I survived my first trip into Mexico!

Los Algodones, Mexico was the destination and new prescription glasses were the game. (Gee, that sounds SO much more dramatic that it actually was....LOL!) Of course the first stop was the Post Office to see if my mail had arrived and if my birth certificate was in it. It had and it was....we were Mexico bound.

It was a true hop, skip and a jump...in fact the entire trip from our boondocking site to Algodones via the Post Office was under 30 miles. We parked the car, $5/day, and headed into town.

Once we crossed we could already see a LOOOOOOONG line of folks waiting to cross back to the U.S. even though it was only 3 pm.



We headed pretty straightaway to the optical shop that Doug had used before, Algodones Optical, since we weren't sure how late they stayed open. After trying on several frames from a wide selection and price range, I settled on two I liked. One for regular glasses and one for sunglasses....IF the price was right. I wear progressive lenses so in the US it's not uncommon for them to run me over $400, even with cheaper frames. Well, the price was right...I walked out with my eye exam and two pairs of glasses (on order, will get them Friday when we return for dinner with a group of RVers) for.....$155!

Doug wanted to get his shoes shined so once we found someone to do that, I wandered a bit just taking it all in. Much of the stuff being sold was either not to my taste (already have enough leather everything) or too big/bulky for my little RV. I did find what looked to be one interesting vendor who was engraving stuff on small leather pieces (like key fobs, etc) but since he was already packing up for the night, I didn't bother him. I hope he'll be there on Friday.

There is a ton of inexpensive jewelry, some handmade, some from China I suspect (as I suspect for many items being sold). Lots of t-shirts, clothes for youngsters, knick-knacks, hats (may have to try some of those out ), pottery (although much of it is probably the cheaper resin), rugs, and more. As I wandered in & out around the shops I found a nice central eating spot with music.



Once Doug was done we continued perusing things, checking out the prices in the liquor stores (some great buys there but each person can only bring back one bottle) as well as the pharmacy prices. I may get some of my meds refilled on Friday...one I can get cheaper at the Wal-Mart $4 price but another is much cheaper there.

Since it was now getting close to 5 pm, we noticed most shop owners were closing up. Most of them pack everything into totes, only to have to take it all out the next day. It was an exhausting procedure to watch. What didn't get packed away was carefully covered and tied down. While wandering the deliveries were starting...time to restock the liquor stores and pharmacies. Talk about tight parking! Check this out....and there were vehicles on both sides of them parked just as close! Eeeek!



We stopped for dinner at El Rancherito, checked out the line (still long) and then headed to another restaurant where we could sit, listen to music and watch the antics of the non-locals, who were obviously having fun. The live music was geared to Baby Boomers and several were dancing and singing along. Vendors strolled amongst the tables, hawking their wares - the best selling item seemed to be the "hair hats" that I first saw in Quartzsite. I did notice that the best sales were being had at tables where the liquor seemed to be flowing pretty freely.





I had ordered a Diet Coke and Doug got a Martguerita which came in a rather large glass. I got a kick out of my Coke being "Coke light" and all the writing in Spanish.



Eventually some of the vendors' children came out...some of the older ones were selling wallets & other small items but my favorite was this little boy who came out with his pet snake and startled several folks...until they realized it was a puppet!



Around 7 pm we headed back out, the line was empty except for some of the folks from the same restaurant...although they had obviously been there MUCH longer than us. My birth certificate was barely glanced at and my purchases smiled at. All in all, a nice day. I'll report this weekend on how well my new glasses work out!

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

Reporting in from California!

Been a while....

Someone sent me an email telling me that they always knew when I was having fun because I wasn't blogging. Well in this case it's only somewhat true. We left Tucson around 9:30 on Saturday the 23rd. Had a breathtaking sunset to appreciate on my last night there and nice driving weather for the trip to Yuma area.

The trip was fairly eventful until 5 miles out from a planned stop at Dateland, AZ for a "Date Shake" (I opted for hot apple pie ala mode). My new Pressure Pro system started to alert me to high pressure on my inside right dual. It was running at 93, all the other tires were 83-87. After a 30 minute stop it was still over 90 so we let a little air out and it closely matched the other tires. I don't know what could have happened and think I would like to keep it that way. Thank you Pressure Pro!

Here are a few photos as we approached the east side of Yuma. You'll notice a few wild flowers on the sides of the road from time to time.



