LIKE A COUPLE KIDS IN A CANDY STORE:))

 

(This is Thursday’s Post)

It was Kelly’s determination, perseverance, her financial smarts & a little bit of luck that put that 2013 Chevy Sunseeker in our driveway Wednesday night.

 

OUTDOOR SHOWER & UPGRADED ONAN 4000 GENERATOR

We both felt this particular rig (same one we first saw in Quartzsite) with all it’s options & upgrades, low mileage (3,300 miles) one owner, chassis warranties, & 6.0 Chevy engine was just too good a deal to pass up for us.  We already knew from internet research, that this same unit, even without all the upgrades, is worth far more money in Canada.  We know we will get dinged a pretty hefty 13% sales tax when we reach the border in a couple months, but we allowed for that. 

NICE TO HAVE A WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM

Didn’t find out until Tuesday afternoon that everything was in place & the deal was done.  I tried my best to keep a lid on this whole thing until we actually had the rig home & in our driveway.  You can well understand the huge strain I was under.  As you know, I am not a fellow who is very good at keeping a lid on anything!!  Not even my peanut butter jar……………………….

 

LOTS OF STORAGE FOR A CLASS C

‘RVS 4 LESS’ service facility is in Parker Arizona.  Their prime winter Arizona location sales lot is in Quartzsite, north of I-10 on the southwest corner of the traffic light.   Sold units in Quartzsite are taken to Parker & processed there & that is how we ended up having to pick up the Sunseeker in Parker Arizona Wednesday.

  

PROPANE TANK & GLAD TO SEE THE SEWER PIPES ARE ENCLOSED

We ran into a few ups & downs Wednesday but we persevered until all the paperwork was finally done, etc.  We rode out the downs with patience & rode all the way home on the ups.  Things are done very differently here in the southwest than they are in Canada so we had to be very understanding of the procedures & how things are handled.

TRYING OUT VARIOUS COUCH CONFIGURATIONS

 

 

Finally got the Jeep hitched on the rig & rolled out of Parker Arizona around 3 p.m. heading for Blyth California.  It was immediately apparent to me we had made the right decision with this 23’ Sunseeker.  I was just amazed at how well it towed the Jeep.  That had been a concern of mine.  Just like the Damon, if it were not for the back-up camera, we would never have known the Jeep was hooked on behind us.  The Chevy engine was just as peppy with the Jeep on as off.  There was no lag, no pushing, no bounding, jerking or swaying.  What a complete joy it was to drive this totally smooth & perfect combination of vehicles.  It was as if the two vehicles were as one.  And, the Sunseeker itself is just a dream machine on the road all on it’s own.  Wow:))

ESPECIALLY LIKE THE PUSH BUTTON FURNACE CONTROLS ON RIGHT & NOTICE THE ‘ARCTIC’ SWITCH TO KEEP TANKS FROM FREEZING

   

REAL OAK WOOD, REAL LEATHER SEATS, & ‘WOW’….A REAL SUBWOOFER FOUND UNDER THE COUCH:))

Rolling south through the California countryside we were like a couple little school kids pressing this button & that.  A Will Ackerman CD showed us what a great sound system we now had.  Kelly fiddled with the upgraded rear view camera, I had the power windows going up & down like a yo-yo.  Cooling & heating knobs were turned, & I liked the cruise control right in the steering wheel.   We were feeling pretty excited about it all. How smooth & easy it was to drive.  And a much quieter ride for us too.  Reminded me of the Town & Country mobility vans I drove a few years ago.

 

GOTTA LOVE THIS HIGH POWER AWNING, NO MORE BANGING MY FACE INTO THE AWNING ARMS:))

Took us an hour & a half following the Colorado River to reach Blyth where we were to meet someone in the Century 21 Realty building.  This is where the final paperwork is done & it is done in California to avoid the Arizona taxes.  It’s just the way Arizona dealers do business in these parts.  Luckily, that only took about 20 minutes & we were FINALLY on the road headed home which was still over a 2 hour drive to the east. 

