About to leave Ohio

After a couple of days relaxing and visiting Ron and Louise in Dunkirk, OH (mostly Louise as Ron was on a Bear hunting trip to Canada when we arrived and only returned the day before we left), we headed for the Dayton Hamvention. We proceeded directly to Hara Arena as the weather was threatening. Good thing, Roger Webster and Jim Young were just finishing unloading the truck when we arrived. And the rain arrived with us. There was heavy rain Thursday afternoon and the temperature dropped quite a bit. I had arrived wearing a Tee shirt and was not prepared for that. However the booth setup went smoothly. In the evening we had supper at the Cracker Barrel nearby and the skies really opened up during our meal. Fortunately it had cleared some by the time we headed to the Holiday Inn Express at Tipp City. We were ready for bed by the time we arrived there.


Friday it was back to Hara Arena early to fine tune the setup before the opening of the Ham Radio Convention. We were moderately busy, but I did sit a lot (which is unusual for me) due to the fact I had little sleep the night before. After cleaning up at the hotel 4 of us went to the Officer's Club at Wright Patterson AFB for a delicious supper and quiet visit.

Saturday was a bit busier at the Hamvention. I had slept somewhat better, but still somewhat dragged out. I have been experiencing some after effects of my radiation therapy and SEED implants. So I do not get a lot of rest between trips to the bathroom. After the day's activities, we again went to the Officer's Club. However this time there were 11 of us in 3 cars. Dinner was delicious again and although the Club was a bit nosier than last evening we had a great time.

Sunday was another day at Hara Arena, but the Hamvention exhibit area closed at 1PM. We then packed the inventory and loaded Roger's truck. We finished at about 5PM, I was pretty tired and not sure that we might spend another night in Dayton. We went to Joe's Crab Shack for a great seafood supper. By the time we finished I felt rested and opted to return to our "home" near Dunkirk, OH, about a hundred miles away. By the time we arrived, I was pretty sure that I had not made the best decision, but we did safely complete the trip and were soon in bed. Even though it was tiring, it was great to visit with many friends at the Hamfest including many previous customers of VHF Communications (our now closed Ham Radio store).

The past 3 days have been spent resting, dining out, and visiting with Ron and Louise. I also made some preparations for our move tomorrow.

Guess that gets us up to date. Please register your comments or email them to W2UCZ@arrl.net

Thank you
Andy and Loretta

RV SERVICE SHOPS

I have been asked to provide a place for RV'ers to locate RV service facilities. While I may decide on a Database for this information, I feel that this would be a good location to input information about service facilities that you have used or know of. At this time, I don't know what the success of the endeavor will be. Those with information may enter it as a comment, and those searching for a shop check the comments.

With your help, this may become a valuable source of information.

PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR INPUT

May 15 - Dunkirk, OH

May 15 - Dunkirk, OH

After breakfast and filling the fuel tanks, we headed into Ohio. It had been quite chilly overnight so we slept well - also this was one of the quietist Flying J lots we have been in. There was still some light rain off and on and it didn’t warm up a lot during the day.

We arrived at the home of our Travelcade Club friends Ron and Louise about noon. We knew Ron was on a hunting trip to Canada and Louise had been out of town. She had not arrived home yet, but they were expecting us. So we parked the rig, unhooked and did most of the setup. Then rested till Louise arrived home.

After a nice visit, she drove us to a nice Mexican restaurant in Kenton, OH for supper. Then back to visit a while before coming home for the night.

May 14 - Walton, KY

May 14 - Walton, KY

We decided to leave before Camping World opened as there seemed to be nothing more that they could as far as the tire goes. Good thing, as before we finished getting hooked up it started to rain very hard. So we continued north on I-75. As we passed Cleveland, TN I saw a sign for a Wal-Mart. It was a short way off the expressway, and I was sure they would not have the tire we needed. As I pulled up to the Auto Center a technician was walking across the lot. He suggested another Wal-Mart that serviced RV’s, but doubted they could help. He gave directions to a Goodyear store a short distance away. So we proceeded there. They did not have the needed tire nor did the Michlin store next door. They suggested Appalachian Tire near Knoxville.

We headed that way stopping to get phone number and directions. I was informed that they did have the tire we needed in stock. Later I called to confirm the route to be informed that the tire had been sold yesterday. The manager said if we stopped by, they would get something on for a spare. As we were almost there, we took him up on his offer, which turned out to be much more reasonable than I had expected.

We continued in off and on rain - sometimes very heavy, stopping along the way for a late breakfast. As we neared the last peak before Kentucky we saw heavy smoke ahead. We soon passed a semi on the shoulder of the southbound lanes with the tractor totally engulfed in flames. I can only assume that the driver was able to exit the cab as he did get off the roadway. However the southbound lanes were totally closed - police were already on the scene and we met the fire engine and ambulance shortly.

A fuel stop was planned at the Flying J near Walton, KY as they were advertising the lowest prices we had seen in ages $1.95/gal. Also we knew prices would be much higher north of there. It was late enough that we got supper then visited with some Expediated freight drivers. One couple had purchased one of the Class C motorhomes with a compartment in the rear to haul motorcycles. They were using it to haul freight with living quarters included. We decided to wait till morning to fuel.

