Places We Have Called Home in 2020
Home Is Where We Park It – Escapees North Ranch, Congress, Arizona
March 20, 2020
Temperature 65 Degrees
New Washer/Dryer Install – Day Two
Travel Day
Summer Travel Plans Have Completely Evaporated
8 am this morning Henry was knocking on the door. He was anxious to finish the washer/dryer install so that we could get on our way.
That’s him in the back, behind the slide
replacing the dryer vent. He noticed a huge amount of lint in the dryer duct so decided to investigate. He found the flapper in the old vent was stuck shut causing the problem. A new vent and the problem was solved.
He then moved inside. He hooked up the water lines, then the dryer duct, and finally slid the unit back into its home. He turned the water pump on to ensure that there were no leaks. Project complete.
Almost done.
They came over to make sure there were no propane leaks and to bleed air from the system. While doing this they noticed that the flame at the stove was a bit off. So they took a few minutes to adjust the propane pressure at the regulator.
We were not ready to leave just yet. There was the bill to pay – ouch! That’s all I’m going to say.
Then they took Elvira over to the wash bay and gave her a good cleaning inside and out. All spiffy we were now ready to leave.
Before we left I took some pictures of this really wonderful motorhome. This is a prime example of what they can and often do here. This is a rare GMC Motorhome. A little internet research reveals that: The GMC motorhome was produced by the GMC Truck & Coach Division of General Motors for the 1973 through 1978 model years in Pontiac, Michigan, USA. It was the only complete motorhome built by a major auto/truck manufacturer producing what GMC hoped would be their halo vehicle. Part of the reason this vehicle is so different from other motor homes of the era is that it was not conceived as just a “camper,” but as a vehicle for comfortable travel as well. The design was radical for the day with front-wheel drive and a low profile, fully integrated body.
This particular motorhome came in as a junker. It was totally rebuild both outside as seen above and
they totally rebuilt the interior. The interior is both stunning and beautiful. They definitely do first class work here.
Time to get on the road. I believe it is a sign of the times that even the major highways are all but empty. Usually, getting through Phoenix at any hour is a real pain. Not today we breezed right through.
A quick two plus hours plus one fuel stop and
we were at our new home for the foreseeable future. This is the Escapees North Ranch in Congress, Arizona.
We stopped to register. The new rule in effect is only person allowed in at a time.
Barbara coming back with our site assignment and a map. She was now ready to lead us home.
The road leading in.
Our new home. Our site is hard packed gravel, reasonably level (really don’t need to worry too much about this anymore), all utilities are easy to access and site separation is acceptable. There are no trees to speak of so our Dish antenna locked on to the three necessary satellites without an issue.
One quick note, we solved the problem of our tow bar constantly dragging on the slightest uneven surface. I swapped out our twelve inch drop receive for a six inch one. Our tow bar is now perfectly level and we have no more issues with it dragging.
As for our summer travel plans. Suffice to say they have all evaporated. All the national parks we were going to visit are only open for day time use. The visitor centers are closed, and the shuttle and tour buses have suspended service. So what will we do? Good question.
We will remain here for the foreseeable future in self imposed isolation away from people and crowds. We have enough supplies to hunker in place for up to four weeks before we have to go foraging for food and supplies again. We’ll stay here at least till the end of May, maybe even the end of June. What we do then will be determined by what, if anything, opens back up again. We can’t go toward Florida since the state parks there are closed. State as well as private RV parks are closed in Texas. As well as the attractions we wanted to visit. Maybe we’ll head back to Yuma. Time will tell. Life has gotten interesting.
Are we upset? Come on now. With what others are going through. This a minor disruption in a life of travel. We’ll adapt and go on with our lives. We’ll continue to pray for those whose lives have really been turned upside down. All in all we are two of the most blessed and fortunate people alive. We still have each other and our health. We have our family. God is Good All The Time.
Our day on The Road of Retirement has now come to a close. As always Home Is Where We Park It and so this is home for the time being. We have our little heater on since the temperature in this part of the state is a good bit cooler than what we were used to in Yuma. Barbara has a glass of wine and I have my bowl of ice cream. A perfect end to a perfect day.
Thanks for traveling with us today. We always appreciate your company and your comments and suggestions. Catch you tomorrow.
These are the voyages of Elvira and it’s two intrepid travelers. Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.
See you on down the road!
"On The Road of Retirement" 
Glad you found your new home for an undetermined time. Barbara enjoy your new washer/dryer. My girlfriend had an old GMC that we would travel to NASCAR racing. It needed attention and I told her my life was rather boring until, we crawled into that RV. It all broke loose then. We had been towed in more than once, but laughing through it all. Enjoy your time at your new site.
LikeLike