The next stop was Indio for one night. Now, it is getting hotter in Indio. Becky called Camping World in Flagstaff to set up an appointment for trailer warranty work for next week. She had hoped to get the air conditioner fixed earlier, but two Forest River RV dealers she called were not able to help. It was quite hot in the trailer until late into the evening!
Becky got an early start on Friday, to head to Soledad Canyon Thousand Trails RV Resort. The good news is that the elevation of this resort is close to 3,000 feet. So, the daytime temperatures are in the low 70s. This is tolerable without the air conditioner. The memorial service/open house for Richard's brother, Bob, was in Pacific Palisades. Becky made arrangements to board the three dogs for two nights at 2nd Home Dog Boarding. Ramsey and Kelsey had stayed there before, but it was under new ownership. Joe Altieri is the new proprietor and he seemed very competent.
Becky hit rain, as she drove Saturday morning, to San Gabriel. She was spending two nights at the home of her brother, Peter, and his wife, Terry. They are always welcoming and fun to be with. Peter broke his ankle three weeks ago. He no longer needs crutches, but his ankle and foot are in a boot.
Saturday afternoon, Becky and sister-in-law, Terry, went over to the Huntington Library. Terry has a season pass, so the price is right. This visit, they walked through the desert gardens. Wow! It is beautifully done.
Donna and David flew down from Park City to attend Bob's memorial service/open house. Becky made reservations for dinner at El Cholo Mexican Restaurant on Western. It was equal distance from where Donna and David were staying (David's parents home) and San Gabriel. Barbara Coad also joined them for dinner. Can you say margaritas???
Sunday was a day in Pacific Palisades. Friend, Mara Hunter, had a walking fund raiser for brain cancer research. Mara's nephew, Sean, has brain cancer and is only 23 years old. Becky donated to the cause, but was not able to walk. It is the same time and date of her brother-in-law's memorial open house --- only 8 minutes away. Becky arrived early to the area and stopped by the Palisades Christian school where the event was taking place. Mara is on the left. The other ladies were Kappa Kappa Gamma sisters with Mara at USC.
Bob Ebbert's memorial open house was at the home of Bob's business partner, Scott Sheridan. David and Donna arrived at the same time as Becky. The drivers of both cars opted to not use the valet service. Bob's wife, Elise, was there. She and Bob had been together 53 years. Elise gave Donna two colored glamour photos of Donna's paternal grandparents, Dorothy and Harry.
The event was beautifully catered and full of west LA folks. Bob and Elise belonged to LA Country Club and The Jonathan Club. The entrance of the home had photos and bookmarks of remembering Bob. Like Richard, Bob was an avid reader.
Becky left Pacific Palisades around 3:00pm. She drove back to San Gabriel. Sister-in-law, Terry, had made a big batch of chili. Brother, Peter, came home around 6pm. Sister, Wendy, also came over. Wendy and her husband Kai are headed to New Zealand and Australia on March 2 for 27 days. So, it was fun for Becky to see Wendy and to view the itinerary.
The next morning, Becky promptly headed out to pick up the three dogs at 2nd Home Dog Boarding in Acton. The dogs were happy to see their mom.
Becky and the dogs had been "on the road" for almost four weeks. Becky was homesick. She learned a lesson. While she enjoyed the trip, a better amount of time to "vacation in the travel trailer" was two weeks or so. After picking up the dogs, Becky went back to Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon RV Resort.
It was time to head back to Williams. With the distance, Becky knew that there would be a one-night stop between Acton and Williams. It turned out to be a KOA in Needles.
KOA camp grounds are always well maintained. Becky decided to minimize the set-up of the trailer and rented a DVD instead of initiating the satellite dish and DirecTV connection.
Becky and the dogs arrived back in Williams around 1pm. The house was just as they left it. Good news! The trailer needed to be emptied of refrigerated food, clothing, toiletries, and dog food. Becky knew that she would have to back the trailer into the side yard. Fortunately, it wasn't that hard. There is no place like home!
Becky and the dogs arrived home on Valentine's Day. Fortunately, Becky and Richard were not big into that day. So, it was really just another day. Becky walked the dogs around the neighborhood, put them in the house, and went to the post office to fetch almost four weeks of mail. Most of the address changes have taken affect --- moving from the Livingston, Texas, address to Williams, Arizona.
At about 4pm, UPS delivered a package. It was from Becky's financial advisor, Barry Garapedian. It was a Valentine's gift! It was a beautiful Chef's knife engraved, "Handcrafted exclusively for Becky Ebbert."
Wednesday was a day to sift through all the mail, pick up pine cones, maintain the spa, and finalize getting the trailer ready for its Camping World appointment.
Bright and early Thursday morning, Becky drove with the trailer to Camping World for some warranty work. She had a list of 11 things that needed to be replaced, repaired, or fixed. Penny, in Service, reviewed the list and both Penny and Becky walked through the trailer.
Penny said that the process might take a few weeks, as things need to be evaluated and submitted to manufacturer Forest River. After dropping off the trailer, Becky headed to Flagstaff to run some errands. She picked up a prescription, had her wire rim glasses adjusted, and got the truck registered in Arizona. The truck was in Richard's name, so Becky had to work with Texas to get the truck registered in her name. Now, Becky is totally an Arizonian!
Another item that was in Becky's vacation hold mail was her Medicare card. Egads! Becky turns 65 on May 19!!!!!! She goes on Medicare May 1.
On Friday, a local electrician, Terry Kohl, came over to the house to install a new timer unit for the front door and garage lights. The old unit stopped working in November. Fortunately, over the holidays and into the new year, the lighted Ponderosa pine in the front yard served Becky well. But, it was now the middle of February and the lighted Ponderosa pine needed to be disconnected. Terry did a nice job!
On Saturday, Becky went back to Flagstaff. She needed to pick up more of Libby's wet dog food at Canyon Veterinary and she dropped by Summit Spa. One of the spa jet covers broke and needed to be replaced. Unfortunately, Becky did not bring the complete set --- there was one piece that was still screwed into the jet. Becky will return on Tuesday.
The weather forecast said that there was 90 percent chance of rain/snow on Sunday. So, Becky picked up two DVDs at the local Redbox. But, the temperature was too warm and all that was received an early morning frost and drizzle.
President's Day was a calm day. Just a nice walk with the dogs in downtown Williams. Walking three Dalmatians always draws some fans!
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