The Travelling Roadshow

We left Coquitlam at 11am, Tuesday morning, January 20th, and with our truck and trailer headed for the Border. Picking up several bottles at the Duty Free Shop, we drove past all the long line of trucks, and checked into the US Customs. “Where’re you going? How long? Have a nice time.” That was it, and we were through and heading south along I-5 Nice and speedy. I guess a couple of old foghies are deemed harmless --- and of course, we are. In any case, we locked the truck's speed into 100K, and steered south.

This time, we went through Seattle instead of around through Bellevue, with no problem at all. Lots of traffic, but everyone moving easily. We had to stop every so often to let Sean drain his crankcase, but as light was fading from the sky, we pulled into Midway RV Park, where we had stayed before.

Wednesday morning, Jan 21, we were up early (Sean starts whining just after 6am each morning) and were on the road again at 8am. Across the bridge into Portland, around the bypass, and back on I-5, locked in at 100k while everyone else whizzed past. Slower moving trucks were a problem, but faster moving trucks dodged around us and on they went. Traveling through Oregon was long and boring, but we were making time. The mountains in South Oregon slowed traffic, but finally, after fuelling at Grant’s Pass, we pushed on to Yreka, California. It was 2600 ft above sea level, cloudy and cold. Next morning, there was frost over everything. The furnace in the trailer was working hard, keeping the cold at bay. Packing Sean into the rear seat, where he bounced around like a rubber ball, we headed south again, looking for warmer places.

Up and down through mountain passes, and finally down to the top end of the San Joaquin valley. We whizzed past Redding, heading for Fresno, but we were not to reach it. We settled for Arena RV Park in Chowchilla, CA. The RV Park manager was also a pastor in a Community Church, and sounded like it. He was kind and thoughtful --- he also drove a Harley, while wearing what looked like a Nazi helmet. Curious. We stayed there for 2 nights, though the weather was cold and damp. On Friday, we drove the last hour to the Diocesan Office in Fresno, and while being warmly welcomed, found there was no work for us to do. Nothing. Very disappointing, I must admit. Sean, however was quite happy, since he had discovered rabbits on the RV Park property, and wanted to play with them so badly. The bunnies, for their part, were not particularly worried about Sean --- still they had no intention of joining him in a game of chase.

On Saturday, after deciding to check out San Diego, we packed up the trailer, and headed south again. The drive was fine, and traffic easy --- until we hit Los Angeles --- and there we were slowed to about 20K, drifting along in the traffic. No problems though. And after we passed LAX (Los Angeles Airport), we were able to raise our speed to 90K or a bit more. Everyone else was shooting past much faster, but 95 to 100K is quite enough pulling a trailer. By now, Sean has learned to stretch out and snooze on the back seat. He likes to have his feet in the air most of the time, but once we noticed he has adopted a rather “bunny-like” arrangement of feet. Must have been dreaming of the rabbits.

It was getting late, about 5pm and we were rocketing along I-5 heading past Laguna Hills (part of Los Angeles), when Bev decided she really needed a “ladies rest room”. So I chose the next Exit, pulled off, and around to the intersection. There, right on the corner was an “Episcopal Church Welcomes You” sign; so we swung right, and pulled into the parking lot of St.George’s Episcopal Church and Academy. A neat place --- so we decided to stay the night, and after getting permission from the rector (Albert) and the associate rector (Pam), we reparked the truck and trailer, and “dry camped” on the parking lot.

Next morning, being Sunday, we dropped into the 9am Eucharist --- but did not stay for their Annual Meeting which was scheduled after the service. To be honest, I’ve had enough of Annual Vestry Meetings --- the only real advantage of being retired that I can see is not having to go to those kind of meetings ever again. By now, the temp has increased to 22C and the sun is shining, and we were off to San Diego.

It was a pleasant drive, in the sun, with glimpses of the pacific rolling into the beach. San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, Ensinadada, all those lovely places, and finally San Diego. We turned off I-5, heading for the Beaches, and looking for an RV Park. As luck would have it, we pulled into the same RV Park (Campland on the Bay) where we had been 3 years ago. It is right on the beach. And we decided to stay for 2 days. Gives us time to explore a bit of San Diego, and we purchased tickets for the 2 hour “Trolley Ride” Tour of San Diego, from Old Town to Coronado.

