UNEXPECTED VEHICLE REPAIRS ARE LEAVING US A BIT WEAK IN THE KNEES

WHAT A NICE MORNING FOR A COUNTRY ROAD DRIVE

I know I am sounding very much like a broken record again but what a totally beautiful weather day we had ourselves.  Autumn's magic is in the air and nowhere more apparent than our rural countryside.  The Old Master's paint brush has been dabbling Huron Counties tree tops with dapples of color along forested roads, hedge rows and trees standing tall alongside fields of golden corn.

NOPE NOT THE PRAIRIES HERE JUST A SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO CORNFIELD AWAITING AUTUMN’S HARVEST

Had the Motorhome into the Bayfield Garage slightly before 8 a.m. and checked that appointment off my list.  Back home I consulted with Pheebs and we figured we had better take Libby’s new BFG tires out for a good old gravel road test drive.  Knowing we had to take the Jeep to the Bayfield Garage as soon as the Motorhome was done we didn't venture too far as we slipped over to Clinton for a coffee and muffin to go then southeast out of Clinton into the countryside slowly working our way back into the south end of Bayfield an hour later.  What a marvelous morning we had just poking along slowly soaking up all of early October's finest scenery.

8 A.M. WEDNESDAY MORNING AT THE BAYFIELD GARAGE

I JUST NEVER GET ENOUGH OF OUR RURAL FARMLANDS

I had a definite destination in mind this morning as we headed for Stormrunner RV Sales.  Last time I had seen our friends Dianne and Harry was two winter's ago just off Ogilby Road in the desert near the Imperial Sand Dunes west of Yuma California.  Dianne was in the store this morning but Harry and their dog Sport had gone to Orillia to pick up a boat.  They are in their last weeks of closing up their business and finally retiring.  Dianne and I see eye to eye on many things so we had ourselves a good old chat for awhile.  Wished I could get myself into the habit of dropping around to see friends more often but it's something I have a hard time with.  Dianne and I talked a little bit about that.  The problem isn't with the friends we have, the problem is with me.   As much as I enjoy my quiet solitary times I sometimes wish I could simply pop right out of myself and feel comfortable about dropping in to visit friends and being more at ease around people.  Seems to me I may have written about these thoughts awhile back……………….

THAT’S A LOT OF APPLE PIES ON THEM THERE APPLE TREES

Not long after Pheebs and I got home the Bayfield Garage phoned saying the Motorhome was done so  back into the Jeep and the three of us headed for the garage.  Dropped off the Jeep, picked up the Motorhome and headed off to Clinton to flush our gray and black tanks at the RV dump station just east of the Fire Hall.  What a gorgeous day for a Motorhome drive in the country. (on paved roads of course)

THE ROAD CREW CAME ALONG TO HELP ME EMPTY THE TANKS

LOOKING WEST TOWARDS LAKE HURON ABOUT 5 MILES AWAY EARLIER THIS MORNING

ARE THESE CANADA GEESE TAKING OFF OR LANDING??  ‘TAKING OFF’

Contessa from 5C's Que Pasa way over there in Kelowna BC asked this question in my Tuesday night post about our new Jeep tires. "Why would you not leave the new tires on year round"?  The tires that were on our Jeep are still good but not good enough for my liking to be towed behind the Motorhome or used for 'off-roading' in the Southwest.  After Albuquerque's blow-out last March I just simply wanted better tires on the Jeep.  Also I want those tires to last for a few years and be used again in the Southwest.  And I don't want to wear them out on our gravely country roads around here during the summer.  It's the same principle as changing back and forth from summer to winter tires and vice versa.  If by chance we don't make it down south again next winter then I will use the BFG tires as winter tires here in the Snow.  Eeeee Gads did I just use the four letter S word.

Also in Tuesday's post I mistakenly said that we were thinking of switching to Millenicom/AT&T.  That should have read Millenicom/T-Mobile.  Thanks to Kelly and Caron for pointing that out.  It seems in this aging process of mine I am needing more things pointed out all the time.  Why just the other day someone had to point out I had my pants on backwards.  Guess that would explain my difficulty that day backing into everywhere I was going to forward go.  Guess that would also explain my confusement when I…….awwwwww never mind.

