Saturday, April 24, 2010

Home again

We got home about 3pm local time and found that the grass was high and nothing was awry with the house which was a great relief. We started mowing right off and got a lot of the front yard mowed. I decided to unroll the awning on the RV to let it dry out and see how bad it needed cleaning-we hadn't used it since we got the RV. It was wet so I decided, seeing as the sky was clear and the stars were coming out, to leave it deployed for the night.



We didn't want to eat in so we went to the local Chinese Buffet for dinner. When we got home it was still clear and calm and I didn't feel that it was necessary to roll up the awning so I took a shower and went to bed. Later that night I was awakened by rain on the roof of the RV so I thought I better slant the awing down so the rain would run off the awning and not make a bag of water that would stretch the material. I went back to bed and to sleep. Later I was awakened with the crash and boom of lightening and thunder and the awning was flapping and shaking the RV. I went out to roll it up the awning, but the roller and the arms were stuck in the extended position and the awning wouldn't roll back up. The wind picked up and the became quite fierce Samantha tried to help me but there was little we could do other than to hold the awning down and not let it bend the arms. We held on to add our weight to the arms to keep it from ripping its self apart the wind and rain pounded us and just when we thought it couldn't get any worse we got hit with hail the size of dimes and we both were soaked through shivering and hanging on not daring to let the awning arms go and tear the RV apart. The lightening was fierce and close, the lights went out and we were wondering if we were going to get blown away with the damn awning. Several times we thought we were at the last of the storm, but we got blasted with more rain and wind accented with lightening. It seemed like an hour our more passed until the storm quieted down enough for us to get some tools and get the damn awning rolled up. One strut didn't get folded up right but the thing us back against the RV and we called it quits.

When we got inside we both were tired, wet, cold and shivering; we were outside in out pajamas through all this and we were close to having a case of hypothermia. We got out of our wet clothes and dried off as quickly as possible and had some hot tea to drink. Then climbed into bed and tried to warm up. I didn't warm up right away even though I was using a sleeping bag and had a sweat shirt on.

In the morning we took measure of the awning and the RV. The awning was torn and needs to be replaced one arm that extends has a device to hold it at a particular height needs to be repaired or replace. The good news is that there was no damage to the RV and no leaks.

I think that if we hadn't held on to the awning we would have lost the frame and the frame would have torn off the RV causing damage to the siding and maybe the awing being ripped off causing the roof to be torn and serious damage to the RV costing a lot of money to repair.

All this could have been avoided by not leaving the awning deployed in the first place....my error that could have caused a lot of grief, but luckily we escaped without injury.

I am now of the opinion that awnings are a pain in the Pah-toot and not worth the money and expense.

So after 2000 miles on this trip our biggest adventure was in our own front yard.... go figure!

East on I-40 through Texas to OK.

We headed east on I-40 from Tucomcari, after we got into OK we started seeing signs for a Route 66 museum so when we got to the exit we decided to visit the museum. It had a small Route 66 section and it was done well; however the museum was actually about the local area history and all the rest of the buildings were about local folks who were well known or had settled the area. So the National Route 66 Museum isn't so much RT 66 as local history.



We left there and proceeded to find the Starlight Casino that took some doing as it is not on or near I-40 but in a small community several miles away. This casino was nice as we got free hookups and we got a $10 voucher for joining the players club and we had a good meal in the dinning room. It helped that I won tickets to a concert and Samantha won some money at the slot machines.



That night we had a storm come in and it rocked the old RV back and forth a few times making the big dog nervous and waking us up to the wind and rain. The following morning was clear and we headed to Dallas and home via I-35. Driving through Dallas as always is a nerve wracking event, but we made it home without further incident.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Tucumcari NM

We departed Dodge city and headed southeast and into New Mexico's northeast corner. To tell the truth it isn't that much different than Kansas or the Oklahoma pan handle; flat with some rolling hills very small towns even more spread out than KS and OK. Very boring drive we came to a spot called wagon mound supposedly the folks using the Santa Fe trail came to this rock and made a decision to take the mountain route or the a cut off route. My question is where the heck were they going? Did they know what laid ahead in Arizona and California desserts?

