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

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.

May 27 Memorial Weekend

So we are going on our 3rd week up here. It has been wonderful except for when the 2 weather fronts come together. This results in strong winds. But today they are gone and it is wonderful.

Since this is a holiday weekend, the Apache - Sitgreaves forest has filled up, more than we were here few years ago. 

We were hoping friends would make it up, but people, just can't seem to decide on anything or anytime. And surely we, meaning me, will not wait for people to decide if they are coming or when they are coming. Oh well, such is life. 

Early on we explained to friends that we would be up roaming around, then head up to Utah for month of June, well we decided to include Colorado in the roaming bit.  

DaGirls Rv - Safe Travels and Journeys

Dakota, Tilly, Susan and me

May 10th Update in Cottonwood

Ok, so what has been happening. Well we spent 2 weeks in Apache Junction, getting the Air Conditioner fixed. Mike over at Gene, worked wonders as the compressor blower motor went out, along with the #1 compressor which was bad. During this, Mike replaced the bearing, cleaned and lube.

During this, we ordered a new Atwood Keypad, Drain-Master dump valve, struts for the window awnings, pantograph adapter for the windshield arms along with new fans for the Dometic refrigerator. I also fixed a bad hose on the Twin-Temp. Some was covered by extended service plan some was not.

Everything was finished up on Friday, May 5^th. Once completed, we headed north to Prescott Valley. We elected to boon-dock in the Elks parking lot. Will not do that again; or rather we will get a spot in the storage area if we can.

We stayed long enough to complete a solar installation for Mike, and get a gallon of Sierra (Peak Brand) Anti-Freeze. This brand is safe the aluminum tank of the Twin-Temp.

Our next stop was Thousand Trails Resort in Cottonwood, where Dakota had a Dr., appointment waiting for her on Monday, May 8^th. Dr. Brady was Della’s vet, during the remaining years of her life. This included her Alaska adventures. He is one of those vets that reminds me of the home town doctor’s that new everyone by name and did house calls.

Ok, so we are planning on leaving for the Apache-Sitgreaves national forest on Thursday. If you have never boon-dock in the tall pines, then definitely this should be on your bucket list. Now we are not talking about in an RV park with other rigs. No I am talking about the forest, where the closest RV could be 25 yards or even 100 yards away. Where you wake up, to the scent pine trees. Or a cool breeze, or the wind whispering thru the trees.

On Wed., Mike Lynch came out and we all headed to Sedona to hike around Bell Rock. In all it must have been over 4 miles. as it took us over 4 hours. Normally i hike in the 3 MPH range, but this was a fun hike.

Anyway safe travels from DaGirls

By the way, if you are heading east out of Payson, give us a call as we are dry-camping up in the Tall-Pines of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest.

Day 1 Alfa Roadrunner Rally

After a verrrrrry long drive, 75 miles, we finally made it to Rincom West Rv Resort. Susan and I came in the back way, as we were in no specific hurry. Now this is now the normal way a DP would come in as the road is narrow, winding and hilly. But for those of you who don’t mind going slow and easy not a bad way. But we do recommend that most people come in the normal way., Photo Ops ? well I was driving and Susan was, well a little busy, but I promise you better ops later.

Well day one was covered by Tech talk which started at 8 am.

We had a very big crowd along with new and seasoned Rv'ers. Great time was had by all. In all we created 12 sets of the DIY'er Genturi system for our members. Many of our members just jumped right in and started up a production line for all. Mike Smith did and excellent job capturing photos. In fact Mike has been rushing here and there just getting the photos. Great Job Mike. 

This year we have had the largest influx of new members, and last night at the sheriff's dinner proved it. We were split 2/3 seasoned and 1/3 new with many seasoned members attending there first rally. 

Dale, DaGirls Rv II
Traveling Companions, Susan, Dakota and Tilly

Cc.