Oct 27, 2019
What a night, followed by, what a day!
Sorry for the abrupt end to the post yesterday. Colin heard the squealing of the generator when he went out to check the bedroom slide coming in. He also could smell something burning so he rushed in and shut off the generator. There was barely enough battery power to complete my post. In fact without the generator we had no electric heaters and within a very small period of time we had to turn off the furnace. Our batteries are weak and are being changed as soon as we get to the Isla. However they are what allows the propane furnace to function. However right now we need the generator to power the batteries to allow the furnace to give us heat. So we were hooped, a Canadian expression that means we were ( and still are ) in trouble.
A long story to tell you that we were in bed by 9:15pm. Who is that in my bed? It was that cold inside the RV and supposed to get much colder. I was not sleepy. My mind was still on my blog and wanting to reply to my comments and to read a few other blogs before retiring for the night. I must have dozed for a bit and shortly after 10pm I looked out and noticed a light snow falling. Strange as no precipitation was in the forecast. A few hours later I observed a world of white. Colin slept well but I was up looking outside every hour or so. Once I saw two inches of snow on the roads my thoughts were everywhere. “Do we have a shovel, boots, etc.” I noticed around 3AM that the snow had stopped and it was a world of white.
We woke up about 5:45. Colin didn’t know about the snow and was surprised to see it. It had started to melt over the pavement. And it was not freezing cold. Our outdoor weather station showed 30F/0C. I believe that the snow and clouds kept the extreme cold away. We got ready as quickly as we could. We could only let the furnace run for about 15 minutes. Colin finally started the RV engine and turned on the dash heat. We were driving with coffee by 6:40, we had to heat the water on the stovetop.
6:30AM PST time but local time was 7:30AM. So glad that we had brought in our slide. It would have been frozen.
We got about a mile down the interstate when we were shrouded in a thick fog. We went forward slowly thinking of deer and other things. The semis were shooting past us. I had planned to check the current temps but the laptop was dead. Fortunately we have a thingy that plugs in that allows us to charge the laptop. With my ATT hot spot I have internet on the go. Thank goodness.
The fog suddenly let up a bit and we saw a peep of colour from the sunrise. The fog came and went for several miles. Eventually we just had cloud and no snow at all. Strange that we were the only area that we knew of that had snow. Colin was happy to use the heated mirrors for perhaps the second time ever.
It was cool even inside the RV with the heat on. I was wearing thick fleece pants and a matching pullover covered with a fleece jacket, a neck scarf and my black fleece shawl. I had fleece socks on and my new warm slippers that I had got last night at Walmart. Finally I had a thick green fleece blanket covering my lap and legs. I even had fleece gloves nearby but did not need them. Even Colin was wearing fleece pants, a shirt and a medium fleece pullover.
Just as we were coming into Twin Falls the snow began and quickly escalated. It was 15F/-10C. The snow kept getting thicker.
As we left Twin Falls traffic was very slow and cautious. Fortunately we were following a very good driver in that semi, front right. I could see the snow accumulating on the backs of the cattle in the nearby fields.
Jackpot, Nevada and still a light snowfall but not as much on the ground. We took our first 15 minute break of the day to make another coffee. We also ran the furnace for about 10 minutes, fortunately when we run the furnace it heats the basement and our pipes. It was 27F/-3.5C here. What is amazing is that yesterday there was no precipitation in the forecast.
Somewhere between Jackpot and Wells, Nevada, we saw blue sky again. This is a wildlife crossing over the highway.
We stopped at the Golden Gate Petroleum in Wells for diesel, the cheapest in town @ 1.339. there a lot of snow on the RV roof and the Jeep roof. No snow but 30F/-1C. This was our second stop of the day for 20 minutes.
Not only was the window washing fluid frozen, so was the door to our fuel area. Colin had to chip the solid ice out in order to open it.
