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Borrego Springs, CA

Monday, August 17, 2015

SNAFU!

I headed out from Valley of the Rogue State Park around 9:30 this morning to make the 120 mile drive to Tule Lake NWR.  My plan was to stop at a Pilot gas station just outside of Medford to fill up the rig’s tank.  When I arrive at a new location, I like to have my gas tank pretty full, and I was running below a half a tank.  Well, the blasted alarm for the towed brake system kept going off to distract me (I had double checked my hookup before pulling out), and I somehow missed the Pilot station.  Long time readers know that finding gas stations that I can get in and out of is the biggest heartburn for me of this lifestyle.  Rats!  That got me a little worried, as I drove another almost 100 miles with no useable station in sight.

Two miles before the Oregon/California border on Hwy 97, I happened upon a truck stop.  Halleluiah!  Of the twelve gas pumps, only one wasn’t diesel.  I had to do quite a bit of maneuvering of the rig to find that one pump, and get the rig in place.  Out popped a young lady to fill me up.  I’m guessing it will be some time before I’m in another state where they pump the gas for you.  I probably saved about $25 by finding this station before I entered California.  Sometimes good things do happen.

Then I made my way another 25 miles or so to the refuge.  You may remember that I visited here two weeks ago to check out the site they had for me, and figure out how I was going to approach it.  At the time, they had assured me that all the vehicles blocking the campsite would be removed, and that the water would be turned on previous to my arrival.  Yeah, right!  After volunteering at 13 other refuges, I was not exactly surprised when these things didn’t happen.  SNAFU! 

I parked the rig in a big parking lot, turned on the generator to run the AC for Emma, unhooked the car, and went to check things out.  Temps were in the 90’s.  Eventually, they removed the vehicles, and I actually ended up with five staff members helping to spot me into the site.

_MG_2335It’s not the most picturesque site I’ve ever had, but it’s not the worst either.  I’m flanked by a bunkhouse and a fire management office building.  There is a shade tree, but that played havoc with the DISH satellite on top of the rig.  I had to jockey around to get two out of the three satellites.  Just like Harris Beach, no HD, but at least I don’t have to set up the portable DISH. 

_MG_2339

This is the view as I sit outside with Emma.  Not too exciting, but there are no saw mills close by or major highways to create loud noise.  It is peaceful and quiet!  I’m already liking that.

_MG_2338

This is the view out my table window in the rig.  There’s a stone building at the top that I’ll try to hike to when it gets a bit cooler.  In spite of the minor problems, I’m happy to be here and looking forward to exploring this refuge.  As for the water spigot getting turned on?  That didn’t happen today, but at least the biologist brought me one of those five gallon jugs of drinking water.  Like several other refuges I’ve volunteered at, the water out of the spigot is not potable.  It’s Okay for showers, dishes, and toilet and such, but the refuge provides the jugs of drinking water.

Tomorrow I’m to report at 8:00 for visitor center training.  I’m bringing my list of questions along with me with a water hookup at the top of the list.

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy 

24 comments:

  1. What a day, glad you are there safe and sound! 90 degrees...fun for you! It turned cold here..well cool and we are enjoying the 70's. I hope all goes well for you and you get some water! :)

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  2. Glad you made it safe and sound. Looking forward to seeing pics of this refuge!

    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

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  3. You lucked out on the gax station at the border. I hate it when my tank goes below half, even in the city with gas stations everywhere.

    It sounds like you are finding you new place acceptable, and I hope you like the work you'll be doing. I'm pulling for you seeing a great variety of wildlife as well. Good luck. Think it will be warm enough for you?

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  4. Just like you we try not to fuel up in California.
    Looks like gonna be an interesting time there.

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  5. Glad you're settled in all safe and sound. Have fun tomorrow (today I guess) w/ visitor center training.

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  6. Life's little adventures.... aren't they fun! Glad you're at your new location and getting settled. Looking forward to your posts... and photos.

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  7. My biggest heartburn is also getting fuel..and I'm not even the one driving..I would settle for the peace and quiet you have...We have cars, trains and screaming neighbors...sheesh!

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  8. Whew! I am always glad to be parked at the end of those days!

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  9. The one nice thing about having a diesel engine in my rig is that I can fill up where the eighteen wheelers do. When pulling a toad, it can be impossible to get into some regular gas stations.

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  10. Glad you made it safe and sound. Traveling alone in a large rig can be hard. I guess thats why some of the singles have class Cs. life is a compromise. You have a nice big place to call home between drives.

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  11. You persevered despite all the challenges! You're like the little engine that could. Now I hope you have a blast at your new place and find lots of things to enjoy. You deserve it. :c)

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  12. Every time I stop by to catch up on your blog, I am inspired by how amazing you are! When ever I face something daunting, all I need to do is think of you and you accomplish by yourself. Thanks for sharing your life with us! And enjoy the peace and quiet of your new location.

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  13. Me too on the white knuckles about gas stations. It makes me kind of irritated that Pilot and Flying J advertise to RVs and apparently just assume that they are all diesel. I didn't want a diesel and still don't but I'd sure like easier gas stations. Like the view out your front window. Glad you two are safe and settled.

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  14. Paul would have gone nuts if 5 people tired to help into any spot. Who do you listen to?

    Hope your first day goes great. Enjoy.

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  15. Looks like a lot of work on moving day!

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  16. Glad you made it. Looking forward to hearing about your new location.

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  17. Oh Scary to read Snafu, but good to see your rig all set up in the space at least. whew! Sorry you missed the Pilot. and glad you found that other station at least.. the best laid plans and all that.... Mo and I hiked up to that little building back in January of 2003. It was gorgeous, even with a bit of fog. Hopefully the fog won't show up while you are there, you have had enough of that stuff, I am sure. Hope your first day is fascinating and wonderful.

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    1. And yes...dang...I saw all that smoke in the Basin on Monday and see that in your photos it makes everything look a bit tired. Hopefully soon you will see not only the lovely refuge and views, but the Mountain! Although, of course, it isn't visible from Tulelake.

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  18. That was quite a risk: driving around with a half-tank, searching for a station with the possibility that you'd use up the fuel at each and every turn. It’s good that truck stop showed up just in time. Anyway, it would be best to carry around an extra gallon or so of gas, in case you encounter the same problem again in the future. Take care!

    Abraham Yates @ Apache Oil Company

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  19. Oregon and NJ are the only states where it is illegal to pump your own gas. However, they now allow pumping of diesel in NJ. I would venture to say I've pumped gas maybe 5 or 6 times in my life. I always lived in NJ until fulltiming and well, Leonard is good for some things. What is funny is NJ gas and diesel is some of the cheapest around. We paid $2.89 while in PA last week. We are paying $2.25 here back in NJ.

    I have a picture of a goose in my blog header. I told Len yesterday when I took it, Judy will know what it is. We don't.

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  20. Good luck with you new assignment. Hope there are no fires near or smoke.

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  21. Just getting caught up with blogs. Good luck with your new assignment.

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