Cabinets Done, Beast Done, Let’s Go!

The Beast went back to West RV Repair to it’s reserved parking space it seems like.  Newmar (A&E) got the part right this time.  It’s done….not much thanks to Newmar concerning their inability to get it right the first 4 other times.  Now..time will tell.

The Beast is in it’s final parking place finally since early October before we leave.  Just back and forth to the repair shops for little things that Newmar couldn’t make right.  I used over 40 gallons of fuel just running around and back and forth because of them.  You say I should make them pay.  Oh they have paid.  Returned $4,500 for the roof and an additional $3,300 in fuel.  They are working on making us happy and we do have a smile when ever we think of that money.

I reinstalled the large set of cabinets into the wall/floor and tightened down the top plus put the drawers back in.  Leon worked on the last piece and brought it over early. I finished screwing the top down and the cabinet in the wall.  His magical wood working skills brought it all to life.  He says that he has no real experience and only has been doing wood working for 20 years. 

The table is a well built table (Newmar) that we had customized last year.  It has a 15” leaf and can be pulled out and away from the wall.  We can put a portable table behind it for extra space while eating with company.  The chair we got in Goshen while at Newmar.  It’s a smaller Euro swivel type chair.  We have two fold up factory chairs under the bed.  We need one more regular chair to set opposite my chair.

We had a special friend of Leon’s stop by and I showed off his work.  She knows his work very well. Her and her husband use to be well known full timers.  They are way to old (around 60?) to travel anymore and have retired to the over the “hill” country…grin…

At 6 AM this Wednesday morning, it was 60 degrees outside. It hit 80 degrees later.  Yea……

Diesel is now at $3.57 and gas $2.95 here in Livingston, TX. Midland, TX about $3.71/$3.17. Flying J Eloy, AZ is $3.65/$2.87. Pilot in Quartzsite, AZ is $3.75/$3.25. Flying J in Lodi, CA is $3.87/$3.09. Keep on going down. Daddy’s getting ready to buy some fuel. Most of these will be our future fuel stops probably.

Golfing & Moving In – NOT!

Well, the old golf cart don’t get any use anymore.  The batteries are very dead and it has a flat tire.  I would be willing to let someone use it but they would have to buy 6 batteries for it.  We won’t be using it for at least until maybe about winter of 2014.  I took the old awning from the Beast and cut it up so it has a real nice cover over it.  I had a lot of straps from the kayak days so why not use them.  It will do just fine.

I’m trying to hook up with this young guy (younger than us by about 40 years) who is washing & waxing RVs at a real good price ($125).  We gave him our number the other day now it’s a matter of him calling us.  Well, ne never called so with some cold weather coming in I decided to go ahead and wash the Beast.  

We stopped moving back into the Beast because of the disarray with the cabinet work in progress.  No bigee for us.  We got about 3/4 of our stuff back in anyhow.  Since we got “stuff” spread all over the mobile we want to make sure we don’t forget anything.  Leon brought over the cabinets.  The several coats of stain worked so they were ready to be reinstalled.  He took the top of one to trim it out and stain.  This was all one piece before Leon cut it.  It was easy but very precise. 

With the table pulled out 4 people can easily eat at it.  The leaf is inserted in the table right now.  Otherwise it’s removed and goes inside/under the table.  Actually five can eat at it.  The outward end has room for one more because the leg underneath is set back.  This was a stock table but I had another outfit last year work on the table for me and customized it for us.  It’s a heavy duty table and can be danced on if anyone gets the urge.

