As much as I love my job, I always look forward to the winter of no working. Yet this year has taken almost a month to park the RV.
My last day of work at the North Rim was October 17th, the 19th I hooked up to my 5th-wheel and headed off the rim, northward this year instead of south to Yarnell. Did have to have a tire changed along the way.
Initially I parked the 5er at the Country Rose RV Park in Fredonia yet that was mostly for storage purposes while waiting for a Nov 4th appointment with Camping World in St George. I bumped a fence pulling in and pulled an awning bracket out. I was so mad at myself. After over 20 years of RVing it’s the first thing I’ve ever hit.
Bill graciously offered me a place to stay. So I moved the food out of the refrigerator/freezer as I wouldn’t have it plugged in. I moved some clothes. I moved my PC. Seems we made several trips for things I Needed. I’m sure he must have wondered if I’d moved in permanently.
Took the RV to Camping World a day early due to possible wind and rainy weather. They said it could be a couple of weeks, or more. But now I had my truck. And my truck-camper is parked at Bills. Of course it won’t be put back on the truck until after the 5th-wheel is returned.
It’s getting, to me, cold in southern Utah. You know I don’t like cold. Sunday I started to feel sick, bad coughing of nasty stuff which has held on since. No hiking or playing.
Yet I’m happy to say, it only cost $180 to find out I didn’t have to spend at least $1200 on replacing the rubber seals on the slide-outs. And the awning has been reattached. So November 13th I hauled the 5er back to Fredonia. When I pulled in there were three huge semi-trucks parked around where I should park. (Yes that tiny gravel pad is suppose to be 40’ long. My RV is 36′.) Great! Lovely noisy things. As most of you know I usually live in very quiet places. So I parked out of the way and with truck still attached left it for the night.
Decisions, decisions. Did I want to live in a tiny RV Park, that can be a mud hole, overlooking a huge field, with semis coming and going for a reasonable $300/mo rent, OR move to Crazy Horse RV Park in Kanab, Utah just at the edge of town and look over the cemetery for $435/mo? OR, simply put the 5er in storage, move into the truck-camper and head south to Mexico where I could live cheaper, probably warmer and maybe even on the beach. Maybe I’m just kidding about this one but does sound tempting.
Slides in = tight livin’
Ultimately, I chose Crazy Horse, at least I paid one month’s rent. But when I pulled around to my 50amp site it was full. “Oops”, says the manager. “This guy is leaving in one or two days.” So I parked at the 30 amp site next to the motorhome, backwards—which means all utilities have to run under the 5er and are just outside the door. Leveled side-to-side but not front to back unless I unhooked from the truck, which I wasn’t about to do.
Bill helped me move some of my stuff from his house to mine. Sasha suspected something was up. With me coughing and hacking for almost a week I know neither of them have been getting a good night’s sleep. Plus, I miss my house.
Quiet neighbors
Sunday morning the motorhome left so I actually got set up in my ‘permanent’ site, #71. It’s pretty level, only one board on one side. And for the first time since I’ve owned this 5er the utilities are on the right side. I do have a habit of going into spaces “backwards” so my Imax windows get the best view. Here it’s the cemetery and Vermilion Cliffs beyond. There’s grass, trees, a picnic table, fire ring and BBQ. High styling. And being only one block off the main drag of SR89 it was quiet. Plus my neighbor is Cindy, mother to Dan the silversmith who lives here too.
Just in time as a storm is approaching and there may be, dare I even type it, snow.
Ah, Home Sweet Home! Now time to heal and then go play. Anybody got severe cold weather gear? 
Get better soon nothing worse than feeling lousy with a cold and a cough. Thanks for the info, I have forwarded it to N so now I have to wait and see! Will let you know what he should decide as soon as I know. Problem with making plans so far in advance is worrying about FIL in the UK. Take it easy Diane
I’m staying inside where it’s warm and trying to heal. Hope this happens.
Goodness, such complications! Glad the fixes were fairly inexpensive but the bug sounds NG. Snow?? Not me. The Mexico thing sounds more enticing. Baja maybe??
Thank goodness that part’s past. Now if I could rid of this crud. With a light snow today, Mexico is looking much more enticing.
Not a bad view, but SNOW! Would really enjoy reading about your adventures in Mexico. 🙂
It is a nice view but obliterated by light snow today. Most of my Mexico adventures happened long before there was blogging. My ex and I spent 7 months in a cabover camper traveling through central and eastern Mexico. Delightful.
Good news on the RV repairs. We don’t like cold, either, so can relate to how you feel. It’s not the North Rim, but you have a very pleasant view there!
Very happy I didn’t have to spend that much money. Camping World is a rip off at $129/hr labor. It is a nice view and relatively quiet. Now if it was just warmer.
A very rocky start for you, but glad you’re finally settled in. We stayed at that park in Kanab many years ago and enjoyed lots of hikes in the cliffs out the back. I’m thinking it’s going to get very chilly very soon though. Sure you don’t want to move to Mexico? Hope your illness passes soon too. I hate being ill.
