GOOD-BYE/HELLO

It's time for me to make some drastic changes to my blog.  Kidztravlin will no longer be publishing blogs on this page.  I know I will loose some followers, but at the same time I'm hoping to gain new followers with a new blog web page and along with that eventually making the blog web page into an actual web account. 

So it's Good bye kidztravlin.blogspot.com and say hello to bstravelin.blogspot.com!

So why the change now?  Well as I'm getting older (yeah, it's true-I'm showing some gray hairs).  I look long and hard at my blog web page and wonder if I really would read from someone with the web page like the kidztravlin???  Maybe-Maybe not. I would wonder if it was kidz travling around or what and that might gear me away from looking at the web page....as I think that might have happened. 

But now if I saw something ....travelin-that would probably keen my interest a little more on what those folks might have to say and what they have done. 

I will still keep kidztravlin.blogspot active-for I think I have some good info for those few that might come across it someday.  And for those that do follow me, I will for a spell, post my new blog onto kidztravlin.  So you shouldn't miss to much, but hope you will switch over with us to our new blog web page!!!

So how did we come up with bstravelin?  no it doesn't stand for "bull shit"  It stands for our initials- Brian and Sharon!  Brian came up with the catchy phrase-so blame him!! 
I look forward to continue writing and hope to catch a few more readers along the way!!!

Again the new blog web page is:

www.bstravelin.blogspot.com

 

A TEST RUN….

As we stood in line getting our mail the other day, the phone rang and it was the MVD of NM, claiming we had a problem already licensing our new Travel Trailer.  The lady on the other end stated although our home was new and bought at a dealership-we still needed a VIN inspection!  Really?  We had only three options: 1-drive all the way to Santa Fe NM for an inspection; 2-see if the dealership forgot to give us a VIN inspection sheet; 3-find the state police that could do an inspection.  Only one thing, we had a very short window to get this done!

Option 1 was the last we wanted to do.  So off to the dealership we go and of course he has no such records.  Nearest place for us to take our travel trailer for the inspection is at a station on the AZ side, near the CA/AZ border.  Meaning we must tear down, hitch on and jump on the Interstate.

It’s a good thing that we took the truck first just to find out exactly where we were going and what we would need.  We first thought that the inspection station would be the California check point.  Nope and the officer was saying we would need to go into Parker AZ.  That didn’t sound right to us.  Back towards Quartzsite AZ once again.   There is a weigh station and check point for out of state truckers.  We pulled in there and sure enough that’s the place we need to bring our home in for the inspection.

Along with the VIN inspection, they would also do a complete vehicle inspection as well; Checking lights, breaks, ect.  That was fine with us, what better way to do a test run to make sure all feels the way it should right?  We do need to have all of our paper work in order as well.

*A copy of the Title to the travel trailer-check.                               *A copy  of the Purchase order-nope-send it off to the DMV-no problem-dealer has a copy-check.                                          *Proof of temp tags-check.                                                      *Finally Proof of Insurance-oops!  

Oh we have insurance on our new home-but for the life of us-we couldn’t find the Proof of Insurance!  We had the paperwork-but knew it wouldn’t be enough.  No problem-I’ll just get the computer and printer out, go on line and print another copy-simple!  Did just that, and went to print-and nothing!  Come to find out the ink and the color are both completely empty!!!  Great!   And there is no place within close range to get another ink cartridge…..   

I was able to download the proof onto the memory stick.   Now we must find someone who can print us the copy of our insurance.  The Senior Center stated they could do it-upon getting there, and discovered it couldn’t be done after all….Only solution now was to wait until the next day and go into a local business here in Quartzsite and have the lady do it. 

Next morning, first thing first-check all tires.  Brian already did the truck so knew they were ok-but the Travel Trailer tires were low and had to be pumped up.  Then it’s time to hitch on.  Since pulling it out here, we have had the hitch re-adjusted and had the break unit put on the truck.  So this would be a good test to make sure that the break unit is set properly and that the hitch was finally in the right position for towing.  It would also be my first time towing our new home on the Interstate/Highway and it would be nice to see how it handles-loaded with groceries and some water in the tank, along with liquids in both holding tanks.

The hitch seems to be in the right position now, the travel trailer don’t seem to be “sagging” in the front anymore. Brian re-adjust the sway bars and instead of positioning the chains on link 3, he tries link 2 to see how that will handle down the road.  On the way back we will go back to 3 and see if there is any difference.  Now we must and try to set the break unit for the travel trailer.  We think we have it in the right position-all seem to be breaking evenly now. 

As we tootle down the interstate I do notice just a bit of swaying, when reaching the speed of 65mph.  So we think we may need to keep the sway bar link at 3.

