Sunday, April 9, 2017
We have now been in Albuquerque
for a week. Left Tucson on Friday, March 31, but did not get
very far. We knew when we left that the
winds were blowing in southern NM but decided we would try to make Deming (Plan
A) if we could. Just as we got to
Benson, AZ (40 miles southeast of Tucson), we received a call from the
campground in Deming telling us the road was closed from the Arizona border to
Lordsburg, NM due to high winds and blowing dirt causing zero visibility. This is a
common occurrence on I-10 in the spring in southern New Mexico . So Plan B was to stop at the
Escapee Coop Campground in Benson for the night or two until it was safe to
drive on.
Saturday morning the road was clear and we proceeded to
Deming for the night or so we thought.
Just as we set up in our space, the low air pressure alarm went off in
the RV. Ron checked around outside the
RV to see what might be causing the problem and determined we needed to contact
Roadside Assistance stating we had a mechanical problem with the air brake
system. Since it was Saturday afternoon and
the next day was Sunday and any part that might be needed to fix the situation
would not be available, it was suggested we stay put and the mechanic would
come on Monday morning. So much for a
two day trip to Albuquerque
that would now be four days. We sat
tight for Saturday night and Sunday (Plan C and D) enjoying just relaxing in the New Mexico sunshine
watching other RV’s come and go from the campground.
Monday morning our mechanic arrived, assessed the situation,
made a small adjustment in the valve that was stuck, tried to find a new valve
in town, showed Ron how to make the adjustment if an adjustment was needed
along the way and off we set to Albuquerque ,
240 miles east and north. Everything
went well until we again got set up in Albuquerque . Oh, well.
We are in town and parts and service people are available. Ron purchased the new value on Tuesday for a
small price and will be putting it on himself saving us some big bucks.
We finally decided yesterday that the reason we have both
been so sleepy is that we are not used to the higher altitude (over 5,000 feet)
since we have been gone for six months.
I also developed another viral infection and have not been up to par so we
have laid low before we start our doctor appointments next week and get
together with our local friends and family.
It's nice to be back at our home base before taking off for the summer to the northwest.
