“USA 🇺🇸 ~Arizona in Kingman Happy Easter and When Do We Get to Go, Already!”

• April 10, 2023
• By Pen
• 4 Comments

Happy Easter to All!!

I think we skipped spring and are moving right into summer!
BUT, NO COMPLAINTS!

This winter has definitely been one for the books, as I know many can relate too!

We are finally out of those freezing temperatures at night, and today, we are experiencing 80 degrees with so much sunshine! The trees are beginning to bloom their leaves, around us, too.
Such a welcomed sight!

Scrubby Dub 

We’ve had The Whale for over a year now, and so today, with the passing of winter storms, and way more sunshine in our future, she is getting a good cleaning!!

While we try to self-wash, regularly, when we can find a big rig washing venue, as we travel around, I’m not sure the roof has ever gotten scrubbed. I am not okay with Daryl crawling around, up on the roof, so are very happy to let the professionals do this. We even got a new coat of sealant.

We recommend “High Desert Detail” They did a great job. Many campgrounds do not allow RV washing, due to high water usage. These guys bring their own water supply, so no issues, there.

I’m so excited to have clean windows again!

We Are on Month ELEVEN 

I wish I could report we have a vehicle again, but sadly, no.
We’ve been back in Kingman for over a month, (vehicle-less) for the third time to pick it up, and we truly believed our VW would be WAY done, by now… but nope. Getting parts have never been an issue, and the motor (which was the only big job) has been rebuilt for two months.

We did not buy a junker Superbeetle, either. It’s such a mystery for all the delays; though getting straight answers would have been helpful.

The waiting has kept us greatly restricted, for getting out and having fun in our Golden Years!
We feel like we have quite literally become the most boring people alive, on this planet!
We love to be on the go, and exploring new places!
Every day is like ground hogs day for us.

WE ARE SO OVER THIS!!!!

I posted this on my Facebook page, recently, because I’m so frustrated with the restoration project 

“We have a greater chance of seeing Bigfoot, than we do of getting our VW finished, in time, to get to Oregon”….#month11

Fortunately, Daryl and I have a very special and unique bond. We spend all our time together,  attached at the hip, and have no issues doing so. This is truly a blessing, especially during times when circumstances are beyond one’s control. (we liken it to the 2020 lockdown, but it’s 2.0)
We love each other, but more importantly, we like each other.

Where we are at on completion, depends on who we talk to. The owner of the business says the top is done; for example. BUT, Daryl rides his bike every now and again to get a visual on our Bug, and there is no convertible top on it. The guy who is doing the actual work, (at his own home) told Daryl, until it warms up, he can’t get the material to stretch enough, to finish the job. This does make sense, since we have had such cold weather, for Arizona, until this last weekend. Another thing that we have no control over is the fact that Arizona chop shops don’t typically have covered “shops” where they work on cars. The weather is normally so nice, 300 days of the year, here, work is done outside. BUMMER for us with this winter season!

The guy does have a shed he moves our VW into, to keep it out of the weather, and we are grateful for that, but it’s not roomy enough to work inside, in.

We’ve been told that the VW will be done next week. Certainly, weather-wise, this is doable.
We still need time to test drive it, though, so we can check for any issues, while still in the area; before hitting the road!

We are suppose to make our run for Oregon on the 24th of April. Just as important, is our time in Montana after that; our leap-off point for preparing our departure on the 24th of May for Alaska!
We leave Montana, to begin our much anticipated trip through Canada, to Alaska, for four months!

BUT WE HAVE TO HAVE OUR VW to do this epic adventure!

We are actually on our second attempt at Alaska this year, because Canada had the vaccine mandate in force, for last summer. That was a no go for us. This summer, Canada dropped the mandate, so yay for us, and I put the hours and hours of scheduling into place!
It is VERY challenging to scheduled ahead much any more, in this very upside down world. That’s a fact!

My big concern is having to cut into our Oregon time with family, and our Montana time, and have to drive directly north to Canada, from Arizona, to try to stay on schedule for all our reservations. Our reservations consist of way more than campgrounds.
We have bear tours, and other wildlife tours lined up. We have plane flights, helicopter ride/dog sledding, boating plans, hotels, and ferries… you know, to the tune of $6000, so far.

WE ARE NOT LOSING OUR DEPOSITS!!!!

All I can say is, we will look pretty funny driving down the road with a blue tarp covering our VW, if they can’t get it done!!
But, by golly, so be it!