We arrive at the inspection station with no problems.  The VIN inspection goes well and the officer really likes our new home, so much that he forgot to do the other inspection!!!  But we weren’t worried-for Brian checks it himself and we knew all was working properly.   

The inspection in itself took about 20 minutes.  First he takes all of our paperwork along with our ID. Then he came out and wrote down the VIN number on a form.  Now he must run all of it (including our ID) through the system to make sure all is ok.  We then are finally handed the paperwork back along with the VIN inspection sheet.  As we are waiting for that to be process, Brian once again re-adjusted the sway bar link back to 3.

Heading back into Quartzsite, I no longer have that slight “swaying”, so we think we are finally adjusted properly for future towing.  However, the breaks still need some more adjusting, and will do that back out on the BLM gravel road; where we can “play” with it safely.

Now comes the fun part-parking!  We had left our patio mat along with a few other things in our spot (in hopes no one steals it).  So the trick for me is to maneuver around our small area and get the trailer back in the same spot!  Now, I have backed 5th wheels (mostly successfully, some not….), and the mini motorhome was easy.  But I have to be honest, I feared backing the travel trailer for I have heard from many that they are not easy to back in….

But with this new wheel base-it should be simple.  And it was!  I had no problem what-so-ever!  At first Brian laughed at me for as I’m getting the trailer turned around, I had to go on the opposite side of our patio set-up before I could straighten it back out.  He told me that I did good, but our patio was on the wrong side!!  After a glare, I did get it on the right side and without any frustration!!!  I’m so proud of myself and now I know I can pull our new home safely down the road and park it without to many problems. 

Now I’m excited and ready to begin another adventure in our new truck and travel trailer!!!

SETTLING IN & RE-ORGANIZING…..

As I mentioned in my last blog that we traded our motorhome and little red car in for a truck and a travel trailer.  We spent the first week just moving all of our belongings from one to the other.

Even though we got everything moved into our new home, we still managed to keep moving things around.  We put things in one area and give it a try for a day or two, then decide-nope it just isn’t in the right spot-yet.  So time to re-organize it to fit our needs.

For instance, the pantry and dish cupboard just wasn’t right and we had to re-organized.  Of course the clothing area had to be re-organized to suit us as well.  Then there is the big closet which needed some re-organizing and some plastic organizer bins added in the mix of things. 

Now Brian has this one big huge basement and that too had to be re-organize to suit him just right.  He came to the conclusion he needed several crates to put things in-to make it easier for him to get at.

Through all this re-organizing, we also have to make a list of things we must buy to make our  new home comfy.  We have decided that carrying 3 7-gallon jugs just of drinking water and another 3 7-gallon jugs for filtering into our water tank was getting to heavy for Brian to keep carrying.  So gone are the huge 7 gallon tanks in it’s placement are single one gallon jugs of drinking water that are kept under the bench seat.  It’s also easier on me-for I was starting to have a hard time turning the nozzles on those 7 gallon jugs.  So how do we now get water back into our tank without having to move our little home every time?  easy!  a water bladder!  Works great and so far we love it!  here is what it looks like filled with water:

Weighs 385 lbs. when filled and only 5 lbs. empty and stores so easy under the seat of the truck or in the compartment without taking up so much space as the 7-gallon jugs did!

Every time we go shopping, we pick up little things that we see that would work for us.  With the big RV show in town we thought for sure we could knock a lot of stuff off our list-little by little the list is getting smaller.

As most of you know-sleeping very long on an RV mattress just don’t cut it.  In just the two weeks of having our new home-the mattress that we have now is already showing indentation of where we sleep-so that must go and now in search for a new one. 

Again at the RV show they had a demo of the new Euro Foam Denver Mattress and now we awaited for the arrival of our new mattress. We were a bit skeptical or our new mattress-for it came in a 16” X16” X 75”box.  you can’t help but wonder how a mattress is going to feel after being compressed that long…here is what it looked like:

The Mattress rolled up….

Brian cutting the plastic away….

…and wholla!  A new mattress!!!  Of course Leah has to be the first to check it out!!!

We no longer have the luxury of the Onan generator at our fingertip anymore.  Personally that won’t be missed to much anyways.  You see, just before we left Fernley RV in NV; Brian had bought a 1000 watt Generator.  Reason was it’s a lot quieter than the Onan (the Onan was placed directly under our bed in the motorhome and was NOT micro quiet as claimed to be!).  We really didn’t need that big of a generator to begin with.  Only time we ever used it was to charge things on cloudy days or to watch TV at night-so the 1000 watt will still do the job just fine for us.

