Inverter Blues Cured

Springville, UT and St. George, UT – July 26 through 28, 2013

We timed today’s trip to arrive in Salt Lake City after 12 noon to pick up our new inverter. We had about a 100 miles to go and it was mostly downhill, great for the fuel economy. As we got closer, the traffic began to pick up and get squirrely. But I kept saying to myself, I only have to put up with it for a day.

EJ picked a Walmart to park Big Guy so we could unhook the Element. It was close to both the interstate and West Marine where the inverter waited for us. As it turns out, the Walmart was right next door to an In-n-Out Burger. And it was lunchtime when we got there. Yummy!!

After lunch we ran over to get the inverter and found out it didn’t come with the required fuse. Since we upgraded from a 600 watt to a 1000 watt inverter, the fuse we were currently using wouldn’t be sufficient to handle the load. And of course, West Marine didn’t have the fuse we needed.

So, we spent the next four hours running around south Salt Lake City looking for a 150 amp fuse to fit the holder I had already installed. I didn’t think it would be this difficult because the first car stereo shop I went to back home in Orange Park had it. We must have found half a dozen car stereo shops and they were either closed up or had never heard of the fuse I needed. We even tried several auto parts stores. Finally in frustration, I picked up a fuse that I could modify to fit the fuse holder. As we were driving back to Big Guy, we spotted a car stereo shop that wasn’t on our list. A quick u-turn later I ran inside and then back outside with a triumphant smile on my face. They had exactly what I wanted.

So, half an hour to pick up the inverter and 4 hours to find a fuse. Just in time for rush hour traffic out of Salt Lake as EJ scours the internet for a place to roost for the night.

Oh, and it hasn’t gotten any cooler either.

We find a nice place in Springville, about 50 miles south of Salt Lake that will accept one of our many discount cards. After we get settled it turns out to be cool enough (barely) to sit outside while EJ does some computer work. While we’re here Frank gets the new inverter installed and we are once again electric hookup independent. Now if we can just find some place that doesn’t require 24 hour air conditioning.

The next day finds us on the road to St. George, UT where an Elks Lodge with electric hookups awaits us. EJ was watching the weather radar on the iPad and suggested we take a break at one point because it looked like the thunderstorms were closing in on us.

On the way we also pass a Walmart distribution center. That’s a lot of trailers to fill.

As we get closer to St. George you can see the scenery change more and more to an orange/red hue.

At last we spot the Elks Lodge nestled up against the red rocks.

The first night we had company, but after that we pretty much had it to ourselves. We look lonely don’t we?

On our first night we went inside the Lodge to check in and buy a couple of adult beverages to celebrate our arrival. We met the camp host who proceeded to invite us to have some pizza on the house. Wow! Drinks and dinner.

The next day it was still miserably hot so it was definitely a day for inside activities. We found a movie with blissfully cool air conditioning and watched Red2 and had popcorn for lunch.  We still needed some exercise so we searched for and found a shopping mall where we do a few laps and stretch our legs in air conditioned comfort. As a reward we consumed a Jamocha Shake. Once again, all things were in balance and harmony.

Having finally made the decision to visit EJ’s brother in Monterey, CA (before turning around for home) we decided to stop in Las Vegas to see some old friends since it doesn’t add that many miles to the trip. So, next stop, Vegas!