Friday, January 21, 2011
Day 3, Thurs Jan 20
Jan 20 Thurs, Day 3 overcast, cool, clearing late in the day to sun
I got a bright idea and checked the by-pass valve on the water heater & it was open, as soon as I closed it we had full hot water from the electric heater, just the gas part to solve now. We also developed a mystery, the dome lights in the RV cab will not turn off. Push the button; they go off when the button is in and back on when it is released. I pulled the unit out of the ceiling & removed the bulbs; of course it now will not go back in its ceiling hole snugly, hmmm. I strike again, fix something break something else.
One thing I forgot to mention about yesterday was driving down I 5 and seeing this flat topped snow covered mountain in the distance. We then realized it was Mt St Helens with no cloud cover looking majestic. When you see it for real & can see how big the flat part that was the blown off top is, you realize how big the eruption was. It was quite a sight.
So we get ready to pull out. I unhook all the facilities and check the car to find that with all the nonsense last night with having to turn everything around I left the key in the car with it turned on, (to unlock the steering), and now the battery is dead. Well. off we go pulling out at 9:40 @ 135514, stopped at Safeway a block up the road & out again 10:05. Now the search for the Camping World store to get heater fixed. We exit at Exit # 286, at 10:55, as per map instructions but can’t find it, after a cpl miles or so I stop at a mall with a Starbucks, set up computer on WiFi & looked up Camping World’s phone number & called them. My map was wrong, they said go back to I 5 & take exit 283, which I did & found it, arriving 11:20. They sent someone out and I told him that the little signal light would not come on when I switched it onand the was no sound of the gas igniting & running, no lights & dead silence. He then told me that the new heaters don’t have that feature, the light only comes on if it stops working after it lights. So he was outside, I pushed the switch inside & guess what - - the gas lit, it was fine all the time. No roar anymore as the gas fires up, it runs silent. So back to I 5 & south at 11:35 & into Wal-Mart10 miles down the road. We looked at TV’s & bought a 22 inch one, 1080 DPI, it’s a Vizio LCD/LED etc etc. Had a McDonalds Angus burger with Swiss cheese & mushrooms for lunch ($4.09). We left the car running for 20 mins, (roll started it by towing with RV – good ol’ standard shift). Out Wal-Mart 1:10 & down to Albany exit 233 for the Fred Myer gas stop, in at 2:05, gas @ 134667, & back on hwy 2:20. Trying to make 7 Feather Casino RV park with it’s indoor hot tub, heated swimming pool, & free WiFi for the night so I pushed it a bit, passing semi trailer trucks, motor homes, cars, running around 73mph, (117 kph). Made exit # 99 for the RV park at 4:20 @ 134882. In for a swim & hot tub session, (the hot tub is about 15 feet square). Me, Sheila, Paul & Yvonne were the only ones there. Then we called the free shuttle to take us all down the hill & across the hwy to the casino for supper, they have a rib eye steak with baked potatoes, veggies, salad with heaps of butter & sour cream and salad dressing for $8.95. Sheila stayed to gamble & I came home to do journal, trip planning, expenses etc. Maybe tomorrow we will tow the car for a while with the motor running to charge battery so we can start it if needed, sure glad it is a standard shift.
I got a bright idea and checked the by-pass valve on the water heater & it was open, as soon as I closed it we had full hot water from the electric heater, just the gas part to solve now. We also developed a mystery, the dome lights in the RV cab will not turn off. Push the button; they go off when the button is in and back on when it is released. I pulled the unit out of the ceiling & removed the bulbs; of course it now will not go back in its ceiling hole snugly, hmmm. I strike again, fix something break something else.
One thing I forgot to mention about yesterday was driving down I 5 and seeing this flat topped snow covered mountain in the distance. We then realized it was Mt St Helens with no cloud cover looking majestic. When you see it for real & can see how big the flat part that was the blown off top is, you realize how big the eruption was. It was quite a sight.
