Old Tucson

2019 is the 80th Anniversary of "Old Tucson".

G and I have wanted to visit this, but past treks to Tucson simply didn't work out. However, this year we made it.  If you have a "Tucson Passport" two can enter for the price of one.

"Old Tucson is an American movie studio and theme park just west of Tucson, Arizona, adjacent to the Tucson Mountains and close to the western portion of Saguaro National Park. Built in 1939 for the movie Arizona (1940), it has been used for the filming of several movies and television westerns since then, such as Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957), Rio Bravo (1959), El Dorado (1966), and Little House on the Prairie TV series of the 1970s-1980s. It was opened to the public in 1960, and historical tours are offered about the movies filmed there, along with live cast entertainment featuring stunt shows and shootouts." - Wikipedia.

There are actors, stunts, lectures, music and sights to see, as well as tours and rides.  I'm posting a few photos.

http://oldtucson.com/

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

Roadtrek Service Options

With the closure of the Roadtrek factory following the bankruptcy of the company one concern Roadtrek (and Hymer, NA) owners have is how to obtain service.  Closure of the company also means that there is no factory warranty support.

I've included what I think is a helpful video at the end of this post.

The dealer and service center network exists. Some dealers have new Roadtreks for sale, and some have parts.  However, for a short time the Roadtrek website was shut down. When it re-appeared I copied all of the North American service center information and put pdf files on a social media group I administer. I have no idea how much longer the Roadtrek website will be up.

I am not endorsing or recommending any dealer or service center. The material is provided "as-is".

I'm including a link  to a video which includes additional warranty information.

Over on social media some owners are of the opinion that this will be quickly resolved and the factory will be up and running. It has been stated that the bankruptcy could be concluded in 6 weeks. I'm more skeptical because these bankruptcy proceeding can take some time, and a potential buyer of the company may want to delay until it is resolved.  In my opinion, liquidation is the more likely outcome but this could change once the bankruptcy is completed.

Links to pdf files of Roadtrek Service Centers made from the Roadtrek website:

Roadtrek Service Centers - USA

Roadtrek Service Centers - Canada

Some dealers have reached out to Roadtrek and Hymer owners. For example Sunshine State RV reached out to some Roadtrek owners via email. I was forwarded a copy. . In that email Nick Schmidt with Sunshine State RVs stated: "I wanted to let everyone know where we stand with regards to Roadtrek/Carado warranties and what our plan is until they find a buyer and get back up and running. We have been able to find and acquire every part for Roadtrek's, including lithium batteries, Underhood Generators, Volt Start and Inverters. We will still be servicing all Erwin Hymer products and helping you guys get back to camping asap!!"

Mr. Schmidt also indicated that they do have Roadtrek and some Hymer products for sale: "we are offering 6 year warranties on all of the Roadtrek's and a 2 year warranty on the Carado's. These are aftermarket warranties through the best warranty company that we have ever dealt with, Protective Asset Protection. " I've never used this dealership so I can't comment on their quality of repair, costs, etc.

For that dealer here is their website:

https://sunshinestatervs.com/


Here's a YouTube video:

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

Roadtrek Factory Closure - Out of Business

Erwin Hymer North America which manufactures Roadtreks is officially in receivership (bankruptcy) and all employees were given a termination letter dated February 15. The Canadian court appointed the legal firm of Alvarez and Marsal (A&M) as receiver.

The Receiver is empowered to deal with creditors and manage the business. At present, with no current employees, Roadtreks are not being manufactured. The Roadtrek website was shut down for a short period of time but was put back up on February 22.  A termination letter to Roadtrek employees was issued on February 15. All manufacturing has been suspended. Factory service is not currently available.

According to the "Service List" on the Receiver's website this is what Roadtrek owes the creditors:

             $273,609,280 (Canadian) to unsecured creditors.
               $15,133,001 (Canadian) to secured creditors.

https://www.alvarezandmarsal.com/sites/default/files/canada/appendix_a_-_creditor_listing_3.pdf

If you don't have a copy of the current manual for your Roadtrek I suggest you go to the Roadtrek website and download the manual. We don't know how long the Roadtrek website will be up and manuals will be available:

https://www.roadtrek.com/owners/#section-manuals

For current information from the Receiver, go to this website:

https://www.alvarezandmarsal.com/ehgna


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

RV Hobbies - Rock Painting

When trekking hobbies are useful for evenings, quiet days and so on. There are the obvious hobbies such as photography and blogging.  However, there are also other hobbies such as watercolor painting and rock painting.

Rock painting seems to be very popular. We've encountered rock painters from Florida to Arizona and everywhere in between.  After painting many of the artists hide the rock somewhere outdoors where it can be found.  Some put a website or social media group on the flip side, if one is inclined to announce their find.

We've encountered "official" Rock painting groups at some RV resorts. The one we are currently staying at has such a group. Materials are provided for free!

Materials (paint and brushes) are available at hobby stores such as Hobby Lobby, Michaels and of course on Amazon.  Small, smooth rocks can be found in streams or at landscaping (stone) supply companies. 

There are lots of videos on You Tube which can get on started, and of course there are dedicated websites.