We arrived at Ogilby Rd, BLM area just west of Winterhaven, CA and in the Algodones Imperial Sand Dunes area, and got set up. I arrived with a sinus headache and took it pretty easy the rest of the day. I went to bed early and was up in time to snap a couple of sunrise photos (you KNOW how rare that is....LOL!)



The headache was a bit better...until the afternoon when I started losing my voice as I do when exposed to smoke and certain fragrances. At the social hour I got a bit lightheaded and went back to rest...before I knew it, it was Monday morning.

The plans for Monday were to head to the Winterhaven Post Office and pickup my mail, if it had arrived. Then we could use my certified birth certificate and cross the border for my first trip into Mexico, visiting the border town of Los Algondones.

We found the Post Office but unfortunately my mail wasn't in yet. It might arrive that afternoon but we decided to just come back Tuesday afternoon and then head into Mexico for a few hours. On the way out of town we saw some migrant workers picking, cleaning & packing up some lettuce. Quite an interesting and well organized operation.



Last night's sunset was beautiful and I didn't even realize how well the flag stood out until I took a look at them today. Enjoy!




Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

Where did the week go?

Once again, time flies...whether you're having fun or not. I have accomplished several things this week...besides running around with Doug on his errands. I did get my passport application finally submitted. Phew....what a hassle but a requirement for the future. I also emailed and got a couple more certified birth certificates. Since the passport will take 4-6 weeks AND will have to be sent to me by my mail forwarding service, this will allow me to still visit Mexico when the chance arises (hoping to get some discount eyeglasses).

The weather has been pretty nice for the most part, one night of rain and maybe 2 cloudy days...not including today when it's been a little cooler and spitting rain off & on. I managed to get everything done to the rig in preparation for moving, getting fresh water & dumping is all that's left to do.

Some may remember that my bike wouldn't start while in Casa Grande at the Gypsy Journal Rally. I had tried charging the battery but nothing changed and I had planned on getting one while here. Well we unloaded the bike and after a short false start...it started. Hmmmmmm...... Now wondering if maybe I might have some bad gas? It seems to not be running at 100% and is harder to start, but start it does.

The other thing is maybe some transmission issues. The guys couldn't get it into gear when they loaded it in Casa Grande. Today Doug took it around the block and it clunked majorly when he put it into gear, then he had a very hard time getting it into neutral. I called the Parker BMW dealer and my warranty is good until April 2009 so that may be my next stop. Always something....

Anyway, we're headed to Winterhaven, CA to meet up with the Boondockers BOF again. That's just outside Yuma and when my birth certificate arrives, we'll be taking a trip to Algodones.

Not many photos taken but here are a couple of the ground squirrels and some bird who liked to sit on top of my satellite dome and chirp.

And here are some nice sunset photos taken a few nights ago...before the full moon and eclipse that I MISSED! Grrrrr.....LOL!




Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

Flash - Crass - Brash - Class

Huh? What the heck is she talking about? Motorcycles... sometimes they reflect our egos, sometimes our alter-egos. Some are flashy, some are brash while other border on the truly crass. Classic lines, new and naked, some chrome bling here, a technical or performance farkle there. Even if we leave them stock, that in itself reflects on how we feel about riding and our bikes.

I mentioned that I had gotten some pinstriping added to my BMW. As you may, or may not know, adding custom paint to a BMW is considered akin to putting plastic rhinestones on a classic blazer (okay, bad analogy but it's all that came to mind...LOL!). BMW riders are into farkles that improve performance or otherwise enhance the riding experience. It's not done to add "dash" or a personal look to the bike.

If you're not into motorcycles and haven't attended any shows, rallies or other events in recent years, here are some photos I have taken over the last six years. I think you can easily see the ones that evoke the image of class, brash, crass and flash.

So when I decided I wanted something custom on my new BMW, Squirt, I knew that it would have to be done with a light hand. No funny frogs, no flames, something understated. I had pre-arranged with an artist friend that we would barter some custom work in exchange for my putting up a website for him. We discussed the color, settling on a slightly darker blue-grey than the stock paint on the bike. He spent some time looking over the lines of the bike and trying to decide how to make it all flow.

When the day arrived, we pulled the saddlebags off since he wanted the pinstriping to flow down the side of the bike. I left the artistic side to him, knowing he understood my desire to keep things on the simple side.



