Monday and moving again

[bluepinecones]

Good morning.
So enjoyed my brief visit with Kathleen (dayspring) over the weekend.
Slowly absorbing my last cup of coffee this morning. Will be heading toward Crab Orchard later to visit with BJ on my way home. It will be another relatively short driving day so not in a hurry - which is so nice. Beginning to think that poking along just might be my style.
So disappointed I missed the moon event last night - too many clouds.
Have a nice day and be safe

[grammynmaggie]

Good morning Sarah and everyone.... I'm moving on today also after my Walmart camped out last night I will be heading to Darien to meet up with lori & Doc... hopefully I can get a site for a couple nights.... i to like to mosey along also ... it's a good thing I like it because I can't drive more than a few hours a day I just wish I had the money to stay in campgrounds every night.... well I better get going to everyone have a fun filled day& B safe donna
PS... made a couple of blog posts last few days if you want to see I'm working on another one for tonight

[Othersharon]

Good morning! Donna, sounds like you are having a good trip so far. And Sarah, slow and steady sounds like a good way to go! I'm not sure I'm quite there yet but working on it! Good to see Mickie and Mary are back home with their new rig, it'll be such fun for you. Judi, sounds like you are living in a good place, small towns have their advantages. Sorry you were under the weather though. I got my flu shot the other day so fingers crossed I don't get it again this year. And Velda, glad you and your husband are home now. Will be sending healing thoughts your way.

Liz and Tina, I so enjoyed the blogs about your Ireland trip. I think I'd have to take one without all the hiking of hills and mountains! Wow, you saw so much in the time you were there.

I'm waiting for Salvation Army to come to finally get the items I've been collecting for donation. Love the time schedule, between 7:30 and 4! So guess today will be an at home and work in the house day! I missed the eclipse last night, the clouds moved in and that took care of that. I thought about driving into State College but wasn't sure what the conditions were there either. It had been clear earlier in the day when I went through but wasn't sure it was worth the drive to find out.

Time to get busy. Coffee is done so no excuse to not get going! Travel safe all and have a good day.

[Queen]

Morning all.

I'm just kind of bummed today, we may have made a poor choice of RVs for us. Mary has zero mechanical ability, so the valves and drains and hook ups fall to me. I guess I didn't realize how low everything is on a Roadtrek, but I cannot reach the dump valves at all. We're going to try for a while and see if we can make it work somehow, but if not then we'll have to sell her.

[gingerK]

Morning all.

I'm just kind of bummed today, we may have made a poor choice of RVs for us. Mary has zero mechanical ability, so the valves and drains and hook ups fall to me. I guess I didn't realize how low everything is on a Roadtrek, but I cannot reach the dump valves at all. We're going to try for a while and see if we can make it work somehow, but if not then we'll have to sell her.

Oh snap. And you all were so very tickled to get your first RV.

Back to work for me today, boo. Not a fan! This past weekend hasn't dampened my enthusiasm for camping, tho. I think I'll get one more weekend before putting Angel in the barn. DH commented that it was too bad I couldn't have spent more time with my "lady friends" instead of this other bunch!

Very glad to hear of Velda and DH getting home and getting started on his recovery. So happy that his surgery is all over with.

Sarah and Donna, after the driving I did this weekend, I'm with you on short slow driving. And I don't do interstates either; it's back roads for me. Much more interesting, in my opinion.

Good to see carolb posting here recently. Sorry you have been feeling bad Judi. Lyn, sending prayers for you and your family. Seems like there's a lot going on with us recently so I'm trying to keep up with it all.

Everyone take care,
Kathy

[MelissaD]

Morning all,

Sarah thanks for posting pics of you and Kathleen (dayspring).

Queen, while it's a bummer they do make cables that can remotely open and such the drain valves and the drain might allow and extension pipe to make it more reachable. None of it's rocket science so anyone can learn. There may be other options so just keep an open mind. My low point and FW tank drain lines are hard for me to reach but luckily I don't have to open them often. The other drains all have cables to open and shut them. Them even make small motors to open and shut them. We just adapt to make it work. Put on your thinking cap

[Bethers]

Morning all.

I'm just kind of bummed today, we may have made a poor choice of RVs for us. Mary has zero mechanical ability, so the valves and drains and hook ups fall to me. I guess I didn't realize how low everything is on a Roadtrek, but I cannot reach the dump valves at all. We're going to try for a while and see if we can make it work somehow, but if not then we'll have to sell her.

I agree about putting on your thinking cap - and don't let the low valves stop you - they are almost as low on many C's and even some A's. As to it being mechanical, it's really not (as far as the valves - it's not much different that simply another way to turn on and off an outlet. And you do not have to get down to the dump valves daily even. So, again, don't be down in the dumps, but think it through. I have to use a gardening mat to hook/unhook my car as a toad, and have thought about it for when I dump - saves my knees.

[Queen]

Thanks for the encouragement, we are going to drop her off at the nearby Roadtrek dealer and have them give her a once over and see if they can show Mary how to do stuff, or make it so I can do it.

It's just so frustrating at times, I've gone from hardcore firefighter/medic " I can do ANYTHING!!" to this busted up person I don't recognize, I assumed things would slow down as I aged, just didn't expect it at 55.