Now that we are settled in, it’s time to figure some of the components in the truck and even in the travel trailer.  We discovered in the truck that it gives us an update on oil usage and will tell us when it’s time to change oil!  How cool is that feature?  We have our cell phone synched with the truck so when we are driving down the road-we both can talk through the speakers in the truck-hands free! 

Having to go with a 1/2 ton truck we couldn’t get the echo-boost engine-they simply won’t pull a travel trailer.  Fuel will be more than what we are used to with the Chevy Tracker, but better than what we got  with the motorhome.  The good thing is, it will run on bio-fuel; which means e-85,86, 87 or 89, to make it more affordable for us.  We just have to make sure if changing fuel grade, we have to have at least less than a half tank of fuel remaining. 

As I stated on Facebook: I think the truck is smarter than a 5th grader or at least smarter than us!!!! Going to have fun figuring out this…..

 

 

 

FREE PANCAKES=NEW TRUCK & TRAVEL TRAILER?

Okay so you want to know how Free Pancakes can equal a new truck and travel trailer?  Well here is the answer….

Every year here in Quartzsite AZ Le Mesa RV puts on free pancakes and lunch Mon-Sat.  All you have to do is fill out a simple quick form and get a name tag and then enjoy the food.  It’s usually not much but hey, while in town why not enjoy their wonderful pancakes, after all it is free.

Well it was no different for us on Saturday, Jan 5, 2013.  On this cold morning, we went in to have breakfast, get some drinking water, a few groceries and then head back out to the BLM.  EXCEPT-after eating the pancakes, Brian says let’s go look at the travel trailers….Now I had found another Winnebago Aspect that had 3 slides that I became partial too, but Brian didn’t want to deal with anymore slides-specially when we boondock like we do and every thing inside was that pleather-not doggie friendly.

Anyways, we looked at what travel trailers they had and nothing jumped out at us.  We had to laugh at one, they literally put the back door right in the bathroom!  The salesman came over to talk with us.  showed us a model that he thought would be perfect for us.  The back bedroom was a bunkhouse and he thought we could convert the bunks to a den area.  Not practical for our living style, so we walked away.

Next stop is Camping World.  They also a lot here with both new and used RV’s.  We were greeted with a salesman and we jumped onto his golf cart to look what they had.  Again, nothing really jumped out at us.  Except maybe one would work; only thing, it had bunks in the back.  So we went into the office and in one of their lots up by Mesa AZ, they had a similar model without the bunk that they could bring down for us to look at.  They wanted money down-with the understanding there would be no pressure on our part and if we didn’t like what we seen, the money would come back to us.  I was a bit leery on the deal-but we did it and the Travel Trailer would be brought down on Monday-January 7th (yes, my birthday).

Now we needed a truck to pull a travel trailer with.  It’s after 11am and there are no dealers here in Quartzsite.  Nearest dealerships was either in Parker AZ or Blythe CA.  Since we had great dealings with the Ford garage in Parker, we would head there.  But we needed to beat the clock-because the dealership closes at noon.  Brian made a quick call, talked to a salesman and told us to go ahead and come on over and take a look.  He had the truck that Brian knew he wanted to pull our new home with, and they actually had one in stock!

We got there, just a few minutes before noon and true to his word, the salesman had the truck in front and was wiping the windshield off.  Without blinking or asking much questions, he threw us the key and told us to take it for a spin!  Now where else can you go and be handed keys to a brand new truck without the salesman going with you? 

We did take it for a quick spin around the block, and it felt it was made for us!  Went back and the they took the Chevy Tracker for a spin.  Came back and we closed on the deal.  They gave us Blue Book value on the car and we can pick up our new truck on Monday Morning-my Birthday!

2013 F-15o, Super Cab

Did I mention that earlier we had moved our wood pile and both Brian and I had our grubs on and looked pitiful?

Now it’s time to grab a quick lunch and head back.  Poor Leah probably wonder what happen to us!

As we get back into Quartzsite, Brian remembers there was another RV dealership down the road and wanted to make a quick stop to see what they might have.

The salesman told us where the new ones were and told us to go look at them.  He didn’t follow us and he allowed us to go at our leisure.

We stepped into each one and nothing again jumped out at us.  Then I notice a brand new Jayco White Hawk sitting off a little from all the others. We both went in and right away, knew this is what we were looking for! 

We go to look for the salesman to ask about this particular model, he too started walking our way.  First question was that unit sold and why was it sitting off by itself.  He just got that one in and hasn’t been what he calls “cleaned”.  We went in with him asked a few questions and made a deal!  His deal was 10 times better on the trade in than what Camping World even offered us!  For the first time ever, we received money back-enough to almost cover the truck cost!  Our new home would be ready for us Tuesday Afternoon.