The end result was PERFECT! The color changes with the light and it flows with the lines of the bike.



I will eventually get "The Lily Pad" pinstriped on the doors of the motorhome and possible some light matching pinstriping along the front edge of the hood. Michael, aka Wolf, also is starting to do small, custom-sized acrylic paintings on canvas to fit in those little spots between the overhead cabinet doors. Not sure what I will get as yet but I know it will be amazing. Just check out some of his work on his website, daWolfdidit.

On another note, I managed to snag a few sunrise photos, not overly spectacular - even the birds were sill napping. Shortly after sunrise I got to hear "Reveille" played over the base loudspeakers. Not having been in the military, for me it evoked images from Girl Scout Camp (as does "Taps").



I hope to get some photos of the ever present round-tailed ground squirrels around the campsite as well as the almost daily visiting Gila Woodpecker. Today he thought my awning arm needed to be de-bugged. LOL! Couldn't grab my camera quick enough to get a shot. Earlier in the day there was a beautiful hawk sitting on the trailer beside the RV across the field from me...too far for a good shot though.

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

The sun is back!

I made it out of the fairgrounds around 10 am yesterday....it was still somewhat overcast and gray but at least it wasn't raining. HUGE thanks to Nick Russell, Terry Simpson and my gentlemen neighbors on both sides (sorry that I don't remember your names). I had pulled the rig forward so the trailer ramp had enough dry space to load the bike. Then I unloaded the trailer putting everything about 10 feet away on a dry patch of dirt and the guys loaded up the bike.

Picture my little trailer with three guys inside, plus my bike. LOL! Wish I had caught a photo. Unfortunately the transmission was fighting going into gear so I got out one of my small chocks to put behind the rear wheel. I did the tie-downs (YAY!! Okay, did ask for help on one strap since my angle was wrong and I was trying to be expedient...)

Then they all pitched in to help load all the stuff back into the trailer. There was much more than normal since I had a crate and tall wastebasket filled with yard sale stuff that hadn't sold as well as two small folding tables that had gotten tossed in during the bad weather.

I wasn't real clear about where the correct road was to get out of the fairground so I proceeded very carefully. Nick had told me about the motorhome that was being pulled out of the mud since he tried to plow through a large puddle. I ended up taking a roundabout path and believe it or not, almost got stuck myself. I could feel my wheels slipping so I held the steering wheel straight, didn't brake or give it gas and talked very encouragingly to the Lilypad....and we made it. Phew!

The route to Tucson was easy...east on 287, south on 87 to south on I-10. A breeze! At the interchange for 287 to 87, there was no traffic and I decided to pull over to rescue my stick-on thermometer (I've already lost one that way). Good thing I did...remember when I pulled out the chock for the bike? Since I was hurrying (not a good thing as you all know), I hadn't closed or locked the bin. Normally if it's closed (latch turned), then it's secure enough to travel. Well I hadn't done either...sigh...

Back on the road, the sun started shining and the rest of the trip was uneventful. I could see the snow on the mountains around Tucson but knew it wouldn't last too long as the day quickly warmed up. I met up with Doug, who was driving in from Ajo, at the Tucson Truck Terminal. We had lunch and then I proceeded to follow him to the Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson.

We breezed through the visitor center registration, well I do think the clerk was a little overwhelmed with my three registrations & insurance cards...LOL!) and then hit the FAMCAMP registration. We planned on being in the boondocking area where we would have more room so a quick stop for a dump & fresh water and we quickly found our spots & settled in. We do have a nice view of the mountains...if you ignore all the utility poles.



We'll be here at least a week while Doug gets his truck, trailer and motorcycle all serviced as well as attending to doctor appointments and getting his taxes done. I will be working on the Escapee SOLOs BOF newsletter, which is way overdue, and getting my passport application started. So don't expect many blogs this week...LOL! From here we will head to Yuma for more desert boondocking.

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

I'm cold, I'm wet.....

...but at least I'm not hungry! LOL! The weather turned last night...no snow here but it started raining lightly after 10 pm and pretty steadily after 1 am. I woke several times during the night hoping it wouldn't flood too badly....at times it was raining really hard.

