Alexis Hartz, Author

Well, I've been absent for a few days, my apologies to my loyal readers!  I've been winterizing the coach in preparation for a trip to Phoenix --- to fly to San Francisco for a few days --- then back to the coach to my early winter options. With that being said we'll start with winterizing.  Not much to it, just getting all of the water out of all of the places that the water is stored.  The one place that I forgot was my flower pitcher on kitchen table.  Of all the help that I received from fellow rver's in the process, no one mentioned that vessel!  The coach is officially in storage for the next two weeks. Colette, my sweet friend and park receptionist,  asked if I was planning to stay with them on a monthly basis when I returned. I am undecided.  Yesterday I woke to the first hard frost of the season, fresh snow on the mountain tops, and the thermometer's mercury continues to fall. I'm not sure that my warm-blooded Phoenix...

Some of you are familiar with the TV program called Sunday Morning.   It includes segments on various subject matters interspersed with commentaries and opinions.  Today's Blog's title is inspired by that program with a casual twist. Several of you have written to me and asked questions, so here are the answers: How am I liking it, and is it getting old yet?   I am loving it!  I'm really enjoying the simplicity of it.  Everything you need and nothing you don't.  A few epiphanies that I have had: I cleaned the entire coach, front to back, bathroom, kitchen, even vacuuming and it took me a whole 40 minutes!  Fantastic! Much better that a whole day of house cleaning! I can sit at my kitchen table and reach books on my living room couch without taking a step.  The kitchen counter doubles as an end table for the living room, no dusting required. Are you cooking or eating out?  Doing dishes or disposable everything? Since I've b...

Should I share with you the splendor of the cottonwood trees in their majestic autumn gold foilage, or the sweet smell of the river valley before a rain, or the calming comfort of a night sky painted with greys, the clouds giving way to the moon's nearly full glow? Oh how I wish I could.  You'll have to excuse me, I'm going to listen to the pitter patter of a steady rain tonight.  It's a treat that this gal from the desert craves, and it's long overdue.

Last Friday, after a week of enjoying a mini-vacation in Durango, I decided to seek out someone who might need help.  (After all, that is part of the travel plans.)  I stopped by the Soup Kitchen and committed myself to a week of service which began yesterday. ---- More on that later. Anyway, after my shift today my neighbor knocked on my door and ordered me to come over and "talk rv" with him and his wife.  Before I had my thongs on he was not headed back to his rv as I expected, but rather to the opposite side of mine where he quickly openend all of my utility compartments.  By that time his wife was introducing herself and looking over his shoulder, commenting to each other about my set-up.Without hesitation he began undoing hoses and cords and pipes and reconnecting them through the appropriate lower openings.  When he got to the waste pipes, he offered the lead to her, and as she adjusted the fittings, she turned to me and proudly announc...

Bayfield, Colorado  Incorporated in 1906 Population:  2,087 Land Area:  1.08 square miles Oh, I'm so sorry I didn't have my camera for my evening walk tonight. I walked from one end of Bayfield to the other. I saw a couple cruising Main Street. . . . on their horses. I saw a winter's worth of firewood stacked on the front porch of a house. I saw a black and white goat in a front yard, "mowing" the lawn with it's front teeth. I saw two young boys in a front yard, trying their best to load a bike on an old rusty red wagon.  They saw me walking by and spoke a little more loudly to each other, "We sure could use some help, couldn't we?"  And the other replied back to his friend, "Yep, sure could!"  Aah!  That's my cue!  I helped them load the bike. As soon as it was done (taking all of 30 seconds), their little cherub-like faces turned up towards me with clearly spoken thanks.  Sweet little angels! Boys at that kinderg...

Today was a typical Saturday.  Get up and clean the house, do a little home repair and improvement, and take the afternoon off.  It's probably the closest to normal that I've been since I purchased this home. When it's not on the road, Coach Life is pretty much the same as permanent home life. I even have wireless internet service and cable tv service --- and, actually more channels that I get at home.  Since I've been close to Durango, CO, I've been visiting with my son Nick, and his wife, Kristen.  That's normal. I visit them regularly on weekends throughout the year. We enjoy each other's company. It's easy to think about staying here close to them, but that's not part of the plan.  I'm in a process of blending the old normal with the new normal.  Spending time with Nick and Kristen is part of a day that also includes formulating the next trip leg, researching another income lead, learning something new a...

