Monday, April 29, 2013

Trailer Living

We are home now, after driving all night Saturday and arriving at 5am Sunday. No further mechanical or other delays.

Traveling by trailer together for 25 days (19 days for Mom) turned out to be a very fun adventure for all of us.  Because of our plans to be on the road so long, we chose a trailer that we would be comfortable in.  We bought a 28 foot long  Jayco White Hawk with a slide out in the living area.  The master bed is queen size and the boys had full size bunks.  It has a propane stove and oven, microwave and TV, dinette and sofa and a full bath.  There was a good sized fridge and enough cabinet space.

So the size worked well to keep us happy (the memory foam mattress topper for Mom and Dad helped too!) but sometimes it was a little large for some campgrounds.  This was especially true at the National Parks.  Also, a few nights we didn't have room to put out the slide which made it difficult to access the master bedroom.

We didn't need to have electric hookup for one or two nights in a row, but by a third night unplugged we would start to run out of the battery power that we needed to run the water pump, fan (for the furnace), lights, and the slide.  On those nights we would use a battery operated lantern, bundle up, and minimize water use.

Why did we need the furnace in the desert in April?  Good question.  We were surprised how chilly and windy it was pretty much everywhere we went, except for Phoenix.  The Grand Canyon had below freezing temps at night right after we left and we needed jackets in Las Vegas.  Even Phoenix was cooler than usual but perfect for us to enjoy the pool during the day and comfortable nights with open windows. 

Dad did all the driving: 6390 miles total! Mom was pretty sure she wouldn't be able to maneuver the truck and trailer since she has trouble managing the truck all by itself.  Before we left home we watched the Lucy and Desi classic, "The Long, Long Trailer" which made her even less enthusiastic to try.  There was a lot of driving but we stopped frequently for fuel and bathroom breaks. 

Fuel was a big expense as we were only getting about 9 miles per gallon.  On the other hand, we did not have to pay for hotels and ate most meals at "home" rather than at a restaurant.  Leisurely breakfasts with freshly made Tim Horton's coffee was a daily luxury.  RV parks charged between $25-35 per night for full hookup (electric, water, and dumping station).  National Parks were less expensive but no electric.  Walmart (and Cabela's) parking lot was free but of course no services but a parking space and the store bathroom.

We did not make reservations ahead of time anywhere.  We used Google maps GPS on our phone or the Garmin GPS (searching "campgrounds" or "Walmart"), the Camping World paper directory, and the National Parks book to pick out where to stop for the night.  The only time that almost didn't work was at the Grand Canyon but we did get the second last no hookup spot in the park.  (The full hookup spots were all gone.). Even in the off season it's best to make reservations there.  And there was the place in Vegas that didn't allow children.  Probably in the summer we would have had more trouble everywhere.

We chose to use the trailer toilet for liquid waste only and had no trouble with finding a nearby bathroom for other needs.  We also used campsite showers rather than the trailer one to spare the fresh water and avoid overfilling the gray water tank.  Hot unlimited showers were included at all our campsites except for the Grand Canyon which charged 8 quarters for 8 minutes and Joshua Tree which had no showers at all.

The boys were excellent travellers.  They got along well and kept themselves entertained with books/nooks and games and an occasional video.  If there was trouble it came mostly from "an excess of high spirits".  There were a few dustups (they are normal children) but less than we usually have at home.  They kept all their clothes and things in their bunks which affectionately were called weasel dens.  The trip itself was a remarkable education for them.  We were very fortunate to be able to have this adventure together.

It was really wonderful to be able to bring our comfortable living space with us wherever we went.  No packing and unpacking.  No worries about germs and bed bugs.  Mom wishes she took photos of the great variety of views we had from our sofa out the door, from the Grand Canyon pine forest to the flowering desert landscapes of Joshua Tree, the palm trees in Vegas, and cactus in Phoenix.  We saw many lovely sunsets and starry skies.

So the trip was a resounding success!  We all had a wonderful time.  We hope to have the time and opportunity to do some more trailer travelling soon.

These interior pictures were taken" as is":

Saturday, April 27, 2013

From Drought to Flood

We spent 12 days in the desert southwest where the air was dry and the land was shades of dusty gray, brown, orange, and red.

The wind blew. There were tumbleweeds and dust devils.  Cactus grew in the lowlands and pine trees in the highlands.

The only precipitation we saw were a few brief  sprinkles one afternoon.  

