On Monday, I decided to face the plywood project, and went
to the hardware store for the necessary supplies. That same day, Becky stumbled onto a different
supplier for the new cooler on the Internet, one who could get it to us in only
three days. She cancelled the first
order and entered the order with the new distributor.
I started the plywood project on Tuesday, and immediately
remembered how tedious and time-consuming it is. It takes at least three coats of varnish on
both sides of the pads, with at least a day to cure between coats. What a pain.
I’m glad we’ll be here for a while.
I will need to spend a half-hour every day for at least a week to finish
the project.
Wednesday, when we walked the dogs to the RV park office to pick up our mail, we learned that the manager, Debbie, was a graduate of North Hollywood High, as were her parents and I. It seemed appropriate to sing the Alma Mater for her. (“From the valley’s purple mountains….”) She was amazed. Like most people, I am sure, high school songs were not high on her list of important memories. I couldn’t remember the Fight Song, but later brought it up on the Internet and remembered that it was sung to the tune of Stanford’s. (“Huskies are we, with high ideals and honor bright….”)
The new cooler arrived on Thursday, not long after Becky finished her second walk of the day with Kelsey and Ramsey. On that walk, she realized from the license plates in the RV park and the hotel parking lot that there were a lot of tourists here from a lot of different places. She started taking pictures of the plates. That day alone, she found plates from 35 different states. On Saturday, she found 9 more.
Finally on Thursday, the Cordova people arrived to finish
the repair of our air conditioner. They also
replaced our thermostat on which the clock had been acting up a bit, replaced
our water pump which seemed to be underperforming, and analyzed the deterioration
on the weather-stripping on our slideouts.
They are really good people. Wednesday, when we walked the dogs to the RV park office to pick up our mail, we learned that the manager, Debbie, was a graduate of North Hollywood High, as were her parents and I. It seemed appropriate to sing the Alma Mater for her. (“From the valley’s purple mountains….”) She was amazed. Like most people, I am sure, high school songs were not high on her list of important memories. I couldn’t remember the Fight Song, but later brought it up on the Internet and remembered that it was sung to the tune of Stanford’s. (“Huskies are we, with high ideals and honor bright….”)
The new cooler arrived on Thursday, not long after Becky finished her second walk of the day with Kelsey and Ramsey. On that walk, she realized from the license plates in the RV park and the hotel parking lot that there were a lot of tourists here from a lot of different places. She started taking pictures of the plates. That day alone, she found plates from 35 different states. On Saturday, she found 9 more.
But we later realized they had left their ladder, so their crowns slipped a little. I let their dispatcher know, and they sheepishly returned an hour later to pick it up. Their home base is in Kingman, two hours away, and they were able to turn around and not lose too much time. Later, we realized the new thermostat was lacking a very useful button, for the outside temperature, and we so informed the Cordova people. Wendy, the brains of the outfit, checked into it and determined that the manufacturer no longer builds that function into the thermostat. We asked her to bring back our old one. We can live with the clock malfunction if we can get the outside temperature function back.
Friday was my 76th birthday, and I spent it relaxing and doing further work on the plywood pads.
We had dinner at Rod’s Steak house in Williams. It has a mixed reputation. Some say it’s the best, and some say it’s the worst. It's been here since 1946, and one would think its reputation should be fixed. We decided to try it for ourselves. (We ate there many years ago and had no recollection of its merit.) Our waiter, Javier, was excellent and the food was delicious. (We both had filets.) So we give Rod’s two thumbs up.
On Saturday, Becky found 9 more new license plates. Saturday was also day for more of Breaking Bad. We finished the second season. During the marathon, our living room air conditioner tripped its circuit breaker three times, even though the outside temperature was only in the low 80s. I left a message for Wendy that the fix was not complete.
We also watched Black Nativity from the redbox. It starred Forest Whitaker, among others. Very different; very interesting.
On Sunday morning I finished the plywood project. The new pads definitely look better than the old ones.
Sunday afternoon we watched two redbox movies: Walk Of Shame and Cheap Thrills. Walk Of Shame, starring the adorable Elizabeth Banks, was supposed to be a comedy, but I found it more interesting than funny. I'm glad I saw it. Cheap Thrills was sick, creepy, and disgusting, but we couldn't stop watching it.
On my late walk with Ramsey, I came across an RVer who was preparing to leave. I thought that was odd. He explained that he was on his way to Bakersfield, crossing the Arizona and California deserts, and decided to avoid the intense 100+ degree daytime heat by driving at night. Apparently, he does this as a matter of course. It made perfect sense to me. We have driven our rig after dark only twice in our entire time as RVers, and it's frankly a little scary.