So we get ready to pull out. I unhook all the facilities and check the car to find that with all the nonsense last night with having to turn everything around I left the key in the car with it turned on, (to unlock the steering), and now the battery is dead. Well. off we go pulling out at 9:40 @ 135514, stopped at Safeway a block up the road & out again 10:05. Now the search for the Camping World store to get heater fixed. We exit at Exit # 286, at 10:55, as per map instructions but can’t find it, after a cpl miles or so I stop at a mall with a Starbucks, set up computer on WiFi & looked up Camping World’s phone number & called them. My map was wrong, they said go back to I 5 & take exit 283, which I did & found it, arriving 11:20. They sent someone out and I told him that the little signal light would not come on when I switched it onand the was no sound of the gas igniting & running, no lights & dead silence. He then told me that the new heaters don’t have that feature, the light only comes on if it stops working after it lights. So he was outside, I pushed the switch inside & guess what - - the gas lit, it was fine all the time. No roar anymore as the gas fires up, it runs silent. So back to I 5 & south at 11:35 & into Wal-Mart10 miles down the road. We looked at TV’s & bought a 22 inch one, 1080 DPI, it’s a Vizio LCD/LED etc etc. Had a McDonalds Angus burger with Swiss cheese & mushrooms for lunch ($4.09). We left the car running for 20 mins, (roll started it by towing with RV – good ol’ standard shift). Out Wal-Mart 1:10 & down to Albany exit 233 for the Fred Myer gas stop, in at 2:05, gas @ 134667, & back on hwy 2:20. Trying to make 7 Feather Casino RV park with it’s indoor hot tub, heated swimming pool, & free WiFi for the night so I pushed it a bit, passing semi trailer trucks, motor homes, cars, running around 73mph, (117 kph). Made exit # 99 for the RV park at 4:20 @ 134882. In for a swim & hot tub session, (the hot tub is about 15 feet square). Me, Sheila, Paul & Yvonne were the only ones there. Then we called the free shuttle to take us all down the hill & across the hwy to the casino for supper, they have a rib eye steak with baked potatoes, veggies, salad with heaps of butter & sour cream and salad dressing for $8.95. Sheila stayed to gamble & I came home to do journal, trip planning, expenses etc. Maybe tomorrow we will tow the car for a while with the motor running to charge battery so we can start it if needed, sure glad it is a standard shift.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Day 2
Jan 19 Day 2 cold but sunny
We got up early to have the RV ready for their shop to install the new water heater by 0800. Then we went out with Paul & Yvonne to breakfast at the recommended Burlington Café, (going south turn left on Fairhaven), excellent clam chowder, great menu. Then back to Camping World to wait for both our rigs to be ready, (Paul had a problem with one of the taps not working). Finally all is fixed, installed and we are ready to pull out at 12:40. By joining the Camping World Presidents Club we were able to save about $233.00 at a cost of the joining fee of $19.00 which is good for discounts for a year. The total cost of repairing & replacing was into the 4 figures by a cpl hundred. Good thing exchange is so low. So, out 12:40 and down to Fred Meyer for gas, in at 12:45. Then I can’t find my Fred Myer gas card (good for 3 cents off a gallon), so a delay while I get another one & fill up, out @ 1:05 full tank @ 134155. We pulled into Emerald Queen Casino about 3, phoned Paul/Yvonne on their US cell with our US cell & found they had missed the exit & were 30 miles down the road. So we carried on, getting back on the freeway and arrived at 99 RV Park, a Passport America park, $12 a night full service and free WiFi ar 5:45 @ 134514 kms. Very dark in the campground and I ended up going into a pull through site the wrong way and hooked up then was told by camper host that I had to turn around, not thrilled but I did. Cooked supper and then discovered that we can’t seem to get any hot water out of the heater so it’s off to the Camping World down the road (1/2 hr and just off the hwy a block or two), to check it out. After journal it will be Bridge time with Paul & Yvonne. We played a cpl hours or so and Sheila & I got the slow rubber.
