On the way to Skull Valley (see previous post) I stopped in Wickenburg to register the new wheeleastate and received a call from Tim. He’d just passed Quartzsite on the way to meet me when the transmission on his bus started to go out. So he headed back to Quartzsite BLM where friends were camped while I continued north.
Almost felt like Christmas, and not just because of colder temperatures. Thank you all for filling my Amazon wish list. I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Thankfully, the 5th-wheel kitchen was well stocked. Still a lot of fun wants but immediate needs were met.
Izzy, from the caravan, arrived the next day to help me sort, pack, and clean. I decided to sell the 5th-wheel as I no longer need two RVs.
So while Izzy scrubbed, I made piles: keep, trash, and sell or give away. There for a week and only made a small dent in it all. Not easy to move from 36 feet with three slides (300 sq ft), after 12 years of living, into 20 feet (100 sq ft). Back and forth, pile to pile, until the trash pile exceeded all others. $25 at the dump when I usually pay $2 for up to three bags.
With cooler temperatures approaching, we headed downhill to Congress for a couple nights.
Plus we set up roadside, along with others, and sold a bunch of stuff. Made enough to go out for a nice dinner at Nickels West.
Then we high-tailed back to the caravan camp near Quartzsite to attend a Halloween party at the Lit Cactus.
After a few days in camp and work on my new wheeleastate, we went back to Congress on the way to Skull Valley once again.
This time my intent was to prepare the 5th-wheel to roll. Driving three hours each way just didn’t make sense.
Of course my current rig won’t tow it. However a friend in Quartzsite could, and did. Bye-bye Skull Valley, it’s been nice. Life rolls on. Seemed it would be more convenient and easy to sell in a town full of RVers like Quartzsite.
But first I had to completely empty and clean it. Have I ever mentioned I hate housework?
I’m still operating on my phone with no laptop, however that’s another story.
So good to see you are making progress. I hope you are doing well!
Your new 20 footer seems like such a good choice. It will be more campable, while still being comfortable.
I am a sucker for cloud photos. I loved your photo of the mountain and clouds, with the words “with colder weather approaching…” underneath it.
Downsizing is tough! we’ve tried to ‘clean house’ a couple times, but since we do not plan to sell, we have room to keep ignoring it. I agree your new wheelestate seems perfect for a geogypsy.
It seems you are moving ahead with plans! I always feel more organized and happier after making big decisions, and i bet you do too. Keep moving ahead!!
You will be glad when the 5th wheel is sold then you only have one vehicle to think about and can travel at will. Also it will give you bank a boost I hope. Like your Halloween outfit. Halloween does not seem to happen here or certainly not in the smaller towns. Pumpkins are for eating!
We have a lot of room here so we seem to be collecting again!!! Also we are buying the next door barn that adjoins our house, The previous owner died and we do not want it to belong to another difficult neighbour!! More space to put things!!
Take care hugs from us both. Diane and Nigel.
This is great to hear-read Gaelyn. You’re working hard and enough at a time. I think of you often. Remember to acknowledge each step along your way. Whenever you come through here and like a breather; an eats in (but probably out) are on me.
Your fortitude is so admirable. I can’t imagine I would have such a good attitude had that catastrophe happened to me. But I really love your new rig and totally sympathize with how much you must hate cleaning out the 5th wheel to to sell it. Few things I hate more than cleaning.
Happy you’re making progress with unloading the 5er. Has to feel good to be moving forward unfettered. That’s a snug fit through that opening 🙂 Hope you make a quick sale in the Q. Wonderful that through all the tragedy you’ve found your tribe and all the support they provide.
Well, good to know your up and about moving on and posting. Puts an ease to my thoughts and concerns for your welfare.
May yet meet up with you next Fall,winter(2024) as my ‘subject to revision’ plan is to be in Arizona at that time starting at Burro Creek. Not sure about Quartzsite as it seems a bit hectic to me(passed through several times during the season from 1990-2021), but I do like meeting people so who knows?
Keep it out of the ditch… and keep on keeping on………………..