The Domino Effect:  also known as the ripple effect, a cumulative effect produced when one event initiates a succession of similar events.  Little did I know upon waking this morning that it was going to be one of those days!  But I’m getting ahead of myself.

The day dawned slightly overcast but warmer than the past few mornings.  No need for the heater during the evening hours or early morning.  It was a great day once again to be alive.  Cup of coffee in hand, I settled in to watch the early morning news.  That task finished it was time to make a phone call.  They were coming to check and replace any hydraulic hoses for the leveling jacks that were leaking.

That is where it all began.  It began with a fluid leak from one of the hydraulic hoses, going to one of the self leveling jacks.  Now you have to know a leak is never a good thing in an RV – any kind of leak!

So once all the hoses were unwrapped and down the inspection process began.  At first it appeared that the culprit was the short line going to the front left jack.  Great.  Wait!  I spoke too soon.  It turned out to be the looooooooooong line going to the back left jack.  We think.  Here is where the domino effect began.

We needed to cycle all the jacks up and down in order to check each line.  What?  Now the jacks would not budge.  Neither up nor down.  What in the world was going on?  After a bit of investigation and head scratching the culprit was found, namely the solenoid on the actual hydraulic pump for the jacks.  At this point, I actually breathed

a really big sigh of relief.  It could have been the actual pump (let’s not talk about the price of that puppy), or it could have been the control board (another high price item), or within the controls in the dash (no fun to rip apart).  Furthermore, when I think back of when it could have gone bad, can you say our last day in New Jersey in the freezing cold?  Or how about at any stop on the way down to Florida?  Oh yea, thank you good Lord for the fact that it happened now where it would be easy to repair and for the fact that it is the simple replacement of an inexpensive solenoid.

Wait, though, we’re not done.  Oh no!  While they were crawling around under the back of Graybeard checking the jacks they found this, or what is left to it.  Where all that rust

is (next to the gray circle) there is supposed to be a rubber bushing to hold the rear sway bar in place.  But it is gone, ripped up, no more.  Now I know what the clunk is that I was hearing every now and then on the final stretch coming down here.  Again, I breathed a big sigh of relief.  It could have been much worse, the whole thing could have let go.  I could have been in a location where it would have been difficult to replace.  Once again, thank you good Lord!

So within the next two or three days all will be put right.  Am I upset?  Disappointed with Graybeard?  Absolutely not!  We are talking about a 7 year old motor home and things like this are to be expected.  We are so grateful that all of this is getting taken care of now before we hit the road for the summer.  We’ll leave with a renewed sense of self confidence in Graybeard and it’s road worthiness.

On another note.  I discovered this motor home that just came into the park, can you guess what it is?  I had no idea at first.

This is a 1993 ForeTravel 40 footer.  These are the motor homes that today cost in the range of a million dollars!  This one is an oldie but a goodie and in good condition as this one appears to be still go for around $30,000 plus.  I’m going to walk over again tomorrow and hopefully get to meet the owner and maybe get a peak at the inside.

Well, that was my day.  Barb had a busy day cooking, cleaning and just catching up on a lot of things.  She said she had 10 chores to do listed on the board and she is down to one, the income taxes.  She is saying even though it was slightly stressful because of all the repairs that have to be done, she feels good about getting her chores accomplished.

So our day has come to an end and night is upon us.  I suppose you’re wondering am I going to call this another great day?  You bet!  For all the reasons I already stated.  Surely the good Lord is watching over us and keeping us safe.  We hope you had a great day as well.

Now a story, if you will, that I just came across on a blog I follow:  Seems a couple planned of becoming full time RVer’s.  They planned for it.  Attended all the RV shows.  Finally bought their dream RV.  Guess what?   They never left their home state, never went more than 200 miles from their home location in the two years they owned it.  Why not?  According to them they were afraid that they might break down where they would not be able to get help!  So why bother to own an RV?  Instead of having this kind of an attitude, I offer you our slogan as a terrific way to approach life and RVing:

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before. 

As always,  if you are coming to the end of your day with concerns and worries let me suggest that you turn them over to God.  After all, He is going to be up all night so why not let him handle them for you.

Time now for our evening prayers and some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.  Thanks again for sharing our day with us.

Remember that song the chorus of which went like this

And I think it’s gonna be all right Yeah, the worst is over now The mornin’ sun is shinin’ like a red rubber ball 

that’s exactly what the sun looked like when I threw open the solarium shades this morning – a big rubber ball.  It was magnificent,  big, bright, and such a welcoming sight first thing in the morning.  Coffee cup in hand I sat and basked in its warmth and beauty for, really I don’t know how long.  What a wonderful way to begin a new day.  I knew immediately the day was going to be a great one.