We got up early to have the RV ready for their shop to install the new water heater by 0800. Then we went out with Paul & Yvonne to breakfast at the recommended Burlington Café, (going south turn left on Fairhaven), excellent clam chowder, great menu. Then back to Camping World to wait for both our rigs to be ready, (Paul had a problem with one of the taps not working). Finally all is fixed, installed and we are ready to pull out at 12:40. By joining the Camping World Presidents Club we were able to save about $233.00 at a cost of the joining fee of $19.00 which is good for discounts for a year. The total cost of repairing & replacing was into the 4 figures by a cpl hundred. Good thing exchange is so low. So, out 12:40 and down to Fred Meyer for gas, in at 12:45. Then I can’t find my Fred Myer gas card (good for 3 cents off a gallon), so a delay while I get another one & fill up, out @ 1:05 full tank @ 134155. We pulled into Emerald Queen Casino about 3, phoned Paul/Yvonne on their US cell with our US cell & found they had missed the exit & were 30 miles down the road. So we carried on, getting back on the freeway and arrived at 99 RV Park, a Passport America park, $12 a night full service and free WiFi ar 5:45 @ 134514 kms. Very dark in the campground and I ended up going into a pull through site the wrong way and hooked up then was told by camper host that I had to turn around, not thrilled but I did. Cooked supper and then discovered that we can’t seem to get any hot water out of the heater so it’s off to the Camping World down the road (1/2 hr and just off the hwy a block or two), to check it out. After journal it will be Bridge time with Paul & Yvonne. We played a cpl hours or so and Sheila & I got the slow rubber.
2011 snowbird trip
Jan 18 Day 1 – Drizzle mostly all day, cleared & sun late PM
Away from our Dewdney Trunk Road parking spot at 10:45 @ 134042. We arrived at the Pac Hwy border line up 11:35 @ 134080. After some questions none of which involved the books I was taking down to deliver to FedEx for Michael we left at 12:00. We arrived at Camping World, Burlington at 1:00. We wanted them to check the water heater as the gas would come on, ignite & then go out. Plus the last few days the electric steps were jamming going up & down. Then, just last night, the furnace was doing the same thing, lighting up, running a minute or so & shutting down. After checking out everything the result was: Water Heater – kaput, control board gone & a crack in the heating pipe; Furnace – control board gone, electric steps – just need some grease &/or oil. After a lot of trying to find the correct parts they have the circuit board for the furnace & can install it so we can have heat tonight, yay! However the water heater which they finally discovered they had one is a long job involving working from inside & out so they can’t complete it today. However they can start it at 8 AM tomorrow. In the midst of all this we have been texting Paul & Yvonne to let them know what’s happening but no response. Also while they were investigating we went out to deliver Michael’s books to FedEx then for lunch at a nice little café at the Outlet Mall called The Curious Chef. Back to Camping World, no Paul & Yvonne yet. Off again to Starbuck for coffee & for the free WiFi. Back again to Camping World & set up with them to fix the furnace then they would deliver the RV to one of their camping spots, they even plugged it in so it was cosy warm when we eventually returned. All we do in the morning is go into the office and they will come over & pick it up & take it to the shop and install the water heater. So we went out to Target to look for a phone. Found a “TracFone” that seemed OK, asked the girl about set up & bought it. She then asked if we would like her to activate it for us. She spent quite a bit of time on her phone trying to get it set up & finally succeeded. Next we went to Safeway for groceries, fruits & veggies. Finally back at the RV and Paul & Yvonne show up at our door, they had been here quite a while and we kept missing them with our in & outs. It is now about 8PM but feels like midnight so we chatted for a bit and then did the bookkeeping/journal stuff and off to bed so we can arise early at 7:15 or so to have RV ready for their shop to start work.
