23 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 137

Thursday, February 29, 2024 - City of Rocks State Park, Faywood, NM, Day 3 - 0 Miles, 4,192.1 Miles for the trip 

Welcome to the day that only happens ever 4 years!

We did get some rain - large drops for about 5 minutes around 6:00PM last night. The wind also picked up enough to rock the trailer on the gusts every 10 minutes or so. It cooled off fast; at 6:00 it was down to 50°F. The rain came back, light & heavy until a little after midnight. The temperature kept dropping, down to 34°F by 11:30. I was waiting for the pitter patter of the raindrops to turn to snow. My radar app showed snow falling on three sides of us, but none here. Luckily, there was no usual morning drop of temperature. 

It was 38°F when I went for my morning walk, 47°F at 11:30AM, and a high for the day of 53°F. Little sun until late in the day, the batteries at 87% at 11:30, and 94% by 5:00.

Another do nothing day. I spent most of it reading in the trailer. 

Dinner was a Saffron Road Chicken Tikka Masala bowl.

Until Tomorrow -

23 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 136

Wednesday, February 28, 2024 - City of Rocks State Park, Faywood, NM, Day 2 - 0 Miles, 4,192.1 Miles for the trip 

Last night the wind died down to a "gentle" 10 - 15MPH. At least the trailer stopped rocking. My Maxx Fan lift mechanism died due to the pot metal gearbox shattering. This is an often reported problem with the Maxx Fans, and while mine died quite awhile ago, and I have the replacement gearbox, I can't replace it until I can get on the roof. No problems up until the 40 - 50MPH winds of yesterday. The lid was slamming up & down hard enough that I thought it might shatter. So, I removed the screen and bungee corded the lid to the screen latches. I'll leave it like that until I need to run it to cool the trailer. Probably won't happen for a bit - low 60's predicted as highs for the week.

I discovered that the anchor chain for the picnic table isn't attached to anything, so I could have moved it to the correct side for a trailer. Too late now since I can't do it without hooking up & moving the trailer, but good to know for next time.

While I started with 81% batteries, with the mostly clear skies & cool temperatures, by 2:20 the batteries were back to full. 

I made a trip to Silver City (about 31 miles north) to revisit the Silver City Museum, and do some shopping at the Silver City Albertson's. The museum looks much the same as the last time I visited. 

The first three photos in the bottom row are from the copula windows. A climb up three long, narrow flights of stairs; I don't know if it is the 6000' altitude or just age, but quite a climb! The last photo is the gift shop.

I put a couple of photos here, but you will need to go to today's LakeshoreImages page for the rest.

The Silver City Museum

The Silver City Museum

The Silver City Museum

The Silver City Museum

After a quick stop at Albertson's, it was back to the trailer. Much better mileage without the trailer & headwind - 21.4MPG.

Much cooler than yesterday. At 2:45 is is already down to 58°F and the clouds are moving in. It is still windy enough to need a jacket. My weather app says it is raining, but it isn't. I was hoping to get some nighttime star photos since the campground is well isolated from city lights, but unless we get a clear night it isn't going to happen. Even the usual great sunsets haven't happened.

Dinner was a Country Kitchen Chicken Pot Pie. First time - "Delicious Eats by Kardea Brown." Strange cooking instructions - "Place in a room temperature oven, set oven for 350°F, and bake for 40 minutes." It took an additional 10 minutes to reach the required 165°F, and one pie provides 3/4 of the daily sodium limit, but it was edible.

Until Tomorrow -

23 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 135

Tuesday, February 27, 2024 - City of Rocks State Park, Faywood, NM - 31.2 Miles, 4,192.1 Miles for the trip 

Another windy day with 28MPH wind & 53MPH gusts. Most of the drive was into the wind - I averaged 10.3MPG for the trip. For the first time I had problems setting up the trailer - a wind gust caught it at the same time I unhooked from the truck & twisted the trailer enough to change the side to side levels on the Anderson levelers. I had to hook up again, level the trailer, and without a wind gust it worked OK.

