Saturday Sept. 6
You
know it's time to post when we start getting emails asking if we are all
right.
When
we are not on the road or in Quartzsite life can be routine and not exactly
exciting blog posting material.
Now
with the cost for this lifestyle growing, many are landing sitting tight
for more time to explore each area they are in and less time running from
overnight stop to overnight stop. This is not bad as blog posts (on our
main site www.hitchitch.com
)
for many are more detailed as they have more time to showcase their adventures.
We
would be in NM at Navajo Dam by now with Terry fly fishing but still
hanging out in Iowa waiting and waiting for our new 5er. I know it will
still
be
a few more weeks (takes about 8-10 weeks for a build) why didn't
we order it sooner. You remember fuel prices were going up every minute
and we waited for the specs on the 2009 models to come out. A link to inside
pictures of what a 348
SB Hitchhiker unit looks like.
They
just made the brochures
available online for the 2009 Hitchhiker units. Go see if one is right
for you.
I'm
sure we'll be happy with our choice but I've never been one good at waiting
for things. Now order anything and FedEx brings it to your door in a day
or two. When grewing up we went through some lean times and the kids waited
for Christmas for gifts and somtimes we didn't get all we wanted. But I
learned from that and I think I am better for it. Growing up is just that,
growing. and I'm sure you have your own memories. I am honered to say my
mother was the strength who allowed me to be who I am today. Just like
yours I'm sure. Looking back now and wonder how we made it. But at the
time, never felt lesser than anyone else.
It
has also been very cool and rainy (weather people are hinting at a early
fall and winter) all the more reason to get the heck out of IA. BUT
wait a minute I just pulled the temps for Quartzsite and it is still 110
deg down there so guess we don't want to get in that much of a hurry. Need
to cool our heals and relax.
Terry
has gone over to eastern IA to visit his parents and do some repairs on
the farm and spend time with them and is brother and nephew. He just called
and he didn't get the new doors put on the chicken house so he asked it
he could stay the night. I think I will survive. His parents are
both above 80 (in good health) and it is great he can spend time with them.
Mine are both gone and I know how that loss feels. His family has welcomed
me and made me feel a part of theirs. His brother lives on the farm and
is there for them if needed. They helped raise his son who this year
graduated from college. That kept them young and involved to say the least.
So far they don't need help and travel a couple times a week to go gambling
at the local Indian casino.
Now
back to the RV forums and reading other people's RV adventures and see
what movies are on HBO or Starz tonight. I've got some nice frozen Stouffer's
lasagna to throw in the microwave for later.
Friday Sept. 12
In
Iowa it is rain and more rain as we watch hurricane IKE hitting the Texas
gulf. The news channels cover this like it is a sporting event and we know
it is hell for the millions going throught it. This is not a Friday night
HBO special movie. But most of the country is watching it as such, on HD
TV in their homes. I would like to see reports from the shelters in Dallas
and how the 2 million people who have fled are doing. No all we get is
some dufus reporting from the beach and excited about how THEY are doing.
On Saturday when we who are out of harms way go to fill up with gas, we
might just find it has gone WAY up and find out IKE did affect all
of us after all. Many just don't understand we are all in this together
in this country.
We
did get some good news today our Hitchhiker RV dealer gave us the VIN number
on our new 5er which means it is on the factory floor and being built.
Expected delivery first week in Oct.
Now
to get our old one cleaned out and ready for trade. Do you think we are
starting to get excited. 
The
decore of ours is different from the above stock picture.
And
we are not getting those red recliners or that fabric on the couch.
For
a $1000 credit off the price we can opt out of the recliners and get our
own.
And
we didn't want a fireplace, which will give extra storage. If I want a
fire we will go outside and build one. Sure some love their fireplaces
but we spend much of the year off the grid boondocking and this thing is
electric.
Now doesn't this couch look
better than the above one. Shades of beige and a dark blue as an accent.
It
also means I will have a few more weeks of Lifetime Fitness classes at
the local hospital cardiac rehabilitation center. I could go to a
regular gym but for about the same cost I can exercise while being monitored
in a structured setting with a small group (8 people) in the lunch hour
class 11:30 to 12:45 pm. The strange thing is after 10 sessions, I hate
to say it, but I am feeling better with more energy. How could that be.
Thursday Sept. 18
We
are twiddling our thumbs waiting for time to pass... Now as we get older
that is not what we should be doing... as time does pass by fast...
after we look back. But for right now it is so hard to
wait for the new 5er to get here.
