Exploring In A Different Direction, Boosting The Local Economy and Still Waiting On Amazon.

Our Location today is North Ranch, Congress, Arizona, U.S.A.

When we are practically asleep at our Computers we know that it’s time to get to bed before we start wearing our Keyboards. The only thing is getting to bed that early also means that if we sleep undisturbed that we’ll be waking up that much earlier in the morning. 

Taken at 9:00 this morning.

At 7:00 MST the sun hadn’t even shown itself so I managed to open the Window Shades and get some things ready for breakfast before sitting down at my Computer to get an early start on my morning reading. Since Kathy needs more sleep then I do she didn’t come downstairs until nearly 8:00 but it was still as dark outside as it was when I got up. It was going to be another Cloudy Day. We finished our morning chores and after having a lite snack that we called lunch we were out the door before 11:00 heading in the direction of Wickenburg. 

Vulture Peak

As mentioned in yesterday’s blog Kathy had been pouring over many of Al andKelly’s past posts in Travel with theBayfield Bunch, describing places to see many of the Local Sites. One such site was down Vulture Mine Road where one could hike out to Vulture Peak. We stopped at a few places along the road noting RVs doting the landscape in the desert and one of those stops was at the Vulture Peak Trail. The people at that location were keeping more then a guarded eye on us which made Kathy feel quite uneasy. A decision was made to skip the half mile hike and return to the main road. We continued down to the 5 Mile Marker before turning around and heading back towards Wickenburg. 

One of the things that concerned Kathy was that we kept coming across State Trust Land signs saying No Trespassing, Permit Required. These areas reminded me of the Washboard Road Date Creek Road that we took to get to Skull Rock on Tuesday. As I explained to her those were meant more if you were setting up camp not just checking the areas out. 

Radio Tower

Back to Wickenburg. Love the rolling roads and mountains.

We were back in Wickenburg before noon but we were far from hungry. We needed to return to the NAPA Auto Parts Store. When we picked up the Pigtail Plugs on Saturday I needed other supplies but had not written them on our Shopping List. Today our complete list contained a mixture of things from food stocks to hardware. We found the Sealer and Glue that I was looking for. Kathy had also been scouting the shelves herself and came across a replacement Steering Wheel Cover the perfect size for our truck. It is a Ergonomically Designed soft grip that increases the thickness of the steering wheel which eliminates any Tendonitis in the arms. 

He's just singing the same old song.

Family Photo.

Our next stop was an address with the name of a business and the GPS would not except the address as existing. Trying to do it the Old-Fashioned Way (Reading Numbers on Buildings) we followed Wickenburg Way until we were heading out the far side of town. Turning back around Kathy was certain that she had seen the place the other day. As soon as we rolled out of the Round-About there it was. No Numbers on the Building and no parking available in the area. 

We ended up parked in the Municipal Parking Area in the center on the Historic Section. Walking back to Wickenburg Way we started exploring many of the small collectables shops and we even helped to bolster their bottom lines. 

Around 2:00 we were starting to feel the need for a snack but we didn’t want to go overboard so we stopped in at Bedoian’s Bakery & Bistro. We had enjoyed our snack the other day so we returned to try something different. We were refreshed by the Ice Tea but we each enjoyed a Spinach Salad with Goat Cheese, Cranberries and Nuts. It was enough to carry us for the rest of the afternoon. 

The Sun trying to come out.

This guy was serving his sentence.

We continued walking through the Historic Section stopping at a few more shops and seeing a few interesting Characters on the street. Our final stop was The Old Livery Mercantile. Don’t let the name of businesses fool you because this should have been our first stop today. We managed to scratch a few more Christmas Gifts off next year’s list. When it came to paying they were amazed how we used the Tap System. In Ontario we’ve had this system for over Five Years but out here in the southwest they are just starting to catch up. 

We had to be at Jones Ford by 4:00 for an Oil Change, so that’s where we headed. It helped that we got there early because I had to explain that the Truck’s Odometer was in Kilometers not Miles and how to print out the tag for our next Oil Change. When the Service Representative looked at the truck he just looked at me and said “You’ve been driving the Backroads”. (Was it that noticeable?) The Oil Change was done by 4:45 and the truck had been freshly washed before we left at no charge. 

We stopped at Taco Bell where we had a couple of Tacos for our supper. As we were leaving we saw what was the only Sunlight we’d seen all day. 

Slightly used boots.

This Bench is a Time Capsule.

We drove back to Safeway where we restocked our Fridge and Pantry with Produce, Meats and other Supplies. 

The Sun setting below the clouds.

Getting back Home at North Ranch just after 7:30 there was no package waiting for us. After unloading the Truck and putting the Groceries away I checked my E-mail to find another message from Amazon telling me of another Delivery Delay. The Clock is Ticking and we are rolling out on Saturday. Thanks for following along, feel free to leave a comment and click on the pictures to enlarge them. Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.

