Tuesday, April 30, 2013

RVer’s To Do List

I have a To Do List for the Beast.  Today I did a few of those things and got to scratch them off.  I changed out some fittings on two sewer pipes.  I know that excites you.  I changed two of four water filters.  They weren’t real dirty but since I had them all apart what the hell.  Yes, we have 4 large water filters on the Beast.  It wasn’t on purpose it just ended of that way at no or very little cost.  I won three of the filters (new) for like a $5 bid at an auction.  The next thing I did was to replace a screw that I had broke off that helped a hold a rear fender well in place.  It was hard to get to put I finally got it replaced.  I guess you can say that I screwed that up.  That was a lot for me in one day.

I also did the last bit of corrections for the big email that I will send out to the Loosey Goosey Gang of 2014.  This is the Gang that is going to Alaska in 2014 with us.  Most of these people have not been and I just try to give them some insight as to what to expect.  It’s not a caravan but it’s structured such that people do not travel bumper to bumper.  By the way, we are beyond full.

Yesterday we went into town 30 miles away which is Yubba City.  While Carol did the wash I returned my coffee maker to Sam’s.  No problem what so ever.  Next was to exchange my shoes.  I’ve never had to return a pair of shoes ever.  This was a first.  I got a pair of New Balance at $10 more.  I didn’t like the Schetchers (?).   No problem.  Carol was done so I picked her up and we went to Walmart for some groceries since we were in the area.  I also got a lounge chair ($45).  I’d been looking for some time for one that I liked.  On the way back to camp we stopped at our little strawberry stand and got another 3 quarts for $6.  They are so sweet.

I think are plans for where to go from here are starting to firm up.  From here Friday we go to the Redding Elks for two nights.  I looked at the weather and it’s suppose to be 97 degrees Friday there.  Whoa……

See ya….

Monday, April 29, 2013

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Strawberry Fields Forever

Carol & I went to Beale AFB  to check it out.  Can this be made into a RV?DSC_0001

No idea what happened to this building but it was serious.  DSC_0002

We visited the FamCamp (military campground) and it was pretty nice. $15 FHU.

On the way back we stopped at this strawberry stand.  $2 a quart and they are fresh, juicy and sweet.  We stop every time for years when we come out to our park (TTN) in Oregon House/Marysville.DSC_0003

See ya…….

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Campground Showers

I have used these showers here at this campground for the past 9 days more than I have used any in the past 10 years - total.  I don’t like campground showers.  There dirty.  It’s that simple to me.  Since we will be here for two weeks and don’t have sewer hookup, I’ve been using the campground showers.  Maybe I am too cheap to pay the $15 for the mobile dump guy or too lazy to break camp and dump and then set up again.  OR, maybe both! 

When we pulled in and set up I filled our fresh water tank and then disconnected the water.  It’s a way I double check the gauges for the holding tanks.

Normally we can go about 6-7 days without adding water and dump without over kill on conservation.  We have 110 gallons of fresh water, 55 sewer and 65 gallons of grey capacities.  Normally we travel with about 25-45 gallons of fresh water.  When we need to make time we carry the 110 gallons of water.  It’s no big deal for this big coach.  Fully loaded going down the road with everything we still can carry an additional 7,000 lbs of “stuff”.  That’s pretty normal for most coaches with tag axles.  Love that tag axle for carrying capacity.  You just can’t do that with a two axle coach or 5th wheel.  Our fuel mileage stays the same which is about 6+ MPG.  I have to get financing every time we pull into a truck stop to fill up.

When we leave here we will probably stay at an Elks for 2-3 nights then into a full hook up campground.  So, we will leave with a full fresh water tank probably.   Why hook up to an unknown water source when you don’t have to.  Plus you don’t have to worry about hoses, pressure, quality and all that stuff.

Today’s blog means that we didn’t do anything today except Carol line danced and I watched NASCAR.

