Update on the trailer lights and my arm: Trailer blinker light malfunction was indeed a truck wiring issue. Kim figured out a work around, and voila! all lights are now functioning. And my arm is fine after the unfortunate run-in with the cactus.
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Moving day! Packed up and headed east to Picacho, about 200 miles closer to Michigan. We were able to proceed with Plan A...camping at the Picacho KOA. Oh, happy day! Despite this being their busy time, they were able to accommodate us. In fact, we’re in the same site we had two years ago....#35. As we were checking in and talking about 20 amp or 30 amp hook-ups, etc., Kim mentioned that being on the outer ring of campsites was preferable as he was going to set up his telescope for astrophotography. The camper worker said, “Oh, I’ve heard about you. They said the last couple years there was a guy who had a telescope set up…” Yes…yes, that would be Kim. 😊
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It’s 5:30 p.m, still daylight out….Kim is getting his telescopes set up and already two people have wandered by to talk about what he’s doing. Even though he’s an amateur, he loves to share his knowledge with people. It’ll be interesting to see if anyone shows up after dark. 🌟
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Before we left Quartzsite I walked down to the flea market we had visited on Sunday…had to see if I could exchange some shirts we bought for a larger size. I decided to ask the proprietor about the giant flea market that brings oodles of people to town…nothing like getting the opinion of someone who’s in the thick of things. I started by saying something about the flea markets in January and February…he corrected me by saying the big one was held in January and that some vendors stick around but most are gone early February. He sticks around because he’s from Indiana and doesn’t head back until the weather back home calms down. When I asked if one million people really come rolling in during those two weeks, he said that back before the town incorporated and US 10 came through (early to mid-1960s) that might have been accurate but his assessment is that now it’s more like a few hundred thousand...but that’s still a lot of people wandering around in this little town. I also asked if the big tent is still put up and if so, where? Yes, it’s still goes up but on the other (south) side of 10. He then went on to say that when small towns incorporate and accept government money that certain restrictions and requirements come along with that…and in his opinion, small towns lose when that happens.
Eventually he asked if we were RV-ers because we could “stay out in the desert for free, you know.” I said that yes, I had noticed that desert camping was a big deal around here; then told him why it wouldn’t work for us…we have a generator but no water or bathroom. He countered with “There are port-a-johns, you can buy water in town and there are dumpsters…you could ride your bikes into town, get what you need, then go back and just sit in the desert.” When I told him of my bucket in the corner idea for a makeshift potty, he said “Line your bucket with a garbage bag…then when you’re done with it, just tie it up and toss it in the dumpster when you go by.” It sounded like he was speaking from experience and when I mentioned that, his eyes twinkled and he said, “Oh, not me…I couldn’t possibly do anything like that.” 😏 Not sure that I’m ready to become an off-the-grid camper but I know how to make it work now.
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Learning of the popularity of RV boondocking in the Quartzsite area helped explain some of the businesses in town. The business that perplexed me the most was the solar shop across the street from our campground. I thought it sold solar panels for houses but tents/campers/RVs far outnumbered actual houses around the area. But once I read about using solar panels when boondocking, it made perfect sense. Solar Bill probably counts on the flea market to make or break his bottom line every year.
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As we were packing up this morning a man from two sites over came to admire the bikes and since Kim was on the phone, he talked to me. He asked me ‘how long you been riding’ and I told him my story. Then I mentioned that I used to ride a Softail…he wanted to know what that was, so I told him it was a cruiser as opposed to what I ride now, that the Road Glide is a touring bike. He then said “Well, this one’s big that’s for sure…I was watching you two leave the other day and you know, you look like you can handle this thing just fine.” 👍 This guy has a Sportster that he’s been working on as he has the money and at one point he said, “Replacing things on these bikes can be downright spendy”. I couldn’t more with that statement and I believe I learned a fun new synonym for the word ‘expensive’. 😉
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Mornings have been starting out somewhat cool, meaning in the high 40s at about 7 a.m., but warming quickly as the morning progresses. I’m not complaining about the morning temps because it’s better than anything I’d be experiencing back in Michigan, just saying that even with the heater on, when I’m sandwiched in between two very warm sleeping bags the struggle to get up is very real.
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After we got to our campsite in Picacho, Kim unloaded the bikes (both types) so we could transform the trailer into a home away from home. I know that all while he was leveling the trailer and hooking up power, his thoughts were really on getting over to ‘his spot’ to set up his scopes…he’s been waiting for so long for clear nights. They’ve been in short supply in Michigan this winter. He’s got an area about 50 feet from our camp that he uses. I suppose it could be considered an overflow parking area but there’s never been the need for that during any time that we’ve camped here. It has a little corner that’s bordered on two sides by tall hedges, so he’s sort of protected from wind.
While Kim was attending to his scopes, I decided to take a bike ride…a bicycle ride, that is. There’s a road next to the campground that I knew would be perfect for the first venture out. I have an app on my phone that tracks speed and distance. Rode out 1 ½ miles, thinking this is a breeze. Turned to come around to head back and that’s when I realized I was riding with the wind on the way out. My speed dropped as I tried to find my rhythm heading into the wind. The ride back took a little longer and caused some muscles to say “Well, hel-lo! You haven’t used us in a while, have you?” And I worked up a little bit of a sweat, too. Sunshine and exercise doing a body good!!
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So we seem to have found those open roads and starry skies we’ve been searching for. Definitely going to enjoy!
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Bicycle miles today: 3
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