Monday, March 30, 2015

Evil GPS, Loving Friends, Sunny Acres and Tiny Mountain Roads

Friday, March 27 - Sunday, March 29

They say "That which does not kill us, only makes us stronger." 

Okay. I'm a much stronger driver now.

GPS maps on the IPhone look so innocuous. Flat, logical routes to follow. Neither are true in Tombstone, AZ.

We turn off the main highway on to a "street" that is maybe 200 feet long before it turns sharply to the left and then immediately down a very steep, very narrow, very washed out sort-of-asphalt trail (road would be a huge exaggeration). The GPS cheerfully says to turn right at the bottom where clearly there is no road or trail or goat path, just some old abandoned cars. We are now at the bottom of a deep bowl maybe 50 yards wide with the only exit a slightly smoother, but twice as steep, driveway that comes out behind an old building.

Choices? Not really. Bill is a rock, doesn't hesitate to say "You can do it."  So up we go. We make it with no problem, there's room at the top to pull all the way out and stop at the highway. I don't stop to cry with relief.....

We can't reach Donnie for real directions so we give the GPS another try.

Nope. Another narrow road leading to a sharp left turn at the bottom of a hill and then back up to a ball park on a dirt road. GPS says turn down the dirt road. Jodee says no.

I have no qualms about driving the rig on a dirt road. We will do so a lot when boondocking. But I'm not trusting the GPS another foot at this point.

Bill now reaches Donnie who says "None of those roads go through although all the GPS systems think they do, we'll come get you."  I like this option.

Now some things one needn't share on a blog, but it really did help lift the "slight tension" I had built up over the last 20 minutes......Bill rode the rest of the way on the potty. You know, sometimes you just can't wait.

So up and down hills and around corners....it just made me laugh knowing he was back there :-) I'm a bad person.  He still loves me.

Donnie and Anna have a lovely home with a nice, level parking pad out front. The angle is a little challenging but at this point backing the rig up to that pad was nothing!  Bill got everything set up and we spent the evening with our wonderful friends, getting caught up over basketball and yummy steaks.


Another sweet mooch-dock spot

Saturday morning was a brisk 50 degrees and we took advantage of the big shower and lots of hot water before breakfast. Packed up, pulled out, hooked up, said our good-byes, and were on the road before 8:30.

It was highways and Interstate the whole way so even if the wind found us we expected an uneventful travel day to Las Cruces. Almost.

I've seen lots of check lists that RVers use for pulling out, setting up, at each stop. I have not seen "check rubber seal around windshield" on any of them. Fortunately when ours came loose it was the section right in front of the right rearview mirror, and the only place either of us could have seen it while driving down the road.

Pulled off at the rest stop and made our first roadside repair. We check it often and it is holding fine. Will put it on the list for the dealership next week.

We need the fancy "matching" duct tape

My only priority for a stop in Las Cruces was green chili. I remembered that Hans and Lisa had stayed at a little park in town that they liked so I had reservations at Sunny Acres for one night. It did not disappoint. Very clean, big sites, nice trees, sweet dog run.


Large sites
Larger neighbors

  
Lots of stories for Tessa to read


Nicely maintained

The park host's recommendation for green chili around the corner at the High Desert Brewhouse was spot-on as well. While we weren't impressed with our beer choices, the green chili stew and nachos were delicious. Definitely a local hangout where everyone knows each other, slightly beat-up tables and chairs, and a dog-friendly patio - it was perfect.


High Desert Brewhouse, Las Cruces, NM

Sunday we were due at the family reunion location in the mountains of Ruidoso. In the morning I checked three different maps for the final route to the small guest ranch, and none of them recognized the address, or the road. Even the website map was confusing. Oh boy.

We can be taught. Found a spot to park the rig just past downtown and unhooked the Jeep. Bill spoke nicely to the GPS and when we couldn't reach the ranch by phone we gave it a shot. We found it! And were so glad we unhooked the Jeep before trying it with the rig and towing.

The ranch owner was here when we arrived at noon, didn't know anything about our bringing a rig, the one hookup spot is occupied by their maintenance guy, maybe we could just park it "over there". 

Okay. Our family of almost 40 are the only ones here, we also have a cabin, we'll put the rig where it fits, and all will be fine.

Back to town for groceries and a few other things - oh, and the rig.

Bill leads with the Jeep and we take our time, and both sides of the road, to get back up the tiny mountain roads to the ranch. 

Now we can relax and enjoy family for four days before taking on the road again.  Life is good.


Ruidoso, NM





31 comments:

  1. I bet you can't wait to get a real GPS!!
    When I sold PartyLite one hostess had to tell me the directions to her house because she knew GPS would have me take dead end roads. Glad you found your way. And nice job taking the jeep to scout your path!

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    1. Not sure how "it" can get it so wrong in some places! The Jeep is so easy to unhook there's really no reason for us not to do that when we're not sure - our new "always do" :-)

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  2. Oh the fun is just beginning! You are a pro already. Sounds like your family reunion is going to be great. Rolling with the punches is what it's all about. :-)

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    1. I felt like I should have at least gotten a certificate of accomplishment so I don't have to take that "class" again!

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    2. LOL. We must've just missed you as we passed through Tombstone just the other day. When you head out in June, will you go north?

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  3. You probably need to move that GPS to the top of your list. I can't imagine being without one. Many new adventures are waiting for you.

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    1. I think we may place the Amazon order to arrive the day we get home :-)))))

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  4. You will be an old pro driving this thing after this trip! Seems like trial by fire. The windshield sure is a big bummer.