So now we are in Tucumcari NM; this place celebrates the Route 66 theme which was "the" highway of fame forty or fifty years ago before the interstate system built I-40 which bypassed all the businesses on Rt 66. Many of the businesses closed up a few remain open hanging on to past glory and hoping enough tourists stop by and spend a little money.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Dodge City KS



















We did the Dodge City Kansas thing this morning and took the tour of the museum and Boot Hill and saw lots of old artifacts from the hay day of Dodge City. Doing the tour was interesting most of the displays were done well except for the section on women's clothing which was not well lit. There were photos of actors and other folks associated with TV and films about Dodge City and seeing these photos stirred memories of the enjoyable times watching them. Almost all of these character actors are dead and gone and only a few photos and movies remain of their work. The actors in the series of Gunsmoke James Arness still living his brother actor Peter Graves just died, Dennis Weaver died at 81, Amanda Blake at 60, Milburn Stone died at 75 others are still alive.
The photos from that era(1860's) were quite interesting and showed how those folks looked, at least for having their photo taken which I am sure was a big occasion. I wanted to have my photo taken in period costume but the photo studio wasn't open.


We had lunch at a local restaurant and enjoyed it very much afterwards we drove over to the local Walmart for some shopping the RV needed a few things. Now we are located for the night at Hugoton KS at an RV park. Not a notable place it does have water, electricity and sewer hook ups and the site is level for only $15.00.




Sunday, April 18, 2010

Ford lake outside of Dodge City KS








We left Flagler lake and thought we could use the wifi at a local diner only to find out that it was closed because they need a cook! We went into the town of Flagler and didn't find anything so we turned around and on the way out spotted a restaurant next to a motel. We had a nice breakfast and saved our meat for the puppies :-)

After breakfast we headed east on I-70 and when we crossed the state line with Kansas we stopped by the visitor's center and got some information about places to visit in Kansas. This is were we decided to visit Dodge City KS. We drove and drove and all there was to see were fields of cropland hardly any buildings. We passed through a few small towns and they sure looked quiet.

We had a hard time finding Ford lake (free campsite) because there was no sign saying that, this lake (?) was Ford lake. It did have a sign saying it there was a Boy Scout Training Center there and that threw me off. With help of a local we got to the camp at Ford lake. Turns out that it is a popular place for locals to visit as well. Just after we parked a large group of folks moved in next to us with go carts, kids and cars a plenty. They also had a very large Doberman Pincher tied to a tree that was not pleased about the situation. We kept our pets inside as to not start a dog battle. About sunset this group of folks started packing up and moved out just as the sun was going down. The dogs got a short walk that night. The night there was quiet and in the morning the dogs had a nice walk and we headed into Dodge City.

Just on the City line there is a Flying J truck plaza we stopped there for coffee and information. The locals working the desk only knew of one RV park and didn't know if it was open. The local tourist office was closed Saturday and Sunday so no help there. We decided to drive through Dodge and get the lay of the land. We continued through after finding the tourist office and found another RV park not listed in any of our books as they don't give discounts, but they have all services and large pull through lots, their name is Gunsmoke RV Park. We got busy and got our showers, and laundry done; we also got a project done which was to replace the lower screen on the screen door and install protective grill on the same door so the dogs won't damage the screen again. The project came out looking good.

On to Flagler CO













We finally broke camp at Colorado springs and headed east to Flagler Colorado. A rather easy drive for the day, we found Flagler but the road to the State Wild life Area eluded us until we turned around and saw the sign for the SWLA Flagler Lake.

The black top road that leads to the lake turns into hard packed dirt. We found the lake with its five camp sites. The camp sites are not labeled and do not have facilities except for a picnic table. Trash has to be packed out. We found a lakeside camp site and leveled the rig the best we could; I need more blocks to cover more uneven campsites. We had no neighbors only the sky and wind. We had a nice dinner in the rig and turned in early after walking the dogs enough to make them tired.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

What the??? Was that noise???


