February 23 2020

Road trip to Ohio: Leg One

The first leg is in the books.

We made it from Tucson to Morarity NM in about 8 hours, including fuel stops, traffic etc.

We are in for the night. Electric heater is on. Supper in the microwave.

Also after 3 years learned something new. The hot water breaker has to be on for 50 amps to work. Now how about that!

Doing this on my phone so forgive the lack of content and pictures.

 Update on second leg tomorrow.

 

Places We Have Called Home In 2020

Home Is Where We Park It:   Rancho Rialto RV Resort, Yuma

February 20, 2020

Temperature 87 Degrees

Transferring License Plates – Oh My Goodness The Pain Florida Inflicts

The Great Transformation Continues – New Hot Water Heater

With high hopes and great expectations that our journey involving the transfer of our plates was about to be resolved we packed Elvira up and drove her to DMV.

Once there they came out and did a Level One Inspection, verified the VIN and Odometer reading and signed the appropriate forms.  Then it was back home to grab the rest of the forms and overnight them to Florida.  Thankfully, before we did this Barbara made yet another call to Florida to verify that we had everything in order.

It was at that point in time I believe we both lost it.  The state of Florida informed us that what they told us yesterday was not what was needed today.  I believe if I could have reached through the phone I would have strangled someone.  Nope, they said, we will not accept that form.  You need a sheriffs deputy to verify both or you need a letter from a dealer on their letterhead verifying both.  Well, the sheriff’s department in Arizona does not do this.  We called several dealers and they refused to help us out.

Now what?  Would we have to drive back to Florida to get this done?  It was fast coming to that.

It was at that point in time I said to Barbara Come on, we’re going to harass every dealer in Yuma until we get someone to help us.  This is the first place we stopped.  This is where we found the answer.  The owner Don said Just get Arizona plates and then when you get to Florida transfer them back.  Everyone from out of state does it.  In addition you will not have to pay any sales tax.

Elvira is now registered in Arizona.  This state doesn’t care what address you use.  Pick any RV park and use that one.  We used the address of the park we are in.  We paid our small registration fee and in turn saved ourselves over three thousand dollars in the process.  Now how sweet is that!  Mind you, we started at 8 am in the morning and finally at 3 pm the issue was at last resolved.  We truly believe that the good Lord led us to Don and we are so grateful that He did.

Back home

We received an email informing us that our surge protector had been delivered by FedX.  Of course it was no where to be found.  I loathe FedX since I find them incompetent and uncaring.  In the past every delivery I’ve had through them has been fraught with problems.  Once again the same now.  Barbara called and asked about it, their answer We’ll get back to you in two to three days.  Once again if I could have reached through the phone I would have strangled the person on the other end.  This day was not going all that well.  A surge protector is something I consider essential and to not have it leaves me with an uncomfortable feeling.  Especially since I’m going to be away for a week.

Then something did go right.  Ron called to let me know that he was on the way over

to install the new hot water heater.  Did we really need one?  You be the judge.

All that white stuff on the ground are calcium deposits that came out of the old water heater.  It was caked so full of it that we had a hard time actually draining the old unit.  Furthermore, the anode rod was as thin as a pencil.  Oh yes, it had definitely seen better days.

Ron and his wife Shelly installing the new unit.

The new unit on its way in.

Putting the water lines back on and checking for leaks.  We’re all good.  In addition Ron checked and tightened all the other water lines running every which way under the sink.  The man is thorough.  We now have better water pressure than ever before.  First major project complete.

Now if we could just locate the surge protector.  The cracked sky light over the shower is due in any day.  Thankfully, that will be delivered to Ron’s shop so we don’t have to worry about it getting lost.

We’re getting there.  The next big project will be the replacement of the refrigerator.  That is, as expected, causing all of us a few headaches.  We’ll get it figured out.  Through the door, maybe through a window.

That was our weird, wacky, I want to scream day on The Road of Retirement.  I have no issues with the problems and upgrades because I expected them.  It’s the other stuff like the transfer of the plates that makes us want to pull our hair out.  Florida is not at all helpful to RV’ers.  All the more reason we both said that we will one day make Yuma our permanent place of residence.  This area is really growing on us.

Thanks again for checking in with us.  We appreciate your company and your 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!

Places We Have Called Home In 2020

Home Is Where We Park It:   Rancho Rialto RV Resort, Yuma

February 19, 2020

Temperature 91 Degrees

Transferring License Plates – Ouch

The Great Transformation Continues

I believe it was only a few weeks ago that we were waking up to twenty six degrees in the morning.

It’s obvious that the heat is now on.  The bottom temperature is outside, top is inside Elvira.  It seems high but honestly you don’t even need the AC.  We just open the windows, pull down the day shades, turn on the exhaust fans and we’re perfectly comfortable.  We really getting used to this area and still liking it a whole lot.

We’ve been hitting one road block after another trying to transfer our plates from Graybeard to Elvira.  The state of Florida requires that the VIN and the odometer reading be verified by a trusted government official.   Well, we’ve been going around in circles trying to get this done here in Yuma.  Finally, today, we were given the straight answer.  We have to physically bring Elvira down to the DMV office and have someone come out and verify both.  So, tomorrow we’ll pack up and go for a ride.  Then we overnight all the forms along with the required dollars and cents to the state of Florida and hopefully we’ll have our plates transferred within the week.

So the transformation is under way.

