Maintenance - Expect It

 Let's see...a house that rolls (and bumps) down the road on a truck.  What a complex set up!  And when that house on truck encounters some of the roads that our fine DOT staff provide, well, you better have a budget.  In an earlier post I mentioned we had had a tire failure.  Fortunately, it was an inside rear tire, and we were able to get to safety.  If it had been a FRONT tire, well, we would have been stranded on the side of I-95.  I went to have the spare tire replaced, and decided that as a matter of safety, it would be good to consider potential circumstances and best options.  The tire staff said the tire failure was typical of the Goodyear tires they used to sell...they called it a zipper tear in the sidewall.  They agreed with EVERY tire person I have talked to.  New tires fail, old tires fail.  Age is one factor.  Overall condition, pressure, temperature, workmanship on construction all contribute to tire life.  There was no need to arbitrarily replace all the tires; the one that failed was in good shape otherwise.  However, in light of overall potential outcomes, I felt it would be better to have 2 NEW tires on the front. 

 So, $600 later I had two new Sumitomo tires on the front of the RV.  The local shop has been using them for 7 years, including Emergency Vehicles with excellent results.  They will be hitting the road with us in 10 days or so. 

We also developed a bad squeal in the bath fan motor; lubrication worked for 24 hours but no more.  I took it completely apart and put the motor in my pocket.  I went to one RV Dealer, no luck.  I went to Radio Shack and a Hobby shop, no luck.  I went to another larger RV Dealer and bingo....the exact motor and other related parts for this type of fan.  It was a relatively easy swap, about $35. 

While I was there, I spotted another extra I wanted.  As tall as I am, it is east to want to grab the closing door at the screen - but there is no handle!  At least there wasn't.  I bought this screen door bar.  Reasonably priced, easy to install, and now when I GRAB, I actually have something to hold onto that won't hurt the screen door.  About $15.

Abstract Observations

 I like dogs.  I prefer smaller dogs that have some intelligence, a trainable temperament and are affectionate and playful.  I have met many other types of dogs that I really enjoy.  A friend of mine has a Boxer; nice dog.  An RV dog?  Not in my mind, confirmed when out on a walk.  I am strutting along, minding my own business but observing all the fine RV's and set up along the way.  In the windshield of a Class A, sitting on the dash, is this Boxer.  Big dog, 80 pounds of muscle.  I look at him, he looks at me and he decides he wants me.  UT OH.  This dog is on it's hind legs trying to take out the windshield.  Slobber and claws everywhere.  The dashboard is this dogs 'run'.  Wow, I hope there RV is OK!  I actually had to stay away from that RV until they left.  I could be 40' away and stop just to look; he see's me and 'on guard!'.  Fortunately, they were in the campground only for the weekend.  Messed up my walking routine - had to detour every time.  My wife thought it was funny too.  It is interesting to see all the different pets in and around RV's. 

Sometimes when you are sight seeing you see things that are unexpected.  This car pulls up next to me - what is THAT?!  It is all frame, looks home made.  Rear engine, center cockpit, guy in a helmet.  Huh??  I thought, maybe this car is the automotive training vehicle from the local vocational school.  I really don't know.  But sure was different! No room for a date, groceries, pet, nothin'!  My scooter is more functional.

Trip Planning

The first leg of this year's journey is specific in nature; hang out in Williamsburg VA to visit with family and attend my daughters graduation.  Shown above is where we have traveled so far, from Florida to Virginia.  Thereafter, it is exploration of the unknown.  We did sit down and discuss our potential travel plan, MAPPED HERE.  We have a fairly small budget for this adventure.  Having given some consideration to our goals to visit family combined with seeing new sights, we weighed several options for achieving economy in our travel.  Our main campground option option will be Thousand Trails.  We bought a membership at the Tampa RV show this last winter.  We are limited to 2 week stays, followed by a week 'out of the network'.  During this week we will migrate and explore our way to the next Thousand Trails location of choice by using our new Passport America membership.  By using this method we hope to spend $1500 - $2000 for 'rent' during our 5 months, about $350 monthly.  The main stops on the MAP are Thousand Trail locations or Family locations.

Hiking

Going for a hike.  What a simple pleasure.  Some folks like it, some folks don't.  But you really should try it or try it again.  Leaving the noisy, concrete and electronic world behind is refreshing.  We went on a simple hike today.  It is a 'nature trail' right here in the local campground.  Try your local beach, or mountain or anywhere in between.

