REROUTED

Our last day of camping at Dead Horse was noon today. Sierra asked if we could stay, but our goal is to make it to California's coast by the weekend. At noon, the campground hosts were super nice and let us temporarily park in their extra campsite while Sierra and I took showers. We had tried to go earlier, but they had been closed for cleaning- so we had to wait. After playing in the river for a couple days we felt like a million bucks post-shower. Also, I promised Sierra we'd have a picnic lunch and fish at the lagoons, so we headed down the road to do just that.

Just a couple minutes down the road led us to the treelined lagoons. We grabbed random fruits, cheeses, crackers, and water and the kids and I headed for the small covered day use area. Seeing that it was Tuesday, the parking lot was empty and quiet. The cottonwood branches were swaying in the warm breeze and I received a nice facebook message from an old friend. The scene was set for early afternoon of fun and relaxation. 

Next, the kids and I started to lay out our lunch and we noticed that instead of joining us, Steve had lifted the exterior rv door of the generator compartment and was kneeled down next to it- with a perplexed look on his face. Uh oh. He started the generator and then a few seconds later it died. Over and over again we heard the start and stop sound. All he wanted to do was cool the rig while we ate lunch & the generator was not working. Bummer! He then made a call to Onan (the generator company) and a nice guy tried to help him trouble-shoot the problem. No luck. We were advised to call our extended warranty provider and to take Gumby in for a diagnosis. Thank you Universe for pointing Steve in the direction to buy a warranty for our rv. We had been on the fence about it and ultimately Steve went for it- knowing we'd have protection on our trip (and at a time when he was unemployed.)... plus, he can cancel at at time he wants. 

Today was the day we were glad to have coverage. Steve told me that a new generator costs $4,000. Crazy! After he contacted a local repair shop, we drove the rig over there, and talked with the shop folks. They are guessing it's a voltage regulator failure ($700... again, yay for warranty!). Tomorrow morning we will return to their shop at 7 am to have them pull out the generator and hopefully have the part shipped up from Phoenix and repair it asap.

If we were back in the Pacific Northwest, it wouldn't be an issue not having a generator. We never had one in the old travel trailer. But, we are in the desert and the days are warm/hot & having air conditioning for the kids and dogs is pretty essential. Plus, the idea of crossing the desert and not having it makes me uncomfortable. Sure, back when I was in my 20's, I would drive across the Mojave Desert in August with no A/C. I would roll my windows down all the way in my little white pick up truck and would drink water like a crazy woman. This trip, I welcome cool air! And hopefully tomorrow we will be back in business.

As we left the generator repair shop, I called Dead Horse Ranch again to see if they had a campsite available with electricity for the night. Again, another score! They had one site left & it was extra long. The woman I had called at the park told me that she'd pass the phone over to the reservation person immediately because the site could go in a couple minutes if anyone drove up. Then, we were disconnected! Nooooo, I thought! I immediately called back and luckily the site was still open. Phew. 

Steve and I then talked about what we'd do while the rig was in the shop. He thought about waiting, but I suggested that we rent a car for a day and go explore a few places we hadn't gone to with the kids yet. The repair could take a day or two, depending on the parts needed and true issue. So, we reserved a minivan (which we have both committed to each other to never buy. Sorry friends who have them- it's just not for us). For $85 we will have the van for 24 hours and will be able to take some bumpier and narrow roads in the area.

I drove the car (so weird after being in a motorhome for a month plus.) And it was fun to see a different perspective as I followed Steve.

After dropping off the rig at the campground, we all hit the road for dinner in Jerome.

 Jerome is a historic copper mining town that sits at more than 5,000 feet above sea level. Once called the "wickedest town in the West", it now is home to various art galleries, restaurants, a state park, and other small businesses.

 We drove up and past Jerome to view the Verde Valley from the lookout on 89. Steve and I haven't been back here for at least 10 years.

20 years ago I bought a small vase from Made in Jerome Pottery... Alex wants to go back to buy something for himself tomorrow. Then we all waked to the Haunted Hamburger for dinner. They are dog friendly, so Willow and Titus joined us on their covered porch. Sierra was excited to go to the haunted bathroom. We didn't see anything in the bathrooms but joked about flying toilet paper to Steve and Alex.

 Dogs were pretty chill and laid down

 Sierra's lips turned red again after she ate a couple oranges today. Hmmmm... perhaps there's an allergy or sensitivity? She liked their lemonade!

 We don't go out to eat much at home or on the road, but if we do- we will find spots that take the dogs from now on!

 Walking back down the hill to the car... I love this time of day... when the sun is beginning to fade...

 
Then we had one last unexpected surprise for the night. Just as we had pulled into Dead Horse and passed the Welcome Center, Steve starting freaking out. A HUGE spider with really long legs began crawling up the windshield... on the INSIDE of the car. He is not a fan of spiders. 

Next thing I know, he has stopped the car and is getting out... telling ME to kill it! It is rapidly moving up from the windshield vents to the review mirror. I do not like to kill bugs (I am the one who traps bees, moths, etc in cups and transfers them outside.) Well, tonight, I took an Altoids tin and crushed this sucker. It made a loud crunch noise. Yuck!!! Then Steve took the tin and wiped the spider off on the road. He climbed back in the car and said...

"Sorry kids, but that was a HUGE FUCKING SPIDER!"

Here's to wishes for no more spider or rv issues! ♡