Still at Thousand Trails in Wilmington for one more night. Tomorrow we head over to Decatur IN for the repair to the MH's frame/body problem. This has really been a stressful situation, but I think I've finally got my head on straight about it. We tried to get Fleetwood to stand behind it, which they refused. Then we talked to our Good Sam CSR folks. They don't cover anything frame or body. So it looks like we will be footing the bill. Not what I wanted to hear.
Saturday took us to Cincinnati for dinner with Dave & Jessica. Dave is a pretty good cook. I say that on a regular basis, but last night was outstanding. T-bone steaks and baked Yukon Gold potatoes. Perfect seasoning on the steaks. I added a Key Lime pie for desert. Yum Yum
We played Rummikub after dinner. It has been a very long time since I played, and we had a real good time. They kept us overnight so we got to have breakfast with them this morning.
Louie the dog is growing fast. He has no (and I mean NO) tail so he wags his whole back end when he's happy. He already weighs 36 pounds and Cowardly Casper is only about 11 pounds. He wants to play and she just doesn't get it
Our copy of the August issue of Trail Blazer, the Thousand Trails magazine, caught up with us. You may remember the bird eggs in a nest on the hose roll on the back of the MH from spring. I sent a picture in and it was published in the August issue.
Stopped by Petsmart around the corner from Dave's for Casper's food and treats. Blue Buffalo pet foods had a demonstrator so we got to talk with her about how much Casper loves Blue and much better she is doing on their food. Always nice to be able to pass along some compliments. They actually use chickens and lambs instead of feathers and hoofs.
I am praying for the folks in Hurricane Gustav's path. We experienced Dennis while we were in Pensacola. It wasn't any fun and Dennis was a much milder one. Obviously I don't compare what we had to Katrina or Gustav, but it certainly makes me much more aware of what they are going through. At least people are leaving New Orleans ahead of the storm this time.
We watched McCain's announce his choice for VP. No politics here, but this election is definitely going to be an historical event. Either way it goes, we'll have either a woman VP or an African American President for the first time in history. And to think we can all be a part of it. Vote for either party or candidate, but vote. Just think you can tell your kids and grandkids that you voted for the first (which ever) to win.
We won't be able to stay in the MH once work begins. It will depend on what kind of internet connection we end up in a motel if I can post again soon. In the mean time, I hope everyone has a great Labor Day.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Back to Wilmington!!!!
Quite unexpectedly we are back at Wilmington Thousand Trails. It has been a week full of tension, surprises, and long waits. Our original plan was to go by the Cummins facility to get our generator repaired. There was a stud or bracket (I'm so mechanical) on the back of it that was broken. We anticipated one night in their lot and then on to Indian Lakes, IN Thousand Trails. We've also been having intermittent 12 volt problems for years.
The great crew at Cummins chased down the 12 volt problem to a "short to ground on the positive line," but couldn't find where the wire was damaged and/or broken. They had to lift the MH up on their mega lift and then drop the generator out to fix it. As they tried to chase the short, they found a catastrophic problem. There are four brackets on the MH that hold the body above the frame. All the wires, air lines, etc. run along in the space between the frame and body.
One of the two rear brackets was totally missing, the other was greatly bent. The front two have started to bend as well. The wires and lines are on the side where the bracket is missing so the body is rubbing on the frame with the wires between the two. Hence the intermittent 12 volt problems.
Cummins didn't have the expertise or equipment to fix us. They called Fleetwood and after lots of back and forth, Fleetwood agreed that we need to take it back to the factory for the repairs. It seems they are backed up SEVEN weeks. So now the story is that they are trying to find a time to fit us in. I think the factory is in Decatur, which is closer to Wilmington than Indian Lakes. The folks here at Wilmington TT has been so helpful with our little emergency.
And, I can't say enough good things about the Cummins staff. Mike, our service manager and Michelle, the Admin Assistant, really went the extra mile. Even after we had paid and thought we were ready to leave, they continued to work for us. Fleetwood needed a statement and some pictures so someone had to crawl under the motor home with a camera, etc. and then email them to Fleetwood Owner Services.
Hopefully Fleetwood can fix our frame problem and our front air conditioner. Sure is hot without both air conditioners.
One thing about being a Full Time RV'er with an aging motor home, it is never boring.