Next step was to bring the Motorhome in to him so that he could make a walk through.  That was being done the next day, Sunday morning.

We brought the motorhome in, the Salesman, Jeff, was very pleased at what he saw and was impressed on how clean we kept it.  Also the main selling factor was the low mileage on the motorhome. 

Brian had promised me Chinese in Lake Havasu and was planned to go on Monday, but instead we did it that Sunday instead, Along with some shopping.

On Monday Jan, 7, we picked up our new truck and said good-bye to “Ole Red”.  We need now to make arrangements with a another business to have some things done to the truck; like window tinting and bug visor along with rain visors to be put on.

Next stop was to make arrangements for the Solar Panel to be put on our new rig later in the week.  We first planned on taking off the original solar off the Motorhome and have it placed on the travel trailer.  Brian went to go on the motorhome to remove the panel that he noticed that it couldn’t be removed without putting holes in the roof.  It was first agreed we could take the panel off, but leave the brackets. 

Brian and I finally came to the conclusion that we would leave the solar panel on the motorhome and we would have a new one put on.  Brian has always questioned whether Camping World installed the solar panel in right or not.  It was later discovered that they did not do it right and also learned we paid for a much higher dollar solar panel, wiring and did not get what we paid for!  So never again will we do business with Camping World!  But that’s another story….

Tuesday rolls around and by afternoon we now had the keys to our new home!  The let the real fun begin…moving things from one to the other.  Since it was getting late in the day-we would start the move in the next morning.

Since all this began, we have been going on very little sleep, excitement won over on both of us.  Yes we have traded in the past, but for some reason this one felt so right to us!  Again we were up bright and very early and started the moving process.

On Wednesday afternoon we had everything moved over to our new home and said good bye to “Big Bertha”.

We spent majority of Thursday, re-organizing and straightening things out.  Of course it called for another trip to Parker to buy a few new things for our new home.

Friday would be my first time pulling our new home on the road.  After purchasing the truck, we discovered it had no break unit on it and the truck was to come with a complete towing package including the break unit.  So we have to wait for Ford to order the break unit and have them put it on.  So it was a bit scary pulling the travel trailer knowing I didn’t have the break unit.  Don’t worry we weren’t going far and went slow at it!

Our home had to go to Discount Solar here in Quartzsite for a new solar panel and new invertor to be put together.  That would become all day job.  We upgraded the solar panel, invertor and the controller.  We now have state of the art equipment!

So you ask why we changed?  We liked the motorhome, it was nice driving down the road and having the convenience of the bathroom inside without leaving the rig.  It was convenient to just pull over, unhitch the car to go look for a spot.  Those two things will be missed. 

However, we didn’t have the space that we will have in our new travel trailer.  We are basically the same length as the motorhome-just without the driving compartment.  And hooked both truck and travel trailer is just about the same length as what the motorhome was with towing the car.

In our new travel trailer we have a couch, more kitchen area and the bedroom is separate from the rest of the living quarter.  the bathroom is much bigger with a much bigger shower (so no more hitting our elbows!).  We went from a full size bed back to a Queen.  Brian says that he now “looses” me in bed! More room to move about with plenty of storage both inside and out.  Brian has a huge basement compartment that goes across the whole width in the front.  Oh and did I mention it comes with a stove and microwave????

      

Also insurance and living expense will drop making our budget a little more easier to live within our means!  We went from two driving vehicles to one.  Maintenance will be easier to keep on one than the two as well.

The travel trailer came with covered underbelly with glacier insulation, keeping us warmer inside on cold days and keeping outside noise-outside. 

Leah our dog, is adapting really well with this.  She has taken claim to one side of the couch.  Her only downfall is there is no carpet, all linoleum floors, so we have to lay rugs down so she don’t slip and slide all over the place.

I will have to learn how to back our new home into spots!  Maybe I will practice out here in the desert!!!

Good By ole Friends-You both did us well and we will miss ya-but it was time for a change!

APPLES TO APPLES

After completing another season with Amazon.com I can now compare Apples to Apples between two fulfillment centers.  My first year was with the fulfillment in Coffeeville KS and this year at Fernley NV. 

There is a significant difference between two fulfillment centers that actually surprised me.  Here is what I found different between the two:

To start with, at the Fernley fulfillment center at the “Meet n’ Greet” Day, your first couple of hours is spent at safety school.  It was very extensive and thorough. We moved from station to station, learning proper procedures and safety tips to help us out.  At the end we were given an easy quick quiz to see if we were paying attention.  You had safety school as well in the Coffeeville KS fulfillment, but nothing compared to what we learned at the Fernley Center.  I was very pleased on how they did their safety school and think all fulfillment centers should do it the way Fernley did!

