Fantasy

Where Are We Today

Park Place RV Park

Quartzsite Arizona

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It has been a while since my last post, but of course, all you followers know what we have been up to, as you all read Pat's Posts

Pat does leave my special interest stuff for me to write about, my hobby especially. With that being said, I have been doing quite a bit of flying since we got here on the 1^st of November.

Top-Somethin' Extra, Left bottom-Night Timber, Right bottom-Radian

I came down here with three airplanes, all electric powered. My” Night Radian”, which is a sailplane/glider, a “Night Timber” and my “Somethin' Extra”. Within the first week here I lost the “Somethin' Extra,” for unexplained reason, other then radio interference. Within a few days, our chief instructor, who is a far better flyer than I am, lost one of his planes in the same area as I did, with the same type of failure.

Crash of the Somethin' Extra

Last spring, before we left for home, I picked out another airplane from Jim, who I have mentioned before. He is the club member who has property here in Quartzsite where we hold our meetings. He also has many airplanes that he buys and sells along with the space where we are welcome to work on planes.

Old or original covering

The one I picked out is called a “Fantasy”, it is a low wing airplane. He had three of them, two with no equipment in them and one that was set up as an electric flyer. I choose one that was not set up. It’s covering was in rough shape, so I stripped it and recovered it in a different color scheme altogether.

Fantasy recovered

I also added my own servos, receiver, and a Saito 82 four stroke engine. It took a couple weeks to get it ready for flight, but that day came and it took to the air with a little trim adjustment it is flying well. I now have over a dozen flights on it and I am feeling comfortable flying it.

This may not play

There is another one that have my eye on, that I might have to see about getting. More on that when and if it happens this winter.

As each day passes, more members arrive here for the winter and we have picked up a few new ones. One who is a friend from back home, has decided to get in on the fun. He has picked it up quickly, and doing very well.

Duncan with instructor

Thanks for stopping by, stay tuned for the next one and as always, check in with Patsy’s blog to keep with our day to day. Until the next time, be safe, stay healthy and a Very Merry Christmas.

 

Final Leg

We Are We Today

Park Place RV Park

250 North Riggles Ave.

Quartzsite, Az.

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Today was the final leg of our southward journey for this winter, arriving here at Park Place RV Park in Quartzsite Arizona. It was an easy 93-mile drive, north on U.S. Hwy 95. This road has had construction on it over the last two years and is in good shape. There is still some just outside and north of Yuma, but it is close to completion. I will give this road a rating of 9 out of 10.

I have had some comments on our tire blow outs and what the air pressure in tires should be.

Because of the size and weight of our trailer, the tires that are on it carry a load rating of H. The maximum air pressure for those tires is 125 psi. As the weight on each tire is not the maximum weight for each tire, I do not put the maximum allowed psi in them and check them before we start our journey. I am running at 105 psi in each tire, so there is lots of room for expansion.

When looking at the tread wear, there is no indication of under or over inflation. The tires were put on new in the summer of 2020. This will be their 3^rd trip to the south with a total of 20,000 miles on them.   

I will admit that they are a brand that I had never heard of but were made by a well-known brand, escapes me which one though. With the two blown on one side, I am leery of the other so will most likely replace them here before we leave for home. I will keep you all posted.

Thanks for checking in, until the next time, take care. Be sure to check out Pat’s blog HERE

 

Another Blown Tire

We Are We Today

Pilot Knob RV Park

3707 Frontage Rd.

Winterhaven, Ca.

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On the road by 6:50 a.m. this morning, with a quick stop for fuel, we were back on I-10 west bound. Except for a few miles leaving Deming, the road was smooth. There are a few construction spots along the route, but no slowdowns.

Traffic was light going thru Tucson, so we sailed right thru. We made a stop at a Denny’s for lunch with our good friends Nancy and Ken. A once a year catch up.

