Our RV Travels

Keeping busy

2012-01-08T20:09:00.000-05:00

We spent New Years Day dinner with out hosts Glen and Sue and friends. Dinner featured sauerkraut and pork. That is supposed to bring good luck which we sure can use. They are great friends and very helpful.

I found the damage to the trailer was more extensive than I had expected. I had jacked the slide-out up by using the outer frame of the trailer to clear it so it would go in. BUT in doing so, I had pushed the sidewall down. So I have been making repairs slowly, it should be stronger than new when I finish. I am not rushing the job so as not to make any mistakes - well, too many. I was able to straighten the damaged stabilizer jack so that is ready to put back on. While making repairs, I discovered some age related damage which I am also taking care of. Also located a source to replace the damaged door latch. I will call them tomorrow, but as that isn't pressing, may not order till I get other challenges under control. Glen has given me some assistance and provided a shop to work in which is much appreciated.

Friday evening we rode with them to the Eagles Club for Seafood supper which was delicious. Otherwise our time has been spent at the usual shopping, dining out, etc.

Loretta is doing pretty well, but not getting enough exercise. So she sometimes is quite weak and shaky, but I cannot force her to exercise. Prayers for her are requested.

That is about all for now

GOD Bless

Andy and Loretta

http://RVTravel.blogspot.com

W2UCZ4@gmail.com

RVLoretta@gmail.com

Happy New Year and GOD Bless

2011-12-31T19:59:00.001-05:00

My how time flies, but we have been busy. All doctor visits and my biopsy all turned out OK. Was also able to get into dentist for checkup. One evening upon returning to the trailer, I couldn't open the door. With Cliff's help, I removed the hinge pins and screen door. I was then able to remove the inside of the latch and found the bolt broken. I removed the bolt and now use the dead bolt to latch the door. We didn't have time to search for repair parts before leaving. I did find that reconditioned latches are available for several hundred dollars.

From Chapel Hill, TN, we proceeded to Macon, GA stopping at Texas T Campground for propane. And an overnight at Birmingham, AL. Before arrival in Macon, a brake warning appeared. So next day, I took the truck to NexTran Truck Center. They checked several items. The brake and cooling system were OK. A sensor on the oil pressure line was replaced as computer readings weren't as expected. But that pricy item didn't seem to make any real change. So an unexpected repair bill. We also topped the fuel tanks as price there much lower than Florida. We visited and dined with Loretta's son Steve and his family. He also helped secure one of the running boards that was loose. We went to Camping World at Byron, but they didn't have parts for the door latch. I purchased another latch but didn't think it would work.

After 3 nights at the Shrine Club Campground, we headed for Florida, returning the latch to Camping World. That leg of the trip was uneventful but we did overnight at Lake Park, GA. We arrived at the Moose Club in Palatka, FL the next afternoon and set up in the campground. We spent over a week there, shopping, dining out and at the club and some minor PM work on the trailer. Last year I had WiFi from Palatka Sky Divers next door, but none this year. We did get to watch the Sky Divers several days though. I finally set up my cell phone for Internet, but by time they got that running it was almost time to leave. We spent CHRISTmas day with Loretta's family and relatives in Daytona Beach and had a great time. Before moving, Steve and I started to dump the waste tanks and the Macerator Pump failed. So I used the dump station when leaving.

Last Monday we prepared to move to Arcadia, FL. However when we attempted to put the slide-outs in, the door-side one wouldn't move. Investigation revealed that it was out to far and jammed. I jacked it up then got it in OK. We had a nice ride through Ocala National Forest for about half of the trip. The rest was heavy traffic and congestion. So I was beat by time we arrived at our friends Glen and Sue. After a short visit we started to set up only to find that the door-side slide-out wouldn't extend. I left that till next day for my attention.

I had to borrow a long adjustable brace to get it out. It didn't want to close again binding on top. So Glen and I started to try and locate the problem. Apparently when jacking the slide-out up, I had forced the sidewall down some. So I have been spending every day attempting repairs. Also when pulling onto the highway at the Moose Club, one of the stabilizer jacks bent. So I have also that to repair. I am also trying to locate a shop to repair the motor for the Macerator Pump. Otherwise time has been spent visiting and some shopping.

This evening Loretta and I went to a nice restaurant in Arcadia for our New Years Eve celebration? I doubt that we will be awake at midnight to welcome the New Year.

Guess that gets up to date for now

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND GOD BLESS

Follow up

2011-10-30T22:06:00.000-04:00

Our last post was from Loretta's daughters where we picked up mail and had supper and nice visit. However it had turned dark by the time we were ready to leave. Due to the congestion in the drive, I opted to back out onto the road. But some limbs hanging over the drive confused me and I backed off the right side of the drive striking a large fence post. When I pulled away, the lower rear panel on the truck bed was pulled loose. As it was dark, I couldn't evaluate the damage but it appeared that it wouldn't be any problem driving to Chapel Hill. The next morning I looked and it appeared that repairs might be extensive. So I reported it to insurance company. They got back to me later when we were in Lewisburg for our shopping trip. A body shop there was recommended so I went there for estimate.

I was informed that repairs would be less than the deductible. So Monday I left truck there after a rental was arranged with Enterprise. Tuesday, I received call that I could pick the truck up so returned the rental to Columbia and was delivered to Lewisburg. They had only made temporary repairs which cost well under $100.00 but from a short distance one cannot even see the damage. Final repairs will be made when we get back in the spring when hopefully our finances will be better able to pay for it. The LORD sure looks out for us as I expected to have to come up with the whole repair at this time.

We have started our autumn doctor routines. Loretta has had a few appointments and Friday I went to the Vanderbilt Clinic at 100 Oaks for pre-op in preparation for bladder biopsy next month. So far, everything is looking good. Again on the way Friday another miracle happened. We stopped at the Transfer Station with some trash. Upon leaving, we saw steam coming from the hood. I opened it to find a pin hole in the water line to the air compressor spraying water. We were only about a mile from the Service shop in Chapel Hill. So we returned and had the damaged hose replaced. Had we been farther along our way, a tow truck would have had to be summoned and I would have missed my appointment. Thank the LORD again, he sure rides with us.

Mostly the weather has been great with summer-like days last week. This week has been cooler and yesterday didn't get out of the 40's. We did have a light freeze both last week and last night. So I did disconnect the water hose just in case. It looks as if I will get a few more green tomatoes even though the vines have been killed as the weather is supposed to warm up a bit.

Today was our 2nd visit to Rays Chapel new facility. It is much better than the old church and the congregation has increased a lot. Still not many youngsters attending, hopefully that will change. And of course we have been doing our weekly shopping trips, a bit of visiting and tending to the usual tasks around the place in addition to lunches at the Chapel Hill Senior Center. I use the exercise room there and we enjoy visiting.

I guess that gets us up to date again

Truck before repair

View from our window

Truck after temporary repair

GOD Bless

Andy and Loretta

W2UCZ4@gmail.com

RVLoretta@gmail.com

http://RVTravel.blogspot.com

Back in Tennessee

2011-10-13T18:35:00.002-04:00

Well, we finished our stay in Western NY with a couple of nights in the 30's. Some frost in the valleys, but none on the hilltop. Lowest there was about 37 degrees.

The problem with the truck may not have been injectors which would have been very expensive. It appeared to be problem with electrical connection from the Electronic Control Module to the injectors. Cleaning and lubricating those connectors appears to have the problem under control. Too bad we didn't try that earlier as a lot of time and money was spent on addressing the situation. I did have the truck serviced and tires rotated in preparation for travel. When the wheels were off, a leaking axle seal was found. So a week later, I took it back for that and in replacing that the brake caliper was found to be in bad shape. We were without wheels 2 days waiting for that very expensive part to arrive. But shouldn't have to worry about that seizing up at the worst possible time. In fact that did happen on the other side several years a couple of days before Christmas and we parked in the repair shop for about a week.

I think I mentioned in last post that we had attended my 60th Class reunion and the Teamsters Retirees Picnic. We also made a few of the retirees luncheons, a Pig Roast at my grandson's, Loretta's family reunion and a wedding on her side of the family. We also visited several friends, but as Loretta was under the weather at times didn't begin to get all the way around. Of course some dining out with friends and shopping trips.

We left Monday and spent 2 nights on the road with great weather and no vehicle challenges. Monday night we spent in a truck stop near Berkshire, OH and I attempted to assist the RV'ers next to me with an electrical problem. In doing so, we discovered that they lived only about 3 miles from where we had spent the summer. Small world isn't it. We arrived at our destination near Chapel Hill, TN yesterday afternoon, taking a bit of a detour as a truck fire and accident had I-65 blocked all day. I was able to get parked and completely set up yesterday afternoon.

Today we had lunch at the Senior Center and then came to Loretta's daughters to pick up our mail and join them for supper, stopping for propane at Texas T Campground on the way. Tomorrow will be the day to stock up on groceries again. And we are looking forward to Sunday when we get to attend Ray's Chapel UMC in the new location in Unionville, TN

Guess that is about it for now

GOD Bless

Andy and Loretta

W2Ucz4@gmail.com

RVLoretta @gmail.com

http://RVTravel.blogspot.com

Been way too long

2011-09-18T16:59:00.000-04:00

I apologize about the delay on getting another update out.

The weather here has been everything from HOT, but NOT like what we left in Tennessee, to chilly with a few days not getting out of 50's and nights in 40's. Perhaps some valley areas had some frost? Most of the time weather has been mild with some storms, but nothing serious.

We have kept busy visiting friends and family. We attended my 60th Class Reunion which was well attended and great to get together with classmates. Also attended Pig Roast at one of my grandsons home where we got together with both my family and his wife's family - great time. Loretta's family had a reunion Labor Day Sunday preceded by a great party on Saturday at her niece's new home. We also attended the Teamsters Retirees Picnic and 2 of the monthly lunches.

Our health has been good and I am doing great. My walking has decreased some with rainy and cooler weather, but still probably average a couple of miles a day. Loretta still having some difficulty walking and is shaky and weak at times, but she still keeps going. I did have to take her to the ER in Warren, PA a couple of weeks ago. She was complaining of severe pain in her left side in the rib area. She was checked over and X-Rays revealed no broken ribs. Dr. said that one may be cracked which wouldn't show up on X-Ray. Said all that could be done was address the pain. She is still hurting some, but has taken very few pain pills.

I have been keeping busy when home assisting our host Tom W2DRZ with his Ham Radio repeater system. Also have done some yard and tree work for them. In addition there have been some of the usual PM jobs on the truck and trailer. I have had the truck in the shop a few times doing some service work and checking an engine problem that started in April, not positive what it is yet, but probably expensive.

I expect that it will soon be time to think about heading back to Tennessee. It feels like fall is approaching, and we plan on heading out before any snow hits. We have to get back to doctor appointments the last week in October, so hopefully weather will cooperate so we can stay till then.

Bout all GOD Bless

Andy and Loretta

W2UCZ4@gmail.com

RVLoretta@gmail.com

RVTravels.blogspot.com

In Western NY

2011-06-23T14:32:00.001-04:00

View from our window before leaving Tennessee

The balance of our stay in Tennessee went well. Doctor report was satisfactory and no more treatments scheduled. He does wish to do another biopsy in the fall when we return to Tennessee. The weather had gotten terribly hot with most days nearing 100 degrees which made things very uncomfortable. But due to the amount of rain in Western New York, decided to wait till ground dried up a bit there.

We left Chapel Hill on the 7th of June and most of the trip was HOT. I had installed an override switch on the fan clutch on the truck and the first day had that in the on position most of the day. Also drove in 4th gear to keep fan speed high enough to keep engine cool while towing. The second day was somewhat better and most of time ran normally. By second evening we were almost to Pennsylvania with about a hundred miles left to our destination. Rather than have to park and setup with darkness approaching, we opted to overnight at a truck stop.

We arrived at our summer location before noon and found the ground hard enough to park in our usual space. We parked, did most of our setup and unwound for the rest of day as well as visiting with our hosts. The following day completed setup (getting awnings out, etc.), and other small tasks. On Saturday a trip to Wal-Mart near Warren, PA was in order to replenish supplies and some medications. This was followed by taking our hosts out for dinner and visit.

The rest of our stay so far has consisted of visiting friends, shopping and dining out. Last week we also went to the Teamsters Retirees luncheon in my old hometown. I have also done a bit of yard work around here and assisted Tom with a couple of Ham Radio projects. Also last Friday a trip to the International dealer took up most of the day (and finances). I wanted some checks done on computer and some bare wires were discovered to the plug for the injector control solenoid. Very simple and inexpensive job and computer results were acceptable. However after replacing the plug, the truck wouldn't start. So the solenoid was replaced which is a pricy item and very difficult to change. There are still some things that I wish to address at a later date.

Weather has been mostly good since arrival here and a lot cooler than Tennessee. It has neared 80 degrees a few days, but some only in 60's. We have had some rain, but no severe thunderstorms. In fact as I write this it is getting very windy and looks like more rain. We are both doing well health wise and I have been walking about 4 miles a day. That was difficult in Tennessee due to traffic and no shoulders on highway.

Guess that gets us up to date for now.

GOD Bless

Andy and Loretta

http;//RVTravel.blogspot.com

W2UCZ4@gmail.com

RVLoretta @gmail.com

Hot day in Central Tennessee

2011-05-08T20:07:00.001-04:00

The remains of Kevin and Tabathia's house in Alabama

April was a rather eventful day here in Central Tennessee. The truck was starting poorly, and investigation revealed a broken Glow Plug relay. So another trip to the repair shop to have that replaced. Still not starting like it should, but I know a couple of glow plugs aren't up to snuff. Other than some cleanup work, we haven't had much in line of vehicle challenges.

A few doctor visits and tests which all came back with good results and mostly to see again in November. I to have to see the Vanderbilt urologist tomorrow for a look inside my bladder, but expect that will be positive also. If so, we will then be cleared to head north. As of now, we plan on going to the Dayton, OH Hamvention in 2 weeks before heading to Western NY.

We did miss the RV rally in North Carolina, but with costs the way they are and having to return for appointments felt it was best to forgo that. Hopefully we will be able to attend some later in the year. In addition, we have several reunions and parties scheduled to attend in NY State.

We have been surrounded but bypassed by several severe storms. We have had heavy rains and winds at several times which resulted in securing our patio awning, but not even many limbs down. However one tornado did pass within a couple of miles of us doing quite a bit of damage in its path. Most of the bad tornadoes passed to the south of us destroying a lot of Alabama and southeast Tennessee. Loretta's grandson and family lived in a small town near Ft. Payne, AL which was pretty well wiped off the map. They lost their house, but had taken refuge at their place of employment which was away from the storms. So none of them were injured - Thank the LORD. Now as you know from the news, the western end of the state and other low laying counties are being flooded by the heavy rains. Our temperatures have been up and down with several days in 80's then some in 50's, with warm nights and some frost warnings. Today was up into 80's again and 90's forecast for tomorrow. Farmers haven't been able to plant crops due to the wet weather and just this week started to harvest hay, 2-3 weeks late.

I have been attending Ray's Chapel United Methodist Church, and Loretta also when she was feeling up to it. She hasn't been feeling too well quite a bit of the time and not getting a lot of exercise. We have stopped at the Senior Center for lunch and I take advantage of the exercise machines at the new facility. The visiting is good for Loretta and one cannot beat $1.25 lunches. They are really quite good and complete too. Easter Sunday there was a Potluck breakfast at church, and another last Wednesday at the Senior Center. Eat, eat, eat - hard to keep weight under control. Also dinners at Loretta's daughter and daughter in laws in additional to our other favorite dining places. We have done usual shopping trips, but no sightseeing or tourist attraction. I have done a few PM tasks and walked around the property here, but that is about it.

Hoping this finds you well.

GOD Bless

Andy and Loretta

http://RVTravel.blogspot.com

The LORD works in strange ways

2011-04-08T19:38:00.001-04:00

Our last trip to Florida and return had many evidences of HIS presence. (1) As I posted before, we had a fuel leak on way south. When we got to Shrine Club Campground in Macon, I found truck shop only 4 miles away. They diagnosed problem and made temporary repair for 1/2 hour labor charge. Then when parts were delayed 2 days, the repair was done at no charge to us. Then when we arrived at our destination near Arcadia, FL, (2) Glen had material, tools and knowledge to help with repairs to large slide out. (3) While doing that, a pin on the drive shaft sheared and again, he had pin to replace and assisted in repair (How fortunate that it happened there instead of at a campground where I would have had to call in Road Service for repair.

(4) Then on the way back, the 2nd tire failure was only a mile or so from a truck tire shop that had a used tire of right size in stock. There I discovered oil leak from engine. They attempted repair but couldn't do so sent us to repair shop only a mile or so away. (5) There, they provided parking space, electric, WiFI and transportation for meal runs to nearby Denny's. In addition they paid for dinner one evening at a great restaurant. Couldn't have asked for better service. However, they had difficulty getting the oil pan reinstalled so that it wouldn't leak. When that was finally sealed (they obtained correct sealant from International), there was still a small leak at the dipstick fitting. I didn't know till then that they had attempted to repair the original one with new O-Ring as a new fitting was not available for several days. So now obtain the new fitting, raise the engine and drop the oil pan for the 5th time. I wish they had told me that at first and I would have told them we would wait. Also had they done that first time and obtained correct sealant from International, the job should have been done the first time. As it was, we spent a week there, we did have use of the truck for shopping and some sightseeing over the weekend!!

We finally got on the road again in the afternoon a week ago last Tuesday. So we overnighted one night along the way. On Thursday, we exited the Interstate at Mansfield, TN and went to a Logan's Roadhouse for lunch. (6) As we pulled into the lot there, there was steam all over. I parked and opened the hood to find water on the engine but couldn't see where it came from. I speed-ed up the engine and there was a fountain coming from the top radiator hose. I felt that I might be able to cut off the damaged part so we ate lunch while waiting. While eating, I talked to some other customers and was told there was a truck repair shop only a few hundred yards away. We went there and I was told that I could walk across the street to Wal-Mart and get some sealant and tape and repair it myself so I wouldn't have to pay the $40.00 minimum. (7) I said that I might have those in the trailer, but he went and got a new tube of sealant and roll of tape. He then cleaned the damaged area off but then said he thought he could cut off the damaged portion. So he did that himself so I gave him a tip for his time. So that means there was at least 7 miracles in addition to safe travel and fair weather for the trip.

The rest of the trip was uneventful trying a different route through Central Tennessee countryside. When we arrived here, it had been raining, so our usual spot wasn't usable. So we parked and set the trailer up on the gravel pad in front of the shop. Loretta had been complaining of pain in left shoulder and arm. So we went to the doctor on Friday and left trailer wheel at Buddy's Tire Store in Columbia. I was told that the tires were NOT under warranty and price has gone up to almost $250.00 each. So I ordered only one and will keep the used tire for a spare. The doctor said Loretta's pain was in the Bursa and a shot gave temporary relief. She is using a heating pad and some lineament which does provide some relief.

They were happy to see us back at Ray's Chapel UMC on Sunday. After church and lunch, we went to Lynnville to visit Loretta's daughter and family and pick up our mail. We also stopped at Texas T Campground for some propane. Monday, I saw the Urologist at Vanderbilt Cool Springs, he wants to look inside my bladder next month. We had somewhat hoped to catch a rally at Ashville, NC this month then head north - Oh Well!! While at his office a strong thunderstorm arrived. It eased off a bit, so we had lunch at Famous Dave's BBQ then stopped by for a short visit with Loretta's niece. On way home, we made a short stop at Wal-Mart in Franklin and while there a Tornado Warning was sounded. So we couldn't do our shopping till that was lifted and were herded to the center of the store.

On Tuesday, Loretta had a doctor appointment in Columbia, so I stopped at RP Williams truck repair to have the defective radiator hose replaced. Also picked up the trailer wheel with new tire at Buddy's. Then yesterday, I had to go back for a CT Scan. It was a beautiful day so when I got back, I installed the wheel with the new tire in place of the used tire which I will keep for a spare. We then parked the trailer on the grassy area and got set up for a lengthy stay. We have been going to the Senior Center for lunch and visit when we could. And today after coming home, I finished the trailer setup and made a minor adjustment on the small slide out.

I guess that has us pretty well up to date.

Please let me know if you get more than one copy of this.

I lost my address book some time ago, so trying to rebuild from old records.

I keep several lists Classmates, Prayer List, Forwards and Special Friends. You may appear on more than one. About all Special Friends get should be these posts.

If you wish to be removed from any or all lists, please let me know. Also if you wish to be moved to a particular list, also advise and I will try to do that.

You can always follow us at the link below.

GOD Bless

Andy and Loretta

http://RVTravel.blogspot.com

Tied up in Georgia

2011-03-23T13:45:00.000-04:00

We left Arcadia after very nice visit with Glen and Sue. We headed to Macon, GA under good conditions spending one night on the road. We did have a flat on the trailer, but was able to pull into a spot in rear of restaurant where I could put spare on in the shade. Good thing as it was very hot then. As the tire was under warranty and my spare was good, I decided to wait till we get back in Tennessee to replace it.

In Macon, we visited Loretta's son Steve and his family. They treated us to dinner 2 days and we took them out after church on Sunday. Monday I took the truck to NexTran to have the parameters on the fan clutch reset so the engine would run a bit cooler. We also fueled truck as fuel there was about as reasonable as we had seen in quite a while. Also went to Camping World in Byron for repair kit for the water pump in the trailer. They only had a complete pump assembly without motor available, so I purchased a new pump. Will install that when we are at a good place to do the work.

Tuesday, we left the Shrine Club Campground early heading for Ft. Payne, AL. We planned a stop at Denny's at the Flying J near Jackson, GA for breakfast. BUT another tire blew out. I would have removed it and drove on 3 wheels to a tire store. However it was on the left side and the shoulder was quite narrow. No way I was going to remove it on the Interstate with the heavy traffic passing. So we limped to our planned exit but went to a tire shop nearby. They happened to have a used tire of correct size in stock which I purchased and they installed. However when making room in the truck bed for the damaged casing, I discovered quite a bit of oil on the floor. It was coming from the engine. The mechanic checked and found it was from the fitting where the oil dipstick enters the oil pan. He tried to tighten the nut without any luck. So he referred me to another repair shop nearby.

After delayed breakfast at Denny's, we went to the repair shop. It wasn't long before I was able to drop the trailer and they got to work in the afternoon. They worked on it till evening. Had to raise engine and move engine mount to get the oil pan out to install a new fitting for the dipstick to fasten to. It was getting towards 7PM when it was finished, I moved it to the trailer then settled up. BUT when I went out to hookup, there was a puddle of oil under it again. So after getting trailer leveled up and plugged into their power, we spent night. OK, except next to a busy highway and quite noisy.

This morning they got to work on the truck again first thing. I was told that the sealant used to seal the oil pan wasn't sufficient. As of noon, they had the engine lifted and the oil pan in position to reseal. We were loaned a 2011 KIA to go for lunch. They had to go to Atlanta to obtain a better sealant. I think that has just arrived and hopefully we will be able to travel again in an hour or so.

Till later

GOD Bless

Andy and Loretta

http://RVTravel.blogspot.com

About wound up in Arcadia

2011-03-13T10:40:00.001-04:00

We have had a busy time here near Arcadia, FL I had my series of 3 BCG treatments done at a Urology Center in Port Charlotte with only a few problems. Now I will see the Vanderbilt Urologist on 3 April for results. We visited friends and family in Englewood. Also visited friends in South Venice and at Avion Palms in Bowling Green and others. Dined out with family in Englewood and our hosts here in Arcadia as well as checking out most of the eating establishments nearby by ourselves.

I have also (with Glens assistance often) done a lot of repair and maintenance on out RV. There was some damage to the floor in the large slideout. Glen and I replaced the damaged portion (we were lucky as he had material available for the repair. But then the slideout would not operate correctly, it had been binding for some time. He and I tried repeatedly to adjust it without any luck. Finally it quit moving entirely but could hear motor running. He had heard a noise in that area before. I removed the access panel between axles and removed the motor and gear assembly. I found a drive pin broken (Glen had a pin here saving a trip to town). After replacing pin and reinstalling the motor assembly, the slideout works better than it ever has. I feel that the drive pin had slipped some time ago and was dragging. This pin should NOT slip.

I also washed the external of the trailer and cleaned off dark spots. Then I repaired some pits on the sidewall and repainted these areas best I could. Looks pretty good again!!

We are both feeling quite well and Loretta is holding up very well. She still gets tired and weak at times, but not like she was before we left Tennessee.

We expect to be heading back there shortly as we have doctor appointments back there. We do plan on visiting friends and family as we travel.

Weather here has been mostly excellent with lots of sun and usually nice breezes. Temperatures have been in 70's and lower 80's mostly with nights usually in 60's. We have had a few chilly nights in the 40's and a couple of days in 60's and heavy rain last Thursday. The rain was greatly needed but nothing more in the near forecast.

Guess that about gets up to date again.

GOD Bless

Andy and Loretta

http://RVTravel.blogspot.com

Now near Arcadia, FL

2011-02-13T19:39:00.001-05:00

View from our trailer at Platka Moose Club next to airport.

What we were leaving in Tennessee!!

Now near Arcadia, FL

Well, we sure have been busy since last post. We finally were able to get on the road the 18th of January. We overnighted near Reseca, GA and when I did my check in the morning, I found diesel fuel leaking somewhere. There was a truck repair shop across the street, so I called them. But was informed that it would be late in the day before they could get to me. So I opted to continue to Macon, GA arriving in the afternoon. After getting parked and set up at the Shrine Club Campground, we went to visit Loretta's son Steve and family. The fuel leak appeared to be somewhat worse and we checked there to find the line to drain water from the fuel filter was the source.