So far we only really really really have to be in two places so far for next year.  An Escapees Chapter 44 rally in March  and the Escapees Multi Chapter rally in April.  There’s a third (Escapade) but we are working on that.  We don’t count working for Amazon in the winter yet.  We will sign up for that in January.  Now we have plans to visit friends but they all know and understand the full timers lifestyle of plans being in jello.  That’s what so neat about being a full timer for us.  Very little planning is in concrete.  That is unless it’s Carol’s line dancing.  Sometimes (rare) that even has cracks in it.  Our departure date from here is even in jello.  We are leaving Livingston for sure just not real sure when.  We are aiming for Arizona on a crooked route (maybe) but heading west.  We might take the northern route through Abilene, Tx that we haven’t been in years.  We could slow up for Larry & Marilyn Forbes.  Also, Bob & Molly are heading this way.  Both are a couple of days behind us.  They usually travel like we do when going to a particular place.  No real plans for stopping anywhere special on driving days.   Even a Cracker Barrel or Wal-mart does just fine.  We all are heading for Quartzsite and will be at the Quartzsite Happy Hour.  Did I mention that we will be there 16 & 17 January and 1-3 PM each day?  I knew I could stick that in there one more time.

The temp here almost hit 80 degrees.  Today and tomorrow real nice then winter hits us again.  It’s nice now…….enjoy.

See ya.

AND Now What? Oh No A Boo Boo

First Carol & I had to go to Conroe for her to complete her routine physical check up.  We were back to Livingston by noon. 

Leon came back over and was surprised I got as much accomplished as I did with uninstalling the cabinets.  By the time he left we had used a rubber mallet and brute strength which wasn’t much in our case.  We got the three cabinets removed and out.  Then we cut one of them away from the others.  The top shelf will be cut anther day.  We took them to Leon’s work shop.  He added some sidewalls and trim.  Then he started the staining process.  He said that it might take several coats to get close to the original stain.  He said about Friday he would be done.  Then he/we would cut the top and make it pretty with trim and reinstall the cabinets under it.  He gave me a tour of his home.  This man does outstanding wood working work.  He has made all sorts of tables, cabinets, & things.  Oh, he is retired and does not do any cabinet work anymore.  We got lucky some how and glad of it.  I have piece of pipe holding the top up for now.  Leon wanted to get the cabinets done and under before he cuts the top.

BOO BOO.  I mentioned the Escapee Social at Quartzsite, AZ January 16 & 17.  Will I made a boo boo about the time.  It’s 1-3 PM each day.  It’s 1-3 PM each day.  It’s 1-3 PM each day.  Now, if you come any other time besides 1-3 PM each day, it won’t be my fault because I said it’s 1-3 PM each day.  Just so you don’t forget it’s 1-3 PM each day.

Dan & Jenny gave us some frozen Dungess Crab meat from Oregon a few weeks ago.  Tonight we made some awesome  crab cakes and ate them all and don’t feel bad about not sharing at all.  Thanks Dan & Jenny and hope you all enjoyed the smoked pulled pork as much as we enjoyed the crab meat.  You gave us the crab and we gave you butt.

See ya…..

What To Get Into

I sent Leon an email asking him if he had time to work on our floor cabinets in the Beast.  He came over and we discussed what we would like.  Basically we wanted the cabinets cut in two so the table would fit between them.  He said OK and for me to remove all the drawers, screws, brackets, etc and we would return tomorrow to cut and finish it in.  So here’s what I got into today. 

The last cabinet and top on the left will be cut off and installed in the corner.

This corner.

So, that’s what I got into today.  Tomorrow is another day.

See ya….

Getting Meds On The Road & Fuel

A lot of things have changed getting meds on the road since June 2000.  At the beginning getting meds on the road was just a stop at a military base to get them refilled.  My annual check ups were done at a military base which was never a problem.  Times have changed for the military retiree.  Very seldom can we get meds on base and they do take retires on base for check ups – rare.  We are now in a aftermarket BS thing like a lot of people.  Being active duty for 21 years health care is another benefit that has eroded for retirees.  It was a selling point to overcome the low pay was the health benefits after retirement – free.  BS now!  Back to the subject.  We know some people that get their meds at Wal-mart.  I think that is pretty neat & convenient.   We tried CVS and that was pretty good so we will stick with CVS for 2013.  They have drive thrus also.  What ever works the best for you and that you like of course and there are more options than you think to use out here on the road.  Do the research and ask around.  We don’t care for the usual lines at Wal-mart pharmacy that we have seen. 

