TOWING "DA BUS"

Well, after we left Safford, AZ we headed towards Alamogordo, NM we were going to take the scenic route towards Red Bay. We had left LaCruces, NM and were in the mountains on US 70, we were going down hill and we smelled smoke and saw the rear brakes smoking, we pulled to the side and checked the brakes. They were reading well over 300 degrees. We sat for awhile and tried backing up to unlock the brakes but no luck.  It was about 6pm in the evening.

So we called Coach Net - our roadside service for assstance.  Coach Net was great in trying to get us a tow but the best they could do was tour compan in Alburquerque,NM. 5 hours away. Due to the oncoming night and the hazards of towing an oversized and high profile vehicle at night in the mountains, it was decided to wait until morning for the tow truck. Coach Net and the tow company wanted to make absolutely sure we were ok on the side of the road till morning. 

DanLar Towing in Alburquerque, NM arrived promptly in the morning and preceded to load the motor home onto the bed of the tow vehicle.                                                                                                   

The bed of the tow truck

Sure looks narrow

WoW - Loaded at last.  

Ya Think 

There were LOTS of breath holding "Will it make it"

thoughts 

Arriving at the Cummins Dealer

Rocky Mountain

1921 Broadway NW

Albuquerque, NM

We spent two nights at the Cummins Dealer. Luckily, we did not have a major problem, cleaned and re calibrated the brakes. The mechanic thinks that when we applied he emergency parking brake when we pulled off the road, that cause the brakes to lock.We also had the generator serviced while we there. They were great to deal with.

We took advantage of the time and went to dinner at "Church Street Cafe", located in Old Town. It was wonderful dinner of locale Mexican food. Art also bought me a wonderful turquoise necklace and earrings from a local Indian vendor.



Wonderful Sunsets in Arizona

Black Hills Visit, Morrenci Mines, Catwalk Canyon, AZ

WEEK OF MARCH 22, 2011
Our group from he Escapees Boondockers took an afternoon drive stopping in the Black Hills. We stopped at many of the major points along the route, took lots of photo's, had lunch at local spo in Clifton, took the road up to a working copper mine, Morennci and had a great day. The weather was great. Part of the group below.

 The operation of the Copper Mines

 Great rock formations along the way

More Great Rock Formations

Begining of theCat Walk

Description of the Cat Walk. 1/2 Mile is relatively easy and then

becomes more difficult

Part of the Cat Walk - Spectacular Views

Back at last. I could only make the first mile due to my knee. Some of the others Art include did the whole trail.

QUIRKY QUARTZSITE 2011 TIFFIN RVNETWORK RALLY

Well once again January finds us gathered in Quartzsite,AZ for the annual RV show and the gathering of over 50 Tiffins and few SOB's (some other brands - not what you thought huh). We have over 50 rigs. I will post only a few and then add a Picas link to my web album. We are just having too much fun. It is cooler this year than last, yeh I know most of you would kill for high 60 or low 70 weather. But it sure makes for a chilly evening sitting around the fire.

TIFFINS FOR AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE

Lots more pictures of the rally can be seen here. https://picasaweb.google.com/gballsold/2011QuartzsiteTIFFINRALLY?authkey=Gv1sRgCOWVj4P9kenMggE&feat=directlink

RED BAY, AL TIFFIN SERVICE CENTER. UPGRADES

Anyone familar with the Rving Industry and others certainly know the saga of the Norcold Refrigerators that are installed in most motorhomes. There is a design flaw in them that has caused many motorhome and RV fires. It is way too technical to go into on my part. Many articles exist on the internet. Our Norcold was frosting up and not keeping things cold. Repairing it was not even an option in light of their history. We decided to up grade to a Residential Style Refrigerator. This also required changing out our invertor in order for the refrigerator to work. I am so thrilled with the new refrigertor it is way better than any refrigerator I had in our brick and sticks home. Below are pictures of the old and now our new.


Our Old Norcold that was not working



Our New 22 cubic feet Whirlpool Refrigerator

Getting the old one out and the new one was a major accomplishment. It required removal of the window, the same one that came out for the washer and dryer.