The next day, I took the truck to a nearby Mack Truck and Ford Truck dealership, making a wrong turn and driving about 10 extra miles with fuel leak getting worse all the time. After inspection, the problem appeared to be the valve used to drain the water. Apparently freezing had cracked that, an new valve was ordered. As this was Friday, I was told to expect it in on Monday afternoon. They did plug the drain line for a temporary repair that hopefully would last the weekend. It did so we were able to run some errands, shop and dine with Steve and family. We also went to church with them on Sunday.

Monday afternoon, I called Nextran Truck Service only to find that the part received was not the one ordered. Next afternoon, I was promised. So Tuesday forenoon, I dumped the waste tanks and filled the water tank, as I had contacted the Moose Club in Palatka, FL and been informed to arrive with full water tank. Tuesday afternoon, phone call to Nextran where I was told that the part was on the truck, but it hadn't arrived. Wednesday afternoon I received a call the the part was in the Service Manager's hand. I said we would be right over as they were only 4 miles away. We waited a short while in the Drivers Lounge, then the Service Manager came in with the repair order to tell us we were ready to go. He said "Look at the bottom line", which I did to find it said NO CHARGE! There was a notification that they accepted full responsibility due to the delay. He said he even tried to get money to reimburse our campground fees but that was denied.

So we headed back to the Shrine Club to hook up, pay for extra days and get underway. We only traveled about 100 miles that day, stopping at a Cracker Barrel in Tipton, GA where after supper spent the night. Next morning we moved to the Moose Lodge in Palatka, FL. This is a very nice club with excellent food. While there, we shopped, had a blood test done for Loretta and visited friends in nearby Satsuma. One reason for staying there was to visit Loretta's family and relatives in Daytona Beach. We weren't able to make that visit till Saturday. We drove there in the forenoon and had a good visit with Loretta's son-in-law, 2 grandsons, one great-grandaugther, a niece and her family. We also visited daughter Cheryl's grave site. Then in the evening, we went to Ormond by the Sea, where we had supper at Alfie's Restaurant. They also have a restaurant in Lakewood, NY and we have known the family for many years. The friends from Satsuma met us there and we had a nice farewell visit.

Sunday, we secured, hooked up and left donation for camping at the Moose Lodge. Then we headed south arriving at our friends Glen and Sue at about 5PM. Neighbor Lee helped us park and get set up. After a short visit, we went out for supper at a Chinese Buffet. Plans were to dine at BullZ Eye BBQ, but they close early on Sundays. Loretta and I have tried that out since to find it very good. Monday was attend to a few chores around the rig and some shopping. Tuesday we went to Port Charlotte for an appointment with a Urologist there regarding scheduled BCG treatments to follow up on Bladder Cancer. Then to Englewood to visit a dear friend and former vendor when we had VHF Communications. Thursday, another trip to Port Charlotte for the first of 3 treatments. This required return home for rest of the day.

Friday Glen and Sue invited them to join them for fish dinner at the Eagles Club. The fish there was excellent and is about as close as one can find in the south to the excellent fish dinners in the Jamestown, NY area. I had talked with Glen about damage to the floor of the large slide out. Yesterday morning I moved the couch, cleared the area and removed carpet. Then Glen came and looked at the area. He had located a piece of 3/4" plywood large enough for the repair. So we removed the damaged material and installed the new wood which turned out to be quite a job. I needed 2 bolts to complete repair which I got today and installed one. Also caulked the joint between the new wood and the rest of the floor. Still have one bolt to put in and adjust the slide out as it is now binding. Something to look forward to, HI

So we will be here at least a few weeks for my treatments. As good weather is expected, I can tend to a few more outside jobs on our rig. Also some Ham Radio operation is possible here. Of course the weather this morning left a bit to be desired with 38 degree temperature. That is supposed to change now though.

Guess that catches up on happenings over the past month.

GOD Bless

Andy and Loretta

http://RVTravel.blogspot.com

W2UCZ4@gmail.com

RVLoretta@gmail.com

Still setback

2011-01-10T14:34:00.000-05:00

We are still in Tennessee with the first heavy snow of the season last night - about 7". We had hoped to get out of here shortly after our last post. However Loretta ended up in the hospital again later in the week and spent hospital there. No reason found for fever and weakness though. At this time, she is undergoing Physical Therapy at a new Physical Therapy Clinic in Chapel Hill and seems to be responding very well. So hopefully we will soon be able to head south for the balance of the winter. We had a good Christmas with families here in Tennessee.

I am supposed to get 3 more BCG treatments next month and plan on doing that in Florida. We plan on visiting many of our friends and family there. Then back here in March or April for follow up with the Urologist to be sure that the treatments have done the trick. We also have several other appointments scheduled at that time. Then we plan on doing some traveling this next summer and also attend the 60th Reunion of my graduating class.

Other than that, not a lot to report at this time

GOD Bless

and a great 2011.

Andy and Loretta

http://RVTravel.blogspot.com

W2UCZ4@gmail.com

RVLoretta@gmail.com

Guess I told an untruth!!!!!

2010-12-13T11:04:00.000-05:00

Things were looking very good. After two Thanksgiving dinners with family here in Tennessee and one at church, we were well filled up. I got results from my biopsy the following Tuesday and the Pathology report was also good. But some suspect cells in Urine Test means 3 more BCG treatment sin February. But I can have them wherever we are then.

Loretta's gynecologist had another Ultrasound scheduled which we wanted to do before heading south. But that wasn't totally satisfacoty, so a D&C and Hystocopy were scheduled for Tuesday of this week. They went very well and doctor was happy with results. She said if lab test was good, she would let us know and not need follow up visit.

Everything seemed to be going well in the Recovery so I went to get truck. But as it was very cold, the air line had frozen and I could not release parking brake. Loretta's daughter had accompanied us, so I asked her to take Loretta home. When engine heat thawed the brake, I went to the repaior shop to get air system winterized.

As I left there, the phone rang, it was Sharon informing me that she was taking Loretta back to the ER as she was unresponsive when arriving home. I met them there where she was oot of it. They said she should have gone to bed at home to sleep off the anesthesia and would just put her in a room to sleep it off. There they found her temperature elevated and BP all over the place so ran a ton of tests and put her on antibiotics even no infection was found.

Our doctor kept her overnight for observation. She hadn't eaten since day before so was hungry and weak. Her BP was low on Wednesday morning but temp was normal. By time doctor arrived, BP was good too, so he released her. On way home, we had dinner and she took rest of day easy. Thursday I had a few errands to run and she went along. When she did get out of truck she unsteady and needed a bit of support but didn't use cane. She didn't eat well at all that day. She thrashed around all night.

Friday at about 0430, she fell out of bed and couldn't help getting back in, I lifted her into bed and then checked her temperature to find it quite high. I went to get some medication to find she had taken non on Thursday. After giving her evening meds, she settled down some.

Sharon called and talked to her, BP and temp was high and Sharon said she sounded congested. She told me that she should see doctor. With help from nephew, I got her into truck and back to ER. Bunch of tests revealed no reason for her problem, but more antibiotic and a few days for observation. Her temperature has settled down now, but BP still low at times. She called to say she could come home yesterday, but when I got there found that wasn't the case. I had gone in right away as it was snowing quite hard here.

We had heavy winds all day and night with temperatures getting down into the low teens by this morning. Not a lot of snow on the ground though. I just talked to Loretta again and she said she can come home. I have some errands to run and an appointment early this afternoon, so it will be mid afternoon before I can get there. But don't expect to get very warm - about 21 degrees now.

Will have to see what doctor says, but still hope to get to Florida for CHRISTmas with family there.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

GOD BLESS

Andy and Loretta

Good news Florida here we come.

2010-11-18T22:51:00.001-05:00

Parked near Chapel Hill, Tennessee

Well, after the back problem eased up some, I started to remove the old water heater while waiting for the new one to arrive from California. BUT, I found that the Bypass valve only switched the cold water line. If I removed it without plugging the line, we wouldn't have any water at all. So left the hot water line hooked up to the heater, but did disconnect everything else and remove all mounting screws.

Sunday evening we had wicked winds and very heavy rain. I was afraid that the patio awning would be torn off, so braved the rain to secure that. Loretta's nephew came out to assist, but the heavy storm was very brief and by time we finished, it had passed. Still a lot of rain the rest of night. Monday we woke to find minor storm damage here but some nearby areas had received a lot. Quite a lot of stuff blown around and the TV antenna at the house had blown over with some damage. The water heater arrived Monday, so Richard and I installed that. I did have a small leak on the cold water line. It was attached too closely to the heater and had a twist in it. I got a longer pipe nipple and material to seal leak as there wasn't enough plastic pipe to put a new connector on. BUT when I got the line straightened out, found the leak no longer there. That sure took a load off my mind.

They put the TV antenna back up at the house, but it wasn't working correctly. We took it down and found shorted elements. We straightened them and changed a connector at the house them the HDTV stations all came in OK. After a couple of more visits to our Chiropractor, my back returned pretty much to normal. Again on Wednesday we were under Tornado watch. There were over 300 Tornadoes in the Midwest that day, but again we were lucky. Thank the LORD. Then the new water appeared to NOT be heating on AC. As I do not want to be limited to using propane, I decided to trouble shoot the problem, No fuses blown and all connections appeared to be intact. However I found that the neutral side of the line seemed to be open. Tracing the wires was impossible, so I picked up a ground at another location and spliced it in. I am not sure but the original started to work by then also, but left them connected together.

Thursday started our annual doctor visits and checkups, so I took Loretta to one that day in Columbia and Friday the 29th went to the Vanderbilt Medical Center Clinic at 100 Oaks Shopping Center near Nashville for my Pre-op for the biopsy on my Bladder to see if Cancer is gone. That was scheduled for the 9th, but later moved to the 16th.

After 3 days of Tornado watches, the weather settled down with unusually warm temperatures. We did have a few frosty mornings but no real hard freeze yet. We have been kept quite busy with doctor visits and tests - all which came out quite well, as well as shopping and eating out. We have had to go for propane 2 times, and expect Saturday will need to get more. The furnace has been running quite a bit now (but would be a lot more in NY).

Tuesday Loretta's daughter Sharon drove us to Vanderbilt Surgery Center in Nashville for my procedure. They called Monday evening to ask us to arrive at about 1030 for surgery at noon instead of 2PM. We arrived early, but when I was in the preparation room, had to wait for hours. I expect it was still 2 when I finally got into the operating room. The surgery went well and I was awake by the time they got back to the Recovery Room. So as soon as a room available was moved there to visit with Loretta and Sharon and wait till my system started to return to normal. The surgeon had told them that no sign of cancer. I am to call Monday to see if path results are back. He told me that if they are OK, I won't have to see him again till spring. Praise the LORD. That means we should be able to winter in Florida again this year. I was in quite a bit of pain so yesterday was pretty well dragged out after the pain medication.

We have a few more appointments for next week and Thanksgiving Dinner with family. Barring something unforeseen, we will be getting hooked up on the road and under way soon after that. Sure looking forward to Christmas with family in Florida and visiting all of our friends there.

Calling for low in mid 60's tonight and some 70's by weekend. Great for this late in the season.

Goodnight for now

GOD Bless

Andy and Loretta

http:??RVTravel.blogspot.com

Back in Tennessee

2010-10-21T16:00:00.001-04:00

Loretta and sister in laws at family reunion

Been rather eventful since leaving Frewsburg, NY. The end of September, we moved to Camp Bell Campground at Campbell, NY. There we visited my classmate and Loretta's cousin Jim Harrison and wife. Also my niece Annette who lives near the campground came by to visit us. We also visited Ham Radio friends Herman and Winnie in Painted post as well as visiting Corning Glass Works and the Corning Outlet Store in Corning. On the 2nd, we went to a benefit for the family of Loretta's Great niece near Elmira.

I called out ex partner Russ in NJ and planned to stay an extra day at Camp Bell to arrange a possible visit. However Sunday morning was threatening heavy rain and Loretta wasn't feeling well. So we hooked up and headed south before the rain arrived. Loretta was feeling somewhat better by time we got near Williamsport, PA so suggested a visit to Pennsylvania Dutch Country. We consulted the campground guide and located one near where we wanted to go. I programmed the shortest routePottsville where I could get off the road and found one of the brakes smoking. As that would take some time to cool down and it was nearing dark, I went in and talked to the manager. She said it would be OK to spend the night in the lot, so after a delicious supper there we settled in for the night. into the GPS and we headed there. Shortest was NOT the best route, we got to see parts of PA that I had never driven truck in. Many hills and crooked roads. We turned onto one that was fairly flat but it said turn right on Gilbert Mountain Road. I looked at the terrain to the right and said NO WAY. We found a place to turn around and took a different path. Many of the hills were so steep that even in 2nd gear, I had to use the brakes a lot. We found a Hoss' Restaurant parking lot in

Next morning it was raining hard, so we decided the PA Dutch tour was off and Loretta wasn't too chipper anyway. We got to I-81 and headed towards Tennessee, trying to contact a cousin of Loretta's at Chambersburg. Loretta was never able to get an answer so we continued on into Virginia. We stopped at the first Flying J truck stop for a bite to eat, but Pilot has purchased Flying J and they were remodeling. They didn't even have any RV parking available. As we were less than an hour from Centreville, I called our friend Alan Anderson there. He invited us to stop by for a visit. Again the GPS took us through some interesting and scenic countryside through some of the state I had never seen. We got to the Andersons, parked in their driveway and set up for our visit. While there, we went out to nearby restaurants, did some shopping, visited, etc. Al and I also did a minor repair on our RV where a damaged tire had loosened the fender.

We spent almost a week there and on Sunday got ready to head to Tennessee. I got secured and hooked up and as Al was helping me out of the driveway realized I had NOT cranked up the rear stabilizer jacks. I got out to find them bent back almost 45 degrees. But backing up onto them got them almost straight. However an electric drill would not raise them and I had to use the hand crank. But shortly we were on the road heading home.

As it was a late start, we were still on the road as darkness neared. We were going up a hill over an hour east of Roanoke when the engine temperature went sky high with warning light and alarm going off. I pulled off the road and opened hood to find water all over the place and not sure that the fan was engaged. I called Road Service and a wrecker was dispatched. A very nice State Trooper stopped and visited a while telling the closest service facility was Lee Hi Truck Plaza about 10 miles behind us. The wrecker arrived driven by the very nice owner. He got us on the hook, removed the drive shaft and after turning around at the next exit took us back to the truck stop. It was a rather rough ride for Loretta as the 2 of us were sitting on a rather narrow seat and in order to engage a couple of gears he would strike her leg with the shift lever. He dropped us off in the parking lot and put driveshaft back in, then we had supper in the restaurant.

As I had restarted the truck while waiting for wrecker and steam sprayed all over I feared the worst. Next morning a mechanic put some water in and I started the engine and unhooked. I drove into the shop and everything seemed to be working OK. This had happened once before and an International shop could find nothing wrong. The pressure cap wasn't working properly and he thought that could be the problem. He did find a couple of loose hose clamps which he also tightened. They obtained a new one from Roanoke and when it arrived, we got on the road again, spending the night east of Bristol.

Tuesday went well and we thought we might get to Chapel Hill in the evening. BUT we ran into heavy rain before leaving I40, then before we got to Murfreesboro

We spent the night at Stan's Truck Stop and after calling the shop headed into Columbia. RP had told me that he suspected the thermostat and inquired about an override on the fan clutch. When we got there, he put a man on the job right away. While waiting for the thermostat to arrive I traced some wires and found that installing an override switch would be no problem so had the mechanic install a switch for that. We borrowed a car to shop at Wal-Mart and when we returned repairs had been completed. As it was almost time for service, I had that done before we came here to Chapel Hill.

We got mostly set up before calling it a day. Thursday I completed the setup, then for some reason opened the inside access to the water heater. The floor was covered with water. I checked all connections and could find no leak. It appeared there might be one around the electric heating element. I replaced that and thought I had problem licked. But Friday the floor was still wet. Thinking it might be water spilled when changing the element, I got a hair dryer and directed it onto the area, but part time 2 days didn't get rid of the water. I called Atwood and the service rep there told me that the tank could be leaking. She could sell me a new tank for under $400, but it is a tough job changing that. I checked Camping World in Nashville and they thought they had one in stock. BUT it would cost about $875 and 120 mile drive to get it. I went online and located the correct one in California for under $600 including shipping. That should arrive Tuesday and I expect no real problem installing it. I have used the hair dryer to get rid of most of the water, but now have bypassed the heater and will have to heat water on stove for a few days.

I had to go to Columbia for a CT Scan today and thought I might start removing the old water heater when I got home. But my back went out without me again while there. I saw my chiropractor, but still hurt so that task can wait. We have been taking advantage of the $1.25 lunches at the Senior Center also. Yesterday Loretta's nephew and I removed the damaged stabilizer jacks and straightened them out. Only some bend in the screw which was easily straightened - Lucky,

Well that should be enough to read for now.

GOD Bless

Andy and Loretta

Now in NY

2010-09-12T18:14:00.001-04:00

Loretta had 4 more tests and got clear report from doctor. So we left Chapel Hill, TN on Friday, 30 August. As Loretta had her last test that morning and we had arranged to get mail on way, we got a late start so ended up in rush hour traffic going through Nashville. However we didn't really experience any real delay (Unusual for Nashville). We stopped at a small quiet truck stop near Cave City, KY where we spent the night. Saturday we drove to near Salem, OH for supper at Dutch Heritage Restaurant (one of our favorites). They have a truck parking area in the rear where we had parked and spent the night. Sunday we continued on to near Frewsburg, NY making a fuel stop in addition to usual meal stops.

We arrived here at about 2PM and received assistance getting parked and set up in our usual site at W2DRZ QTH. And then were invited to supper and visit with them. I contacted the Jamestown Urology Clinic and arranged a visit on last Friday to set up my BCG treatments. The Urologist that I see, Dr. Jung was very friendly and helpful visiting with us for quite a while which was unexpected. I had my first treatment Wednesday and have another scheduled the next 2 Wednesdays. Really not much to the treatment, but I do have to head right home where I must stay for the next 6 hours. He also set an appointment for follow up visit on 4 October. Our Travelcade Club friends are having a Rally in Amana, IA which we had hoped to attend. But that starts on the 5th, so will have to pass. I hope that they can get the club restarted and keep in touch that we may get together with them again in the near future. Also the Escapees RV Club Escapade is in Goshen, IN but that started today. At one times the thoughts had been to leave here and do both on our return to Tennessee. But NOT to happen.

We did attend Loretta's family reunion on the Sunday before Labor day where a good time and great visit was had with nearly 100 in attendance. Unfortunately the weather didn't really co-operate and washed out the Golf Tournament on Saturday. It was also very breezy and chilly on Sunday. But many of us were able to eat inside the building at the Motorcycle Club. Also a tarp cut down the wind for those dining in the pavilion. The weather did improve later in the day so we retired to the Pavilion for visits, business meeting and auction.

We went out for dinner with a group of friends last Friday evening and have met for lunch with a rather conservative group on Thursdays. I have assisted Tom with a few computer projects which has kept me occupied. Also my brother is putting his Park Model in Homestead Park nearby up for sale so I helped prepare Sale Posters for him. I would grab that myself if wanting something in the area as he has a give away price on it. My sister in Randolph has also gotten a laptop computer. So last Sunday after church we went there and I helped get rid of some unwanted software and install others to handle email and her business records.

Other than that, it has been mostly shopping trips and a small amount of visiting. We have many friends and family that we hope to see while here. However as we have to be back in Tennessee the last part of October, we probably won't see them all. Weather has left a bit to be desired and some PM jobs are on hold right now.

Guess that is about it for now.

GOD Bless

Andy and Loretta

http://RVTravel.blogspot.com
W2UCZ4@gmail.com

RVLoretta@gmail.com

Update on Loretta

2010-08-20T18:49:00.001-04:00

Loretta spent 2 nights in the hospital, coming home Saturday. The doctor that saw her Saturday said that the MRI was OK and no reason for her weakness shown in any test. My thought was that it was mostly caused by the heat we have been putting up with. It has cooled down somewhat and humidity is less. in fact last 3 days didn't top 90 degrees. And we had some much needed rain. She still has 2 doctor visits next week, one for a test for a previous condition and then follow up with doctor. We expect to be able to head north after that.

I saw my surgeon on Monday. He reports that the Cancer is still there. But fortunately it is smaller and only on the inside of the bladder. He wants 3 more BCG treatments in September followed up by another biopsy in November. He was encouraged that the Cancer will be totally gone then .

Otherwise not a lot to report. Looking forward to getting to travel again, and Loretta's family reunion on Labor Day weekend.

Thanks to all for their prayers and concern.

GOD Bless

Andy and Loretta

http://RVTravel.blogspot.com

Still stuck in Tennessee

2010-08-13T04:37:00.000-04:00

The weather here hasn't been too conductive to enjoyment of this beautiful part of the country. Yesterday was only the 3rd day in over a week that the temperature hadn't topped 100 degrees. That and high humidity has kept the Heat Index over 100 for some time. So we haven't accomplished much outside. Richard and I did install new shock absorbers on our RV on a couple of days that were a bit cooler. I also did a bit more preventative maintenance tasks when weather permitted.

I still haven't heard results on the biopsy, but "No News is Good News". I see the surgeon on Monday for follow-up. Plans were to leave next week and head to NY State. It has been HOT there too, but cooling off a bit now. Loretta's family is having a reunion there on Labor Day weekend and she sure has been looking for ward to that.

HOWEVER, she had some complications last week and visit to specialist resulted in more tests needed. One was scheduled for today, but the other isn't till the 21st. Then the follow-up with specialist is scheduled on the 26th and hoping that she has results then.

THEN Wednesday, she got very weak and I needed help to get her in the truck. We were going out for supper at that time and she got into restaurant OK with use of her walker which she had only used one day in a very long time. After eating, she was OK, and able to get around unassisted and without walker again. I thought perhaps the problem was lack of activity as I had gone to a Co-Op farm show in Lavergne with neighbors. She was able to get around well the rest of the evening.

BUT yesterday when we got ready to head to the Senior Center for lunch, she again needed the walker to get to the truck. When she got out, she was unable to hold herself up at all. We decided to get back into the truck for a trip to the ER. However even with help from EMT's that had been called, we were unable to get her into the truck. An ambulance had also been dispatched by then, so I had them take her to Maury Regional Hospital in Columbia. Almost all afternoon was spent in the ER where many tests were performed. She hadn't eaten all day and was very hungry and thirsty by the time she was admitted. As soon as she got to her assigned room, a dinner tray was provided and she sure was glad of that. She also seemed to be getting some of her strength back by then.

Our primary physician happened to be the doctor on call last evening. This struck me as a strange coincidence as just a few days earlier he told us that he seldom did hospital duty anymore. I waited till he saw her before leaving to come home. He said the tests and his examination revealed no real cause for her weakness. She was dehydrated, which may have been a contributing factor. He has ordered more tests for today including an MRI of her back. She is claustrophobic, so will really like that.

I sure hope that some reason for her problem can be found. As of now, plans are to still head to Frewsburg, NY before the end of the month as she has her heart set on the reunion. BUT what happens - happens, and whatever GOD wills is what will be done. Fortunately, I am feeling great.

Please keep her in your prayers as they to help.

Thank you

GOD Bless

W2UCZ4@gmail.com

RVLoretta@gmail.com

http://RVTravel.blogspot.com

Hope all had a Happy 4th

2010-07-05T17:21:00.000-04:00

Sunset from our patio

We have been keeping close the past month. Loretta was ill and had several tests done with good results. She appears to be feeling better now. But the weather here hasn't encouraged much outside activity. Temperatures have been mostly in the 90's and some near 100 with lots of humidity. So we have been staying inside with the AC on a lot. Even that doesn't help a lot as our AC doesn't really perform that well where we are parked in the direct sunlight. BUT it does cool it down a few degrees and reduces the humidity inside.

I had my CT Scan on the 28th and report was good. It was just a follow up and expect to have another in the fall. My Bladder Biopsy on the 29th went well also, still a bit uncomfortable but that will pass. When I got discharge papers, I thought the follow up appointment was scheduled in 2 weeks. But they called to confirm and then found it was mid August. I was able to get it moved to Cool Springs which is much closer than Vanderbilt on the 16th of August. A long way to wait for results though. However when Loretta had appointment with our primary doctor he tole me he would advise me of results if he gets a report. However, it appears we will be spending most of the summer in HOT Tennessee.

We did have a couple of days in the 80's and the humidity is a bit less now, but temperatures are creeping back up. We did have several strong but brief storms with no local damage

We celebrated with Loretta's relatives both Saturday and Sunday, enjoying great food and visits. So our Independence Day celebration was great topped off with lots of local fireworks visible from our patio last evening. We have also been enjoying fresh produce from local gardens which sure beats the supermarket option.

Guess that gets us up to date.

GOD Bless

Andy and Loretta

Really gotten behind.

2010-06-08T05:02:00.000-04:00

Have been pretty busy here so way behind on updates. I took a job with the US Census and that kept me running for over a month. But that is finished now, so perhaps I can catch up on a few things again.

The allergies don't seem to be bothering as much now, but still some. Think the medication helped Loretta, but may have side effects. She is very tired and weak for some reason. Doctors are trying to locate cause. In fact yesterday we were in an important meeting and she went to sleep in the office.

I saw the Vanderbilt Urologist for follow up on the BCG treatments for Bladder Cancer. I had expected he would scope the Bladder in his office. BUT, NO - he wants another biopsy at Vanderbilt and the earliest that I could get was 29 June. So we will be here in Tennessee till July now. Had so wanted to attend my class reunion in Randolph, NY but really looks doubtful at this time. They had also scheduled a follow up CT Scan on lungs in July but I got that moved to 28 June.

We missed out on the flooding that hit Nashville and west here. But did get quite a bit of rain. May was the wettest month on record in Nashville and that was well before the month ended. It has been very warm here with temperatures hitting lower 90's at times and humid - very uncomfortable. Also rain for-casted more days than not. A few heavy storms in area, but at least they have missed this area. Thank the LORD for that.