Glad I have the flexibility of staying an extra day...walking in this mud is like walking in fresh snot (sorry for the graphic images that might bring to mind). And we have to push my motorcycle around and into my trailer AND I have to pull everything (4 rolling duffles/suitcases & assorted other storage items) outside and set them in the mud. Hoping it will dry out a little today but not sure that's going to happen. It was 48 at 8 am when I got up, now at almost 2 pm it's all the way up to 52...wow, a heat wave. I did see the sun...once...for about 6 seconds.

The rain still hasn't completely stopped but at least it's just spitting now. I'm hoping that the dry spot left where the motorhome next door pulled out will stay dry enough for me to use as a staging area for the bags. Of course as I type this, it's started to rain harder. Sigh...

Here are some before & after shots to give you a flavor of what I woke up to....the muddy ones were taken out my living room window and from my front door. I didn't want to venture out any further than necessary....LOL!

And here is a shot of my neighbor Mike and his first-class rain boots, errrr, bags... I saw several folks wearing the fashion statements....what the heck, it works! I just wore my oldest pair of nasty slip-on sneakers and tried to leave the mud on the bottom incoming step.



Now take a peek at the final shot I took earlier....isn't that a perfect backdrop for day dreaming on a cloudy day...



And another with Nick, the rally founder and editor of the Gypsy Journal along with his wonderful wife Terry, enjoying a few minutes on his motorcycle while chatting with Carey (Escapees Class of 2007 & fellow Boondocker & SOLO).



Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

It's over?

I can't believe how quickly the last five days have passed. I arrived here in Casa Grande on Sunday and I'm scheduled to leave tomorrow (although the weather may delay me one day, time will tell).

These have been five awesome days full of education, information, socialization, smiles, hugs, all liberally mixed with lots of laughter. It will be very hard to leave but I know I will see many of these folks on the road as I travel.

I can't begin to remember everyone I met...I'm terrible with names...but here are a few (thank goodness we exchanged cards!)...please, no one feel left out if you're not mentioned...just too many good folks!

I mentioned the couple that stopped me the other day to re-introduce themselves. We had met at a 2006 RV Life on Wheels conference in Bowling Green - Doug & JoAnn (and their standard poodle, Fillmore). We both planned on full-timing as soon as possible. Well, we both ended up delaying a year - me due to the house not selling and them due to health issues. They asked about joining the Class of 2007 so now they're "classmates".

Another couple I enjoyed meeting was John & Judy. They stopped by to admire my BMW with John taking photos of the pinstriping. We chatted several times about riding. John was interested in getting a BMW similar to mine and possibly one for his wife as well. Wonderful folks and I look forward to hearing from them in the future and getting updates on what they decide.

Mike, who is parked across from me, has been a wonderful neighbor. He helped me get the bike unloaded on Sunday. His wife is active duty (thank you Cindy!) and he is retired, traveling part-time. I've invited him to join in a Boondocker Rendezvous so I hope to see him down the road.

Yesterday I finally met Lynne who has a neat blog. She's an extremely talented and interesting lady, a free spirit in the best tradition. I'd love to be more like her when I grow up but admit I know my limitations - creativity is NOT my forte. LOL!

Today I met Jim & Betty who were here as vendors. Jim stopped by to talk to Ron, who I was sitting with as I got coffee. He mentioned that his wife wanted to meet me and I told him I would stop by later. I passed by several times but they were out, probably enjoying the wonderful seminars. I managed to catch up with them by late afternoon. We discovered several folks that we both knew. They are charter members of the Boomers, there from the beginning. (Note, the Boomers & the Boondockers as well as the Class of 2007 and SOLOs are are sub-groups of the Escapees - if anyone is NOT an Escapee and is thinking about joining, drop me a note.) Just goes to prove what a small world it is...

There were so many more....and more instances of small world coincidences. Turns out my friends Brenda & Roger, who arrived late but in time to enjoy most things, have camped with several of the Boondockers I have recently met. I've met folks from a small town in NH, just around the corner from where I lived during high school. I've read blogs while here only to discover that the bloggers were here as vendors. Connections....6 degrees of association at its best. I plan to make this rally an annual event...and I highly recommend it to everyone. Nick & Terry are VERY special folks and I'm proud to be able to call them friends!

No photos today....rain, sleet, snow in the forecast....in fact it's raining as I write this. I hope the fairground doesn't become too much of a muddy mess but I suspect that may happen...may hang around until Saturday...gee, it's almost as hard to close this blog (and thus my notes on the rally) as it is to leave!

