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Plumber Wanted

I spent the last two afternoons tackling the water problem in the camper.

Yesterday I put on a new faucet. I actually had to saw the plastic threads on the cold water because I could not unscrew the water line from underneath. There was only half an inch to rotate the wrench. Not to mention my body from the waist up was contorted into the space under the sink. But I had no problem installing the new faucet.

Unfortunately, the old water pump still didn’t work. So today I removed the unused water pump from the 5th-wheel. Then I again wiggled my upper body into this little space, and out, and in, as I removed the old pump and installed the replacement. The pump works, the faucet works. Yea!

Not so quick. There’s a leak. I’ll tackle that tomorrow. Right now my back and shoulders hurt.

plumbing, RV 7 Comments

Lake Pleasant campout

Sunset Lake Pleasant Peoria Arizona
View from camper
Friday afternoon Berta and I took off with the camper to Lake Pleasant, located 30 miles north of Phoenix. Managed by the Maricopa county Parks and Recreation Department, this area offers diving, fishing, hiking, camping and boating opportunities.
Lake Pleasant Peoria AZ
Lake Pleasant, a small part
The lake was originally created in the 1920s with the building of the Waddel Dam on the Agua Fria River. In 1992 the construction of a larger dam tripled the size of the lake. Lake Pleasant is Arizona’s second largest lake with 50 miles of shoreline.
saguaro cactus Lake Pleasant hillside Peoria+AZ
Hillside above Lake Pleasant studded with Sagauro cactus
The lake is surrounded by Sonoran desert, the most complex of any desert type because of its diversity of species.
Globe Mallow Brittlebush Peoria Arizona
Globe Mallow and Brittlebush
Ocotillo Lake Pleasant Peoria Arizona
Ocotillo
Blooming Cactus lake Pleasant Peoria Arizona
Pincushion Cactus
This diversity is partly attributed to geologic history.
Barell Cactus Lake Pleasant Peoria Arizona
Barrel Cactus
This geologic area of Arizona is known as the Basin and Range. After spending billions of years mostly under ocean waters a massive uplift to the north and east caused the land to stretch and allowed volcanic intrusions to build several mountain ranges. Erosion filled valleys and today we only see the tips of the mountains.
Chalcedony Desert Roses rock Lake Pleasant Arizona
Chalcedony Desert Rose
Quartz is found in veins and pockets. Chalcedony is quartz that formed at or near the earth’s surface or in a pocket with no pressure creating the Desert Rose.
Berta gathering rocks saguaro cactus Lake Pleasant Peoria Arizona
P and Berta looking at rocks

Three wild Burros Lake Pleasant Peoria Arizona
Three wild burros
A heard of 280 burros roam the adjacent public lands. Left behind by prospectors in the 1860s, they don’t pay any attention to human made land boundaries. We had seen burro dung around camp and heard their echoing cry.

Had to leave Saturday afternoon to pick up a friend from the airport shuttle. But can’t wait for the next Lake Pleasant campout.

 

Arizona, Lake Pleasant, RV , , 10 Comments

Truck Camper

Ready to leave Yarnell
I left Monday and drove to Quartzsite where my friend Ron showed me the truck camper. Haggled very little with the owner and bought it for $450. Put the four corner jacks on with Ron’s assistance then took a break because the temperature was about 90 F and there was no shade.

Ron and new camper
Got an early start Tuesday morning and easily switched the camper onto my truck. Then started the refrigerator and moved my camping supplies in. The old out of date propane tank had to be switched for a current model.

Camper has all the amenities
Wednesday morning I was ready to hit the road. Put a little water in the camper’s tank but couldn’t get the pump to prime and have to buy a new faucet. Later. I just wanted to get out in the desert. Ron decided not to join me.

Even a bathroom, if you fit
I stopped in Brenda to visit Karen and Jim of FabGrandma plus show off the camper. Then because I lacked groceries on board went to the Cactus Café for an early dinner. I had just placed my order, when in walked Karen and Jim. So we extended our visit.

Kofa Mountains south from camp
When I left there at 4pm I wanted to find a nearby place to park for the night so drove out Vicksburg Road and found a nice camp about two miles beyond pavement on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) desert.

No people about, just me and the desert. The delightful soft sounds of wind and birds interrupted only once by the distant peal of a train whistle.

Sunset over the Plomosa Mountains
After sunset I built a very small fire.

Campfire fun
And after the fire burned out I watched the stars increase to fill the darkening sky. (Tried for a photo with no luck.) As Orion the great Greek hunter ambled towards the south Ursa Major, the Great Bear, slowly crept up behind from the north.

Sunrise over the Harcuvar Mountains
After a deep and restful sleep I reassessed the budget then rethought taking a journey farther from home.

Ocotillo
Instead, I hung out to absorb the desert morning.

LWF – Little White Flowers
Anybody know what these are? I really need a better desert guide.

Scalloped Phacelia
It was warm enough to wear a skirt and sleeveless top.

Snakeweed
Yet as the temperature rose, I followed the road home…

Highway 89 to Yarnell
…to a cooler elevation.

Home to unpack
I’m very happy with the new camper. The queen bed is comfortable. Fridge works and the tiny freezer made ice. Stove lit and the stove-top espresso pot bought at a thrift store works well. Bathroom is small but adequate. And once I get the water system working, I can even take a Hot shower. Can’t get much better than that!Until the next road trip.
Arizona, road trip, RV 24 Comments

Lijit

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