Most weekdays we go to the Senior Center in Chapel Hill for lunch. Get to visit with some new friends there and where else can one get a good meal for $1.25? Have been doing the usual little maintenance tasks on truck and trailer.

Have had no major repairs to truck lately. Did have it serviced a few weeks ago which was quite pricey but as it only gets done about every 10,000 miles is actually cheaper than the previous vehicles were. I had been noticing a gear noise after startup at times. So last week I took it to RP Williams in Columbia. The starter was removed as I suspected that it was not disengaging immediately upon starting. No damage to gears found which gives me some peace of mind. AND so far no more noise after starting for some reason.

Sunday when getting ready for church, I went to flush the toilet. There was a loud click then the valve would not open. After church I removed it and disassembled it. I located the broken part (a very small end of valve where actuating lever attaches). I went online to get parts list and it didn't appear that the valve was a replaceable part. I called Camping World in Nashville to find that they felt the same way. So we went to their store and purchased a new toilet, expensive but nice. On way back, I treated Loretta to dinner at Famous Dave's BBQ in Franklin. I had been to some of their restaurants but she hadn't. She doesn't usually eat BBQ, but really enjoyed their great ribs.

Then home to install the new toilet, only to find a small water leak on the inlet. I didn't have any pipe joint tape so kept water pump off except when needed till yesterday. I picket up some tape and the leak seems to be gone after putting that on the pipe threads.

The cost of our Medicare Supplement policies are getting way too costly. Loretta's is up to $3500.00 this year and a recent increase brought mine over $2400.00. Pretty tough to take with income actually decreasing some and all expenses increasing. We had planned on dropping her and having her pay the 20% that Medicare doesn't pay which would be much cheaper. However, our insurance agent called last evening with a new plan from Mutual of Omaha. It would require some co-pay, but premium for Loretta would be just over $100/month. He is supposed to come by this morning to discuss it and I may consider it also even though it would be a bit higher for me. Still slightly more than half what I am now paying.

My Kodak camera quit working and I sent it in 2 or 3 times and each time it came back with the same problem or it occurred again in a few days. I called Kodak and was told that if I returned it again, they would charge me for repairs, or they would give me a 15% discount on a new camera. I think I had gotten about a 30% discount from Amazon and never really liked that camera. As this was the 2nd Kodak that had failed me, I told them I was done with Kodak. I purchased a new Nikon from Amazon cheaper than I could replace that one. As of now I really like the Nikon camera. Larger display and visible in bright light which the Kodak cameras were not. Several other good features. Hope it is durable as I am rough on cameras in my pocket.

Have been waking early with difficulty getting back to sleep at times. That is the case this morning, but will go back to bed now and hope that I can get some more sleep.

Bout it for now

GOD Bless and take care

Andy and Loretta

W2UCZ4@gmail.com

RVLoretta@gmail.com

http://RVTravel.blogspot.com

Spring is here in Central Tennessee

2010-04-19T09:35:00.003-04:00

Well we haven't done any travelling except a bit locally and doctors and shopping.

BUT at last the weather has changed, in fact very much with temperatures getting into the 80's last week. The flowers have been blooming, trees leaving out and grass greening. Really beautiful around here now. But with Spring comes allergies and Loretta has been suffering for about a week now. She saw doctor last week and has meds to help. Yesterday I started sneezing too.

I completed my BCG treatments for Bladder Cancer and now waiting to see the surgeon for results. That was scheduled for 3 May, but he will be gone then so it is now 24 May. Which means that heading north will be postponed. All of the rest of our appointments and tests have been taken care of except hearing test mid May. I was in severe pain one morning and saw urologist that day. He had CT Scan and other tests suspecting a Kidney stone. None found, but some swelling in Kidney which may have indicated that I passed one. Then a week ago last Saturday I was sick all night and coughing a lot. By morning I was so ill that Cliff drove me to the ER. Tests and a CT Scan revealed no pneumonia. The previous scan had revealed some nodules in chest and this one indicated that they are NOT cancerous. GOOD news and except for the allergies I am feeling great again.

We got the broken water pipe repaired so now don't have to fill water tank and conserve water. That makes for longer showers, etc. HI. I have also done some painting on the rubber roof on the trailer and other little maintenance tasks on both truck and trailer. In addition I have done a bit of yard work, gardening and assisting around here.

Not much exciting, but that is it.

GOD Bless

Andy and Loretta

http://RVTravel.blogspot.com

About time for another update.

2010-03-23T11:03:00.004-04:00

Loretta and I at Chapman family reunion

Well, not a lot of excitement here since last time. The weather has been up and down. Some frosty mornings, some cold days, some rainy and gloomy days, some warm ones even once into the 70's. Today is overcast but clearing and calling for a warm week after 2 more gloomy days.

The parts for the parking brake came in to RP Williams, so that has now been repaired - over $400 more. Things last a long time on the truck, but repairs and maintenance is expensive. But it did just pass 200,000 miles.

My BCG treatments for Bladder Cancer had been going well until last week. That was supposed to be the last one, but infection was back. Today I go in for the last one hopefully.

Flowers are in bloom and loads of birds gather around our feeder. Loretta really enjoys watching them. I have also planted some more flowers.

The cold weather had broken the water pipe where we usually hook up our trailer. I had been able to fill the tank from a hydrant at Cliff's house. When the weather broke he and I repaired the pipe, however I discovered that it was still leaking underground. So we are filling the tank then shutting the supply off at the meter. Plans are to put a hydrant near where we park when the ground dries up enough. The clay soil here is almost impossible to work in when wet.

We have been doing some visiting and daughter Sharon had a birthday party for Loretta with about 25 family and friends in attendance. Also her grandson Rick and family came in from Richmond last week. We had a nice but short visit with them also. Otherwise trips have been doctors, shopping and eating out. We usually have lunch at the Senior Center in Chapel Hill. Have made quite a few friends there and where else can one get a nice lunch for $1.25? Some travels viewing the surrounding area also.

We will be here for some time more before moving north due to doctor appointments. Also Loretta's grandson Scott is getting married the 1st of May.

Otherwise not much to report.

GOD Bless

Andy and Loretta

http://RVTravel.blogspot.com

W2UCZ4@gmail.com

RVLoretta @gmail.com

Catchup time

2010-02-12T16:34:00.003-05:00

Well, a lot has happened and some didn't go as planned. I saw the Urologist from Vanderbilt on the 25th. He then revealed that all of the Cancer hadn't been removed. However it wasn't aggressive as he had thought it might be. So I will have to have BCG treatments in the bladder for 6 weeks then see him again May 3. So I arranged with the Urologist in Florida to have the treatments there. Our plans were to leave about the 1st of the month for Florida.

Loretta was scheduled for a nerve test on Friday the 29th and I had an appointment for a repair on the same day. HOWEVER, the weather turned that morning and we were advised to NOT head into Columbia. Good thing, as it started to snow before we would have gotten back home and ended up with about 6" of snow on the ground. That was followed by about a half inch of freezing rain. So Saturday we stayed indoors. Roads were good on Sunday, so we went to Lewisburg for shopping and dinner. We also filled both propane tanks as they were empty. The trees were ice covered and sparkling like diamonds in the sunlight. However some were down and a lot of limbs have fallen. We decided to then have my treatments in Columbia and scheduled to start the 4th. I also scheduled the truck repair and Loretta's the same day. So due to the fact that I wanted to get started as quickly as possible on my treatments and the cost of travel to Florida (also not sure as we could park as close to the Urologist there as in the past), we took Florida out of our plans this year.

The 4th we got all of our appointments and other needs in Columbia done, except treatment could not be done due to an infection. Also the truck needs a follow up on the repair as the parking brake still doesn't release properly (after a $600.00 Brake Spring cylinder. So 5 days on antibiotics then yesterday I got my first treatment. The shop also checked the parking brake on the truck and as it may take a while to solve the problem, this was scheduled for next Thursday. The BCG treatment isn't difficult and takes a very short time to administer which is good. However it is nasty stuff and does require being cautious.

So we will NOT have any travel to report on till at least early May.

All for now.

GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta
Http://RVTravel.blogspot.com
W2UCZ4@gmail.com
RVLoretta@gmail.com

NOTE: Do NOT use the previous email addresses. AOL has apparently discontinued the W2UCZ domain. I can log onto Webmail, but there is never anything in the In-boxes.

Belated HAPPY NEW YEAR

2010-01-05T11:09:00.004-05:00

The month of December was good. I had my Surgery at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville on the 23rd. The doctor said that the previous surgery had gotten all of the cancer. However he found another suspicious area and took a sample from there. Haven't received results yet - should call. We had 2 Christmas celebrations. Christmas day we went to visit Daughter in Law Kathy for dinner and visit with friends. I was somewhat dragged out and spent most of day sleeping in chair. Saturday daughter Sharon, her family and some friends celebrated at their house. So we have both put on a few pounds, HI,

News Year Eve wasn't very exciting, not into the party thing anymore. So we went to Legend's in Shelbyville for a delicious dinner and shopped before returning home. When we got here we went to visit Cliff and share some wine with him. (Earlier we had stopped at a nearby Winery to stock up). Then home and to bed well before midnight. However we did wake for a few minutes to welcome in the New Year. BUT as they say "It was New Years someplace in the world long before"!

So far this year has been chilling. The 1st was the only day when temperatures have gotten above the freezing mark. Past 2 mornings have been in the teens and expecting some single digits and perhaps snow. We left Western New York to get away from that.

Usually we head to Florida right after Thanksgiving, but medical situation has kept us here this year. Hopefully we will be able to move on after scheduled appointments. BUT, they are having freezing weather in Florida too. A friend in Tallahassee said 16 degrees expected this morning. Really unexpected temperatures. Usually any freezing weather is later in season and doesn't last. We are supposed to have a 1 day warm-up to above freezing tomorrow so I had better fill my water tank then.

Must be GLOBAL WARMING!!

Nothing else to report now

Picture is Ray's Chapel UMC about 2 miles away. Congregation about 8. We attend there when in the area.

GOD Bless and again HAPPY NEW YEAR
Andy and Loretta
Loretta@W2UCZ.com
Andy@W2UCZ.com
http://RVTravel.blogspot.com

Guess we are stuck

2009-12-04T09:05:00.002-05:00

We did have a great Thanksgiving. They had a nice dinner at the Senior Center in Chapel hill where we often go for lunch. Then Thanksgiving Day, we went to Loretta's daughter-in-law's for a great meal with she, her family and friends. As Loretta's daughter next door from there and several of that family work in the medical profession, they weren't available. So on Saturday, we went to Sharon and Bill's to celebrate with about 20 other family members there. Unfortunately Sharon's son Shawn was taken to the hospital that morning. So we came out of the weekend stuffed more than the turkeys were, HI.

Shawn has recently returned home from the hospital, but his father Bill is in now with Kidney problems. Pray for that family, Please

I was able to get my appointment with Vanderbilt Urology at the clinic in Cool Springs which was much closer. We went there last Monday to consult with a Urologist there. He needed to have their Pathologists look at the slides I had taken, but did consult the report from the lab in Columbia. What he had to offer wasn't very exciting. He does want to do another biopsy, going deeper than the sample from Columbia was. He indicated that the Cancer may be shallow enough that it can be attacked by a regimen of medication. That would be injected several times a week for 6 weeks then evacuated I think. Doesn't sound like fun, but I understand that can be done by Urologist wherever we are. So we would be able to go to Florida later this season. However if the Cancer is too deep, the Bladder removal is in the offing. That I really didn't want to hear. I am thinking Positive and Praying that the next biopsy finds that all had been removed. At any rate the results are in the hands of the LORD. But Prayers are still appreciated.

Wednesday Loretta had a follow up with the Rhumatoligist and got a good report even though he increased medication. But he does want to get her off the Prednisone that the primary physician had prescribed. That is good as she has some ill effects from that. Yesterday we both had follow-up hearing tests and got report that our hearing has improved somewhat which was certainly good news. Watching our diet does seem to help.

So it seems most of the time we are on the road running to doctors and medical clinics, but hope that is easing off. We do try to do all our doctor visits this time of year while in Central Tennessee, but sure didn't want the complications. Otherwise it has been mostly shopping trips, eating out some and hanging out at home. I have given some assistance to Loretta's brother-in-law with the house he is building also when I can stay here long enough to.

Just in case we don't get another posting before, have a MERRY AND BLESSED CHRISTMAS.

If we don't get our year end report out, you can check on our years activities at http://RVTravel.blogspot.com

GOD Bless

Andy and Loretta

Andy@W2UCZ.com

Loretta@W2UCZ.com

Not what I wanted to hear.

2009-11-17T22:45:00.002-05:00

As scheduled, I went to Maury Regional Hospital in Columbia, TN last Wednesday for surgery on my bladder. I had been scheduled for 3PM, but I looked at the clock when I slid onto the operating table at 1:37. I suspect that the procedure took over 10 minutes as I came to in Recovery at about 3PM, hurting some. I was moved to my room some time later and didn't really feel too bad. My throat was dry and sore from a tube being inserted during surgery. So I was constantly drinking water, juice and eating ice cream. That and 2 large meals resulted in gaining about 4# which I have since gotten rid of. Thursday morning the surgeon came in and said I could go home, so after the catheter was removed and I got stabilized, Loretta's brother-in-law came to pick us up. He had taken us to the hospital and Loretta had spent the night in my room.

I have been feeling well, except some pain which seems to be getting less. Good thing as the medication prescribed to reduce burning is now gone.

This afternoon the doctor called with the Pathology Report. It WASN'T what I wanted to hear. He had felt that the spot wasn't malignant and even if it was there should be no problem removing all. BUT, it was malignant and more aggressive than expected. He suggested a 2nd opinion as he is not sure that it has spread outside the bladder wall. He will set up an appointment with an Oncologist at Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville. Thursday I am supposed to pick up the slides to take with me when I go for that.

I know that I have little control over what happens except to Think Positive. However, everything is in the LORD'S control and lean on him for healing and strength. HOWEVER, Prayers are certainly appreciated.

On another matter, Diane Payne (Loretta's daughter's sister-in-law) starts her Chemotherapy tomorrow so keep her in your prayers too. Loretta seems to be feeling better, so hope the new medication is helping her. But she still is somewhat unstable and sleeps a lot. So please keep her in your Prayers also.

Thank you and
GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta
Andy@W2UCZ.com
Loretta@W2UCZ.com
http://RVTravel.blogspot.com

More discouraging news

2009-11-07T17:18:00.003-05:00

Loretta went to see the Rheumatoligist this week. He confirmed the primary physicians suspicion of Connective Tissue Disorder. This includes a multitude of items including Rheumatoid Arthritis. This entails taking another medication and watching for side effects. Also he confirmed that she has Diabetes so monitoring of Blood Sugar, watching diet and exercise is prescribed. Also hearing tests revealed additional hearing loss since last spring, so a medication change was in order for that. She goes back Monday about her hearing aids and I expect they will reprogram them also.

The primary physician wanted me to see the Urologist while we are here also. So I have been to him 2 times and had some tests done. Thursday he scoped my bladder and discovered a small spot. Wednesday I go in for surgery to remove that and it will be tested for cancer. He said that the operation will only take about 10 minutes, but wants me to stay overnight in the hospital. He also said that the spot was small enough that it would be completely removed and should cause no future problems even if it turns out to be cancerous. Thank the Lord for that.

Other than running to doctors, we have been shopping and eating out quite a bit. We have been going to the Senior Center in Chapel Hill for lunch most days. Where else can one eat an excellent lunch for $1.25? Loretta's brother in law is coming along very well on his new house, and I have assisted him some there. Also have accompanied him on shopping trips for items needed to do the work there.

Loretta's daughters sister in law Diane had a return bout with Cancer and had surgery last week. We are at Sharon and Bills farm right now and Diane Payne just returned home today. She still has chemotherapy to look forward too. So please keep her in your prayers. Also prayers for Loretta are appreciated as she still is not herself and not really feeling too well.

We usually head for Florida shortly after Thanksgiving. However we both have follow up doctor visits early in December, so until after them we will not know when we will be getting back on the road.

Thank you and GOD Bess
Andy and Loretta
http://RVTravel.blogspot.com
Andy@W2UCZ.com
Loretta@W2UCZ.com

In Tennessee and backed up again.

2009-10-12T17:47:00.002-04:00

Well, we were delayed about a week on getting away from New York. There were some wicked storms with flooding here in Tennessee, then we got rain in New York. But we finally got on the road and had a safe trip. We did have one strong storm in Kentucky, but it was during night while we were parked and sleeping.

We got word that our friend Cal Doud from Florida had died the morning after leaving, and decided NOT to turn around to be back in NY for his funeral. Due to the fact it was still pretty wet here, we decided to park at Loretta's brother-in-law's near Chapel Hill. Even there we opted to park on the gravel drive rather than the grass. It has since dried up, but we haven't moved our rig.

Loretta hasn't been feeling well all summer, but didn't want to visit doctor after we got here. She had fallen shortly after getting to NY and thrown her back out so we both went to the Chiropractor for adjustments and she did a follow up today. However, a week ago last Friday afternoon she complained of Chest Pain when breathing. I feared pneumonia and as we couldn't get into the doctor, I took her to the ER at Maury Regional Hospital in Columbia. They ran a bunch of tests including, blood, EKG, X-Ray, CT Scan and MRI. The pain receded shortly after arriving there. She spent 2 nights there (the first mostly undergoing tests) and came home on Sunday. A trip to our primary physician on Monday let us know that he was in doubt to the underlaying cause of her problem. I also had a doctor visit today myself and will follow up with a specialist.

She hasn't felt up to doing a lot except sleeping. So except several trips shopping and to her daughter's we have pretty well stayed put. I have done a few minor repair and maintenance tasks on both the truck and trailer and still have some to do. I have also assisted Cliff in some of his tasks, but not a lot.

Not much more to report at this time.

GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta
http://RVTravel.blogspot.com
Andy@W2UCZ.com
Loretta@W2UCZ.com

Belated news from NY

2009-09-09T20:26:00.003-04:00

Loretta's CT Scan came out OK and doctor was very happy with results. This gave us some peace of mind as she was quite concerned about some pain. The service for Loretta's sister Lorraine at Arlington National Cemetery was beautiful and very impressive as was the visit to the Marine Corps Memorial nearby.

We spent the rest of our time in Virginia, visiting friends, shopping and dining out and one day long trip to the new Museum of American History at Smithsonian Institution. Loretta got a lot of much needed walking on that trip. But we weren't able to get half through the building in one day, so something for seed.

The weather here in Western NY has been rather yucky all Summer (if you can call it that). Last week we finally got more than 2 days without rain. But temperatures have been so low that we have had to run the furnace every morning and many evenings. We expect 80, 90 and some 100 degree days instead of 60 and 70 degree days we have been experiencing. Must be GLOBAL WARMING?? We have spent some days visiting friends in addition to the day to day, items shopping, dining, laundry, etc. Also have done some computer work for friends and minor maintenance on truck and trailer.

Last Sunday was Loretta's Family Reunion. We had a great time there and she was very happy to see friends that we seldom see again. We did miss those that could not make it though. Loretta's daughter Sharon was there from Tennessee with her husband and daughter. They were having a great time when Sharon took a tumble from the picnic bench where she was sitting. Some of the relatives are with various Fire Departments and felt it best not to move her. So an ambulance was called along with an EMT. She was transportated to to WCA Hospital in Jamestown, NY. As she had landed with her upper back across the edge of a concrete pad so we were very concerned about possible back injury. She did break one rib and has some contusions, but fortunately no serious injury. She is in quite a bit of pain which interferes with their vacation, I am sure, but hides it well.

They are heading back to Tennessee tomorrow I think but as of now we don't have any firm plans. There is a Fleetwood Travelcade Club rendezvous later this month in Farmington, NM which we would like to attend. However the high cost of travel makes it appear out of our budget.

Oh. regarding our friend Cal Doud from Florida, he has been transferred to a different hospital in Ocala. He is showing some improvement and appears to be getting off breathing assistance. But has a long way to go. Please keep him and his family in your prayers as well as Sharon.

Thank You and

GOD Bless

Andy and Loretta

Andy@W2UCZ.com

Loretta@W2UCZ.com

http://RVTravel.blogspot.com

Now in Virginia

2009-08-09T14:41:00.005-04:00

Not too much happened while in NY state. Loretta wasn't feeling very good, and the weather wasn't very co-operative. It seemed that all the time we were there, there was seldom more than a day or 2 without rain and it was quite chilly most of time. In fact very few mornings that the furnace didn't run - very unusual for mid- summer. We did visit a few friends in addition to usual errands around the area, but not very many.

Our plans were to come to Virginia without our trailer this weekend and stay with friends Al and Chris in Centreville, VA. However as I had gotten an appointment with Dr. Decker (the surgeon that did Loretta's Gall Bladder surgery last year) for a follow up, we came down here last Monday. As Loretta still isn't feeling very well yet, we have mostly stayed pretty close to here. Al is a Shop Teacher at a nearby school and has been re-organizing his lab/classroom in preparation for school to start in a couple of weeks. I have assisted him with that task several days.

Loretta kept her appointment with Dr. Decker last Thursday. He felt some follow-up was in order. So he has ordered a CT Scan which will be done tomorrow. But he will be on vacation, next week so she will not get back to him for results till the 21st. I guess we really should have brought our HOME/trailer with us. Al and Chris make us very welcome, but naturally we didn't pack enough for such a lengthy stay. And of course there are times we would probably feel comfortable in our own surroundings. We have of course visited some favorite eateries in the area and shopped a bit. Last evening friends arrived and after dinner, we played Joker. I think it was the slowest game that I have ever played lasting over 3 hours. Loretta didn't join us as she was very tired, as was I at about midnight when the game finished and farewells were dispensed. In addition Friday Loretta went to Qwest Diagnostics in Mannassas for a routine blood test that usually is taken each month.

Chris flew to Buffalo today to be with her mother for a week, so it will be just the 3 of us for a while. Today seems mostly R&R, I walked for well over a mile in the neighborhood with Al and Chris' dog while Al was taking Chris to the airport. Then after brunch, we have been relaxing. Tomorrow will be somewhat busier with Loretta getting her CT Scan, then Tuesday we will go to Arlington National Cemetery where we will join her family for the service for her sister there. Most are already here and sightseeing the area today and tomorrow.

The news on our good friend Cal from Homosassa, FL. He was removed from ICU where hopefully he could receive physical therapy and perhaps get feeling in the rest of his body. That had improved slightly down into his arms but still not much. However he then experienced breathing problems and has been returned to ICU where he could be observed better. Haven't heard any news in several days, but that was last report. So please keep and his family in your prayers. (Also Loretta as she is concerned about results of tests)

Guess that gets us up to date for now.

GOD Bless

Andy and Loretta

Andy@W2UCZ.com

Loretta@W2UCZ.com

http://rvtravel.blogspot.com/

Loads to catch up on

2009-07-19T07:08:00.003-04:00

Well, a lot of time has passed since last post and a lot has happened.

As planned we got on the road on the 14th of June after church. We spent 2 nights on the road on our way to Frewsburg, NY. On Tuesday as we neared out destination, we received word Loretta's sister had passed away the previous day. This was expected, so we proceeded to our usual parking space when here in Western New York. Unfortunatley, there have been more wet than dry days and many more chilly than warm days. In fact on the 4th I had to wear a jacket for my walk and the furnace is running now. But it is nice to visit friends and family here.

On the 18th, I got the new computer set up and running and spent next few days getting files and programs transferred. Then on the 21st it lost audio, I spent many hours on the phone and online with HP Support before one tech finally agreed with me that it was a hardware problem. So I was talked into an exchange. The replacement would be higher priced but I was promised that I would receive a rebate for the difference in addition to credit for the defective computer. For some reason this order was declined and had to be reinstated, but I was promised the same terms. At that time I was also informet that I had to ship the return that day instead of waiting for new computer to arrive so I would have shipping carton. I was able to obtain a carton from a local computer store and delivered it to FedEx.

The replacement arrived on the 8th, and I now have all data files and most programs transferred and running. I did get another delay when my wireless adapter would not work and had to be replaced. Several days ago, my account revealed that the credit for the return had been received. BUT as of now I have not received the rebate for the difference that had been promised. I am quite unhappy with HP at this time as the whole problem started when I purchased a HP scanner/printer. This printed fine, but scan function didn't work and I was talked into a HP computer. We had owned many HP products over the years and even sold them when we owned VHF Communications with satisfaction. However, this may be my last!!

Enough on the computer problems. We arrived here in time to attend the graduation of Loretta's great-grandaughter Cassie which was very nice. We have also attended the Class of 51 dinner and the Teamsters Retirees picnic. We have also vistied several friends and family in the area as well as some of our favorite dining establishments. Our friends Glenn and Sue from Arcadia stopped by for several days and we had a nice visit. We took a trip to Bradford, Pa where we toured the Zippo Lighter/Case Knife Museum which was very interesting. And we stopped in Salamanca, NY to visit the Railroad Museum there. Small but interesting and the curator who was a retired engineer was very imformative.

We do plan a trip to the DC area early next month. Loretta's sister is to be interred at Arlington National Cemetary on the 10th and Loretta has a follow up appointment with the surgeon that operated on her last year on the 6tlh. We will be enjoying our vist there with Al and Chris Anderson ( formerly from Jamestown, NY and ham radio friends of many years. They used to assist us with VHF Communications).

In addition to the death of Loretta's sister, we received several pieces of bad news. I have childhood friends here in the Jones family. Last Tuesday, I was told that Laura Lee has been placed in a skilled nursing facility with cancer and a brain tumor. The next day her sister-in-law Joy passed away after a very long illness. Then we received word that our good friend Cal Doud of Homosassa, FL where we always stay was seriously injured in an auto accident and is now in Tampa General Hospital.

