Monticello FL
Today was a quiet day – not much to report. Our friends from Sarver, Linda and Debbie, called to tell us they’re planning a trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, in mid-April. They asked if we’d like to meet up with them. Without looking at a map, or a calendar, we agreed.
After talking with them, we started doing a bit of research, which resulted in a big,”Yikes”! Less than two weeks to travel 445 miles. We really weren’t sure we could do it, but decided to try anyway. If we purchase a new trailer, we’ll have less set-up to do and we’ll be able to stay at WalMarts along the way. That’s a good thing. We would be very unfamiliar with the new trailer and that’s a not-so-good thing.
We decided to wait before making too many plans.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
Day #129 – Wet Gear
Monticello FL
The last couple days were pretty hectic, so we decided to stay close to home today and do some chores. We keep two big boxes of kayak and camping gear in the bed of the truck. Today, we discovered that they leaked in the last big storm. We laid all our tarps out under the pollen-ful trees and spread wet gear everywhere. Our dry bags worked, so most of our gear was fine. Still, there’s got to be a better way.
The nice folks at Travel Country RV Center (http://www.travelcountryrv.com ) called today to let us know we’d been approved for financing. We liked their trailer best and they made us the best offer – combination of trade-in for the TrailManor and price reduction on the new unit. If they like the TrailManor when they see it, we’ll take their deal. Stay tuned!
Yesterday, on our way to make Final Trailer Decisions, we saw a fifth-wheel wreck on the Interstate, in the oncoming lane. Neither of us saw the beginning of the crash – don’t know what caused it. I saw the last half and Kelly saw the very end of it. Naturally, we each saw something different. I saw an RV crumble onto its front corner and turn over, taking its towed truck vehicle with it. Kelly saw a fifth-wheel or trailer, being pulled by a truck, jack-knife. Reality depends on whether the truck was towing or being towed. Either way, the rig went off the road, down an embankment, and crumpled like paper. We pulled over immediately and called OnStar. Several people stopped to help so we decided to not cross the highway – we weren’t needed at that point.
We’re still shook up about what we saw. We even paused for a moment to consider not using a trailer at all anymore. But, accidents happen, even when you’re being careful. I try to avoid math thoughts – how many days are we on the road? What is the probability, on any given day that we’ll be in a wreck? What is the probability, over the course of a year, that we’ll be in an accident? Then, I stop myself, remind Kelly where I keep my will, and remind her that drivers in our truck do not use cell phones. Ever. Period.
The last couple days were pretty hectic, so we decided to stay close to home today and do some chores. We keep two big boxes of kayak and camping gear in the bed of the truck. Today, we discovered that they leaked in the last big storm. We laid all our tarps out under the pollen-ful trees and spread wet gear everywhere. Our dry bags worked, so most of our gear was fine. Still, there’s got to be a better way.
The nice folks at Travel Country RV Center (http://www.travelcountryrv.com ) called today to let us know we’d been approved for financing. We liked their trailer best and they made us the best offer – combination of trade-in for the TrailManor and price reduction on the new unit. If they like the TrailManor when they see it, we’ll take their deal. Stay tuned!
Yesterday, on our way to make Final Trailer Decisions, we saw a fifth-wheel wreck on the Interstate, in the oncoming lane. Neither of us saw the beginning of the crash – don’t know what caused it. I saw the last half and Kelly saw the very end of it. Naturally, we each saw something different. I saw an RV crumble onto its front corner and turn over, taking its towed truck vehicle with it. Kelly saw a fifth-wheel or trailer, being pulled by a truck, jack-knife. Reality depends on whether the truck was towing or being towed. Either way, the rig went off the road, down an embankment, and crumpled like paper. We pulled over immediately and called OnStar. Several people stopped to help so we decided to not cross the highway – we weren’t needed at that point.