We also decided to add a dishwasher. This was a major decision that I wrestled with for over a year. It meant giving up precious storage space but in the end I am so glad I did. Fisher & Paykel make a drawer type dishwasher and it went it under the stove top.

Old Space that I lost for the dishwasher. Located under stove top.

New Stainless Steel look finish. What a joy. It is so quiet and only useds less than 2 gallons of water. I love it.

2011 The New Year and the End of the Old

Well it sure has been a long time since I posted, but then other than eat, sleep and working at Amazon.com we haven't done anything interesting. We started at Amazon in Coffeyville,KS on September 12, 2010 and stayed until December 18,2010.

The most significant thing that has happened is the marriage of our oldest son in Hawaii. It was such an awesome event and having my family and friends there made it extra special. My sister and her family, her husband and my two nephews came. along with our life long friends, Jim and Colleen Wilson and her daughter and husband, Racheal and Abe Pratt. We took a week off from Amazon to fly to Hawaii for the wedding.

AMAZON.COM

Many friends and family are curious about our experience working at this company. WOW - where do I start. I stated some observations about Amazon early on in our arrival. Very strange. Something you either love or hate. Many workampers come back year after year. Why? Haven't really figured that out. Money is the biggest draw. Others say that and the friends they make and renew each year. Have a little more trouble with that last statement. The money is great but at some point your physical and mental health and welfare are more important. Short term I guess you can endure anything.

Typically Amazon requires a 40 hour work week, 4 days a week (10 hrs per day). Now this body thought that it could handle that. Oh my gosh was I wrong. I kept waiting for my body to "harden", that's what they call it. Waiting for my body to get use to this schedule and my feet to stop hurting.

Amazon assigns positions as needed by departments. Sometimes you like where your working, sometimes not. Most of the permanent staff are pretty helpful and welcome the workampers, because they know their workload will be lighten. The work is hard, tedious and usually fast paced. Amazon is concerned about numbers. They push for you to get your processing numbers up to the acceptable levels.During the peak Xmas season the work week goes to 50 hours and some days when orders are up 11 hour days. This is mandatory. While we liked the area we worked, even excelled, the people were great, the work for us was hard and left us most days feeling exhausted and like zombies. However, like others have said, "It's all about the money", and for us with the wedding and some upgrades we wanted to do on the motor home that's what it was for us. It was strange though, most workamping jobs we have had, had lots of socialization along with the work. I doubt that we will go back, or at least I am not sure I want but Art who didn't seem to dislike it as much as I did, says he might want go back.

St Louis.

We left Amazon and headed to St Louis for the holidays. It was good to be home for Xmas Eve, although bad weather kept some people away but most made it. New Year Eve,  was spent with friends and a great meal.

It is possible to entertain and host a small (very) small dinner in an RV. I prepared Prime Rib on the stove, Yorkshire pudding in the microwave/convection.

January 2011 will find us leaving for Red Bay, Al to get some upgrades done on the motor home and a few maintenance items taken care and then it's off to Quartzsite, AZ for the annual gathering of thousands of RV's and meeting up with our friends. Those that own Tiffin Motor Homes and a group of Escapee RV'ers, both the Boomer's and the Boondockers. Those terms can be the subject of a whole blog posting in and of it's self.

Arthur and Genie's Wedding in Hawaii and Activities

Here is a brief description and pictures of the wedding from November. I am just now catching up on my blog. Seems I am a little behind, because my internet connection is a little slow here in Quartzsite, I will only post a few pics and edit it latter.

A great looking couple. My family is now complete. I have 2 wonderful daughter in laws who know how to handle my two high maintenance boys. Genie we love you. How exquisite you look. Yes,Arthur you look good also.

November, 2010 took us to Hawaii for the wedding our eldest son. It was a time to remember with no detail overlooked. Lots of activities and good time by all highlighted with a romantic touching wedding. Tons of memories were made.

The 3 Mrs.Balls. Gerri, Genie, Heather

Bridal Party on the Veranda of the Hotel

Tyler (Best Man) Arthur

On the Righ. My sister, Theresa,John,my brother-in-law, and  my nephews Aaroon,Kyle and Genie relative on the left

Art looking over his notes for the toast