Maintenance Time

With the nice weather, I decided to start thinking about....no, doing something about travel prep.  Ideally I would have done this stuff in November, after first arriving at the winter haven after traveling the summer.  But this past autumn was our 'move in' month and there was so much NON-RV stuff to do, the poor Gray Whale (the big monster above) had to suffer through being 'beached' in the yard. 

So now, with fresh inspections and maintenance done on the mechanical side, the 'vehicle' is road ready.  I ended up at the Ford dealer for this adventure.  3.5 hours and $200 later, all mechanical service is done, including the generator.   I learned a lot too, while shadowing the technician.  There are still two unresolved issues though.  One is an air suspension system malfunction; not a Ford installed item and they would not work on it.  The dash switch to put air in the 'bags' does not seem to be activating the air pump.  So, while there is enough air in the system for now, I need to get that looked at.  The other is awing repair.  The vinyl fabric got weakened via UV radiation and the fabric started to leak.  Once the water got in, the material separated on the upper third of the awning.  So, while I am at it, might as well replace the two room slide covers even though they look OK for now.  It would stress me out to be half way through summer and have the slide out covers come undone. All three will be done in a few weeks after a trip to Tampa.  The work will be done at the RV Medic facility, $900 +/- for all three fabrics, installed.  While there, I hope the air ride can be resolved too! 

Gotta have a budget for this stuff.

So in about 9 weeks we hope to be on the road. 

Safe travels to you and yours.....Mike. 

Tarpon Springs Florida - Day Trip

Wow, the blog has been quiet for a while.  Jan has been working at her seasonal nursing job.  While she is working I have continued to do projects around the winter home.  On her days off we try to do some relaxing or adventure things.  I have been able to read a few good books and check out a few good movies.  We have been on walks about the neighborhood and a few drives into the countryside.  I have done some car maintenance and visited some family a few hours away in Sebastian FL.  Weather in Florida this year has been 'out of the norm', as has much of the country.  December was colder then normal, lows 35 +/- and highs 60 +/-, about 10 - 15 degrees below average. NO SNOW, but we still hibernated a lot!   January was wetter than normal, but temps were more normal and we had mostly nice days.  February has been warmer and dryer than normal, and QUITE NICE!  Temps have been lows of 60 +/- and highs of 78 +/-; no heat running, windows open all the time.  Really, really nice.

We did get some gardening done.  I also have some RV maintenance items on the list of 'to do'.  MAY will be departure month.

We did have one particularly nice day trip to Tarpon Springs, Florida.  You can find photos here of our little adventure, password is shadow.  Tarpon Springs was settled in the late 1800's and had only a few hundred residents.

 One of the photos is a museum home and the architecture is typical of earlier Florida style homes.  Soon after, many Greek immigrants settled the area and began sponge diving, putting Tarpon Springs more firmly on the map.

There is a strong Greek history and presence still in the area.  The sponge docks area is a very interesting stop, as are the old town, the old parks and the Howard Park Beach.

 We will be going back to see that museum, a classic car museum and ride the sight seeing boat of the area.  If you are ever in the Tampa area, this is a worthwhile visit.  We had a very enjoyable day and a beautiful sunset too.

So far, our move to and life in Florida has been everything we had hoped it would be.  We are looking forward to Jan's seasonal job coming to an end and a new 6 month adventure on the road.  We have plans to be on the southeast coast in May, Virginia in June, in the mountains somewhere during the summer, and work out way to Texas in the late summer.  We will be back in Florida by November 1.

Semi Hibernation

Our first winter in Florida has been relaxing, to the extent we have wanted it to be.  Jan has started working a seasonal nursing job, and when she is off she still likes to be busy with projects around the house.  I have been mixing a steady stream of projects with other hobbies and interests.  Nice weather days are the busiest.  We are either doing projects or visiting the local interests. Even after a particularly busy day, I had the time to visit the waterfront at sunset.  We have a 'local' beach at Pine Island in Hernando County.  I went there to enjoy the evening; Jan and I have visited together on other days.  Here are some photos, password is shadow.

