Day 212, Monday, March 4, 2019 - Sunny Flat Campground, Coronado National Forest, AZ, Day 2

Along Paradise Road

Monday, March 4, 2019 - Sunny Flat Campground, Coronado National Forest, AZ, Day 2 - 0 Miles, 8,713.3 Miles for the Trip

A cold night, going down to 35°F by morning. I was down 24 amp hours by late morning, and with all the shade on the campsite, don't expect to make much of it up. I planned to use the stove to heat water for coffee, but since all I had was whole beans, needed to fire up the inverter to run the coffee grinder. No luck. The inverter was dead. I made breakfast, then dug in to find out what was wrong. Seems the 200 amp fuse did the same thing it did last time - broke mechanically, not because of over current. I think I know why it is happening. The output side of the fuse is connected with a 3/4" Stainless 5/16" bolt. I think it is hitting the battery cover on rough roads. The "dips" on the road out of Gilbert Ray might have floated the batteries a bit, bending the fuse. I replaced it, and ground my coffee. I'll look for a shorter bolt at the next hardware store.

After breakfast I took another walk around the campground. 3 empty sites, one that would give me more sun, but I'm too lazy to pack up & move.

There is a sign at the bathroom that says there is Verizon cell coverage at the ranger station & the town of Portal. I packed up the computer & headed out. No luck at the ranger station; their system was down. I did pick up a map of the forest service roads in the area. I drove to Portal, and while they had a good strong Verizon connection, no data. So, the pages will have to wait to be posted. I did try to call Ann e and wish her a happy birthday, but could only leave a message.

After that I drove to Onion Saddle, taking a few photos along the way. When I got back I drove to the "ghost town" of Paradise. While it is listed as a ghost town, it isn't. Some old houses, but many newer ones. They even have mail delivery along a 29 mile dirt road, although they are only about 6 miles from the post office at Portal. I also took some photos along the way.

Back at the trailer I did some reading, then made dinner.

Dinner was a Boston Market Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo dinner cooked in the oven.

Until Tomorrow -