Mike & Vicki's World

mverps@yahoo.com (Mike & Vicki Erps) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:55:00 +0000

Yesterday I decided to get out and do something. I went to Fort Bowie (Boo-ee). The first picture here says it is a leisurely 1 1/2 mile hike to the old Fort. What they forgot to mention was it was all uphill. I finally made it up there and it was worth the hike. Lots of history here. This was Apache country and they did not take kindly to intruders. If any of you get to this area and feel like a little exercise this is a great place to visit. The Fort was established to protect the Apache spring. A reliable source of water for the Butterfield Stagecoach and travelers heading west. This route was chosen because of the water supply in the middle of the desert. If anyone wants more info on this Fort go to, http://www.nps.gov/fobo/index.htm

Until next time God Bless you all.

mverps@yahoo.com (Mike & Vicki Erps) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:04:00 +0000

While visiting some friends the other day the subject of pets came up. We came to the conclusion that yes they are a pain in the rear at times, BUT they are way to much company and entertainment to not be without one. This is a picture of the ruler of the house, or in our case the 5th wheel trailer. We have 2 cats and both of them are very good travelers.

mverps@yahoo.com (Mike & Vicki Erps) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 15:41:00 +0000

This was taken in 2002

mverps@yahoo.com (Mike & Vicki Erps) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 17:16:00 +0000

This is a picture from back home. Fireweed, Turnagain Arm, and Sleeping Lady Mountain in the back. Just thought you would all wnjoy it. My dad sent me this the other day.

mverps@yahoo.com (Mike & Vicki Erps) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 22:51:00 +0000

We finally made it out of RV City. Furnace works better than when it was new, brakes and wheel bearings done, Should be good to go now. Other than our pocketbooks. Trip to RV City was another $600.00. So we will be waiting until after Christmas before we head East.

Here is a more recent Picture, taken on Flathead Lake, MT

mverps@yahoo.com (Mike & Vicki Erps) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:53:00 +0000

This will be night #2 that we are spending at RV City. They did get the furnace fixed today. I had them do the wheel bearings, well now there is a story. The hubs were rusted on bad, finally have 2 hubs pulled, brakes are ok. They had to modify a hub puller to get the hubs off.

Hopefully we will be back to Willcox sometime tomorrow. We spent the day visiting Jim & Sharon, a couple we have met through Workamper news forum. Had a great day visiting with them.

Till next time God Bless everyone.

mverps@yahoo.com (Mike & Vicki Erps) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:54:00 +0000

New Day and new challenges. Weather has been bad, bad, bad. Wind rain and snow just a little higher than us. We have decided to stay holed up for a day or two and hope this storm passes. Then we will take trailer to RV City for furnace repair. This puts a kink in our travel plans, will see what the next several days bring.

mverps@yahoo.com (Mike & Vicki Erps) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:41:00 +0000

Truck is out of the hospital, new glow plugs on one side. We have an appointment tomorrow morning for the trailer in Huachuca City at RV City for the furnace. Life goes on.
"Life happens. Make the most of each day, even if it’s not at all the day you had planned."
This is a quote I got from High Plains Camping blog. I am trying to make the best of each day.

Just to make someones day here is a pic on Vicki and Myself a few years ago. Yea life is fun.

mverps@yahoo.com (Mike & Vicki Erps) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:29:00 +0000

We were planning on leaving in the morning to head East. Not gonna happen for a few days, STUFF HAPPENS, truck in the hospital again, furnace in trailer died (always when it gets down to 19 degrees at night) So need to get STUFF fixed before we head out.

mverps@yahoo.com (Mike & Vicki Erps) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:29:00 +0000

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. We are still in Willcox, AZ. Leaving here about the 6th or7th of Dec. and head East. We are doing good, turkey is in the oven and I am getting hungry..

Below is some more old photos.

mverps@yahoo.com (Mike & Vicki Erps) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:04:00 +0000

Last couple of weeks have been pretty layed back and relaxed. I have worked a few hours at the Chevron station, just to fill in as needed. We had lunch a couple of days ago with 2 others RV'ers from the Sierra Vista area. It was great getting to meet them and we had a very good lunch. Yesterday Vicki and I went to Tucson. Costco, Best Buy and the Park Place Mall. We are getting our prescriptions transfered to Costco. Stopped in Benson for dinner at Rebs cafe. Good dinner!
thats about all for now. I will dredge up another old photo so you all can enjoy it as much as I have. Till next time take care and God Bless you all.

mverps@yahoo.com (Mike & Vicki Erps) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:23:00 +0000

Dad has sent me several old pictures so above is another oldy but goody.

