MARCH 17TH   -  ARUBA

OUR FIRST ARUBA TOUR

Our day got an early start because we had to meet our tour guide at 8:30.  Skylar got us settled in his oversized 15 passenger van.  A very personable young man, Skylar was an excellent tour guide. Born and raised on the 19 mile long island, he was a wealth of island lore and legends.

Our first stop was the Aloe Factory Tour.  The tour started outdoors next to an aloe field.  This tour guide gave us all the basic aloe facts and a demonstration of stripping the aloe leaves.

After his very informative presentation we moved indoors.

We were taken on the tour in the factory.  There were MAYBE 6 - 8 people that I saw working, but lots of stainless steel machinery.

Tour over, they lt us loose in the store with dozens of sweet smelling soaps, candles and lotion for simply everything.  Since 1890 the aloe has been grown, harvested and processed onsite.  They were having a holiday sale of 40% off so, of course Susan and I had to shop!  We did our part for the local economy.

On to our next stop.  We rode for about 20 minutes on sometime dirt roads and sometime blacktop that hasn't seen a repair crew since the day they were built.  It was obvious that Skylar knew the roads, it was the hundreds of ATV's that worried me,  Between school bus type tour busses, 15 passenger vans,  regular cars and the ATV's...... IT WAS A NIGHTMARE!

Casibari Rock Formations was the tour stop,  This is a cluster of absolutely HUGE rocks, maybe boulders would be a better choice of words.  big enough that one could climb some steps to get to the top for a birds eye view of the city, beaches and the sea.  All three of us opted to see those things up close and personal and kept our feet firmly planted on the ground.

Skylar told us about the owls so we went in search of those birds.  They weren't hard to find in the enclosed area.  Enclosed because of snakes, namely boa constrictors.

Cute little owls. 

shy one???

I always offer to take the picture when I see a couple and one is taking a picture of the other standing near something of interest.  I'm almost always taken up on the offer.  Today I got an offer in return, So the three of us took our place on the swing.

Walt found a seat on a unique rock.

We took a walk through the "retail" section, if you will.

It was time to move on, we had places to go and things to see.  Next stop was the Natural Bridge.  At one time there was two but in the middle of the night, the larger of the two collapsed.  That was a blessing because during daylight many people walked over it.  walking not permitted  on the remaining natural bridge.

i don't know if the rough today were usual for this area but this coastline took a beating today.  The waves were high and they arrived like they had a score to settle.

 Walt and I were witness to something that well made us laugh like hell.  

  We stood mesmerized by what was about to happen.  You see, two pretty young teens were walking back from the water's edge when we saw an enormous wave coming in.   The wave rolled in full force and when it hit the rock wall its "splash" (gosh that sounds so weak and it was anything but!) shot up so high and with so much water that when it came down the wind carried it.  Directly over the teens.  They had no idea it was coming and they got totally drenched!  Walt and I looked at each a split second later and busted out laughing.  We weren't laughing AT the now dripping wet girls, we were laughing WITH the, oh hell, who am I kidding? we were laughing AT them!   But we weren't the only ones. Honest!    

Did you know that Aruba is not in the hurricane alley?  I didn't, but its true!  There has never been a hurricane here.

Did you know that Aruba uses the sea water to desalinate for drinking water?  It is the best water I've ever tasted.  Its crystal clear.  They also bottle it for sale.  Its the same as the islands household water supply.   The sea water is also used to produce the islands electricity.

The next stop on our tour was this little chapel.

  I really don't know why this was on the tour at all.  No guide was there to tell us the significance of it other than its size and location.

I think we spent 10 minutes here.

Our next stop was the Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins.  This historic site marks where gold was first found.  This mill was 1872.

Our last stop was this light house.  We could have, but didn't, climb to the top.  Our climbing days are over!

Arriving back at the condo, we decided it was time for the beach.  The condo gives every guest 2 beach towels everyday.  We can also reserve a thatched roof hut on the beach for shade.  Lounge chairs are also provided.  Marriott Ocean Resort is doing a bang up job of taking care of their guests!

It was unusually windy today.  It seems there is always a stiff breeze here and when on the beach it is usually welcomed.  However today, at times, it seemed we were being sandblasted.  We had  had enough after about 90 minutes.  Back to the condo we went to shower and relax.

Dinner time came and I cooked this meal and Susan cleaned up.  Walt just ate.  What's wrong with this picture?

They called it an early night and I stayed up to get this post done.

