A NEW COMPUTER

In the 11+ years that I have had to experience and learn all about computers, I never was excited about owning a new one as I was for the one I just got.  My very first computer was a nightmare experience and one would think I would have hung it up right then there, but I plucked along.
I started out with learning on the millennium edition with a quick transaction to the Windows XP-which I really liked. then they had to change it to the Windows Vista. I wasn’t impressed with Vista at all.  But now they have come out with Windows 7. The features that they have added really caught my attention and I knew I wanted a new computer with these features. 
There really wasn’t anything wrong with my “old” computer and I probably could have changed out the Vista to the Windows 7 on it.  But I have heard nightmare stories of others changing their computer from one operating system to another and had nothing but serious trouble-to me that wasn’t an option, since I can get short fused with a computer when all doesn’t go just right…
Brian agreed that since I got hired on with Amazon.com for seasonal work this fall, that I could get a new computer with my first paycheck.  But instead he surprised me recently when he said I could get it now.  Needless to say I was ready to go shopping for my new pc!
We went to several computer stores until I found one that worked for me.  Two of the places had the same thing and prices were pretty competitive to each other, but what sold me was the extended warranty at the one.  Just like clothing, food, cars and other items we purchase, there are several makers to computers.  Personally I’m very partial to the Toshiba brand.  So therefore my new computer is once again a Toshiba.

Toshiba Notebook

Now the fun part began-transferring from old computer to the new.  In the past I would back up on disc and use my memory stick to do the transfer. This process would take forever.  Yeah, I know there are other gadgets out there that would have made my life a little more simpler, but really-how often do you transfer from one to another?  In my case, not often.  So along with the new computer, I have decided that instead of backing things up on a disc, I wanted a hard drive back-up. 
Everything transfer nicely and all my stuff can be stored on the hard-drive back up instead of on several disc.  I think  I’m going to like this new computer and the back-up….

Seagate Hard Drive Back-up

SCAMS-BEWARE!!

Over the years and I got more and more comfortable with the usage of the computer and surfing the Internet the braver I got.  One day I got brave enough to purchased Brian a scooter.   Being a little nervous in doing this, I prayed all would turn out.  I had folks telling me that they order all the time via the internet and that it was safe.
It was safe and I learned to do more via the Internet.  We soon purchased more items over the internet and even started to pay some bills the same way.  Sometimes I do get skeptical, not knowing if what I ordered would cause me future problems like receiving spam mail, getting hacked, or would they steal my credit card?
We did get Brian’s credit card number stolen.  This was with a doctor’s office that we paid via internet-the person got caught and no damage was done other than Brian had to be issued a new credit card.
But never stopped us from continuing with our purchases or paying bills still via the Internet.  Now when it comes to software's, well I have purchased software's and had the disc mailed to me.  But never have I bought a software that I would download-until recently.  With my new computer I needed the new Microsoft Words, the “old” one that I have is now considered obsolete and no longer can get a validated.
So surfing the Internet, I thought I was at a reputable company.  They were by far cheaper than anywhere else.  So I purchased the download version.  It was agreed that it could take up to 24 hours for me to receive the download and the Product Key code, but also states it usually only take 5-6 hours.
5 hours turned into 8, turning into 12 ended up almost 24 hours later when I received the email with the download and the key number.  Because it’s such a large download and I have a slow connection, I needed to get to a faster connection.  Off to the nearest WI-fi and spent well over an hour to download the software.  Now it’s time to put in the product key-and ooops-I can’t!  It states that it’s the product key to that download.  I also soon learned that what I thought was Microsoft web page was not, but a software company out of Shanghai!
Another 24 hours laps with another email sent off with them emailing me yet another download and product key.  Here we go again back to the truck stop to download again.  This time the Product Key is accepted.  But now I have less than 30 days to register it or it will quit working.  So upon registering it-I'm unable.  After contacting Microsoft about this issue I soon learn that the product is locked up and cannot be accessed!
Guess what?  Yep I just got scammed!!!  Another email sent off-this time a very nasty email.  Now it’s time to take serious action.  They have my money and I have a worthless product.  Thank Goodness for a great bank.  Brian got with our bank immediately and they have scam hotline.  We got our money back in full from the bank and now they are going after the company.  they also got the Better Business Bureau involved. 
Lesson learned-I will never again buy a software that has to be downloaded. I will pay the extra few dollars and purchase this product at the store or have the disc mailed to me.
With all this said, I don’t want to discourage anyone from purchasing via the Internet, because I still will continue to do that. Here are one or two helpful tips when ordering on the internet:

• When I’m ready to order and putting in my information, I always make sure the web page I’m on is secured.
• After I have purchased an item on the internet, you should always receive an email with your purchase order and verification number and/or a reference number
• I always check my bank account/credit card account (via internet) to make sure the right amount was taken out and nothing more.  I continue to watch it until the item I have purchased is in my hands.
• You should receive another email with a tracking number on the shipping order-that way you can monitor where it’s at and when it should arrive to you.