IT WAS UNDER THIS PLYWOOD WE FOUND THE STEREO’S BIG SUBWOOFER

Climbed aboard I-10 about 4:45 & crossed the Colorado River into Arizona.  Stopped right away at a Flying J for gas, a Wendy’s fish burger & coffee.  Normally, I only drink one coffee a day now but today I had 3 just to keep my head in the game.  The second was at a McDonald’s in Parker earlier.

<<< WE WILL TRY CLEARING THE CONDENSATION IN THE BACK-UP CAM WITH A HAIR DRYER

What a great feeling it was with the sun slowly setting behind us as we cruised right along down I-10.  .  We blew by Quartzsite where this whole adventure had began just a short week & a half ago.  Ten miles later we rolled off I-10 & made the turn onto highway 60 for Congress.  Kelly had the manual out & pretty much figured out all the super techno radio/stereo sound system Mossmagatorisms.  She plugged in my iPod & found my Playlists.  As the setting sun cast long shadows ahead of us across the desert floor, it also painted the mountain tops in an orange & amber hue.  It was then I heard a warm welcoming unmistakable sound coming from the half dozen or more speakers in the rig.  Yep you guessed it………….’The Sons Of The Pioneers’.  To the superbly melodious harmonies of, Along The Santa Trail, Empty Saddles In The Old Corral, Ghost Riders In The  Sky, & my personal favorite by the boys, Oh Bury Me Not On The Lone Prairie, we merrily made our very tired way along an old desert trail to Congress Arizona, arriving home around 7 p.m. 

PHEEBS MAKES FRIENDS WHEREVER SHE GOES

We sure had one happy little doggy to greet us & she wasted no time in getting our new travel digs all checked out.  She was as excited about it all as much as we were.  I was tooooo tired to write a post Wednesday night so just included pics & called it a day.  And, what a day it was too………………

 

Now, I will quickly bring today up to date & try my best to keep it short.  And also try to keep a myself down to a dull roar over this great little RV we just brought home.

First order of business this morning was a big clean-up of the rig.  Living in a dusty desert makes for driving a dusty vehicle.  Kelly worked on the interior while I washed it, cleaned glass, sparkled up some wheels & shone up some fenders.  Whenever getting a new or used vehicle, I always enjoy that cleaning it up & decking it out part.  And no, we will not be removing any furniture, or painting & wallpapering any walls.  This little Sunseeker is fine just the way it is:))

  

Tweaked the sound system & cranked the tunes while we happily scrambled around inside first trying this & then trying that in an effort to familiarize ourselves with various couch configurations.  It can be made into a bed but we didn’t care for that.  We removed the small kitchen table & continued our look around.  Upgraded pillow top mattress on the bed is very comfortable.  Washroom….very small.  Not hard to get in or out of the bunk over top the cab, & it’s very spacious.

CAREFUL AL….THERE MAY BE A LOAD LIMIT ON THAT BED

Only problem we have found so far is condensation in the back-up camera.  We’ll try a hair dryer & see if that clears it up.  We have a water filtration system now as well.  And, a black tank flush connection too.  This little rig even has heated tanks underneath.  Two coach batteries under the steps & gotta love that power awning.  I like the push button furnace controls.  And, one thing I immediately liked when I stepped into this rig for the first time was the darker wood finish, & the fact that all the wood is solid oak.  No fiberboard panels in the cupboard doors.  Real wood:)) 

We do have some folks interested in the Damon but they live in Mesa.  We’ve been in touch so we’ll see if they take a drive up in the next few days.  A few other interests as well, so we’ll see.  We are both sooooo looking forward to putting all this buying & selling stuff behind us.  It’s been a very stressful couple weeks in the old Recreational Vehicle department for sure.

ANY ROOM UP HERE FOR ME IN THE TOP BUNK DAD? 

GROANER’S CORNER:((   A couple drove several miles down a country road, not saying a word. An earlier discussion had led to an argument, and neither wanted to concede their position.
As they passed a barnyard of mules and pigs, the wife sarcastically asked, "Relatives of your's?"
"Yep," the husband replied, "In-laws."

