Saturday, January 27, 2018

Big Tent and Tyson Wells

Big Tent and Tyson Wells review:

So my Love and I went shopping and walking around "Q" on Friday. We were dissappointed, with what we saw. Vendors were down, areas were closed off due to lack of vendors and attendances was down. 













However along our walk and drive we did see some unique items:


I was able to capture a few photos of An Alfa Swallowing up an Alfa Owner:


Then capture a gathering of Alfa Owners:





Our final photo was something we all can relate too:






The last shot - just follow the signs

Susan, ​Dale, Tilly & Dakota

DaGirls Rv Travels
Aka Dakota & Tilly

Safe Travels and Journeys

Friday, January 26, 2018

Friday Day of Birth






Friday Jan. 26th., 1952, Susan my lovely wife was born in the state of Illinois. Yes, this is Susan's birthday, and I am going to try and catch up with events.

As many of you are aware wear hosting one off the biggest Alfa Roadrunner Rallies in Quartzsite, Az., At one time we had over 45 Rv's parked in our location.

Dave Volker and team started and completed a new rock art, that can be seen from Space on Google Earth or Maps in Satellite view. So, hopefully within 2 years the new images will be uploaded.


We completed our Air Condition installation, only to find the display is bad. So a call to PPL and then we may end up calling a Rv repair that is associated with Atwood. 

Photos? well been a little busy not taking a few, but I manage a couple on Thursday morning:





Along with these photos are these:




The photos above are of our Magnum Fire. Somehow the thermal protection did not kick in time. This is the result of it. IT caught fire, Rv filled with smoke and we are left without an Inverter / Charger and smoke inside. We managed to get it out, clean the Rv, somewhat and waiting on word of replacement. I will say this, we did only 1 thing correct, but after wasting 30 seconds, we got Dakota, Tilly and Susan out. I was then able to locate the location, put it out and then I opened windows.

Rally, well the Rally is going very well, not as many repairs as in the past, which is a good thing, but still am busy answering questions, talking about the coach, and just helping out.  


Susan, ​Dale, Tilly & Dakota
DaGirls Rv Travels
Aka Dakota & Tilly
Safe Travels and Journeys

Friday, January 19, 2018

Air Conditioner Installation

Today is the day, I had so many offer from friends to help me, I am installing the new A/C today. I stater the demo on Thursday, and now only need to use a strap, ladder and help to lower it to the ground. Hopefully someone else will take photos as my hands maybe too busy.


Susan, ​
Dale, Tilly & Dakota
DaGirls Rv Travels
Aka Dakota & Tilly
Safe Travels and Journeys


Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Quartzsite - 2018

So, we returned to "Q" on Monday, after a stop at Bob's Diesel for some service. Bob's is a favorite place of the Diesel world. We left Yuma, loaded down with party and food items for the Alfa Roadrunner chapter rally. 

We currently stand at 42 Rv's coming in for the week events. Signs showing direction, letters sent out indicating where we are located. Firewood coming in and so far 3 generators worked on AND FIXED. Yes, you too can get your generator fixed while here.

Our drive up here was uneventful, which is the type we like, so, Susan kept watched as I drove the many 80 miles. Once here, located a spot, unloaded and setup out many items. Photos to follow:




Leigh has a new Chocolate lab. Just because she is a dark chocolate and goes by the name Dakota, does not mean Dakota has opted for Leigh, she just found another home for a while: It is an Alfa you know.

While we were in Yuma, Susan order a new Roof Top Air Conditioner, yep, we are replacing our current old until (works) with a new Air Command A/C Heat pump from Australia.

I manage to locate a home brew video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkKen7iMCRo

I also located a comparison brochure of the Air Command Vs. Brisk Air unit;
http://www.tvformyrv.com/content/AtwoodACPresentation2014.pdf

We opted for the 15k BTU - which equals to a 18K BTU. With only 13.5 amp draw. The claim is you can run this unit off of a 2000 watt generator. Note, everything in the coach must be on Propane, and the batteries fully charged. 