Oh yea….When you read this, Denny & Susie have crossed the Canadian border and are on their way to Alaska.  True it is early but they will be spending some time in Canada before heading in the cold weather.  They might have a blog and if so I will pass it on.

See ya…..

Campground Showers

I have used these showers here at this campground for the past 9 days more than I have used any in the past 10 years - total.  I don’t like campground showers.  There dirty.  It’s that simple to me.  Since we will be here for two weeks and don’t have sewer hookup, I’ve been using the campground showers.  Maybe I am too cheap to pay the $15 for the mobile dump guy or too lazy to break camp and dump and then set up again.  OR, maybe both! 

When we pulled in and set up I filled our fresh water tank and then disconnected the water.  It’s a way I double check the gauges for the holding tanks.

Normally we can go about 6-7 days without adding water and dump without over kill on conservation.  We have 110 gallons of fresh water, 55 sewer and 65 gallons of grey capacities.  Normally we travel with about 25-45 gallons of fresh water.  When we need to make time we carry the 110 gallons of water.  It’s no big deal for this big coach.  Fully loaded going down the road with everything we still can carry an additional 7,000 lbs of “stuff”.  That’s pretty normal for most coaches with tag axles.  Love that tag axle for carrying capacity.  You just can’t do that with a two axle coach or 5th wheel.  Our fuel mileage stays the same which is about 6+ MPG.  I have to get financing every time we pull into a truck stop to fill up.

When we leave here we will probably stay at an Elks for 2-3 nights then into a full hook up campground.  So, we will leave with a full fresh water tank probably.   Why hook up to an unknown water source when you don’t have to.  Plus you don’t have to worry about hoses, pressure, quality and all that stuff.

Today’s blog means that we didn’t do anything today except Carol line danced and I watched NASCAR.

Oh yea….When you read this, Denny & Susie have crossed the Canadian border and are on their way to Alaska.  True it is early but they will be spending some time in Canada before heading in the cold weather.  They might have a blog and if so I will pass it on.

See ya…..

Friday, April 26, 2013

Line Dancing

Today was the Line Dancing Rally closing ceremonies.  But first it was to lunch with Ed/Sandy Kruty, Sue & Bruce Herriott.  We went to a little restaurant in Browns Valley.  I’ve already forgot the name of it.  There’s only two in the town along with a grocery store and a gas station.  They gave us a special table that could set all of us.  We talked more than we ate.  That’s unusual.  Sue & Bruce had questions since they are new VCR’s (Volunteer Club Reps) for the Escapees RV Club.  We basically just lied to them……no we didn’t.  Well, maybe just a little.  We couldn’t tell them about the VCR initiation.  It’s always been a secret.  Afterward lunch we all went our separate ways.

Time to eat again at the Line Dancing thing.  It’s a pot luck.  Same ole, same ole like any pot luck.DSCN1825

Then the closing ceremony with the awards and Thank You’s.DSCN1843

Carol got an award for shaking it the most.  Is that cup gold?DSCN1847

Another day in the exciting life of Driving Miss Daisy.

See ya….

Thursday, April 25, 2013

It’s O.K.

I went over to the shower (6:45 AM) and someone was using it.  O.K.  Went back 15 minutes later and the same guy was in it.  O.K.  Went back 1/2 hour later and he was gone.  I got a cold shower.  O.K.  I went back to the rig and Carol said she found a deer tick in our bed.  O.K.  Then I went over to Ed & Sandy’s site to mooch off their Trucker Antennae.  My MiFi card went dead. O.K.  It needed a charge.   Went back to my rig and charged the MiFi.  Went back out side to Ed & Sandy’s site.  Our new neighbor was playing his TV so loud that I could hear it three sites up and over one street.  O.K.  I had to reboot my computer to get on line.  O.K.  One neighbor doesn’t put his lab dog on a leash and is loose in their site.  O.K.  Our loud neighbor has a cat that is loose with a harness and lease on him and the guy is inside his rig.  O.K.   You know what is going to happen sooner or later, O.K.  Then a worker is riding around on an ATV spraying something around our rig & other areas (weed killer?).  O.K.   It’s not even friggin 9 AM.  You know, everything this morning is O.K.! 