Today we were going to be running the roads.  I had an appointment at the VA hospital in Tampa. Now, the way these appointments go is something like this – you drive for say

30 to 60 minutes to the clinic or hospital, get in line for parking, go inside and wander around for 10 or 15 minutes until you find out where you are supposed to be, then your name is called and your appointment is over just like that!  This time, though, we got smart.  If we were going to be in Tampa for the VA appointment then we figured we might as well discover something else to do either before or after the appointment.  What’s the old saying  Let’s kill two birds with one stone?

So after a bit of research Barbara discovered an attraction to visit and tour before my appointment.  And the winner was………………………………………………………………

the Yuengling Brewery in Tampa that offered free tours during the day.  Below is Barbara and myself with our tour guide

and here is yours truly with Mr. Yuengling (his cardboard likeness that is!)

D. G. Yuengling & Son is the oldest operating brewing company in the United States, established in 1829. It is one of the largest breweries by volume in the country. Based on volume sold in 2016, Yuengling was the top craft beer company in the U.S .Its headquarters are in Pottisville, Pennsylvania.  Yuengling produces about 2.8 million barrels annually, operating two Pennsylvania facilities and the brewery which we toured in Tampa

During the Phrobition era Yuengling survived by producing “near-beers” (beverages with a 0.5% alcohol content) called “Yuengling Special”, “Yuengling Por-Tor”, and “Yuengling Juvo”. The company also ran a dairy which produced ice cream and opened dance halls in Philadelphia and New York City.  In 1933, when the nation’s breweries and disgruntled beer lovers finally won the fight against Prohibition, Yuengling introduced its symbolic Winner Beer, celebrating Prohibition’s repeal, and the brewery shipped a truck load of its popular brew to the White House to show their appreciation.

In February 2014, Yuengling Ice Cream returned to the market after a near 30-year absence. Although operated by the Yuengling family, it is operated by David Yuengling, a cousin of Dick Yuengling. It is legally a separate company from the brewery, as was the case since 1935.

This is the start of our tour, our fearless guide leading our group of about 20 or 30

Rail cars in the distant that bring in the barley.  Water is imported from England.

Below is the actual brewing room.  Beer is made from four basic ingredients: Barley, water, hops and yeast. The basic idea is to extract the sugars from grains (usually barley) so that the yeast can turn it into alcohol and CO2, creating beer.

After all is said and done – it takes, we were told, 23 days from start to finish – the finished product ends up here in the bottling and canning room.  The machine below is used to fill the bottles.  There is another machine to the left that then caps them and then they are sent on their way to

The pasturing machine where they are gradually heated and then cooled again

then the bottles are gathered together after which they are sent to the labeling machine.  There is a separate production line for cans but it basically follows the same steps.

This bring us to the end of the tour and the favorite stop for just about all who take it – you guessed it the tasting room!  Barbara and I both quickly determined our favorites!

It really is a great tour and lasts only about 40 minutes.  If you are ever in the Tampa area I encourage you to take the tour.  You’ll be glad you did.  Oh yea, almost forgot this

I guess whoever made this up assumed they were going, which could be a dangerous assumption!

After the brewery, I knew exactly where I wanted to go for lunch.  Wawa.  We passed the store on our way to the brewery and, of course, I got my roast beef and horseradish sandwich.  Yum!  And of course Barbara spoiled me and got me a bag of Frito’s.

So today, it was indeed Two Birds with One Stone.  Back to the appointment at the VA Hospital – another test successfully passed and I’m cleared to go run around this great country of ours by the Infectious Disease department!  Yippee! (Orthopedics is another story).

After our appointment, we headed home for an afternoon of wine and relaxation.

So our day is now over and night is nigh.  We once again enjoyed every minute of the new day that God had given us.  We hope you enjoyed yours as well and that you were likewise able to enjoy it to the fullest.  Now I want to leave you with this thought that a friend shared with me:

If you’re looking for a happy ending and can’t find it, maybe it’s time to look for a new beginning.

As always,  if you are coming to the end of your day with concerns and worries let me suggest that you turn them over to God.  After all, He is going to be up all night so why not let him handle them for you.

Time now for our evening prayers and some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.  Thanks again for sharing our day with us.

 

Another cold morning.  And from the looks of things this is going to be the norm for several more days.

Ah well, into every life a chill or two must come.  Like that?  I just made it up!  Really, it’s still a whole lot warmer than the weather my friends are having in our former state of New Jersey.  So I’ll stay here and suffer.

