RVing and Afraid

Just a few months ago, in June and July, I was happily bundled in long-sleeve t-shirts and light jackets, soaking up the mild, dreamy weather of the Pacific Northwest. I wasn’t even thinking about summer heat or humidity—let alone cranking the AC to full blast. I had somehow convinced myself that all summers were 70-degree days with crisp, 50-degree nights, completely forgetting the sweaty reality of my 20 years in Florida. Oh, how quickly we forget!

Despite this or maybe because of this as I made my way down the California 101 enjoying the incredible scenery, I didn't really pay attention to the increasing daily temperatures.

I reached my destination, a beautiful Harvest Hosts resort. I have visited the Fountain of Youth a few times and I love the place. I look forward to my visits. True, I have not been in September and I quickly discovered why. As I checked in I noticed the place was very quiet-like no one around quiet.

Danger Zone: I’m Gonna Die

I got parked and started on the chores that come with setting up the RV. I quickly realized I was very heated but I was drinking water so I kept going- only a few more things to do and I would be finished. I hate having half finished projects so I pushed through. At about the same time I noticed the RV was blurred and wavering, I got dizzy all of the sudden. Time to go inside for some relief.

WIth both air conditioners running the temperature inside read 99. I knew if I didn't take some quick action I was going to pass out and I felt tunnel vision, like I couldn't see around me. I walked into the shower with my clothes on and turned on the water only to discover there was absolutely no cold water, in fact it was very hot.

So to recap for the reader, I am dehydrated, have onset heat exhaustion, I have a confused feeling, I'm about to pass out and have hot water running over me. I stripped my clothes and poured the cold water from the fridge pitcher directly over me. That did provide a little relief. I am not one to panic but I could feel it rising in me. I literally did not know what to do. I suddenly remembered the news reports of people dying because of the heat. It occurred to me I could actually die here. I layed on my bed with cold towels on my body with ice cubes melting on them. And a portable fan sitting a foot from me.

The next morning it was 104 by 9:00 am. I went to the pool. The water was hotter than a bath would be. I tried the public showers, they were almost scalding hot. So back home to my bedroom where I stayed wearing towels and ice cubes for the next 24 hours. I ate bowls of cereal and canned chicken and crackers for three straight days.

By the third day I had a plan. At 4:00 am, wearing a headlamp, I got to work. I put screen covers over the RV windows. I turned off the hot water heater, the shower water was still very hot but mixed with water from the refrigerator it was manageable. I set up an outdoor kitchen. I put towels along the edges of the slides. I hung extra clothes over the windows (I was out of towels with all of them on the floors). On the fourth day I got up at 3:00 am and cooked a lot of food which I ate cold for the next week. I did not open the RV door for the next four days.

In all there were six straight days of temperatures over 111 degrees.

Ok, now what to do sitting in a dark RV without moving around too much. I wrote articles and blogs (thank you Harvest Hosts!). I put together two RV trips for my club (Michigan summer 2025 and a Fall Colors that starts at the Hershey PA RV Show). I saw the entire series of: Baby Reindeer, Chimp Crazy, Walking Dead, Walking Dead; Daryl Dixon, Arrested Development, and Ozark. I thought it ironic that I wasn’t just binge-watching TV—I was also starring in my own personal survival series, Escape the Heatwave. Every episode involved me bravely staying indoors, dodging the sun like it was a plot twist, and mastering the art of couch survival!

Current Status: In a Relationship & It's Complicated …

Like any ex lover (maybe the one that got away), that reappears in your life, the two air conditioners became the most important thing in my life. But like any lopsided relationship, I was way more into them than they were into me. I’d whisper sweet nothings like, "You got this! We’ll make it through—just keep running 24/7!" But deep down, I knew they had to be struggling. I couldn’t help but think of all the times I’d taken them for granted, even neglected them. I’ve never serviced them, not once. The manual says I should do it every year, but instead, I got distracted by flashier things—the thrill of an oil change, a hand wash and wax, gas below $3.00 a gallon.

On the 6th day at 11:05 pm the AC’s stopped. Without that constant humming noise I had grown used to it was like a bomb went off. The silence was so deafening. I sprang out of bed and in the 10 seconds it took me to get to the thermostat I was alternately cussing and begging the AC’s to stay with me. Just like a fickle boyfriend, they will hang around when times are good but where are they in 111 degrees? Then I realized they hadn't left me. We were still together! The temperature outside had finally dipped below 90 degrees and the ACs had simply shut off. We had made it, I was not gonna die.

As I write this now my ACs and I remain in love. I have scheduled a full service. Each time I hear them kicking on and off I smile with that secure feeling you have when you are in love and feel safe and protected. I have promised to be a better partner in the future.

RV air conditioners should generally be serviced at least once a year. Refer to your owners manual for exact instructions. Regular maintenance includes cleaning or replacing the air filters, inspecting the coils and fins, checking the seals around the unit, and making sure the electrical connections are in good condition. In hot climates or if the A/C is used frequently, it might be a good idea to check and clean the filters more often. Don't forget to check the filters inside the coach!