#41.......ATVs, Scans and a world gone mad

 Are we there yet????? 

What a few months we've had.  Of course we all know 2020 is a dumpster fire, but sometimes when there's fire ya just have to roast marshmallows lol.  So we did....

After spending virtually every day in the pool during the summer, we decided to join our friends on the annual Utah ATV adventure in Richfield, Utah.  We've been doing this trip for over 15 years.  This year felt a little different after the lockdown of early 2020.  It felt good to actually go somewhere.  And on top of that, during our time there Utah was a mask free state.  

So, we spent a couple of weeks in September getting the toy hauler ready to go.  That meant cleaning it.  Now I don't care how clean I left it after the last trip, or how closed up it was, we live in Arizona.  And that means dust finds it's way into the rolling home.  It did smell good, though, since I had placed cut up pieces of Irish Spring throughout.  I read somewhere that repels mice.  Not that I've seen any mice, but what the heck.  Couldn't hurt.  It is also convenient that our trailer is parked next to the house.

We have a 50 amp hookup so we were able to run the AC all summer to keep the temp reasonable inside.  Excessive heat can cause damage so we'd rather pay a bit more in utility bills.  I had also, in my infinite wisdom, filled the sinks in the two bathrooms and the kitchen with water to keep the humidity up.  I really need to stop reading helpful hints.  What I didn't do was check it any time after doing that...in March...

Apparently water evaporates over time.  Who knew?  (insert eye roll here).  Soooooo my cleaning took extra time to get the water lines and buildup off the sinks.  But I prevailed.  I gave the RV a good deep cleaning.  Floors, fans, walls, cabinets.  Notice I said I.  Not we...I.  It's ok.  He would have done it wrong anyway.  

We ordered new furniture for the RV, tossing out the original stuff (5 seat couch) and replacing it with a 3 place motion, massage unit.  I found two great little end tables with power, USB ports built in and a cabinet to store stuff.  I personally like it a lot better.  Makes the living area seem bigger.  It's not like anyone comes and sits in our trailer anyway.  We always sit outside or I go bug Kandi in her motorhome.

Two days to stock it with food (why I don't know..I'll explain later) and clothes.  It's time to have trailer clothes and home clothes.  I mean if I really need that shirt, I can always go get it out of the RV.  Would save a lot of time.

As far as the food, because of LJ's eating issues after his cancer treatment,  made sure there was plenty of stuff to make dinner.  He gets pretty darn hungry after riding all day.  What I did NOT factor in was going out to eat almost every day.  I also did NOT factor in that Wally World is a couple miles away if I need to buy something.  Of course the end result is.. I shop for a day.. stock the trailer another day.. take the food to Utah..Bring the food home from Utah.. and then unstock the trailer.  You would think after years of Rving I would realize this.  Apparently I am a very slow learner.

We decided to go a day early to Utah, so we got packed and got up at 4am on the 26th of September.  Everything went smoothly and we were on the road at 5.  We had already made the decision to drive all the way to Richfield in one day.  

8 hr 5 min (507.6 mi) via US-89 N and US-89

Only 8 hours.  Not a big deal, per LJ.  So we left on time and we were off on a much needed adventure.  

Now, we hadn't taken the RV out since February, so after a bit of driving, it's important to check the tire pressure.  Of course LJ has "tire minders" on the RV tires to warn him if they are too inflated or deflated and after a bit they were beeping like mad.  But then, they always do.  Personally I would toss them out the window, but that's me.  But, safety is important, so time to check them.  Lets get off the freeway (after about 40 minutes of driving) and check those puppies.  This exit looks good, let’s take it.  And we drive and drive.. no kidding, about 10 miles thanks to construction we didn't know was there.  Finally found a Target parking lot and LJ went to check the tires.  Of course, first he had to go into the RV and get the box with the special tool.   Where's the box.  Finally finds it.  You see, the tire thingies need to be removed to add or remove air from the tire.  Then, because it's LJ, he drops the tool.  Of course it rolls under the trailer.  He has to get it.  I'm trying not to laugh, but I do because that’s how relationships work.  I know he is totally pissed off by now.  Long story short he decides the tires are fine and we are off again.  Now to figure out how to go back the way we came, because remember there is construction.  We finally got back on the road with the whole detour taking about 45 minutes rather than the five he thought it would.  

