A Day at North Ranch

Welcome Sign

Our morning here began by meeting a lot of nice folks while we were walking Angel and Zoey. All of the folks here are friendly and talkative. Must be the gorgeous weather here.

Beautiful scenery to match the weather


The view surrounding North Ranch

We met Kay & Joyce (they call themselves the two crazy sisters) and Kay was walking her Doberman that caught our eye.

Sir Cedric The War Chief
This is for Nicole & Shane, we finally saw a Doberman on our travels

We then pulled our bikes out and began our tour of North Ranch. The development here is beautiful. Gina has fallen in love with all the flowers. Almost every cactus here is in bloom. There are a lot of birds and animals here too.

Easter Cactus in bloom


Easter Cactus Flower


Hedge Hog Cactus in Bloom


Barrel Cactus


Gambel's Quail


Rabbits run all day here at North Ranch

Later in the afternoon we rode our bikes into the desert behind North Ranch which goes on for miles in all directions.

Trail that we rode today

I can see why Mike and Pat love riding their four wheelers out here. You could ride for days and still not cover all of it.


Gina & I hope everyone has a pleasant and wonderful day, enjoying what our Father has so graciously blessed us with.

Visiting with Friends in Congress, AZ

Hope everyone had a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day. Even though today was a travel day we weren’t moving very fast. It’s only an 85 mile drive to the Escapee’s North Ranch. We pulled out at 1:30 and arrived at Mike & Pat’s house at 3:20.

Mike & Pat's Lot at North Ranch

After quick hugs they got on one of their four wheelers and escorted us to the lot where we would be parking. After I got our home backed in they went back home so we could set up.

Our site

Gina threw together a salad to go along with the St. Patrick’s Day meal of corned beef and cabbage that Pat had cooked. We walked down to their house and we all chatted and got caught up with our happenings. We last saw them December 3rd so it didn’t take too long. Since the weather was absolutely beautiful we ate outside. The food was great and the cabbage was especially good since it was cooked just the way I like it. Thanks Mike & Pat for that wonderful meal.

Mike, Pat, Gina, and me enjoying a perfect evening

We then walked back home where I watched TV and Gina got online. It may not seem that exciting. However, if you have ever had the pleasure of meeting Mike there is never a dull moment. In Gina’s words he’s such a hoot and her nickname for him is “Cool Dude”. We always enjoy spending time with them because they are so in love and have been fulltime RV’ers for 15 years. They are such an inspiration to us.

Our view out the back window

Gina & I hope everyone has a pleasant and wonderful day, enjoying what our Father has so graciously blessed us with.

Leaving Our Little Paradise

Yesterday we woke up early again. The desert seems so refreshing and we seem to be sleeping so well. I believe Gina wakes up early because she cannot wait to go in search for that special rock. However, today we just laid in bed watching the news and discussing where we are going to store all of these rocks Gina has collected.

This is less than 1% of the rocks Gina found here in the desert

In the mean time we decided to stay one more day here in the desert before we move. We’ll move on Wednesday to Congress, Arizona to visit our great friends Mike & Pat McFall which have a place at the Escapees park, North Ranch. They found us a lot that we can stay on for a few days. After those decisions were made we took a drive to Parker, Arizona so we could stock up on some food. We’re not sure when we may hit another Wal-mart. After we got back home we started loading all of those rocks. It wasn’t too bad but we are carrying a lot of rocks. If collecting rocks makes my bride happy then it makes me even happier and the best part it doesn’t cost me anything.

This smile says it all

We grilled hot dogs for dinner. Gina got on the computer and read blogs while I watched a movie on the Disney channel. We both seemed drained of energy and finally around ten o’clock we called it a night.

Gina & I hope everyone has a pleasant and wonderful day, enjoying what our Father has so graciously blessed us with.

Celebrating 28 Years of Marriage Bliss

Gina and I had a wonderful anniversary and we would like to thank everyone for the Happy Anniversary wishes. Our day started off with coffee and then we drove over to another beautiful spot in the desert called the Four Peaks. With backpacks on we headed out for a long hike exploring some of the old mines. We then laid out a blanket and sat down to enjoy a picnic.

