The travels of DaGirls Rv. Piloted by Dakota and Tilly, who along with Susan and Dale travel highways and by-ways of this wonderful country. It was Koko and Della (Rainbow Bridge) free spirits that caused us to travel Freely in an Rv.
In Loving Memory of Mike Lynch
It is with a sad heart that we share the passing of Mike Lynch on Friday, May 30th, at 5:20 PM. Mike was deeply loved and will be missed by all who knew him. His warmth, strength, and spirit touched many lives, and his memory will live on in our hearts forever.
What’s in a Name: Friendships, and Future Plans
A journey through memories, maintenance, and the
ever-evolving Alfa life
Introduction
Every name carries a story, and every story leaves a mark.
In this edition of “What’s in a Name,” we reflect on friendships forged in
rally lots, projects finished under the Arizona sun, and plans for what comes
next. But first, a little cleanup—literally and figuratively.
Finishing the Job: Venable’s Mini-Split & More
We’ve nearly wrapped up the installation of Venable’s
Solar/Grid-Tied Mini-Split. Jeff still has a bit of cleanup to do (the easy
part), and a few cables will need trimming later. I'll share some photos near
the end of this post.
Along the way, Susan and Linda have been making the most of
the season—exploring nearby towns, diving into thrift markets, and laughing all
the while. The only thing missing? Garage and yard sales—usually a staple of
Yuma life.
And speaking of teamwork…
Jeff and I tackled another project: replacing his city
water fill valve. He and Zid hadn’t been able to get the hose off, but with
a bit of effort and elbow grease, we had the old one out and a new one
installed in just 15 minutes. Other than those two items, we made quick work of
the remaining maintenance tasks.
Back to Where It Began: PIR 2012
To understand this next name, we have to go back to 2012,
to a GoodSam Rally at the PIR race grounds in Phoenix. Susan and I were
preparing for retirement and figured it was time to get our feet wet in the RV
world. We arrived in our 2003 Alfa SeeYa, ready to volunteer and explore.
I worked parking and security; Susan helped with incoming
rigs. That’s when we saw it—a parade of Alfas, rolling in together. It
was a sight to remember. I told Susan, we have to go meet those people.
And meet them we did.
That was our first encounter with the Alfa Roadrunners.
We were welcomed instantly—pulled in by one especially bold
and unforgettable woman.
The Name is… Lynch
Yes, the name that inspired all of this? It’s Lynch.
If you smiled reading that, you already know. Lorraine and Mike didn’t
ease you into friendship— Lorraine, she dropped anchor, handed you an application,
and told you where to sign.
Before we had a proper hello, she had already pressed a $10
Roadrunner application into Susan’s hand. That’s just who she was—passionate,
no-nonsense, and incredibly warm. Bootsie made sure we weren’t just “RVers,”
but Roadrunners—part of a family we didn’t know we needed.
She embodied what this life is all about: community,
laughter, and the kind of stories you tell around campfires and rallies for
years to come.
Mike, Lorraine & Our Road Ahead
Not far behind in shaping our Alfa life were Mike and
Lorraine.
It was Mike who “encouraged” me to become an officer in the
Roadrunners. Lorraine sealed the deal by ensuring Susan was fully on board.
Their support (and persistence!) played a huge role in our journey.
Even as they transitioned from motorhome to camper to home
life, from Casa Grande to Pinetop to Florence, Arizona—they’ve remained close
friends and part of our circle.
They’ve also been with us as we start our own
transition—from our Yuma lot to Plan B: a Park Model in Yuma, for when
we slow down on the road.
Eventually, we’ll shift into Plan C: our 1973 log
cabin tucked in the High Country of Show Low, AZ. A quieter season, but
still filled with memories waiting to be made.
In Closing
This journey—this life—isn’t measured in miles, rigs, or
upgrades. It’s measured in names like Lynch's, friendships like
Mike and Lorraine’s, and all the moments in between.
From fixes and fun to future plans, this chapter is one more reminder that RV life isn’t just about where you go—it’s about who you meet along the way.
Here to Mike & Lorraine, you will always be a part of our life and in our hearts and prayers. We know the road ahead will be rough, with many decision to be made.
Remember you will Always, be a big part of our life and where the road map in our travels.
Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me
DaGirls Rv & Gus Da Bus
So far, only one person has guessed the correct answer:
Hank and Ellen Folk, from Bastrop, TX.
We first crossed paths with Hank and Ellen years ago, but our most memorable time together was at the 2019 Alfa Roadrunner and AOC Rally in Fredericksburg, TX. Like many friendships forged on the road, it started with shared stories, laughs, and, of course, discussions about our beloved Alfas and the ongoing improvements we were making to them.
As time rolled on, life shifted—as it always does. They transitioned from a Class A to a Class C RV, adapting to new rhythms and routines. But in 2024, after the Bandera Rally, life brought us back into each other’s orbit. We were in need of an animal eye care specialist for Dakota, which led us to Bastrop for a few nights while we lined up vet appointments in Austin.
Naturally, we reached out to Hank and Ellen to reconnect.
What followed was a heartwarming visit—filled with great conversations about people, Alfas, life, and the adventures we’ve all experienced since our last meeting. The kind of connection that reminds you how special this RV community really is.
The worst thing I forgot, is where did I put the photos of Hank and Ellen.
After Bastrop, it was time to head to Bandera, TX, for a visit with the Venables. Even though it was a few miles off our planned route, we couldn’t pass up the chance—it had been nearly six months since we last caught up, and we knew a stop in Bandera would be well worth the detour.
Of course, it had to be hotter than Show Low. And with the added humidity in the air, even Dakota wasn’t interested in her usual morning walks. She definitely misses the cool mornings at the Show Low cabin and those peaceful forest strolls through the pines.
While we're here, we’ve been exploring the area, driving around, and helping out with a few small tasks. I've even been getting my hands dirty—yes, actual work! But it feels good to pitch in, especially when it's for friends who feel more like family.
Stay tune for the next installment and What's in a Name game
Safe Travels and Journeys
Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me
DaGirls Rv & Gus Da Bus
What's in a Name, But a Game
The Game ? if you spot your Name you have to reply
Our first stop was the Maverick Fuel Station. As you know, we use three different refueling cards:
TSD – Open Roads, connected to our bank account
Mudflap, connected to a credit card
Maverick NITRO Card, also connected to our bank account
Even though Maverick is part of the Open Roads network, we chose to use the NITRO card because it offers a better discount.
One important thing to remember: in Arizona, there's an 8% fuel tax when using high-flow diesel nozzles. In the photo, you can see two pumps. I’m using the low-flow pump — which is not subject to the 8% fuel tax. It might take a few extra minutes to fill up, but that small delay saves us an additional 8% on fuel. $3.07 on Gas Buddy and $3.06 on Open Roads network
Our route took us east on US 60, we have been on this road many times in the pass, but this time, the landscape has been totally change due to the climate. No snow and range for many months.
Pie Town — Did Someone Say PIE?
It was many years ago when we first came to Pie Town. I originally learned about this quirky little town from a segment on CBS News Sunday Morning. Turns out, Pie Town holds a Pie Festival once a year — how could we resist?
But the pies aren’t the only reason to visit. Our good friends and fellow Alfa Owners, Carla and Terry Noble, live here. Susan and I spent a week visiting them on their beautiful property. Their nearest neighbor? Half a mile away — and there’s no cell phone service out there.
It was peaceful, remote, and filled with great conversation… and yes, plenty of pie.
As we continued our journey east, we crossed over the Continental Divide.
It’s one of those quiet milestones that makes you pause — not because there’s a dramatic marker or a grand monument (though sometimes there is), but because of what it symbolizes. From this point on, all rivers flow eastward, heading to the Atlantic instead of the Pacific.
The landscape around us shifted subtly. The air felt a bit cooler, the sky stretched wider, and the mountains began to roll into plains. It’s a reminder that every journey has its turning points — not just in direction, but in spirit.
We pulled over briefly to take it in. No cell service, no traffic — just us, the road, and the open sky. It’s the kind of moment that sticks with you, even long after the miles have passed.
Our overnight stop? Elks Lodge in Las Cruses, NM.
Travel Day #15 – On the Road Again Hard to believe, but it's already Travel Day #15 since we rolled out of Show Low, Arizona . Even mo...
