Jim - wake up!

 

No one wants to hear that in the middle of the night.  "Wake up - there's a problem!"  Nope, didn't want to hear that, either.

"What's the problem?"

"The power is out."

Yep, that is a problem.  When I was awake enough to understand what she was saying, I went outside to the power pedestal to see what was wrong - the surge protector had cut the power to the coach.  Usually, this happens when there is an electrical problem: high or low voltage, an open ground, reverse polarity, etc.  The screen that shows the faults was crazed and unreadable.  The power came back on; on its own.  I assumed a transient voltage fluctuation and switched our power cable to the 50 amp connection - it threw a fault before it would allow the connection.

Not much I can do about this at 2:00 in the morning, so I removed the surge protector and plugged us back in... it's hot, I'm tired, I just want to go back to bed.  I told Joan I would check at the office or put a multi-meter on it, in the morning.

Nobody got much sleep after that.

After getting Murphy fed first thing in the morning, I went to the office to see if anyone else was reporting any electrical issues.  The lady said, "Just at the new sites - the electrical company is supposed to be coming out."  Yep, voltage fluctuations.

We don't have far to go today, about 170 miles.  We stopped for fuel a ways outside of Amarillo (after stopping at a Wally World in town so Joan could re-supply us).  The good news: least expensive gas on this trip so far: $2.76, with a 10¢ per gallon discount with the Love's app.  The bad news: with the nasty wind yesterday, our fuel mileage was crappy - less than 7mpg.  The worse news: the wind is even stronger today.  With fewer miles to make, I kept us to about 60 mph, hoping for better mileage.

We rolled out of Texas and into New Mexico...

The road was decent for a few miles, then turned to what we expect from New Mexico roads: apparently no one in the state is capable of making proper road repairs.  It is not fun trying to dodge ugly potholes while getting moved around in the wind.  No, they don't show any of this in the ads for RV sales.

We decided to try something different for tonight's stay: a Love's RV Stop.  "You're going to park your motorhome at a Love's truck stop?"  Yes, and thanks for asking.  Some of the Love's Travel Stops have actual RV sites - paved and with full hook-ups.  We've seen them before, but always assumed it would be loud with all the trucks coming and going.  It is supposed to be close to 100º today as we make our way across New Mexico (Land of Blowing Dirt and Shit Roads)... we will have the air conditioning on all night, which should help drown out the traffic noise.  We'll see how that works out.

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We rolled into the Love's Travel Stop before 2:00 (that's PM), managed to squeeze into a spot a the gas pumps and topped off our fuel.  The mileage is back over 8mpg again (over 9 is even better), so slowing down helped.

The RV Stop at this particular Love's is right next to where the big trucks thread into the diesel fuel lanes.  With the a/c pumping cool air and the TV on, we don't hear the trucks.  Much.  "So, how are the RV sites there?"  You always know what to ask - thank you for your concern.  The RV sites are paved (as advertised)...

Not even remotely close to level.  They slope downhill and to the right.  With our jacks down and us not quite level, the passenger side front tire is off the ground.  These are obviously brand new RV sites, so there is no reason they should slope like this.  On the bright side, there is a Carl's Junior at this Love's, so I may get to have a biscuit sandwich for breakfast.

They also advertise that these RV Stops are gated... you gain entry with your paid reservation and the app.  No fence, no gate here.  Maybe that is in the works?  Maybe they should be charging less for non-level sites and no way to keep people from wandering through the RV sites?  As of right now, we are the only RV in here (most people don't get off the road as early as we did today).  Joan said it looks like other sites are reserved tonight, that she can see on the app.

As long as the power doesn't fluctuate tonight (that has only happened one other time in all our years of RVing), we'll probably get a good night's sleep.  Probably.  That said, this is a very busy truck stop/travel center at 3:15 in the afternoon.

A bit more work today...

 

 Before heading out today, Murphy got to go for a half hour walk - he is truly enjoying the leash time when we're in a quiet place.

We pulled out around 8:30 this morning; only 270 miles for the drive today.  Traffic was typically heavy as we rolled through Oklahoma City morning rush hour (I don't think it matters when you go through there), and their gawd-awful roads.

The only photo I took today...

 Murphy is sitting in his fleece-lined, very cushy "box"; sitting on Joan's lap.  He rode a good portion of today's drive there.