Several people have asked about my high blood pressure.  Well folks, it has been running in the 110’s lately and even lower than Carol’s.  She thinks the little blood pressure device is broken.  Considering my pressure use to run in the 150’s using heavy meds , it’s pretty dog on good now.  Now I take vitamins, changed the diet some, cut back on the caffeine stuff, some exercise (walking) and lost 30 pounds of which I gained 10 lbs back before seeing the doc.  The doc said lose another 20 lbs.  He has reduced my blood pressure meds in half and not using another med at all.  It will be another year until I see him again.

FUEL UPDATE.  We all know the price of fuel is coming down.  I got diesel here in Livingston, TX in Oct and it was $3.79.  Yesterday it dropped to $3.57.  Gas went down to $2.99.  These are the same prices as they were a year ago here in Livingston.  It’s not a lot but it’s going in the right direction.  On my average fill up it will save me about $20 or so.  2013 we will travel less than 7,000 miles.  That’s a lot less than our normal 15-20K miles.  The mileage difference is due to us selling the business and not needing to do all the miles.  So we will save about $300 for the year if fuel remains the same price for 2013.  We all know that won’t happen.  We have yet to make any major changes in our travels over the years due to fuel prices.  If your budget is that tight that a fuel price increase makes a major difference, then you might want to consider to work camp.  I’m talking to full timers mainly.  Work camping can be fun and a learning experience.  Plus you save money and maybe even make money in your new adventure.  We plan to work for Amazon with some good friends in late 2013 for about 10 weeks.  This is our trip money for Alaska 2014.

See ya………….

RV Tags Gone & Auctioneering

This was our legal license plate for our RV for years.  We sold the the school and which still can be contacted at www.rvsdrivingschool.com as before.  We decided to save the $40 and get a normal tag.

Here’s our Jeep from several mornings ago.  That’s ice! Hey, we don’t even have an ice scraper like years ago.  It’s just about time to leave in 12 days vice 13.

Today was a luncheon and auction put on by Escapees Chapter 10 here in Livingston.  I was honored by Chapter 10 when I was asked several  days ago to be their new auctioneer.  Bud Upton has been the auctioneer for many years.  Bud thought it was time to pass the torch and I was honored to be asked.  In this case it was not a torch but a mike.  As most people know,  I have no problems with a mike.  First we had big fat dogs for lunch.   

As we were getting ready for the auction to start a person quietly told us at the microphone about the shooting up in Connecticut.  We decided it was best not to make an announcement to the group.  It just wasn’t the thing to do.  It was just too sad for this setting.

I always wanted to be an auctioneer and it went pretty good and fun was had by all.  It was about 2 hours long for the auction.  All money raised went to the Escapees C.A.R.E.  Bud Upton came up to me afterwards and said I did a real good job and gave me his stamp of approval with a hand shake.  Thanks Bud.

When we got back to the mobile it was time for us to get the Beast ready for our return.  First was the frig.  It’s been turned off and closed up which meant little things were growing in it.  A couple of hours later Carol had it shinning again. 

The Beast is missing something.  Oh, it’s us.  We will return……pretty soon.  We are starting to move our “stuff” back into our real home.

See ya,,,,,

Escapees

We belong to several clubs but we are Escapees.  Last year we didn’t do much volunteering.  We volunteered as Assistants on the Escapee Outdoor ATV HOP in Hatch.  We also volunteered to be the Hosts for the Thanksgiving Dinner here in Livingston.  So we did some volunteering.