We have been in Willcox now for over a week. The weather has been real nice, we did get some rain that is much needed in this country. The town hasn't changed much in the last couple of years. A couple of business's out of business and a couple new ones. One of the grocery stores was sold and under new management. Have to say they did clean up the store.

I went to Sierra Vista the other day to purchase a new blower motor for the furnace. Got it installed and appreciated the heat that night, it cooled off to the mid 40's.
Where else can you run the firnace at night and the Air conditioner during the day.

I also purchased a new tool box for the pickup. It is a much larger box than what I had and everything fits in it with no problem. The old box had to be packed just right or things would not fit in it.

Before we leave here in December I need to have a brake job done on the truck. Also need trailer wheel bearings repacked and check the brakes on it.

mverps@yahoo.com (Mike & Vicki Erps) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 22:42:00 +0000

Above is a picture Dad e-mailed me, It was taken just a couple of years ago, I am the good looking guy in the middle.
I know, I am bad. Haven’t done an update for awhile. We left Washington almost 2 weeks ago. Destination Willcox, AZ. Well we are almost there. Right now we are in Arizona City, visiting a friend here. We will leave here next Tuesday and travel the last leg to Willcox. We will be there until after thanksgiving.

This was another event filled trip to get here. East side of Snoqualmie pass the carrier for Vicki’s scooter broke. Of course right in the middle of a construction zone with one lane of traffic. Thankfully there was a wide gravel shoulder to get off the highway. Surveyed the damage, gave the carrier a not so nice burial, and a nice guy working the construction there stopped and helped me load the scooter up on the back of the truck, It rode there to Waitsburg WA. Where we stopped to visit friends. Spent 3 nights there and had a great visit. They took us over to Richland and I purchased another carrier for the scooter.

With scooter back on the back of the trailer we were off again. We spent the next night in Mountain Home, ID. At Mountain Home RV Park. Very nice Park, office was friendly and helpful, nice long level pull through concrete sites. Sites had a nice grass area and picnic table. We will stay there again.

Next day was a long day, we drove through absolutely horrible traffic in Salt Lake City and Proveo, UT. I-15 came to a stop and it took almost an hour to go 5 miles. We made it to Beaver where worked last year and spent 2 nights. Got to visit with Leo and Jane (owners of the park) and Leslie, one of the workampers. Sorry we missed Dennis he was off hunting.

From Beaver we made it to Munds Park, AZ. This is just south of Flagstaff, Spent the night and woke up to wind and rain. Rain stayed with us to Camp Verde, then it got nice again. We arrived in Arizona City in early afternoon. Shortly after we left Munds Park the service engine soon light came on. So last Monday the truck went into the hospital again, this time it was the main air sensor that egulates the air going into the engine. Nice cheap fix of only $778.00. OUCH.

Well enough for now, you all take care and God Bless You all.

mverps@yahoo.com (Mike & Vicki Erps) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:26:00 +0000

Sunday we caught the Edmonds/Kingston Ferry, went to Bremerton and spent the day visiting Gene & Cindy. Had a really nice visit. They took us out to lunch (thanks again) It was a great meal.

Sunday evening we drove up to Sequim and spent the next 2 days visiting Charlie. We had a great visit with him and even went for a ride in his new car. He bought a new Mercury Marquis. Nice car and he is enjoying it.

Tuesday evening we caught the Port Townsend/Keystone Ferry back to Whidbey Island, then back to Mount Vernon. It was a nice short trip with lots of visiting and a very enjoyable time.

Today I did some more waxing on the trailer, have 1/2 of it done, Its a long way around it. This coming Saturday we are going out to Camano Island to Aunt Lelaini's. I am going to help rebuild the compost bin.

Until next time God bless you all, stay safe and enjoy life.

mverps@yahoo.com (Mike & Vicki Erps) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 20:58:00 +0000

Just a short update to let you all know what we have been up to. Washed the trailer, it was long past due. I have been waxing it, but it is very slow going. It's a long way around it.

