Sunday, January 8, 2023

SNOW???

 SNOW, THERE'S SNOW!!


Just kidding!!!  It was dark when I took off, traipsing around the neighborhood trying to get to the freeway without DRIVING on the freeway.  It's a disaster in Merced and WAY too narrow for a big trailer.  Thirty minutes later I was finally headed south under seriously cloudy skies.

There was snow, but on top of the Sierras where I was NOT going.  Traffic wasn't too bad and I just cruised along.  It's not the driving that bothers me ... it's all the other stuff.  Did I lock the door, did I close the garage, did I turn the gas on for the fridge.  

That one I know I did because this time I disconnected the 50 amp cord while it was still semi pliable.  Thank goodness I heard the beep beep.  It took me ten minutes to figure out what the heck it was.  Whenever I disconnect the gas for a refill, I have to light the stove and let the gas come through the lines.  Once that was done, the fridge finally lit too.   Whew!!!


Then of course it's always a rat race trying to get the kids in the truck.  Getting them OUT is even worse.  

About halfway to Bakersfield, traffic came to a screeching halt.  It took an hour to get through the mess where four lanes went down to one.


We sailed right along after that, right up and over Tehachapi where there was no snow to be seen.  There was a bad driver from Maine going 40 mph in the fast lane, who finally passed me before slowing down to 35.  

In no time I was over the hill and headed to Barstow.  New friends had advised me to take Hwy 15 South instead of 395, my usual.  For some reason I seemed to be a little short of fuel, so I decided to go that way, stopping for diesel.  Except my credit card wouldn't work.  Fifteen minutes later I get a text message ... oh, were you trying to use your fuel card?  Well yes, I WAS ... but now I'm mad because you wouldn't let it go through.  Thank you they said ... you can use it now.  Grrrrr ... go figure.


Let me just say that Hwy 15 South out of Barstow is like driving in L.A.  NEVER AGAIN will I go that way.  Good grief, it was steeper than Tehachapi!!  At long last (after 6.5 hours) I pulled in to the Hesperia Elks Lodge.  It's so weird ... they only do things during the week.  There never seems to be anyone around on the weekends.


The second I took Cooper out, these guys came screaming over barking up a storm.  Mean barking.  I'll be sure not to go that way again!  


It's rather tight in here as I didn't put the slide out.  I'm not level, I just took a little weight off the hitch.  Bill Richards will be proud I remembered that!!  However, I did spend twenty minutes outside trying to figure out why my power went off.  Apparently I cannot have the fridge, the electric water heater and Jon's heating pad on all at the same time.  I only have a 30 amp hookup.  

The great idea of a heating pad for Jonathan's new cage fell flat.  It's not near warm enough.  That meant either keeping the jet engine running, or using my space heater ... the not QUITE as loud jet engine.  I was up all night long.  No sleep is a bummer.

I wish I had something that would tell me how many amps I'm using ... it would certainly be a BIG help!!  Because now although the lights work in the bedroom, the plugs do not, nor does the TV work.  I checked the circuit breakers and they appear to be fine, so it's probably a fuse.  Which one I've no clue.  Hopefully I can find an electrician at the rally to figure it out.  I'm praying I didn't fry something.

So much stuff to figure out.  It was so easy with the Class A ... I never had to worry about electricity or heat.  

And so I'm waiting for morning light.  It's only a two hour drive, so I won't be leaving any too soon.


23 comments:

  1. It sounds like it could have gone much worse. In our old rig we had some outlets that worked with the solar inverter and some that did not. Perhaps that is the case with yours but it seems like the ones you described would be ones that would work!

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    1. Yeah, they should be working and they aren't. Good thing is this rally usually has lots of repairs guys on site.

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  2. Yay! You are almost there. Hopefully you don't have to deal with wind. Take your time!

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  3. Your bathroom outlet should have a CFI in it, and it may need to be reset. Many times the bedroom outlets run off that same circuit. When you get to Indio, you 'could' run a good extension cord out a window to your 30 amp post for the heating pad, they normally have an outlet you can plug into.

    Glad you made it there ok...not much further to go now.

    (had to delete first comment because I was not clear about what to use the extension cord for, and be sure the cord is rated as a 10 amp minimum. you might need to tape around the open window, but sometimes a small towel will seal it.)

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    1. There are no 30 amp posts at this RV rally ... only 100' long cords with 30 amp plugs every 20 feet, so sadly, no extension cord for Jonathan. Great idea going forward though.

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  4. As Dave said, check to see if the bathroom receptacle is a GFI that needs to be reset. If the bathroom receptacle is not a GFI, check the kitchen ones.

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    1. Ahhhh you know I'm coming your way, right Bill?? LOL
      The Bathroom receptacle IS a GFI and it's working just fine. Still no power in the bedroom.

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  5. Almost there!! No matter which way we go there is always something that slows us down at some point. Bill is so proud!!! 💕

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    1. So close yet so far away. Parked in Walmart parking lot wishing I had TV. It's okay though, because I have SOLAR for lights!!

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  6. There's always something! I'm sure you'll get it figured out at the rally if not before! Glad the weather worked out for you!

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    1. I'm just very happy everything ELSE in the rig works!!

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  7. Glad you made it that far. Always a pain when somethings doesn't work. Almost to your destination, safe travels. Becky

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    1. I can almost take a big deep breath. Today we will be parked for the week. YAY!!

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  8. Hope you get it all sorted out and the idea of having an electrician looking at your rig is a good decision. Have fun!

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    1. That's mostly because I can hardly live with television! LOL

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  9. Glad you made it to your day's destination. Hopefully, someone other than an electrician helps you. I'm sure it is something simple. You're almost there.

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    1. I'm hoping it's just a fuse. I'll ask our group guys and see what they say.

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  10. Glad you made it safe and sound. I am guessing someone at your Rally will have a solution for you electric problem. Fingerscrossed you come up with a quieter solution to keep Jonathon warm.

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    1. Once at the fairgrounds, we will be plugged in and I can use his heating pad. THAT will be a good thing!!

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  11. Glad you made it safe and sound, I have no doubt you loosened the death grip a few times but it sounds like easy sailing. I would reset the entire rig with the main breaker just to ensure everything is set properly, after that I would recheck the GFI’s, all of them. If that doesn’t work I would follow through with your plan to find a friend at the rally. Good luck.

    Deb

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    1. Made it ... no worse for wear! I reset the GFI's ... no help. Resetting the main breaker ... I didn't think of that. You are one smart cookie ... thanks Deb.

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