My lesson in all of this, is that I will research to make sure I’m buying here in the US and not in another foreign country.

INEXPERIENCE CAMPER

 

The other morning, while trying to enjoy a cup a coffee, I notice a gentleman looking around our RV, eating a banana. Then he came to our door, but never knocked. So I went out to see what I can do for him. He wanted to know how to fill his RV with water. He was told not to fill it while coming through the Rockies. So instead of getting water while parked here at the State Park upon arrival, he has decided to get it before hitting the road to Utah.
I had Brian go out and explain it to him how to fill his tank with fresh water. Brian comes back in after a few minutes, to enjoy more coffee, when again I looked out our door window and stood this man again. Brian went back out to again explain the water fill situation. Upon talking to him for the second time, this gentleman and his family hasn’t even used the toilet, because they didn’t know how to use it….
Brian told this guy that we would be out and about walking shortly and if he was at the dump station, we would come by and assist him with his water fill. 15 minutes later, again, this gentleman was at our door for a 3rd time. He had parked in a spot behind us to fill his tank. He told Brian that he thought something was wrong because the water started to fill and a few minutes later, water started to sputter out at him. Brian try to explain to him that his tank was full and he needed to shut it off. He kept asking how does one know if their tank is really full….
I’m proud of my husband for his patience with this particular gentleman for I know he was starting to wear Brian’s patience thin. Brian however didn’t have the patience to tell this particular gentleman that there are some other things he should have checked out before heading out, for he knew if he got into with him, it would be hours on end….and we did have to work that day.
He did suggest to this person in purchasing books on becoming an RV’er…..wonder if he will take the suggestion?
Now I’m not calling this gentle “dumb” or anything, but I would just like to point out to any newcomers that is either thinking or has just recently purchased a new RV for the first time to just take these few steps to make their lives (and others) a little more pleasant:

• Take time to get to know your RV inside and out BEFORE heading out on that long trip.
  
• DON’T be afraid to ask questions to the Dealer or the person whom you bought the RV from. There is no such thing as a “dumb” question.
  
• Take short trips close to home and try EVERYTHING out to make all is working properly.
  
• Maybe consider purchasing some RV books before purchasing your RV. Determine what kind of an RV you want, whether it be a 5th wheel, travel trailer or a pop-up. Do you want slide outs or not? There is a lot to consider when purchasing a RV.
  
• And NEVER be afraid to ask another RV’er some questions-most will be glad to help you-but on that same note-don’t take up a whole lot of their time either; They are there to relax as well.
  
• If you’re not use to backing up a rig, take the time and find a huge empty parking lot and practice!
  
• Remember all rigs are built differently and will operate differently in all aspects-so don’t totally rely on how another rig is set up to function-thinking yours will work that way as well.

We enjoy and really don’t mind helping a newcomer along the way and we will continue to help others whether “working’ or just playing ourselves. If we can give a helpful advise and share our experience-we will be glad to do it.

CARVING ON ROCKS

As we travel across the great American land of ours, we meet so many interesting and talented people along 0ur route.
There is one in particular that really has caught our interest.  He works seasonally here at the Colorado River State Park/Island Acres and is in maintenance.  His name is Tim and several years back he had broken his esophagus-laying him up for months on end with nothing to do but sit, sit and sit.  After several days of twiddling his fingers, he decided he needed something to do.
We have seen many folks that paint on rocks as a hobby, but never have we come across where someone has carved into a rock like he does.  Not sure what had inspired him to try carving on rocks,  but he gave it a whirl and has come up wit some magnificent carvings!  He uses a Drummel wheel to do the carving.   Now, not just any particular rock will do, it has to be one in particular and only can be found between here and just inside the Utah line.  The rock is called oil shale or Green River Formation Rock.  It’s basically flat with layers after layers of sediment and is fragile.

Tim does this strictly as a hobby and nothing more.  He sits in the evening or on weekends, whenever he has a spared moment along with his loyal corgi at his feet and carves on the rocks.  Here are some of his work that he has shared with us.

A CAMPING ADVENTURE-#1

Several years back we tried tent camping and it just didn’t work out for us and so we gave it up with a vow that we would never try that again…

There are areas that we really want to adventure onto, and not a place that we can take our motorhome.  So once again, we bought another tent.  We also wasn’t so sure how our little Min Pin-Leah would take to sleeping in a tent.  She likes to prowl at night when she hears noises outside.  So this was going to be very interesting-least to say.

