March 2007 finds me back at Desert Pools in Desert Hot Springs.  This is by far my favorite park so far.  Between the pickle ball, volleyball and water volleyball, I have not been in this shape or had this much fun in years.  Any one who wants to get away from the snow and cold of the east coast, plus experience the mineral waters here, I can get you a 5 day 4 night stay here in either your RV or a Park Model unit if you do not yet own an RV.  Just ask!

February 2007

After living in this rig for almost a year now, I discovered something new that I did not know about this Adventurer.  Mr. Manager's Chair in the back room has a detachable foot stool.  A very handy thing for me to use.  I also have come to understand Mom's attitude about my being so tall.  There is one cabinet over the Refrigerator that is just high enough that I can not reach all the way into it, without needing a step up.  All the volleyball, pickelball and water volleyball continues to reduce my waist line.  The scale is not moving much, but a belt is now required.  Where Colorado had Watch Rabbits, So Cal seems to have Watch Squirrels.

January 6, 2007

Seems strange to type 2007 but there it is. Another year gone by.  At least this year we get somewhat of a break in the political arena, there is no Federal Election in 07.  I am almost back to the RV, and am looking forward to seeing and living in it again.  The trip in a car across I-40 has been an experience.  For one thing, I am (re)sold on the idea of traveling in an RV.  You do not know how nice it is to have a Fridge, a Stove and a bathroom 20 feet away at all times.  The USA Today article on I 40 in Arkansas and Oklahoma being in the top 5 worst roads in America is also all too true.  US 64 was better by far. For some of this trip, I have run besides the old US RT 66 of song and fame.  It has been an interesting experience driving past the empty gas stations, strip motels and restaurants the Interstate killed.  I also think I found the town that the animated movie CARS was based on. 

After watching a Texas panhandle sunset, with the rays of water evaporating making lighted stairways to heaven, nothing to see in all directions but lush and rolling grasslands, I can see why the early settlers called it "Gods Land" and claimed He watched over Texas.  I can also see after visiting Amarillo, TX why my friend Dan Brulé travels so much!  I always thought that things in Texas were supposed to be big.  Well that needs to be changed to everything but ON RAMPS to the interstate.  Shortest things I have ever seen! 

Later today I will do the mountain passes in Gallup and then on to AZ.  The weatherman seems to be cooperating, and I should be able to get thru before more snow comes.  Back east may be feeling the effects of the El Nino waters moving north and changing the Jet Stream, but out here, most folks, especially the farmers, are welcoming the break in the  draught the south west experienced while La Nina held sway in the Pacific waters.  Maybe the best of both worlds here!

Happy New Year to One and All

2007 found me in North Carolina, finishing up moving Mom into her new home in Columbus.  I will be making the drive back to AZ over the next few days to pick up the RV.  I will then head back to the warm and dry climate of Desert Hot Springs CA.  For anyone with any type of joint ailment, I urge you to spend some time in this area.  Everything you have ever heard about the benefits of the lack of humidity are true, and mostly likely understated. The same goes for those waters.  They really do help.  I wish for all my family and friends a healthy happy and prosperous New Year.  2007 is going to be a great year!

December 1, 2006

Well that storm front that crossed the US, bringing record cold and snow to the Midwest started in Cali as cool temps (it got down to 50!!) and very high winds (also in the 50's) I had the experience of one of those wind gusts getting under the Slide-out Topper Canvas, while I was driving to Gallup for the Balloon Fest.  The wind gust just snapped the stops off the side of the RV and the canvas made like a big sail. Was an interesting few minutes there for sure!  It was fun climbing on the roof, in those winds, while semi's roared by to tie wrap the canvas down so I could go find a repair shop.  Had to go all the way to Mesa AZ to find a dealer who would take me in without a long wait, so I will hang out here before heading east to move Mom to NC.

Thanksgiving 2006

First time in years I am not washing turkey pans at the soup kitchen.  Never figured to be in Southern California either for Thanksgiving. The stories about the mineral waters in Palm Springs are all true.  My legs and ankles have not felt this good in years, I think my knees have not felt this good since "Butterfly" did her tap dance on them in 1974.  And that is after 2 or 3 hours a day playing Pickle ball every day and Water Volleyball every other day. 

