mapleskoff@gmail.com

Be well and safe John Gray, you have my prayers and thanks! I hope the wind is always at your back, and someone else too. Doc Mike

And let us all say Amen! Doc Mike

So where are all of the WAVES, WMs (or is it...no, bad acronym), and WACs? No Nurses out there that were in the Armed Forces? Surely there are some. Doc Mike

Never having used wasp spray for any other purpose than to kill, or at least disturb significantly, well, wasps, I'm reminded that the item in my arsenal is neither spray nor fire arm (I really do hate guns, and I'm sorry if my politics are showing). So, I've another item that I keep by my side: It is a recording of my former wife in YELLING mode. Though it is about 30 years old, when she chose to raise her voice at us (my sons or me) it was shrill enough and loud enough as an air horn, and can be used in a small mini-recorder to deter persons unknown from harming us, cause deafness, or wild dogs to whine in utter pain. Just kidding of course ... I really wasn't smart enough at the time to record her rants, so ... thank heaven I've never heard my present wife of 25+ years even raise her voice! Bless her. Enjoy your day, and smile as if you've done something wrong! Doc Mike

Thanks for the good info. I'll start my search soon, or continue to do what I've done thus far....YELL a lot. Just kidding. The Ford cab on my Class C has ample room for the CB and I think I can mount the antenna on the ladder or the side of the overcab area on the drivers side while mounting the unit in the cabinet above my litte head adjacent to the CD/DVD player. Thats where the marshmallow is, Wayne. We've been very luck this year to date, not being stuck in traffic as a result of accident or even too many vehicles for the road. Having lived and worked in areas where traffic creates its own personality I know how helpful a CB can be. The GPS is also an assist as it notifes me if there is a slow down ahead, and approximately how long. It can't however, if an accident or incident has just occured. Be safe folks, and enjoy the wind at your back. Doc Mike

I've toyed w/the idea of a CB, but didn't think it would be much help w/a Class C. Perhaphs I'm wrong and look to this forum for info. If I do get one, what channel(s) would I monitor? Thanks in advance for the info. Doc Mike

This is almost scary; I'm starting to think that Seajay could have been a Snipe, or dare I say it? A Bosn's Mate? Its the prerssuree below decks that gets 'em every time. Doc Mike

There are two add'l sources that I know of: first is the Good Sam trip planning site that allows, in one area, for the trip plan to include heights "under 13 ft. 6 in.", and the other is the new Garmin 465T GPS. I've used both. We've had the new Garmin for a couple of months, purchased from a company called GPS NOW, I believe. It is designed for trucks/RVs, and has a mode designated for either trucks or one for cars. In the truck mode you may enter info regarding your truck's weight, height, #of axles, etc. Going to the Garmin site will tell you much more. It kept me off roads that are restricted to trucks in the northeasst...NY, CT, NJ. So far it is the most comprehensive, though expensive, GPS we've owned, and it's not taken me on but a couple of wild goose chases, neither of which have been very far, and both probably the same as any GPS using the same mapping source. GPS by it's very nature, isn't perfect. Hope this helps. Doc Mike

Monotony is so, what? BORING! Doc

I can **** near feel your desire to get out and go! I also think that in a few months you'll feel like a new person with that new knee. Briefly, when Carol had her knee replaced 3 yrs. ago it was truly a blessing. It had reched the point where she literally had trouble walking. She had her last "shot" in the knee the day before we left for Anchorage for our second Alaskan cruise. Made it through the cruise and tours, barely, and had surgery one week after our return. Though she was bothered by pain for a few days, once she started rehab at PT she once again felt great. Only downside she's had since the new knee is an inability to work our dog in competitive agility trials, and she blames that more on her advancing age (yes she's older than I am) than on the knee. So, all of that said, we wish you luck, a calm surgeon's steady hand, and a VERY BIG RED X on the knee he/she is to replace. Please continue to keep us posted after surgery. Do you have a silver bullet to bite? Oh, I forgot, you are after all. a Marine, and we're all proud of you, so keep the whining to a minimum, please. Doc Mike

And qwe thank God with you! Too many of our young women and men haven't returned, and WAAAY too many with injuries from which recovery may be elusive at best. Thanks to all who have serbed and continue to serve. To borrow from Wayne and the USMC, Semper Fidelis. Doc Mike

Laugh if you will, I've lost on average 3-4 pounds a month over the last three by eating fruit about 5 mornings a week for breakfast. As one who is on the precipice of being a Type 2 diabetic, it was a good idea to lose weight, and I continue to do so, having lost about 20 ponds since the start of '09. I've really come to like the idea of fresh fruit in the morning, and we can usually find it on the road. No Wayne, not literally, as the USMC does, but figuratively. Road kill isn't in our menu. Anyway, are you having your knee replaced or just reworked? Carol had hers replaced about three years ago, and she's really happy with the results. She still can't play the violin though! Good luck with your surgery...put a BIG "cut here" sign for the doc, and pray that he or she was in the Navy and not one of the others (read Army or USAF). Do your rehab religiously aznd you'll feel like a new man, though you'll still be a Marine.....can't cut that out of ya, I understand. Be well and best of luck...prayers for you. Doc Mike