[Othersharon]

Just saw Mickie's post! Don't be discouraged yet, I agree with Melissa and Beth. Your trip home sounds like a fast one so you maybe just didn't have the time or mindset to get used to everything. I felt like that too when I got my RT and also when I got Lola. It takes time to figure out what is what, how to do it and what's the best way for you to accomplish it. There are several gals here that have RT's or class B's so I'm sure they can give you some hints on how they make it all work. I also carried a mat with me and still do, definitely easier on the knees! And don't hesitate to ask questions! This summer I had to ask Donna how my awning worked even though it was part of the walk through when I bought my RV! So much information is thrown out you in a short time! I've watched lots of UTube videos and that helped too! And of course the gals here are always willing to answer questions!

[bluepinecones]

I agree, don't give up on finding a solution. I have same problem of not being able to squat, kneel, etc so drains very difficult. Sometimes I have to use a chair. I'm looking for a small folding stool which might work even better.
My allergies that had been so severe at home virtually disappeared at Shipshewana. However they are back with a vengeance this morning. Have been stalling getting back on the road in hope that meds would kick in but doesn't seem they are going to help much today.
Fortunately I do not have a very long drive but do have a high probability of getting lost toward destination as GPS refuses to take CG address or near by intersections: reviews say coordinates not accurate but I'm using them anyway. At least I know how to get to Carbondale and will hope there are some signs to follow to CG.
I've put off leaving too long already. Need to put electronics and Nicky's dishes away. Unhook electric and get going.

[MandysMom]

At Camp Kiwanis at UCD I sure wish I had brought a piece of rubber mat. I was kneeling in sharp gravel to see because I had not had My Oasis out in a while and could not remember first which key on the ring opened the little dump door then could not see or recall which handle was grey and which black ( bright sun on that side). Got it done and hopefully will remember next time. Mine are pretty low with a cap that unscrews to let out the hose from its permanent attachment and the door to handles is same height about a foot from the ground. If I could not bend I know I could do it with a small stool to sit. As said, I don't do it daily. I used a generous shower and only have 9 gal black and 27 I think grey, but dumped twice in a week, with constraint being grey. And I'm so proud of myself! I finally figured out how much water to put through and for the first time I got stupid black sensor to read EMPTY! Of course it was empty but sensors just never said that. Lots of water is the key. It was in mid to high 90's most of week so a shower felt good even in my teeny shower.
And yes she finally has a name, My ( or OUR ) Oasis. Only took me ten years to suddenly,without thinking begin calling her that, so I guess she gave me her name!
Velda

[avalen]

good morning ladies
the moon was awesome and I'm so glad I got to see it.
Sorry about the dump valve issues on the new to you RT. Take your time getting it figured out, a stool perhaps, those little folding kind you can get at the grocery store work great for sittin on.
Today is my liquid diet day, colonoscopy tomorrow, prep tonight. Oh fun.
So glad I can have my coffee though, it takes the edge off of my hunger pains, and....I'll be up early enough in the
morning to get my morning coffee fix, then nothing for 4 hours before the procedure.
Nothing else is new here, ya'll have a great day, those on the road be safe and I wish everyone good health.

[Acadianmom]

Mickie, sorry you are discouraged but don't let it get you down. Like someone said, it's not rocket science. Go to some GTG's and everyone will help you. I label everything because I don't use my motorhome often enough and forget what some things are. The TV has to be reprogramed every trip and I'm not use to electronics but usually get it done eventually. My dump valve is low and if the valve is being difficult I have to get on my knees to get the leverage I need. I carry one of the foam gardening pads to use. I also have one of the folding stools I can use. I mostly use it to see in the microwave because it's over the refrigerator. There are 2 sizes of the folding stools, one is about 12 inches and the other is about 18 inches. I found mine at TJ Maxx. They fold flat so don't take up much room.

Kathy, I have tried to camp with groups that weren't friendly. When I first started camping I tried some Good Sam groups. They were all couples and the women weren't friendly at all. I guess they thought that women camping alone were trying to steal their husbands. I was so happy to find women camping groups. Some groups let you bring your husband but the men are usually out numbered.

We were under a severe thunderstorm watch this morning but it must have missed us. It was raining most of the morning but looks like it has moved off. I was thinking about going to town but maybe tomorrow.

Martha

[gingerK]

Yes, Mickie don't get frustrated yet! My grey water valve is difficult to get to with the hitch in the way. It was also hard to get the hose on so I added an additional coupler that sticks out farther and points downward. Made it easier to reach and hook up the hose. I also have to kneel down to find it and a mat would be a great idea, thanks Beth for suggesting it. I just recently learned how to dump my tanks by myself by watching You Tube videos and backing Angel up til her rear end was hanging off the driveway so I could get a really good look at where the valves were located (my driveway slopes down at the edge; handy for getting under the end of the MH but scary when you think you're backing off too far!). It's been a learning process figuring out how everything works but it's been fun, too. Don't give up the ship just yet!

[Queen]

I'm going to try the stool, with the knee replacement I can't kneel at all. Mary will try learning the process but if it's anything like trying to teach her to put air in a bike tire it's going to be very frustrating. (she's one of those super smart people who have amazing brains... but are stymied by mechanical ANYTHING)