Charging Down Route 66

[rkarl89203]

You got me Joe. Monday (yesterday's)
Report has yet to be posted. So I will do it now
Spent an entire morning with Aerowhatt (Tony) in Albuquerque at Breakfast and his home discussing all things imiev and others. He was most gracious allowing us to charge L2 in his garage while he, I, and Selinda went out to Breakfast.
Just after noon we headed out. Went up 9 mile hill and topped off at American RV park. Nice people, didnt charge us a penny. Then we drove mostly on old 66 through Laguna and Paraje to North Acomita. As we were pretty tired Selinda stayed at Sky City Casino Hotel while i charged to full at Sky City RV park. Charged at a NEMA 14-50 outlet for 5 hours ($10.00) .
Overnighted at N Acomita. On this day we drove 43 miles.
By the way the previous day includes 10 miles each way to Tony's...thus the additional mileage.

 

[JoeS]

Got it! Trip data spreadsheet updated.

 

[rkarl89203]

Thanks Joe!
Today was day 26. After charging L2 for $10 in N Acomita, we left on old 66 for Grants, NM. Explored all the small towns on Route 66 enroute to Grants.
At Grants did some exploring and had a great breakfast at the 1st Street Cafe.
After breakfast decided to top up our charge at the nearby Grants KOA RV park. The park was nearly empty so we figured it would be easy. Asked the rather gruff attendant if we could charge. He took my card and ran it for $34.50, saying it was 11.50 an hour.
Incredulous, i asked him why he was charging more than TWICE than even the most expensive KOA we have charged at. He said "because you are taking up an RV site." Seriously.
He even wrote the "check-in time on the top of the receipt so we wouldnt steal his precious electrons for more than 3 hours. Of the 45 spaces in the park 4 were being used. Highway Robbery.
Anyways we left after charging for Gallup. We had been led to believe that the Continental Divide would be hard to make in the imiev. No problem!
We had 46 miles left RR at Continental
Divide, 20 more than we would need to
Get to Gallup. We arrived in Gallup, ready to stay at the El Rancho hotel,
But it was CLOSED due to the city working on a water main. No water.
They were letting people in the lobby to see and photograph it. Awesome!
We are staying at the Gallup Comfort Inn and charging L1 for free. Today we drove 64 miles.

 

[Aerowhatt]

After breakfast decided to top up our charge at the nearby Grants KOA RV park. The park was nearly empty so we figured it would be easy. Asked the rather gruff attendant if we could charge. He took my card and ran it for $34.50, saying it was 11.50 an hour.
Incredulous, i asked him why he was charging more than TWICE than even the most expensive KOA we have charged at. He said "because you are taking up an RV site." Seriously.
He even wrote the "check-in time on the top of the receipt so we wouldnt steal his precious electrons for more than 3 hours. Of the 45 spaces in the park 4 were being used. Highway Robbery.

Wow, that is unfortunate! I think that might have something to do why they have 41 RV spaces EMPTY. Never have had a good experience in Grants, NM. The rest of NM sends you our apologies.

Aerowhatt

 

[rkarl89203]

Yep..
Actually the Cafe was very nice. Other than that most everything was closed.
Got some fotos.
Agree with your overall assessment.

 

[JoeS]

Got some fotos.

Have you figured out where/how to publish the photos from this fantastic trip? Hope you took a picture with Aerowhatt and the i-MiEVs. Last year when I met up with Don in Biloxi I simply forgot to snap a photo of us with our cars.

 

[rkarl89203]

I tried 3 different photo sharing sites and gave up.
I joined Facebook and joined the Route 66 Electric Car Club. You can find most of our best photos there.
I went back to day 1 and posted a Bunch of stuff.
Just as you did i forgot photos with Aerowhatt. I will get them on the return trip.

 

[JoeS]

I tried 3 different photo sharing sites and gave up.
I joined Facebook and joined the Route 66 Electric Car Club. You can find most of our best photos there.

Link? I went looking, but am Facebook illiterate after giving up in disgust a few years ago at the randomness and inanity of the majority of family and friends' postings. :evil:

 

[rkarl89203]

https://m.facebook.com/groups/191353127723382?view=info&refid=18&ref=bookmarks


Not my fave site either but works so far!

 

[rkarl89203]

Also at the end of this EVERYONE will get a free CD of all the fotos and videos with commentary just for the asking.

 

[rkarl89203]

Today is day 27 on our Journey. We relaxed at Comfort Inn in Gallup, had a great breakfast, unplugged the car and left. Taking a right turn out of the parking lot, we headed for the Manuelito area. In 2 miles we couldnt help but notice the large bull heading for the road. Missing him and continuing on we readied to go under I-40 to continue on old 66. That is when we noticed the barricade. The road was closed. So, going backwards past where we started we got on I-40 to go around the obstruction. It took us about 6 miles. Getting back on old 66 we drove past Manuelito and reached the Arizona border. At Lupton the trading posts began. Spent hours shopping and exploring side roads.
Finally at Sanders took another part of old 66 and encountered a small group of horses grazing on and next to the road. Awesome!
After most of the day exploring and dodging the occasional bull and horse,
And shopping we landed at Days Inn in Chambers AZ. Charging L1 for free!
Today we drove 54 miles!

