AMAZON PHOENIX, AZ (NOT CAMPERFORCE)

AMAZON PHOENIX, AZ (NOT CAMPERFORCE)

Another winter, another year working at a Amazon Fulfillment Center (FC). This year we have a little twist, then the past years. This Peak season we are working in Phoenix, AZ as a regular temp hires with Integrity Staffing Solutions .In the past we worked for Amazon in the Camper Force program. There are Amazon warehouses all across America and instead of traveling across the Country to work, why not look into a warehouse in our own snowbird backyard? We applied for job opening on 11 Sep and by 5 Oct we received a call letting us know we were hired.

Before I go into too much of our experiences in the Phoenix warehouse the work in an Amazon warehouse is the same no matter the location. Not much more I can say; if you worked in one, it will pretty much be the same at the next. Except for one detail I have noticed. On Mandatory Over Time  (MOT) where you are required to work 60 hour weeks all the other warehouse were 12 hour shift for five day. In Phoenix it's 10 hour shifts for six days. Not much off time to get groceries and do laundry all in one day before heading back into work.

We agreed to the assignment for the position of day shift ICQA. When we arrived on 28 Oct we were assigned to Stowing position, needless to say we were upset and quit on the spot. The next day we called for a new position and again we got agreed to ICQA this time on the night shift. Again, when we arrived we were changed to stowing. This time even though it was not the assignment we did not agree to, at least it was a night shift with slightly higher wage so we stayed. We are working night shift Wednesday thru Saturday (MOT Tuesday - Sunday) 6:00pm - 4:30am.

Integrity Staffing Solutions (ISS) is a hiring agency and I don't have a lot good things to say about them. First, the interview process they lied. Telling us we would work only 30 hours (3 days) the first week to get use to the shift and work load. WRONG, we put in 47 hours (5 days) and had overtime in the first week. Second, MOT would be only one day a week and 12 hour shift. WRONG, its two days on Sunday and Tuesday on 10 hour shifts. Arizona is a tax state, meaning I have to pay Arizona city and state taxes even though I'm not a residence of Arizona. Arizona tax is cheaper than Ohio meaning I will have to pay out of pocket the difference. Not to mention I now have to fill for two State and two City taxes in 2018. The way we have been treated as employees of ISS is the worst. We are going to fight though our eight weeks and on 23 Dec we are done with Peak and ISS.

I just wanted to show some of the differences between CamperForce and ISS.

Benefit                                       CamprForce                                          ISS
Direct hire with Amazon                  Yes                                                    No

Free campsite                                    Yes                                                    No

Paid time off (5 hrs) earned after     350 hrs                                             Not offered

Bonus (Complete assignment)       1 hour = $1                                        Not offered

Agreed assignment,                           Yes                                                    No
   Assignment work

Work commitment                           23 Dec                                               1,500 hrs
                                                        (gone before X-Mas)

First week Hour work                       25-30 hrs                                           47 hrs

Free T-shit and swag                         Yes                                                    No

Communication with Ambassador    5 *****                                           1*

Max work performance rate               85% (no write up)                  100% (or write up)

MOT 60 hr weeks                             50 hrs                                               60 hrs


and the list goes on.... always favoring CamperForce over ISS. 

Needless to say, we are never going to work for ISS or any hiring agencies again. We are sticking with direct hire through CamperForce in the years to come. CamperForce 2018 job opening come out in late December early January and we are putting our name in for Murfreesboro, TN.

Lastly, if you're going to applying for CamperForce for the first time this year because of the advice and information I've shared about the program over the years on this BLOG, Id be one happy camper if you'd list me under "How did you hear about this opportunity" field on the application (Russell Bennett).

The past few springs I have volunteered at MLB spring training complexes, This spring I will try and work to make some money. I have submitted a few applications for MLB spring training job. If I get hired for any of them, I'll post on how I found the job, how I got hired and how was the over all experience.  

iFLY SCOTTSDALE, AZ

iFLY SCOTTSDALE, AZ

22 Sep 2017

Today is my birthday and I got the biggest surprise gift from Hiromi. I have had sky diving on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. The only problem is I don't want to jump out of a perfectly good air plane at 10,000 feet. The next best thing is indoor sky diving. She took me to iFly in Scottsdale, AZ. There are only a few requirements. No neck, back or shoulder injuries and weigh under 260lbs. There is a short safety training period to learn the basic and hand signals. Then, we put on our jump suit and was ready to go. 

