Wednesday, October 05, 2011

GREAT RE-CAULKING JOB ON THE MOTOR HOME

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A COUPLE OF TIRED PALS

Our morning was basically a repeat performance of the previous morning.  Again, we started the day with sunshine as we headed for Mitchell to take Uncle Harry back to the Dentist for a tooth filling.  Harry was wide awake and raring to go and everything went off like clockwork again.  Nice for Harry to get out for a cruise in his wheelchair even if it was only a block to the Dentist.  We sure lucked out weather wise for this venture.

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LEAVING THE CARE FACILITY – CROSSING A QUIET STREET – HEADING UP THE SIDEWALK – ARRIVING AT THE DENTIST

The Motor Home was ready to be picked up this afternoon so Kelly and I headed for STORMRUNNER'S RV SALES AND SERVICE.  They sure did a great caulking job on the rig after first stripping off all the old stuff which we should have actually had done a couple years ago.  Both end caps were re-sealed as well as the side mouldings and other areas on the roof and coach that needed it.  I’ve had a loose driver’s side mirror for quite awhile and they tightened that up as well plus secured the awning’s lag bolts which unbeknownst to us were in the process of working themselves loose.  All and all we sure appreciated the extra effort and attention paid to detail.   A job well done.  Dianne and Harry generally head to Florida in the winter but this year they are heading for the great American Southwest for a welcome change.  Yahouie Louie….. Smile  Chances are good that we may very well see them somewhere in our travels.

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With the roof caulking done now, that wraps up all the maintenance on the rig and the Jeep before our trip.  Each year we try to do a bit of upkeep on the vehicles.  Last year was new tires all way round for both the Jeep and Motorhome.  Rig’s generator was also serviced.  This year was undercoating, caulking and oil change tune-ups.  This RV life sure isn’t cheap I’ll tell ya.  Just re-newed our COACH-NET roadside assistance coverage for $106 and it looks like personal travel insurance this year is going to cost us about $1,300 for half a year. 

After losing Max and Checkers back in April the thought of 'no more pets' briefly entered my mind.  The thoughts of having to go through all that sorrow and anguish of loosing a beloved pet again seemed overwhelming.  Fortunately, that thought did not stay with me.  The many years of love and happiness a best Pal can bring far outweighs the eventual sadness in the end.  Years of playful memories, endless hours of toy time, quiet talks and morning walks.   Furry snuggles and scruffles that last for years and years with big brown eyes and floppy little ears.  Ahhh, tis a dog owners life indeed.

Having a best doggy Pal or two or three gives me a purpose.  It gets me out of the house for walks, it gets me down on the living room floor for playtime and it gives me a sense of well being to have a furry little or big dog curled up on my lap sound asleep.  Also gives me a sense of caring and how nice it is to wake up in the morning with a happy doggy face full of slurpy’s looking at me raring to get another day of boundless energy started.  Sometimes it’s the other end of the doggy with a big black powerful tail smacking me in the face.  I don’t mind it….I love it.    I don't really miss being around people much anymore but I sure do miss not being around my furry Pals:)) 

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<<< LIKED THIS CARVED WOODEN TREE TRUNK SCULPTURE OUTSIDE THE DENTIST OFFICE

And, speaking of furry Pals, Pheebe is doing very well at being home without us for longer periods of time.  She hasn't ruined anything but does have a habit of bringing things out of Kelly's room and placing them all on the living room floor.  A big Teddy Bear on Kelly's bed is the usual favourite along with some socks and shoes.  Nothing chewed up, ripped or destroyed.   I wonder what the little Motormouse thinks when she sees her big Pal Pheebs trotting by with Mom's socks in her mouth.   

It was nearly one year ago that fellow RV’ers and Bloggers Bruce and Margie died in a tragic accident in Pismo Beach, California.  Today, the young man who ran them down was SENTENCED.  Thanks for that link EMjay. 

