The L. Y. Southwind Storm took it's maiden voyage with me at the helm this week. It was a simple cruise to Tularosa, New Mexico from my homeport of Apache Junction, Arizona - a journey of just over 400 miles. I departed on Monday morning at about 0700 and arrived at my sister Christine's house just after 1600.
No leaks, punctures, creaks or groans were reported. The trip was uneventful with the exception of spotting a desert tortoise alongside Highway 79 just south of Florence. It is a rare thing
to sight a tortoise. I wish there had been shoulders along the roadway to allow me to take a picture. This file photo will have to suffice. At first glance it appeared to be a cement statue, but when it moved it's head to look both ways for traffic, I knew it was real. I hope it made it across safely.
to sight a tortoise. I wish there had been shoulders along the roadway to allow me to take a picture. This file photo will have to suffice. At first glance it appeared to be a cement statue, but when it moved it's head to look both ways for traffic, I knew it was real. I hope it made it across safely.One animal that didn't make it across the highway safely was a dove. It started across in front of me, I was sure it would make it, but it turned around and hit the A-pillar on the driver's side and dove guts oozed down the side of the rv.
Chris has full rv hookups, so I was comfortable in my own bed for the three nights I was there. We spent Tuesday driving around, running errands and eating. The Waffle and Pancake House in Alamogordo was friendly and comfortable. The kind of place I want around the corner from wherever I'm staying. I can also recommend the Cajun pasta at Cheddar's in El Paso, Texas, our lunch stop. We were too full for pecan pie on the way home as planned.
No pie on Wednesday either. We got up early and got to work on some things that Chris had been wanting to get done - weed eating, kitchen flooring, learning how to use the gas barbecue. By the time we finished, the pie place was already closed. That's okay, we were both too sore to go anyplace.
The return cruise to AJ was also uneventful - no tortoise, no doves, no breakage.
I'll be leaving AJ on Monday, headed for Flagstaff. Dave and I hope to ride around red cliffs near Sedona. From there it's on to Monument Valley.
7 comments:
Always good to have an uneventful maiden voyage. I am sure you have a Post Shakedown Availability scheduled for sometime in the future.
I sound like an ex-shipyard worker, how disgusting!
Are you available? We have lots of weeding, tile work, etc. in Indy this summer.
Sounds as if you enjoyed the job of being land yacht captain. No reports of missing bolts and screws gives you confidence for the upcoming travels.
Two more nights and one day in the valley of the sun. Hopefully the weather will cooperate on the ride near flagstaff.
Do you have reservations for next week during the beginning of your summer journey?
Reservations have been made at KOA in Flagstaff and at the only RV park in Monument Valley (thanks Paige). From there I'll play it by ear except when I get near Custer, SD.
I'd love to know to whom I am speaking.
Smooth sailing, Scott!
It is good that Dave, Paige and you are heading out together. They can give you a update on their new motorcycle carrier. Looks as if it should work well. You may rethink your arrangements if it works for them.
Bon Voyage, safe driving and will be waiting for the next update.
Remember what they say in drivers training. "If you can't drive safe, drive fast."
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