We got the package deal for two 2 minute flights. I added the 10' flight.  When will I ever get to do this again and besides I only live once, so why not. We also got two free video clips. We choice one each. We both had a great time and was worth every penny. When we were done we even got a certificate.

 Check out the video on my YouTube page or just click HERE

CLIMBING MT FUJI (FUJI-SAN) JAPAN

CLIMBING MT FUJI (FUJI-SAN) JAPAN

When you ask almost any non Japanese to name five iconic landmarks in Japan, most have Mt Fuji on their list. The Japanese don't even call it a mountain, they call it Fuji-San. Translated as Mr Fuji to show respect to the living object. Standing at 12,388 feet it is the largest volcano in Japan. The last eruption was in December 1707 over 300 years ago. The damage was so bad it hit Osaka 230 miles West and Edo (now Tokyo) 120 miles East. I can't even image the damage it would cause the next time it erupts, but it's estimated to be around 2.5 Trillion Yen or 25 Billion US Dollars.

This would make my third time climbing Fuji-San. First, in 1991 (19) on a day trip with my Navy Command. I made it to level 10, but it was already mid day. Second, in 2001 (29) with Hiromi. We made it to level 7 where we spent the night and to level 10 to see the sunrise the next morning. Third, in 2017 (45) by myself.

A SAFETY WARNING Lots of people climb Fuji- San every day, but don't understand all the dangers. 1) Hydration, 2) Sun burn and 3) Altitude sickness. I thought this was a joke the first time I heard this, but it's real and it's serious danger.  With lower oxygen pressure at high altitudes it becomes harder to breath. If you are older or out of shape this is the one that you might consider before you start your climb.

Even though it's free to climb (recommend 1,000 yen donation) nothing is really free. Round trip bus ride 4,500 yen, sleeping place 5,500 yen, two meals 2,500 yen equal to 12,500 yen or US$ 125. Lets not forget the fees to use the bathroom on the mountain that is 200 yen per visit. If you spend the night at one of the station houses toilets are free until you checkout.

Being 45 years old I was thinking this might be my last chance to climb Fuji-San and it was close to the top of my list of things to do while in Japan. I packed everything I thought I would need and a little extra stuff my Father-in-Law thought I would need too. Turned out I only used half of the stuff and a lot of extra weight on my back. I started the day by going to Shizuoka bus/ JR station. The bus leaves once a day to Fuji-San and it's a three hour ride with one stop at another bus station.

After the bus arrived at level 5 (the parking lot) I took my time to get a hot meal before starting my climb. I was off with the clouds rolling in and the sun not really hot. That all changes pretty quickly when I turned around to take in the view, I was above the cloud line and the sun beating down on me. In the past I did not remember the climb being this hard. There is no real level walking trails, its pretty much finding a foot hole in the lava rocks and hope for the best. There are some man mad steps, but a tough climb. The biggest surprise to me was that there was free Wi-Fi not just at the dinning hall area in level 5, but also at the level 8 station house (about 9,900 feet).

I made it to level 8 in about 4 1/2 hours where I made reservation to sleep for the night. Good thing I did as there was some kind of kid field trip where all 72 sleeping area was booked full.

 I was dead tired and after dinner I was off to bed, but with kids yelling it was pretty hard. Final around 10pm the lights went out and every kid had to say good night to their friend. By 10:30pm I think everyone has said their goodnight. A few hours latter the staff turned the lights on a 2am for wake up to start the climb to level 10. Someone turn on their radio and said rain is in the forecast around sunrise. I heard that, and rolled over and went back to sleep. I would have had another two hour hike to level 10 meaning that I would have about 4 hour hike down on a slipper lava rock trail. I just slept in and woke up to see the sunrise from my sleeping area window before getting up to make the  2 1/2 hour hike back down before the rain comes. As I stepped off the trail and onto the parking lot road the rain came and it came down in buckets. I was upset that I did not make it to level 10 on my last climb (more than likely) but I think it was a safe and smart decision on my part.



I waited a few hours in the dinning hall area for the bus to arrive to depart back to Shizuoka Bus stop/ JR Train Station.  When I arrived back in Shizuoka I walked back home and just as I left the downtown area with roof cover sidewalks the rain came once again and I was soaked head to toe. I looked up and saw Hiromi walk towards me with an extra umbrella where we walk home together.