 March 16th - NORTH CAROLINA & OUR DESTINATION

We landed in North Carolina at 6am and we had an hour layover before we took off for our final destination.  Plenty of time to get breakfast, at the very least, a bagel.  NOT!  The airport was crazy busy and we had to wait for wheelchairs and attendants.  The lines at the bagel places were long and we knew we didn't have enough time. We got to our gate only to find that the ones who already boarded were deplaned and moving to another gate and a different plane.  So we made the move too.  Back on a plane sooner than we were ready for.  The seats are tiny, hard and give one no real leg room.  BUT.... flying but sure beats driving in getting from point A to point B. I fly, but I don't really enjoy it.  Does anyone?

Four hours.  Four long hours and we'll be there!  Finally!  As soon as we were in the air the pilot told us about major storms and that we had to fly around so our arrival time would be stretched to 15 to 20 minutes longer.  Oh damn!

Ok we landed and were expecting an easy time of getting through customs.  Our passports were new and the other paperwork needed was in order.  Or so we thought.  Walt was denied entry.  This was an OH SHIT moment!  WE HAD BEEN THROUGH ENOUGH!   I had our entry documents, but the lady couldn't find where it was paid for!  It was!  We weren't the only ones going through this, While we were there six other travelers were flagged for the same thing.   I think its a racket!  I paid the money AGAIN. RELUCTANTLY BUT I GAVE THEM ANOTHER $20.

So now we're in country and we hear, Snookie!  Walt! over here.  We turned and there was Susan from Delaware who invited us to spend the week with her here. She landed 15 minutes after us.

We cleared the airport and went outside to get a taxi.....along hundreds of other people.  It moved very fast. a taxi drove up, entire families and all their belongings disappeared within mere minutes.  We got into our taxi and Susan asked if our driver would drive past a particular landmark so I could get a picture. He said, "No problem"!  So here is where we are....  scroll down

..

,,

,,

,,

,,

,,

,,

,,

Yep, we're in Aruba for a week, staying with Susan who has a timeshare condo in the Marriott Ocean Resort.

I'll tell ya right, there is no way in hell I would drive here!  These people are freakin' crazy!  I noticed when we got in the taxi Susan asked right away what fare would be.  There is a list posted of what fares should be from one place to another and if it was too much you just refused that ride.  It keeps the taxi drivers honest and saves tourists from being ripped off.  Our driver was very friendly and spoke perfect English.  I asked if that was the native language here and he explained that one graduated from school each student could speak four languages fluently.  English, Spanish, Portuguese and Dutch.

Our driver also advised us that if we were going grocery shopping to go today or tomorrow because on Wednesday all stores would be closed because the King of the Netherlands was coming.  There will be a big celebration and parade.  Looks like we are here at the right time.

I just love the colors of the buildings.

Everything has been freshly painted in honor of the King's visit.

Arrival finally at the resort.  Luggage for three people for 7 days.

We got up to the condo and it is very nice!

I lost count on how many pool there are.  Five or six I'm guessing and the beach just beyond.  Every guest is given two beach towels everyday.  Bingo is played everyday and the bingo pots are quite large.

These resort guests are playing while standing in the pool.

I saw this passing by out in the water.

Since none of us had eaten since breakfast the day before, food was in order.  We went to a resort outdoor restaurant.  We all had burgers and fries.  I had a coke, Walt had a local beer he really wasn't crazy about and Susan ordered her favorite drink which was on special, so she ordered two.  

Our bill came to a little over a hundred dollars.   A bit pricey in my book but we are in Aruba at a resort.

Back in the condo we unpacked and made out a grocery list.  

I didn't expect to these scurry by while eating lunch.

Walt took much needed nap and Susan and I took a taxi to the grocery store. 

MAJOR MAYHEM!  The grocery store was nuts!  So incredibly busy and it was hard to shop because of the different languages the product names were written in.  The carts!  The carts were barely steerable as they had a mind of their own.  I held on to the front and tried to guide it and Susan pushed holding on to the handle.  For no apparent reason the cart would just slide sideways. And all the carts did this!  Add in hundreds of tourists and locals and it was just NUTS!  And EXPENSIVE!  everything is flown or arrives by boat.

Well, I'm just beat.  Walt and Susan have gone to bed, and I stayed up to get this caught up.  Susan has a busy week planned for us including a couple of tours.  You all should be familiar with Aruba by weeks end even if you've never been here, if I do this blog right.

More tomorrow.

 MARCH 15TH -ARIZONA & AIRSPACE

Another morning with no water and a lot more YouTube videos and phone calls to area businesses asking for ideas for solutions to this most annoying problem.

We give up.  Off to Kenny's we went for showers.  Why is it when I'm home, I can usually get two decent days after I wash my hair but when we're "camping" and we have no water for a proper shower that I wake up like this.......

After showers and a nice visit with Kenny it was time to get our day started with errands we have to run.

