Travel/Renovation Log Our trip to Arizona and California 2009/2010
(Updated February 18, 2010)
Travel/Renovation
Log Our trip to Arizona and California 2009/2010
October
10, 2009 Coverdale, BC
October
13-14, 2009 Redding, CA
October
15, 2009 Bakersfield, CA to Quartzite, AZ
October
16, 2009 Quartzite, AZ
October
16-20, 2009 Phoenix, AZ
October
21, 2009 Renovations, Phoenix, AZ
October
22-30, 2009 More Renovations - Phoenix, AZ
November
01-12, 2009 More Renos - Phoenix, AZ..
November
28-30, 2009 Yuma, AZ Dog Show
December
01, 2009 Algondones, Mexico
December
02-06, 2009 Renos Again, Phoenix, AZ..
December
07-11, 2009 Standoff, AB - Back to Work
January/February
2010 Long Overdue Update
February
18, 2010 Yuma/Algondones, Mexico
October 10, 2009 Coverdale , BC
We started our
trek south this year by heading to Cloverdale for the Poodle Specialty of BC.
We only entered Mona in the specialty. Not the all breed.
We were
thrilled to go Best of Variety and even more thrilled to go Best in Specialty as well as
Best Canadian Bred in Specialty.
These are some
candids that were taken from ringside. Thanks to Catherine King for the great
pictures.
October 12, 2009 Salam , OR
We crossed the
border at 1 pm without incident. We drove to a Super Walmart
in
October 13-14, 2009 Redding , CA
Things were going
along great until we were headed over the pass about 20 miles north of
It was pouring
down rain and blowing at 40 mphs so we shut it down and decided to put the new
filter on in the morning. Drove back to the CAT dealer the next day and put on
the filter. Went for a test drive. Still
no power. Back to the CAT dealer and they read the engine codes low
fuel pressure we could have told them that without a computer. They decided it
must be the other fuel filter (apparently we have two). But of course they do
not have that one. After some searching around they found one at
Second filter
on $150 bill and off we go for another test drive. Still no
dice, back to the CAT dealer. Sandy and I were talking (just barely) on
the slow way back to the shop and we thought it might be the air filter. We
took of the filter and went for another drive.
BINGO. That
was the problem. So now to find a replacement. The CAT
dealer phoned everywhere and finally found one. Sandy and I drove over and
picked it up and changed it ourselves. Good thing as the filter was $300
. No
kidding.
So we finally
left Redding $500 lighter but lots of power again. By the time we left it was
after 2 pm.
Last night we
stayed in a rest stop about 100 miles north of
October 15, 2009 Bakersfield , CA
We are making
great time. Instead of going all the way towards LA and taking the dreaded
Grapevine (I5 to I10) we turned of on hwy 46 to
No traffic
easy driving and four lanes most of the way. Make sure you fill up near
October 16, 2009 Quartzite, AZ
Made it to
Quartzite uneventfully and stayed the night.
October 16-20, 2009 Phoenix , AZ
Got to the
house on Friday morning without incident.
It looks
exactly the same as when we left L
Unfortunately
the renovation elves did not do any work since we were here in March.
So now we
paint, clean, tile etc. As soon as we get one room completely done I will post
some before and after pictures.
We have
basically finished one bathroom and have the kitchen gutted. The new cabinets
come on Friday.
October
21, 2009 Renovations, Phoenix , AZ
We bought a
bedroom
On Saturday we
pick up a fridge, stove, microwave and dishwasher we bought off of Craigs list. They are upgrading to
stainless, we are just needing something to keep
things cold and hot so white works for us J
I promise to
post pictures soon.
October 22-30, 2009
More Renovations - Phoenix , AZ
We finally got
one bathroom and the kitchen finished J
Renovating is an
interesting thing. The days that you actually work cost you no money. The days
that you take off cost a bunch of money.
For example,
ripped out the kitchen, not cost. Went a bought cabinets,
$2,000.
Ripped out and
painted the bathroom, no coast. Went to home depot $800, do you see a pattern?
So here are
some before and after shots.
Bathroom
before.
