Spanish channels, later he tries again and found some more. We watch for a while only, because the English Channel was gone and only the Spanish channels left. Tom and I went to bed; Lawrence was still playing computer games until midnight.

Yuma winter trip (day 10)

12/26/10 (Sunday)

Tom and I went to Yuma Territorial Prison at 100 N. Prison Hill Road. It cost $5/per person and open daily in winter from 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. We went inside and look around the prison and while Lawrence wants to stay inside the truck. The prison was digging in solid granite. In 1876, the first seven inmates entered the Territorial Prison at Yuma and were locked into the new cells they had built themselves. A total of 3,069 prisoners, including 29 women, lived within the walls during the prison’s 33 years of operation. Severe overcrowding forced its closure on September 15, 1909. By the time we come out from the prison it was almost 5:00 p.m.

We drove around the looking for food we want to eat. Finally I saw a Long John Slivers at 2970 South 4^th Avenue. I order Family Pack included 4 chicken and 4 fish plank plus large cold slaw and 12 hush puppies for only $10, added 8 shrimp/fries for $4 and popshop snack for $1.99 and small drink for $1.39. After we finished eating the food, we still have some two chickens and one fish and 5 Hush pup left over for next day to eat. Then we went to the Yuma Southgate Mall, which was the smallest mall I have never visited. Inside the mall there was a Burlington Coat Factory, we walked around and checked the jacket and prices are not cheap. But I found a nice Jean for only $6.99, so that was the only thing I bought for myself. Tom drove to the U-Haul again to fill up our water buckets then we went to Barney’s gas station to fill up our small gas tank. After that we went back to our trailer.

Yuma winter trip (day 9)

12/25/10 (Saturday Christmas Day)

Tom was talking to Robert which was our RV neighbor in the Felicity 14 day’s camp. He lives in a truck camper. They were standing 30 feet away from the trailer and talked for a very long time. Tom said he was a retired US Air force serviceman. He was also a machinist for a while and he knew CNC machining.
He came back after 2:00 p.m. and I cooked top ramen with left over meat from yesterday dinner. After we were done, Tom and I filled up the water again (only 4 gal water left). Then we drove to Yuma Food city to fill up our drinking water. Tom drove to the Pet Plus (locate at U-Haul and Del Sol), they also have water faucet outside the building. By the time we pull up to the water faucet, the owner (Pet Plus) is pulling back to the building. So we went to nearby U-Haul and looking for water faucet.

Luckily I found one, and we filled up our water buckets on the bed of the truck, so Tom don’t need to lift up heavy water. Then we went the Del Taco to buy 6 taco for $2.69 and four bean and cheese for $.49/ea. Tom supposed to fill up the small gas tank for the generator, but he forgot to do so. We went back to our trailer and start eating the Del Taco food. While we were eating the food, we were watching TV movie (Transform). After that I cleaned up the cat little box and come back and started writing this journal.

Yuma winter trip (day 8)

12/24/10 (Friday Christmas Eve)

The library is going to close at 1:00 p.m. today, because it was Christmas Eve. So we decide to stay in the trailer. Tom went to the broken trailer half a mile away and tries to see if he could find anything still usable. When I finished washing the dishes and clean up the cat little box, I decide to go see Tom. I stayed and help Tom until he was done. He took some faucet parts and a 1-3/8 diameter water filling hose which would fit Anna's motorhome.

We went to the Wall-mart and I wanted to get more sweet ice tea. I wanted to refund the trailer drain hose adapter, but the line was too long. Tom told me why I don’t return it next time. Then we went to Barney’s gas station to fill up our water bucket for the trailer. It was a very good place to fill up water, because there was no one around. We went back to the trailer and Tom took a shower and we fill up the water tank with more water we took from the gas station. Then I start cooking Pork Chop and Ham for dinner. I am also typing this journal.

Yuma winter trip (Day 7)

12/23/10

 

Our truck gas tank was almost empty, so we went to Barney’s to fill it up. Then we took Lawrence to the library (Heritage Library) we were there with Lawrence for a while. Then we drove to the Home Depot at 1111 South Redondo Center Dr. to get a rubber washer so the bathroom shower hose would not be loose and seperate. Then we drove back and picked up Lawrence outside the library, because this library closed at 7:00 p.m. instead of 9:00 p.m. We went to the nearby Del So Market and pick us some Beef Steak ($2.99/LB) and Cilantro (6 for 99 cents) and port chops for $1.99/LB. We went back to the trailer and I started cooking dinner for the night.

Yuma winter trip (Day 6)

12/22/10

Tom and I went to the Mexico around 11:00 am, so we can parked our truck outside the Sleepy Hollow Park without paying the $5 parking. When we walked in the Dental Office it was only 11:15a.m. We met a guy name William from Colorado, city of Greely. He told me that he used to be a tuck driver for 15 years and also he had Blood Cancer 10 years ago. His wife also had cancer 6 years ago, but she did not make it, she passed away after one year. William also told me he had a heart attack just a year ago and within 5 years, he already had 5 hearts. After that Tom wants to buy a belt for his lose jean. Tom finds a belt he likes, but the lady said we sell it to us for $12. I told her I can buy one in the U.S. for $10, why would I buy one for $12, the lady said fine, she would sell it to me for $10. I told Tom we should leave and go buy some place else. But Tom told the lady how about $9. Finally we pay for $9 for Tom belt. When we are at the Custom we meet William and his wife again in front of us. When I go through the custom there was a lady officer keep looking at my passport picture and told me it does not look like me and ask me “if I have a driver license” I gave her my license and told her that it does not look like me either. She also questions me why are you come all the way here? I told her it was for medicine.

