OTRA - From the "Q" to Carlsbad, NM

Whew, finally, I'm 'On The Road Again" (OTRA) left from Quartzsite, AZ (The "Q") and headed to the Bat Caves, Carlsbad Caverns, NM and with the typical timing I have, the "Bats" are on vacation to the southern parts of unknown, to me, locations, back in Apr or May.  Not going to 'Hang' (wink) around till then.



The "Q" was fun, spend over 90-days there, mainly focused on buggy riding, but due to the blood thing, stopped.  Then the focus was on a rock or a little bush or ?? Gawd knows what else there's to do there.   Also, snakes, aka rattle snakes, were starting to come out and so needed to get outta there quickly.



Left the "W" (that's "Q" misspelled) after getting my camper batteries swapped out. I kept running out of juice when running the TV morning and night for a few hours. Had 12v, grp 29 water filled, and got 2 6v. Had to take out the sliding tray and put in a watering top for access.  They are an improvement, but still need another set of 2 for a total of 4 6v batteries and then should be ok.  Also, another 160w solar panel for a total of 3 for 480watts.  Once batteries got installed, left for the Bat caves via back roads (see map below).



Nice drive and Garmin was able to run me right through traffic.  I try to take the back roads and not the main Interstate, to see the off beaten paths.  I was looking to  Over Night (ON) at Theodore Roosevelt Lake thinking, Kewl, trees... but it was a pretty barren high desert lake, jam packed with "Fisher Peeps" crowded, so drove on to Globe, Apache Gold Casino.. and stayed in the parking lot. Not bad at all and would do it again No Problem-O, they run a smooth operation.  Some might think staying at a casino is a nirvana, like going to Vegas, but I didn't even go into the casino, so don't know.  Last time I "did Vegas" was when the Circus Circus was just opening up and the "Five big Casinos" were there, heheh, I know, a few years ago eh?



Headed out for the Coolidge Dam.  I've often heard about it, but never saw it, so Dam the Torpedos, full steam ahead, on rough road, pot holed and wash boarded.
The Dam is pretty much off the beaten path and in fact I had to stop a Ranger going the other way to make sure I was on the right path.  Confirming that, "yes" I "Pressed on" as they say at the Laundry.



The dam was much like the roads, sort of forgotten and in disrepair.  Water was way low as is the case with most other places.



You can see the Cement slowly scaling off, suspect it'll be decommission in the near future, but I'm no "Damn Expert", heheh, sorry, just had to work that in somewhere. The road some 40+ miles from the Hwy, was poor and about 10 miles in, a sign posted that at some 15mi there's a detour.  Hmmmm.... only one road in and out, so crossed my fingers an hoped "Detour" meant you can go around it, in a camper.  Past the dam, 2 more signs stating the same thing.. Like I'm going to turn around? WTF, over..... post the Detour sign when you come to it.  It was a little tricky, small bridges were out and they dropped the "Detour" down into the wash and back out. (pic - see bridge on the right side)



A little dusty, plenty of potholes and while speed limit was 25mph, I guess to make sure you catch them all, I ended up running at about 46mph which seemed a little better, driving, not so sure about the rig.



Next stop after casino was at the Dreamcatchers in Deming "Escapees" (RV group),  that have a few RV parks scattered around where members can stay, cheaper than others.  Without hook ups at all, it was $5 night. Nice clean facilities



Next day, up and at'em, taking the longer route through the mountains and finally saw my trees... ski resort and a village of sorts in the clouds.  Heading toward Carlsbad.  I thought Nevada was bad on long empty spaces, but New Mexico has them beat.  The White Sands Missile range is long...... Arizona has it's peaks and valleys, but much closer together.



The original game plan was to stay in the Whites City RV park, but due to bad reviews and limited space, I found a lake, much prettier to stay at.  Also, just passed another Escapees Ranch and was going to keep that as a backup.  Headed to the Brantley Lake SP, between Artesia and Carlsbad, NM.



As luck would have it, all the first come, first served spots were taken, only RSVP sites for one night only.  Tried to go online to RSVP, but not available at this time. Ranger help is a little sparse so I picked an RSVP site and hoped for the best.  Turns out, they're rebuilding it, so no hookups and can't RSVP online so here I am, paid by check for another 3 nights in case they come by and say "Nope"... no refunds... sigh, it's always sumpt'n eh?



