Just a newbie here

[PatStab]

I have only been here a couple of times. My DD and I were in Arizona for a few weeks, then in Las Vegas, stopped by Williams, Arizona, took the train to the Grand Canyon and then and headed back home. Total of 4200 miles from Indiana to Quartzite to Vegas, then back on 40 racing ahead of more snow. We just got in a couple of days before it really hit again. It was faster going the northern route but I also really had to push it going 70 for the last couple of days and I don't like driving that fast, I could see that weather coming behind me.

We left the middle of January and got home end of 1st of March, had to to prepare taxes for hubbies company they want them way early.

Next winter I'm going to try and have mail forwarded. I want to leave first of January and stay till the end of March and thinking of Florida.

I had so many things to fix this trip I was not pleased, spent way more then intended. I ended up with replacing things my husband could have likely repaired. I'm fortunate that even though I'm traveling alone I have him home every 8 weeks to service and repair my motorhome. I ended up putting in a new fridge, hot water heater guts, and a new front furnace, and an alternator. The motorhome is 22 years old so what do I expect, but you also wonder how many years the engine and tranny have left in her, but she runs good so far. But then I just couldn't bring myself to spent the big dollars it would require to get a newer one like it, I did have a 2006 but it required a lot too.

My husband is home now, he changed oil and filters, greased all the chassis, fixed some other items like adjusting my windshield wipers, they swung out to far. He checked my air system, I thought I had a leak but never found anything, also showed me a couple more things I did not know. I did not know the dipsticks on my tranny and oil screwed down, never did on a car or truck so how did I know that?

He is also putting in a new fresh water tank in, we have it ordered. He said if he had taken it out sooner he would have realized he could have turned it over and used it, to late now, the other is ordered. So an expensive year for us. We are fortunate to have someone funding our adventures I would say.

But DD and I are going to take some trips, State Fair, probably Santa Claus land and other 2 day to 2 week trips this summer. We may head to Florida in May for a bit, but I kind of hate to after all I've already spent. I do try to have a budget of sorts. If you have a diesel motorhome they do require more maintenance but also are supposed to last longer.

I waxed it good 2 years ago, 5 coats of wax, time to wash and wax it again, we have a garage for it so its protected which really helps.

I also sprain an ankle so having issues with that, I have bad feet anyway and my worst one is my driving foot. Diesels require heavier pressure on the gas pedal and brake pedal. I use the cruise but you can't always so that may limit me too. So still up in the air on our travels right now. May not go much this summer.

Also I generally plant a garden and can and once its out 2 weeks is about the max, also have a 4 acre yard, so hard to leave these things.

But alls well I know she is out there and ready to go when I am

I sure feel free when I'm in the old gal and breezing along, life is pretty good. I'm 68 and figure I may have 5 more years to drive it, so everyday is a good one, as many others haven't made it this far. Hope all of you are enjoying your travels.

[Queen]

Sounds like a great winter trip! Bummer about the repairs though, you know it can happen but why a bunch at once.

[snowball]

Good to hear from you...glad you got home safely and that all is well except for it being
an expensive trip..understand stuff happening had to have the refrigerator repaired and will need to get
batteries before I boondock again...oh well stuff happens right??
hope we met again one day
sheila

[MandysMom]

Glad you and your DD had a good trip in spite of the challenges. Pat, what is your rig? Just curious here.
Velda

[BirdbyBird]

welcome to the forum....good luck with your travels and adventures.....

[avalen]

welcome