Away from our Dewdney Trunk Road parking spot at 10:45 @ 134042. We arrived at the Pac Hwy border line up 11:35 @ 134080. After some questions none of which involved the books I was taking down to deliver to FedEx for Michael we left at 12:00. We arrived at Camping World, Burlington at 1:00. We wanted them to check the water heater as the gas would come on, ignite & then go out. Plus the last few days the electric steps were jamming going up & down. Then, just last night, the furnace was doing the same thing, lighting up, running a minute or so & shutting down. After checking out everything the result was: Water Heater – kaput, control board gone & a crack in the heating pipe; Furnace – control board gone, electric steps – just need some grease &/or oil. After a lot of trying to find the correct parts they have the circuit board for the furnace & can install it so we can have heat tonight, yay! However the water heater which they finally discovered they had one is a long job involving working from inside & out so they can’t complete it today. However they can start it at 8 AM tomorrow. In the midst of all this we have been texting Paul & Yvonne to let them know what’s happening but no response. Also while they were investigating we went out to deliver Michael’s books to FedEx then for lunch at a nice little café at the Outlet Mall called The Curious Chef. Back to Camping World, no Paul & Yvonne yet. Off again to Starbuck for coffee & for the free WiFi. Back again to Camping World & set up with them to fix the furnace then they would deliver the RV to one of their camping spots, they even plugged it in so it was cosy warm when we eventually returned. All we do in the morning is go into the office and they will come over & pick it up & take it to the shop and install the water heater. So we went out to Target to look for a phone. Found a “TracFone” that seemed OK, asked the girl about set up & bought it. She then asked if we would like her to activate it for us. She spent quite a bit of time on her phone trying to get it set up & finally succeeded. Next we went to Safeway for groceries, fruits & veggies. Finally back at the RV and Paul & Yvonne show up at our door, they had been here quite a while and we kept missing them with our in & outs. It is now about 8PM but feels like midnight so we chatted for a bit and then did the bookkeeping/journal stuff and off to bed so we can arise early at 7:15 or so to have RV ready for their shop to start work.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
2011 southbound
Here it is Jan 15 and we are a cpl days away from heading south again. The blog may get a bit disjointed as I put every day in a journal on word but can only past to the blog when I have WiFi. The pic is from 2010 at GVP in Hemet CA where we hope to arrive in early Feb.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Leaving Mesa and the trip home
The Trip Home
Tues 13 Apr
At Val Vista Village RV Resort, Sheila went for a last swim in the pool near our campsite while I unhooked the services, then we went for one last lunch at the Cactus Ranch House Grill and finally pulled out of Val Vista just before noon. Down to a nearby ARCO for enough gas to make Kingman, then on through Phoenix & onto the Hwy north. At Kingman we stopped at Zuni Village which had cablevision so Sheila could watch "Dancing with the Stars".
Wed 14 Apr
Filled up with gas in Kingman at "Terrible's gas station" and off to "Terrible's Lakeside Casino & RV Park." Terrible Herbst, (not his real first name I'm sure), has several casinos and a chain of gas stations. His casino in Pahrump, (near the CA/NV border), has an RV Park and it is Passport America, so for $15/night we got a lakeside site with GREEN grass around us, (instead of the usual gravel), free use of paddleboats on the lake, a pool & hot tub. They also had free WiFi. I tried to send pictures of the place but couldn't get anything to upload to either blog or email. Otherwise, it was a great campground!
Thurs Apr 15
Off to Death Valley, CA as it is right on route more or less. We bought a
park pass for $20 for the car, good for 7 days & stopped at the Visitor's
Centre at Furnace Creek for their slide show & a a Ranger presentation on
the "Creepies & Crawlies that live in Death Valley." First, she talked about
Tarantula spiders, & how like octopii, they have been seriously misrepresented in the movies & literature. They are a very shy, non-agressive animal who spends most of its time hiding in its hole or cave. You will only get bit if you don't give it time to run away & then the bite is no more serious than a wasp sting.
The scorpion, however is a different matter. It will stay & fight, i.e. sting! However, though VERY painful, unless you are very young or very old, the sting is not life threatening. The scorpion is the oldest living creature, having been on earth 450 million years! It loses less water in the heat than any other animal, i.e. it can lose 40% of its bodily fluids before dying. It can go for months without eating.
Finally, she described & showed us photos of the 3 species of Rattlesnakes that live in the park. Of the three, the Mojave Rattler is the most poisonous & agressive. She said they only had 9 snakebites bites last year, even though over 2 million people visited the park. All 9 got the anti-venom & were fine. She said that 58% of snake bites occur because people are teasing them & that 25% of rattlesnake bites are
non-poisonous because the snake just bites, but does not inject it's venom.
Most of what she said about snakes & tarantulas was quite reassuring, tho I
sure would watch out for scorpions!