We drove west across the rest of Oklahoma and into Texas.  Mother Nature started the day with a gusty wind out of the south, then turned it from the southwest, putting in more on our nose.  I won't know until we fuel up tomorrow, but looking at the gas gauge, this will probably be the worst fuel burn of our trip.  So far.  More of the same expected for tomorrow's drive.

We are down for the night at the Big Texan RV Ranch in Amarillo, with a plan to take the park's limo to the Big Texan Steak Ranch (notice a theme here?) for supper.  The restaurant offers a "free 72 oz steak" to anyone who can eat it all, plus the sides, plus bread and a drink in an hour or less.  No, we won't be trying that.  We've stayed here and eaten here before - the restaurant packs 'em in.  I expect it to be busy on a Friday evening.  It's an "event" more than a fancy meal.  Plus, this was along our route and about the right number of miles we wanted to go today.

We have full hook-ups and are just chilling before we go out to eat.  "Chilling" is good, because it is 103º here this afternoon, with the "feels like" temperature of "Oh my God, I'm melting!"  I know this because I set up all of our utilities after we pulled in.  Outside.  In the heat and the wind.

I probably won't add anything to this post this evening... planning to be sleepy, with the meat-sweats.  ;-)

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Our meals at the Big Texan Steak Ranch were tasty - Joan did a BBQ variety, I did a 12 oz ribeye.  The RV park has a limo that takes you to the restaurant (and brings you back) - smart.  I took a photo of my date...

Joan sent me this one: Murph and his Pops after the day's drive...

Murph got out of the box he was in most of the day (he was not captive in there), and had to dramatically stretch out.  His Pops is thinking: "Oh, the drama!"  We keep Joan entertained.

We be rolling again...

 

We unhooked and hit the road this morning.  Bright sunshine and a cool start to the day: 55º!  Murphy settled in inside his carrier; Joan had drinks ready for us - heading west, then south, it was 2-lane roads for much of the morning...

 The crew...

We got on the Interstate near Fayatteville, heading south to I-40.  Once into Oklahoma, we stopped at a rest area - first that I've seen one that has a separate RV parking area...

It was nice to not have a loud semi parked right next to us.  Joan made us some lunch, while I fed Murphy.  A few rolling hills in Oklahoma before things flattened out...

Not a lot of traffic.  Then, an "old school" stop for fuel...

Yes, we frequently stop a Flying J, Pilot, and Loves; the older Flying Js have separate RV lanes.  I appreciate that.

We made reservations along the way at a KOA in Choctaw, OK.  When I let Steph know where were are stopped for the day, she asked if that is where Blake Shelton is from... I have no idea, but I told her: "Blake says, 'Hey!'"

We are in another tree shaded site...

Murphy has been walking good in the nicely landscaped, grassy sites in Harrison, AR (in the Ozarks); I was anxious to see how he'd do here, where it is more wooded with gravel and sand.  I'd say he's fine with exploring...

Murph does not "love" the camera the way Izzy and Rufus did, but he puts up with it.

It was good to get off the road early enough in the day to get Murph out for a nice walk.  We also took the time to search out RV parks for the next couple nights.

I saw brochures for two different pizza places when I checked in at the office here.  The nice lady at the office said, "Domino's is only 3 miles away and they will deliver right to the porch here."  Joan ordered it on-line, followed the progress, and let me know when to head to the office.  Less than 2 minutes after I got there, my new buddy Marshall showed up with our pizza and garlic bread knots... "You must be Marshall," I said... "Are you James?"  I was back to the coach about two minutes later, with the pizza and knots still hot.  We were still in the Tropical Tip the last time we had Dominos.  Tasty!

And Murphy will get another walk in before we all call it a night.

Let's go to the video...

 

Here's the video from yesterday's ride to and through Eureka Springs...

We are apparently spoiled by the riding around the Maggie Valley area, the Black Hills, and even South Mountain in Phoenix... this turned out to be mostly highway riding.  More curves than in south Texas, but not an "exciting" ride.  Still, it was good to be riding.  And the weather was delightful - we were comfortable in our mesh riding jackets the whole ride.

Today, we'll do a re-run of some of the Jasper Disaster route, with a plan to have lunch once again in Jasper.  Then, back to the coach where we're start our packing up and strapping down so we can hit the road again tomorrow.

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I shoulda shot video of this instead of Eureka Springs!  Out for our last ride here in the Ozarks today.  As I mentioned above, we did some of the Jasper Disaster loop, with another side loop - what a spectacular ride!  Hills, steep decents, tight curves, pretty scenery... yep, this ride ticked off all the good stuff.  And, no, I didn't bring a camera along today... wish I would have.

