The campground is spacious, covered by several types and sizes of rocks scattered on top of packed dirt. Further, the campground is surrounded by animal corral type fencing to keep free range cows at bay. I had no idea cows were in the area until day four. I heard constant mooing and thought I might be losing my mind, because I had never seen or heard cows in this area before. Also, my dog had never seen a cow. He was so confused he didn’t know if he should bark or howl. Therefore, he did both.
Carlsbad, New MexicoCarlsbad, New Mexico
This is my first visit to Chosa Campground, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Although, I had not formed any expectations regarding the area; good or bad. However, I determined after getting lost in a cow pasture and negotiating a one-lane gravel dirt road, covered by cow-dung. My GPS no longer worked; I was on my own until finally stumbling upon a paved country road leading to Chosa Campground. I made a left turn into a corral fenced area where twelve other campers in diverse types of camper trailers, motorhomes, popups, primitive tent, buses, cars, and truck campers parked around the enter fence perimeter. As a result, I joined the only camper trailer parked in the center of the campground. Enjoyed constant changing sky.
COW PASTURELOST IN COW PATURE
Two days after my arrival a high wind alert was issued for high profile vehicle travelers. At this time everybody on this campground hunkered down hoping winds would die down soon. Some travelers tried to make a run for it but returned shortly after leaving. Me on the other hand, knew from past experience and seeing motorhomes and 18-wheeler rollovers on the highway and in median strips; that 30-mile and higher winds can be extremely dangerous. For instance, in September 2019, I left Quartzsite Arizona heading for Conchas Lake State Park in New Mexico on I-40 East.
It was a clear sunny no clouds in the sky day. No high wind alerts were issued, and I was driving 60 miles an hour. There were no vehicles on this two-lane highway other than me. I was listening to music and enjoying the ride when the driver side of my motorhome was hit by a strong gust of wind which spent my motorhome around and onto the empty left highway lane heading West where I briefly remained until I cleared a left shoulder drop-off; then I made a U-turn on the highway to travel 1-40 East again. The thought of what could have occurred if this had been a busy highway never escaped me, because this could have been a serious disaster for me, and other travelers. As a result, I am so grateful that God and Angles cleared the highway of all travelers on this day. Therefore, when alerts are issued, I stay put. If winds begin and I am on the highway, I look for safe places to pull off and hibernate for as long as it takes for wind, dust, rain, sleet, hail, or snowstorms to end, because I am never in a hurry to get anywhere.
Meanwhile, because wind alerts for high-profile vehicles were ongoing from the date of my arrival at 2:00pm on 20 March to 02 April which was my 14-day stay limit. I left the campground driving 30-miles an hour heading to Wal-Mart where I restocked my motorhome with food, jugs of water, and other necessities. Then spent the night on Wal-Mart’s parking lot; leaving the next morning at 7:00am driving 50-miles an hour until I reached1-80-E and was able to drive 55-60 miles an hour from time-to-time until I cleared Yankton South Dakota.
My Review for Chosa Campground, Carlsbad New Mexico is as follows:
(1) I would not recommend this campground for seniors with joint issues, osteoporosis or physically disabilities because rock covered dirt ground limits mobility; making it difficult to safely access the large trash dumpster or just take a simple walk around the campground. I noticed some adults takes walks on the shoulder of the paved highway. As well as ride bicycles with children in tow on the highway when traffic is scarce. (2) This campground is very remote for this reason; I consider it unsafe for solo traveling females if other campers are not present. (3) I spent 14-days at this campground and never saw a ranger or local cop, drive onto this ground to observe campers, ensure everyone is abiding by the 14-day stay limits or project the appearance to campers that this is a safe place to stay because (rangers and/or local cops) patrol this area. However, since this is not the case, solo campers could be targets and disappear with their belongings. (4) As more people left between high-wind breaks, I felt lest safe. As a result, I won’t stay here again.
For the last seven-years, I watched colorful exterior decals fad, peel, and rollup on the exterior of motorhome making it look ten-years old rather than six. I researched numerous exterior appearance fixes and talking to various motorhome paint, graphic design and wrap shop managers. I decided to personally script all decals off my motorhome which turned out to be a three-month task and an additional two-months in the sun for decal residue to fad finally displaying a subtle and better exterior appearance.
After talking to Chad a motorhome damage repairer and repaint specialist at Cassone’s RV in Mesa, AZ on several occasions, I determined he was the person I wanted to repair and repaint my motorhome. As a result, I made reservations to have these services performed on my motorhome exterior looking forward to all of my “learning to drive a 30-foot motorhome battle scar dents, dings. As well as the repair of an exterior driver side storage compartment door because that darn concrete post in front of the gas pump known as a Bollard refused to move so I could refill my gas tank. Also, after jetting past my exit in Atlanta Georgia. I was looking for a place to turn around with a tow vehicle attached to my motorhome. I ended up on a dead-end road and was forced to make a U-turn to head back. However, the motorhome was longer than my turnaround space. So, I worked hard to back up my tow vehicle attached to a towbar not made to accommodate backups. So, I performed an inch-by-inch backup turning my steering wheel until I could clear a ditch to complete the turn-around. I finally got it done, but the towbar split a portion of the driver rear corner seam on my motorhome. I whipped a uturn and returned to my required highway exit to continue my journey. Meanwhile, thanks to Chad, I discovered why towbar backups don’t work and why it’s wise not to attempt this type of maneuver.
Furthermore, since I had never had a vehicle repainted. I wasn’t aware certain vehicle paint colors were more prone to quickly or gradually fade, chip, peel or wear down due to harsh summer seasons and environmental stressors. Therefore, I relinquished the decision to choose a paint color for my motorhome to Chad. Because I was impressed by Chad’s own confidence that his attention to details, repair of motorhome damage, and paint jobs were top notch as well as very professional. Finally with a smile Chad said, “I promise, you are going to love the new look of your motorhome, and yes – I certainly do love the paint color he chose and the look of my motorhome. In fact, I believe the above new paint job makes my motorhome look 100 percent better now than it did when I brought it new in March 2018.
MOTORHOME AFTER I REMOVED DECALS
I personally give Kudos to Chad. I found him to be professional, honest, friendly, respectful, and committed to applying traditional best practice customer service procedures during face-to-face and telephone interactions with me. As well as, with other customers during my presence in his office.
BACKSPLASH ON STOVE
In addition, I also personally send kudos to Micah, who quickly assessed the reason why the stove backsplash constantly falls off the wall every time I drive my motorhome. Micah came up with an ingenious solution to alleviate an ongoing four-year-old problem. I found him to be honest and willing to share helpful information to resolve problems. Further, because Chad was not available when I arrived to see my motorhome for the first time; it was Micah, who walked me to the paint station to see my motorhome as we chatted. When we stopped walking and telling. I took a deep breath and said, “Okay I am ready Micah where is my motorhome”? You are standing behind it, he replied laughing. I was speechless. My motorhome looked so different. It appeared newer and better looking than the day I brought it new in March 2018.
My motorhome was three months old when I stopped at an overnight rest area in Nebraska. Upon waking the next morning, I discovered the emergency escape window on the passage side had been smashed and glass was everywhere.
GREAT VIEW OF SCENIC ROAD RV PARK WHICH I LOVE. ALTHOUGH NOT ALWAYS THIS SPACIOUS
As a full-time motorhome dweller, who is always on the move as a snowbird the first week of October prior to the arrival of winter in South Dakota, I usually head to and homestead at desert areas in Arizona. However, if temperatures in these areas get too chilly causing me to constantly refill potable propane tanks or my tow-vehicle need repairs, I tend to move inland to Quartzsite AZ to found available full-service hook-up at Quail Run RV Park, my emergency go-to hang-out place, until I can hit the road again.
After leaving Georgia on January 8th, I found myself dodging tornado warnings, dealing with rainstorms, sleet, dropping temperatures, frozen tanks, including frozen water in my toilet bowl during my return drive to Quartzsite. Because I had run out of propane and could not find a refill place on or near my travel route; I knew I had potential frozen tank problems. Upon arrival in Quartzsite on January 15, 2024. I drove straight to Quail Run my emergency go-to hang-out place and found it filled with travelers. Upon stopping at Quail Run Propane Station to refill my outside tank and three potable tanks I was greeted by Jim, who usually do propane refills.
Now where are you headed he asked? I just returned from Georgia; I have a frozen tank problem. So, I called your check-in office to see if there was a place I could hookup until I thaw out and can get repair service but was told the park was full. So, I will homestead at Hi Jolly until I can found a park with full-hookup, I replied. Hang on let me call the other Jim next door. After a brief conversation with Jim next door at The Scenic Road RV Park; my Jim at Quail Run said, “Go next door, Jim has a place for you, he said.”
Upon my arrival at The Scenic Road RV Park, I was greeted by Jim; a friendly, smiling, professional park manager, who knew how to solve problems. I told Jim about my travel experience, as well as my potential frozen tank problems. No worries, I’ve got a few places I can put you for a while. Also, we have our own RV Service Repairman here; his name is Jefferey. This is his card. Just call him, he will come, Jim said.
Once I was settled into a full-hook up space where I planned to stay for a month. The next morning while rearranging my sewage pipe, I noticed water leaking from my Always Hot Water System door. When I opened the door, I was hit by a flood of water. I rushed inside and called Jefferey, who immediately arrived at my motorhome and discovered my Always Hot Water System had split in half causing the flood of water. Like Jim, I found Jefferey to be friendly, professional, ready to tackle and repair any problem. Immediately after taking pictures of my system, Jefferey ordered the new replacement which was installed three days after his visit.
Desert Wash Behind Motorhome
The only thing that made me a little nervous during my stay at this park was the deep desert wash that ran from the east to the west behind my motorhome. Because my dog is a 75-pound rambunctious one-year old who recently discovered chasing rabbits is fun. I kept picturing him in the wash which was too deep for me to get him out since I can’t lift him above my waist; Therefore, I never attached him to his cable line or setout chairs for either of us to enjoy our patio space. Instead, we stayed inside only going outside when I walked him on his leash to potty.
If you are not familiar with the term Desert Wash like me, a former city dweller who still considers a desert wash to be a ditch. Anyway, Desert Washes are naturally formed at the tallest areas (called a watershed) in deserts by rain following a pathway of least resistance; eroding rocks and moving soil to create channels for water to easily flow to lower desert areas which are known as Desert Washes and provides drinking water for all animals, safe travel routes, hideouts from predators and homes for a variety of animals. Also, washes function as nature’s incubation chamber enabling the growth of new plants, and watering systems for other plants.
Amenities includes Full-hookups, Club House, Female/Male bathrooms and showers, laundry room, personal patio, and two large trash dumpsters that are regularly emptied. I found permanent residences at the park not to be as friendly as travelers. I find the monthly rate to be in line with other RV Parks.
As a retired former employee of Department of Agriculture, I have always known about BLM, USFS, NPS, COE and Dispersed Camping locations. As a result, I sold my Maryland home and became a full-time motorhome dweller and national traveler in 2018, spending a lot of time in Arizona and New Mexico.
In the past, I just showed up at a BLM Long-Term-Visitor campground check-in booths; registered my vehicles, paid the required $180.00 for my 7-month pass which was placed on my windshield by a check-in station worker. Then I left the check-in station; drove around the campground to found my special homestead spot and settled in until it’s time to leave or move to other BLM campgrounds in various areas for short stays; until it was time for me to return to my home state motorhome campground for the summer.
I had never had a problem obtaining a pass from either BLM or New Mexico long-term stay campgrounds which was hassle free until now. This year based on BLM’s requirements for customers to purchase campground passes online from Recreation.gov rather than pay at campgrounds has caused a lot of problems and frustrations for former and new campground users due to Recreation.gov computer system not completely generating and printing the required documents needed to retrieve campground passes from check-in offices upon arriving at BLM Campgrounds. Which I was not aware that anything else was needed until I arrived at the campground window.
For instance. I ordered my 12-month non-resident New Mexico Permit online September 7, 2023, via https://newmexicostateparks.reserveamerica.com. As usual for $231.50. My signed letter of thanks from the State Parks Director and the permit was received via main on September 12, 2023. I immediately displaced these stickers on both of my vehicles. No problems as usual.
On the other hand. Based on BLM campground pass purchase changes as directed, I ordered my 7-month long-term visitor pass for $190.00 on October 26, 2023 at Recreation.gov which has never been received for the reason it was purchased, nor had the $190.00 payment been refunded although, it was requested twice (on November 11, 2023 and December 7, 2023) from Recreation.gov.
Further, after the Recreation.gov employee had confirmed, my previous complaint regarding issues at attempting to retrieve the Pass at the BLM campground was documented and forwarded to Yuma in November. As well as I requested a refund on December 7, 2023, from BLM Yuma Field Office, based on an employee of Recreation.gov; who claimed during the second call to his office on December 7, 2023, that a co-worker had documented my previous complaint and request for a refund which was sent to the Yuma BLM Office, because they determine if customers request for refunds are warranted. So, they either approve or deny customer refunds. I’ll send yours again, he said.
What happened: This was my first time ordering a campground pass from Recreation.gov and I expected this system to work as the New Mexico System. However, I received an email from Recreation.gov. Upon opening the email, I was directed to press the link on the email to print my pass. The computer-generated page 1, that I received showed the following: (1) My order number, (2) The receipt of my $190.00 Payment, (3) Reservation Details: Start date 15, 2023, Valid through Apr 15, 2024, (4) A picture of a Black Barcode, (5) Indication that this is page 1-of-1. As other customers, I put this document in a safe place until I arrived at a BLM Campground destination in Arizona.
Therefore, after leaving South Dakota in October prior to the arrival of winter season, and roaming from one southern city to another, until I decided to travel to Quartzsite Arizona; arriving on November 11, 2023, and driving to a favorite long-term visitor campground to present my one-page document as proof of pass purchase; receive the pass I paid for and found a perfect spot to homestead. Upon my arrival on the campground there were folks in line at the check-in window, I could see there appeared to be some kind of problem because of facial and hand response from customers. So, I parked my motorhome and waited until the line cleared.
Upon my arrival to the campground check-in window to pick-up my campground pass. A male and two women had their backs to the window and were saying, “This has been happening for the last three days; we can’t give customers their passes because of this crap, one woman said.”
When I said hello. All three booth workers turned around to face me. I am here to retrieve my campground pass; here is my purchase document, I said.
Where is page 2, the male asked. I have no idea what you are asking for; I just gave you what recreation.com computer gave me which shows I paid $190.00 for a long-term pass, I replied.
“We’ve had nothing but problems for the last three days,” he said, as the females agreed.
Okay, this is the problem, one female worker said, “There is supposed to be two sheets of paper. One is your receipt which you have. But, you need the second page which shows your address, type of vehicle, tag number; stuff like that. Other people seemed not to have gotten that page either. As a result, we’ve had folks trying to access their Recreation.gov accounts on cellphones, others have gone to nearby libraries to use computers to see if they can found and access a page two from his/her account.
Also, some people have made the two-hour drive from here to Yuma Field Office in Arizona to try and get page-two. Some customers are successful and return to retrieve their purchased passes, but most don’t. Meanwhile until you present both documents to us, although you have proof of purchase which shows you paid the required $190.00 purchase Fee, we can’t give you the pass without page two, she said.
Okay, this is the problem, one female worker said, “There is supposed to be two sheets of paper. One is your receipt which you have. But, you need the second page which shows your address, type of vehicle, tag number; stuff like that. Other people seemed not to have gotten that page either. As a result, we’ve had folks trying to access their Recreation.gov accounts on cellphones, others have gone to nearby libraries to use computers to see if they can found and access a page two from his/her account.
Also, some people have made the two-hour drive from here to Yuma Field Office in Arizona to try and get page-two. Some customers are successful and return to retrieve their purchased passes, but most don’t. Meanwhile until you present both documents to us, although you have proof of purchase which shows you paid the required $190.00 purchase Fee, we can’t give you the pass without page two, she said.
Okay with respect, let me say this: It is not my job to jump through hoops to chase down a page-2 document you are telling me is a requirement for me to obtain a BLM Campground Pass that I purchased online from a BLM vendor, whose job upon receiving my money was to provide me with everything document required for me to retrieve the Pass I purchased upon my arrival at the BLM check-in booths, but recreation.gov failed to do so? As a customer, how would I, or any other customers before me know, we need a page-2 to retrieve our passes? You wouldn’t which is causing problems for a lot of customers, a female replied.
I want a $190.00 refund and be done with this, because I don’t plan to burn up my gas, driving a 30-foot motorhome with a tow-car attached for any reason other than to access and homestead at a non-BLM run campground property, I said.
I don’t blame you. Just call recreation.gov and request a refund because you definitely didn’t get what you paid for because they didn’t provide both needed documents, the male said.
I left the check-in window; returned to my motorhome, before leaving the campground on November 11th. I called recreation.gov to speak with an employee and had a 35-minute wait. The employee was gracious and apologetic, explaining she had been having phone and computer problems all day. How can I help you she asked? I told her, I arrived at a long-term Visitor campground to receive my Pass, but a campground check-in window worker denied the insurance of my purchase pass because I didn’t have page-2 only page-I; he states both pages are needed before he could give me the pass.
So, since I can’t get my pass, I am requesting a refund of the $190.00 which I paid for the Pass, I said. The lady documented my complaint and request for the $190.00 refund. Okay it’s done. But, can I put you on hold a few minutes to see if I can determine what happened? Sure, I’ll wait a few minutes, I replied. It wasn’t long before the lady returned; I don’t know what’s going on. I even reached out for support because my computer kept going down. “I will submit your request for a refund; you should receive it soon. Have a good day, she said.
Believing Recreation.gov will issue the refund of my $190.00 payment as requested, I didn’t think I needed to watch my account to see when the refund was issued, so I didn’t. However, while balancing my check book on December 7, 2023, I discovered my requested $190.00 refund was never made to my account by Recreation.gov. As a result, I immediately called their office and this time spoke to a male. Again, I repeated the denial of my BLM Campground Pass on November 11th. After explaining again. The refund is requested because access to my Pass was denied because I didn’t have page 2.
He asked for my order number to review my account. I see you requested a refund for $190.00, and the reason was documented and submitted by one of your co-workers, he said.
My question is, why hasn’t your company issued a credit to refund my $190.00 payment to my account because I was denied issuance of the 7-month long-term visitor BLM Campground Pass because your companies online computer system did not issue the required two-page documents for me to retrieve the Pass upon arrival at campground check-in, I asked?
“well, we don’t make refunds without Yuma Field Office telling us to do so. Because we document customer requests for refunds and his/her reasons for the request and send it to the Yuma Office for a decision. They are the ones to determine if a customer’s request for a refund is warranted, he replied.
I would like to talk with the Yuma Office manager, can you give me his telephone number?
No, they don’t provide us with that type of information so I don’t have a contact number, but I will resend your refund request he, said.
As a result, after two requests for a refund from Recreation.gov and one request for refund from Yuma Field Office in Arizona, and neither has issued a refund credit, I had decided to share my experience and dealings with both Recreation.gov, and Yuma Arizona BLM Field Office by filing a complaint with Consumer Protection. As well as post my experience on review boards, motorhome/camping websites, and blogs to warn potential customers.
It appears to me that Recreation.gov and the Yuma Field Office is running a fraud on customers by refusing to refund BLM Campground refunds when customers are denied access to Passes because Recreation.gov computer system failed to provide the required documents needed for customers to retrieve campground passes upon arrival at BLM campground check-in booths. Due to no fault of their own; but those of Recreation.gov.
Based on my review of comments posted by other would-be campground customers, it seems no refunds are ever made by Recreation.gov nor the Yuma Field Office to customers. Further, most customers seem to throw up his/her hands and walk away. Which allows Recreation.gov and Yuma Office to never honor refunds weather customers get passes they paid for or not. Because no BLM high-leveler officials are watching them; and never read comments left by customers to determine if customers are being treated fairly by these two entities or secretly swindled, which I believe has happened to me.
Further, I have no intention of walking away for a $190.00 payment made for a purchase I never received. Therefore, I filled a complaint with Consumer Protection (The Arizona Fraud Squad) on 12/31/2023. My $190.00 refund was issued to my bank on 01/09/2024.
After dealing with the Recreation.gov and BLM Field Office Yuma Arizona Saga, my arrival at Coastal Georgia RV Resort was a welcoming, astonishing surprise.
Upon driving through the impressive entranceway arch, parking along the curb in front of the check-in office and entering the office, I was greeted by two very welcoming male and female check-in receptionists. I was further greeted by smiling recently checked-in guests who were hanging out in the setting area, and other guests walking around the small store looking at RV supplies and useful gadgets nearby. Further, prior to leaving the check-in office, I had formed a friendly bond with as few new travelers and resort grounds workers.
I was amazed at how clean this resorts concrete driveways, sidewalks; exterior and interior of buildings were. The same was true regarding individual guest assigned parking, provided picnic table setting areas and beautifully maintained hedges separating living spaces. The resort had its own lake with a few alligators, a circular walking/running track, dog park; large swimming pool, three bathhouses including laundry rooms, daily curb-side trash pickup, etc.
As a travelling-writer; my office equipment including Cellphone and Conference Business Telephone operators via generator and/or RV Full-hookup service. As a result, everything worked without a problem. I really enjoyed my 24-day stay at this result and plan to return often.
Here recently I seem to spend a lot of time at Quail Run RV Park when it’s spacious like this and snow-bird season has not started. As a result, this park has become my go-to emergency place when I have had problems with my motorhome, Jeep, or when I got tired of refiling, hauling, and re-hooking my three propane tanks to prevent my motorhome tanks from freezing during unexpected cold spares while boondocking in nearby free desert campgrounds. Anyways, I arrived here on October 9th, after having a tire blowout on my jeep which caused unidentified damage under the hood. I dropped my jeep at a nearby service center and came to Quail Run RV Park to wait until my jeep was repaired and I could resume my journey down south.
More often than not, I live in deserts and forests; so dusting furniture, wiping down walls, doors, cleaning windows and floors are a way of life. Therefore, today was a sunny pleasant day. The temperature was 82 and there were no wind issues. Suddenly, my motorhome jerked forward like it had be hit from the rear. “What the hell,” I said as I dashed out the side door of my motorhome to the rear. Upon arrival I was shocked to discover what had happened.
A Cactus Tree, taller than my motorhome seemed to have exploded from the inside striking the driver side corner of my motorhome as it fell to the ground, damaging the water faucet and my water purification system. As well as spraying water everywhere. I returned to my motorhome to report this incident to the office manager, who immediately dispatched two groundskeepers to my area.
What a stinky mess. There is no wind, why did this cactus tree fall? I asked the ground keepers.
No wind. But it’s been in the 90s and up to the 100’s here in Arizona. So, the heat has been boiling the insides of these cactus. We have lost plenty cactus trees here and in the deserts. “I am sad to see them dissolve and die like this,” Fred replied.
Well, we’ll pay to power-wash your motorhome and replace your water purification system. Don’t worry, we’ll take care of you, Gerald said. As a result, prior to the power wash and because I was in an assigned space at Quail Run R.V. Park which was not scheduled to terminate until November 7th, in hopes my jeep would be repaired and returned by or before the above termination date. My jeep had been at the repair shop since October 9th and still not repaired. Therefore, I was forced to deal with an awful dead cactus tree smell; birds pecking on the roof of my motorhome, and fungus gnats (like fruit flies) inside my motorhome.
I admit, I don’t know much about cactus trees other then they are slow growing plants; it takes 50 to 75 years before it grows its first arm, and that these trees seem to have a defiant ability to survive fierce winds, heavy rainstorms, and they have long protective Cactus Spines that really hurts if humans or animals brush up against these trees. Further, because I am a full-time motorhome driver, I see Cactus Trees as I journey through Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, and Utah on a regular basis.
Hi Jolly Campground
On November 7th, I moved to Hi Jolly, a 14-day free-stay campground, to continue to wait for my jeep to be repaired. Finally, on November 17th, my jeep was repaired. It was re-hooked for tow on the back of my motorhome. As a result, I left Quartzsite AZ at 11:30am with hopes of not seeing this city for a while.
It took six-days of driving through heavy-rain storms, high winds, and skirting tornados before I reached my Brunswick, Georgia destination on November 22nd, the day before Thanksgiving. This was an awful trip, and I hope to never have another trip like this anytime soon.
Although I was exhausted from the speed of repacking my household effects from September 19 to October 4th. I took a deep breath after drinking a cup of coffee for breakfast and begin carrying boxes containing office supplies, business phones, router, printer, scanner, file cabinet folders, copy machine, satellite dish, Echo’s large dog cage, my suitcase; everything from the freezer, refrigerator, kitchen cabinets, two large bags of dog food, and finally Echo down 32-steps to my pickup truck for the trip back to my motorhome. I loaded everything into the motorhome, drove my pickup truck back to the apartment garage, backed the jeep out, and drove the truck in; locked the door. Returned to my motorhome, attached the jeep to the back and rolled out of Sioux Falls.
I usually hookup office equipment once I settle in an area, I plan to stay for a while. Meaning, once my office is set up in the motorhome it stays that way, since I am usually working on a few projects at a time until I decide to change locations.
As usual it’s always great to be back on the highway with no particular destination or time frame to arrive or leave anywhere. I love my highway life and have learned to deal with whatever occurs such as now. For the last six years, I have had no overhead or living expense requirements until now; paying for an apartment I am absent from which sucks and won’t ever happen to this women again. No matter the types of weather I am forced to deal with in the future. Basically, I don’t ever have to return to Sioux Falls in April or May. It’s just been a habit that I always return home on April 4th.
Prior to this year’s weather change. On a monthly basis, I only pay $230 for household effects storage, $80 for storage of my pickup truck in a private garage, and $150 a month for food to restock my refrigerator and motorhome cabinets. Also, I pay $250 for my annual non-resident New Mexico State Parks System 12-Month Permit, and $180 for my long-term permit which covers a 7-month long-term-stay at Bureau of Land Management (BLM) properties permit.
Furthermore, Dispersed Campgrounds and Army Corps of Engineers Campgrounds; owned and managed by the government allow campers to stay 14-days free. Then you are required to move to a 25-miles radius for any 28-day period.
Dang it. I had been driving for four days. Suddenly I heard a strange sound from the rear of my motorhome. As a result, I pulled my motorhome onto the shoulder of the highway and did a walkaround of the motorhome and jeep which is my tow vehicle. The jeep’s front tire on the driver’s side was ripped open and laying on the shoulder under the tire mount. I could see exposed tire wires from the wheel and noticed fluid leaking from under my jeep. I don’t have flat tires often, but I do expect it to occur from time-to-time.
So, I returned to my motorhome and called AAA, whom I pay annually for roadside services. I thank God for AAA; they are reliable and have rescued me from some hellish situations. This time, the tow driver and I had to disconnect the jeep and load it on a flat-bed tow truck. I followed the tow truck to Dodge City Kansas. The Western Tire Shop determined the gearshift slipped into lock position which caused the tire to blow.
As a result, the tire shop mounted the new mountainous terrain tire which had been stored under the rear couch in the motorhome for the last five-years, because it was too big to be carried on the spare tire carrier on the back of the jeep.
Thirty-minutes later the new was mounted on the driver side and the passenger side front tire which was also damaged and showed a large drag mark patch in the center; was moved to the rear of the jeep and the rear tire which was not damaged was moved to the front on the passenger side. So claimed the guy working on the installation of tires on my vehicle. Then the jeep was reconnected to the back of my motorhome, and I was back on the highway.
Upon my arrival in Quartzsite Arizona, I dropped the jeep at an auto repair shop, who finally in the second week of my vehicle being parked on their lot, determined the front tire blow-out damaged the jeep’s transmission. As a result, the shop gave me two repair options; buy a new transmission for $5000, or a used transmission for $3000. I elected to purchase a used transmission because I could not justify putting a new transmission on my Jeep Wrangler T.J which is twenty-one years old. While waiting for the arrival of the replacement transmission, I was told the radiator was also damaged which I also decided to purchase a used radiator for its replacement.
Yes, my jeep has been well cared for, looks new when it is clean and runs great. I have never had any severe problems with my jeep other than the occasional running out of gas due to its small gas tank. Therefore, I have called AAA to bring me some gas on the side of the highway; other times I push the limits and roll into service stations with my tank light flashing empty. Meanwhile, this is the worst experience ever.
Laughing…., I know nothing about the newer model Jeeps, but these older Jeeps were built to do some amazing things. I really love my Soft-Top Jeep! Once my jeep is repaired, I will be moving onto my next destination which is currently unknown.
As a five-month resident at Penbrooke Apartments, located in Sioux Falls, SD. I quickly discovered, Office and Maintenance Personal at this complex seems to enjoy scheduling crap and taping notices to residents apartment doors such as the following:
Dear Residents, A member of our Pest Control Provider will be entering your apartment on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, after 8:00 am to conduct an inspection. Please have all areas accLY essible for this inspection. I made it a point to be home. Upon letting the man into my apartment, I asked what are you looking for? Roaches he responded as he walked into the kitchen, briefly looking around and left. What a joke!
Attention Residents of Penbrooke Place. This is a 24-hour notice to enter. A member of Twisted Pair will be coming into your apartment home between Monday, August 14th , and Tuesday August 21st to install the new routers. (Something I did not request, nor did I need.) So, I made it a point to be home to meet and speak with this person. Upon letting the women enter my apartment I asked, what or you doing and why? My husband’s company got a contract with this complex to install routers in every apartment so that’s what I am doing, she replied. She quickly mounted a router close to the floorboard and plugged the cord into the wall receptacle on the right side of the Livingroom wall, which I immediately unplugged once she left my apartment.
After finding this notice taped to my door: Penbrooke Place and ICS Advanced Technologies are pleased to announce the completion of a major infrastructure upgrade for your community. Indigo Living has partnered with ICS to exclusively provide high speed internet services provided by other service providers such as Midcontinent by October 1, 2023. After October 1st, other providers on the property will be disconnected. If you are in a contract with your current provider who requires you to furnish a letter providing exclusivity, this letter should be acceptable. If not, please reach out to ICS Advanced Technologies at 515-268-4000. I usually read and file these notices in my Penbrooke folder in my file cabinet and never give it another thought.
However, this notices was different: Not only were managers forcing their decision to upgrade their property by installing router/internet service on the backs of residents, but they were also adding an additional utility expense to residents rent and dictating how much residents will pay. Based on my observations and eviction notices taped to doors, some residents were struggling to pay his/her current rent. Then, managers makes it worst by sending the following 30-day notice:
On October 1st you will now be billed $50 per month for the Internet Service per the lease agreement and this 30-Day notice of increase. The internet charge will first appear on your November Utility Statement. I had enough!
Now, I am pissed… How dare these managers demand apartment residents cancel internet/router services they might can afford with his/her current provider and pay for a service they did not request? Further, as a traveling writer my router and dish service is mobile. Not only does it run all of my office equipment in my motorhome it does the same in apartments, homes, and motels. As well as, when I sit outside my motorhome working or watching television.
I must admit. I thought my days of ensuring residents were treated fairly was behind me until September 4, 2023, I decided to write a letter to the properties management company requesting copies of Housing Laws that gives them the authority to charge Apartment-Owner Expenses such as Pest Control, Sewer, Trash, and their personal selected Router and Internet provider service as Utilities to be paid as a rent attachment by residents.
I detest property-owners and management companies taking advantage of apartment residents using unfair rental scamming tactics. I tried to turn a blind eye, pay my rent, and ignore everything else. After seeing so many rent eviction notices taped to residents doors monthly and observing tired residents returning to our parking lots with three or more young children in tow. Vehicle bumpers, mirrors, exhaust pipes hanging and/or broken vehicle widows not being repaired. As well as vehicles sitting on parking lots with flat tires monthly. I had to acknowledge these residents are rent poor and struggling because of rent fluctuations. Not because of the economy but due to owner and management company greed.
Further, I am a retired federal nationwide property inspector, and these expenses has always been an owner expense as well as the cost of during business in the housing industry. Otherwise, tenants are paying owners business expenses, and he/she uses this money to pay for these and other monthly apartment complex services, while claiming these monthly service payments were out-of-pocket expenses for them as owners and management companies. Thereby allowing both to claim these expenses as tax deductions on his/her tax returns. Not fair at all!
After not getting a response from Penbrooke Place Apartment’s management company, Hubbell Property Management, LLC located in West Des Moines. I filed a complaint with Consumer Protection to call their attention to this matter. In hopes my efforts will benefit struggling residents.
I acknowledge, during the month of April to August my life was filled with unexpected challenges due to weather conditions that up-end my daily living routines which was a constant way of life for the last six years.
My dog, Echo, and I tried to accept the regular routine of taking thirty-two stairs to enter and exit our third-floor apartment. Rather than the two steps we were accustomed to taking from our motorhome living room to the ground or an outdoor patio slab.
The real downers are: (1) Taking 32-stairs to haul moving boxes from the apartment to outside dumpsters. Then determine where I can put crushed boxes and my trash into already overflowing dumpsters.
TRASH DUMPSTERS ACROSS FROM MY APARTMENT ENTRANCE DOOR
(2) taking Echo out four to six times a day, (3) I am in the habit of spending $150 a month to restock the refrigerator and cabinets in my motorhome which continued upon moving into the apartment.
As a result, I made four trips up and down thirty-two stairs carrying grocery bags on both arms while dealing with balancing and joint discomforts due to a right-knee replacement, a right shoulder prosthetic, a slack right wrist, and a pending right ankle replacement surgery when I return home in 2024.
Meanwhile, due to the constant need to walk stairs joint pains occurred. Therefore, my surgeon immediately sent me to Avery Hospital For Warm Water Pool Therapy three times a week from July to September. However, those one-hour P.T. Sessions caused extreme exhaustion, making it hard for me to return home and immediately take Echo out to potty. Somehow, I always found the mental strength to soldier through because I had no choice. However, in mid-August I decided to quit P.T. and returned to walking various Sioux Falls Parks three times a week, instead. While looking forward to putting this entire apartment living saga behind based on my own assessment of our situation.
Not only did I not like above living situations. I didn’t like anything about apartment living such as environmental apartment smells; the constant itching, sneezing, and coughing caused by the smell of carpet, dusty ceilings, and a single window unit air-conditioner perched from the living room interior to the outside exterior of the Living-room wall, which is then blocked in by a makeshift wall on the patio which limits the use of the entire patio by residents.
Although, the previous window air-conditioner was replaced after I made a complaint of the smell of mold, cat pee, and smelly hardworking male underarm musky sweat. The new air conditioner unit didn’t smell like the previous one, but it too had a smell.
I had been so busy trying to adapt that I hadn’t noticed Echo was having his own challenges. From the time Echo was born, he went from living in an outside enclosure near a field with his mom and eight furry siblings freely running through open fields and dodging a few cows while playing in a nearby field; to travelling in a 30-foot motorhome with me from place-to-place.
Echo quickly adapted to his life of motorhome living. He learned he could sleep all day without having to deal with siblings or me. This I loved because, as long as Echo slept, I more I could get done such as write articles, updating blogs, respond to customers, make phone calls, write a variety of reviews, work on new novels, and how-to books.
Whenever Echo woke up, we worked on usual dog training commands such as Come, Down, Heel, Lay, No, Off, Sit, Stay, and stop. As well as fetch my cellphone, his brush, rope, ball, etc. Often, like Dakota my three-year old, deceased German Shepherd. Echo enjoys seating in the driver seat keeping watch, barking at unknown people, black bears, coyotes, rabbits, and deer. Occasionally, blowing the horn while looking back in my direction which is my prompt, to come see what he see.
Upon my arrival, Echo looks forward as I tell him what we are seeing.
Further, Echo’s ability to exit and re-enter the motorhome on his own when he needed to potty had never been an issue. But became a serious issue once we moved into this apartment with thirty-two stairs.
The first day of our arrival to the apartment, I was concerned about how I was going to get Echo up the thirty-two stairs we needed to climb. After using my key to open the security door and stepping through the entranceway. Echo immediately sat beside my left foot staring up at the staircase like me.
Finally, I took a deep breath and placed my left foot on the first step. Echo did the same, then followed me up to the third floor. I was impressed, Good Boy Echo, I said.
That was the only time Echo followed me up or down this staircase. As time passed, I found myself hanging onto the stair railing trying not to fall while jerking Echo back during his fast-paced race and dives up or down this staircase. One day, he lost his footing and rather than falling down the stairs with him. I decided to let Echo’s leash go. Echo slid down the stairs on his belly while trying to grab the carpet with his paws.
When he finally fell onto the floor, he quickly stood and looked up as I finished my gradual descend down the staircase due to a right knee replacement.
A few days later, I noticed Echo was limping. So, we made a trip to a nearby animal hospital. It was determined Echo pulled his left hip joint during the fall and was put on anti-inflammatory medication for a week.
This was the end of Echo’s dives up or down apartment staircase. Now he takes a few steps ahead of me; wait until I catch up and continues this routine until we arrive on the third floor or descend to the exit door. Laughing, he turns out to still be an attentive fast learning, since I did have to teach him this!
Other difficulties I have discovered about living in this apartment: Children running up and down the hallway like they are running marathons on an outdoor track, which makes this a problem when Echo needs to go out to potty. As a result, I have had to approach and ask parents if they could have their children join them in the laundry room or send these children to their apartment so I can take my dog out to potty.
Further, I always carry poop bags in my pocket to pickup after Echo. Nothing is more irritating then picking up Echo’s poop, then stepping in another resident’s dog poop while heading to the dumpster to dispose of my dog’s waste.
A little after 9:30pm, I took Echo out to potty. We had been outside for a while when I heard something noisy being dragged from the door of my apartment building. I quickly turned and saw a female resident dragging a large black heavy-duty construction type trash bag from the door down the sidewalk; across the parking lot to the dumpster location where she left the bag and returned to the building.
Upon returning to the entrance door of my apartment, I was met by the smell of something dead. The smell was so overwhelming; I had to back out of the building and use my foot to retrieve a rock and push it into the door frame to hold the door open for a while. Because the portable floor placed ventilation system is so small, it does not force any significant air flow towards the second or third floors. Therefore, the entire entrance up to the third floor had a strong unpleasant death smell.
Further, there was a trail of slimy residue on the left-side of the staircase that I ensured Echo didn’t walk-in or smell. The same situation exited upon opening my third-floor entrance door. This time, the trail of slim was on the right-side of the hallway, leading to the door the bag was dragged from. That awful smell lasted for a few days.
I don’t like the constant slamming of doors and trying to quiet echo because this returning home resident routine, seems to disturb both of us. Nor do I enjoy rushing home to get a parking space near the entrance door because my knee or ankle hurts.
Nope, I can’t do it! Knowing this is not the life for me, I brought moving boxes from Lowe’s Home Improvement and begin repacking my household effects which will be returned to a storage facility when I return home in April 2024.
Usually, a few days after returning home from my winter season exodus I schedule an appointment with my nearby Sioux Falls Camping World to give my motorhome the usual checkup and make repairs months in advance of my return to the highway.
I accept the regular service needs of my motorhome as those of my previous homes; when the roof, and exterior siding needs to be treated or replaced. As well as repaint interior walls and ceilings, window replacements, annual professional cleaning of hardwood, and ceramic tile floors. The lawn mowing, grass beside driveways and sidewalks edged; the driveway, deck and patio stained and/or power washed and shoveling snow. Not only were these constant home and property maintenance tasks expensive; they were time-consuming and exhausting. However, my lifestyle as a 30-foot motorhome dweller is so much better, less expensive with the occasional replacement of big-ticket item such as Cummings generator replacement which I have replaced twice.
Currently, my motorhome is six years old. And there are so many interior things that irritates me and needs to be repaired that I began to keep notes with the intent of sharing my list with camping world when I take my motorhome in for its annual return home repairs. It’s crazy as I think of it now. If I weren’t forced to move into an apartment due to climate change weather conditions, my dog and I would be living at My Place Hotel which is my favorite place. After selling my Maryland home and moving to Sioux Falls as a new resident, this hotel was my home for two months until I decided to buy a motorhome and become a full-time traveler.
Since I am constantly on the highway travelling from place to place, things inside my motorhome always need to be repaired or screws tightened. As a result, I carry replacement screws and rolls of Gorilla Tape to hold things together until I return home. Meanwhile I have noticed my repair list is getting shorter. When I first bought this motorhome as a new RV, I had so many serious things that were wrong I considered returning it to the dealer; because I was constantly travel from place to place to secure warranty repair services until the warranties expired. Then repairs became an out-of-pocket expense for me.
As a result, I get repairs done as soon as possible; like I used to do when I was a home owner. So, repairs aren’t as bad as they used to be. I am scheduled to dropping my motorhome off at Camping World on May 10, 2023 for the following repairs:
(1) Replace broken vent garnish in bathroom, (2) Pull driving pit rug up, and tuck electric wire under rug. (3) Kitchen drawers slide open when driving. Removed all drawers and rebuilt replace glides. Also locks and latches were installed on all drawers. (4) Slide-out does not fully extend. Discovered broken wheel which was replaced. (5) Cabinet door above couch – hinge broken. Hinge was replaced. (6) Strut replaced on motorhome side entrance door. (7) None of the three tv’s works. Problem diagnosed and resolved. (8) Vinyl on counter top near couch and counter top edge near closet needs to be reattached . Also, and counter top was re-attached. (9) The faucet sink needs to be remounted to the counter and faucet needs to be tightened and secured to stay in place. (10) All four-leveling jacks drag while driving into or exiting shopping malls and service stations with aprons. They were removed two-years ago, but sensors still flash and beep like jacks are still attached and dropping to level motorhome. Beeping identified and resolved. (11) LED interior lighting installed two-years ago flashing was identified and corrected. Everything under the hood was checked and fluids topped-off.
Okie Dokie; I am glad these repairs are done. I am ready to roll out of Sioux Falls in October 2023. Prior to retrieving my motorhome from Camping World, I found and paid $150, for a five-month storage space for my motorhome. So, I drove it from Camping World to its new storage space. Secured everything, covered the tires and windows, made sure every outside compartment was locked, with the intent of returning to check on the motorhome; start the engine and let the motorhome run for 30 or more minutes twice a month.
