After abandoning plans to winter as a Showbird in Tucson, Arizona for the 2017/2018 winter season, I am now back on the road to fulfilling that dream.   I was laid off from my job in Hayden, Idaho the end of the year.   With the situation looking dim to return to work and not being particularly fond of the winter weather conditions in the Couer d’Alene/Hayden/Spokane area I found myself free to explore options for  trippin’ on new RVing adventures.

Fortunately, I was able to make reservations at my first choice of RV parks in the Tucson area.  Traveling to Arizona meant I would be transitioning from my brother’s 5th Wheel back to my 17′ travel trailer.  Talk about a challenge.  Between accumulating a few things including winter clotheing while in the Hayden/Spokane area and bringing two large pieces of luggage containing winter clothing back from Atlanta several months ago, paring things down was no easy feat.  After several days were spent  transitioning from one RV to the other, I was, however, ready to begin making my way to Tucson.

With questionable winter weather and road travel conditions, my brother, Tracy, insisted on traveling with me to Las Vegas.  We set out a week ago and enjoyed our one-on-one time together for the next four days.  Traveling together, with Tracy doing most of the driving, allowed me to experience my vehicle’s towing capabilities.  It far exceeded what I had thought.  With this in mind, I have far greater confidence with pulling the travel trailer myself now; even over mountain passes.  I now question why I had been hesitant. Once arriving in Las Vegas, Tracy de-winterized my travel trailer and insured all the systems were in top notch working condition.

The stay in Las Vegas was brief.  I did, however, enjoy seeing a few attractions in the area.  Those included a visit to the Ethel M Cactus Garden, Hoover Dam and Red Rock Canyon.

This past Sunday I traveled to Lake Havasu City, Arizona.  With the new found confidence in pulling the travel trailer, I significantly reduced the drive time it typically takes me to drive from one destination to another.  The drive did include a stop at a roadside stand.  My purchase included avocados ($1.00 per large one), oranges, and pure wildflower honey.  I so wish I had taken a picture of the roadside stand.  The backdrop was an old, small delivery truck whose delivery driver was a six foot plastic Santa dressed as a farmer.  I commented on the Santa prop with the feedback being, “Well, Santa was out of a job so I put him to work”.  I chuckled at the business owner’s sense of humor.

Once arriving at the RV resort in Lake Havasu City, I thought I would be facing the challenge of backing the travel trailer into a back-in site. Something I have little experience with so far.  Much to my relief, another RVer quickly came to ask if I wanted him to do the backing for me.  And what would I say, but, “Yes!”  I know, it puts off my learning to become proficient at it myself.  It can wait for another time though!  The man was kind enough to ask if I needed help with set-up.  I declined the offer reassuring him I had the rest under control.  He commented he was two sites down if I did need further assistance.  Well, I had to swallow my pride and ask for his help as I couldn’t get the hitch to release from the ball. This time I was the recipient of assistance from two guys.  One quickly recognized and remediated the problem.  Then he educated me on what to look for and how to handle a like situation in the future; reassuring me there will always be new things to learn about handling and operating an RV.  And I don’t doubt him for a minute.

From the back of my site there is a distant view of Lake Havasu with mountains as a backdrop.  I am looking forward to seeing what the next few days bring as I explore the area before traveling on to Tucson.

I so appreciate the time spent over the past few months living near, working with, and spending leisure time with my brother, Tracy, and my sister-in-law, Georgia.  We made new memories galore.  Until we next see other again, I’ll be trippin’ on new experiences, meeting new folks and making new memories.