23 February 2016
We left Yuma today. The main reason we went back to Yuma was to pick up my prescriptions at the Marine Corps Air Station and to wait for our mail to arrive.
After a few days at Del Pueblo RV Park, we noticed Pepper was urinating in her sleep so we took her to the Vet. She donated some blood and urine for testing and all looked good. Turns out her bladder muscles are not as tight as her puppy days. (Don’t worry Pepper, we all know what it is like getting older.) She is doing pretty good for thirteen. We bought her little purple and pink panties and all is well.
Then the CRUD snuck up and knocked me out. All I wanted to do was sleep. I drank ALOT of fluids and had soup forever (well, for two weeks anyway). After two and half weeks I felt ready to get back on the road.
Lisa was not untouched by illness, she had a cough for two weeks before we arrived in Yuma and it was still going strong. She went to the emergency clinic, took a Z-Pack for five days and it seems to have calmed her cough down.
Needless to say we were all three happy to see Yuma in the sideview mirrors (since RV’s don’t have rearview mirrors) and thrilled to be on the road.
So off we went down I-8W, hello California.

Lisa took the wheel on CA-86N passing the Salton Sea to CA-111N. We switched again continuing West on I-10 past the windmill farms.


Took CA-62 through Yucca Valley to Black Rock Campground, Joshua Tree National Park.
Pepper is so excited to be back in nature again. So many new smells to explore, other dogs to meet and people who stop and say how cute she is. Lisa is happy to see acres and acres of Joshua Trees and to get her Joshua Tree National Park Stamp in her National Park Book. I’m just happy for the view, clear blue skies and to be at 4,000 feet elevation – closer to the stars.




We ended the day with grilled brats, asparagus, yellow crook neck squash and a glass of wine.
Lisa was able to get a couple of nice bird pictures.


We always appreciate hearing from you in the comment section, we would like to know your name (email is optional). Goodnight to all, wishing you the best.
Hi! I’m so glad to hear that Pepper is ok, she looks great at 13! Ugh, sorry to hear you and Lisa got sick though. Mike and I ended up doing the sick thing in Texas. Unfortunately it looks like we JUST missed each other in Yuma! We got here last week, it would have been great to meet up again but hopefully we’ll get a chance to meet up another time.
Do you have FB or Instagram I can follow to see when our paths cross? It would be so cool to say hi and catch up if we’re both in the area.
LikeLike
Hi Kathie,
It would be great to meet up with you two and Opie again. This post was written a year ago! Can’t believe we haven’t updated since then. Unfortunately Pepper has passed away, Yuma seemed to be the beginning of the end. She died at the end of November – 2016. We were so lucky to have her with us on our journey for almost 14 years. I am on FB as Lisa Williams from Bisbee, AZ — might be hard to find. Connie was reading through your 2016 journey last night.
LikeLike
Oh boy! I didn’t even realize the year on the post! I’m so very sorry about Pepper, what a cutie-face she was. I loved seeing her everyday at Catalina. I think I found you on FB, but I can’t add you as a friend. I sent a message so hopefully you can see that ok. Say hi to Connie!
LikeLike
Hey girls. Nice to hear from you…….the last post as well. Sorry you were sick, Pat had the exact same thing. Nice photos too.
Karyl
LikeLike
Hi Karyl,
Sorry to hear about Pat being sick. This bug was no fun. Glad you are enjoying the blog.
LikeLike
sorry you guys were so sick…. I can’t even remember the last time you told me you were sick !!!
glad you guys and Pepper are better now, so you can enjoy your travels.
enjoyed your photos….always do!!
have fun… Bonnie and Chris
LikeLike
Thanks, Bonnie. Yes, we can’t remember the last time either. We were glad to get our of Yuma. We really enjoyed Joshua Tree. Definitely plan on going back some day.
LikeLike
I am so sorry you both were ill! What a relief that Pepper is okay. I know how worried you must have been. I love reading of your adventures and seeing your beautiful photos. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Karla. We are glad she is fine also. Glad to be back on the road again.
LikeLike
Glad to see you guys are feel better and baby is in her panties !! LOL.
LikeLike
She only has them on at night. She got used to it pretty fast. Neither Connie nor I are used to being sick we are also glad to be over it.
LikeLike
Glad all three of you are better. I loved the pictures, especially the soon to bloom Yucca. Good bird shoots to Lisa. love to y’all
LikeLike
Maybe you will have a chance to read the blog to Mom and show her the pictures.
LikeLike
I’m glad all of you are on the road to recovery as well as the road to California! Loved the pictures… we were in Joshua Tree about 3 weeks ago…. love that area. Have fun!
LikeLike
Thanks, Barb. We really enjoyed it there. Wish we could have stayed longer, but the Bay Area is calling. We will definitely be going back.
LikeLike
Glad that you guys are both well and on the road again. Minnie and I took turns being sick last year and can sympathize with you. I miss the west and really need to get back out there!
LikeLike
Thanks Mike, no fun being sick in an RV. We enjoy hearing from you. We love the Western States too. We may run into each other out here sometime. Safe travels, Connie
LikeLike
Really glad to hear about pepper, Lucy had the same prob when she was older. Lucy was 18 when she passed. Lots of good traveling years left with pepper! We or I had the crud recently as well Brian was unscathed I don’t know how he managed that. Great bird pictures Lisa and very cool to get another stamp in your book. Lots of changes here doing the big move to Idaho end of May. Yup it’s happening! Love hearing what you guys are up to Brian always asks if I have heard where you are now 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Nicole. We were worried about her and are glad her kidneys are fine. So the move will happen, we weren’t sure since you both seem to like the current place so much.
LikeLike
Jeeze. Sorry to hear you guys were feeling poorly. Glad your better. Love hearing from you. I like the pictures too. Miss you. Have fun.
LikeLike
Glad to hear you’re on the road to survival. Looking forward to seeing you, we’ve been keeping the weather really nice for you but you best hurry up. I can’t keep this up forever. Love you,Aunt Nikki
LikeLike
Thanks, Aunt Nikki. We know you are a miracle worker so keep that weather nice!
LikeLike
It was amazing how we both got sick at about the same time. Lucky we now seem to both be doing well. We miss you and Matthew a lot.
LikeLike