Colorado River Crossing Balloon Fest 2006

Chasing after balloons was not something I had on my list of things to do, but after making a few new friends in Sedona, I find myself just north of the US-Mexico Border, looking for a flat place without lettuce growing in it to catch a big bag of hot air!  What a difference being at sea level (OK 139 feet above Capt Butler) compared to the last 2 months at altitude in CO and Sedona.  I have been invited to Gallup NM in December. I am told that is one of the biggest Balloon Fests and flying down the valley between the Red Rock Monuments is something not to be missed, even if it does get cold up there this time of year.

November 5, 2006

Leaving the Front Range in Colorado, and being on the West side of the Rockies for the first time, was interesting.  Aspen and Vail ARE as beautiful as the movies make them out to be.  Stores are a bit unusual though, 4 or 5 places that sell Fur's and one very small grocery store.  More Jewelry Stores than gas stations, as opposed to Denver that has more churches than gas stations.  Grand Junction Colorado will get another visit.  A stop at 4 Corners, the one place in the US where it is possible to be in 6 places at once, 4 States and 2 Nations.  So I have crossed another thing off my metaphysical list of things to do.  I have truly been on more than one place at one time!

All Hallows Eve 2006

Colorado, once I got past the conference, was every thing I hoped it would be.  Good friends, good food, and great scenery.  The RV was kept secure when I was out sightseeing and of course at night by the RV Park supplied "watch rabbits". I did not plan on being there for the earliest snow falls and coldest October on record.  Ski areas opened the earliest  ever.  Where is that global warming they are all going on about?  I even found a South Park where Kenny's were safe.  The adjustment to the altitude is being harder than I ever remember.  As long as I stay under 4500 feet I am OK.  Above that, I am still having issues and forget riding my bicycle.  Above 10,000 feet, it gets really interesting just climbing and talking.  But it was worth it going up and over the passes.

The scenery on US 6 looks a little different out here than it does in CT

September 29, 2006

Spent a very relaxing month in TN at several RV Parks and Cities. A great state, with wonderful people and climate.  The sale tax is way too high, and it has forced me to rethink my position on a national sales tax vs. an income tax. The highlights of this trip were making friends with the owners of Baileyton RV Park and a trip around Nashville on the Steamboat General Jackson.  Oh yeah, having all broadcast channels cut away from their regular programming and switch to Doppler Radar tracking the storm front move thru on a street by street basis and telling you where the winds were starting to rotate and develop.  More on September 2006

September 7, 2006

Back on the road again, crossed over the Eastern Continental Divide under a beautiful FULL Moon that light up the night time sky in the mountains like nothing I had ever seen before.  Learning to remember where everything is again and how this thing drives.  First stop in a park, it took me three tries to get the rig positioned so the slides did not hit the utility poll and the awning would open up without hitting any of the branches of the surrounding trees and I could open up the compartments to get out my chairs, boards and stuff. The third time was the charm, but it was a bit embarrassing.  There are three other Adventurer models in the park here, one 1 year older and the others are 2 years older than mine.  In conversations with the owners, I have come to the conclusion that this was the right unit to pick and is a good unit. I also decided that not trying to pull a trailer with this rig was also a very good idea. 2 of the other Adventurer owners reported downsizing the car they were tagging to better match the towing characteristics of the RV.  One pulled a Jeep CJ5, the others a Saturn or a Honda, all under 3500 pounds.  Once I cleared the mountains, and started to run on the flats here in TN, the gas mileage went up to over 9 mpg.  Climbing the Appalachian Mountains  almost made me think I had a hole in the gas tank, the way the needle was going down!  More August 2006

July 23, 2006

Well I finally added some more pictures and thoughts.  Check them out on the new page July 2006 or simply click on this link  July 2006  I also added to the page on Campgrounds and  Where I have been.

July 1 2006

Well I am off on my adventure.  The going away parties were more than I expected, both emotionally and time wise.  The coin flip came up NY, so off I went.  My first meal of retirement was eaten besides a babbling brook, over an open fire.  I ate real high class, hot dogs on a stick! 

 The flooding along the Mohawk River was amazing, I could see the water marks from the dirty stains left behind every where.  There were two places where I 90 flooded over.  The nun buoys in the river were half under water on Saturday, the river water levels were so high.  At one point I could see where the river had over flown its banks at one of the locks just out side of Syracuse at the I-481 junction.  The power of mother nature never ceases to amaze me.