So with everything that has happened, I sure have gotten behind on everything. Also I was unable to transfer my email address book so am slowly rebuilding that.

GOD Bless

Andy and Loretta

http://RVTravel.blogspot.com

Andy@W2UCZ.com

Loretta@W2UCZ.com

About ready to move on

2009-06-13T18:20:00.004-04:00

Well it has been hectic if not what one would call exciting here in Central Tennessee. For one thing we have had more than our fair share of stormy weather. Fortunately no more tornadoes, but lots of rain and some wind. Our visits with the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic has mixed results. We both have what is called Menier's Disease. This probably could be controlled by a low salt diet, however with our lifestyle that would be difficult so we are on medication to help control the salt in the inner ear which can cause water to accumulate causing pressure that can result in hearing loss. One good thing about the medication is that we were each able to discontinue another prescription medication. So no more pills, just different ones. It is possible that the disease may even be reversed to some extent. However Loretta did require new hearing aids which she does like and they help her hearing immensely.

The bad news is that Loretta's sister and brother-in-law were taking a trip to Missouri last week. She took a tumble in their hotel room striking her head and is still in the hospital in St. Louis. The prognosis isn't good and prayers are appreciated. We were watching over their property in their absence as well as a neighbor's whom had taken a couple of trips out of state. He and Loretta's brother-in law are now home, so we are free to travel again.

We had come out fairly well I thought with the Insurance Company settlement on the Good Friday storm damage. This was due to the fact that we were able to replace damaged items and I was able to repair several. However I have since found some that I hadn't realized were damaged, and hopefully can repair instead of replacing. I thought I was coming out ahead on my desktop computer when it seemed that the power supply was the only problem. However after replacing that, it still was acting up. Also it would not communicate with my old Lexmark printer which worked fine on the laptop. So I purchased a new HP printer/scanner. The item selected was not my first choice, however it was the only one I found that would fit in the available space. Then when I installed it, it printed fine, but the scan function took hours to scan a picture if at all. After trying all I could think of, last Sunday, I spent over 4 hours online and on phone with a HP service technician. He retired the things and exhausted his ideas too. So the thought is that there are other problems with the computer. I ordered an new HP computer after talking with him. We were expecting to be held up waiting for delivery on that, but FedEX dropped it off this morning. I will not install and set it up at this time as hopefully we will be heading to NY tomorrow.

Last Monday we went to the Nashville Zoo. Very interesting, however Loretta tired before getting more than half way around so we missed the large animals, etc. But we did get some good exercise out of the trip and it is an excellent Zoo.

Guess that gets us up to date.
GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta
http://RVTravel.blogspot.com
Andy@W2UCZ.com
Loretta@W2UCZ.com

Lovely Memorial Day

2009-05-25T20:46:00.002-04:00

We finally have had some great weather, in fact a bit on warm side sometimes. But there have been showers and rainstorms too. But not many Tornado watches, mostly Thunderstorm and Flooding watches.

It seems it has been mostly running to doctors. So far all tests on my hearing have been pretty fair except high frequency hearing loss. I get one more this week, it is called a Salt Load test and I think checks for fluid buildup in the middle or inner ear. Takes over 2 hours and I have to load up on salt a few days before taking it.

However, Loretta has had hearing problems for several years and had lost the hearing aids we purchased. My Audiologist suggested a hearing test for her. So she did that last week and the result was that she has lost over half of her hearing. So now she is going through pretty much the same test routine that I have had. She really doesn't look forward to the MRI!! I get my next test Friday and she is scheduled for 3 tests in the doctor's office. Then a week from Wednesday we will be going in for results. We hope that not much more delay occours as we have plans in June in Western New York.

The month was really a Truck Shop month too. I had ordered 2 new tires so had them installed early in the month. May still need balancing though. Also replaced batteries, they were 8 years old so guess I cannot complain about the expense. Last time it was serviced I was told that the Vibration Dampener was starting to fail. I thought I noticed a new vibration so also had that replaced. So those bills really hit the wallet.

I have assisted with a few tasks around the property here, but what with all our running haven't really done all that much.

Not much else new at this time.
GOD Bless
Andy@W2UCZ.com
Loretta@W2UCZ.com
http://RVTravel.blogspot.com

Still more weather

2009-05-04T11:33:00.004-04:00

Well, I guess we made our move at the right time. I think it has rained more days than not. The ground is thoroughly soaked and flooding rampant in the whole of Central Tennessee. In fact quite a few schools are closed due to closed roads. When I got ready to dump our tanks, I found that the motor has frozen up in the Macerator Pump so I replaced that. We have also replaced some of the appliances that were damaged during the Good Friday storm. ANOTHER PICTURE HERE

This heavy rain also has revealed some water damage to our RV. When it dries up a bit, I will have to address that. I had done some preventative work earlier, but apparently missed something.

As far as the medical tests, MRI's to head were pretty much OK. However the specialist wants to do another test for possible inner ear problem. He also wants the Bone and Joint doctor to look over MRI of neck. Leg MRI's also revealed nothing serious, but did get a Cortisone shot in my knee. I will be going back for follow up on that and have neck checked at the time. Well, I guess those thing aren't to be surprised about, NOT a kid anymore.

Other than shopping and some dining out, we haven't done a lot of outside work or sightseeing. Hopefully the weather will improve so we are able to do more.

Not much else exciting at this time.
GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta
http://RVTravel.blogspot.com
Andy@W2UCZ.com
Loretta@W2UCZ.com

Now in Chapel Hill, TN

2009-04-19T16:45:00.004-04:00

Well, some very exciting times here in Tennessee. Doctor visits weren't too fruitful, ear doctor wanted MRI's of head, neck and inner ear. That was 3 hours in the machine, sore back before finish. Primary physician wants MRI's on lower left leg and knee to see if cause can be found for pain in leg that has been there off and on for about 6 months now. Also have been put on an additional medication as if I don't take enough already, but blood sugar a bit on high side.
This branch fell where the rear of our trailer usually sits. Satellite and Ham Radio wires ran from top of pole with electric box to ladder on trailer.

It seems that every time it started to dry off enough to work outside, it rained again. I did get new tires on front of truck and one for the trailer. But the weather didn't allow changing that one.

Then on Good Friday, we really got hit by the weather. Loretta was in Wal-Mart an d they herded everyone to center of store as there was a Tornado Warning - Thank the LORD it didn't hit. But we got calls telling us that things weren't as bad as it looks when we got back to the farm. RIGHT, trees down and branches all over the place. One tree was leaning against Sharon and Bills house and did a lot of damage. Another had fallen between his tractor and riding mower without touching either, but had taken down the power service to our trailer breaking the neutral. 220V on a 110V circuit doesn't do any good. Our microwave/convection oven doesn't work, my desktop computer is out as well as DVD recorder, 2 radios and chargers for 2 sweepers. But we lucked out compared to Murfreesboro. A tornado hit there resulting in lots of property damage, 2 deaths I think and several injuries. Grandson Marc lives there and I understand in addition to outside damage he lost part of house. But house only a few doors away was totally destroyed. They are able to live in theirs at least.

I spent a good share of last week checking out my damages and talking to insurance people. It appears that the microwave and refrigerator would be included on the Comprehensive part of our insurance. But the deductible is $500. Replacement on the microwave would be almost $700, but I am thinking I can repair it myself for under $200 - may be wrong but will order part tomorrow. As the fridge works on gas and there appears to be power to the electric heating element after replacing a blown fuse, I assume the electric heating element is blown out. That should not be too expensive and hopefully I can replace that also. Wish fuse would have done it with microwave and DVD recorder but no such luck.

The rest of the items are covered under the Personal Property clause on our policy. I have to get prices to replace for them. On Wednesday the tree service arrived to remove the tree that was leaning against the house. They also cut up the trunk on the one between the tractors. Family and friends had cleaned up the small branches and hauled away the firewood size pieces. Then Thursday the Satellite TV repairman arrived to install a new antenna for the house to replace the one the tree had hit. I had obtained an old Direct TV receiver and gotten it to work with our portable antenna but it would not work with the one we have mounted permanently. He installed a new connector for me but apparently the cable is broken inside someplace else.

We had NOT been able to get into our usual parking spot as the ground was too wet when we arrived. So we ended up away from our electric pole and a bit ahead of usual spot. GOOD THING, a large limb just missed the rear corner of our trailer falling just where it usually was. It did take down my Ham Radio antenna and the Satellite TV cable. So that is what caused the damage to the cable I am sure as the antenna was still in the original position.

It had dried up, so I was able to hook up again by yesterday. As I have to fill the water tank with a long hose and do not have dump facilities, we decided to move to Loretta's sister's place near Chapel Hill. There we have full hookup including satellite antenna and Internet. So after attending a fund raising Pancake Breakfast for the school band that Great Grandson Nate is in, we hooked up and moved.

When we arrived here, I installed the new tire on the trailer before getting parked and set up. As it rained most of the night and day, I still have to get my Ham Radio antenna out, a few other outside chores and the Internet cable hooked up. I did sign up with Verizon Mobile Broadband which I am using now. It works great here, but in the hollow wasn't much faster than dial up. I also arranged with Direct TV for a new receiver to be shipped to us here.

Guess that gets us up to date. Hope no more heavy storms now, but at least the tree that could hit our rig is smaller and still alive which is more than I could say bout the one at the farm, HI

GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta
Andy@W2UCZ.com
Loretta@W2UCZ.com
http://RVTravel.blogspot.com

Back in Tennessee

2009-03-26T20:36:00.004-04:00

Well, we have had a busy few weeks. While in Sarasota, we visited friends and family in the area. We also ate several delicious meals at the Moose Club and some of the fine Amish restaurants in the area. While visiting great nephew and family in Englewood, they took us to a fine restaurant that he had decorated for supper also. On Saturday the Club had a Fund Raiser for Hospice and we were asked to move away from the building as was our neighbor. We had hardly parked when a police car, 3 fire engines and an EMS vehicle arrived. This was followed shortly by the Emergency Helicopter. Shortly later 2 ambulances arrived and a person was moved from one to the helicopter which then departed. The area where we had moved to was the landing area for emergency flights, so we had an interesting day.

After winding up in that area, we moved back to Homosassa, shopping at Camping World, having lunch at Lazy Days RV and dumping tanks at a Flying J along the way. While in Homosassa, Cal's son Merle and myself repacked the trailer wheel bearings and inspected the brakes. We also joined 2 groups of friends for meals at local restaurants as well as taking Cal and his family out to eat. As usual, we attended services and Bible Study at nearby First Christian Church.

From there, we moved to the Shrine Club RV Park in Macon, GA where we visited with Loretta's son Steve and family. They only live about 3 miles from the park. Steve and I went to a nearby Camping World and got a new shroud to replace the damaged one on our Air Conditioner which we installed.

Our next move was here to Circle P Farm near Lynnville, TN. However, the weather deteriorated along the way. We stopped at a Wal-Mart in Pell City, AL, but it only got worse. So we spent the night in the lot there. I guess it was a good thing as our fueling stop was Flying J near Birmingham. And we heard that a tornado had touched down in that area overnight. We arrived here at Loretta's daughter's farm to find that our parking area was very wet and while getting parked after several times became very muddy also. However we got close enough to hook up electric and get set up.

We have engaged in some R&R here as well as working on computers. I have copied some Video Camera tapes to DVDs for a friend as well as several for ourselves. Last Saturday we rode with Bill, Sharon and Diane to grandson Marc's in Murfreesboro for 1st birthday party for Great-grandson Bennett. While there a heavy storm came in with some light hail, torrential rains and winds. There was a power failure, but no Tornado I think even though a semi truck or 2 were blown over nearby. We returned here to find little evidence of any storm. Then yesterday we were under Storm Warnings again. Tornado's did touch down near Nashville and other places north of here. We did get a lot of rain with flooding in the low areas. Today we went to Pulaski, but I decided to avoid Minnow Branch Road as I expect it is under water if not washed out again.

Not much more to report at this time, but do have to go to Columbia Monday for doctor appointments and 2 new tires for truck.

All for now
GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta
Andy@W2UCZ.com
Loretta@W2UCZ.com

In Sarasota, FL

2009-03-06T20:31:00.005-05:00

PARKED AT GLENN AND SUE'S NEAR ARCADIA, FL

Well, it seems I have gotten behind again, HI. We had a great visit in St. Cloud with Dick K2EY and family. In addition to some maintenance tasks on rig, we toured the area some including an evening in Old Town Kissimmee at a motorcycle rally. Loads of great and many unusual bikes and trikes. The Orlando Hamcation went on during our stay there, but we didn't attend, nor were we able to attend the RV Service Net rally at Christmas, FL. Loretta wasn't up to walking much at that time.

After about a week, we moved to Arcadia, FL to visit our SKP friends Glenn and Sue. It was good to get back to their place on the Peace River. I didn't have Internet connection there, so went to WiFi Hotspots in Arcadia and at their daughter's nearby. In addition to shopping trips, we checked out some of the eating places, some of which were new since our last visit 3 years ago. An old time favorite, the DeSoto Restaurant had been destroyed by the last Hurricane and moved. They had remodelled the building and the new restaurant is very nice. We went there several times including trips with Glenn and Sue, and daughter KK and her husband Shawn. We also got in on Steak night at the Moose Club with neighbor Jerry and Michael.

Wednesday, we moved to the Moose Club in Sarasota (only 55 miles), but closer to friends and family near the coast. This is one of our favorite stops and we have already taken in several meals there. In fact tonight was Steak Night and I don't know as we have ever had better steaks which were very reasonable. Today we visited Ham Radio friend Jean K3OAU. She and her husband used to own a Ham Radio store in York, Pa and we travelled the Hamfest circuit with them at the time we had VHF Communications. We plan on visiting friends and family in South Venice and Englewood also from here. In addition, we are both scheduled for blood tests and have made appointments at Quest Diagnostics nearby for next Tuesday.

As of now, we expect to move back to Homasassa, FL next week to visit many friends in that area before returning to our home base in Tennessee. It sure is good to see fuel prices coming down - we fueled in Arcadia before leaving at $2.o95/gal and I see the price at one of our favorite fueling stops in Georgia is below $1.90. Some better than over $4.00/gal which we were paying about 6 months ago. Maybe we can afford to travel a bit more this year.

One thing we are thankful for: there has been a pretty rough winter where we came from in Western New York. And last week there was almost a foot of snow at our Base Location near Pulaski, TN.

All for now

GOD Bless

Andy and Loretta

http://RVTravel.blogspot.com

Andy@W2UCZ.com

Loretta@W2UCZ.com

From St. Cloud, FL

2009-02-09T20:28:00.002-05:00

Well, a lot of time has passed and a lot of activity. Les and Sue arrived as planned and we spent a lot of time with them and the Mohr's from the other side of where we were parked. We took boat rides into the St. John's River counting alligators and enjoying the scenery and company. We ate dinner most days together either at one of the homes or various favorite restaurants. Also did some sightseeing trips in the area and most evenings included Joker games. Ron had a partial knee replacement and was somewhat limited in his activity for a short while but he had an amazing recovery.

Both Les and Ron play various musical instruments and sing, so I or we accompanied them to various jam sessions. One every Wednesday evening was at Lou's Ponderosa near Pomona Park - a few miles away. Those were always enjoyable and attended by 5-15 entertainers. Several evenings they had guest entertainers at Lou's including 2 couples from Tennessee and one musician from North East, PA.

In addition to shopping trips to Palatka, Loretta had to have blood samples taken 2 times at Quest Labs there. Her medication has been reduced slightly which I assume is good news. She just had a sample taken today at Quest Labs in St. Cloud and will get results in a few days. After about a month in Satsuma, we moved to Lou's Ponderosa just a few miles away. While there I assisted Lou with some computer networking problems, however we were not able to make the network operate as desiried. Possibly due to fact that his desktop runs Windows XP and the laptop operates Vista? I also assisted with a few other chores and he joined us for supper a few evenings. Very enjoyable time there, but we did have to move on to visit friends from near Jamestown here in St. Cloud.

We left Pomona Park last Wednesday under good weather conditions. I made a wrong turn in Sanford and while getting back on route, discovered smoke coming from near left rear wheel. I stopped as soon as I could but traffic wouldn't allow me under that side of truck so we moved to a parking lot. There was no smoke when we got there but the guard ofer the brakes was very hot. As I was concerned about the possibility of a defective rear axle oil seal, took it to an International Dealer in Orlando. After parking the trailer I took it inside where I decided to have it serviced also. After servicing the truck, the mechanic removed the wheels on the left rear side. He found no trace of oil leak and also checked the brakes. Then while putting air in the tires broke a valve stem on the Right side. So he removed the wheels on that side too and while waiting for a tire service to come and make repairs, checked that side too. We were over 4 hours at that facility so it was after 9:30 when we arrived at Dick and Gladys' place here. So we only visited a short while after parking before calling it a day.

Since our arrival here, Dick and I worked on one of the work lights on truck that was out. Broken wire, but we managed to damage the bulb before we finished. I have been having trouble with the stabilizer jacks on rear of trailer hitting ground and getting bent which required a lengthy repair each time. So I ordered new mounting brackets which arrived while in Satsuma. I moved them a bit ahead so they shouldn't strike the ground now and Dick assisted me some with that project. Their daughter Jane arrived to visit also and we all went to The Catfish House for dinner. We had eaten there a few times before and as usual had a great meal.

Weather near Palatka had been good a few days and freezing some nights. We had a couple of chilly nights here, but daytime temperatrues are now getting into upper 70's. More like we expect here.

Not much more to add, so will close for now.

GOD Bless

Andy and Loretta

Andy@W2UCZ.com

Loretta@W2UCZ.com

http://RVTravel.blogspot.com

Belated HAPPY NEW YEAR from Satsuma, FL

2009-01-03T12:24:00.002-05:00

Sure got backed up on my reporting. We have been quite busy lately.

When we left Tennessee, we stopped to visit Loretta's Son Steve and family in Macon, GA. We were lucky to find a Passport America park operated by the Shrine Club only about 3 miles from their place. We had a nice visit, except for the 4.5" of rain the first 24 hours and rain most of next day. As the only level spot which was long enough for our rig was at the lower end of the lot, we were delayed getting away. Friday dawned clear and calm, so we ran some errands in the forenoon then Steve stopped by after work to help us hook up. He had also helped repair a bent stabilizer jack when we first arrived.

Plans were to attend breakfast with a group on Ham Radio friends in Crystal River, FL on Saturday. But the late start made that impossible and we overnighted near Lake Park, GA. Then we continued to the home of friends Cal and Marilyn Doud in Homosassa where we usually stay. He had built a new garage for his motor home so we parked in a different location which still worked out OK. However the new building was in the path of the WiFi connection that I had used in the past. So I took my router into their house and set up my own WiFi connection which worked quite well. We visited friends in the area, had breakfast with a local group, another with Cal's family from the area and one with the Ham Radio group in Crystal River. Cal's son Merle helped me with a couple of jobs on our truck. He and I installed new gas filled shock absorbers on the front (but the originals still seem good so kept them). I had thought about new ones for rear, but don't think they are needed now - and expensive. We also removed the Mor-Ryde rubber spring from the front right side, but then I discovered it had been replaced previously and the one I had with me was no better than the one already on so we reinstalled the one we took off. BUT, now we know how to do it, HI.

We left there before Christmas and moved to International RV Park near Daytona Beach. While there we celebrated Christmas Eve with dinner at Olive Garden with Loretta's relatives from that area. Christmas day was spent at home of her Son-in-Law Don and the family. We stayed over at the campground f0r a great party provided by the campground. Then moved to Satusma, Fl (near Palatka) on Saturday.

Our hosts here Les and Sue are back in New York State celebrating the hollidays. But next door neighbor Ron and Laura helped us get parked and set up. They have been great company and keep us occupied. One day it was a boat ride starting at their dock in the canal out back on down the creek to the St. John's River and back another creek. We spotted 30-40 small alligators, many turtles and birds of various sizes and descriptions. New Years Day we went to Daytona Beach shopping then had dinner with some of Ron's family at Alfie's by the Sea. This is a spin off of the original Alfies in Lakewood, NY and we knew the founding family well. We were also invited to go to the Go Cart races at the Daytona Beach Speedway, and a day in Jacksonville in preparation for the bowl game there. But Loretta felt either would be too much at this time. So we did laundry, shopped, she got a blood test done and we have tried some of the nearby restaurants, including our New Years Celebration at one. Not much celebrating as we were home and asleep before midnight. We have walked around the area and visited some of the residents here.

Les and Sue are expected this afternoon and we have been invited to join them for supper at Ron and Laura's. We have taught Ron and Laura how to play Joker, so expect to be asked to teach Les and Sue also.

Guess that gets us back up to date. We wish everyone a very HAPPY NEW YEAR

Andy and Loretta
http://RVTravel.blogspot.com
W2UCZ4@gmail.com
RVLoretta@gmail.com

About ready to head south.

2008-12-07T16:43:00.004-05:00

We had two great Thanksgiving dinners. As planned on Thanksgiving Day we joined Loretta's daughter-in-law, her family and friends. I was a bit cautious in what I ate as on Tuesday I had exploritory tests on my throat and below. I got a clean bill of health on all tests as did Loretta. The following Saturday, we went to Murfreesboro to grandson Marc's. There all of that side of family were in attendance including several of his in-laws - I think there was at least 25 for dinner. Again I ate lightly and came out of the weekend 7# lighter than the week before (VERY unusal).

In addition to getting all of our doctor appointments and tests done, I took the truck to RP Williams in Columbia for a wheel alignment. Not out a lot, but hopefully the adjustments will correct some unusual tire wear on the front end. Yesterday we joined the Tennessee Unit of the Fleetwood Travelcade Club for their Christmas luncheon at Montgomery Bell State Park west of Nashville. I had purchased a new GPS and that provided an opportunity to test that. This was a beautiful location with excellent food and well worth the trip. And it was great to get together with the Travelclub members that attended. However, I should have fueled at the Flying J we passed on way back as price for diesel there was 2.44/gal and today we put enough in to safely get us to Georgia at 2.50/gal. On way back through Franklin, we stopped to visit Loretta's neice and family.

Today after Church at Ray's Chapel UMC, we came to visit both daughter in law Kathy and daughter Sharon to give them farewells before moving on. As of this moment plans are to get on the road tomorrow and stop for a few days to visit son Steve and fimily in Macon, GA on the way to Florida.

The weather has been very off and on. Some heavy rain and winds, many frosty nights with temperatures getting down near the teens, a few snow flurries one day and many beautiful sunny days that were quite warm. I guess that is Winter in Tennessee, HI.

Well as I am running out of much to say, will close for now and wish everyone:

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR

GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta
Andy@W2UCZ.com
Loretta@W2UCZ.com

Frosty near Chapel Hill, TN

2008-11-20T21:11:00.003-05:00

While parked at our base location on Circle P Farm near Lynnville, TN I ordered repair material for the trailer roof and started repairs. My ladder wasn't long enough for me to reach the areas that needed to be done from the ground the way we have to park there. We did catch up on visiting with family there and attended Campbellsville UMC Church to visit with friends there.

The next week we moved to Loretta's sister and brother-in-laws property near Chapel Hill, TN. Although we weren't able to park on the full-hookup site, and we had to obtain an electrical adapter to obtain sufficient power, we do have water and electric and are in reach of the Black Water dump. Cliff is working on their new house and I have assisted a bit on some of the tasks there. He also has DSL now so I took my wireless router into the shop where his computer is. Then ran Cat5 cable out to our trailer as the building is steel and wireless won't work. Sure a lot nicer than the dial-up in this area. In addition, Verizon discontinued the data service I had been using which was quite fast. They want me to sign up for their High Speed data service. But that would double my bill and I would be unable to use it in many areas. However, I may be forced to if I cannot find enough WiFi sites as we travel.

As usual we try to get our annual doctor visits scheduled in November and have made several trips to Columbia and Lewisburg for those. We have a few more yet to do and some tests before we will head to Florida. Also we may attend the Tennessee Unit of Fleetwood Travelcade Club Christmas Luncheon at Montgomery Bell State Park which isn't too far away. Fuel price is now getting down around $2.50/gal which does allow us to travel a bit more.

We will be celebrating Thanksgiving day with Loretta's daughter in law and family near Lynnville. Then the following Saturday we will go to Murfreesboro. One of her grandsons recently moved there and as his parents have to work Thanksgiving Day will celebrate with them.

Mostly the weather here has been good. There was some rain right after getting roof repairs done which rushed me a bit on that. We also have had a few rainy days since, but mostly sunny. However we have had several frosty nights and tomorrow they are calling for a low of about 17 degrees - hope they are wrong. But in a few weeks we expect to be in Florida and it should be warmer there.

GOD Bless and Happy Thanksgiving.
Andy and Loretta
Andy@W2UCZ.com
Loretta@W2UCZ.com

Back in Tennessee in time to VOTE

2008-10-31T13:15:00.007-04:00

Well, it has been a long and eventful time since I last updated this Blog. While in Arlington, TX we spent quite a lot of time visiting Loretta's aunt and uncle and playing Joker with them. They treated us to several delicious meals and we checked out several nearby restaurants and shopping facilities. I also discovered that the metal on the underside of the trailer was sagging a bit. So Gil and I put a support under that and I refastened some loose bolts. I also straightened one of the stabilizer jacks that is too far back and always getting bent. In fact, it is bent again so I think I will have to see if I can move them forward when I get where I can get underneath.

