Places We Have Called Home In 2020

Home Is Where We Park It – Escapees North Ranch, Congress, Arizona

May 1, 2020

Temperature 99 Degrees

Up On The Roof

We Have A Replacement For Unit #1

It simply boggles my mind.  During the day the temperatures soar into the mid to high 90’s.  Yet by about midnight the temperature has dropped into the low 70’s and by the time I get up at around 5 am they are in the low to mid 60’s.  OK, I know this is common for the Southwest I’m just saying such a swing every day takes some getting used to.

Breakfast this morning was absolutely delicious.  Barbara made up a batch of waffles with sausage on the side.  I had my customary glass of juice and a couple of cups of coffee.  I was ready to face the day.

After breakfast I decided to sit outside for a bit with my book.

While sitting there I noticed that the patio awning was swaying a bit more than normal.  Granted the wind was blowing directly on it but something still didn’t look right.  Time to investigate.  Imagine my surprise when I discovered that the brackets holding the whole system to the side of Elvira were loose.  I dug out my wrenches and went to work.  We should be good for now.  Eventually, this too will be replaced.  But not, hopefully, for a good long time.

Mid morning the call came that I didn’t really expect until at least Monday.

The AC Calvary was on the way to install a new unit.  I mean, they only ordered the unit late yesterday afternoon.  It came in early and they were anxious to get it installed.  As were we.

The new Penguin II.  My question was, how do you get it from there to up on the roof?  After all Bill was here by himself.  When I asked him he just sort of laughed and said It’s really quite easy.

First step, place the unit at the bottom of the ladder leading up to the roof.  What you can’t see yet is the strap fastened to the front or upper part of the AC unit.

Second step, Bill goes up to the roof.  He has the strap with him.  Then, he just pulls the whole unit up the ladder to the roof.  Like going up an elevator.

In less time than it takes to talk about it the new AC unit is on the roof.  Imagine that.

The old.

The new.

Now the real work begins.  This is also one of the reasons I would not do the install.  When replacing an old unit with a new one you have a decision to make.  You either have to install two new units at once so that both will work with the newer thermostat that Dometic provides with all new units.

 

Or, if you install just one new unit and leave an old unit in place you have to install a power module conversion board on the new unit.  This is necessary so that the new unit will talk to the old style 5 Button Comfort Control Thermostat and the older AC unit.

Since I was leaving the older unit in place at this point in time the power module conversion board had to be installed in the new unit.  Now, you know if the tech who has been doing this time after time still has to read the instructions it is not as simple as one – two – three.

The power module conversion board was finally installed in the new unit and now it was time to put the new unit it its proper place.  Out with the old unit.

In with the new unit.

He securely fastened it in place.  Now it was time to discover how everything worked.  Would it talk to the old unit?  Would it talk to the old thermostat?  Would it run on its own?

Once the new unit was in place it was time to calibrate the 5 Button Comfort Control Thermostat.  Bill had to make several trips back up to the roof to configure several different dip switches before all was in order.  The end result?  We are really cool and comfortable.

All finished and everything working it was time to bid goodbye to Unit #1.  It had provided a good 15 years of faithful service before it called it quits.  Goodbye my friend.

While up on the roof I snapped a couple of pictures of the magnificent mountains that are all around us.  You can also see that the park is virtually empty.  Take me with you, anywhere, somewhere, I just want to roll on down the road.  If only I had somewhere to go.  I’m working on it.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  Our renovation kitty is bit lighter as of now but installing the new AC was a no brainer.  Especially knowing that we will be in Texas during the hot summer months of July and August.  So what’s next on the list of upgrades and/or improvements?  Hopefully nothing major for the rest of the year.  But then again we do live in a Living Vehicle that requires constant maintenance and attention.  Time will tell.

On the lighter side.

So we’ve made it through another day together.  Thanks for coming along.  Keep safe.  Wear your mask.  Wash your hands.  Spare a life.  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!