2013 we will be doing some more.  Escapees have a social get together each year in Quartzsite.  Denny & Susie Orr will Host again and we volunteered to take some pictures for the Escapade magazine.   It will be 16 & 17 January at it’s usual place.  Here are some numbers for your GPS  which are 33.67074N and  -114.14802W.  Signs will be up.  Desert camping all around or just drive in.  People bring food and music is played.  Bring a chair and what ever to drink.  Each day about 3 or 4 PM for a couple of hours.  Come on by and say HI!

I believe Bob & Molly Pinner, Escapade National Directors, will be there.  If you want to volunteer for the big 4th of July Escapade in Gillette, WY, see them now!  We have volunteered to be on the staff but not sure what we will do.  WE WILL HAVE FUN what ever it is.  I think it might be something important like counting horse poo droppings.  Hey, it could be picking them up!

Come March we have volunteered to smoke 50 lbs of pork for Escapees Chapter 44 rally near Mesa, AZ.  Denny & Susie Orr are the Hosts.  The dates are 17-23 March.  Come on out for some Hickory smoked pulled pork and the fun.

Then along come April is the West Coast Chapter Rally in Lodi, California around the 14- 18 April.  Walt & Kellie Gunn are the Hosts. We volunteered to do something with the staff but not sure what yet.  No poo picking or counting.   Plus help with the cooking of the Tri-tip supposedly.

You don’t have to be a chapter member to attend any of these chapter rallies.  If you like the chapter then you can join for about $5-10 bucks a year.

In July we will be tentatively on the volunteer staff for the Escapade in Gillette, WY 30 June – 4 July.  Gillette puts on a monster fireworks display that many big cities are envy of.  I think it’s right around the time that there is a pyrotechnics convection going on in Gillette.  I guess you can say the Escapade will be a BLAST! 

So come on out and don’t forget to volunteer.

Awning repair update.  We took the Beast into West RV Repair for the 4th time to replace/repair our awning.  Nope, couldn’t do it again! The awning material itself was finally correct but the hardware to finish the job was the wrong size and color.  The box paperwork was correct but the contents was wrong.  It appears to be a screw up at A&E Awnings all this time.  I think that’s where ALL the previous screws have been.  We’re glad we are here in Livingston and not out on the open road waiting.  I don’t think we would be waiting.  They would have to chase us.  Next appointment is next Wednesday for about a half hour if the part is correct.

Tomorrow I’m going to so something that I always wanted to do but never done.  It will be an adventure for sure.

See ya……..

Meds On The Road/Fuel Prices Going Down

Yesterday I said Dave and Leann Boone visited us.  His name is Gary and not Dave.  Oppppppppps.  Sorry Dave – I mean Gary.

A lot of things have changed getting meds on the road since June 2000. At the beginning of our full timing, getting meds on the road was just a stop at a military base to get them refilled. My annual check ups were done at a military base which was never a problem. Times have changed for the military retiree. Very seldom can we get meds on base and they do take retires on base for check ups – rare. We are now in a aftermarket BS thing like everybody else. Being active duty for 21 years health care is another benefit that has eroded. It was a selling point to overcome the low pay was the health benefits after retirement – free. BS now! Back to the subject. We know some people that get their meds at Wal-mart. I think that is pretty neat & convenient. We tried CVS and that was pretty good. I think we will go back to a local pharmacy here in Livingston who hand delivers them to the Escapees Mail Service and thus forwards them to where ever we are at. Yes we have to pay postage but it’s what we are use to. What ever works the best for you and that you like of course and there are more options than you think to use out here on the road. Do the research and ask around. Change one. We went with CVS. Don’t like the lines at Wal-mart that we have seen.

Several people have asked about my high blood pressure. Well folks, it has been running in the 110’s lately and even lower than Carol’s. She thinks the little blood pressure device is broken. Considering my pressure use to run in the 150’s using heavy meds , it’s pretty dog on good now. Now I take vitamins, changed the diet some, cut back on the caffeine stuff, some exercise (walking) and lost 30 pounds of which I gained 10 lbs back before seeing the doc. The doc said lose another 20 lbs. He has reduced my blood pressure meds in half and not using another med at all. I was told a couple of decades ago that I would be on meds the rest of my life. Well, maybe so, but it doesn’t have be a lot, right?