So many people that hear of my adventure tell me that they wish that they could do it, or think it's great to have such freedom. . . and courage. . . I had to chuckle today when a friend told me that years ago she thought I was just day dreaming when I would talk about traveling in an RV.  Yes, I was just day dreaming then.  Our minds are amazing machines.  Just like guided missiles, our brains are set up to hone in on a target (goal) and decipher the path to get there.  A series of events occurring in precisely the right order, all at precisely the right time created the opportunity to transform my day dream into reality.  It's as simple as that. Well, that and a heaping lot of prayers! So, what is your day dream?  I'd love to know. .. .

Wolf Creek Pass Summit, The Continental Divide Today I took a scouting trip in the car over Wolf Creek Pass. For those of you unfamiliar with this section of Colorado roadway, check out the description, and the song lyrics written about one trucker's scarey drive over it at  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_Creek_Pass . I've been over it many times in my life. The first time was life changing.  The aspen trees that dotted the roadside were decked out in their autumn gold-guilded leaves, against a sky bluer than I could have ever imagined possible.  The Rio Grande River headwaters ran icy clear, trickling over boulders and massive tree trunks along the road's edge.  As the elevation increase, the river disappeared and my attention was drawn to acres and acres, and acres of aspens, pines, and rocky peaks. Today was no different.  It was as spectacular as I remember it.  And now, 30 years later, after massive improvements, expanded ro...

 They just finished kissing. . . really! Now these neighbors are real dears deers, so tame that you practically have to push them out of the way to get an apple off of the tree above them. What a beautiful day.  Blue sky, yellow aspens, and a babbling brook outside my front door. Doesn't get much better than this.

Hey everyone out there ---- I need your help. Already I have more stories that what I can put into a blog.   But I don’t want to bore you with the ones that you don’t care about. I can tell you about how much I truly appreciated discovering that this RV park had shower facilities so that I could take a long, hot shower this morning.   (RV showers are not long.   They are hot, but it is recommended that you rinse, turn off the water, lather, and turn the water back on to rinse again.)   Brrrrr --- not my kind of shower when the coach is 42 degrees because I didn’t turn on the propane the night before and so I can’t light the coach heater, OR the water heater until I go out and open the valve. And, that means no hot water for brewed coffee on the propane stove either. . . . OR, I can tell you about how I stopped at Window Rock Park on the way here, and how I enjoyed hearing the sounds of small bells as I slowed down to looked through the window of the rock...

Today I am officially “hooked-up”.   I have checked in for the week at a gorgeous park along the banks of the Pine River in southwestern Colorado. My mobile homestead has running water (hot and cold), plumbing, and electricity.   The camp host was extremely friendly, helpful and full of useful tips about utilities, seasonal challenges, and driving tips.   He reminded me that in all matters, take the feminine approach --- use a gentle touch everywhere inside and outside of the coach.   “Oh,” I exclaimed as he instructed, “there’s lots of potential to break things on this vehicle.”   “Yes, there’s lots of potential to break things.” He echoed. When he left, I went inside and figured out how to operate the blinds by myself.   I opened the window quickly, . . . and was left holding the a piece of the window clasp between my fingers.   My first first-hand experience with a broken thing.  

 I’m finally on the road.   My first goal is to get out of the valley. Not sure if you know or not, but Phoenix is in the heart of the “Valley of the Sun”.   It’s not apparent at first, but shortly into the drive you realized that you’re climbing a series of large hills that will bring you to an elevation above 6,000 feet in just over 2 hours.   The highway is dotted with caution signs: slow down for sharp curves, steep grades, and my favorite -- particularly on a hot summer day--   “Turn air conditioning off to avoid over heating.” I’ve traveled that road so many times in the past 20 years that those signs are a blur as I zip past at 80mph, my greatest fear is a high-priced speeding ticket.    Today is different.   As I climb those hills the engine revs to a maximum speed of 45mph, and as I glide down them I am challenged to keep the coach at 45mph.   Cars are lined up behind me on the way up, and wizzing by me on the way down. I’m ...