We left there on the 30th of September so I could plan my duties at the Fleetwood Travelcade Club rendezvous in Elmendorf, TX (San went Antonio) before attendees arrived. However as we neared San Antonio, the engine alarms went off and the temperature gauge into the red. We pulled off the roadway and called Road Service. I thought the fan clutch had failed - expensive. They arranged a tow and when the Towing company called we were told a wrecker would be to us in 5 minutes. He had one of the Big Rig wreckers and got our rig on the hook and took us to AA Wrecker Service where we unhooked the trailer. He even got us an electric hookup. Then he took the truck to Santex International a short way back. By the time I got it checked in, he had unhooked and one of the night mechanics was already checking it out and said that the fan clutch was operational. The wrecker driver took us back to their yard where we spent the night. Next morning I called Santex International to find that the thermostat has stuck shut and had been replaced along with lost coolant. This was upsetting as I had just had the thermostat replaced before leaving New York. Later I called Boyle International in Jamestown and was told that and adjustment would be arranged if possible. Haven't had time to follow up on that but nothing from them in the mail here.

After the shop sent a car to pick me up, I returned and got hooked up for a very short trip. We then got set up at the RV park and I arranged for help on Radio Talk In. We had a good but very small rendezvous with excellent entertainment and meals. I represented the Tennessee unit in the business meetings and took in some of the seminars. Our good friend Gary Wheeler with MorRyde from Elkhart, IN was there and we enjoyed one meal with him. We also as usual shopped and dined in the area. I took in the tour of Brooks Army Base also. Even though she walked quite a distance from our parking spot to the hall, Loretta didn't feel that she could handle any of the tours and we also opted out of the Travelcade following the rendezvous even though we were on the list.

From there we went to visit our friends Craig and Paulette near Kaplan, LA. We had a great visit with them on their cattle farm. Craig has a grain hauling semi, and I rode with him several days. I also assisted him on replacing the shock absorbers on the semi tractor. We also spent one Saturday installing watering tanks and gates on some pastures and repair some fences. I also assisted most days in feeding and watering some of his stock. We didn't tour the area this time mostly due to high fuel prices. But we did shop some and Loretta had her blood test done at the hospital in Kaplan. We also dined out a couple of times with Craig and Paulette as well as the meals they served us. Saturday he was moving almost all of the herd to another pasture. In addition to his horse trailer, 5 others arrived along with 3 more horses. It was quite an experience to watch them work the cattle even though I wasn't a lot of help (did get a lot of pictures). When we unloaded the calves last, they gave them shots before releasing them to find their mothers. Also the bull calves were cut (made into steers), which I had never seen before either.

When we finished unloading, Craig treated us all to some good Cajun food at a Bazaar that the nearby Catholic Church was hosting. Then back to secure the trailer for travel and get hooked up to travel. After farewells, we got on the road stopping in a few hours for a nap and lunch. Then on to a truck stop near McComb, MS where we got supper and spent the night. Sunday morning we proceeded to the Flying J at Pearl, MS where we fueled, dumped tanks and had lunch. The fuel there was cheapest we had seen in ages with diesel at $2.95/gal. (This morning it was $2.77 there. From there we took a relaxing ride up the Natchez Trace making one stop at a visitor center along the way. Before we got into Tennessee, the Trace was closed. Instead of taking the detour, we went to Florence, AL where we spent the night in the Wal-Mart lot as it was quite late. When I went for a walk in the morning, I discovered that the rubber roof on the trailer was torn in several places and branches had scrubbed on the side of the trailer. I could think of no place that could have happened except at Craig and Paulette's where I had to back around a large Live Oak tree.

It was chilly there and the trailer batteries didn't hold up so I ran the truck part of the night so we could get heat from the furnace. So when we stopped at the Wal-Mart in Pulaski, TN for Loretta to get a prescription and shop, I had them check the batteries. Both had dead cells and had only been in about a month. They furnished replacements which I installed. Then on to Circle P Farm (Loretta's daughter's family). There we have been catching up on visiting and back mail. I checked the roof damage and called Camping World for repair supplies. UPS outdid themselves as it was ordered Wednesday and ground shipping got it here yesterday. I did clean up for patching and patched some small holes already as well as getting ready to patch the large ones. May need help with those?? Right now I am using the WiFi connection at Country Kitchen in Pulaski as the dial up at the farm is very slow and no cell phone service. I had an external antenna but the trees wiped that off too. We had to come into town for some errands and I bought some additional supplies for repairs at Home Depot. I also called Craig and he said that we had not done the damage on the Oak tree at their place. So since talking to him, I have searched my mind as to where it could have happened. I finally decided that it must have happened when we stopped at the Visitor Center on the Natchez Trace. I didn't think there were any trees hanging over the roadway, but must have been. Also quite a dip getting into the driveway there and that is probably where the stabilizer jack got bent again.

Well, if this isn't long enough, don't know what is, HI. And Loretta just called.

GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta

In Arlington, TX

2008-09-27T08:00:00.002-04:00

Well, a lot has happened since last post. The computer came back with some minor damage that I was able to repair myself. They replaced one defective part and the motherboard. So everything works now, however there is a lot of hum in the speakers. It may be the power for the amplified speakers. I may look for some that aren't amplified to check that.

When the tail end of Hurricane Ike passed through Western New York, we got some very heavy winds and rain. Tom said he thought some gusts on the peak were in the 100MPH range. However only small and dead branches blown down there. BUT the trailer sure did shake around one night.

I gave up on getting Tom's Screwdriver antenna working on our trailer and went back to the Long Wire I have been using for Ham Radio.

So last Saturday, we secured and got ready for travel. However when we went to hook up, the 5th Wheel would not latch. So I removed that and found some small rusted springs that were not doing their job. Only one really appeared necessary to do the latching, and I located one in Tom's supply that took care of that. Hopefully I can finish the job here at Gil McClures as he has an extensive shop and may have the right ones in stock. That got us on the road about 2 hours later than expected but we had not planned on a rush trip anyway.

We fueled in Austinburg, OH and a short while later had a blowout on the trailer. As we can put the spare on in much less time than it takes road service to arrive, Loretta and I did that ourselves. That is quite a job with those heavy tires, the compartment where the spare is located and the hot day. We stopped at the Dutch Heritage Restaurant near Salem, OH for supper and spent the night in their truck parking lot. The second day was uneventful except we had planned a stop at the new Camping World facility at Bowling Freen, KY. However even though we saw it, the exit we took from Interstate 65 was not marked as how to get there. After a bit of driveing around we decided to pass that up.

Monday morning we had planned on getting on Interstate 40 in Nashville. However as we were so close to Columbia where I had purchased the defective tire, we opted to go to Buddy's Tire Store. He didn't have any of the correct tires in stock, but did loan us a tire that we could use for a spare. He also took the damaged tire to arrange replacement with the manufacturer for when we return in the fall. This gave us several hours of off Interstate driving which we prefer even though it takes more time.

By Tuesday evening we were well into Texas. I was getting tired and found no good place to overnight. So we stopped in Greenville for supper at Cracker Barrel. The manager said we could stay there, but as we needed a few items decided to move a short way to the Wal-Mart. Truckers use their lot as well as RV'ers for overnighting so felt a bit more secure also. Next morning I woke to find the trailer batteries totally dead. They hadn't been charging properly even though they were only 7 months old. So we went to the Wal-Mart Auto Center as they were Wal-Mart batteries. They found both dead but didn't want to replace under warranty. They told me that the warranty dated from when I had purchased the previous set instead of the ones that had failed. However they did finally replace them at no charge, but gave me no receipt and informed me that the warranty would date back to February. So perhaps no more Wal-Mart batteries??

We continued without event arriving here at about noon. After a short visit, we parked, unhooked and got setup. Then Loretta called her uncle Dick and we were invited to visit them. They only live 5 miles away so we went there for the rest of the evening and dinner. I have spent some time getting our computer records up to date, but not much else as we have spent most of past 2 days with Loretta's aunt and uncle. So hopefully today I will get to work on that 5th wheel and a few minor maintenance jobs on the trailer. As of now plans are to spend the afternoon with Gil and Bonnie and take a short trip with them.

Guess that is it for now
GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta
Andy@W2UCZ.com
Loretta@W2UCZ.com
RVTravel.blogspot.com

Still in NY for a while

2008-09-06T14:25:00.003-04:00

Well, finally there has been some good weather here. I understand that it has rained over half of the days all summer. We have been busy visiting friends and family in the area. Also attended Loretta's family reunion which was well attended by many of her relatives.

I have been working with our host Tom W2DRZ in an attempt to install a different Ham Radio antenna on our trailer. So far, it hasn't outperformed the antenna I have used for years. Also the desktop computer developed a problem that appeared to be hardware rather than software. I tried all that I knew without solving the problems, so it is presently at the Acer Repair facility in Temple, TX. Hopefully it will be back this week.

If it is, we plan on heading to the Fleetwood Travelcade Club rendezvous near San Antonio, TX next weekend. Our plans at this time are to spend a few days visiting Loretta's uncle and aunt in Arlington, TX. Hopefully we will be able to park nearby with friends Gil and Bonnie McClure who we haven't seen in years. However if the computer isn't back by then our plans may have to be changed.

Loretta is coming along well since her Gall Bladder surgery with the only ill effect having to be a bit cautious about some foods. However the surgery did set her back on her exercise schedule and she is having a bit of hip pain again. We at the top of a waiting list for a Travelcade to Big Bend Country in Texas following the rendezvous. However, unless she improves more rapidly than she has, we may have to opt out if we are accepted to go. There will surely be a lot of walking and at this time she isn't up to that and tires too easily. Well, we plan mostly each day at a time, and the LORD knows what is best.

Fuel prices are coming down, but it still is very expensive to travel long distances. I watch prices online and see that the price at one station where we fueled about 2 months ago in Virginia is almost $1.00 less than when we fueled there. I had rather hoped to visit friends in Western Kansas before going to Texas, but that was over 600 miles out of our way which would cost almost $250.00 additional. So that will have to wait another day.

Not much more to report, so will close for now.

GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta
Andy@W2UCZ.com
Loretta@W2UCZ.com
http://RVTravel.blogspot.com

Finally got to Frewsburg, NY

2008-08-15T22:59:00.002-04:00

We had some difficulty getting a break in the weather to make our move from near Bolivar, NY. But finally got a few days of good weather and came to our usual stop in the yard of friends Tom and Kathy near Frewsburg. The trip was pretty well uneventful except heavy rain before we got set up here. We jad tp get some prescriptions filled so as soon as we could, a trip to Wal-Mart near Warren, PA was in order. We could get them filled here in NY, but if we do, we cannot get any more refills. Also it is really closer to the store in PA than at Lakewood, NY.

The ride was pretty rough on Loretta, but she has since overcome that. She is doing very well in her recovery. She was told to be careful of her diet, but could not wait to get a Fish Fry at the Dinner Bell Restaurant here. She also had to get somt "Rocket Launchers" (Texas Hot Dogs) from AJ's in Jamestown and her favorite Wings at the Horseshoe Restaurant near the Kinzua Reservoir nearby. So far she has handled all well much to my surprise. She has not been able to exercise her hip fully since the Gall Bladder surgery, but is now starting to work on that and walking some.

Other than this and some shopping, not a lot to report. I finally did get the trailer set up for a lengthy stay and have been assisting Tom with some computer "Challanges". I haven't ben able to get my antenna positioned so that it will tune correctly, so haven't done much operating on the Ham Radio bands. Hopefully I will overcome that soon, but with the help of a wireless connection here have been able to pretty well catch up on back email, etc.

Nuff for now
GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta
Andy@W2UCZ.com
Loretta @W2UCZ.com
httpRVTravel.blogspot.com

On the road again - Bolivar, NY

2008-08-05T22:46:00.003-04:00

We spent the next several days in R&R with Loretta coming along well. We did put in one evening of Joker with our hosts. Then on Wednesday, we went with them to the National Aquarium in Baltimore. Loretta used a wheel chair and the place was packed. But we still had an enjoyable but tiring day.

On Friday, we secured and got ready to travel as Loretta felt she was up to it and our waste tanks needed to be dumped. After breakfast with our hosts, we got underway, stopping at the Flying J near Winchester, VA. There we dumped tanks, fueled and had lunch. The rest of day was pretty slow with traffic tie-ups and construction. It took us over an hour to get through Berkley Springs, WV and we never saw what was the traffic holdup. Also on Interstate 70 we encountered 2 stretches of one lane traffic which held us up. So it was early evening when we arrived in Breezewood, PA. We had supper at the TA Truckstop there then asked the manager about spending night as Loretta had about enough riding for one day. He directed us to an area that was mostly used for tour buses. He said that none were expected, but one spent about an hour running next door. It was so hot that we had several windows open and both the noise and fumes interfered with Loretta's sleep.

Saturday morning, we started a trip across Pennsylvania. We took RT. 30 to Bedford then I-99 to Bald Eagle which was all pretty good roads. Then we got into some of the famous PA highways. Lots of hills and crooked roads, also some were quite narrow. We even ended up on one posted at 10 tons and our rig weighs over 14 tons, but except for hills, narrow and crooked road found no reason for the posting. Al Anderson had told us about passing the site of the Austin Dam disaster in 1911. I had hoped to get pictures of the broken dam and the remains of the Bayliss Pulp Mill. However there was no place to get our rig off the road for that so will download some from the Internet. There was a roadway nearby marked Austin Dam Disaster Park, however I did not want to attempt it with our rig not knowinw what would be encountered. We arrived at my daughter's place in the afternoon. One of the grandaughters was there and had brought goodies for supper. Ray grilled them, then we had a delicious supper, calling it a day fairly early. Sunday was spent getting set up for a few days, visiting and in the evening going to Sprague's Maple House for supper.

Yesterday Ray invited me to go fishing with him at Cuba Lake. We met one of my grandsons there and the 3 of us stayed on the lake till after dark. We first tried casting into likely spots along the edge with only one Perch for our efforts. So in the evening Carl and I trolled while Ray drove the boat. In fact, Carl got a hit as soon as his lure hit the water and before starting to troll. It was a nice Pike of almost 30 inches. We had very good luck by this method and between us got several Pike, some very nice Walleyes and a few Bass. It was late by time we returned and after supper, it was soon to bed. Loretta had a rough night as her supper had not agreed with her.

Today I assisted Ray on a small roof repair on their house. Then I took Loretta to Jones Hospital in Wellsville for a blood test to be taken. While there, we had lunch and did some shopping. Then home to rest before supper with Jodi - Ray had gone fishing with Carl again, but I didn't go. As of now we haven't any plans as to when we will move to Frewsburg, NY. I expect when we get a break in the weather we will make that short move. There has been several showers since we arrived and in fact there is a Thunderstorm in progress right now.

GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta
http://RVTravel.blogspot.com
Andy @ W2UCZ.com
Loretta@W2UCZ.com

Loretta back home

2008-07-25T20:12:00.003-04:00

Sunday after surgery Loretta was on a liquid diet. Monday morning, she asked the Aide when the breakfast trays were coming. She was told "When you order it". However after being told about the liquid diet she went to check. Soon a menu was delivered and we placed a phone order, being told that a few things she wanted were NOT on her diet. A while later Room Service delivered the tray. Lunch was the same way. quite a menu to order from also.

In the afternoon, Dr. Dekker (the surgeon) came by and checked her out. He also removed the drainage tube. Loretta had been taken off the pain medication via IV and had just taken a pill when he arrived. So the removal of the tube was very painful. He then told her she was going home. So preparation was made for her discharge and she came home to rest as she was still in a lot of pain. The pain pill prescribed were the same as she had been taking since the hip surgery but 1.5 times as strong. So after taking one, she was asleep for a long time and that continued through Tuesday. She also ate very little. We did go to Cracker Barrel Monday night for supper, but she hardly touched her supper.

Wednesday she was to go to Dr. Dekker's office about sixteen and a half mile away. The appointment was 0845, and we left here at 0745. We were a bit late arriving there, rush hour traffic here is something else even on the Interstate which we took almost all the way. He was happy with her progress and released her to travel when she felt up to it. Stitches have to be removed in 2 weeks, but we can take care of that. On the way home, we stopped at 29 Diner which is a Historical Landmark. One of the few old dining cars left. She did eat a fair breakfast.

She didn't feel up to riding to Richmond in the evening when Al and I went to pick up one of his daughters that was flying out of Dulles the next day on vacation. The first trip was rather hectic as 3 wicked storms converged on the area just as we left. But the last part was OK, and we arrived back home at about 0200. In the afternoon we went to Eggspectation for lunch. They specialize in egg dishes which are delicious, but $48 for breakfast dishes for 3 rather shocked us.

Last evening Al and a friend were going to an Archery event near Coudersport, PA. We opted to NOT try that trip as Loretta was feeling ill. Today I think the pain is a lot less and we did go out for shopping and lunch at Red Robin. I wish she had eaten that better, but she is improving.

Guess that is all I have to offer at this time.

Andy and Loretta
http://RVTravel.blogspot.com
RVLoretta@gmail.com

Inova Fair Oaks Hospital - Fairfax, VA

2008-07-20T09:23:00.005-04:00

Well, things sure have been busy lately. The Home Health therapists and Visiting Nurse all signed Loretta off as no longer in need of their services. She has been getting around very well and only uses a cane for stability at times. Of course she still has to be careful of the new hip to prevent damage until completely healed. On Tuesday, she saw the surgeon Dr. Wade for final follow-up. He was satisified with the hip and felt that gout had been the problem with her ankle and was now under control, and we would be ready to travel. So we wound up all necessary errands, etc. in Columbia and had supper at O'Charley's

On Wednesday, we got secured, hooked up and ready to travel. After a short visit and farewell to Cliff, we got under way at about 1030. We made several rest stops to avoid Loretta having to sit in one position too long and drove almost 300 miles to Greenville, TN where we had supper and spent the night in the parking lot at a TA Truckstop. I took a quick look at the map and estimated we were about half way to our first visit with Al and Chris Anderson in Centreville, VA. However on Thursday after getting under way, I discovered that I had figured one leg to I-64 instead of I-66 (almost 100 mile error). So even though we got underway at an earlier hour and made shorter stops, it was about 1830 by time we arrived. Of course making an exit at Rt 29, instead of Rt 28 requiring a few U-turns and backtracking in heavy traffic didn't help any. I realized I had made wrong exit as soon as we got on the exit ramp but then it was too late.

After a short visit and some refreshments, we got parked in Al's driveway and hooked up to power. We then went out for spaghetti supper at Olive Garden. I visited with Al till almost midnight before going to our RV to go to bed. I found Loretta in a lot of pain in her stomach area, and suggested a trip to the ER. But after throwing up, she said she felt better so I finally went to sleep. She thought that perhaps the sauce had been too spicy for her. Friday morning she said she felt fine even though sleeping had been rough due to not enough electric to keep the Air Conditioner on. I spent the morning catching up on computer records and some email using Al's WiFi connection. I also tried to locate an AC outlet that would support the AC current. Al had been out on some duties all morning and when he returned we tried a couple more circuits, but he had nothing outside that would handle more than 20amps. Finally I unplugged the charger for the RV batteries and we plugged that into an available 15amp circuit. By using 2 circuits, the AC would now stay on without tripping any circuit breakers. We then went out for dinner at Bob Evans and had a light meal.

Friday evening I again spent a lot of time in Al's home office talking old times, Ham Radio, etc. So it was late again when I returned home. I found Loretta in more pain than the night before and again suggested a trip to the ER. Could not blame food this time as she had only had a small Chicken Pot Pie to eat all day. She did NOT want to go to a hospital or doctor here and wanted to return to Columbia, TN (18 hour drive). I got rather upset, and told her to get dressed and we would head right out. I went to tell Al and have him move his pickup so we could exit his driveway but found he had gone to bed. I returned to the trailer to find Loretta still in bed, so I went to sleep.

Yesterday morning I woke at 0530 to find her still in pain. She now suggested a trip to an Emergency Room (must have been really hurting). I cleaned up, dressed and woke Al who said I could use his pickup as we had not unhooked our rig. When Loretta got ready, Al then said he would bring us to the hospital which wasn't very far away. Tests in the ER revealed a HOT Gall Bladder. The ER doctor said surgery could not be done that day and antibiotics would be needed. These and pain medication were started through an IV and she was admitted to a room. Dr. Dekker the surgeon came in to talk to us and said that he could do the surgery, except she is on Coumadin and her blood was too thin. She was put on a diet high in Vitamin K to thicken the blood so she could have surgery. In the evening, I returned home to spend the night and an evening socializing with Al and several friends.

Loretta called to say that the doctor wanted her to have a transfusion of blood plasma during the night to help thicken blood as apparently the blood test still wasn't good enough. Then later she called again to tell me that she would like me to return to the hospital as she was frightened. I took the pickup and came here to help assure her that she had nothing to worry about but she still could not go to sleep till after they started the transfusion after midnight. I slept in a chair in her room and had a rough night, but she did sleep quite well.

Apparently the blood test this morning still wasn't quite what the surgeon wanted and he ordered 2 more units of Plasma. As it takes some time to get the blood, they said they would hang the bag here in the room before she went to Pre-Op and the 2nd one in surgery. However, the blood did not arrive before the transport to Pre-Op. So we went there where they got her ready and when the blood arrived pushed it as fast as possible. The surgeon and his assistant came and talked to us before she was moved to surgery. This was the first time I had ever been allowed to go to Pre-Op except for myself and I was surprised at the size of the facility. They have 17 stations and 10 operating rooms which if needed can be used 7d ays a week 24 hours a day.

After Loretta was taken to Surgery, I returned home to shower and change as I was told I would have about 1.5 hours and it wasn't that far. She was taken in at ab out 1110, and I was in the waiting room by about 1230 to wait for Dr. Dekker. When he hadn't appeared by 1300, I phoned the Recovery Room to find that she had just returned from surgery. It was about another half hour or more before Dr. Dekker came out to tell me all had gone well but taken longer than expected. There was a bit of bleeding so there is a drainage tube in place. She will stay here at least another day, but he indicated we may be able to travel again soon after she is discharged. I then grabbed a cup of Starbucks Coffee in the Cafe' and came up to her room to work on this. As of now - 1445, she has not been returned to the room.

Later;
Al arrived and told me that Loretta was on the way to her room at a bit after 1500. We came up to be with her and found she was in a lot of pain. The nurse came in to give her pain medication, but there was a problem with her IV. So they put another one in, but by then the other was working OK so she is still hooked up to that one with new one as backup. The pain medication was administered and shortly she went to sleep. However when another nurse came a bit later, she couldn't get Loretta to respond well. So Al and I left the room while a team including the surgeon gathered to undo the pain medication and then a different medication was applied. Apparently either too strong or too much had been given before. Loretta soon went to sleep so Al and I went to eat. When we returned, she had eaten most of her supper, was in good spirits and little pain. Dr. Dekker said the tube was the cause of the pain, but he wants it in place for a while.

I am happy to report that now she is doing well and resting with little pain.

We do want to thank all who have been praying for Loretta.
GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta
http://RVTravel.blogspot.com
RVLoretta@gmail.com
W2UCZ4@gmail.com

Still in Chapel Hill, TN

2008-07-02T23:46:00.001-04:00

Well, it appears we have had a bit of a setback. After my last posting, Loretta developed a severe pain in her ankle. The Visiting Nurse or Physical Therapist could see no reason. On Thursday she had an appointment with her Primary Physician. He prescribed a Doppler Test of her leg and groin areas. He said he didn't suspect a Blood Clot, but wanted to be sure. That was scheduled for Tuesday last week and provided the expected information. Thursday she had an appointment with her surgeon. They X-Rayed both the hip and ankle. We saw the pictures and he said the hip looks great. He said there was some arthritis in the ankle, but not enough to cause pain. He suspected Gout, and put her on a 6 day Steroid treatment for that. She finished that routine Monday, but still having some pain. He wants to see her again on the 15^th. Whether is is the pain, or medication, but she has been ill some and hasn't been able to make it to church the past 2 weeks also.

So that changes our plans of going to NY State this week for 4^th, Teamsters Retires Luncheon, and my Class of 51 reunion dinner. Hopefully we can make the trip later in the summer and attend Loretta's family reunion at least.

Yesterday we rode to Franklin with her sister and husband. I think Loretta sat wrong in the back seat as her leg and hip is hurting today. The Therapist is due to arrive later, and we will have her examine it. Also got a call from daughter Sharon, she broke a rib yesterday and spent most of day in Emergency Room at Maury Regional Hospital in Columbia. I guess she had to threaten to go to Williamson Medical Center in Franklin where she works before getting any attention. She is back home now but sore and can use prayers. Also keep Loretta in your prayers for continued recovery.

Doctors and Therapists are impressed with her progress, but concerned about the ankle pain.

I am well and keeping busy with the usual (and some unusual) maintenance projects here and housework chores that Loretta cannot do at this time.

All for now

GOD Bless

Andy and Loretta

RVLoretta@gmail.com

http://RVTravel.blogspot.com

Loretta home and doing well

2008-06-15T22:36:00.002-04:00

As expected, Loretta came home on the 5th. By time she arrived here, she was in a lot of pain and the right leg was badly swollen. Rest and pain medication helped and by next day the swelling had started to reduce. On Friday we went to Shelbyville for medications and some shopping, but she kept walking to a minimum. However she had no difficulty getting into and out of our truck. Sunday we went to church and other than being uncomfortable and some pain while sitting in the pew, she did well. When we arrived, she was greeted by all in attendance cheering her arrival.

This past Monday, the visiting nurse arrived and appeared to be well satisfied with her progress. On Tuesday we went to a nearby laundromat where Loretta was able to assist some in doing our laundry. Wednesday the Physical Therapist arrived and was also happy with the progress. In fact, I think she seems to be coming along much faster than in the Skilled Nursing Unit. The Occupational Therapist called Friday, but apparently didn't have good directions. She did not arrive and called to tell us to expect her next week. Later another Physical Therapist stopped by and gave her a better workout than she had received on Wednesday.

