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The Petrified Forest

Written by Nadine Zangerle on . Posted in USA

 

Finally after almost 4 weeks of preparation in Arizona we started off into the north. But before we hit the road we wanted to get cabover struts (shock absorber) to stabilize the truck camper on rougher roads. The company we had the appointment at didn’t deny their use for off road driving when we asked on the phone. So it said on the internet as well.

We waited almost five hours instead off one and than they told us to take them off whenever we plan to go off road. What a joke, why did we mention on the phone for what purpose we will need them. Their argument was they where not here to educate their customers. So angry and disappointed, $ 500 less in our pockets, we left towards Flagstaff.

On our way to the Petrified Forest it started snowing and we had to wait till one o’clock until the park opened up the gates. But waiting was definitely worth it.

Once upon a time the logs got buried with silt, mud and volcanic ash. Silicia-laden groundwater seeped through the logs and replaced the original wood tissues with silicia deposits. Than crystallized into quartz we can admire this petrified wood today.

It is amazing what kind of story the nature tells us.

During our drive through the park on a paved road one of the brackets holding the struts got ripped out. We could see why they have been working so long on the truck since they did misplaced the brackets in the first place. They also broke an inner plastic part of our truck. So we called the company and they agreed to give us the money back. We have to send in the struts and an invoice for the broken plastic part. They will transfer the money to us. So let’s do that.

Let’s travel on and enjoy the rest of our snowy trip.

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Bonnie and Clyde

Written by Nadine Zangerle on . Posted in USA

With Troy and Micha’s parents gone we got ready to change a bit our travel plans. Traveling alone and with South America in mind we reconsidered our travel units. We had an interesting experience with our 5th Wheel through the mountains of the Sierra Nevada. So we decided to sell it and try to buy a truck camper.

A truck camper sits on top of your truck so you can go off road and reach areas where you can’t go with a trailer. Also the fuel consumption is way better since it is lighter.

Luckily we got the strategically perfect location at family Slife. Arizona has still perfect weather for camping so better to sell our trailer. And since the truck camper or also called slide-in-camper are very popular in Arizona this was the place to be. Thanks to Vickie and Curtis we could realize our change of plans.

Letting go of our 5th Wheel was not easy since it was a bit home for us. But we found a nice couple who fell in love with it just as we did 3 months ago. Finding the right truck camper wasn’t easy.

Not only the prices at the dealers place where shocking, also the conditions of those campers. One had a bad water damage under the bed but sure the dealer didn’t mention it in hope we wouldn’t find it.

So we decided to buy private. And we found the right one.

Let us introduce you to our new team: Bonnie and Clyde – so our gangsta still got it’s name.

During days of resealing, cleaning, repairing the fridge and our electric jacks we enjoyed the company of Vickie, Curtis and the four dogs. One day we did a crazy 8 hours sealing mission and in the night it started raining. How likely is rain in the desert? After 3 months traveling we had only 4 days rain. But we had been lucky and the sealing was fine.

The four electric jacks had been a little challenge. How likely is it that you have a broken remote control, a broken cable and a broken circuit board? But Michael is becoming a real electrician and loves to do everything himself.

On the weekend Curtis, us and the dogs Skyler and Guinness did a great hike around the Picacho Peak. Great day and a stunning view over the desert and the huge cacty. We will really miss them once we hid the road again.

Thank you family Slife for everything! We will miss you and hope to see you soon somewhere in the world!

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Thanksgiving at family Slife

Written by Nadine Zangerle on . Posted in USA

Arriving in Maricopa it was a great welcome with Troy and his family. Our 5th Wheel just fitted in their drive way and more family was on the way. So with 18 people we had a typical American Thanksgiving.

Derek and Annie prepared a very special all day long dinner and I still remember those special asparagus, yummy. With football, billiard, boccia and table fussball we enjoyed this crazy celebration and made a lot of friends.

Doug, Vickie’s brother brought an old German document from his great grandfather and Michael and I translated it for them. So there is plenty of German background in the family to explore and we enjoyed this little research.

The 4 dogs – 2 pugs, 1 cocker spaniel and 1 border collie – kept us busy coddling. Every morning Dieter went outside and had his special time with Olive, one of the pugs. They will miss each other once Michael’s parents are gone.

Before leaving the USA there is still one great event we can’t miss – American football. The Slife’s invited us for the Cardinals versus Rams game so we had a great time at the stadium. Even if the Phoenix team lost, it was just unbelievable.

We had an unforgettable dinner at the Kai restaurant – the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass of the Gila River Indian Community and finally the time came when we had to bring Michael’s parents to the airport. With very mixed feelings we had to say goodbye to our travel companions and miss them already. We had a great time together!