    We went to the best mexican market in Las Cruces, Los Altos Ranch Market. It's huge, with an enormous fresh made fast food section, and I was able to buy freshly roasted chilis there. A worthy grocery stop, or lunch stop, when passing through

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    1. We're hoping to get back to the Las Cruces area for a longer stay (want to see the painted water tanks too) so will definitely look up the market! I didn't realize when I made the park reservation that it put us exactly where we wanted to be for Sunday's drive up Hwy 70 - so you're review was even better than a good place to stay :-)

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  5. We too have friends who live year round in Tombstone, we unhooked jeep and toured before going to their house. The cowboy hates the phone GPS!! He will still frequently print off a Google map before we go somewhere new!

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    1. I was so surprised at how "hilly" Tombstone is - that was a big surprise. We're bringing the printer and even with the RV GPS I think the printed map is a great idea.

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  6. I'm thanking the universe for you this post which made me smile and laugh out loud on a day when things haven't been going so well. I am SO sorry I didn't tell you that after about 3 uses of our GPS getting us into stupid places we should not have been, we trashed it and rely on google maps to plot the trip ahead of time and the BLOW IT UP big time so we can see the terrain. Also I always call ahead to any place that looks sketchy. That sounds like a really terrible situation it got you in to and I am way over the top with how you handled it. AND then your windshield seal came loose? What? I've never heard of that. This full timing life is not going to be any problem for you guys at all. Too funny about Bill even though it really was terrible of you to expose him. LOL! Looks like fun times ahead but you sure did have an adventure getting there. Thanks for the read!

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    1. Glad the post was timely :-) It even makes us chuckle looking back at it. We figured on this trip finding some glitches the shorter one didn't and even though I'm not happy about it, at least the windshield is a fix that can be done before we launch. Bill really is a trooper :-))))) We head back tomorrow.

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  7. So that trip sounded like a bit of a headache, but you have a great way of making us readers Laugh. Enjoy your family reunion.

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    1. Thanks Maura. It always helps to have friends laughing along with you :-)

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  8. Get the GPS for RVs. We planned on doing that someday, but our new rig came with one installed. I feel more confident with it. Safe travels!

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    1. Yep, it'll be in there on our next trip for sure!

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  9. I don't know what your GPS is, but we love our Verizon Navigator that I downloaded to my phone. It is spot on each time.

    I see that you were attacked by the road monster bugs! What fun to get them off.....

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    1. Wish I'd known about the Verizon GPS, we have ATT for now. Yes they are stuck on :-(

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  10. I have a terrible relationship with Siri (iPhone GPS). She is evil!!! You really did get into some tight situations, but true to form, you've come through it all with flying colors. I'm searching for the perfect GPS that won't send us down a dead end one-lane dirt road or over a cliff. Let me know when you find it. And happy and safe travels! :-)

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    1. We're hoping the Rand McNally works for us. Will definitely let you know :-)

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  11. Oh how I love to see that we are not the only ones who get ourselves into a pickle or two! We are still at the mercy of a regular GPS, but I have a love-hate relationship with "Samantha". I am not afraid to tell her NO! So far, Steven hasn't had the guts to say "I'll drive", but if he does, Imma pull right over and let him. Really. I will. You watch and see. :)

    Sounds like you have had a fabulous maiden voyage with all the worries and concerns. It comes with the territory and it is never-ending. Seriously. Something is always happening, but that's part of what makes this lifestyle so awesome. It keeps us on our toes.

    And don't you love Holt's Shell station?? :) Have fun and safe travels back.

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    1. We're feeling better that we're not the only ones to get into a bad spot - and of course glad that we got through it unscathed! Yes, we thought Holt's was a great stop :-))

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    2. I forgot to tell you that our windshield pulls away all the time. We just pump it full of clear caulking and call it good. :)

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  12. Jodee, have you used Google Street View to actually drive the roads you are taking prior to leaving? We have found that any GPS is not enough especially when not traveling on a highway. John always drives the roads to see the conditions. It is really helpful for locating the place you are heading to, also, because you can see the land marks that you will need to watch for as you are approaching.

    Glad you made it through some tricky spots. You are a brave woman driving with these conditions, especially with a new MH!! I hope you had a relaxing time with your family. I'm sure everyone enjoyed seeing your new home:)

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    1. I like that idea, and will definitely add it to our new arsenal for navigation! I like brave better than nuts, although I'm not sure I can really own it :-) We had a ball with our family and they loved our home. They're all gone now and we're waiting out the wind until tomorrow.

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  13. Guess I'm old fashioned, don't own a GPS and don't want one. Give me either Google maps showing terrain or my paper maps which I have lots of. Look into the DeLorme Atlases by state to see even the tiny roads on public lands. I will say, I'm impressed with your driving skills. Glad you enjoyed the reunion.

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    1. Thanks for the tip on the atlases Gaelyn, I want to see what they show in Tombstone! Why can't the GPS read a map?

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    2. Thanks for the info on the atlases Gaelyn - I'm curious what they show in Tombstone :-)

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  14. ROFL . . . With, not at, you. The DW and I nearly went down a GPS rat hole today. Bridge out no less! And this near the end of a 35 day RV adventure that included Tombstone! And we've been RVing (part time) for around 20 years. You learned invaluable lessons. Loving following your blog/adventures. Happy trails.

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    1. Thanks Norm! Good to know the "adventures" are out there for everyone - even with 20 years experience!! Thanks for coming along :-))

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