Up and At 'em...

 

Murphy walked on me this morning.  Those who have cats will understand: there is their stealthy walk, where they are light as a feather; and there is their heavy walk... this was the heavy walk.  It was 4:30 and I was not ready to be up.  I turned over - Stella curled up in the crook of my knees.

I got up just before 5:30 and started on their breakfast.  They both adore me at that time.  It was already 91º when I took Murphy outside before 6:00 am.  When we came in around 6:30, Joan was up - she asked me, "Did you turn off the propane in the van?"

"I did not."  A quick discussion and we decided to make a run to the van to shut off propane, drop off items Joan laundered yesterday, and bring the bedding home for it's turn at being laundered.  Leaving storage, Joan asked me, "Are you ready for a bite to eat?"

"Black Bear?"  Agreed.  They do have a "lite eaters menu" which works good for us.  Breakfast eaten and we were on the way home before 8:00.  That's a busy morning for us.  Oh, I know the working folks will have an opinion on that timing... but we are still adjusting to 3 different time zones in the last week or so.

While at the van, we emptied out the Stowaway2 storage pod.  When I get a reasonably cooler morning (maybe Friday), I'll bring the van in and get it washed... we squished a lot of bugs over those 3,000+ miles.

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On the local news this morning, they reported on "an elderly hiker" who had been found dead on a trail on South Mountain.  He had been missing for 4 days.  The local media warns about hiking in this heat (supposed to be 108º here today); the hiking trails are closed when the temps are forecast to be above 105º.

While I feel for this hiker and his family, the descriptor "elderly" got my attention.  I wondered if there was a real definition for the age at which one becomes elderly?  Turns out, there is: In the U.S. and globally, 65 is the most widely accepted age for becoming a "senior" or "elderly," primarily because it aligns with eligibility for Medicare and Social Security full retirement. However, definitions vary.

Gerontologists often categorize aging into brackets (Young-Old: 65–74, Middle-Old: 75–84, and Old-Old: 85+).  Cool - I am still "Young-Old."  

The Cats Were Right...

 

"We live in a mansion!"  Well, not really, but the house does seem bigger after spending time in the van.  ;-)  The felines settled back in... they are sharing space, sitting on a chair by the patio door.  They both slept on Joan's side of the bed last night.  And the best part: we all slept in this morning.

"The morning routine" came back easily.  The fur babies were patient while I prepared their breakfast.  I took Murphy outside - he walked around our courtyard a bit, then settled down on some pavers in the shade.  Nothing I would call "cool," as it was already 90º at 8:00 am.  Coming back inside was his idea this morning: "Whew!  It's hot out there," he told Stella.  Then, they both got a Churu treat, sharing it off a spatula at the same time.

Joan went to work on laundry.  No, we don't have a washer/dryer in the van.  Yes, people have asked.  The bathroom (with a shower) makes an airline potty look spacious.

There is shopping that needs to get done today; staples (like cat food) that we knew would be enough to make the trip need to be replenished.  This is serious - I used the last of hard kitten food on breakfast!  Stella is not worried - she knows Mom and Dad will provide.  Or, if necessary, she can always snitch some of Murphy's food.  Yes, they each get their own, but it is a regular occurrence to have them start with their own food, then switch... like junior high kids trading lunch.

We enjoyed our trip.  It took a few days to get into the swing of things.  I participate on a RoadTrek owners group on Facebook.  One of the participants there was moderately appalled that we stayed in a KOA on our last night out - she was touting the 50% off that Passport America offers and said that is what they use when they travel.  Yep, we are aware of PA - we have a "lifetime membership" that we bought years ago.  For those who aren't aware of how it works: Passport America does give you 50% off a night at specific RV parks; the parks can put "exclusions" on when it can be used... such as: not on weekends, only during the off season, no holidays, etc.  You have to check the information at each park to see what their exclusions are.  A park can stop offering that Passport America rate at any time.

We used Passport America regularly from 2007 to 2020.  Then the big "RVing boom" during the pandemic - RV parks were full, only the less desirable places had to offer 50% off to fill sites.  The number of parks offering PA declined.  The exclusions increased.  The lifetime membership meant we didn't have to pay the annual fee for it, but we used it less.  To the point where we quit looking for parks along our route - for us, it is more important to be where we want to stop for the night. 

Here's a breakdown on the type of RV parks we used on this last trip:
4 nights in casino RV parks
3 nights in county parks
2 nights in a membership park (Hart Ranch)
1 night in a fairgrounds
1 night in a KOA
2 nights in Love's RV Stops

 Will we use Passport America again?  Sure, when it is convenient.  For those who don't travel by RV: campgrounds and RV parks are not all the same; some are definitely nicer than others.  Some are what we call "Camp Deadend," where the majority of rigs in there look like they couldn't move.  Some are true "resorts," where they offer all the amenities (like swimming pool, hot tub, sport courts, restaurant, activities).  Some are literally just overnight stops.

