# 15 It Must Be In The Air...

RV repairs must be in the air for the end of 2012.

I read several full-time RVer blogs and some of them are dealing with RV repairs now.  We are also dealing with our own RV repair too.

Ron had to use a hack saw to cut through a rusty screw.

Ron knew we had a small leak with the black tank valve and thought it needed replacing.  It's an RV repair often met with procrastination and with good reason.  He decided that today might be a good day to tackle this job.  I offered assistance as the "helper" with handing him tools and moral support.

Ron ended up switching to the tighter fitting latex gloves.

It turns out that valve wasn't broken after all.  Instead, that whole pipe fitting has a small crack and it will need to be replaced.  Ron was able to replace the black tank valve with the new valve, re tighten the screws (which was the most difficult part of this job due to the difficulty of reaching the screws in such a tight place) and he says we'll be able to get by until the new part comes in next week.  He ordered the new pipe this morning.

Obviously....Little Boy has made himself at home.

The dash is nice and warm and he gets to view all the activity in the park.

# 14 Merry Christmas

We have been very busy this month getting the motorhome set up for full-time living.  Once we moved all of our things that were stored in the fifth wheel, to the motorhome,  I realized I needed to have yet another yard sale.  We have also cleaned the interior and exterior of the fifth wheel and are in the process of getting the awning replaced at the local RV repair facility.  We hope to have it up for sale by the middle of January.  Next on the list for clean-up is our Dodge dually truck.

We really like our RV lot here.  We feel it's very spacious and it's across from the pool too.  We've been in this RV park since 2007.

I saved many of my Christmas tree ornaments given to me by students.  When I took them out to display on our small table- top tree, I was struck by how many were angel-themed. I normally wouldn't have thought anything of that except the tragic events of the past week brought that observation to mind.

 We really enjoy living in the motorhome.  Right now, we cannot think of anything we would change about it.  The only issue that has me puzzled now, how best to store all of my spice containers. I've seen the carousel type storage bins but I haven't made up my mind on that yet.

 Little Boy has adapted well, I think.  He enjoys the large windshield at all times..day and night.  He plays with his toys and had created a "play running lap" from the washing machine to the driver's seat, wrinkling and sliding on the rugs as he scampers.  He still enjoys walks on his leash but gets scared when a stranger comes up so we don't walk far from our lot.

We want to wish our blog followers, family and friends a very

 Merry Christmas
and a
Happy New Year.

# 13 Page Place RV Park, Cedar Point, NC

We arrived last night at Page Place RV Park around 6:30.  Ronnie didn't want to come in at night but it couldn't be avoided.  He did a great job parking the rig although we had to stay in our fifth wheel since we couldn't plug in the MH.  Today, we began the process of unpacking the fifth wheel with the items from our stix and brix and placing them in the MH.  We also enjoyed sharing our "new home" with our friends here in the park.  Tomorrow, we will work to pull out the fifth wheel and put the MH in it's place.  We'll be selling the fifth wheel and Ronnie's truck as soon as we can get them cleaned up.  We will not be traveling for a while since we are on a leased lot until the end of March 2013.  We do hope to make some smaller trips out but for now our goal is to get the MH set up inside the way we want and enjoy living in it.

# 12 Cane Creek Campground

We got up this morning planning to return to Cedar Point, NC.  However, Ronnie discovered that the Jeep's front passenger side tire was flat.  This is such a nice place and since we had no pressing time frame to return back to Page Place RV Park, we decided to stay an extra night.  This would allow us to get the tire leak plugged and I could wash a few loads of clothes.  It was such a nice day, I even got in some walking exercise.

There are some nice walking paths and I even saw some horses.

Little Boy is beginning to enjoy the big windshield.  We catch him looking out the windows a lot now.

# 11 Snow Camp

We made it to Cane Creek Campground in Snow Camp, NC around 4:45pm.  We have full hookups and a nice view of the rolling hills outside the side window. 

We have had a busy day.  We got the RV washed at the "Blue Beacon". 

Our scheduled installation of the tow hitch went smooth.  Camping World did a good job.  Ronnie got along fine towing the Jeep behind the MH for the first time.  

While we were getting set up, I glanced up at the sky and I saw this sunset.  Special.......

# 10 Childress Winery and Racing Museum

We have been waiting for the Cummins service to be completed.  We have stayed in their RV camp area for the past 2 nights. It's ok but not Indian Heritage Campground in Martinsville.

Cummins Atlantic is a very professional outfit and our service tech has been awesome.  He's explained many things to Ronnie regarding the engine and all the other associated systems in the MH.

We've needed to leave each morning by 7:00am.  Yesterday we just hung out at the mall.  I got my hair cut and we did some Christmas shopping.  Today, we decided to get out and travel a bit.  Ronnie decided he wanted to find the Childress Winery and the GPS told us it was only 32 miles out of Greensboro.  It was a great suggestion.  The wine tasting was very nice and Donna, our "taste-master" also gave us a brief tour of the wine-making facilities.  She showed us the wine barrel storage areas too.  Of course, I was so enthralled with it all that I forgot to take pictures.

Ronnie was also interested in visiting the Richard Childress Racing Museum.  We drove over to Welcome, which was about 8 miles away.  It was a bit expensive (to me) to visit the Earnhardt exhibit part of the facility but they did have an area that was free called the "fan walk".   There you could see through large windows where the race cars were being built.

When Ronnie walked by this window I heard him say  "That sure is a lot of rear ends."  

Ronnie also commented he wished we had this engine in the Jeep.