We were back on the road just after 1:00 p.m. and shortly after merge onto I-8, cruising along for about an hour when all went to pot. We blew another tire on the trailer, same side but the back one. Damage to the fender skirt and ripped the fabric under covering. Didn’t break the plywood floor, but there is a lose tile on the kitchen floor inside.

The whole tread peeled off

Once again, I am on the side of the road for 45 minutes, lots of room, changing the tire. I had to use some tuck tape to secure the fender skirt until I can see if I can reattach it.

That's me. All photos are curtesy of Pat.

Carrying on, we reached our destination here at 5:30 p.m. Having travelled 463.6 miles on I-10 and I-8, which I will give both a rating of 8 out of 10.

Not much left.

Tomorrow we will head into Yuma for some shopping and a new tire. Thanks for checking in, until the next time, take care. Check out Pat’s blog HERE for a detailed story of our day.

 

Shorter Day

We Are We Today

Walmart

Deming New Mexico

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Today was a much shorter day of driving, leaving Midland Tx. at 7:40 a.m. and arriving here, 401.6 miles down the road, at the Walmart in Deming New Mexico.

It was easy to get on the 250 Loop in Midland and then onto I-20. This section of I-20 is not quite as smooth so I am down grading my rating to an 8 out of 10. There is some construction along the way, but today being Sunday, there were no slowdowns.

I-10 Scenery, curtesy of Pat 

I-20 merges onto I-10 west towards El Paso Tx. It was in this stretch of highway where we changed to mountain time, gaining an hour, and climbing to 4815 ft. in elevation.

Another I-10 scenery curtesy of Pat.

We stayed on I-10 right thru El Paso, again being Sunday, it was an easy drive. My rating for the entire stretch of I-10 will be an 8 out of 10.

We have one more short day of travel tomorrow and then we will sit for four nights.

Thanks for checking in, stop by tomorrow to see where we end up. Until the next time, take care and check out Pat’s more informative Blog HERE

 

Another Long Day

We Are We Today

Walmart

Midland Tx.

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After posting last night, we found out that we couldn’t stay at the Sam’s Club. So, after grabbing something to eat, we moved back a couple of miles to the Welcome Center.  

Up this morning at 6, we were on the road at ten after seven, heading west on I-30. For the most part I would rate this road at an 8 out of 10. Starting about 50 miles east of Dallas, we ran into construction which carried on thru Dallas. Traffic moved right along with one slow down between exits 49A to 47, this section is where my rating drops to a 7 out of 10.

Somewhere near Walsh Tx., I-30 becomes I-20, I think this has to be the smoothest Interstate we have been on in a long time. I am giving this interstate a rating of 9.5 out of 10. When opening up cupboards and the frig after we stopped, Pat said there was one thing out of place.

So here we sit In Midland Tx. 511 miles from our start this morning. It was another long day, with mostly clear skies. We started out at 379 ft. above sea level to top out at just over 2800 ft and down to 2782 ft here.

Thanks for checking in, until the next time, take care. Don’t forget to check out Pat’s Blog.

 HERE

 

Third Day of Travel

We Are We Today

Sam’s Club

Texarkana Texas

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Today is our third travel day heading to Arizona. We have had a great time for four days in Nashville, doing the touristy thing and visiting family.

We left Two Rivers Campground at 7:30 this morning getting onto TN 155 north and then west, to take us around the top of Nashville. Taking exit 27B to I-40 heading toward Memphis. I-40 takes you around the top and down the west side of Memphis where you cross the state line into Arkansas. About the last 5 miles in Tennessee and the first 10 miles into Arkansas, I-40 is rough enough to jar the fillings out of your teeth.

Carrying on to Little Rock where we took exit 159 to bypass I-440 to I-30, where we continued onto Sam’s Club in Texarkana, TX our destination for tonight. Making our total mileage of 503 miles for today. Yes, a long day on the road, which I did not mind after not driving for four days. We have a destination that we want to be at by end of day, Monday Oct. 28^th, so that is why the push on the miles travelled.