I am
still going to fitness classes and today met Terry for lunch afterward.
While at the table I got a call from my doctors office with my recent blood
test results. My tests came back OK and with lowered A1C (a three
month average glucose blood sugar). Got it back under 7. For years
it was in the very low 6 range but then went 6.4 and then 7.4. Want it
to be at the lower end of 6 and will get it there as it used to be.
I know what is needed to do it just have to get off my ass and do it. As
in exercise... the evil word! I have now been more active and
now know it does work.
But
a new minor setback... took our 03 Chevy Duramax 1 ton pickup to the dealer
after lunch and told them to check for oil leaks before they changed the
oil and they found another small oil leak. We have been through three
oil pan leaks and now they say another one from maybe up higher. Not sure
where it is coming from so they want to see the truck next week and pull
the
tranny and see what is going on. Now at home thinking about this... will
ask if this is just a minor leak like they said and, if so should
we bother pulling the tranny. We shall see.
Anyway
we are happy that our new 5er is on the way and we are still kicking (health
wise).
We
could be in the Galvaston TX area and have our home blown away. And now
it seems with some people who stayed are missing and might have really
been blown away. How sad that would be?
Wednesday Sept. 24
Another
one of those days you just have to look back on and be very glad you survived
that mess.
It
all started waking up at 2 AM in bed and knowing I was having another
afib event. Rapid heart beat.
So
I got up and took the meds prescribed for me for this problem. It took
till about 7 AM for my pulse to return to rormal.
Than
took my regular meds and off we went to take the PU to the dealer as it
has another oil leak. A little later I noticed I had lost my energy and
was getting weak. Now back at home my BP was going south to about 60/45
with pulse of 49, and a very cold sweat, and ready to pass out. Called
my docotrs office was told to call an ambulance and get to the ER. We started
out in our car and stopped at the ER clinic in Ankeny, IA and they took
a look at me and called for an ambulance and off to the the large hospital
in Des Moines where I had been in late July for the orig. afib problem.
My first time riding in an ambulance and I hope my last. They took good
care of me. The bottom line the ER got my BP back up and we all think
we know why this happened. They called in my cardiac doctor and he came
to see me. Last week in my normal general internal med. doctor
appointment, that doctor doubled the dosage on one of my meds that
is to lower my pulse rate and with that combined with the afib meds all
were enough to cause the crash. So now if I have to take the afib meds
I am not to take the other med the same day. Each event we learn more about
how our bodies work and react and the signs to look for in the future.
I survived and am better off for it.
A final
note while laying in the ER just after they got me there and with the ambulance
crew still at my side, my cell phone rings and it's the Chevy dealer telling
me the repair for a upper oil pan leak on the pick-up will be over $1200.
You know it just didn't matter at that point and I told them to just fix
it, as I was relaxed knowing all my hospital and ambulance bills were at
least going to be paid at 100% as my deductable has already been met for
this year. That is this year, not next year when costs go up again.
At
least I have a good story for my hospital based exercise class tomorrow.
The nurse instructor is going to freak.
UPDATE: I called the
Chevy dealer to tell them to make sure they put in a new oil filter and
they tell they have decided to cover the repair less a $100 deductible.
Yes and thank you!!!
Tuesday Sept. 30
The last day
of the month and next week a new 5er maybe... If it is complete and delivered
to the local dealer so we can move in to our new home on wheels.
Terry got
two of the solar panels off the roof today. Next to get the DataStorm internet
satellite unit removed from the roof.
Later we took
our 04 Grand Am to Ankeny to our friendly service garage (Tim's Amoco)
in town so they could get the breaks working. Did we tell you the
breaks went out on our old summer usage car. We should have known something
was wrong when the break light came on and we ignored it for over a week
till the break pedal went to the floor and no breaks except the backup
safety rear ones. Guess there is a reason why they put warning lights in
the dash. It has 99000 miles and the first time it has had a breakdown
like this. Never was back to the dealer.
Terry also
today took bug and tar remover to the under front side of the 5er to clean
it up. Wow it looks like new. If you have a 5er you know how bad the front
underside can get. Now with the solar panels removed from the roof it is
time to scrub it down. It's time for a good rubber roof cleaning. When
we get done we might just want to keep this one. NOT.