The trolley tour of San Diego was good. We saw the Maritime Museum, Seaport Village, the downtown shopping area, Coronado Island, Spanish Village, and the Old Town. We had lunch in the Casa del Pico in Old Town after the tour, and a healthy and happy Mexican lunch it was. Mom had a strawberry marguerita along with her healthy avocado salad --- just a small one was large in her eyes! Dad did not eat so healthy --- you don’t want to know. Then late afternoon, back to the trailer and a light supper and Sean.

Sean is like a new kid, everything around here is new, and has to be sniffed 100 times. And then back to sniff some more. He scratches the door asking to be taken for a walk --- but most of the time it is just to sniff, not to do what he is supposed to do. Of course, he is cute --- but then he seems to know it. Just over 5 months old is a pretty inquisitive age. He has discovered that Bev keeps a Canada Goose (stuffed doll) on our bed in the bedroom. He wants that goose, and he will be as innocent as anything, until we are not looking --- then like a quiet streak, he is up the stairs, into the bedroom, up on the bed, and grabs the goose. One has to be fast to catch him. We keep the French doors into the bedroom closed when we remember. I wonder how long we can keep the goose safe?

It is Tuesday morning, and after draining the trailer tanks, we are off from here, along I-8 to Las Quintas RV Park,Yuma,AZ, for a couple of days, then on to Butterfield RV Resort in Benson AZ.

It was an uneventful trip from Yuman to Butterfield RV Resort on Jan 29th, and the RV Park is every bit as good as we expected. We will be here for a month. The weather is fine, well it is 63F daily, with blue skies. Expected to drop to 58F next Tuesday, with possible rain. Rain around here is rare, but fills the dry washes when it comes, running off the land rapidly. That means, I hope, that the flowers will all come out adorning the desert floor and mountains. Grass is rare --- land is sand or stones, with cactus and scrub bushes. Mountains are craggy and brown --- no trees. Quite different from BC, I can tell you.

The internet connection at this camp is good --- and they are expecting to get wireless internet connection for every trailer in the next day or so. At the moment, there are free internet plugins in the library, and this morning I came in early to claim one. I will take some pictures soon, and get them on the internet for you to see. [The wireless connection is now done, and I am using it. It is expensive --- $40 per month --- but quite usable, and I am able to use it easily in our trailer. More and more RV Parks are including wireless access in their offerings to trailer owners.]

Tomorrow, Sunday Feb 1, we will go to St Raphael's Episcopal Church for the 10am mass, which may turn out to be the 10:30am --- who knows. I phoned the priest in charge Fr. William Johnson (who lives in Yuma, 47 miles away) so that he knows we will be there --- just a courtesy. He is the same priest as last year, and I believe is a "worker priest" who is doing Sunday duty down in Benson.

Sean is growing and thriving --- he has adapted nicely to travel in the truck, sleeping most of the time, lying upside down on the back seat. We were told that he barks continuously in the trailer while we are away from the trailer (shopping or whatever). Don't know how to deal with that. We have made arrangements to have Sean trimmed next Friday, February 6th. We may head off to Tombstone AZ while Sean gets his trim and bath and grooming.

We should head off to Tombstone (trying not to end up in Boothill), and several other places here. We have reserved a date to see the Kirchner Caves on the 23rd. Marguerite will be here by then (booked into a rented park model trailer where everything is supplied), and Bev and her can have some fun time together.

Until then, we will find time to sit in the hot tub for a while, and play games with some of the others here. There is a Valentine's Dinner and Dance on the 14th, and computer workshops most days, and lots of other activities and trips. So we shall explore and meet and talk and soak the old bones. And of course, add to the Travel04 every few days. Whatever is the latest, will be in bold print.

Hail, wet snow, and cold --- this is Arizona? Yep. That is what we woke up to yesterday. It stayed cold most of the day, though the snow melted when it landed, and eventually, so did the hail. It was warmer in Vancouver than in Arizona yesterday --- so why are we here looking for sun and warmth? It is supposed to come soon, so they say. The fact that Benson AZ is 3500 feet above sea level may have something to do with it. The snow on the mountains in the distance is quite lovely --- it tends to cover up the sage brush etc. There are no trees on the mountains, unlike BC.