After that enlightening talk, we drove on enjoying the desert flowers & mountain scenery enroute to Scotty's Castle at the north end where we would exit Death Valley, when about 3:30 pm, all of a sudden--a loud BANG! One rear outside dual tire had blown out, no damage to anything, except the tire. We discovered there's no cell coverage in the middle of Death Valley, so we unhooked the car & I drove 20 miles, (30 Kms) to a pay phone & called 'Good Sam' emergency service. After I finally got through, the dispatcher & I finally, after a lot of explanation, pinpointed where we were, (10 miles north of the junction of Hwys 190 & 374). He said it'd be 60 to 90 mins.till they could get a truck to us. I drive back to the RV & Sheila. No show after 3 hours, so Sheila drove to another pay phone to find out what had happened. After 40 min. on the phone with Good Sam, she found out the Tow company had said they couldn't find us. Apparently, they were not given all the info on where we were & were looking in the wrong place! (They were not given the "10 miles north" part of the information). It would now take 4 hours to get someone to us! Since it was now almost 9 pm, Sheila said phooey! Come tomorrow, about 8 am. We were level on the side of the road, so we camped there for the night. The road was not much traveled so we had part of a day & all night, to experience the solitude & silence of Death Valley.
Fri Apr 16
No one showed up by 9:30 am, so once more, Sheila drove for half an hour to
the nearest phone, to discover there was no record of a request for service at 8 am! We FINALLY got someone out to change the tire by 1:30 and we're off to Scotty's Castle to tour it on a 1 hour guided tour. It really does look like a small castle from the outside & is lavishly furnished inside. The costumed tour guide entertained us with many interesting stories about it's inhabitants. Then, back into NV towards Tonopah and the Banc Club Casino parking lot for the night. Got back into cell range in NV. We had what I thought was a nice supper at the casino restaurant, (Sheila didn't--she said the meat was OK, but veggies & baked potato weren't). Next trip she's going to try their Chinese dishes which looked really good. Sheila played the slots for a while, resulting in lots of play for an investment of $10.
Sat Apr 17
Off & away along the hwy. Nice lunch stop at a picnicking/camping area overlooking Walker Lake just north of Hawthorne. One interesting thing about Hawthorne, (in the middle of the Nevada desert). . . Beside a large ammunition storage depot, (there are bunkers all across the desert, scores of them), there is a sign saying, This is a "Navy Underwater Warfare Training Centre"; & we are in the middle of the desert????????
Stopped in Fallon NV for gas at $2.83--cheapest I've seen, including the big truck stops. Then on past Reno, back into CA to Honey Lake RV Park, a Passport America campground overlooking Honey Lake, oddly, Honey Lake has no water in it that we could see--maybe there's some out in the centre. It is a big lake bed, 20 miles long. The RV park person said the deepest it gets is 6 feet, so dry season really affects it.
Note: I figured out, that this trip we have used Passport America for 12 nights,
saving $15 to $20 a night.
Sun Apr 18
Late start, but off & away to Klamath Falls, just after 10. Unfortunately it is Sunday & the "Les Schwab Tire" shop, (for chains for the Focus & a new tire for the RV), is closed. I checked, & Walmart doesn't carry tires in our RV size, so we'll have to stop there for the night instead of moving on to a casino a bit further north. We will do Les Schwab tomorrow AM. Went to Sizzler for supper then to a movie, "Date Night"which was quite funny. We both enjoyed it, ($6.25 for seniors in a Silver City type theatre.) Manager said we'd be welcome to camp overnight in their lot if we're going to a movie. He said to park over by the back fence, which just happens to be next door to a police station--nice safe place, I'd say. Good to know as it's on one of the hwys into town.
