Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Day 36, Tues. May 8, 2018 Into the HEAT (PHoenix AZ) Where activity is inside,everywhere.

The drive from Wilcox to Tempe AZ , AKA  Phoenix , AZ) is just a four hour drive and leisurely at that. The drive along I-10 is smooth and traffic flows well.  As we becaome closer toPhpenix , of course the traffic was heavier. I told Ruth that I though I was getting pretty good gas mileage when we were about 1/2 way there. There were many level spots, and a long down hill after Benson that seemed to keep the engine at about 2,000 rpms. That is easy on the engine and produces better mileage than when hills put the engine up to 3,000 rpms or even higher. Only a few times today did I need to use the Super" gear and increase the torque.  So,  after filling up the tank a few miles out of Phoenix, ( $2.84/gal) Ruth informed me that we actually were getting  15.0 mpg.  woth the trailer on. This is about what I usually get on the Tundra in city driving without a trailer.  THAT US THE BEST MILEAGE WE HAVE EVER GOTTEN WHEN PULLING THE TRAILER.

I have pondered the reasons for this as it could not be just the level roads and downhills. Here is my theory. 1. The level land and and few up hills. 2. We are using gasoline with Ethanol added (19%).  3. The elevation is between 4400 and 5400 feet. 4. I drive at 60 mph or thereabouts. 5. I use the cruise control when the rpms are at about 2,000, as long as it doesn't go above that. 6. No wind  at all.   I wonder if driving in hot weather helps gas mileage. Anybody know? (I did look that up and there us less aerodynamic drag in hot weather.)

All three of these are near Dragoon AZ

It is called, (Ironically) Texas Pass

Same Texas Pass



We stopped near Chandler for lunch which was actually 3/4 of the way to Phoenix. There was not much change in scenery along the way  but a big item was the increasing amount of cactus blossoms that we have seen. Today the Saguaro cactus were seen on the mountains near Picacho Peak, and beyond that they were prolific. Small white blossoms on the tops of the Saguaro arms. IT was quite striking. I saw another one that I called "woolies" as they looked like the wool of a sheep.They are a type of Cholla, called "Tree Cholla". I will add more on this tomorrow. (See photos)

After setting up the trailer in the ONE HUNDRED AND FOUR TEMPS (F). we finally cooled down and felt dry again. Because the HUMIDITY  WAS AT 3% WHEN WE ARRIVED, The body removes all the water in sweat. Sweat we did.  Had a little trouble getting the awning to adjust as it had not been touched in 12 months. (More sweat!) Maybe some silicone spray on those aluminum clasps?
Downtown Tucson, Az]Z

Picacho Peak south of Phoenix
Very short winter wheat ready to be harvested (May 8, 2018)
Decorative walls on roads are remarkable and plentiful in AZ
Reminded me of my days in the Army at the Fort (1955) Sierra Vista was 300 people then.Now 50,000.

          
Tree Cholla, I like to call"woolies".






After cooling down and getting the trailer shipshape, we went to "Noodles" nearby where we met Ruth's niece Karrie and her family for supper.  It was good to catch up with the children especially . (Ages 8 and 10).

I am sure that this night we will run the A/C all night , as at 8:00 PM it is still 96 F and the humidity is 5%.

Tomorrow will be some grocery shopping and the children will come over for a swim in the pool with us.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Summer has come here too. Don't know the humidity but it's low. Rain predicted for Sat', but not enough to really help. Guess AZ is in a real drought - pray for rain after you leave and stay away from those dry gully-washers areas.

Sorry you aren't coming farther north. Would love to see you before my 95th. Feeling good but I'm in the bunch of us who "don't buy green bananas". Well.maybe it's not that bad. I'm enjoying your blog and have even used maps to keep track of you in.TX.

Hi to Ruth snd keep on driving CAREFULLY, but then you always do. Love, Shirley