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

More from the Gypsy Journal Rally

Time definitely flies when you're having fun. I have met so many wonderful folks here at the rally...some I've met before and we've renewed our friendship and gotten each other caught up to date. Others I've exchanged emails with but this was our first meeting. Another group are the new friends...the ones who have read my blog but never contacted me, the ones I sat next to and chatted with only to discover how much we have in common. I've even met folks from two years ago, folks who have followed my blog and to my surprise, folks who were on my "Want To Meet" list, not realizing that we had actually already met (did that make any sense? LOL!)

One of the most recent visitors were Dan & Teri Gregg. They are in the process of gutting & refitting a 1970's vintage GMC Motorhome. I have been avidly following their blog and and was excited about meeting them. Believe it or not, they drove 200 miles to visit one day and then 200 back home. Wow! Great folks...

I've attended several classes and have a couple more tomorrow. I've had a yard sale and sold several things. I've gotten my name airbrushed on my folding chairs. My motorcycle now sports some spiffy new pinstriping. My stomach is full from pizza night and it hurts from laughing so hard at tonight's Miss Cactus Beauty Queen Contest (you've never seen "queens" like these guys...errr, gals - hopefully someone else will have some decent photos, none of mine turned out). E C H O.... The vendor layout is good (and believe me, I've checked them out several times) and the variety perfect.




Yes, I did make one more major purchase. Tires have been a problem for me, tire pressure that is, so I opted to get the Pressure Pro system from the vendors here - Mike & Pat McFall. Mike came over and helped me install the system. It consists of a monitor panel with a wireless antenna that runs off a 12 volt cigarette lighter outlet and a special valve stem cap that transmits the tire pressure back to the receiver. If the tire pressure gets too low, an alarm will sound and the panel will show which tire is at fault.



Imagine our surprise when the FIRST TIRE we tried, front driver side, was at 28 pounds. It had been at 70-75 the previous morning when I checked it before leaving Ajo for Casa Grande. We double-checked it with Mike's tire gauge....yup, 28 pounds. So after getting all the transmitters mounted, I dug out my handy dandy air compressor and brought the tire up to 55 pounds....this has held since Monday morning so tomorrow I'll bring it up where it should be. Strange....but one good thing came out of it. Seems like my tire gauge is reading about 5 pounds too low....good to know!

The highlight of my day was after the pizza party when a lady came up to me and told me she had something for me. Then she told me it was from Judie Ashford and she proceeded to give me a huge hug. She had only met Judie a month or two ago. I have never met Judie but we have emailed for over 10 years. Back when my husband and I were first starting in RVing, she was my first mentor. The hug brought tears to my eyes...the friendships we make as RVers are often some of the strongest, even though we never know when our paths will cross again.

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

Casa Grande, AZ & the Gypsy Journal Rally

Yesterday morning I left the Ajo Heights RV Park and headed to Casa Grande for the 2nd Western Gypsy Journal Rally. The drive was uneventful and peaceful taking about an hour and a half on a gorgeous sunny day. The Pinal County Fairgrounds were easy to find and I pulled in to the frantic motions of the parking crew (all volunteers who did a wonderful job). I told them I needed a pull-through spot and of course was told that they didn't have any. Laughing I mentioned that I had already discussed that with Nick - it's his rally. They told me he was already on his way over to park the couple of vendors who had pulled in, they asked me to pull to the side and wait.

Well the vendor I pulled beside was none other than Chris & Jim, Geeks on Tour. We had been following each others blogs for a while and had to exchange our hugs for our first meeting. If I were younger and my skills a bit more up to date, I would probably be doing some of what they do...their classes go over VERY well at events.

Nick showed up and asked me to wait while he parked the vendors and checked out where to get me settled. After a couple of false starts he turned me over to Terry Simpson and I pulled through into a parking spot. Then Terry and another gentleman, whose name I have forgotten, helped me unload all the "stuff" in my trailer so I could unload the bike and then close up the trailer so someone could back into the spot behind me.