Susan ordered our unit from PPL. She opted for the 2 separate items, Non-ducted ceiling and the main unit itself. This along with the shipping provided the lowest cost. The ceiling unit came in within a few days,, however the roof top unit arrived in Phoenix, then went to the beach in San Diego bypassing Yuma. Well you know everyone likes to head to the beach for vacation. 

If all goes well, it should arrive in Yuma address between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm. All depends on the tan it received and whether or not it needs additional tanning location or if it received a sunburn. 



Dale, Susan, Dakota and Tilly the wonder dog (when she grows up)
DaGirls Rv Travels - Aka Dakota & Tilly
Safe Travels and Journeys

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Castaic, Ca., to Fontana, Ca., to Quartzsite, Az., to Yuma, Az.

We left Castaic on the 3rd arriving in Fontana at Leisure CoachWorks. We/I decided to have LCW look at the split line on the Rv, as the lower panel was slipping down. Since they are the most familiar with the Alfa brand I felt this was needed.

While there we used the extended service plan for a few other items Vs. going someplace else. This decision proved to be very beneficial, in cost and work completed. We were very happy with the outcome on the work.

By the time work was completed is was near 4:30, we could have spent the night, but decided to head east on I-10. Amazing traffic was not too bad, so we continue to roll on eastward bound. Next thing we were pulling into Ehrenberg, Az., Chevron Fuel station were we refueled the Rv.

Once refueling was done, we were only 20 miles from Quartzsite. We decided to head out and meet up with friends at the Alfa Dry-Camping site located 1.75 miles from the entrance of LA Posada North entrance. Boy was everybody surprised, we must have rolled in around 9 pm. All in all not bad timing or driving. But I am going to do what Susan suggested. CHANGE THE HEADLIGHTS.

We setup and went to bed. Morning came and we re-position the Rv and said our good morning and see what was needed. Dwight, had been having generator problems along with Hydro-Hot and was nowhere close to fixing either of them. Both John and Dwight were stymie as to what was going on.

Luckily we have brought our portable so he could get his batteries back up to full level, while we continue to determine what was wrong. Some reading and 15 minutes later I have traced it to a area. Now it was left to Dwight to get to the components and verify. This time I was right on, Dwight was able to cleanup and free the brushes on the generator rotor. Once installed we have voltage, but it continued to shutdown.

We also notice starter was very weak, since I had one, suggested he change it and get that working. By Friday morning, everything sounded better, but still was shutting down. Before we left, I made a few suggestion to try. Dwight tested me as Susan was driving and after a phone call, he now has a running and working generator. YEA.

I do believe I am now a very good expert on how the Generac Generator system works.
We arrived in Yuma at Sven and Sharon’s casa. I had sent an email seeing if there was room at there Casa. Sven replied Mi Casa Tu Casa. We arrived just after 11 am, This time it was easy backing up, and setting up.

We sat outside talking and planning on the Alfa Roadrunner Rally in Quartzsite among other things. You might ask why S&S? Well we had placed many orders and all the packages were coming. This way, if they did not arrive while we were here, we knew Sven would be coming to Q, and he would bring them up.
We also completed a 2 mile walkabout with Sven and Sharon, as normal now photos from out walkabout:





So, so now we are all caught up and what, where and when. Not quite the 5 “W’s” we learned as engineering practices, but close enough.






Tilly, Dakota, Susan and me
DaGirls Rv Travels
Aka Dakota & Tilly

Safe Travels and Journeys

Late Start Wrapping Up the SKP Rose Bowl Hope

Little late wouldn't you say, on wrapping up? Well I would, but better late then never, right? 

So, the day after the Parade, is the celebration "Day after the Parade". When the parade ends, all the floats are taken down the street, where they are stored and people can come down and see them up close. 

Susan can explain more behind the seen's of the parade, how they are assembled, designed and even how they are deliver to the parade route. 

















But like everything, it's time to head back to the bus and walk thru the crowds 



Oops, forgot a few photos







Tilly, Dakota, Susan and me
DaGirls Rv Travels
Aka Dakota & Tilly
Safe Travels and Journeys




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Texas State Parks and Why we are Still Here

 So, what's happening. Well we left Bandera on Apr 16, Tuesday for Bastrop, Tx State Park. 1 thing we purchase a Tx state park pass for ...