Our RV Travels

Updates on our Full-Time RV'ing lifestyle. Feel free to add your comments, replies and stories of your own.

Saturday, January 29, 2005

January 29

Been quite busy here lately. After some searching I was able to locate a used lift handle for our A&E patio awning that had been damaged by a gust of wind. Cal and I straightened the support arm and I replaced the lift handle. I also fastened the tie-downs which was a good thing as we have had a few very windy days. Weather has been mostly good, but some frosty mornings followed by chilly windy days. We were also having some problems with the slide valve on the commode. I removed it from the trailer and Cal helped dissasembel, clean, lubricate and reassemble it. However when replaceing it in the trailer, I did not get it seated properly and the next day had to reseat it. Now everything seems to work fine there.

I have also assisted Cal some with some minor projects around the Motorhome they just purchased. More time consuming than difficult little things that needed to be tended to.

On Tuesday, we went to Lecanto Surgery Center where a biopsy was taken from my prostrate. Loretta drove me home and several days of taking it easy. I don't expect any problems, but my doctor wanted to take precautions due to the fact that one of my brothers has had prostrate cancer. I will see the doctor that performed the surgery on Monday for his report.

Nuff for now.

Andy and Loretta

Saturday, January 22, 2005

January 22

We have spent a good share of this week on maintenance projects. Cal and myself took the awning arm apart and pretty well straightened the support arm. We removed the lift handle and found the pin that secured the awning arm out was sheared off. Trips to local RV parts supply stores did not produce a lift handle to replace the broken one. I called Camping World near Tampa as Cal and Marilyn will be going to Lazy Days next week for some warranty work on their motorhome. They did not stock them and suggested I call Lazy Days Parts. After many tries, I got through to them, but they apparently don't have manufacturer parts lists. They were going to call A&E to get part number and see if it was in stock. However a couple of days passed without any return call. So I made a return trip to Coast RV Parts in Crystal River. There I found they had a used arm that they removed the lift handle from. I returned and installed it on the awning arm and had not much more than completed when Lazy Days called back. Oh well, I didn't have to wait till next week and saved at least 50%.

The slideouts have no stops to prevent going out too far and the sidewall of the trailer had seperated from the floor behind the large slideout. Cal found a bent bracket at the bottom of the sidewall and we found the screws fastening it to the trailer floor were sheared. We replaced the screws with larger stainless screws and straightened the bracket at the bottom. Not sure it will hold, but it sure is a lot stronger than it ever was before. The doorside slideout does not seat properly when extended, but I was unable to adjust it properly. That may be a job for Fleetwood, but we may remove the access cover underneath and see if other adjustments may be possible.

Today I assisted Cal with some adjustments on the compartment doors in their motorhome, but it started to rain (first we have had in weeks), so we will have to finish that at another time. We also have been visiting some of our friends that live in the surrounding area. We usually catch 1 or 2 evening meals at the Moose Club as Cal is an officer there. And Wednesday evenings the church we attend here has a supper before Bible Study. But we still manage to check out some of the local eateries even though we have been eating at home more. Sometimes hard to justify that with several restaurants offering meals in the 2 for $10.00 range. Last evening we stopped at SandRay's just a short distance away for fish. All you can eat for $6.99, but we opted for a half order for $4.99. That was more than we could eat.

We expect to be moving on in a few weeks, and do have quite a bit of visiting to tend to in this area. So we will have to get to that also.

Bout it for now.

Sunday, January 16, 2005

Parked in the Doud backyard in Homosassa, FL before they traded the Teton for a Motothome. Posted by Hello

Thursday, January 13, 2005

Thursday, Jan 13



We have had a busy couple of weeks. Cal had arranged a trade with Lazy Days in Seffner, FL. So most of last week was spent unloading “Stuff” from their 5th wheel trailer and truck and getting prepared to go there on Saturday. We left here fairly early and got breakfast before leaving town. Things were looking good when we had a blowout on the trailer. He had a spare tire, but had unloaded all of his tools. We managed to make it to Flying J near San Antonio, but they had no service shop. They did contact a road service to come and install the spare. Not sure but it would have been cheaper to buy tire wrench and jack if they had them. However the gentleman was prompt and courteous and we only lost a bit over an hour. And Lazy Days said they would assist in paying for the service call.