We went to Flagstaff on Monday, looking for a dog park. Ramsey is hurting from all the cinders around here that damage his paws. We went to the "Bark Park" at the huge Thorpe Park complex. The dogs almost got lost since their park is so big.
But it was a welcome change from what's available in Williams, and the dogs enjoyed all the freedom as well as the interaction with other dogs.
On the way home we heard from Wendy that Dometic said the problem with the air conditioner was in a part that could not be repaired or replaced and that we needed a whole new unit. She cleared the replacement with the service contract people and ordered the new A/C unit. We also stopped on the way home at an auto detail store (Inspector's Auto Appearance) to talk about getting a Clear Bra applied to the front of our rig. The idea was to see if it was feasible to apply one to avoid all the rock damage we recently had to have painted over.
The boss was not there but he called on Tuesday and we arranged for his people to come on Wednesday to apply the clear plastic film that is supposed to be magic.
Tuesday afternoon we actually had rain for the first time in weeks. Apparently, we will have rain on and off for the rest of the week.
Wednesday morning, the Clear Bra people arrived, and applied the product. I would say it looks pretty good but it's supposed to be invisible so I can't say that. There was a minor problem with it: When we had the front repainted the painter made sure to apply a pebbly look to the finish, to match the original. That made it impossible for the product to completely adhere to the paint in the hollow areas. The result is that there numerous tiny "vacant" spots making it look---to the unknowing eye---like they are chips in the paint. But, it's OK; it's still better than having actual chips.
Wednesday afternoon, we had lunch at Café 326 in Williams. We both had a chipotle-laced turkey sandwich. Mine was on a bagel, Becky's was a wrap. Both were delicious. That night, we watched Lone Survivor from the redbox. Terrific movie.
Wednesday night my flagpole broke from the wind that accompanied the rain and I had to rescue my American flag. Thursday morning I hit the hardware store early and repaired (and improved) the pole assembly. It's a lot stronger now.
Thursday morning the Cordova people returned with the new air conditioner for the living room.
They installed that and also gave us back the old thermostat---pending receipt of the new one that they bought on ebay. There's still some question whether the new one will have the outside temperature button.
Friday, the 4th, we barbecued brats and, with sauerkraut and baked beans, had a nice picnic at our site. We were going to go to the parade but it didn't start until 6:30 PM and we knew we'd be in bed by then.
Saturday, something on the news reminded me of the protocol that flags that stay out all night must be lighted. Both of mine stay out and neither is lighted, so, in my embarrassment, I dug into my parts inventory and set up a floodlight on each one---attached to the timer we used last year for our outside Christmas tree. So I won't have to remember to turn the lights on---or off.
In the late afternoon, we watched Repentance from the redbox. It was another Forest Whitaker opus. It was awful, but we stuck with it.
In the afternoon, we started to watch Enemy from the redbox. As bad as Repentance was, this one was worse. We gave up on it part way through. In a panic, Becky rented Robocop from the redbox. Major shoot-em-up. Lots of killing, but no blood. Actually a pretty good movie. Gary Oldman playing a good guy was a refreshing change.
Becky was developing a little cabin fever Sunday, so she headed to Flagstaff to do some shopping, etc. The dogs and I relaxed, as usual. She returned with some delicious food from Panda Express for dinner, along with White House Down from the redbox. It was very exciting. Even more firepower than Robocop. I've always liked Channing Tatum, and this was actually the first time I liked Jamie Foxx.
In the early evening, the thunder, lightning, and rain started again. (It's been happening all week.) Kelsey couldn't have cared less; Ramsey was spooked, as usual; Becky and I coped very well.
Thus ended the second part of our stay in Williams.
We also watched Black Nativity from the redbox. It starred Forest Whitaker, among others. Very different; very interesting.
On Sunday morning I finished the plywood project. The new pads definitely look better than the old ones.
Sunday afternoon we watched two redbox movies: Walk Of Shame and Cheap Thrills. Walk Of Shame, starring the adorable Elizabeth Banks, was supposed to be a comedy, but I found it more interesting than funny. I'm glad I saw it. Cheap Thrills was sick, creepy, and disgusting, but we couldn't stop watching it.
