Sams Club Vs. Costco

Sams Club,Palm Desert CA

Going to make a trip over to Sams Club for some boxes today. Sams Club and Costco are across the street from each other. Costco is always packed and Sams Club is not. Why?

12 Days

We'll be leaving in 12 days to begin Road Trip 2011. Looks like it's just in time too as the temperatures are predicted to be around 101 today and staying warm.

The lists are coming together,the guest bedroom is packed with stuff we want to take, and I am contemplating where all the garden decorations will go.....most likely spot is in a box in the back of my truck in the garage!

We're looking forward to traveling again and getting up to the Northwest to visit friends and family!

Did I Mention it's Been Windy?

At Palm Springs Airport Thursday

Woke up to more wind this morning. The patio is covered with dust and leaves. I guess I'd rather have the wind over 102 temperatures.

We'll be leaving here in 17 days. Jack got the A/C fixed in the 5th wheel...yay... and we're piling stuff up on the guest room bed in anticipation of packing it for the Summer. We've finalized a few more destinations.....Long Beach WA June 19-22 and then Lake Sawyer (Auburn WA) to take us over the 4th of July weekend.

Leaving Early

Temperatures have been creeping up over 100 degrees here for the past few days and we are considering leaving the desert a week earlier than originally planned. Our destination will be Silent Valley RV Park in Banning,which is only 40 miles west of here but on the way to San Diego. We stayed at this park last September just before coming down the mountain back home.

Crunching the Numbers

We'll be leaving in 29 days to spend a month is San Diego. Jack and I have decided to keep track of the $$ we spend on diesel fuel for the truck as well as lodging (RV Parks) this year. Our hope is that expenses will be reduced because we are spending more time in one spot than in years past.Not so much driving etc. So far we have one month in San Diego booked  until mid June and a month in Sequim (WA) from July 21 to August 20. RV parks generally give a reduced rate for long term stays.

Here is a link I found showing gas/diesel prices in the area. The cheapest diesel is currently $4.44 at Sams Club!

http://www.californiagasprices.com/GasPriceSearch.aspx

Still Getting Scalped.......

Our View from the 6th floor

Jack/Ice Bucket/Flask

As mentioned previously we had some free nights at Fantasy Springs so we headed down the I-10 about 15 miles and spent the night. The rooms are clean,big king beds,coffee and the usual soap/shampoo amenities you would expect.  We were on the 6th floor overlooking the Happy Wanderer RV park. Casinos in California don't give you free drinks....ever. Jack was prepared with his trusty flask full of Bourbon. Order a Coke at the bar (free),slip into the restroom with your flask and voila there is your $6 cocktail!

Met up with Gary and Paige for the buffet. Fantasy Springs has a great dinner buffet with a nice salad bar,ribs,turkey,Mexican and Asian choices,pizza,pasta as well as a chocolate fountain for dipping strawberries or marshmallows.

After dinner it was back to the casino floor where Jack and I had a little luck at Deuces Wild.

This morning we stopped downstairs for a Starbucks and some more poker,finished our coffee and headed home after a quick stop at Winco to get necessities for a barbque tonight. Gary and Paige are going to get in some pool time and then check out the action in Palm Springs before heading back this way.

$500 Coffee Mug

Whenever Jack and I visit a casino we sign up for their player rewards cards. Sometimes signing up will get you an instant on the spot gift or free play on the slots. At one of the local casinos here,Fantasy Springs, http://www.fantasyspringsresort.com/prod/resort/resort.php
they send monthly mailers with their special offers. Tonight we are taking advantage of the Fantasy Springs hotel rewards which offers 4 free nights accomodations. Since Jack's brother is in town and spending a few nights at Fantasy Springs (on his player club rewards) we thought it might be fun to spend one night as well,enjoy the free buffet (also a player rewards perk) and visit the roof top bar at sunset. Tuesday's feature the free gift giveaway to player rewards card holders. The gifts are usually cheesy,cheap crap such as coffee mugs with the Fantasy Springs logo on the front,spice racks,mini Zen gardens etc.We've been suckered in a few times for these gifts. Of course the free gifts and buffets are all designed to get you into the casino where you'll probably be sucked dry at the roulette wheel or poker table before you can blink an eye.

Did I ever mention the framed art I created out of  our casino rewards cards from last Summer? It is titled "My $500 Coffee Mug"

Reservations in July

Sequim Bay RV Resort

We made reservations today to spend a month at the Sequim RV Resort beginning July 20. It is across the street from the John Wayne Marina and a great kickoff place to visit other things in the area. I'm looking forward to spending the month there and touring the Olympic Penninsula, clam digging and crabbing! Now if the weather cooperates!

http://www.sequimbayresort.com/?page_id=12

Looking Ahead

It's hard to believe we'll be leaving the desert in 42 days. Pretty soon we'll start making our lists and packing stuff up. In the meantime we have another set of visitors coming down from the Northwest on Saturday...Jack's brother Gary and friend Paige. According to the weather forecast it could be quite windy and there is a possibility of rain on Saturday.

I gave my notice to my employer yesterday. My supervisor is checking to see if someone can take over my area until my return. I did not give a specific return date..and don't know if they'll keep the position available for me. Honestly I'm not sure how I feel about returning to the job. I'd like a little more freedom to be able to fly back to Seattle and visit more often that in the past. Seeing Katie, Derek and Madison this past week emphasized to me how important it is to stay in touch with family. Madison is growing so fast and will be in first grade next year!