Nina
Once I start feeling better I’m looking forward to exploring my rocky backyard. Not only chilly right now, but there’s a light snow in the air today. Mexico is sounding better all the time.
Gaelyn,
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your trailer travel travails. You have more drive and patience than I every would have in a similar situation. Glad you have found a safe “harbor” for the rig. Do you know why I have to confirm that I am a human in order to submit what I write? Is there fear that maybe a horned lizard is on the keys?
Thanks George. I was about at the end of my RV rope. Confirming your human is suppose to stop spammers. And horned lizards. 🙂
I vote for beachside Mexico!
When do we leave?
Both Dan and I were happy to see You and Bill again and able say ” Welcome Neighbor” with a big Hug. 🙂 You’ve been through a lot since leaving the Rim….
with Bill as a Tour guide..for play times and Companion through the rough times. As You say ” Now it’s time to heal” . Enjoy the Peace and Quite ..the Sunny days..beautiful sunsets here in Kanab ….where it may snow once or twice a yr but doesn’t last..and cozy warm nights in Your ” Home Sweet Home” here at Crazy Horse. As for severe cold weather gear…our thrift store…has lots of them and at great prices…and for a good cup of coffee I’m right next door 🙂
Thanks to both you and Dan for being such a wonderful welcome committee. I may be looking for snow pants at the thrift store. 😉 Invite goes both ways.
Oh the trials and tribulations of rving. However, if you don’t like your neighbors you can go. I have t stay.
Maintenance has to be done on all houses. Unfortunately, with a RV you can’t always live in it while repairs happen.
Pineapple juice for the cough, make ginger tea for the yuckiness!
Sorry to hear you are not feeling well but curious about you headed north instead of Yarnell ! Needed a change of scenery ???
Hope you feel better soon!
Thanks for those suggestions. I am in a relationship with a man who lives in Kanab.
I am continuously in awe of your ability to drive – let alone park – your 5er! Cozy up and get well soon.
Driving is easy, now backing up is not my thing. Thank goodness for pull-through sites. Staying indoors.
I think we stayed in that Crazy Horse Park for a couple nights back in 08 when passing through the Kanab area. It was from there we took a drive down to the North Rim. Think it was in November. Know what you mean by wanting to be warm. That’s always a priority for us too as well as quiet places. I think your near the place where the ‘Gunsmoke’ TV series was filmed years ago. All the best with that coughing stuff what ya got. It’s never a nice or good thing to have…………….
Only 1 1/2 hrs away from the North Rim which closes the end of the month. With the snow they’ve gotten not sure I’ll make it back before then. A lot of westerns were filmed around Kanab. Right now, just staying inside and trying to stay warm. Enjoy that desert.
I hear you about the cold! It’s hard to believe that my ancestors were Vikings! I get cold if it is below 80 degrees! At least you are now settled. Phew! If you can find Manuka honey at a health food store, I use it when I get bronchitis. That and hot tea with lemon juice…The stuff isn’t cheap, but when I’m sick, that’s what I use in my tea.
Below 80 is cold. 😉 I’ve been drinking lemon honey tea. Getting better, but still coughing. Over a week is too long to be sick.
Well, I hope you’re shaking that cold. I have been well so far this year. Is it the Prevenar shots or my flu shot, or just being more careful, I don’t know. I don’t like the cold either, no way.
Love the shot of you waving.
More like shaking with cold. And wondering if I’ll ever be warm this winter.
You will certainly appreciate being settled even if it is chilly outside after that uncertain start. Good thing you had Bill’s hospitality to get you through most of it! Mexico does sound exciting and with the truck camper you can really go anywhere you want once you’re all better.
I am very grateful for Bill’s hospitality, and to be parked for a while. Soon the truck camper will be ready to roll, somewhere.
Goodness gracious, what an experience, Gaelyn! I bow in your general direction – driving such as that would give me nightmares. Sorry you were sick in the process. I’m feeling a little something coming on myself. Ick!
Thanks Debi but just doing what I had to do. Still sick and starting to feel better. I hope you don’t get this crud. Take care of yourself.
I was scratching my head, trying to figure out why the 5’er was in Kanab and not Fredonia, when I realized I had missed a post! So glad you moved, as you didn’t sound very excited about that place before you spent time there, and even less afterward! Hope you are feeling better and better every day. Still here on the “Windy Mesa,” but looking forward to spending my last couple of days in a warming trend. Hope to see you further south this winter!
Although a little more expensive this place is a much better choice. Now to figure out why my water heater isn’t working. It’s always something. Otherwise, am starting to feel almost human again. It is nice to see sunshine. I’m still hoping to travel this winter in the truck camper. Of course first I have to get it back on the truck. Enjoy!
Mine quit working this time last year when I was at McDowell with Jim and Gayle. It wouldn’t work on electric or propane. Jim just opened up the door, unplugged some wires on the HWH panel, plugged them back in, and it started working again. May as well give it a try, right??
I just tried turning it to electric, which I didn’t even know was an option until yesterday. Duh. Will keep in mind the wires. Thanks.