Four Years Ago

Above, The Beast at the Seligman, Arizona KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today marks four years since I ended my residency in California.

I spent the night before in Victorville since I got a late start in getting on the road as the Mustang was getting the clutch replaced. Ben Hur Moving & Storage were done before the Mustang was.

Above, the day after arriving in Jamestown. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Four years ago today, I drove into Arizona and made it as far as Seligman when fatigue set in from the move. I stayed the night at the Seligman KOA Kampground. It was a nice place for an overnight stay. 

I got a good night's rest at the KOA and headed off the next morning refreshed. I made it to Jamestown, New Mexico in the afternoon. Since my belongings were still in California with the movers, I lived in the motorhome for 12 days until my belongings were delivered. It was a good thing I had it.

Above, after the Mustang was delivered. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Mustang was delivered about five days after my arrival. Having it made things easier, like going shopping in Gallup.

During the time my cat Sierra and I were living in the motorhome, we had some snow storms come through. But we were comfortable and had the RV electric power cord plugged in the garage. 

Above, a snowstorm hit on February 10, the night before the movers arrived. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It had snowed the morning of when the movers delivered my belongings. But that didn't cause any problems. 

Above, the movers arrived on February 11. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The move was definitely an interesting adventure. It is hard to believe it has been four years. My friend Larry says that I am now an old-timer here.

Above, in the RV, Sierra was wondering what that white stuff was. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Do I regret moving out of California? Not one bit!

Two Years Ago

Above, the Mustang and The Beast on February 7, 2018. I was still living in the motorhome at the time. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was two years ago today that I arrived in Jamestown, New Mexico as a permanent resident.

The drive took me two days from Tarzana, California as I got a late start in leaving. I spent the first night at the Shady Oasis Campground in Victorville. The second night was spent at the Seligman (Arizona) KOA. From there I drove to Jamestown.

As my furniture and other personal property wouldn't be delivered for another 10 days, Sierra and I spent those days in The Beast. At least I had power from an outlet in the garage. A few days after my arrival, the Mustang was delivered. It was good to have the car there so I could save on gasoline when I drove into Gallup for groceries.

It snowed on occasion while Sierra and I were living the motorhome. It was an interesting experience. Having the RV came in handy.

The day the movers brought my stuff, it had snowed the night before. At least I was comfortable with my ceramic heater (to save propane).

It's hard to believe that two years flew by so quickly.

2019 Renewals Done: Good Sam and KOA

Above, The Beast at the Cedar City KOA in Utah. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since we're in a new year and a couple of memberships will be expiring in March, I figured that I would renew both today.

I renewed my Good Sam Club and KOA Kampgrounds Value Kard memberships.

I make good use of the Good Sam Club card by using it for a five cent per gallon of gasoline discount at the the Flying J. I also use it for campgrounds and RV parks that are Good Sam campgrounds for camping fee discounts. I use it at the Route 66 Casino RV Resort near Albuquerque when I go there. It's only $29/year.

Above, The Beast at the Route 66 Casino RV Resport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The KOA Value Kard also provides tradiscounts in camping fees at KOA Kampgrounds. When used, the Value Kard racks up bonus points that can be used for discounted (or even free) camping. This comes in hand if one is short on cash while on a trip.  Last year, I renewed it at the Seligman (Arizona) Route 66 KOA while traveling to New Mexico during my move. It's only $30/year.

Both memberships can be joined or renewed online.

For the KOA Value Kard, go here.

For the Good Sam Club, go here.

One Year Ago

Above, The Beast at Shady Oasis Campground in Victorville. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One year ago tomorrow, I moved out of Tarzana, California. I decided I've had enough of California with all its congestion, taxes, high gas prices and wacko liberals.

I was in no hurry that day since the move took a bit longer than expected. So my cat Sierra and I headed out around 3:00 and stopped in Victorville at the Shady Oasis Campground for a overnight rest before pushing on the next morning.