Pat mentioned in her blog about visiting my cousin and wife at their daughter and sons-in-law’s place in Nashville. For those who like the newer country music, Their SNL is Jesse Slack, who is a song writer and a great singer, who occasionally does gigs in Nashville. He also collaborates and records with a very talented Singer by the name of Robyn Ottolini.

For those of you who have Spotify on your mobile device, do a search and check them out. You can call me biased, because their family, but I think they’re great.

Thanks for checking in, until the next time, take care. You can also check out Pat’s blog.HERE

 

Second Day

We Are We Today

Two Rivers Campground

Nashville Tennessee

We were on the road by 7:50 a.m. this morning. The roads were good to great and beautiful clear blue skies. We travelled just over 400 miles in a little over 7 hours.

Our route today

 

Second Day, Wapakoneta Oh to Nashville Tn

 Be sure to read Patsy    Blog   for all the details. Thanks for stopping by. Until the next time, take care.

First Day

Where Are We Today

Wapakoneta, Ohio 

Today’s journey took us from CanAm RV in London Ontario to Wapakoneta Ohio via the 401 & I-75.

As we came off the Ambassador Bridge, we were directed to the transport processing area, this was a first for us. After showing our passports and answering a couple of questions, we were asked to pull ahead and stop so the Customs Officer go inside the trailer. I had to give him the trailer and truck keys and stay in the truck. He was in there for about 5 minutes, didn’t open the slides so don’t know what he all looked at, came out, locked the door, returned the steps to the travel position and gave us back our passports and keys.

With a good-bye and have a nice day we were “on our way.”

It was a pleasant day, clear blue sunny skies. There is road construction for probably 20 miles closer to the Michigan/Ohio State line. Slow crawl to stop and go.

We are parked for the night at the Walmart. Thanks for stopping by, until tomorrow, take care. Check out Patsy’s Blog and if you are reading this on your phone, go to the web version to see it better.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1fGfn00_AMdpfZoa-xag3zsNFOZbnUrQ&usp=sharing

Our route today.

Suspension Fix

Where Are We Today

CanAm RV

London Ontario

This is the old block, metal plates on each side. You can see in the middle , separation happening, also on the left side above the blot hole there is a crack.
 

As mentioned in my last post, we are here to have suspension repair done on one of the independent torsion bar axles.

Here the block is almost out. the left side is the bracket that is attached to frame. The right side is the torsion bar where the wheel is.

The trailer was taken into the shop promptly at 8:30 a.m. Thursday morning. That’s when the struggle began, it took until 3:00 p.m. to get the old rubber block spring out. The rubber block has a steel plate glued to each side of it. This then fits between a metal bracket that is welded to the trailer frame and the torsion bar. The metal-to-metal parts were ceased due to rust making it difficult to get out. Persistence and a couple of hydraulic jacks finally got the part out.

Again, here it is half way out. The block of wood was used to put the hydraulic jack on for pushing against the frame. 

The new part slipped right up between the brackets but gave them resistance in getting the bolts in. There is a twist/offset in the rubber block that is needed to put the bolts in. Again, persistence and hydraulic jacks made this happen.

Here is the new block, ready to slide up into place.

Unfortunately, the trailer was not done by quitting last night and we did not have the trailer to sleep in. We were provided with another one for the night, which was greatly appreciated.

Here it is, all installed.

First thing this morning, the tightening of bolts to the proper torque, the wheel put back on and us returning the things that we needed for last night, it was brought back to the parking lot. I had it set up and ready for us to spend one more night here before crossing the border tomorrow.

Happy that you have stopped by for a read, until the next time, take care.

First Day of Our Winter Trek

Where Are We Today

CanAm RV Centre

 London Ontario

We have started our trek to Arizona, leaving “The Ridge” this morning at  9:15 A.M>     to our destination, here at CanAm RV just outside of London Ontario. Not a long day, but this is a necessary stop for a repair on the trailer before we go any further.

