Packing Day - Day 6 and counting down

So, here it is Saturday, last day/night at the Cochiti COE.

Friday night was spent breaking bread & wine with Jeff and Linda.We also met our neighbors Jan & Bill. They will be attending the AIBF with the SKP's Boomers Group.

I also like to tell you a very liitle bit about my new toys:
First is my Endoscope Wireless Camera - LINK PRESS HERE .

Mine happens to be 15 Ft, the image is clean and bright, just the right size to get into host hard to reach places, not suitable for turbine engines, but, reaching behind the back of the radiator system?   Yes sir, can't wait to try this baby out.

My next toy, was shown to me by Tom, he purchased this little gizmo in Jan. So far very pleased with it. I have read the reviews and watch a video.

Spent a few minutes setting it up based on our current position. I also have it link to both or our phones. We will be trying it out, when we move to Enchanted Trails RV Resort on Sunday.

One of the important things to remember:

Maximizing your battery life:

In order to understand how to maximize the battery life of your LevelMatePRO, you will need some basic understanding of how the device works.  In simple terms the LevelMatePRO is always in one of two states, either in a “sleep” state or an “awake” state.  When the device is in a sleep state it is using an extremely small amount of battery current and is not able to be connected to by your smartphone or tablet.  When the device is in the awake state it is using a much larger amount of battery current and is able to be connected to by your smartphone or tablet.  So where battery life is concerned the more you can keep the device in the sleep state the longer your battery life will be.

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The other important thing to understand about the LevelMatePRO is how it switches from the sleep state to the awake state and vice versa.  The device is designed to switch from the sleep state to the awake state when it detects motion.  So when you arrive at your camping location the unit will be in the awake state and will be connectable to your smartphone or tablet for use of the system.  Lack of motion switches the device from the awake state to the sleep state after a certain number of hours that is defined by the user through the LevelMatePRO app.

On Thursday we traveled to Albuquerque, for some supplies and other items. 2 of those items were 2 new 6 Vdc deep cycle batteries. Costco, here has Interstate Batteries for $84. A far cry from the $135 I was quoted in Arizona. Now all I need is 2 old batteries as core return.

This now brings my storage up to 880 Amps. I completed the installation in less than a hour. Next week I will redo some of the cables, to make a cleaner look overall. Can't wait to try them out with the solar, that is if the sun decides to come back out soon.

Sun Slowly Rising Up in the Distance

Dale
DaGirls Travels
Aka Dakota & Tilly
Safe Travels and Journeys
http://dagirlsrv.blogspot.com/
You Tube Video - Roadrunner Song

10 Days and Counting Down to AIBF

Alright we landed at CoChiti Lake, NM., in a COE CG. We are in the West side and the older section. Since we have been here, we made a run to Bernalillo, NM., for supplies, Dakota and Tilly came along to check out the Pet Store. Sorry no DQ this time.

We have made numerous walks to the boat ramp area, Dakota, has learned to run and jump in the water from the dock. Where she learns this stuff, I'll never know. She has been lizard hunting around the Rv. Found a hole big enough to put her head in. Susan covered that up real fast.

I spent time cleaning the outside of the Truck, by hand (spray bottle and rags), and then spent time waxing it.

On one of our walks I came across a centipede and a millipede, cool. Then on Sunday I came across a new pet. I did ask Susan if I could keep it, that is if it wanted to come home with me.

Well it didn't, so I let it continue its journey.

Tom and Diane stopped by, as there were on the east side, they have since moved onto the KOA east of Santa Fe.

Jeff and Linda, arrived yesterday afternoon, from Farmington, NM. We got together for dinner and stories.

I always keep our maps updated as to where we have traveled and places we have seen. The map is located on the right, all you need to do is click on it to enlarge.

Here is a small recap of the map:

If you have not clicked on the map to the left, then you are missing photos of the areas we have been to.

WooHoo, I finished my navigator training video yesterday.

Last Word - Get Out there and have Fun

Dale
DaGirls Travels
Aka Dakota & Tilly
Safe Travels and Journeys
http://dagirlsrv.blogspot.com/
You Tube Video - Roadrunner Song

Wrapping Up Here at the Royal Gorge CG - 13 days and counting

As full timers, we have learn to be patience. And the pass week was no difference, as road construction was on the highway. So, you can see by the photos what some of our time went to:

During our time at the CG, we came across this object paying next to a electrical box:

On the back was the words, if you find this you can keep or re-hide. All they asked is you post on Facebook under "    ".


One of the places we found was a drum factory and store:

The drum on it side was made for Mick Fleetwood for concerts, however he has never picked it up. So it remains at the store.

I thought this photo was neat at the clouds show a mountain.

We also made the journey to Los Alamos for the day. Needless to say, many people have been there, so there was no need to capture photos. But i will say, we found a Paw Friendly Pub, where we enjoyed chicken tacos and a beer on the patio.

The final trip was the enchanted circle. One place we stopped allowed a short hike in the Carson National Forest.

One of the last stops of the day was the town of Eagle Nest: Susan and I both agreed, this would make a great place for a fall rally. Prices were great, fishing awesome, hiking in the NF and just plane quiet place for a few people. Best route in, would be from Raton, NM. 