We picked up
a bottle of wash and wax at Wal Mart so we can give the 5er a good final
cleaning. We had it cleaned and paste waxed a couple of months ago but
it now needs a good cleaning so when we take it to the dealer it looks
like new. I want to exceed their expectations on the condition of
our trade in. That's just the way I do things.
Later...
UPDATE: You
never can tell what is next to hit you in the side of the head. Stock market
goes down -777 as we see Wall Street and big business is screwing the little
guy. Now as you might remember my old company (Qwest) which I retired
from and which I still do the union web site for ( www.cwa7102.org
) just announced the union vote on a new three year contract DID
NOT RATIFY. That has never happened before. So now what? Health Ins.
was the big deal and for retirees now what is in the works.
The country is going to
hell in a hand basket and most people anymore are just fed up and
are kind of saying "I'm not going to take it anymore." The bailout bill
didn't make it as it started out as THREE PAGE bill produced by and for
fat cats. It turned into a 100 page document and still sucked. So no wonder
a poor take back union contract was turned down big time. The mood of this
country is turning... And we shall see how we as a country comes to grips
with our problems.
Monday Oct. 6
I know, I know, this is a
RV blog but now is not the time to sit on the sidelines and let this country
go any lower in the shitter, if I may be frank. Have you checked your 401K.
I put mine in guaranteed interest 5 years ago and it has not been affected
and is still growing everyday. And other moneys up to the old limit for
banks in CDs. Sure low return right now (it was good) but it is still
there.
Tonight the latest poll
sez 76% say we are heading for a depression and thats with a "D".
Got a call from Bruce at
the RV dealer this AM our 5er is running late from the factory. Who would
know, and it will now be the first part of NEXT week. Guess you just have
to be patient with these things. I told him we might just have to stop
by and sit for a spell in the one they have (same model) on their lot.
I did this post on www.nuwaowners.org
today...
Quote
from: Ken and Sarah on October 06, 2008, 05:54:17 PM
I
don't know where you are located, but Plaza RV, Bondurant, IA say they
will not be undersold. Talk with Bruce, he is one of the sales people there.
They are good people, I don't have HH yet, but they take care of my unit
as if they sold it to me. |
That's where I ordered
my new 2009 348 SB and from Bruce. He worked with me so we were both
happy with the price. This is my second unit from them.
And best of all it should
be in early next week! Bruce called to update me early this morning.
Almost a 12 week wait, but when it is over it WILL be worth it I am sure.
If you're looking for
a great 03 HH II 33 RKTG Deluxe unit with solar w 6 12 v AGM batteries
and 2000w inverter/converter. You can fulltime and boondock in style
in this unit without the new unit price. This is not a LS model. Orig.
never used recliners and chairs. I know where you can find it... Next week
at Plaza RV http://www.plazarv.com Call Bruce.
We are in for rain the next
few days so that will slow getting the crops out of the fields in this
area. (Iowa) It's starting right now.
The outside of the 5er is
all washed and waxed and looks like new. I even spray painted the entrance
steps. We got the internet satellite dish off the roof. That was
a deal without dropping it down the ladder. It is at least about 100 lbs.
Since we have the new base plate to mount it on (the old one stays on the
5er) we placed it all on a pallet so we can still have internet and DirecTV
till it gets mounted on the new 5er. Did you think we would be WITHOUT
the internet? To you tech. people there is a tie down strap to hold it
solid to the ground.
Notice the orange tripod
which will be for the Slimline HD DirecTV dish also when we get it.
Seems we are in a waiting game for lots of stuff.
Here is the DirecTV mount
Terry machined for the Slimline dish. The shaft has to be 2" outside dia.
He did the shaft on his
metal lathe and took it to a be welded. It's all scrap aluminum which he
already had.
It is off center so the
weight of the big dish will be over the center of the tripod.
The plan is to be in Quartzsite
and watch the election returns in HD TV.
Oh did I find some more pictures
of what our new 5er will look like.
Sorry I couldn't resist...
Tuesday Oct. 7
Called
our insurance agent Farm and Home Ins. Services www.rvadvantage.com
for quotes on insurance
on our new 5er. Since we have the truck insured with Progressive
I asked them about using
them for both the truck and 5er. The result was $1300 for the 5er (with
only a $40 discount by doing both auto and 5er) and with National Interstate
Ins. who we now have was $900 for the 5er. Guess no brainier on that one.