Set up the night

This trailer has independent torsion bar suspension with part of that being rubber blocks. One of them has started to separate so it needs to be replaced. This was discovered last fall but was not an issue then. When we came home last spring, we had it checked again and it was determined that it should be replaced, so the appointment was set up to have it done at this time. Tomorrow it will go in the shop for the repair. We plan on staying here until Saturday morning, at which time we will cross the border and continue on our journey.

Thanks for stopping by and following along, until the next time, take care. Be sure to check out Pat’s blog HERE 

Our Route Today

Spring to Fall

Where Are We Today
The "Ridge"
Priceville, Ontario

Here we are days from leaving the Ridge to head south and I haven’t done my Spring wrap up of our trip home and winter mileage. If you recall from Pat’s blog, we had a little excitement on the way home in blowing one of the trailer tires. I did change that tire on the side of the road, not something I would want to do again anytime soon. The rest of the trip home was uneventful. There was little damage to the underside of the trailer and I was able to fix it while sitting at our dealers when we stopped there before returning to the Ridge.

Shredded tire and the arms that hold the electrical and water lines repaired.

Our winter mileage was 14129.8 kms. / 8779.8 mi. The actual miles per gallon I don’t have because, I accidently hit the reset on the trip meter. I can say that it was between 10 and 11 miles per gallon, which is normal for our winter travels.

Someone was asking how our new batteries that we bought for the trailer were doing. I am pleased to say that they are performing well and we have had no issues.

I did go back to work this summer with a few different projects. The one that I am most excited about is the last one, a huge deck, over 700 square feet.

Huge deck, over 700 Sq.ft.

Hobby wise has been up and down, flying most weekends. I did lose two airplanes this summer. One being my Stinson Reliant, pilot error. This was the 6^th time that the landing gear has been torn off, and the last time I was going to fix it. There was other structural damage also.

Stinson was one weekend and the Cub the next weekend.

The second one was my Piper Cub, technically it was pilot error also. One of my fellow flyers had lost control of his plane and it was coming towards me. As I stepped back to get out of its way, I took my eyes off of mine, which was in a left aileron turn and at the same time, must of moved a control stick. When I finally looked back to it, it was out of control and going down. I could not recover and it went nose in. Too much damage to repair.

Our hot water heater relief valve was sticking, so water was continuously dripping from it. After procrastinating far too long, I drained the tank and replaced it. I also replaced the anode rod, though it didn’t look bad, it’s been around a year since it was last changed.

Top Right-old and new relief valves, Bottom Left-old and new anode rods.

So, we are wrapping things up here at the “Ridge” for another year. The motorcycle got put away today, the car and truck get oil and filter changes tomorrow and then the car will go into storage until spring. There will be a few last-minute things to take care of, which you can read about in Pat’s blog as they happen.

Thanks for stopping by to see what I have to say. I’ll try to keep you updated on our trip route as we head for Arizona. Until the next time take care and stay safe.

 

Winding Down

Where Are We Today

Park Place RV Park

Quartzsite, Az.

 The daily exodus of every type of RV imaginable and its occupants is evident, as we ourselves are winding down.

Tables put away under our shelter

On March 13^th, I held the last meeting of The Quartzsite Desert Flyers for this winter. There are only 3 members who live here all year round, so there is no need for meetings during the summer months. Yesterday, we put away all the flight stands and chairs at the field as there is no need for them to sit out in the hot sun all summer. Two tables were left out for those members to use through the summer if they can get out to fly.

Tables left for summer flying

Last fall I replaced our batteries with 4 new Lithium batteries, which are bigger in physical size and would not fit in the battery boxes that the old ones were in. Making a trip to Yuma last week for some wood, I made a cover to protect the new batteries as we store our folding chairs on top of them. Purchasing a 1/8 x2x4 sheet of plywood and 2 pcs of 1x1 ½ x 8, I went to a friend’s place who has a table saw and cut to size all the pieces that I needed. Partially assembling, then putting in place and then finish putting the top on, I now have the batteries protected so I can store the chairs on top of them.

