Hey California – We have left the building. Dec. 5th thru 17

I just noticed the title of my previous post stopped on the first of Dec.  It should have been out to the 5^th of Dec.

 

 

 

 

Anyway, we left the East Shore RV park on the morning of the 5^th of Dec., and headed east on I 10. Our destination was my Cousin Susan Cowperthwaite Peterson’s place in Maricopa AZ.  I knew it was going to be a long driving day so we started at 0800.  The drive was great, traffic was nominal, there were a few construction sites that slowed us down, but on average I think we were doing 60 MPH.  We stopped in Quartzsite, AZ for lunch, and a bit of site seeing. 

I talked to some folks that spend the winter down there and they said that the really big crowds haven’t showed up yet.  I guess it really gets going after Christmas.  And in January, there are a couple huge RV shows, etc. 

When we pulled over for a rest stop potty break, we loved the sign about the scorpion’s and rattlesnakes……..  Puppies beware...

We arrived at Cousin Susan’s place at about 1630, just in time for a beautiful Arizona sunset.  It was great to catch up over dinner and a drink.  The next morning’s sunrise was just glorious.  We tried to get a few pictures, but they don’t do it justice. 

After a cinnamon roll and a few coffees, we were off.

The 6^th would turn out to be an exciting day……. 

We left their house around 10:00, stopped before the freeway to get a few cactus pictures, and then headed for Demming NM.  The drive across southern Arizona is pretty, but it’s all the same to me after a while.  It kind of lulls you, maybe not sleep, but let’s say boredom….

And Then, So there I was just driving along at 67MPH on cruise control, on a straight and flat roadway when what do I see in my mirror but a black ring of rubber headed for the median, and a puff of smoke.  I’d had a blow out on the trailer…..  Shiiiiiit.  If there had been anyone next to us at the time it would have hit them.  There was less shutter and shake than I actually expected from such a blow out, but there was enough vibration to scare me a bit.  So pulling over to the right shoulder we go.  But at this particular section of road the shoulder sloped way downhill so I wasn’t able to get very far from the lane of traffic.  I fact I was just 2 feet outside the fog line. 

After I pulled my underwear out of my sphincter, I hopped out to take a look and was surprised that the blow out had not damaged too much of the trailer.  If fact the only damage was a broken fender skirt.  And the tire of course.  While traffic was whizzing by at 70 MPH, I was looking for my lug wrench, and trying to decide if I wanted to risk my life changing the tire or make a call to the road service and letting that guy get killed, when an angel in the form of a big Canadian pulled over to help.  He had his tools out in no time and we changed that tire in about 10 min.  Note to self: put your jack and lug wrench in the back of the truck where they are easily accessible.

 

 

 

With the tire changed, we exchanged names and said thank you, said hope to see you on the road and off we went.  It was another hour on to Demming where we were going to stay the night.  We called ahead to see if there were any tire stores there and actually made an appointment to get some new ones the next day.

We stayed at the Road Runner RV Park in Demming NM that night.  This was your basic gravel parking lot with full hookups.  We choose this one because it is a Passport America park and you get to stay for half the retail price.  So it only cost us $13.89.   Did you hear that California,   $13.89 per night for full hook ups.

 

Next day we were off early to go get tires.  I had talked to a tire dealer that talked me into a set of 4 LT truck tires for the trailer.  He said that they would never blow, and last forever on a trailer.  I had heard from the GD owner’s forum that there were some advantages to using that kind of tire, so I agreed.  But upon seeing the tire, I noticed that they were not rated for the weight required on my trailer so they had to take them off.  Waste of time...

I called around to other tire shops, but eventually decided to have this shop order the replacement tires I needed.  Which meant we’d have to spend another night.  No problem because this would give me enough time to call DISH and finally get my service started.  See, I had ordered and received my antenna and receivers and tried unsuccessfully to get them activated while still in CA.  So I thought I’d have enough time to get it done today.   Wrong!  I waited on hold for 45 minutes before I got to speak to someone and they were unable to help.  So I’m still staring at $600.00 of DISH equipment that hasn’t yet delivered any of the promised TV viewing.  Sheesh!!  Maybe when we get to FL I’ll have enough time to call again.

Well next day the tires got installed and we were off again.

So, there I was, getting onto the I 10 after the tire install, and what do I see flying out the bed of my truck, but my 9 x 12 brown and tan camping mat.  Shiiiiiit, pulling over again!  Then the walk of shame back down the on ramp to pick it up and carry it back and properly pack it into the basement.  All the while waving to the other campers that were honking at me….

 

We laughed!!

From Demming, it’s short drive into Texas.  We didn’t leave Demming until about noon.  We’d heard on the radio about an artic freeze dropping down across the middle of America, I just didn’t know south Texas was in its path…..  But holy cow, it got cold.  We decided to spend the night in Van Horn TX.  We called ahead to reserve a spot and was told that if we get there before 1700 we were invited to dinner!  Salisbury steak served family style.  That would have been nice, but we didn’t make it.  It was dark and cold when we pulled into the RV spot.  AND the water spigot was frozen… J  It was 26 degrees when we got there and forecasted to drop to 22.  So this was going to be the night where we tested out the furnace and the tank heaters!  Don’t want frozen black and grey tanks!!  I had to use Glenda’s hair dryer to thaw out the water spigot, and then just filled our water tank with enough for the night, and disconnected and stowed the hose. Man that was cold.   After we were all set up though, I have to say we were “as snug as a bug in a rug”. 

Van Horn in the morning was as promised, very cold.  We had a leisurely breakfast, then broke camp and got on our way.  The only stop I had to make was for fuel.  I’d seen a Pilot truck stop next to the Hwy the night before so that’s where I was going.  I pulled up to the fuel island and started the pump and it’s a good thing/bad thing I was standing close by, because the pump didn’t turn off and fuel spilled out all over.  I stopped the fuel spill but by then my shoes were covered in diesel and the side of my truck was too.  Darn it!

So new shoes are in my future.

Once on the road, everything was great again.  We found scenic spots to pull over for potty stops and lunch stops and had a nice day.

We stopped at the Johnson Creek RV Park, just outside of Kerrville, TX.  Glenda found this gem on the internet and it turned out to be a Passport America park, $24.00 per night!   Did you hear that California??  $24.00 per night, great looking park, full hook ups inc. cable TV…..!  (That’s right still haven’t had time to set up the DISH)

It was still cold, but only about 33 degrees.

We thought briefly about staying another night here and exploring the area, but decided that was going to wait until the return trip.  We are still pressed to get into FL.  And besides, I want to get back into my shorts!

On to Louisiana, for one last night on the road, (Don't stay at Columbus RV. I didn't even take any pictures.)  then we pushed on to Panama City, FL to Randy and Jackie’s house.  That was a long day, but we were looking for a free night’s stay and dinner with family.  We stayed with them 4 nights and enjoyed the catch up time.  Randy and Jackie took us to dinner at Gary’s Oyster Shack and I just want to say that if you are ever in Panama City, you gotta eat there.  Really good.     Gary's Oyster Shack

The next leg of our trip was to Silver Springs State Park in Ocala FL.  We wish we’d chosen to stay more than one night because that didn’t allow us time to explore the springs, etc.

 

 

 

The next day was the final push into North Ft. Myers at Up River RV Park.  This is where we were trying to get to for the Christmas holidays with Jack, Glenda’s dad and his wife Gloria.

On the agenda while we’re here is Jack’s 86th birthday, some shopping, and Christmas.

Stay tuned…………