After lunch Ed & I went 4 wheeling.  We went to the Yuba River and rode along the river. DSCN1808 DSCN1809  DSCN1811 DSCN1812

 

This jack rabbit kept running back and force in front of us as we went down this road.  When we got to some open ground I chased him with the Jeep.  He took off and left us alone after that.  He was having an O.K. day.DSCN1814

 

Bee hives..DSCN1813

We were on a road that we couldn’t do over 5 MPH for about 10 miles or so.  We came across this old place.DSCN1815

 

Then later on still on the rough road we came upon beautiful areas and then two palm trees?DSCN1816

This was a small heard of horses of several large ones we saw.DSCN1817

Ed & I were gone about 3 hours.  Then back at the rally….today was purple day.DSCN1821 

It was an O.K. day.

See ya….

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Oh Deer!

We had deer everywhere for awhile today. DSC_0005 DSC_0004

They took the site next to use.DSC_0007

Then we have Carol’s line dancing group. DSC_0002 DSC_0001

See the woman behind Carol with her arm in a sling…. She fell Tuesday while line dancing and fractured her wrist.  She’s back to line dancing.  I think she likes to line dance.DSC_0003

Ed & sandy relaxing at their O.F.F. pit.DSCN1807

See ya….

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

It’s Only Two Feet Longer!

We have deer come thru twice a day.  Early morning DSC_0004

and evening so far. DSC_0002

I have to drive to the top of a hill to send out the blog.  DSCN1800

While doing that I had two visitors or was I the visitor being checked out.DSCN1806

Carol went Line Dancing.  Ed, Sandy and I went to Nevada City, CA to check it out.  You know, the tourist thing.DSC_0007 DSC_0008 DSC_0009

We then went to this Thai restaurant.  We sat outside for lunch.  My dish was suppose to be hot but it wasn’t.  Carol could have ate it!  It was good.  I learned what Thai sticky rice was and liked it. DSC_0014 DSC_0013

 DSC_0010 DSC_0016

On the way back we stopped at DeMartini RV sales in Grass Valley.  I have worked with this large dealership in the past with the RV Driving School.  So the three of us are looking around and John, one of the two brothers that own it, greets us.  We sat in a Camelot for probably a half to an hour talking RVs in general with him.  Ed is sold on this 2007 Camelot.  Sandy says, “NO!”.  I know what that’s like.  I did find a 2006 45’ Holiday Rambler Navigator that my butt sets in real well.  It had a very large bedroom that Carol desires.

We returned back to our rigs.  Ed is rationalizing with Sandy about the Camelot.  Sandy is not giving in.  I think she is rougher than Carol!

Carol said she would go over and look at the Navigator when the line dancing rally is over.  It’s a nice coach but won’t come up to Carol’s desires I know.  It really exceeds mine more than the Dutch Star.  It’s only two feet longer!

See ya….

Monday, April 22, 2013

The Rally Begins – Line Dancing

I was up at 3 AM.  Reconfigured our summer/winter/spring/summer schedules/plans.  Yes, I do that kind of stuff.  At 5:30 AM I went back to bed but couldn’t sleep so I got up at 6 AM.  I took a shower then headed up the hill to send several days of blogs and check my cell phone voice mail.  I did that for about 1 1/2 hours on computer and MiFi batteries.  Back to the rig and Carol was up.  Then we saw this heard of deer that came thru our site.

opps..I forgot the camera chip 

We went up to the club house at 9 AM so Carol could get started with her line dancing rally.  I stayed and went on the internet that is free.  Carol finished up about noon and we went back to the rig.

Carol went back to her rally at 2 PM and returned about 3:30 PM.

We saw some more deer and jack rabbits during our evening walk.

