Rambling Warners

As we drive thru Texas Hill Country,it's hard to believe our winter getaway is winding down. We had a great time in Tucson, hitting as many of the Rock and Gem shows as we could muster. Bob is really good about dropping me off and picking me up. That way we can each do our own thing. I know better than to drag Bob thru the rocks and beads. He seemed to spend a fair amount of time at the RV Centers. We had a wonderful time in Deming with the Mallerys. The only thing missing was Caitlin and Maggie. We introduced them to our dear friends, the Kretek Twins, Gertrude and Geraldine. They turned 80 in December and take it upon themselves to show us a marvelous time when we visit Deming. They took the four of us out to visit their neighboring rancher, Nadine. A dear little lady of 84. She owns a mere 10,000 next to the Kretek Ranch. She as quick to show us her jars of snake rattlers. She said she shoots them with a 22---her family wants her to use a shotgun, but she says it blows holes in her garden hose and bird feeders--and usually misses the snakes. Gert and Gerry call her the local Annie Oakley. She also had interesting stories of cayotes and cougars. Her husband died many years ago after taking part in the March of Bataan during WWII. The town of Deming lost 78 men during that march as part of the Deming battalion. My numbers may not be exact as there were so many stories, I should have been taking notes. There was a beautiful picture---that she had painted of him----above her fireplace. She's also a pilot. Said her parents didn't see fit to spend money of training a women--only her brothers--so she waited until she could pay for it herself. What a gal!
The twims opened their arms to Dick and Gaila, the same as they have us, taking us to breakfast at the Country Club, an auction where their ranch foreman was the auctioneer (the belt buckles alone were a marvel) ,even to a rock shop on Sunday which was closed---Much to Bob and Dick's relief! We then went out to their ranch so we could see the Oryx they were butchering. They're imported from Africa and was shot down on the White Sands Missile Range by a young man, Brent, who lives at the ranch. He works for the Border Patrol, riding horseback along the border during the night. He also taught at the Border Patrol Training School until Obama cut the funds---Go figure@#? I said "Boy, you must have some great stories"and all he said was "Yes, Mam" He must be aware of HIPA!!! Well, after dinner at a very interesting country school turned restaurant we bid adieu to the twins for another year. They sent us on our way with a bag of fresh tamales and a homemade pie with pecans from their grove. We're already looking forward to returning next year and spending more time there. We were camped right across the road from the mallerys at Rockhound State Park but I didn't even get to go rockhunting. Plus, the weather was really windy and rainy at times.
Well, our furnace was making a nasty squeeling sound until it warmed up. Bob had it checked in Quartzsite and they said it was the bearings and eventually it would just quit. To make a long story short--we were just bedding down at a Wallyworld in Fort Stockton and Bob turned the furnace on and I thought the camper exploded! I was ready to jump out the emergency window in the bedroom!! o make matters worse, we awoke to 2" of snow and ice. It's been unusually cold at night and the furnace had been in hot demand (no pun intended). We'll make do with our small ceramic heater, but may have to motel it as we get closer to home.
We love listening to the local radio as we head across Texas. Bob really lit up when they advertised a "Female Replacement Sale" They said there was a high market for 3-5 year olds and "Working Subs" His face fell when they said it was Tuesday at the Midland Livestock Exchange. Texas is an interesting place---Lots of American flags, Jesus signs and little time for government. "Don't mess with Texas". We had hoped to see Patrick and Heather while going thru Houston (my nephew and his wife). But as luck would have it, we went through at 2 in the afternoon and wanted to make it to Louisiana tonight. I did talk to Pat last night. I'm adding it to my 'next year list' when we aren't on such a tight time frame. Although we've had a great winter, I'm now ready to be home. We have so many great things to look forward to---a new grandbaby and Meg and her crew back in TC. I was so happy to hear how everyone helped unload their trailer. Should be home by the beginning of the week. Love to all, Bob and Mary Ann