We also have been blessed to find a local church that we have become active in.   The people in Spring Hill are so nice.  Living here is like living in a more rural area; lighter traffic, nice people, quiet living.  But we are close to every convenience and about an hour from downtown Tampa. 

One big reason we are in Florida is to have a milder winter.  It has worked out so far.  When we watch the weather occurring across the country, WOW!  Of course, this has been a colder than average winter in Florida too.  On cold weather days I hibernate!!!  The local cable company has good service and allow us to cancel service during the months we are gone.  Having a DVR is nice; we get to record the shows we like, then watch them when 'hibernating'.  December was the coldest on record for the area, but we did not have any snow!  Typically, we are 70 days / 50 nights.  It was 10-15 degrees colder than that in December.  January and February have been cool too, but more typical.  We will have 3-6 days of 60's, then several days in the 70's.  Some days have been cloudy and we have had a few fronts stall out with some rain.  But most days are sunshine and by mid day are pleasant to be out and about.  Last week was really nice, and next week will be also .

Another reason we wanted to be in Florida is to have a place to park the RV.  We considered living in it full time, but Jan wanted a house with a foundation.  So here, we don't have to worry about freezing too much and we have a little more space and convenience.  We will be hitting the road in the RV in May for 6 months of adventure.  So over the next 10 weeks we will wrap up most of our projects at the house, enjoy some gardening beginning in March, get some RV projects done then too.  Then it will be on to visit family and enjoy a cooler summer outside of Florida.  We hope to be in the mountains or point north.  In the fall we hope to be in Texas and then by November back 'home'.   Perhaps next year I will have time to plug into a place of employment for the fun of it; too many projects this winter.

Gasparilla Week - Tampa 2011

Gasparilla Week - Tampa, Florida 2011

In my old neighborhood these events had names like 'Hampton Bay Days' or 'Norfolk Harborfest'. 

Gasparilla Pirate Festival is a celebration of the history of Tampa Bay that relates to pirate lore.  If you happen to be in Tampa Florida during the last week of January, it is worth visiting.  The party lasts a week.  The first weekend is for the children.  Why?  I guess it is due to the party animal adults of weekend 2.  For several years this party got WAY crazy (according to the locals - this was my first visit).  When you mix young adults with boats, parties and unlimited alcohol, I can see why.  There has been more organization and controls in place the last two years.  I was there all day on Saturday and did not see any real problems, except the trash left behind.  Photos of my visit, password is shadow.

Bayshore Blvd of Tampa FL is supposedly the longest paved sidewalk in the USA.  It is a 4 mile plus paved roadway and sidewalk of the beautiful Tampa Bay and bay front homes.  If you happen to be in Tampa FL any time of year, this is a beautiful place to visit.  For this celebration, the roadway is fenced off and it turns into a parade route and party.  BYOB into the fence line and have have at it.  As the parade passes, beads and other pirate treasure is thrown to the crowd, much like New Orleans and Mardi Gras.  The event kicks off with a HUGE flotilla of boats into Tampa Bay, lead by and inspired by a Tall Ship Battle with canons and smoke.  The pirates dock in Tampa and then are commuted to the parade route.  Many visitors dress in pirate garb and turn this into a nice family event.  Many parties are hosted at beautiful mansions along the bay.  The water way is FILLED with boats and the coast guard and police truly get to have some fun.  Speaking of police, I have never seen so many in one place.  Cars, motorbikes, bikes, horses, boats, helicopters.  Unfortunately, two officers were killed and one wounded in a gun battle during an arrest just the week prior here in Tampa.  Fortunately, arrests were down at this years event and as I said, I saw no problems except a very few who drank too much; it probably got worse after dark.

2011 Tampa RV Show

Last week was the annual RV show at the Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa.  The weather has been so nice I have not spent too much time on the computer lately, so this post is a little behind the event. 

