How is it a Dusty, Desert Campground Feels Like Home?

We're back!

After four years we're finally back on the road. We're traveling across the country, literally from California to Maine, in our new-to-us Mini Rig. We haven't officially named it yet, so for now we're going with the Mini Rig. The name fits since it's definitely mini. It's 25 feet of coziness.

The Mini Rig is a 2019 Leisure Travel Van, LTV for short. The model is a Wonder, as in we wonder if we're ready for this level of togetherness. We're not too worried after 4+ decades of togetherness, we're good. 

Our plan with the Mini Rig is to head east during the crazy hot summer months that come with desert living. When I say crazy hot, I mean temps in the 120s. This kind of heat, even without humidity, takes some getting used to. I wasn't prepared for it and it can make me cranky.

We left Southern California with a send-off from good friends that included snickerdoodles and apple fritters as big as my head. Talk about a great start.

Our escape the heat plan has not been going so great. It turns out leaving one desert and heading into another desert keeps you in the heat. We initially planned to break up our stays at campgrounds with stays at Harvest Host locations, but with the need for non-stop AC, we reconsidered. 

Harvest Host is new to us. It consists of wineries, breweries, distilleries, and farms that have agreed to host campers overnight. All that's asked of campers is to support the location with your purchase. When you realize what they're selling - wine, beer, spirits, and food- it sounds great - except for the lack of electric hookups. Until we get out of this heat, we're opting for electric hookups. 

Our first stop on the road took us to a place we are very familiar with, The Flying J, a truck stop. In our previous adventure in our Big Rig, truck stops were the only place we could fit to refuel. With the Mini Rig, truck stops are not essential but they're still convenient. You can get fuel, coffee, endless fried food, and even a shower if you're in need. 

The Big Rig was a nearly 40' Tiffin Allegro Bus. We lived in it, on the road, full time for close to 3 years. With the Big Rig, we had a toad. Toad is RV jargon for a tow vehicle. Our toad was a 2014 Chevy Equinox. Now that we live in a regular house again, it's our worse-for-the-wear second car. 

The Mini Rig doesn't have a toad. We'll be bumming rides and renting cars on this several-month adventure. 

Our first night out was spent at a small, dusty, desert campground in Mayer, Arizona. We both felt right at home and so did Rigby, our 14-year-old pup. Rigby knows the drill and as long as we're at her beck and call, she's adjusting well. 

The next night we were in Grant, New Mexico at a KOA campground. KOA's have been around forever and are known for friendly service and clean facilities. This one offered home-cooked meals delivered to your site and donuts and coffee in the morning. 

It also had a Volcanic Bubble. This was new to us. What happens is a lava tube gets plugged up causing a big dome or a bubble to form. When the tube unplugs the lava suddenly empties out creating lava walls around the tube, eventually the walls collapse leaving big piles of lava rock. It was cool to see. 

I'm writing this from the Big Texan RV Ranch in Amarillo Texas. This is our third campsite. We're still in the heat but we're making the best of it. Last night we enjoyed a steak from The Big Texan Steakhouse delivered to our campsite.

The Big Texan Steakhouse also delivers beer to your site. Not just any beer, their beer is "Real Texas" beer - handcrafted in the legendary tradition of the World Famous Big Texan Ranch in Amarillo Texas, and is only available for delivery in a Growler. We've never experienced a Growler, so of course, we went for it.

The Growler was a little more than we bargained for, but somehow we made it through. One of us may or may not have guzzled the last of it right from the jug. There were no witnesses so we can't be sure. 

Tomorrow we'll be back on the road heading east. 

We're happy to be back.