July 19, 2013 - "Friends and Repairs"

Each year as CC and I begin our travel season, we decide on a theme. Last year it was “National Parks in the West”, and the year before it was “Coastal - Across the Gulf and up the Atlantic”. This year CC chose “Family and Friends” as our focus, and since our last posting, we have been busy doing just that.

While we stayed at Whispering Hills RV Park outside of Georgetown, KY, we got to know the park owners, Pat and Monica. They are good, hardworking people, and their personalities closely matched ours, so friendship was inevitable. They joined us for a few “Happy Hours” with water bottle in hand; understandably no adult beverages for them while on duty. We finally managed a dinner together off site, and had a wonderful time and got to know them better. If you’re ever in the Lexington area, we highly recommend their campground.

Wow, the fourth of July is already upon us; what happened to June? A longtime friend is on assignment working in West Virginia, and living in Pittsburg, PA. We made plans with him and his wife to meet for the holiday. Zanesville, OH was not our first choice, but since we were late in making plans, the Greenbriar Resort in WV was already booked. Oh well, we are more interested in getting together than we are about WHERE it is. We stayed at a cute little place, Wolfie’s Campground, while our friends took up residency at a nearby hotel. We had a great time with Terry and Janice, and thoroughly enjoyed the time we spent with them.

While in Zanesville, we made plans to get together with our “Winter Texan” friends from Ranchero Village, Gary and Becky, who have lived in the area all of their lives. We had lunch at a little lakeside biker bar and then they turned their attention on playing tour guide to a couple of freeloaders. Thanks, Gary and Becky; we had a great time. See ya in Weslaco!

Now where to? CC and I really have no firm travel plans this year. So, we got on Google Maps and go through our Family and Friends list, and decide to head west. The morning we left Zanesville, the front leveling jacks on the rig were not completely retracting. They were up enough to drive, but not up enough to inflate the front air bags on the chassis, which would make driving nearly impossible; definitely NOT recommended. I crawled underneath to see if I could identify any problems, cleaned the ram shafts completely with WD-40 and wiped them almost dry, leaving a fine film on each ram, thinking this would solve the problem…..It didn’t.  Finally with a little coaxing from a make-shift pry bar, I was able to get them up and silence the “jacks down” ringing bell, which sends a signal to the front air bags to inflate.

We stopped in Richmond, IN at Grandpa’s Farm Campground the first night in route to see our friends in Troy, MO, Carl and Carla, also “Winter Texans”. The following morning, same scenario with the front jacks. Living this lifestyle, we live by the mantra, “Our plans are written in the sand”. New destination HWHCorporation in Moscow, IA via Troy, MO. HWH manufactured the leveling jacks and slides for our motor home, and going directly to the factory will ensure they are repaired correctly the first time.

After another travel day we pulled into Camp Lakewood RV Park in Effingham, IN. As we move westward, the temps are definitely increasing. After we got set up, I asked CC if she wanted to go to the pool and cool off, she replied, “They have no pool; only a lake”. OK…….turn down the AC. As we prepared to depart the following morning, our jacks showed no improvement and needed “coaxing” again.

We arrived in Troy, and after some severe “jockeying”, managed to get set up at Carl’s shop; as some would refer to as his “man cave”. Our visit was short, but enjoyable, as Carl and Carla were busy shuffling grandkids from Iowa to Missouri to Kentucky and back again. CC and I both agreed with their style of grand parenting, spoil ‘em rotten, and then give ‘em back to their parents. LOL After all, isn’t that what grandparents are for? We had a great visit, and enjoyed some great food, libations and laughter; did I mention laughter? See you two in Texas, if not before.

Working with HWH in Moscow, IA, is great; they are a pleasure to do business with, and really take customer service to the next level. Too bad the majority of RV Dealers don’t follow suit, for if they did, this lifestyle would be enjoyable 100% of the time. Dealers just want to sell you something, get your money, and then say, “The hell with ya!” We called HWH on a Thursday, and set an appointment for the following Monday. We arrived about 10:30 am, and were told by the service technician that the seals were bad in both front jacks. The cost to re-build would be $311.50 each plus one hour of labor. HWH called our extended warranty provider, and they agreed to cover the cost, less our $100 deductible.