Mon Apr 18
Up early, well for us early - about 7:30 or so. Received a text message from Adeline about her having contractions. Told her hang in there, we are on route as fast as we can, or fast for us. I got my new RV tire & put it as a spare, plus I got good snow chains for the Focus. Drove over to Fred Myers for the discount gas with my Fred Myers card & met Sheila who had been shopping at Wal-Mart while I waited for the tire to be mounted. We hooked up & were off at about 10:45. After one gas stop, lots of enroute snacks, and 2 or 3 "change driver" stops, we pulled into Emerald Queen Casino at exit 135 on "I"5, 420 miles, (680kms), from Klamath Falls at about 6:45. We had supper at their Asian Cafe, (reasonable price & good-sized servings). Two entries, with noodles for $8 filled me! Sheila stayed to play, I came back to RV. No more text messages from Adeline so I guess it wasn't real labour.
Tues Apr 19
Off & away to the border. Sheila wanted to stop at "Burlington Coat Factory" at the outlet shops near Bulington. We got there & couldn't find the coat factory but Sheila did find an "OsKosh & a Carters" so while I went next door to Costco for gas, she shopped away, getting Mikaela another swimsuit, a T-shirt; two cute newborn sleepers etc. & met me at "The "Curious Chef" for lunch--good, healthy food. I discovered they are building a Fred Meyer gas station, plus there is the Costco there, (exit 229 is closest). Good for gassing up going down & coming back. Next stop, Duty Free at the border, then over border, bit of a line, so it took a while, (20 min. or so). Once over the border, we unhooked the car & Sheila headed to Michael & Adeline's to be on hand to take care of Mikaela when Adeline & Michael have to go to the hospital. I joined the Roamers RV outing at Pacific RV Park, arriving mid-way through tea-time. I spent the next 3 nights there. The weather was quite good--we were able to have our tea-times and play Washers & the golf ball game outside. I spent the evenings playing Hand & Foot in the clubhouse.
On Thursday morning, April 22nd, I finally received this text message from Michael: "Welcome to the World, Erica Stephanie Tufts. Born 6:51am, April 22nd. 6 lbs 11 oz. Another granddaughter--how wonderful!
On Friday, Apr 23 I left the RV Park and arrived home late morning after being away since Dec. 29, 2009. Unloaded some of RV, then Ken & I headed out to meet our new granddaughter/niece who also, had just arrived home!
For the record: In the RV we covered 5694 kms, (3538 miles), & drove the
Focus for 2180 kms, (1350 miles).
I tried to post pictures so that they would be in chronological order with the first ones posted below this dialogue being the start of our trip home. They seem to have posted in reverse and are mixed up. The first ones after leaving Mesa, AZ should be Kingman, AZ and the Bolder Dam Bridge! Then we went to Terrible's in Pahrump NV and on into Death Valley. Then out of Death Valley to Tonopah NV and to Honey Lake, CA, then to Emerald Queen Casino, with Erica's pictures being at the end, not the beginning where they are.
So endeth the 2010 snowbird trip blog
Tues 13 Apr
At Val Vista Village RV Resort, Sheila went for a last swim in the pool near our campsite while I unhooked the services, then we went for one last lunch at the Cactus Ranch House Grill and finally pulled out of Val Vista just before noon. Down to a nearby ARCO for enough gas to make Kingman, then on through Phoenix & onto the Hwy north. At Kingman we stopped at Zuni Village which had cablevision so Sheila could watch "Dancing with the Stars".
Wed 14 Apr
Filled up with gas in Kingman at "Terrible's gas station" and off to "Terrible's Lakeside Casino & RV Park." Terrible Herbst, (not his real first name I'm sure), has several casinos and a chain of gas stations. His casino in Pahrump, (near the CA/NV border), has an RV Park and it is Passport America, so for $15/night we got a lakeside site with GREEN grass around us, (instead of the usual gravel), free use of paddleboats on the lake, a pool & hot tub. They also had free WiFi. I tried to send pictures of the place but couldn't get anything to upload to either blog or email. Otherwise, it was a great campground!
Thurs Apr 15
Off to Death Valley, CA as it is right on route more or less. We bought a
park pass for $20 for the car, good for 7 days & stopped at the Visitor's
Centre at Furnace Creek for their slide show & a a Ranger presentation on
the "Creepies & Crawlies that live in Death Valley." First, she talked about
Tarantula spiders, & how like octopii, they have been seriously misrepresented in the movies & literature. They are a very shy, non-agressive animal who spends most of its time hiding in its hole or cave. You will only get bit if you don't give it time to run away & then the bite is no more serious than a wasp sting.
