Black Canyon Campground

This a beautiful USFS campground. All sites are paved, have tables and fire rings and are widely spaced. (35.72615, -105.83713)

Took a nice 3 mile hike behind the campground. My friend M-Balmer would have liked it. She rides unicycles off road.

    

Madrid on the Turquoise Trail

Stopped in the little art colony of Madrid (35.40592, -106.15237). A whole town of artists and art shops.

This is a ladies hardware store. All the bling you could want

Even a place to show your inner you.

Bluewater Lake State Park

It looks like this park has been abandoned by the state. All structures composting in place except for one operational out house. But not today abandoned, a ranger came around and collected the $8 per day camping fee. The google map shows nice RV spaces where I am parked. I was totally shocked when I saw it. There is nothing around me to indicate there were ever any spaces here. (35.30355, -108.10848) I assume it was abandoned because the dramatic drop in the lake level. The boat ramp no where near the water. But a nice quite spot to spend a couple of days. A positive note, I ran the generator all day and it never missed a beat. 

A few of the locals.

Albuquerque bound

This is a long long rig. I think the truck alone is longer then Serenity. Interstates only and expensive RV parks,

Gallup, NM

East of Flagstaff on Hwy 40. Not a lot to see.

The topography is getting a little more interesting

The land of enchantment and better topography

A moral dilemma. Signs are a blight on this beautiful landscape, but I find them very useful in finding out what is ahead and where to exit. Tonight I am staying at USA RV Park (35.50651, -108.81092) because I saw their signs along the highway. 

The sun is down, time to wash the bugs off the windshield.

Albuquerque Bound

I had a great time visiting with friends and family. Now headed for the balloon festival.

Climbing out of the Colorado River Valley and the 105 heat

5000 feet and the pinyon pines show up

Coming into real pine trees at 6000 feet

A nice COOL camp in the national forest outside Flagstaff, AZ (35.20973, -111.75193)

Good news

I checked in with my doctor today to get the results of my blood test. The weight loss and walking is working. My Hemoglobin Alc was 5.8. It was above 6 last time. Not diabetic when it is 5.6 and below. I am at Thousand Trails in Morgan Hill now.  (37.0556, -121.66753)

The Beautiful Wine Country

I have arrived safely, no problems, no breakdowns, at my brother's place in Healdsburg, CA.  What luck, Don and Ann were throwing a party. Great people and good food.

John and Eric

 

Frances, Ann, Deb

Shon and Rob

You will notice that this a wine country party. Wine glasses are required. My glass of Dr. Pepper did look a little lonely here.

Sue is asking a question about the rules for the scavenger hunt we are about to embark on. Our team won.

                                         

Diner was pasta salad, water melon and lamb burgers

  Hot meat coming up.

Chocolate cake with whip cream and fresh picked black berries. Ann stole them from her neighbors bushes. 

                                            Playing Balderdash

Checking the Grapes

Don and a friend crush  a ton of zinfandel each year that makes 50 or 60 cases of wine. We drove out to check the sugar content.

Bike riding is very popular here.

Don gathers grapes to check the sugar content. It is  22.5 brix. They will be harvested when it reachs 24 to 25 brix, in about 7 to 10 days.

Zinfandel grapes. Here in Dry Creek Valley outside Headsburg they are about $2000 a ton. The same grape in Napa valley sells for an additional $10,000 a ton. A lot to pay for a name.

Dinner Was Just Fabulous

Nancy prepares delicious dinners. Last night we had salmon and filet mignon. Nancy's son Steve at the far end of the table had just returned from a 102 mile bike ride to Markleeville, CA and back. He is one serious biker.

Thank you Nancy for a wonderful evening.

All Better

RV repair shops get jammed up during the summer with long wait times. One shop said they could not start repairs until after Labor Day and it would take two weeks to finish. A-1 Auto Body said they could start the next day, Wednesday and they would be finished the following Wednesday. I was stoked. Took Serenity in noon Wednesday and she was finished early, Friday. Can't say enough about the great service at A-1 Auto Body.

Cummins will work on the generator Thursday. I hope they can find the intermittent problem. 

Cliff's neighbor Nancy is having a dinner party for the neighbors. She is a great cook and I hear it's surf and turf tonight, steak and salmon. : - )))))  

Ah, the Aroma of fresh bread

The first loaf from Cliff's hand ground wheat. This is differently whole wheat and very tasty. 

Making Progress

Serenity is went to A-1 Body Shop in Reno yesterday. They will try to have repairs completed by next Wednesday. A very nice turn around time.
It is great to be able to visit with my buddy Cliff while she is being fixed. Cliff is into baking bread and has bought a grain mill to grind his own whole wheat flour. It took him 15 minutes to produce 3 cups of flour.  I think it is more of an exercise machine.

Carson City, NV

I am at my friend Cliff's place.  The new tires, spark plugs and plug wires purchased in Laramie enabled me get here. Two of the plug wire were cracked, causing the missing.  I will take Serenity into Reno tomorrow for estimates on repairs. I have found 3 shops that do RVs. I am not the only one tired of break downs. Greg and Marilyn are also having a tough time.

It's not all sunshine and cool breezes on the road

The day started with a little vibration when pulling hills. I thinks Serenity's engine is missing. : (
Then the generator decides it does not want to run again. I am soooo frustrated with this intermittent problem. I call Cummins in Denver and make an appointment. First available spot the 30th.
Then last evening headed for Laramie the engine is missing big time. : ((
Then it happens, the dreaded blow out. Two left rear tire gone. The side of Serenity torn up. : (((((
I am out sitting on the side of I 80 in the dark. Luckily I have a cell signal on my phone and call road side service. An hour and a half later service arrives and puts on my spare and another tire they brought. I limp into Laramie 11 pm.
To Do List
Buying 6 new tires today
Get the engine fixed.
Find a body shop for repairs
HOPE that Cummins can find out what is wrong with the generator.