 The woods were dense, but not especially cool with the current weather pattern.  Lots of elevation changes for being so close to the coast.  We found several creeks.  The ferns liked the area. 

 A moth landed on the trail and just died there recently. 

 We saw a nice turtle,

 wild mushrooms and some fairly old Oak and Tulip trees for this area (first photo). 

I saw several of these dragonflies; blue body, black wings and I got a photo of it's shadow (look hard - small insect on the leaf).  It is nice to just enjoy the woods, even on a rainy day.  The scent is unforgettable, a childhood memory that plays again every time you get on your feet and go.  Try it!

Memorial Day

Memorial Day.  We did.  To all who have given the ultimate sacrifice, you are not forgotten, nor are your families.  To all those who are serving, thank you for your sacrifice, as well as your families.  To all our LEO, FD and EMS personnel in this country, thank you.  Our prayers are with you.  It is overwhelming to think how much our freedom has cost us.  We live in a great land.  God bless America. 

Campground Chat

It is interesting to compare campgrounds.  I am new to RVing, having tent camped in my previous life.  I am still, and will be for a while, re-formulating my impressions and preferences with regard to campgrounds.  Photos are above the stated RV Park.

Pecan Park RV Resort, Jacksonville FL.  PA, $21/nt.  Nice place, recommended, designed for the RVing folks on the move.  Clean, well maintain, spacious enough if not a little 'sterile' in style.  Long rows of concrete pads, perfectly sectioned, just off the interstate and near an airport.  Not a perfectly quiet place, but not a bother either.  Has all the essentials, and in bad weather, the place would be preferred being all paved and easy to keep stuff clean. Easy access to shopping and anything of interest in the area; nature, museums, city life, cruise ship port, fishing, etc.  We enjoyed our time here.

 Hardeeville RV Park, SC.  PA, $20/nt. Old school, recommended.  We pulled up, did a self check in, and never spoke to or saw a staff person in 3 days.  Wooded, gravel / dirt roads, good utilities, quiet, spacious.  Only laundry sheds, no common areas.   Roads in SC are horrible, GA not much better.  Easy access to Savannah GA (10 minutes) and Hilton Head SC (30 minutes), about 15 minutes from I-95.  We enjoyed our time here.

 RV Resort at Carolina Crossroads, NC.  PA, $21/nt.  We had just had a tire blow out.  This destination was unplanned, but a nice outcome. PA is valid only one night.  This location is close to a big name concert hall.  They promote many special events.  This too is a 'sterile' campground.  Nice staff, easy check in, easy access from I-95.  Good utilities and all the necessities, but a 'tight' park, close neighbors and made for the RV road warrior.  The web site was down when blogging, so I linked the facebook page for into.

 Thousand Trails (aka: Outdoor World or Encore) Williamsburg VA, recommended.  Nice staff.  Old school 'resort style' facility.  Lots of on site activities of average attraction.  Hilly terrain and roads and 'tight' RV sites.  Paved roads, wooded, lots of Oak tree sap on the car daily, but easy to remove.  Some slight interstate noise and noisy neighbors when crowded, but I slept fine. Good utilities.  Easy access to a really nice historic area of the nation. We are here for another week.  Our schedule is 'fluid' and we are here for at least another week. 

Month End Review

On a monthly basis I would like to crunch data and share insight or opinion for the interest or benefit of others (and myself!).  It has only been two weeks since we have been on the road, but interesting none the less.  We have stayed at Passport America (PA) campgrounds: twice for 3 days and once for a night - 7 nights total of $152.  Then we parked at Thousand Trails in Williamsburg, $50 for this week in May.  So 'rent' has been a little over $14 nightly for May. We traveled 814 miles in that time, 131 gallons of fuel for $484.  MPG is just over 6, but that included extended generator time during a break down (8mpg when actually under way).  Gas averaged right at $3.70 / gal. this month.  I have spent $7 on maintenance so far, but have not replaced the blown tire yet...probably a $300 item.  Will be scouting for a new tire this week.  So these details or others may help depict how the RvBurg compares to a more settled life.  We bought the south east region membership with Thousand Trails (TT) when we were at the Tampa RV show.  We are going to try to focus on using TT to see how well we like it.  TT is a 2 week in network, 1 week out of the 'network' process.  We have also focused so far on PA for shorter stays.  THE GOAL - keep fuel expenses down by staying put longer periods.  I hope to put together an Excel expense sheet once I have more data, and it will cover about 5 months of travel once complete.  It will help us plan for next year.