DougC

The second day of the Adventure - The drive today from Flagstaff AZ to Taos NM was mostly easy driving using I-40 to I-25, then at Santa Fe NM, we turned onto state road 525 with the last 100 miles into Taos was a bit more difficult and slow. There was one major problem encountered with the Rig and it was not a actual mechanical problem... I'll blame it on human error, I tried to lay the blame on the dog, but my conscious got the better of me. Here is the problem that happened... In Flagstaff AZ, we got the Rig ready for departure... part of the process was to empty the black tank first and then the gray tank to flush out the sewer line.. However, there was just a little water in the gray tank, so I opened the sink facets and the shower facet to run water into the gray tank. After a few minutes, there was enough water in the gray tank to flush out the sewer hose, so I then turned off the city water, then closed the kitchen and bathroom sink facets. Everything seemed good... no running water, no water pump noise. I concluded we were good to go. And away we went..... traveling down I-40 for about 30 minutes, Trudy got up to get a bottle of water, and issued an urgent comment like "Doug, we have water flooding in the bathroom and kitchen area.... water everywhere!" HMMM,, I think Trudy had a shriek in her voice... which got my attention immediately.... My first thought was a broken water line, however the water was about the holding tanks... I next thought something is pumping water through a break in a house water line... I told Trudy to check the water pump and it should be turned off... when Trudy checked the water pump was ON. At the same time I looking to slow down and get off of the interstate. Once off the interstate and safely parked... I got up from the drivers seat and sloshed through a lot of clean water... my mind was racing trying to figure out the problem, where is the water coming from? I eliminated the kitchen, bathroom facets, and also checked the wash-out hose in the head... and then, I opened the shower door... and shazaam! The shower pan was full of water! What caused the flooding and why was the shower pan full... you may ask? Well, remember earlier I mentioned that I made sure the kitchen and bathroom sink facets were closed, but I overlooked the shower facet. The shower facet was open. Also, remember I said I checked to make the that the water pump was turned off before we left the last camp site... that was true. However, one of us, I'll take the blame, turned on the water pump after we got on the road... so with the shower facet open, the water pump pushed almost 80 gallons of water into the shower... but then the gray water tank is only 40 gallons... once the gray tank was filled, the shower pan filled, and then water flowed over the shower pan into the coach... hence about 20-25 gallons of fresh water flowed into the bathroom, and kitchen areas... We were not close to a dumping location... so I then had to figure out how to move some of the shower pan water... which I did by taking a large bowl and dumping water into the kamode. In the meantime, Trudy had thrown down all of the towels we had on board, which slowed down the water from creeping to far into the coach. I started the generator so a small fan we had on board would blow air over the carpet, we also turned on both exhaust fans to keep moving air in the coach. That's all we could do for the moment... at the next Flying J station we pulled in to dump the gray and black tanks... and reload the potable water supply. Later in the day, when we got into Taos NM and the Taos RV Park, we could take the time to further dry out the Rig... So, a problem that could be avoided by checking all facets with the water pump on, before leaving the campground. So ends the 2nd day of the adventure... Later, Dale, Trudy, and Doug

Here we are relaxing in the Rig at the J & H RV Park in Flagstaff, AZ. We rolled into the RV park about 5:30 PM this evening after driving 407 miles today. Highlights of the Day: - Another on-the-job driving training day for Trudy as she drove on Interstate-10. Trudy drove for an hour or so, and did very well. As a Newbie to RV driving, Trudy had the most stress when the tractor-trailers zoomed passed us (don't we all!) We held our speed to 55-60 mph for best control... and I didn't even let out one scream, however I think Dale may have whimpered a little - Do you ever watch the TV Food Channel Show (or maybe the Travel Show) called "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives"? Well, we stopped at a BBQ place for lunch called "Thee Pitt's Again", located in Glendale, AZ. Trudy had the pulled turkey sandwich and I had the classic pulled pork.... it was great. One of our trip's goals is eating at Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. - An interesting part of today's trip was the change of landscape, from the low desert where we live in Cathedral City, CA, with a temperature today of 106 F, to raising up to 7000 ft elevation and pine trees, where the temperature is about 50 F. Pretty amazing we think. We made OK time today, all things considered, averaging about 45 MPH... Tomorrow, we have a 451 mile drive that should take about 8 hours. So ends the adventure's first day.... it was a good shakedown for us and Dale, and for the Rig. ... until next time, Dale, Trudy and Doug

T minus 0. we have engine ignition and now leaving the launch pad.... we are leaving from Cathedral City (next to Palm Springs) and headed for Washington DC. Stay tuned for the adventures of Dale the Dog, Trudy, and Doug... Woof!