Yesterday we went to Shelbyville again where Loretta was able to walk over 1/4 mile. And today we went to Ray's Chapel UMC Church again. This afternoon, Daughter-in-law Kathy came by to visit and join us for dinner when she left.

So as of now, I am very happy with her progress. We will be seeing 2 of her doctors on Thursday and more therapy is scheduled for this week.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta
RVLoretta@gmail.com

Hospital Stay about over

2008-06-03T16:32:00.002-04:00

Haven't reported lately as there hasn't been much exciting. Loretta took longer with her therapy than she had hoped for, but has done well. Also the incision is healing very well too.

I have been coming into the hospital about every other day to visit and keep her company. She hasn't had a lot of visitors, But daughter Sharon and her husband Bill (who works in this hospital) have visited quite a bit. Also her grandson Shawn and his wife (they also work here) and 2 of their children have stopped by as well as daughter-in-law Kathy and her family. Also her sister and brother-in-law have visited a couple of times. So I guess she didn't need me every day. On the off days, I have been doing some tasks around our trailer in preparation for her return.

When I arrived today, one of the nurses told me that Loretta would be going home tomorrow. The Social Worker came by in the afternoon and told her that she could go home tomorrow or Thursday and Loretta opted for Thursday. Probably to get another day of Physical Therapy even though she is anxious to get into our own home.

So, unless something unexpected comes up I will be taking her home day after tomorrow. So I will have to do some shopping to get necessary items in for living in our RV.

Otherwise not a lot to report.

Exercise every day - Walk with the LORD
Andy and Loretta
RVLoretta@gmail.com

From Maury Regional Hospital

2008-05-22T15:10:00.002-04:00

Catchup time!!

Loretta spent 3 nights in the Bone Surgery Unit and did very well. In fact she was up and walking some on Thursday the day following her surgery. Last Saturday we moved her to the Skilled Nursing Unit on the 1st floor (RM 100). She has been having PT every day and walking a total of up to a half mile a day. She isn't eating as well as she should and tires easily. But the nurses and therapists are happy with her progress. The surgeon and family doctors are also.

She is still swollen quite a bit and bruised a lot, but they say that is normal. I was there when they changed the dressing today. At first I was disturbed, but when they got the incision uncovered, it looks very good.

We do thank you for your thoughts, emails and Prayers. Hopefully her stay here won't be too long.

For now
THANKS AND GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta
W2UCZ4@gmail.com

Loretta in Surgery now

2008-05-14T17:08:00.001-04:00

Well, Loretta had her Pre-op tests a week ago yesterday as planned. All well except she still has a bit of infection and the Surgeon's nurse called Monday to ask where to call prescription. So we went to Wal-Mart in Shelbyville for that. Also had received a recall notice on another prescription, but Wal-Mart didn't have any of the replacement in stock. So we went to Walgreen's to get the correct one.

She was told to be here in Maury Regional Hospital for admission at 1100 today. When we got here, they said they couldn't understand the time as surgery was scheduled for 2PM. She was taken to the Preparation room at about then, but didn't get into surgery till around 3. Dr Wade just came in to tell us that he had finished and all had gone well and she is now in Recovery. She will be transferred to Room 670A after recovery and we will see her when she gets there. Her Son-in-Law Bill Payne also just came by to say he had done X-rays and that she was not in pain and waking well. Her daughter Sharon has been with me all day.

Sharon is much better, but also has a long way to go before fully recovered from her recent hospitalization.

Going to 6th floor now so will sign

GOD Bless
Andy

PS:
We didn't have long to wait before she was brought to her room. She is still pretty much out of it, but seems to be getting more alert every time she wakes. Sharon stayed till about 6:30 then went home. Supper was brought in, but she didn't want to eat. (Says she would like a Johnnies Texas Hot), HI. So I ate most of the supper, - Loretta didn't miss much. Staff really looking after her and she is doing very well with the breathing exercise device. I will be staying the night.

RVLoretta@gmail.com

Surgery back on!!

2008-05-05T22:40:00.000-04:00

We still hadn't heard from the Bone and Joint Clinic, so today (Monday) we went to Columbia and stopped there. The Cardiologist was supposed to fax his clearance to them, but the girl that does scheduling had not seen that. Loretta had called last week and was told that they would call when they received it. But the scheduler said that probably that was just put in her file when they got it. So she scheduled her for surgery on the 14^th. We have to go back tomorrow for pre-op at 1000.

We went to visit Sharon later to find her up and about and acting a lot better. Still not up to going back to work and hasn't heard results from Mayo Clinic.

Gonna make this short as we want to get to bed a bit early tonight.

GOD Bless

Andy and Loretta

http://RVTravel.blogspot.com

RVLoretta@gmail.com

GOOD NEWS!!!!!

2008-05-01T22:29:00.000-04:00

Loretta's daughter Sharon has returned home again, but still waiting for results on the Biopsy samples that were sent to Mayo Clinic. She sure would like to find out the cause of her problems. Do keep her in your prayers.

Loretta went to the cardiologist on Tuesday and he had a good report. Her heart passed all tests with flying colors and he approved her for the Hip Replacement. PRAISE THE LORD. As of this time that has not been rescheduled though but she has been in touch with the Middle Tennessee Bone and Joint Clinic. Hopefully after she gets that done, our life can assume a more normal role and we can travel again.

Other than that, not a lot of news here. Sure is nice seeing the trees and flowers springing out and the weather is pretty much improving. Still getting some rains and winds, but temperatures are getting back into the upper 70's again.

GOD Bless

Andy and Loretta

RVLoretta@gmail.com

Latest update

2008-04-17T04:47:00.000-04:00

Well, things aren't improving a lot here yet. Sharon decided she was ready to go home a week ago today. On Wednesday, I went to the Urologist. His preliminary diagnosis was an infection and he prescribed an antibiotic. Then Loretta called Sharon. She was home alone and sounded so badly that we rushed down there in case she needed to return to the hospital. By then Bill had returned home and she said she had a doetor appointment the next morning.

Then we got a call Thursday morning that she was back in the hospital. I took Loretta to her appointment with the Cardiologist. He confirmed the Atrial Fibrillation and prescribed Coumadin. She also has an appointment to return on the 22^nd for Stress Test, Echogram and Blood Tests. One good thing, the medicine that Dr. Gardner (family doctor) prescribed apparently has started to reduce her pulse rate.

After Loretta finished with her appointment, we took the Hospital Shuttle to the main building where we went to visit Sharon. She was looking and sounding very rough. Apparently, they went to her doctor and he said “What are you doing here, get to the hospital”. When they got her to her room, they had to call the Crash Cart and the room was still a mess from when they has worked on her.

Sunday we rode with Cliff and Lorraine (Loretta's sister) to visit and Sharon was much better, but still not good. Tuesday, Loretta and I went over again. One of her doctors came in while we were there and said that they wanted to do a biopsy of her lung as they cannot find any reason for what ails her. She was to meet with the Thoracic Surgeon later, but we left before she arrived. Sharon called today to say that the Biopsy is scheduled for 0700 tomorrow morning. The doctor said she will be in Isolation for 2 days, but Loretta told her we would come by later in the day.

This evening we went to Henry Horton State Park nearby for supper. Lorraine was getting around much better and eating well, so hopefully she is on way to recovery.

We were scheduled to be in Columbia, MO for the Fleetwood Travelcade club rendezvous this weekend. But that is out as well as several other RV rallies on our calendar. Things are more or less day to day till Loretta gets back in condition and has her hip replacement.

GOD Bless

Andy and Loretta

RVLoretta@gmail.com

Latest update from Chapel Hill, TN

2008-04-06T20:21:00.003-04:00

More disappointments: 6 April 08

Loretta was able to get an appointment with Dr. Justice on the 25^th. However, she is suffering a lot of pain in her hip, so I called his clinic and was able to change her appointment to the 10^th with another Cardiologist. We checked with her daughter Sharon (a nurse) and was told that this one is also very good.

Then she got the word that one of her grandsons had badly burned his hand on the muffler on a garden implement. Sharon was able to dress that properly and we assume all is well on that front. Some good news from that direction though - his wife gave birth to another Great Grandson for Loretta on the 28th. Another bit of good news is that Loretta's sister has now returned home.

Monday, she got a call from the Surgeon's office that in addition to the heart problem (Atrial Fibrillation) tests had revealed an E-Coli infection. So she has been taking an antibiotic to get rid of that. Tomorrow she has an appointment with her Kidney Doctor and we are sure they will check that.

Thursday, Sharon called to say she was in Maury Regional Hospital in Columbia with Pneumonia. This is a recurring problem with her, but it had been almost a year since her last confinement. In fact they had opened a new Emergency Room a year ago Friday and she was their first patient. She told us yesterday that she expected to go home today, but a call to her room revealed that she is still not ready to leave the hospital.

I had consulted my Urologist in Florida while we were there about some occasional bleeding. Cystoscopy revealed no cause and only slight Radiation damage to Bladder from my Prostate Cancer treatments. However the bleeding recently reappeared and did seem to be more severe. So I have an appointment on Wednesday with an Urologist in Columbia. I really expect that it is nothing serious.

So I think our truck must know it's way to the Medical area in Columbia. We have made 2 trips to visit Sharon in hospital, then we have to go in 3 days this week for doctor appointments. With diesel priced at almost $4.00 a gallon, it sure is a strain on the budget. But hopefully Loretta will soon be able to get her new hip and things will return to normal.

Please keep both Loretta and Sharon in your prayers as neither is feeling well at this time.

GOD Bless

Andy and Loretta (RVLoretta@gmail.com)

Plans are made to be changed

2008-03-27T22:45:00.002-04:00

We have spent the past week and a half running errands, shopping, visiting and assisting around here. We also took several trips to visit Loretta's family near Lynnville and joined several family members for dinner in Columbia on Saturday evening. We attended the Sunday Service at Rays Chapel UMC down the road and had Easter Dinner at a nearby restaurant. Loretta's sister has now returned home which is a relief to everyone.

Yesterday I took Loretta to the Outpatient Pavilion at Maury Regional Hospital in Columbia, TN. There she went through the Pre-op routine for her Hip Replacement scheduled for tomorrow. After going through the complete routine, we went to a nearby Steak House for lunch. While there we received a call on the Cell Phone informing Loretta that the Hip Replacement had been put on hold. She was told that the EKG revealed a previously unknown heart problem. They also called our General Practitioner and arranged an appointment for this morning. We went to visit her nurse daughter to discuss that. She recommended a Cardiologist also.

Today we went to visit Dr. Gardner and he verified that she appears to have Atrial Fibrillation and was going to contact Dr. Justice ( the recommended Cardiologist) . As of this time we have not been notified as to the time of her appointment.

We do ask that you continue to include her in your prayers. Dr. Gardner told her that she WILL be getting the new hip, but not at this time.

GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta
RVLoretta@gmail.com

Good and BAD news

2008-03-16T18:09:00.002-04:00

Well the weather has been GOOD news. Even though some chilly nights and several frosty ones, no more snow. Some rain including a heavy storm yesterday but the water is much needed after last summer's drought. Right now the temperature is over 60, the skies are mostly clear and a nice light breeze blowing.

Loretta's sister is now out of hospital and recovering from her treatment. She appears to be doing quite well and hopefully will be coming home soon. Loretta had an appointment at the Bone and Joint Clinic in Columbia and is scheduled to trade in her defective hip for a new one on the 28th, with pre-op on the 26th. We understand that usually there is no time in a Rehab facility after Hip Replacement. However the doctor felt that she shouldn't come home immediately due to the number of steps getting in and out and around our RV. She will get so they are happy with her being here in short time, we are sure.

Now for the BAD news. A week ago last evening, we had went to visit Loretta's sister with her husband. We were just getting ready to leave when my Cell Phone rang. It was Loretta's daughter, she was so upset that I could hardly understand her. But the message was that her brother David (Woody) who lives next door to her had suffered a heart attack. She said that the EMT's were there and doing CPR and would be transporting him to Hillside Hospital in Pulaski, TN. It would have been about 40 miles extra to come back and get our truck. So I asked Cliff if he would drive us to the hospital, which he did. We arrived shortly before Sharon (Loretta's daughter) and family and when they did, she told Loretta that "He wasn't going to make it" It wasn't very long before Woody's wife Kathy came out from the room they had taken him to and said he was gone. The medical people said he had suffered a Massive Coronary and was "Dead when he hit the floor", but they had done what they could. Loretta was devastated as 10 years ago her oldest daughter had died of the same cause. And she has never really totally gotten over that (as if one could).

Of course Sunday was spent making arrangements, notifying friends and family, etc. Cremation was opted for, so we planned a Memorial Service for last Friday evening allowing people time to get here from NY, PA, GA, FL etc. They had a good service conducted by Niles Worsham, the minister of the church that they (and we when in the area) attend in Campbellsville, TN. It was very well attended as he was liked by everyone. He was active with the Boys and Girls club, a very popular School Bus driver, had founded a chapter of Southern Cruisers Motorcycle Club here. He also was in Veteran's organizations as he was a Viet Nam veteran, and in the past had worked in the field for the Cable Television company.

Yesterday morning we were greeted by very heavy storms, which we drove to Pulaski (about 50miles) in. But by the time we arrived at Pulaski Memorial Gardens for the graveside service, we got a break in the weather. There we said our final goodbye. Then we went to Sharon's house for time with the members of our family that had come. Loretta was exhausted, but we did ride to Franklin with son Steve as he wanted to visit his aunt while in the area. When we returned to the house, we returned home stopping for a short visit with Kathy and her daughter Beth as well as some of the family that had also gone there.

We woke to a beautiful, but cool morning. Loretta is still having moods of depression (which probably will continue for some time). However we did go to Ray's Chapel UMC church a couple of miles down the road. Although we had only attended services there once, they are very supportive. In fact, the Minister Beth Gaines came to the Memorial Service along with her mother and one daughter on Friday evening.

Not much to say at this time, except please keep PRAYING for Loretta and her family. I don't know for sure how long we will stay here before moving to our parking place at Sharon and Bill's farm. But we do have better facilities here and it is a quicker trip to Columbia for doctor visits and Loretta's surgery. So I really expect that we will stay here till sometime in April.

We were scheduled for a RV rally in Columbia, MO in April. Original plans had been to stay in Florida till then - BUT plans are made to be changed. I had 3 jobs with the rally, but replacements have been located. As of now, we are more or less taking each day as it comes and thanking the LORD for HIS support.

GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta
RVLoretta@gmail.com
W2UCZ4@gmail.com

A lot has happened

2008-02-26T13:42:00.002-05:00

Well, we have been pretty busy for over a month now. My doctor in Homosassa wanted to run a follow up test after my Prostate Cancer treatment. The test was OK, but he did prescribe some medication. He wanted to follow up on that later and I got an appointment for the 27^th. As we had about 3 weeks to wait, we decided to head south for a while.

Our first stop was in St. Cloud where friends from Bemus Point, NY have a place. On the way, we stopped at Camping world in Kississimmee for some supplies and a replacement satellite antenna to replace the one that had gotten damaged in transit. As we left the store, we received a phone call that Loretta's sister was going to have surgery. We did spend a few days visiting Dick and Gladys and they gave us a tour of the area. Also we assisted each other on some tasks. He helped remove and clean our furnace and seal a leak on one of the Slideouts.

Then we went to the Moose Club in Sarasota for 3 nights. From that base, we visited friends and family in Sarasota and Englewood. We had planned on moving to Arcadia then to visit SKP friends Glenn and Sue. But Loretta felt that she should be with her sister, so we canceled that part of our trip. We moved to their place near Chapel Hill, TN in time for a few days of visiting.

They have a nice full-hookup site so we have been using this a base from which to travel to and from Williamson Medical Center in Franklin. She has now had the surgery with good report and is now waiting for her release from the hospital. One thing in her advantage is that she is in the unit where Loretta's daughter Sharon is a nurse and can look after her. We didn't go in today (Wednesday) as we woke to a light dusting of snow and below freezing temperatures. According to the TV news, roads over that way were slippery and lots of accidents. It only got slightly above freezing today, and all schools are closed. I expect that it will be somewhat better tomorrow and that we will go to visit again unless she is to be discharged.

Loretta is still having a lot of hip pain, so I expect that while we are still in the area, she will trade that in on a new one. So that means we will bu unable to attend the Fleetwood Travelcade Club rally in Columbia, MO in April. Oh well, plans are made to be changed. I have several duties there, but help has been located to cover for me. One of my brothers was scheduled for a surgical procedure in North Carolina yesterday. I guess I had better call and check on him or Loretta will be on my case.

Bout enough for now

PS: According to Nashville news, there were over 100 accidents in the area this morning!! Western New York wouldn't even say that it had snowed.

GOD Bless

Andy and Loretta

Andy@W2UCZ.com

Still in Homosassa

2008-01-15T21:29:00.000-05:00

As I indicated in out last post, I had another Internet problem to assist on. I got our friend Phyllis online and worked with her on learning how to download email and work offline. She still has questions, so we have been to their place several times helping her with their new laptop. Cal and I also replaced the water valve on the toilet. NOW, no moisture on the bathroom floor to watch for. I also got online with Dexter Axle about the parts to repair the brake that had gotten damaged on the way to DuQuoin, IL. Pretty pricey, but when I determined what was needed, I phoned the order to the Georgia Distribution Center and had them in a couple of days. Cal assisted me in doing the repairs which pretty much took care of one day.

We have had a few chilly days, but only one freeze so far, and that wasn't too hard. A few of Cal's plants were damaged, but not many and all will recover. Mostly the weather has been mild and sunny with only a few much needed showers. Thursday mornings have been breakfast with Cal's relatives and Wednesday evenings we have attended the supper at First Christian Church followed by Bible Study. Last Sunday was the monthly luncheon at church which we attended after the service.

Other than that, not a lot to report. We have been shopping, visiting and dining out. But Loretta's hip is causing quite a bit of discomfort so we have been keeping our travels limited. As of now, she is not ready for the replacement, so will stay in the warm weather for now.

GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta
Andy@W2UCZ.com

Happy New Year

2007-12-27T13:20:00.000-05:00

We prepared to travel last Saturday. So after church on Sunday, we hooked up and proceeded to International RV Park near Daytona Beach. We made a stop at a truck stop near Wildwood for lunch, then again at Russell Stover Candies just down the road. It was late in the afternoon when we arrived at the campground and the office was closed. A camper parked nearby attempted to locate someone to check us in. No one was to be found, so we were told to locate a site and check in next morning. So we found a good site large enough for our trailer. By time we got parked and set up, we were tired enough to call it a day. So we had supper in the rig.

Monday we went to Sam's Club where Loretta's niece works. We had a short visit with her and shopped some then had lunch. Later in the afternoon, we went to son-in-law Don's house to visit with him and grandson Timmy. Timmy had just purchased a new hard drive for his computer and I assisted on getting that installed. Then we went to Olive Garden when Cindy got home from work at Sam's Club. Cindy's husband Chip, daughter Christine and grandson David also went with us. Loretta treated to a great Christmas Eve dinner, then back to house for more visiting. I also assisted Timmy on getting online with their DSL connection.

Christmas morning we returned to the house to celebrate and Loretta assisted in preparing the Christmas dinner. Grandson Brian, Katy and granddaughter Lilly also came along with Christine's husband. There were gifts to open both before and after dinner, so along with a great meal and lots of photo ops, I am sure a good time was had by all. Unfortunately something on the table disagreed with Loretta. Fortunately I was able to find a Walgreen's open 24 hours where I was able to get what she needed for relief.

We decided to NOT stay for the campground Christmas party on Saturday. So on Wednesday morning we secured and hooked up for travel. We made 2 stops on way back to Homosassa. First was at a Friendly's Restaurant in Leesburg for lunch. We met another RV couple and had a nice visit over over our meal. The other was at Wal-Mart near Inverness for some shopping. I was beat by time we got here, so after getting unhooked and slide out rooms extended we rested a while before going into the house to visit with out hosts.

This morning we went to the Thursday Breakfast. There I was asked bu 2 couples for assistance on email setup. Then after a stop at hardware for hose end, we came home. I repaired the hose then sprayed insecticide in the area around our rig. I then finished the setup before coming in to find that the desktop computer is still acting up. I had suspected the mouse, but a change did no good so today I replaced the HP keyboard that I like with the one that came with the computer. Everything seems OK now, so we went to visit Quint and Evelyn where Loretta and Quint worked on a jigsaw puzzle and Evelyn and I attacked the VTech email device. After some time I tried to call Customer Service but got no answer. So I suggested she call tomorrow and will go online tonight to see if I can find more info. After a nice visit with coffee and cookies, we came home. When we arrived, the new water valve kit for the toilet had arrived. So I will probably attack that tomorrow.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Andy and Loretta
Andy@W2UCZ.com

Merry CHRISTmas from sunny Florida

2007-12-20T16:35:00.000-05:00

We left on Tuesday after Steve got home from work. We had everything ready to travel so got on road after farewells. We only drove a short way to Byron, GA where after a bit of searching, we located the Camping World store. They took our trailer right in to take care of the recall. We spent the time while they were doing that shopping in the store and visiting. But the job took almost 4 hours, so we ended up in the lounge drinking coffee and watching TV news. My plans were to get into Florida that day, but we stopped at Flying J near Lake Park, GA to fuel, get propane and dump tanks. It was after dark by time we got there, so after supper, we watched a movie in the Drivers Lounge then went to bed. In the morning, we had breakfast then took care of those duties.

We arrived at the home of our hosts in Homosassa, FL in mid-afternoon. By time we got parked and set up, we were ready to call it a day after a short visit. We have spent time here so far visiting with some of our friends in the area including a former customer from when we operated VHF Communications. As usual there are a few maintenance jobs that I keep to do here as I have a good place to work. There had been a very small leak from the toilet ever since we installed the new one. Yesterday, Cal and I removed it and after some searching, located the source. It appeared that a seal in the water valve is defective. I called Bill at Wade's RV Supply nearby. He did not have water valves in stock but told me it would still be under warranty. So I called Thetford and now have a new water valve on order at no charge. I did fill the leaking area in the old one with Silicone and reinstalled it. I find that the leak is apparently gone now. So there will not be a lot of pressure to install the new valve when it arrives.

We missed the Wednesday supper and bible study the day we got here as it was getting too late. However we did attend church on Sunday and the supper last evening. Something had caused Loretta to break out in a rash on her wrists before we went. She thought it was allergy to the cat. However during supper, she got worse and it was spreading on her upper body. So we didn't stay for bible study and came home to find her whole body trunk and arms covered with a red itching rash. I called her daughter in Tennessee (a nurse) after we got something on to reduce itching. She recommended 4 Benedryl immediately followed by 2 before going to bed. She also showered which provided some relief.

This morning was the weekly breakfast of the family of our hosts that live or winter in the area. She didn't plan on attending, however when she got up, she found that there was no sign of the rash so we did attend that function. As of now, we plan on leaving Sunday to go to Daytona Beach. We do that most years to spend Christmas with Loretta's family and relatives that live there. Plans are to return here right after Christmas, however when I called International RV Park to reserve a site, we were invited to stay till the 29th for a Christmas Party they are throwing for the guests. As of now that isn't in the plans, but we may change.

Nothing else that I can think of.
So MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR

GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta
Andy@W2UCZ.net

In Macon, GA

2007-12-10T08:46:00.001-05:00

Loretta and Jeannie finishing jigsaw puzzle

As expected, Loretta's kidney doctor gave her a clean bill of health and OK to go to Florida for the winter. Now if her hip holds out till spring. On the 1st, we moved to visit her sister near Chapel Hill. That evening they took us to the restaurant at Henry Horton State Park for buffet dinner. They serve a delicious and reasonable meal and we were surprised at the small turnout. But we also went there t Thursday to find that we were the only customers other than a few employees. So they hadn't filled the buffet except salad and desert bars. The excellent server waited on our table and visited with us. On Monday we went to Lewisburg and located the Medical Center where Loretta got her mammogram. We also shopped at Wal-Mart and took a ride through the city while there. On Wednesday we all went to the Nashville International Airport then visited niece and family in Franklin on way back. Some very cold mornings and weather wasn't the best. So we didn't do a lot except some shopping and eating out. I did walk the area some and got a guided trip around the wooded property which is mostly logged over cedar forest.

We moved on Friday with much needed rain starting. We were able to get secured and hooked up before the rain got too bad, and drove out of it shortly. We only drove to Birmingham, AL that day making a few stops along the way. We had supper and spent night at Flying J there and fueled there the next morning. On Saturday we came on to Macon. I had made arrangements with Loretta's son Steve to visit them for a few days. When we arrived in town, we made a rest stop in a parking lot. Steve came to meet us there and Loretta was really surprised as I had not told her about our plans.

We followed him to their place and parked in the backyard of the neighboring house which also belongs to their landlord. Jeannie was working, so after getting set up and hooked up, we went out to supper. As everyone was quite tired, we didn't visit any longer that day. Yesterday, they took us for a tour around the city and the Country Club where he works. Rest of day visiting and supper with them. Steve goes to work very early, so we haven't seen him today but visited some with Jeannie. I also met the landlord who asked how long we were staying. He said if it would be long enough to need it we could hook into the sewer and stay as long as we want. But as of now we plan on moving on tomorrow with a stop at Camping World nearby for refrigerator recall work to be done.

About ready to move on.

2007-11-25T16:56:00.001-05:00

Great-grandson Nate and his first deer

Well, some good news and some NOT so good. Doctor appointments went well, except that Loretta got word that a Hip Replacement is in the offing. No idea when, but Dr. told her "You will know". Hopefully not too soon, but sometimes the pain causes her to not sleep well. I hadn't changed my eyeglasses in several years. Every year got new prescription with instructions to change if I felt it necessary. As I have been having some vision problems, decided this time to change. I opted for the progressive (no line trifocals) lenses. However as of now not very happy. I was told that it might take some time to adjust, so hopefully??

