Leaving Salem, OR we head south on I-5 for the next leg of our journey. About 15 miles south of Salem the computer registered a 'fault', turned on the 'check engine' light and reduced engine power. For the next 30 miles I couldn't drive faster than 45 mph. We stopped at a rest area and when I got under the hood I unhooked computer harness connecter and reset it. This is a trick taught me by a service tech a couple of years ago. When I started the truck again everything was OPS NORMAL for the final 265 miles today. I didn't order the extra goblins when I ordered my truck, but I've certainly had my share. It always seems to happen the most in cooler, wet weather.
This time of year, winter can arrive at any time and travel can be tricky. However, the forecast on departure from Oregon was sunny and Indian Summer for the next 6 days. After crossing Siskiyou Pass we stopped the first night at Weed, CA 307 miles. Friendly RV Park, we've stayed here before. Full service hookups at $48 a night, it always provides a spectacular view of Mt. Shasta.
This was our decision point. Depending on whether Donner Pass on I-80 was open or not determined our route from now on. Weather forecast for the next couple of days is 5 more days of sunshine and 50s. We pressed on. Otherwise, we would have to continue much further south close to Los Angeles before we could turn east. Not fun.
Day 2 put us 312 miles over Donner Pass and into Reno. The trip was smooth with no truck problems other than that two lane roads from Red Bluff, CA to the east through the Sierras to Reno can be long and time consuming. The weather was a sunny 60-70 degrees. We did gas up in Weed, CA this morning at $4.89, but the prices continued to increase as we headed south. Once we steered east into the mountains and resort country on our way to Reno prices were always $5+. With the exception of traffic into Reno our arrival was pretty effortless. This town is certainly growing.
We stayed at the Grand Sierra Casino RV Park as we have the past two visits. This time was a bit of a shock as they added a hefty resort fee and subsequent tax that nearly doubled our stay. 2 nights $163. We would stay here for 2 days for laundry and a day off. Hey, we're retired....and pacing ourselves. Barb hit the casino our first night, finishing up $80.
After two days in Reno we headed towards southern Nevada, splitting the difference and staying overnight in Tonopah at 228 miles. We gassed up just east of Reno at $4.03. Upon arrival we stayed overnight at Tonopah RV Park; campground next to their Air BnB cabins. http://tonopahrv.com Graveled lot, but hookups and water available for our tank if needed. Full-service cable TV, WiFi, bathrooms and showers still available. $37 @ night. Tonopah, an old west mining town, sits mostly unchanged on a high mountain ridge in the middle of the desert that often has freezing temps at night and as such they close their individual RV site water hookups early. The showers were great.
Leaving central Nevada, we continued south. This is very much remote desert with the occasional fence and US Govt. signs, Area 51 country. We also passed through Beatty, NV experiencing part of the National Wild Donkey protected herd. They pretty much wander whenever and wherever they want: streets, yards, downtown. Interesting when driving.
The next morning, we left Las Vegas and continued down US 95 212 miles arriving in Quartzsite, AZ. We've been here several times before. A popular destination for 'snowbirds' this area has hundreds of miles of Bureau of Land Management BLM open desert that is available to camp; most free, some have a small surcharge as they offer a central dump/water facility. Literally a quarter of a million RVers converge on this area in January for the largest RV show in the world. We dumped and watered up at the Tumbleweed RV Park $20, returning to camp overnight just north of town at Hi Jolly BLM area.... FREE. SOLAR RULES!
From here it is just a short 144 miles into Mesa, AZ. We trucked on in and set up camp at Usery Mountain Park just north of town. Beautiful setting and a nice park for $32 @ night. We've stayed before as well and even got our favorite camping spot again. Lots of cactus for Roux to play in. This is by far one of our favorite destinations. We stayed here for 3 nights to refill prescriptions, stock up a few groceries, visit some friends, as well as Grandson #2 who attends Grand Canyon University. We also took advantage of Discount Tires sale and put new rubber all around the RV.
The menu along the way included Ham Potato Frittata, Eggs Benedict, Chicken Dump Casserole, and General Tso's Chicken to name a few.
We paid as much as $4.89 for diesel in Weed, CA and as little as $3.61 in Dallas, OR, We did see it at $5.89 in Vidal Junction, CA. Thank God we didn't need any. Since Oregon 1300 miles in the bank, but we still have over 900 miles yet to go. Barb is certainly glad to be out of the mountains.
"Because the greatest part of a road trip is not arriving at your destination. It is all the wild stuff that happens along the way" Emma Chase
WiFi courtesy of AT & T Wireless
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