CRUISING ALONG IN THE BIG EEE TODAY AS KELLY RE-SETS HER PASSENGER SIDE DIGITAL CLOCK

Expecting the Jeep to come home with not much more than a needed oil change we were disheartened when the Bayfield Garage phoned telling us the Jeep needs a new battery which I am not surprised about and also needs a new control arm.  Now that one was a definite unexpected surprise.  Jeep Liberty had a Re-Call on those control arms years ago when it was found Jeep Liberties in Northern climates traveling salty roads were prone to having the control arms rust out and fracture.  If a control arm breaks the vehicles rear end will begin to sway from side to side and the driver can easily lose control.  If the vehicle is being towed like in our case and the control arm suddenly breaks it could have disastrous consequences for not just the Jeep but the Motorhome as well.  I knew our Jeep Liberty was rusty underneath and decided a few days ago to have it undercoated at the Bayfield Garage and I suspect that is how they came across the control arm problem.  The control arm itself is a $300+ part plus an hours labor charge to install it. 

Oh and here’s some more ‘not so good news.’  This morning while checking the drivers side outside dual tire on the Motorhome it was found to be substantially down in air due to a possible faulty valve.  Can’t take a chance on that so we have another appointment at 8 in the morning with Clinton’s HURON TIRECRAFT  to see if that tire problem on the Motorhome can be fixed.  Needless to say Kelly and I are walking around feeling a little weak kneed tonight with these unexpected vehicle expenses but at least on the upside we are very fortunate to have had these potentially dangerous problems discovered before we ever even got ourselves on the road and ended up in one real big darn mess……….

A REAL NICE COUNTRY PROPERTY AND HOME HERE FOR SALE BUT THE PRICE IS ASTRONOMICAL

GROANER'S CORNER:(( A pastor was opening his mail one morning and one envelope had only a single sheet of paper with a single word printed on it: “FOOL!”  The following Sunday the priest announced, “I have known many people who have written letters and forgotten to sign their name. But this week I received a letter from someone who signed his name and had forgotten to write a letter.”

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Knock Knock
Who's there?
Walter!
Walter who?
Walter-wall carpeting!

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Teacher: "Which book has helped you the most in your life?"
Student: "My father's check book!"

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Knock Knock
Who's there?
Wannetta!
Wannetta who?
Wannetta time please!

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At a local coffee bar, a young woman was expounding on her idea of the perfect mate to some of her friends.  "The man I marry must be a shining light amongst company. He must be musical. Tell jokes. Sing. And stay home at night!"  An old granny overheard and spoke up, "Honey, if that's all you want, get a TV!"

AM LIKING LIBBY’S 4 NEW ALL-TERRAIN TIRES

AUTUMN’S GLOW THROUGH A VIRGINIA CREEPER IN OUR BACK YARD

It was clear along the coast first thing this morning but a few miles inland grumbly gray clouds sat stubbornly on the ground as Pheebs and I made our way through varying thicknesses of mist bordering the Marsh.  Not a lot to see so we didn’t take many photos and were home again by 10.  Puttered about as the Sun slowly lifted today’s fog by late morn.

INLAND COUNTRY ROADS WERE FOG SHROUDED

THE MAITLAND RIVER LOOKING NORTH FROM BALLS BRIDGE

LOOKING SOUTH WITH STILL A LITE MIST ON THE HORIZON

Knowing I would have four 17’’ tires in the back of the Jeep Liberty to bring home I didn’t take Pheebs with me to Clinton’s Huron Tirecraft early this afternoon.  My appointment was for 1 p.m. and the fellas were right on time.  Took my Kindle along to read in the waiting room and it wasn’t long and the new BFG ‘All-Terrain’ tires were on.  We’ve been buying tires for our ‘various vehicles’ here for quite a few years now and the staff has always been knowledgably helpful and especially today with a nice overall tire discount.  Paid my bill and off I went…….but I didn’t get too far.  I was nearly uptown Clinton when I noticed I had forgot my Kindle.  An immediate big U-turn and back to Huron Tire I went to retrieve my Kindle on the counter right where I had left it.  Off I went again…….but I didn’t get too far.  I was nearly uptown Clinton again when I noticed the tires they had taken off the Jeep were not…….in the Jeep.  An immediate big U-turn and back to Huron Tire to retrieve my 4 older Wrangler tires.  When we return from the Southwest in the Spring I plan to take the new BFG‘All-Terrain T/A K02’ tires off and put the Wranglers back on for the summer.  They bagged up our summer tires and off I went again and this time I actually made it back to Bayfield without forgetting anything else:))