Since we are traveling on I-80, and we have a couple of issues that need to be addressed on the rig, we decided to call Leach Camper Sales of Lincoln, NE, right off I-80. By contrast with the great customer service we received at HWH, we have an appointment with Leach, from whom we purchased this rig, along with their $7,000+ “Priority Service” Extended Warranty, and were first told the earliest they could get us in would be August 6. That’s three WEEKS! Sure didn’t take ‘em that long to take our money in August 2011. “Priority Service”….my ass. They finally shuffled some things around, and said “How about July 30. Will that work?” To which I replied, “Not really, but you’ve got me by the family jewels, so you’re the one calling the shots. What about that VIP Priority Service you promised?” Long pause, and finally they responded, “Well that’s the best we can do.”

CC found a highly rated RV Park just west of Des Moines in Waukee, IA. We checked in for a week at the Timberline Campground, and after set up decided to go for a swim; finally a pool and none too soon, as the heat index is approaching the century mark.

Tonight, we have plans for pizza with Winter Texan neighbors, Dick and Judy, who spend their summers nearby. Tomorrow, more frivolity with another set of Texas neighbors, Walt and Wendy, who still maintain a Spring-Summer-Fall home about 20 miles south of the campground.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by. Until next time, take care and stay well…………….

September 8 - 30, 2010 - "Home Improvement"

Wow.............Three weeks since last blog. We have obviously been very busy.

Jefferson City to Carthage, MO – We departed Jeff City in route to Carthage where we would be staying a couple of days for a little R&R. Not much in Carthage you say? Eau contraire………………

Carthage – We took the time to visit 2 museums, the Powers and the Civil War Museum. And yes, there actually was “The Battle of Carthage” during the war. Not much of a battle, more like a Mexican standoff, but the locals remember it differently. Onward to my personal favorite (???), Precious Moments Museum and Chapel (and gift shop); don’t think for a “moment” that CC would be denied her inalienable right. For collectors of these ”objects”, I’m sure they could spend all day here, gazing at these dust collecting chotskies. I can only say I was impressed by the vast number of creations AND the amazing story behind the figurines; unfortunately, CC and I can relate to the inspiration. www.preciousmoments.com/

Carthage to OKC – Tulsa side trip – We departed Carthage in route to OKC. By the time we hit Tulsa, it was lunch time. CC was piloting and I was navigating. With the help from Nuvi, she spotted a Cracker Barrel, which is one of our favs, not only because the food is good, but they cater to the RVer’s by providing RV parking. What started out as a great idea turned into a nightmare. We couldn’t turn into Cracker Barrel in the direction we were heading. Now if you’re in an automobile, a u-turn is no bigee, but in a 40 foot motor home, a u-turn just ain’t gonna happen. So………..we decided to look for someplace else to dine. But, the City of Tulsa had other plans. It seems EVERY on ramp to I-44 Southbound was closed for construction. We zig-zagged our way around Tulsa for over an hour, and FINALLY managed to get on I-44S off Lewis, right before the Arkansas River. Lunch consisted of a ham sandwich prepared by CC in a shopping center parking lot. It wasn’t gourmet, but what the hell, we were both hungry and a little stressed from the ordeal.

Twin Fountains Oklahoma City – We stayed here in July; week by week. This time we booked a month at a savings of $12 per day. This is a very nice park especially at the monthly rate. No stay here would be complete without a trip to Remington Downs to watch the ponies run.

Mom’s House – We spent 4 weeks here in July and completed many projects, but the weather was so miserable (HOT & HUMID & HOT Triple digits) we decided to head North while the painting was being done. So, with the  painting completed when we arrived, all that was left to do was just a few finishing touches:

1) Install 2 squirrel cage fans in crawl space to dry and allow access if necessary

2) Adjust and lubricate garage doors for proper operation

3) Weather-strip garage doors

4) Hang and adjust mini-blinds on 10 windows & adjust accordingly with Dremel

5) Orange Glo stained wood trim/baseboards/doors and clean outlets in whole house

6) Hang vertical Levelors in den

7) Caulk rear patio cracks

8) Paint thresholds on front and rear doors

9) Clean both bathrooms (CC scrubbed floor grout with toothbrush)

10) Caulk bathrooms were necessary

11) Clean 40 years of crap from workbench

12) Hang two garage mini-blinds

13) Monster vac all air ducts (They were REALLY bad)