Hi Tom, An interesting subject and timely for us... You may know from our blog that Trudy and I are leaving in the morning for a 4-5 week trip in our 2003 Newmar KS. This will be the first time Trudy has used an RV at all. We are both in our mid-late 60's and have been pondering the meaning of life, our kids are grown and on their own. We met on a blind date in December of 2007 and have been together since. We are both in reasonable good health, considering our ages. I still work in a school district but will retire in July. Trudy retired from casinos a few years ago and works part time now. I had the RV and now we are going to use it.... we've had limited talks about where to live, how to live, what to do with the RV. Do we become full-timers? Is sounds appealing.... this month long trip will help provide an answer to that question. The full-timer forum discussion is interesting... we'll follow the forum discussion and offer our experience and thoughts. Doug

A quick update... the "Trip" command center has officially moved from the house to the motor home... computer, printer, and wireless card are working well... Hmmm, other critical last minute items, 30 See's Candy Butterscotch Suckers (for The Boss), and Dale's "Frosty Paws Ice Cream Treats" I did manage to get my own personal stash of beer... Oh, we put on Clamato Juice, Vodka, and hot sauce-all for Bloody Marys; there is a reserve of white and red wine, along with a variety of diet sodas. Oops, I forgot to mention there is also stuffed olives and several flavors of sparkling water for sissy drinks, in case we have company along the way Moved some other frozen stuff to the RV freezer (I was warned to make sure Dale's Frosty Paws Ice Cream Treats" got on board the RV first!)... he can become a bit unruly if he doesn't get a treat once in a while. Well, Dale (otherwise known as the "Little Boss") had his beauty appointment today... and "The Boss" (Trudy) had her beauty appointments. I'm allowed to take a shower and change my tee shirt. About 6 PM (PST) we moved a few more clothes and several bags of girl stuff to the RV. Tonight we are doing a final check to make sure we are not forgetting anything. HeHeHe it appears the sofa, a couple of tables, and some other large furniture is still in the house.... and, our pool is still in the ground - however the pool weights (does that sound right?) are on the RV, just in case they may be needed So, the minutes are ticking by, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick... Later, Dale the Dog, Trudy and Doug

Howdy. First, as a Newbie to FMCA I wanted to mention that FMCA and the web site have been great! The site is full of good stuff, more than I can get to in one life time -- information on CAT engines, Allison transmissions, tires, and a variety of other information. As we begin our West to East then North to South then East to West trip this coming Saturday we are looking for suggestions to see, do, or eat ... and for input from folks who have previously traveled the byways and highways of America. We have received some great suggestions!!! Our trip route in general is East on I10, North on I17 Taos NM, East on I40 to Amarillo TX, East on I40 to Oklahoma OK, then North-East on I44 Branson MO, US-60/I24 to Nashville TN, I24/I40/I81/I77 to Hillsville VA, I77/I81/I66 to College Park MD. Campground reservations are in Flagstaff AZ, Taos NM, Amarillo TX, Oklahoma OK, Branson MO, Nashville TN, Hillsville VA, ending in College Park MD. By the way, I did a goggle search on the definition of "T minus" (which we use in our blog entry title... whew! my brain has OD'd on the responses.... suffice to say we'll continue with the "T minus" way of measuring time. Today is Friday, one day before we leave. Dale the Dog has a beauty appointment at 8 AM, then the Boss has a beauty appointment or two starting at 9 AM. Hmmmmm, apparently I don't get a beauty appointment. I did ask Dale, he just gave a lick... the Boss suggested I put on a clean tee shirt before getting in the RV with Dale and her in the morning Also today the computer will be loaded along with the printer. We will be using a wireless card for communications. Did I mentioned I've been learning to play the bagpipes during the past 12 months.... however, to keep spouse & dog harmony in the RV during the adventure, I'm just practice on the practice chanter... I'll pick up the pipes when we get back. Also, while on the trip I will be using a small beach ball to improve the strength in my bag squeezing left arm. We are now researching the Guy's Diners, Drive-ins & Dives (the TV show)... there is a web site that shows about 150 locations.... I'm still searching for the world's biggest ball of twine... I know it's in the country someplace Trudy (the Boss) spent about 32 years working in casinos, her final job was Director of Table Games. I suspect we may visit one or two of casinos during the adventure. Not much else to check on the RV.... today will be the final loading of small stuff... then in the morning, we load the pillows and toothbrushes. Later, Doug, Trudy, and Dale the Dog