That's only a couple of hundered more than we are paying now on a 5 year
old 5er at a $55K replacement cost. And even that $900 quote should
come back lower as I gave them the MSRP value ($80K plus) of the new 5er
so the purchase figure will be much lower. We have found RV Advantage are
the experts for fulltimers needs. Is that a recommendation... You Betch
Ya...
It was heavy rain all day
and windy. Reminding me of last year about now when we were then going
down the OR. coast and went through a couple of coastal storms. Oh and
a plug... also reading the blogs on www.hitchitch.com
of a few who are there right now and also having fun with the OR. weather.
It can be great fall weather in Sept. but later turns ugly.
If you are in a stick and
bricks house and haven't been forclosed on yet you know the Dow has dropped
over 1750 points in just the last two weeks. So is this election
important or what?
Tonight is the second round
of debates and most important for us all to watch. And to think some view
this is just another Reality TV show. These are generation changing
events we are living through. Many are now worried retirement is going
to be out of reach and will have to work till they drop. Let alone
health care insurance costs even if they can retire, esp. before 65. Ask
them if this is just another fun TV show to gather around with a big bowel
of pop corn. I don't think so, do you?
And to think there are people
out there who like we see on Jay Leno's Tonight Show Jay Walking
segment who are clueless. At times I think there should be a question at
the door (to have to at least say who is on the ballot before you get to
see it) to be able to vote. I know, I know stupid idea... Maybe better
idea than picture IDs as they have is some states now.
Hey hang in out there, we
can make it through this if we're lucky. DID you get your lottery ticket
this week... so you can retire some day. You could be that one in 200 million
who can. If you win let me know and I'll send you the price of the ticket
so as to cut me in. Please... Hell, wouldn't it worth it seeing me
hop skipping up your drive waving a buck in the air. I'll go so far as
to make it a $2 dollar bill if it will make a diference. What say
ya?
Looks like a good copy (from
a Google search, I didn't scan it, if the IRS is watching).
You might want to print
it out and try to pay off your mortgage. Good Luck...
Got this reply...
Thursday Oct. 9
DirecTV was to come out today
to install a HD system but I got a call early this AM saying the
company they hire to do the install sez their employee quit so they cancelled
the install. Nice going DirecTV. Now they say they will be back Oct. 20.
We had planned to be leaving by this date but guess we will stick it out
for the install.
I should have told them I
took the day off and how are they going to make it right with me. (Free
service for a few months?) They are big on doing that I have found. May
do that in the next day or two. And I think a second receiver box
for the bedroom would be nice.
Now for a post I did on RV.NET
The thread was Why
aren't Canadians having a crisis?
My reply...
I'm just glad ONE country
has figured out how to make things work. Would Canada PLEASE declare we
(USA) have WMDs and invade to save us! We could drain them of their money
for our schools and roads etc. so they are in the same boat as us. Do you
think we could get 10 billion a month from them. Of course they would have
to drop a few bombs and destroy these things first. But they have their
own oil so guess that won't work. This is meant to be funny.
The good old USA has not
been doing very well for a long time now.
Trying to stay away from
politics but I hope we can learn and improve next year after our election.
If not god help us. This is RV.net and can you RV or retire and go full
time after your 401K has now tanked? Let along how much your home is worth.
You need to ask why and
get informed and not just read the day to day spin, but get a brain and
vote like your future depends on it, as it does. This could be 1929 again. |
We went last night to meet
Terry's folks for supper at the buffet at the Indian casino in Tama, IA
about 60 or so miles east. We all had a great time with good non
rushed converstation enjoying each other's company. I have grown to feel
like family with these people. That means much to me as my parents have
passed. Terry's two younger brothers were there also.
Today more clearing out stuff
in the 5er as we continue to get ready for the new one.
Friday Oct. 10
This
sort of defines where the election is at:
Update: I didn't write this it came from www.dailykos.com
A speech
Obama should give.
"While
our economy continues to crumble as the result of 8 years of Bush/Republican
policies, John McCain wants you to focus on my relationship with a man
who did despicable things when I was 8 years old. Never mind that
the charity board that William Ayers and I sat on was started by Walter
Annenberg, a former ambassador and friend of Ronald Reagan. Never
mind that there were plenty of Republicans on the same board. Never
mind that the lead prosecutor against William Ayers' group finds this whole
line of attack ridiculous. Never mind that I have denounced the acts
of the Weather Underground in no uncertain terms.