14) Install new floor registers as the old ones were rusted

15) Replace one 75 watt light with 2 light fixtures in garage; 96” x 2 - 40 watt fluorescent lamps

16) Fabricate and paint new cover for crawl space and bolt securely

17) Install and caulk clothes dryer vent in kitchen

18) Mow complete 5 acres

19) Haul brush piles from 2008 ice storm to main brush pile by the barn

20) Adjust tension on outside clothes line so lines were tight

21) Remove, clean and lubricate all windows, including storm windows for smooth operation

22) Replace old passage door destroyed by cat with new door from garage to kitchen

23) Replace damaged bedroom door with new

24) Paint new passage door and trim

25) Stain and finish new bedroom door

26) Replace broken garage window

27) Shampoo carpets

28) Install new light fixtures in entry, hall and 3 bedrooms

29) Met with Realtor to list house http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/400-Edgewood-Drive_Choctaw_OK_73020_M74195-69976?source=web

30) That’s all folks!

Now that we have the heavy lifting behind us, we can get on with living our dream. We can take some time to reacquaint with family and friends in the area. Although, one day as we were slaving away at Mom’s, the neighbors, Bob and Judy, came and kidnapped us and took us to the Oklahoma State Fair. CC and I haven’t been to ANY State Fair in 7 or 8 years, so it was time that we experience the same old thing again. State Fairs don’t change, they just get more expensive. $3 for a corn dog and $6 for a beer. At least the admission was free, as we were all able to get in as it was “Geezers Day”; anyone over 55 got in free. This was one time I appreciated looking older than my actual age ;-) They had me at free.

We were also invited to John and Vicki’s for a wonderful dinner and fine conversation. For those not familiar with John, he is our “adopted” son from the Bronx, which we met while attending OSU; Long funny story for a future blog. How about those Cowboys? Pulled it off in the final 2 seconds against Texas A&M last night. The damned OSU defensive coordinator should be castrated for his decision to play soft zone at the start of the fourth quarter with OSU up by 14. That idiotic move almost cost them the game.

Rick, another friend from OSU called and wanted us to dine with him and his special friend, Jennifer, at the one and only, Eischen’s Bar in Okarche, OK. You may have seen this culinary establishment on the popular TV show, “Diner’s, Drive In’s and Dives”. There is only 5 items on the menu, with fried chicken being their signature dish, and it did not disappoint. Simply delicious. At Eischen’s, you cannot order a piece or two; the only way they sell it is by the whole chicken. We ordered 2 and “somoker”. (For those of you not versed in Okie lingo, that translates as “some okra”.) We consumed all of the fried okra and only had 3 pieces of chicken left. Yes, it was gooooooood!

A special thanks to all that have helped us in preparing Mom’s house to be sold. In July, both CC and I were somewhat overwhelmed at all that needed to be done, but, as the old saying goes, “Inch by inch, anything’s a cinch”. Until next time, take care..................

August 30 - September 7, 2010 - "7 Second Rule"

Numerous “lurkers” have expressed a desire to learn more about The 7 Second Rule. It’s pretty simple. I wake up in the morning and if it takes me longer than 7 seconds to dress, the temperature is too cold, so a move to someplace warmer is in order. That’s it!

Also, you can click on any of the pictures to enlarge them.

OK, now, on to what we’ve been doing. Not much, really.

We departed Ogallala, NE in route to Omaha. No trip across I-80 would be complete without a stop at Cabela’s in Kearney. We had narrowed or search on a new gas grill and it was purchased at Cabela’s for $99. Comparable stainless steel grills at Camping World sell for $259.

We overnighted at the very crowded Buffalo County Fairgrounds in Kearney, NE; definitely did not have the “it” factor, but for $10 and 50 amp hook ups, what can you expect? After all, we are on a fixed income, and must watch every penny we spend. http://www.buffalocountyfairgrounds.com/

The next morning it was on to Papillion, NE where we stayed at Walnut Creek for 2 days, in close proximity to CC’s friend, Dixie, who lives in a town nearby. http://www.papillion.org/public_works_walnut_creek.cfm

Dixie and her husband Ken invited us over to put on the feed bag. Fresh out of the garden jalapeno peppers were stuffed and grilled. Ken marinated, slathered, dry rubbed, kissed, fondled, baked, grilled and otherwise coaxed the 9 racks of baby back ribs to a mouth watering, fall off the bones tenderness that melted in your mouth like “butta”. And yes, there were leftovers. Surely you didn’t think we could devour 9 racks, did you?