With this new set of ‘All-Terrain’ tires on the Jeep I am already feeling better about our upcoming ‘off road’ desert adventures and mountain drives not to mention the added peace of mind in towing these heavier duty safer tires behind the Motorhome.  Coming home  this afternoon from Clinton I noticed these tires were quieter than I had worried about and the ride was smoother than expected.  Good stuff:))

BAYFIELD HARBOR THIS MORNING

I SOMETIMES VIEW PEOPLE WITH SUSPICIAN JUST AS I’M SURE THEY SOMETIMES VIEW ME AND MY CAMERA WITH SUSPICIAN AS WELL….MAYBE THESE 2 GUYS JUST LOST THEIR FISHING POLES OR SOMETHING

We’ll be up early Wednesday morning to haul the Motorhome off to the Bayfield Garage for it’s annual Fall check-up followed later by the Jeep.  These are busy days at the moment and how fortunate we are to have a nice spell of beautiful Autumn weather upon us this week.  Warm but not hot, cool but not cold.

A FEW PHOTOS AROUND OUR BACK YARD THIS AFTERNOON

If all goes according to plan we should be in Spencerport New York 2 weeks from today and that will be our first official day in kicking off our 2016/17 Winter travel season for yet another year.  Ten years ago right now we were on the brink of our very first Newbie RV travel season scurrying about in various states of confused excitement trying to get everything pulled together in some semblance of organized mayhem.  Back and forth we went trying to decide on a truck and 5th wheel or a Motorhome.  We went with a truck and fiver for our first trip to the Southwest but quickly traded that combination in on a Motorhome soon as we got back in the Spring.

HEARD A STRANGE SOUNDING MACHINE APPROACHING FROM AROUND A BEND AHEAD

HEY IT’S A ROAD GRADER

YEP A MIGHTY NICE AUTUMN DAY FOR GRADING GRAVELY COUNTRY ROADS ALRIGHT

Kelly headed off to Goderich this morning to do some banking and the exchange rate converting Canadian dollars to American dollars has sure killed us again this year.  Had to pay $350 Canadian to buy $1,000 American.  We are also trying to decide whether to stay with Verizon this winter or go with the new Millenicom/AT&T partnership for our traveling internet coverage.  AT&T cell phones work in Congress Arizona but we don’t know if the AT&T internet coverage is good there.  We luckily got in on the last day before a $100 increase takes affect at or roadside service provider, Coach-Net.  Yearly membership fees are jumping from $149 to $249.  We have had occasion to use Coach-Net three times so far and they have always treated us fair.  Don’t know if Herb and Bea Wytinck are still reading but if you are I still remember us walking along by the San Pedro River in St David Arizona just south of Benson years ago when Herb suggested we try Coach-Net for our roadside assistance provider.  We of course took that suggestion and have been with Coach-Net ever since.  That was a nice walk around that Monastery we had that day guys:))

GROANER’S CORNER:((   The American Kennel club has decided to recognize these new breeds of Dogs that are the result of cross breeding……

Collie + Lhaso Apso: Collapso, a dog that folds up for easy transport.

Spitz + Chow Chow: Spitz-Chow, a dog that throws up alot.

Pointer + Setter: Poinsetter, a traditional Christmas pet.

Kerry Blue Terrier + Skye Terrier: Blue Skye, a dog for visionaries.

Pekingese + Lhaso Apso: Peekasso, an abstract dog.

Newfoundland + Basset Hound: Newfound Asset Hound,a dog for financial advisers.

Terrier + Bulldog: Terribull, a dog that makes awful mistakes.

Bloodhound + Labrador: Blabrador, a dog that barks incessantly.

Malamute + Pointer: Moot Point, owned by...oh, well, it doesn't matter anyway.

Collie + Malamute: Commute, a dog that travels to work.

Deerhound + Terrier: Derriere, a dog that's true to the end.

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You might be a redneck if...
- You have refused to watch the Academy Awards since "Smokey and the Bandit" was snubbed for best picture.
- None of your shirts cover your stomach.
- Your only condiment on the dining room table is the economy size bottle of ketchup.
- The rear tires on your car are at least twice as wide as the front ones.
- You consider "Outdoor Life" deep reading.
- You prominently display a gift you bought at Graceland.
- Birds are attracted to your beard.
- The diploma hanging in your den contains the words "Trucking Institute".
- Your mother keeps a spit cup on the ironing board.

