Travel to the winter base, 2020-2021

 

 

 

 

A trekking update. I’m happy to say that our trek to the southwest was uneventful and pleasant. This was in part due to our preparation, and mild weather. 

We plan several routes in advance. At this time of the year, we monitor 10-day weather forecasts along each route. We then pick the most favorable route and a window of opportunity for our departure, bearing in mind that as we approach December the weather will degrade. 

We have trekked in fall with temperatures as low as about 5F and camped overnight under those winter conditions. In addition to the heat-pump and propane furnace we carry a small supplemental electric heater and an electric blanket. If electricity is unavailable I have used the gasoline generator. 

This trek was not one of those winter experiences. In fact, weather wise, this was one of our best fall trips.

 Covid-19 remains an issue and a reason for caution while traveling. Because of this we weren’t on a sight-seeing trek. In past, pre-covid treks if the weather allowed we’ve taken our time at a leisurely pace. We could spend a few days in a location and explore before moving on. No fall festivals this year. This year, we took a very direct route, avoided some major urban centers and did the distance in less than 3-1/2 days. Each day was 500-600 miles. The road conditions were excellent, low or no headwinds and the posted speeds up to 80 MPH; I traveled with prevailing traffic via interstates. We were up before dawn, then 10 hours or so of travel with frequent, brief stops to stretch and walk, etc. There was not a lot of time for the internet beyond essentials such as weather and route planning. However, G read the headlines to me as we traveled. Each night we looked at the next day’s route, decided if reservations were necessary, etc. Some RV locations are popular, even today. 

The weather was wonderful, 50-70F and sunny during the daytime until New Mexico. We did experience a mild freeze overnight in Amarillo, TX and again in Lordsburg, NM. We were prepared for this. In October I had winterized our Roadtrek 210P. This is a straightforward procedure, which drains the fresh water system and fills the lines, P-traps and so on with about 2 gallons of a special, potable anti-freeze. The purpose is to avoid potential freeze damage to the fresh water system during winter storage. We carried additional water in containers within the heated coach compartment. In fact, our 210P has a second, internal fresh water tank and it is rated for brief periods as low as about 15F if the hot water heater is “on” and the coach heated. But I’ve found it convenient to winterize the entire system if below freezing weather is expected while traveling. Doing so avoids a stop for "emergency" winterizing if the weather changes for the worse.

 We did use the showers at the campgrounds and some have individual, locked showers. We carry sanitizing wipes, isopropyl alcohol 70% and hand sanitizer, etc. Protocols vary in different states, but we do use masks, etc.

 We dined on food we carried, but in the morning we did stop at McDonalds for coffee, etc. G likes the oatmeal. In one state only the drive through was open and we walked up to the drive-through to avoid hitting the overhang. At another carryout was available. Some counties allow restaurant dine-in. It is a constantly changing situation.

 At Lordsburg, we were very comfortable overnight. We had a mild freeze and a nearby rig experienced an overnight fresh water system stoppage because they had not prepared for low temperatures. This can result in inconvenience as water can’t flow through frozen pipes. Under extremes it can result in damage.

At dawn I disconnected the electrical and we continued west. About 3 hours later we were at our winter destination.

If circumstances allow, we'll be taking some short treks in the winter months. Otherwise we'll be taking frequent hikes at the Saguaro National Park, Sabino Canyon and so on.

 

 

Original material Roadtrek210,blogspot.com

 

 

Summer and Winter Bases

G prefers to call these "our lily pads." We're currently in the winter home base and we're planning for the return to the summer base. We can winter or full time at the "winter base" but the summer base is only open from May 1 thru October 31.  That's fine as we may be in the winter base from fall through spring. Summers only at the summer base!

Because of the sun and ambient temperatures in the southwest, we have a covered site at a resort. We can park the Roadtrek in the shade of this site, too!

The summer base has some shade and that's great. We get afternoon direct sun, but morning through early afternoon we are shady and mild.

Original material:  https://roadtrek210.blogspot.com/

Home Sweet RV - at the Winter Base

Some of the relatives have great difficulty understanding our lifestyle. It is 0F back where they live. We have a "winter" base and a "summer" base. So this is our weather today:

At present about 60 RVs are coming in each day. Soon the resort will be full. There are reasons, including the pools as well as the mild weather. This winter we are currently about 10F above normal, which gives daily highs in the mid-70s to 80F.

Living "Large":

At the Bar & Grill:

Living "Small":

Setting Up the Winter Base

Drove to the southwest with the RT to set up our winter base. Left during a three day rainstorm as the consequence of a large stationary front which extended from the gulf of Mexico to Canada.

I recall a Thanksgiving a couple of years ago in which serious snow arrived in the midwest. Once everything ices over it becomes difficult or impossible to get the RT out of storage.  Then there was the early December snow and ice storm in 2013.

"He who hesitates is lost" is my motto in late November and early December.

So, at 4:00am on the 18th I got into the RT during a serious downpour, but I had loaded the RT during a break in the weather during the previous evening. I headed south, south-west.  By the time I got to St. Louis it was merely overcast (9:00am). By Oklahoma the clouds were breaking. It was an easy, but tedious drive of about 1782 miles. My Verizon Navigator had predicted 1770 miles, but a road closure in northern Oklahoma resulted in a slight detour. Not bad and a lot better than my TomTom GPS (aka "DumbDumb.").  Total time with engine spent running was 29:15 according to the Chevy 3500.

Spent the first night in a rest stop in Oklahoma. Low of about 40F so I ran the generator and the heat pump, got up at about 3:00am and continued my trek. Spent the next night in a rest stop in New Mexico. At about 4500 ft elevation the temperature reached a low of about 31F. Again, ran the generator and the heat pump. I could have used the propane furnace, but it was mild when I went to sleep.  At dawn I continued on the road.

By 10:30am on the 19th it was clear skies to the horizon.

At about 11:00 am on the 20th I arrived at my destination.  Blue skies and warm weather. Now, this is more like it!

After checking in, I went about getting the RT into the bay.

As expected, it was a tight fit.

There were a few surprises, but no show stoppers.  Worked out the details and settled in for a nice, restful sleep.

Spent several days getting things set up. The RT looks odd in the larger bay. I do get some stares and a few questions from passers-by:

I then left and boarded a plane to return to the northland. It was an uneventful flight and I strolled through O'hare at about 7:00pm on the 23rd.