Let the renovations begin! FINALLY!!!

It's been just over a year, since I brought Theo home (Before pictures can be seen at this link, also). Living in the middle of nowhere makes repairs a bit of a challenge. I am limited to local services that seem to be unreliable, at best.

After having transmission work done on the moho four times, it finally seems that those problems are under control.

I've had no less than five people offer to do the interior renovations I had planned. Four of those people ended up blowing me off.

The fifth person, and the person I should have do the work originally is, as I write, tearing Theo's insides out, renovating and refurbishing. The resulting metamorphosis will be the beginning of our life on the road.

Jerry tore out the toilet to find the floor rotted. Both the toilet and the floor will be replaced.

 

The carpet and two captains chairs were removed. He's laying down some cool vinyl plank flooring.  The chairs will not be replaced. It really opens up the living area!

 

The jack knife couch was removed and Jerry is building a day bed.

 

He's doing a lot of caulking this and tightening that.

We'll be moving into the RV at the end of this month. We have to remain between NW AZ and Las Vegas until early January, when we will head to Quartzsite for the 3rd Annual Winter RTR

Stumpy is looking forward to reuniting with her posse. And I can't wait to see my RTR family and meet new friends with whom I communicate on the Cheap RV Living forum and blogs.

See you out there!

*I'm still having problems with blogger. When I have a reading list, I do read your blogs. When blogger allows me to comment, which is rare, I comment. I know my blog isn't showing up on many reading lists, also. I've communicated with the powers that be, at blogger, and it seems there is nothing they can do to fix these issues. I can't help but wonder if I chose to pay to blog, through advertising or a custom domain, if the problems would disappear.

3rd Annual Rubber Tramp Rendezvous 2013

is right around the corner!

 

 

Plan Now to Attend!

 

The Rubber Tramp Rendezvous' are informal gatherings of vandwellers, car dwellers, tenters and all kinds of full timers and part timers that gather to celebrate freedom and this wonderful lifestyle.

January 8-22, 2013 Quartzsite, Arizona

 

If you are wondering what it's all about links of blog posts with pictures, belonging to various attendees, can be found on Suanne's blog.

The location may change this year so check in, frequently, at the main page for updates.

Stumpy, me and my brand new, titanium knees will see you there!!!

We are soooooooooooooooooooo looking forward to those morning and evening walks!!!

CBS News Video: Women in RVs

The Dome Rock Pack Reunites for RTR 2012

Last year bonds were formed and Stumpy's posse, the Dome Rock Pack paw-teeeeed 24/7 at RTR2011.  the pack reunited for RTR 2012

Make no mistake, the RTR is a dog friendly event. The interaction between the pack members is one of my favorite things about this gathering. (Yes, I love all you people, but the dogs really complete the event.) I was REALLY looking forward to Stumpy running wild with her buddies. When we first pulled in my heart sank. I saw more than one dog on a leash and immediately thought, "ACK! How on earth am I going to convince Stumpy that she will not be able to run wild with her posse.

Fortunately, that was not the case. There were a few dogs there, that for whatever reason were restrained. (I appreciate responsible humans that know and understand their dogs' behavior and/or limits and act accordingly! xox THANK YOU!!!)

Again, I use the excuse of the new camera, broken laptop, the (insert as many four letter words, as many times as you want) sloooooooooooooow netbook and blogger issues for the lack of pictures and the quality of the photos I post, here. I've even resorted to recycling pictures from last years post!

Stumpy's nemesis, Rain arrived on Tuesday. A cattle dog stink eye stare down ensued, immediately.

Rain really matured over the year and was able to meet and hold Stumpy's gaze. There was no winner.

Returning pack members included:

Homer, our handsome host

Izzie left early last year, so I had no pictures of him. Izzie was rescued, as a very sick puppy, from the streets of Mexico and is living happily ever after.

Dina handled crowd control and security, both canine and human, much to Bri's dismay. I think she did a great job!


Kelly, the matriarch


Rain was everywhere! She  provided hours of entertainment with her many talents. Some of which I captured on video. But, I have no idea how to transfer the new camera's video format to the computer or YouTube.


Stella!

Stetson

Tony was there to make sure everyone got enough lovin'

Mia's here!

New pack members included ( I apologize for not knowing everyone's names)
A couple of Labs, at least one is a service dog.

2 Italian Greyhounds and a Whippet, named Wicca

Tori

Luke

Tawny, a pit bull mix, an English setter, a beagle and  two chihuahuas were among the dogs that are not pictured. I estimate over 20 dogs in our encampment. There were a couple of little squabbles, but amazingly all the dogs get along, in their own way.

It's interesting to note that almost every traveler's dog, that I have met, is a rescue or shelter dog. Another thing to love about people on the road!

Candids
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Stumpy didn't have her own chair this year (HORRORS!) She became one of those people who show up at a camp without chairs and steal whatever is available. 

  Meet and greet

Mia spent a couple days at Stumpy's house while her partner went to work

 She made herself right at home!

This year rehab/boot camp began early, before we left camp!

Rain! Over here!

I can't help but believe that Stumpy is looking forward to seeing her posse, again, just as much as I am looking forward to seeing members of my RTR family at RTR 2013, if not before. Who knows where???

I included other bloggers' posts, about RTR 2012, in my previous entry. Here are some more:
Desert Fun

RTR and Quartzsite

More RTR

Just some pictures 

Soup night: Saturday, January 14.

I heard this concoction referred to as "Suicide Soup." Everyone threw in a can of whatever and  called it dinner.  We filled a 5 gallon pot and there wasn't much left over. 

To my knowledge, the kitchen received no complaints.

After dinner 

There were no casualties.

Silvianne and Ay prepare a breakfast of pancakes, eggs, sausage and bacon, Sunday, January 15

Come and get it!

Kudos to Silvianne, Myrna and Ay! It was chilly and they were up cooking EARLY!

Bri, Mike, Jerry and Steve solving the world's problems, no doubt.

Sunday morning, Jan 15

Stumpy spent her free time testing various laps. Johnny's was one of her many favorites!

George, Bob and Ay relaxing after breakfast.

Sunday afternoon, Jan 15

Incoming!

Jerry demonstrates repurposing aluminum cans into wind spinners

Thursday afternoon, January 19, enjoying the shade at Nelda's and Jerry's house 

Nelda strikes a pose!

Suanne, Nelda and Ay learn to make frybread in Theo's kitchen.

Cheri and Linda prepare the chili for Indian tacos.

Monster rig

Sam and Judy receive their "Best Bedder of Women" award at Kirk's Tiki Party, Sunday, January 22.