Our View of the Four Peaks


Beautiful Setting that I just had to take


White dirt or salt not sure since I didn't taste it


One of the many old Mine Shafts we saw today


Happy Anniversary Sweetheart, I love You


A Mountain Goat that I startled


We're blessed to be living our dream

Around four o’clock we went home to spend the evening with our friends Mike & Janna and Jim & Ellie which had invited us over for hamburgers and hot dogs. This is my kind food and it made for a relaxing and fantastic evening. After dinner we were treated to a special cake decorated with “Happy Anniversary Rollie & Gina”.

Our Cake, Thanks to Jim, Ellie, Mike and Janna

This was our second anniversary in a row that we have celebrated with our RV-Dreams family. We both agree that the people Howard and Linda have brought together when they created the RV-Dreams family are remarkable and thankful to them for that. To say our day was wonderful is a huge understatement maybe fantastic or incredible would be a better description. It was just a great day!


I got up early Saturday morning and put a turkey on my smoker. Gina and I headed out for another six-mile hike taking in the mountain scenery and as the desert comes to life showing off their colors with all the plants blooming.

Me posing in front of a cave


Gina loving the scenery


The Desert is Blooming


Here's some cactus flowers


We just cannot get enough of this scenery


Jumping Juniper (it sheds those little cactus on the ground)

Once we got back home Gina pulled out some of her fresh corn along with some speckled butter beans. I decided to bake some southwestern potatoes in my dutch oven to add to the meal. For desert Gina baked a strawberry dump cake. Janna and Ellie commented, “it’s a Thanksgiving meal”. Well it kind of is as Gina and I are thankful for our friends Mike & Janna and Jim & Ellie. We’re especially thankful for the great time we all have shared these past two weeks.

My cooking area outside


My Dutch Oven cooking


It looks like we're roughing it. NOT!!


Smoked Turkey is done


Ellie snuggled up in LSU colors


Janna and Mike (We're going to Miss Y'all)

It’s also the last time for all of us to gather together, since Mike and Janna are leaving in the morning. All the food tasted great and I was stuffed. We hated to end the evening but after we exchanged hugs with Mike and Janna we all said goodnight. We wished them safe travels as they move south toward Bensen, Arizona to visit friends.


Sunday morning greeted me with pancakes prepared by my wonderful wife. Today was going to be just a relaxing and hanging out kind of day. I needed a down day and I’m glad Gina allowed me to have it. After hiking 12 miles in two days I was tired and I just wanted to sit on my behind and do nothing. Around three o’clock Gina cooked more fresh corn along with a new potato casserole she created. I on the other hand prepared desert in my dutch oven. I made a Black Forest Cake.

Not only did it look good, it tasted fantastic

I am really enjoying my dutch oven and it’s cooking great. Jim & Ellie came over around four o’clock to visit and have leftover turkey. The food still tasted great and the highlight was desert. I was totally surprised how good the cake tasted. We called it an early night as Jim and Ellie will be leaving tomorrow morning. What better way to spend an evening than with great friends. Life is great!!


Monday morning found both Gina and I awake at five o’clock excited about our hike today. Jim and Ellie stopped on their way out to say goodbye.

Jim and Ellie (She's dressed appropriately for the Pavement) LOL

After several exchanges of hugs we wished them safe travels. We thanked them for inviting us to join them out here in the “middle of nowhere” and since fulltimers never say goodbye but rather safe travels until we meet again down the road somewhere in time. Gina and I have really fallen in love with this area and definitely plan to return.

We left right behind them as we drove about three miles east to begin our hike. We were told that there were some really nice rocks in this area and that was our goal. We were just about to turn around when we stumbled on a lot of quartz and some crystal. We searched for all the unique pieces and then around 11:30 with the sun shining bright we decided to head back to the truck. On our way back we stopped and filled up on water. We made it back home around two o’clock. For the remaining time we just sat outside enjoying this paradise and soaking up all this beautiful weather. We were even treated to another beautiful desert sunset before we went inside for the night.

What a view to end your day

Gina & I hope everyone has a pleasant and wonderful day, enjoying what our Father has so graciously blessed us with.