Mom and Sean and I are quite fine. We are more than warm in the trailer, and last night we attended the weekly Pot Luck supper. Just to shock you, I made the supper that we took, and so far no one has died. They even asked "Fr.Barnes, will you please say grace for us." --- which was a pleasant surprise.

Mom bought some small baskets and the like, and we made them into drawer dividers for the galley. I am doing some reading. And watching Canadian TV --- Global Morning News from Vancouver is on while I am typing this. So we can keep up with Canadian News. I note that it is 0C in Vancouver at the moment, but it is rising to 8C in the afternoon under cloud cover. Later today, I will empty the waste tanks and restart the black water tank --- a job that I do once a week.

We have met and spent some time with a couple from Kelowna, who also have a Titanium. There are several coupled from Calgary, one from Victoria, several from Ontario, so there are Canadians around here. One couple from Florida, who came here for the sun, are leaving today to return. It is much warmer in Florida today than in AZ.

I have finally secured a date for a Presentation (of the FirstClass System) at the Diocese of Arizona office --- it is March 5th, at 10am. The new Bishop will be there, as well as others. Now to work on the Diocese of Rio Grande to see if I can get a date for a Presentation there. After they have seen a Presentation, they have a better chance of making a positive decision for a FirstClass System. Keep your fingers crossed. A prayer of two would help too.

It is the day after our visit to Tombstone AZ. We woke up this morning to a frozen water hose, which meant I was melting it all with hot water from the stove. My it is cold here --- brilliant sunshine today, but cold. We will need to come back to Vancouver to get warmed up again.

Yesterday, after dropping Sean at the do groomers for a trim, we headed off to Tombstone, about 25 miles away. That's the place were the "Gunfight at the OK Corral" took place. We say a number of old items, dating back to 1880 --- see the picture above --- the surrey with the fringe on top, please --- not the driver.

It was very cold, so we retreated to "The Hot Biscuit" for a nice lunch. Then, we explored the town, explored the old stores and places, including the OK Corral, saw a diorama, and even toured the old "Bird Cage Theatre". That was a place of drunkenness, shooting, prostitution, gambling, and oh yes, stage shows. It has been restored somewhat, though probably in the best condition of any of the old places from 1880. There are 225 bullet holes in the floor and ceiling.

We explore the Episcopal Church, built in 1881, and then went out to Boot Hill, where there are graves of many of those murdered or hung. Plots were advertised as "view sites" --- obviously not for those needing them --- at $22 per site, in 1880 currency.

It is Sunday morning, and the sun is shining. Still cold, but we find that it will warm up into the 60sF by the afternoon. We are off to St.Raphael's Episcopal Church this morning, and meet some of those lovely people, and their priest, Fr.Bill Johnson.

Mom and I met a couple from Barrie ON on Friday evening. Nice for Mom to spend time talking to them. The man was a retired Chief Warrant Officer from the Canadian Forces --- and Dad chatted happily with him.

We spent Saturday afternoon in Tucson doing some shopping. It is less than an hour away. We took Sean with us and he enjoyed the ride, though he does bark a lot when we leave him. We had supper (steak, shrimp, asparagus) at a Marie Callenders, and it was pleasant.

On Sunday afternoon after Church, we headed back to Tucson, then west and south, down to the Mission of San Xavier del Bac --- established by the Jesuits about 300 years ago, then taken over by the Franciscans. It is still a working parish church to the Indians in the area. Fabulous baroque reredos in gold and swirls and statues, all hand painted by the Indians. The pictures do not do it justice. It was quite fabulous.

Then down I-19 to the Tubac Craft Fair, where Mom shopped and I led Sean around on the leash --- while he pulled and pulled, sniffing the ground, hunting for any popcorn, candy, gum, whatever that could be found. 90 minutes of pulling Dad around, as only a 6 month puppy can do, in every direction, from one side to the other.

Then back home for a nice late supper. BTW, Fr. Bill Johnson asked me to preach at St.Raphael's on Feb 22nd --- "Shrove Sunday" as he termed it. After the service, we go to a hall for a Pancake Brunch. There is an Ash Wednesday Mass at 5pm on the Wednesday.

Time to head off to bed. It will be freezing again tomorrow morning, and I will need to use hot water to thaw out the water hoses that connect the water tap to the trailer. But at least it is sunny all day, and heats up by the afternoon. Everyone here is well. God love each of you.

