Our Tire Adventure

We got a later that desired start due to goodbye's, and a couple of interruptions. We had decided to head north to go south thereby avoiding South Burlington and other cities on our usual route. So off to St Albans to fuel up. Well at about 14 miles out I noticed that I had a low tire pressure, 52#'s. They were fine yesterday when I checked. So we continued to the Jolly truck stop, fueled up and called GoodSam Roadside Assistance. While waiting for them to call back we called TDI Repair Facility and for 105/hr they were willing to help. Turns out GS also called them and took care or half+ of the bill.

I posted on FB that I had a problem and a full-time friend, Paul Surhoff, called and we discussed my problem. Well it seems like he had a similar problem and it was the braided valve stem extenders. As we were talking the service truck arrived.

I discussed Paul's information with the tech and he removed the extension as part removing the tire for inspection. We noted that the 'O' ring where the extension attaches to the valve stem was cracked. Also the tech said the "nut" was not very tight, so something else to check from time to time. The tire visually checked ok and held air, 120#, for quite awhile. Buttoned everything up, had lunch, hit the road. We arrived at Susquehanna Trails, a Passport America park, about 6 PM so all in all not a bad day.

Graduating to full time

Well we spent most of the last week getting ready to make our jump to full time RVer's. Things we may want in the future are in storage. Tools, woodworking equipment, and our first motorcycle, 1969 Honda CL350, went to our son. Everything we think we need to live is in the RV and ready to go.

We still own a  house but it is on the market and we hope it will sell soon.

See you on the internet and on the road.

A little more on our NS trip

Our first stop was at Pumpkin Patch RV Resort in Maine. Very nice place and we received a 15% discount for being Escapees members. We took Maine 9 over to the Calais and then thru the new border crossing. It is very nice both ways. During the trip to our next destination we stopped at a rest area/welcome center where we met Vermonters from Bakersfield. We had a little chat and found that they were going to PEI. Our destination for that leg was Campers City in Moncton NB. This is a Good Sam park so we received a 10% discount there.

For dinner we went to Captain Dan's in Shediac NB. They had an all you can eat fish basket special the night we visited so I pigged out. We hung around the Warf after dinner and watched the boats and had ice cream. Oh Captain  Dan is not a promoted Lt. Dan from Forest Gump.

The next day it was on to NS. Just over the border we made a stop at the rest area, welcome center/gift shop. We picked up a few things and as we were leaving the store we ran into the Vermonters from Bakersfield. Then it was off to Wayside campground another Passport America park on Peggy's Cove Road. Of course we went to Peggy's Cove and Lunenburg. After a couple days we headed for the Bay side of NS. Our stop there was Dunromin campground in Granville Ferry. We visited Annapolis Royal, Fort Anne, the light house and generally soaked in the area. Of special interest to me was the Annapolis Royal Generating Station which uses the tidal change to generate power.

Our next stop was Windsor NS where we attended the Atlantic Provenances Good Sam Samboree. We had a great time there and visited the Hockey Heritage Museum since Windsor is the birthplace of hockey.

On to Hopewell Rocks which are just fascinating. Watch the tide change what more can I say?

Our next stop was Campobello Island where FDR had his summer cottage. We stayed 2 nights at the provincial park which was very nice and not very busy. We found free wifi at the store near the campground.

Then home with a stop at Bethel Maine Outdoor Adventure another Passport America park and another discount. 

Lunenburg NS

Ok so this post will be about today's trip. When I get around to it I will post some of our other adventures so things will show up out of order.

We took a drive to Lunenburg to visit the fisheries museum and see the Bluenose II which is being restored. We found the the museum to be quite interesting and spent a lot of time there. Watched a film that was mostly about the Bluenose and fishing on the grand banks. Boy they knew what hard work was. Iron men on wooden boats.

We couldn't get  very close to the Bluenose II but we did get some pictures, pix.

Overcast and drizzle most of the day. Good day to be inside.

Syracuse GS/CW Rally

We attended the Good Sam/Camping World Rally at Syracuse NY. There was a lot of rain and they had to put about 800 rigs in a parking lot at the mall. We attended some seminars, walked out of some, learned a few things.

We had a good time with our chapter members who attended and enjoyed the entertainment and 2 nights of good fireworks.

It was a rally so we looked at stuff, bought some stuff, ate. Biggest thing was to have the coach measured for Auto Motion Shades to replace the pleated day/night shades that are standard. We will have the new shades installed in November.

At the house

Made a couple of fixes, rebuilt drawers under cook top and replaced economy slides with full extension slides, made and installed shelf in closet, repaired dining table chairs, installed knife rack. Now to wash it and move it to the top of the hill.

Oneonta

Uneventful trip to Susquehanna Trails CG our first Passport America park. $17.50. A little dated with railroad tracks across the street from the CG. We are toward the rear and really aren't bothered by the occasional train.