CC and Dixie worked together a few (?) years ago and became best friends. When these two get together, you would never know they were separated by so much geographical distance. We both had a wonderful visit and a fantastic meal (with a few adult beverages).

We departed Walnut Creek, just west of Omaha, in route to visit CC’s cousin, Joy, who lives just down the road in the Kansas City, MO area. No visit to Joy’s is complete without a meal from Dominic’s. Again, a “one of a kind” combination Italian carry out restaurant and car wash. http://thebetterwash.com/ Great food, a nice bottle of Vino, and interesting conversation made for a delightful evening, before returning to the rig tied up at Miller’s Kampark for two nights.

http://www.millerskampark.com/

The next evening, Joy treated us, along with her friend Brit, to a fantastic home cooked dinner, another great bottle of Vino, and one or two other adult beverages. While dining, one of her two girls decided to try and make a break from the constraints placed upon her, by digging out of the compound. But Joy, ever the diligent “Warden”, apprehended her before she managed to escape. Poor Kaylee…………..

 

The week long journey continued eastward to Jefferson City, MO for Fester’s family reunion. Saturday evening, my cousin Kay and her husband Darrell, hosted a “cousin’s reunion” at their house with an ol’ fashioned backyard cookout, complete with burgers, brats, numerous side dishes, and the best damn sauerkraut salad I have ever tasted. Oh, did I fail to mention the adult beverages? Yea, we had those as well.

The reunion was Sunday, right after church. A gathering of 100-125 was expected, and I would estimate by the amount of food present, everyone was expecting at least 400 attendees. It has been about 20 years since I have attended a family reunion, not because I didn’t want to, but merely the shear driving distance involved, 1500 miles roundtrip, that restricted CC and I from attending. But now that we’re retired, no problemo! I followed the advice of one of my cousin’s-in-law, that it’s not so easy to remember the names of relatives you only see once every few years, but you just remember their face. OK then, I’m down with that. Of course, nametags supplied by the producers of the event aided me in my face recognition.

Photos of the event were numerous, but most cannot be “published”. CC and I are aware that more than one parole officer follows our blog, AND, as they say, blood is thicker than water, and I would not want to be the one responsible for sending one of my relatives back to the “Big House”. (Just kidding)

On Monday evening, cousin's Tom and Judi held a pizza party at their home. While the guys watched Monday Night Football in the basement, the girls were upstairs doing what they do best. Pizza, beer and football; it just doesn’t get any better.

The family reunion was vastly overshadowed by an award presented by Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, on behalf of the French Government, to my Uncle Gilbert. (My Mom’s brother) CC and I gladly accepted an invitation to attend the ceremony held in the Governor’s Office. I am still in shock that the French would award any American for anything, but more overwhelmed by this award. Although not exclusively awarded for military service, the Legion of Honor is France's highest award and was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802. Please take the time to click on the hyper-link and watch the video or read a “professional” writers account of the event.
http://www.connectmidmissouri.com/news/story.aspx?id=508075

While CC and I were at the State Capitol, we decided to take the tour. It only lasted an hour, but well worth every minute. The building is built mostly from Missouri limestone from the Carthage mine, and was constructed from such, due to the fact that two previous Capitols, built from wood, caught fire, and burned to the ground. The interior, and it’s artwork will marvel even those not as well versed in art as CC and I ;) The House Lounge was originally built with white walls, but in the 1930’s, the people of Missouri, commissioned local artist Thomas Hart Benton, to “muralize” the room; controversial then, as well as now.

While touring the outside of the State Capitol we came across another tidbit of the state’s history. I’m sure, there are some that disagree with allowing such a monument on public property, but I applaud the people of Missouri for their strong will and moral values.

And lastly, as our week comes to a close, we discovered the Lewis & Clark Monument.

It has been a very full week. We thoroughly enjoyed every minute with family and friends, and a little discovery on the side. Take care, and next, we’re moving to Oklahoma City. See ya there……………..