So onto brighter skies: I have been reading a mystery series. So far six books have been published. I was amazed to find that five of them are available in Amazon's Kindle bookstore while Number 5 was only available in hard or paper back editions. I began a campaign to get the 5th one on Kindle. I wrote the author, Julia Spencer-Fleming and the publisher asking them to release the book for Kindle. Mission accomplished. All Mortal Flesh is now available in the Kindle store.
It's been a long time since I have been wrapped up in a series. I highly recommend the Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne series. Each of the books will stand up on their own, but each subsequent book builds on the previous ones. Clare is an single Episcopalian Priest new into the northern New York town. She meets Russ, the city's married Police Chief. There is a romance building and along the way, the two of them manage to solve several murders. I just hope that Julia Spencer-Fleming will hurry up with the next edition.
With that, I'll sign off for now and go read book #5. Enjoy until we meet again.
The great crew at Cummins chased down the 12 volt problem to a "short to ground on the positive line," but couldn't find where the wire was damaged and/or broken. They had to lift the MH up on their mega lift and then drop the generator out to fix it. As they tried to chase the short, they found a catastrophic problem. There are four brackets on the MH that hold the body above the frame. All the wires, air lines, etc. run along in the space between the frame and body.
One of the two rear brackets was totally missing, the other was greatly bent. The front two have started to bend as well. The wires and lines are on the side where the bracket is missing so the body is rubbing on the frame with the wires between the two. Hence the intermittent 12 volt problems.
Cummins didn't have the expertise or equipment to fix us. They called Fleetwood and after lots of back and forth, Fleetwood agreed that we need to take it back to the factory for the repairs. It seems they are backed up SEVEN weeks. So now the story is that they are trying to find a time to fit us in. I think the factory is in Decatur, which is closer to Wilmington than Indian Lakes. The folks here at Wilmington TT has been so helpful with our little emergency.
And, I can't say enough good things about the Cummins staff. Mike, our service manager and Michelle, the Admin Assistant, really went the extra mile. Even after we had paid and thought we were ready to leave, they continued to work for us. Fleetwood needed a statement and some pictures so someone had to crawl under the motor home with a camera, etc. and then email them to Fleetwood Owner Services.
Hopefully Fleetwood can fix our frame problem and our front air conditioner. Sure is hot without both air conditioners.
One thing about being a Full Time RV'er with an aging motor home, it is never boring.
So onto brighter skies: I have been reading a mystery series. So far six books have been published. I was amazed to find that five of them are available in Amazon's Kindle bookstore while Number 5 was only available in hard or paper back editions. I began a campaign to get the 5th one on Kindle. I wrote the author, Julia Spencer-Fleming and the publisher asking them to release the book for Kindle. Mission accomplished. All Mortal Flesh is now available in the Kindle store.
It's been a long time since I have been wrapped up in a series. I highly recommend the Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne series. Each of the books will stand up on their own, but each subsequent book builds on the previous ones. Clare is an single Episcopalian Priest new into the northern New York town. She meets Russ, the city's married Police Chief. There is a romance building and along the way, the two of them manage to solve several murders. I just hope that Julia Spencer-Fleming will hurry up with the next edition.
With that, I'll sign off for now and go read book #5. Enjoy until we meet again.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
A Quick Note
I only have time for a quick note this morning. We are moving today (and the next few days). Wilmington OH Thousand Trails has been good, but Indian Lakes TT will be closer to visit with Dave and family. Today's plan is to move from here into Cincinnati to the Onan Service Center. Seems that someone worked on the generator and broke a stud on the back where the battery connects to the generator. Their fix was to attach the wires with a 4" Vise Grips. They were all rusty when we found the problem in El Paso.
Onan doesn't take appointments so we don't know if they will get us done today or tomorrow. Then out to Indian Lakes. (Oh, we are also going to get propane and diesel on the way.)
Thursday we go to an RV Repair across the street from Indian Lakes to get the refrigerator and front air conditioner fixed. The motor in the air conditioner went out and the fridge won't work on gas, but works fine on AC.
We finally found John's chair at a flea market here so we'll be back over here on Friday to get it put into the motor home.
Then back into Indian Lakes for the duration. We'll leave here on Sept 5 headed south. With the news of Hurricane Faye, I'm not in a big hurry to get there, but we'll be stopping in Huntsville to visit with John's sister and family.
John's ready to pull the internet satellite down so must close. Hope everyone has a great day.
Onan doesn't take appointments so we don't know if they will get us done today or tomorrow. Then out to Indian Lakes. (Oh, we are also going to get propane and diesel on the way.)