After we got set up we went out to get the Jeep washed. It was really dirty from towing in the rain when we left Lake Anna. With the kayaks on top we just cleared the wash bay. We weren't sure we could clear pulling forward so we backed out. Then off to WM to pick up a few things. I bought 28" wiper blades since the 32" that are on the coach are not usually stocked in stores. Just a slight modification to get the automobile blades to fit but they look like they will do the job. The 4" loss isn't really noticeable, we'll  see  how they do on the road.

Dinner at Brooks House of BBQ. Best BBQ chicken.

Off to Vermont tomorrow.

We're not there, we're somewhere else

While at Newport News we visited with our friends Toby and Mary. On Wednesday Toby and I sailed on a J40, raced actually, and were first to cross the line but were 2nd on corrected time. We had to make up about 5 minutes and were able to get a 2 minutes on the last leg and about 30 seconds more on the next to last leg. Quite a ride.

While we were sailing Mary and Suzette had a girls night out. Shopping and dinner out.

From Newport News we went to Lake Anna and hung out there for several days. We were able to renew some friendships at the park as well as see friends from the time we lived there.

While we were dumping on our way out of the park I hooked up the Jeep. As I attempted to get the Jeep in tow mode I noticed that the transfer case lever was not connected to the transfer case mechanism. Called a local dealer, Fredericksburg, and they said to bring it in and they would get right on it. They did and $180 later we were on our way back to the park to get hooked up and head out.

Had to take a few 2 lane roads. That takes some getting used to when you are driving a 8'6" wide coach and meet an equally large 18 wheeler or other large truck.

We arrived at Jonestown KOA, formally Lickdale campground, about 6 pm.

Where are we now and how did we get here?

Well right now we are at Wade NC KOA. How we got here is more of a story.

The day we were leaving SNF we decided we needed to get in a  couple of pickelball games before we took off. Maybe a good plan but when we attempted to start the coach it wouldn't. Tried the battery boost switch which should connect the house and chassis batteries, no luck. Read the owners manual, no real help. Wally and I trouble shot the system and determined that the battery boost solenoid was not working. Wally had jumper cables, mine are in Vermont, so we managed to get the coach started. So off we head for Alliance Coach for the annual maintenance and a few fixes.

We arrived later than we wanted and were on the wait list  for a camping spot. We did not get to see the service writer on Monday. Tuesday morning we were expecting someone at the coach at 0700 so we were up early and had the coach ready to go. Well that didn't happen. Turns out we were to go to the office and get things written up by the service writer. Got that done and was told to pack a lot of patience. So packed.

After a couple of 2 hour, it will be 10 minutes, notifications from the service write they took the coach at 1530 and did their own determination that the battery boost solenoid was defective. So much for day 1 in service. Day 2's service didn't go much better. It took them all day to replace the solenoid, replace the waste system pump, check a few items on our punch list. Day 3 they finally got to do the oil and lube. Settled up and were on the road abut 1330.

Our stop for the day was Stagecoach RV park. Once we were set up we went shopping at Camping World. The next day we ran some errands and did some site seeing.

On our way to Crooked River State Park we made our first fuel stop. The tank gauge read about 3/8 of a tank So I figured I would need about 60+ gallons. Fooled me only took 48+gal or about $195. We had intended to visit Cumberland National Sea Shore but the weather wasn't to our liking so we just hung out.

So that is how we got here.

Snowbird migration

Yes we have joined the great migration. However a few weeks ago we had a couple of bubba's on our street. Turned out they were KY lawyers. They were known as bubba and butt crack They were heard discussing clients and the clients personal information. KY's future lawmakers.

Blog Slacking at Sun-N-Fun

It's been a while since we have last posted anything. So what have we been up to? Only limited kayaking since we have been here. We haven't spent a lot of time in the Stained Glass Studio however we are assisting with teaching the intermediate class. This class deals with 3D construction and some lead came construction.

We have taken up Pickleball What a fun game. A friend described it as a game played by old people to get dehydrated so they could drink more beer. I don't think he was completely correct. Many age groups play the game and all that I have seen drink water to keep from getting dehydrated.

So when anything interesting happens I will try and post in a timely manner.

Cool in Sarasota

Well its been a while but there hasn't been much to write about. We are getting used to our MH and doing a little kayaking, biking, disk golf and have taken up pickle ball.
Suzette is keeping up with her dulcimer and crafts. Every thing is going well.

White Christmas 2012

One of the things I have neglected to post is our white Christmas in Sarasota, see White Christmas 2012.

Just another cool day in paradise

I have made a few changes to the links list. Check them out. Gone By RV is a couple, Steve and Karen, who are full timing in their Phaeton, The Spices, Herb and Ginger, are from VT and are now full timers in a 5th wheel.

I also added a link to Alliance Coach where we purchased our HR Endeavor.

Taco Tuesday tonight with friends, Mati and Judy, then we monitor at the Stained Glass Studio.

Long time between posts

We arrived at Sun-N-Fun on Dec 14 and have been quite busy. 

Along with adding a few things to our motor home we have found time to kayak, bike, go to the RV Super show, dine out, play disk golf, and of course work on a few projects in the stained glass studio.
Today Suzette is "fitting" sheets for our bed.