Chictravelers2's travel blogs:
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Uh-oh, Houston, we have a problem....
Entry 9 of 11 | show all | print this entry |
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But getting between Zion and New Mexico was not uneventful. First, when we stopped in Kanab, UT for fuel (which had a lower diesel price), when pulling away from the pumps, the area was a little tight, and Terry turned about a foot too early, causing the left rear corner of the RV to swing out and hit the concrete post that was at the end of the pump area.
It ripped off the bottom corner area below the tail lights and broke the tail light cover. We managed to duct tape the tail light cover into place (luckily, the tail lights still worked) and I stowed the fiberglass corner in a bay (although, I don't think they'll actually use it when it gets repaired). Then, we continued on our way.
The winds built to gale force and became even worse and problemactic as we continued across the NE corner of Arizona.
Our large 22' awning on the right side of the RV, in spite of being rolled up, was getting battered and jumped off the bracket that holds it in the middle, by the roof. We have heard many stories of awnings being completely ripped off, so I was almost freaking out everytime the awning arm (right next to my seat) shook and rattled. There literally wasn't anyplace where we could stop and get out of the wind in order to reposition the awning, so the best that we could do was to wrap the arms with velcro straps for extra support.
The weather was clear and cool, in the 60s, but the winds were really building. By the time we got to the Glen Canyon Dam at Lake Powell and Page, AZ it was really howling. We drove across the dam, then parked and I got out of the RV to take some photos.
Even getting the door opened and closed was not easy and I had to try to time it between gusts. Then as I walked back to the dam, I almost couldn't stand up without hanging on! Thankfully, the bridge had high chain link fences, with small openings for photos, and for safety.
That night we were rocked to sleep (or awake), in the parking lot of a small shopping center in Kayenta, AZ. The winds didn't let up at all.
Then, as we got to the Four Corners Monument, the only place in the USA where four States touch together (Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico), as we turned, one of the A/C covers blew off the roof. It went flying across the road, shattering into many smaller pieces with each bounce!
We finally got to the San Juan County McGee Fairgrounds in Farmington, NM. We arrived early (the FMCA Rally didn't start for another three days) and swapped stories with other RVers about the winds. One of the first people we talked to said they once had their awning ripped off, just like I was afraid ours would be.
By the next morning, the winds were down and we were finally able to open the awning, which wasn't easy because the pull-strap had disappeared. So Terry had to climb on a ladder and unroll it by hand until the pull-strap eventually appeared about 3-4 feet into the awning roll. Then we were able to unroll and re-roll it up into its proper position, so it shouldn't have further trouble with the winds, however, we did replace the velcro straps for extra protection.
He also ordered new A/C covers to be FedEx'd to us, which he replaced when they arrived. Although we hadn't lost the second A/C cover, it was coming loose, so he replaced it, too.
The rest of the week, and the Rally, was pleasant, with fun events and without further problems. I attended a Red Hat Society Tea that they always have at the Rallies.
There were quite a few new RVs on display and for purchase. The Tiffins were parked right across from where we were parked.
There was also a fun pet parade and I had made friends with several dogs including a black Lab named 'Starr', a Bichon named 'Cody' and two Toy Poodles named 'Queeny' and 'Princess', who actually wore poodle skirts for the parade!
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