Wednesday, February 28, 2024

More packing and getting temp tag

 My little Teddy went outside this morning at 4 am.  I waited for about 5 minutes and he was a no show.  Went back to bed and played one of my mind games and then looked outside again.  Sure enough, there he was ready to go back to bed.  There is a fenced yard here, so not much danger of him getting eaten.

After a quick breakfast at 9 am, I was ready to finish my packing and take a test drive.  It was around 2 o'clock before I had both the MAT2 and the Jeep loaded, except for the things I will need tomorrow.

Around 3 o'clock, I took it out for a quick trip to fill the propane tank.  It was empty, so it was nearly $40 to fill.  Hopefully, it will last for awhile. 

 

Yuma thanks his Dad for buying this MH.

For the rest of the afternoon, I worked on the electric/propane fridge connecting my inverter and 100 watt solar panel, so, when traveling, I would not have to use propane.  With my son, Jim giving me a hand by Text, I had it up and running.  

After reviewing the battery usage, Jim thought one more 100 watt panel should keep the fridge going without depleting the 275 watt lithium battery.  Staying with 100 watts. it would be depleted in roughly 10 hours.

By then, it was dinner time and afterward, the first episode of "Survivor" for this season.  Lasted 2 hours, so another late-night post to my blog.

Superstition Mountain at dusk

Tomorrow is my last day here and then it is on to Saddleback Mountain, just west of Phoenix.

Thanks for stopping by.

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Getting Closer to "D"part Day!

This morning, I didn't get up till Teddy wanted out and that was around 8:30.  I had things to do before taking MAT2 for a test run.


After we all had breakfast outside in the beautiful sunshine, I checked in with the ladies before heading out to get temporary tags.  Found a place about 3 miles away and Google led the way.  I drove around looking for it, before I realized the sign I saw wasn't CVS, but MVS.  

It was late morning, and I was sure it would be crowded, and it was.  However, I was surprised with the number of counters that were open and it went quickly.  It wasn't long before I was out of there with 90-day temporary tags for only $65.

Came back to the compound and was thinking I would give it a test drive with the Jeep today, but my "almost packed" wasn't really true.  The last little bit when you're running out of space takes time and before I knew it, it was getting close to 4 o'clock and I didn't want to get caught in the afternoon traffic.  

So, one more day of anticipation.  It has to be tomorrow for the test run.  My plans are to head to Saddleback Mountain on Friday and spend some time relaxing before heading to Quartzsite and then Yuma if anyone is still down there.

These past two winters have been different, that's for sure.  It has been an interesting time, but time to move on.  Hopefully, I now have an RV that is dependable, and I can enjoy a few more good years of travelling.  

Thanks for your patience and thanks for stopping by.

Saturday, February 24, 2024

Day of Rest

 Today is going to be a beautiful day.  It's just too bad that I don't feel well enough to go out and enjoy it.  I did a little unpacking and trying to fit everything in a third less space.  I'm hoping to be very close by the end of tomorrow.  

I did just a little moving in today, but not much.  I slept in this morning as much as I could and after feeding the kids, I laid down and rested some more.  I did this all day.  For some reason, I feel tired all the time and I think it is because I overdid things this last couple of weeks.

You notice I said kids.  I have picked up a little nuisance while here. He's a Pomeranian.

Begging for morning snacks

He was found in the front yard.  They checked the neighborhood and then took him to the rescue center.  They found the owner, because he had a chip, but they didn't want him back.

They fostered him with the intent of buying him after a trial period.  That didn't work out, so I volunteered to adopt him.  If everything goes okay, I will have an addition to the family. Yuma will have some adjustments to make.

After my day's rest I do feel better.  Hopefully, better tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by.

Thursday, February 22, 2024

What happened to the White Lion

 With everything going on yesterday. I forgot to tell you what happened to the White Lion.

