Trip Home/Winter Wrap UP

Where Are We Today

The Ridge, Priceville On. CA

Our Trek Home

We left Yuma Lakes on Friday March 28^th heading first to a Denny’s in Eloy Arizona to meet up with long time good friends Ken and Nancy, for lunch and catching up since we last saw them in the fall. After a brief but great time, we departed for our destination of the Walmart in Deming New Mexico.

Walmart Deming New Mexico

When I started the truck on the second morning, the check engine light came on. After checking all systems, I decided to drive and see how things went. After two days of gentle driving we came to El Reno, Oklahoma, arriving at the Lucky Star Casino, where we could stay for a few days for free. First thing Monday morning I went to Diffee Ford in town where they immediately took me in and diagnosed an air flow problem. They couldn’t look after us that  day, so called down the road to Joe Cooper Ford who said to send me down and they would get me in. So a big thank you to the service manger at Diffee Ford for getting the help I needed and no charge for the diagnose.

Diffee Ford ( Image taken from their web site)

At Joe Cooper Ford, they took me right in and after doing their own diagnose, determined that the air cleaner had become prematurely clogged and the parameters on the MAF and EGR sensors were out of whack. They replaced the air filter, cleared the codes, reset the parameters, test drove, rechecked the code and all passed. They also did an oil change that I had asked them if they had time, as it was due soon. I was in and out in three hours’ time and a big THANK YOU to Darsy Kuhns for looking after us.

Joe Cooper Ford (image taken from their web site)

Our trip continued, which you can read a more detailed version at Pat’s blog Here, until we reached the KOA campground at Perrysburg, just outside Toledo, Ohio. In Toledo, I attended an RC Expo and Swap Meet on Friday Apr. 4^th. It was well attended with some great deals, (oh, to have the room and a better exchange rate on the dollar), I made a few small purchases.

Toledo RC Expo/Swap Meet

We stayed one more night and decided that on Saturday Apr 5^th, we would head for home. With a quick stop at Bluewater Shipping in Port Huron to pick up a package that I had sent there. We were across the border in a couple of minutes with no issues, heading to CanAm RV in London for the night. Sunday Morning we were up, and on the road, with a quick stop at the Flying J in London to go over the Cat Scales, before heading to the Ridge.

This brings us to the end of our winter travels, which is the main reason for this post. I keep track of our mileage and fuel used for time away in the winter, from the day we leave the Ridge to the day we arrive back at the Ridge.  The following figures represent that.

Total mileage for the winter is 8806.8 mi/4173.1 km. using 800.5 gal/3030.2liters, giving an average of 11.0 mpg/21.4 L/100km. This would have been a little better if not for the last couple of days driving into the wind. It has been one of our better years for mileage.

Mileage from truck Trip meters

I keep track of the number of mi/km that the trailer is pulled. This year the trailer traveled 5482.4mi/8823.1km.

Kms. from Truck Trip meter

That brings us to the end of our winter travels, I would like to add, that with all the political back and forth between the U.S. and Canada, we never experienced any negative comments from any Americans, actually the exact opposite. We love our American friends, family and the southwest, hoping we have many more years travelling there. Thanks for stopping by, until the next time, take care and keep safe.

 

RC Winter In A Nut Shell

Where Are We Today

Yuma Lakes RV Park

 

 Our time in Arizona is quickly coming to an end. We left our park in Quartzsite on Sunday March 16^th and headed south to Yuma. With one more visit to the dentist in Algodones, Mexico, we decided to move down here closer instead of driving the 150-mile round trip in one day.  Also, this is a nice area that we like to spend time in and it will keep us on a more southern route when we leave here on the 28^th of March.

Here we are set up next to Ken & Kim at Yuma Lakes RV Park.
Thanks to Pat for the Picture. 

Pat has kept you all updated on our day-to-day adventures, so this post is centered around my hobby of RC Model Flying.