Yesterday, we went on the Hike to Fort Bowie with a group from the RV Park. First the drive of about 80 miles which in itself was interesting through a patch of rounded and balancing rocks, and then park at the end of the road --- then walk in to the ruins of the Fort. It was built next to the Apache Springs, the only source of water for hundreds of miles, and the Army fought the Apaches (under Cochise) for it in 1882. After the death of Cochise, Geronimo came to power, and fought the Army for another 10 years. The Fort was rather more extensive than I imagines, only ruins left. The hike was up and down, over primitive paths, to 5000 foot level --- the return journey was another 1000 feet up. Sean came along, pulling all the way. Bev carried the lunch, while I hung on to Sean. Both of us fell once each.

Nothing special for Saturday, though tomorrow is St.Valentine's with a dinner and dance. I will plead that I am too tired and stiff to dance --- but I imagine the excuses won't be accepted.

.................

Monday morning, and all is well. We (I?) survived the Valentines Dinner and Dance. The steaks were superb --- about 12 ounces each, grilled on the outdoor barbeque, and done nicely. The music was all cowboy type music, with a young couple brought in to sing and play for us oldies.Probably 'western music' with ballads thrown in for good measure. For Valentine's, I gave Mom some flowers, some chocolate covered nuts, a balloon and a card for Valentine's. She was good enough to appear pleased. Mom is pretty nice that way.

I decided that Sean would be happier loose in the trailer for the 2 hours we were away at the Valentine's Dinner and Dance, rather than cooped up in his kennel barking for 2 hours. How wrong I was! When I came back at 8pm to check on him, he had left a "valentine" on the floor (a job and a squirt), tossed pillows around, dragged stuff off the table, and chewed Mom's Valentine flowers. I was not amused.

It seems that Sean has "separation anxiety", and whenever we leave him, he barks incessantly until we return. Neighbours tell us about it. Don't know what to do about it. Should I give him the Goose as companion? We gave him a bone yesterday, and he ignored it entirely, preferring to bark and bark and bark. Perhaps a large cork?

Yesterday, Sunday, we were again at St.Raphael in the Valley, with its fine bunch of Episcopalians. It was a Baptism and Mass, so I thought it would take longer. I was stunned to find that we had a Baptism, a Sermon, a Mass, and 4 hymns, and were out in exactly 50 minutes! I never got a Baptism done in less than 75 minutes, and sometimes it was 90 minutes, if the sermon got out of hand. Enough said on this point too. I preach this coming Sunday --- Shrove Sunday as they are calling it.

We spent the afternoon in Tucson, with Mom doing some shopping. Got home about 6:30pm, without incident. I looked at several cameras while waiting for Mom, but they are far more expensive in the stores than on the Internet. I will do some more thinking about it. Interested in the Fujifilm S5000 camera at the moment; it has excellent battery life, which is the opposite to my present Canon camera, which is 3 years old. Wonder how much they cost in Canada?

Today, Monday is President's Day. Much warmer today. Sunny with some high clouds. May head off to explore Chiracahua Canyon Park tomorrow --- it is a beautiful part of the country, with trails etc. That should be fun. Mom and I spent another hour in the hot tub, chatting and fooling around. Then reading and playing with Sean outside at the picnic table. Everything is open this Presidents Day except the Banks and Gov't offices, of course. Wonder what the President does on "his" day? Wonder what's for supper tonight. Time to check. Bye

Feb 18th

Yesterday was a lovely day, with sun and blue sky --- it was our day to explore Chiricahua National Monument and Park. We drove east to Willcox, then south to the Park Entrance, buried in the mountains, a trip of an hour and a half.

Chiricahua National Park is an original volcanic area, where the rain (yes it does rain in Arizona, wind (and it does blow for sure), and ice has weathered the rocks into fantastic columns, shapes, and most of all --- giant balancing rocks. Inside the Park, the road rises slowly to Masai Point, where there is snow in the shady areas, though sunny and warm in others. Our admission was free using our National Park Pass, and we drove to the Visitors' Building. There we found interesting displays, and an 8 minute film on all the bits of the park that we were unlikely to see.

Mom bought a hiking stick, at Dad's recommendation --- a nice varnished one, with a leather handle. Since Mom broke her knee, she has needed the extra support for balance. It proved its worth. Note how pleased Mom looks, with here backpack, hat, sunglasses, and shiny new hiking stick. She is waiting for Dad and Sean to catch up to her, as we trudge through the cactus and sand, mesquite and live oak. Pretty nice, eh?