We’re still shook up about what we saw. We even paused for a moment to consider not using a trailer at all anymore. But, accidents happen, even when you’re being careful. I try to avoid math thoughts – how many days are we on the road? What is the probability, on any given day that we’ll be in a wreck? What is the probability, over the course of a year, that we’ll be in an accident? Then, I stop myself, remind Kelly where I keep my will, and remind her that drivers in our truck do not use cell phones. Ever. Period.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Day #127 – Ending the Angst?
Monticello FL
We’ve been shopping for a new trailer. There. I said it. Sometime in the last couple weeks, we moved past denial and got down to the business of finding a workable solution to the problems we’ve been having with the TrailManor. We’ve been at it for several days, both prowling the lots and searching the ‘Net. As usual, we inched ourselves into a larger and larger unit, saw the absurdity of it all, and came back to earth. With the help of a seasoned RVing friend, we narrowed our choices to trailers with solid reputations for quality and customer service.
We decided we wanted a trailer with bunk beds that could be converted to shelving for our gear. Most bunk areas can be closed off from the rest of the trailer, so we wouldn’t have to live with our stuff all around us. Trailers with this layout include a couch that folds out. This means visiting friends would have a place to sleep and I’d have a place to play my dulcimer. These trailers have a bed that is designed so you can walk around it – no more climbing up a ladder, or over each other. They also have “pass-through” storage that runs under the back and/or front of the trailer. That area would be perfect for all the kayaking and camping gear we’ve been hauling in the truck bed. We decided we really wanted a trailer with a slide-out, which would give us more living space. If we get the financing, and if a dealer takes our current trailer as a trade-in, we could be much more comfortable on the road.
I fully expect to have some maintenance-related expenses at the beginning. I doubt even a new trailer will be bug-free. But, once we get settled in, I’m hoping the money we’ve been putting into maintenance will pay the monthly installment.
By the way, Kelly and I found five more ticks on each other this morning. (I am way too grossed out to give you links for tick pictures – either use your imagination or initiate your own search.) Debbie, our friend from Saver, told us we had two options – make friends with Deet or return to the ‘Burgh. Apparently, ticks are pretty common in the South. The good news: there is no Lyme disease down here. We’ll be instituting several precautions, including long sleeves on walks, light-colored clothing, Off, and regular skin checks. Yuk.
We’ve been shopping for a new trailer. There. I said it. Sometime in the last couple weeks, we moved past denial and got down to the business of finding a workable solution to the problems we’ve been having with the TrailManor. We’ve been at it for several days, both prowling the lots and searching the ‘Net. As usual, we inched ourselves into a larger and larger unit, saw the absurdity of it all, and came back to earth. With the help of a seasoned RVing friend, we narrowed our choices to trailers with solid reputations for quality and customer service.
We decided we wanted a trailer with bunk beds that could be converted to shelving for our gear. Most bunk areas can be closed off from the rest of the trailer, so we wouldn’t have to live with our stuff all around us. Trailers with this layout include a couch that folds out. This means visiting friends would have a place to sleep and I’d have a place to play my dulcimer. These trailers have a bed that is designed so you can walk around it – no more climbing up a ladder, or over each other. They also have “pass-through” storage that runs under the back and/or front of the trailer. That area would be perfect for all the kayaking and camping gear we’ve been hauling in the truck bed. We decided we really wanted a trailer with a slide-out, which would give us more living space. If we get the financing, and if a dealer takes our current trailer as a trade-in, we could be much more comfortable on the road.
I fully expect to have some maintenance-related expenses at the beginning. I doubt even a new trailer will be bug-free. But, once we get settled in, I’m hoping the money we’ve been putting into maintenance will pay the monthly installment.
By the way, Kelly and I found five more ticks on each other this morning. (I am way too grossed out to give you links for tick pictures – either use your imagination or initiate your own search.) Debbie, our friend from Saver, told us we had two options – make friends with Deet or return to the ‘Burgh. Apparently, ticks are pretty common in the South. The good news: there is no Lyme disease down here. We’ll be instituting several precautions, including long sleeves on walks, light-colored clothing, Off, and regular skin checks. Yuk.
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