Tom, Thanks a lot for the information, it's just what we are looking for. Our planning revolves around being in Washington DC by June 11, which is our daughter's birthday. The trip is about 2700 miles, the Boss wants to stay in the Taos NM area for two days and Nashville TN for two days. Soooo, with 9 days we could average 300 miles a day, but with the 2 day stop overs, it pushes up our average daily distance to about 400 miles a day... however, the trip back, down the East Coast and back to the West Coast, we have a bit more time... Again thanks for the information. Doug

Howdy Fellow Travelers, As we begin our West to East then North to South then East to West trip this coming Saturday we are looking for suggestions to see, do, or eat... and for input from folks who have previously traveled the byways and highways of America. Our trip route in general is East on I10, North on I17 Taos NM, East on I40 to Amarillo TX, East on I40 to Oklahoma OK, then North-East on I44 Branson MO, US-60/I24 to Nashville TN, I24/I40/I81/I77 to Hillsville VA, I77/I81/I66 to College Park MD. Campground reservations are in Flagstaff AZ, Taos NM, Amarillo TX, Oklahoma OK, Branson MO, Nashville TN, Hillsville VA, ending in College Park MD. Your suggestions are appreciated, Doug, Trudy and Dale the Dog

Hi Gloria, Trudy enjoyed your comments... she explained who Jay was to me. And Avanti cars were awesome! Anyway, as you have probably gathered, each blog entry is listed on the right side of the blog page. This FMCA blog software is not the best there is, but it will do the job. We leave this coming Saturday, May 30... Trudy says Hi, Love from us, Trudy, Doug, and Dale the Dog

It seems that a true test of a couple's happiness and bliss is surviving the planning of a four- to five-week motorhome trip. I mean, we are having a really good time planning and preparing. However, it's the issue of stuffing a rather full house of things into a 9' x 38' box that is driven over hill and dale ... on smooth and bumpy byways and highways. You have to have the right stuff on board to get by for 30-plus days, and sometimes there may be a difference of opinion as to what should be loaded on the rig. Nevertheless, the whole process is going very well ... even Dale the Dog has his stuff on board now. We now have what is called a black box to take on the trip, a black box that includes vehicle information, insurance policies, and personal information. The personal information includes passports, medical information on each of us (includes recent lab test results and electrocardiogram charts). We are in the almost-final phases (I know the final phase of loading will take place 10 minutes before we pull away from the house) of loading the RV with clothes and shoes. Things like washing detergent and bleach made it onboard tonight ... and some food items are onboard. I got the FMCA plastic emblems attached, one in front and the other on the ladder connected with tie-wraps. Tomorrow, Wednesday, I'll top off the fuel. I will also go to the post office to both forward our mail for several weeks, and then hold the mail for the remaining time we are gone. We've notified the banks and credit card companies that we will be traveling. The computer along with the printer, printer paper and extra ink cartridges will go onboard Friday morning. Also on Friday, Dale the Dog goes to the beauty parlor. I think the Boss also has a couple of girly appointments. Loading more stuff will continue the next couple of days. Of course, each time you add a thing or a box of stuff, you first have to make space; hence, there is a lot a sorting and rearranging each time more stuff is added to the rig. Later, Doug, Trudy, and Dale the Dog