Good idea Seajay. Name: Michael Pleskoff Branch: United States Navy Service: Nine years (1960-1969) Rank: HM1/E-6 (Petty Officer First Class) Specialty: Independent Duty Hospital Corpsman/EEG Technician Duty Stations: Boot Camp, Great Lakes, IL Hospital Corps School, Great Lakes, IL Naval Hospital, Portsmouth, VA Naval Hospital, St. Albans, NY USS SABINE (AO-25), homeport Mayport, FL USS KASKASKIA (AO-27), homeport Mayport, FL Naval Hospital, Great Lakes, IL Naval Hospital, Oakland, CA

Though I must admit that in my heart of hearts I do have a grudging admiration for members (and former members) of the best fighting force in the world ... yes, the USMC. It is difficult if not downright shameful that I should have as a role model one former MSGT of that fabled Corps! So, were it not for the USN and all of the men and women who make it the very best Maritime force the world has ever known, why, the Marine Corps would fail to exist. Okay, that may be hyperbole (a polysyllabic word, Wayne). Be safe out there, Marine! Doc Mike

Wayne, you need a hobby! You need to find something to do. I agree that there haven't been many posts, and I'm guilty also, as I only go to the site sporadically, and not often when we're on the road. Get our little coach returned tomorrow after having last warranty repairs done up in the foothills of NC. Added a new flat screen TV, as the Sony that was over the front seats lost its grip and was bouncing around all over the place and frankly scared the **** out of us; if it had fallen out of the perch it could easily have injured or even killed us as it weighs about 250 lbs. I know it would have crushed our 65 lb. dog if he didn't jump out of the way fast enough. That said, there's a new flat screen HDTV in the space that weighs only 25 lbs and won't kill us as bad. I guess that I'm part nomad as I can't wait to get back on the road once more. Carol not so eager, as she would like to spend some time doing some quilting and embroidery work that she isn't able to do in our 28 footer. Oh well, we have learned to compromise and we both are happy. Wind at your back everyone, and be well, be safe, and enjoy life.......it can be over so quickly. Doc Mike

Wayne, Seajay, America is, indeed, very beautiful! We returned home about 2 wks. ago from a 3+ week trip from our home in SC to New England, with an extended 5 day stay in the Bar Harbor area of Maine. The food was, well, wonderful, and the scenery, even with the rain and fog, too great for mere words. Have you ever had Maine Blueberry pie, or preserves? I"m convinced that is the best. I can't talk about the seafood without drooling (or is that just my age?). My wife found a wonderful quilt shop in NH and our AMEX a new outlet for its prowess. Once again, the food was super. Next week we'll be off to Williamsburg, Va, for a couple of days, then on to DC for a couple, and then Cleveland, OH for my 50th high school reunion. I'll count how many guys still have some hair, laugh like **** and we'll leave. Looking for some ideas for the winter....maybe a month or so in warm weather. We lived in the Phoenix area for 15 years so don't want to go there as our first choice. Open to good suggestions. Be well all of you. Wayne, I think Semper Fidelis is a good motto for all people....what do you think? Doc Mike

Well guys, even Mr. Army, the dryer sheets do work well. If you have a dark colored coach, and don't follow Wayne's recipe, than perhaps you should just clean the bugs off the rear, so folks won't see the smears as you motor on down the road. I've used both the Calgon (though it is often hard to find these days) and the bag of ice. I also use toilet paper from Costco as it is okay to use in septic tanks as it breaks up readily, and is less expensive than that found in RV stores. My little tip for the day. Wayne, as an aside, we're all proud of your son's Semper Fi service, even us old sailors. Also as an aside, I visited my grandson's graduation from USAF, yes AF, boot camp graduation, and decided that although he humiliated this old Doc by not joining the USN (or dare I say, USMC) we're still proud of him. If there's a God up there I sure hope that he/she watches over all of our young men and women who serve so diligently, unselfishly, and honorably, even the ones in the Army. Smooth sailing all, wind at your backs, etc. Doc Mike