 

Places We Have Called Home In 2020

Home Is Where We Park It – Escapees North Ranch, Congress, Arizona

April 30, 2020

Temperature 92 Degrees, A Rather Cool Day

Rocky the Frog

Rest In Peace #1, Thanks For Picking Up The Load #2

A Few Minor Projects

Pizza for Supper

It worked! I mean it really worked.  The Reflectex in the front windshield.  Normally, by 8 am in the morning with the sun directly on the windshield the inside temperature in the cockpit area would be well over 100 degrees.  Today, the temperature in the front never went over 90 degrees and as the sun moved a little to the west it quickly came down into the 80 degree range.  It may not sound like much but it made a big difference in keeping the living room of Elvira cool and comfortable.

Our breakfast today was simple but good.  We had scrambled eggs, fried spam, a glass of orange juice and a couple cups of coffee.  It was just what was needed to get the morning off to a great start.

The last few days we simply could not get our number 1 AC unit to run for any length of time.  It would come on and run for about fifteen minutes and then turn off.  It repeated this over and over again.  This morning the tech from Arizona Auto and RV Tech came out to do a bit of sleuthing and figure out what was wrong.  It didn’t take him long to figure it out – the compressor was no longer working.  Rest in Peace Unit Number 1.  Time for a new AC.  Here’s the kicker, Dometic the maker of the old and the replacement unit is closed and is not fulfilling any orders.  But, we lucked out – sort of – the dealer was able to find one replacement unit, however the shroud is black.  Would we accept it?  With this heat expected to continue for a couple more weeks you bet we will!  It will be installed either tomorrow or Monday.  Yipee!

A big shout out before I forget to AC Unit Number 2.  The last couple of days it has been running like a champ.  It has kept the worse of the heat at bay.  I just hope I haven’t jinxed things by giving it a pat on the back.

A couple of simple projects today.

When I was putting the new washers on the sink I noticed a couple of spots where it looked like water had gotten in under the lip of the sink.  Today, I ran a clear bead of caulk all around the lip of the sink.

There was a spot outside our bathroom where the grout had come out between the floor and the wall.  I dug out the remainder of the grout and ran a bead of caulk in that area.  That should keep any water or whatever from getting in there, for instance, when I wash the floor.

Time to go set some pizza for supper.

On the way to Yarnell to pick up pizza we came upon Rocky The Frog.  Here is what I learned about him:  Directly in front of you, heading up Highway 89 out of Congress, you may catch a rather stone-faced amphibian in your field of view. He sits perched atop a hill, waiting patiently for the occasional fly or, perhaps, Volkswagen Beetle.

Bright green and spotted, the enormous frog has sat there since the 1920s, when there wasn’t much more to do in the area than there is today. It was the inspiration of Sara Perkins, a legislator’s wife, and her two boys, who were the original artists to clamber up the hill and decorate the 60-ton rock.

At the time, Highway 89, which passes within tongue’s reach of the big guy, was the major route between Phoenix and Prescott. As such, the enormous greenback proved to be a popular roadside diversion in an otherwise desolate area—much to the benefit of the Perkins family, who owned a nearby service station and tourist attraction called the Arrowhead.

Today the lovable amphibian still crouches above 89, as bright as ever.  He’s become a sort of community project and local mascot. After all the Perkinses had either croaked (no pun intended!) or moved away, custodial duties were assumed by a succession of locals daring enough to perform touch-ups. The most recent was Rose Mary Goodson, an artist who, even at 76, would schlep an extension ladder and three gallons of paint up the craggy incline. Hey, it ain’t easy being green.

One of the recommended places for pizza in this area.

The stores unofficial greeter.

The way in.

Who is that masked woman?  Barbara said when you go in you find your order waiting for you on a small shelf.  No human contact.  Imagine that.

Two personal pan pizzas and an order of hot wings.  The wings were fantastic, the two pizzas were OK.  We’ll keep looking while in the area for another pizza shop.