So it was after noon when we arrived and left Cal and Marilyn’s rig at the “Trade-in checkpoint” We took advantage of the free lunch in the lunchroom before Cal and Marilyn headed off to do the necessary paperwork. Loretta and I wandered around the Lazy Days compound admiring a few of the hundreds (or thousands) of recreational vehicles there. We also walked next door to Camping world for some mostly window-shopping. By the time Cal and Marilyn had completed the inspection of the Motorhome and gotten a few minor adjustments made it was going on dark so we stopped on the return trip for our supper.

A good share of this week to date has been helping Cal learn his way around the new rig and getting it restocked with some of the items removed from the previous one. I had gotten a letter from our doctor in Tennessee expressing concern about my PSA test. He wanted me to have a biopsy done. So yesterday I went to a local Urology Clinic and have an appointment for the biopsy of my Prostrate done on the 25th. Dr. Desai seemed to feel that there was no problem, but as one brother has had Prostrate Cancer said the biopsy should be done for all male members of my family.

Weather has been great, but today a sudden wind gust did some damage to the patio awning. So this repair can be added to the usual minor maintenance chores.
For more details on our travels, see http://RVTravel.blogspot.com

Andy and Loretta.

Tuesday, January 04, 2005

January 4

On Sunday we attended our favorite church here in Homosassa, FL, First Christian Church which is only a few blocks away from where we are parked. In the afternoon, we went to Howard's Flea Market to shop, have lunch and get some much needed walking in. Then in the evening we treated Cal and Marilyn to dinner at First China Buffet in Crystal River.
Yesterday was a busy day. We had an appointment at Camping World in Seffner (near Tampa) to have a Slidetopper awning installed on the doorside slideout. After getting secured and hooked to travel, we left at about 1000 when Cal and Marilyn arrived to join us. We arrived there well before noon and they had our rig in the service bay in less than 15 minutes. We took advantage of the Free Lunch at Lazy Days RV next door. Then I located Wade RV also located on the premises. There I arranged to have one of our Day/Night shades restrung. They took the shade to their shop and were reinstalling it as the awning installation was finalized.
Cal went looking at used motorhomes. He located one that they were interested in and we were given a ride in it. It was getting dark by the time we returned, so after quickly getting somewhat level and unhooked, we went out for supper. Today I finished getting setup, assisted Cal on getting the refrigerator working in their 5th wheel trailer, and Cal and I did some minor maintenance jobs on our rig. This evening, Cal came by to ask if we would like to ride with them to Lazy Days RV on Saturday. I am assuming that they made a deal on the motorhome today.

Saturday, January 01, 2005

Happy New Year - 1 January 2005

Our return from Daytona Beach was uneventful with nice weather after iffy weather there. We are visiting old friends Cal and Marilyn again, and got in and setup in time to join them for dinner at the Moose Club.
While we were away, a letter came from our doctor in Columbia, TN. He had been concerned about the increase in my PSA reading in the last 2 years. Even though he had an Ultrasound performed which revealed no problems, at his request another PSA test was done since we first arrived here. Guess that was up again - not really high but above average and almost double of 2 years ago. So he wanted a biopsy done. I have arranged to visit a local doctor on the 12th, and expect the biopsy to be performed on the 25th. Brother Clair has had Prostrate Cancer, and had several biopsies performed. He says that is real FUN, so as you can imagine I just can't wait, HI>
Cal had received a new chain saw for Christmas. So one day I assisted him in removing some large Palmettos from around a tree in his front yard. Also during the week, we tended to some of the usual duties. Also we were getting some seepage at times around the drain valve for our black water tank (sewage). I had purchased a new valve at RV Surplus Sales when we were in Elkhart, IN. Cal and I lowered the belly pan on the trailer, flushed the tank and installed the new one. I will repair the old one and keep for emergency needs.
Cal had obtained tickets for the New Years Eve party at the Moose Club. So we joined them there along with his brother Niles & Phyllis and friend Dave & Linda. Guess we aren't getting any younger as I think all of us had a difficult time lasting till midnight. We returned Marilyn home immediately afterwards as Cal is an officer of the club and stayed to help on cleanup.
Today was mostly R&R as Loretta's leg gave her some problems after the party. Guess wearing heels for that long and dancing was not the best idea. I had been working with Cal on installing Netscape ISP and continued with that some. Also closed our books f0r 2004.