After leaving New Mexico we noticed a change.   Even the low hills of the Texas panhandle seemed green and lush, no longer the bleak scrub brush we described on the way out.

Through Oklahoma and especially now in Missouri slowly the view has changed. We are now surrounded by the same landscape and spring foliage we have at home.

And the rain!  It started yesterday (Friday) morning as we left Oklahoma and has continued to pour nonstop.  The lower ground around here is flooding: we can see large pools of water along the side of the road.   The Mississippi is 5 feet above flood level and some bridges were closed earlier this week.
------------------------

So we got as far as Joplin MO yesterday morning (i.e. not very far) when the truck battery died.  Thanks to AAA and an efficient and helpful repair shop we got a new alternator and were able to get moving again.

While in Joplin we met up with Uncle Brian who is on his way out to Las Vegas to see that beautiful baby who just happens to be his granddaughter.

Because of the delay we are still in Missouri, about an hour outside of St. Louis.  We found a really nice RV park (Pheasant Acres in St. James MO) on high ground with a very helpful owner.  Our campsite neighbors expertly guided us into our space in the dark and rain.  As it turns out, we are sharing the park with most of a local fire company.

We are still 13 hours from home.  Praying for no more unexpected delays!

Thursday, April 25, 2013

500 Miles

Long day of driving today (Thursday).  We covered about 500 miles from New Mexico to past Tulsa OK. 

Tomorrow we need to start heading northward. According to Google we are still about 17 hours from home.

We did have some fun when we stopped in Amarillo at the Big Texas Steak Ranch for lunch.  We had some really excellent steaks and barbeque but none of us tried to eat the "free" 72oz steak dinner.

Sleeping tonight at Walmart.  Hoping for an early start tomorrow!

El Queso

El Queso
(With apologies to Marty Robbins)

Out in the west Texas town of El Queso
I fell in love with the Mexican food.

Nighttime would find me in Rosa's cantina
Music would play and burrito would whirl.

Blacker than night were the beans of burrito
Wicked and evil while casting a spell.

My hunger was deep for this Mexican dinner.
I was in love with this food I could tell.

One night a wild young cowboy came in
Wild as the west Texas wind.

Dashing and daring a meal he was eating
Of yummy burrito the food that I loved.

So in hunger I challenged his right for the taste of this dinner,
Down went his hand for the fork that he bore.

My challenge was answered in less than a heartburn
The handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor.
Out of the back door of Rosa's I ran
Back where the horses were tied.

I caught a good one it looked like it could run.
Up on its back and away I did ride

Just as fast as I could from the west Texas town of El Queso
Out to the badlands of New Mexico.

Back in El Queso my life won't be hungry.
All the food's gone in life nothing is left.

It's been so long since I've had a burrito.
My hunger is stronger than my fear of death.

I saddled up and away I did go
Riding alone in the dark.

Maybe a tomorrow an MI will find me
Tonight nothing's worse than this pain in my chest.

And at last here I am on the hill overlooking El Queso.
I can see Rosa's Cantina below.

My hunger is strong and it pushes me onward.
Down off the hill to burrito I go.

Off to my right I see 5 hungry cowboys,
Off to my left ride a dozen or more.

Shouting and shooting I can't let them eat there.
I have to make it to Rosa's front door.

Something is dreadfully wrong for I feel
A deep burning pain in my chest.

Though I am trying to stay in the saddle
I'm getting weary unable to ride.

But my love for burrito is strong and I rise where I've fallen
Because I am hungry I can't stop to rest.

I feel the crushing and burning inside me.
There is a pain that is deep in my chest.

From out of nowhere burrito has found me,
Clogging my vessels all down my left side.

Reaching my arms for the food that I'd die for
One little bite and burrito goodbye.

Heading East Again

So they did get everything fixed yesterday and we were able to finally get moving again yesterday evening.  We didn't get very far because of the late start and we spent the night in Tucumcari, NM at a small trailer park.

While they worked on the trailer yesterday we went to the Pueblo Indian cultural center/ museum.  It was very interesting and we saw native Pueblo dancing, had an excellent authentic Pueblo lunch (well the boys had burgers) and Mom bought some turquoise earrings.

It's windy this morning but we've driven through worse gusts on this trip so we hope to make good progress towards home today.

It's nice to have running water again!  Maybe we don't really want to live like Laura Ingalls . . .

