Moving backwards

Location:  BLM on West Dome Rock Road near Quartzsite, Arizona

The only good thing about yesterday was the Happy Hour with friends.  All before was very disappointing and aggravating.  So bad, I wasn't ready to speak of it for fear I may say something I regret!

Woke up yesterday morning real early because I couldn't sleep I was so excited.  At my age it's hard to get excited about anything.  Ate a little something, left poor Yuma in the MH and headed into RV Lifestyles on this side of Quartzsite to test drive the White Lion.  I had talked to Kenny yesterday and he said he would have it ready to roll at 9 o'clock for our test drive.  Never driven a huge Class A diesel motorhome before but I'm ready.

Got there about 15 minutes early and I see a big deisel truck at the back of it with a tail sticking out.  Only, it wasn't a tail, it was cables hooked up to the White Lion's batteries.  Not good!  They had all day yesterday and they never even started it.

I don't want to get into a rant.  That's why I waited a day.  But!!  Evidently, Kenny waited till this morning when he came in to even try this small task.  

After two hours and having three guys looking at it and switching stuff, they finally decided the two starting batteries were dead as in dead.  Would not hold a charge, much less start a 330 Cat engine with a button.

Oh No!  This may turn into a blabberfingers rant if I don't calm down.  I'm taking a breath now.  They finally decided someone was going to have to bite the bullet and put two new batteries in it.  Of course, being tent week, they have more business than manpower to do it.

I told Kenny, I was heading home and to call me when they were ready for me to test drive this monster.  Yuma was very glad to see me after about three hours of disappointment.

Yuma and I sat outside and took in a little sun while waiting for a phone call that never came.  Yuma and I packed up everything and moved closer into town, but still on the west side behind a mountain.  Thought that would be quieter and it was.  So, at 2:30 we headed to the Happy Hour and after a huge glass of tea I calmed down.  

Got home a little after six and we had a nice dinner and when I tried to get on the internet to use Blogger, it would not connect.  Said NO INTERNET!  What a perfect way to end the day.  

I had to drive back out to where I had stayed the previous night and sit in the Jeep in the dark typing my post.  No way was I going to write about my day or I would explode.  Only a few miles but what a hassle.  Shoulda just skipped the post for the night.

Now to today.  I guess my rendition of yesterday wasn't as bad as it could have been.  Read through it and not one cuss word!

I won't lie.  I have some anxiety pills that I haven't taken in awhile, but last night I did.  I slept like a rock and didn't wake up till after 8 o'clock.  That was great!  So relaxed that I didn't care if Kenny called or not.  There are tons of motorhomes for sale and I'm not going to beg Kenny to sell me this one.

Around noon, Yuma and I headed in to do my annual walk through the Big Tent.  Since I still had not heard from Kenny, I stopped in the store because it was on my way into town.  Thought maybe Kenny had died overnight or something.  Nope there he sat at his desk.  He looked up and said "Hi Doug.  At least he remembered me, that's good.

Glad I took that pill, because I asked how were things going and he quickly said he felt bad that everything went to hell in a hand basket yesterday.  His words not mine.  I immediately softened a little and we started talking.

Poor Kenny was still waiting for someone to put those two batteries in but they just hadn't had time to squeeze him in to the hectic schedule.  I could tell he was frustrated.

I guess being the week of the huge RV show and Big Tent, they were overwhelmed with the work to do.  After talking, I said that Yuma and I were going to the Big Tent and I will just wait till he calls.  I really don't have anything on my schedule so what if this thing doesn't happen till Monday.  No big deal, I'm not going anywhere anyway.

We hit the Big Tent!

 There were tons of dogs there and Yuma said hi to many of them.

Always exciting and fun for a one time thing.  Yuma got lots of pets, mostly from sales people trying to get me to stop and buy.  I did buy one thing.  I had broken my coffee mug the other day and so I picked one up while in there.  First time I ever bought anything in there.

When I stepped into the sunlight at the west end I could see Q Mountain.

Hope he got a good deal on these metal sculptures.

Wasn't long before we hit the road to home so we could move for the third day in a row.  I'm getting good at this moving thing.  As we were driving around looking for a place with Internet, we stopped for a picture.