Supper and projects finished it was back to Mexican Train.  Our game kept us occupied for the reminder of the afternoon.  It was a great way to pass the time and it helped me to forget that today was supposed to be our moving day.  Have you figured out yet that I’m anxious to get on the road again?  Oh yea, I’m ready for a change of scenery.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  We had another great day despite the heat.  We’re still cool and comfortable.  Another day or two and we should be even cooler and much more comfortable once the new AC unit is installed.  Hey, as my sister reminded me today it is only money!  Better yet we’re still far short of the $246,000 that a new Kountry Star costs today.  And by the time we’re done, it will be a new unit for far less than a new unit.  I like that.

Food for Thought.

Hey, it was great having you with us again today.  Always appreciate your company and your comments.  Keep safe.  Wear that mask.  Wash those hands.  Till 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!

 

 

Places We Have Called Home In 2020

Home Is Where We Park It – Escapees North Ranch, Congress, Arizona

April 29, 2020

Temperature 101 Degrees in Wickenburg/98 Degrees In Congress

Projects To Work On

Now We Know We Can Live Here – We Found An Excellent Chinese Take Out Restaurant

Making Plans to Leave As Soon As Possible

Another day, same as the last.  Sun rising in the east, clear blue sky and temperatures going through the roof again.  Oh yes, it is going to be another scorcher.

USPS brought me some new items this morning.

• Additional LED Puck lights to install
• RV Awning Anchor Kit
• Two Small Temperature/Humidity Gauges – a lot smaller than I thought they would be!

First project required the use of my headband headlight.  I’ve had this lying around for some time and never really used it until recently.  I really appreciate the fact that I no longer have to hold a flashlight in one hand nor try to prop up a light in the work area.  Slip the light on my head, aim the light where I need it – fantastic!

Today’s first project was installing larger washers to hold the kitchen sink in place.  The original washer on the right in some places was just barely catching the lip of the sink.

I installed the larger washer on the left along with the washer on the right and now the sink is absolutely secure.

Next, we took time to go pick up Chinese take-out for our afternoon supper.  Barbara had done some research and found a highly recommended restaurant in Wickenburg.  The food did not disappoint.  Barbara had twice cooked pork and I had wanton soup and triple crown.  The vegetables were just right, the rice was perfectly seasoned and the main course was spot on.  We’ll go back again in the future.

Once we arrived back home I had a few more projects to complete.

While we were in town I picked up the Reflectex I needed for the windshield.  I cut two pieces and fitted each – left and right – on the outside between the sunshade and the windshield.  I’m counting on this to drastically reduce the amount of heat that has been coming in each morning through the windshield.

I had a total of four more halogen puck lights to replace today.  This is one of two that was over the couch on the passenger side.

Two new LED lights installed in the living room.  Our living room, kitchen and dining room now have all LED lights installed.

The other two halogen puck lights that were replaced with LED lights were in the window alcove in our bedroom.  Now, our bedroom also has all LED lights installed.

I ordered these little gizmo’s so that I could get an idea of the relative humidity in Elvira.  Suffice to say we are going to need a small humidifier.  Once each was in place for a few minutes I discovered that each was showing a relative humidity level below 30%

Now we know what summer is like in the southwest.  Only thing is, it isn’t even summer yet.  Yes, they say in a week or two it will cool back down.  At least for a short bit then the temperatures are going to soar again.  We would be fine if we had the use of our front A/C but it seems to have given up the ghost.  The back A/C unit is still working like a champ but it just can’t completely cool down Elvira.  Using a fan to pull the cool air from the back we’re comfortable as long we we don’t move around a lot.