Then we drove up the winding road, surrounded by trees (it is a valley, well above the desert floor), and fabulous rock formations. Our drive terminated at Masai Point, over 6800 feet high. Sean barked and barked when we left the truck, to explore some of the paths around the point, taking pictures as we went. We found a small building with exhibits of the rocks and how the Park came to be. Very interesting. Then we had lunch at a park table, just a few feet from the truck (with Sean watching us intently lest we leave him stranded and alone). During lunch, Mom took pictures of Dad feeding the grey jays out of his hand. Others were taking pictures too. The jays really went for the nuts, but ignored the raisins in our Hiking Assortment.

Then slowly back down the road, stopping to take more pictures, especially of the Organ Pipe formation, thinking all the time of the lovely music that Walter makes on his church organ. Hope he likes the picture.

Finally, we arrived back down at the bottom, near the Entrance to the Park, stopped to explore the 1880 Faraway Ranch two story house. Noted that the bookcase in the house is the same as I have in my garage. Wonder if it is worth anything? It was there that Mom decided we need to go hiking. The picture shows Mom in all her hiking glory --- hiking stick, hat, sun glasses, backpack, and a determined look telling Dad and Sean to get on with it, and catch up. We hiked until we were well and truly sunburned. From time to time, we were passed by riders on horses --- it seems that this is a fabulous place for riding tours. We picked up a brochure for Bonnie, thinking that she would really enjoy such a day, riding a horse in a group, and exploring all the wonderful sites in the park, for a whole day. Who knows --- one day.

Returning, we headed south instead of north, then west to cross the desert floor until we reached the next row of mountains, and headed north. We passed Cochise's Stronghold (which we will investigate further another day) then the town of Sunsites (where we purchased cheaper diesel than any in Benson), then took Dragoon Rd back to Hwy 10. At the conclusion of Dragoon Rd, there is the Amerind Museum (that Dad wants to see, because it gives the history of the Apaches, with their fabulous culture that was all destroyed by the US Military) and Texas Canyon, filled with more wonderfully eroded rocks. That's for another day.

Wednesday, after we had said the Daily Office together, found Mom washing clothes and Dad out getting the truck serviced (oil change and a wash), and doing the shopping. It was shirt sleeve weather, until the late afternoon when it clouded over, ready for a cooler few days ahead. The nights are very clear and bright --- no city lights to cloud the view.

Yesterday, we drove to Phoenix AZ to pick up Marguerite Booth, Bev’s sister, at the Airport. She had flown from Toronto to Pittsburgh, changed planes, and then to Phoenix. A long day for her. She arrived at 2:45pm MST, and after picking up bags, etc, we headed back to our trailer in Benson --- a round trip of 320 miles. Found a cheaper place for diesel, however, at $1.58 US, which is better than $1.83 in Benson. It was good to have Marg here, and she is bunked into a Park Model RV (permanently installed, and twice the interior size of a trailer) more like a cottage, with everything she needs and more. She is about 100 m away from our trailer.

Today, Sunday is a banner day for me! I preached at St.Raphael in the Valley Episcopal Church, to an almost full church (40 people). Fr.Bill Johnson, a worker priest from Tucson, said mass, and laity did everything else. He had declared that today is Shrove Tuesday, twice removed --- so after the mass the whole congregation adjourned for pancakes, eggs, bacon and sausages. Quite a good celebration. It also happened to be the 43rd Anniversary of my ordination to the Priesthood --- so that too made it special for me. We will also attend the Ash Wed Mass and Imposition of Ashes on Feb 25th. Luckily for us, Ash Wed will actually be on a Wednesday.

Then, we returned to the RV Park, and enjoyed an Ice Cream Social in their club house. Calories? Nonsense! The calories in the pancakes cancel out the calories in the Ice Cream --- so that takes care of that.

Tomorrow, Monday, we go to explore Kartchner Caves, and on Thursday we will be going with the group to Cochise Stronghold. A good week planned. However, there are showers for the next couple of days, and the temp will be less than 60F.