On top of the Grand Mesa lays the Mesa National Forest with many different Forest Service Roads and ATV roads.  there are also over 50 lakes to explore as well.  You have your pick to popular resorts to a desolated out of the place where few will travel.  The latter was what we were looking for.  It would be easy for a person to get lost with all the forestry roadways.  But with the help of a park ranger and maps, we knew approximately where we were heading.  So off on to our first Camping Adventure we go.  Right after work one day we took off, with thunderclouds licking on our heals, If  luck was with us, it would just be a quick thunderstorm, and be over and we would be able enjoy the rest of the evening.

As we got closer to our destination, we also could see the ominous dark clouds heading towards us.  We just hope we could get our tent up and settled in before it hit us.  Bonham Lake was our destination and as we came upon the first section to check out we liked the area.  However, to place our tent in just the right spot, we would have to be at least a 1/2 block to a block away from our vehicle and being in bear country, we weren’t sure we wanted to be that far away for the first time.  All the nice secluded spots were already occupied.  So we went farther down the road.

We came to a split with yet more options for other lakes.  We came upon Neversweat Lake and really liked it  even found a few spots that would suit us.   We did have to put the car in 4-wheel drive just to get up on the little hillside with the perfect view.

In the meantime, that thunderstorm was finally upon us with intense lightning and thunder.  We try to first set up a shelter for out tent with a tarp.  Brian was tying the tarp over our heads to trees and to our car when all of a sudden a bolt of lightning hit closer than I would have cared for.  I screamed and jumped into the car with Brian right behind me.  As the storm pounded us with lightning and thunder, and then pea size hailed started to rain down on us!  The tarp didn’t get tied down all the way and it started to flap in the wind-hitting the car on my side making a horrible noise.  At one point Brian try to go out and secure it, but with the wind and rain he was soaked in seconds.

Hail on the Ground

Brian trying to attach the Tarp-with no luck

We had no choice but to sit in the car until the storm passed through.  When it finally let up and we could get out, the temp had plummeted and it was very chilly.  We manage to get out our stove and warm up can soup to help warm our bodies.  As we looked around we were surrounded with mud and water.  It was decided that we would shift things around in our car and sleep in the back for the night.  Mind you that we have a 4-door Chevy Tracker with not much room, but we would make due for the night.

Lake Neversweat-after the storm

The next morning, after a very rough and cramped night, we got out and first thing first-make coffee!  Then it was time to explore a little to see if we really wanted to stay in this spot or move to some where else.  We came across our first problem of the day…we were on this little “island” and couldn’t get off without driving!  The small creek that we crossed to get to this hillside was now twice as large as the night before.
After being wet and muddy, we knew that Cottonwood campground was just a few miles away and although we really didn’t want to be in a “developed” area,  we decided at this time that was our only option. Driving just a few miles on the Forest Service Road, we found another small lake and a nice little area that we could put the tent and salvage the rest of the day.  The lake we choose is named Kitson Reservoir according to our Delorme Topo.

View from the one end of the Lake

Finally we have our camped set up and ready to go!  Now it’s time to hunt down some firewood.  We found this old dead pine tree that about a foot was sticking in the water.  We hand sawed it off, wrapped a rope around it and then dragged it back with the car.Now it’s time to cook a hearty lunch; Chicken cooked over charcoal, with fried potatoes…mmmmgood.  Oh no not again, another storm once again heading our way.  It’s a good thing dinner was just about done, but now we have to hurry to eat and get things cleaned up and put away before it hits us.  Thank goodness it wasn’t as bad as the one that hit the night
before.

Snow still lingers in areas

mmm-smell those potatoes frying

Rain lets up, it’s time to try and keep our campfire going.  Brian re-arranges the rocks, hand saws the dead tree in half and gets a good fire going.  As we try to put the rock barrier back around the log, I didn’t know that one of the rocks was used for cooking the chicken, so upon picking it up I managed to burn 3 of my fingers on my right hand….
Storm number 2 (or is it three?) builds and again rains down on us.  I don’t know how he did it, but Brian manages to keep our campfire going through all the storms.  In the meantime I’m keeping ice on my fingers-it’s the only thing that is soothing the pain.  Upon investigating it appears I will have one good blister on one finger and small ones on the other ones.  It’s not as bad as it could have been….
Storm lets up, sunshine at last…so it’s time to take a small hike and a little adventure.  But as we walk, we notice once again storm clouds building-time to head back to camp-bummer….For the rest of the day storms continued on and off making us dodge in and out of our tent.  And yet, the campfire keeps on burning.  I soon learned Brian’s secret-lighter fluid.

Brian adding fuel to keep the fire going

Our one and only visitor

The next morning upon rising, we see once again that we are between rain-after a little better night sleep, we decided to give up on the camping for this trip.  So we packed up early morning, without coffee and headed towards home.

We have decided with all the rain and mishaps, that is still was a nice adventure and we defiantly want to come back again to this area to explore.  We will just make sure that there is no rain chances the next time!  As for Leah, our Min Pin, she was on her best behavior and a true champ through all of this!  When we got home, all she wanted to do is sleep, sleep and sleep, as well as we did!