Not much to see.
Bathroom
after.
Yes thats me in the mirror.
We used the
same bathtub and toilet. The tiles were already done so we did not redo them.
We basically only painted and added the vanity, mirror and new lights. New taps
in the tub and towel racks.
We figured the
cost to be around $600 for the bathroom. We could have ripped out the tile but
we thought it was kind of cool also saved a lot of work and money.
Kitchen
before.
During.
Kitchen after.
We bought all
the appliances off of Craigs
list for $500. We reused the sink that was already there to save a couple of
hundred dollars.
We tiled the
counter tops but then thought it all looked a bit drab so we used glass tiles
for the trim.
All in all we
think it came out great. Total cost around $3,000.
The living
room is basically done put we have stuff scattered all over the place and I did
not feel like cleaning it to take pictures. I will try after the weekend J
Anita should
be getting here today so I will sign off for now.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN !!!!!
November 01-12, 2009
More Renos - Phoenix ,
AZ
We are
basically finished the master bedroom and dining room. We still have to do base
boards, etc. and all the switches need to be replaced but we thought that would
be a good job for Dad when he comes to visit. After all he has to earn his keep
J
I also added a
couple of pictures of the front yard for those who have not seen the house.
Master bedroom
before.
There was
carpet over old stick on tile that had to be ripped up. The walls are not in
great shape but we decided that all they needed was painting. Same with the ceiling.
Master bedroom
after.
As you can see
we need to finish some trim but we can do that later. We used a 16 inch beige
ceramic tile in this room, the bathroom and one of the spare rooms. We will do
the third bedroom after we come back from the
The master
bath is almost finished. We are going to grout tomorrow so I will post more
pictures next week. It is probably the biggest change besides the kitchen.
Dining room
before.
We did not do
too much in the dining room. Painted the walls and ceiling.
Dining room
after.
We got the dining
room table, chairs and hutch of off craigslist for $200. I think that has been
our best buy so far. We still have to add some pictures.
These are a
couple of pictures I took of the outside today.
There was a
dead rosebush and some overgrown ugly bushes right in the front. I ripped them
out but have not decided what to put in yet. We are going to try and get the
bougainvillea to grow right across the top. I may add another one.
I will post
some pictures of the back yard next update.
I am almost tired
of renovating. Especially laying tiles. We are going to finish one of the spare rooms
and then take a break for a couple of weeks.
I will post
next week when the second bathroom is finished.
November 28-30, 2009 Yuma , AZ
We took last
week or so from renovating. Dianne came and picked up the pups and spent a
couple of days. We then went off to the Yuma Dog Shows. Went 2nd the
first two days and went Best of Winners the 3rd day. No major but
Mona is singled out so I pulled her the last day to let someone else get the
couple of points. Hopefully there will be majors in
December 01, 2009 Algondones , Mexico
Made a trip
across to
December 02-06, 2009 Renos Again, Phoenix , AZ
We did not get
much done this week but here are some pictures of the ensuite
bathroom, living room and spare bedroom.
En-suite
before (shower area)
En-suite after
Spare room
before
Spare room
after
Living room
before
Living room
after
December 07-11, 2009 Standoff, AB - Back to Work
Well all good
things must come to an end. I had to head back to
It is cold here,
got up this morning and it was -39.5. No I am not kidding. My new Blood Tribe
name is Tempest Freezing Her Ass Off.
Back in
January/February 2010 Long Overdue Update
Hi all, it has
been a long while since I have updated. Not because I have not had time but
because I have been lazy.
Christmas came
and went in a flurry (not a snow one). We had a lot of company, must be the
weather and the pool that attracted them. We had Laurel and Ross, Vic, Anita,
Anitas son and daughter in law and Bill and Gloria for the holiday cheer.
Dad was smart
and showed up in February after the rush was over.
Since the last
update Mona has completed her
The biggest
news it that Mona went Best in Specialty
at the Arizona Poodle Specialty in
February 18, 2010
Yuma/Algondones, Mexico
We are headed
to
Hopefully I
will be more diligent in updating in the next while J
Talk to you
soon.