Thursday we go to an RV Repair across the street from Indian Lakes to get the refrigerator and front air conditioner fixed. The motor in the air conditioner went out and the fridge won't work on gas, but works fine on AC.
We finally found John's chair at a flea market here so we'll be back over here on Friday to get it put into the motor home.
Then back into Indian Lakes for the duration. We'll leave here on Sept 5 headed south. With the news of Hurricane Faye, I'm not in a big hurry to get there, but we'll be stopping in Huntsville to visit with John's sister and family.
John's ready to pull the internet satellite down so must close. Hope everyone has a great day.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Back In Ohio!
We're back at the Wilmington, OH Thousand Trails for a couple weeks then over to the Thousand Trails at Indian Lakes, IN near Batesville - yep, they make caskets there. Last time we were there, we tried to arrange a tour at the Batesville Casket Co but they only allow tours for licensed mortuary workers. Apparently they have lots of trade secrets.
Dave, Jessica and Lindsey came out last Friday for the afternoon. We took advantage of the pool and hot tub before having hamburgers on the grill. I hadn't been in water deeper than a bathtub in a very long time. I'd forgotten how pleasant it is. John said we need to do it again.
Picked up mail and our new backgammon game Monday night at Dave's. We played off and on all afternoon yesterday. I didn't win a single game! Just totally unacceptable! John just kept rolling those double sixes and double fives. It's been so long since I played. Maybe I'll get better luck today.
I'm collecting on my Mother's Day present on Friday. We're going to see the Cincinnati Reds baseball game. I've never been to a major league baseball game and I'm soooo excited. Jessica even managed to get us some great tickets through a friend.
The weather here has been wonderful the last few days. Cooler and low humidity - a very welcome change. We even played backgammon under the awning yesterday until it got too cool and dark to continue.
I was reading my "newspaper" this morning. I have discovered the Google Reader. I set up several RSS feeds so I get my news every morning - along with my five favorite funnies. Free and easy to initiate and read.
Found a story about Fair Food (and it was on Good Morning America). Deep fried Snowballs - remember those marshmellow and coconut covered chocolate cakes. Now imagine them dipped in a pancake type batter and deep fried. It does sound more appetizing than chocolate coated bacon strips! Of course Corney Dogs were invented at the Texas State Fair (where else?), and they have become a staple not only at fairs and carnivals but on many tables and restaurant menus. I even buy the frozen ones a couple times a year.
My "Shame On You" story for today was to see that the airlines are charging our soldiers the extra fees on checked luggage. These brave folks are going to WAR for sake of freedom. They will be in a strange land for many, many months. And the airlines can't give them a break on their luggage. The whole idea of extra charges on reasonable size/weight checked bags is ludicrous to me in the first place, but to put the burden on the very people serving our country..... In my personal opinion (which apparently isn't worth much), the airlines should be giving active military personnel deep discounts on fares and free luggage fees.
Finally for today - Gas/diesel prices are coming down a bit. What a welcome sign!
Have a blessed day - Peace b
Dave, Jessica and Lindsey came out last Friday for the afternoon. We took advantage of the pool and hot tub before having hamburgers on the grill. I hadn't been in water deeper than a bathtub in a very long time. I'd forgotten how pleasant it is. John said we need to do it again.
Picked up mail and our new backgammon game Monday night at Dave's. We played off and on all afternoon yesterday. I didn't win a single game! Just totally unacceptable! John just kept rolling those double sixes and double fives. It's been so long since I played. Maybe I'll get better luck today.
I'm collecting on my Mother's Day present on Friday. We're going to see the Cincinnati Reds baseball game. I've never been to a major league baseball game and I'm soooo excited. Jessica even managed to get us some great tickets through a friend.
The weather here has been wonderful the last few days. Cooler and low humidity - a very welcome change. We even played backgammon under the awning yesterday until it got too cool and dark to continue.
I was reading my "newspaper" this morning. I have discovered the Google Reader. I set up several RSS feeds so I get my news every morning - along with my five favorite funnies. Free and easy to initiate and read.
Found a story about Fair Food (and it was on Good Morning America). Deep fried Snowballs - remember those marshmellow and coconut covered chocolate cakes. Now imagine them dipped in a pancake type batter and deep fried. It does sound more appetizing than chocolate coated bacon strips! Of course Corney Dogs were invented at the Texas State Fair (where else?), and they have become a staple not only at fairs and carnivals but on many tables and restaurant menus. I even buy the frozen ones a couple times a year.