We rode a good portion of the loop we did last week, but with even better stuff added.  No, we didn't know it was "better stuff"... just looking for ziggy-zaggy lines on the map.  And, it paid off.  You can't see me right now, but I have a big smile on my face.  And, I am tired.  Both good signs.  There is a bit of hype involved on today's ride: the first is "Arkansas Grand Canyon."  It is more of a heavily wooded valley than a canyon, but there are some pretty views from right along Hwy 7, southeast of Jasper.

No bold discovery was made when the Arkansas Grand Canyon got its name. The name was born out of a marketing need, but it worked, and it stuck. It was known as Vendor Valley up until the 1970s.  The original owners of the Cliff House Inn needed a way to attract customers. They knew they had a site that would captivate attention, but they needed a way to draw it in first. Jane McNutt affectionately dubbed the area The Arkansas Grand Canyon. She and her husband made signs to place along AR 7, and the name has stuck for more than 50 years. 

From there, you drop about 2,000 feet as you wind your way down a road with signs that warn you of "Very crooked and steep road ahead!"  This was easily the best riding we've had since getting to this area.  And... no traffic.  There were stretches with a 14% grade and 10 mph curves... well, that's what the signs tell you as the "recommended speed."  A "runaway truck" pull-off.  All the stuff that indicate a fun, twisty road.

Coming back through Jasper for the second time today, we decided to stop for lunch.  Joan was feeling like pizza, I suggested that we might try the Ozark Cafe, which was rated 5 stars on some "foodie survey" and on the list of "the 50 best cafes, one from each state."  We pulled up by the Jasper Pizza Co, got off our bikes, and found it was closed today through Thursday.  The Ozark Cafe was across the street and a few steps down.  More hyperbole?  It was good food: Joan had the chicken fried steak, I had a chili cheese burger.  The best in the state?  Maybe; but Jaime's a few days ago would get higher ratings from us.  But, really - it was good.

We looked at some t-shirts they had for sale, touting the "Hillbilly Highway" (the Jasper Disaster loop) and a bunch of canoeing shirts; canoeing is a very big deal here, with about 100 rental operators and guides along the Buffalo National River (the first "National River" in the US).  We didn't find anything we couldn't live without.

The rest of Hwy 7 from Jasper back to Harrison was a re-run, but a delight.  Back at the coach, we hung up riding jackets and got the scoots strapped down.  Later, after we shower and when the sun gets behind the hill, we will pull in slideouts, raise the jacks, and back the coach up closer to the sewer connection, and dump our holding tanks.  (The cargo trailer is going to stick out into the interior road, but that shouldn't inconvenience anyone for the short time it will be there while we dump tanks.)  Yes, that is a bit of rigamarole, but it is way less effort than trying to make water run uphill with that extra long stretch to the sewer connection.

Then, we will put the jacks back down, run the slides out, and settle in for the evening.

And what about Murphy?  Does he get some quality outdoor time?  Absolutely, and thanks for asking.  He and I walked around for about 45 minutes this morning.  In the grass that was wet from the morning dew.  No, that doesn't bother him.  He's not a fan of getting his feet (and belly - he laid in it, too) wiped when it is time to come in.  And, this afternoon, after getting the bikes strapped down, Joan sat outside with Murphy for another hour or so.  Back inside for his supper, and he's ready to go back outside again.  He is enjoying the grassy area we have right out the door of the coach.

The plan for tomorrow: go west, make some miles.  Yesterday, Joan said to me, "We should be home in two weeks."  I know she is ready to be back in her house.

Eureka Springs...

 

We have been to Eureka Springs several times over the years, by motorcycle, car, and scooters.  There is another ride loop that runs through (or near) Eureka Springs that was on today's agenda.  I shot some video and will get that worked up... at some point... probably.  But, Eureka Springs was just as we remembered it, and neither of us felt like paying $5 each to park a scooter and walk around.  No souvenirs or t-shirts either of us need, although Joan did point out a tie-dye shop.  Narrow winding road through the historic downtown area, that was interesting to ride through... then back out to the highways.

If fact, it was pretty much all highway riding today, even on a couple "back roads" that looked interesting on the map.  I guess we are spoiled when it comes to fun riding roads.  I'll get something posted here soon.