Volunteering & RVing

Volunteering.  Yep.  We suggest to newbies that they should volunteer with a RV club (chapter or ?).  If you want to meet fellow RVers quick.  This is the way to do it.  You get to know other RVers and their ideas of special places to visit.  Plus you can ask them questions about their RVing experiences.  They will talk to you for hours about their experiences, I guarantee it.  It’s in their blood.  BUT you have to meet them.  True, you can do it at the laundry, or even at a social which is good but when you volunteer with others it’s a fun way to get to know others during and then afterwards.  Us old timers don’t make fun of newbies and what they are doing.  We will smile and reminiscence about how we did just about the same things.  Thank you newbies for the memories.

I went back to working on the new thermostat while Carol went to her daily line dancing.  I got it to work finally.  Now to figure out the timer.

Carol picked up my Mom from the local nursing home and brought her back to the mobile for lunch.  I smoked some pork ribs for her earlier and made some charro beans.  She really liked both.  After eating those beans she will be ready to go back to the nursing home.

While she was here mark Nemeth stopped by. He had borrowed a neighbor’s generator via me for the Escapee’s trolley Christmas float.  It was entered in Livingston’s Christmas parade and took first prize this year.  I think it was because of all the lights we put on it.  It was lite up like a Christmas tree.  Mark must have smelled the ribs but was too late to get any. 

Then we had Dave & Leeann Boone show up to say good by.  They’ve been full timing for about 1 1/2 years so far and are enjoying the hell of it.  We might see them again at the Escapade up north in Gillette, WY come July.  They are crazy like we are and like most full timers.  You have to be half crazy to full time.  It’s more enjoyable that way. 

Everybody left and Mom was taken back to her place.  I think she enjoyed busy visit.

Carol & I went to a free dinner (Walmart chicken) put on by MSAS I believe it was called.  It’s an emergency ambulance/flight service for away from your residence.  They have been around for many years.  Sorry, we don’t have 4 grand.  Guess we will have to walk to the hospital in an emergency….NOT!  It’s a good service if you can afford it but not necessary for all.  If your health is questionable then you would have to consider it.  The chicken was pretty good.

See ya…

Weather/Blog changes

Holy crap.  What happened to the 80 degree and high humidity.  It poured down rain two nights ago and the wind howled.  High today is almost 50 degrees.  Suppose to get into the high 20s this week at night.  Holy crap.  I guess winter is finally here.  Where’s my coat?  Is it in the mobile or the Beast?  Put the shorts away until another time for sure.  Time to chase the sun as some RV full timers do.  We will have to wait for several weeks.

Awning up date – I called West RV Repair and the 4th awning was in.  Since it was so cold & windy I asked them if they still wanted to do it today.  They said they would rather not.  I said OK let’s do it Thursday since it will be warmer, less windy and the sun is suppose to be out.  They jumped at the opportunity.

I made some minor changes to the blog, mainly the font and colors.  I like colors that stand out.  Print – I try to get something that is not the usual but still readable.  I try to consider that the blog will show up on other devices other than large computer screens.

Is this a happy kitty or what? 

We will be gone over the summer.  In the past we’ve left two fans on in the mobile.  This we did to avoid mildew/mold during the hot season.  Now we’ve been told that we should leave our AC on and set it at 80 degrees or so.  Seems like 85 would be OK too?  Anyhow I went to Lowe’s and got a $25 programmable thermostat.  I’m having all sorts of problems.  5 wires come out of the wall and the instructions say hook up 4 wires.  I called the 1 800 number.  They guy could hardly speak English and was reading from a friggin book.  I hung up on him.  I got the heat to work but not the AC.  Tomorrow I will see if I can get Wayne or Dave to make it simple for me.

See ya….