The tire things are fine for about an hour then they start beeping again.  Time for a pee stop and he took a quick look.  Tires were fine.  Tire thingy monitor went into the console because we didn't want to listen to it any more 😂. 

The rest of the trip was relatively uneventful.  Stopped for lunch at McD.. of course the lobby was closed and they only did drive-up.  Kind of difficult to pull a 43 foot fifth wheel through there.  We were still in AZ and the restrictions, although for the most part lifted, were still being used in some places.  At least Taco Bell across the parking lot didn't care.  Back on the road and we arrived in Richfield about 3:30pm, Utah time.  So all in all it was about a ten hour day.  It was still daylight so no issue setting up.  But it had been a long day, so early dinner then off to bed.  After all.  Our friends would be there the next day.  Had to be rested!

My hat.. and yes they do

Rich and Kandi, Martha and Frank Showers got there on Sunday.  We were waiting on the RV patio that we seldom get to use.  Wanted to appear nonchalant, but we were really happy to see them.  Scooter went nuts when he saw the Kroppmobile.  He knew his buddy Niko was there.   The Wilhoit's, Hersch, Karin and Bafu, came on Monday. 

Me,Frank,Martha,Hersch,Karin,Rich,Kandi and LJ

We stayed in Utah for just under a month.  It was a fabulous trip. Lots of ATV riding, drinking, dinners out, fireside chats.  The last week, the Shower's and Wilhoit's had left, but the Guzman's and two other couples came to ride all the way from Texas!  It was a little mini reunion.  

Was it an exciting trip?  Why do you ask?  It was atv riding.  Of course it was exciting.  I don't do a lot of riding any more.  My back just can't take the jarring.  But it had been so long since I had done any Utah trails.  And with LJ, there's always excitement!

One of our first rides was over toward Koosharum, a tiny little town.  It was a nice ride. The Wilhoites, Kropp's and us in the Can Ams;  Frank on his dirt bike.  He's over 75 and still rides a dirt bike.  But he's a retired fireman, so as with all firemen, very fit and shows the cops what real men ride in their 70s, lol.  I love Frank.  Great guy and rides very well for any age.  

It was very pretty country with all the leaves changing.  In Koosharum is a great little hamburger place.  We stopped and had lunch.  Scooter was ever so polite, sitting next to me waiting patiently for a bit of my hamburger.  Ok.. roughly half of my hamburger, but he's a growing boy.  On the way back we saw lots of parasails.  The sky was lit up with folks jumping off the cliffs.  Quite a site. We were back by early afternoon.  It was a successful first ride. Of  course the next day the boys HAD to go to Jorgensen's (the local all things with a motor dealer) and buy stuff.  It's a rule.  One must not vary from the rule.  While there, they arranged for a trailer so we could all go to the San Rafael Swells.  The swells are about 80 miles away and require trailering the atvs.  No problem.  I was looking forward to the swells.  I absolutely love the landscape there.  So the plan was leave early the next day.

We were on the road by 8:30..gonna be a great day.  Perfect weather.  Clear skies, not too cool or hot.  Frank rode with the Kropp's who had their CanAm in the back of their truck.  We took the Wilhoit's, Bafu and the two CanAms on the trailer, along with Frank's bike in the truck.  We get to the swells, easily unloaded and off we go! It's a fairly nice ride, not too bad to start.  Rich has a plan.  He and LJ talked about it while perusing the maps the night before.  Oh look.  Lets go there!  That's on the map!  It's called Devil's Racetrack.  How bad can it be.  OMFG...if I never do that again it will be too soon.  What part of I don't do rough riding or rock climbing did you forget, Mr Kropp and Mr James?

