Post RTR fun

 

By now, you've read all about the RTR on other blogs. If you haven't, a list of blog posts about this years' Rubber Tramp Rendezvous can be found here.

A number of us stayed on (and on and on and on) in Quartzsite, after the RTR. The party continued and the RTR just kept getting better.

Days often began with coffee, in front of Theo

Tish's mornings began later than ours

There was plenty of good food. Lesa made some tasty breakfasts; pancakes one morning and biscuits and gravy another.

 

I made a couple of meals for the gang


Among them a breakfast consisting of fry bread and sausage gravy

 

and a chicken curry dish

 

Brian made pot stickers and others contributed various dishes to make a really tasty dinner.

 Kev hosted a Super Bowl Party. Bryce made a delicious sausage soup.Steve brought chips and dip. Lindzee made humus and Brian made a cake.

 

 

 



The party continued until after dark.

We celebrated Brian's birthday with pizza and cake

 

 

Jenn was awoken on her birthday with  a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday that wouldn't end until she made an appearance. And we delivered breakfast, coffee and brownies. I know Jenn will be real sad to find out I can find those pictures anywhere.

Max and his wife, Bev, invited us down to his place for a fire, one night. Max is my hero. He's 86 and had both knees replaced about 10 years ago. He's put over 80,000 miles on those knees. His goal is 100, 000 miles. I hope to match his spirit and his miles!

I left Scaddan Wash and set up over at the Roadrunner BLM

My buddy Gilbert, from Dirtville came by

Gilbert let me win at poker, but he'll tell you I cheated.

Linda and D joined us

Who knew you could cook spaghetti squash on an open fire? Nicely done, D!


Linda made us Bangers and mashed, one night (that's sausage and smashed taters, Brit style)

Jenn and Brian (the Younger)came by and spent a few nights before heading to... who knows where?

I left Quartzsite on February 26 heading south and east. Many thanks, once again to D, for all his help with my rig; And to Gilbert and Brian for their help with Theo's solar set up!

It Took A Village

I mean a tribe, to get Theo road worthy. And that tribe can be found at the RTR in Quartzsite, in January.

When I left dirtville, I thought Theo, was almost ready to go. A few minor repairs when I got to Vegas and we would FINALLY be on the road.

Repairs completed, we headed for Quartzsite. Unfortunately, Theo was not quite ready to hit the road. When we arrived,a downpour brought more leaks in the roof. We discovered the transmission was leaking, yet,again. The generator was blowing black smoke. AND I was still hoping to get my solar system installed, too. With the exception of the generator,all these issues had been dealt with previously.

Cue the Mighty Mouse Theme song

First up, my buddy Steve (AKA 4x4 Steve) goes to work on the generator, discovering that in spite of me paying to have the work done, it's probably been years since the oil, filter or plugs were changed. It's still a noisy, stinky generator. But it runs great. And it is a little less stinky and noisy

Thanks, Steve!

DH tackled the solar with help from Gilbert, Blars and Joey and numerous other people stopping by to offer assistance and advice. Also, I was trucked around town by good friends, Katie and Cheri to pick up various parts.

Not long after the RTR DH,Gilbert and Brian attached the flexible pane to the roof, permanently.

You guys are the best!

Blars hooked me up with LED lights


Muchas Gracias, Blars!

Magic Mike the Mechanic put my transmission problems to rest

Thank you, Mike! You've restored my confidence in Theo's ability to get me everywhere!

Brian and Bryce patched Theo's roof and leaks

Love you guys!

Of course, I have Bob to thank for organizing the RTR; an event I've attended 3 years running. I sooooooooooooo look forward to this gathering, reuniting with old friends and meeting new friends.

And I must thank Jerry and Nelda for keeping me charged before Theo got her solar power.

I could and should probably go on and on. I am sure I missed at least a few people who were more than happy to help me out and keep my spirits up when Theo's repairs seemed insurmountable.

Thanks, everyone! See ya next year!

A Collection of Blog Posts: 2013 Winter Rubber Tramp Rendezvous, Quartzsite, AZ

Since I am being lazy about posting (Read: enjoying myself waaaaay too much) about this year's totally awesome RTR, here is a collection of others' posts about this years Rubber Tramp Rendezvous.

Kim, The Travels of Kimbopolo
http://kimbopolo.blogspot.com/2013/01/quartzsite-az.html
http://kimbopolo.blogspot.com/2013/01/hangin-with-nomads.html
http://kimbopolo.blogspot.com/2013/01/quality-time.html
http://kimbopolo.blogspot.com/2013/01/balmy-arizona.html
http://kimbopolo.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-heart-of-rtr.html
http://kimbopolo.blogspot.com/2013/01/scenes-from-camp.html

Two dirty hippies (Sorry guys, I’ll never think of you as anything, but. And that’s a wonderful thing!)
http://2completespirits.com/a-different-kind-of-night-for-the-naked-man-of-quartzsite-and-all-of-us/
http://2completespirits.com/walking-to-the-beat-of-our-own-drum/
http://2completespirits.com/well-arent-we-a-talented-bunch/

Bri, Many Wheels and Blue Sky Expeditions
http://manywheelsbrian.blogspot.com/2013/01/at-infamous-third-winter-rubbertramp.html

Bob, Cheap RV Living
http://cheaprvlivingblog.com/2013/01/rubber-tramp-rendezvous-update/
http://cheaprvlivingblog.com/2013/01/rtr-update-join-the-tribe/

Kirk, Western Hunting and Travel Adventures and our host with the most at the infamous Tiki Bar (sending pics, soon, Kirk!)
http://roosterpheasant.blogspot.com/2013/01/day-2-of-trip-snowbird-rtr.html