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

The Land of Enchantment

We fell in love with New Mexico and decided to stay here a few extra days.

Well, not exactly.  Sunday night we were an hour outside of Albuquerque. We are still in Albuquerque. If all had gone according to plan, we should be near Memphis by now.

Sunday night we discovered a leak in our fresh water system.  Fortunately Camping World here in town is an authorized service center.  They had to wait for warranty approval and then for a part but we are hoping to be heading east again before the day is over.

In the meantime, the Camping World people couldn't be nicer, and they are allowing us to plug in to their electricity, fill our water jugs, drink their coffee, and eat their danish.

And we are enjoying Albuquerque.  Tuesday we went to the balloon museum (as in hot air balloons and airships) and the rattlesnake museum (which even Mom enjoyed).  We explored Old Town some more and then drove the lovely Turquoise Trail to Santa Fe.

Of all the desert places we have visited on this trip, we have found Albuquerque and the surrounding New Mexico landscape to be our favorite.  

So we will probably miss Memphis altogether, as we will need to take the shortest route home now.  Instead of sampling Memphis barbeque we will have learned all about the different kinds of Mexican food you can find here.

Hopefully the next post will be from further down the road!

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Albuquerque

Of all the desert states we've seen, we all agree that New Mexico is the most attractive.

We spent the day on Monday seeing some of the sites in Albuquerque that Dad remembers from his previous trip here.

First, we  took the Tramway to Sandia crest.  It is a breathtaking ride up to over 10,000 feet and not good if you're scared of heights.  The views from the mountaintop were wonderful.  It was chilly and breezy up there but warm enough in the sun.

We then saw old Town Albuquerque and had some more good Mexican food.  We know the children are hungry when they start reading all the restaurant signs out loud.

At night we had a relaxing evening at "home" watching movies and playing Boggle.

Sunday, April 21, 2013

On the Road Again

We left Phoenix Sunday morning, heading north towards Flagstaff.

The Arizona desert vista is the most interesting we've seen so far.  The boys were happy to finally see across the countryside the classic cactus that they had been expecting to find out here.  Apparently it only grows in Arizona.

Since we were not just heading north, but also increasing in elevation, those cactuses (cacti?) were rapidly replaced by pine forest.

We stopped in Camp Verde AZ and had a good Mexican lunch followed by really delicious churros.  We also liked the Coffeegram ad on their placemat.

As we drove, we again saw the snow capped mountain first viewed from Flagstaff on the way to the Grand Canyon.

At Flagstaff we turned eastward onto Route 40 stopping for a photo op in Winslow AZ and ending up at the Dancing Eagle Casino RV park in New Mexico for the night (not fancy but v. inexpensive).

We are about an hour outside of Albuquerque now.

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Phoenix

We drove to Phoenix on Friday and were so happy to find the warm weather we had been looking for out here in the desert southwest.

We are again staying at a commercial RV park, just out of town on Lake Pleasant.  It is very nice here.

The boys spent about 2 hours in the pool Friday afternoon. There they made friends with 3 homeschooled brothers who travel with their family all over the US for their father's job.

We met up with our dear friends' daughter Mary that night.  She teaches music for a local school system.  We all had a delicious dinner at a place called Rock Bottom.

Saturday morning the boys' new friends came by at 9am for nerf gun and sword battles.  Mary and her friend came by to see the lake, have a swim with the boys and join us for grilled burgers and dogs for lunch, along with the new boys and their parents.

Later, Dad and our younger son took the truck for some preventive maintenance and then grilled some chicken for another delicious meal.

More pool time, then to bed.  Sunday we plan to start our homeward journey.

Friday, April 19, 2013

Joshua Tree

We left Las Vegas yesterday morning heading for Joshua Tree National Park in California.  It is just about due south of Vegas driving on back roads across the Mojave desert.

Joshua Tree is a desert park.  It's in its peak season now as the various species of cactus are flowering.  The Joshua tree is more like a tall branching cactus than a tree.

The park has a desolate sort of beauty.  Sunset and early morning are especially lovely, and the night sky is brilliant with stars.

We had beautiful sunshine and a clear night sky but it was breezy and a little chilly.

After driving through the park, including some unpaved roads, we camped in a desert campground here last night.

Now we are heading for Phoenix which is almost due east of here.  We expect we will finally find the warmer temperatures we have been looking for since leaving Buffalo. (Where, curiously, it was 80 degrees yesterday.)