"I
think America has gotten to know me pretty well over the last two years.
They have seen that I know how to stay calm and focused during a crisis,
like what we've experienced the last four weeks. They know that I
keep my composure when attacked with the types of smears used against John
McCain by Karl Rove in 2000. They know that my campaign is about
ideas and solutions, not fear. And they know that I don't attack
first, but that if I am attacked, I respond quickly and forcefully.
"The
better question is: who is John McCain? Because the John McCain of
2008 is not the John McCain of 2000 that so many people, including Joe
Biden and me, admired.
"The
John McCain of 2000 would have sought to lead a united people through a
difficult crisis. The John McCain of 2008 seeks to divide us by appealing
to our hatred and fear.
"The
John McCain of 2000 was smeared by the despicable lies of Karl Rove and
George W. Bush. The John McCain of 2008 hired Rove's and Bush's disciples
to do the same to me.
"The
John McCain of 2000 would have confronted people in his crowds who shouted
things like "Kill him!" or "terrorist!" and thrown them out. The
John McCain of 2008 says nothing.
"The
John McCain of 2000 would have selected the most qualified person to be
his vice-president, someone who could step into the job on Day 1 if, heaven
forbid, it was needed. The John McCain of 2008 put politics, not
competence, first.
"The
John McCain of 2000 would have been a source of calm and reassurance to
a frightened people during a difficult time. The John McCain of 2008
has been erratic, changing his positions and strategy on a daily basis
to score poltical points.
"And
finally, the John McCain of 2000 would never--NEVER--have sacrificed his
honor to win an election. But the John McCain of 2008 has.
I don't know about you, but I am saddened by that. And I think the
American people are as well."
We see members
of the know-nothing wing of the Republician party who show up at
the rallys and chant "kill him" and "terrorist" and other nonsense. One
of these days a riot will break out and it will be blamed big time on the
McCain camp. I pray not, but if it does McCain might as well just wrap
it up and go back to Sedona. Now I of course I would never think main stream
Republicans are part of that wing, but thoughtfull and caring people who
believe in their party.
Now for tonight
at midnight Denver time the union contract for our health ins and benefits
will be up and as the web editor of the local union web site will be following
this VERY close. We had a tentative agreement but it was voted down by
the active members 2 to 1 so we are back at the bargaining table tonight.
They should have acceptred it back in Aug. and moved on and now with the
country falling apart we are trying to get more from the company. Not good
timing. We shall see how this works out. The one thing I do
know is our 5er should be here next week and trying to focus on that.
Ya all have
a great weekend... Hang in there we'll get back to repotrs on what we find
in Quartzsite when we get to Q when the election is over. Thom and Judy
of Fulltiming
Road Runners are already there and report it is still very hot so we
don't have to rush to get there.
Saturday Oct. 11
The
CWA Union and Qwest agreed on a new Tentative Contract at the deadline
last night. From what I can gather and post on the union site nothing
much changed except it went from a 3 to 4 year deal. Health Ins. stayed
the same. So as they say we shall see. I just hope the active members
vote for it this time as they rejected it 2 to 1 in Aug. so we all can
move on. Both agreements had large increases in retirees health costs,
but very much less than many now pay in this country.
At least I have a union
trying to work for me. The company under law does not have to negotiate
benefits for retirees but they did this round of talks. Who knows what
will happen next time. That is why we must obtain some sort of national
health insurance, like the rest of the civilized world now already has.
Health Care must be a right not a privilege for people of wealth. Many
of you fulltimers and wanna be fulltimers have found out what it is like
to go on your own and try to get Ins. don't you! And many, you know
who you are, have found you have to stay working and not be able to do
the dream and fulltime. But stay working because you need the Health Ins.
coverage. And now with the economic meltdown you are double screwed.
Terry worked his butt off
doing double cleaning duty... Moving stuff out from our 5er to the Morton
building and cleaning the spaces left that were vacated. Our green bottle
of Awesome Cleaning stuff is saving the day. This is as many of you know
a godsend. Grease just turns to liquid and wipes right up in the
paper towel. Awesome.
I kept thinking this was
Sunday as I was up late working on the union web site and when I said to
Terry today where is 60 Minuets he said it is Saturday. Right then I know
it was Happy Hour time...
Take care.
Monday Oct. 13
A quick
note on a post I did today on the nuwaowners.org forum....