So for now, game plan is to kick back here at the lake, then Monday hit the Caverns (avoid the crowds), leave Tuesday and take a look-see at the Escapees (aka SKP as pronounced sounds the same) "The Ranch" place just up the road.  Check it out.  I understand they have a great 'Quilting Class'... sigh he said, shaking his head...



Then, back towards the West, several stops like the Grand Canyon and Death Valley, just in time to watch all the fantastic flower blooms, best one in 10yrs, die out... Timing, it's just not my thing.

And then head to the coast and up along it.

Current buzz among RV'ers is doing Alaska... I try not to read too much about it and shy away from the discussion or I'll want to do it.  It's going to have to wait till next year, but it's at the top of the list.  That will be the "Mother of all Trips" as I'll loop back down through Canada and do the TransCanadian Hwy from coast to coast and THEN down through the lower 48 Eastern states to "Knock'em Off"... just need the "FFB's" (Fuel, Food n' Beer), heheh, the only thing holding me back.

Caverns, next stop with pics.

On a personal note:
I'm in a bit of a dilemma on what to do with myself since I'm no longer "Buggy Riding".  Anything from Cooking/photography/wood carving/banjo/piano.  The buggy riding was the main point of traveling around, going from one rally to next or with groups to explore areas.  It's the only reason I got the bigger truck and the flat bed to haul it around.  It was the main focus.  Now, poof !! gone...  I thought about Paragliding again, but too much time sitting around waiting with limited locations.
With some encouragement from a friend, I'll try cooking and Photo-ng again.....

While I'll get past it, it's just a PITA trying to plan things out recently so now I'm not going to count on anything.

Stay tuned... Happy trails,

Cheers...

Ps. Healthwise, I appear, heheh, to me anyway, to be fine.  On thinners, Xalrelto, for a year and then we'll see.  Otherwise, business as usual, but getting fatter... and as the lovely ladies are able to blame the 40lbs of extra weight on the new 8lb babies, I figue I can blame it on the meds...  it's all the med's fault... not me.... time for some ice cream and a beer.

Cheer-cheers.....

More pics here

Ooops....

An unexpected surprise, not looking to do again.
thank-you so 'nicely'.

Things can change quickly from a normal? routine.  Posting this not as a "Poor Francisco"  but as a heads up on warning signs for others. I certainly didn't have a clue and was extremely lucky, according to the Docs involve.  Most don't make it to the ER rooms.  Here's the short version, PM if you have the need for more

Night before:
Felt a little warm and achy and figured it was just a possible flu bug that was going around.  Riding tomorrow, will decide then.

Next day:
Woke up, Rt leg really swollen, +50%.
Tried to get dressed, out of breath just putting on shoes.
Concerned, went online and Googled 'Swollen leg and shortness of breath' just to see what popped up.
Everything from "fluids in leg, raise leg" to "you're gonna die, rush to ER"  not much help.  Didn't feel any pain, just the swollen leg and shortness of breath when doing something.

Ride:
Figured I could still do the ride, just sitting, no exertion and see how it goes.  Can hit the local "Doc in a Box" on the way back.
During ride, getting chills, couldn't keep warm, after 2 hrs, broke off and headed to the local Urgent care.

(older pic, but you get the idea)

Doc In the Box:
Parked buggy at the Local Urgent Care in Quartzsite, walked in, explained, swollen leg and shortness of breath.  Doc overheard initial conversation, came out and said, "We can't help you, you NEED to get to ER ASAP, either Blythe, CA or Parker, AZ.  We can call an ambulance..."  I thought well Krap... this sucks.. I'd have to go back to campsite, prepare for departure and then drive 40 min to Parker, my choice... or? take a ride in the "Meat Wagon" to Parker.  figuring Insurance, even though I had just, 3-4 days prior - lessened coverage, would cover it.  Ambulance arrived in 5 min and strapped me in  to Parker, AZ ER.

