MAKING A MAJOR DECISION…

Regarding my truck camper blogs – MAP’s Camper Adventures – it has always been my method to draft my blogs first on Word documents before pasting them onto my blogsites. For the record, Blog #1 was written in June 2006 under a different blogsite that eventually shut down prior to 2011. This piece, finalized on August 16, 2025, is Blog #113.

Having decided months ago to embark on an eight-week trip to Utah, leaving my Palm Springs home on August 9^th, I started researching the entire state, planning my driving routes and making campground reservations at a potpourri of private RV Parks, KOAs, state parks, county parks, one national park, and several Harvest Hosts locations. That research, and my propensity for paperwork detail, took a significant amount of time and brainwork. And then came the requisite attention to my truck and camper – getting them serviced, repaired where needed, and prepared for this long trip.

As I’ve usually pre-arranged over the years with David Yavelak, my “camper guy” at Galaxy Campers in Ontario, CA, I arrived there on the morning of Saturday, August 9^th for him and Steven, his son, to load my camper onto my truck. I then returned home to finish loading the camper with more stuff and lock down my condo. Very conscious about the mistake that I made last year, parking on my sloped driveway, which caused the camper’s fridge to stop cooling (activating the “no co” code on the monitor), I parked on the road this time for the one hour I needed to get ready to go. “The RV must always be level” is the RV rule of thumb.

SATURDAY 9th: Day One –

Not long after I started driving on I-10 E, I felt a jerking/shaking motion from my truck. It was brief but that didn’t stop my heart from skipping a beat. The sensation occurred a second time, again brief but still worrisome. “What the heck was that all about?” I asked nobody in particular.

By the time I got my camper set up at my site at the River Sands RV Resort in Ehrenberg, AZ, I was hot, tired, and irritated. The camper’s AC worked just fine – thank goodness for that – and as soon as I felt a tad better, I made up the bed and started putting things away. And then, glancing at the fridge, I just stared at the monitor in disbelief. The “no co” code was flashing merrily away! That was a real puzzle because David had activated the fridge for me two days before I picked it up and I was presently parked on a level spot. On the plus side, I did not purchase perishable food items in advance of my departure and I had sufficient ice in my cooler for just a few items. Still, the realization that TWO issues of concern happened on DAY ONE was disheartening.

I turned the fridge off to stop that annoying flashing and also, since I had no use for it, I shut off the propane tanks as well. When I eventually went to bed I did so with a lot on my mind.

SUNDAY 10th –

Since I didn’t have to check out of the RV Park until 11:00 a.m., I did a bit more organizing inside the camper. Not with a whole lot of enthusiasm, that’s for sure, given the truck and the fridge. I turned the fridge back on this morning to see how it would fare today. It was still “on” by the time I headed out to my next destination.

The 75-mile drive via I-10 E and Rt. 95 N to the Cattail Cove State Park, located on the Colorado River between Parker and Lake Havasu City, AZ, went fine. Unfortunately…

* Number One, the fridge quit working again and since I sorta anticipated that might happen, I bought a bag of ice from the Visitors Center for the cooler. Being another hot day today, and with the Colorado River just yards from my campsite, I put on my swim suit and went for a dip in the river. Refreshingly cool it was!

* Number Two, I had no mobile access and could not text Evelyn and Bill, my younger sibs, that I had arrived at the state park safely. Since they were aware of my truck/camper issues, I knew they were likely to worry about the lack of contact from me. (They were!)

* Number Three, returning to the camper from my dip in the river, I made a misstep when I later stepped back outside, lost my balance and fell on my butt. Sitting at the dinette table for the remainder of the evening and nursing my bruised right foot, I started laughing. After all these years traveling everywhere in the truck camper, I’d long wondered when and what my first physical mishap would be!

Sitting there that evening, foot raised a little bit and imbibing my customary Rum and Diet Coke, I watched the sun fade through the dinette windows. The truck, the fridge, my foot, my goodness! The title of this, my blogsite, I now dub thee MAP’s Camper Misadventures!

MONDAY 11th –

I left the state park around 7:00 a.m. and as soon as I was within mobile range I sent to Ev and Bill the long text that I had drafted yesterday but was unable to transmit. I then went to the Ford Service Department in Lake Havasu City and asked the nice young man there if he could use his diagnostic gadget to see if there was something wrong with my truck’s motor or whatever. Nothing was detected, so I thanked him and continued on Rt. 95 N to I-40 E and headed for the Homolovi State Park in Winslow, AZ. Although there were no problems on this long drive, I had a lot on my mind…a lot…

TUESDAY 12th –

Today’s drive on I-40 E traversed up and down several hilly inclines. At one point, on such an incline, the “shaking” sensation occurred again. ‘Twas brief but unmistakable.  Around 3:15 p.m. I arrived at Ev and David’s house in Rio Rancho, NM. I met Tessa, their dog, and my eyes widened at the sheer size of her.

Tessa is an Alaskan Malamute, ten years old next month, and she is having her best life here with Ev and David. She’s got a sweet and gentle disposition, a gorgeous face, a body covered everywhere with long soft fur, and soft brown eyes that gaze at you with contentment and adoration. Observing and interacting with Tessa, it’s hard to believe that her previous owner, who passed away, did not enrich her life with proper nutrition, companionship, and the type of love and attention our pets thrive on. Here, she’s home!

After a bite to eat, Ev and I settled in for a long talk. David listened, offered a comment or two, and then Ev and I called Bill to share information and updates.

My visit with Ev, David, and Tessa over the next four days – Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday – were relaxing, full of conversation, meals, cocktails, and watching an assortment of TV programs in the evening.

We went out for lunch on Friday and then, soon as we returned home, took Tessa for a ride in David’s car and a walk at a nearby community park. The weather was perfect for her – cool and breezy. On Saturday morning we four visited the Hyatt Tamaya Resort and walked along several of the paths on the grounds. (See pictures below.)

Ahhhhh, my truck and my camper.

My truck is a 2006 Ford F-350 long-bed dually -- 19 years.

My camper is a 2005 Lance 1121 -- 20 years.

I’m a 1950 Baby Boomer -- 75 years.

Since purchasing both the truck and camper in early 2006, we three have grown old together. Our respective “working parts,” theirs being mechanical and mine being physical, are falling apart. I’ve really had no choice but to acknowledge to myself that my energy, stamina, strength, and supply of adrenalin have steadily been running low. It’s now time for the three of us to part ways. Having made that decision last Tuesday evening, I terminated my trip to Utah and will return home next week.

I can still travel. I can still be within and enjoy nature, remain close to lakes and rivers, and visit many of the beautiful and inspiring natural and environmental sites that we are blessed with throughout the USA. I reminded myself that I had noticed, traveling in my truck camper these past few years, that an increasing number of private, state, and federal parks have cabins available for rent, which is creating an intriguing type of campground accommodation. All that’s required of me is to adapt and adopt a different travel approach.

That said, this is my final “MAP’s Camper Adventures” blog. Thank you, my dear family, friends, and fans for traveling along with me!

My "hello" gift to Tessa.

                            

Tessa, loving the ride!

Ev, David, and Tessa, at the grassy park near their home.

Ev, me, and Tessa.

Treats for the horses, Tamaya Resort, Santa Ana Pueblo, NM.

With Tessa at her home. Sandia Mountains in the background.

Tessa loves the toy I gave her!

Final evening with Ev and David...until the next time!