May 13 - Chattanooga, TN

Another very hot day spent on the road, temperature peaked at 95 degrees. Yesterday was pretty uneventful as far as accidents were concerned. We did spot a car near Alachua, FL that appeared to be on fire. We reported it to 911, and they said help was already on the way. Today there was 2 bad accidents. Early in the day we passed a Semi that had left the road and rolled over. Then later we passed a travel trailer that had probably rolled over. The body of the trailer was on the top and badly damaged and the frame, wheels, etc. were down the road a ways. The tow car didn't appear damaged.

We stopped at the Flying J near Jackson, GA to dump our waste tanks and purchase propane. The diesel price was only there so decided to top our tanks too. Had to call the charge card company due to the size of our purchases in 2 days. While there, somebody came over calling to us. We found it was Avion Travelcade Club members Gene and Betty Cody returning to their home in Lakeland, FL. Would have liked to visit a while but they didn't have the time. We found fuel would have been cheaper at Reseca, GA of course. Before we arrived there, we had a blowout on the trailer. As it was on the curb side and I was able to get off the road, we opted to install the spare ourselves rather than wait for Road Service. But by the time we had finished the job at about 95 degrees, we weren't sure that was the best move.

We stopped at the Camping World store in Chattanooga, TN. They said they had a tire in stock and that as we were going to have work done in the morning could park overnight in their lot. After getting unhooked, it was discovered they did NOT have the right tire. The Service Manager was very helpful and even called around searching for one. The Goodyear store had 40 last week but one customer came in and bought them all. He suggested we go to Wally's for supper which we did - very good and we had eaten there a few times during the Avion Rendezvous. Temperatures were better for sleeping but still a bit warm. However the race track next door is in operation so I am sure we won't get much sleep till after the races.

May 12 - Tifton, GA

We had another heavy rain this week in Homosassa- I think there was almost a foot in the last month. We visited friends with farewells the past few days. Yesterday we did most of the outside preparation for travel. This morning we finished and left Cal and Marilyn's residence at about 0730. We went to the Cancer Center near Lecanto, FL and after parking our rig checked in at about 0815. The receptionist said "We have good news and we have bad news", which gave me a start as plans were to head north after appointments were finished there. She said "The doctor will see you shortly, but the X-Ray machine is broken". I inquired why the X-Rays couldn't be done when I got my CT Scan at the Imaging Center next door. But she said they wanted to use the machine there.

I got to see my Oncologist, Dr. Brant shortly. He seemed happy with my progress to date and said that they would like to see me in 3 months. I said we wouldn't be back into Florida until December, so he OKed an appointment then. He said perhaps the X-Rays could be done next door and to check back after my CT Scan. So I went to the Imaging Center for that and got a look at the pictures on the monitor. The SEEDS look like bright little stars in the pictures.

Then back to the Oncology Center where I was told that they really wanted the X-Rays and wanted them taken on their machine. But repairs were almost completed, so we went to the Golden Corral in Inverness for lunch. We had to wait for them to open and while eating the call came that the X-Ray machine was repaired and to come back right away. I said we would be back as soon as lunch was finished. When I got there the X-Rays were taken quickly as a meeting was scheduled. So we finally got on the road a bit after noon.

Travel was pretty uneventful but I did have to make several stops (result of my treatments), and one to take a nap. We also stopped at the Flying J near Lake Park, GA for a partial fillup of the fuel tanks. We continued on to Tifton, GA where we ate supper and spent the night. It was very hot and humid so in addition to an uncomfortable day, sleeping was not the best.

May day - 2005

Not an awful lot happening here. Mostly marking time waiting for the "Seed" implants tomorrow.

A week ago last Thursday they did the Ultrasonic Mapping in preparation. The technician was a cute little thing, but a"Pain in the Butt" - OUCH. Then on Saturday after breakfast with the Ham Radio group in Inglis, Then to Dunnellon to visit the wife of one of the truck drivers that I worked with. From there we went to visit friends that used to own a Ham Radio store similar to the one we owned. They were located in North Canton, OH then and we often set up at the same Hamfests and even exchanged equipment as needed. They now live near Ocala where he does some computer business.

Then last Tuesday there was a pre-op visit with the Urologist. Yesterday after the Ham Radio breakfast, we went shopping and walking at Howard's Flea Market nearby. Even though we have had quite a lot of rain, we have also had some very warm weather. In fact, yesterday the temperature passed the 90 degree point. Today they had the monthly lunch at church. I am on a "Clear liquid" diet but Loretta had a good lunch. Then this afternoon, I started "Prep" for surgery, so keeping pretty close to the trailer.

My surgery tomorrow was moved to 8:15, so hopefully I can get a decent night's sleep before leaving for Lecanto Surgery Center. After tomorrow, the only appointment left is on the 12th for follow-up doctor visit, X-Rays and CT Scan. Then barring something unforeseen we will be ready to head north.

Andy and Loretta