Tom, I like your planning method better.... I've concluded I'm being a control freak... my better half (Trudy) has told me several times to step away from the computer and campground listings.... go have a beer, play with dog, and for me to practice the Yoga Lotus position (I'm not sure what that is ) I've been a project planner and scheduler for the last 20 years, so it is hard to break the work habits. I've kinda concluded I can't control every detail of the trip... such as doggie (people too) rest stops, weather, traffic. While our goal is 300 miles per day, there are just too many variables. For the long stay in Washington DC we are staying at the Cherry Hill RV CG. Thanks for the feedback... I'll now go try the Yoga Lotus position (if I don't get back to the forum right away, it's because I injured myself just trying to do the Yoga ) Doug, Trudy, and Dale the Dog

In getting ready for the four- to five-week cross-country trip and I've concluded that picking RV campgrounds is the most difficult and time consuming part of the trip planning. There is either too much information or not enough, I'm not sure which. I have used the Good Sam online trip planner because of the various planning options that can be turned on or off. I did find one trip planning company but they only plan trips on the western part of the country ... not the Midwest or East Coast. Hmmm, there might be a potential business waiting to be started. DougC

... and the count down continues towards lift off (OK, I'm a NASA fan ), I mean until we leave on the cross county trek (OK we are also Star Trek groupies ). By the way, we saw the new Star Trek movie this week, and it was GREAT!!!! We continue to prep for the trip.... - The Boss is moving her stuff to a central location in the small bedroom that I call the warehouse.... hmmmm, 5 pieces of clothing for her and then I get one t-shirt, at this rate I may up end with at least a change of clothes for one day to put on the RV.... and oh my god, the Boss hasn't even started with the make-up, and hair stuff, or any other girl stuff. I think there is a 2,000 pound hauling limit on the RV, I get 250 pounds and guess who gets the rest!!!! LOL, life is great! - we have added a few food items to the refer... critical items, such as a good assortment of beer, a white wine called "Little Black Dress" (for the Boss), and a variety of diet sodas, and diet Red Bull, I have at least one a day. I did add a ladder hanger and a tall ladder... I also loaded a couple of wood folding chairs. DRIVEN TRAINING TODAY!!!!!!! Aside from me having a steel grip on my seat belt, and my pulse rate was about 200 BPM, and with my life flashing before my eyes... today was the first time the Boss got behind the wheel of the RV... a 30,000 pound vehicle that is almost 40 feet long (nose to tail)!!!! A few times I started to look for my seat ejector handle. So I pull the rig around to a wwwiiiiddddeeee neighborhood street.... then I move to the shotgun seat, and She sits in the command seat... then I point out the go pedal and the stop pedal.... Her comments of "cute things" kinda takes away from my macho view of the Rig... ... then I explained the vast array of lights and gages on the instrument panel was a beautiful thing to behold... I don't think it impressed Her... even the sound of the low air alarm, or the hissing sound of air when releasing the air brakes... I love that sound OK, She then puts the Rig in "D" (I attempted to explain the intricacies of the 6-speed Allison transmission) and away we go, I held my screaming to a mild whimper... down the block, lift turns, right turns, quick stops... and then I thought my world ended as She turned into a short block with a cul-de-sac... OK... a few gardeners were around and they scattered as She put the Rig in "R", not for race, but for reverse... Anyway, She (Trudy) did a GREAT Job... she backed up nicely... and had to make normal back and forth manuvers... we did driver training for about another hour and we called it a day... tomorrow we'll do some more driver training... Trudy is OK with driving it.... and that makes both of us feel better about the trip... Trip preparation is going well... Later, Doug, Trudy, and Dale the Dog