On the way back to the trailer on Sidewinder Road after we past the gas station. We found the long term visitor area (LVTA). Tom wants to check out the other side of the 14 days area. Half way on the dirt road, Tom truck was stuck in the loose sand. We try to push our truck, but it does not work. I told Tom why don’t I go get some one to help us.

So I was walking back to the trailer. It took me about 15 minutes to walk to reach our trailer where Lawrence stay during the time we were gone. By the time I told Lawrence what happen to our truck, I saw a guy riding a motorcycle just passing by our trailer, he said “Hi” to me, then drove off. While I was getting the plank of woods from inside the trailer (next to our cat sand box), I receive a phone call from Tom that he got out from the loose sand. He is on the way back, just wait for him. So I start packing us lunch, so we can eat it in the main library. Then I receive a second call from Tom that he will be back soon, he is helping a guy on a motorcycle which was stucked in the sand too. I told Tom that is he the guy just passed by our trailer? Indeed he is the one, later the guy who drove the motorcycle come over talked to me please said thanks for me to your husband. I asked him what his name is. He told me “Scott” from Idaho and he is 83 years old. Later Tom comes back and Scott drove to our trailer and thanks us again.After that we went to the Main Library and stay until it closed.

We went to CVS to buy a pet house for our cats (cost $10). We did not know exactly where is locate, Tom wandered around on the library side and misses one street. So we went to a far away CVS, but they did not have it. We end up going back to the one which was closer to the Main Library.

Yuma day trip (day 5)

12/21/10 (Tuesday)

I woke up in the morning and cooked Bacon and eggs for breakfast. Before we went to the library, we stopped by the Laundry Mat (near U-Haul and 99 cents store) to wash our clothes.

It costed $2.25 for one load and $1.00 for drying our clothes. While I was waiting for the clothes, Tom went to fill up the propane tank (it cost $2.20/per gal.), but he forgot to get his wallet; he needed to come back for it. Then we went to the Main Library again until the library closed at 9:00 p.m.

Yuma winter trip (Day 4)

12/20/2010

We woke up in the morning but Tom set the time wrong, so we were late by the time we reached Mexico. Tom Appt. was 10:30 a.m. we get there 10:45a.m., but we still needed to wait for a while. We met an old guy from Texas; he had 7 implants in his mouth 6 mouth ago. And one of them fell out from his mouth. So he wants to come back and find out what he needs to be done. But he told us his wife need a lot of dental work on her mouth. Tom came out and we need to make another appt. (This Wednesday 12/22) I also need to pay 50% down which was $200 to the office lady. We went to the shrimp taco to buy two shrimp tacos to eat. We went back to the trailer and get Lawrence and computer. We all went to the Main Library until 9:00 p.m.

Yuma winter trip (Day 3)

12/19/2010 (Sunday)

South of Indio (Coachella) in front of the AM/PM Travel Center, we saw a Del Taco. Their Taco are very cheap only $2.49 for 6 Tacos, I ordered one fish taco for $1.89 and one beep taco for the same price. I also ordered 6 tacos to go for Lawrence to eat in the truck. By the time we reach El Central it was past 3:00 p.m. Tom went to the Costco for gas. After that we stop at the Sonic place to order some Sonic burger and onion ring to go. But before I do that I went to the Chase bank across the street to get some cash. We exited in Sidewinder Road going south. After drive 3 to 4 miles on concrete road we reached the dirt road which is the short term 14 days BLM area across the I-8 from Felicity. After we setup the trailer, we went to Yuma to get some food for dinner.

Yuma winter trip (day 2)

12/18/10

We arrived in L.A. around 1:00 p.m. and ate lunch at San Gabriel. we had chicken with rice, beef noodle, BBQ duck noodle and some dim sum. We went to the Tapiocas to buy pearl tea for $1.15/ea, we had bought three. The rain and wind was so hard that Lawrence broken my umbrella in front of the milk tea store. After I finished my lunch I bought more dim sum so we could eat it on the way. Also we went back to the Tapiocas Milk Tea to order three more to go. Then we left L.A. and went to Sport 29 Casino for the night.

Yuma winter trip (day 1)

12/17/10 (Friday)

In the morning I took Lawrence to his school then I delivered the parts to Chi Shop. I went back home and start packing up the trailer. Before one O’clock, I need to pick Lawrence up. I called Lawrence and told him I will need to buy two meat ball sandwiches and one BBQ sandwich for 2.50/ea. I also bought shrimp roll, sesame ball and banana (which was not the red kind) this is his last day in school (Independent High School), because the Christmas Holiday. Since we need to reach Mexico on Monday morning for Tom appt. Lawrence had to skip the Chinese School on Saturday. By the time we finish packing the trailer, it was passed 4:00 p.m. Once again we went to Gilroy Super Wal-Mart. Then we fill up our gas in the Chevron gas station. We spent the night in the parking lot of Flying J (Lebec)