We stopped at Tomahawk Truck Plaza on the way back to Quartzsite to have lunch, and then went across the freeway to a new truck stop (Zip Travel Stop) to fuel up ($2.609/gal.).

When we arrived home, Earl called the Camping World in Bakersfield, California to see if they could order the hitch-mounted storage box and have it there when we come through later this month. They apparently didn't want to do that, but gave Earl the number where he could call and order it. That would have worked out OK, except they claimed it would take 4 to 6 weeks for delivery!!! Earl then called StowAway directly (they're located in Tigard, Oregon), and ordered the container. It'll be sent out tomorrow via FedEx, so should be here sometime next week.

Miles driven: 131

Camping World was our first stop leaving Tucson this morning. We wanted to purchase a hitch-mounted storage box, but they didn't have any in stock. We didn't get out of there empty-handed, though...bought some refills for our "fat trapper" container, a new Woodalls Western States directory, and a new BBQ.

Our next stop was Costco where we stocked up on provisions, especially paper plates and cups for use when we're dry camping.

We stopped at the Travel America in Eloy again to fuel up ($2.699/gal.), then went on to the Gila Bend Elks Club where we spent the night.

Miles driven: 137
GPS coordinates: N 32.9517 / W 111.6426

Having Solar Installed, Day 3

Ron finished up the solar installation by installing the inverter/charger. Now we're ready to do some serious boondocking!

Ron treated us to dinner at a Thai restaurant where we had an excellent meal.

Having Solar Installed, Day 2

Ron started the solar installation about 8:00 AM. He worked through the day, and got all the solar panels installed...4 100-watt AM Solar panels connected to our 4 AGM batteries. Now the only thing left to do is the installation of the 2000-watt true sine wave inverter/charger which Ron will do tomorrow.

Earl and I went to dinner at Chuy's just up the road from the RV park.

Having Solar Installed

Stopped at the Travel America in Eloy to fuel up and have breakfast. We arrived at Cactus Country RV Resort in Tucson early in the afternoon and called Ron after we were finished setting up.

Ron came by later in the afternoon to check out the rig so he could plan where to put what. He'll start installing the solar tomorrow morning.

Miles drive: 119
GPS coordinates: N 32° 04.105' / W 110° 45.850'

We loaded up the fifth wheel and left after lunch for Tucson where Ron Walter will be installing our solar.

We spent the night on some BLM land south of I-8 at Exit 140, far enough from the freeway that truck noise wasn't a problem.

Miles driven: 157.3
GPS coordinates: Not taken

Since we hadn't heard anything from RV Lifestyles about the compressor for the air conditioner, we called and found out they'd received a request from Coleman earlier in the week to do some more testing. Needless to say, we were more than a bit put out that they hadn't called us as soon as they'd received the request from Coleman.

We took the Excel down to RV Lifestyles so that they could do the required testing. While they were doing that, we had lunch at Silly Al's.

Turns out it isn't the compressor at all, but the "little black box" -- some kind of controller. Of course, it was too late today to contact Coleman, so it won't be done until Monday.

We took the Excel to RV Lifestyles to have them check why the air conditioner isn't working (the fan blows, but no cold air comes out). They indicated it was the compressor and said it would probably be a week or two before they got Coleman to send us another one.

At that point, we got Peterson Industries involved, and they contacted Coleman directly...a new compressor is supposed to be sent out on Monday.

Mike and Mary who live across the street from us treated us to dinner tonight at Quail Mountain Cafe.

We finally received the information from the lien holder (who had finally received it from the State of Arizona), so that we could complete all the forms necessary to get our Excel licensed. I talked with Jessica at Alternative Resources who walked me through completing the forms and then took them down to the Post Office to mail them. Hopefully, we'll have our license plates by next week!

We should then have everything we need in order to leave here on Wednesday, April 12. We'll head down to Gila Bend where Ron Walter will be installing our solar system from AM Solar (4 100-watt panels and the HPV-22B charge controller). We already have 4 AGM batteries which Earl is in the process of building a frame for in the front storage bay of the fifth wheel. We'll use the current battery compartment for storing other stuff.

Once the installation is complete, we'll head north to the Spring Escapade in Stockton, CA, stopping in Coarsegold along the way to visit friends who live at the SKP park there.

The Q Mountain Subdivision had a community-wide yard sale today. We put out a lot of stuff...probably as much, if not more, than we'd sold in last year's yard sale! We did very well, selling almost everything. What's left will go to the dump.

We donated the proceeds of the sale to our neighbor, Larry, who has done a lot of work for the Homeowner's Association on his own dime, trying to get the current Board of Directors out of office.

We had dinner with Larry and Sharon at the Mountain Quail Cafe. It's the first time that Earl and I have eaten there, but it won't be the last!