Today, I guess you could say I was stuck in neutral for most of the day.  There are things that have to be done before we leave by the end of March and I know it.  I also know they are not going to get done on their own.  The hydraulic lines to the leveling jacks have to be checked.  The chassis battery needs a load test.  The roof needs to be washed as do the slide toppers.  The waste gate valves need to be replaced.  All typical of an 11 year old coach.  I want Graybeard in its prime when we start rolling north this summer.

This is not to say we didn’t accomplish anything today.  We got to do some needed shopping.  I replaced the weird acting tow switch in the car (sometimes I believe Harvey, our ghost, spends equal time in the car as well as the RV!).

I was finally able to get the access panel for the front TV back in place.  The rugs got a good vacuuming.  Our records for campgrounds, routes, maintenance tasks done and projects yet to be accomplished were updated.

Barbara was busy as well.  She spent the afternoon at the camp wishy washy doing our laundry.  While she was there she also made some new friends who are full time RVer’s.

Less I forget we also got to visit our resident donkey’s who live, were else,  on a farm adjacent to Donkey Lane.  These guys absolutely love apples and will take them from your hand at any time.

Yea, I was stuck for the most part idling in neutral all day.  However, I did accomplish a few things.  Tomorrow we’ll be running the roads since I have a doctor’s appointment at the VA Hospital in Tampa.  But that’s tomorrow.

So the day is coming to a close and night is once again enveloping us.  It’s been another great day, one full of laughter and life.  We lived each moment to the fullest.  We hope you did as well.  We hope you likewise enjoyed your day and made the most of it in a positive way.  Here’s a thought for you

Faith makes life possible, not necessarily easy

As always,  if you are coming to the end of your day with concerns and worries let me suggest that you turn them over to God.  After all, He is going to be up all night so why not let him handle them for you.

Time now for our evening prayers and some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.  Thanks again for sharing our day with us.

Oh yea, back on track!  I made a New Year’s resolution that I would never be sick for more than one day – and I’m sticking to it.

So it was up and out today, after I got done shivering.  Where in the world did the warm morning temperatures go?  It was 46 degrees outside today which is way too cold especially when you are used to waking up to temperatures in the mid 60’s and higher.  Heat pump to the rescue!  Thirty minutes later, we were all roasty toasty warm.

This being Sunday first order of business was church.  You bet I wanted to give thanks, for the blessings of the past week, and for a speedy recovery.  Sorry to say, however, there was a guest preacher today and even now thinking about it I have no idea what he was trying to get across.  Nevertheless, I was grateful for the chance to be in God’s house.

On the way home we decided to stop for a bite to eat at Robins Country Kitchen.  At least that was the plan.  Unfortunately, it was rather a small, really, really small place with maybe 6 tables inside and 4 outside and all were taken.  Perhaps another time we’ll give it a try.

Home we went for a brunch of sorts.  Then we were off again to Dade Battlefield for 

From January to June 1944 the US Army 622 Air Warning Signal Company was stationed at what was then called Dade Memorial Park..  A contemporary sketch by one of the men stationed there shows a number of tents, mess hall, motor pool, shower room stretched out around the property.  It remained an active military base for many years after.

Beginning in 2005 the park began holding a WWII commemoration weekend with various displays, a live fire demonstration of various weapons used during WWII, and a reenactment of a battle between American and German forces.  Below are some of the pictures from this weekends commemoration.

The field on which they had the live fire demonstration and battle enactment

Well, if I can’t afford Bill’s Doghouse from yesterday then I guess this would have to do!

 

I wonder, do think this could be turned into a Super C?  Sure would be different!

Here’s me in our new toad.  Lite weight, easy to maintain, and good on gas!  Actually when I was in Vietnam I owned one of these.  It’s a long story, ask me sometime if you are interested.

That was our afternoon.  But the day was far from over.  For supper, Barbara made a pork roast in the convection oven.  I must say she is getting real good at using that gizmo.  The roast came out great!  I enjoyed every bite of it and am looking forward to the leftovers.

After supper, we went to the clubhouse where they were showing the remake of

Barbara and I quite truthfully were not impressed.  The original, hands down, was the best.

So now we are home.  Movie night tonight.  I believe it will be Star Trek once again.  Why not?  It’s a series we both enjoy.

That was our day.  From beginning to end we again had an enjoyable day.  We hope you did too.  If not then resolve tomorrow to do something to make you and the world around you a better place for all.  And now I want to leave you with this, a thought shared this afternoon by a family member of a WWII veteran:

When you are annoyed by that old codger going slow in front of you.  When you are annoyed because he just will not move over think for a minute,that just may be a veteran and then remember what you owe him, the freedoms you enjoy today

As always,  if you are coming to the end of your day with concerns and worries let me suggest that you turn them over to God.  After all, He is going to be up all night so why not let him handle them for you.

Time now for our evening prayers and some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.  Thanks again for sharing our day with us.