In any event, yesterday we woke up and all was fine. Then Brad made himself a Keurig coffee and the machine turned off during heating. We then realized that we had no power. None, zero, zilch. After checking all the stuff we know to check, I called the boys at Discount Solar. Could they have a guy look at it if we brought it in. Yes, Larry says. So we packed her up and off we went, Brad following in the Jeep.
When I arrived Larry came out and checked this and that, I've no idea. To cut a really long story short (and lose a great punch line), it turned out that the Solenoid in the engine compartment has a breaker on it and that had flipped. (your welcome ;) ) Craig (owner) was the genius that figured that out, went right to it once the guys told him what was happening.
We are so appreciative of the great service and friendly staff we have received at Discount Solar here in Quartzsite. These guys know their stuff!!
Anyway with that stress AND the heat, when we returned to our campsite we had a rather large argument. A make or break argument. Can't imagine what the neighbours think of us! In the end, we have chosen to make it work. We have been through much worse in our 12 years together, I have the best husband ever.
I can only speak for us - but it seems that this lifestyle changes the way you do things. You know how you break things down at home? He does the garbage, She does the dishes... whatever it is. It changes when your living this lifestyle, at least it has for us. The Ying/Yang that makes us work has been fluctuating the last couple of weeks and yesterday it exploded.
Everything is fine now and we have agreed to change things up a little to accommodate the new lifestyle but anyone considering doing this with a spouse should be aware that the way things have worked in sticks and bricks may not work so well on wheels. When your camping there are no obvious his/hers breakdowns.
Today we went for a drive to the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, its just a portion of the valley set aside really but the landscape has more and different vegetation than the part of the valley we are staying in which was interesting since its only a couple of miles down the road. I can only assume it is a lower altitude thereby gaining much more of the water run off from the hills.
Entrance marker to the Kofa Wildlife Refuge
Kofa Wildlife Refuge Information
Notice of former mining and munitions
We got pretty close to the hills we have been looking at for the past week or so
View of the Refuge
Pretty Cacti
It was still early so we decided to go and check out Blythe. Of course this means crossing into California! Yay! Well, turned out not to be so Yay! Blythe is done, like dinner. We drove all over the place and I even went in to a couple of shops to see about getting something small for lunch but only found rotting vegetables and dried up bakery goods in the two places we stopped. Perhaps it was a bad day, but we were sorely unimpressed with both Blythe and by extension California today.
About to cross into California
Entering California you have to go through this check for produce and stuff
A Canal in Blythe, prettiest part of the trip
Appeared to be a cotton field or something white and puffy anyway
All in all we had a great day out getting familiar with our surroundings. I'd like to find out what there is to do around here, I've checked a couple of apps and other than GeoCaching with snakes I can't find anything. I'll be doing a more indepth review of the AllTrails app because I think there may be more there than I found the first look I had.
Well that's Blythe for you. Sorry that it's the picture of California that you will likely remember rather than the spice and venigar in other places. However, Blythe does have some charms. It's just that you won't see much of it from the roads.
ReplyDeleteWe realize that one town does not make an entire State but it sure was a disappointment. Also we were only there for a couple of hours so I'm sure there was plenty more to it. Thanks for commenting Emjay, we love to hear from new people.
DeleteGlad discount solar solved you problem, they do know this stuff.
ReplyDeleteWe have always done our grocery shopping in Quartzsite at the Roadrunner, our Quartzsite market, Blythe mostly Albertson's and the produce has been very good., Lots to see and do in the area, check the visitor centre in Q. North of Blythe is the Intaglios interesting to see.
I just saw something about a visitor center in Q this morning. Didn't even think of it before that, Thanks George, hope to see you soon.
DeleteNo problem Katie, hope they are open at this time of year. Not sure when we will be in Quartzsite, probably not until the New Year, lost more places to see along the way.
DeleteWell you have been such a big help and inspiration to us and I can't wait to meet you one day and give you a big hug! Thanks for being there.
DeleteIf you don't have those times then you can't kiss and make up. Blythe never really stuck out at us either. Now, with your jeep, lots of places to go. Pack a lunch and shovel and try Geode digging at the Hauser Geode Beds off the Wiley's Well Road, west of Blythe. Palm Canyon interesting to see and Castle Dome Mine Road for lots of exploring. Won't even need to put the Jeep in 4 wheel drive.
ReplyDeleteWow, thats a lot to check out. Thanks Peter! Clearly you've been here before, when are you coming back?
Deleterecently found your blog and see that you are new to the boondocking lifestyle. Have you considered joining the Escapees RV group and then getting in with the Boondocker group within the Escapee camping club. they have a lot of good people in the group, several Canadians also. You can get a lot of good info and learn a lot from them. they meet up down that way soon. they will be at Borrego Springs, CA for Thanksgiving(usa) if you are interested I can send you info. thanks, Doug Hinman, Boondocker, Javaseller@aol.com
ReplyDeleteDoug, you are my hero of the day! We are Escapees members and I had been thinking off an on the last few days about looking into them but didn't know there was a boondocker group. THIS may be what we need. Please send me some info at theroguelesstravelled at gmail dot com and I'll discuss it with 'His Lordship'. Thanks again.
DeleteHi Katie and Brad
ReplyDeleteAnother wonderful couple you will have to meet in Quartzsite this winter is Steve and Dianne.
They are fulltimers from British Columbia, and love to boondock as well.
Their blog is:
https://steveanddiannesmostexcellentadventure.blogspot.ca/
Although we have sold our motorhome, it is still fun to read RV blogs.
Take care .... Trent
Trent, What do you mean you sold your Motorhome? Who does that? LOL Well I hope your looking for another 'cause us Canucks gotta stick together Ha Ha. I have added them to my Canadian Blog list and will check them out after dinner. I gasped when I saw their rig I must say.... Holy Jumpin'... Wow! Not even close to what we have... I hope we get to meet them this season... Thanks for the link.
DeleteYou might check out the Quartzsite Museum.
ReplyDeleteYes, thanks David I have seen that on the 'map' they sell in these parts and it is on the list for sure.
DeleteWhen we venture to Blithe, we try to make time to go to the NWR south of town. We see lots of ducks, cranes, and misc other birds. Then stop for groceries and head back over the pass to Q.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the way to do it Kevin, definitely.
DeleteDon't judge California by Blythe! Please! You have to get away from Blythe to really start enjoying California. Palm Springs is GREAT! So is Temecula, although it has traffic. We don't get into Los Angeles much anymore (I grew up near there), and pretty much just stay close to home. Julian is a pretty little town in the mountains, as is Oak Glen...keep exploring!
ReplyDelete~Cheryl Ann~
Thanks for commenting Cheryl, it looks like we're going to do just that. We'll be checking the map today and hope to find something good to check out.
DeleteAs a Californian I watched Huell Howser where he hosted a PBS TV program called California Gold. Check out the trips and other little known places to visit.
ReplyDeleteYou can always do the 21 Missions of California and when you get close to Cambria you can go to San Simeon Creek Camp ground. Hunt for Lighthouses etc. As a 5 generation Californian there is much to learn.
Another place , in Hacienda Heights they have a Buddist temple,Hsi Lai Temple, it is beutiful! and they have a vegetarian buffet for real cheap.
Thanks for the tips Sean, we'll check it out.
DeleteMomma said there would be days like this... now get on to having fun again...
ReplyDeleteYes, sir! :)
Deletehttps://californiathroughmylens.com/california-missions
ReplyDeletehttps://www.kcet.org/shows/californias-gold-with-huell-howser/episodes/chiriaco-summit
ReplyDeleteThanks Sean.
Delete