First thing I did was throw all my cloths in the laundry and took a hot shower and soaked in the tub.

I had a great time climbing Fuji-San, I just wish I was young again. Even though I have climb it two times in the past, this was by far the hardest climb ever. I have not encounter any climb/ hikes like this is America. I thought I was in shape, but after this I'm just lucky to have survived. I was a little dehydrated, my face was sunburned and my feet were water logged.

If you want to see the video I made check out my YouTube link HERE.

TORO RUINS SHIZUOKA, JAPAN

TORO RUINS SHIZUOKA, JAPAN

One of our first stops was the Toro Ruins in Shizuoka. Only 10 minutes by bus from Shizuoka Train Station. These Ruins site dates back to the First Century. There were about 50 huts and each held one family of about five members. I was surprised to find out that there was no one person that ruled or leaded this city, all the members were equal. From what I understood from my translation was that you work, you eat you don't work, you don't eat. There were are also several storage huts. These huts were for storing food. They are raised up off the ground for a few reasons. One; to keep bugs and other animals out, two; keep thieves from stealing and three; an area to prep meals and keep dry when it rains. The first thing I noticed when I looked at the storage buildings that there was no door. How did they get the food in and out? How did the food stay good and not rot? There is a little triangles box that can be removed to place the items inside. Because the location of the opening, they had to use ladders. These ladders was stored in the huts. Along these triangle opening the wooden slot can be open or closed. In the summer the slots remained closed and in the winter they were open.

I was luck enough to step back in time and make a fire the same way these people would have done it back in the First Century.

.  

Checkout the video of our time at Toro Ruins. CLICK HERE

JAPAN

JAPAN

As full-time RV'ers we are always looking forward to our next adventures to explore and see what the city or area has to offer. When we arrive I get that feeling of excitement of finding out what's around the corner. When we take a break from the road and return to Ohio to see family I get the feeling of peace. 

I moved to Japan at age 19 to live on my own for the first time. Living on my own for the first time in a foreign country, not known the language, culture or history would be hard for anyone. I did not choice to live in Japan, Japan was assigned to me. Unknowingly at the time, the stars must have aligned and fate that brought me to Japan. Even though I worked on a Military base that spoke English I lived off base and experienced Japan like any other foreigner. I feel in love with Japan, it's history and culture. The ten years I lived in Japan taught me I could concur my fears and that nothing could stand in my way of dream and goals. I meet the woman of my dreams and married her, I had a successful 20 year Navy career, I retired at age 38, I now travel the US, Canada & Mexico in my RV. I could not have asked for a better life than this.

Twenty-six years latter I find myself back in Japan for seven weeks to visit family and explore. Leading up to my arrival to Japan I did not know how I would feel, excited or at peace? As I got off the plane and saw my father-in-law, I felt at peace and knew I was home.

In the coming weeks I will BLOG about our adventures. Please check back often to see our Life-in-Japan.

LAS VEGAS, NV

LAS VEGAS, NV

We first visited Las Vegas in 1995 over the next 22 years we would return seven more times. Every time we returned it would get less exciting and more expensive. Free entertainment, cheep food and free parking are things of the pass. We still like to get out and take in what Vegas has to offer if not just for the views at least the exercise of walking up and down The Strip. We still like getting out and trying to find something new. The next two months we are staying at Nellis AFB FAMCAMP where we'll explore Vegas to find the free and cheep experiences (with the occasionally splurge) that may not be well known to visitors. If there is no price in the description, then it was free.

When I first started this post I did not think it would be this long, but I assure you it will be a good read and maybe you'll get some great ideas for your next visit to Vegas.

Visit the Welcome to Las Vegas Sign first! Regardless of what happens next... the photo's you take here will be the beginning of your Vegas story. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. This is your proof that it seemed like a good idea at the time. Now easier then ever to stop and take a picture there is a 12 car parking lot. There is parking space for bus or RV, but the entrance and exit is narrow. If coming into town you will have to make a U-turn to enter the parking.

Something I just started to do in the last few years is take pictures of survey markers in towns and cities we visit. As we walked along The Strip we found several survey makers with the Welcome to Vegas sign. This is by far the most unique marker I have found so far.