Noticed some winter storms are already moving into the Sierra and Rocky Mountains of the west and for sure those early storms are going to have a bearing on our travel plans by the time we get out there.  If we have to scrap our Four Corner's plan we may end up just taking our usual route down through Indianapolis, Little Rock, Texarkana, Gainesville, Roswell, Alamogordo and Las Cruces.  It's all going to depend on last minute departure times and weather in the mountains.

We did hear from Jeannie and Ray near McNeil Arizona a couple days ago and it looks like we will be returning to the Ranch again this year for awhile.  They are in the process of putting their winter travel plans together so we don't have any dates nailed down yet.  Always nice to touch base with old familiar faces and places:))

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GROANER'S CORNER:((  Fred got home from his Sunday round of golf later than normal and very tired. "Bad day at the course?" his wife asked. "Everything was going fine," he said. "Then Harry had a heart attack and died on the 10th tee."
"Oh, that's awful!"
"You're not kidding. For the whole back nine it was hit the ball, drag Harry, hit the ball, drag Harry."

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-Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.

-Until one has loved an Animal, their soul remains un-awakened.

OUR PICASA PHOTO

The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.

Tuesday, October 04, 2011

TODAY WE MET FELLOW RV’ERS RICHARD AND KATHY ROUSSEAU

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A beautiful Autumn day.  We slipped down to Mitchell, loaded up Uncle Harry in his wheel chair and headed on out the door and down the street to the Dentist.  It’s a short half block walk along some sidewalks, across a highway and through a parking lot to reach the dentist and all went  well.  Harry enjoyed the ride.  Tomorrow morning we do it all over again because the Dentist, while cleaning Harry’s teeth found a cavity (don’t they always) and said for us make another appointment.  Hard enough on Harry today getting him out of his wheel chair into a dentist chair and now he has to do it all over again Tuesday morning for another short half hour appointment.
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KELLY AND UNCLE HARRY CHECK OUT THE SPORTS PAGE AT THE DENTIST THIS MORNING
Took the Motor Home in to STORMRUNNER RV SALES AND SERVICE when we got back to have some caulking done on the roof.  No sign of Dianne or Harry but I’m sure they will call us when it’s done.  Home again and soon as I sat down for a minute in my big chair I was out like a light for a couple hours.  Seems my world is slowly tipping over for whatever reason with me sleeping more during the day and less at night.  Maybe I should just get myself a night job sweeping floors at Wal-Mart and be done with it!!
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TWO LITTLE BUMS ON AN OLD COUCH
Late this afternoon we met a couple fellow RV’ers for supper at THE DOCKS in Bayfield .  Richard and Kathy Rousseau live in Tecumseh near Windsor Ontario and haul a big new 38’ Avalanche fifth wheel.  They have been reading my blog for awhile and had emailed a few months ago saying they would be passing through our area and wanted to get together, say Hello and buy us supper.  Thought that was pretty darn nice of them.
DSC_8698Fresh from the rain soaked Ohio Gypsy Journal rally south of the border they were sure glad to see todays sunshine.  They had also been to the RV Dreams rally.  Their rig was parked at THE OLD HOMESTEAD RV Park not far from us and they invited us back to their unit.  Beautiful 5th wheel complete with a very clever outside kitchen tucked away in the bedroom slide.  Richard is one of those ‘jack of all trades’ kind of guy and has already made many great renovations and improvements to their rig.  Some guys just got all the smarts!!
As is typical with all RV folks we have ever met, Richard and Kathy were very friendly and easy going folks.  Eager to share ideas, stories and travel adventures.  RV’ers have a special bond and whenever together there are no strangers.  I have a feeling once they return home and become settled, they just might turn their sights towards the blogging world:))   
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GROANER’S CORNER:((  The average woman would rather have beauty than brains because the average man can see better than he can think.
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-Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
-Until one has loved an Animal, their soul remains un-awakened.

