Plan A, Plan B or is it Plan C?

 Which Plan are we on? Well we started with Plan A (Full Timing Rv'er), then we upgraded to Plan B (Park Model). Then I made a Big Oops on our planning. How you ask?

Well, I think I need to start over from the beginning:

Plan A, Full Timing in an Rv.

Plan B, purchase a lot in Yuma, Az. Which accommodates 2, Alfa's. Ours and Rudy and Beata Gekefe. Our German contingent.  

Plan C, the lot to the east came up from purchase. This lot had a 400 SqFt Park-Model on it. A very great buy. Susan and friends went to work and made it ours. To be used for family and rent to Alfa friends who need a place to stay while there Alfa is being worked on. 

So, we were set, a place to stay, in case of emergency's and our winter lot when we needed to stay put.

But guess what? Richard, a very close friend, said, hey I have a place in Show Low. Well the rest is history now. 

Let me introduce you to Plan D. 

Plan D, Log Cabin home, located next to the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in the town of Show Low, Az.

Yep, you read this correctly we now own a 847 SqFt cabin, 2 car garage, and 3 sheds in the outskirts of Sow Low. With room for 3 to 5 Alfa's. (.92 acres).

We could not have been able to do this without a Great Amount of Help from our close friend Richard Mares, Alfa Owner. 

Goggle Map of Cabin - Press Here 

Let me introduce to DaGirls Cabin:

Outside Views

The deck you see has been permitted to allow a 2 story addition.

 

Inside Views

Living Room

The above photos are of the 400 SqFt loft area.

So, Plan D it is. When we are slowing down - maybe in ten years, place in the winter, with a place in the summer. 

And when the time comes, sell everything for a small place where we will stay, permanently.

Richard, Dakota and Tilly thank you for your great friendship, for without you, this would never have happen.

Susan love's you dearly, and me, well what can I say. 

DaGirls Rv

Susan, Dakota, Tilly and me.

Safe travels and Journeys. 

  

Dash A/C Update

 Ok, a small update on the fixed Dash Air Conditioner (A/C).

We left around 1030, Yuma. Highs were going to be in the 90's as we traveled from Yuma, thru Phoenix and then 80's in Payson (5000Ft). 

So how did we do? Great - We never turned on our roof top A/C to cool the coach. 

To increase the cooling effect, we could have but did not installed our curtain, across the back of the captain chairs. This would in effect have create a smaller area. 

All in all the repairs i preformed were successful. 

DaGirls

Susan, Dakota, Tilly & me.

Safe Travel & Journeys

So, a little bit about where we are

 A little of the area where we landed. As you can see many trees around us, but our solar and sun is doing it job. We started at 70% this morning, and it is now 3 pm, and we are at 100%.  The changes I have incorporated and a few issues I have found, now allows my system to operate at 99% of capacity of my controller. I can't wait to share this with my friends and implement it to their systems.

As you can see, we are leveled and settle in. Richard passed along his WiFi, but Verizon and AT&T is strong. Susan launch our Wineguard, and the satellite is locked in and we are receiving the local channels from Phoenix.

The weather this on Friday morning started around 45 degrees and is currently around 67. We spent time finding a very good walking area, which allows Dakota to roam free. Dakota is even allowed to roam here at Richard's place. She definitely has been able to use her sniffer without fail. Currently she is sacked out on the couch. 

Somehow, The Easter Beata made it into our coach with Easter Eggs.

Currently we are providing assistance to Richard, while he is cleaning his property and loading stuff to bring back to Yuma.

DaGirls Rv

Susan, Dakota, Tilly & me

Safe travels 

Heading to Show Low Arizona

It all started with Rudiger & Beata on Wed. Leaving at 0730 for Bob's diesel and service work. 

Beata, stay on the lot, awaiting word from Rudy, saying all done, come meet me.

That happen around 10ish. While I continued packing away the outside of the DaGirls Rv. We continued like this most of the day, until Skip and Odie came by and we all sat down to talk. But then it was time for dinner, Skip and Odie left and Jeff and Linda brought over stir-fry. We enjoyed our last night together.