Yesterday Vicki and I went out to Camano Island and visited with Aunt Leilani and stayed for dinner. Don and Bradley also came over for dinner. We had steaks, corn on the cob, jello salad and garlic bread. Very good dinner and a great visit.

Tonight We are going to Denny's for dinner. going to meet A friend I worked with last fall. Should be a fun evening.

Tomorrow we are going over to Bremerton to visit Gene and Cindy. Then up to Sequim for a couple of days to visit Charlie.

Our plans are to leave here around the 25th and start heading to Arizona.

Will do another update before we leave here. You all take care and God Bless.

Brothers Visit

mverps@yahoo.com (Mike & Vicki Erps) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 04:12:00 +0000

Last Sunday Rick and I took the ferry across to Port Townsend where we met our other brother Gene. After having lunch we spent the afternoon walking the docks and checking out boats and visiting. This is a rare occasion when we all three are together at the same time. We had a really good day and a great visit.

mverps@yahoo.com (Mike & Vicki Erps) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 03:30:00 +0000

Way past due an update, lots has happened in the last month.
We did a lot of site seeing in southern Oregon. Glad that we had the opportunity to see this wonderful area of our great country. There is lots to see and do on Southern Oregon.

On one of our days off we drove up to Corvallis to visit some old friends there. Had a great visit and some ok Pizza Hut Pizza. The good company made up for the lack of really good pizza

Our plans were to leave Gold Hill right after Labor Day and head to Arizona. Things change, our replacements showed up 3 weeks early. So we decided to make a trip back up to Washington for a few weeks then head south. We left Gold Hill Monday Aug. 17th. We went as far as Kelso, WA.
When we arrived at the RV Park the truck was leaking fuel bad, Soooo I made an appointment with Stirling GMC in Longview for the next morning.
They found the problem but had no parts, soooo we was set to wait a while to get parts before we could move on. The service manager called the regional manager and had them expedite parts. One part came out of a dealer in Texas and another from Colorado. Both were overnighted to Longview and Stirling had them at 10:00 AM Tuesday morning. They got the truck right in and had it fixed the next morning. I can’t say enough about the good service I received from this dealer.

We liked the RV Park we were staying in so stayed another day after truck was done. Brook Hollow RV Park is a really nice park with concrete pads and a nice grassy area. Far enough away from Interstate that is was nice and quite in the park.

Saturday morning we headed out for Mount Vernon, WA and arrived here about 2:00 PM. Bad traffic through Seattle and Everett. Surprised everyone here by just showing up. We have been having lots of fun visiting with family. We will be here for a couple more weeks then head to Arizona.
Until next time take ya’ll take care.

Crater Lake National Park

mverps@yahoo.com (Mike & Vicki Erps) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 21:36:00 +0000

July 9th was an absolutely wonderful day. It is always an adventure when we go exploring country that we have not seen before. My older brother Rick and his better half Teri were here so we used that as a real good opportunity to see something new. In this case it was Crater Lake National Park. We packed up and headed out, The drive to the Park is a nice drive with lots of great scenery. We started around the rim drive asking each other when do we get to see the Lake? Well we soon found out and what a treat it was. I have never seen water so deep blue before. We managed to stop at almost every pullout going around the Lake. The view of the Lake is different at every pullout. Some fantastic vistas that will never be forgotten.
If you have never been to the Park put it on your list of must sees.

This is from the National Parks Website
Crater Lake - Like No Place Else on Earth
Crater Lake has inspired people for hundreds of years. No place else on earth combines a deep, pure lake, so blue in color; sheer surrounding cliffs, almost two thousand feet high; two picturesque islands; and a violent volcanic past. It is a place of immeasurable beauty, and an outstanding outdoor laboratory and classroom.
Crater Lake is located in Southern Oregon on the crest of the Cascade Mountain range, 100 miles (160 km) east of the Pacific Ocean. It lies inside a caldera, or volcanic basin, created when the 12,000 foot (3,660 meter) high Mount Mazama collapsed 7,700 years ago following a large eruption.
Generous amounts of winter snow, averaging 533 inches (1,354 cm) per year, supply the lake with water. There are no inlets or outlets to the lake. Crater Lake, at 1,943 feet (592 meters) deep, is the seventh deepest lake in the world and the deepest in the United States. Evaporation and seepage prevent the lake from becoming any deeper.