After the potential buyer came by and quickly looked it over, he told me he had a potential buy and would have to get in touch with him and talk over if he was interested and a price.  He agreed to pay for the towing if purchased.

Later that day, my brother called and as we were talking, he asked if I had gotten the motorhome started and I said "No".  I told him I had sprayed Ether into the air intake, and it just would not start.  He said that when he lived in Alaska, and the temperature was so low diesel engines would not start.  They would spray once in the air intake and begin starting it and then spray a shot while it was turning over and they would start.

I decided to give it a try, and sure enough it started right up.  I called the buyer and told him I could drive it over that afternoon and save him a tow.  We decided on Monday.  

I was going to pick up the new motorhome on Monday, but my SF agent took Presidents Day off, so it looks like it will be Tuesday.  The buyer called Monday and wanted to get together, but I asked him if we could make it Tuesday.  

Tuesday was the day.   Had my insurance on the new MH and told them to cancel the White Lion tomorrow.  It was nice to be able to drive it one last time.  If it wasn't for the smoke and the non starting, I would never know there was a problem.  We made the title switches with no hitches and we both left happy.

Then on Wednesday, as I mentioned, my body pooped out from all the moving I have done this month, so, today Thursday, not much happened.  I rested for the day and just loaded a few light things into Miss Adventure Travels II.  I'm feeling better this evening, and will take the muscle relaxant medication for the first time.  Hope it helps.

Thanks for stopping by. 

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Hospital Visit

 This morning, I fed the dogs and then started moving stuff into the motorhome.  I wanted to get things that went inside done first and then over the next few days, I would put up the things that go in the underside.

My stuff

I was moving along but felt very tired and my left arm in the shoulder area was hurting.  Soon, the pain was up to my neck and down the left side of my chest.  I had to stop, and I felt weak, so laid down for awhile. This isn't my normal self.

Emptying boxes

At a little after 3 o'clock, after talking to my wife, we decided I should go to the Emergency room and get checked out.  Can't be too careful.


Spent six hours at the Emergency Room.  Had an EKG, blood analysis and x-rays.  At the end of the day, my heart and blood is fine, but I have a torn rotator cuff in my left shoulder.  No more lifting or putting my arm over my head until it gets better.  Gave me a prescription for muscle relaxant and told me to take Tylenol, which I already do.  At least I can take a respite from moving for a week or so, except for small stuff.

Got back to my RV around 9 o'clock and Clea had dinner ready for me.  Ate dinner and headed home for the night.  It has been a long day.

Thank for stopping by.

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

A better plan!

 It has been over a week since I gave up, but the next morning, I changed my mind.  The giving up idea just isn't happening!

I started looking through the RV classifieds and came onto a 2006 class B Plus Lexington by Forest River that I liked, and it was in my price range.

On Friday the 16th I got a call back saying it was still available.  Only a half hour from where I am staying, I headed right over there to see it.

That RV looked almost new.  He had it detailed, and I could eat off the engine.  We went over everything and they worked great.  

I was worried that the small RV would not pull my Jeep, which would be a deal breaker.  This thing has a 10 cylinder Triton engine in it with a 5000 lb. hitch.  While test driving, it had more than enough power to pull my 2600 lb. Jeep.

We came up with an agreeable price and we decided to get together Saturday morning to complete the sale.

As I was telling him about my woes, he said he may be interested in taking the White Lion off my hands.  Sweet words to my ears.  He followed me to Kay's place, and I gave him part of the story behind the problems, including it would not start.  I told him I would not be able to have it towed until the owner came back from her trip.

We made an agreement on the price, and he said he knew someone that may be interested in buying it.  He would give me a call after speaking with this person.

Saturday morning, we went to a bank and completed the sale on my new to me motorhome.  Miss Adventure Travels II.  Now all I have to do is wait to see if he wants the White Lion.








