Monday, December 31, 2007

Morning folks. I realize that I used that image last year, but thought 'what the heck, I like it', and besides I just wanted to wish you all the best.

As people who have encouraged and supported me for some time now, you're probably wondering why I'm just breezing through with a Happy New year. First, I want to assure you all that I am fine, health good, spirits up, and anxious to begin exploring new options.

I'm sure that some will have questions, and I sincerely hope you understand, but I've disabled comments for now. The site will remain, and hopefully soon we can get back to normal, but for now this is just something I have to do.

Sorry for being so mysterious, but don't be concerned for or about me, because as I said above I am doing great.

Now, a big ol' group grope, and off with you. As the clock strikes midnight tomorrow, know that I wish each of you the best in the coming year.

Update...I can't seem to disable the HaloScan pop-up window without exiting the program, so I'll leave it open. Please don't think it rude of me, but I will not be answering any comments for awhile.

Trucker Bob blogged at 2:28 AM

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Monday, December 24, 2007

I was going to look around for a standard-issue picture depicting the season but thought that, since everyone knows the time of year, the simple wish above would cover things. Besides, to be truthful I just wanted to let you know that all is well here.

Jim and Joan arrived Friday afternoon, and as Hoss says, it's been non-stop funnin' since. They brought their 2 Taco Bell dogs with them, Chico and Minnie, and not only are they not a problem, but they're a pleasure. Chico loves sitting tied to the back of the Bear taking some sun and watching the world go by, and Minnie has attached herself to me. Whether in the car, sitting in here, or outside, she is glued to me. So cute! Guess I've got me a ladyfriend for the summer when I go up to their place.

The dogs are not the only thing they brought. The list would be too long to describe, but let's just say that Santa was very, very, good to me. My little storage shed didn't have a whole lot in it before they showed up, but it's bulging now, not to mention the refrigerator and cupboards. It's certainly not that I needed a care package, but boy!, did they fill my stocking.

As for my going on about shrimp all the time, they sure called my bluff on that! I have never seen as many, in all different sizes before. I've finally had to holler Uncle, but just to make room for the Elk burgers and monstrous slabs of ribs. Of course that's after the wonderful Jambalaya that Joan made last night that we washed down with a rather large bottle of nice wine. Yep, Santa sure stopped here!

I don't have any pictures yet, sorry, because the computer and thoughts of blogging have been shelved each day, because we're just too busy visiting, hitting the woolie-creatures (vendors), and, ahem, snacking.

Sincerely hope that each and every one of you have a great Xmas. Not real sure that I'll post on Thursday, but if I do it will be just to say Hi. Not even sure how long they'll be here, but I will get caught up eventually. Again, the best to all.

Trucker Bob blogged at 1:47 AM

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Thursday, December 20, 2007

Morning folks. Well, nothing but good news today. Jim and his wife left yesterday morning, in fact called me when they got across the border at Sweetgrass MT, and again at 1:45 pm as they were leaving Butte. He wasn't sure how much further they'd go, I'm guessing Idaho Falls or even Pocatello. They're planning on arriving here on Saturday, which will give them time to rest up before we do the big shopping trip to Parker.

I've been checking things off in the flyers, and so far have all the important items on my list. Things like cherries, shrimp, King Crab legs, tequila and mix for the margaritas, some adult sody-pop, you know, the necessities of life. After 2 1/2 months of the pitiful shopping here I can't wait to get to a real store.

Another good bit of news is the weather. The 15-day forecast shows nothing but sunny days, in fact it hit 80F yesterday. While I certainly enjoy that kind of weather, with them coming from the cold it just makes it all the better.

We're going to have coffee and donuts in the clubhouse this morning, the first since Bill's passing, then a friend and I are going off on a big ride. Back about 1 pm, get a haircut, then it's time to get serious on the housework, laundry, etc. Not my favorite thing to be doing, but don't mind it a bit. If they are willing to drive 1500 miles to get here the least I can do is have everything spic and span for them.

Hope your Xmas is shaping up as well as mine is. Hopefully when I see you on Monday I'll have some pictures to put up, but for now have yourselves a good weekend, because I sure plan to.

Trucker Bob blogged at 3:05 AM

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Monday, December 17, 2007

Morning folks. I was going to mention that the weather here has cooled considerably, but after watching and reading about what a big part of North America is experiencing I think I'll stay quiet and be thankful of where I am. Aw what the heck, one little mention. I stepped out yesterday at 5:45 am to pick up my paper and let's just say I didn't stand and read the headlines under the stars. 32F! Damn, the poor lads have shriveled up enough from inactivity of late, but we're talking hibernation here.