Bouncy bouncy.  Roll to the left.  Roll to the right.  Close your eyes and pray.  My first words about five minutes into it was WTF LJ!  His response: “I don't remember it being this bad.  Should ease up in a bit.”  Lie number one.

As we are watching the Kropp's and The Wilhoits in front of us, I'm thinking just a matter of time before.. oh too late.  Hersch and Karin are on their side.  It was slow, so no injuries.  Kinda like Artie Johnson on Laugh in on the trike.  

Lj runs over and saves Bafu.  Winches are on all of our bikes for a reason, lol.  A little tug here and Hersch is upright with a door ding, but everyone is fine.  We make sure all is good and laugh a little, but continue on.  For about three feet.  At which point I tell LJ... nope.  I'm walking.  I get out.  Scooter stays in the back of the atv.  He is harnessed, in a cushioned crate and surrounded by a roll bar.  He's fine.  I got out so LJ could drive through the rocks without me wincing, whining, cringing, crying, gasping and saying oh F, I'm gonna die, a lot.  He needed to concentrate.  It was about ten feet later when LJ managed to put his CanAm on it's side (My side I might add).   Again, slow moving so no injury.  Scooter is safe in the back but has this "WTF mom.  I thought these things were supposed to be upright" look on his face.  "Get me out so I can go pee on stuff."  I take him out and we watch while Rich winches LJ upright.  Now Rich had managed to keep his on all four wheels through this challenging portion of the route.  Scooter was fine.  I was trying to figure out how far it was back to the truck and how long it would take me to walk it.  Yes.  I admit it.  I'm old and after the roll over in Yuma, not a fan of rocks.  Kandi was a true friend and, since Rich hadn't gone over, switched rides with me.  Not that I don’t trust LJ..I do...but he didn’t need me reminding him of the hazards of rock crawling, lol.   She chanced it with LJ while I rode with Rich.  Of course he told me if he rolled it, then it would be obvious I was the issue.😂😂

Rich said I sang to him while maneuvering the rocks.  I don't remember that but I believe I blocked out most of that ride.  Even with the drama it was still fun.  A story to tell.  How about Frank? you ask.  The dirt bike king had no issues.  Was a bit tiring for him, but he did fantastic.  All LJ and Rich would say is "it wasn't that bad years ago".😈  I'm thinking more along the line of "DEVIL's racetrack" wasn't a clue??????  Whatever...I need a drink.

I'm determined to ride and enjoy time with LJ.  So a day of rest and another ride.  The ride to Mantei.  We’ll trailer the bikes there.  "It'll be nothing like the last ride.  Nothing.  You'll love it."  

The first sign should have been when we were 1/3 of the way there and LJ remembers he left his maps at the RV.  So back we go to get them.  On the road once again, almost there, but LJ misses the turnoff to this ride's starting point.  We go all the way through town before we figure it out.  U-turn and we finally find the gigantic wood sign that says the trailhead and recreation area is that way. Not sure how he missed that on the way in, but I digress.  So we drive on a gravel road for awhile.  Is that it?  How about there?  There?  F it.  We are parking here.  And we do.  Now you might be thinking we say the F word a lot.  Atv ride with us and you will too 😀

The trails in Utah are numbered so we need #3.  We find it and off we go.  I won't drag out this ride story.  Just know that it was rough, confusing and there were places/hills we barely made it up and our dirt bike king couldn't get up.  (In Frank's defense, he was on a gutless rental bike since his new one he ordered hadn't been delivered to the dealer yet.)  

After Devils Racetrack, nobody was in the mood to have a similar adventure. So the decision was made to find our way back to the truck and call it a day.  Still saw some pretty country.  And we did ride for a few hours...mainly because we kept missing the turns, but still.  Back to camp...drinks and fire chatting.