Krackers

The World's Great Proverbs

Old habits die hard.

Dark Cloud Cover and Trying To Solve Many More Problems.

Our Location today is North Ranch, Congress, Arizona, U.S.A.

When I woke up this morning it looked like I should be rolling over and going back to sleep. When I looked at the Clock and saw that it was nearly 8:00 I knew it was time to start my day. I’d barely finished opening all the Window Shades when Kathy came downstairs wondering why it was so dark outside. The Clouds that had started filling the sky yesterday afternoon were so thick this morning it was hard to tell what time it was. There was however no heavy wind blowing which made it feel like the “Calm before the Storm”.

Once we had gone through our normal morning routines I started trying to resolve another issue we’ve been having in the trailer lately. Last year to increase our MiFi connectivity we invested in a Weboost and it worked great. The best part was that it ran on 12 Volt Power. Since we work on our Computers at the rear of the Trailer most times was even better because most RV Manufacturers install the Television Antenna Booster and 12 Volt Plug in the Entertainment Cabinet. Everything was out of sight and really improved our MiFi.

This season we’ve had difficult with the Weboost and I noticed the Indicator Light on the Power Cord was not staying on. Figuring it was a Bad Power Cord I was about to rewire it directly to the circuit but when I started checking for power to the Plug with the Multi-Meter there was nothing. Every fuse in the Power Panel checked out but there was still no power at the Plug.

I removed the Radio DVD/CD Player and found other Hidden Fuses but still no power. I finally called Leisure Trailer RV Dealership back in Lakeshore but Stephanie is off on Vacation so I left a Voice Mail with T.P. explaining the problem. It would be an Hour Later when he would call back after searching On-Line to see where the power came from for the Plug. He explained how the people who wire the RVs are given free range on how things are wired and no two RVs are wired identical. He did suggest checking the small Relay Station that is hidden behind the Basement Wall.

The wind had started to pick up and people had to use their Headlights to drive around at 4:00 in the afternoon. Kathy suggested waiting to get a fresh start on Friday morning before she started making Bacon and Tomato Sandwiches and Fruit for our supper.

It was around 7:30 when UPS delivered the Books that we had ordered from Amazon but nothing else. When I tried to use Kathy’s phone to call to see where the Backup Camera is her phone kept hanging up. Scratch the call to Amazon I needed to call TracFone. The technician on the other end made adjustments from his end then said to shut the Phone off for a couple of minutes and it should update. So far it hasn’t update so I see another call coming soon.

Have you noticed a pattern here? Most of our problems are Electrical or Electronic. Years ago in Auto Class the Teacher would tell us that the most common problem that cars had was Electrical. Years later with the development of Computers the most common problem with cars is still Electrical and since an RV is in a sense a vehicle, most of its problems are Electrical.

Tomorrow is another Exploring Day as we look up a few more things to see that Al from Travel with the Bayfield Bunch recommended in some of his blogs. Now I have to call Amazon and find my Parcel. Thanks for following along, feel free to leave a comment and click on the pictures to enlarge them. Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.

With no Sun today 
Pictures from Yarnell
were used instead.

Krackers

You Might Be a Redneck If

Both you and your truck have serious emissions problems.

Missed Turn Finds Us At A Shrine, Then Bouncing Down The Backroads and Another Stop At Nichols West.

Our Location today is North Ranch, Congress, Arizona, U.S.A.

Due to the temperature dropping down near 45 F (7 C) last night we chose to sleep with the windows closed. Even though we slept soundly we both felt like we could have stayed in bed longer. I was up by 7:30 and Kathy before 8:00. If we were still tired why would we get up early, you might ask yourself. Because we had plans to go exploring today and we didn’t want to waste our time just sleeping. 

This morning's Sunrise.

We still had breakfast and our Coffee/Tea while reading at the Computers but even that time we shortened down. We had our inside chores finished and packed some Hiking Equipment and supplies making certain that we’d make it safely Home by the end of the day. All that planning and gathering took some time and since it was past 10:30 Kathy suggested an early lunch before leaving. 

Chicken Sandwich, Chips and Jell-O

The Weather Network even said today’s high would reach 72 F (22C) this afternoon but when we stepped outside the Trailer and that Cold North Wind hit the both of us we were scrambling back inside for our jackets. 

Heading up Highway 71.

Back on Highway 89 heading up to Yarnell.

Armed with instructions to a local site that Al from Travel with the Bayfield Bunch had sent Kathy we were determined we would find it on our own. We didn’t stop at the Office here at North Ranch to ask for instructions like Al suggested, instead we headed back into the town of Congress where we looked to see a street sign with the name Date Creek Road on it. For well over a half hour we traveled the neighbourhood around Ghost Town Road before heading down Highway 71 towards Highway 93. During that time I had Kathy read me the instructions a few times before realizing we were going the wrong way. 

