Northern Arizona
We decided to do a 30 day "shake-down" trip into southern Utah with our Polaris RZR, just for the fun of it.
There are a lot of long term campers here. We are at 6400 feet and the temperature is 70 degrees. It is and was a little windy. But OK. So far the fridge is at 35 degrees and the freezer is at 13 degrees.
We were gone almost two hours and did less then 10 miles. We were dirty and dusty but we had fun!! Here is another video:
Tomorrow is another day!!
Click here for a map of our "proposed" trip. We have no plans so anything can change!!
SUNDAY APRIL 22ND
We left Sunday morning around 10:30 am. Our first stop was the Pilot gas station near Flagstaff. After a $175 "heart attack", we left to go to Cinder Hills Off Highway Vehicle Area (just North of Flagstaff). This off road area is a great place to dry-camp (no utilities like electric, water, TV or sewer) and to play around with your ATV, UTV, Jeep or motor cycle.
Go here for more information: https://www.riderplanet-usa.com/atv/trails/info/arizona_09581/ride_4b82.htm
While we were here just enjoying the quiet, drinking coffee, (there was only one other camper within sight and us) we noticed our refrigerator was not cooling as well as it should. Monday morning we woke up to a 50 degree refrigerator temperature. NOT GOOD!! So we called our RV repair guy, Tim, https://www.yelp.com/biz/a-z-mobile-rv-service-chino-valley.
After some conversation we decided to drive the 100 miles back home and have Tim repair the fridge. Once we got home we learned the cooling coils had "died" and we only lost a little food. Nothing really important!
MONDAY MAY 7TH, 2018
In the last two weeks Tim and I have been diagnosing what could be wrong with the fridge. It will cool down just fine on the electric heating element, but not on gas. The gas or electric heating element heats the same tube of ammonia (RV fridges are sealed coil units using heated ammonia to cool the fridge). In very basic terms, a absorption RV refrigerator works
like this: It uses heat, and a combination of ammonia, hydrogen gas,
and water. These chemicals react and go through various tubes, and the
evaporation and condensation process of these chemicals are what cools
the refrigerator.
We have replaced the coils ($400) and the labor to replace them ($400) ALL UNDER WARRANTY!!! I have replaced the Thermistor (temperature controller $24) and today I replaced the gas burner ($30) at my cost. If this doesn't work then I don't know what is wrong. However, I am optimistically cautious that replacing the burner will work. I'll know after I let it run for several several hours. I contacted the fridge people via the on-line chat. They were no help. They said take it to a tech and call us back.
If this all works then we'll take off again for several days to continue shaking out the motor home. Hopefully all will be better so we can go on our June trip with confidence!!
FRIDAY MAY 11TH
The fridge is holding the temperature just fine on both gas (propane) and electric. Happy dance!!
We will now make plans to escape for a couple of days up to Flagstaff, Arizona.
SUNDAY MAY 13TH
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to every one!! This morning Nancy got a strange and over whelming urge NOT to go to Cinder Hills near Flagstaff, AZ. It is as if the Holy Spirit was guiding her. After she came to me and explained her feelings, we decided to go someplace else. The uneasy feeling immediately went away!!!
We changed our plans and went to Munds Park RV Resort on I-17. Which makes us 20 miles South of Flagstaff and 86 miles from home.
We took the Polaris RZR out for a quick spin into the Coconino National Forest. We were not gone for very long, but here is a 30 second video of the forest. Tomorrow we'll do better.
MONDAY May 14th
We did not have a great night, thanks to Tiger. He was scared of the little space heater. He had to go potty and the "mean ol heater was in his way". It wasn't, but to him it was. Once we got up and turned off the space heater, then he could "do his business". Then he slept in bed with us the rest of the night. What a diva!!!
After lunch we took another ride on the RZR out into the Coconino Forest. Do we look like an old married couple or what?
Tuesday May 15th
Another lazy day, today. We did a whole "lotta nothin", but did go for another ride in the afternoon. This time we drove through town and then into the forest toward Morman Lake. We took forest road 240. It is a well traveled gravel road which shows the wonder and beauty of the forest. We saw many fellow ATV riders.
After dinner we played Domino's for several hours. David will be going home with no pants!!
WEDNESDAY MAY 16TH
This morning we will leave and be home in the afternoon. On the way south we will stop at Schnebly Hill Rd. If we can find a parking spot for Lily, we will unload the ATV and ride the 5.5 miles to the Schnebly Hill Vista Overlook. We are told it has beautiful views of Sedona and the Red Mountain. Here is a panoramic view from the overlook area:
The view is absolutely breathtaking. We will be back.
The rest of the drive home was uneventful. Slightly windy but do-able.
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