Hi-yo, Silver, Away!

We spent about three weeks in Guntersville seeing family and watching ballgames. The weather was great.  I did several projects for my dad.  The biggest was getting rid of the 40 year old shrubbery around the yard.  It was fairly time consuming, but it was accomplished.

The ball team won about 50% of the games while I was there, but didn't fair as well after I left.  I offered for diesel costs to come back, but I am still awaiting that call. :)

While there I received my PaddleSki (Sea Eagle blow up boat).  I didn't know where I was going to put it and when I opened it up I knew I had a problem.  So a consolidation of the storage was necessary.  While doing that I came up with a potential solution and the result is a lockable bed cover by Retrax.

We ended up leaving on April 30th.

We traveled north about two hours to Mountain Glen RV park just on top of the mountain above Pikeville, TN.  It is located just outside Falls Creek Falls State Park.  We saw some of Carolyn's aunts and uncles there and shared some good times.  The RV park had just three RVs counting us.  I believe it gets crowded during the summer as it is used as an overflow for the state park and has full 50 amp hookups.  As you can see, I think it would get tight if it were full.

The State Park is home to the tallest water fall east of the Rockies at 256'.  Even though it hasn't rained much lately it was still very nice.

I think I made it better don't you think?

We stayed four days and left for Cave City, KY about 4 hours further north toward Louisville, KY.  We had business there, but the weekend was the Kentucky Derby and we thought it might be crowded closer to Louisville.  We had a nice site at Singing Hills RV Park.  It is an older park, but is maintained nicely.  It is only about 4-5 miles to the Park and very convenient.  They gave us the biggest and most level site they had.  There was no one immediately close to us and was very quiet.

 Cave City is the home for Mammoth Cave National Park.  Is a very clean park and has nice facilities although it is all about the cave and riding trails throughout. The entrance is unlike any cave I have been in, although only the third.

It was 250' down on steps through a drain seam.  I want to remember 390 miles of cave currently mapped.  We went on one tour that covered parts of three tours.  One of the prettiest segments had some nice looks.



Finished with Red Bay

We finished with all of the items to be worked on Thursday about 11 AM.  I could have stayed over Thursday night and left Friday, but in looking at the weather the storm was just approaching the state line.  Since I was headed to Guntersville to my home park here (Blue Heron RV Park) it would be better to weather a torrential downpour on concrete and pavement than gravel.  So we headed out and drove in the dry the 2 1/2 hours here.  It did indeed rain hard.  I learned at Tiffin when it is a hard storm, to aide the slide covers in water run off you are supposed to lower or raise one end of the MH or rain could build up on the cover and stretch it. 

About Tiffin, Red Bay, while I had to some a lot of work done, it proceeded pretty good and was done very expertly.  They let you be right there while all of the repairs are made and you can learn a lot about how they are put together.

While there got a lot done.
       1.  Express Bay minor items repaired, i.e., drawer latches, cabinet door, washing machine leveled. etc.  Mar 23d
       2.  Rails replaced.  Warranty.  These are the radius of the side wall and the roof.  Mar 29th and 30th.
       3.  Kitchen counter leveled.  Warranty.  It is now dead on.  Funny thing though since that has been done there hasn't been any cooking on it to test it out. :-((  Apr 2d and 3d.
       4.  DS front slide seal came loose on Friday 6th and it got replaced.  Warranty.  Apr 4th.
       5.  The proportional valve on the tag axle air bag was replaced with a manual adjustable valve and set to about 34 lbs.  It is significantly less than what it was originally set at.  This helped with the front axle weight issue identified in January.  Warranty.  It may be my mind, but I actually think it drove better coming over hear.  Time will tell.  Apr 5th.

I spent a lot of time walking the center aisle of the 50 bay repair facility to see what was being done and where I might fit into the schedule.  I think it aided my getting my work done.  Every week starts with the facility being full (97 sites) with several in the overflow.  Some have appointments and some are walk ins like me.  MHs leave through the week with some arriving during the week.  Weekends fine several empty sites, but Sundays find those filling up pretty fast.  They have a process, I'm just not sure what it is.  The end result is I am I satisfied Tiffin owner.  I was treated by everyone courteously and with a smile.  I was very surprised that even with a 3 year old coach how much was covered by warranty.  I would recommend every Tiffin owner go to Red Bay with any problems that are found.  You never know that it may be a recurring problem and covered under warranty or at a much reduced rate.  They just don't publish what these problems are.  Didn't know I had problems until was told so.