Tonight I have a mild headache caused by walking into the RV ... A bit of explanation.... right at this moment... if I look in the bathroom mirror, on the left side of my upper forehead is a half moon cut, maybe 3/4" long, attempting to heal. You may wonder how I came to acquire such an injury... here's the story, on our motor coach (like many motor coaches) there are cargo/battery/other areas that have doors that lift up... when the doors are opened they swing out and up, with the bottom edge of the door, ending at about a 30 degree angle tilted out from the RV... and in our case, at about 6 foot in the air. I'm about 6 ft 2 inches.... so when I changed directions while walking around the RV, BAMMMMMMM, I got a icky tattoo on my forehead Ouch !!!!! Enough about the hazards while crawling on, over, and under, or walking around, the rig... however, a helmet could be useful I was thinking of tools we'll need to have on board... for me, we'll have a small battery screwdriver, with the special square bit, a ratchet screwdriver with various bits, a multi-drawer tool box that fits nicely in an outside storage area... in the toolbox are a collection of fuses, string, wire nuts and in-line electrical connectors, a electric circuit tester with probes, several sizes of knives, wire crimper, hacksaw with extra blades, a socket set, a variety of self-tapping screws, variety of flat washers, the ever handy plastic wire ties.... and the one item you never lease home without, DUCT tape! One more tool I have found very useful is a battery operated screwdriver/drill-skill saw-sander combo set. I think we've settled on a renting a uhaul car dolly instead of a car hauler, to pull the a Honda Accord back from Washington DC. Today I manufactured a cover for the entry steps... when the entry door is closed, the two inside steps may be raised to form a flat platform for the person in the shotgun seat to have a floor to stand on. In the past the motor that lifts the steps into a flat floor has burned out and is very difficult to find... so I made a 24" x 32" 3/4 inch plywood cover that lays over the entry step area... since the Boss would not be happy if she fell through the floor I made, I then added a piece of angle iron to the underside of the platform to reinforce the plywood and also to keep the plywood from shifting. Not a bad job since I worked out of the back of the car. Finally put on replacement Michelin front tires (275/70R22.5) today, cost $1,263.00. I did ask for long tire valve stems.... inflated tires to 120 lbs front and the rear duals to 110 lbs. Return trip planning continues, from DC down the East Coast to Jacksonville, Florida, then West taking I10 to California. The goal is to drive 300 miles a day. I'm going to take a couple of aspirins Later, Doug, Trudy, and Dale the Dog

Howdy All, As mentioned previously, this weekend, May 15-16-17, is the motor coach testing weekend.... testing all functions and features... The RV is fully hooked up to shore power, water, sewer, and cable TV. As the temperature here is now in the 100's the two AC units are getting a good workout.... it was 107 degrees today.... I've let the front TV and the bedroom TV stay on... I visited the rig several times a day... testing the water flow in the kitchen, bathroom area and shower, and also testing the Precision Water Heater unit I purchased several years ago... so far, all systems are working. The front large sliding curtain to provide privacy had about a dozen grommets pulled from the curtain... so my task this morning was to figure out how to fix or reinstall the grommets... so I was off to the local True Value Hardware store, the store has been open for business for about 200 years.... yep, that's what I said, the store smells old, the floors and walls are old, and they have unmarked small closed metal bins,.. that only the cashier, who has worked there for about 150 of the 200 years the store has been open... anyway... I found a grommett repair kit, that included a small back blocking wood, and grommet set tools. My kind of hardware store I also was thinking about a water pressure reduction gizmo, I was worried about the high city water pressure bursting the RV water pipes, but all I could find was a 25-30 psi reduceer made for lawn drip systems, so I passed on that. But, then I remembered the rig has a built in pressure regular set at 42 psi. While at the hardware store I concluded that trying to repair the curtain grommets while the curtain was still hanging would be to much to do. As I wandered around the old store mumbling to myself, I came across rolls of thin insulation, like the dash protectors for cars. So the idea lightbulb went off in my head, why not buy a roll of insulation that was tall and customize it to place in across the dash of the RV... TADA!!!!! So the old hardware cashier checked me out, and with a 4 ft x 10 ft roll of insulation in hand I head back to the RV to work my magic on the dashboard cover. Later, Doug, Trudy, Dale the Dog