OUR PICASA PHOTO ALBUMS

The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.

Monday, October 03, 2011

A RAIN DRENCHED DAY AND KELLY FIGURES OUT THE JEEP’S ERROR CODES

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Kelly, using the internet was able to figure out and download the computer codes for our 2006 Jeep TJ Wrangler.  By doing that and following the instructions regarding number of ignition key turns she was able to determine the exact code number regarding our amber engine warning light that appeared on the dash a few days ago.  Could be something as simple as a gas cap problem or more involved as a slight emissions leak somewhere.  Some folks have solved this same problem with a new gas cap while others have had to crawl around in the engine compartment and under their vehicle trying to find the problem.  Our decision this morning was in deciding what to do.  Go with the already booked appointment at the garage or try replacing our gas cap.  In the end we decided to keep our garage appointment. 

We talked to garage owner Don and decided to simply cancel out the amber engine light for now and give it a few days to see if the light reappears.  If it does we'll take the Jeep back to the garage and they will 'smoke test' the emission system for leaks.  Regardless of the results, the problem is not serious and the most annoying thing would simply be having that amber light come back on.  And, as the internet forum suggested, it is not uncommon for the problem to just be the gas cap and is easily fixable if that were to be the case.

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Turned out to be a real drencher of a day but at least it was milder.   And milder at this time of year is totally acceptable, wet or dry. We slipped down to Mitchell and had a visit with my Uncle Harry who continues to do well. We will be back again Tuesday morning to take him to a dentist appointment.

Also, because of today's heavy rains and in agreement with the Stormrunner RV folks, we have rescheduled the caulking of our Motor Home's roof until Tuesday or possibly Wednesday.  Weatherman is calling for sunny skies Tuesday and it is important to have the seams on the roof dry before undertaking the re-caulking.  Picked up our assembled Shaw Star Choice satellite dish and tripod today as well so things are beginning to fall nicely into place. 

RV SUE AND HER CANINE CREW are currently in Truth or Consequences and that of course reminded me of the time we spent there back in February of 2008.  Below are a few photos from our stay in T or C.  If you type Hillsboro, Chloride or Monticello into our sites 'Search Bar' you can also see our posts from the little semi ghost towns we visited in that area.  By the way, I did receive an email from the tourism board in Truth or Consequences after we left there informing me that I had incorrectly and frequently called the town Truth AND Consequences in my Blog while we had been there.  It was not a nasty email and I did appreciate the correction.

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THE TURTLE ON TURTLE BACK MOUNTAIN IS CLEARLY DISCERNABLE

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KELLY TESTS THE WARM WATERS IN ONE OF THE SPRINGS…HER SISTER BECKY AND BROTHER-IN-LAW NORM WERE WORKAMPING THERE FOR A FEW MONTHS

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THIS IS THE PARK WE BOON DOCKED AT RIGHT ALONGSIDE THE RIO GRAND RIVER

Of course I hope everyone reading my Sunday night post realized my reference to wearing 37 layers of clothing was just a humorous exaggeration about the cold desert nights.  Because of the elevation in south-eastern Arizona it is cooler during the day and does get really cold at night.  Last winter our below freezing night time temps were at times colder than it was right here in Bayfield.  We still have no idea if we'll be in that part of Arizona this coming winter or not.  In fact, due to recent circumstances I have no idea when we are leaving now or whether we will even be able to make it to the Four Corners area of Colorado before the snows set in for the winter:((
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OK MOM AND DAD, I’M READY TO HIT THE ROAD ANY TIME YOU ARE

GROANER'S CORNER:))  Sign seen hanging on a divorce lawyer's wall:  "Satisfaction guaranteed or your honey back."

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-Tourists see the world, travelers  experience it.
-Until one has loved an Animal, their  soul remains un-awakened.
OUR PICASA WEB ALBUMS

The only thing better than right now  will someday be the memories of right  now...AL.