First order of business was new sneakers for Walt.  Famous Footwear was our first stop and he found exactly what he was looking for but there was only one shoe in the box and store personnel didn't have a clue where the other one was. And let's not discount the fact that he always buys two pairs and they only had one.  On to Penney's.  He found a pair he liked in his size and even a second pair.  /Now these Skechers were $95.00 which practically made this Queen of Cheap faint!  It almost killed me, but I talked him into getting the two pair.  I know!  I can't believe I did that either!!!  However, there is a method to my madness.  You see, I had a 35% off coupon that started on the 16th. I told him we would return one pair in Mesa and buy it back right away taking that 35% off and we would repeat that in Show Low store.  Always thinking, I am!  He also found 2 golf shirts and two pair of shorts.  I bought NOTHING for me!

Next stop was Walmart for a SDHC card for my camera.  I've taken thousands of pictures with the one I have and figured it has to wear out soon.  Walt found two more pair of shorts he liked and another golf shirt.  A few more things and we were out of there.  But did we ever see some sights while we were there!  My first "Walmartians".  I whipped that phone out so fast!

Do these people not own mirrors?

Back at the Elks Lodge we had lots of stuff to do.  You see, we aren't just here at the Lodge for any run of the mill reason, we're here to leave the travel trailer here while we take off in a jet plane!  This trip has been planned for a while and we told very few people of our plans.  Only two in the park and three outside.

We loaded up the truck with our luggage and headed to the parking lot where we'll leave the truck for a week.  Thanks to our GPS we found it with no problem.  Our ride to Sky Harbor airport arrived quickly and off we went!  Now Walt isn't crazy about driving at night anymore and especially in unfamiliar territory.  Did I mention we left Apache Junction around five and our flight doesn't leave until 11pm?  It's a good thing we like to people watch!  Got to the airport and checked our two large suitcases.  Found our wheelchairs we had reserved and headed to TSA.  (These are needed because Walt is waiting on his next roto-rootering of his legs and I'm having breathing issues.  It doesn't hurt that it affords us early boarding too) The line was long but moved quickly.  I should explain here that when I printed our boarding passes, and luggage tags the kiosk computer asked if I wanted to check a third bag with no extra charge.  Since we had two carry-ons within the size parameters I clicked on NO.  BIG MISTAKE!  Did you know that you now pay $40.00 per bag?  What a rip-off!  So, we put all of our electronics and metal things in the plastic boxes and laid our carry-ons on the conveyor belt.  Walt made it through x-ray with no problems, but I had to be patted down. Then we got the word that TSA wanted to talk with us.  You see, I knew we would be cooking this week, so I packed a small Mayo, Mustard and Ketchup, small bottles of our favorite salad dressings and I got busted because they were too big.  Not to mention all the sunscreen.  They would confiscate them or I could check the carry-on.  THIS  QUEEN OF CHEAP WAS NOT GOING TO THROW AWAY PERFECTLY GOOD STUFF!  So back downstairs we went.  I explained to the lady that I did in fact want to check that third bag now at no charge.  She explained to me that the opportunity for that had passed. Oh NO, I did not want to hear that.  She sent me to a supervisor to see if anything could be done.  That lady sent me to another lady who was higher up in the chain of command.  She sent me to another but did tell me that I should tell her that I did indeed say yes but the machine only spit out two luggage tags!  It worked!  I was a happy camper!  three pieces checked for the ridiculous price of two.  Back upstairs, through TSA AGAIN, patted down AGAIN and we were on our way to the waiting area.  Now all this took a considerable amount of time and we hadn't eaten yet.  Some of the nicer restaurants were closing for the night and the ones still open were crazy busy.  No dinner for us.  Our flight was called and we boarded.....hungry.  It was 11pm and we were headed to Charlotte, NC.  This was the first. leg of our trip.  We were glad when this day was over!

  

MARCH 14t, 2026  -  ARIZONA

We slept like rocks last night!  all the way to 9!  We both woke up with pretty bad cases of bedhead and couldn't wait to hit the shower. Then we remembered.  We have no water!  What to do, what do.  We played our Call a Friend card and asked if we could come and take showers.  Our dear friend Wayne  put his plans on hold for us and we rushed right over.  We have stayed in Wayne's guest room several times, so we were pretty familiar with his place.

All clean and hair tamed we sat for a visit and another Juniper Ridge friend stopped by.

Kathy

We had several errands to run so we ran from place to place buying things we need and feeding ourselves.  It was a warm one today.

This is my closet in our travel trailer.  Not huge by any means, but big enough to hold my hanging clothes I wanted with me while here in desert.

Now the question is if I have that closet and Walt has one just like it  the WHY do we have these with us?  scroll down.....

hmmmm,,,,,,,

I WILL NOW CLOSE THIS POST.  STAY TUNED!