 

[ed5000]

I tried 3 different photo sharing sites and gave up.
I joined Facebook and joined the Route 66 Electric Car Club. You can find most of our best photos there.

Link? I went looking, but am Facebook illiterate after giving up in disgust a few years ago at the randomness and inanity of the majority of family and friends' postings. :evil:

I also wish they could let you look without signing in. Anyone got a low level generic password?

 

[rkarl89203]

Hi all...
Today was day 28 on our journey and it was great. Left Chambers days inn with 79 miles RR. As there is no good way to drive the old route from Chambers, drove on I-40 to Petrified Forest NP. Arrived at the visitors centre with 43RR. Plugged into the Chargepoint L2. Great Charger. Had breakfast at the Fred Harvey Cafeteria. Shopped extensively LOL.
After that, unplugged and explored the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert for most of the day. Easily pulled into the visitor centre at the other end of the park and plugged into the Chargepoint charger there.
After watching the free visitor centre movie, went down to the Fred Harvey fountain for ice cream. Unplugged and drove to Holbrook where we checked into the Quality Inn where we are charging L1. Note: went out
To dinner with David Heward, founder of the Route 66 Electric Car club.
We were honored to meet him after conversing on Facebook for quite a time. Today we drove 87 miles.

 

[JoeS]

Yay, today you crossed 2000 trip miles! Nice to see those charging stations at both ends of Petrified Forest National Park. In your Facebook photos I see you have a couple of teddy-bear traveling companions - doesn't everyone?
With a RR of 79, you're getting great hypermiling (or downhill or tailwind) results! All your excellent planning is paying off. I'm impressed by the number of charging opportunities across Arizona.
Trip data spreadsheet updated.

 

[rkarl89203]

Thanks JoeS...
Yep...one of those traveling companions in actually a bunny...
Given to us by rich henry, proprietor of the route 66 rabbit ranch, in illinois.
Arizona is a bit odd so far on charging. Yesterday morning was L1 but isnt really anything but a emergency charge situation since we had to run the extension out of our room door lol. The L2 Chargers at Petrified Forest/Painted Desert are great! We stopped at Quality Inn at Holbrook because all of the Choice hotels let us charge L1 at their outside outlets. Appears the entire chain has an EV friendly tendency.
Onward to Meteor Crater, will be
'Standing on the corner in Winslow AZ.'
Hopefully will get to Flagstaff today.

 

[rkarl89203]

Day 29 was certifiably weird. After charging to full at Quality Inn in Holbrook, headed down the road.
Topped off Charge in Joseph City at Normas RV Park for $5. Went on to winslow. Great lunch at Falcon Family Restaurant. Went down and "stood on the corner." left for Flagstaff. About 5 miles west of Winslow the headwinds began. We found out later they were about 40-45 mph.Limped along as our range crashed. Made it to Meteor Crater RV Patk with 13RR. Charged car with NEMA 14-50 hookup for a reasonable $10. As we were relaxing while charging a lady came in and said a truck had exploded on the interstate.
Went outside and sure enough a huge fire in the westbound lanes. As we finished charging the westbound lanes were still closed. Went 20 miles east back to Winslow and stayed at Quality Inn. Charged to full with free L1.
Drove a bit over 60 total miles, but only made 20 miles forward progress. Weird day. .not bad..but weird.

 

[rkarl89203]

Today is day 30!
We charged to full in Winslow. Drove to
Meteor Crater. Visited for the first time since 1973. Selinda has never been there. We left highly impressed.
Afterwards we dropped by the Meteor Crater RV park. Charged to full for $10. Great charge. Drove to Flagstaff at the Village Inn restaurant.
Good Food. Explored much of Flagstaff
And then charged for 2 hours at the NAU parking Garage. Free charge but $4 parking fee. Then further explored Flagstaff before driving to Williams where we are staying overnight. Charging at L1 at Comfort Inn. Expensive room but free charging!
Today we drove 105 miles!
Great day...no wind!

 

[JoeS]

At 105 miles, this is the best mileage you've done in one day during this trip. Hey, you're getting in a lot of touristing!
Trip data spreadsheet updated.

 

[Phximiev]

Hope you enjoyed Williams. We've been up in that neck of the woods on several occasions, in particular to take the train to the Grand Canyon, which if you have time, I greatly encourage!

Enjoy your trip!

 

[rkarl89203]

Thanks phximiev sorry we missed you.
In Seligman right now at Delgadillos Snow Cap. Staying at Grand Canyon Caverns tonite.