Quick Trip

mverps@yahoo.com (Mike & Vicki Erps) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 17:10:00 +0000

A friend from Alaska called Vicki last Tuesday. She was in Alturas, CA. and was going to be there for several days. Since I was off work Wednesday and Thursday we decided to go visit her. We packed up the Kitties and headed out. The drive over was very nice, scenic for most of the trip. Stayed at the Essex Motel. It was old but clean. had a comfortable bed.
Donna was staying at her brothers house Bill & Molly, they lived about 10 miles out of town. We went out and visited and had dinner with them. Had a great time. Thanks again Bill and Molly for your hospitality, it was great to meet you.

Just like a lot of small towns Alturas had a museum so had to stop and look. Lots of local history and one of the largest collections of arrowheads I have ever seen. Picture of arrowheads below is just a small sample of what they actually had. Entrance fee was $2.00 and well worth it. If you get through this area stop and enjoy the Museum.

Sunday Drive

mverps@yahoo.com (Mike & Vicki Erps) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 03:11:00 +0000

We decided it was such a nice day to go for a drive. Since food appears to be such an important part of our lives we had to include food into the drive. We had been told that a cafe in Union Creek had pie that was really good. This is on Hwy 62 on the way to Crater Lake. So off we ventured towards Union Creek in search of Beckies Restaurant. Union Creek is about 60 miles from Gold Hill. The drive is designated as a Scenic Drive and it is a very scenic drive. We found Beckies Cafe with no problem (couldn't miss it). Had a Hamburger that was very good then I had a piece of Peanut Butter pie and Vicki Indulged in a slice of Cherry pie. The pie was all that the reputation said it was. Stuffed to the gills we headed back towards home.

There are lots of state parks in the area so we stopped at a viewpoint of the upper Rogue River, an area called Natural Bridge.

This was a very interesting area of the river. If in the area it is well worth the short walk to see the river vanish then reappear a short distance downriver.

Since it was getting late we pointed the truck in the direction of Gold Hill and returned home. It was a great day to get out and take a break from the trailer and life in the campground.

Until next time God Bless.

June 2nd

mverps@yahoo.com (Mike & Vicki Erps) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 03:39:00 +0000

June 2nd, Memorial weekend is long over, the Park is back to a slower pace, but still busy. We have had thunderstorms the last 3 evenings, last night we almost had a rainbow as you can see in the picture.

Talked to Mom & Dad last night, They are at Aunt Lelaini's for several days, then to Rick and Teri's for a few days, then over to Gene and Cindy's/ After that they will come down to southern Oregon and visit with us and Uncle Glen and Aunt Betty. Looking forward to seeing them.

Received an E-mail from my sister, Her last day of work is Oct 30th, Congratulations on your upcoming retirement.

We have 91 days left here in Oregon, already looking forward to heading south for the winter.

Not much new here now so will sign off for now, god Bless and take care.

mverps@yahoo.com (Mike & Vicki Erps) — Sat, 23 May 2009 14:50:00 +0000

Here It is Memorial weekend. I sincerely hope everyone will take a moment to thank a Veteran this weekend and give thanks to our Armed Services members who have served or are still serving this country.

The Campground is completely full this weekend. People are out enjoying the great weather we are having here.

Since I don't have much for news I will leave you with this:
Stupid questions tourists ask
There's no such thing as a stupid question. Right? Not if you ask the National Park rangers who compiled this list of actual questions asked by park visitors.

At Grand Canyon National Park:
"Was this man-made?"
"Is there an elevator to the bottom?"
"Do you light it up at night?"
"Is the mule train air-conditioned?"
"Where are the faces of the presidents?"

At Alaska's Denali National Park:
"What time do you feed the bears?"
"How often do you mow the tundra?"
"How much does Mount McKinley weigh?"

At Everglades National Park:
"Are the alligators real?"
"Are the baby alligators for sale?"
From RVjokes.com

Enjoy, God Bless, and have a great and safe weekend.