I started undoing the tie-downs and although it took a little strength, I managed to get three undone before the first stupid of the day....had to have at least one. LOL! I started with the right rear, moved to the left rear and without thinking moved forward to the left front. MISTAKE!!!! As soon as it released the bike tilted to the right....I shouted, "Oh CRAP!" but Terry was already in the doorway and grabbed the bike. To those who don't know, I should have done the right front next so that the bike would lean to the left and rest on the kick stand. You can bet I won't make that mistake again. I have a large bruise on my right shin where the foot peg caught me as it tipped. OUCH! Fortunately that was the only damage to the bike or me... My new neighbor across the way stopped over and he rolled the bike up beside the motorhome and we chatted a bit. He has a Gold Wing as well as smaller bikes. His wife is still active duty but he is retired and part-timing as he feels like it.

I spent most of the afternoon just walking around, checking out the vendors before it got crowded. Some I already knew like Smokey Joe & Pam who sell dry wash products as well as the RVers Notebook software. I snapped a shot of Smokey....Pam wasn't there just then.



Another vendor that I had met before (in 1999 at my first Escapade as well as at the 2007 one - both in Goshen, IN) was Too Crazy Ladies. They make custom badges, pins, buttons, signs, decals and lots more for many different events, not just RVing related ones. I picked up my Class of 2007 and Boondocker hang tags to add to my name badges. It was nice to actually have time to chat...usually things are so busy that I've had to stand in line for 20 minutes or more!



I ran into two women who writings & books I have read for a long time...Jaimie Hall- Bruzenak & Alice Zyetz'. Jaimie's husband George took some photos of us, check out their blog to see! They currently product an email newsletter that I had started about 12 years ago. When I stopped RVing Jaimie and Stephanie Bernhagen took it over. It's amazing to me that it's still in production!

One vendor I hadn't seen before but had seen the product mentioned somewhere recently was the vendor for Star Lights - motion sensor porch lights designed for RVs. What a great idea! If I wasn't moving to a boondocking lifestyle, I would definitely be adding one of these.



Day two was more meandering after catching up a bit online. I had plugged the motorcycle into my Battery Tender since the battery needed a boost after not being started for a month. Tried to fire it off this morning....nope, not going to work. I had read that the BMW batteries are different than most other stock motorcycle batteries and that the stock Battery Tender products might damage it. Well, since this was the third time I'd used the charger, guess that was the final straw. So no riding this week....sigh....and will have to get a new battery in Tucson next week as well as the proprietary Battery Tender designed for the BMW.

I stopped and chatted with one of the vendors who specializes in electrical work and asked him to take a look at my 12-volt cigarette lighter to be sure the wire was heavy enough to handle my 400 watt inverter for my laptop & printer. Fortunately he said the wiring was more than adequate and while the outlet wasn't the strongest, it should do without problems as long as I check the inverter plug in to be sure it wasn't getting hot. Peace of mind for $10. Gotta love it!



The event orientation session was great, I located the Class of 2007 folks and sat with them. So great to see so many here! After all the initial announcements, welcomes, etc. many of the instructors did a brief info and that was followed with the same from many of the vendors (probably half the vendors are also instructors). During the break I started seeing folks walking back in with HUGE ice cream cones. Yup, had to have one...delicious and hit the spot.

The day slowly came to a close and I managed to catch some nice sunset shots. Great way to end the day...tomorrow will be another busy one!




Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

The "A" Loop & Darby Wells

I forgot to mention in that while at the boondocking site outside Ajo, we often watched the antics (okay, training maneuvers) of the jets from the local Barry Goldwater bombing range. During the day we could often see the jets - sometimes hight in the sky, sometimes low enough to disrupt any conversations we might be having. At night we watched the various flares fired off but rarely heard or saw the jets. I don't know about anyone else, but our military aircraft always gives me a warm feeling. I honor those who serve now or in the past. I thank them for my freedom. (For a little more background here is a great blog entry.)

I'm almost ready to head to my next destination, the Gypsy Journal Rally in Casa Grande AZ but wanted to post some of the photos I took while taking the scenic trip around "A" mountain and especially in the Darby Wells area. I love the vegetation here...it amazes me how beautiful such a stark landscape can actually be...but we also found some very green areas where you could see how a little rain goes a long way. We saw spots where I could very easily boondock for weeks on end with ever changing views in all directions.

Sorry there are so many, I actually took over 150 and cut it down to these. Enjoy...my next blog will be in a couple of days after I get settled at the rally.RV NOW: RVers are at Home on the Range and so is the A-10 Thunderbolt

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

Readers Ask (and make comments, too)

After I posted my solar setup, I received a lot of feedback, questions and comments. Some I could reply to but feel they might interest others, some I couldn't so they are posted here as well.