I have ordered (via the internet) a new camera to replace my ailing Canon Elf. It is a Fujifilm S5000 digital camera. I have investigated and compared many of them, and then found a good price, that is almost 50% less than retail. It should arrive this week. Perhaps I can put some better pictures up on this web site soon. Everyone well.

It is Saturday, and the weather is still cool. It rained last night, and this morning it began to hail and then changed to rain, just minutes after I brought Sean back from his morning constitutional. But this is nothing compared to the snow at the Grand Canyon, to where we are going on Sunday. Oh well.

Last Monday we went to the Kartchner Caverns, a great place underground --- a living cave. We saw stalactites and stalagmites (now aren't you impressed?) and soda straw and column items. It was fun being there.

On Wednesday, we visited the Amerind (American Indian) Museum, a private museum that featured Indian Art and Indian artifacts. It was impressive, and I wish I could have spent much more time to learn more. The Amerind Museum is located in Texas Canyon, and I have included a picture, taken with my new camera, showing the intriguing rock formations that are fascinating.

On Thursday, we went on a Tag Along Tour of Cochise Stronghold, the favourite location of Cochise, the greatest of the Apache Chiefs. It is in the Dragoon Mountains, and contains the same rock formations as in Texas Canyon, though much higher. The route there was over primitive dirt roads with washes, some of which contained water that we had to ford. The 4x4 truck comes in handy at those times. There is a Ranger Station at the Stronghold, and interpretive walks and trails. Very fine. We had good sunny weather for this adventure. As usual, we returned home in time to spend time in the Hot Tub --- a nice way to end a day's adventure.

On Friday, we washed clothes, and spent time with other campers. We have developed a friendship with several other Canadians, plus a Pentecostal pastor from California. So after a trip to Sierra Vista, to get photos developed and buy stuff for the girls, we returned just in time to go out for Chinese Food with several of them. Then back to another trailer for ice cream and chatter. Good fun and relaxing. Picture of the group for your viewing pleasure.

Today, it is time to cleanup, pay the bills, and get ready to move on Sunday morning. It is only a 330 mile trip to Williams AZ where we will stay on Sunday and Monday nights, but it is 7000 feet high, and under 6 inches of snow. So it will be interesting. Mom and Marg will take the Tour to the Grand Canyon on Monday, while Dad will remain to babysit Sean.

On Tuesday, we pulled up stakes at the RV Park, and headed in our truck and trailer to pick up Marguerite at her Hotel. Unfortunately, while watching the trailer negotiate the tight turn in front of the Hotel, Dad forgot to look up --- and hit the roof over the Hotel entrance. He has patched the roof of the trailer, but the edge of the Hotel roof and the structure inside our trailer roof will cost thousands to repair. Dad is sick about it. We will carry on.

shopping, and returned to the trailer at the KOA. Thursday it rained all day, with thunder and lightning during the night. We woke to a soggy Arizona, with the news telling us of flooding streets in Phoenix. But we had a date with the Diocese of Arizona, to make a Presentation of the FirstClass System to the new Bishop-elect and the Archdeacon. The Presentation was a partial success. He liked the FirstClass System, and wants one for his diocese --- but we have to return to do another Presentation to the Diocesan Council on March 26th. That means we have to return here in 3 weeks --- so the question arises, where shall we go in the intervening time? We have not answered that question yet. We want to be home before April 1st, so I can help Fr.John Bailey at HTC during Holy Week. And if the Diocesan Council agrees to giving us a Contract, when will we be expected to install the Diocesan System? Don't know --- but the answers will come soon.

We have pictures of Bev and Marg at the Grand Canyon, and will insert one here, so that we can end this note, and get on the road again. Earthlink is working fine for Dad at the moment, while Mom tidies up the trailer. Tanks are emptied, hoses all put away --- just the power to unplug and the trailer to get hitched to the truck, and we are on the road again.

It was nice to sing to Bonnie on her Birthday. All seems well at home, and all is well here --- well except for the trailer roof. No leaks, and it looks fine, but the repair job will cost plenty.

Yesterdayafternoon we arrived at Rincon RV Resort, for a 2 day stay. Fr.Jack and Joan Tench are here for a month, and we wanted to spend some time with them --- and we did. Today we headed to 8am mass at San Xavier del Bac RC Mission, the one that we visited several weeks ago --- and you can see the pictures of the Mission previously posted to this website. The church was crowded, and we (Mom, Dad, Fr.Jack and Joan) had standing room only at the back. It was the first time DAD has attended at an RC mass --- if you can believe it. Felt really good to be there. Followed up with coffee and donuts in the courtyard, and then a visit to one of the original chapels to light a candle and pray for Mom's Dad whose Birthday it is today.