SURE WILL BE GLAD TO STOP THE WAITING AND START THE GOING

A FEW MORE PHOTOS TONIGHT FROM OUR SUNDAY MORNING JEEP RIDE

A bunch of years ago when I was an 'on call' Purolator driver we used to have a saying for those good delivery days when everything went off without a hitch and we were able to make good time getting our deliveries or pick-ups done.  We referred to those bonus days as 'clicking off the stops' and that is exactly what I was able to do this morning with the half dozen stops I had.  First was the Bayfield Garage where I made two Wednesday appointments for the Jeep and Motorhome oil changes and check-ups.  Also getting the Jeep undercoated as well.  With an A&W breakfast coupon burning a hole in my pocket I was off to Goderich for some B&E's.  Next, rather than head for the Maitland Valley Med clinic I popped into Walmart, picked up a few things and asked at the Pharmacy if I were to hand them my winter prescription order on Oct 11th could they have them ready for pick-up October 17th and they said yes.  From Goderich it was over to Clinton to check on an RV dump station we never knew about until just a few weeks ago.  Yep there it was alright so I will be slipping on over with the rig later in the week.  Next stop was for gas plus a can of gas to top up the Motorcycle's fuel tank for winter storage.  Last stop of the morning was Clinton’s Huron Tire where I set up an appointment to have 4 new tires put on the Jeep early Tuesday afternoon.  And from there it was right back home.  Yep, just 'clickin off the stops’ I was.  I like when that happens:))

NICE OF THE FARMER TO PLANT ALL THIS GREEN SEAGULL FOOD EH

A MISTY MORN IT TWAS

Jeep was needing about 6 pounds of muffin crumbs vacuumed out so took care of that.  A last utility trailer trip of the year to the Park's recycling area with half a load of yard clippings then back home to hose out the trailer and back it into the carport where it will spend the winter.  Also moved the Motorcycle into it's winter storage spot as well.  A welcome feeling of accomplishment this morning and once again……..I like when that happens:))

IN WHAT I ASSUME MIGHT BE A COST CUTTING MEASURES SOME RURAL PIONEER CEMETERIES HAVE HAD ALL THEIR HEADSTONES MOVED TO A CENTRAL AREA IN THE GRAVEYARDS…….MUCH EASIER FOR GRASS TO BE MOWED AND MAINTAINED

MANY OF THESE BURIALS WERE IN THE MID 1800’S AND JUDGING FROM INSCRIPTIONS ON THE STONES I THINK A NUMBER OF THESE FOLKS WERE FROM IRELAND

 

THIS CEMETERY BORDERS THE NORTH-EAST CORNER OF THE HULLETT MARSH AND IS ABOUT A QUARTER MILE WEST OF KINBURN ONTARIO ON SUMMERHILL ROAD

CLINTON ONTARIO IS CENTER LEFT AND CEMETERY LOCATION IS TOP RIGHT YELLOW PEG

Both Kelly and I have noticed a difference in ourselves this year as our winter departure date draws closer.  Definitely looking forward to going for sure but the enthusiastic excitement level is not the same as in our first five or six Snow Bird years.  With the cost of our winter travel insurance climbing higher every year we can see the writing on the wall where at some point in the not too distant future it is going to be a deciding factor as to whether we go south for the winter or stay home.  The RV life as wonderful as it is can be a strain on one's finances as well and especially for Snow Birds who are trying to maintain a 'sticks and bricks' house as well as a mobile home on the road.  Some people like ourselves may have a second home in the States and that of course can really pile on some serious financial stress as well.   Stress at anytime is not a healthy thing so decisions have to be made to deal with that.  Kelly and I have also noticed we seem to worry about things more.  Gone is that younger cavalier approach we started out with 10 years ago.  'Hey who cares what happens let's just get out there and have some fun'.  I'm glad we took that approach years ago because it worked for us and we have so enjoyed the lifestyle that we certainly would have missed had we been too worried about how we were going to do it.  But that was nearly a dozen years ago and time has a habit of changing things.  We are now at a point where we have to genuinely care more about what happens.  At this age and stage of life we have to think realistically about priorities and where we want to be a year from now and what is it we really want to do and where is it we really want to be.  Reality becomes clearer......and closer.  Reality dictates we be aware of changes to our health and well being and it is with these things increasingly present on our minds that we will soon embark on our winter travels.   Just some random reality based thoughts tonight that I know many people think about………and a few other people talk about. 