Hoboberg, New Age Nomad
http://www.newagenomad.com/2013/01/rubber-tramp-rendezvous-rtr.html

Randy/Caravan Adventure/Mobile Kodgers

http://mobilecodgers.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-gathering-of-lone-eagles.html

Jeanne, On The Road With Riley

http://ontheroadwithriley.wordpress.com/2013/01/30/more-from-quartzsite/

Pennie and Lennie, Fulltime RVers
http://fulltimervers2.blogspot.com/2013/01/tin-can-seminar.html
http://fulltimervers2.blogspot.com/2013/01/tyson-wells-and-weve-been-invaded.html

Brian, A Guy, A Dog, A Rig and A Dream
http://giffordsrvdream.blogspot.com/2013/02/3rd-annual-winter-rubber-tramp.html

Edited to add

Blars, our very own Techno-Viking
http://techno-viking.com/posts/rubber-tramps-3/


Edited to add Linda's blog http://www.ravensroads.com/tag/RTR2013
If I've missed a post, from your blog, regarding the RTR, let me know in the comments and I'll add it to the list.

 

RV Service Review - Discount RV Repairs, Henderson, NV

There's a very good reason you might wait for Mark Ornbaum, owner of Discount RV Repair. He is busy, because he is THAT good!

I called Discount RV Repairs after finding them on the RV Service Reviews website (link located on the right sidebar); what should be your bible for finding reliable services, on the road. Five reviewers gave Mark and Discount RV Repair five excellent grades for the services provided.

I spoke with Mark, directly, and he told me he would be out later that same afternoon. Upon his arrival it was discovered that I needed a new propane regulator box. The repair could be tricky because regulator boxes have gotten bigger since the one on my moho had been installed (1988?) He said he would look, on Sunday for the part, and return Monday afternoon to finish the job.

I waited on Monday but Mark did not call or show up. I left a message, asking how late he would be working. I already knew he worked late, since on Saturday he didn't get to me until after dark.

Mark called Tuesday morning and apologised profusely for  not getting back to me on Monday. He was, literally, up to his elbows in someone's black tank, until 10pm. More importantly, he was on his way.

Mr. Ornbaum arrived in good humor and, in no time at all, the propane regulator box was installed. Mark then went above and beyond and crawled underneath the motor home to look at a leak. RV discount Repairs does not handle mechanical problems, but Mark was happy to advise me.

When presenting the VERY reasonable bill for services Mark explained the he did not charge a mobile service fee in order to make up for keeping me waiting!

Thanks, Mark and Discount RV Repairs, for a job well done!

Discount RV Repair
529 Holick Ave, Henderson, NV 89009
(702) 565-3831
Location on Google Maps          
Latitude: 36.062734 Longitude: -114.996438

Good, bad and ugly, be sure to add your service reviews to  RV Service Reviews

Stay tuned for more service reviews! It appears my transmission is still leaking AND there's an oil leak, too! Oh! Don't forget the the (brand new!!!!) battery is not getting juice to the house!!!  It could be worse, right?

Cartoon courtesy of Joe Schmidt, "Used with permission-2013" one time, and for no other purpose or monetary gain, with no other rights given or implied.

Check out Joe's Winding Roads adventures, for truly relatable RV funnies.

Thanks, Joe, for the laughs and the use of your artwork!

Crossing the cattle guard or ...

Escape from dirtville

It looks harmless enough, right?


It almost didn't happen; the escape that is. A malfunctioning refrigerator, a propane leak, tires low (and no place to get air in dirtville) all worked against my leaving dirtville, permanently this time.

You see, in order to leave dirtville you must cross one of two cattle guards. There's a superstition that lives in Dirtvillian minds. Almost irrefutable proof exists that some other-worldly phenomna will prevent a person leaving if they are fleeing dirtville, forever.

Oh sure, you can go on a shopping trip to Vegas, Kingman, Bullhead City or Havasu. You can even take an extended vacation. But if you head towards the cattle guard with thoughts of  liberation, some type of trouble will befall you.

Having worked through all the issues placed in the way of escape, I headed for the cattle guard. Fingers crossed, prayers uttered, and talismans placed stratigically around the MoHo, I rolled down the hill into the flatlands.

When I reached the flatlands I realized Theo was not shifting into high gear. What the hell??!!!??? This is the same problem that's been worked on 5 times, for over a year. I've driven the rig numerous times without issue. WHAT. THE. FRIGGEN. HELL???

I went over the cattle guard, anyways. Now the rig won't shift from first into second. I turn around, defeated; my extraction from dirtville, thwarted.

I had already called any mechanically minded friends looking to get my tires aired and knew everyone was either in Vegas or Kingman. I have one friend in the flatlands, with RV hook ups. I call him, knowing he is in Kingman, and get the ok to park at his house.

At this point, I'm thinking my son is going to have to come and get me. He can borrow his dad's truck and trailer. We'll load all my stuff and I'll move in with him until I can find affordable digs. He'll be thrilled, no doubt!

When Jerry arrived home he took the MoHo for a spin.

OK. Who knew there's a little trick to get a transmission to shift when it doesn't want to? And why didn't you tell me? I've been driving trucks for almost 30 years; everything from Ford vans (E150s to E350s) to a 2-ton stepvan. The times that the vehicles shifted was a fluke??? The RV's transmission is fine, albeit on the older side. Sometimes it needs a little help shifting.

PHEW!

Proof that I made it to Vegas


Celebrating my son's 29th birthday, with his dad, at the world famous Lotus of Siam in Las Vegas

Buh bye, dirtville! See you in the fall!





Many thanks to the wonderful, generous friends who made living in dirtville bearable and my liberation possible!

I'm headed to Quartzsite and the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous on Thursday. Hope to see you there!