Back in the desert
Indio, California: Hello from the land of
sun! I nearly cried happy tears this morning when I woke to brilliant, warm
sun - without a cloud in the sky. There wasn't even the usual desert
gale force wind breeze! We hit the highway, stopping only once -
for fuel - $295, but we are getting around 7 miles per gallon. Woo Hoo!
I used to think we had huge tires on our RV... but the dude filling up next
to us was hauling a load of tires to Mexico for a tractor used at a mine.
Look at the size of these tires!
Gotta love NAFTA!
It was less than a two-hour drive (on freeways) to our next
stop:
Signature Resorts Motorcoach Country Club in Indio, California (Palm
Springs area). Long-time readers will recall we stay here often. We like it
here. The "campground" is near our friend's house in La Quinta, and is close
to about a zillion golf courses and a gazillion restaurants. It was 82
degrees when we checked-in!
Our site looks out over the water and has a nice lawn and a private boat
dock (alas, no boat). Electric-powered boats are allowed on the waterway
that runs through the property. It is very pretty, quiet and relaxing here.
There are several swimming pools, spas, a health club, tennis courts, golf
course, laundry facilities and a full service restaurant and bar. What more
could a camper need? Sites are owned and if the owner is away, they may be
rented by the night, week or month. The MCCC is restricted to Class-A
motorhomes only, with size and age (coach, not owner) restrictions.
Our situation in Indio, site #82
Our view
But,
it wasn't "okay, now we are on vacation" mode once we arrived to the
Motorcoach Country Club. When we reached our assigned site - #111 - it was
already occupied. Our guide (actually a sales rep) called up to the office
and they moved us to #82. Oh, you all know how much I dislike
unorganization!
We are having two troubles with our coach. First, the left turn signal
blinks on the exterior, but it does not flash/blink on the dashboard. Plus,
it is supposed to beep... which I find annoying, but it doesn't beep just
the same. We may attempt this repair, or we may leave it for the experts.
The other problem is our water pressure: we have very little. We tested the
pressure coming into the bus from the city bib and it is strong. But as soon
as the water from the city hits our on-board pressure regulator, it slows to
a trickle. Our regulator claims to be set at 50psi. We opened it wider with
no results. If we use our water pump, we have great water pressure. I think
the pressure regulator is mashuga, installed backwards, or is plugged up
with something. I want a new one.
Our next adventure in home/bus ownership came when a plastic folder fell
behind a drawer. We worked on the latches to remove the drawer, but couldn't
figure that one out at all... but in a RV there is an access panel to
EVERYTHING, so DT had to remove the four screws to gain access to the
space behind the drawers (fuses for living/dining area lighting) and the
file was retrieved. While he was "inside", he read the labels on every fuse
back there and I made notes and pasted a label on the outside of the panel
door.
Then, while putting everything back in place, the chair seat came off my
desk chair. DT and his screwdriver to the rescue. Ah, the RV life... it's
always something.
We needed a relaxing evening, so headed out to the
Beer Hunter
to watch college hoops - our Ducks at Utah. I hope they have hunted down
some beer, because we are ready.
Added later: Ducks lost. Perfect.
Until my next update, I remain, your up-beat correspondent.
RV Park:
The
Motorcoach Country Club