It is the day after the night before and we are all hoping Henrietta has survived her night alone in the desert. It is still early so I do not know if Ray was successful in finding any parts for her today. Time will tell I suppose but perhaps the old girl will have to spend one more night out in the desert!!
Monday afternoon found us with all the supposed necessary parts to rescue Henrietta from the wilds of the desert so, John and I climbed into Kermit and Ray and Kay loaded all the tools and parts into Camo (their other side by side) and off we went.
John had lent Ray a stock rim and tire off Kermit for the trip home as it was the same size and should work well. At least then we could get her off the trail and then Ray could buy a new rim next week. She would at least be home and that would be less worry that some jerk was trashing her as she sat wounded on the trail.
We arrived in short order as we really were not that far off Blue Tank Road. John hooked up the winch and put Henrietta at an easy working angle. No need to jack it up and a whole lot faster. The new studs were easily switched out for the broken ones that remained and the rim and tire slipped on like it was supposed to. We were soon ready for the ride out.
John, Kay and I had decided to actually finish the trail we were on which we thought would take us to Box Canyon. Ray would turn around, access Blue Tank Road then carry on to Constellation and down the highway to home. Life was good!!
It wasn't long before we received a text from Ray saying something wasn't right with the tire and he was "dead in the water" as he put it. So, we turned around and went on yet another rescue mission!! We found Ray at the exact spot we had left him. Something wasn't "right" so once again, John winched Henrietta over and yes, it was indeed rubbing on the rim but at this point had rubbed a groove in the rim so it should be good to go!!
We decided to call it a day. Lets just get Henrietta home and we will finish this particular trail another day. John wondered if this trail was "the never ending trail"!!
We phoned Mitch to meet us on Blue Tank with the trailer and then the three side by sides started the journey. I road in Henrietta with Ray. This was to supposedly supply some much needed balance to the passenger side of the rig to ease the load on the already compromised left rear wheel. This proved to be a big joke because by the time we hit Blue Tank, the tire was smoking and blew just as we got to the road. Henrietta's trip was over but we had called Mitch and he was on his way!!
Of course Mitch can not follow directions and had already blown past the rendezvous spot. Getting him back on track required a few more phone calls but eventually he found us and Henrietta was loaded into the trailer and headed for home.
John, Kay and I continues home as well but took the back way. This keeps us off the highway and although longer, is ultimately safer for everyone.
When we arrived home, Ray and Mitch had a fire going and we all sat around enjoying the warmth and eventually a couple of home made awesome pizzas. Life is once again.....Good!!
This week also found us shopping in Phoenix. Kay needed her work boots re-souled so we had to make a stop at Red Wing Shoes. We then hit Walmart, Sam's Club and Home Depot and came home with a truck full of much needed supplies. The worst part of this day was the unpacking!!
Henrietta was taken into the repair shop this week and needed a new axle and rotor so that is probably the reason it marked up the rim and destroyed the tire!! Oh well, she was fixed in one day so will be ready for our trip to Florence, Az and the coke ovens. Apparently that is on our schedule for sometime in February.
Mitch is still busy trying to purchase a home and each day the stories he tells us are getting more bizarre. Man, I just don't know about this man some times. Kay and I have helped him clean out his current home a bit and I helped him move two loads of furniture to the storage space he rented. He thinks he is pretty much moved out but take it from someone who spent here childhood moving every two years......he has a long way to go yet!! The end of the month is almost upon him and I am thinking he will not be out by then.
Lorne and Marilyn arrived in Wickenburg this week and it was good to reconnect with them. They arrived on Thursday and were here for happy hour. Old habits die hard!!
On Friday, we travelled the back roads to Yarnell and ended up at the Arrowhead Bar and Grill for supper with them. That was fun and I do believe everyone enjoyed it.
Saturday, John will be cooking salmon and lemon pepper potatoes on the BBQ. We invited Lorne and Marilyn to join us.
The few remaining park residents continue to slowly move out. We are theoretically on the final week and soon, Ray and Kay, and John and I will be the only remaining folks here. Man, that will be nice!!
All in all, it has been a very busy week. We finished hauling the red rock into the yard and even managed to get some onto the driveway. John shortened the two front gates to accommodate the red rock.and got the framework for the roof up over the back deck. Ray and I hauled the cactus paddles that had been laying on the ground to the dump along with a couple of dead cactus plants. We only managed to get a few pokes each!! I must say, those cactus paddles were heavy...... think I would rather shovel landscape rock that deal with those things again!! Life is good!!
 |
| There is water in the desert |
 |
| Getting Henrietta lifted up |
 |
| Getting the studs and wheel on |
 |
| Marie was in charge of the winch |
 |
| Heading down the trail |
 |
| Had to return back |
 |
| it turned out the rotor was bent causing problems |
 |
| Tire blew off the bead as we arrived at the road |
 |
| Mitch to the rescue |
 |
| Getting back as the sun goes down |
 |
| Heading out to the Arrow bar the back way |
 |
| Marie getting the gate |
 |
| Lorne and Marilyn following |
 |
| Getting to the hyway as the sun sets |
 |
| At the Arrow Head Bar |