Eagle Nest

This week, PBS has been showing a 10 part series on Vietnam. I have seen most every show on Vietnam, and try to understand the WHY?

The 2 photos came for the Vietnam Memorial located in Angel Fire:

For additional reading Press HERE

 The last photo I cannot really describe. Put if you click on the photo, notice the bracelets on the top shelf, left side. Total number is 7, these are the MIA's that have been returned, compared to the ones still missing that were from the area.

Dale
DaGirls Travels
Aka Dakota & Tilly
Safe Travels and Journeys
http://dagirlsrv.blogspot.com/
You Tube Video - Roadrunner Song

Santa Fe, NM - Day 24 and Counting

We arrived around 10:30 in Santa Fe. This was after stopping off at a Campground and refueling our propane tank. Let me warn you, when doing this take a close look and do not trust anyone. We were directed around  and got almost in too tight, only to find out the refueling was on our passenger side.

Anyway, to high of price, places charge prices for a free by-product from making gas. Propane was a product that they would burn off. RIP-OFF.

Anyway, we are staying at the Elks Lodge, along with 2 other Rv's. Folks, if you stay at a lodge, DONATE something to these lodges. As some are in dire straights and need all the help they can get. DON"T LEAVE without GIVING SOMETHING.

Remember the creed of the brotherhood.

Off of the rants.

We managed to reach John Kurz and ended up having dinner along with Jennifer and a visiting guest. Lovely time was had by all.

No photos this time around.

Dale
DaGirls Travels
Aka Dakota & Tilly
Safe Travels and Journeys
http://dagirlsrv.blogspot.com/
You Tube Video - Roadrunner Song

On DaRoad to AIBF_Final Countdown

Monday, Sept. 4th, our final day here at the Derr Family farm. Dwight & Sharon went back to the State Fair to see Lady Bre model her dress. We elected to stay and prep the Rv for early departure on Tuesday.  Like is our schedule, when we wake up, we make our final adjustments and get on the road, usually between 7 and 8 am.

So, we today we have prepped inside and outside, moved the Rv, dumped and backed into a spot where we can just start up, slide in, antenna down, raise levelers and head straight out.

Like last year, we will say our goodbyes tonight as everyone will be up and gone or sleeping in when we leave.  One last beer-30, sitting around and talking about what we accomplished.  (note from Susan) And we enjoyed a wonderful dinner with the Derr's/Tisdale's on our last evening.

So, what have we done?

Worked with Dwight and helped get the coach painted. All that is left is painting brackets, awning rails and re-installing everything.  Hummm, wonder how be the pile of leftovers will be?  Ha, Ha

Along the way, we went to the Nebraska State Fair to see Lady Bre show her chickens, eggs and ducks in the poultry barn. All in all she did very well.  Showing poultry is a crap shoot game, it is all up to the judge, he/she will say something based on there opinion. You win or lose at that point, too big, not big enough, etc.

Along with feathered fowl, there are the rabbits, sheep, goats, cows, all different varieties, floating around and being shown.

But you know me, I can only sit for so long on a metal bench, so after an hour, I decided to head out and see the fair.

So, all in all this is a very large and well attended fair. And so much dryer than when we were there last year.

Dale
DaGirls Travels
Aka Dakota & Tilly
Safe Travels and Journeys
http://dagirlsrv.blogspot.com/
You Tube Video - Roadrunner Song

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

More Changes coming

So, what drove us to Friend, Ne, besides friends? Changes to the Rv. Where else can you go and have a shop of tools to use. The main thing? Battery box configuration changes.

First remove some batteries and setup outside the coach.

Next remove the frame, clean up the area and change the location of the grounding studs.

And before you know it the right side is cleaned and ready for the build process.

Since you did the right side, you now do the left side faster and wow. All done and cleaned. Next, you begin laying out the template for the frame.

More for later, as I continue to redo the battery box

Safe Travels from
DaGirls Dakota and Tilly

Playing catch or really playing in the grass and mud

So, what really happen after July 21, 1 to 2 inches of rail fell in the Sandwich area. First thing we noticed was the pond surrounding out Alfa boat. Luckily we did not need a boat, but a bridge would have helped keep everyone dried. 

After a day, most of the water was down, and I made the decision to stay put. Boy was that a wrong decision, as the very next day, 4.5 inches of rain came down. Now we had 4 to 6 inches on water. So enough was enough, we call Good Sam (GS), and said we needed a tow. Well GS, said we can't give you a tow but we can have you winched out. What a play on words. 

This is where we ended up trying to drive out. 

It took about an hour for the first truck to arrive. Of course, it was not a heavy duty truck, it was a loaded with a large skid-steer. Of course your asking yourself a Skid-steer, what on earth is he going to use that for. Well, he was not really the man with the truck, he was the man with the plan, the second driver came with the truck. 

So, once everyone arrived and the equipment was on hand, they got to work:

Equipment was put in place, the guys were laying out the tow straps, wondering where to put then, so no damage to the Alfa:

The next item was in the equipment into place:

But soon, with Susan at the wheel, he was out and on the road.  Then it was on to a dryer and firmer sight, but that is another story to tell.


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Safe Travels fro Dakota, Tilly, Susan and me.