Last Supper.

Praying in the garden.

Going back through Congress we crossed Highway 89 only to come face to face with a sign on a fence that said “Private Property”. Reading the instructions again we started heading east on 89 nearly stopping at every cross road there was with no luck. What happened was we ended up driving the winding highway all the way back up the mountainside to Yarnell. Once the Two-Lane Road becomes a Divided Highway there is no turning back and you have to go the distance. 

Lots of climbing.

Jesus dies on the cross.

After driving through the town, we turned around and started heading back when we spotted a sign to the Shrine of St. Joseph. Kathy had read about it and thought that we should check it out. The road wound its way through a residential area until it came to an end in a small parking lot that could hold a dozen vehicles at best. There are no fancy signs but looking closely at the fence there was a Painted sign saying Shrine of St Joseph. 

Jesus is laid to rest.

On the Third Day he has risen.

Leaving the truck as you walk along a path you are first met with a solitary figure at a long table about to break bread at the Last Supper. Seeing beyond him you start an ascent up the mountainside following a path that is in need of repair as you begin the “Stations of the Cross”. In the Christian Bible they lead to the Crucifixion, Death and Resurrection of Christ. It was well laid out and displayed. It is Not Handicap Accessible so if you have difficulty climbing uneven stairs you might pass on this.  We helped contribute to their maintenance fund before leaving. 

Pictures from the Bulletin Board at the
Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park.

As we headed back to the Highway it didn’t take long before we were leaving Yarnell behind. Driving on the westbound lane of Highway 89 we momentarily pulled over at the Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park. This is in memory of the Nineteen Hotshots Firefighters who lost their lives on June 30^th 2013 trying to save homes in the Yarnell region. This is a difficult Seven Mile in and out Hike not meant for anyone with physical limitations. 

This is a Bone Rattling Road.

Are we there yet?

Someone marking their spot.

We passed on that and headed back towards Congress. Not having the trailer pushing us down the mountain road like the last time helped but Kathy still felt like she was getting Sea-Sick from all the curves in the road. We finally pulled in to the Family Dollar parking lot trying to figure out where Date Creek Road was. I didn’t mention earlier that we had brought our GPS along in case we got lost somewhere. When it asked for an address we entered 00 and within seconds it was leading us back towards Yarnell. We had been looking for the road by name but our GPS knew it as CR-62. As soon as we crossed the Cow-Guard there was the name Date Creek Road. 

Notice the clouds forming in the sky.

Lots of daily trains out here.

Training Horses.

We had been warned that this would be a slow drive but that our Truck could make the trip. What Al didn’t count on was our tires would contain 80 PSI of air in them. This Washboard Road had the Truck Bouncing so much that I had to steer it like I was driving on Snow Covered Ice and we were traveling around Seven MPH. Exactly as Al had mentioned at Six and a Half Miles from the Highway there was Skull Rock. There was no way for us to cross the Railroad Tracks but with the use of Zoom on the Cameras we got a good view. Skull Rock like many other rocks had been painted to resemble different things in the area. A rock on the Highway painted to look like a giant Frog or a small rock by the side of Date Creek Road that looked like rearing White Stallion. 

Skull Rock.

Frog Rock

Painted on the side of a Rock

Turning around in a Rancher’s Driveway the trip back to the Highway seemed smoother and at one point we were actually doing Fifteen MPH. We had a number of locals pass us by and leave us in their dust. Their vehicles had Wide Tires that looked like they were low on air to smooth out the Washboard Road. We loved every minute of our Adventure today and we still have a couple more of those to check out.

Deep Fried Breaded Zucchini after we had eaten half the order.

French Onion Soup

Chicken/Bacon Quesada

Heading back towards Congress Kathy suggested we eat at Nichols West again and since it was already after 4:00 I didn’t object. Today the parking lot was full but we arrived as someone else was pulling out. Inside it was all different servers then the other day. We splurged and had Deep Fried Breaded Zucchini appetizer that we share. Then we had French Onion Soup and a Chicken/Bacon Quesada for our meals. It was all Delicious and we won’t be hungry until breakfast. 

This was the Sun around 4:30 MST.

The sky was full of dense clouds when we headed back to North Ranch to the point it went from Dim to Dark instead of the usual Arizona Sunset. Not Quite Sure what we’re doing tomorrow but I know we’ll be back exploring on Thursday. Thanks for following along, feel free to leave a comment and click on the pictures to enlarge them. Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.

Krackers

Words of Inspiration

God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers.

Rudyard Kipling, English Author