-------------------------------------------------------------
- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- "If having a soul means being able to feel
love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals
are better off than a lot of humans."
(James Herriot)
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.

‘YAHOUIE LOUIE’……WE BROUGHT OUR LITTLE ‘SUNSEEKER’ HOME TODAY:))))))))))))))))))

It was another loooooooooooooog day.  More tomorrow……zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

   

  

  

THIS CHEVY SUNSEEKER & THIS JEEP WRANGLER WERE JUST MADE FOR EACH OTHER… A GREAT WINNING COMBINATION:))

WHAT A DREAM MACHINE THIS WAS TO DRIVE

  

AFTER A LONG 9 HOUR DAY AWAY, WE WERE FINALLY HOME………….

THE SMILE ON KELLY’S FACE SAYS IT ALL AS PHEEBS EXCITEDLY CHECKS OUT THE NEW TRAVEL DIGS

GROANER’S CORNER:((  Recently a guy in Paris nearly got away with stealing several paintings from the Louvre. However, after planning the crime, getting in and out past security, he was captured only 2 blocks away when his van ran out of gas.
When asked how he could mastermind such a daring and otherwise brilliant crime and then make such an obvious error...
... He replied: "I 'ad no Monet to buy Degas to make de Van Gogh."...

-------------------------------------------------------------
- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- "If having a soul means being able to feel
love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals
are better off than a lot of humans."
(James Herriot)
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.

PHEEBS & I HEAD UP THE MOUNTAIN FOR SOME BIRDSEED

WHAT!!!! NO BIRDSEED AGAIN THIS MORNING……….
I’ve been getting quite a harassing from our back yard bird community the last couple days.  I suppose running out of birdseed a few days ago had something to do with that.  By 9 this morning, little Rascal Buns & I were Jeeping our way up the Yarnell hill to the quaint & overly cozy hardware store atop the Weaver mountains.  Besides being on a birdseed mission I had taken our gas powered weed whacker with me.  Bought it last November at the Yarnell hardware store.  Runs fine but I couldn’t figure out how to replace the blades on the end.  As figured, the fellas in the store were able to show me how to do that little task.  One big bag of birdseed & the Pheebs & I were on our way back down the mountain.  What a mighty fine feeling morning here in central Arizona. 

PHEEBS & I HEAD INTO THE WEAVER MOUNTAINS & BEGIN OUR ASCENT UP THE YARNELL HILL
Upon my return, Kelly headed for Wickenburg to take care of a little business, grab a few groceries, & of course maybe hit a few second hand shops.  I worked away on my pathways in the front yard cactus garden.  That is, after I was able to spur my wheelbarrow into action.  For the second morning in a row I shoveled in a big load of crushed stone only to have to dump it out again right away.  Problem…..flat tire!!  You would have thought after Monday mornings flat tire & immediate dump I would have checked that tire this morning.  Nope, not a chance.  Loaded er up & yep, dumped er out!!!!  Luckily I have a small air compressor here to blow up the tire.  Will I forget to check the tire next time?  Of course I will, or my name isn’t AL.  

 
MY CACTUS MAN STILL KEEPS WATCH OVER THE CACTUS GARDEN
Some may wonder why we are selling our Motorhome. As much as we have thoroughly enjoyed all the space a 33’ Motorhome has to offer we realized now that we have our home base established in central Arizona, we would not be traveling as much or living in our rig for five or six months of the year like we once did. Our RV lifestyle had changed & our trips would be shorter.

PHEEBS PUTS ON A SHOW FOR HER NEW SHEEP PALS
 
PHEEBS HAS AN ADMIRER…”I THINK I LIKE THAT CRAZY DOG MOM”
After buying our Congress house in March & having never once slept in it before having to return to Canada last April, we were not sure how things would go when we returned in early November. But, ‘go’ they did, & after a couple months we both knew we had made the right decision in buying our southwest house. Now the problem was, what do we do with our Motorhome. Give up RVing? Not a chance!! We still want to travel, only we don’t need anything that big to travel in anymore. Hence the search for a smaller RV began.  I may have more to say about this in a couple days.

