TOUR AMERICA, 2021: PARADISE OAKS RV RESORT, BUSHNELL, FLORIDA

Home Is Where We Park It:  Talin RV

85

January 5, 2021

Temperature 68 Degrees

Yup we’re still here.

Last night was a bit on the chilly side, like down to 38 degrees.  The question was How could we keep warm?  Being on 30 amps I had to be careful what I left on.  One heat pump but no more for sure.  But I wanted to experiement and so . . .

Tiny Tim to the rescue!  This little 14 inch ceramic heater continues to amaze us.  We decided to set it up by the cockpit seats and leave all dividing doors open.  It did the job never letting the temperature dip below 70 degrees in the front and 60 degrees in the back.  Amazing

First item on the schedule.

It did not want to go easily.  It took the better part of two hours to get it apart without breaking 15 year old plastic caps – which look so bad they will have to be replaced anyway.

Finally, it was off.

This awning, the window awning and the pato awning fabric are of a light brown tweed.  All edges are double stiched and I dare you to try and rip them.  They gave me a sample, which they cut part way through with a pair of scissors and told me to rip it further.  No matter how hard I tried I simply could not rip it any further.  This is some strong fabric.  The slide toppers are no different.

This is Dustin our tech.  He has been doing this type of work for over ten years.  He definitely knows what he is doing and as I watched him I realized very quickly he is also a perfectionist.

 He took our new awning back to the shop a couple of times because he didn’t like the way it looked and fitted.  Then once he was satisfied and it was on he massaged it for a good thirty minutes  more until he was absolutely satisfied with the way it fit and how it rolled up.  Looking good indeed.

Moving on. . .

The last of the slide toppers came off.  It was so brittle and full of holes that when I picked it up, it fell apart in my hands.  I wonder how it even lasted this long.

The new one going back on.  We picked a light tan color for all the slide toppers since we felt that white was too boring!  Like everything else it is all double stiched and tough as can be.  How tough?  Dustin told me four years ago they had a customer pressure wash one of their slide toppers with acetone and it still looks like new today.  I have no doubt that what we are having installed will be around long after I’m finished RV’ing.

Once again Dustin spent considerable time also getting this one just right.  

Progress is being made if somewhat slower than I expected.  However, in their defense they had a patio awning replacement this morning.  The couple had left their awning open and gone out for the day.  When they returned it was ripped in half and on top of their coach.  They were supposed to be here four weeks ago but COVID-19 got in the way and so today was the first day they could make it.  In addition, the coach behind us is still being worked on.  But no complaints from us because we know everything is being done right.  And, afterall,  we have no where to go.

They finished making the pato awning today.  It should go on either tomorrow or the next day.  The beltline still has to be repaired.  And I’m sure we’ll find a dozen other items that should be addressed.  This is the last major upgrade for this season so we want to make sure everything that needs to be addressed is taken care of.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  We’re keeping warm.  We’re keeping busy reading books and playing Mexican Train.  Ms Barbara has done a little shopping.  Life is good in so many ways.  Thank you Lord for looking after us as always.

Thanks for joining us again today.  We always appreciate your company, your comments, and your suggestions. Keep safe, keep healthy, live to the fullest the days that God gives you.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and her two intrepid travelers.  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 never been before.

See you on down the road!