So here we sit outside Guntersville going through coach and unloading items and repositioning a lot of things.  It seems as if during our shakedown cruise to Florida and back the last 4 1/2 months we brought several items that we didn't need.  i.e. two crock pots, 6 or 7 rugs (you have to roll these things up to move then they are in the way), and Spot (the faithful ceramic wonder dog.  For the reason before).

Also, seeing family, going to ballgames, helping in yard work, yuck, and other related things. 

Life is good and only getting better.

Red Bay (CRB), Like Being in the Army

We jumped into the week heading Monday AM to Red Bay.  We had a 1 PM appointment for service at Bay Diesel.  They put 4 technicians on it and was finished in about an hour.  From there it is just a mile or so to CRB.  What a place, about 100 campsites, most with full hookups, and an overflow area plus an area where people bring and leave their MH to be worked on.  We just settled in to wait our turn.  I had talked with the service manager and he said it was a two to three day wait to get into the express Bay (a 3 hour window w/two techs).  I figured more like a three to four day wait and would be happy to get out on Friday.  Well, we got in at 7 AM on Friday, :-) , but found problems :-( , and will be here most of next week.

On Tuesday AM at 7 AM I had an appointment with Brannon Hutchinson, Custom RV, to install Seelevel gauges and while there also had the Aqua Hot serviced.  We got back to CRB about 4 PM.

When you pull in there are three recalls they check for up front.  Front DS floor, it check out OK.  Wet Bay floor, it had been replaced last May by the previous owner and it was good, and the rails on top, they were also checked in May and were OK (then), but now there are cracks showing up and are to replaced.

Proceeding through my minor list of things they were knocking them out.  The washing machine had become unlevel and was vibrating badly. (at least that's what Carolyn tells me) :-)  Evidently a bump along the way had caused one corner to bounce up on a board they had put in to stabilize it.  It took about an hour for them to take it apart enough to man handled the machine back into place.  He put additional boards around and over it to prevent that from happening again.  The good news is that if anyone ever breaks in to steal it, they will have to work for it.

Another item mentioned by again Carolyn was the stove was unlevel and all the oil shifted to the back of the pan while cooking and made cooking difficult.  Now I want to ensure that is no going to slow down production so while not on my list I mentioned it also.  Seems the counter top is 3/4" lower in the back so a trip to the cabinet shop to totally disassemble the kitchen counter is in the works.  Warranty was mentioned for this also since it was a production error.

So here we sit waiting for our turn into the repair bays for the above items.  It has been a refreshing week.  It was like being in Basic Training in the Army.  Get up square up your area for formation, wait for formation, have an appointment, march to the area and back and when you get back to the barracks lay around for the next scheduled event.  Next day do it again.

In between all of the events you meet some very nice people (probably all are nice, just don't have the time).  In all of these discussions you learn how or what other people have done and why you might want to also.  Just a note, this could become a very expensive trip. :)

The weight issue I had back in January was also mentioned, so the mechanics are scheduled after the rail issue is resolved, probably Thursday or Friday.  Getting some cabinet work done by T.J. while here also.  Next week is going to be like being in the Army again, hurry up and wait, but in the end all is good.

To top it off, I've been sick all week and went to the Dr Thursday.  Carolyn has it now.

Life is good!

Not Much Happening

There has not been much going on, but have been going strong.

We left Carrabelle and headed toward Summerdale, AL.  We were going to the Rainbow Plantation (Escapees Park), but ended up going to Emmaus RV Park.  It is relatively new with nice sized sites.  We did the usual thing and drove around the area looking at different RV parks and for the price, $15 per night with a vet discount, we didn't find anything closer to the beach area that we liked.  You could be to any area desired in about 30 minutes.  The only drawback was I thought the street was narrow.  The pads and the roads were concrete and it was out in the country, but was only about 5 miles to Camping World.

After a week there we headed to Calera, AL.  We are getting doctor appointments out of the way this week and will head out next week for a Red Bay adventure.  By reading everyone's experiences it should be interesting.  Nothing major just getting some Seelevel gauges put on and a few items checked out and mayber service.

After Red Bay may go up and spend some time with the family before we head north and west.  Right now no where specific just go.

Like I said nothing happening much, but my adoring fans were getting restless for some kind of information.

Been all I could be, got all I could get, now its time for me (us)



The Forgotten Coast

OK, OK.  Here it is.

On our last evening at Cedar Key we went to dinner with Mike & Janna from Montana.  It was very enjoyable and ended all to soon. We know we will see them somewhere again.