The next morning, I reached Interstate 40 in Barstow and headed east.

Above, The Beast at the Seligman KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The next day, we reached Seligman, Arizona (home of the Roadkill Cafe) and stayed the second night at the KOA Kampground.

Above, the Ben Hur moving truck. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We finally reached Jamestown, New Mexico the following day. Thankfully, I already arranged for utilities for the house, so I had water and electric available for The Beast. The movers didn't deliver my stuff for another 12 days, but that was okay, since Sierra and I were comfortable in The Beast (even with occasional snow storms). My Mustang was delivered a week or so later.

Above, a few hours after arriving in Jamestown on February 2. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I have no regrets about leaving California and have been enjoying life in Jamestown. I know more people here than I did in Tarzana.

Albuquerque Tomorrow

Above, The Beast at the Seligman Route 66 KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tomorrow will be the first little overnight trek away from home since moving to New Mexico.

I will be heading to Albuquerque to take care of a couple of things that I can't do in Gallup. I will be staying in The Beast and already have a reservation at a RV resort.

Since it is only for one night, Sierra will be at home house sitting.

This will give me a good opportunity to empty the holding tanks in preparation for next month's clampout in Arizona with the Lost Dutchman Chapter.

Seligman/Route 66 KOA

Above, The Beast at the Seligman/Route 66 KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While en route to my new home in New Mexico, I spent the second night of traveling in Arizona at the Seligman/Route 66 KOA.

Jess and I stopped in Seligman last November for breakfast after leaving Grand Canyon National Park at the Roadkill Cafe, so I was familiar with the town.

It was an easy check-in as I am a Value Kard member of KOA Kampgrounds and already in their system. The staff were nice and friendly.

After checking in, I proceeded to my campsite and plugged everything in. I used the sewer to empty the holding tanks and fired up the barbecue to cook hot dogs.

Campers were advised that it would be a freezing night and I flipped on the holding tank heater switch before going to bed.

The full hook-up site charge (after discounts) was $39.50 for the night. While there, I renewed my KOA Value Kard ($30.00) for the year. It was due to expire in March.

It was a nice campground with level sites, although a little on the narrow side. It is a good campground to overnight at.

First Full Day

Above, the morning after at the Shady Oasis Campground in Victorville. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday was moving day and I am no longer a California resident.

Above, the movers after arriving. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I was hoping to leave in the early afternoon yesterday, but the movers didn't finish loading the truck until around 2:00 and I had to get a new clutch for the Mustang. That wasn't finished until 4:30.

So, due to the above, I got on the road around 5:30. Naturally, that put me in the midst of the evening rush hour.

Above, at this point, the movers were almost done loading. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I decided that I would spend the night in Victorville at the Shady Oasis Campground. It used to be a KOA. I pulled in around 9:00 and self-registered.

Today, I got up and back on the road at about 6:30 in the morning. I decided to have a Tommy's breakfast sandwich for my last California meal in Barstow. After that and taking care of some banking chores in Barstow, I got on Interstate 40 for the trip into Arizona.

Once I reached Arizona, I needed to fill The Beast's gas tank. About 9 miles from the border, there's a Pilot travel center (part of the Flying J) and I filled up there. With my Good Sam discount, I saved an additional five cents per gallon. Arizona's gasoline prices are a dollar less than California's, so, technically, I saved $1.05 per gallon!

Above, my Arizona first stop was to get gas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I was wondering how long I would last driving after all the moving work of yesterday. As it turns out, I started getting tired just before reaching Seligman, Arizona (home of the Roadkill Cafe). I knew there's a KOA Kampground in Seligman, so I decided to camp there for the night.

The Seligman Route 66 KOA Kampground is a nice place for an overnight stop. It is expected to be freezing tonight, but I am prepared.

Above, The Beast at the Seligman Route 66 KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I am going to try to get out as early as I can so I can reach Jamestown in daylight. If not, maybe I'll just pull in early Saturday morning.