There was free Wifi at this fuel station so I did some research. There was no way we were stopping for the night in Ely @ 6437′ elevation at our regular stop with temps of -15F/-26C forecast for tonight. I needed to get us to a lower elevation but there was not any choice. Just Picketts RV Park in Alamo @ 3449′. When I called, I was told that they don’t take reservations on Sunday and to call back on Monday! I pushed a bit and was told that they were full. So I went onto their website where for an additional $10.00 you can book and prepay. I did so, however I had to wait close to 30 minutes to find out that they would accept our reservation and then we got a confirmation for a pull thru site. I did ask when we checked in today and was told that they had four open spots, I don’t get it. Why tell me that they were full. We were just grateful that we would have heat tonight and power to write this post.
We finally got to Ely and stopped for our third and final travel stop of the day. Longest stop yet at 25 minutes to make a quick lunch to eat as we drove and for Colin to do a wee walk and stretch. Diesel prices in Ely are great at Love’s on the far edge of town @ 3.12 cash. Clouds started to form again around 3:30PM. The wind picked up and we could feel the temperature drop within the RV.
I did not like the look of this cloud formation.
We arrived at the RV park at 4:30PM. So very happy to be here. We have been told to bring in our water lines as it will be freezing tonight. We are only using electricity. We drove 488.3 miles, yes that is miles, today. It took us 9 hours and 50 minutes to do that drive but we took 60 minutes off over three breaks so we were actually only driving for 8 hours and 50 minutes steady. We have shore power and are so happy to be warm and have unlimited wifi. It only cost us $44.00USD. No matter the cost, we are happy.
We have air ride suspension and as you can see very very comfortable seats. Those cushions are so thick that we never feel any discomfort from long drives. We have done 504 mile days a few times in Mexico. This is not something we enjoy but if it has to done as it was today, thank goodness it is comfortable.
This is the forecast for tonight for Alamo, where we are, which means that the real feel of 15F is -9.5C. I think that we will stay inside and avoid frostbite and hypothermia. Colin added more antifreeze and distilled water to the engine because the level was lower than normal due to the cold weather.
It took us 8 hours and 50 minutes to drive 488.3 miles. Amazing how this Bing map came in at 485 miles. It took us longer as we had to deal with fog, then snow and more snow plus we only drive 65mph.
Erik called us tonight to let us know that he believes that our generator can be repaired as everything can be repaired. So we will not be purchasing a portable Honda generator. Instead we will decrease our dry camping and stay in RV parks for power. We still have to deal with two nights in Mexico but are working on how we can handle that. No A/C, no power, no slides out nor jacks down, only propane to cook. Sigh!
Thanks for sticking with us thus far.
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Another challenging day, but you made it through! While snow isn’t what you wanted, it did make for some pretty pictures ?. Hopefully you are into warmth tomorrow.
Loved looking at the snow but now having to be so bundle up and chilly.
You mash it through the days and nights so far, continued safe travels and hopefully some warmer weather soon. Too bad you don’t have a blue flame heater we have have had for year does not need any power at all other thank propane, totally silent in cold weather, and gives us more than enough heat,
We will look into that blue flame heater. Colin is uncertain about putting another hole in the RV to connect to the propane. We will look into in if we ever get to Q this winter.
the blue flame, no holes needed it installed into an existing propane line inside the coach.
Does the money you pay for campgrounds offset the price you’ll save by buying batteries in MX? We are spoiled by only two days travel to our snowbird home. I’m a nervous wreck driving on snow.
We have already purchased the RV house batteries here in the US. Cost for the four is about $1300.00USD. But those will be installed in Mexico as we need a special battery tray adapted to hold them and to fit into an exact space. We still need the generator working to run the furnace so even if we have batteries it is a no go for electricity. We did consider buying a portable generator to get us through but those are between $1200.00 and $1600.00 so the cost of staying in an RV park is worth the price. Here, either Canada or the US we would be told to buy a new generator and that is about $10,000.00USD. So better to limp down to Mexico where Erik can fix the generator ( he says he can anyway ) for less than $1000.00USD. He will have the entire winter to figure it out. It is just a huge pain to us to take the generator out.
You are very spoiled with only two day drive to your winter home. Where is it?