Hiromi used to work at Nirita Airport in Japan and there is just something about watching planes land. Along McCarran International Airport runs E Sunset RD where there is a pull-off to Airport Observation Parking. We found this by pure dumb luck. We pulled in and watched planes takeoff and land. You can even turn your radio to 101.1FM and listen to air traffic communication as you watch the planes.

Hiromi LOVES chocolate, we try to visit/ tour chocolate factories where ever we go. In Vegas we toured Ethal M chocolate factory and cactus garden. Since the last time we visited this factory, it has been remodeled and we had to visit it again. Added bounce we got free chocolate samples after the self guided tour along the widow viewing arrea. To top off the visit we took a walked in the Botanical Cactus Garden.

A few miles South of The Strip off of  I-15 we stopped at Silverton Hotel to see the Aquarium that sits in the middle of the Casino and lobby entrance. You can even have breakfast with a Silverton Mermaid. Sorry no pictures of the aquarium.     

Treasurer Island had a great Pirate Show in front of their hotel. We were lucky enough to see it on our first visit to Vegas. The Pirate show is now gone, only the boats remain.

The MGM had lions in their lobby behind glass cage where you could even walk under and see lions on either side of you. The lions are gone, now they have a boxing ring in the lobby promoting there next big fight.

The Rio had floating Mardi Gras over the casino floor where they would throw out beads. That is now gone. The last show was on 31 Mat 2013. However, you can still see the rails on the ceiling. For all you ladies Chippendales review show is here (FYI I did not go) and for all you rockers there is a KISS mini golf with band memorabilia.

The volcano show at the Mirage was under construction a few times when we visited in the past, but looks to be back and better then ever,

If you want to see the complete volcano show checkout my YouTube video CLICK HERE 

If you are not staying at the Mirage, after the volcano show make a trip inside to see the aquarium behind the reception desk.

The wildlife habitat is still full of flamingos and other animals along with waterfalls at The Flamingo.

The famous Fountains of Bellagio still runs (for now), but sometimes late. There is talk that the Bellagio is going to shut down the fountains and turn the area into an outdoors shopping area. I personally think it's a mistake. This might be one of the last times I ever get to see this iconic landmark in Vegas.

25 Second video

We stopped at The Bellagio Conservatory Garden to see whats new. They have a different theme every few months.

Just behind the gardens, we found a Guinness World Record Chocolate Fountain. Measures 26' 3" tall and circulates 2 tons of chocolate at a rate of 120 quarts per minute.

                        

A few hours after we left, The Bellagio caught fire.The reports said it was caused by the faulty outside lights. Only thing we could see when we returned to check it out was construction barriers.

You can spend a whole day of fun at Circus Circus at not even know it. On the 2nd floor there is Adventuredome, a mini amusement park. Costing around $30 will get you unlimited ride all day. There are rides for all age groups and we were impressed how many rides were in such a small area with plenty of room for walking around and safety. There is even video games and circus carnival games where you win stuff animals. We saw kids walking around with large garbage bag full of stuff animals.

What makes Circus Circus? Of course a free Circus. Everyday from 11am - 11pm are show of high flying and daring acts.

We have been in Caesars Place mall several times, but never walked all the way to the back. Good thing we did as we were surprised with an aquarium and at the top of every hour a free show of the Fall of Atlantis.

On the first floor just outside the Palazzo Casino is the Palazzo Waterfall.

Venetian has the famous outside and 2nd floor mall gondola ride. Gondola ride is $116 a couple or share with another couple for $29 each. The ride itself is not very long, but that has not deterred other from waiting in long lines for the ride. We decided to just take a picture of us with the gondola in the background.

New York New York steak house age drys,then age wet their meat for a total of five weeks before serving it in their restaurant.

The tower at Paris is $10 day and $20 night a person with Military discount. It's free on your birthday (need drivers license for proof). Guess were I'm taking Hiromi on her birthday? When we arrived on Hiromi's Birthday, Paris was no longer offering free rides to the top on your Birthday. We went up before, so there was no nee to do it again.