FROM THIS VANTAGE POINT ON THE YARNELL HILL, CONGRESS AZ CAN BE SEEN ON THE VALLEY FLOOR BELOW
I wonder how many fellas out there have their very own kitchen cupboard space.  Lucky me has my own, both here in Congress & back home in Bayfield, Ontario.  It’s a place where I keep MY very own stuff because I don’t like anyone messing with it.  It’s where I keep MY oatmeal, MY peanut butter, MY honey, MY very own flat bread, & just about anything MY very own self wants MY very own self to keep in there.  Don’t mess with MY Honey Nut Cheerios, MY vitamin pills, or anything else which might be found in MY kitchen cupboard space either.  So there!!  And, how did I end up with my very own kitchen cupboard space?  Easy, Kelly just got tired of me years ago going in the kitchen cupboard & messing with HER stuff all the time.  In no uncertain terms she relegated me to MY own space:))

THERE’S A LITTLE DOGGY FACE IN THAT WINDOW
Many folks out there have a Sirius Satellite Radio system.  Ever notice the little dog icon on the radio?  There is a connection between the word Sirius & that little dog.  It is the name of the ‘Dog Star’ which follows the mighty hunter Orion across the night sky.  You can see Sirius the Dog Star every night now in the southern sky.  First find the constellation Orion which is fairly easy.  Look for 3 stars in a row angled downwards.  Follow the line towards the horizon & slightly to one side & you will see the brightest star in the night sky.  That is Sirius, the Dog Star.  And, it is that little fellow your Sirius Satellite Radio is named after.  Now, slip on outside & see if ya can find yerself that little doggie…………..  

I MUST REMEMBER TO TAKE THAT LITTLE GREEN FROG OFF THE DASH WHEN I’M TAKING PICTURES
I really liked the ‘it’s just a dog’ article BIGDAWG AND FREEWAY** posted.  I love dogs & it instantly angers, disgusts, & saddens me when I hear someone say ‘it’s just a dog’.  I have absolutely no interest or respect for anyone with that kind of mind set.  My tag line at the end of every post by James Herriot says it all, “If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans."  I couldn’t agree with James Herriot more…………..

And just about every time I’m ready to give up on that Blog Followers list, I am inspired by another new Blog Follower.  WANDERIN joins us as our latest fellow traveler.  Welcome aboard my friend:)) 
 
Jim over at JIMBO'S JOURNEYS just survived his first day of towing a toad behind his Lazy Daze.  Even made it through the mad crush of Phoenix Arizona totally unscathed.  No small feat I hear.  Atta boy Jim, you can do er:))

Think we just might take ourselves for a little drive over to Parker Arizona in the morning & see what’s happening….:))

GROANER’S CORNER:((  What's the difference between outlaws and in-laws?
Outlaws are wanted.
-------------------------------------------------------------
- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- "If having a soul means being able to feel
love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals
are better off than a lot of humans."
(James Herriot)
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.

‘FOR SALE’…2003 DAMON CHALLENGER……………

 

Turned out to be a busy morning for us.  Finished up putting a few southwest decorations in the rig & then drove it over to the CONGRESS DEPOT MARKETPLACE on highway 89 to set it up with a ‘FOR SALE’ sign in the window.  Climbed up on the roof & put the solar panels up.  Slides out but not the awning.  Winds are too unpredictable here in the southwest to leave a rig unattended with it’s awning extended.  Felt kinda sad as we drove away leaving it there by itself.

 

Sure looks bare at the south end of the house without the Motorhome sitting there now. I’m kind of a sentimental character & I do get attached to things. We have had so many pleasantly great memories in that rig over the years. And, a few sad one’s as well. The Bayfield Bunch is that Motorhome, & that Motorhome for 5 & 6 months out of every winter has been a part of the Bayfield Bunch travels for 6 years. I’m always sad to see old friends go………but wait a minute, we haven’t sold it yet.  I sure do have a habit of getting ahead of myself sometimes…………...