I'm in site 1, also called Bootes (the dry sites among the rocks are named after constellations). This is my favorite site - fairly level and deep enough for both the trailer & truck. Good view & close to the bathrooms & visitor center. $13.00 per night ($10.00 per night + a $12.00 reservation fee) for a dry site on gravel with picnic table and grill. The only fault I can find with the site is the picnic table is anchored with a chain to the wrong side of the site for a trailer. Great for vans or class C's that pull in, but wrong for anything that backs in.

Be sure to arrive with empty black & gray tanks. If they have a dump station, I haven't found it. They do have a couple of water fill stations. A warning - the water is very soft. If you shower, expect to spend more time rinsing than washing!

Even with the sun & 62°F it is not a sit around outside day, even with big rocks shielding part of the site. According to my weather app, the wind is going to go down to the 12MPH - 15MPH for the rest of my 4 day stay.

Since I didn't do my morning walk at the Roadrunner RV Park, I turned it into an afternoon walk here. Still wind gusts that are almost strong enough to knock you down. As the volunteer at the visitor center noted, "at least there are no bugs!"

Site 1

More of the Campground Panorama

The Group Area

There is a large (4.1MB) version of the "More of the Campground Panorama" at today's LakeshoreImages page.

Dinner was an El Monterey Chicken Enchiladas Bowl.

Until Tomorrow -

23 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 134

Monday, February 26, 2024 - Roadrunner RV Park, Deming, NM, Day 2 - 0 Miles, 4,160.9 Miles for the trip 

I mailed a singing birthday card to my friend Anne in Binghamton, NY. The post office insisted that it had to go as a package because it was too thick. I'm used to paying a bit extra to mail my talking or singing cards, but $5.55 is more than I expected. I could have overnighted it for $47.50, but passed that up. By the way, there is no overnight to Deming - a couple of years ago I had an overnight package sent to me & it took 3 days.

I discovered that one of my propane tanks was empty (I have them on auto switch over so I have to look under the cover for the red band on the regulator with an auto inspector mirror, so I first tried the place I'm staying in - they had a tank, but no certified operator. Went down the road to Tractor Supply, which almost always has propane, but not in Deming. They sent me to the Little Vineyard RV Park, which happens to be next door to the Roadrunner RV Park where I'm staying. No problem with the fill, although expensive at $3.96 a gallon. 

No sitting outside - while at 74°F, it is warm enough, there is a steady wind of 20MPH with 33 MPH gusts blowing at the back of the trailer. By the way, the trains run closer to the RV park than at the Lordstown KOA, but they are not all that loud, and not that many of them. The road noise from I 10 is barely noticeable. Still, basically a parking lot with hookups.

Site 66, Roadrunner RV Park, Deming, nm

The rest of the day was spent reading Green Mars, the second of three long books about the colonization of Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson. I finished listening to This Side of Brightness by Colum McCann, and started Frederick Forsyth's audio book The Veteran.

Dinner was a Boston Market Sweet & Sour Chicken meal.

Until Tomorrow -

23 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 133

Sunday, February 25, 2024 - Roadrunner RV Park, Deming, NM - 235.1 Miles, 4,160.9 Miles for the trip 

The original plan was to stop for 2 nights at the Lordsburg KOA. I had reservations, and did stop, did 2 loads of laundry, and took a shower. Unfortunately, I have been having a bit of left arm pain and upset stomach (the stomach seems to be a permanent problem) and it was suggested that I make a stop at an emergency room to be sure it wasn't a heart attack. Probably should have called 911, but there isn't a hospital in Lordsburg, and there is one in Deming, 60 miles down the road. So, I packed up and ended up in the Roadrunner RV Park in Deming. I'm in site 66, a pull through with full hookups on gravel. $34.98 per night with tax. 

I headed to the Deming emergency room around 5:00, got hooked up, donated multiple vials of blood, tested, and they determined that I do not have any heart problem. I have to say they had a very together team that had everything they needed to determine if I was having a heart attack in less than 5 minutes after I walked in the door (although they did a chest X-Ray an hour after I got there). Let's hope there is just one exciting day per trip & I've had mine. So, back to the RV park at 8:30. 

Site 21 at Lordsburg KOA

I'll post the site photo for Roadrunner tomorrow - while there is a full moon, it is a bit dark for site photos.

Dinner was a couple of chicken thighs & a salad.