Waiting
and still no new 5er. (348 SB)
It
is now about 12 weeks or so and we had been told a couple of weeks ago
factory orders were running a little late and it would be the week of Oct.
6.
Then
last Friday told it should be here about Monday Oct. 13. Now are
being told they still have defects to be fixed at the factory. (replace
damaged stove, cabinet and outside door). WOW. I want a quality unit.
Glad they fix these now instead of after the PDI.
My
reply was a little short as I said it needs to delivered by the end of
this week and to get on their case. please. This is a fulltimers
unit which we are moving from our older Hitchhiker to the new one. We have
appointments to get to down south. We are in Iowa.
Just
venting as this is driving us nuts. OK OK I know this is a minor
thing in the scheme of life. I do realize that and do understand Mike and
NuWa is a great company and is doing everything it can to make their customers
happy. If I didn't believe that I wouldn't have bought a second unit from
them.
Since
it has taken longer we have had extra time to clean our old 5er,
looking showroom new.
Saturday Oct. 18
Just a quick note our NuWa
came in Friday morning and we got it late in the afternoon. Now Saturday
trying to get our heads around just how great this unit really is.
Early Friday Morning the
dealer called and said our trailer was in. They got the parts on Thursday
and then got it out of the plant and pulled it to Iowa over night.
WOW
This is post I did on the
nuwaowners forum:
It was a long wait but now
after taking delivery I can only wonder if I am deserving of such a fine
work of art as this units is. More than I dreamed it to be.
And not have found even
one little thing that needs fixed or adjusted. I got the 348 SB and
we just can't get over the size of the living room. We had a rear kitchen
and thought our old unit was nice but this is so much more. The quality
of the woodwork and detail is all I can say WOW. So do you
get the idea we are happy campers. You better. We are.
Thanks to Mike and company
for producing such fine 5th wheels.
Wednesday Oct. 22
by your roving reporter
Terry
We have been moving in and
setting up for the last several days. The move from trailer to trailer
seemed to be just as bad as our move from our sticks and bricks home into
our last trailer. Finding a place for everything has been a challenge;
remembering where I stashed everything an even bigger challenge.
I just got done looking for the cable to download the pictures from the
camera; finally found it in a box of electronic parts in the basement.
For a while I was beginning to think that the cable might have gone out
in the trash. It's surprising how much stuff you can put in a trailer,
and how much more accumulates with time; Filled the trash can and
a couple of extra bags, along with several garbage bags full of old clothes
that we took to Goodwill.
With the good weather of
the last few days the local farmers have been very busy with the harvest.
The neighboring farmer came through the other day to open his fields up
and has not done any more since, possibly the corn is a little wet.
Had heard that most of the corn in the area is at 30% moisture; to
be safe to store it must be dried down to 14% moisture. The farmers
will have very high propane bills this fall to dry their crop.
With the mild fall we have
had so far there has not been a lot of fall color, a lot of the trees
just seemed to loose their leaves and never got very colorful. We
did finally get a killing frost last week, and the sumacs and oaks are
starting to put on their fall show. The other morning the light was
just right and I got this little bit of Iowa fall scenery
Had not noticed the buildings
all summer with the cornfields blocking the Views.
We installed the data storm
unit on the trailer roof last Sunday, it was a very nice day weather
wise, and time to get the unit installed before while there was help, and
before it started to rain. I even got to do a bit of fishing,
notice the fish wire through the roof. We had a devil of a time getting
the fish wire through the roof. We set up the electronics in the
bathroom linen closet. The neighbor came over with his
loader tractor to help lift the unit to the roof. We very briefly
thought about trying to muscle the datastorm unit up the ladder, but its
just to unwieldy and heavy. Will have to do more work on the
set up when we get to Quartzsite, there are quite a few wires to
tidy up, we want to put an additional shelf in the closet to get
the controller and router out of the way.
Monday the Direct TV installer
came to upgrade our direct tv to high definition, something we were forced
into with the acquisition of a new high def tv in the trailer, picture
quality is everything. Here is the new direct tv dish all set up
on our tripod with our custom made deluxe aluminum offset satellite dish
bracket. Ron has featured this on an earlier post.
The weather Monday was still
very nice, and we moved a lot of stuff back into the trailer and stored
it, still had more to do on Tuesday which found us finishing up on the
move. We made a quick trip to Home Depot and Wal*Mart to equip
the trailer and now are set to hit the road.