PIA Cat was not amused


Where we went to get the RV repaired

This is where the trouble was


The old RV with its nose stuck in a service bay



Another view of the engine 454 Chevy


As we left the RV park this morning and began to climb up a hill I heard the RV make a noise like or shudder just like it was having problems shifting or misfiring a cylinder. THEN on the next hill it backfired !!! "YIKES this isn't good" I said to Samantha "we better find a mechanic soon".
We drove to Camper's World just off the I 25 and got a recommendation for a repair facility and drove over there/here to find out what was the problem. This place is crowded with RVs trucks and cars being repaired it took them a few hours to get to our rig and figure out what the problem was.
Seems the dear old RV has never, ever had a tune up at 41 thousand miles it still had the original plugs and wires the rotor cap was corroded inside and the rotor was burnt. The plug wires were in terrible shape coming apart so we had all this replaced along with an injector cleaning and a few other minor things. This all costs $$$ and dear readers you know how I hate to spend the green stuff so I was distracted and tense all day.
We are camped in the Repair facility's yard with an extension cord into the shop for power. Tonight's dinner was in house; we had pasta shells with a delightful spicy red sauce and a choice of cookies or ice cream for dessert. Considering the lack of ambiance it was a nice dinner. We should be good to roll on tomorrow after a few other things are taken care of, SIGH :-(

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Colorado Springs











We drove north on I 25 and made few stops on the way looking for a place stay for the night. One place had a big sign on the highway but when we checked them out they were closed for renovation. Kind of ticks me off when they do that. We continued on and tried another RV place and it didn't look like and RV camp more like a mobile home place and it didn't look friendly. The man that asked us what we wanted looked like he played in a hard rock band and did this gig on the side he wanted $29 for a night and there were no amenities or wifi or nothing - we passed on his offer.




We found ourselves still looking when we came across a Wal-mart and decided we had enough driving for the day and pulled in beside the other RVs and trucks and like any other red blooded American women went shopping.




In the morning we tried to find the Visitor's Bureau in Colorado Springs seems they only like people with small cars no RV parking available near their office and darn little car parking also; guess they don't care that folks don't have a convenient place to park and come in and get information about their city.




We went back to the highway and found a Denny's and had brunch and looked up an RV camp recommended by Escapees, Plugged it in to the GPS and followed it to Mountaindale Cabins and RV Resort. I usually avoid resorts like they had the plague, but I was tired of driving and I think the altitude was/is getting to me so I paid the $30 and we settled in for the night. We had a fire and found they had a dog walk trail and other than being short of breath (we are at 6500') we are doing fine and plan to be 0n our way tomorrow after some household chores like laundry. You can go any where in the world you still do laundry :-(

Great Sand Dunes National Park











We stopped by the Great Sand Dunes National Park it is off RT 160 and is an interesting thing to see. Hardly anyone was there and the Ranger at the entrance was nice ...extra nice maybe a bit lonely and cold too.




Thw wind was blowing forty to fifty miles an hour and it was cold, the dogs didn't mind it they had fun running in the sand.

On the road to Colorado Springs



Some of the great mountain views we have seen



One of the many snow covered places in the pass


This is the snow level in April



Sure looks cold





We suprised a duck on our walk by the river




Deer herd






More deer



We packed up and headed to Colorado Springs via rt 160. This route took us over some mountain passes that where around 11,000 feet. I was a bit concerned the old RV would have problems with the grade going up the passes and with the down grade as in some places the grade was in excess of 6%.


It didn't take us long before we were surrounded by snow and ice; thankfully the roads were clear and for the most part dry. One spot had me worried; just before we got to a tunnel there was a big electric sign that said "Use Caution Tunnel May be Icy" well it may have been but my visions of us swerving on ice and causing a wreck were unfounded and we made it through without incident. The old RV took the moutian roads very well.


After the passes we began looking for an RV camp but everything we checked was closed or so crummy we didn't want to stay in it. By chance we came across one that was in our Passport America book and miracles never cease it was open. We staid at the River and Woods RV park owned by a nice couple who had opened early this year for some out of town workers. We had a lovely spot under some big trees and settled in for the night.


