Grand Canyon and My Duh Moment

[JudyJB]

After many years of wanting to travel all over the U.S, especially national parks, I have finally made it to Grand Canyon and am beginning my "slow" travel phase. Drove three very tiring days from Napa after the dealer did not get my infamous steps in, but I have decided not to let that ruin my plans.

So, I am set up here in Trailer Village, and very glad to be settled in for an entire week. Now I can do things more slowly and on my own schedule. No more hurrying to get somewhere. Today, I went to Mather Point, the visitor center, and to the Bright Angel Lodge area, all by shuttle bus. It is still very busy here, but I found a quiet place or two to sit. Have also enjoyed watching elk munch on the fresh new grass produced by the recent rains. Tonight, one was right outside my door, literally!

After a week here, I will be spending 5 days at lake Powell, and 7 days at the North Rim. Then on to Zion and Bryce. That schedule ought to give me plenty of time to see things slowly.

Went to the park market today--glad I have enough food to last me 7-10 days! Things are really expensive--like $7.98 for a pint of Haagen Das. SKipped it obviously.

Now for my duh moment. Remember I had been searching for a 12 volt receptacle to pull power from my batteries? I had searched everywhere. This morning, however, I noticed a round hole near by bunk tv, but it did not look like the usual cigaretty lighter plug. I decided to stick my new 12 volt charger for my laptop into it and the green light went on!!! Voila! It really is a 12 v plug and I actually do have an inverter in this coach. No more sitting in visitor centers recharging my laptop. Yea!

[Dawn309]

Enjoy your slow phase. Glad you found your 12 volt outlet. Post pics when you can.

[Redwahine]

Glad you found your 12v plug Post pictures when you get a chance. All that you are doing these next couple weeks are on my list. Enjoy

[BirdbyBird]

Congratulations on finding the outlet. Sounds like it could be a good place, isn't that the bunk that makes into a small table area?

[snowball]

sounds like you are going to spend a lot of time in that area so envious we always wanted to go to the Grand Canyon we didn't make it I did as a teen it is so
awesome! amazing what nature can do..enjoy your time and so glad that you found the plug in!
sheila

[Bethers]

Good news about the 12V - just curious about how you know you have an inverter - or did you already know that?

Have fun at the Grand Canyon.

[sharon]

If you have an inverter you wouldn't need the 12V outlet. Just turn it on and use a regular 110V outlet to charge your electronics. That's what an inverter does, changes 12V battery power into 110 AC power.

[Travelinana]

Inverters, converters, ya'll have me so confuzed! Garage sales, major house cleaning and staging are upper most in my mind. I will learn all about Lady Bird in good time. So far my list isn't too longs so far but Rudy just added another by tearing out the screen in the door when I was gone. fHe is a very confused little dog. Since we walk back and forth to the house about a dozen times a day he sometimes looks at me and I can almost hear him saying 'mama, where do we really live'? My handyman will help me configure a replacement that will include a doggy door. We might even patent it and in no time I will move up to a Prevost with a driver
Judy you have me chomping at the bit to go back to Grand Canyon. We made a short stop at the south rim..I vowed there would be another so I could explore it all...and I will def stock up on groceries.
On the subject of Issac, please take heed if you are in danger. This forum has no dummies so I know all will be fine. I am praying for those poor souls who are again in harm's way and suffered through Katrina...I welcome any rain this might give us here in AR but I would gladly suffer the drought longer rather than have the suffering nature's fury can cause.

[cpatinjones]

Happy you found the 12v outlet.

Enjoy your trip!

[JudyJB]

You are right. I was confused. I have a 12 volt outlet, but may or may not have an inverter with a regular outlet. Will need to check with Fleetwood. I wonder what would happen if I just went around to all of my 110 v outlets and plugged something in each one while I was dry camping without power??

And yes, the middle TV is directly across from the convertible dinette. It is usually a two-person dinette but there is a top bunk that pulls down from the top of the slide, and then the dinette table and cushions can be placed on the floor for a lower bunk. We used it when camping with my son and grandkids. When I am alone, obviously, I keep it as a dinette and store paper things under the seats, along with my toolbag and bathroom scale. Makes a neat hiding place.

The TV is directly across from the small dinette, so yes it would be a good place to work and leave my laptop while it charges.

[sharon]

Judy, if you have an inverter there'll be a switch for it, usually near where your water pump and hot water heater switch is. Has to be turned on to work. It would be nice if you had one, makes things so much nicer when you're boondocking.

[sharon]

I wonder what would happen if I just went around to all of my 110 v outlets and plugged something in each one while I was dry camping without power??

Absolutely nothing!

[OregonLuvr]

Sharon

Judy I had an inverter 1000watt sine wave installed in my MH so I could make coffee (VERY important) and charge my electronics. I also have a few 12v connections. My inverter has a regular plug and a switch next to it to turn it on also. I didn't want to have to add batteries so 1000watt was good enuf for me. Just want to make coffee without starting the genny in the early am.

karen