Parker ER:
Arrived, told to stay lying down, level, X-rays, Cat Scans, and Ultra sounds found numerous blood clots, but 3 main ones, 1 in thigh and one in each lung, big ones, didn't want to dislodge it.  Needed treatment, but no room at the Inn here so Med Evac by Helicopter to the nearest Hospital over at Banner Del Web, in Sun City, just west of Phoenix.  45min flight, not a Cobra and no The Ride of the Valkyries music. Sigh, nothing is going right today, heheh. My phone was in buggy, Dave was able to bring over to Parker and I gave him the buggy keys, but battery was gone, no Hosp chargers.  When asked, they just looked like they did at my jokes.  Huh?

Banner Hosp:
Wheeled into the ICU area and "Plugged In" with tubes all over the place along with the 2 IVs.   heheh, my attempt to find humor in this was my comment, "...I am Borg, resistance is futile..." which no one even smiled at...  and I tried it about 7 different times, no trekkers there even though and yes, I do laugh at my own jokes, Roswell, NM was just the next state over.  Sigh, oh well, I laughed and I got it, ... several shots in the stomach, numerous 9-in one draw, blood draws and more chest X-rays or whatever they're called now.  They were putting it in one arm and taking it out in the other. Still no recharging plugs for dead phone.

Apx 3-4 days in ICU, then moved to less urgent area, expecting to be released, wondering about how to get home, back to the "Q" since I was evaced apx 125mi from home. Figure a Greyhound bus if nothing else.

Secondary issue:
So, my thinking of  ''I'm Outta here' was put on hold as they found a bacteria with 2 of the blood draws and don't know if it was exterior or interior (in blood) and have to let it incubate 24-48hr to ID it. Take new ones, incubate those, ID it, and then find the 'Fix'.  Thoughts of Steve McQueen in the movie Papillon (Butteryfly) started popping in my head.
Meanwhile IVs pumping in antibiotics 24/7.  Thinking MERSA? heheh or something like that, hopefully won't be reading about it in the news.

Finally got released and Hosp arranged Taxi, to campsite.
Fellow buggy rider, Dave, had picked up the buggy from initial urgent care and picked me up to get it, thanks Dave and all others that offered to help.  Not used to that, heheh.

Current Status:
Advised not to ride for 6+months due to possible accident causing internal bleeding which they can't stop. Blood thinner Xarelto is new and counter clotting agents not created yet.  So if I hit head/rib whatever causing internal bleeding, I would just "Wet my lips, and kiss ma arse Goo-by"
So, not riding and lowered camper due to height, step ladder risk.  I'm on blood thinner for apx 6 months then reevaluate and possibly back to normal routine.

Due to a massive,70+% income loss, I'll be letting the ACE go and find something else to focus on.  Sad, as I really like the idea of it, but... can't keep it going.  Just can't seem to hang onto the Buggies... so probably no more pics of the trails.

Planning on heading out as soon as the 'Buggy' issue is resolved or on track. Will try Carlsbad Caverns, Grand Canyon, Sky bridge, Death Valley and head over and up the coast.  Miss the trees and ocean.

Probably more than you wanted to know, but posted to help others realize it can all "Go South" in one day without a clue.  Email me if you have questions.

So just Chill'n till I get back on track.
Sigh, like Gilligan, some 3 hour tour that 10-trip was. A real PITA it was.....

cheers..

(Older pic at Prineville Res, a Fav "Happy" place heheh)

LTVA La Posa - Tyson Wash

So it's been a while since last post.

(Ouch, this stuff jumps out at you not the 'Warm Fuzzy' stuff)

Lots of trails wandering around, dusty, but why wouldn't it be eh?

Christmas & New Years were non-events, but had to do something to remember it, so drove the nearest hill top for Christmas Day Dinner.

(Christmas dinner on hill top)

I'm now over at the above location and it's near the hills.  I call it one big Ole Playground as it has trails all over the place.  Some steep ones, but the fun ones are winding around and over the hill tops.  Sitting on top, the views are really kewl. You can see the vast area of RV Parking.

Quartzsite is what I call '... one 'Huge' flea market, sitting on a "Huger",  heheh, RV park of rocks, gravel and shrubs with an Interstate Hwy (I-10) running through it"...

Slowly getting the "Camping Thing" back to normal, with canopy, Xmas lights and the BBQ.  Been a little too windy and cold to enjoy it yet, but weather is warming up next week, mid-Feb.

While it's been a little cool at night, mid 30's to 60's in the day, it was warming up and had a heat spell up to 76f or so.  Winds will kick up and currently, as I'm writing this, winds 30mph gusting to 50-60 as reported by news.  Luckily most of the dust has already been blown away, but there is still a haze.