THESE TWO STARED AT EACH OTHER FOR THE LONGEST TIME AND I KNOW HAD THEY A CHANCE TO MEET THEY WOULD HAVE QUICKLY BECOME GOOD FRIENDS

 

PHEEBE ALWAYS LIKES IT WHEN WE STOP TO SAY HELLO TO OUR ANIMAL FRIENDS

  

HEY PA LOOK OVER THAR IT’S PHEEBS IN THE CAR……I SEE HER MA AND I HEAR TELL SHE’S THE BEST BY FAR

‘AND I LIKE WHEN PHEEBE STOPS TO SAY HELLO TO US TOO’

LITTLE DO THEY KNOW PHEEBS HAS QUITE A REPUTATION IN ARIZONA AS ‘THE COW SMOOCHIN DOG’……AND SPEAKING OF PHEEBS HERE SHE IS NOW

I’M KEEPING AN EYE ON YOU DAD

WHEN KELLY LEAVES HER CHAIR AND PHEEBS THINKS SHE ISN’T LOOKING SHE WILL QUICKLY HOP RIGHT UP ON IT AND TAKE KELLY’S SPOT

 

OK DAD DON’T SNITCH ON ME LIKE YA USUALLY DO……OH NO I THINK SHE’S COMING BACK

OK OK OK IF I KEEP MY EYES CLOSED REAL TIGHT MAYBE SHE WON’T SEE ME

I'll sure be glad when all this waiting to go turns into a big happy slice of getting going.  The best way to allay any apprehensions and fears is to just simply step up to the plate and deal with them and in our case that means getting the big wheels rolling.  Well it works for me anyway and every time in the Fall or Spring when it is time to get on the road and make the long trek either South or North I am always so happy to end the waiting and just get on with the task ahead.  I find all worries, apprehensions and fears are immediately swept away as soon as we get underway.  Reading all the pilot's stories about the Battle Of Britain years ago the fighter pilots always said 'waiting to go' was by far the worst part of their day.  Once the ‘scramble’ call came the lads were all running for their planes and within minutes were in the air with the dangerous task at hand ahead of them.  No time to think about this or worry about that.  They had a job to do, a mission to accomplish and all their concentration focused on that.  I can always feel a sense of that each year at this time.  Waiting to go, the scramble, wheels rolling and finally totally focused on the task ahead.....................

GROANER’S CORNER:((  By the time you read through this you will understand 'TANJOOBERRYMUTTS'
The following is a telephone exchange between a hotel guest and room-service in a hotel ...
Room Service : "Morrin. Roon sirbees."
Guest : "Sorry, I thought I dialed room-service."
Room Service: " Rye . Roon sirbees...morrin! Joowish to oddor sunteen???"
Guest: "Uh..... Yes, I'd like to order bacon and eggs."
Room Service: "Ow ulai den?"
Guest: ".....What??"
Room Service: "Ow ulai den?!?... Pryed, boyud , pochd?"
Guest: "Oh, the eggs! How do I like them? Sorry..Scrambled, please."
Room Service: "Ow ulai dee bayken? Creepse?"
Guest: "Crisp will be fine."
Room Service: "Hokay. Ansahn toes?"
Guest: "What?"
Room Service: "An toes. ulaisahn toes?"
Guest: "I.... Don't think so.."
RoomService: "No? Udo wan sahn toes???"
Guest: "I feel really bad about this, but I don't know what 'udo wan sahn toes'means."
RoomService: "Toes! Toes!...WhyUoo donwan toes? Ow bow Anglish moppin we botter?"
Guest: "Oh, English muffin! !! I've got it! You were saying 'toast'... Fine...Yes, an English muffin will be fine."
RoomService: "We botter?"
Guest: "No, just put the botter on the side."
RoomService: "Wad?!?"
Guest: "I mean butter... Just put the butter on the side."
RoomService: "Copy?"
Guest: "Excuse me?"
RoomService: "Copy...tea.. meel?"
Guest: "Yes. Coffee, please... And that's everything."
RoomService: "One Minnie. Scramah egg, creepse bayken, Anglish moppin, we botter on sigh and copy ... Rye ??"
Guest: "Whatever you say."
RoomService: "Tanjooberrymutts."
Guest: "You're welcome"
Remember I said "By the time you read through this YOU WILL UNDERSTAND'TANJOOBERRYMUTTS'