November 11, 2022
Nancy is off today as we are supposed to work Monday thru Wednesday. So she can be with me the whole weekend. For a few days now we have not had very good water pressure. I didn’t really have time to look at it before surgery so I was going to talk Nancy through the process. It just so happened Ron saw her and asked her if she needed anything. Ron came over and checked the screen on the water faucet. It had some gunk in it so he cleaned it off. The water pressure really didn’t get any better so the next step was to check our water filters. They were changed out and now our pressure is great. Thank you Ron. Several other work campers have offered any assistance if we need it. Thank you all.
November 10, 2022
We left home this morning at 8:30AM to make our 10:00AM appointment time. We arrived at the Oro Valley Surgical Suites and went through the registration process. They took us back to a curtained area which will be mine for my duration here. Of course you have to wear one of those hospital gowns. After donning my gown and getting into bed a Receiving Nurse came over to take vitals, start IV and ensure that the correct body part is being operated on by the correct doctor(s). I spoke with an anesthesiologist. I had two options for this operation. First is general and the second is a spinal block. Nancy and I and the anesthesiologist all agreed to do number 2, the spinal block. But the first option is still in play if unsuccessful on the block. Just my luck, they didn’t have a needle long enough so a general anesthesia it is. They operation is supposed to take about 45 minutes to an hour. The actual time was 1 hour and 15 minutes. I had dense tissue. A polite way of saying i had a lot of fat to cut through. Before they moved me they took an x-ray to ensure everything was in place. They moved me to the gurney and back to my curtained haven. I was seen by Recovery Nurse Sara. Sara noticed that my left foot was turned outward, not straight. I was also in some pain and my feet itched. A common practice is to have the patient stand and kind of sway back and forth to get blood flow to the leg. I did so without any relief or change,. They put me back in bed and gave me more meds. They also contacted Dr. Smith about the situation. As soon as he had finished with his patient he was at my bedside. He seemed very concerned and perplexed. He very rarely has a patient that doesn’t go right by the book. I was his second patient to do this. So to correct the issue, they gave me Versed. Love versed! Took me back to the OR where the C-arm x-ray was. They took another x-ray and it appeared that I might of had a muscle spasm to dislocate the hip. I was very loopy but I remember the Dr. manipulating my leg and I felt a pop. Everything felt fine now. After another x-ray I was returned to my “room” where I stayed until I was discharged. The staff at Oro Valley was awesome. Very friendly. Very caring. Nancy says that the staff and even the administration was concerned about her feelings and what was going on with me. One manager came out of her office and talked to her in the recovery area. The Mgr. wanted to make sure Nancy was okay. Being the battle hardened ED nurse, it was no big deal and she expected me to pull some kind of stunt. I’m known for it.
I got into the truck without much of an issue. I just needed Nancy to maneuver my left leg into the cab. Quiet ride home. I was starving. We arrived home around 7:30PM. I got out of the truck and climbed the 4 steps into the RV. And into my recliner I went. This is my bed for the next few days or so. Nancy decided to sleep in the living room with me also. She opted for the fold-out couch. But in the morning, she regretted not having slept in the recliner, next to me.
November 9, 2022
One request Nancy had was to be able to move into the host site before my surgery. We were told that it was going to be a long shot if it did. However, Michael pushed everything and got us into the site before the surgery. The plumbing and electric were finished up yesterday. A quick check with Michael and we are good to move to our host site today. It is definitely going to be a tricky maneuver to back a 42’ RV in between two trees without a lot of front space to maneuver. A couple of other work campers came over to help spot and guide us. After about 2 hours I decided enough was enough. Even after various tree limbs and branches were cut out of the way I did not feel we could make it. At some point I had contacted a small tree branch and ripped a few feet of roofing off of the side of the RV. Nothing major, but frustrating. We finally go out of our chosen site and went for the easier back in site. We finally got set up by around 3:00PM. A long and frustrating day. Tomorrow is surgery.
November 5, 2022
This afternoon there is a free concert on the patio. Just bring a tip and a chair. The concert is open to all in the campground as well as anyone in the community. This will be our first show of the winter season. The band is Black Hole, They are a blues rock band. They didn’t disappoint. For a three piece band they were great. Nancy was not as impressed with the band as I was. I believe they will be back sometime. This is one unique feature of the Lakes at St. David, they are a music venue. They are even building a stage in front of one of the two lakes. Can’t wait to see it finished.