Been riding when I can, but can't post all the pics I would like as Verizon Data plans are limited and pretty pricey when trying to upload photos and going over the plan limits.  Verizon luv's their plans.
 Pics are of various rides.





Discovered the Escapees RV club and Boomers and others.  ORV clubs, 2 of them have rides that I've been going on.

Finally got my "Gas Mgmt" zeroed in, ACE is bad on gas and now figuring apx 85mi to dry tank, figuring 15-18mpg.  Still haven't "Run it dry" as I figure it'll cut off on a steep hill or in downtown traffic.  Still working with the Samsung S2 tablet which is turning out to be kinda kewl.  I can run my music and my camera along with nav all on one piece.  Got rid of the GoPro and the iPad (actually, kept it for just general use, to and from store etc)

(lots of old mines potholed around)

Trying to ride Tue/Thur/Sat and laundry/dump n fill/ and general stuff on the other days.

I've been taking a big "Hit" on income for last 4 months and may have to let the ACE, 'Lil Nel' go, will know more in a few weeks.  Pretty much resigned to letting it go and will just focus on camping/exploring and figure out some other lest costly way to do things.  Sigh, getting sick n tired of counting on things, only to have them fall out.  Maybe Banjo, self taught or Boogie Woogie Piano/keyboard, 2 things on the "Wish to learn" so we'll see..

I did the application and have an interview with the Amazon Camperforce, seasonal work in last quarter. 10-hr days with mandatory OT or something like that, not looking forward to standing/climbing/lifting 12hrs a day but it's an income of sorts. Just might pay for the FFBs (Fuel-Food-Beer) for that time period.  Not sure at 70yrs, I can still jump the hoops as able to do before.


Game plan is to stay here till end of March, then, if possible, head out to Carlsbad Caverns, hit the ice caves on way back, Grand Canyon, the glass stairway over the canyon, Death Valley, and shoot back up the coast above San Fransico.  Really miss the Trees and Ocean etc.  Will try to get it before the "BKT"s are released... (Bugs, Kids, Traffic) and maybe head up through Canada.  Still working on that one.



Other than that, all is quiet, enjoying the 'no hassle days' just need to get the buggy/camper configuration settled, not sure how that's going to play out yet.

cheers,


(no Gallery Pics due to limited uploading with Verizon - $$$)

Quartzsite, AZ Dec 2015

Leaving Horsfalls Sand Dunes, OR and generally looking at the maps, I try to take routes that I haven't taken before which are usually longer, but at least I get to see what's out there.  I typically use Garmin which lately takes me on it's own trip... and Gawd knows where it will end up.

So left Horsfalls in the quiet of a Monday morning, place was almost like a ghost town and the drive, unintended thank you very much Garmin, went over to La Pine on via OR-38 E and OR-58 E  very nice drive, 2-lane so could be a slow one if behind something slow.

Didn't bother to check the weather that much as it was Sunny & Nice in Horsfalls... so it's gotta be "Nice & Sunny" everywhere else in Oregon... heheh, snow in La Pine.



The game plan was to resupply in La Pine, get the stuff I needed, oh? I dunno, like GPS and Nav Tablets for riding... it does help... someone, but not necessarily me.  Only one besides the host ranger-ettes at the campsites who just shook their head and called me "Goofy" for coming out to camp for 2 nights, in the snow at the Park. Snowed a little the next night before departure but manageable.



I always miscalculate map distances in Oregon.  I just look at it and figure, yeah, no biggie, 1-2hrs and I'm through it..

Made it down to Battle Mtn, NV rest stop, spent night and then a long day to Quartzsite, AZ coming into there and trying to find Dome Rock campsite at night was a bit of a hassle.  Just started down highway to a rest stop to spend the night, saw the exit to Dome Rock, took it and just parked somewhere.  Could have been a main road or in the middle of the wash. Didn't know and at that point didn't care.



Luckily made it off the road, on a camping area. (everywhere is a camping area except the road) and located a little better spot for the next two weeks..



Dome Rock is just apx 4 mi west of Quartzsite.