When we arrived at our RV Park on November 1^st, the flying field was already open and many members were flying. Each winter brings its own challenges in regards to weather (wind, rain), landing on a paved runway and flying. At home, I fly off a grass field, so you can land anywhere but here we have a paved runway to land on, which takes some adjusting to hit a narrower strip to land on. Even if you miss judge you can still land on the desert floor which is stone.

 

 

Busy day of flying

 

The first week here, I lost my Somethin Extra, dumb founded as to why. 
Our Flight instructor lost one of his a week later in the same manner and place.
We think there was some kind of interference.

 

This airplane I picked up down here, recovered it and put my own
 receiver, servos and engine in it.

Here it is in flight.

The club set up a booth at the Quartzsite Fall Festival in the park.

We attended the Quartzsite Sport, Recreation and RV show in 
January for nine days.

We built boxes to hold the club speakers
 that we use at our Air Show.
Here Dave and I cut the pieces out
 of 4x8 plywood. VP Tom looks on. 

Duncan and Kobus assemble the boxes

I picked up this airplane and had the club instructor do the maiden flight.
It got 30 feet off the ground, rolled and dived in, lost all control, don't know why.

We had a great turn out for our Air Show.

Final crash of the winter, my Night Timber.
It has crashed and been put back together
so many times. This was it.

We left Quartzsite earlier then normal this year, so there are still a few guys left flying. Most of the field equipment has been put away, with a few flight tables and chairs left out yet. There are only 3 members of the club that live in Quartzsite all year, the rest come from the mid-west to west coast and from Canada. It will soon be too hot and the spring winds prevent the guys from flying. By mid-October, they will start to get equipment out and we will hopefully do it all again.

Thanks for stopping by for a read, until the next time, fly straight and keep those wings level. Remember, take-offs are optional, landings are mandatory.

 

Where Are We Today

Park Place RV Park

Quartzsite Arizona

Quartzsite Arizona is a quiet town located at the intersection of I-10 and State Hwy 95 with a population of approximately 2600 people. However, during the winter season, snowbirds from the United States and Canada flock to this desert town and the surrounding desert area, increasing the population to near a 1,000,000 (yes one million) people.

Out side the Show Office

So, you are most likely wondering, what is the attraction? It is known for its rock, mineral and gem shows, gun show, quilt show, camelpalooza, rubber tramp rendezvous, Fall Festival, Buck Connors Western Days, boondocking in the desert and the purpose of this blog, The Quartzsite Sport, Vacation and RV Show held in and around The Big Tent. You will find almost anything, from beds to batteries, anything solar, cook wear, clothes, jewelry, wallets, massage devices, flag poles cleaning products, off road accessories and on and on.  The show which runs for 9 days in the last half of January each year, is held on 17 acres of land owned by the show promoter, at the south west corner of the town. Depending on the number of venders, as to the size of the tent. This year the tent was increased in length by 40 feet, making it 650 feet long by 100 feet wide.

Our Booth, Myself on the left and tommy on the right.

The Radio Control Airplane Club that I belong to here, was offered a 10x10 booth in the tent, free of charge, so we accepted. We thought it would be a great way to promote the club and our Air Show, which takes place on February 15^th, this year.  The cost of a booth this size for a vender is $1500, a 10x20 is $3500.

Outside venders

It has been a worthwhile endeavor, attracting interest in the club, hobby, and the Air show. We handed out information sheets on booth the club and the Air Show, also we designed and had made two banners to hang at the show and any other events that we have or attend. I believe we accomplished what we set out to do, but only time will tell if we get any new members and what the attendance at the Air Show will be.

Some inside venders.

Quartzsite, founded in 1867 and Incorporated in 1989, has many activities and amenities with its own police and fire departments. It is rich in history, even a time with Dromedary, Arabian Camels. I have only listed a few facts about the amazing town in the desert, a place where we spend our winters. Google it to learn more.

Thanks for stopping by, hope you have enjoyed your read. Until the next time, take care.