November 4, 2022
Tonight we played cards with some new friends, Sally and Ron. They have lived in Ohio and Ron actually lived in Carmel, IN for a few years. He was there a few years after I had left but we definitely know some of the same places. We had a great time playing Euchre and some great conversation. Looking forward to many more nights of friendship. They also know several of the games we just learned so we should have lots of fun.
November 3, 2022
Today we decided to go to a one dealer RV Show. It was being held at the Pima County Fairgrounds just on the south side of Tucson. The dealer is La Mesa RV, the largest RV dealer in the area with several locations. We didn’t stay very long. The nice thing was it was free with free parking. We looked a few different models but did not see anything that was totally outstanding. Nancy was satisfied that the quality of our cabinets as compared to ones in the $500,000 Class As.
A really interesting event occurred on our way to the RV show. We were headed west on Interstate 10. I was several car lengths from a vehicle and we were both in the left lane. I try to always have awareness of traffic behind me and besides me. That practice paid off today. The speed limit is 75 m.p.h. I was running at 80 m.p.h. when the vehicle in front of me suddenly veered into the right lane. I had to do the same. The reason? This is very cool. I had to avoid hitting a tumbleweed. Yes, a tumbleweed. Apparently out here it is not uncommon. Tumbleweeds are large and have lots of stickers. Maybe the next time we can get a picture.
November 2, 2022
First thing this morning we had to head to Tucson. We rearranged my lab work appointment from tomorrow to today, before my pre-op doctor appointment. This actually freed up tomorrow and since rain is forecast we decided that we would work Friday instead. While I was in my pre-op, Nancy met with someone who was selling a wheeled walker. I need one for a week or two after my surgery. She picked me up and we made a few stops for supplies and home we went.
There was an open invitation on the Facebook page, Friends of the Lakes at St. David, for a Jam Session at site 171. We thought what the heck. It would be a good way to meet people in the park and just relax. We went and glad we did. Had a great time and met some great people. If the music tonight is any indication, it’s going to be a great winter.
October 26, 2022
Today is not a work day but a doctor appointment day for me. Since August in South Dakota, we have been reasonably sure that I will need a hip replacement. The pain and lack of mobility has increased since the beginning. I got a few x-rays. The PA, Tim, came in and said that there was no other testing needed. It is conclusive. I need a new hip. The Doctor, Jordan Smith, came in and said the same thing. I need a new hip. The next question is when would you like it? Yesterday. Since that is not an option, they checked possible dates. They had two. November 10 and December 12. There is no way I am going to have surgery on my birthday, so November 10 it is. I am now scheduled to have a pre-op meeting with Tim on November 2, blood work and urine test (I’m going to study hard for that!) on November 3 and surgery on November 10.
Dr. Smith asked me a bunch of health questions and determined that I was tough and in good health, so he would do the surgery outpatient. Nancy did a lot of research to even select this doctor. He is known for his hip replacements. He does an anterior replacement to lessen the chance of post op hip dislocation. His office is located just blocks away from Arizona University, School of Medicine. Apparently Arizona is a noted orthopedic area. The expected recovery time is 2 to 4 weeks. Mine will be closer to 4 weeks as I can not take NSAIDS, which reduces inflammation. I am so ready to get this done. It would be great to be able to walk at a normal gate for a change. I know most of you were unaware of this situation. Everyone has their own burden(s) to bear. Compare to most, this is minor. Besides, we knew that this was a probability when we left NC. It was a matter of time.
We decided that we were leaving on the trip and if it happened sooner then so be it. Actually recovering in an RV might be a little easier as we do not have large open spaces like in a house. More items closer to steady myself. The best post op exercise will be walking. No formal PT. Fortunately our RV is large enough that I have room to maneuver a walker in. We did find a like new walker on Craigslist that we will pick up Wednesday when we go to Tucson.
October 25, 2022
Today’s jobs included continued work on the night sites. Once we finished with the sites, we were assigned to clean out the pool house. Sometime in the next couple of weeks, new pool and hot tub equipment will be installed. The sites are ready for dirt, gravel, and leveling. They still need electric and plumbing to be finished before we can move in.
October 24, 2022
Today is our first day of work. Michael ( General Manager) met with us at 10:00AM at our place. We talked for about 2 hours to find our what we are expected to due until December 1. The reality is that we spent more time connecting on an emergency responder/medical level than actual work information. Michael was a Corpsman in the Navy. December 1 is the “soft open” date. Our job is night host. For the rest of today we started cleaning up the night hosts sites. Raking and cutting and moving some debris. We also took measurements to see which site we would fit in the best. Our work schedule is Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. At least until December. Then we will work 4 evenings on and 4 evenings off.