"Is that a new hat, Doug?" you ask.  "Yes, it is!"  While walking around the vendor booths outside the tent I saw this beautiful brown leather hat with white cowhideand hair on the sides.  It was perfect for me.  I had forgotten my hat and this is just what I needed.  See how beautiful it is and it matches Yuma too!  All good reasons to spend all that money for a hat.

 After we got back to the MH and still no call from Kenny, we decided to move for some Internet.  Just couldn't decide so as I was driving West out of town I passed the same site I was in two night's ago and it was vacant.  So here we are right back where we started from.

Maybe Kenny will call tomorrow.  See you later.

Another move day and another great Happy Hour

Location:  BLM in Quartzsite, Arizona

Another night of jets taking off or was that many, many trains going by with no whistles.  I guess I didn't get far enough away from I-10 in my last move.  Those trucks sure make noise passing through the valley.

Looks to be another beautiful and warm day.  It was early when I got up and I caught the sun just as it peeked over the mountains east of Quartzsite.

Wasn't in any hurry to hunt for a new site, so slowly had breakfast and took a few walks with Yuma.  It was around noon when Yuma and I jumped in the Jeep and started searching further south of the interstate but still on the west side of town.

Found a place in towards town but on the other side of the mountains.  You can see Dome Rock behind me now.

Laid out and relaxed for awhile and before I knew it I needed to get ready for Happy Hour at 3 o'clock at Bill and Patsy's place.  This time I had my phone and Deb sent great instructions on how to get there.

Made it with time to spare.  Had a great time meeting and getting to everyone better.  Around 6 o'clock it started cooling down and everyone headed off to prepare supper.

Higgins didn't like Yuma coming to his special place at Happy Hour.

Front row seat for Viewing the sunset!

Yesterday, Jeff one of my many readers suggested I add a search button to the blog, so I did.  You can find it at the top of the smaller right column.  Thanks Jeff.

I'm sitting in the Jeep near the interstate doing my post because I don't get any reception at my site.  Another move tomorrow is in the forecast.

See you later.

Finally made it to the Big Q

Location:  Dome Rock Road in Quartzsite, Arizona

Last night was a little noisier than I like.  Sounded like jets taking off when those big trucks would cross the bridge on I-10.

Had a leisurely breakfast and just threw everything into the MH since I will just be taking it all out again real soon.  Wasn't in a rush to leave since we had less than 20 miles to travel today.  Best kind of traveling!  It was, however, scenic because we went through the Dome Rock Mountains.

Finally back in my favorite state of Arizona.

Then we turned onto Dome Rock Road West and in less than two miles we pulled into the first vacant site I found.  Still closer to I-10 than I prefer, but the noise will be minimal.  I think we'll like it here.  Close to Quartzsite, but away from the madding crowds.

Dome Rock is behind us.

Took a little time to set-up and look around and then settled in for the rest of the morning.  But around 1 o'clock I just couldn't wait around any longer.  You see, I've had my eye on this particular motor home for sale in Quartzsite for awhile.  Just couldn't get it out of my head.

As we were driving to see it, I told myself that if the pictures were touched up and it really didn't look like them, I would just forget it and go no further.  This winter particularly,  I have gotten tired of just not having the space to store anything or just plain stretch out.   Don't tell Dolly about my little side excursion today.  Not sure what her reaction would be.

Now, I have to tell you, it is not a new motor home by any means.  It's a 1999 Safari Serengetti.  You know, the ones with the beautiful African paintings on the back you see once in awhile driving down the road.  

Just what one old man and his dog needs!  A 40 footer with a 330 HP Cat diesel engine and one slide.  No downsizing for me, No Siree!  I want legroom and lots of storage space to boot.  Never know, Dolly may boot me out of the house and I'll be living in it full-time. :))  Now I've got to show you the pictures I took of it today. 

Thinking of naming it the "White Lion".  I know, it's a white tiger, but I'm a Leo and that's just a thought.  Let me know if I'm breaking all naming rules and I won't do it.

 I was adamant that there would be no booth kitchen table.  I have one and it is very uncomfortable to sit in.  I like chairs that I can move around.