In the Coffeeville KS all the dept. managers, PA, PG’s wore certain colored lightweight vest.  For instant the managers wore Yellow vest, while the PA’s wore green, and PG’s wore Blue and we had a few that would wear red vest(mostly Ambassadors/trainers).  And they all had a saying on the back “Ask Me”.  We had one camper scout that wore a brown vest.  This made it easy to identify each person-specially when you are new and have loads of questions.  You know who you could ask and get the right answer.  While in Fernley RV-well you kind had to figure out on your own who was who…No one wore vest-occasionally one or two people would were safety yellow vest that had the saying “Ask Me” on the back.  But none to identity the managers, or PA’s or even the PG’s…

At the Fernley center, we had more than one camper scout and they wore a red fancy vest.  They were readily there to help us whenever we needed it or had questions.  If they didn’t have the answer-they would find it for us camperforce.  At least in the Shipping Department,  our camper scout was always there to give us a hand when ever needed and did his best to try and greet each of us with a friendly smile (Thanks-Al). 

Also at the Fernley fulfillment center, the HR staff was constantly out on the floor-so if you had any issues, you could stop one and they were readily and willing to help in any manner they could.  The only downfall was that their main office was always locked to us associates and they didn’t have what I would call an “open door” policy.  But they did have a second office out on the floor that did have the “open door” policy-when someone was in.

In Coffeeville our camperforce representative, Paul & Dana, always tried their best to periodically reach out to us camperforce and had a great shoulder for us to lean on, or maybe even cry on once in a while.  In Fernley, I honestly met our camperforce representative maybe once or twice and I don’t think I could actually pick her out in a line-up, but she would do a great job in responding quickly to any emails questions we might have.  BUT with that said, HR WAS great, and HR Manager was really awesome!  She did listen to us and she really did a great job in my book in trying to connect with us camperforce.

One other significant difference between the two was that at Coffeeville, your first 4 days on the floor in training, your Ambassador (Trainer) was there in ear shot of you needing any help.  If there were several folks being trained-then they would have others in close proximity to help you along as well.  They would even help give you pointers to help bring you numbers up to speed as well.  As for Fernley fulfillment-our trainer gave us a guide around our department, showed us the basic of packing, and we were placed on the line in a few hours.  She didn’t stay in earshot if we had any questions, and we weren’t sure who we could ask for assistant-making it just a bit difficult for us on our first couple of days.  I’m not the only one that notice this, but heard several complaints from other camperforce in the break room in other departments with the same issues-feeling improper training and since of feeling “lost” in our first week on the floor.  During peak time there seemed to be plenty of Integrity folks helping those newbies.

With all that said, however, I’m still pleased with working at the Fernley fulfillment center and have every intentions of going back there again.  Why?  I guess it’s because even though there were the differences, I did meet a lot of really nice workers, both seasonal and regular full timer associates.  The manager(s) were really great the atmosphere alone was more enjoyable.  Even though you may not know who to ask a question to-you could stop just about any blue badge and still ask that question-they would take the time and still help you out.  You did soon learn who-was-who, and for the most, everyone seemed to work really good as a team.  I do look forward to more years with Amazon.com as a seasonal camperforce!  I love the challenge it gives me and it’s just for a few months out of the year with good pay and benefits to a full time RV’er like us!

The Fulfillment Center in Coffeeville, KS

 

I SEE THE LIGHT AT THE END!

I think I can finally see the light at the end of that tunnel! 

Thanksgiving has come and gone and since then, I have been busy working, sleeping, and working….

The first Saturday after Thanksgiving, was voluntary overtime at work that I signed up for.  But since then it has become mandatory overtime.  We first started out with 12 hours shifts-5 days a week.  Then this past week it went to 11-1/2 hours shifts and now the next week we go back to 12 hour shifts and yes, still five days a week.

So when I leave for work at 5:15am I see no sun, when I get home at 5:30 or 6:00pm-it’s once again-dark.  I get two days off and if I’m lucky it’s a sunny bright day-as it is today. 

We are now down to just two weeks left and peak season is really upon us here at Amazon.com.  This past week in just one afternoon we got hit hard with orders that all had to be shipped out between 5pm & 5:30pm.  We all worked hard and in some case we tagged teamed and rushed to meet the goal.

Amazon is expecting it to be a very, very busy week once again coming up-so plenty of rest is in order.

A few days ago, C-NBC news was here in Fernley reporting on the workcampers and temps that Amazon hires during this busy time of the year and yes, I got interviewed!  here is are two links to that story:

http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?play=1&video=3000133724

http://www.cnbc.com/id/100286251

Our poor little Leah sure didn’t know what to think of that huge camera in our rig and she just wouldn’t quiet growling!  it was almost comical!