I decided to dabble a bit so here is what I've done so far.  I'm using acrylic paint over gesso. There are many different styles and sizes of rocks. I prefer smaller, although that does make painting more difficult.

Blood Moon

Cave Dweller

Moon over Arizona Resort

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

Winter Trek 2018-2019

It was lovely, but it was time to leave:

First Snow, November 2018

The national radar picture looked good. No nasty storms headed eastward. The local weather was cool (about 35F) and overcast. To the southwest the daytime high temperatures were 50F, with nighttime lows in the mid 30s. Good driving conditions along the planned route.

NWS Radar Mosaic

The winter trek began on November 18. We had already had several light snows and it was clearly time to go to warmth. Total distance would be about 1,821 miles. I travelled with traffic, in the second from the right lane in 3-lane interstates, or in the right lane on 2-lane roads and U.S. Highways. There was rain part of the way, and I did stop early one evening when temperatures hovered at 33F with light rain. I was concerned about freezing conditions. Departure the next morning was delayed by heavy fog, which lifted at about 7:45am.

Here’s some statistics.

The trip summary via GPS. I guess I was travelling at Warp 2!

Here's the actual. The fuel costs and consumption is based on receipts:

• Driving distance: 1,821 miles.
• Driving time: 28.75 hours.
• Average speed: 63.34 MPH (using driving time clock).
• Peak speed limit 75 MPH.
• Average gasoline cost per gallon (86, 87, 88 octane): $2.433.
• Lowest fuel price: $1.979 per gallon Missouri, 87 octane.
• Highest fuel price: $2.869 for 88 octane.
• MPG for the trip, including idling time, speeds most of the way at 70-75 MPH: 14.6 MPG.

Travel Route 1821 miles (some "detours" on the way)

I was surprised by the haze throughout much of Oklahoma and portions of Missouri. I attribute this to the fires in California. I’ve travelled portions of this route many times, and I’ve never seen conditions this poor.

Tulsa, unretouched photo

Oklahoma City, unretouched photo

I took interstates and U.S. highways for the most part. The speed limits on the interstates were 70-75 MPH and on the U.S. highways 70-75 MPH with occasional areas posted 50 MPH.

Of course, using highways means encountering slow patches, and the occasional house moving down the road (see photo). It does take one on long stretches of up to 40 miles with no stops. It also takes one through small towns where the speed limit may be  20MPH. However, the U.S. highways provide some interesting scenic opportunities and shortcuts.

Here’s the basic route I followed: Local roads, I-88 to I-355 to I-55 south, I-255 to I-270 (bypass St. Louis) to I-40 Oklahoma City, etc. U.S. 54 south, U.S. 70 south to I-10 west to local roads.  I did a short trek out of the way on I-44. Actual minimum distance could have been as low as 1730 miles, but I did some scenic drives.

Interior of Texas Rest Stop

Texas Rest Stop, early morning

At the beginning of Mountain Time Zone

On U.S. 54 south, in New Mexico

New Mexico U.S. 54

Arizona ahead

Entering Arizona

First evening with friends at the destination

Threesome: baby ship, daughter ship, mother ship

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

Morton Arboretum, Lisle Illinois

Driving through the Arboretum in mid-November, after an early snow. 

"The Morton Arboretum, in Lisle, Illinois, is a public garden and outdoor museum with a library, herbarium, and program in tree research including the Center for Tree Science. Its grounds, covering 1,700 acres (6.9 Square kilometres), include cataloged collections of trees and other living plants, gardens, and restored areas, among which is a restored tallgrass prairie. The living collections include more than 4,100 different plant species. There are more than 200,000 cataloged plants.

 As a place of recreation, the Arboretum has hiking trails, roadways for driving and bicycling, a 4-acre (16,000 m2) interactive children's garden and a 1-acre (4,000 m2) maze.

The Schulenberg Prairie  at the arboretum was one of the earliest prairie restoration projects in the Midwest, begun in 1962. It is one of the largest restored prairies in the Chicago suburban area.

The arboretum offers an extensive nature-centered education program for children, families, school groups, scouts, and adults, including tree and restoration professionals. The Woodland Stewardship Program offers classroom and online courses in ecological restoration techniques. The arboretum also offers credit courses through the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area, a regional consortium."
--- from Wikipedia

View of the Meadow Lake from the Dining Area of the Visitors Center

Pat, a friend has a Morton Arboretum membership pass. She was kind enough to take us to this unique place and we saw the troll exhibit. We dined at the Visitors Center and enjoyed the view of the Meadow Lake via the floor to ceiling glass windows.

Then we went to visit the trolls.  Here's only a few of the photos of the many trolls. This is a permanent exhibit and when Spring returns, one will be able to take the Tram and walk to these.

This one is at the main parking lot

This one is observing traffic on I-88

This one is lurking in the woods. 

Another view of the Meadow Lake.

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

Cacti Blooms

We'll soon be in the Southwest and that will mean cactus blooms in the spring. We have yet to be in Arizona to see the Saguaro's in bloom.   Perhaps this year?

XXXXXX

 Here's a time lapse over a few days:

Blooms

Opening

Fully open

For comparison, here is our Christmas cactus:

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