As we drive thru Texas Hill Country,it's hard to believe our winter getaway is winding down. We had a great time in Tucson, hitting as many of the Rock and Gem shows as we could muster. Bob is really good about dropping me off and picking me up. That way we can each do our own thing. I know better than to drag Bob thru the rocks and beads. He seemed to spend a fair amount of time at the RV Centers. We had a wonderful time in Deming with the Mallerys. The only thing missing was Caitlin and Maggie. We introduced them to our dear friends, the Kretek Twins, Gertrude and Geraldine. They turned 80 in December and take it upon themselves to show us a marvelous time when we visit Deming. They took the four of us out to visit their neighboring rancher, Nadine. A dear little lady of 84. She owns a mere 10,000 next to the Kretek Ranch. She as quick to show us her jars of snake rattlers. She said she shoots them with a 22---her family wants her to use a shotgun, but she says it blows holes in her garden hose and bird feeders--and usually misses the snakes. Gert and Gerry call her the local Annie Oakley. She also had interesting stories of cayotes and cougars. Her husband died many years ago after taking part in the March of Bataan during WWII. The town of Deming lost 78 men during that march as part of the Deming battalion. My numbers may not be exact as there were so many stories, I should have been taking notes. There was a beautiful picture---that she had painted of him----above her fireplace. She's also a pilot. Said her parents didn't see fit to spend money of training a women--only her brothers--so she waited until she could pay for it herself. What a gal!
The twims opened their arms to Dick and Gaila, the same as they have us, taking us to breakfast at the Country Club, an auction where their ranch foreman was the auctioneer (the belt buckles alone were a marvel) ,even to a rock shop on Sunday which was closed---Much to Bob and Dick's relief! We then went out to their ranch so we could see the Oryx they were butchering. They're imported from Africa and was shot down on the White Sands Missile Range by a young man, Brent, who lives at the ranch. He works for the Border Patrol, riding horseback along the border during the night. He also taught at the Border Patrol Training School until Obama cut the funds---Go figure@#? I said "Boy, you must have some great stories"and all he said was "Yes, Mam" He must be aware of HIPA!!! Well, after dinner at a very interesting country school turned restaurant we bid adieu to the twins for another year. They sent us on our way with a bag of fresh tamales and a homemade pie with pecans from their grove. We're already looking forward to returning next year and spending more time there. We were camped right across the road from the mallerys at Rockhound State Park but I didn't even get to go rockhunting. Plus, the weather was really windy and rainy at times.
Well, our furnace was making a nasty squeeling sound until it warmed up. Bob had it checked in Quartzsite and they said it was the bearings and eventually it would just quit. To make a long story short--we were just bedding down at a Wallyworld in Fort Stockton and Bob turned the furnace on and I thought the camper exploded! I was ready to jump out the emergency window in the bedroom!! o make matters worse, we awoke to 2" of snow and ice. It's been unusually cold at night and the furnace had been in hot demand (no pun intended). We'll make do with our small ceramic heater, but may have to motel it as we get closer to home.
We love listening to the local radio as we head across Texas. Bob really lit up when they advertised a "Female Replacement Sale" They said there was a high market for 3-5 year olds and "Working Subs" His face fell when they said it was Tuesday at the Midland Livestock Exchange. Texas is an interesting place---Lots of American flags, Jesus signs and little time for government. "Don't mess with Texas". We had hoped to see Patrick and Heather while going thru Houston (my nephew and his wife). But as luck would have it, we went through at 2 in the afternoon and wanted to make it to Louisiana tonight. I did talk to Pat last night. I'm adding it to my 'next year list' when we aren't on such a tight time frame. Although we've had a great winter, I'm now ready to be home. We have so many great things to look forward to---a new grandbaby and Meg and her crew back in TC. I was so happy to hear how everyone helped unload their trailer. Should be home by the beginning of the week. Love to all, Bob and Mary Ann