We had a great Thanksgiving as usual. Daughter Sharon and family hosted a crowd with almost all of her family and some friends in attendance - over 20. Then we went down the road to Son Dave's place for desert and coffee with them in the evening. One morning Dave and Nathan (his 11 year old grandson) stopped by to show us the deer Nathan had just shot. Only a spike, but very large for this area - probably about 4 years old. Nate was "Walking on Air" as it was his FIRST.

We have a lot of video tapes of family, travels and movies. They take a lot of space in the trailer and I discovered the player wasn't working anymore. So I invested in a VCR/DVD player/recorder. Intended to put them all on DVD, but found that the player part would not read or copy the ones that were not commercial well. Dave had some he wanted copied too and they have a VCR recorder that they aren't using. He brought it by yesterday and it seemed to handle almost all of our tapes. So I copied his to a DVD and added a copy of their wedding that I had on tape here, by playing them on his and recording on the DVD recorder. I am thinking that possibly there may be a problem with the one I bought, so may exchange it Friday when I take Loretta to her Kidney doctor.

That is the last doctor appointment that we have scheduled. She got an appointment for a Mammogram earlier this month, but decided as it was less than a year she should check with Medicare about payment. They said "Not till after 1 December". She could not get another here till 31 December and we didn't want to stay that long. However they checked around and got an appointment the 3rd at Lewisburg. That isn't a lot farther than Columbia, but as her sister and family recently moved a ways east of there, we decided to hook up and go there next weekend. That will be an easier trip for a early morning appointment and we will get the opportunity to visit them a while.

After that, we plan on heading to Florida with our usual first stay with friends in Homosassa Springs.

Not a lot more going on. This morning was 4th Sunday breakfast at church. Loretta had looked forward to going. However she had been unable to sleep last night so I went alone. Very good breakfast and visit before Sunday School and Church services.

More later
GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta
Andy@W2UCZ.com
RVLoretta@gmail.com

Not much new

2007-10-30T18:40:00.001-04:00

We had a good visit with Loretta's sister and family then joined them for lunch at Sand's Restaurant in Pulaski before they returned to their home. We had planned on hooking up and going for a few days visit with them about now. However it doesn't appear that we will be able to do that. Loretta was having problem with one hip. So she got in to see our family doctor this month. He ordered X-Rays, bone scan then as a result of those, a CT Scan. She was worried about getting a hip replacement, but I guess the tests didn't indicate that was necessary at this time. Hopefully knowing that will ease the pain some??

I had made a deal on some #6 electric cable and a 50Amp service box while in NY State. So with the help of grandson Scott and stepson Woody, we set a new post and installed the outlet box on that. I buried the cable and the satellite TV cable in PVC conduit from the shop to the pole. After applying some Polyurethane finish it looks quite good. Now we can use the 50Amp cable that came with the trailer instead of a 30Amp extension cord. I was always having trouble keeping clean connections with the extension cable. I also put one of the color changing Solar Pool lights that I have on top of the pole just for the fun of it. Woody had also rented a Carpet Shampoo machine, so after they finished theirs, I borrowed it and did ours. Sure looks a lot better now, hard to realize how much dirt can get into one as we use throw rugs and seldom wear shoes on the carpet.

Last week we did have 2 days of badly needed rain, but even with almost 4", we are still in near drought conditions here. Many streams and ponds are still dry and the crop yields are discouraging. Weather has been beautiful and cooled down from the 100 degree range to 70 and 80 degree days. Last night we had a frost warning, but don't think there was any to speak of. My brother Clair has relocated to North Carolina and called today. He informed me that they had heavy frost the past 2 nights. Guess they have had more rain there too.

Other than that not a lot of excitement here. We have as usual been doing some shopping, dining out and visiting, as well as some church activities. Still haven't washed the rig due to the water situation, and it may have to wait till we get into Florida in December.

GOD Bless all and Happy Thanksgiving
Andy and Loretta
Andy@W2UCZ.com

Back at Circle P Farm, Lynnville, TN

2007-10-10T20:42:00.001-04:00

Loretta at ancient Pulaski, TN Cemetary

We had a nice and uneventful trip from the DuQuoin State Fair grounds to Beech Bend Campground near Bowling Green, KY. We arrived at about mid day to find that there was a line of RV'ers and motorcyclists ahead of us. When we got to the registration window, we were informed that there was a Harley Davidson Rally also going on that weekend. The other two units that had went on ahead of us were registered so we paid for 4 nights and went into the campground and located them. Camping spaces were not assigned there, so we selected one near theirs, but adjacent to the fence separating the Motorcycle Rally area from the rest of the campground. We were the only 3 rigs that came in for the Tennessee Unit Rally of the Fleetwood Travelcade Club.

We expected the campground to be very noisy all night with partying, etc. However were quite surprised as even though they didn't observe the quiet hours starting at 10PM, they did quiet down considerably and we were able to sleep without any difficulty. And in fact by next day, the campground around our rigs was full of cyclists too. Camping World has their original store at the end of the road to the park, and are now moving to a new location near the interstate. So we went there one day to shop expecting to find some good closeout bargains. There didn't seem to be any of them, but we did make a few needed purchases. There was also a Wal-Mart nearby where we went to shop for groceries. We did eat out a lot, so really didn't need much in that line.

One day Terry Penn, Jim Forsythe and myself went to the Corvette factory to take the factory tour. It was quite interesting, but I felt that the Saturn factory in Spring Hill, TN was much better and more informative. After the factory tour, we went to the Corvette Museum nearby. As we were not allowed cameras at the factory, I had left mine in our trailer and sure wished I had it with me for the museum. This was self guided and you could move at your own pace. It was a very interesting stop which I would recommend to anyone. Cost was $8 or $6 for seniors and well worth it.

There was a RV dealer parked next to us hoping to sell one of the "Toy Hauler" RV's to one of the cyclists. He informed us Saturday morning that he would be pulling out that day as he had attended the first Harley Rally there and on Saturday night there were fights, rapes and murders. Our unit had their business meeting Saturday forenoon with the 6 of us in attendance along with Pam and Moe Johnson who had driven in for the meeting. After the meeting, we carpooled to a nice restaurant in town for a delicious farewell dinner. Farewell in more than one way as Terry and Marilyn Penn are relocating to Indiana and will no longer be able to participate in Tennessee functions as much as they have for several years. Penn's and Forsythe's decided to return to their homes after lunch even though they had paid for the night. We decided to spend the night and found that Saturday night was quieter than the previous 3. Of course a lot of the bikers were the same ones from 30 years ago, and aren't near as wild. Also, I think the motorcyclists are now creating a better impression than they used to as a whole.

We had hoped to spend a few days visiting Loretta's sister and husband who are moving to Tennessee from Missouri. But a phone call revealed that they were not going to be in Tennessee at that time. So on Sunday we came back to our home base at Loretta's daughter's farm near Lynnville. Bill's sister, 2 of her daughters and one grandson arrived the next day for a short visit and as we hadn't seen any of them in ages were able to enjoy that also. We have been doing the usual things, but not a lot of outdoor activities as the temperature has still been very warm. In fact last night was the first time it was really cool enough for good sleeping. And they still are in drought conditions here. We did have a light mist yesterday that only lasted a few minutes.

Grandson Scott is working at an Alpaca farm near Brentwood. He called Sunday morning and invited us to come by after church for a tour. We took daughter Sharon and granddaughter Chelsea with us and had an enjoyable and informative tour. Too bad that the temperatures were in the 90's though, would have been nicer outdoors if it had been a bit cooler. They are interesting animals and very friendly and inquisitive.

Loretta's son Dave has made a remarkable recovery and except a bit of a problem with his right leg, one would be hard put to tell he had ever had a life threatening accident. His doctor cleared him to return to his School Bus driving job and he started on Friday. We went for a ride around part of his route one day, just for something to do and to see part of the area we hadn't visited. Friday the American Legion in Pulaski had a benefit supper for him which we and Loretta's family attended. A fair amount was raised which helps with their expenses.

This morning early, I got a call from Loretta's brother-in-law asking if we were accepting visitors. They arrived in mid morning and we had a nice visit followed by lunch at Sand's Restaurant in Pulaski which is one of our favorites in the area.

Guess that gets us up to date again;

GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta
Andy@W2UCZ.com

In DuQuoin, IL

2007-09-27T19:50:00.000-04:00

FTC Webmaster Tom Johnson, Army Major General Bill Johnson and Rendezvous First Timer at Scott AFB luncheon

We departed our hilltop location in Western New York on 12 September. Weather was nice for trip here, however as usual we had a few challenges on the way. First a noise coming from right rear truck wheel was brought to my attention at our first rest stop in Ohio. Discovered that a retaining nut from the wheel cover had come off. So I removed the wheel cover. We stopped at several truck parts departments and RV dealerships without locating one. We stopped in Greenup, IL for breakfast on our 3rd day. I had parked on a slight downhill but when we got ready to leave and I released the parking brake then rig did not coast. In fact it took a fair amount of power to pull away from the curb. So I pulled over to find that the right front trailer brake was locked up and the tire skidding on the pavement. However after backing a short distance it seemed to have released and would now coast.I

I stopped at the next rest area where I checked to find the wheel had been turning OK, but was almost too hot to touch. So I drove the rear wheel up on blocks and got underneath to let the adjustment off. However I could not find the adjustment wheel. I removed the wheel then inquired of some highway workers as to where I could find a good mechanic nearby. They directed me to A&H Equipment in Altamont where the mechanic was able to remove the brake drum which I would have been unable to do. We found that the adjusting screw had fallen out and jammed against the rear brake shoe, destroying both the shoe and adjuster. He got me in contact with a RV Service shop about 15 miles away in the direction we were heading. I told the Service Manager there what size brake shoes I needed and was told that he either had them or could get them locally.

We were told to come right down. So I disabled the brake and the wheel was put back on. We then went to S&S RV Sales in Farina, IL. The first thing they did was jack the trailer up and pull the drum again. Then they discovered they did NOT have the shoes nor did the distributor nearby. We were told they could get parts, but it would be a few days. This was on Friday and we were scheduled to be here in DuQuoin by Saturday. As our tow vehicle has plenty of braking power and the other 3 on the trailer work well, we came on in with that brake disabled. I verified that Gary Wheeler from Mor-Ryde was coming and tried to call to see if he could bring the needed parts. But he was already on the road. So I will order the parts and make repairs at a later date.

Gary Wheeler and I discussed the situation when he arrived here and he helped me get in contact with Dexter Axle for parts help. Also I had noticed a bolt loose which I was unable to get to the head to hold for tightening on out Mor-Ryde rubber pin box (part of hitch). Gary and I were also unable to get to the head of the bolt, so we removed the hitch box and completely rebuilt the Mor-Ryde box. It now has a new heavy duty rubber spring with captive bolts which should not come loose again. I also discovered a small water leak when I arrived here. After some searching I found a loose connection at the water heater which I tightened.

We had a great rendezvous even though it was rather small in attendance. Loretta is getting better all the time and participated in many of the activities too. She opted not to go on any of the tours, but I went on the tour to Scott Air Force Base. http://public.scott.amc.af.mil/ I rather expected this to be rather boring as it was to be a tour of offices and briefings. However, I was surprised as it turned out to be one of the best Military Base tours that we have had. Our thanks to our retired Air Force Lt. Gen. LeRoy Manor who arranges the tours.

This base is really operated by the Department of Defense and arranges all types of transportation for all branches of the surface by air, ground and sea. We were treated to a windshield tour of the base, then 2 of the facilities. In each, we were given a talk about the activities being conducted there by one of the Generals and allowed to mingle and talk with the operators as duties permitted. One of the activities they oversee in addition to equipment and personnel transport is airlift transport of seriously injured servicemen. Their record in that is very impressive with only 3 injured lost in over 13,000transported.

When the tour had finished, we returned by bus to the Scott Club where we were served a delicious dinner. I believe we were seated at 8 tables and an officer was also seated at each table. It sure was impressive to see so much brass in one room (they were all in working - camouflage outfits, so except for rank markings it would be difficult to know that). At our table was seated Major General Bill Johnson who had recently returned from a tour in Iraq. It was a pleasure to talk to him one-on-one and we found that what we hear in the news is not what is really happening there. In fact the outlook there is much more encouraging than the news media would have us believe.

That was our last full day of the rendezvous and the final program that evening finished our activities. The following morning, all who hadn't already moved on hooked up to leave. We headed to Beech Bend Campground in Bowling Green, KY for the rally of the Tennessee Unit of the Fleetwood Travelcade Club.

Back on Mott Mountain

2007-09-07T09:40:00.001-04:00

We took David to therapy a week ago last Monday. His session was supposed to be 2 hours, but he did so well that when we returned from shopping in an hour and a half, he was ready to leave. Doing very well and if you hadn't know about the accident and didn't know him before you would be hard put to see any sign. He still has a long way to go, but the word yesterday was that he had driven himself to therapy.

We had a good trip north, except I should have changed that tire before we left. It was so hot that I opted to wait till evening when should be cooler. I checked tires at each stop, the last being only 60 miles before out planned overnight stop. They were fine, but when we got to our stop near Walton, KY, we found that the cap had come off the last of the Goodyear G159 tires on the trailer. Not sure, but all of those tires failed and one had spent most of time as a spare and only had about 3000 miles. Sure cannot say much for that model tire. It is quite easy to drive the other tire up on blocks and not have to jack up trailer, so I changed it myself even though it was still very warm. In fact it was still 90 degrees at midnight and as we were dry-camping had no air conditioner. So not a lot of sleep that night.

Rest of trip uneventful and we arrived here at our friend's property late in the afternoon. We got partially set up and after a bit of visiting called it a day. On Friday, I completed the setup and hookup. Last time here, I had ordered a roll of coaxial cable as the cables to the UHF/VHF Ham Radio antenna's on the roof ladder. A local ham and our host Tom W2DRZ assisted in routing the new cables above the underbelly to keep from road debris hitting them. While at it, we routed all cables coming into the doorside slideout where the Ham Station and Entertainment Center are up through the floor of the cabinet there. This should solve the problem of wires getting scuffed and pinched when we extend and retract the slideout. Later I decided to reroute the HF long wire antenna to get it from under the trailer too.

Our church here had a breakfast after the service last Sunday, so some good socializing there. Then we went to Loretta's Chapman Family reunion at a beautiful site owned by a motorcycle club near Kennedy, NY - not far away. Many of her relatives were there including one couple that I had not seen in about 50 years. He was active in 4H when I was and crossed paths some when I was employed by the Dairy Herd Improvement Co-operative. Wednesday, I attended the Men's Breakfast of our church at a nearby restaurant and at mid-day we attended a luncheon for a Ham Radio operator that had moved away from the area but was here for a visit.

Other than that, it has been mostly visiting, some dining out and a few walks. One of my brothers has a place in Homestead Park nearby and we have visited them some and last evening my sister stopped by for a nice visit. One of my sister-in-laws has recently had surgery. Everything came out OK and she is recovering now, but can use your prayers as can 2 of my brothers that have health problems.

Today we plan on going to a household sale being held by one of our Ham Radio friends that is moving to a new location. Also will pick up a new spare tire while in town. We plan on being here about another week then moving to DuQuoin, IL for a Fleetwood Travelcade Club rally. My desktop computer died while in Tennessee. I sent it to Acer Repair with instrructions to send it to me here in NY. However today I got a call from Fed-EX wanting to know where Petty Hollow North is. Apparently my instructions wern't worth a lot. Well, I can get by with the Laptop till we get back to Tennessee. Not much more to report.

GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta
Andy@W2UCZ.com

As usual,

The news is good

2007-08-22T17:50:00.001-04:00

The news is good

David returned home from Stallworth Rehab Hospital a week ago yesterday as expected. He is coming along very well and it is hard to believe that less than 4 weeks ago his prognosis was not encouraging. PRAISE THE LORD. He started rehabilitation therapy at Hillside Therapy in Pulaski, last Friday. Loretta and I took him for his session on Monday. That session lasted 2 hours, and he was pretty well beat afterwards. But with that and home exercises, he is coming along very well. His appetite is returning and he is starting to gain back the 30 pounds that he lost while in the hospital. He still has a long way to go and can still use your prayers, but he is looking forward to almost a complete recovery.

Other than that, we haven't been doing much. What with at least 12 days in the last 2 weeks over 100 degrees and 21 days in a row over 98, we don't do much outside. Mostly just shopping trips and a few eating out times. Loretta has been going to our chiropractor with a painful back for a few weeks. I scheduled an adjustment when I took her in Monday. Good thing, as last Wednesday mine started hurting. Dr. Haynes has me straightened out again it appears. Loretta does have to see him again next Monday and hopes that he says she is OK to travel, as we plan on returning to New York State next week.

I also suffered an eye irritation a couple of weeks ago. I suspect it is caused by the dust in the air due to the heat here. A trip to our Ophthalmologist resulted in a week on a steroid/antibiotic eye drop. However after stopping the drops, the irritation returned, so I saw him again Monday. Wasn't sure if I would see him, as while I was in the waiting room, there was a power failure. However with an battery powered lantern and small light he was able to check it out. He felt perhaps suddenly stopping the steroid was not a good thing, so I will be back on those drops the next 3 weeks, tapering off the dosage till then.

Other than that, not a whole lot to report. I had planned on changing one of the trailer tires before leaving. But I think I will wait till it is cooler for that. It is easiest to change it when it is hooked to the truck as I can drive the other wheel up onto blocks instead of jacking the trailer up. So perhaps some evening while on our way north I will do that. I have an air wrench, so it isn't a bad job. In fact we never use our Road Service for trailer tire changes as I can have it changed before we could even arrange for someone to come and do it for us.

Guess that is all for now.
GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta
Andy@W2UCZ.com

Really HOT in Tennessee

2007-08-12T18:26:00.000-04:00

It has been a busy schedule since arriving here. We went to Vanderbilt University Hospital about every other day to visit David. He did improve rapidly but even so spent a week and a half in the Trauma Unit there. A week ago last Friday he was moved to Stallworth Rehab Hospital (part of Vanderbilt). We have continued going to visit every couple of days and his improvement has been miraculous. Last Thursday we went up to find that he was no walking the halls in addition to his scheduled therapies. He was also eating solid food by then (some improvement from a feeding tube down his nose).

That day as we left Nashville, the Air Conditioner on our truck quit. It had been noisy for the past couple of days and I had planned on getting to a repair shop ASAP. However in a few miles it started working again and I felt it would last till Friday when I could seek repairs. We had left the trailer wheel with the damaged tire at Buddy's Tire Store in Columbia. So we picked that up and ran another errand in the area. Then before getting out of town, the Air Conditioner quit again. Very shortly we smelled something - upon opening the hood, I discovered the serpentine belt was off. I drove to the closest place we could get safely off the road which was Best One Tires. They allowed me to use an office to make calls to a service shop and to Good Sam Roadservice. The road service verified that RP Williams Truck Service that I had called would handle the repairs and dispatched D&D Towing to haul our truck there.

We were going to have a 45 minute wait and the tire store would close in about a half hour. This meant we would be waiting outside in over 100 degree temperatures for the tow truck to arrive - sure hoped he wouldn't be late. We also contacted Loretta's grandson Scott who works near Brentwood and would be coming through Columbia on his way home. He said he should be arriving about the same time as the tow truck. The tire store owner stayed open late, but I told him not to stay for us. Just then the tow truck came so we didn't have to stay out in the heat. Scott came along just after he got our truck on the hook and followed us to RP Williams. We had been told at the tire store we could drive that distance without the water pump and fan running as it was a very short distance. However it turned out to be about 5 miles and the engine would have been destroyed had I attempted to drive that far. RP had said he would be closing before we arrived and left instructions as to where to leave the key. However, he was just leaving as we pulled in so also got instructions as to park our truck. He also said that the new compressor had been ordered and would be in about noon on Friday. Then after signing off with the tow truck driver and loading the things from the truck into Scott's, we came back to our trailer.

Friday at about 2:30PM we got a call from the repair shop that our truck was ready. By time we could get a ride up there, it was almost closing time again. But a nice visit with RP informed me that the compressor was defective as well as the clutch which I knew was. So the repairs were not cheap, but it now cools better than it has in ages. This is good with temperatures in this area going over 100 almost every day.

Yesterday daughter Sharon prepared supper for David, and we rode up with her to visit, deliver that and enjoy a meal with him and Cathy. Before we left, we discovered the Air Conditioner was not working in the trailer. However some other appliances were also off. All circuit breakers were OK, so I felt that the power cord had lost one circuit. I replaced the power cord which solved the problem. Then I pulled the twist-lock receptacle on the adapter cable apart to find a loose screw in the connection that ties the 2 circuits together. I tightened all screws and feel confident that it will work fine the next time we need it. He had told us that the hospital food wasn't anything to brag about and really enjoyed the meal. He also informed us that his progress was so good that next Tuesday he is expected to be sent home to finish his rehabilitation. Great news -PRAISE THE LORD. It is hard to believe that 3 short weeks ago we weren't sure he would survive and now he is doing so well.

This morning at church they were elated to hear the news also. They along with many others around the world have been praying for him. He still has a long way to go, but everything looks AOK now.

Guess that gets us up to date.

GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta
Andy@W2UCZ.com

Back in Hot/Humid Tennessee

2007-07-31T19:51:00.000-04:00

We had a good and busy time while in Western New York. As I mentioned in my last post, the fireworks display at Homestead Park Campground was very good and mostly visible from the picture window of out RV. Then on the 4th, we went to Maple Springs, NY on Chautauqua Lake. There we visited Loretta's grandaughter Kimberly who lives on the outskirts of Midway State Park. The park is know for the quality of the fireworks display they provide and we were only a few hundred yards away. Also there were displays all around us up and down the lake. We visited many of our friends, but still missed many due to the fact that Loretta still isn't up to par. We did attend the Teamster Retires Picnic where I met many of my driver friends and we were treated to a delicious Chicken Barbecue. This was served in the picnic pavilion at the American Legion in Randolph, NY. A week later, we were back to the Legion for a dinner with my classmates from Randolph Central School class of 51. Over 1/3 of the graduating class was in attendance and as we were unable to attend it was very good to visit again.

Also I took several walks around the area where we were parked. One evening our host Kathy and myself took a walk through the nearby campground as we often did. On the way there we saw deer which waited till we were quite near before going into the woods. Deer in this area are very common and we usually see them as well as Wild Turkeys, Squirils, Woodchucks, Chipmunks and a great quantity of birds. We picked up some trash along the road and when we got to the campground, I threw it into the dumpster where I suprpised a Racoon. They are in the area in great numbers too and we had been warned that some of them are rabid, so we avoid getting near them. Then as we were about to leave the campground to walk back to our parking space a car stopped to tell us that there was a bear along the road before we would get there. We continued up the road and sure enough there was one sitting along the side of the road. We were a little concerned as there was no way we could get by without staying on the road. It was almost dark by then and he was difficult to make out. I had my cell phone and was contemplating calling Loretta to come and pick us up when a pickup passed by. When the bear saw the lights, he got up and wandered towards the woods. We could see it was a very large Black Bear, but by the time we got to where he had been, he was now entering the woods about a hundred yards away.

Loretta's next appointment was scheduled for 2 August. One of my nieces husband and son had been on a mission to Africa. Wheeler Hill Church which we attend when in NY help support his missions. So he was scheduled to appear there with a presention on the trip last Sunday. So our plans were to leave Sunday after church to return to Circle P Farm here near Lynnville, TN. (In fact we got a call after leaving that the appointment was changed to the 7th). This would have allowed several more days in our cool hilltop location.

However, this was not to happen. On Monday the 23rd, we received a phone call that Loretta's son David had had a bad accident with his ATV and was in the Trauma Unit at Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville. At first it was felt that we may as well wait and move as scheduled as there was nothing we could do to assist. Later we got a call that his condition had worsened, so as the weather was good on Tuesday and might not be again till Friday we headed south. As Loretta doesn't travel too well yet, we didn't push ourslves. We arrived in the hospital area Thursday morning but could not locate the lot we were told we could park our rig in. After several stops and a few phone calls, I got in contact with Parking Control at the hospital and was directed to an employee lot. We parked there then were taken to the hospital by one of their shuttles.

By time we checked in, it was after 1030, and we were told that visiting hours would end at 1100. We went to the Unit where we found him pretty well "out of it". He did open one eye slightly when he was told that I was there, but don't think he saw me. In the afternoon he was sleeping when we were there, so we decided to spend the night in the parking lot. However it had gotten up to 99degrees durng the day and without any Air Conditioning, sleeping was difficult. Friday morning we went to visit again and he seemed slightly better opening both eyes about half way. So we decided to bring out RV to Loretta's daughters place where we could use the Air Conditioner - smart move.

Son Steve and family arrived on Saturday from Macon, GA. So that evening he, wife Jeannie and Loretta's daughter Sharon went to visit and we opted to stay home. Sunday after church, Loretta, Steve and I went up again as Steve had to return to work Monday. We found Dave much improved with eyes open and looking around. He was able to talk a small amount, but was having a lot of pain. We didn't visit yesterday but heard that they were able to get him to sit up a while. Today Loretta and myself went back to Nashville. We found him very alert, moving around some and able to talk a fair amount. He was not on pain medication and refused some while I was visiting. In fact the multitude of medication tubes had been removed and he only had oxygen and a feeding tube when we arrived.

Some change from a week ago when they couldn't be sure he would survive. I expect he will be in the hospital for a while yet and possibly will need therapy afterwards, but things sure look positive now. Vanderbilt is one of the finest hospitals in the South so he couldn't be in a better place. They also develop new procedures including the bone surgery that they did on Dave.

He has been on several prayer lists, but still can use your prayers.