Beautiful kitchen area.  Corian counter tops and real oak wood.

Black double door refrigerator with a lower freezer.

Look at the size of that thing.

Little over the top for my taste but, who knows.  Maybe it's just what Dolly wants.  :))

I didn't get a picture of the washer/dryer combo and the separate bathroom area.  Does have a big tub/shower combo which I like.

Room enough to walk around to change sheets.  I hate changing the sheets in this MH. :((  So, I don't do it.

Oh well, I'm just dreaming.  Yuma doesn't mind getting dirt and hair in our small little MH.  And this may be last year of traveling anyway.  You know, bla bla bla.  The blas are for all the reasons I should drop this whole idea.

It was time to get out of there and find Tom and Deb.  I had gotten an invite to come to their "Happy Hour" at 3 o'clock.  Heck, I just got done with breakfast and they're thinking about Happy Hour already.  But, I have to remember, I've lost an hour of life by leaving California lazy time.

Oh, oh!  Houston, I have a problem.  I'm not sure where they are staying and this small town is now the size of a city.  My cellphone battery went dead before I left and I left it to charge never thinking I would not be able to see their beautiful black and yellow "Stinger Bee" in the thousands of motorhomes scattered everywhere in this desert.

So, since I couldn't call and ask for directions, I wandered around for about an hour through various RV parks.  Finally, gave up and Yuma and I went home in defeat.  Oh, the crowds in "Q"!

Texted Deb with my failed efforts and she said the invitation would stand for one more day, but only one.  So, tomorrow it is.  Yuma and I relaxed till the sun set and then back to the grind of blogs and dinner.   

Dome Rock.

Dome Rock Mountains North across I-10.

See you later.

Move to the Colorado River

Location:  Bank of the Colorado River in Ehrenberg, Arizona

Last night while cooking dinner I pulled a real doozey.  I had earlier in the day pulled out a frozen fish I thought.  I had written fish on the plastic bag when I put them in there.

Texted Dolly and asked the best way to cook a fish filet and she texted me the instructions.  Sounded familiar and she said that I had asked awhile back.  This time I saved them to use later :)).

Anyway, I cooked it in the oven and pulled it out, opened it up and squeezed more lemon on it and took a bite.  It was a chicken breast.  Then I remembered I did this exact same thing weeks earlier but forgot to rename the plastic bag.  Top that Nancy! See her cooking post Kissack Adventures.  We would make a great pair of chefs.

Anyways!  This morning I woke really early and instead of seeing sunlight, I saw a sliver of moonlight out my back window.

Couldn't sleep so waited for the sun.  Unfortunately, the clouds were now to the East as the sun was rising, but finally almost saw it before I gave up waiting for it to appear.

 Today is moving day for both me, Yuma and Deb and Riley.   They are early birds, so left before I was done eating breakfast.  Sure I will see them again down the road.

 After breakfast, hooked up the Jeep and then Yuma and I followed their lead.  Stopped at the casino about five miles north on highway 86 to dump and take on water.  We were out of there by 9 o'clock and heading to Mecca and the Box Canyon Road.

There was a big flood in Box Canyon in September/October of 2018 and completely wiped out the road.  It just reopened in May of 2019.  Here's what it looks like with a new road.

Classics touring Box Canyon.

 

Close to the end of the canyon.

Heading East on I-10.

Ninety-five miles later I reached my destination.  Just across the Colorado River separating California from Arizona is the small town of Ehrenberg, Arizona.  Finally, I can get gas for the MH without paying an arm and leg for it.

I am staying in a little parking lot just up from the river.  Almost beautiful, but!  The little parking lot is very near the I-10 bridge, so I will have road noise tonight.  Hopefully, it won't be too bad.  I did drive the Jeep around late in the afternoon in search of a better location, but didn't find one. :(( 

But, I was able to get some pictures of the river.

 Later in the day towards evening I went back down for more pictures.

I've decided to stay the night since it is so late in the day and I'm sure Quartzsite is a zoo.  I'll just wait till morning before going in search of a new home there.  I'm tired now and don't need the hassle today.

Time for dinner and bed.  See you later.