Bottom line, it is time to get out of Dodge, or in this case North Ranch.  We’re making plans to leave on or about May 15th and head a bit further north and up a little bit more in elevation.  We’re hoping to end up in or around Kingman.  The temperatures in that area usually stay in the mid 80 degree range, not the high 90’s or low 100’s.  At least that is the plan right now.  Stay tuned and you’ll be the first to know if it works out.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  We’re still healthy, comfortable enough despite the heat, and still enjoying life to the fullest.  What more could one ask for?  Thank you Lord for all the blessings that are ours.

On the lighter side.

Thanks for coming along with us today.  We always appreciate your company, and your comments and suggestions.  Keep safe.  Wear your mask.  Wash your hands.  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!

 

Places We Have Called Home In 2020

Home Is Where We Park It – Escapees North Ranch, Congress, Arizona

April 28, 2020

Temperature 95 Degrees

We’re Holding Our Own

Gathering Materials For New Projects

We don’t need sweaters or jackets yet but we are holding our own.  Today I tried something different.  Given the problems I was having yesterday with the front A/C unit continually shutting off I figured let me try the back unit.  I turned it on at around 10 am and it has been running every since.  Go figure.

The back A/C unit is primarily for our bedroom.  I mean it is cold back there right now.  How to get that nice cold air out front?  Some of it comes through the duct work.  The rest we pull from the back with the use of a box fan.  Truth be known we are spoiled because of the A/C unit we had in Graybeard.  That was an actual residential unit that could freeze your toes off on the hottest day.  Alas, they don’t install such units in RV’s anymore because of the cost and the desire to be able to offer more storage space underneath.  That old unit if it had to be replaced would have cost every bit of four thousand dollars!  The most expensive roof top A/C unit today is only about thirteen hundred dollars.   It’s what called building an RV to a price point.

This is my secret weapon when working on the computer at the table.  It is a little six bladed twelve volt fan that really pushes a lot of air.  You plug it into the USB Port on the computer to recharge it.  Don’t worry, Barbara has a larger oscillating fan by her recliner.

Today for supper we had Taco’s.  I guess since it is Tuesday and we had Taco’s you could say today in our house was Taco Tuesday.  They were good, really, really good.  How could they not be, I mean the chop meat had just the right amount of seasoning.   Along with it there was fresh grated cheese, fresh lettuce and fresh ripe tomatoes.  Put it all together and you definitely had a winner.  Yup, I was once again a member of the clean plate club.

Once we finished with lunch it was time for another trip to the Post Office to pick up packages that Fedex was unable to deliver because no one was at home.  We’re used to this by now, not happy with it, but used to it.

We made a quick run into Ace Hardware primarily for reflectix and then some other odds and ends.  We were able to get some of what we needed but no reflectix.  That is coming in on tomorrow’s truck so guess where we’ll be going back to tomorrow.

After leaving the hardware store we stopped at Dollar General and picked up another case of water and

a new cushioned bath mat for outside of our shower door.

This is the sum total of packages picked up and items purchased at the hardware store.  We have:

• larger L Brackets to reinforce the slide motor shelf
• a 100 count box of lever nuts which are my new all time favorite way of joining two wires together.  So simple, so secure and so easy to use.
• Silicone caulking for around the sink and an area between the bathroom wall and the floor
• larger washers to hold our kitchen sink in properly
• self taping screws and bolts and nuts for installing the L Brackets
• a new propane detector.  Our current one is working but they advise replacing them every seven years.  The one we have now is the original one that came with the rig

Finally, I have some projects I can work on tomorrow.  Honestly, working on odds and ends around Elvira is how I keep my sanity during this time of self imposed isolation.

So another day on The Road of Retirement has come to an end.  Time for some spirits and time to assume the position – not what you’re probably thinking.  I’m referring to feet up and me leaning back in my recliner.  I’ll tell you what just getting out today sure felt great.  I can’t wait to get our wheels rolling again.  I watch rig after rig leaving each day and I’m really, really, really getting restless!

Before I go, remember when?

Thanks for joining us again today.  We always appreciate your company and your comments.  Keep safe.  Wear your mask.  Wash your hands.  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!