Anyways, that is the reason why I haven’t had much time to think about writing on the blog-just a few more weeks and then it’s on to another adventure for us!

 

WHAT A WEEK

Once again I have gotten behind on my blog writing….I guess coming home from 10 hour work days; I’m just too beat to think about getting on the computer.  On my days off I just want to kick back and relax, spend time with Brian and Leah-so again the computer usually gets pushed back on the back burner.  Then before you know it-another week has flew by-again.

Brian and I about a month ago got eye exam and ordered new glasses.  With his being specially made-it takes anywhere from 2-4 weeks to make.  Upon making his and putting the lens in the frame-the lens broke and there for causing another delay in receiving our glasses.  I finally went to pick mine up just to discover that the gal measured wrong and my bi-focal placed wrong!  Now mine have to go back to the lab to be redone and now  Brian’s are finally finish.  This means another trip or maybe more back to Sparks/Reno area.

We have taken short drives around the area.  A couple of weeks ago we took a Saturday drive to both Lahontan Lake and Pyramid Lake.  Now as for Lahontan Lake, well…let’s just say thank goodness we no longer own our canoe and took it there!  The lake no longer has any water in it what-so-ever!!  Here are some pics of the place:

It does still have a very nice and spacious campground that if we ever come into this area early again-we could stay at.  Just too bad there is no lake anymore though….

So then we went on towards Pyramid Lake which is on the Piute Indian Reservation.  Now there was still plenty of water in this lake that we saw many out fishing and folks camping along the shoreline.  Here are some photos of Pyramid Lake:

Along the way to Pyramid we followed the Truckee River which flows into the Pyramid Lake and found some spectacular views:

After exploring we found an area to where we could get out and walk a spell.  again we were along the Truckee River and found the trees starting to turn colors here:

We learned where the wild horses hide out and got some good photos of them roaming free here in Nevada: 

recently the BLM had a round-up; catching about 3500 wild horses.  They had an auction and sold all but a few hundred that are still pinned up and not sure what they will do with them.  Even though it sounds cruel with this round-up, if you could see how scarce the vegetation is around here and water source-I do understand why they do this round-up.  Out of all only a couple had to be put down due to a sickness.

The past few weeks have been uneventful at work-until this week….I am in outbound/shipping.  Meaning that I basically package single items to go out to customers.  This past week I got the pleasure to go upstairs to Crips Plant.  I’m basically doing the same thing-except I’m filling boxes with multiple items for customers.  For the most it’s not much different than single shipping.  But occasionally it becomes like a Tetris game; trying to get items to fit properly into the box. 

As proud as I am being a camperforce for Amazon.com, it also makes me sad to see other camperforce folks coming into the plant and acting almost like children!  They don’t want to follow the rules that the leaders have us follow-almost making up their own rules-and making it difficult for us that do follow the rules. 

I was involved in a bad situation this past week with another camperforce and due to the fact of the nature and being under investigation-I cannot go into anymore details…other than I pray it don’t happen again and proper actions will be taken.  I wasn’t hurt in any manner-just bullied and intimidated….

Other than all that “stuff”,  work has been good and soon we will be gearing up for “Peak” and I’m hoping for plenty of overtime in outbound.

 

 

BUSY, BUSY & TIRED

I know that I should be writing more often than what I have been.  But it seem of late that I have been very busy or just plain too tired to even think about getting on the computer.

Work is going great!  This week I did voluntary overtime-and that should really help the paycheck and our future trip to California.  I do have to say that I think I’m working much harder than what I did last year in Coffeeville. 

I had to break down and buy a pair of therapeutic gloves to wear while I’m at work to help my hands from hurting so bad and then braces for at night when I’m sleeping-to help keep them from going numb and tingling.  Both seem to be helping greatly.

Last weekend was busy.  Friday we went out with another couple (he is working for Amazon) for a nice Prime Rib Dinner.  Being it was close by-Brian and I chose to walk to the casino/restaurant and on the way home we caught one of the many beautiful sunsets.

 Some of our sunsets around here have been beautiful-and I happen to have the phone with me to take these pics

Then the following day we went Rock Hounding near by.  We even manage to see some wild horse in the distant. 

     Brian & our new friend, Ray checking out some “junk” that was found while out rock hounding

Wild Horses grazing/napping out in the wide open spaces that Nevada seems to have

this week I volunteered to do overtime-so that shot one of my 3 days off.  Since it was a pay-week, we had decided that the both of us needed new glasses.  So off to Sparks/Reno we headed.