I thought the pattern on these cars was interesting.

We saw this restaurant on the way and remarked that it might be a good stop for lunch on the way back to Greensboro.

It was great.  We have never had any Lexington BBQ before.  

Tonight we are in the Camping World campground so we will be available first thing in the morning for the installation of the tow hitch.  This device will allow us to pull the Jeep behind the MH.   Two services down, one to go.

# 9 "New Shoes"

This is the back room of a motorhome "shoe store".  I had to take a photograph, it was the most tires I had ever seen at one time.  You could smell the rubber in the air when I got out of the Jeep.

Ron said it was the most professional "shoe fitting" he had ever seen.

We're here at Cummins Atlantic's campsite for the night.  We have the engine service scheduled for tomorrow.  This is suppose to take a day and a half. We must be out of the motorhome by 7:00am.  One appointment down, two to go.

# 8 Cleaning the Interior

The past 3 days have been rather chilly here.  To use our time wisely, while we wait for our scheduled services tomorrow and the rest of the week, we have been cleaning the interior of the motorhome.


I've also washed several loads of clothes and linens.  Today is our last day here and we have really enjoyed our stay.  We plan to get an early start tomorrow.  The tire store is our first stop.

# 7 A First Time For Everything

They say there is a first time for everything.  That was the case for us today.  

Our first time driving the motorhome with me as "copilot".  Ron did an excellent job as pilot, of course.

Our first fuel stop.  

Ron's first time checking tire air pressure.

Our first camp fire??  It's rather pitiful.  We wanted a steak for dinner and we found a disposable grill to use.  It doubled as a campfire too.

We also took a walk down to the Smith River canoe "put in".  This is the view behind the motorhome.

We have been full-time RVer's for a week now and so far we are all getting adjusted well.  Even Little Boy is doing much better.  His first ride in the motorhome went ok.  He went straight to his litter box however when we came back to our camping spot.

Chapter Six

We had success with the washing machine.  I think I'm going to really like that appliance. 

Little Boy still doesn't like looking out the windows but his curiosity is just killing him.  I've caught him several times checking out the landscape.  I even saw him one time peeping through the holes where the strings are threaded through the shades.



The nice couple we purchased the motorhome from took us out to dinner last night.  We enjoyed  a tasty meal while we exchanged  several stories about our camping experiences.  They are delightful and fun to talk too.  We could tell they are going to miss this motorhome but know that they have many memories of wonderful times to keep in their hearts.  We assured them we would think of them as we now embark on our journey in this fantastic home.


On this Thanksgiving Day and everyday we are grateful for our many blessings.

Chapter Five

Our new lifestyle continues to adjust.  We have all of our motorhome appointments set up for next week.  They are: new tires on Tuesday, complete Cummins engine service Wednesday and Thursday and toad hitch installed on Friday.  Today is "wash day" as we learn how to use the combo washing machine/dryer in the rig.

Little Boy is doing great now.  He's looking out the windows and walking on the front dash.  Last night, however, he accidentally stepped on the keys Ron left on the side table and set off the security alarm.  We were awaken at 4:00am and so was everybody else in the campground! 

Chapter Four

Again, it was a busy day.  We ran a few more errands and ate at a great "pit-cooked" BBQ restaurant.  We also took a couple of pictures.  It' will take me awhile to get used to taking the camera with us when we go out to explore.  Our blog is a "work-in-progress", just like our adjustment to full-time RV living.

Chapter Three

Yesterday was our first full day of being full-time RVer's.  We spent all morning and part of the afternoon cleaning the rig and putting some of our things away.  We purchased some items that we needed to get by with at the local KMart.  We will not get back to our fifth wheel for a while since the motorhome must have new tires before it is driven much distance.  I think we will be staying here in Martinsville  while we get our appointments set up for the Cummins service and have our "toad's" hitch put on.  The tires have been ordered but they will not arrive for another week.  All of this is just fine...as Ron said  "I don't have to be at work, we can just take our time". 

Our campsite is nice and we like it.  We can see the river out the window and a man told Ron this morning to look for the eagle that is here too.

Little Boy is slowly getting adjusted.  He still will not look out the windows and spends time in "his" closet.  He's eating good though and he likes walking around and exploring other parts of the motor home. 

Last night Ron said:  "This is wonderful.  It should be a movie."

Chapter Two

We completed the second set of objectives: purchase motor home, get tags and title, set up camp.  We accomplished all of those yesterday.  We were set up and had the motor home in place around 7:00pm.  We had dinner at a local restaurant here in Martinsville and then came home and went to bed. 

 Little Boy is adjusting to his new lifestyle as well.  He is walking around the motor home, smelling and exploring.  When he looks out the window, he runs and hides.  It may take him awhile to get used to his "new views" each day. 

Chapter One

Today begins a new lifestyle for us.  We have accomplished our first set of goals:  I have retired, prepare and sell the house we have lived in for over 24 years and then finalize Ron's retirement.  He worked for the same company for 34 and a half years.  Tomorrow begins our new journey,  hopefully towards a fulfilling "second career" for both of us.

This is our White Kitty.  She got sick in September and the vet could not do anything to save her.  She was 14 years old and we will miss her.  She was quite a hunter, could climb ladders and had a mean streak.

This is Little Boy.  He was a kitten when Ronnie found him at work under one of the soybean tanks.  He was starving and his sisters had died.  He is a Manx breed and is very affectionate.  He can also walk on a leash.  He will be changing to a new lifestyle as well.

This is the first post for this blog.  It is for test purposes only.