The new helmet communicators worked well.  I am happy that I get to use my Schuberth helmet again, and Joan is happy that there is no "crackling" in her ears.  A good test of the system today, with in-town and highway riding.

When we got back, I put the top case on Joan's bike and we made a trip for groceries.  We'll be rolling again on Thursday, heading west, we we need to be self-sufficient for food.  We also stopped to top off our fuel tanks - Joan was a bit disappointed that she got just under 100 mpg.  Considering that we were running at highway speeds for most of today's ride, I expected my mileage to be considerably less than that; 81.5 mpg.  The Burgman will handle those speeds, but it will use more fuel to do it; I'm OK with that.

Murphy got to have some outdoor time this afternoon.  He enjoys "hunting" in the grass.  He is not one to sit, lounge, and enjoy the grass and sunshine; that may come with a bit more age.  I tried to get photos of him, but his head is always on a swivel, and never pointed in the direction of the camera.  Even so, I did manage to get a couple photos of the furry boy...

 There are a lot more photos, but mostly of the back of his head.  He did manage to trap and eat some kind of jumping bug... judging from the look on his face, I don't think he enjoyed the flavor.  🙀

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I'm downloading and keyframing video files.  In the meantime, here's a few stills from today's ride..

Even if you're paranoid...

 

... that doesn't mean they aren't out to get you.  Yeah, I'm talking about Mother Nature.  We had a good ride yesterday.  It rained a couple hours after we got back to the coach.  It's a theme, this rain thing.  It rained off and on all night.  Off and on through this morning, as well.

Here's a shot of the weather radar from this morning...

That is the skinniest little bit of a line of rain, extending from northwest to southeast... it is moving southeast.  We are the blue dot.  Yes, that means the length of that line will run right over the top of us, while anything 20 to 30 miles either side of us is in the clear.  An anomaly?  I think not.

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With the occasional rain this morning, I was able to get yesterday's ride video done...

It is a narrated ride video, shot with the DJI Osmo Action 4 camera, rather than the 360 cameras I use most often.  The DJI Mic 2 makes the voice over easy to add.

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Around noon, Joan got a notification that a package we were expecting had been delivered to the office here.  I went to pick it up...

The previous Lexin communicators we have in our helmets have been causing some issues: a crackling noise in Joan's earpieces and a microphone that has been shorting out in mine.  We can't complain - these units have lasted for 5 years and have seen a lot of use, and not always handled gently.  These MTX communicators are the newer model; I plan to get them installed to day and we'll see how they work.

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The new communicators are installed on two of our helmets.  I knocked out that half hour job in only minutes... well, about 180 minutes.  The thing that took the longest was getting the mount for the communicator installed on my Schuberth helmet.  Only took 5 full installs.  The wiring (well, routing the wiring) was pretty straight forward, except once again on my Schuberth... there is a wire that has to fit in a channel on that helmet, and it was a bugger getting the wiring to fit around that.  Joan's helmet only took about 20 minutes, including removing the old communicator.

Then, testing them out.  No doubt the neighbors thought we were weird as we walked around outside saying, "Can you hear me?  How does this sound?"  Even though it is only the two of us using these, the mesh technology allows for up to 24 people to be connected (I can't imagine what that would sound like??).  These turn on faster, connect to each other faster, they're supposed to have a longer range and battery life... but I'll need to determine the sound quality once we can get out on the bikes (tomorrow).  Everything I've read about these says the sound quality is better - I always liked how our old communicators sounded; if we hadn't worn them out, I would have stayed with those.

I mentioned I installed these on two of our helmets... Joan has one helmet, I have two.  I have been switching helmets depending on whether we are riding together or I am going out solo.  I will be retiring the older of my two helmets.  I'm still trying to convince Joan that she needs a new helmet - they don't last forever; most of the info on helmets says to replace them after 5 years.  I'm also trying to convince her to go with a modular helmet (full face) to replace her 3/4 helmet.

Yeah, we rode...

 

Took the scoots on the Peel Ferry motorcycle route.  Wait!  What?  You can take scooters on a motorcycle route??  Yeah.

I shot some DJI Action 4 video today, still in the process of going throught it.  By the time we got back from the ride, it was hot, we were tired and sweaty.  We actually went to the campground shower house... a first in years.  Then, a nap.  Did I mention: tired?  Not from the ride - we were riding faster most of this one - but, from the heat and humidity.

I may get the video worked up tomorrow; in the meantime, I'm taking the evening off.

Here's a screen shot: yes, it really is a ferry...