gouldings | Small Home

Start of the Spring Road Trip, Durango & Monument Valley

14 01 2022

Just as last year, we’re parked at the Oasis RV Park in Durango. However, unlike last year, it’s much colder and there’s more snow and ice through the park. There are surprisingly quite a few RVs in the park this year. We’re parked in a pull-through, premium view site, #12 on the NW corner of the park. The site is mostly snow covered, except around the headed water faucet. It gets sloppy and muddy during the days which are around 45 degrees, and then freezes solid in the overnight teens. We’d prefer one of the southern sites, back-in #19 – #22 or #25 or #26.

After visiting with friends on Saturday, we returned to a coolish trailer. The problem became readily apparent, the furnace was failing to light. Cranking up the fireplace and a small space heater, we managed to maintain an inside temperature of about 60 degrees overnight (after a low of 18!). Spending a few hours looking at YouTube videos, we determined that the problem was most likely the sail switch. With the exterior furnace cover removed, a quick continuity test concluded that the switch was indeed not closing. Removing the switch revealed little in the way of built-up dirt and dust. However, after cleaning and reinstalling, the furnace fired the first time. Problem solved, or at least averted for now.

Goulding’s RV, Monument Valley, UT

From Durango we’re headed to one of our favorite parks at Goulding’s Lodge in Monument Valley, UT. From Monument Valley we’re headed to Williams, AZ. More from the home of the Grand Canyon Railroad Company.

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Tags: durango, gouldings, monument valley, oasis rv, sail switch
Categories : Spring Road Trip 2022

Changing Plans

29 01 2021

Lost Dutchman State Park

On January 14^th, we departed on the 2021 Spring Road Trip. The original plan was to make our way to Yuma, AZ as quickly as possible to enjoy 2 weeks in the (hopefully) warmest spot in the state. However by early January, Yuma and the surrounding area of southern California began making headlines as the “worldwide hotspot of Covid”. With nearly no available hospital beds and business once again shutting down, we decided that Yuma probably wasn’t the best choice.

Our first night out was in Durango, at the Oasis RV Park. This former KOA is now related to the Oasis in Amarillo – and we found the park and sites very enjoyable. We’d stay here again.

Our next night was at Goulding’s Lodge and RV Park in Monument Valley, Utah. This is a favorite park, and we always enjoy our stays here.

Goulding’s Lodge and RV Park, Monument Valley, UT

Finally arriving in Arizona, we once again selected the Verde Ranch RV Resort for a 7 night stay. Last time in Camp Verde we visited the Verde Brewing Company. Unfortunately the brewery is still temporary closed due to the affects of Covid. We enjoyed an afternoon in Sedona where we sampled beers at Oak Creek Brewery before a great lunch at Creekside American Bistro.

Sedona, AZ

In Camp Verde we visited Sedona View RV Resort, just 7 miles from Verde Ranch RV (and the noise of I-17) with great views of the Verde River Valley. This might be a good option on the next trip to Camp Verde.

Sedona View RV Resort, Camp Verde, AZ

Just as winter makes a come back to Camp Verde, we’ve moved south to the Phoenix area. Somehow, we managed to find 4 nights of no-services dry camping at Lost Dutchman, one of our favorite State Parks. And, as rain and even some freezing temperatures mange to follow us to Phoenix, we’re able to upgrade all 4 nights to electric/water sites. Unheard of – it must be due to either covid or weather related cancellations.

Snowy Superstitions, Lost Dutchman SP

From Lost Dutchman we’ll spend 3 nights at the Rancho Sonora Inn and RV Park in Florence, AZ. We’re in site #36, and friends in #17. Both are very tight back-in sites. PARK MAP Better options would be pull-throughs 8 or 9 or back-in sites 42-47.

Site #36, Rancho Sonora Inn and RV Park, Florence, AZ

While in Florence we visited several RV parks in the Casa Grande area – our favorite was Palm Creek Golf & RV Resort. PARK MAP

Palm Creek Golf & RV Resort, Casa Grande

After Florence we’re headed to Tucson for a week before returning to Apache Junction. More from Tucson…

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Tags: camp verde, casa grande, durango, florance, gouldings, lost dutchman, monument valley, palm creek, rancho sonora, sedona, verde ranch
Categories : Spring Road Trip 2021

On to Monument Valley

20 02 2018

Snowy Roads near Monticello, UT

After departing Moab in about 34 degree weather and bright sunny skies, we’re surprised by a brief snowstorm up around 7000’ at Monticello. The roads actually become snow covered on our approach into Monticello, and we run through another snow squall a few miles south. But, as soon as we decent out of elevations we’re once again on dry roads with sunny skies. By the time we cross the San Juan River at Mexican Hat the temperature is up around 45 degrees.

This is our 3^rd visit to Goulding’s RV Campground in Monument Valley – we where here both before and after our visit to the Grand Canyon last year in 2017. We select site #34 which is perfectly level and long enough to not require unhitching. While the park warns that their WiFi system may be slow, with very few other users (only about 5 rigs), the speeds seemed fine. There are a couple dozen cable TV channels, but as usual, all in very cropped 4:3 ratio. Our initial plan was to spend two night here in Monument Valley. But, with temps around 20 degrees the first morning and forecast high of only around 40, we decide to pack up and head toward Flagstaff, AZ. More from Arizona!

Goulding’s RV Campground, Monument Valley, UT Site#33

Goulding’s RV Campground, Monument Valley, UT Site #33

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Tags: gouldings, monument valley, utah
Categories : Spring Road Trip 2018

Monument Valley, UT

29 05 2017

Goulding’s RV Park, Monument Valley, UT

After leaving Durango, we’re headed to Monument Valley, UT. With a slight detour south, we’ve stopped at the Four Corners monument and driven in all four of the linked states, from Colorado to New Mexico, into Arizona and then back to the north into Utah. Just a few miles from the state line is Monument Valley, and the Goulding’s complex including an RV park that will be our home for the next two nights.

Set in a narrow canyon of towering red stone cliffs, the campground offers full hookups including cable TV & WiFi, on nicely sized sites, most with a tree or two. We’re in sites #31 and #32, two pull through sites closer to the east side of the campground. Most of these sites have an eastern view, looking toward Monument Valley and offering afternoon shade. The main camper services building provides a laundromat, a small store, showers, bathrooms and an indoor pool. With our Good Sam discount, rates were still in the pricey range at around $62.00 per night.

We’re traveling with good friends who just took delivery of a new Grand Design Reflection. Arriving in the parking lot at Goulding’s, one of their curb side wheels is making a terrible grinding noise. With no RV service shop within miles, they were very lucky to find one of the Goulding’s employees with knowledge of trailer wheels and axles – and the willingness to assist with the greasy job of removing the wheel and brake hub. The front brake appears to have been dragging and is ground down to bare metal. Thanks again to Quinton for his assistance in removing these brake parts to allow them to continue their trip.

On a quick side-trip, we’ve driven about 30 miles north to Goosenecks State Park to check out the views and the dry camping sites. The river view is awesome – the 5 or 6 campsites are very basic, scattered across a gravel parking lot, each with a covered picnic table and a fire ring.