Phoenix and vicinity

Lake at Sky Valley RV Resort in Desert Hot Springs, Calif.

One of 5 pools and 9 hot tubs at Sky Valley RV Resort in Desert Hot Springs

Gisele  & moi on route 66 in Kingman, Arizona

We left the fantastic Palm Springs weather reluctantly after 2 weeks of sunny warm, albeit occasionally windy, desert days. We headed east to Bullhead City Arizona, spending 3 nights at a campground along the Colorado River with daytime highs at least 10F degrees cooler. We then took the road through Route 66 and then into Phoenix, Arizona our present location. We've been swimming every day in the heated pool and hot tub. Played Bridge and Mah Jong and visited and partied with some old friends.

Norm & Linda Bobic with Gisele, enjoying margaritas at sunset
in Pueblo El Mirage RV Resort in El Mirage, Arizona

Gisele enjoying the day along the Colorado River in Laughlin, Navada

R & R in Palm Springs

Bill, Mary, Philip, Gisele, Maureen and Geoff

We are enjoying our time here in Palm Springs. The weather's great and it's an easy life. We connected with some friends from France, Mary & Philip Congdon and Maureen & Geoff Mansell-Ward and had a nice dinner on our RV.

Texas to Palm Springs

Under the USA's largest chime in Gruene, Texas

A music venue in Gruene, Texas

We visited with a friend Mike in New Braunfels, Texas who took us to an old Texas music hall, Gruene Hall, in Gruene, Texas. We enjoyed some Texas country music and walked the interesting town.

In front of Gruene Hall

Along the road in Arizona

We spent the next 3 days traveling before arriving in Quartzite Arizona, dry camping out in the desert for 4 days. It was very scenic with wonderful views of the surrounding mountains and beautiful sunsets. We'd take the motorcycle into town about 5 miles away and spend the day walking and shopping. We'd then return the our RV for drinks and dinner under the big sky.

With our RV parked in the desert in Quartzite, Arizona

Desert scenery

We've finally arrived at a campground where we'll be staying for a few days and can update the blog and email. It's in the Palm Springs area in Desert Hot Springs on the northern outskirts of town.

passing through Phoenix

Gisele with our rental car

A quick not to say we're in Phoenix, Arizona heading towards Quartzite also in Arizona. Will not have internet for a few days, since we'll be in the middle of the desert, but will try to post photos in near future.

Arrival in Dallas

Just a quick note to let our blog followers know that we arrived well, but tired and jet lagged at our campground in Dallas. Will post again soon after a few good nights of rest and when we have something to post.

The Holidays

The Chili

We finally finished our roofs after 7 weeks. Yes we re-roofed both houses so we should be leak free for the forseeable future. Before, during and after the work we hosted 4 chili parties with some homemade meat and vegetarian chilis, and margaritas. It went well with very little leftover. In all we made about 20 kg(about 44lbs) of chili and invited almost 100 people.
Once the chili was finished it was time to prepare the holidays with the family. Gisele and her sisters planned the meals and decor, spending the first night at sister Christiane's in Alleins, the second in Avignon at their mom's, and the third in Rognonas with their cousin Jacques and aunt Irene. All went well and the meals were incredible.

Christiane's table for Friday before Xmas

We're now into out preparation for the return to the USA. We leave from Marseille Jan 9, spending 1 night in Frankfurt and continuing on to Dallas the following day.

The day before Xmas in Avignon

Jacques and Irene's table for Xmas day

Autumn in Uzes

After a full summer rental schedule we happy to be back home in Uzes. The weather's been very nice and although I closed the pool at the beginning of October, there were a few days when I would have been tempted to jump in.

We've had some small leaks the last couple of years in the Mas due in part to the fragility of the old roof. We'd patch one spot a leak would develop in another spot. Instead of maintaining that course we decided to completely redo the roof this year. We hired a company last spring and they started work about 2 weeks ago. They start at 7:30 in the morning so we've temporarily placed our alarm clock in storage. They expect to finish in about 3 more weeks and then we get our house back.