Places We Have Called Home In 2020

March 13, 2020

Temperature 74 Degrees

Drying Out

Slide Maintenance and other things

What a difference a day makes.  We awoke this morning to dry land and clear blue skies.

So I put my water logged sneakers and flip flops out to dry.  Yesterday the water was over the tops of my sneakers as I moved around Elvira.  With luck both pair will be fit to wear within the day.

I went back up on the roof to finish caulking.  I’m confident there will be no leaks from anything up there.  I have yet to pull the AC covers to clean the condensers and drain pans.  I’ll do that toward the end of the month.

I lubed the step well cover hinge so that it would move up and down without an issue.  It needs to be up when Barbara is in her seat or she would take a tumble if she tried to stand up.

Regarding the slides.

These are the slide locks which when the slide is in hold the top in tight against the side wall.  The problem is when the slide is out they are out in the weather.  Wisdom says to keep them well lubed so they don’t bind up or rust.  So today I lubed each and every one of them.  I’m actually trying to noodle out some kind of cover I can put over them when the slides are out.  Suggestions anyone?

Deep down in there under the bed is the electric motor for the driver’s side bedroom slide.  These motors have a tendency to come loose on their mounts.  Yes, I found the lag bolts on this one loose.  In fact, one of the four can no longer be tightened down.  So I tightened the three and I’ll have to find a way to install a regular bolt and lock nut in the fourth.  I may have to remove some of the storage shelf under the bed to drill the bracket out for the bolt.  Time will tell but fix it I will.

This is the electric motor for the passenger side bedroom slide.  It is a bit more complicated.  The motor is bolted to a bracket which in turn is bolted to the walls of the locker.  I tightened the actual motor bolts then turned to the bracket bolts.  I believe in the past someone had an issue here because there are a few extra bolts already installed.  I’ll need to keep my eye on this.  I may try to find a way to install some extra L Brackets to further support the main bracket.

The only other project on the list was the electric locker.  I replaced the prop rod that holds the locker door up and reorganized the 50 amp cord so I could get it all in and be able to close the locker door.  In the back corner is the trickle charger I bought to keep the chassis batteries charged when we are parked.  Then I discovered that the coach is set up in such a way that the converter charges both chassis and coach batteries when we are plugged in.

Someone asked me the other day Don’t you get tired of doing all that maintenance?  I replied Nope, I enjoy it, it gives me a sense of satisfaction knowing Elvira is being well taken care of.  Then again, come right down to it, every homeowner goes through the same thing with their stick and brick home.  If, that is, they don’t want it to fall apart.

So another day comes to a close on The Road of Retirement.  Once again it was a beautiful day in every way.  Some projects were finished.  Others were planned.  Barbara is slowly getting stronger.  We continue too travel along, hand in hand, singing our song.  What more can one ask for.

Thanks for stopping by today.  We’re glad to have your company and appreciate your comments and suggestions.  Till tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and it’s 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!

 

Places We Have Called Home In 2020

March 12, 2020

Temperature 71 Degrees

Forget Elvira, Build Me an Ark!

Two More Projects Crossed Off the List:  Muffler and Transmission

Water off the port side.  It was over the soles of my sneakers.  Just where I needed to unhook everything so we could take Elvira in for her scheduled maintenance appointment.

Water off the starboard side.

Water off the bow.  Here’s the funny thing, until you look out you don’t even know it rained.  We can no longer hear the rain on the roof.  All you here is something akin to a dull roar.  Elvira is one quiet lady.  A whole lot different than Graybeard.  This rig is really well insulated.

Unfortunately, my once spiffy lady is now an absolute mess.  When we get to Congress I’m going to have to clean her all over again.  At least she has a coat of wax on her which should make cleaning her a lot easier.

This is where we spent the first part of our day.

Any business that has rides like this outside the front door is my kind of place.  This business is also unique in that it has no employees.  Everyone is an equal partner in the business.  Want to get hired?  You have to be voted in by the partners.  Same thing for firing someone.  The partners vote whether you go or not.  At the end of the year they all share in the profits of the business.  Different to say the least.

Elvira up on the lift.

One technician got to work on the muffler.

The old rusted out fifteen year old muffler.   It was a mess.

 

The new one from Spartan Chassis in place.  Want to know what I think?  I believe I could have just gone with a piece of straight pipe!  Elvira really doesn’t sound all that quiet even with the new muffler in place.  Live and learn.

Another technician tackled the Allison Transmission.  I never realized just how huge they are.  A whole lot bigger than the three and four speed transmissions I used to install in my hot rods.  The good news was no burnt fluid and all looked great.