Here is a picture of our
new home; pretty nice? Took a lot of effort to get set up,
but will be worth it. Now we wait for the weather to be fit for traveling;
Today it is cold and raining, with a strong south easterly wind, more is
predicted for tomorrow; meanwhile parts of Kansas and Nebraska are under
winter storm warnings, not good weather to travel in.
We are hoping to get started
tomorrow or Friday maybe. Have not yet finalized our travel rout,
but thinking about going further south then we normally would, With
high passes in southern Co and Northern NM we will have to look very closely
at the weather, We have turned into "snow chickens". If we
travel through Albuquerque we avoid the passes but do not get to
see much in the way of scenery, the intestates get pretty boring.
Saturday Oct. 25
Terry
will be along shortly to do more on the blog from his point of view, I
could be in trouble, but I had to get a couple of pics up to tide us over
till he writes.
This pic doesn't show the
wide screen aspect on the 32" LCD TV but with the right incoming digital
signal the HD is fantastic at 1080 i All I can say is WOW and the DirecTV
records HD just las good as broadcast HD. This is a real living room. The
TV pulls out and swivels from side to side on an arm from the wall which
I love as I can relax in the Lazy Boy and have it right in my face. We
have had this unit for several days now and have not found anything that
would send it bact for repair or adjustment. Now that is the kind of 5th
wheels (the only kind they build) NuWa builds and we would expect
no less from them. We never gave it a thought that we shouldn't just hook
it up and head on down the road. Knock on Wood...
We are in Spring
Lake RV Resort in Halstead KS and at $12.50 since Hitchhiker
gave us a free year membership in PassPortAmerica. It is Saturday
night and we drove 450 miles today as we got up and ready to leave at 8:30
AM. Let me tell you there was frost on the windows and I was not a happy
camper. When I stepped out of the 5er I almost slipped and fell on the
patio. The day just kept getting better as it warmed up and the sun came
out. As we got further in KS we ran into some wind and knew it was time
to get off the road. The internet dish went up and locked on so we could
connect to the world. Found local broadcast TV stations in HD so we can
watch NCIS etc. without getting out the tripod with the slimline dish and
try to align it. We still have the double LNB on the BOW on the internet
dish on ther roof so we can still get all the DirecTV channeds we had before
HD. Have I lost you?
Got an email from our salesperson
at Plaza RV he had some questions about the solar and inverter/converter
setup on the old 5er as he thinks he has a buyer interested in it. All
set up ready to boondock, it is a great unit for the right person who wants
and knows what those extras are used for. I'm just rattling on, will
let Terry post later tonight. I drove all day and time for happy hour and
a shower.
Sunday Oct. 26
by your roving reporter
Terry
We had another big day;
Today's trip went from Halsted KS to Tucumcari NM, a very big day.
We are in travel mode in a big way. Its getting cold up north
and we are trying to keep ahead of the big cold front that is to come through
the midwest tonight. I talked to my nephew mentioned seeing snow
flakes tonight when he was helping my brother unload corn.
Our Route took us through
the town of Greensburg KS; The Greensburg of tornado fame, and the
worlds largest hand dug well. We stopped in Greensburg several years
back and camped overnight in Davis Park; When we drove by today there
were 4 units backed into the campsites. There is room for 5 or 6
units, and the overnight fee is quite reasonable.
Just down the street from
the park there is still plenty of evidence of the tornados passing through
town. They used to have a very nice little small town grocery store, but
it is a roofless ruin. There were several other partly destroyed
buildings along with evidence of new construction. As you drive down
the hwy you can see the FEMA Trailers set up on the south side of town.
The journey today took
us through parts of four states, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and into New Mexico.
Our destination today is Tucumcari New Mexico; We are staying at
the Cactus RV - Park. We stayed at this rv park four years ago on
our first trip to Quartzsite. The park is very clean and well kept,
in contrast to several of the parks down the street. We were impressed
with the level of service, the manager directed us to our site and made
sure there was adequate clearance for the trailer slides, and a southern
exposure for the data storm unit.
Lucky for you we end today's
blog with another picture of our trailer all set up in the RV Park for
the night. We are hoping to make it to Gallup tomorrow.
Tuesday Oct. 28
by your roving reporter
Terry
We are making steady
progress on our journey west. We have had several big days and put
a lot of mileage behind us, now we are slowing down a bit.