Our needs for an overnight vary: sometimes we just want a safe place to park; or an electric plug-in; or full facilities like electric, water, and sewer.  Or cable TV.  Or a nice shower.  We like a level site (you'd think that would be a given, but it isn't always); a paved site is a plus.  When we had bigger rigs and were towing, a pull-through site was a must.  So, it varies.  Our RoadTrek is nicely self-contained, so dry camping (no hookups) is easy when it isn't blisteringly hot out.  Sometimes we need to put on fresh water and dump our holding tanks - then, it's good to have a full hook-up site.  But, anyway you look at it, a Class B campervan is a great "traveling conveyance."

 

 

This Horse Is Heading For The Barn...

 

You bought a horse?  No, that's a saying.  We are 200 miles from home, and will be heading that way shortly.  The high today in Phoenix is supposed to be 109º... can't say I'm looking forward to that.

The kitties had their "best night" last night.  The ruckus was minor and didn't go on and on.  All things considered, they did good this trip.

Last night, Stella was grooming Murphy...

I just know she's gonna bite me.

 They do that for each other, but it usually turns into a bite-fest.  This was just sweet; and went on for a while.  Yes, that is a cat-spit induced cowlick in the photo above.  They can be nice to each other.

We'll finish our tank flushing this morning, then hit the road.  It's time.  We say we "won't be crazy about getting things unloaded and cleaned," but it rarely works out that way.  With the triple digit heat, we're going to have to take it easy and in shifts.

This stretch of road is quite scenic - it starts with high desert leaving Holbrook...

 But, turns into curvy mountain roads with plenty of elevation changes...

 I would much rather do this road than the Interstate.  As we drop in elevation and get closer to Phoenix, there is the challenge to see who sees the first saguaro cactus...

 And then, there are entire hillsides of them.

Before long, you see evidence of civilization.  Then, scads of traffic.  Yep, we are back in Phoenix.

Then, home...

 

Murphy saw the house as we pulled up to it - the boy couldn't wait to get inside.  We opened the sliding door and let him run to the front door of the house.  I put little Stella in her carrier and brought her inside.  The kitties seem very happy to be home once again.

It is HOT!  We had our plan, and worked it.  Within a half hour or so, we had the van unloaded.  A bit longer than that to get the stuff put away.  Joan cleaned the interior; I need to give it a thorough washing, but that will have to wait until an early morning.  Sometime.  We put the van into storage; I gave it a soft pat as I locked it up - the RoadTrek performed like a champ.

Thanks for riding along the past couple weeks. 

 

Another Day of "Side Excursions"...

 

We had a Sunday breakfast buffet at the Sky City Casino.  A bit of gaming.  Joan likes to say, "Between the two of us, we came out about even."  That's what you say when you lose and I win.  I'm good with it; what's mine is hers and what's hers is hers.

Because we made some extra miles yesterday, we had to do some "recalculating" - we'd like to be in an RV park tonight where we can dump and flush tanks, so those are empty.  Only 208 miles to go to get home.  Joan picked a KOA in Holbrook, AZ.  Check-in time isn't until 2:00pm and we were ready to head out after breakfast.  And, we gain an hour on this leg, on Arizona time.

We have never been to Petrified Forest National Park; it is close to Holbrook; looks like a good way to spend some time before checking in today.  We have a plan.

Some pretty scenery along the way...

Before leaving New Mexico, we saw a sign for El Malpais National Monument; yeah, we have time to check it out...

 

 This National Monument is best known for the black lava formations...

 

 From there, heading west...

 We turned of I-40 for a trip through Petrified Forest National Park...

 Painted Desert views above.  Checking out the Visitors Center and some view-points...

 A "log bridge"...

 A selfie from Joan...

 Some petrified logs...

 How did they become petrified?  Thanks for asking.  This area was a tropical rain forest millions of years ago.  When fallen logs become buried by volcanic ash, it doesn't allow oxygen to get to the tree, preventing decay.  Over thousands or millions of years, groundwater dissolves minerals like silica and deposits them into the wood, crystallizing and replacing the organic matter while perfectly preserving its cellular structure.  And, now you know.

It had been blowing like stink while we were in the National Park.  This is why...

 Yep, another thunderstorm moving right towards where we are planning to stay for the night.

Stella hopped up on the dash while we were on this final leg...

Above, from Joan's phone; below, from my camera...

 Murphy didn't hop up on the dash until we were settled in at the campground...

 I was going to say: Murphy was asking, "Where's my supper!??"  But, he is not a demanding boy - that was a yawn.

We got set up in the KOA right before the first sprinkles from the thunderstorm hit our windows.  The worst of it went north of us, but we did get the lightning and thunder.  After nearly 3,000 miles, the van is grubby - let it rain!

And speaking of the van, here's a shot from inside the National Park...

 

A Detour...

 

Not because of road construction.  Joan was looking at the Maps app and said, "Do you know there is a scenic road past Angel Fire, Eagles' Next, and Taos?  It will add about an hour and a half to our drive time today."

"Do you wanna do it?"