October 22, 2022
This morning we had to go to Benson Ace Hardware for a Stihl class. We were told how to start and maintain the equipment that we have here at the Lakes. We have a couple different chain saws, a pole saw, and a weed eater. It was a good class. We are off the next few days until Monday, 10/24. Then Michael, one of the managers, will meet with us to go over work schedule and projects and expectations.
October 21, 2022
This morning we had a work campers meeting. It was a great opportunity to meet several of the work campers. We also got an overview of the plans of the campground. We got the timeline on the completion of several projects.
October 20, 2022
Finally it is move in day. It took us about 15 minutes to drive the 10 miles from Benson. We are currently parked in Site 56. Once the Night Hosts sites are completed we will be moving to the front of the park. After we got set up we drove around the park. We also had an opportunity to meet several other work campers. The majority of the campground is workers and work campers.
October 19, 2022
After a little planning and some research, our plan was to ride past The Lakes at St. David to check out the campground, first thing. However, we saw a sign for Benson Donuts. I had read last night that they were rated very high. So that was our first stop. Not as good as Jerry’s Donuts in Rapid City but still very good. We did the drive by the Lakes. It looks like a nice place but still has a lot of work to go. Tombstone is only 15 minutes down the road so off we went.
We had Googled western wear shops and came up with several names and addresses. Historic Tombstone is about 2 blocks wide and only one street, Allen Street. We found The Branding Iron and after a lesson on cowboy hat materials we opted for a palm leaf hat. It’s light weight, can be moistened to keep you cool and can be easily cleaned. After our purchase we walked down one block and crossed the street and checked out the Tombstone Harley Davidson. We walked back up the street and checked out a few shops. We were getting hungry and Nancy Googled for the best restaurant. We actually were right across the street from Big Nose Kates. We could hear the wonderful music coming from inside and just had to check it out. After lunch we headed to Sierra Vista.
During our research last night we found that Fry’s actually carries Boar’s Head meats and cheeses. It turns out they also have a fuel station and a rewards system. It is owned by Kroger. There are many many familiar names on storefronts. It’s only 35 minutes from St. David. It’s nice to see all these.
October 18, 2022
Fortunately we found a site for a couple of days. We traveled all of 1 1/2 hours through Tuscon and pulled into Butterfield RV Park and Observatory in Benson. We are now only 10 miles from our winter home. This evening we rode through Benson and found a couple of stores. For a small town they have a Walmart, large one at that. An Ace Hardware, a Tractor Supply, and a Safeway. One thing I discovered is that I do not have an acceptable hat to wear to work in the Arizona sun. We stopped at Tractor Supply to see if they had an inexpensive straw cowboy hat. They did not but recommended Tombstone and the several western shops there. We Googled Benson and found a small little restaurant called Mi Casa. Dinner was very good. On to home to plan our day.
October 17, 2022
The delay continues so we were able to get an overnight spot at Catalina State Park. Very nice place. We decided that instead of staying put, we would inch our way toward St. David. We got another email, that the paving was delayed still. We are now not expected until Thursday 10/20. But this gave us a great opportunity. Braxton had only seen cacti in cartoons and thought they were funny looking and small. So we took ad vantage of the local flora and took a couple of pictures to send to him.
October 16, 2022
Today is a travel day. It will be our first camping experience in Arizona. The initial plan was to stop here in Camp Verde, AZ and then on the 17th go on down to St. David. We received an email that the entry will be delayed. The park is putting asphalt on the roads but the plant machinery broke down. Thus delaying our entry. We did stay the night at Camp Verde.
October 15, 2022
This was originally a local exploration day. During our driving and our research we discovered not too much to explore. So it was decided that since tomorrow was going to be a travel day, we would just chill and while we had some time, work on the blog. During our travels yesterday, we saw the Thunderbird Diner, home of the Ho Made Pies. Had to check it out for lunch today. Here we are in the middle of nowhere and 2 miles down the road is a resort complete with golf course and a beautiful restaurant. It is still family owned. As a matter of fact all the family works there. After waiting about 20 minute we were seated. The food was great and pie was fabulous. Even got a couple of slices to go!