We go from Southwest MI to Cape Canaveral, FL. for three months.
what a drive! – don’t think we could manage that any more. Sorry to tell you it is going to be cold here in Vegas. In fact right now our home furnace is running. Only going to be in high 50’s on Wednesday, lows in high 30’s. We will probably get out of here on Monday the 3rd. Waiting for clearance from doctor and for a delivery. We can maybe leave on Friday – all is in the air for now. Watch out for the winds. We just got the name of a mobile RV man here in Vegas. Recommended by our friend at the RV dealer. Take care stay warm.
Too much of a drive but it was a necessity, not something we want to have to repeat. I will be thinking of you all day today and hope for positive results. Can you send me the RV tech info please. I will send you an email.
Crap that’s cold and so early in fall! We are supposed to see zero later this week but frost only with clear skies, no snow. At least once you hit Mexico you won’t be cold! Almost nothing I hate more than being cold
I am with you on being cold. Not my thing. Of course if it is really hot when we get into Mexico then I will be too hot as we won’t have A/C for the first two days. This has been bit of a nightmare what with the RV issues as well as the weather. Not a fun trip thus far.
Quite the day. No snow at all when we went through Twin Falla, but 32F and cloudy. We should be in Vegas tonight.
I should have been three days ahead like Stacy and Bob or a day behind with you. Hope you made it here and were warm and cosy last night. Must be difficult not sleeping in your own bed every night.
What a start to your trip! Hope things are better (and warmer!) the rest of the way and that you are soon set up at your winter home and back to normal 100%
Lovely to see you here in the comment section. We are so looking forward to being set up on the Isla. Not to mention warm.
HAD TO TURN THE HEAT ON HERE IN HAVASU AROUND 0300 AND STILL HAVE IT ON. HI TODAY ONLY 70F BUT THE WINDS MAKE IT FEEL MUCH COLDER. WE WERE IN THE 90S LAST WEEK BUT THEN TWO COLD LOWS HAVE COME OUT OF THE NORTH AND AFTER HERE, THEY PUSH EAST, ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY. OVER 200,000 EVACUATED IN CALIFORNIA DUE TO FIRES. THE SANTA ANAS ARE NOT HELPING THE FIRE FIGHTERS ONE BIT. MY OUTDOOR THERMOMETER IS AT 60 AND IT’S 1130. THINK THE HEAT WILL BE ON THE REST OF THE DAY AND A FEW NIGHTS. SATURDAY WE WILL BE 77F AND HAVE HIGHER NIGHT TIME TEMPS. STAY WARM. BE SAFE AND THINKING OF MOMMIO TODAY. I DIDN’T REALIZE THAT HER BDAY WAS THE DAY BEFORE MY MUM’S WHO WOULD BE 106. SO THEY LIVED THROUGH THE SAME HIGHS AND LOWS.
Woke up to 45F this morning here in Vegas. Chilly but we have heat warming us up with the furnace and two electric heaters. Thank you for remembering Mommio’s birthday. We thought of her thru the day and shared some fun memories. I didn’t know that your Mom would have been 106, interesting isn’t it.
Hope today’s travel brought you to warmer temps and you are staying again in a campground with electricity for the night. Stay warm!
We are here in Vegas for 7 nights and are plugged in. We can mange to stay somewhere with electricity except for our two night in Mexico while on the road there. My concern there is not being able to use A/C or even fans to keep cool, need the generator for that which we won’t have.
Geez!!! U guys are having quite the time of it!!! It is miserable when there is no heat!!! Am holding my breath for u and also praying all goes well… Not far now to border
Thank you Dolores. We just need to get some of these issues working before we cross into Mexico. We are warm for now.
Yikes Contessa, that is some some cold weather. We have experienced similar conditions as we normally leave B.C. beginning of Jan. and we have no built in generator. We have a portable propane heater that requires no electricity and we run that and although it has oxygen sensors we shut it off prior to going to bed. That picture of Colin is typical of me for our first two days on the road. I’m glad that Eric is confident in effecting repairs when you get there. Hopefully the temps continue to warm up. Stay bundled up !!!
Alan