The Second Death of the Microwave/Convection Oven

Aaaargh.  As you no doubt recall, our over the range microwave/convection oven started tripping the circuit breaker last December.  After an extensive search for a different (better) model, we realized that any model other than what we had would require cabinet work.  In order for the door to swing open, the box would have to be moved forward.  We ordered a new one, had it delivered, and lo and behold, it fixed itself; until last night.  If we so much as plug the wretched thing in, it trips the breaker.  It is so aggravating.  So, we've ordered a new one, and we're having it installed even if it miraculously heals itself again.  We're not happy about the timing.  We considered buying a Brevelle counter top oven for use until we can get to Oregon and cabinet work, but we really have no space for it.  Timing is everything.
The weather continues to be good.  The winds are just flukey.  It goes from calm to really windy and then back.  It has quit howling at night which it did the first week, so that's good.  I think so far it's been a better November than last year.

Halcyon Days in Tucson

Today was just a spectacular day.  It would have been a perfect day if there had been less wind, but it was still pretty amazing.  We rode up the trail to Mountain and back through the University of Arizona with Don and Jamie.  It was in the low 80's when we got to the campus.  Most of the college kids were in shorts and T shirts.  I loved going to school there.
We stopped at the Main Gate for a nosh.  Like the rest of Tucson, the courtyard is really green.  Their grass is looking good.

After riding we went to Camping World and Costco.  I ordered a bunch of disposable contact lenses.  My eyes are not liking the monthly contact lenses these days.   Costco was out of naan which was kind of a bummer.  We've been liking that for breakfast a lot more than toast.  Other than gorgeous weather, we have nothing to report.

As Seen in Tucson

We saw this in traffic yesterday.  Notice that he has his snake grabber across the back window.  Not a vehicle one should tail gate.

We hiked yesterday, and biked today on the Loop trail.  The desert is amazingly green. All that rain from those two tropical storms really perked up the vegetation.

We have not been on the road bikes for awhile.  I don't remember the bike saddle being so hard!   Other than that maties, we have zippity doo-dah all to report.

Improving the DSL and Almost a Full Moon

When we are in Tucson, we cut our Verizon data plan back to the bare minimum, and suspend the Jetpack.  4G in South Tucson is abysmal.  The RV park power pedestals have phone jacks, thus we can get DSL. In order to get the promotional rate last November, we had to sign up for a one year period; however, we were also allowed to suspend service for 6 months when we left for the summer.  Originally they told us we'd have to pay $10/month while suspended, but I called back, got a different person on the phone who gave it to me for $1/month during the summer.  We get DSL through Century Link.  What we have learned is that if you don't like the first number they give you, keep calling until you get a number you do like.  The absolute miracle of this was that I plugged in the modem yesterday and it worked.  I would not have predicted that.
Anyway, our 40 Mbps was feeling very sluggish.   A speed test showed it running at 25 Mbps.  I called technical support and they confirmed my diagnosis.  It's interesting that they know we're not getting 40, but they don't act on that information.  Anyway, they dispatched a tech guy who was supposed to arrive between 9 am and 1 pm today.  He was here at 8:45.  How often does that happen?  We had two problems.  Our phone line from the power pedestal to the bus is old, and it needed to be replaced.  The second issue was this box.  The one wire from the outside comes in and is split to the various phone jacks in the bus.  He had us unplug 3 of the 4 wires.  Apparently, to get the 40 Mbps the signal needs a straight shot to the modem.  So, in the unlikely event that your DSL is running slowly, these are two trouble shooting tips for you. And so ends my technical discussion for today.
After the tech left, I called customer loyalty and got a new, better price for the DSL while we're here.

The full moon tonight was spectacular.  As the moon rose higher than the dust layer in the air we could see the seas of the moon.

Last night the wind direction changed to a southerly and it was much warmer than yesterday.  We got the lights up on the palm tree and around the concrete pad.  Then there was a run to Target and a massive grocery shopping.  It's still feeling a little surreal to be here and not in Utah.  Tomorrow will either be bike or hike depending on wind speed.

Back in Tucson

Greetings from the Old Pueblo.  We got back yesterday.  Our route ended up being from Las Vegas to Blythe, and then Blythe to here.  The Formula 1 race we wanted to see was on at noon, so we stopped in Needles for two hours, and then pressed on to Blythe.  It worked out well.
Lewis Hamilton beat Nico Rosberg despite the fact that Nico had the pole position.  Nico is such a bad sport.  After the race he got out of his car, did not so much as look at Lewis and stomped off.
At present it's cool here.  We were up really early for an 8:00 ear doctor appointment and it was 48 degrees.  That's way too cold.  Hopefully there will be a warming trend.
Other than that, I have zippity doo-dah all to report.  Posting may become a little light, as we have seen it, done it, hiked it, ridden it and blogged about it from Tucson.

Old Las Vegas

This morning we drove down to the Fremont Street Experience in "historic" Las Vegas.  It's a big curved structure erected over some of the old casinos.  The whole curved roof is covered in lights.  They have light shows, concerts and other entertainment there.

One can zipline under the curved roof from the Slotzilla.

Here we see the iconic Golden Nugget. There are several casinos in there.

Outside is the Heart Attack Grill.  This is just sad.

There is some old style neon still in place.

One of the old hotels.

It was very windy and cold today.  Being under that curved roof was like being in a venturi tube.  So here are two young women standing around in their underwear and feathers, waiting to take pictures with the tourists.  All of the male bartenders were fully dressed, all the female bartenders were in their underwear with fringe.  That pisses me off some.

I love the billboard behind the Dino's sign.  Iconic Las Vegas.

On the way out we drove down the strip. It was full of people.  Here we have more freezing young women in their underwear trying to make a buck.  They were having trouble controlling their feathers.

Brian and Leigh came over for drinks tonight.  They have a new pickup truck.  It's very nice.  They brought really good snacks.  They're out by Lake Mead in a great boondock.
Tomorrow we're heading for Needles, after that it's a really long drive to Tucson.