Until Tomorrow -

23 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 132

Saturday, February 24, 2024 - Gilbert Ray County Park, Tucson, AZ, Day 5 - 0 Miles, 3,925.8 Miles for the trip 

Last night I took a photo of the moon rising over the eastern mountains:

Moonrise

Another quiet day; I didn't even drive out of the park. During my morning walk I went through the "B" section & found an Escape 17. As of this morning there are 2 Escape 21's, 2 Escape 19's and an Escape 17 in the park.

In the mid 70's, and a fair amount of overcast. I spent most of the day sitting outside reading. I did put away the grill and took down the sign, hummingbird wind chimes & the hummingbird feeder. I really believe that hummingbirds know who puts up the feeders. When ever I take one down while the hummingbirds are still active they fly to where the feeder was, look around, then fly over to me & get in my face. 

That was all for the day. Dinner was a Benihana Hibachi Chicken Rice bowl.

Until Tomorrow -

23 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 131

Friday, February 23, 2024 - Gilbert Ray County Park, Tucson, AZ, Day 4 - 0 Miles, 3,925.8 Miles for the trip 

Not a lot going on today. I did make a trip to Allstate to get my new NY Proof of Insurance document for the next 6 months of auto insurance. There are a bunch of Allstate insurance locations in Tucson, so the last time I was here I put the nearest in my GPS to make it easier the next time I was here. Went to the GPS location & it is gone. I did find another one 13 miles away (and only 9 miles from Gilbert Ray) & put it in the GPS for next time.

A short stop at a Fry's for some supplies, then back to the trailer. There are signs all along the way telling you traffic tomorrow will be a zoo because of a "Special Event". I'll probably hang out in the park.

Dinner was a Butterball Turkey Burger & a salad.

Until Tomorrow -

23 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 130

Thursday, February 22, 2024 - Gilbert Ray County Park, Tucson, AZ, Day 3 & Desert Museum - 0 Miles, 3,925.8 Miles for the trip 

After breakfast I packed up the camera & headed to the Desert Museum, practically next door to the campground. $27.95 with a $2.00 senior discount. 

I did my morning walk at the Desert Museum; longer than my usual mile. The first stop was the live raptor exhibit. Very crowded. I arrived at the gate for the exhibit at 9:05 and there was already a crowd. The same docent that did the narration in 2022 the last time I was here. 

As usual, they warn you not to stick anything above your heads since the birds fly within inches of you. 

While it was cool during the morning & most of the raptor exhibit, it quickly warmed up to the point where I wish I had worn shorts & a "T" shirt. I had lunch at a Quick Cafe in the museum ($17.00 for an excellent chicken & avocado salad), then went to see the bears & mountain lions (both were hiding) and the Mexican Timber Wolves which were out. After that it was 1:30 & I headed back to the trailer.

The Crowd

Great Horned Owl

Caracaras

Harris's Hawk

Rufous Hummingbird

It is another one of those days where the sun is too strong & the shade (with wind) is too cool. 67°F at 2:30. Inside it is necessary to run the AC to keep the trailer below 82°F and the noise of the AC is annoying. You can't win (at least until I change the AC to a Houghton).

Since my lunch salad was huge, dinner was just some cheese & crackers.

Until Tomorrow -

23 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 129

Wednesday, February 21, 2024 - Gilbert Ray County Park, Tucson, AZ, Day 2 - 0 Miles, 3,925.8 Miles for the trip 

After my walk & breakfast I stopped off at the office to let them know I dented their new electrical box cover. It was below my mirror view & I tapped it with the trailer bumper. Hopefully, all I'll owe them is for a new cover. Most of the electrical boxes have large rocks in front of them; mine had one that my bumper cleared.

After that I headed into Tucson for my new "Z" lenses (a f:2.8 24-70mm & a f:2.8 70-200mm). While the adapter works with my older lenses, it is easier to change them with lenses with the right base. On the way back I stopped at Walgreens for my prescriptions. 

After lunch I sat outside & read. Current book is Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson. While the sun was hot, the wind & the 67°F air temperature kept it cool. I kept moving between the sun & shade for most of the afternoon. I did take a couple of photos with the new 24-70 lens:

Verdin

Costa's Hummingbird

Eventually, I got tired of switching between the sun & shade & headed into the trailer. 