As usual, I awoke early, early enough to capture these 2 shots above:

But it was time to finish up, and shut down:

                     

But soon, it was time to leave and head East. Our destination was Show Low, Az. 330 miles, of traveling. Our plan, stop for fuel (diesel) and propane. Gila Bend, fuel and Heber-Overgaard, propane. A brief stop in Wood Canyon for puppy break. 

Destination was Richard's Mares homestead in Show Low. We arrived around 1800, disconnected and  drove the last 1/4 mile to his place. A short drive, a few turns, and we were settled and setup.

DaGirls Rv

Susan, Dakota, Tilly & me

Stay safe and safe journeys 

 

Dash AC (Air Conditioner)

 Our A/C has been giving us an issue since early 2020.

During routine maintenance at Bob’s, in Yuma, Az. I requested a leak check.

A leak check with the right equipment, takes only 15 – 30 minutes, with only 15 minutes of labor.

In preforming a leak check, the Freon is removed by a vacuum pump. Nitrogen is then pumped back inside at a 250 psi level and sealed. This is the longest part, waiting.

 When completed, nitrogen is removed and Freon is pumped back in. Now, comes the real test. With engine running and digital computer connected, I along with the Tech, ascertain that the expansion valve was the source of the problem. Since time was not on our side I asked for an estimate and requested they email it to me.

 Fast forward 2 weeks, while on Da Road, the estimate came it at $1000. They included changing out the ac compressor. Strange as I did see as part of the problem. Oh Well, they must know something I do not know.

 Now fast forward to 2021, while at our Yuma lot, I decided to act on my decision, by replacing the expansion valve and dryer.

 To do this you must be able to stand up inside the front generator/battery compartment. If you cannot, then do not attempt this.

I completed the process of Vacuum, recharge and nothing or something but not quite what I thought it would be. Cooling yes, but not as it should have been. Gauge reading the same. Showing the expansion valve.

 Oh, you want to know what I found when I removed the original expansion valve?

 

This: At first I thought it had something to do with the valve itself.

 

Fast forward 3 weeks and back at it. I again remove the new valve, and again I saw the same. 

It was at this time a light bulb came on. The desiccant bag inside the dryer had rupture. The desiccant beads themselves were clogging the hose, along with the valve. So, with Rudy’s help, I remove the line, flush out the hose and cleaned the new valve.

 Register temperature is now 38°. Gauge Reading

Total cost

Parts $90

Freon 6 1/2 Cans $45.

Difficulty level 1 – 5? A 4, as it requires you to be able to stand up inside the front compartment. 

DaGirls Rv

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me

Safe Travels

Prepping and Heading North

 So, I know, I have not been posting much, but it has been a little boring.

Things which, we ( Susan, Rudy, Beata and I) have been doing?

Well, for starters, heading to Los Algodones for much needed dental work.

Rudiger & Beata anniversary  

Seeing our doctors for yearly health checks.

Jan, was heading to rally in Quartzsite.

Catching Covid-19. 

Yes you heard correctly, Covid-19, even as careful as we were, I brought it home, and did not realize I had it. My symptoms were simple, very mild flu. Which lasted 3-4 days. Susan on the other hand, had the Covid-19 pneumonia. Similar to regular but NOT. Anyway, once tested, she was in the hospital for 24 hrs. More for the headaches, nausea and her Pulse-Ox was low enough to be kept. In all, for her, it took 2 weeks, before she really felt better, and another 4 weeks before she was really good. She still has a little fuzzy brain, but she is back to 5 miles walking. 

Also, went across the border twice to San Luis, to see the vet for Tilly teeth. 

Jeff and Linda loss Zada, and then went to Georgia and picked up a new puppy. 

I joined the Yuma County Sheriff's Volunteer department. Went through the process (back-ground) and now do ride along with other volunteers. 

We travel out to the Glamis 

   

Tumco Mine

Laguna Dam Road Area

Anyway, this is enough to get me back to blogging. Hope you enjoyed the photos.

During this time we made a run to Silly Al's Pizza to have a picnic in the Alfa Roadrunner Site

DaGirls Dakota & Tilly

Susan & Me.