In the morning we got up and got dressed and took the dogs for a walk and just as we got to the tree line in front of the river we came across a herd of deer. Thankfully our dogs didn't start barking and we got some nice photos of the deer.


We broke camp later and made a note of the little camp ground that was so pleasant just in case we should pass by there again.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Went to Mesa Verde today


One of the views from the top


The road going looking down


Nice brunch today at the Casino then a trip to town for information about what to see in the area. The suggestion from the folks at the tourist information place was to see Mesa Verde. We went shopping at Wal-Mart first and then went on the hunt for the National Park called Mesa Verde.



The park entrance is off Rt. 160 about 15 miles outside of town then the fun begins the road is up all the way with hairpin turns to make switch backs to climb the mountains to the top. The road even has a tunnel an unlit tunnel and coming to the dark after bright sunlight it is very dark. Fortunately it is a short tunnel and one can see the end from the beginning and it is tall enough for RVs. There are portions of the road without guard rails and the drop off of the roadway is very impressive one would go miles before coming to a complete stop in some areas.

The view from the top and on the way to the top is impressive. If one has the stamina the walking tour of the archaeological sites is equally impressive.

This was our lucky day we didn't drop off, we didn't have to pay a fee to enter and this was the first day the information center was open. Great day!

Saturday, April 10, 2010

On the road again !

Left son's home and headed to Phoenix AZ to visit a friend who is recovering from a broken hip. She is doing well as can be expected and is as feisty as ever ... a very good sign.

After the visit traveled north on I-17 to Camp Verde. Couldn't find the RV place listed in Passport America's book, third time that has happened. Seems the information in that book is either out of date inaccurate or incomplete. Getting a little ticked that I haven't been able to use it yet. Went down the road looking for an RV camp and found one called Zane Grey. They seemed reluctant to take us with pets, but quoted a price of $37.00 a night that was after the ten percent discount. Errrr, I balked at that offer I was only staying one night and they didn't have any amenities there I would use like a nice restaurant or something, just dirt lots no pads or something to make it worth that much. Soooo we went back up the road and stayed at the Casino for Nadda, zip, nothing and had dinner there. The Casino has a nice shuttle service from the RV lot to the front door of the casino and the dinning room was nice, service excellent and the food was ample and good. I think we made a good choice. Note; the RV parking area is very well lit at night, shades are a good idea.

In the morning we packed up and drove to Flagstaff. I was looking for an RV dump site and didn't find a public one and couldn't find the Tourist office although there was one sign coming into town for a Tourist Office. There is a lot of that where a sign is put up and no other signs are posted to help find the place. The local RV parks charged outrageous prices to dump one wanted $15 and the other $10. I would have waited if I could but the smell was getting to me so I paid the $10... just about killed me to do it but sometimes you gotta take care of business. Fuel price was $2.99 for unleaded all over town, I guess they are getting ready for tourist season.

Left Flagstaff on the I-40 and followed it to Gallop NM and followed 610 north to CO. Where we are staying at the Ute Casino RV park. Note: lots not level. Seems like they have a nice operation here and have a fuel station like a truck stop, RV park, restaurant, convenience store, motel and of course the casino. It is a good thing too, the drive from Gallop NM to here is scenic but there ain't noth'n but a few maybe two or three small gas stations and that is it until Ship Rock NM, then more scenic mountain desert and blowing sand until you get here at the Casino.
The price of a space with electric and water with an Old Fart's discount is $20 not great but reasonable.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Four Days Camped At Son's Home

We camped at my Son's house in Tucson AZ for four days and traveled about visiting with friends and family. Stayed busy just doing that. Found a nice RV repair place and hope to return there to do some mods on this RV.
Lots of sunshine and fair winds-this is April and it is 80 degrees during the day. You can just imagine how hot it will get later in the Summer !

We are now packing up and going to the airport to turn in a car rental then on to Phoenix to visit with another friend and then head to Flagstaff. Most likely camp somewhere in between Phoenix and Flagstaff AZ.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Day 2 and 3


Got up early, but not early enough to see our neighbors off-they were gone before we got out of our Rig. We took the dogs for a walk and then walked to a restaurant recommended by the office of the RV park. Nice place nice food good service. I couldn't finish my breakfast so we combined our scraps to take back to the dogs.