Just a basic good day…

See ya….

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Moving Day & O.F.F. Ring

Not us!  Ed & Sandy decided to move into a site across from them that became empty this morning.  It’s level plus they will be able to get sat TV there.

I watched NASCAR while Carol went thru bedroom cabinets.  She found “stuff” that she forgot she had.

Oh, this morning we didn’t have electricity when I got up.  Somehow we blew the circuit breaker at the outside pedestal.  That’s very rare for us because we have gizmos that prevent that.  We had nothing on except our hydro hot heating system (electric side not diesel).  Hard to say at this point.

We sat outside with Ed & Sandy while their dog and our cat tried to make friends.  Our cat didn’t really want to.  Then the cat watched a nearby deer.DSC_0001

The cat loved being outside for several hours with us.DSC_0002

 

We cooked our meal on the grill like Ed & Sandy.  Aren’t they cute?DSC_0003

Later that evening we went over to their place and enjoyed their O.F.F.   That’s a LP fire ring for old people.  When you are done you just turn it off and go in.  No fire to worry about plus no smoke.  O.F.F. stands for Old Fart Fire. 

Remember we have no WiFi or cell phone.  The blogs will be in sequence by days but maybe 2-3 days entered at one time.

See Ya…

Saturday, April 20, 2013

The Smell Of Pine

Saturday we went to Walmart, Sam’s and Famous Footwear in Yuba City.  Walmart was same ole, same ole.  At Sam’s we got a Keurig coffee pot and ate their cheap lunch.  We had the opportunity to get gas at Sam’s for $3.55 but the lines were just a little too long for me.  Gas elsewhere is running about 20-40 cents more.  We have a half of tank so we are OK.  Then to Famous Footwear where we got our shoes to work at Amazon this fall. 

Back at camp we saw three small herds of deer come thru the campground. 

With the wind lightly blowing thru the pine trees along with the smell of pine, it made a very refreshing day.

We cooked some polish sausage out on the grill for dinner.  Carol went to a line dancing dance at the club house for awhile but returned early.  Her line dancing rally officially starts Monday.

See Ya….

Friday, April 19, 2013

Hundred Miles & One Poo Head

Damn, I don’t really wake up the first 100 miles.  But that is how far Thousand Trails Lake Of the Springs (LOTS) is.  There’s a Line Dancing Rally next week need I say more.

Goodbyes….DSC_0003  DSC_0005  DSC_0006DSC_0004DSC_0007 

Carol took this of a sky diver next to the road. DSC_0017

 

We ran across one idiot, almost literally, that was under the impression we were suppose to move over when they came down a ramp. Boy did they get a surprise when we didn’t because of two cars on our left side. What did they do? They actually ran down the shoulder of route 99 for about 50 yards accelerating to pass me doing 55 MPH. Then she turned into our lane just missing my right front and slammed on the brakes hard briefly. I didn’t even touch the brakes…no sense to. We would have ran over her with or without me braking. It was pretty close. Carol got very excited at the driver, a female in a pretty new looking Camry. She went on down the road not realizing how close she came to being literally ran over or pushed into something like a guard rail. There were plenty of witnesses around so me hitting her in the rear would have not have been much of a legal problem.

Here’s the Poo head.DSC_0020

Love those zoom lens.  Here’s her tag!DSC_0019 

 

Down less traveled roads…DSC_0021

DSC_0027 DSC_0030

Poo headquarters…DSC_0031 DSC_0034 DSC_0041

Anyhow, we arrived at our RV park and got parked. Ed & Sandy Kruty came in shortly there after and got a site next to us. We got water and 30 AMP and will be here for 14 days. They have a dump site nearby or have a honey wagon for $15.DSC_0050

Deer were nearby.DSC_0051

This deer came up to our neighbor and peed and pooed.DSC_0056

So,  we don’t have cell phone or WiFi service.  We have to go up the hill here in the park to do either.

See ya….