October 14, 2022
As it turns out, the information Nancy gleaned yesterday was very helpful. I am not a morning person, much less an early morning person. The advice we got was to get to Zion National Park by 7:30AM. That meant we had to leave by 6:45AM. I grumbled but looking back it was the best thing to do. Zion National Park is a very popular park for tourists. I think more for hikers than anything else. Our route to the park was the Mount Carmel Junction - Zion Scenic Byway. It is Utah State Road 9. It runs over and through the mountains. There are a couple of tunnels along the way and several switchbacks. But the coolest thing was a one mile long tunnel carved through the mountain. Very cool. It even has “windows” carved in the side of the tunnel. Unfortunately you can’t stop to admire the view. Large vehicles and semis, must obtain a permit and traffic is stopped so the oversize vehicle can use both lanes to pass through.
Zion during certain months is a shuttle only park. That means you can only ride in the park on their shuttle. You can hike or ride a bicycle. There are shuttles from Springdale that takes you to the park gate and then you walk into the park or you can drive through the gate to the Visitors Center. We came in through the eastern, not the southern gate, so we parked at the Visitors Center. This early in the morning and it was almost full already. We walked to the shuttle boarding area and immediately Nancy and I thought of Disney World with the chained lines.
Once you board the shuttle you may disembark at a few different stops to hike or view the landscape. We rode the shuttle all the way to Stop 9 which is the turn around point. Everyone must get off the shuttle. However, you could walk across the street and get back on the same bus. We got to Stop 9 and there were several deer mulling around. We just crossed the street and got back on the outbound bus. Our first stop was the Temple of Sinawava. After that we stopped at Big Bend. There we had an opportunity of a lifetime. Some national park volunteers were using a high powered scope to view two California Condors. My little 200mm wasn’t going to cut it for an actual photo but we did get to see them. Very cool!! The nice thing is that the shuttles are about 5 minutes behind each other. Our final stop was the Court of the Patriarchs. We probably stayed there longer than any previous stop. We walked a short distance down toward a water pool. There was a dirt path going one way and you could see a couple of deer snacking on the local foliage. Then in the water were several wild turkeys. Also got to see some flora as well. We walked back up to the bus stop and rode the shuttle back to the Visitors Center. On the shuttle we struck up a conversation with a couple and their son. They were on a bus tour. We got off the bus and continued our conversation. They usually RV and during our talk we all enjoy watching Keep Your Daydream. We took a selfie with them and went our separate ways. It is amazing how friendly RVers are and how they help each other out.
We had a couple of postcards to mail out so we left the park through the southern gate. It put us directly into Springdale. The Post Office was just a few blocks down so we headed there. We did have to wait for someone to allow us to both enter and exit the post office parking lot. Traffic to get into Zion was backed up for at least 2 miles. Wow!! I plotted the route back home. What took us a little over 45 minutes this morning was going to be over 2 hours now. So the alternate route was to head south and then east through Arizona and then back north to Utah. That was only about 1 hour and 15 minutes. In the mountains, you have a limited number of route choices. We arrived back home by mid afternoon. Time for a nap.
October 13, 2022
Today is Bryce Canyon day. We started moving a little earlier today. We arrived at Bryce Canyon and took the shuttle. We picked up the shuttle just outside of the park. It was an easy way to see the sights and more enjoyable than driving. We went to Sunset Point, Inspiration Point, and then the Visitors Center. At the center we watched a video. The shuttle only went the first 5 miles into the park. There was still another 13 miles of park road and several lookouts to go.
At the Visitors Center we sat and watched a movie on the park. I really enjoy these movies as it gives a great overview and history of each park. We left the visitor center and found a nice place to dine, Ruby’s Inn. We walked around the General Store and then walked into the restaurant. At 4:00PM they have a buffet. We don’t usually do buffets but this one looked awesome. So we dived in. It had almost everything. It was good for a buffet. Especially if you wash it down with a local brew.
After Ruby’s Inn we decided to drive the remaining part of the park. We saw Natural Bridge and Rainbow Point, elevation 9,114 feet. What amazing views. We were actually there for sunset. While on the shuttle bus, Nancy started talking to a guy who had spent the morning in Zion. As we were going there tomorrow, she picked his brain for information. Also, while on the shuttle, we talked with a couple from Arizona, Scott and Joyce Alder. They are from Pima, AZ. They gave us their contact information and told us to contact them and they would show us around the area. They were actually heading north as we are headed south. Their trip is only a couple of weeks.