The next morning found us headed to Ho Hum RV Park in Carrabelle, FL.  Mike and Janna had stayed there one night on their was south. We had both seen Laurie and Odell's post about this park. We made the trip without any problems, except if you don't count me looking back and seeing the DS bedroom slide out about 5 or 6 inches.  Thought I had better stop and fix that.  Not sure how that happened, but we proceeded without further problems.

Ho Hum is a different kind of park than we have been in (number 4) and was entirely sand and gravel. The hosts keep it raked and clean. Only 40 - 50 yards from the Gulf (we couldn't get one of the waterfront lots) it was very nice. Our view was not bad at all.

Several days were spent in the area walking on the beaches and finding a few shells. Below is Alligator Point.

We took two trips to St George State Park and walked on the beautiful beach.  The last day we walked for 4 hours.  We were tired when we got back, but only one person passed us and coming back we met two ladies walking.  Other than that not a soul for probably 4 to 6 miles. Found a few shells too.

They even had restrooms with a view of the beach.

I know why it is called, "The Forgotten Coast".  I sent pictures from my phone by email and received the a day and a half later.  GPS had to really hunt to pick up also  So now you know why this is so late.



Our last night found Rick and Elaine from Canada arriving.  We spent a little time with them and had a delightful time.  We were both leaving the next morning so we had to cut it short.  We were having to much fun and quiet time was approaching, :)  Sorry forgot pictures.

We are currently in Summerdale, AL at Emmaus Motor Coach & RV Resort.  More on the next post.

Been all I can be, got all I can get, now time for me (us)

Getting better every day



Off To Find A LIFE.

This past week has been nice and slow.  We have seen some of the local sights and been to town a couple of times.

This past weekend Barry and family (we just left them a week ago) called to say that since we were still so close they would like to come and see us before we got to the other side of the country.  We said come on up as it was only a little over 2 hours.  They got here about 5 PM so we loaded up and went to Cedar Key to see the sunset and have a bite to eat.  We arrived about 6 for a 6:24 sunset.  Below is family awaiting the grand finale.

I didn't notice until later that one, Granddaughter Madison was hiding behind her parents.  It was a nice sunset although not as nice as before. 

Grandson Christian was a little bored, but stayed busy watching people fish and then watching the local pelican getting handouts.  Didn't catch them in time, but you can see a bulge in his mouth.

Granddaughter Madison commented that she (12 yrs old) was bored.  I said, "Don't you want to see the sunset?  It will only be a few more minutes."  She then said, "This is what people do that don't have a life!!!"  That one took me by surprise.  I suppose that staying in tune with her Ipod playing games and texting, still going to school, she should know, right?  I don't think so.

We have packed this afternoon to pull out tomorrow AM to head to Carrabelle, FL.  Have met some nice folks, Mike and Janna, I've previously mentioned.  We are heading to a local restaurant this evening with them to have a good time this evening.

So tomorrow we are off seeking that, "New Life".

 Been all I can be, got all I can get, now it's time for me (us).

Life is real good.

An Enjoyable Week In Cedar Key

After only two days here, we extended our stay a week.  Large sites, quiet park, and only 7 miles from town make it inviting.  The downtown area is only about 1/2 mile square.  There are no traffic lights and the boardwalk street is only about 1 block long.  Below is a picture of the waterfront restaurants and hotels.

There are several places to go walk and hike, but it is the sunsets that are nice.

These shots were one afternoon, usually we left the camera or it was to cloudy, but still a pleasant walk and view.

We have met many nice people that are on this journey with us.  There is an instant connection that can turn into long discussions of places to go and things to see.  Very cool.

We did have a crisis situation that took a lot of my time. 5 - 10 minutes a day, mostly thinking.  We had lost or misplaced the TV remote for the bedroom Dish Receiver.  Now we still had the main box, but it did cause great anxiety as that is the one that Carolyn watches her shows on.  If we didn't locate it she was going to be invading my turf so it was top priority to find it.  It couldn't have gone far in only 400 sq ft and most of that packed to the gills.  (got to work on that)  Low and behold, the nightstand drawer pulls out about 2 ft and it was in the very back of that drawer, almost like someone put it there.  The only thing we could think of was that during travel the drawer came open and the remote slide into it.  Note to self, lock remotes up during relocation.

Below are a few pictures of surrounding neighbors in the park.  Note it is less crowded than the previous place.

Been all I can be, got all I can get, now it's time to be me (us)

Life is real good...