This week was our first long trip in the Gypsy Turtle - to Elephant Butte, NM. We attended an RV-Dreams rally for most of the week. Met a lot of wonderfully nice people, learned a lot about full-time RV-ing, and got to spend some quality time in our new home. Prior to this, we had spent a total of three nights in our rig so every day was a learning experience.
We hit the mountains outside Capitan, NM on Saturday. Our first chance to see how she would do in the mountains. She didn't disappoint us!
We spent Saturday night at Mama Bear's RV Park in Capitan. If you've never been to Capitan, it's a tiny place. We asked where the restaurants were. "Well, we only have one. It's right there." We asked where the grocery was. "Well, it's a block that way." So....even as strangers from out of town, we could find our way around! :)
All went well in the setup except...no hot water. Our hot water heater has four...yes FOUR...different switches on it. Some for propane. Some for electric. We tried every one of them. In every possible combination. In every order we could think of. Even went so far as to pull out the manual and try to follow the instructions. No luck. No hot water. Finally I said that's ok, I've taken a cold shower before. At least we HAVE water. And electricity. Life is good!
What I wasn't counting on was that cold water the next morning being from a cold mountain stream. Woohoo! Gave a whole new meaning to the phrase "brain freeze", let me tell ya!
When we came back from breakfast (at the one cafe...that was "right there"), our nice neighbor Vernon came over for a chat. Max told him of our water heater problems. Being the typical nice RV neighbor, he offered to take a look at it. Hit a switch. The thing fired right off. Really??!!
We made the rest of the drive to Elephant Butte that morning with no incident. Along the way we passed through the Valley of Fire outside Capitan. All lava rock. Interesting!
Arrived at the Elephant Butte Lake RV Resort right at 12:00. We had arranged with Howard and Linda of RV-Dreams to weigh our rig when we got there. They do weighing for the RV Safety and Education Foundation. They can weigh your truck and your rig, tire by tire. It's the best way to determine if you're within safe limits based on your truck and trailer specifications, and if you're balanced. Thankfully, we are both. Of some concern is that it doesn't sound like it's going to take too much more for us to hit our weight limits. Wait, wait--I've still got a lot of packin' in to do! This is going to get interesting...
Here we are, all set up and listening to the wind blow. Could be Lubbock...except no dust. Nice! Elephant Butte, in our opinion, doesn't have just a whole lot going for it. But the RV Resort is fabulous!
Monday was a free day for us before the rally started. We spent much of the day getting to know our new home and doing some maintenance things we haven't had a chance to do. Where we are parked in Lubbock at the storage place, we can't run all our slides out because the neighbor rigs are too close. Makes doing any kind of working on it or packing it up a bit difficult. That's ok. There's always a Plan B!
The rally started Tuesday afternoon with registration, and then a catered welcome dinner and icebreaker activities. Linda entertained us with a song. That lady can sing! One of their favorite songs -- "Free" by the Zac Brown Band. Love it! Yep--that's what this is all about.
The educational seminars started bright and early Wednesday morning. Howard and Linda's mission is sharing their experiences and their knowledge of this full-timing lifestyle with anyone who is interested. They lay it all out on their website www.rv-dreams.com, and they share it in their seminars. Topics included:
- Emotional aspects of leaving your family and friends for this new adventure on the road
- Financial considerations and budgeting
- Working on the road
- Selecting a "home base"
- Insurance
- Weight and tire safety
- Driving, parking, towing, hitching, unhitching
- Utilities, tanks, RV systems, safety, checklists
- Batteries, appliances, generators, axles, plumbing, propane systems
- Internet on the road
- Boondocking and solar
- Choosing campgrounds and RV parks
- And one of the funnest activites--RV walk-throughs. Those attendees who are willing open their homes for others to visit. It's a great way to see layouts, modifications that people have made, organization and packing, etc., etc., etc. Not to mention just a great social time!
By Saturday night our brains were full. And Howard and Linda were no doubt tired! So it was time to kick back and enjoy a night of good food and good times with new friends. Southwestern Mexican Fiesta, of course! Just a few of the great people we met--
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| Dan and Deb. Our neighbors behind us. Deb is taking her sewing machine on the road with her. No ifs, ands or buts about it! |
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| George and Lisa from Colorado Springs. Our neighbors across the street and a fabulous couple! |
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| Jeff and Shilo. Jeff is a policeman in Golden, CO. |
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| Mary Beth, retired teacher from the Houston area, running "solo" with her own Class A. Terrific lady! |
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| Harvey and Jayne Harvey is a policeman in Houston. |
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| James and Carol They had the fanciest Class A motorhome there-- the one everybody else oohed and aahed over! |
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| Shad and Tracie, also from Lubbock |
Of course our wonderful hosts - Howard and Linda...
And yours truly...
One of Howard and Linda's signature songs and the last song of the night -- "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts. Give it a listen. From Max and I to all of you, too.... :)
Sunday morning we pulled out early for the trip home. From Elephant Butte to Lubbock - about a 10-hour drive. Whew. We were worn out. Now we know why most of those full-timers put a limit of about 4 hours a day on driving. After about 4, you're done in. Max did great, though. Got us home safe and sound, even after having to make a stop at the Border Patrol station outside White Sands Missile Range. I hear these stops are pretty common around the border areas, but for us it was a first.
Officer - "Are you both US citizens?"
Max - "Yes, Sir."
Officer - "Anybody in the trailer?"
In his most serious tone and with his most honest face - "No, Sir."
Officer - "Okay, you can go."
Me - "Whew..."
Max - "Do you have a restroom we can use?"
:)
Stay tuned. The next two months are going to be busy!