Thank you and GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta
Andy@W2UCZ.com

Near Jamestown, NY

2007-06-30T09:52:00.000-04:00

At Daugter Jodi and Ray's near Wellsville, NY

We had a good trip from my daughters place. We made several stops en route for some fuel, propane, trailer tire and shopping. When we arrived here near the highest point in Chautauqua County, NY, Tom had us park in a different location. It is a nice shady spot but the view isn't quite as breathtaking as where we had parked in the past. However we only have to go a few yards from the trailer to realize the usual view. And a new electric service has been put in at this location with a 50 Amp outlet for us to use. We also were able to make a water hookup by adding some additional hose and have drain facilities for our gray water tanks.

Loretta was able to attend a reunion of the girls she worked with at Watson Manufacturing a few evenings after our arrival. She is feeling better and getting out more, but still not exercising enough. I assume getting off the Prednisone is very helpful and she has started to trim off some of the excess weight.

We have visited some of our favorite local eateries to get some of the area goodies. We have also done some visiting with friends and family and last evening had dinner at an excellent nearby restaurant with old-time friends. Last Wednesday we also went to Clymer, NY to a well known restaurant with a Ham Radio friend and his wife. My brother and his wife are at their summer place in Homestead Park Campground at the end of the road so we have visited with them as well as seeing them at Wheeler Hill UMC Church.

There was some minor damage to the underside of the large slide out when we lost the tire, and I have repaired that. Also, I think that I mentioned that both of my HF Ham Radios had quit due to an error of mine. We picked them up at the service shop this week, so now I am able to check into my favorite RV Nets, the local repeaters and repeaters as we travel.

Today we have several errands to run and will be visiting Loretta's granddaughter Kimberly and her family. The 4th of July fireworks are scheduled this evening at Homestead Park and we will be able to watch that excellent display from the picture window in the rear of our 5th Wheel.

Guess that pretty gets things updated.
GOD Bless and Happy 4th

Andy and Loretta
Andy@W2UCZ.com
Loretta@W2UCZ.com

Near Wellsville, NY

2007-06-09T09:31:00.000-04:00

We had a great visit with our friends Al and Chris in Centerville,VA. Al, a friend and I spent one day at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum at Dulles Airport. This was very interesting and we were not able to tour the complete facility as we didn't start too early and took in a movie at the IMAX theater there. Well, that gives us something to look forward to another time. He is making a shop in his basement, and I assisted in building a new workbench there also. In addition, there was some shopping, dining out, visiting and playing Joker with them. Also on Memorial Day weekend, we went to Glen Allen, VA near Richmond. We spent 3 days there visiting Loretta's grandson Rick and wife Gina. She also got to meet 4 great grandchildren that she hadn't seen, including twin boys that were just a year old. They had moved since the last time we visited into a fairly new development of 3 story houses - very nice and a lovely home. We had a great time there including a neighborhood party. They had purchased a new barbecue grill which was too large for Rick to transport, so I hauled that from Home Depot to assist.

Last Saturday we moved to Glen Rock, PA where we visited Loretta's cousin Eric and wife Ashley. We keep in contact with them by email and were informed that they had moved into a new house there. There had been a lot of rain there, and I made some ruts in yard when getting turned around. So I went with Eric to get some material to fill them and other supplies for around the yard. We discussed some ways to help keep water away from the house and a steep bank from eroding which had already started. Hope I was helpful enough to offset the lawn damage, HI.

Sunday night it rained all night, so Monday morning when we left things were pretty wet. We waited a bit for fog to clear along Interstate 83 as that was part of our route. I got off at the wrong exit on the north side of Harrisburg, so ended up taking US-22 across the north side of the city. Really not that bad and we did pass the State Farm Show grounds where we saw the beautiful buildings there. Later we made a rest stop only to discover that one of the trailer tires had blown out. Before I could get tools out, a State Trooper arrived on the scene. He asked if he should call for assistance, but I told him I could handle the job myself and if needed could call my Road Service provider. However his offer was surely appreciated and I think he went by later to check on us. The trip across the state of Pennsylvania was very scenic and much of it very hilly and crooked roads which kept me from getting drowsy. We arrived at the home of my daughter Jodell and husband Ray in time for supper and visit.

We have had a great week here as it has been a few years since our last visit. I had discovered a water leak in the kitchen sink drain, so Ray and I repaired that and made an adjustment in the remote black water valve which had been seeping some. While we had the underbelly of the trailer off for that, we replaced the fiberglass insulation in that area with compressed Styrofoam insulating board. Should be better and definitely a lot neater.

Today my oldest son and his wife are coming over for a visit and dinner, will be good to see them again also. It always seems difficult to get by and visit them when we are in the area as arranging a time to get together is hard to do. We plan on moving Monday to our usual staying place near Frewsburg, NY. Barmore Sellstrom in Jamestown has the trailer tire in stock, so we will go by there to get that replaced on our way.

HAPPY Fathers Day to all fathers reading this.

GOD Bless
Andy and LorettaW2UCZ.com

Now in Centerville, VA

2007-05-21T20:03:00.000-04:00

Wow!, has a lot happened since last posting. We had a great rally in Marion, NC. In addition to visits with Fleetwood Travelcade Club friends and the usual rally activities, we had a nice tour of some nearby points of interest. After a week there, we headed back towards our home base in Tennessee. On the way we spent 2 nights at beautiful Cumberland Mountain State Park near Crossville. While there, we spent some time visiting former club members Gene and Flo Wilson. Then on to Cookeville where we got our truck serviced at small but very friendly Landmark International. We also overnighted there. The following day, we returned to Circle P Farm, stopping for propane at Texas T Campground near Cornersville.

Our stay at our home base was rather uneventful. I did have another bout of Gout, and a visit to family doctor was required. The medication prescribed seems to have taken care of that for now and he prescribed other medication to prevent future recurrences. Loretta's kidney doctor has moved into the same building and they did her scheduled visit while we were there which saved a 50 mile trip. Her test results were perfect, so medication adjustments have been made and she is not completely off Prednisone. So hopefully she will soon lose the excess weight and she is now feeling and getting around much better. She doesn't have another appointment till August.

Her sister and family were in state for the Mothers Day holiday and we got together for lunch with them. Also Loretta's daughter's family took us out to celebrate the holiday. On the 14th, we headed for Virginia. Relatives had purchased some property somewhat along the way, so we stopped there to view that. We made an easy trip spending 2 nights along the way and enjoying the Eastern Tennessee and Western Virginia scenery.

We arrived at the home of long time friends Al and Chris Anderson in the forenoon of the 17th. We updated things that had happened in the about 5 years since our last visit. There was preparations for their daughter Leigh's wedding, shopping, etc. On Saturday the 19th, we rode to the wedding not far from here. It was a beautiful but somewhat unusual ceremony followed by a lovely reception dinner and party. We were beat by time we arrived back home after midnight. So yesterday and today have been spent unwinding. We had been having some problems with the door latch on the trailer so today I removed that and smoothed up some rough surfaces.

Guess that gets us up to date for now.

GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta

In Marion, NC

2007-04-28T10:20:00.000-04:00

We have been busy since last post. We had a beautiful drive to Winston-Salem, overnighting near Knoxville where we topped off our fuel and propane. The trip over the Smoky Mountains was breathtaking with all the spring scenery at its best. We spent 2 weeks at the Fleetwood Travelcade Club Rendezvous there. I was in charge of Radio Talk-in and assisted with parking to keep me occupied till starting time. As usual a great time was had with the activities there. Unfortunately, Loretta still isn't back to her old self and didn't feel up to participating in some activities. However, we did take the bus tour to Mayberry (Mt. Airy). re we viewed much of the area where Andy Williams was born and raised. In fact, I got a haircut at Floyd's Barber Shop. Although much of the TV Program scenery was copied from this area, all filming was done in Hollywood.

On the first Friday I took Loretta to Wake Forest Baptist Hospital for her lab tests. A very large hospital, but the personnel were the greatest. These were supposed to be faxed to her doctor immediately. However almost a week later, the doctor was still waiting for results. So I contacted the hospital and got that straightened out. Monday we got the good news that Her protein levels are now near normal range and her medication is being reduced. This results in her starting to both sleep and feel better. She is beginning to participate more in activities.

Last Sunday after church service, we moved to Tom Johnson RV's rally park here in Marion. The regional Roundup of the Travelcade Club is being held here. Again, there have been Fun, Food and Fellowship activities. Many of the attendees were also at the Rendezvous, but much better to visit in a smaller group. I went on one of the tours also, but Loretta was not up to that either. Yesterday I took her to the local hospital for lab tests. This facility is located on the side of a mountain with another of the great area views from the parking lot. Again great folks there, and they take samples in the lab so there shouldn't be any mix up this time. Hopefully, results from these tests will show continued improvement.

The roundup is now winding down, and tomorrow after church service we will be heading back to Tennessee, and plan on making a few stops before return to Circle P Farm.

GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta
Andy@W2UCZ.com

Getting ready to move on

2007-04-08T16:07:00.000-04:00

Well, it seems we have good news. Apparently the Cyclosporine that has been prescribed for Loretta is doing the job. She saw the doctor on Friday and got the report that the protein in her urine is now down to 114mg. They are pushing for zero, but hoping for 70 or under. But the Prednisone dosage will be dropping every couple of weeks and in about 2 months plans are to have her off completely. So we are expecting the unwanted weight will soon start to come off and she will start to sleep better. The doctor says she should walk, which is difficult to get her to do.

My head recovered well from striking the table, but not sure that the table did, HI. Sharon's monitor continued to act up, and a discussion with EMachines resulted in a new being sent to her then hers goes back to them for repair. So hopefully that is now straightened out. She also had a problem viewing pictures in her emails, this turned out to be a minor change in the way emails are displayed which I changed for her.

Loretta has felt up to going to church every week we have been here this time, although she opted out of Sunday School the first couple of weeks and didn't feel up to going in early for the 4th Sunday breakfast before church. This is some improvement over a short while ago.

Tomorrow we head for Winston-Salem, NC for a Fleetwood Travelcade Club rendezvous. I am in charge of the Radio talk-in there and also have been asked to assist the parking group. So we are arriving early to prepare and assist members as they arrive. We are looking forward to a great rally, and barring something unforseen will follow that by attending a regional Travelcade Club rally in Marion, NC. This will be at the same park that we attended our first Avion rendezvous in 1995.

There have been several birthdays here this time (including both of ours) so we have been doing some dining out to celebrate those - of course, we don't need to celebrate so have been checking out some of our favorites and O'Charley's has opened one in Columbia. Two of our favorites also have wi-fi access points. So I have been taking advantage of that as cell phone and dial-up connections here are really quite poor. As usual, there has been a few honey dew and preventative maintenance jobs to keep from becoming too bored also. I was approached by Sharp Transport as a possible part time driver also, however their insurance company required 1 year over the road experience in the past 3 years. I was long past that, so won't be working for them.

This afternoon, we were invited down the road to Loretta's son and his family for Easter dinner and visit. It sure is beautiful in this area in the springtime with the hillsides in bloom and the trees and meadows turning green. However, the past 3 nights we have had temperatures in the upper 20's and in fact on Friday evening we saw light snow in Columbia. BRRRRR. The weather is supposed to warm up in the next few days, so we look forward to nice travel weather.

Guess that gets us up to date.
GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta
Andy@W2UCZ.com

Think things are looking up

2007-03-24T10:45:00.000-04:00

Loretta didn't get the new medication (Cyclosporine) right away due to cost. The doctor went to bat with insurance company and got price down to $5 from $316 for a month's supply. Guess there is a biggggg profit in medicines?? So it was the 16th when she went back to doctor for blood and urine tests. She got a call this week telling her to reduce the Prednisone to 80mg every other day. She had reduced to 100mg last week. She will be on that dosage for 2 weeks and goes in next Friday for tests again. But hopefully things are starting to come together. However, the high dosage Prednisone interferes with her sleep, so every other night she hardly sleeps.

Think she is starting to feel better though. Thursday, she suggested we go to Chattanooga where she wanted to visit the Tennessee Aquarium. We had an enjoyable visit there, and she walked almost all of the way using a walker. I expect the tour took about a mile. While there we located Sherrie Crossley the granddaughter and daughter of long time Ham Radio friends from our home area in NY State. We had a nice but short visit with her as she was on duty.

I had still been having problems with the toilet in our trailer, so from the aquarium, we went to Camping World and purchased a new one. We came back home through Alabama to see some different country and had supper in Huntsville. By time we got home, we were both pretty well beat as it had been a long and busy day.

Yesterday I started to install the new toilet only to find that I needed a couple of items. So I went to the house to see if they possibly had them. Bill said that they didn't, but Sharon said the computer monitor had quit. So I went to see if I could get it working again. I got out of my chair to change location of power plug and when I went to sit back down, found the chair had moved. I fell backwards striking my head and arms on the edge of a heavy oak dining table. 2 small cuts on my head and lots of blood. Bill and Sharon both work in the medical field, so they cleaned me up and inspected the damage. It appeared rather minor, so as soon as I got my bearings, Scott drove me to a nearby lumber store, then Home Depot to get the needed items for installation. I then finished that job before taking the rest of the day pretty easy.

My head hardly hurts this morning and likewise my right arm. There is still a knot on left arm and I seemed to hurt all over last night, but I am sure everything will be OK.

Nuff for now
GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta
Andy@W2UCZ.com

Back to Circle P Farm

2007-03-12T14:48:00.000-04:00

On Saturday 3 Mar, we went to Daytona Beach as planned and had a nice visit with Loretta's family and relatives there. On Sunday, Sue's parent's pulled out and we saw them off for their trip north. In the evening we went to Ruby Tuesday's with Glenn and Sue for our farewell dinner.

We then got on the road Monday morning heading back to Tennessee. The trip was pretty uneventful, except a couple of occasions. First we came upon an object in the road that looked like a short 4x4 that I could not get around due to no shoulder and oncoming traffic. I centered it and then dixcovered it was a metal object. Something in the truck hit it and I looked back to see one sewer hose hanging out of the holder. As soon as I found a shoulder wide enough to get off, I put that back, then looked under the trailer for possible damage. Fortunately, the only damage was that the inside cap of the hose holder had been knocked off. So I removed the hose and carried in the truck bed for the rest of the trip. Then as we neared Americus, GA, we encountered a large amount of damage from the recent tornadoes. In fact, some roads were still closed and police were directing traffic several days after the storms.

About 50 miles before Birmingham, AL, we received a phone call from Loretta's son Steve. They were in the process of moving from Jamestown, NY to Macon, GA and were about 50 miles north of town. So we arranged to meet them at the Flying J where we had a nice visit before they moved on. We fueled, dumped tanks and filled water tank there also. We arrived at the home of Loretta's daughter Wednesday where I got parked and set up.

Thursday, I took Loretta to see her Kidney specialist. They had already incresed her Prednisone back to 150mg every other day. She was told that she had suffered a relapse and the protein in the urine sample was 2 grams. So he is trying another medication now. She has to continue the Prednisone tapering back to 50mg in 2 weeks. In addition to the new medication, he doubled the dosage of 2 that she has been taking. SO - back to sleepless nights the days she takes Prednisone. She wasn't able to start the new medicine as soon as planned because the pharmacist informed us that it wasn't covered under our insurance and a month's supply would cost over $300. On Friday, the doctor arranged for it to be covered by insurance so she did get started on Saturday and will have to go in this week for evaluation on that. At least there doesn't seem to be any side effects from this one.

Also to make life more exciting, when we got back from doctor on Thursday, I discovered water on bathroom floor. It was apparently coming from the toilet, so I removed that Friday and dissasembled it. I discovered a gasket for the drain valve had deterioated and of course had no replacement. The whole drain valve assembly should be replaced. Of course that would happen here where parts are difficult to get. The week before we were parked about 1 mile from a Camping World store that would probably had needed parts. It took me a few days of experimenting, but yesterday I was able to make a new gasket and as of now it seems to be working OK.

It is a bit cooler here than Florida so one propane tank went dry overnight. As it is a beautiful day, we went to Texas T Campground for propane then stopped at Soda Pop Junction in Lynnville for lunch.

Guess that is it for now.

GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta
Andy@W2UCZ.com

Got some news that we didn't want to hear

2007-03-03T08:54:00.000-05:00

From the Moose Club in Sarasota, we also went to Venice to visit long time friend Nancy Nickel. Nancy is disabled and this was the first time we had seen her out of bed in many years. She was moving around her new house in an electric cart. The house is great and has many amenities for those confined to wheelchairs, including a pool with lift to get in and out. Still have to have work done on the lift so she can get out of it though. Sure some improvement from the single-wide mobile home that she lived in for many years. We also visited my brother Clair and his wife in Englewood and had dinner with them. While we were there we watched the Fort Meyers parade in which their grandson Chase was with the "Young Inventors". He is very talented and has several inventions. Like his father a decorative painter, he will go far. Has already won several full scholarships to various universities. We had hoped to visit another long time friend Bob Lyons, but he wasn't home. Surprised as he is also housebound.

On Monday the 19th, we stopped to get additional extended life coolant at the International dealership (cheaper there than Wal-Mart), and having them tighten some connections from the repairs they had done. Then we hooked up and moved to St. Augustine to the home of our friends Glenn and Sue. We have visited them in Arcadia for several years, and they recently moved here. We spent a few days unwinding and visiting and I assisted Glenn with a few projects he is working on. I took Loretta to a nearby Lab on Friday to have required test done for her doctor in Tennessee.

We spent 3 days this week touring Old St. Augustine on the Red Train Tour, getting off at several stops to tour attractions, buildings, etc. Loretta has been having a lot of trouble walking, but did get around quite well. We had been having beautiful weather with temperatures in the 70's and lots of sun. But Thursday that changed with all night under a Tornado Watch. Didn't get much rain and winds weren't too bad, unlike many other places in the southeast. Then yesterday it started to rain and has ever since, so the yard here looks like a wading pool. Much more and we won't have to gotten the pool operational, HI.

We hadn't heard from doctor, so I called yesterday to find that the Lab hadn't provided the necessary information. So back to the Lab to have that and another test that the doctor wanted run. Then the doctor called later to inform us that the Protein in her urine was back up to 2 Grams. Should be near Zero. They said to go back to 150mg of Prednisone every other day - she had gotten down to 10mg. Also doubled some of her other medication. She had an appointment for the 6th, which we had changed to the 29th. But the doctor wants to see her soon and rescheduled for the 8th. We had already made plans to go to Daytona Beach today to visit her family there. But we will have to cut our visit here short, and head back to Tennessee the first of the week.

Please keep Loretta in your prayers.
GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta

You can email us at Andy@W2UCZ.com

Sarasota, FL

2007-02-16T11:06:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Texas at Louisana state line

Last weekend was a busy one with activities at the church we attend in Homosassa. Loretta was feeling up to participating. Then on Monday we caught up on visiting that we had been forced to postpone.

Tuesday forenoon after farewells to Cal and Marilyn, we headed for Sarasota in beautiful weather. There were weather warnings north of us and we wanted to get away before they came that far south. However after dumping tanks and filling out stomachs at the Flying J near San Antonio, the weather started to change. We had some rain south of Tampa, and soon stopped at a rest area. I was very tired, so napped a while, and while there, very heavy rain and winds hit. No damage other than lots of leaves down, and it cleared up soon after we got on road again. We arrived at the Moose Club in late afternoon where we parked and got set up.

Wednesday we went shopping and to get Valentine's Day dinner. When we came out of the restaurant, I discovered a puddle of water under the front of the truck. I realized that it wasn't the small leak that I had treated earlier, and investigation made me suspect the water pump. We were only a few miles from Sun State International. I planned on returning Loretta to the trailer, but the water loss was excessive. So we went to the International dealership where they verified my suspicions. Preliminary estimate was over $900, but the work had to be done. They returned us to our trailer and took the truck back to the shop.

I expected them to get to the work that evening, however it was mid afternoon yesterday when they called. We had called longtime friend Jean Strauss and she was here when they called and provided transportation back to the shop. As I am coming down with a cold we didn't go into the club in the evening. Today (Friday) Jean came by and gave us a tour of downtown Sarasota especially the old part, then took us to a very interesting restaurant south of Venice named Snook Haven where we had lunch. After touring a couple of mobile home parks and visiting her home, we came back home to rest. We plan more visiting tomorrow before leaving this area.

GOD Bless
Andy and Loretta

Slow start to the year

2007-02-04T21:18:00.000-05:00

Really don't have much exciting to report. Loretta still having some problems, BUT did get GOOD news last week. After viewing the latest test reports, her doctor cut the Prednisone dosage in half. It is now 10mg every other day and hopefully she will start to lose some of that excess weight. She is starting to feel better and hopefully we can visit some friends in the area soon. We have made plans to visit friends in Spring Hill on Tuesday.

We also had a spell of very good weather, so Cal and myself pulled the trailer wheels, inspected the brakes and packed the bearings. I was surprised to find that the brakes didn't show a lot of wear as we have pulled it about 30,000 miles and I don't know how far the previous owner pulled in the year they had it. I should give it a good cleaning both inside and out weather permitting too.

We sure were protected by our guardian angel this week. The tornadoes that did so much damage and resulted in many deaths were less than 5o miles away. In fact there had been tornado warnings a few miles from here earlier in the evening. We did have heavy winds and rain, but no building damage in the area. A few shingles off and dead trees and limbs down. Thank the LORD.

Other than that, not much to report.

Hope to hear from some of you!!!

Andy and Loretta
Andy@W2UCZ.com

Things are coming along

2007-01-15T15:17:00.000-05:00

Well, things seem to be coming along. Loretta is now sleeping better, but the Prednisone is still keeping the excess weight on. So she still isn't feeling really well and not up to doing much. My back hasn't been bothering, but I had a bout of Gout last week. Had to go to a new doctor and he prescribed a non-steroid medicine rather than the painful Cortisone shot followed by steroids that I had last year. It was very effective and in only a few days my foot was back to normal. Certainly thankful for that.

After some struggle, I now have everything working with the new Acer computer except it still will not communicate with the Samsung cell phone. However here I do have a Wi--fi connection that is much better than the phone anyway. And at other times, I can use the cell phone with my laptop computer.

Other than that, not a lot happening. The usual shopping, visiting and dining out. I have done a few maintenance tasks around the trailer thanks to the excellent summer-like weather. Escept for a few days, temperatures have been in 70 and 80's and nights have been in 50 and 60's.

We usually attend 2 RV rallies at Christmas Airstream Park in Christmas, FL. However both of them have been moved to other facilities. So, at this time we have not made plans to attend either. We will be moving south to visit ftiends and family later, but no plans until after Loretta gets results on her next tests.

Till later
Andy and Loretta

Too long since last report so will be long

2007-01-07T09:45:00.000-05:00

Loretta's twin great-grandsons

Well, a lot to report this time. We went to Daytona Beach on December 23. We like International RV Park on the west side of town towards DeLand (Passport America). So we parked and got set up, then went to The Wing House for supper - great wings, sandwiches and Hooters has nothing on the waitresses there. Got back to trailer to find computer had died. So I took it apart to find that the power supply had failed. Also there were several other problems and it was getting quite old. So decided to shop for new one after Christmas.

Christmas Eve and day were spent celebrating with Loretta's family in Daytona Beach. While there, we had torrential rains and saw by the TV that there was a tornado touchdown in town. The storm had crossed the state touching down near Tampa, then Leesburg, then DeLand before hitting Daytona Beach. We took a trip back to the campground, but looked as if nothing but rain there. Apparently the storm skipped over the campground and set down at Embry Riddle Aeronautical Institute a couple of miles east destroying many planes and damaging others and buildings. It continued a few more miles to an apartment complex which it destroyed. Fortunatly there were only a few injuries and no deaths in any of the storms. We were celebrating only a couple miles north of the apartment complex. Our guardian angels were working overtime, thank the LORD.

On the 26th, I shopped a few stores for a new computer and Circuit City gave me a deal on an Acer that is a great computer. However upon arriving back at the trailer, I discovered that it would not communicate with my cell phone. So I paid for another night at the campground and was waiting for the store to open. Their Firedog Technician spent most of morning and felt he had it working right. Another quick check indicated that still not able to install the phone as a modem. So I went back and he tried to contact Acer Support without any luck. I checked several display computers and the problem appeared to be about the same with most. Most of them have Windows XP Professional (Media Center) installed. We were already over an hour past checkout time, so hooked up and left as I had a doctor appointment in Lecanto the next day.

The next day, the Oncologist gave me a clean bill of health and said I did not need to come back. Also the chiropractor got my back straightened out again which had still been bothering. I struggled with the computer as time permitted, but did not have much time till after the first of the year. As Loretta is still not feeling too great, we only went out for dinner New Years Eve. On the 2nd, the Urologist reported satisfaction with the progress on my Prostate Cancer and won't see me for a year.

I then got serious about the computer and it appeared restoring it to factory defaults would be a good idea. However the programs to do that and those to make Emergency Restore disks were not visible to me. Several calls to Acer Support resulted in wait times of 1/2 to 3 hours which were unacceptable with a cell phone. Finally one morning I tried at 6AM and got a technician that told me how to restore the computer. I spent a lot of time doing that, making Restore Disks and testing them. BUT it still will not install the phone as a modem. I did load the rest of my software and tested it. Some I had to download to our laptop, then transfer to the Acer to install. I have decided that the XP Professional does not like the cell phone drivers. However I did get the Wi-Fi adapter working and there are several access points in the area. I cannot always connect through them, but have been able to download all updates. We can use the laptop with the cell phone for email and necessary Internet duties, so not all is lost. And the Acer is fast with lots of storage which is great for our records, photos, mapping, ect.

Today Loretta was feeling well enough to attend church. Then this afternoon we went out for a nice dinner (had been eating at nice but quickie places mostly). Then we had a nice visit with some friends at their new house. I hope and PRAY that she continues to improve and lose the excess weight and start feeling normal. Keep her in your prayers too please.

GOD Bless and
belated Happy New Year
Andy and Loretta.