Collbran down under all those clouds

We will adventure again up on the Grand Mesa again for there is just so much to see.  Whether you like being alone or being around folks, there are many options to sight see  and explore up there.
so what’s our next adventure?  Will be in a couple of weeks as we want to check our Rifle Falls and Rifle Gap.

SCAMS SCAMS AND MORE SCAMS

I have written stories about my life traveling on the road, but today I have decided to change tactics and write about email scams and viruses-starting with Face Book.
I got onto my Face Book to see what my friends and family are up to and on the lower right side a message popped up stating that a friend has just tagged me in two photos.  So naturally I clicked on it to see what photo of myself was being tagged.  Come to find out it was a report card that he supposedly did of himself about his friends. 
The report card stated that I was shy.  All my friends know that isn’t true!  In no way am I shy, but rather more out spoken.  So naturally I had to let this friend know he had me pegged all wrong.

A good example of a Face Book scam!!  I blocked out the names and faces to protect the innocent….


As I’m reading FB, this friend got on and couldn’t figure out what I was talking about in responding to this report card.  Long story short-he didn’t even do this report card.  So either this friend,  me or both have just been scammed!!
Just the other day another friend put up a thing about FB starting to charge and that you needed to copy and paste that particular story to keep from getting charged.  I went to www.snopes.com and soon learned this was false.  So I try to get her from reposting this false statement.
Whenever joining a social network like Face Book or Twitter, you are at a much higher risk for scams, virus and other nasty stuff that can get into your computer.
I’m not saying don’t join the social network, but be VERY cautious about WHAT you share on these networks.  Here are some helpful tips to keep you safe while surfing on these social networks.

1. In the instance of Face Book, when joining, they ask you some personal questions like Birthday, marital status, children, ect.
   
2. You can put your birthday, DON’T put the year you were born.
   
3. You can put your significant other/spouse DON’T add your children’s name.
   
4. DON’T put your address, phone number or state of which really reside in.
   
5. Periodically go into your personal, those that have joined you as friends, will have their phone numbers listed-go in and delete the phone number!
   
6. many of my Face Book friends play games-okay-if you choose to play, just remember you are subject to many, many scams, spies, and God only knows what else!  You will probably get loaded down with junk mail in your email box.  Keep a good anti-virus protection and spyware software program going on your PC if you choose to play those games.
   
7. I also have friends that copy , paste and post many phrases, a good example of one is stating that a good friend will be there for you and if they are a true face book friend they will copy and paste on their post.  WRONG!   By copying and pasting “sayings” opens a whole can of worms-literally….So instead of copying and pasting, if it’s something that I like what they are saying, I will just simply hit the thumbs up on their posting.  More than likely a hacker started that phrase and now he’s got your number-sort of speaking.

Now there is an upside to all of this.  Social networking is a great place to communicate at one time with ALL of your family and friends.  A few years back during one of the hurricane disaster, FEMA was encouraging and trying to promote social networking like Face Book or Twitter.  During a time of disaster when phone lines are down or limited.  It’s an easy way for a person to quickly get on and say: “Hey, we are okay and safe”.  by doing this simple little step, helps keep the phone lines from jamming up and open for those that really need it-like the emergency crew.
I use Face Book to let everyone know what kind of mischief we have found ourselves in our travel.  This way all of our friends and family can keep a quick tab on us and follow us along as we adventure slowly across America.  I also post my blog web page on it as well. 
Continue enjoying your social network, but just be very, very careful who you are friends with and what information you share!

SNOWING COTTON

The 4th of July weekend just now behind us, and we had a full house.  As you look outside at times, one would swear it was almost snowing!!!  But that’s impossible for our temps are nearing 100 degrees.  So what is this white stuff that keeps flying around??

Haaa-choo!, Haaa-choo!  “God Bless You”, is the common phrase around the campground here lately as someone near you sneezes. Campers, camp host, and even our poor rangers are sneezing up a storm, You will even hear a dog start up it’s sneezing fit.  So again I ask yet another question, what’s causing everyone to sneeze around here?

Island Acres has lots and lots of mature cottonwood trees and this year, they sure are producing the cotton.  If only it could be useful, but instead it’s causing stuffy or runny noses for many folks, including myself.  It’s also not good for all the RV’s Air conditioners as they run full blast to keep cool on these hot summer days.  Including us, we see regularly folks on the roof to make sure that the cotton is not plugging up the fins on the AC’s or breathers of their RV’s.

They say that the state tree for Colorado is the Blue Spruce, maybe that should be changed to the Cottonwood Tree!
When you go outside, you might want to keep your mouth closed, or you could get a cotton mouth….sorry couldn’t resist!!!