Monday we drove from Tucucumcari NM to Gallup NM; This was one of
our shorter days, we got to Red Rocks park by early afternoon. We
have been here several times, and have always found the park to e a good
place to stop over for the night. After we set the trailer up for
the night I got to go shopping, with a trip to Indian Jewelers Supply.
I am now stocked up on supplies until the shows set up in Quartzsite.
Wally world was our second
stop; we only needed a loaf of bread and barely made it out under
a hundred bucks, we are stocking up on staples that are expensive
in Quartzsite; We even stopped for lunch before we went grocery shopping.
another picture of our trailer all set up in the RV Park for the night
We drove from Gallup, NM
to Seligman, AZ today, and arrived in Seligman about 2:30. Had to
stay in a KOA tonight, but did not want to make such a big day out of it,
and definitely did not want to deal with the campgrounds in Williams, AZ;
The Williams AZ campground got to Ron the other day with their bad attitude
when he called to ask if they were going to have and vacancies.
Our highlight of the day
was finding a gas station in Flagstaff. We exited at exit#195 and
found ourselves in downtown Flagstaff; We were not amused, and found
a parking lot to turn around in and got out of town. The sign at
exit 191 then promised fuel and we then proceeded to drive back into flagstaff;
We found a gas station and with a bit of "discussion" were able to get
in fuel up and get out without incident. Back on the interstate we
passed a big Pilot station at the next exit, we could have saved the headaches
if we had been patient and just kept going to the next exit (this time).
After leaving Williams, Az
there is a 6 mile down grade, and a general dropping of elevation.
With the lower elevation come higher temperatures. we are currently
setting in Seligman AZ with 86 deg temps.
The big draw for Seligman
is their association with Route 66. We went into town after we dropped
the trailer at the KOA campground for lunch. The place we stopped
for lunch had a very 50's feel to the place, with a lot of
route 66 memorabilia on display. We followed a group of German tourists
who were touring the SW via motorcycle.
I noticed that many of the
signs are in German and Japanese; Also while wondering about main
street a tour bus drove in and stopped for the tourists to have a look
about. The town survives on the tourist trade, and does its best
to put on a show for them.
Another picture of beautiful
downtown Seligman. Not much more then food and gift stores.
We are currently enjoying
a beautiful evening, temps in the low 80's with a very light breeze;
The sun is setting pastel colors of the evening. Tomorrow we will
be good tourists and take route 66 instead of the interstate on our way
to Kingman. We are hoping to be just south of Lake Havasu City tomorrow
night, camped in a little county park we found a couple years back.
It will be our last chance to see green grass in our campsite for several
months.
Wednesday Oct. 29
by your roving reporter
Terry
Lots of pictures today;
We started in Seligman this morning and took route 66 instead of the interstate
to Kingman. Route 66 was a nice change of pace from the interstate,
a bit of new scenery, but after a while all AZ roads start to look the
same, desert and more desert. In the first picture you can
just make out the route 66 signage on the left hand side of the picture.
There was a sizable drop in elevation, with a couple of 5 and 6% grades.
Route 66 between Seligman
and Kingman.
More of Route 66.
We stopped at the super Wall
Mart and Home Depot in Lake Havasu City. Had not been through Lake
Havasu City in a couple of years and were surprized by the amount of growth.
Last time we were there the Home Depot store was on the extreme north side
of town, with a very nice boondocking area about a mile further north.
Now a very large shopping center sits on the old boondocking area.
The boondocking area is now on the East side of the road and a bit further
to the north. It looks like the BLM did improve the drives and approaches
from the highway, making the area a little more user friendly. The
roads used to be little more then a couple of tracks through the desert
brush.
South of Lake Havasu City
we were able to get a few views of the town's namesake lake.
Another Lake Havasu picture.
We are staying at the La
Paz county park located a few miles north of Parker AZ. They have
nice grassed RV sites and a very green golf course, Here is the golf
course viewed from the highway.
You can see the river from
our camp site, and the last green grass we will see for a couple of months.
We are going to stay here till Friday when we have an appointment with
discount solar to install our solar panels; Once the solar is installed
we will be set up to boondock in the desert, and will head for La Posa
North to find a spot to set up for the winter.
Doesn't the river look inviting
on a hot day? The temps here are in the low 90's today, and there
were a couple of people wading and a few of the personal water craft zipping
up and down the river. About a mile up the river there is a floating
restaurant; Last time we came through we had their Friday night fish fry
special, Did not go today, the special is liver and onions.
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