FINALLY OUT OF KINGMAN (YIPPEE!)

Thursday, September 22, 2011
After ten days of biding our time in Kingman, waiting for the truck to be repaired, we finally pulled out this morning at 7.  We reached Show Low about 3 pm and set up the trailer at the Ranchero RV Park where we will stay for a couple of weeks before winterizing the trailer and putting it away for the winter.  The weather is beautiful and everyone has been so helpful and friendly.

On the way to Show Low, we stopped in Ash Fork, took some pictures and visited the local museum and visitors' center.  I purchased a book on Ash Fork for Chelsea and Tom.  Hope they like it.  Had lunch at the Sonic Drive-In in Taylor. 

Tomorrow we will stock up on groceries, etc. after a good night's rest.  It takes a few days to acclimate to the higher elevation.

Just a ps regarding our fantastic dinner at Shadowbrook in Capitola.

This was by far the most beautiful restaurant I've ever been to.  If any of you are ever in the Capitola, CA area, please done miss this one.  http://www.shadowbrook-capitola.com/home/home.php

Monday, September 13, 2011
In spite of a steady downpour all last night and this morning, we decided to drive to Oatman, AZ which is basically an historic ghost town left from gold mining days. Ironically, the town appears to be quite healthy with about 20 shops, bars, a post office, etc. and because of the increase in the price of gold, the mine has been reopened and the security is obviously quite intense. The wild burros have adopted Oatman and although they were quite scarce today because of the rain we did manage to spot a few. The road from Kingman (old Rte 66) was rough and because of the rain had washed out in several places (meaning we made a few wet crossings!) and the rocks were beginning to tumble from the mountains onto the road. We decided to proceed on to Bullhead City, AZ and over the Colorado to Laughlin, NV where we had lunch. Our Jeep rental was a wise choice!! BTW, the part for our truck has not arrived. We are both anxious to escape Kingman and head to Pinetop and on home to Scottsdale.

Our First Trip with the "New" Fifth Wheel

Wednesday, August 31, 2011
We departed Scottsdale mid-morning and traveled to Flagstaff where we picked up the fifth wheel from John and Kathy's field!  Had to purchase a new battery before continuing to Greer RV Park in Flagstaff where we stayed until Saturday am, September 3.  Necessary repairs and cleaning was completed.

Saturday, September 3, 2011
Drove from Flagstaff to Mojave, CA.  Fueled up in Barstow, CA and paid our highest bill for diesel ($4.49/gal for a total of $125!).  12 mi/gal.  We arrived at Sierra Trails RV Park in Mojave at 4:30 pm ($25.85/night).

Sunday, September 4, 2011
Left Mojave at 10:30 am and traveled to Morro Bay, CA.  Fueled in Wasco, CA - 9 mpg.  Arrived at Morro Bay Dunes RV Park.  Terribly crowded.  Tenters were camping on the pavement!!  We BBQ'd excellent steak for dinner and couldn't resist sharing a bit with Mazy.

Monday, September 5, 2011
The steak didn't agree with Mazy!! We took a VERY sick dog to Atascadero Pet Hospital and left her to be hydrated and medicated. NO MORE STEAK MAZY!! We then drove to Cambria/San Simeon and toured Hearst Castle. It was absolutely beautiful and so interesting. Picked up Mazy and returned to the trailer at Morro Bay. Mazy slept through the night but still very lethargic and not eating.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Departed Morro Bay and drove to Maple Leave RV Park in Morgan Hill, arrived early afternoon.  Parked the trailer and proceeded down Hwy 2 to Monterrey via Watsonville where we visited the aquarium, Cannery Row and Monterrey's fisherman's wharf.  We then drove to
Capitola and had the best meal at Shadowbrook restaurant.  It was so beautiful, food was excellent and service was outstanding!!

Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Had a very full day driving to San Francisco, over the Golden Gate and through Sausalito and Tiburon.  We had lunch in Tiburon and returned to the city to take in Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39, and Ghiradeli's for a great hot fudge sundae.  Fueled in Morgan Hill.  $4.06/gal  17.5 mpg.

Thursday, September 8, 2011
Left Morgan Hill about 11 am and headed to Groveland, CA and Yosemite National Park.  (BTW, Mazy is almost A1, still a bit of medicine to take.  Fueled on our way through Oakdale, CA.  $4.05/gal. 9 mpg.  the GPS directed us onto a very steep, curvy road into Groveland.  Truck overheated and after it cooled off, we proceeded to Yosemite Pines RV Park in Groveland.  A very nice fellow came to "rescue" us after his wife stopped to see if we were okay while waiting on the hillside.  John Banks & his wife were indeed good Samaritans!  She went to their mechanical/tire store in Groveland and sent John back up the hill with water but by that time we had cooled enough to continue on.  Bob stopped by his shop and he replaced coolant that was lost.  Did 4 loads of wash/drying.  We had leftovers tonight!

Friday, September 9, 2011
Left the RV in Groveland and drove to Yosemite Village.  Had a bit of rain but the scenery was beautiful.  Returned to the RV.  Salmon and fresh corn tonight.  Fueled in Groveland. $4.16/gal. 15.4 mpg.

Saturday, September 10, 2011
Left Yosemite Pines at 11 am to drive Rte 120 through the Park to connect with 395S at Mono Lake.  Missed the 120E turnoff and searched for a spot to turn around.  In our attempt to make the turn, we took the front bumper off a very nice couple's Jeep!!  After exchanging names and insurance information, we traveled on.  We made the turn onto 120E (Tioga Pass) which is closed in the winter (and understanbly!).  It was a tough climb and downgrade, especially pulling the fifth wheel.  Bob and the truck did well!  Took about three hours to go 57 miles.  With 4 miles to go, the truck started making very bad noises.   Brakes?  Transmission?  Transfer Case?  We reached the bottom and turned onto 395S.  Fueled at Lone Pine, CA. $4.09/gal. 9.9 mpg.  Heavy lightening, thunder, and rain into Barstow.  We were not allowed to spend the night in the Barstow WalMart parking lot as they were not a 24-hour store.  We spent the night just outside the WalMart parking lot along with several others.

Sunday, September 11, 2011  (10th anniversary of 9/11/2001)
Left Barstow at 9:30 am and headed to Lake Havasau City.  On the way, we fueled at Needles, CA $4.50/gal. 10.6 mpg.  We visited Lake Havasau and the London Bridge.  It was very warm but glad we saw the bridge.  Impressive that it was disassembled in London and reassembled after shipping it from London to Lake Havasau on the Colorado River.  The truck is still making strange noises.  We stayed at Ft. Bealle RV Park in Kingman, AZ ($33/night).

Monday, September 12, 2011
We're still in Kingman as we decided to have the truck checked out before proceeding to Pinetop.  Bob went to Cliff Findlay's Chevrolet dealership while Mazy and I stayed "home" to do some much-needed housecleaning.  After learning the transfer case had to be replaced and parts had to be ordered from Lansing, MI, Bob rented a Jeep since we will be here at least 3 more days!!  Decided to make an adventure of adversity and will check out Oatman, Bullhead City and Laughlin over the next few days.  The weather has been beautiful with light showers.