Our new water heater is here and will be installed we hope tomorrow.  If it isn’t in by tomorrow then it will have to wait until after the weekend.  We’ll both be away, Barbara until Sunday, and I will not be back until the following Friday.

This big box contains the sliding cargo tray.  Once in I will be able to access the contents of the tray and hence the locker from either side of the rig.  If I like it I just may install a second.

Our replacement step stool for the outside steps.  Seems someone, kinda, sorta, accidentally ran over the first one leaving Tucson.  Suffice to say it was not in any usable shape after that mishap.

Our new hamper which will fit perfectly in the cabinet under the washing machine.  Slowly, ever so slowly we’re figuring out what we can put in all the drawers, cabinets and other nook and crannies.

In front of it is our new Oxygenics shower head.

This is the shower head installed.  I realized only after I installed it that it has no shut off valve.  That will be corrected tomorrow.  It’s a simple fix and will only take a few minutes to do.

Imagine a shower with no soap dish.  I corrected that oversight today as well.  No mushy soap in this dish since it will definitely drain real well.

Stainless steel sliding cabinet trays.

Inside of each sliding tray Barbara put in these step organizers.

The end result.  Everything in its place and a place for everything.  What’s nice, no need to climb into the cabinet to see what is in the back.  Just pull one or the other tray out and you can see it all.

We welcomed a new turtle into the family.  Then gave him a few other animals from our collection to keep him company.

We found a place – for now – for our most important sign.

Some of the boxes from today’s delivery.  We had already taken quite a few over to recycling.

Today we met a few of our neighbors from across the way.   Each afternoon they gather together for refreshments and conversations.  They wandered over today to let me know that we have been the best entertainment they have had in the last several weeks.  They also said with a laugh, never had they seen one site receive so many packages from Amazon!  Glad to know I can brighten their day and give them a chuckle.

In terms of the transformation things are about to slow down real quick come Friday.  Life itself, though, is going to get real hectic.  We’re going back to Tucson to get Graybeard ready for a cross country run to Findlay, Ohio.  We’ll also be getting together with my sister for a Saturday afternoon.  Then Sunday I’ll leave on the cross country trip to Ohio.  There will be three of us on this trip, my son Paul and his wife Brittany, and myself.  Provided the weather holds we’ll do the trip in four days.  Then I’ll fly back to Phoenix were Barbara will pick me up and then it is back to Yuma to continue working on Elvira.  I’m tired already just thinking of it!

Time now to call it a day on The Road of Retirement.  I must confess I’m sort of dragging.  I spent the day putting this and that in place.  I also went around tightening up screws on doors, drawers and just about everything else.  We have almost everything put away.  Notice I said, almost.  We’re getting there.

Thanks for checking in with us again.  Sorry for the sporadic nature right now of the blog.  Life is just a wee bet hectic at the moment.  We do appreciate your checking in and love to read your comments and answer your questions.

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

Home Is Where We Park It:   Rancho Rialto RV Resort, Yuma

February 17, 2020

Temperature 80 Degrees

The Great Transformation Has Begun

The Great Transformation Has Begun.  We’re turning Elvira into a 2020 Newmar Kountry Star.  The best part, we’ll be well below, I mean really, really, really well below the $264,000 price tag for a new 2020 model.  That definitely brings a smile to our faces.

But before I get to what we’re going to do.  About three this afternoon a cheery voice sang out by our front door It’s margarita Monday come get yours!  Sure enough, when I answered the door I was greeted by a neighbor going around handing out margarita’s.  Now how about that!

Stage One Updates will consist of the following.

First thing on the update list is a new 10 gallon hot water heater.  The old one has been in there for twenty years and it has served its purpose.  We have the new one on order and it should be here by Wednesday or Thursday.

Originally we were going to convert the existing Norcold Refrigerator to a residential unit.  However, we found that a regular residential refrigerator with install was far less expensive.  So, we’re putting in a Frigidaire brushed stainless steel 13.9 cu ft refrigerator.  It will slide right in without any alteration.  It will be left opening with the freezer on the top.

While on the road or when stopped for a night at a Harvest Host, a Casino, or a Boondockers location it will be powered by a Xantrex 3000 watt converter/inverter.  This inverter will also allow us to use the microwave, watch the TV.s and power various 120 volt receptacles throughout our LV.  We already have the batteries to support it with more than ample amp hours.

We’re going to all LED lights inside.  The fluorescent ceiling lights, the vanity lights in the bathrooms, the reading lights over the couch and our chairs, and the lights over the computer desk will be converted to LED over the course of the next two to three weeks.

The best part of Stage One, we’re still within what we budgeted in the beginning.  Once we’re through with Stage One we’ll step back, take a deep breath and decide what we want to do next.

Of course, I also have my mile long punch list to work through.  Everything from minor items such as scrapping and repainting the entrance steps, retensioning the shades,  to installing sliding cargo bay trays.  Honestly, this is the stuff I love to do.  When we’re done Elvira will truly be a reflection of who we are, what we value and how we like to live.  No different than what others do with their stick and brick homes.

So the journey on The Road of Retirement continues with the two of us traveling along, side by side, hand in hand, singing our new theme song.  We’re still both a bit overwhelmed as we try to find places for everything.  We’re also very excited to have finally begun to transform Elvira into our own, unique LV.  Stay tuned and we’ll keep you up to date on the transformation with all the highs and lows that will surely be a part of the process.

Thanks for checking in again with us.  We so appreciate 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!