My "Shame On You" story for today was to see that the airlines are charging our soldiers the extra fees on checked luggage. These brave folks are going to WAR for sake of freedom. They will be in a strange land for many, many months. And the airlines can't give them a break on their luggage. The whole idea of extra charges on reasonable size/weight checked bags is ludicrous to me in the first place, but to put the burden on the very people serving our country..... In my personal opinion (which apparently isn't worth much), the airlines should be giving active military personnel deep discounts on fares and free luggage fees.
Finally for today - Gas/diesel prices are coming down a bit. What a welcome sign!
Have a blessed day - Peace b
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Forest Lake North Carolina
Latest stop is the Thousand Trails Preserve in Advance, North Carolina. For the geographically challenged (especially me), Advance is between Winston-Salem and Mount Airy. Mount Airy is the town on which the old Andy Griffith Shows were based on. Floyd's Barber Shop is still there along with the Snappy Lunch. We saw Andy's police cruiser around town. And Opie now has a Candy Store.
We've been staying busy with sightseeing and I just haven't managed to get the blog updated. We also had some major problems with our Hughes Net set up. I'm really proud of John. He finally got the troubleshooting done and got us back on the air.
Forest Lake is one of the nicest Thousand Trails we have been to. Large adult and family lodges, separate swimming pools, good food service along with a well stocked country store. The sites are a bit of a challenge for the longer rigs since there isn't a flat piece of land in this whole area.
TT presented a terrific concert tonight. Shamrocks in the Wind is a delightful duo entertaining with "Authentic Celtic Ballads." I will definitely be looking out for more opportunities to see and hear them. I checked their schedule and we should meet up in Orlando a couple times in January/February. Real Irish Drinking Songs mixed with American Folk Music. If you ever get an opportunity to catch their show, DO IT!
Monday will take us away from North Carolina on our way to Cincinnati. I think Dave and Jessica have plans including taking mom to her first major league baseball game. We'll be there through Labor Day before heading south.
It's been a lot of fun up this eastern part of the country but it has really been hot and humid. I miss the Pacific Northwest in the summer. What with diesel prices so high, we elected not to make the cross country run this year.
We found the farmer's market here and I bought a big basket of peaches. The car and the motor home had a wonderful smell for a few days. We're about to the end of them and I'm not ready. May have to get some more before we leave. Didn't do as well with the watermelon we bought. It was overripe and starting to get a bit mushy. It's so hard for us to pick them. I remember my dad buying watermelons. The market would always "plug" them before we selected the one. It made it a little easier to know how good it is before you pay and get your mouth all set....
Ya'll have fun in August before school picks up again.
We've been staying busy with sightseeing and I just haven't managed to get the blog updated. We also had some major problems with our Hughes Net set up. I'm really proud of John. He finally got the troubleshooting done and got us back on the air.
Forest Lake is one of the nicest Thousand Trails we have been to. Large adult and family lodges, separate swimming pools, good food service along with a well stocked country store. The sites are a bit of a challenge for the longer rigs since there isn't a flat piece of land in this whole area.
TT presented a terrific concert tonight. Shamrocks in the Wind is a delightful duo entertaining with "Authentic Celtic Ballads." I will definitely be looking out for more opportunities to see and hear them. I checked their schedule and we should meet up in Orlando a couple times in January/February. Real Irish Drinking Songs mixed with American Folk Music. If you ever get an opportunity to catch their show, DO IT!
Monday will take us away from North Carolina on our way to Cincinnati. I think Dave and Jessica have plans including taking mom to her first major league baseball game. We'll be there through Labor Day before heading south.
It's been a lot of fun up this eastern part of the country but it has really been hot and humid. I miss the Pacific Northwest in the summer. What with diesel prices so high, we elected not to make the cross country run this year.
We found the farmer's market here and I bought a big basket of peaches. The car and the motor home had a wonderful smell for a few days. We're about to the end of them and I'm not ready. May have to get some more before we leave. Didn't do as well with the watermelon we bought. It was overripe and starting to get a bit mushy. It's so hard for us to pick them. I remember my dad buying watermelons. The market would always "plug" them before we selected the one. It made it a little easier to know how good it is before you pay and get your mouth all set....
Ya'll have fun in August before school picks up again.
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