This is the largest RV show I have been to.  I did not even see 2/3 of the event.  I went to the indoor displays only, and did not have time to enjoy the HUGE outdoor area of RV's.  My ticket was for 2 days, and if I had gone to both days I could have seen it all.  The main entry from the gate takes you immediately into the largest building and the Class A displays.  WOW!  Major brands, high end, nice.  Most were closed except for showing by appointment.  Some were open for touring.  For PHOTOS click here, password is shadow.   Unfortunately, my camera battery died and my images are limited.  There was every kind of RV, nicely grouped by type.  And there was a large vendor area with a packed crowd.  Food was outside, the weather was great, the event had a tram for on site travel.  There was varying entertainment about the property, and you could certainly have NO trouble wearing yourself out in 2 days.  Plenty to do and see.  Lots of RV units were being sold, and the vendors were having a good time too.  It seemed there were a lot of RV Resort booths, and they seems to have less activity.

As a result of this show, my wife tells me that our NEXT RV will be a 5th wheel.  Why?  I think it is because the living area of the higher end 5th wheel is so home like.  New retail for a proper tow vehicle and 5th wheel seemed to be about $200,000.  A Class A in that price range is nice, but the floor plans are a key difference.  Of course, I do not think she gave consideration to 'getting around' once at the destination.  Hence, our decision to be in a Class A now; we can pull a sight seeing vehicle.   

Well, we are still holding up at the winter haven for now.  The weather has been great this week, and that is why we are here; travel is months away.  My wife just started her seasonal RN job, and 16 weeks from now (May) will will hit the road for 6 months.  I will be puttering around doing house and RV projects in the meantime.  A new awning fabric for the RV is in order.  I made contact with a vendor at the show.  He quoted me $700 installed for a replacement fabric (not vinyl) including a metal cover.  Sounded like a good price and some other show attendees standing nearby have the fabric and like it. 

Well, I hope your winter is going well.  Be safe.

Faux Lightning

Earlier I had commented on an RV incident that we are still recovering from.  When you ZAP the electrical system with 240 Volts, double what is intended, it kind of seems like lightning!

I have had an electrician doing some work around the house.  He had finished one of the projects, a new 30 Amp connection to the house circuit so I could run the RV kind of like a cottage for guests.  Well, this fellow is hard working, honest and does good work.  One problem, he put a wire in the wrong place.  I went into the RV after plugging in.  The microwave was lit, but no lights.  As soon as I hit the light switch, POW, the microwave blew.  I also had smoke coming out of the area of the circuit breakers.  As I sat there monitoring for any fire or other issues, I thought...this could get expensive.  A/C, Frig, heater, new TVs, etc.   He was thinking 240v during the install, but as soon as he got my email - UT OH.

He and I both lost some sleep over this.  It happened right before Christmas, and due to the holidays, we waited until this last week to work on the RV.  I did chat with a third party on the Escapees forum for an independent view.  His conclusion was the same as ours.  Fix any obvious damage, apply power and see what still works.

Fortunately, everything works!  Well, except the microwave and the converter.  A 40 amp re-settable fuse protected the 12 v system.  The converter is what burned and caused the smoke.  No wiring damage to be found.  All other appliances and outlets OK.  I still have not received the new converter.  As soon at that is in and installed, along with the microwave, we will finish checking it out...generator, slide action, etc.  But I really think we dodged a bullet.  A $250 parts list after this incident is not bad.

Needless to say, I need to get a 30 Amp EMS Protection Unit.

Until next time....be safe.

Happy New Year !

From Clearwater Beach Florida :)

It was a BEAUTIFUL day to be on the beach for New Year.  Jan and I want on a driving tour from Clearwater Beach to Fort DeSoto and Back.  These are the kind of days that make us happy to be in Florida during the winter.  Here are some photos from New Year Day.  (password - shadow)

We have been busy during the holidays.  We have traveled a bit, and also been doing home improvement projects.  I also had an RV incident that took up some time; it is still not 100% repaired - more on that later.

To be honest, I have not made time to be blogging.  Shame on me!

We are planning on attending the Tampa RV Show next week.  I will discuss the sites and place some photos here after our visit to the event.

Until next time, be safe.