Lifelong friend gone but never forgotten

mverps@yahoo.com (Mike & Vicki Erps) — Sun, 10 May 2009 21:18:00 +0000

Below is an E-mail I received from Pats Husband.

to all who knew her, she will be missed, but never forgotten. Pat was a life force unto herself who helped and loved everyone she met. All of you contributed to our life, for which we were grateful. I know you will feel the sorrow in her passing, as I do. We can only be thankful that she has "gone home" and is no longer suffering. The past couple of years have been "hell on earth" for her and now she is at peace.

Mike Nolan

Patricia A. Nolan, 62, died May 7, 2009, in Anchorage At her request, there will be no service and no flowers. Pat was a true Alaskan. She was born to parents C.J and Leola Fenwick in Anchorage on a cold February in 1947. "Pat was a loving wife, a caring mother and a friend to all," her family recalled. "Like Will Rogers, Pat never met a stranger. She drew people to her like a magnet. She lived every day to its fullest and gave of herself to everyone she met. If a tough decision needed to be made, Pat made it. If a kind word needed to be said, Pat said it. "Pat loved cooking for everyone's enjoyment. Her son Doug remarked one day that, 'She was the ultimate hostess.' The old fire department crews remember her as 'the pie lady.' She loved decorating cakes for all occasions. Her artful eye and imagination allowed her to do many 'one of a kind' creations. She decorated dozens of wedding cakes, each one blessed with her loving touch. "Pat was a consummate fisherman. Family and friends remember her out-fishing everyone. The joy she took in fishing was contagious; all who fished with her shared in that fun. "She closed her life as she lived it by donating her body for scientific research. Her hope is that someone else can benefit from what they might learn from her body." She leaves her husband of 40 years, Mike; son, Douglas and wife Holly of Alexandria, Va.; and daughter, Teresa Bell and husband Shawn of Anchorage; her brothers, Mike of Idaho and John of Anchorage; and sister, Kelly of Portland, Ore. Her family suggests memorial donations in her honor to the Cancer Center at Providence, or to Beans Cafe.
If anyone who like to send a condolence card Chief Nolan's address is- 4810 Malibu Rd. Anch. AK 99517

Time is moving so fast...

mverps@yahoo.com (Mike & Vicki Erps) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 03:22:00 +0000

I can't believe that April is almost shot. It seems like just a few days ago that we left Washington and came here to southern Oregon. 20 weeks from now we will be on our way to Arizona. Weather here has been different, we have been into the 90's already,then back into the 50's.

Life at the RV park has been good so far. Work has been easy and I am enjoying not working full time. Ken (the owner) is still remodeling the men's bathroom. We tore out the last toilet and and ripped out the walls for the final phase today. Next is leveling the floor, then new tile, reinstall fixtures and have a grand opening.

Thinking about getting an Oregon fishing license, but wow is it expensive. Going to cost almost a $100.00 by the time I get the license and tags. Soooo I am still thinking about it. Might wait to see if anyone is doing any good before I decide. Salmon are just starting to run so we will see what happens.

Our plans for this winter are still up in the air, but hoping to go to Arizona for a month or so, then on to Texas for a couple of weeks, then on to Louisiana for most of the rest of the winter. From there we are not sure. Of course right now this all depends on how well Charlie is doing. He is doing really good right now and hopefully he will continue to do good.

Since not much else is happening right now this is it for an update. Mom & Dad are still talking about coming out next month. That would be a nice treat. Rick and Teri are talking about coming down for a few days, So maybe we will have some company coming. We want to get up to Crater Lake when the weather gets better. Also want to make a trip over to Klamath Falls for a day just to check out that area.

Till late take care and God Bless.

a day out

mverps@yahoo.com (Mike & Vicki Erps) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 02:41:00 +0000

I went out just driving around today. Ended up on old hwy 99 north. Stopped at Savage Rapids Dam. Or I should say what is left of it. It is in the process of being removed. Project supposed to be completed this year. After Reading some of the history of the dam I also had to question why it was ever put in to start with. The answer to that is irrigation only. It produced no Electricity and provided no flood control. I should mention above picture is of the dam the way it used to be, most of the dam is down now and they are in the process of removing what is left.

I also drove through the Rogue River state Park. It is a very nice park, full hook up rv sites are $16.00 per night. a 14 day limit on staying there. Anyone needs a nice park for a few nights it would be a great place.

Later everyone, God Bless and take care.