We tried to beat the 116 degrees heat outside by going to Minus 5 degrees in Monte Carlo. This is a bar were everything is made from ice including the walls, chair, table and even the glass we drank from. We had to wear parkas and gloves just to stay some what warm. Not sure how we got in so cheap, but we did not complain. It might have been when I asked for Military discount (they did not have) and we were the only ones in the bar when we arrived. We could not take phones or cameras inside the bar, as people in the pass complained of their phones and cameras not working anymore. The heat from their phone sitting on ice table that froze to the table and battier life being shorter because of the cool temperatures. Sadly, for us there is no pictures for this BLOG or video for our VLOG. The only way to get pictures was to buy one from the bar. TOURIST TRAP, but it was Hiromi's Birthday and we wanted one. Usually $19 a person just to walk in with gloves and parka with drinks costing about $12 each. There are several package deals you can get with drinks included. We paid less than $40 (before tip) for the both of us with one drink apiece and the picture, better price than we expected.

On Memorial Day the High Roller Ferris wheel was free to active, retired and dependence with Military ID. Usually $22 a person during the days and $37 per person at night (with Military discounts) we jumped at the chance to take in The Strips view. Standing at 550' tall and taking 30 minutes to make one complete circle.We arrived just before sunset and in our cabin we had only one other couple. Good thing we went up when we did, because on our return the lines for the night view was super long and the cabins were packed full.

I remember buffets were cheep, not anymore. Most of the restaurants on The Strip will set you back $75- $90 for two. Also, most of the hotels now charge for parking. There are still a few hotels with free parking, but very few as more and more hotels are starting to charge now. As of this post these are the hotels we used with free parking Rio, Hard Rock, Circus Circus, Tropicana, Hooters and Planet Hollywood.

We found a few restaurants off The Strip that are more reasonable. Located in China Town Makino an all you can eat sushi restaurant for $18 (lunch).

Another place Gyu-Kaku a Japanese BBQ also located in China Town has a great prices for Happy Hour meals. We arrived shortly after 2pm and had the Happy Hour special for $45 with a draft Sapporo beer for only $2. The meal was large for two with at least ten piece set. Needless to say we were full and did not eat the rest of the day. The meal set we had is $61 at regular dinner price. We asked for military discount, but they had only local discount of 10%, and they gave us local discount instead.

We did not leave our exploring just to Vegas, we got out and explored Nevada (Arizona boarder) too.

Get to Hoover Dam early, we arrived shortly after 10am (weekday). We passed through security checkpoint and found free parking with easy. As we were leaving, traffic coming in was almost at a stand still as cars made there way to full garage parking and full free hill side park. It has really been a long time since we visited Hoover Dam. We did all the tours in the Dam the first time we visited, but now there is Mike O'Callaghan- Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. Construction started on 14 Feb 2005 and ended on  14 Oct 2010 with a length of 1,900' connecting Arizona and Nevada along US 93. We walked out to the middle and looked towards the Dam. This is the first time we were ever able to see the Dam from this view straight on. Just remarkable!

   Looking out from Memorial Bridge                  Looking down from the top of the Dam

                         

Hoover Dam centers on the Arizona-Nevada boarder  

There is a major drought or water shortage as you can see form the pictures below. The white area is were the water level once stood.

We only walked around the Dam and took pictures, it was still hot. This day the temperature was in the high 90's, but the rest of the weeks forecast is 100-110. This was the best day of the week to go and we still need assistance to cool down.

Just a short drive across the boarder from the Hoover Dam into Arizona is Willow Beach. Part of Lake Mead NRA, and free to enter. We were going to take a hike and see Arizona Hot Springs that has a 20' high side canyon that you can only enter by climbing the ladder the National Park installed to get to the Hot Springs. Also, on another trail close by is the Liberty Bell Arch. Unfortunately, the National Parks had both trails closed during the summer months as temperatures reach well over 100. These trails are still on our "TO DO LIST", but we'll have to wait until winter/ fall months to check them off.

I was hopping to have a YouTube video completed to go along with this post, but with over 600 video files to go through and edit there is just no time. I still want to make one, but it will take some time.

HELPFUL HINT
1) As you can probably tell I'm not shy of asking for military (or any kind of) discount. Places have them, but do not advertise them. As my mother always said, "It doesn't hurt to ask".

2) The pedestrian deaths in Nevada is outrages. On average four pedestrians are hit a week over the last two months we have been in Vegas. Almost every night on the news someone gets hit (most died) by cars. I have seen first hand cars speeding on The Strip and people crossing the streets were there is no crosswalk or crossing on Don't Walk singles. Be safe and DON'T BE A VEGAS STATISTICS.