Quartzsite, AZ is pretty much a year'round Flea/Swap market with a highway running through it.  Jan & Feb, it gets jammed with several happenings.  Quartzsite is surrounded by BML (Bureau of Land Mgmt) which means you can camp there at nominal costs. 2 weeks in certain spots, free, and in the LTVA (Long Term Vistor's Area) $40 for 2 weeks or $180 for a 6 month period...  It's pretty much flat scrub brush and dusty.  luckily, you can ride your buggy's into town as long as you don't get crazy.

I was able to do some rides around and it was great riding on the trail the wind around the hills and gullies.



Sunsets are great, but a  little chilly to sit outside and wait for them.  Haven't figured out where the fire wood is and didn't feel like breaking out the campfire due to winds.  But the Stars... Whoa.... can't wait to get some photos of those...  nice...



So, 14 days and have to move...

I'm currently over on the La Posa Tyson wash area, just South of the "Q" as Quartzsite is called, on the west side next to the wash...  The wash, is sort of the highway to the "Q" for buggies.  Keeps'em off the highway and makes it fun.



Gallery Pics here
(if Google allows it, they've change and it takes getting used to it)

Good riding....



(I have to laugh everytime I have a pic wearing hat hat, looks goofy scrunched down on the head like that, but it blows of if not "tied down' right...)

Now over at the LTVA area and will be moving to a different location, less dusty tomorrow, Mon 21st.



I'll try to get into the Christmas Mood, with light etc, but been having problems with batteries and solar panels... Solar panel finally just gave up and stopped working.  it's a simple connection that is loose and after 3 day's attempts haven't found the break.  Going in tomorrow to get it resolved... market/haircut (looking a little shabby heheh) and new campsite away from the dust..

My shopping cart..
to carry what I call the "FFB"s of life..
(Fuel, Food, Beer) the 3 basic essentials of life... 
My life that is...)

HorsFalls Nov 15

I went to the UTV Take Over at the Sand Dunes at Horsfalls, OR to "Ride the Dunes"

While I'm not a "Duner", more of a "Trailer", as in doing dunes and doing trails, it is fun to get out there on "fresh Dunes"...

The ACE 900 performed will, but the wheel base is just too short for the "Whoops", Sand Waves, like waves you'd see on the ocean 1-3'+ high and you just go up and down.  The bigger machines, XP1ks can get up to speed and just bounce along the tops, much like wash boarded roads.  The Ace can't so it becomes miserable when you encounter them.  Have to slow down to a crawl and of course, everyone is gone.  Fresh dunes are great when you don't have to deal with Whoops and Ruts.

The Rally was a good one, many people showed up.  Camping site was packed full and pretty much a free for all that goes with it.
(note, campfires don't burn Alum cans, garbage etc and crushing them doesn't help.  Noise levels remained constant even at 3am, had to use ear plugs)



Most encircled like wagon trains with the inner courts for buggies and, A-hem, Repairs as needed. Most Trailers are pretty much like mobile repair shops having all the tools needed to rebuild a new machine.  Sometimes it's hard to identify a buggy unless it's up on jacks, heheh, sorry, couldn't resist, but that's the other half of he fun, tweaking the buggies to the dunes.


(you ever going to go out riding?)

UTV put on a great Rally,


Tents


Events,
 

Thanksgiving dinner (and free beer)


It's hard to get a photo of the dunes heights, but they are long and steep.  I was able to make it up most of them, some after a few tries, due to pilot error and was great before the crowds showed up.  The sand trails



are kewl, but once peeps started arriving and the place got chewed up with the quads on the trails, it was becoming more of a hassle for the ACE, A-hem Driver, Moi, to get excited to go out. It's much like water skiing on glassy smooth and then turning to chop, not as much fun, IMNSHO.



Anyway, it was an experience and wanted to do it, but will probably shy away from the "Big Events" in the dunes.  Will luv to go back in the off season and spend time cruising around, huge area.



Then onto La Pine, to regroup, resupply, reorganize for Quartzsite, AZ
(Relied on Garmin to get me over to La Pine, went the wrong route, sigh, back to carrying maps/atlas again.  need a new Garmin as it's taking me places no one has ever seen, heheh, user error of course, but I shouldn't have to carry maps as a back up or primary source)



More pics here

Fun.
Only restraint is what I call the "FFB"s
"Fuel, Food, Beer"