We were up at the crack of dawn today. With about 12 hours of travel planned today, there was no time for lolly-gagging. Kevin helped us set the coffee machine the night before on an automated schedule, so we all had fresh coffee ready to go as we awoke. We were up at 5 and on the road at 5:45. Thanks again Cokers.
Turns out that the tooth fairy does visit little girls on RV trips. She got 10 DOLLARS! I know the front teeth are the more expensive teeth on tooth black market, but it looks like inflation has gotten out of control.
The plan is fairly simple – take 40 / route 66 west, and stop 12 hours later. Easy…
It’s never that easy… First challenge was the rains. We got absolutely demolished by torrential downpours shortly after takeoff. I didn’t think RVs would have a problem fish tailing but there were a couple times where we went through some under construction areas with bad drainage and cement barricades on both sides that I lost control of where rv was going for .25 seconds. Not a comfortable feeling. Catastrophe was avoided and eventually the rain lessoned and we made it through.
Second issue – the Lexus key. The metal part of the key broke off from the plastic housing with the transponder that tells it that the person starting is legit and not a thief. You have to hold the transponder up as you turn the key or it doesn’t start. There were several times at the start of the trip where my dad and Ryan couldn’t get it started and I thought they were just holding it wrong. Today at one of the gas stations, it just wouldn’t start at all, easy with correct holding by me. After 10 tries we eventually got it, but believe the battery in it is dying. Not the best timing. Need to find a new battery somewhere on the trail…
Something else that’s critically important on cross country caravans is communication. We didn’t know how our cell phone service would be going down the road in the desert, so I bought some walkie talkies with good range. You can’t just call each other on walkie talkies though – you need to have call signs. I’ve decided to go with Whiskey Tango and the other car is Whiskey Foxtrot. All communications should reference the call signs and end with “over”. Other language like 10-4, Roger, Negative ghost rider the pattern is full are highly encouraged for ease of communication.
We made it down the road a few more gas stops. Traveled through Oklahoma and into Texas. Saw giant wind mills in person for the first time. Good job on trying out renewable energy guys. There was one that was completely black and looked like it set on fire. Hope that’s a fluke. Almost ran out of gas one more time and had to stop in what felt like a ghost town where every single business was closed other than the gas station.
Finally, we arrived at our final destination – Santa Rosa, New Mexico at 4:00 pm, mountain time (ahead of schedule). We are staying at Santa Rosa RV park – nice little place with water and power hookups. The owner / operator Chris informed me they also had a restaurant and had prepared some Himalayan squirrel stew for us. He said they “found him-a-layin’ on the road this morning”. Nice.
Dinner was hamburgers cooked by Ryan on his propane grill, with chips/dip, and baked beans – a perfect memorial day meal. Thank you to our troops that paid the ultimate price defending our country and it’s interests so I can take our family on trips like this.
One last big highlight of the day. 13 years ago to the day, I married my amazing, wonderful, patient, caring wife Noelle. I cannot believe how lucky I got to find her in this world and convince her to marry me. She’s wholly supportive of everything I do, including the really bad ideas, and I could not have come close to putting this trip together without her. I did ask her this morning if she thought we’d make it to 14 – she gave me a definite maybe, which I’ll take considering what I put her through on a daily basis. Love you!
Tomorrow we arrive at the first national park of the trip – the Grand Canyon that I’ve never seen before. Now the real fun begins!