Well guys, even Mr. Army, the dryer sheets do work well. If you have a dark colored coach, and don't follow Wayne's recipe, than perhaps you should just clean the bugs off the rear, so folks won't see the smears as you motor on down the road. I've used both the Calgon (though it is often hard to find these days) and the bag of ice. I also use toilet paper from Costco as it is okay to use in septic tanks as it breaks up readily, and is less expensive than that found in RV stores. My little tip for the day. Wayne, as an aside, we're all proud of your son's Semper Fi service, even us old sailors. Also as an aside, I visited my grandson's graduation from USAF, yes AF, boot camp graduation, and decided that although he humiliated this old Doc by not joining the USN (or dare I say, USMC) we're still proud of him. If there's a God up there I sure hope that he/she watches over all of our young men and women who serve so diligently, unselfishly, and honorably, even the ones in the Army. Smooth sailing all, wind at your backs, etc. Doc Mike

We returned about 10 days ago from a trip that took us from our home in Indian Land, SC (near Charlotte, NC) to Bar Harbor, Old Orchard Beach, in Maine, to the southern end of Lake Winipisaukee in NH, Burlington, VT, and the Finger Lakes region and wine country of NY, before heading to NE Ohio for a family reunion, and then on home again. Sea food was GREAT in ME, but Cadillac Mountain was obscured by fog and rain on both trips to the top. The drive through the park and a visit to the beach were wonderful. Did I mention the seafood? It was GREAT. My wife spent hours in a wonderful quilt shop in NH, and our credit card company thought that was great also. Not enough time this trip to visit Canada, and we do want to do it in the future. Our Class C and Honda CR-v both got a work out! We loved every minute of it....even the rain. Doc Mike

We tow an '09 Honda CR-V, 2 wheel drive w/automatic transmission. The procedure is fast and simple, and the car tows great behind our Class C Itasca. Though it is recommended to remove a fuse as the car is in the "accessory" mode when towed, I've not done so as I often will start and run it while we stop for a meal on the way to wherever. We'ved towed about 8K miles so far this year and are very happy with how it works out for us. It is our only car, so is the "daily driver" as well. Considered the Honda Fit very seriously till we heard that they tend to "bottom out". We use a Roadmaster set up with an "All Terrain" tow bar and M & G brake system. Doc Mike

We enjoyed visiting the Utah parks and southern CO in October super. Zion, as mentioned by Seajay and the use of the pass is super. Visit Arches too. Colorado and Utah with the Aspen trees in fall foliage are wonderful to view; shimmering like gold in the breeze. Dress for changing weather....layering clothes a good idea as days can get warm after chilly mornings. Have a wonderful time. Mike

I just noticed your post. I had two buddies that flew for the Corps about that time: the late Wyatt Baxter, Col, USMCR (Ret.), and Myron (Speedy) Margolis, also Col, USMCR (Ret.) Me, why I was just a lowly HM1/Usn (1960-1969). We also live in SC, in an over 55 community near Fort Mill. Followed our daughter and hubby from Phx, AZ who work for BofA. Of this week for a trip to Maine and upper New England, then off to Ohio to visit family in our Class C. We travel with only one dog now (two others recently gone), a 5 YO Portuiguese Water Dog who thinks he's a Marine. Smooth sailing with a following wind. Hope to run in to all of you one day. Doc Mike

I just returned from having the gen set on my Type C motorhome serviced, and want to share the info on the shop that did it. Some of you may already know these nice folks, so this might be repetitive. For those who don't and live in the greater Charlotte, N.C., or upastate South Carolina areas, or for those who are passing through and need some help: Careco Generator Service, 3478 Hwy 21, Fort Mill, SC 294715. (803) 802-7260; e-mail careco.phil@gmail.com. These folks are very nice, efficient, and price their service fairly. Mr. Phil Blanks is the manager. They do gen sets (an Onan dealer), batteries, inverters, etc. Just let them know that Mike w/the Itasca sent you (that will make absolutely no difference). Good travels, Doc Mike

Just returned from our first outing with the Garmin 465T. It worked just fine! Height restriction, road restrictions, lane usage and truck prohibitions. I'm certainly glad that we bought it, as it provides more info that my previous Nuvi that was about one year old (and our daughter now enjoys). We'll be going through New England next couple of weeks, and I know that there are truck restricted roads in the north east, so I look for it to help there as well. Doc Mike

We've stayed in Amish areas several times in OH and PA (we're natives of northeastern OH, but haven't lived there in too many years to count), and find it to be really pretty country, with very nice midwestern people. The week-end farmer's markets are GREAT as a rule, with meats, cheeses, and produce as well as cooked food available. One of the nicest, small parks we stayed at was in Intercourse, PA. Enjoyed good food in restaurants and a place called Kitchen Kettle Village that we still order salsa and preserves from every few months. I wish I could think of the name, though I'm sure you can find it in the literature or on line. All that salt water years ago has done something to my brain....Marine-like, I think. Anyway, the park is on two levels, with mostly big rigs on the lower. Surrounding community is nice to travel in, and the area is quiet and peaceful. Horse/buggies, quilt shops, and close to Hershey. Our Portuguese Water Dog also barks at all the animals, needs to let them know he's around. Be safe in your travels, and enjoy. Doc Mike