Brian hasn’t had a good eye exam in a very long time and the Dr. was intrigued with his eye condition.  He had study a little in college about what Brian has (Milk Cataract behind the eyes-but never had a patient with his eye condition.  At the same time it gave me a new found look at what he (Brian) sees or does not see.  The Dr. was impressed that with his vision impairment as it is-that he does not allow it to slow him down.

all in all-there has been little change in Brian’s eye’s.  Maybe a little weaker-but not progressing any worse than what had been thought in past exam-which is good.

And of course I too had to have an eye exam.  Little change in mine as well and as the Dr. so kindly reminded me: I’m no spring chicken and mine is progressing at the normal speed of me getting older each year…Now where did he ever get the idea that I was growing old????

While in the Sparks/Reno area we had to go check out the worlds largest Scheele's store.  It was amazing with two huge aquariums and a Ferris Wheel inside the store!

         

 One of the two aquariums inside the store.

We did find some nice hats that we have been looking for that is light weight and yet help protect our head, face & neck from the sun.

And then or course today (my last day off) I had to do some minor cleaning of some cupboards that was long past due.  Brian does the majority of the cleaning and cooking while I’m at work and does a great job.  He even does most of the laundry-I just nicely help him sort it out so that my whites don’t end up with my darks-as he use to do once upon a time-before we were together-but he has come a long ways and learned a lot!

I do appreciate all that he does while I’m at work: Feed Leah, clean, Walk Leah, visits with the neighbors,  Plays and Walks Leah, gets dinner ready, Feeds Leah and of course I come home from an exhausting day to a nice hot meal and a clean motorhome!

This week will once again be a bit crazy.  The dept. I’m in will have another “Stress Test”  on Wednesday and they have changed our schedule for that day-slightly.  Instead of our normal 7am-5:30pm; it will be 8:30am-7pm and possibility of another volunteer overtime that yes, I will sign up for.

So until the next time that I’m not busy or tired………….

FERNLEY RV PARK

Last year while working for Amazon.com in Coffeeville KS, we stayed in a RV park right across the street from Amazon itself.  It made it an easy commute with me walking for the most part to and from work.

Last season while there, I did a blog on the park and described the set up.  Although it was very  spacious from site to site-it had a lot of issues like constant water breakage and even electrical lines breaking due to large rigs.  When they completed the shower house-that became a joke in itself-for when one person showered it about ran out the main doorway-literally!

The weather in Kansas seemed to be gloomy and rainy; making the final decision that we would not return there this year, but instead try Fernley NV.  We had been told how nice the RV parks around Fernley and Sparks were that Amazon contracted with.  True to what has been said-we are presently sitting in a very nice RV Park this season.

Fernley RV Park is situated right on the western side of the town, Fernley NV.  Within walking distant to downtown businesses and a few casinos, not to mention some nice restaurants.   I’m not really in walking distant to Amazon-although if I was to be more ambition-I could walk to and from work; for it’s less than 3 miles-one way.  However after being on my feet for the 10 hours-I don’t think I’m in the mood to walk home at night.  So I choose to drive instead.

But getting back to the park; it’s not very big.  Fernley RV Park only has 40 sites-small enough for us to become acquaintance with each other, but big enough to help a neighbor out when one needs it or left alone if we chose to be.  Right now there are a few what we would call “locals” that have been here for a couple of years.  We have become fast friends with them.  We have met some folks that just stop here for a lay over for a night or two and then move on.  Each week a few more of us Work Camperforce are showing up to start our seasonal work for Amazon and soon the park will be completely filled to the brim.

The park has all blacktop roads and cement pads with a picnic table to each site.  The office is kept very clean and those that run have always been very pleasant to us.  Both Owner and Managers don’t give you the feeling that they don’t like their job or that they don’t want you here-it’s just  the opposite.

Mail is kept organized and not thrown out on some coach.  We each have a small grassy area that is watered nightly-very green.  The elderly gentleman that mows does a fantastic job and makes sure that he’s very careful around all of our rigs-and he manages to do it with a smile on his face!

It’s nice to come home from work and being as dirty as I am, walk into the shower building that has been kept very clean and guess what?  Yep!  Water doesn’t flood the whole place and run out of the building!

Even the laundry facility is immaculate and very reasonable.  Enough to where we don’t want  to go anywhere else to do our laundry-what a nice conveniences for us RV’ers working for Amazon.com!

On the back side of this park also is a small mobile home village and we are getting to know a few of them back there as well.  The mobile home has a mixed diversity of Hispanic and Americans and both seem to be very nice as we walk through.  Several have fallen in love with our little Leah, including this Spanish lady that tries to speak to her and we just don’t understand what she is saying-but Leah seems to like her as well.

Did I mention that since being here, we have seen some beautiful sunsets?  And that just outside of the park wall are some spectacular mountains and wild horses run just not too far away from here?

