Day 22 Arrival at Phoenix with professional help.

Some of those Sandhill Cranes

When we last left off the car was in the local auto repair shop in Willcox, with two brakes to repair. That did happen and Joe, the wonderful mechanic who did the work, stayed late on Wednesday night to strip down the drums and prepare the wheels and brakes for the morning when the parts arrived. The pads, drums, rotors, hub arms all were replaced. They showed heavy signs of Michigan salt roads. They were in verybad shape. At 8:00 AM he and his helper started and they had the job completed by 10:30. Now there is a good man with a work ethic and love of his fellow man. We were so pleased to be able to be back on the road by noon as we did not expect that. We just have to have faith and trust in people as they do come through. God Bless them.

The trip into Phoenix passes through Benson (got gas at $3.09) and the continuing saga (in looking for a full service truck wash) ended with a TTT trucker stop in south Tucson. We pulled in and asked if we could get the vehicle and the trailer washed. (Needed to get that Gulf salt and the Texas /El Paso dust off the vehicles). “Chuck” the Korean born manager said, “You’re next”! In 25 minutes his men had it cleaned and we were on the road again. We had a good exchange about the North and South Korean relations. He has relatives there (NK) he has never seen. He told an interesting story. Years ago the South Koreans would float transistor radios when the wind was right , into North Korea. But today, they send, by balloon, the latest cell phones with numbers attached so the North Koreans can phone the people in the south. Talk about spreading freedom! North Korea is very destitute .

A Curved Billed Thrasher gettingbreakfast

The rest of the trip was a breeze as we entered the afternoon traffic in Phoenix at about 3:10 and by 4:45, had completed the stop and go traffic that always accompanies the highways in and out of Phoenix. We traversed from south to north where our new RV Park was located.

A large Palm tree adorns our drive (see tomorrows pictures) amid the other more permanent dwellings. Backing in was snug and only one foot separates our slide out from the neighbors fence.. We called Ruth's niece, Karrie, and took the three of them out to supper at “South of the Border” a Mexican emphasis restaurant. It was Chimichunga for me with an assortment for the others. A rare treat was to order dessert and it was a Kahlua pie that Ruth and I shared.

The beautiful Vermilion Flycatcher

It is warm in Phoenix, (72 today) and shouldn’t get anywhere near freezing tonight. Last year we experienced record heat at 99F , but it will be 20 degrees less than that I am sure all week.

May you all be well and tomorrow we will start some “urban” pictures for you . Love to all,

Jim and Ruth