Moving Right Along ... at 35 MPH

 How could I have forgotten to mention this beauty in all his splendor.  He tried to eat me in the last few moments of the Vail house.  I've no idea what it is, but it was fast, about an inch long and those front legs were going like crazy.  I do NOT have a passion for bugs, whatever it is.

I have to admit though, it might have been better with the bug in Vail than with the heat in Quartzsite.  Good grief it was hot.  I never stopped sweating the entire time.

This is the sound of air.  It is quite amazing to me that I slept with the AC unit on.  Not for long mind you, but sleep I did.  I must have run up a $100 electric tab in one night.

It's not exactly comfortable since there's no room for people, let alone one tiny dog.  I can't put the slide out because there's too much weight on it.  I'm not taking the chance of breaking something.

Morning came quickly, along with 92 degrees of heat.  It was okay though, because the inside air was 80 degrees.  YAY!!!  It took all of 15 minutes for us to be off to the next destination.  Except wait ... my truck is leaning to one side.  Apparently the left air bag leaked or is broken.  That's not good ... I had to let all the air out of the other one, which will probably kill it too.  It's going to be a rough ride.

But first .... let's fill up with some of this fuel that they tell me is NOT part of inflation.  Are you kidding me?  This is Arizona ... in the summer heat ... and the price of diesel is $4.60 a gallon.  Just wait until we get to California.

It was a nice drive in the early morning hours as I passed through Parker.  There was very little traffic and my little truck just hummed right along.  

Until we got to Needles that is.  I know I had 40 gallons of fuel and about 15 gallons of water, along with all the other things I stuffed in the truck and rig.  We barely made 35 mph as we climbed up to the top.  I was leaning forward, hoping to help a little.  She didn't fail me though, and still never overheated.  That was a big surprise.  AND no check engine lights!!

The next stop in Barstow for more fuel was an ouchy one.  I thought Arizona fuel was high.  Barstow was $5.999 a gallon, which my truck is sucking down as fast as she can.

The next few hours were boring, but we kept on trucking.  Going up Tehachapi was a little slow due to the single lane.  The last huge rain washed all the dirt and sand off this hill and over the road.  It was closed completely for several days, but open when I went through.  They are still doing cleanup work.

Boy was I ever happy to see Orange Grove RV Park.  In one minute we were parked (really un-level) with both AC units running full blast.  It's only 95 degrees, but I'm not going to unhook the electricity to move over two feet.  We don't need level since I'm not putting the slide out and the fridge is on electric.  

Here we are back on the bed under the AC unit.  The heat didn't bother Cooper at all ... it was PLAY TIME.

Yes, that's my blanket in his mouth.  He hid his ball underneath, and now has to dig it out.  What a kid!!

Cooper and I split a chicken tender for dinner, and we relaxed in the too small chair while I played with my phone.  There's no TV with the slide in, can you believe it?  

We've been here an hour and the temperature is finally down to 84 degrees inside.  It's almost pleasant. I would take a nice cold shower, but it too is full of boxes.

This morning we'll take off early again on the last leg.  Dan will be about nine or ten hours behind me.  Just in time for me to hit up Panda Express for dinner.  You didn't think I was going to cook, did you?  

I'm looking forward to a nice long rest when I get home ... after unpacking the U-Haul truck ... and spending days unpacking the RV.  Maybe then the furniture placement will come into play.

The good news is there have been multiple showings of the house.  Surely more good news will be on the horizon.