June 11th 2006

Well the sun came out today, finally.  Had to hunt for my sun glasses, as I have not needed them for over 3 weeks.  Had some  fun with the ice maker last night.  During the Red Sox lose to Texas (another game that Grady Francona cost them) I became aware that the ice maker was dumping loads of ice over and over.  Funny I thought, as I have not used a single ice cube.  Opened the door and discovered that the bucket had slid forward against the door (I think as the rig settled lower on the side with the double slide outs is going to be something to watch for when leveling, even if we have not had 36 out of 40 days of rain)  The entire half of the freezer was full of ice cubes!  I emptied it out and will get a couple of clips to hold the bucket in place in the future.  But it was a BIG surprise to open that door and have the ice just start falling out all over.  I needed to wash the floor any way!

June 3rd 2006 

It was suggested that I put newest entries up top of the page and it made sense to me after I thought about it.  So the order is reversed, let us see how you all like this.  My first two choices for vanity plates few already taken so it is back to the drawing board.

June 1st 2006

In fairness to Tony at Crowley RV, who urged me to get the unit well before the date I wanted to head out and do a couple of shakedown trips to find out what was broken, what I needed to buy and how things really worked in the field, on THIS point he was totally correct.  I have discovered why the RV stores sell 18" and 24" square plastic blocks to put under your levelers.  When it is rainy and the ground is wet, 2 x 10 wooded blocks do NOT have enough area NOT to sink into the wet soil.  My experiences with shelf liners and repacking the DVD and book collections are other examples of how thru this is.  Those of you who rode in the rig the first few days, I bet you would be surprised at how quite it is now when I drive down the road.  If something starts to roll and rattle around, I know who to come looking for Ms Huckel Buckel Bean Stalk champion marble hider!

Comments on my experiences with Crowley RV

After all the "fun" with the mistakes by both Crowley and Bank of America on who and how they registered the RV to, (ask me about Mr. Manager some time) I would have thought that I had seen the worst of this dealership.  Welllllll, just like I thought the Colts were going to win it all last year, I was WRONG again.   I brought the rig in for some warranty repair work this week.  They knew I came in off the road, as we talked at length about how it handled.  I specifically told them I had food in the refrigerator.   The service manager said no problem, they would leave it plugged in so not to use up my LP and that would keep the refrigerator running.  Well I stopped by on  Wednesday to pick up some thing Mom left in the rig, and found they had disconnected the batteries to remove the inverter.  At first I thought the black water tank was what I was smelling, as it was pretty ripe.  I did not think the temp would have risen that much in less than 2 days, but it sure enough did.  A fully stocked freezer and refrigerator's worth of food went into the dumpster.  When I asked about what happened, the service manager said, "Yup, you told me."   He then asked the mechanic about it.  That mechanic said he always turns off the batteries when he works on a rig. 

When I told the sales manager about it, his response was "What are you telling me for?".  They cleaned the refrigerator for me so I did not have to, but that was it. (and there went that nice new car smell too with what ever they used to clean the refrigerator with)  No break on the billable work they did.  No compensation for the food lost.  Not even an apology or a kiss my foot or anything.  I do have a call into Ken Crowley to let him know what happened and why I love the Ford dealership service department, but that I could not recommend the RV dealership.  (note Ken Crowley NEVER called me back, so much for his claims about his wanting to hear about any unhappy customers) Even KB who went with me to pick up the unit today was turned off by the reception and way that the issue was handled.  They might have really good pricing on sales at Crowley RV, but meeting deadlines, accurate execution of documents and general good customer care policies are lacking there.  As always, "Let the buyer beware!"  I got more satisfaction from Winnebago Industries who had nothing to do with the problems.  They seemed honestly interested in making me happy.