Of course while they worked I roamed around and took some pictures of the more interesting signs in the office.  Take a look.

If I had the money I sure would like to have this full size for my toad!

We got back home just in time for a major storm to blow through.  Winds were twenty to thirty mile an hour hitting us square on the drivers side  Even with the jacks down we still rolled back and forth.  The rain came in horizontal sheets.  All of this nonsense lasted for about an hour then it was over.  Till now.  We just received weather alerts for more severe weather.  Once again, high winds, lots of rain and with it the chance of flash flooding.  This is the worse weather we have had in the last several months.  So we’re not complaining, just riding it out.

That was our very different day on The Road of Retirement.  We have one more major project to complete and then we are done for this year.  It will be time to kick back and enjoy Elvira and the changes we have made to her.  By the end of next week she will definitely be ours, a reflection of who we are, and how we travel.  Tain’t that grand!

Thanks for checking in with us today.  We always enjoy your company and your comments.  Catch your tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and it’s 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!

 

Places We Have Called Home In 2020

March 11, 2020

Temperature 71 Degrees

It’s Funny What Is In Short Supply

So today we decided to venture forth.

We needed to restock the pantry so it was off to Wally World we went.

Never did I ever in my wildest imagination think that there would be empty parking spaces.  I guess it is a sign of the times that there were empty spaces everywhere.  Likewise, the store itself was sort of empty – not completely – but the number of people there was not what you would typically find.

This, though, was the weirdest.  All of the toilet paper is gone and they don’t expect anymore for at least three weeks.  We checked with other stores and the story is the same.  This is the very last package that we happened to snag at Dollar General.  I bet we could have sold individual rolls for ten dollars or more.  Do we get our toilet paper from China?  If not someone want to explain to me what is going on?

Unfortunately, Barbara did not fare too well.  Too much too soon if you ask me.  She came home and did the best thing she could – sat down in her recliner and promptly fell asleep.  The nap seemed to do her a world of good.  Thankfully.

Today the light we needed for our bedroom finally came.  I took it apart and converted it to LED and then installed it.  Now I can show you some pictures of our bedroom.

This is our full wall wardroom closet across the back wall.  The new light is shinning brightly in the mirror.

Our bed looking toward the headboard.  It is only a Queen but we are making do.  After having a King for the last three years it is a bit different.  The mattress, however, is a winner.  We didn’t know what to expect but it is absolutely comfortable.

This is looking from the headboard toward our drawers and TV.  There are another set of drawers that got cut off in this picture.  One of the discoveries we made as we settled in is that – the space has to come from somewhere.  We have a huge living room and kitchen.  Which is where we spend most of our time.  Where does all that space come from?  They take the space from the middle of the rig and the bedroom.  It’s tight but not uncomfortable and we’re alright with it.  We have room on either side of the bed, not the amount we’re used to but it will do.

Another day on The Road of Retirement has come to a successful end.  We restocked the pantry.  We got some fresh air.  We took naps.  I installed our new bedroom light.  Overall a winner of a day.  I like them like this.  Looking forward to another new day of opportunity and possibility tomorrow.

Thanks for making the journey again with us today.  We always appreciate having your along and we look forward to your comments and suggestions.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and it’s 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!

 

Places We Have Called Home In 2020

March 10, 2020

Temperature 63 Degrees

Short and Sweet

Short and sweet, nothing to report tonight.  The weather has been iffy all day so I was not able to accomplish anything outside.

Inside, I updated some records and began going over our plans for this year.  Still some adjustments need to be made.

Unfortunately, Barbara is still struggling.  Whatever it is that has hold of her will not let go.  As for myself, I’m doing OK.  I still have my cough but I’m able to function fairly well.  I can’t remember a period in time that we’ve ever struggled so hard with whatever it is that has a hold of us.  It just wears on you and sucks the life out of you.

The exodus from the park is beginning.  This park has numerous Canadians who come down for the winter.  However, it is tough for them to stay much longer than two or three months.  In talking to them I discovered that when they come south of the border they are required to have health insurance.  The cost of such for three months can cost upwards of eight thousand dollars.  Therefore, they usually don’t stay longer than three months at the most.

As of now we’re snuggled up in our chairs listening to the pitter patter of rain outside.  Fortunately, it’s not raining to hard because water doesn’t drain that quickly in this area.  There’s large puddles and small lakes all around us.

So that was our day on The Road of Retirement.  It was an easy day with neither of us wanting to do much of anything.  We take the days as they come and give thanks for each and every precious moment we are given to live.

Thanks for checking in with us again.  We always appreciate your company and comments.  Catch you tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and it’s 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!