A False Start

Today I realize that I have to take the motorhome on a solo road trip.  Either that or I will no longer be able to use my diesel burner for heat or hot water.  All of my diesel accessories (heat, water heater, generator) automatically cut off once my fuel supply lowers to 1/4 tank.  At that point the RV goes into fuel survival mode.  The electric alternative for heat and hot water is a pitifully inefficient and chilly substitute.  I have been parked here almost 4 months.  It is time to stretch the old girl’s legs (the RV, not me!) and get a fill up.

Some Neighborly Advice

My parking space in Why. There are so many things wrong with this picture - can you spot a few? Hints: I am in Why and not at the beach. What is the deal with this picnic table? I have a 42' rig in a 36' space

While I entertain my neighbor by clumsily re-attaching my utility hookups after my trip, we discuss the challenges of RV life.  She informs me that she never drives her rig.  Instead she has an arrangement with her husband.  He does all of the driving and she sets the RV up (including hookups) after he gets it parked.  

I could sure use a person like that in my coach!  Plus based on the tips she gives me while laughing hysterically at my ineptitude, she really knows her stuff.  Without her guidance, I may never have gotten my water line to stop dripping.

I beg Linda to leave her husband and ride with me.  Unfortunately in the past two months we have been parked beside each other, she has heard both my banjo and probably my snoring.  I can’t entice her to join me.

In addition to worrying about my friends in frozen, icy, powerless locations (sure hope you all are safe!), I spend the next week prepping my rig for a real road trip.  After several cancelled attempts, fretting with Covaid and waiting for the election frenzy to end, I am finally on the road to Mexico.  I follow Jane and Leyman out of the park on Sunday bound for Why, AZ.  We will stay there overnight so we can get an early start and cross the border before it gets busy on Monday.

Wandering Why

As is typical with RVs, just a few miles into the trip Jane and Leyman realize they have a problem.  For some reason, their rig appears to have no shock absorbers.  Barely able to grip her bouncing phone, a badly shaken Jane relays the bad news to me.  We part ways at a truck stop in Tucson so they can head for a service shop there to boon-dock overnight.  They plan to seek help first thing Monday morning.  I drive on toward Why.  Helen and Jim are parked on the shoulder of the road waiting for me to catch up with them just outside of Tucson.  They pull out in front of me as I join them on the Ajo highway.

This is a Organ Pipe Cactus. It looks like a cross between a Saguaro and an Ocotilla to me.

While we anticipate news of the repair plans, the three of us visit Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.  This park has lots of hiking but we did not some equipped to hike in the desert today.  The two dirt road scenic routes are 21 and 41 miles long and take a couple of hours each.  Hunger overcomes our desire to sight-see so after a stop for pictures at the Visitor Center, we head back to the one restaurant in Why for lunch.  After that, we return to our rigs and bask in the Arizona sunshine to chill out and dream of sandy beaches and delicious seafood meals.  Jim and Helen promise that all of these treats await me across the border once we arrive in Rocky Point.

In Loving Memory

Stormy Weathers

About Sunny Weathers

Pilot, motorcyclist and full time RVer. Follow me as I travel all over the US in my Country Coach RV volunteering, making new friends and pursuing a constant outdoor temperature between 70F and 80F. I'll share the fun and the tribulations and any great survival tricks I learn!

8 Replies to “A False Start”

  1. jim Sandy dukeman says: Reply

    Good to here from you, glad things are going well too. Never been to Mexico, I have a tough enough time with English, be careful down there. :>) Take care., GOD BLESS
    JD/SD
    \Jim & Sandy

    1. Sunny Weathers says: Reply

      Will do

  2. Marcia Legates says: Reply

    Enjoyed your post, and the picture of Stormy….he was such a character! Be safe and godspeed!

    1. Sunny Weathers says: Reply

      Thanks, Marcia!

  3. Barbara Kauffman says: Reply

    Deb, I admire you and am rather happy I’m not in your shoes. I’d rather be investing in real estate. Trekking about with 60′ behind me alone going into a foreign nation with armed cartels not my idea of exciting fun.
    Love you…BLK

    1. Sunny Weathers says: Reply

      So far no drug cartels, but lots of hard working, sweet people, sunshine, great food and amazing beaches.

  4. Barbara Kauffman says: Reply

    I’d rather be fighting politicians.

  5. Marcia Legates says: Reply

    No, you’d rather rain on someone’s parade. Sunny, hope you’re having a great time, and the food must be delish! Any tequila? Love your pictures and posts!
    Marcia

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