It is a 2006 Forest River Lexington, with a Livingroom slide and it is 27 feet long.  Much easier to handle.  It is a Ford with a 10-cylinder Triton engine.  Should pull my Jeep with no problem.

On Monday, the buyer called and said he wanted it.  I will cover what happened with that sale in tomorrow's post.

Thanks for stopping by.

Monday, February 12, 2024

I give up!

 

Four Peaks covered with snow

We have had days of cold and rainy weather keeping me indoors most of the time.  I just heard the weather in this area was below average for 7 straight days.  I can't believe so many days have gone by without an update.

Yuma and I have been doing well and I'm sure the Arizona folks are happy for all this rain.  Will make for a better summer.

Yesterday, Brian, a long-time friend of Clea's was here in Mesa on a job and was returning to North Dakota today.  He volunteered to drive Clea's belongings, so I was moving her belongings one last time to a Penski truck.  Clea will be driving there at the end of February.

Yuma checking things out

Final check

Took about 2 hours for the two of us to get it loaded and it was a very nice cool morning.

Today, now that the weather has finally cleared up and gotten warmer, I decided to start the White Lion and test drive it.  Things did not go well.  I could not get it started.  It would turn over but would not start.  I'll try again tomorrow, but not feeling hopeful.

I had an appointment to look at a 2003 class C 30 ft gas motorhome tonight but canceled.  I decided, I have boondocked enough in southern Arizona, so don't need another motorhome to sell before heading home this spring.

My plans now are to stay where I am and spend some time hiking around the Phoenix area.  There are lots of beautiful trails I have not hiked yet.

At the end of this month, I will place an Ad on a number of classifieds in the area.  Kay has experience and will help me out.  I will stay until it is sold.

I have changed my plans many times this winter and I'm not locked on this one, but it sounds good at the moment.

Thanks for stopping by.

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Move to Garage

 The move from the truck to Kay's garage didn't happen on Sunday.  Kay was interrupted by other duties, so I just laid around in the sun and relaxed all day.

Monday was the day.  Kay and Dean had plans for the morning, so Clea and I started the move at 9 o'clock by cleaning out a place for Clea's belongings.

Big truck, not much stuff.



We were done by 11 o'clock and then I went to Home Depot to pick up an airflow pipe I had ordered to replace the completely torn up one I had.  It was allowing dirt and sand to get to the air filter.  The accordion pipe (looks like a pipe used for your dryer exhaust, except it is 7 inches in diameter.)

Spent the afternoon, trying to get it into place, but it was tough crawling in and out from the White Lion, so I quit with the plan of getting it done soon.  The folks with the trailer were no shows, so I wasn't test driving it today anyway.

Unfortunately, the storm bashing San Diego is coming our way.  We are expecting wet weather through Friday, so I may not get much done.  If you don't hear from me till the weekend, you'll know I will be watching TV listening to the raindrops on the roof.

I do have something planned for next Tuesday with the White Lion, so I'm still trying.  Stay tuned.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sunday, February 4, 2024

Helping a Friend

 Sorry for missing the last three days.  I am waiting for the people who parked their trailer near me to move.  That should be tomorrow.  They are Kay's friends and needed to go somewhere by air, so left it here for a few days.

Yesterday, Kay, Dean and I helped move Clea from a friend's house over to here till the end of the month when she then returns to North Dakota.

Took over an hour to get to West Sun City where Clea was staying.  We left at around 2:30 and got home around 6:30. I had not done much exercise for a while, so felt good to use the muscles.


I was sore last night, but I had forgotten my Tylenol.  Took some with breakfast this morning and feel good enough to start moving stuff into Kay's garage today.  

While waiting for Kay to give me the go ahead, Yuma and I laid outside enjoying the warm sunshine.

Unfortunately, the huge rain system hitting California today will be here by Tuesday, so all may not go as planned.  I am not in a hurry, so I will relax and let things go as they may.  After all, I am retired and in a beautiful and usually warm area.

Thanks for stopping by.