Dinner was a Saffron Road Chicken Tikka Masala bowl.

Until Tomorrow -

23 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 128

Tuesday, February 20, 2024 - Gilbert Ray County Park, Tucson, AZ - 129.4 Miles, 3,925.8 Miles for the trip 

A lazy morning. Since Tucson is a short drive from Apache Junction, and the arrival time at Gilbert Ray is 2:00, I was in no hurry to leave. For my morning walk I checked the distance to the closest bathroom - .4 miles. I spent some of the morning on the phone leaving recorded messages with one of my doctor's office hoping to get a refill at one of the Tucson Walgreens. Is seems you can no longer talk to a real person at any of my doctor's offices; just leave a message. The problem is I'm usually at a location for a short time & you never know if the message makes it through and if you included everything they want. Today it worked. Even though they announce that it will take 72 hours for a prescription to be sent to your pharmacy, I got a message from the Tucson Walgreens that it was ready 4 hours after I left the message. I guess it works!

Most of the drive to Tucson was on 2 lane roads. At Picacho Peak I was routed onto I 10. Heavy truck traffic, but with three lanes all the way to Tucson it wasn't too bad. The entry volunteer was an Escape 19 owner that I have met at Quartzsite & the Niagara Wine Escape rallies. I'm in site 63 which is close to the bathrooms. No showers, and the site is electric only. Back in on gravel with a picnic table (no fires allowed). $36.82 per night including a $9.09 processing fee.

Site 63

After setting up I sat outside in the shade (82°F) and ran the AC in the trailer to cool it down to the mid 70's. 

Since they have an outdoor kitchen sink, I made one of my messy to clean up meals for dinner - Spaghetti & meatballs.

Until Tomorrow -

23 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 127

Monday, February 19, 2024 - Lost Dutchman State Park, Apache Junction, AZ, Day 2 - 0 Miles, 3,796.4 Miles for the trip 

While there is some sky glow from Apache Junction, and a few homes to the northeast with night lights, the Lost Dutchman park is usually a good place to watch the stars. Last night there was enough moonlight to kill most of the stars, but I played with trying to get a balance between the stars, moon & mountain:

The Superstitions Under the Stars

On my morning walk I went up the loop & took the trail to the other bathroom. Indoor showers that don't have broken doors, but even further away. Since the gray tank is empty & I have a water connection, I think I'll shower in the trailer.

I added the 2025 Rally Map to some of the forums. It only has 2 rallies on it so far; the 2024 has more than 40.

After lunch I sat out with the Nikon 850 & the 70-200mm f:2.8 lens to try for some hummingbird photos. I got a few others:

Curved Bill Thrasher

Anna's Hummingbird

A Lizard

Cactus Wren

Eventually I headed in for a shower. As usual, more time wiping down the shower than taking it, but it works.

Dinner was a Butterball Turkey Burger & a salad.

Until Tomorrow -

23 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 126

Sunday, February 18, 2024 - Lost Dutchman State Park, Apache Junction, AZ - 255.2 Miles, 3,796.4 Miles for the trip 

Last night was the final night for me at the rodeo grounds. Lots of the California folks left along with me this morning since there is another atmospheric rivers heading into southern California. They do have a Sunday night show that we will miss. 

I was up a little earlier than usual so I could say good by to Dan & Chris, but hung around until 9:30. Part of I10 was closed due to an accident, so I did some exploring around Phoenix. I only added 5 minutes to the trip to the park, and lost far more time waiting for 1 5th wheel at the dump station. If I had known he was going to take half an hour to dump I would have waited to dump on the way out of the park, but it isn't an easy dump station to back out of. 

I'm in site 100, a pull through with water & electric, paved, picnic table and a grill/fire pit. $36.50 per night including a $3.20 reservation fee (one of the cheapest reservation fees I've ever seen). Lost Dutchman is my favorite Arizona State Park. Almost all the sites have a great view of the Superstition Mountains (check out the view from my site), and the sunsets can be wonderful. There are two other Escapes in this loop, both 19's. I checked the AT&T speeds - 41.8Mbps down & 1.1Mbps up, good enough for me.

Site 100

A very long walk to the bathrooms; the closest one is the same one that I used on the trip out. The individual showers still have sprung doors so only one regular & the handicapped close.

