I can’t put it off any longer.
It’s time to dump the waste tanks. I put the crew in the PTV so I can concentrate on hitching up. I secure the interior of the Casita, disconnect the power cord, remove the chocks, lock the door, and put up the step. Hitching up goes quickly. When I’m backing up to line up the hitch ball, I look in my side mirror and remember how the side of the PTV should look in relation to the side of the Casita. It’s becoming practically intuitive.
It’s a cloudy, dreary morning.
I drive down to the dump station at the end of the campground. Click on the photos if you want to see them better.
If you’ve never done this before, you can see it’s not a big deal.
I don’t know why the lid of the dump hole is usually missing at dump stations. I use two rocks to wedge the end of the Rhino-flex sewer hose into the hole. 
Once the tanks are empty, I flush the sewer hose with fresh water, and compress it back into the bumper.
Soon we’re back at our campsite.
I back the Casita into our site, unhitch and do the hook-ups. I sweep off the patio mat and rearrange the crew’s pen. A man walks by and comments, “That’s a really nice trailer!”
Kathy and Bill come over from the neighboring campsite.
We sit and talk at my campsite while Bridget and Spike look on from their pen. The afternoon becomes sunny and warm. Even though it’s Saturday, there are several empty campsites. 
Later while walking the crew, I meet a couple from Nova Scotia. They’ve been fulltiming for about three years and they love it.
Near the camp host’s campsite there’s a rock with a smiley face on it.
Dogs love to pee on this rock!
I don’t know which came first, the painted face or the doggie pit stop, but Spike and Bridget use it often.
You may think I’ve dropped the idea of going solar.
Not by a long shot! I’m not going to have the kit installed that I put in a previous post. I have a secret solar designer — a reader of this blog — who’s been putting together a quality solar system for me. He researched where I should order the necessary components, all quality products at good prices with substantial warranties. So I’m going to get “a lot of bang for my buck.” I placed the orders and now I’m waiting for the items to be received by Chip at Baker’s RV Service here in Truth or Consequences. I’ll tell you all about the solar plans and show you photos of the installation.
I’ll ask my mystery solar designer if he will let me reveal his name to you. More about this project in future posts! Now you know why I’m staying at Elephant Butte . . . The crew and I are going SOLAR! I’m so excited!
rvsue
rvsue and her canine crew 