Sunrise yesterday
I've been having a problem with my generator not charging the batteries. This has been going on for days. I wrote an e-mail to Ron tonight, my solar guy, to see if he had any suggestions, because he is an RV expert, not just solar, but before I got an answer back I figured it out. All the "guts" of my solar and my converter are behind my drawers, under the closet. So I took out the drawers to make sure the converter was plugged in, and it was. Then I took off the cover of the power center, and lo and behold! I had a tripped breaker. I fixed it, and now the generator is charging the batteries again. Who knew? I guess I should have, I know if I have too many things on at one time I can trip the switch at the electric outlet in an RV park, and I guess if I'm using the generator for power it's the same thing - too much trips the breaker. Now I know.
The funny thing is, most of my "issues" are such simple fixes, I just don't know about them yet. Once I know, then next time it will be a simple fix. I keep saying to myself, "Rookie mistake," "Rookie error," when I do something dumb for the first time, or miss one of these simple fixes. As a rookie I'm entitled. :)
Yesterday I left the campsite and drove in all directions, dump/water was south, propane was north, RV place to check out my generator (service dept is closed on weekends) was west, and grocery shopping, bookstore and laundromat were east. Everything is minutes away from everything else here. There is a map of the town that costs a dollar, it's sold everywhere, and it shows all the streets and the main places to shop. Well worth the price. I highlighted the places I wanted to go, then I went next door and asked Hazel where's the best place for this or that, and she helped me pick out other spots I needed.
Side note: When I was in the grocery store, I asked if there is a good bookstore in town. Yes, everyone said. Right down the street a couple of blocks. They started talking about the owner of the bookstore, kind of a local legend - and the man who drew the original map of downtown Quartzsite that's sold everywhere. The man next to me said, "I was just there, and he's wearing clothes right now, so it's a good time for you to go." Apparently, he is often naked. Hummm... There are photos of him in his nakedness in the bookstore, and he actually is wearing something - I don't know what it's called, but it's very small, and not a fig leaf.
Grocery shopping is pretty expensive, unless you can find what you want at the Dollar Store. I can see a trip at least once a month to Blythe or Parker to stock up.
There are a few laundromats in town, the one on Main Street is very large and clean and has a couple of employees watching over things, keeping the machines clean, etc. They also have showers for $6 for a maximum ten minute shower, and a cafe attached that is supposed to have pretty good food, but I was there between the lunch and dinner, so they were closed.
I left my site around 10 in the morning and by the time I got everything done and back to our spot, it was after 5, and I was tired!
It seems like most people in Quartzsite find an area they like, then a spot they like in that area, and come back year after year to the same spot if they can get it, or close by if it's already taken. The people in my area are a good group and have known each other for years, it seems. They meet at around 3 or so every afternoon outside someones rig to have a little chat and touch bases. If you want to go, you're welcome, if you don't - that's okay. This afternoon around 4 I noticed three people sitting by one of the rigs across the way, and then another neighbor was walking over, so I took my chair and Katie, and we walked over, too. It's the first time I've walked over and joined them, I guess I was feeling the need for some company. There ended up being five of us, and it was a nice gathering, but chilly, so after a while we broke up and went back to our warm RVs.
They have a big fire pit kind of in the middle of the group, and if someone wants to light a fire, they are welcome to do so, and anyone interested can bring their chair and join in. It was the general consensus today that a fire doesn't sound good yet. Too cold, although tonight it's calm. I hope the weather gets warmer than it has been, when I first got here I was wearing shorts, but not for a while. It's pretty much layers now, and my hooded wool coat may become my favorite piece of clothing.
This is our large fire pit. Behind it is a monument a member made for others who are not here anymore. Their names are on it.
Our firewood - one of the men got these pallets for us, and cut them up with his chain saw, and we stacked them.
Here are some photos from the last few days:
Katie stole my pillow!
Hummer - grey with darker grey head
This little guy has some red on his breast
This was taken as a close-up, through my screen.
It looks like she is carrying eggs?
When these quail run, they stand up tall and run fast. So funny.
My neighbors - Val, Hazel and Fleur
Sunset
Good night.
From Me and Katie, who is snugly in bed and fast asleep, have a good Sunday night, everyone! :)