I met a couple with another Escape 19 that were out for a walk & while we hadn't previously met, we knew each other through the forums. They are on the other side of the park and will move over to this loop on Tuesday. I just watched another Escape drive by as I was typing.

After setting up I started today's post, and by now it is time for dinner which will be an Amy's Tortilla Casserole & Black Bean bowl. By the way, it is still 74°F at 6:00. I ran the AC for a bit after I set up.

A couple of sunset photos. Not as much color as sometimes, but it sure changes fast:

4:00

5:54

6:02

Until Tomorrow -

23 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 125

Saturday, February 17, 2024 - SARA Rodeo Grounds, Lake Havasu City, AZ, Day 6 - 0 Miles, 3,541.2 Miles for the trip 

Last night was another warm night, although not quite as warm as last night - 60°F at 9:30. 

After my morning walk and breakfast I read forums & journals. Switched to Verizon since AT&T has slowed to almost unusable. Verizon is fine. After that I started packing up the trailer stuff that didn't need to be out until morning. Actually, that was just about everything. We bought tickets for the BBQ thrown by the park which will be dinner, so the outside table & grill are back in the truck, as is the large outdoor rug & extra chairs. I took down the "Hello" sign with the hanging lighted hummingbird wind chimes, but left up the actual hummingbird feeder since at least one is still using it. That will come down this evening. The feeder will ride in the sink since it is 3/4 full and will go out again at Lost Dutchman.

After lunch I sat out and read. Can't get into Eliot Pattison's Bone Rattler, but I'll try to finish it. No rush since it isn't a library loan.

At 4:00 we headed down to the barbecue. A choice of chicken or tri tip plus the fixings. Not worth the $20.00, but OK.

Us

So, dinner was the barbecue.

Back at the trailer is was a little more reading until the fireworks. Another warm night - at 9:40 it was still 63°F. As usual, I took many hundreds of photos, threw away at least half and only posted 24.  A few here, more at today's LakeshoreImages page.

Until Tomorrow -

23 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 124

Friday, February 16, 2024 - SARA Rodeo Grounds, Lake Havasu City, AZ, Day 5 - 0 Miles, 3,541.2 Miles for the trip 

A warm evening & night. We didn't even light a fire while watching the fireworks; probably the warmest fireworks night I can remember at 65°F when I quit for the night.

We went to the College Street Brewhouse for lunch. One of the best pastrami sandwiches I've had, although I'm not sure jalapeno peppers belong on one.

Bought a 1/2 price valentine box of candy for the afternoon snacks - we are all too stuffed from lunch to do much of a dinner. Of course there were enough snacks to make a full meal, but they don't count if you are snacking.

While snacking the fireworks started. This is the only place I've watched fireworks while it is still daylight. They got better as it got darker, and they did a great show around 8:00. Before & after there were lots of individual shots. I included far too many, but you don't have to look at them all.  Many more at today's LakeshoreImages page.

Until Tomorrow -

23 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 123

Thursday, February 15, 2024 - SARA Rodeo Grounds, Lake Havasu City, AZ, Day 4 - 0 Miles, 3,541.2 Miles for the trip 

A fairly warm night; the lowest my outdoor thermometer showed was 53°F. I changed the sheets, than did my morning back exercises. 

I didn't do my usual walk this morning because we decided to go to breakfast at Sam's Place. A decent breakfast. I asked for crisp bacon with my eggs, hash browns & sourdough toast, and when it arrived the bacon was anything but. About 3 minutes later the waitress arrived with a plate of 5 pieces of crisp bacon & apologized for the mistake. I didn't even have to ask.

After breakfast it was off to the Modern Laundromat. It was modern. No top loading washers, but 2, 3, 4, 6 basket load front loaders and three sizes of dryers. Some of the machines can use a credit card instead of a pile of quarters. Since I was washing my flannel sheets & they take up a whole top loader machine I used one 3 basket machine at $5.00 ($.50 extra for a second rinse) for the heaping laundry basket, and $1.50 each for 45 minutes of drying in 2 of the smallest driers. After that I stopped at Walmart for a few things. Walmart is 12 miles from the SARA Rodeo Grounds - Lake Havasu is spread out and Walmart is on the opposite side of town.