Then, off to see the Desert Museum --- a grand place of live animals, hummingbirds, cactus, and prairie dog towns. We were so impressed that Dad bought an annual membership --- so now we can go anytime we want, for free --- even free coffee!

We are back at RinconRV Park now, and Fr.Jack and Joan are coming over for drinks and then we will make supper together. The day is sunny and hot --- and we have turned the air conditioning on for the first time this year.!

We have to return to the Diocese of Arizona's Diocesan

Council for another Presentation on March 26th, so will head home right after that. Now to figure out what we are going to do for the next 18 days --- what would you suggest?

We are back in Butterfield RV Park, where the weather is hot and sunny, and the people great. Yesterday Dad phoned Bishop Phillip Duncan of the Diocese of Central Gulf Coast, and asked if we could come to his Diocesan Office and do a Presentation. He had been interested at the Convention. If he agrees, we will pull up stakes tomorrow morning, and drive 1542 miles to do the Presentation (we can do it in 4 or 5 days) and then drive all he way back to Phoenix by March 26th. Now we are waiting.

If he says no, we might drive to Dallas (about 900 miles) to see a friend of Mom's. Still up in the air as to whate we will do. If neither of these, we will stay here and enjoy life. We have purchased Annual Memberships in the Desert Museum, and will go there and enjoy it.

BTW, we bought Sean a stuffed "teddy bear" hoping that would keep him happy. He likes the bear, and carries it around with him every so often. The good think is that he has forgotten about the "Guard Goose" that sits on our bed each day. The Goose is relieved.

I am fixing the pictures that I added the other day to the web site --- hope they work out better. We are still in Butterfield RV Park in Benson, since we have not heard back from the Diocese of Central Gulf Coast. So we may be here for a while --- at least until March 25th. Getting kind of lazy in the heat (88F each day) and the sun.

It is Sunday, and we attended St.Raphael's Episcopal Church again. Good service. Then back to the RV Park to get our email --- and to discover that Dr. Henry Kelsey had died on Saturday, March 13th -- his Funeral is on March 27th. Both Dad and Mom would like to be at the Funeral, but Air Canada is not obliging. Out of 3 ideas that we had, we selected #3 --- driving home this week, then Dad flying back to Phoenix to do the Presentation on the 26th, then flying home to assist at the Funeral on Saturday March 27th. Air Canada can fly Dad to Phoenix on Thursday, but cannot fly him back on Friday evening or Sat morning in time for the Funeral. He will probably have to work with a Travel Agent, and that means purchasing a ticket without using any of our AeroPlan Travel points. There are seats available on the flights --- the few Aeroplan seats on each flight are already booked.

Yesterday, we returned to the Desert Museum, and love it. We purchased an Annual Pass for each of us, and so we can return as often now as we wish, until then end of Feb 2005 without any more cost. You can see some of the pictures that Dad took in the website at "MorePictures" area. Let us know what you think.

Weather is sunny and hot --- and about time too. We force ourselves to go into the hot tub this afternoon, and pool (at least for Mom), and then adjourn to our trailer for aperitifs. Sean is enjoying the other dogs, especially a Red Setter named Katy.

Mom is doing the final washing even as I type, we have paid our bills, and we should hitch up to the trailer by supper time, with everything ready to go except for the water hose and the power cable. We are aiming at leaving at 8am, but perhaps we can cut 30 minutes off that time --- the earlier we are on the road, the easier is the driving.

It is our hope that we can get the trailer cleaned out on next Tuesday, and then out to Travelhome at Langley on the Wed so they can start repairing the roof. Then I fly to Phoenix on Thursday to do the Presentation on Friday to Diocesan Council, then back on the plane at 5pm to return to Vancouver. The tickets are all arranged and paid for (just under $700) so that I can get back in time to take part in the Memorial Service for Dr.Henry Kelsey. With some luck, all should work out.

This may be Dad's last time online, unless we are at an RV Park that has a connection to the Internet. Earthlink has worked well for me here. If so, I can pick up my email --- and there are items I really want to get --- but we will see.