All in all if I were to rate this park-it would mostly defiantly get a 10+ rating.  You know-I just might have to go online and do just that!!  Two thumbs up Fernley RV Park-you are doing a great job and Thank You for Making us Work Camperforce feel right at home!!

 

Here are just a few pictures of the park:

              

PLAYING CATCH UP

I know I haven’t written much on my blog webpage.  But there comes a time in one’s life that just needs a “slow down”.  Well this has been my time to slow down.

I haven’t really done a whole lot with the computer.  I go on and check emails and maybe write a few things on Facebook-but that’s been about it.

Now that I’m back on track and in gear once again-it’s time to play catch up.  I know I haven’t written much of late on my blog; but that soon should change and will write at least once a week.

Since my last post we left Las Vegas a couple of days ahead of schedule; we just got tired of the business of the place and wanted a little peace and quiet before I initially started working.

so we headed to Walker Lake just outside of Hawthorne NV.  The land surrounding Walker Lake is either BLM Land or belong to the Army Ammunition Depot. 

Again we only stayed for a few nights.  There really wasn’t much there.  Oh there was a lake-but we couldn’t swim in it due to all the silt in the water.  There was hardly any boat activity since it’s a salt water lake.  We were surrounded by very rocky mountains with absolutely no trees anywhere.

                                              

The only thing I could say about this place is that we did get some beautiful evening skies.  But generally the days were hot and the nights mild.  We had no hook-ups at all-since it was BLM land.

 

After leaving Walker Lake we moved on step closer to Fernley and landed our feet again for a couple of more nights at the County Park in Fallon NV.  Here we did get water and electric on our site; which meant we could run our AC.

The park wasn’t too bad and there was a nice walking/bike path that we could walk on.  The downfall was that we were on Hwy 95 and constantly heard semi’s all day and all night long. 

 

Did you know that Fallon is the home Top Gun?  We weren’t too far and could constantly hear the roar of the jets taking off.

We arrived one day before our schedule date at Fernley RV Park.  This is where we will be parked until at least the 23rd of Dec.  It’s not a super big park and host only 40 sites. 

Fernley is about 30 miles east of Sparks/Reno and only about 3 miles from Amazon.  So far we are finding it to be a friendly little community and everyone thus far has been nice to us.  Some of the folks here in the park have been here for a long time while others are just traveling through and then of course there are us who work seasonally for Amazon.

Brian likes it here a lot.  Everything is in walking distant for him (including Wal-Mart) and once the temps get out of the 90’s I know he will be outdoors more.  We even think Leah likes it here-she already has a boyfriend (or two) and she is getting along great with the other doggies around here.

I do have one week already in with Amazon and has gone fairly well so far.  I got days and in outbound-which I request-So that makes me a Happy Camper!

The body was a bit sore the first few days-but it was actually easy for me to get back into the swing.  I have already exceeded way past what was expected out of me by the second day.  I received a “positive feed-back” which will go into my file.

Now that we are settled in and I can play “catch up”- we will see how the rest will pan out……

VIVA LAS VEGAS-2ND TIME ‘ROUND

A little over a year ago we spent some time out at Lake Mead National Recreation and drove into Sam’s Town to take the shuttle bus down to the strip.

Well, we have turned a 3 day stay, into a 5 day stay into a two week stay here at Sam’s Town RV Park in North Las Vegas. One, the price was right so we couldn’t beat the rates. We got 25/7 security, swimming  pool & hot tub plus the free shuttle down to the strip.  We also caught an online promotion special and got 4 free breakfast to boot.

The temps have been in the 100’s each day and nights aren’t cooling down any, but we just run our AC, and spend time in the pool cooling off.

We have braved the hot temps and taken the shuttle bus down to the strip.  We always make sure we stay dehydrated with lots of water and a few beers.  We have seen things this time around that we didn’t see when we were here once before.

Some can afford to do shows here in Las Vegas; us, well we can’t afford to do the main show attraction, but that hasn’t stopped us from enjoying the free attractions.  You don’t realize what all there really is to see and do.

Here are just a few things that we have gotten to enjoy this time around:

Sam’s Town Water & Laser Show:       

                   The Fremont Experience:                  

Fall of Atlantis at Caesars Palace:                    

Conservatory at Bellagio:                     

The last time we were here we went at night and saw the Fountains of Bellagio, Sirens of Treasure Island, Volcanic at the Mirage to name a few.

We yet want to see the wildlife at the Flamingo, Show in the Sky at the Rio & Streetmosphere at the Grand Canal Shoppes.  So I guess this means we have to put up with the extreme heat and the  crowd of people at least one or maybe two more time.