I had put my poor old fat body through enough torture so I decided to sit out the next couple of  rides.  I chilled on the RV patio, watching old tv shows on the garage tv and working on my 1000 piece puzzle.

I offered Frank my seat in the CanAm if he wanted to take a break from the dirt bike.  He decided, why not.  It wasn't but a few hours into the ride when my phone starts beeping.  It's a picture sent to me from Kandi.  Awww.  She wants me to see what I'm missing.  Nope.  It's a picture of all the boys and a local cop standing in the middle of a road.  I know our bike is street legal so I'm wondering who got stopped.  Probably Hersch.  No reason.  Just figured it was Hersch.  

Everyone is smiling in the picture, so I'm thinking it's just a random thing.  Then she texts "everyone is ok".  OMG.  Are you serious?  The next picture was of OUR CanAm laying on the driver's side...on the side of the major roadway.  You guessed it.  In a freak accident, LJ was backing up so Frank could take pictures of everyone as they came out of the forest onto the roadway.  While backing ... at high speed (he's had cop driver's training, you know) he runs the tire up a sign post he didn't see.  Couldn't do it again if he tried.  It is now a running joke with LJ that owning a side by side doesn't mean you need to put it on this side...then that side and occasionally on the roof (Yuma).  Again, no injury but the atv had to go to the shop since it wasn't running right.  They had it fixed the next day.  Minor adjustments.  More campfire stories.  Our son thought it was hilarious when I sent him the pictures, so he sent his dad this 😂 😂

  

He managed to do several more rides without incident.  Amazing.  I did go on one more ride when the Guzman's were there.  This particular ride was so freakin' cold.  The only really cold day and I pick that one to go, lol.  We actually were driving in hard wind and literally through the clouds.  I had done this one before so I knew what the view was with out the big ol cloud.  It was  still fun but I probably should have taken a heavier coat.  Thank goodness for engine heat and doors.  Scooter was properly attired.  He has better sense than his mama.  

We spent one day shooting our ARs and hand guns at a local range.  That was fun.  Gotta get familiar with it .. for defense purposes, ya know.  Need to be proficient.

 

All in all It was a fabulous trip.  I finished the 1000 pc puzzle while enjoying my alone time.  LJ had a great time riding.  And we all enjoyed the company of friends.  Every night by the fire, solving the problems of the world, was relaxing.  Scooter decided Frank was his best buddy since he always brought treats.  Of course we have already booked next year!  I wonder what devil ride Rich will plan for that trip. 😛

Next planned get out the house trip, barring some new virus etc... Yuma/Quartzsite atv ride in February.  Think I’ll shop with Jean Ezell and rock paint with Martha, lol.  Probably a lot safer.  

On to other things...

SCAN:  An update on LJ's health.  He has had another full body scan.  This one, too, is negative!  He is looking good, eating well (what he can eat), and is my old LJ.  Docs insist he does frequent scans since he had three cancers, but they are loving what they see.  He could put on a few pounds but he's feeling great.  He would like to start traveling more, but with covid, we do take precautions and limit his contact with people.  I limit my contact with people, too.  Because.... people.

2020 :  I'm writing this the day after the election.  I admit I'm concerned where our country is headed, especially with healthcare, gun rights and freedom.  But, we voted, most likely lost (whole different story on that, but not going there) and now it is out of our hands.  No need to fret, lose sleep or worry.  Just need to pay attention, adjust accordingly and live the best life we can.  We moved to a red state when we moved to Nevada.  It turned blue.  We moved to a red state when we moved to AZ.  It appears to have turned blue.  Lj says he sees a pattern... says we probably shouldn't try to find somewhere to go or pretty soon we'll run out of red states!  Funny guy.

But again, life goes on.  I love our home, where we live and plan to stay.  But if things go to hell in a hand basket, all bets are off.  

Thanks for following our journey through retirement.  Til we leave the house again...

and remember....Our door is always open!