On my late walk with Ramsey, I came across an RVer who was preparing to leave. I thought that was odd. He explained that he was on his way to Bakersfield, crossing the Arizona and California deserts, and decided to avoid the intense 100+ degree daytime heat by driving at night. Apparently, he does this as a matter of course. It made perfect sense to me. We have driven our rig after dark only twice in our entire time as RVers, and it's frankly a little scary.
We went to Flagstaff on Monday, looking for a dog park. Ramsey is hurting from all the cinders around here that damage his paws. We went to the "Bark Park" at the huge Thorpe Park complex. The dogs almost got lost since their park is so big.
But it was a welcome change from what's available in Williams, and the dogs enjoyed all the freedom as well as the interaction with other dogs.
On the way home we heard from Wendy that Dometic said the problem with the air conditioner was in a part that could not be repaired or replaced and that we needed a whole new unit. She cleared the replacement with the service contract people and ordered the new A/C unit. We also stopped on the way home at an auto detail store (Inspector's Auto Appearance) to talk about getting a Clear Bra applied to the front of our rig. The idea was to see if it was feasible to apply one to avoid all the rock damage we recently had to have painted over.
The boss was not there but he called on Tuesday and we arranged for his people to come on Wednesday to apply the clear plastic film that is supposed to be magic.
Tuesday afternoon we actually had rain for the first time in weeks. Apparently, we will have rain on and off for the rest of the week.
Wednesday morning, the Clear Bra people arrived, and applied the product. I would say it looks pretty good but it's supposed to be invisible so I can't say that. There was a minor problem with it: When we had the front repainted the painter made sure to apply a pebbly look to the finish, to match the original. That made it impossible for the product to completely adhere to the paint in the hollow areas. The result is that there numerous tiny "vacant" spots making it look---to the unknowing eye---like they are chips in the paint. But, it's OK; it's still better than having actual chips.
Wednesday afternoon, we had lunch at Café 326 in Williams. We both had a chipotle-laced turkey sandwich. Mine was on a bagel, Becky's was a wrap. Both were delicious. That night, we watched Lone Survivor from the redbox. Terrific movie.
Wednesday night my flagpole broke from the wind that accompanied the rain and I had to rescue my American flag. Thursday morning I hit the hardware store early and repaired (and improved) the pole assembly. It's a lot stronger now.
Thursday morning the Cordova people returned with the new air conditioner for the living room.
Friday, the 4th, we barbecued brats and, with sauerkraut and baked beans, had a nice picnic at our site. We were going to go to the parade but it didn't start until 6:30 PM and we knew we'd be in bed by then.
Saturday, something on the news reminded me of the protocol that flags that stay out all night must be lighted. Both of mine stay out and neither is lighted, so, in my embarrassment, I dug into my parts inventory and set up a floodlight on each one---attached to the timer we used last year for our outside Christmas tree. So I won't have to remember to turn the lights on---or off.
In the late afternoon, we watched Repentance from the redbox. It was another Forest Whitaker opus. It was awful, but we stuck with it.
In the afternoon, we started to watch Enemy from the redbox. As bad as Repentance was, this one was worse. We gave up on it part way through. In a panic, Becky rented Robocop from the redbox. Major shoot-em-up. Lots of killing, but no blood. Actually a pretty good movie. Gary Oldman playing a good guy was a refreshing change.
Becky was developing a little cabin fever Sunday, so she headed to Flagstaff to do some shopping, etc. The dogs and I relaxed, as usual. She returned with some delicious food from Panda Express for dinner, along with White House Down from the redbox. It was very exciting. Even more firepower than Robocop. I've always liked Channing Tatum, and this was actually the first time I liked Jamie Foxx.
In the early evening, the thunder, lightning, and rain started again. (It's been happening all week.) Kelsey couldn't have cared less; Ramsey was spooked, as usual; Becky and I coped very well.
Thus ended the second part of our stay in Williams.
It's nice to know that you've gotten to the bottom of the air conditioning problems of your RV. ACs are really quite a help in houses, as well as RVs and what not. A bit of means with which we can get around the sting of the scorching weather, right?
ReplyDeleteTommy Hopkins @ AccuTemp
I'm so glad that you exerted effort and found time to fix your RV's aircon, despite your tight schedule. Well, it's really necessary, since it can really be tough having an aircon that is not functioning, especially during hot days. In any way, thanks for sharing that, Becky! All the best to you and Richard! :)
ReplyDeleteMelinda Rose @ Phoenix South HVAC
There are plenty of things to be excited about the coolers. From the versaltility to meeting every consumer’s need to the graceful designs, Codorva coolers is worth buying.
ReplyDelete