Shakedown Cruise to North Carolina May 16 thru May 21 2006

Mom and I had a great run down to Columbia to check out one of the ACTS locations.  Then we headed out to cross off one of her life's desires; see the Smokies.  The views and the air was spectacular, and worth the 5 mpg I got climbing the Gap.  Of course I got 20 something to the gallon on the way down :-)  Learned a few things about parking for the RV.  I am now sure that I need to carry SOMETHING with me, too many places can not park the RV or like the NY wine trail, have weight limit or low bridges.  Just not sure if I want to trailer the Hybrid or get something that will flat tow, or get a small (500 cc range) motor cycle.  I will spend the first 2 months on the road deciding.  I have agreed to return to CT in August to cover for Kenny so he can take his father to an Army reunion and I will decide then.  Either I will sell the Hybrid or drive it off and pick up a very nice trailer I saw that tilts, no ramps to mess with.  I also learned that driving that RV to a schedule of being some where at a set time is not as fun as just driving along and stopping when we see something.  Found a nice vineyards to visit in the hills of VA this way, and a couple of other stops Mom and I made when we were headed back to CT.  I will say my left forearm and my right calf are going to be impressive from driving this thing.  It handles well, but you do have to "drive it".  It is in the shop this week, getting its first oil change and a few minor things fixed, like leaky gaskets around doors and such.  Oh yeah, and a new inverter.  Stone cold dead.   Also, if you have never listened to either XM or Sirius radio, check it out.  Well worth the 10 bucks a month!

May 3, 2006

Well I am more in debt than I have ever been before, but I am now taking care of the RV for Bank of America for the next 10 years.  I get the keys later today.  They had to take care of a few things on the punch list.  Now all we are waiting for is the tags from the department of motor vehicles.  I know I promised pictures, but Dan has the digital camera right now for his Eagle project and he took it without dumping the pictures I took.  Oh well, tomorrow is another day.  Mom and I head out for a shakedown run via the Skyline and Blue Ridge highways later this month.  Had my annual physical and eye exams this week.  I have dropped 20 pounds since I signed the agreement to sell the business to Kenny and my BP has dropped enough the Doctor is not yelling at me so loudly about it and my weight.  Another year goes by and I escaped bifocal's too.  Life is good! The road is calling, and I can not wait!!

May 1 2006

Here she is!

April 25th 2006

Well Dan and I are back from the 2006 rendition of "Guys Week".  We had a great time in Florida and on the cruise.  We both came away convinced we have ridden our last Carnival Ship.  Unfortunately, Carnival has fallen to the point of being a floating Motel 6, serving Denny's quality food with McDonalds level of service.  Come to think of it, on the way home we ate at a McDonalds in Boca that had pretty darn good service, so I maybe being a bit harsh on McDonalds level of service.  Let us just say that Carnival and service and quality do not mix.

The damage in Mexico from the storms was amazing.  The cement pier that used to hold 3 or 4 big cruise ships in Cozumel, sank.  There is no other word for it.  There were big chucks of cement and rebar all over the harbor, the beach and the shore line.  Most of the stores had some water or wind damage. 

As a tourist, I would not go back for a while.  As a human being, who all I can do to help them is to go and spend my gringo dollars there, I will go back repeatedly.  Just not on a Carnival ship.

We have a great picture of Dan and I getting on the ship.  One of the best ship photos taken of us.  It will get posted here shortly.  Dan also experienced a career calling at an RV show in Ft Lauderdale.  More on this to come, but I like it better than my son the lawyer or the reporter! My son the arigonomist.

Have applied for a vanity plate for the RV.  We will see if they accept my choices.  As with every thing else in my home state, the fee for a vanity plate is CHEAP.  (Note June 1st 2006 My first 2 choices for plates are already taken.  Have to think of new ones.) 

The RV is on the way they tell me, it left the lot this morning.  I am so excited!  Monday I go get it!

April 15th 2006

The clock continues to count down.  The fine folks at Winnebago tell me the rig is due off the line on April 25th and delivered to me on May 1st.  The orders to turn off phone, cable TV etc., etc., are already in.

As the time gets closer, I find that time has become a funny thing.  Some parts of it are flying by and some parts are really starting to drag on and on forever.  The details of packing up the house are going far to slow, but the calendar is moving far too fast.  In less than 60 days I have to be out of the place.  The process of changing addresses, and all the paper work details goes on.  The days seemed to be going so slow when they hit more than 200, now that they are less than 90, they seem endless and far too short, all at the same time. 

We had a "what do I need to carry in the RV for break down supplies" that came up after a "wonderful" experience with rental cars and my hybrid both leaving me on the highway in the same 24 hours.  The list keeps growing and the storage space keeps shrinking!  But thanks to all for the suggestions and I am sure we will think of more between now and then!  A couple of items (One from Sid and one from Tom, never even entered my mind, yet they are so obvious it was like slap the head DUH!)

Look for photos of the rig here when it is delivered.  Dan and I will be back our 2006 "Guys Week" in Mexico that weekend and will have some stories to share then too.

Copyright © Bil Cook 2006-2008