When we go back to the Rig I started to un-hook and noticed that water was coming out of the city water fitting, I think that it was because other campers had departed letting the water pressure go higher. We rolled up and out there by nine and on the road we went. By our 300 mile mark it was still early so we decided to go on in to Fort Stockton. When we got there we had a hard time finding an RV camp we liked. Walmart was full and small no one seemed to know where the camp was that I was looking for and all the cheap ones looked rough. Finally I found someone who knew where it was. When we got there the office was closed and no one was around. A sign said pick a spot come back fill out an envelope, put in the fee and put the envelope in the letter box. The camp was flat, gravel with pedestals for power and water and sewer connections. The place seemed to have a few abandoned vehicles/campers that made it look sad. There were no amenities; no picnic tables, no shade, no decoration, the place looked like it was forgotten. One other place in town had the same look, the look of no care.


The following day we fueled up at the local truck stop $2.99 a gallon ! Well better than the $3.19 a gallon on the highway outside of Fort Stockton. Then we were back on the road again

to El Paso TX and beyond. We got through El Paso fine with only one scare when some little car pulled out of line right in front of us and put on his brakes causing us to brake hard. We stopped at Flying J for lunch and fuel then headed to N.M. We stopped at an RV park called Coachlight not bad, looks well kept has a mixture of short stays, long stays, and permanent residents. The advertised restaurant was closed for the day and doesn't open on Sunday. There is a TA truck stop down the street we paid $18.60 for the night full hook up.


Tomorrow Tucson?

Thursday, April 1, 2010

The trip log Day 1

Wow sounds impressive trip log! Gotta call it something so here goes.
Got up early because the dogs wanted to go for their morning constitutional so There I was head lamp on , in a hoodie, picking up doggy poo before day break. Quite the sight I tell ya!
When the business was taken care of I walked to the office and made some phone calls and tried to get a hold of my insurance agent. My agent didn't call me back but I got my house insurance paid over the phone. When I got back to the Rig (that's RV talk for RV) I started to un-hook the electric cable and as it came out of the circuit box the plug fell apart in pieces. Great another thing to fix. I got everything put away and drove over to the office and checked out.

I drove over to Joel West RV to pick up a new electric plug and city water connector as mine wouldn't hold the hose under pressure. Seems there are two kinds of water connectors male and female and you have to know which to get. To do that you have to unscrew the city connector from the rig and see what it is. Of course when I went to do that I found that the screws were square heads needing a special tool after talking the manager into undoing it for me we found that on my unit you cant pull the city connector far enough out to see what it type it is or to undo the connector. So I had the shop do it and they did it in record time. I put the new electric plug on myself later in the day.

I headed down route 59, and pulled into my favorite Valero fuel stop and got fuel. I thought I had filled it up but later I when driving I noticed that the fuel gauge read less than full. This threw my mpg calculations into a cocked hat. When I got to the road leading to Houston Airport (Bush) I pulled in and topped off the tank taking care to complete the job this time. Now I am really confused as to how much fuel the Rig is using. We'll see later I guess.

I picked up Samantha as planned and we hit the road. Traffic coming and leaving the city was heavy and confusing when coming up to the toll plazas lots of lane changes to get into the right lane for our Rig and to pay cash. Seems most locals us an EZ pass system, they just drive right through and the fee is electronically tallied. Cash payers have only a few places to use and it isn't apparent which lane to use until your almost upon it.

We drove west on I-10 and stopped for dinner at a nice restaurant. I had the Jeager Schnitzel and Samantha the fried chicken. After dinner we tried to look up a campground in our books, but the books were not of great help this time. Some places had poor directions and no phone numbers. Frustrating when some tells you that reservations are requested and they don't give a phone number.

We picked a camp out of the next exit book and although it is expensive and crowded it is comforting to be off the road with hook ups for the night to keep us in relative comfort, so to speak.

Gee only 990 more miles to go .... more or less.