Just 14 days left... whoopee!!! This past week has been fairly busy, remember in our previous entry I mentioned my rotary club was hosting a GSE Sweden Team from May 8 until May 13.... wellll, we did that.... hence, getting ready for the trip was on the back burner.... it was a great week and the Sweden Team was taken to the airport this past Wednesday morning. Sooooooo, back to getting ready for the Trip.... on Thursday the RV was taken in to the local RV shop as planned to install a replacement bedroom slide topper.... and, one of the AC units motor had locked up, along with the plastic squirrel cage was shattered... so the AC motor was also installed along with a "metal" squirrel cage. I did discover that the squirrel cage was the first one of that design ever supplied by the distributor. I'm glad I ordered an extra squirrel cage in case the second AC unit plastic cage comes apart. OK, so the last minute large repairs are done... that was yesterday, May 14. Over several days, May 15-16-17, we have the RV parked at a local campground for testing of all functions and features.... as of tonight everything is working! Yahoo!!!!!! Even the 2 TVs.... and the ice maker is turned on... it would be nice (not critical) to have ice in the morning. Tomorrow, Saturday, I plan to pickup a water filter, and take care of small nit-pick little things. We have not yet made campground reservations for the trip back, which is down the East Coast and then I10 back to Palm Springs. Tomorrow we'll start that process... allowing for 2 days in New Orleans and 2 days in the Dallas/Austin/Houston area. For the trip back we'll be towing a car on a car dolly... so we'll need campgrounds with pull-thrus. Any ideas or suggestions regarding campgrounds are welcome. Signing off, Trudy and Doug, Dale the dog

We will be leaving from Washington, D.C., and heading down the East Coast, using I-95 to I-64, at Norfolk, Va., we pick up U.S. 13, then U.S. 17 Jacksonville, N.C., then U.S. 17 to Charleston S.C., then U.S. 17 to Savannah Ga., then I-95 to Lake City Fla., then I-75 to Tallahassee, FLa. Any thoughts regarding RV campgrounds would be gladly appreciated. Thanks. DougC

Thanks Jack for the information. I just received a Michelin RV Tire manual... they state changing tires at least every ten years... sooner with cracks, etc. Doug

Today was a better "get the RV ready" day. This morning I checked in with the RV store that is servicing our RV ... they said they didn't have my cell number, so they couldn't call and tell me the AC motor and squirrel cage came in and also the replacement fabric for the bedroom slider. I kept my thoughts to myself about them not having my telephone number .... With the parts in, I now have an appointment set for next Thursday to install the replacement parts. Next, as I mentioned in an earlier blog, we'll be renting a Uhaul car dolly in Washington D.C., to bring back a Honda Accord. I wanted to make sure the RV towing hitch and wiring worked now so we wouldn't have surprises back in Washington, D.C., when we pick up the auto dolly. So this morning I took the RV to the local Uhaul Center and had them test the built-in wiring and tow hitch ... and everything worked! Yaaa! All in all, a good RV day. I didn't mentioned before that I'm a Rotary International member and I belong to the Palm Springs Sunup Rotary Club. For the next five days I'll be coordinating the activities of a Group Study Exchange (GSE) Team from Sweden. So my getting the RV ready will be somewhat on the back burner ... and that is all part of our trip master planning process. Replacement tires are still a concern ... in the morning I'll check in with the tire dealer ... and the end of another day.... Doug and Trudy.