The scorpion, however is a different matter. It will stay & fight, i.e. sting! However, though VERY painful, unless you are very young or very old, the sting is not life threatening. The scorpion is the oldest living creature, having been on earth 450 million years! It loses less water in the heat than any other animal, i.e. it can lose 40% of its bodily fluids before dying. It can go for months without eating.
Finally, she described & showed us photos of the 3 species of Rattlesnakes that live in the park. Of the three, the Mojave Rattler is the most poisonous & agressive. She said they only had 9 snakebites bites last year, even though over 2 million people visited the park. All 9 got the anti-venom & were fine. She said that 58% of snake bites occur because people are teasing them & that 25% of rattlesnake bites are
non-poisonous because the snake just bites, but does not inject it's venom.
Most of what she said about snakes & tarantulas was quite reassuring, tho I
sure would watch out for scorpions!
After that enlightening talk, we drove on enjoying the desert flowers & mountain scenery enroute to Scotty's Castle at the north end where we would exit Death Valley, when about 3:30 pm, all of a sudden--a loud BANG! One rear outside dual tire had blown out, no damage to anything, except the tire. We discovered there's no cell coverage in the middle of Death Valley, so we unhooked the car & I drove 20 miles, (30 Kms) to a pay phone & called 'Good Sam' emergency service. After I finally got through, the dispatcher & I finally, after a lot of explanation, pinpointed where we were, (10 miles north of the junction of Hwys 190 & 374). He said it'd be 60 to 90 mins.till they could get a truck to us. I drive back to the RV & Sheila. No show after 3 hours, so Sheila drove to another pay phone to find out what had happened. After 40 min. on the phone with Good Sam, she found out the Tow company had said they couldn't find us. Apparently, they were not given all the info on where we were & were looking in the wrong place! (They were not given the "10 miles north" part of the information). It would now take 4 hours to get someone to us! Since it was now almost 9 pm, Sheila said phooey! Come tomorrow, about 8 am. We were level on the side of the road, so we camped there for the night. The road was not much traveled so we had part of a day & all night, to experience the solitude & silence of Death Valley.
Fri Apr 16
No one showed up by 9:30 am, so once more, Sheila drove for half an hour to
the nearest phone, to discover there was no record of a request for service at 8 am! We FINALLY got someone out to change the tire by 1:30 and we're off to Scotty's Castle to tour it on a 1 hour guided tour. It really does look like a small castle from the outside & is lavishly furnished inside. The costumed tour guide entertained us with many interesting stories about it's inhabitants. Then, back into NV towards Tonopah and the Banc Club Casino parking lot for the night. Got back into cell range in NV. We had what I thought was a nice supper at the casino restaurant, (Sheila didn't--she said the meat was OK, but veggies & baked potato weren't). Next trip she's going to try their Chinese dishes which looked really good. Sheila played the slots for a while, resulting in lots of play for an investment of $10.
Sat Apr 17
Off & away along the hwy. Nice lunch stop at a picnicking/camping area overlooking Walker Lake just north of Hawthorne. One interesting thing about Hawthorne, (in the middle of the Nevada desert). . . Beside a large ammunition storage depot, (there are bunkers all across the desert, scores of them), there is a sign saying, This is a "Navy Underwater Warfare Training Centre"; & we are in the middle of the desert????????
Stopped in Fallon NV for gas at $2.83--cheapest I've seen, including the big truck stops. Then on past Reno, back into CA to Honey Lake RV Park, a Passport America campground overlooking Honey Lake, oddly, Honey Lake has no water in it that we could see--maybe there's some out in the centre. It is a big lake bed, 20 miles long. The RV park person said the deepest it gets is 6 feet, so dry season really affects it.
Note: I figured out, that this trip we have used Passport America for 12 nights,
saving $15 to $20 a night.