"I know that rigs & tires are different but do your front tires actually require 80#? My duals require 80# but only 60# for the front. I believe that 80# is the maximum. I guess if your rig is heavier than mine in the front that it could require more than 60#."
Guess I have to plead ignorance here, I am doing what the dealer who installed them told me. My rig is heavy (E-450 chassis) so that may be the difference.

"...how on earth do you remember all that you have to check,etc. before moving on?"
Well, I could lie and tell you I have my checklists all in order and use them religiously. Actually, they are a work in progress. The biggest thing is taking my time...I don't ever leave in a rush. I do forget things from time to time but so far, thank goodness, it's either been minor or caught quickly. Truthfully, checklists used each and every time is the RIGHT way to go.

"You could leave your frig on auto IF the outlet it is plugged into is NOT included as one that the big inverter feeds. If the inverter is connected to the main power line such that it is auto-switching and feeds all the circuits then you don't want it on auto."
In my case, the refrigerator will be run on propane unless I am hooked up to shore power. I have to be really careful since when you take the two-way off AUTO, no light shows that it is on gas. What happens is that if the propane goes off, then a CHECK light comes on. So I carefully monitor what I am doing and whether the refrigerator is keeping cold or not.

"How did they pull the 10 gauge wire down from the roof?"
I wasn't there during this process but I know they fished it down to the refrigerator. I was told that is the standard method.

"As a metal fabricator, RV'er and engineer I do not like how they mounted the batteries. I would revisit that whole arena sometime soon. The AGM's require only maintenance to keep the posts clean which can be averted with proper terminal paint found at Freightliner truck dealers. I would make a hinged, drop down tray for the batteries somewhere under the chassis that allowed periodic access yet, secured the batteries hard."
I'm assuming that this writer thinks the board is the only thing holding up the batteries. In fact the board was placed across the metal support to provide a slightly wider base for the batteries. They are fully supported by very strong, sturdy, welded metal platform. Thanks for the tip though!

"SIX batteries in a Class C rig? And 12 volt not 6 volt? It puzzles me. Most everything I've read recommends 6 volt batteries for their better deep cycle capabilities and longevity versus 12 volt. And SIX of them? Isn't that an awful lot of weight for your rig? I know most Class A's only have 4 6 volt batteries (like mine). Why did you go with so much?"
Yes, they are 12-volt batteries. I had intended to go with 6-volt for the added capability but they didn't have them. Yes, there is a fair amount of weight and yes, I am probably slightly overweight (well, the rig....okay, me too....LOL!) and am working on that. I have upgraded my suspension and am hoping that I can reduce some of what I am carrying soon. I have moved some of my heavier basement items into my trailer to help balance things.

"I love all of the detail with photos on projects such as this one. It provides a lot of information (especially appreciated by us gals who travel solo) to help understand what each "thing" is, how it works, what is involved with installation, and costs."
Thanks, I will continue to this when I can but HOPEFULLY this is my last big purchase. LOL!!

:Being able to boondock offers so much more flexibility in the RV lifestyle. And being able to camp in the "boonies" sometimes is what RVing is all about, IMHO. Campgrounds are nice at times but getting out in the desert or forest away from others is a whole different experience - slower paced, relaxing and beautiful. I much prefer looking at nature than at someone else's slideout or awning!"
Oh so true...it was hard to come into this campground even for a couple of days. But it's a small one and quite nice. I do enjoy not having to watch how long or when I run my TV or radio. But the more I boondock, the less I will be coming to parks and the more I will enjoy that. LOL!

"I could not copy and paste the comment of a friend of mine who I send your solar "blog" to... First of all, are you sure they are 12V and not 6V?... the batteries... He is VERY oncerned about all the weight on one side, the handling, the safety of driving... as above comments they should have been distributed throughout the chassis with equal lenght, size, wiring. The tilting mechanism... you will never use it, just extra weight... and $'s... Glad that you did not go with the original plan of two inverters which also did not make any sense."
This is a long one and here is what I replied to the writer:

1) Yes, they are 12 volt AGMs, they didn't have 6 volt ones
2) The handling is just fine...I've driven it several hundred miles without any issues but I will be getting it weighed next week. Remember, I do have air bags that I can use to help compensate for side to side weight differences but so far, no problams.
3) I've talked to at least a dozen folks about his problem with distributing them throughout the chassis and everyone looked at me like I was nuts so not sure about that one...
4) The tilting mechanism was no extra money, they tossed that in for free. There is almost no extra weight, they are aluminum and I doubt there is a pound total. I got them in case I am ever stuck in one spot for a long period and then if I could find someone to put them on, then I could get more sun if needed. Better than getting the flat mounts and never being able to tilt them.
5) I do have two inverters....the big one runs everything except the frig & air conditioner. During the day that is overkill if all I want to do is run my laptop (& maybe printer). I have a 400 watt that I can plug into my 12 volt adapter and run just the laptop. It was $30 from Amazon.com
6) I've discovered that everyone has their own opinion on what is best and there will always be differences between folks....I am confident in what I got and the work that was done. I did go over my budget by the extra $1k but this system will what I need and that's the most important thing.

So that's it for the latest Readers Ask...

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

She tiptoes into the room....

Shhh, quiet....maybe no one will hear me sneak in and I can get a couple of blogs posted before they notice! Yes, I'm way behind and that means some neat things have already escaped from my swiss cheese brain. Sorry....that's what happens when two forces collide - no Verizon aircard reception and having a good time!

The trip from Quartzsite to Ajo was uneventful. A stop at the Super Wal-Mart in Buckeye where we stocked up on food & other stuff and a stop at Holt's Shell in Gila Bend where got gas, fresh water and dumped our tanks. We pulled into the boondocking area outside Ajo about 3:30 pm. Once we figured where I should park for the best sun, I did a few little things to fix what had bounced once too many times coming in on the washboard roads and headed over to the 4:00 pm social hour. Poor Doug paid the penance of living in a trailer...much more set up work (did I mention how happy I am with my motorhome?).

The next couple of days followed a nice routine...running around town seeing the sites (and predictably forgetting my camera which I really missed when we saw a beautiful rainbow). A nice walk in the desert terrain produced the first non-sunrise/sunset photos. I even took one of the first wildlife I encountered in the desert here...you'll have to look close. We walked up a wide wash, easily envisioning it filled with rushing water in flash flood.

We got back in time for me to nab some good sunset shots showing the sun's red-gold reflection on everything around us. To the south it looked like it was raining and that made the golden glow even more precious.



It's been really cold at night, as low as 30-31 several nights. My heater has gotten a work out and it's working well. The days are sunny and sometimes brisk, especially after 4:00 when the sun starts down.

I heard from a friend who lives in Quartzsite that the winds there took down part of the big tent on top of the classic car show....she wrote me this on the 3rd:

"Both of the ends went down but the main section is still standing, and being yanked out of the ground. Everybody was evacuated before the ends went. All of the little tents on the north side are down though. The tent company that erected it are on their way to help get it tied down again so the cars from the Cruise In can be taken out. Hopefully none of the vehicles were damaged bad."



"The other that went... we were making the loop thru town, and right in front of us a vendor tent just picked up, went upside down and landed on top of a "really nice" pickup truck. Abut 50 people just came out of the woodwork to help those folks. IT was really great to see. I'm pretty sure that every vendor in a tent now has been shut down. The wind is outta the south, and it's just not pretty."

EEEEK! Sure am glad I moved a little further south.

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

Quick note from Ajo, AZ

Just a quick note...my Internet access is limited to "borrowed" satellite access but wanted to let everyone know I have left Quartzsite (on Friday) and am now boondocking outside Ajo, AZ. My phone seems to work most of the time (sometimes it goes to voicemail and I never hear it ring but I eventually get the message). Here are a few shots from the drive out of Q to Ajo.

The area has its own beauty, I hope it warms up a bit so I can do a little riding around the area. Right now it doesn't look real promising...yesterday would have been very nice but Doug is fighting a cold and really feeling under the weather. He got his bike unloaded but needs a new spark plug for it to run right.

Here are some shots out my front door - in one you can see the town of Ajo in the distance.



These were taken about 5pm as the weather to the north got dark and the wind started up.



And here are some of the spectacular sunset last night!



I move to the Ajo Heights RV Park on Wednesday and should have Wi-Fi and will do a more thorough update then. I have gotten a lot of blog comments about my solar setup and will do a blog with replies later. Right now the solar is doing wonderful, I'm enjoying the company and the area and just generally having too much fun!

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna