Tucson to Joshua Tree National Park

Time to leave Tucson and start the 4,000 mile journey to Alaska
 We say goodbye to our neighbors and Tucson caregivers, Sandy and Owen and leave them a memento of Tucson to keep with them.

The park is virtually empty

and now there is one less

When Gary unplugged, he couldn't get the plug and surge protector separated they had melted together. With help and pliers he got them apart but one prong stayed in the plug on the surge protector.  The surge protector looks very sad!

We decided to stop at Camping world on the way out and pick up a replacement 30 amp plug.  While there, I noticed they had their roadside assistance plan on sale $65 from $115 so we decided to get it.

Good thing because 200 miles down the road a motorist flagged us to pull over and we did to find one of the new tires we got just before arriving in Tucson had blown.  I called and was initially told there was a 48 to 72 hour waiting period.  I said this was not planned, it was a new tire, we had just driven 200 miles, we were on the side of a busy highway and couldn't change it because our jack would not fit under it.  She said she would talk to a supervisor and get back to me.  1/2 hour later she called to say they would send someone.

An hour and a half later the tire was changed

We arrive in Quartzsite

and pull into the only tire shop.  The man was extremely rude and made it clear he did not want to help us.

We decided to find a place for breakfast and I would try to try and find out where my friends Sharon and Steve lived as I did not have their phone number.  We stopped at the Main Street Cafe for breakfast.  I searched facebook for a post Sharon made when they bought their place here so know knew the park they were in. We asked for a phone book but they weren't listed.  The waitress asked who we were looking for I told her but she said she didn't recognize the name.  I mentioned the park and she said she knew someone that lived there and called them.  Turns out they knew them and gave her the phone number.  Small world and funny how things just seem to work out.  Call them and asked if they knew of a good BLM spot to park.  They said they had a full hookup site next to their house and we were welcome to stay there.

We went to Easter Service at their Church and stayed for a brunch afterward.

The next morning we hiked to the flag to walk off brunch and a delicious Ham dinner before heading out

Success!

On the way down a dove fluttered by us on the ground looking injured.  A little further down I spotted the eggs she was trying to keep us away from

 

Welcome to California!

I had researched tire stores in Blythe and Joe's got good reviews

The staff was cute and friendly

We were in and out in a 1/2 hour.  They said our blow-outs were because of regular valve stems on the tires instead of high pressure ones.   They would develop a leak deflate the tire and then boom!  They replaced the three valves that were not high pressure.  Hopefully that will get us to Alaska with no further tire issues.

Next stop Joshua Tree National Park and hopefully a visit with friends.