On the Road

Greetings Friends and Family

Well, we've been on the road since Friday, March 1 and what a ride it's been! The first day we made it to Rolling Hills Casino in Corning, CA, but not without a minor hiccup. We stopped at a rest area just outside of Anderson, CA and my rig didn't want to re-start. After being on the phone with Good Sam Roadside Assistance for an hour Laurie finally got it started herself and off we went. Still on hold with Good Sam, I called back to tell them I no longer needed assistance and was put on hold again. I finally hung up, thinking they would call me back. Nope, for all they know I could have gotten mugged and killed and been lying alongside the road somewhere. The second day we stayed on the river at Merced River RV Park in Merced, CA. Laurie was apprehensive about the graffiti, but I wasn't concerned until I was awakened about 2am by a voice saying, "Step out of the vehicle and get on the ground!" When I opened my eyes I could see red and blue lights through the blinds, so I looked out the window not knowing what to expect and realized that they were using a bullhorn and doing a felony stop on the freeway. The third day we stayed at Orange Grove RV Park in Bakersfield, CA (they have orange trees at every site and you can pick your own oranges). Day four was quite eventful. First of all, Laurie somehow loses the keys to her travel trailer so she couldn't lock the door, consequently, we have to pull over several times because her trailer door would fly open on the freeway and be flapping in the wind. Oh but wait, there's more!  About half an hour from our destination I have a blowout on the freeway. I immediately pull over to the side of the road and hobble to the closest exit, which had no services, and called Good Sam Roadside Assistance once again. After being on the phone with Good Sam for 40 minutes I decide to call them when I get to my destination and I drive the rest of the way on three back tires (I have dually's on the back). It was slow going, but better than sitting in the hot sun on the freeway for who knows how long. We ended up staying at Avi Casino KOA in Laughlin, NV for three days (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday). I got four new tires put on the back and I cancelled Good Sam Roadside Assistance and opted for Coach-Net Roadside Assistance. Oh, and Laurie got new keys made for her travel trailer (and a couple extras, just in case). While there, we took a day trip to Lake Havasu City and drove over the London Bridge. Days seven and eight we spent in Gila Bend at Augie's Quail Trail RV Park. The plan was to stay one night but the weather went a little crazy (wind, rain, hail, and snow). Right now we are at Butterfield Station RV Park just outside of Deming, NM and the destination for tomorrow is Van Horn, TX. Don't forget to set your clocks forward!