On Friday I took my 2 sorry strings of lights down, clamps off, awnings up, unhooked water, sewer, phone/internet, and power, stowed things safely inside, and took the Bear for a drive. As much as I enjoy tooling around on the Baby Bear, it was nice to get a steering wheel back in my hands again. After sitting almost 2 1/2 months it fired up instantly, and after letting it warm up a bit, I took it for a good run. Performed like a champion, in fact I so wanted to just keep on truckin'. Putting me behind the wheel is like putting your hand in a glove. Oh well, come April I'll put some miles on the ol' girl.

Came back to town, filled the propane tank, hooked everything back up, and now I sit waiting for my company to arrive. Almost getting like a small child waiting for Santa and counting the sleeps. Not long now, next Sunday in fact. Come ooonnnn Sunday!

Been a little too cool to be riding out on the desert so I don't have any new pics, but I'll be taking lots next week. Not much planned except my Molly Maid routine... laundry, vacuuming, and laying in some goodies for the season. Might even get a bottle of bubbly or three.

Oh heck, I forgot to mention, we won't be having a Xmas dinner at the clubhouse. Bill, the manager, and my can-crushing assistant, died last week. Although I only knew him a short while, I came to like him, and will miss our daily visits. Since he and I were about the same age I have a lot of thoughts about this, but I'll talk about that another time.

Okay guys, just wanted to check in and say Hi, and let you know that all is well with me personally. Now, let's see....how many more sleeps?

See ya Thursday. Take care.

Trucker Bob blogged at 2:26 AM

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Thursday, December 13, 2007

Morning folks. I wasn't sure that I'd make it today after the mess I fought with on here yesterday. I just never seem to learn.

After talking with Judles about that blasted IE7, and how I had got rid of it, I decided to download the Google toolbar again. Bad move! I did get it on here just as Microsoft downloaded a bunch of updates, including a Java application. Within minutes everything was dark. I still don't have everything working, in fact quite surprised that I got this far. Whether or not it posts is another question.

I'd fuss with it for a while, get frustrated, go for a ride, think of something to try, come back, etc etc etc. The whole day went like that. I finally went in and started removing programs, even though the warnings not to kept popping up. Think I'll disable the Automatic updates, it can't get any worse.

As for finding help in this burg, good luck, it's hard enough to find food that's not more than a month past it's 'best by' date. Oh, and by the way Dave, I don't know how I did it but the screensaver is finally working. Okay, enough whining.

While admittedly this is a pretty sorry light display, I just wanted to show Jim and his wife that I'm sort of in the spirit. Of course my spirits will pick up considerably if my gift is bigger than a breadbox, hint hint. (insert smiley here)


Not real smart though because I've got to take them down before they get here, along with the clamps on the tarp part of the awning, to put it up, 'de-camp' and go for propane. Oh well, exercise.

Our weather has finally started to cool, big time, in fact yesterday morning it was warmer in White Rock than it was here. Had to get the one-piece woolies out, and practice opening the 'trap-door', cuz when nature calls me it doesn't whisper, it hollers "get your butt in here right now!" Aren't you glad I shared that? (insert big ol' smiley here)

Okay guys, have a good weekend, and I promise I'll have a better post for Monday, or not. Now, cross everything I've got and hope it posts. Here goes.....

Trucker Bob blogged at 3:03 AM

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Monday, December 10, 2007

Morning folks. Hope your weekend went.....hey! never mind the chit-chat, get to it! Well, settle down and I'll proceed. Sheesh!

Okay, the mystery visitor I'm having for Xmas is a fellow I joined the Army with in 1955. We were sent to Shiloh, Manitoba for 2 fairly rigorous years of training, military and academic, and the ones of us who survived are pictured here. (This should embiggen)


I had put this picture up once before on my old site, Over The Road, and asked if you could pick me out. For those of my old readers that know the answer I ask that you not say anything until the newer ones have a go at it.

The fellow that is coming to visit is in the second row from the bottom, second in from the left of picture. He and I ended up being posted to the same regiment, and we last saw each other in 1960. Over the years, sad to say, we've had no contact, but through this blog we've re-connected to the point that he and his wife are driving a very long distance to spend Xmas with me. You all know how I feel about the good that can come from this medium, and this is an example.