Built the sides first

Sides installed, top frame fastened, top and end attached.

Our dining table finish has been showing wear and Pat has been after me to sand it down and re-stain it. We were under the impression that the wood was cherry with a cherry stain.  I don’t know one type of wood from another and when I sanded this piece down, it was lighter than a piece of cherry that a friend gave us a few years ago. Having already bought the cherry stain, I applied two coats and two coats of Polyurethane protectant.

Sanded and finished

Pat very much likes the outcome and the contrast to the darker shade compared to the rest of the wood, so you know that old saying, “happy wife, happy life.” That ends any other projects until we are home.

Back in place, you can see the contrast.

Next week, I will start to prep for our departure from here. Checking tire pressure on both truck and trailer, also putting some grease to the trailer wheel bearings and suspension. Packing away the gazebo and chairs, taking down the weather station and Star link dish, folding the outdoor mat, putting away the BBQ and its table and dumping tanks.  All part of this great life style that we live.

That is, it for now, thanks for stopping by. Until the next time, take care and safe travels to those who are like us and travelling home.

 

Three Projects

Where Are We Today

Park Place RV Park

Quartzsite, Arizona

For those of you who follow Pat's blog, you know of our daily activities, mine generally is around my hobby of RC airplanes.

However, occasionally, I have little projects to do, so here are three little ones that I have worked on in the last couple of weeks.

The first was a repair to the tonneau cover on the truck. It is a tri fold hard cover made of Styrofoam sandwiched between thin aluminum sheets. Each section has a bar that goes from side to side with a latching system to hold it down. The bar is held in place with 4 rivets on each side. Just before we left home last fall, yes, I procrastinate, it came off, so I tucked it away in the box to fix it down here. This is the second tonneau cover this has happened to, so I knew how I was going to fix it.

Top-rivets removed, bottom left- bar bolted back on and bottom right - mechanism slid back in.

First, I removed the latch mechanism by removing screws and sliding it out one end of the bar. Next, hold the bar in its place and drill 5 holes through the bar and the tonneau cover to accept the bolts that I was going to use to re-fasten it. The bolts being long enough to pass through the tonneau cover and bar to accept lock washer and nut, but short enough to allow the latch mechanism to slide back on.

Top- you can see the new bolts holding the bar in place.
Bottom - the under side 

Sliding the latch mechanism back in place, put the screws in and its as good has new.

The second project was to replace the padding and material on our dining chairs. We found some padding on Amazon and Pat had picked up some material along the way to do the job.

Top - before removing the old, bottom left - removing the staples, bottom right - the flattened old foam

First was to remove the 200 staples holding the material in place, along with the old padding. Next was to cut the new and thicker padding to size and I glued it to the board that made up the base of the seat. Now the fun part of wrapping the new material around the padding and stapling it to the bottom of the board. It turned out well with the second one better than the first. Pat is happy with it and that is what matters.

Cutting to size, gluing to seat, finished and Gibbs approved

The third and last project was at the flying field. We have a bulletin board under the shelter for putting up notices. Someone vandalized it by breaking the plexiglass cover back in December.

The club purchased a sheet of plexiglass, hinges, and a couple of latches to make a new one. Using a 2x4x8 left over from the new flight stands that we built in the fall, I ripped one down the middle, run each half through the table saw leaving a 5/8 inch deep saw blade width cut.

New Plexiglass in frame

Next, the plexiglass was cut to size, the 2x4 cut to size for each side along with the ends cut at 45 degrees so the corners would meet neatly. Each side was slid onto the .100 of inch plexiglass, screwed at the corners, angle brackets added for strength and silicone caulking applied inside and out. The hinges and hooks were added and then hung on the bulletin board. Looks good and will protect the notices for a long time.

There you have it, thanks for stopping by and taking time to read about what I have been up to, other than flying. Until the next time.