Word has it ouly half of the last went through---and you must hear the second half! Back to Paul the nudie bookstore owner. After 64 court cased---based on his nudity--he, his wife, and daughter arrived in Quartzsite ready for a new business venture. By the way, he won all his court cases with the help of the ACLU. He claims opening the way for the Chippendales. His store advertises new, used, scarce and rare along with CD's and videos---mostly used. An no---nothing X-rated. At least that I've seen!! Just a fun place. Bob has always given me a hard time about making eye contact when I talk to people. Well, I wanna tell ya, I have no trouble making eye contact with Paul-----I'm scared to death to let my eyes wander for fear of where they'll settle!! Now if we can just talk Dick Mallory into coming here to do a book signing. I promise he won't have to dress down!
We had quite a time with the weather here a few days ago. High winds, 70-80 mph, some say a tornado, heavy rain-more than the yearly total in one day and flash flooding. They had 60" of snow in one day in Flagstaff. It has a much higher elevation and therefore mush colder. All the roads were closed and they brought in the National Guard and emergncy food supplies. We weren't in any danger but are camped next to the 'wash'. We've never seen water in the wash before but we had white water rushing by about 20-30 ft wide---about 12 feet from the camper. (We were watching and ready to move if it got any closer.) One thing nice about the motorhome--all you have to do is turn the key and off you go! Anyway, at 11pm we checked one more time before going to bed and the water was gone!!! UNBELIEVABLE! Who knows where it went---probably the Colorado River. Many of the vendors lost roofs, tents and merchandise. No problems for us.
We have enjoyed reading your responses to our blogs. Due to my lack of computer expertise, I"m always happy to hear the blog has made it out there. Check out the pictures attached to the first half of this blog---interesting! If you're reading facebook you can go to www.travellerspoint.com and check out Rambling Warners for all our blogs. We'll chat again soon---bingo is starting soon at the senior center and us wi-fi'ers are getting pushed out or handed bingo cards!!! Love to all, Mary Ann

Hi Guys,
Things are beginning to wind down here is Quartzsite. The big PowWow rock and gem show is over and the tents are gone. The flea markets continus thru Feb but not as busy. We're nearly ready to move our home on wheels down the road to Tucson. Their Rock and Gem show starts Sat, Jan 30th and is HUGE! It's scattered all over town and it's impossible to cover the whole thing----though I'll sure try. We're kinda waiting for our friends from British Columbia to return from Yuma before we pull out. They went down there a few days ago and are due back today. They're big on bonfires and start one eaqch day around 4pm so we sit around with beer and coctails til around 7:30 when we all retreat to our campers for dinner. Not exactly late nighters!
We also had to visit our buddy at Quartzsite's one and only bookstore. This place is no Borders! To say he's a character doesn't begin to go there. He's an ex college professor-musician and die-hard nudist. He's also a well-known boogie and blues piano player and singer for 25 years----all nude, of co

Hi Guys, Sorry it's been so long since the last blog----just been too busy going to flea markets and rock shows---and I'm not talkin music, either. I can truly say I'm becoming saturated with stones, but there's still the Tucson show tothink about. We're now official card-carrying members of the Senior Center so we can use the computer without eating nachos and pizza at Silly Al's Pizza Palace. Silly Al's is the only other place with free wi-fi in town. Word has it there are 576,000 people camped in RV's on the Bureau of Land Management Sites in town. Considering the fact that Quartzsite is about the size of Kingsley---They really have their hands full with the influx of people.
We had our first unfortunate event when the mother-board on our generator decided to fizzle out to the tune of about $500. We now have the generator up and running. After all, French-press coffe is fine, but only makes two cups at a time and we're really not into roughing it, desert or no. The RV show opened this week. I was surprised to run into Bruce (Gibby Fries) Hansen's sister. She's here with her Barbecue turkey leg wagon for the RV Show. We were excited to get the new shower head that we wanted last year (but dad won out with the septic tank aerator). I got it all hooked up and proceeded to take my high efficiency shower, Higher pressure, less water, yada, yada. Anyway, Bob comes to check it out when I get started, is impressed, closes the door, grabs his coffee and goes out to talk to the neighbors. Meanwhile, I complete my shower and go to open the door to find he's locked me in. After many calls for help, the guys looked at each other and said, "Do you hear someone yelling?" Fortunately, Bob has not yet lost his hearing and came in to rescue me. Thank God it wasn't one of the other guys, as I couldn't even reach a towel. Gotta watch that guy!! It has rained the last day or so, but it's really helped with the dust. Up to that time it's been sunny 60's. Miss everyone and hope all's well. Bob and Mary Ann