I mentioned the other day about the good news going beyond Xmas. Well, when I leave here, approx mid-April, I'll be going to their place and setting the Bear up for the summer. He is going to take me to Clinton to retrieve my car, so then I'll be able to go out to White Rock etc. It's just a win-win all round.

So there you have it guys,....what?, oh that... , the fellow that is coming down is the daily commenter Jim. Until I ask I'll respect his privacy and hold his full name, and that of his wife, but since I plan to post lots of pictures I'm sure he'll be fine with my giving his name and the location of where I'll be going.

When I post next I'll tell you of another old friend that will be stopping in for a visit. He and I are truckin' buddies, and it was so nice to get a call from him on Saturday. He and his wife normally stop in Quartzsite for a week on their annual excursion south, so as I said, Santa is being nice to me this year.

Have yourselves a good week, and I'll see ya on Thursday.

Trucker Bob blogged at 2:39 AM

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Thursday, December 06, 2007

Morning folks. Greetings from the gravel pit, the warm, sunny gravel pit. I so much appreciate where I am after watching the weather clear across the country the last few days. I mentioned the bit of rain we had last Friday, but how about Bremerton WA...10.7 inches in 24 hours! Since there is the same amount of moisture in a foot of snow as there is in an inch of water, can you imagine getting 10 feet of snow and having it all melt in a day. Yikes!

Things are going well here for me, although it's hard to believe we're only 2 1/2 weeks away from Xmas. Tooling around on the Quad yesterday in a T-shirt at 80F will do it to you. Okay, since I managed to sneak my trusty steed into the natterin', here's some shots from my big ride on Monday.

This shot I took about 8 miles west of Quartzsite at about 11 am. I realize you can't really see much of the town, but the blue sky and mountains in the background made me want to share the raw beauty of the area.


This is basically the same shot from a different angle. That hump you see on the right is Q mountain, that I showed over one of the trailers here in the park when I first arrived.


You can't really see the steepness here, but it's actually the side of a mountain. If you look this way from where the Quad is sitting you'll notice a lip on the ground. I had intended to ride up there but after last weeks near mishap, I decided to let discretion be the better part of valor. So I carefully got it turned around, parked it down there, and walked up.


This is the top of the mountain I was on. I had wanted to take the above pictures from the top, but again, decided not to chance it because I was slipping back too much on the rocks. Being alone makes you more safety conscious, that and being miles from town.


This is a pet cemetery I found on the way back. By the look of the signs this was far more than just dumping their animals out there. Knowing how attached I got to Dixie in the short time I had her I can understand this, totally. That mountain in the background on the left is where I took the other pictures. I made it to the top of that clearing.


Hope these shots give you an idea of what it's like here. Also hope you like them, because there will be plenty more.

Since Monday and Thursday are the days I take my so-called "head pills", that basically keep me alive, and also since this blog has made living so enjoyable while battling Timmy, what say I post on those days for the next while? Hopefully I won't get stale, and you won't get bored.

Not wanting to be a tease, but next Monday's post will be chock full of goods news. Really! Something is going to be happening over the holidays, and much beyond, that I'll share with you. Let's just say for now that Santa is coming to town.

Have a good weekend guys, and I'll see you on Monday.

Trucker Bob blogged at 1:55 AM

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Monday, December 03, 2007

Morning folks. Through the magic of these intertubes I'm able to keep an eye on the weather in different parts of the world, and when I saw that winter seems to be settling in for my Little Babushka, I sent my crack news team out to investigate. So far at least the local transit system seems to be running, which is good news, and I was also glad to see that her employer provides entertainment in the breakroom. Think positive Judles, the way time flies lately the next four months will go by quickly, and before you know it you'll be back to cutting your, wait for it.....GRASS!


In other news I'm happy to report that all is well here in the gravel pit. We did get quite a rain storm Friday night..1 1/2"..that made getting out for more pics on the desert a little tough. As anyone that has been in places like this knows, the dry washes were no longer dry. Boy, did I get muddied up!, so I spent yesterday giving my trusty steed a bath in preparation for today's ride. In fact it's out there now happily munching on a bale of hay.


I'm going to head off in a different direction this morning, not sure what I'll find, but hopefully will have some pictures to share later in the week.

Thanks so much for letting me have this bit of fun. Take care of yourselves, and as Hoss says, I'll see you anon.

Trucker Bob blogged at 2:28 AM

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