Spur of the moment decision.  We made that one about 60 seconds before coming up on that exit.

Last night in Colorado - another Love's RV Stop.  I mentioned the extra miles in yesterday's blog post.  It was a good stop.

Today, since we went further than planned yesterday, we did some figuring along the way.  I suggested we try Sky City, another casino in New Mexico.  Not just "another casino," Sky City was one of the first; we drove by it a couple times back in our "big coach" days, but the timing was never right for a stop.  I knew (well, expected) the casino and RV park to be dated, but I had seen a sign on the way over on our first day out that they had full hook-up RV sites for $29; quite a deal.  And, we are only looking for a place to park and an electric hook-up because it is supposed to be another hot one today.  I called an got us a reservation - one of the RV site review forums I use mentioned that this place had "a $19 RV site rate if you mentioned the billboard."  When booking it, I mentioned "the billboard"... yep, got it for $19.  The next closest place is about 3 times that price.

So, back to the detour.  The GPS was showing us getting to Sky City around 1:00 pm - yeah, we have time for a detour.  Pretty mountains and twisty roads - what's not to like?

We got off the Interstate just south of Raton Pass...

 Into New Mexico...

 Then, west on a 2 lane road, towards the mountains...

 The road got twistier after a while.  That would be more fun on the scoots, but the RoadTrek is our current conveyance, so...

 It was a pretty drive.  Some of this we did cover on scoots when we were in Taos for a week, almost 2 years ago.

Once into Taos, it was mostly 4 lane road to get to Santa Fe, then back on the Interstate.  It was a good diversion.  Turning west on I-40, another 59 miles or so to get to Sky City.

We knew to go to the Hotel Registration Desk to check in for the RV park... and that meant walking through the casino.  Joan said, "These look like new machines - I may have to play after we get settled in."

I got us checked in, then off to the nearby RV park.  Yes, this is dated, but perfectly adequate.  I plugged in our surge protector to check the voltage: all good, and electric is all we need.  We're fine on our fresh water and holding tanks.  Just as I was finishing with the electric, I looked back and saw...

 Whoa!  A fast-moving thunderstorm!  I got a quick shot of the site and headed inside...

 We got a few sprinkles on the windows, but the worst of it (thunder and lightning) moved just south and east of us.  We did feel the wind from the gust front, but nothing bad.

Murphy was keeping an eye out for us...

 Then, Stella joined him while I got their early supper ready...

 They were both good travelers today.  And, for the record, less ruckus during the night last night.  In fact, they both snuggled with me for a while - a first, since their first choice is snuggling with their Momma.  I get that - it is my first choice, too.  They seem to be settling into this traveling stuff, and... we should be home in a couple days.  I am sure they will be happy to have their home routine back.

The humans had some adjustment time, too.  Along about the third day, with rowdy cats, much less space than we are used to, and a couple big mile days, I began to wonder if our "van life" days might be numbered.  We adapted.  Joan is already talking about what she'd like to do different on our next outing.  That's a good sign.  ;-)

 

A Walk In The Park...

 

The RV park, that is.  Yesterday, I took a short walk around part of Hart Ranch, trying out my Oakley Vanguard Meta glasses as the video recorder.  The camera in the glasses does a decent job, but the guy running them could have looked around at something besides the road.  ;-)

So, another video here, that won't get posted anywhere else.  It was a test: a windy day (again), and I wanted to see how the noise reduction in the 5 microphones in the glasses would handle that.  Quite well, as it turns out.

So, a walkin' and talkin' video about Hart Ranch...

 Another learning experience with the Oakleys.

Rolling south today. 

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We were up early, and hit the road.  The GPS was showing us into our intended destination just before 1:00 pm.  Nahh - that's too early; all we're looking to do at this point is make some miles in the general direction of Phoenix.  We picked another potential stop a couple hours further down the road.

Another "3 state day": South Dakota, Nebraska, and Colorado.  The "Heartland Express" is a joint venture between those 3 states to make a good 4 lane road from the Black Hills to the Denver area.  South Dakota has done their part - the road is good; Nebraska, not so much - still mostly 2 lane; Colorado - they should be ashamed of themselves - State Highway 71 is mostly ugly 2 lane, no shoulders, with the road surface in terrible condition.  With us extending the driving day from around 350 miles to 540 miles, I was already tired by the time we got onto that crappy road in Colorado.  If we come back this way, I won't make that mistake again.  We could have taken I-70 into Denver, then I-25 south to where we are down (south of Pueblo), but I didn't want to deal with all the Denver traffic.  Still likely would have been better than that lumpy, cracked mess of a road that passes for a State Highway in Colorado.

I got a photo of Stella on the dash and on Joan's lap while underway...

Joan sent me this one of Stella sitting on the door arm rest...

She looks tiny there; but she is getting bigger.  Joan shot this one of Stella and Murphy at the sliding door yesterday...

 The long driving day today means fewer miles to cover the next 3 days.  We are down for the day, a/c going (back into the 90s for temperature today) and ready to relax.