  

Aunt Jean arrives this Friday evening from Sarasota Florida & we are seriously hoping for some warmer sun drenched weather for her. It will be easier traveling around in the Jeep this year for Kelly now that Bev & Jim in Wickenburg have lent us their Jeep’s rear seat.

 

Not being sports minded people at all here, we didn’t have any interest in the Super Bowl game.  We do usually check in on the half time show though.  I lasted about a minute & that was enough of all that noise!!  The only talent I saw was in the special effects with all the laser lighting & pyrotechnics.  I really think they should raise the bar & use that prime piece of time to put together some seriously talented, gifted, & quality musicians for that half time show each year.  Enough of that inaudible hollering & bouncing around fluff so many of those generic performers do nowadays.  Come on folks, how’s about rounding up some seriously qualified musical talent for next year!! 

 

While wheel barrowing some crushed stone around this afternoon I was reminded of something my Grandfather used to say.  I was just a wee little feller & we lived in a small southern Ontario village.  There was a forest less than a mile from our house we called ‘Kaufman’s Bush’.  Each year in around this February time we would sometimes here the first cawing of Crows.  Grandpa always said that when the Crows cawed up in Kaufman’s Bush, it always meant Spring was just around the corner.  It was the raucous cawing of Crows I heard overhead this afternoon that reminded me of my Grandfather.  Of course here in the southwest these noisy flying fellows are called Ravens.  A slightly larger version of the Crow, but the same rasping sound.  I wonder if my Grandfather ever knew that…..

FOR SALE AT THE CONGRESS DEPOT MARKETPLACE ON HIGHWAY 89 JUST SOUTH OF CONGRESS, ARIZONA

It is not unusual for me anymore to fall far behind in my blog reading.  I just have not kept up with everyone like I used to just a few short years ago.  Doing some reading this afternoon I caught up with a fellow Blogger who has been on my side bar a long time.  Reading his latest post I saw something was wrong so backtracked a few posts until I saw Sam’s post from last Wednesday.  Sam’s wife Donna, is facing very serious heart surgery this coming Friday.  Reading Sam’s post I sensed the urgency, the fear, & Sam’s deep love for his wife Donna.  This is a difficult week over at, SAM & DONNA - 5TH WHEEL VAGABONDS.    

AHHHH, NOT JUST A FACE A MOTHER COULD LOVE, BUT A SLEEPY LITTLE FACE EVERYBODY COULD LOVE:))

33' 2003 DAMON CHALLENGER
$21,500.

- Chevy V-8 - 8.0 Vortec engine on a Workhorse Chassis
- 51,000 trouble free highway miles
- 2 slides, 5500 Onan generator with 125 hours
- Back up camera & hydraulic coach levelers
- 2 Kyocera 130 watt solar panels, 2500 Trace inverter & 4 in-line 6 volt batteries
- Plumbed for a fuel efficient indoor propane heater
- About 12,000 miles on all new tires
- New toilet in December 2011
- Two new tailpipes in August 2012
- New coach battery in July 2011
- No roof leaks & roofed re-caulked in October 2011

- Small built in computer desk
- New upgraded flat screen Toshiba TV with DVD player
- New Fantastic Air vent fan in 2010
- New upgraded awning in 2008

- Windshield sun screens
- Sirius Satellite Radio antenna on roof
- Fridge & brake recalls up to date & about 10,000 miles on the last oil change...new spark plugs in 2009.
- All onboard systems work, including the A/C & furnace
This Motorhome is set up for boondocking, is in good condition, & has many traveling miles left on it.  Email us at................ stargeezerguy@gmail.com

GROANER’S CORNER:((  Dog looks at human and thinks: "My hero, my friend, my buddy."  Cat looks at human and thinks:
"My can-opener."

-------------------------------------------------------------
- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- "If having a soul means being able to feel
love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals
are better off than a lot of humans."
(James Herriot)
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.