On DaRoad to AIBF–Countdown 32 Days

So, here it is travel day. Awoke early and decided to get up and read a little before takeoff.

After reading the news and checking on the weather, decided to write a little. We definitely have had a great time at the Derr Family farm. We have been invited back for the Breaun's Granduation Celebration (early May) and anytime in the area. We definitely love our time here.

Plan, well, no real plan except to head to Liberal, Kansas. Where we plan on spending a day or two checking our the area. The fairground has camping at a very reasonable rate, so, we will be stopping and looking around.

I currently see the temps will be heading back to the low 90’s by the time we enter into New Mexico.

Somewhere along the way, I will complete the purchase of 2 more 6 Vdc batteries. This will bring our Amp Hour Capacity to 880 amps. This should allow less time on the generator use due to nighttime usage.

So, what can I leave you with?

This is my take on a burial plot:

So, when you are gone and buried, who’s going to take care of the ground? 

Side note: Every time we travel back to Chicago area, I visit my Grandmother and Aunt's at St. Adlebert's. I have learned to call a month ahead to have them clean and raise headstones up to ground level - perpetual maintenance they call it.... So 

I leave this for you to ponder, if you aren't here, who's going to do it this for you and visit your gravesite?

Dale
DaGirls Travels
Aka Dakota & Tilly
Safe Travels and Journeys
http://dagirlsrv.blogspot.com/
You Tube Video - Roadrunner Song
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On the Road to AIBF - Tisdale's Coach

Ok, so, we have been very busy getting the Tisdale's coach ready for paint. We have completed and painted the driver's side, front and rear caps. The last 2 twos days we have completed the passenger's side prep work.

Today Friday) is paint day.

We decided to stay an extra week to help Dwight accomplish this task and enjoy more time with friends. With this done, Dwight can start working on the smaller things. The coach is looking very good, he has just about taken it all apart, sealed, cleaned and reassembled.

As for us:
Rewired my solar panels to produce 80Vdc instead of 40Vdc. Higher voltage lower current coming down the wire to my MPPT controller.

Susan has made major changes to the bathrooms. She has added back splashes and using the same material made a photo collage wall. I installed a Talavia sink for her that we bought in Rocky Point on last trip. Also added new faucet.

Removed the sink in the toilet room, polished it, and added water cut-off valves. 

I also redid the sewer compartment, never liked the sewer outlet never exit angle. So a little cutting and shaping. My sewer hose now goes straight down. This project took less than a hour. 

And of course many beer 30's, after working, of course, the Brisket Sunday. Andy, Dwight's son-in-law is a very good smoker. Dwight always say's the Traeger was the best birthday present he purchased for is son-in-law. 

And of Course a Photo of Dakota, showing us a new thing she taught herself:

Dale

DaGirls Travels

Aka Dakota & Tilly

Safe Travels and Journeys

http://dagirlsrv.blogspot.com/

You Tube Video - Roadrunner Song

Changes Completed - Battery Frame

You read where we/I started our new battery box configuration changes. Changes you ask? Why? Didn't the Alfa come with Qty. 6, 6Vdc batteries? Yes, but since we dry-camp alot, we really need the extra storage capacity. So, with this change, we can use the following size/type of batteries:
T-105, T-125, T-145 and even the L16 size batteries.

Battery frame on the passenger side:

Battery Frame on the Driver's side:

Here is an excellent example of the different capacity of the battery sizes:

	Length		Width		height		Lbs	$$$
T-105	10.3		7.11	28.44	11.07	447	62	133
T-125	10.3		7.11	28.44	11.07	448	66	165
T-145	10.3		7.11	28.44	11.9	530	72	193
J305H-AC	11.6		7	28	14.5	781	98	210
J305E-AC	12.1		7	28	14.5	645	83	239
L16P-AC	11.6		7		16.7	850	114	319

Time will tell, when we upgrade our batteries, for now we will add 2, bringing up our system to Qty., 8, 6Vdc batteries.

So, I will leave you with a few more photos:

Safe Travels and Journeys 

from DaGirls, Dakota & Tilly

2nd Day in our Trip to the AIBF 2017

So, lets get to our 2nd day of travel. Our stop today was in the city of SAC City, Iowa. We wound up in the Riverside Campground, located within short walking distance of the historic downtown.

On our walk around, I get the impression, this is the barn quilt capital of Iowa. In Sept. there is a Barn Quilt Fair. Here at the campground, which is very close to the fair ground we see a few more barn quilts. The paint job is still glossy, so someone is keeping them in good shape.

Our first photos were of the campground itself, not all site are satellite friendly, but who needs it, when you are in this great little town, with alot of history.

Our first history photos are of the war memorials located a short walk from the campground.

The memorials stones date back to 1892. Laying the grounds for the Civil War memorials. And continuing to the Korean conflict.  By going to the link below you can read a little more about the historic district.

Historic Square in SAC City

The inscription on this statue was very sombor:

Erected by the Citizens of SAC County, Iowa to the Memory of Her Soldier Heros of the War of the Rebellion

Our next stop was walking downtown to see the world's largest popcorn ball. On our way we saw many wonderful sites, especially this Grand old majestic house. I found out this belong to a former judge.

Once we arrived at the museum of the Popcorn ball we capture a few photos of the area:
The popcorn ball inside a museum, and taking photos, do not do it justice. So press on the link below and you can read and see photos:

Popcorn Ball

tHere are a few photos of the other building around the popcorn ball:

Before I leave you, there is 1 maybe 3 more photos I need to post:

A 3 holer.

So, safe travels from DaGirls, Rv as we make out way to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (AIBF) 2017.

Wrap up in the Tall Pines and Where are we today

We spent 3 weeks, 4 miles north of Hwy 260, on Forest Road 122 (Nelson Fire Rd). This is truly one of our best camping spots.

Quite, along, just 6 miles from Forest Lakes, and 19 miles from Heber. Nestled between tall pines where wind is all around you, but not eh really strong winds that would make it unbearable.

In our time here, we added 60 gallons, or fresh water, our gray tank hit 55%, and it was getting very close to dump the black.

Dakota caught her first lizard, not realizing it, until she spit it out. Dug many holes, found many elk bones, ran around searching for many more things and yet walked like a very calm dog when leased. Tilly was learning not to get loss, and catch up to us when she was called.

Mike and Mauer make it up for a day, Wayne and Kathy, made it up and stayed in Heber for 2 days, visited us at our spot and enjoy the cool weather far away from Gold Canyon. They realize what it is like to spend time in the Tall Pines, and dry-camping.

But all good things must come to the end, we expected friends to come up, but that did not materialize and so, we decided to head North East, as we decided to head out and see some more of this country.

Our first stop, the Ute  Casino Rv park, which is just a few miles south of Cortez, Colorado, and north of Shiprock, New Mexico. This is where National Park called Mesa Verde, one of the largest cliff dwellings are located, and where they conduct hiking tours down into 3 of them. Where you can walk among, the kivas. Where you learned what is was like in the 12 century living on the side of the cliffs.

Susan touching a 2000 year old wall

By this time we learned of a heat wave coming through Colorado and Utah, where the unexpected highs are in the 90’s. With lots of sunshine through the week.

Upon our arrival at the Ute Casino, we were informed, that Friday and Saturday, would get noisy, as the local tribe was having a Pow-Wow. If you have never been to one, bring chairs, and be prepared to be amaze. And the noise of the drums well let me tell you, I fell right to sleep. The chanting of the drums were smoother and better to listen to, than the noisy music people play and the screaming and yelling.

DaGirls Rv – Dakota and Tilly
Safe Travels and Journeys