Sun Apr 18
Late start, but off & away to Klamath Falls, just after 10. Unfortunately it is Sunday & the "Les Schwab Tire" shop, (for chains for the Focus & a new tire for the RV), is closed. I checked, & Walmart doesn't carry tires in our RV size, so we'll have to stop there for the night instead of moving on to a casino a bit further north. We will do Les Schwab tomorrow AM. Went to Sizzler for supper then to a movie, "Date Night"which was quite funny. We both enjoyed it, ($6.25 for seniors in a Silver City type theatre.) Manager said we'd be welcome to camp overnight in their lot if we're going to a movie. He said to park over by the back fence, which just happens to be next door to a police station--nice safe place, I'd say. Good to know as it's on one of the hwys into town.
Mon Apr 18
Up early, well for us early - about 7:30 or so. Received a text message from Adeline about her having contractions. Told her hang in there, we are on route as fast as we can, or fast for us. I got my new RV tire & put it as a spare, plus I got good snow chains for the Focus. Drove over to Fred Myers for the discount gas with my Fred Myers card & met Sheila who had been shopping at Wal-Mart while I waited for the tire to be mounted. We hooked up & were off at about 10:45. After one gas stop, lots of enroute snacks, and 2 or 3 "change driver" stops, we pulled into Emerald Queen Casino at exit 135 on "I"5, 420 miles, (680kms), from Klamath Falls at about 6:45. We had supper at their Asian Cafe, (reasonable price & good-sized servings). Two entries, with noodles for $8 filled me! Sheila stayed to play, I came back to RV. No more text messages from Adeline so I guess it wasn't real labour.
Tues Apr 19
Off & away to the border. Sheila wanted to stop at "Burlington Coat Factory" at the outlet shops near Bulington. We got there & couldn't find the coat factory but Sheila did find an "OsKosh & a Carters" so while I went next door to Costco for gas, she shopped away, getting Mikaela another swimsuit, a T-shirt; two cute newborn sleepers etc. & met me at "The "Curious Chef" for lunch--good, healthy food. I discovered they are building a Fred Meyer gas station, plus there is the Costco there, (exit 229 is closest). Good for gassing up going down & coming back. Next stop, Duty Free at the border, then over border, bit of a line, so it took a while, (20 min. or so). Once over the border, we unhooked the car & Sheila headed to Michael & Adeline's to be on hand to take care of Mikaela when Adeline & Michael have to go to the hospital. I joined the Roamers RV outing at Pacific RV Park, arriving mid-way through tea-time. I spent the next 3 nights there. The weather was quite good--we were able to have our tea-times and play Washers & the golf ball game outside. I spent the evenings playing Hand & Foot in the clubhouse.
On Thursday morning, April 22nd, I finally received this text message from Michael: "Welcome to the World, Erica Stephanie Tufts. Born 6:51am, April 22nd. 6 lbs 11 oz. Another granddaughter--how wonderful!
On Friday, Apr 23 I left the RV Park and arrived home late morning after being away since Dec. 29, 2009. Unloaded some of RV, then Ken & I headed out to meet our new granddaughter/niece who also, had just arrived home!
For the record: In the RV we covered 5694 kms, (3538 miles), & drove the
Focus for 2180 kms, (1350 miles).
I tried to post pictures so that they would be in chronological order with the first ones posted below this dialogue being the start of our trip home. They seem to have posted in reverse and are mixed up. The first ones after leaving Mesa, AZ should be Kingman, AZ and the Bolder Dam Bridge! Then we went to Terrible's in Pahrump NV and on into Death Valley. Then out of Death Valley to Tonopah NV and to Honey Lake, CA, then to Emerald Queen Casino, with Erica's pictures being at the end, not the beginning where they are.
So endeth the 2010 snowbird trip blog
Arrived home for the arrival of Erica Stephanie Tufts
This is a cell phone picture Michael took shortly after Erica was born. It is the only one I currently have on the computer of Adeline with Erica.
Erica Stephanie Tufts, first day
Erica in her car seat ready to go home
Erica with Michael & Mikaela at home
Erica, Michael, Mikaela, Ken
Erica, Michael, Bren
Erica Stephanie Tufts, first day
Erica in her car seat ready to go home
Erica with Michael & Mikaela at home
Erica, Michael, Mikaela, Ken
Erica, Michael, Bren
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