Thanks for the information. DougC

Howdy Ya All, I've been lazy with the blog.... but moving right along.... in 23 days we leave, that's May 30, in the morning... the master trip planner (me), kinda like a load-master in the Air Force, has got more lists started than one person can keep up with, most are not up to date... but, lists are a bit like a security banket... a list and a cold beer, a great way to relax Three of us are going on the month long, 7,000 mile trip... my significant other (Big Boss), Dale the dog (Little Boss) and me (labor.) I think I deleted a blog entry... it had the trip itinerary.... here it is again, May 30, leave Cathedral City, CA stay in Campe Verde, AZ, 341 miles, stay at Distant Drums RV Resort. May 31, June 1, drive to Taos, NM for two days, 505 miles, stay at Taos RV CG. June 2, drive to Amarillo, TX, one night, 314 miles, stay at Oasis RV Park. June 3, next to Oklahoma City, OK, one night, 256 miles, stay at Oklahoma City East KOA. June 4, next to Branson, MO, one night, 323 miles, stay at American Best CG, June 5, 6, next to Nashville, TN, 455 miles, stay at Two Rivers CG. June 7, next to Hillsville, VA, one night, 390 miles, stay at Lake Ridge RV Resort. June 8, next to College Park, MD, 326 miles, stay at Cherry Hill CG, for 10 days. So that trip plan gets us to Washington DC. Some other things on my to do list, - I've been attempting to buy 2 RV tires for 3 weeks, and they are still on back order.... - one of the AC unit's motor failed, it has been on back order for 2 weeks... - the bedroom slide topper is ripped... and guess what... it's on back order .... I was told by the local RV service folks, also by Newmar Corporation, that a distribution plant burned down in Mexico.... I find it hard to accept there is only one distribution plant that produces all RV parts... Today I had a doctor appointment, the Doc suggested we take along our recent medical history... which he provided. We also joined Coach-Net Road Service... so now we have three roadside services, the RV insurance company, the extended maintenance company, and now Coach-Net. I did call the Medex Service that is provided with the FMCA benefits and they were helpful in explaining the services they prov One of the benefits the Boss likes, is if I get sick and can't drive, Medex will get the RV back to our home in California. That's it for tonight... Doug and Trudy

Thanks for the suggestion... DougC

Thank you for the information, it is helpful. DougC

April 28, "T" stands for the "Trip"... One of the items that is part of the across the county round trip is that we are picking up a car, a 2002 Honda Accord, in Washington DC and bringing it back to California. It may turn out to be a toad, not sure yet. I spent several hours this morning researching tow systems versus shipping the car back by a private carrier versus renting a auto tow dolly. You would think we were launching a space shuttle with the amount of information I gathered today. The conclusion is to rent a auto car dolly for $440 dollars, the rental place gives us 11 days travel time. To add a permanent tow system took to much time and several thousand dollars, and the auto shipping cost was about $800. Plus, we want the use of a car on the return trip. I was back at the RV today checking lights and found a license plate bulb burned out. I know, its a very small item, but I'm a bit quirky about all the RV stuff working. It's about 8 pm now, the rest of the evening I'm researching RV campgrounds for the trip coming down from Washington DC to Jacksonville Fl.

We continue to plan and currently the first phase of the planned trip from Cathedral City CA to Washington DC is the following: Day 1, May 30 - The general route is starting with I10 from Palm Springs CA to just outside Phoenix, then I17 to Distant Drum RV RSRT at Camp Verde AZ. Day 2 & 3, May 31-June 1 - on day 2 we continue on I17 to I40 and turn East to I25, turn North at Albuquerque NM and drive to Taos RV CG in Taos NM. The idea is to spend two days in the Taos NM and Sante Fe NM areas as tourist. I'm not quite sure what the attractions are in Taos and Santa Fe... but we'll find out Day 4, June 2 - we leave Taos NM, come back south on I25, then turn Eeast on I40 to Oasis RV Resort in Amarillo TX. Day 5, June 3 - we continue on I40 to Oklahoma City KOA EAST in Oklahoma City OK. Day 6, June 4 - we continue on I40 to state road 7, which is just past Clarksville AK, and then we head North to Branson MO. for the night and a show. Day 7 & 8, June 5-6 - on day 8 leave Branson MO, and pick up federal highway 65 south to I40, turn East and head for Nashville TN. That is a 500 mile drive for the day. We stay on I40 to Two Rivers CG in Nashville TN for two days. Day 8, June 7 - we leave Nashville TN and stay on I40 to Knoxville Tn, then we pick up I81 going North, spending the night at Lake Ridge RV RSRT in Hillsville, VA. Day 9, June 8 - leave Hillsville, VA continue on I81 to I66 at Front Royal VA, completing the trip at Cherry Hill RV Park in College Park MD. As of today that is the plan!