Moving Day

5 Days 1 Hr - and Counting

Albuquerque International Balloon Festival - Additional Information Press Here

Today's the Day: We're moving on down the road to the AIBF Rv Park area.

Distance about 50 miles, we'll latch onto I-25 and take the Alameda Exit. Supposedly all have been arranged and we (Roadrunners) will remain in the South Parking Area. We are hoping for the same row as previous years.

Our stay here in Cochiti Lake Recreation area has been relaxing and yet busy. Washed solar panels, fixs a few small items and made a mod. Susan has practice on her new machine, did another puzzle, cleaned. We did many walks and evening outside.


Team Prichard is ready for The New Adventure, starting Saturday.

We will meet with Armand, Irene, Rüdiger and Beate today. We expect Jeff, and Linda tomorrow. All others will arrive on Thursday. 

To all of our AIBF members, we'll see you when you arrive.

Safe Travels and Journeys

DaGirls Rv Travel

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me.

Counting Down

6 Days 16 Hours

Safe Travels and Journeys

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me

DaGirls Rv

Walk-About- Hiking

7 Days 11 Hours and Counting down.

Ok, first let's get the Alfa MH work out of the way.

Topic, Generators and Starters

Some people have experience Starter replacements. This post is not about replacing the starter, but potentially why.

Items that can cause hard starting:

Fuel Pump, Glow Plugs, Solenoid, Cables.

Let’s discuss Cables, and a potential failure points.

Most Alfa’s generators B+ are wired this way.

Battery (B+), to the 200 amp Fuse.

To Battery Control Center (BCC).

Then to the Generator input terminal.

Anywhere along this line, a loose connection can cause a low voltage, thereby increasing the current and adding heat to the starter, thereby potentially causing a starter failure.

To minimize a failure, I decided to redo, my cables from the Generator to the batteries.

In doing this I found the Neg (B-) lead on the generator with a bad and improper crimp. In addition, due to this crimp, 6 inches of the Neg lead needed to be cut off.

Using 00 awg cable on hand, I made a new cable leading from the Positive input terminal from the generator, directly to the B+ post of the Coach Battery. Thereby by passing any voltage drop caused by the existing cable routing.

In doing this, I no longer notice a 1 second slow start when pressing the Start switch.

Before someone mentions it, I have never used my BCC disconnect switch.

Ok, by to the real world. What did we do today? Me, I decided to take a hike. Hike where you asked? Well if you look closely at the image below, you may notice a Earthen Dam. I decided to walk it and then instead of retracing my steps, I went cross-country (desert), until I finally hit the highway.

Total Distance = 6.5 miles 

Time = Little over 2 Hrs

Photos along the way:

Safe Travels and Journeys

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me.

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

On Wed. we assembled a new hiking team, and headed out to Tent Rocks.
What was different this time? Higher temperature and new photos.

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument - Press Here for Info

The New Hiking Team

Safe Travels and Journeys
DaGirls Rv
Susan, Tilly, Dakota and Me

11 Days and Counting

Important Notice to our Readers:
Did you know there is a Translate Button on the Right Side? Yes.
Press, select language and Bang.

(Wichtiger Hinweis für unsere Leser:
Wussten Sie, dass sich auf der rechten Seite eine Schaltfläche zum Übersetzen befindet? Ja.
Drücken Sie, wählen Sie die Sprache und drücken Sie Bang.)


Important Notice-Press Here for Link

Important Notice for Facebook Users-Press Here for Link

Ok, after a grueling  35 miles on Monday,

Our Destination? Cochiti Rec Area - Buffalo Grove Loop.

Build and Maintain by the COE, yet this is on Native land - Be careful as Alcohol is not allowed - (Keep it inside).

We first found this location in 2017, Press Here for DaGirls Blog, but this time no Diane or Tom to visit. However, there is good hiking in the area including Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks national Monument, - Press Here for Info.

Hiking Crew

This is where is all started - Little did we realize it.

One of the Fun things to do ? Get out and take fun photos

There are 4 loops, with the newest having views, but dry-camping only.

Next is the Buffalo loop, Improved with 30 and 50 amp and water at site. However, there are a few that require additional leveling. Both back-in and pull throughs. We picked a pull through but we are always prepared for the worst.

But don't let our site chase you away, we just happen to pick the worst. But we are always prepared just in case.

We carry the Ulta-Fab Blocks - Press Here for Description. We carry enough to lift all 4 rear tires. Easy to use and put away. The rockier the ground, you will have to remove the rocks that get stuck prior to stacking them away.

Photos that are missing is the older loop, where electric only with 30 amps is available, how most will be easy to level including tag axles.

Included in the area is a very large Group Sites and unique tenters area:

So, back to where it all started, this is the location where, we met a wonderful couple. At the time we did not realize what they were, no one had explained to us the term stalking. We learned later that they were covert stalker's.  In the beginning, we did not realize it, but we would arrive at our next destination, only to see them arrive within a few hours of us. We all though it was great, look they're here, let's get together, but then later they became very blatant about it. Even coming to the point, where we all became good friends. But alas, it ended this time.

Where are our Good Friends? We became disconnected - somewhere in the Great State of South Dakota.

Rudy und Beth können sie finden und zum Ballonfest bringen. Bitte, (Rudy and Beth can find them and bring them down to the Balloon Fest. Please)

So, stay tune for further stories.

DaGirls Rv
Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me
Safe Travels and Journeys.

Countdown - 12 Days

So, our stop for the last 2 nights, Elks Lodge Santa Fe, NM. This has always been a good place for an overnight or 2. It is dry camping, but large enough to handle a few large and small units. Just try and NOT park next to the wooded lat fence, over-looking one of the neighbor, as that person will call Bob (HOA) and he has to come over and talk to you. He understands you do not HAVE to move, just try to be a nice neighbor, especially i the generator use.

We spent Sunday walking around the

On Sundays it is an Artist Market

As we continued our walk in the area, we ended at a local coffee shop:

So, we slowly walked back to the truck and at the same time capture this shot:

Our final stop, the square in downtown. For a sunday the square was filled with many people along with families:

Our final few photos?

A roadrunner of Course - Susan spotted this one down at the Train Yard:

We found this License, posted on the window of a shop 

Safe Travels and Journeys

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me

DaGirls Rv Travel Log

If you come, you need to catch the first turn at the bottom left.