Back at the trailer I put the laundry away then sat outside & finished reading Dirty Thirty. I started Eliot Pattison's Bone Rattler, a new author for me.

My neighbor on the opposite side from Dan & Chris never ran his on board generator, which was good because they are usually very loud and the exhaust was aimed directly at my door. Unfortunately, today they brought out a Honda 1000 watt generator and ran it all day. Fairly quiet, but still I prefer solar.

Dinner was leftovers from the pot luck. I warmed up the tamales in my oven & the spanish rice in the microwave. 

After dinner we gathered in the space behind the trailers and watched the fireworks demos. Again, these are not shows, just demonstrations of different fireworks, so most of these are individual bursts.

Some samples.  Many more at today's LakeshoreImages page.

Until Tomorrow -

23 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 122

Wednesday, February 14, 2024 - SARA Rodeo Grounds, Lake Havasu City, AZ, Day 3 - 0 Miles, 3,541.2 Miles for the trip 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Another warm day that started out cool. It was 45°F during my morning walk but felt much warmer due to the sun. I did a loop around the park, then came back to the trailer for breakfast. Did my usual forum & journal reading, then sat outside in the sun in my shaded chair for a bit.

Around noon I moved the trailer 5' forward. That gives us a bit more room at the wall for watching the fireworks. Tried to use my rake to dump some of the dried horse droppings over the wall, but the wind was in the wrong direction - I'd be wearing more than I could toss.

More reading after lunch - finished The Last Emperox, and started Janet Evanovich's Dirty Thirty. I got a call from my daughter Karin wishing me a happy valentine's day. Around 4:30 I mad a trip to Paula's Oliver with the pie, a chair & table for the pot luck.

The pot luck was great, although not one of my best pies. The Bashe's crust wasn't anywhere as good as homemade or Pillsbury.

Not the most exciting night for fireworks, but all that was scheduled was demos and there weren't all that many of them. 

Dinner was the pot luck.

Until Tomorrow -

23 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 121

Tuesday, February 13, 2024 - SARA Rodeo Grounds, Lake Havasu City, AZ, Day 2 - 0 Miles, 3,541.2 Miles for the trip 

A quiet night, at least after the generators shut down. This morning I walked around the park - at least half the spaces are still empty, although lots of folks are arriving throughout the day. One arrival believed she was in my spot. They checked the window tag, shrugged, and moved further down the line. Hope they didn't take someone else's spot.

I did some reading, and finished listening to Michael Gear & Kathleen O'Neal Gear's Coming of the Storm. I started Michael Gear's Implacable Alpha. While my Speed Test app shows that AT&T is 3 times faster than Verizon, Verizon downloads audio books much faster than AT&T. Who knows why. In any case, the audio book made it to my phone and will keep me busy for 17 listening hours.

After lunch I headed to Bashes' for the workings for a blueberry pie. They only had the store brand crust - I prefer Pillsbury. I baked the pie in the trailer oven with the fan running and the windows open. It still warmed the trailer to 82°F with an outside temperature of 64°F. Of course the cloudless sky also contributed to the trailer heating.

Eventually it got warm enough that sitting outside in a "T" shirt & shorts was comfortable. Not much else for the day.

Dinner was a El Monterey Chicken Enchilada dinner and chocolate pudding for dessert.

Until Tomorrow -

23 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 120

Monday, February 12, 2024 - SARA Rodeo Grounds, Lake Havasu City, AZ - 37.8 Miles, 3,541.2 Miles for the trip 

I don't know if it was the change of altitude, moving 50 miles north, or just the weather, but it was warmer last night & this morning than in Quartzsite. Warm enough that there were folks playing on the river:

A Jet Ski on the Colorado River

I had a lazy morning since I can't get into the Rodeo grounds until noon and it is only 40 miles away. 

I arrived around 12:30, registered, and was guided to site A19. A great site since it is against the wall looking over the field where the fireworks take place. Dan & Chris are next to me in their Bigfoot, but the rest of the Fiberglass group is scattered around the parking lot. I knew we all would not be able to get in the "A"row, but we were suppose to be together. Not even close. My site, like all of them, is a 20' X 40' piece of a parking lot - Dry camping for the week. I'm here until Sunday, even though the reservation is good through Monday.

