You have to say that with a Larry the Cable Guy accent to get the whole effect.
We had a nice time in Sedona. This was scheduled to be a short get-away, and that's how it played out.
The RV site we were in last night didn't have a sewer connection, and no separate sewer dump in the park. While we didn't use that much water, I do like to put the van away with the holding tanks empty. We came up with a plan while rolling.
We took a different road out of Sedona: Red Rock Scenic Byway (also known as State Highway 179). There are plenty of red rock formations along the way. I used my DJI Pocket 3 camera to get a few "grab shots" along the way...
The road also winds through part of the Coconino National Forest. (For those keeping track, there is free dispersed camping in that National Forest - that means it may or may not be easily accessible with the van.) The RV site we were in at Sedona was not free; not even inexpensive. We paid more for that small partial hook-up site than we generally pay for a larger full hook-up site. The reason is 3-fold: location, location, location. But, I digress.
The fact that there was no sewer connection at our site meant we needed (well, wanted) to find a place to dump before putting the van away. Coincidentally, the gas prices in Sedona and all along the way north of Phoenix were about 60¢ per gallon cheaper than in Phoenix. There is a Love's Travel Center and a Pilot Truck Stop that had the best price on gas and have a sewer dump (part of their business plan to court RVers' business). These dumps are not free. And, we've never (in over 35 years of RVing used one of these truck stop/travel center dump sites.
We stopped at Love's and bought gas for $2.93/gallon, with our 10¢ Love's app discount. It is $10 to use their dump site - you pay at the register inside the store, they give you a key with a metal plate about the size of a table top photo book attached... you aren't going to walk away with that. They also hold onto your drivers license to make sure you bring that key back. The dumping was easy and clean (I really like the macerator pump on our RoadTrek - it makes the job quick).
While I was pumping gas, Joan ran water from our fresh water holding tank into the black and gray tanks - better to dump when they are full or nearly so. This also means less for us to empty out of fresh water holding tank to put that away empty. $10 well spent. I would definitely do that again if we are staying somewhere without the benefit of hook-ups.
Typical mid-day big city traffic on the way into Phoenix from the north... 17 to the 10 to the 202. Easy. We pulled into the driveway, Joan carried Murphy from the van to entryway to the house, put him down, and he scampered to the front door while I held it open for him... "I remember my house - I think it has been months since we've been here." Cats can be a bit dramatic at times. He looked around to make sure everything was where it was supposed to be, then said to me, "So, you probably want to feed me now, huh?"
Joan and I carted stuff back into the house (Joan quote: "This is a lot of work for just a couple days." Maybe we should stay out longer next time?); we put stuff away, then decided on a visit to SmashBurger. SmashBurger had other plans: they were closed... until the 22nd. Joan surmised it was for some deep cleaning. No explanation, just "Sorry for the inconvenience." After Joan suggested this, I really had my mouth ready for their BBQ bacon cheeseburger. Next closest alternative: In and Out Burger. Not a bad second choice... and it is occasionally our first choice - in the rotation along with Five Guys, SmashBurger, and BJ's. Alas, bacon isn't on the menu at In and Out.
It is hot here in the Valley of the Sun: 103º today. Quite a bit different from the 79ª high yesterday in Sedona. We'll wait until after the sun goes down before taking Murph out in the yard so he doesn't burn his paw pads. Yes, that's a thing.
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