Site A19

Cost is $250 for the week; $41.67 per night leaving on Sunday but if I stayed the full week it goes down to $35.71. Not inexpensive for dry camping, but the fireworks is the real draw, not the "campground". Needed 3" side to side & 2" lowering of the tongue to level. After setting up I headed to Walgreens for some prescriptions, and Safeway for some food.

While I posted this with AT&T and have been using it to read today's forums, blogs & journals, it isn't all that fast. Took almost 4 minutes to post the 4 images. I suspect it will get worse as the park fills.

I spend part of the afternoon sitting outside reading; finished John Scalzi's The Consuming Fire, and started book 3, The Last Emperox. A well written SiFi series. I took a break from reading and wandered over to Paula's Oliver for a chat, then came back to the trailer & texted back & forth with Anne planning our trip to the Algonac Rally, which is at Lakeport State Park this year because the Algonac park is closed for a rehab. She is going to make the reservations since I'm still on the road & not sure I'll have a decent internet connection on the date 6 months before the rally.

Dinner was a Butterball Turkey Burger & a salad.

Until Tomorrow -

23 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 119

Sunday, February 11, 2024 -Buckskin Mountain State Park - 51.1 Miles, 3,504.4 Miles for the trip 

The sun is shining & the wind is gone. Of course, I'm leaving. I ran out of propane in one tank & got it filled before I left. I headed to Buckskin around 12:30 and even though I made a stop at the Parker Safeway, and arrived before 2:00, no problem getting into my site. Site 62 is a back in double wide site level side to side and slightly high front to back - I didn't unhook. The site is full hook up on asphalt with a picnic table & fire pit/grill. With tax, $41.20. A nice view of the Colorado River from the site.

Site 62

While the nearest bathroom is a short walk, the water heater is broken. The next one isn't all that far beyond the near one; less of a walk than at La Paz. The showers are the same in each building - As to the shower rating, large shower with separate drying area that is at right angles to the shower and stays mostly dry, a bench & 2 hooks, small soap dish in shower. A standard shower head, off or on handle with, at best lukewarm water. Since the building has no heat and is cold from last night, one does a quick shower & even quicker drying. Overall a C at best that would be a B if the water was warmer.

The View From My Trailer

The day warmed up - my under trailer thermometer says 70°F at 4:00, and with the sun it feels like it. Still cool in the shade. I sat outside after my shower and read for a bit - current book is John Scalzi's The Consuming Fire, book 2 in the Interdependency series.  A couple more photos at today's LakeshoreImages page.

Dinner was a Boston Market Sweet & Sour Chicken Bowl.

Until Tomorrow - 

23 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 118

Saturday, February 10, 2024 - Dome Rock, Quartzsite, AZ, Day 10 - 0 Miles, 3,452.3 Miles for the trip 

My weather app lied. It showed a sunny, cloud free day today (at least it did yesterday). Rain around 5:30AM, drizzle at 8:30, and heavy clouds. Checked the app & it now shows a 65% chance of rain today. In any case, I put off my morning walk & will wait until it clears.

A count of trailers (not mine) was made late yesterday:

Bean 1
Bigfoot 2
Boler 1
Casita 49
Escape 34
Oliver 2
Scamp 8
Lil Snoozy 1

Total 98

As of 10:45 the sun is still hiding behind clouds, but there are sections of blue sky. Still cool at 47°F. Oh, and the wind is back. 53°F at 12:30. Just to see why there are complaints, this is 17°F below the average temperature for the day. Yesterday it was warmer in my home town in upstate NY than here, although today they are 15°F cooler than Quartzsite. Strange weather. 

Since the arrival time for Buckskin Mountain State Park is 2:00, I'm going to wait until tomorrow to finish putting the outdoor stuff away, folding down the solar panels, and packing the trailer & truck. Glad I took the Clam down yesterday - 20+ MPH winds today.

I walked around the campground at 2:00. Lots have left, and most of those still here are hiding out from the cool temperatures & wind in their trailers, but a few brave souls were out:

Getting Empty

Our Lone Boler

Another walk around the campground at 5:00:

Around the Campground

Around the Campground

Around the Campground

Since I had a sub for lunch, dinner was just cheese & crackers.

Until Tomorrow -