Month: December 2016

After Xmas with our new family, the McNicols, (after they adopted us thoroughly for the raucous pandemonium of their family Xmas), we started our trip towards California.  We spent some time considering our route and our strategy.  We even emailed ahead to tee up visits to  friends in Houston.  Along the way,  the universe reminded us of one of the key laws of retirement:  IF you have no plans,  there can be no snafus…   

The first part of our “plan” started with the idea of spending a couple of days near New Orleans and maybe a couple more near Houston.  Our “Plan” included taking the old Florida Coast Highway instead of the Interstate.  In order to do these and NOT drive too much in any one day,  we needed to make a stop before New Orleans.  We decided somewhere near Panacea, Florida.  Liked the name.   When we got close we started looking for places to stay.  We were thinking a Walmart…something simple for one night.  That’s when the plan started to unravel. 

There may be only one stretch of the USA where there are NO WALMARTS for hundreds of miles.  That is along the old Florida Coast Highway.  We saw nothing.  In fact,  for much of the way through State Forest Lands,  our cell phones laughed at our attempts to browse.   We do have a couple of Apps, tho.  GoodSam identified an RV Park named “HO-HUM RV Park.”    

Liked that name, too.  We did not need to know anything more!!!  Liz’s cellphone worked (barely) for a 5 mile stretch in a small town, so she called.  They had ONE SLOT for ONE NIGHT available, and we took it!  When we got there,  we met some very friendly people and the park was just fine. Better than fine.  Right against the Gulf of Mexico.  Of course,  the fog was so thick you couldn’t have known that until the next morning when the fog peeled back just enough to sea [sic].     

The next day we had visions of reaching Mobile, Alabama.  But the day was getting kind of long,  so we started looking for a place to stay a little sooner.  We were also starting to have bus problems, though at this point I didn’t mention this to Liz.  When I say ANYTHING about a mechanical issue,  Liz sees only $$$$-signs.  Nevertheless (more in a minute).  In Foley Alabama  Liz found BOTH a Walmart and a nearby State Park.  So we are now on the horns of a dilemma.  

We stopped at the Walmart for provisions and called the State Park – Gulf State Park.  The park had a spot available for 2 nights,  so we took it.  Drove there and got settled.  A GREAT little park.  Right on the dunes which are on the Gulf of Mexico.  Easy bike rides up and down the dunes on bike trails.  The nearby town of Gulf Shore was easily bike-able.  And although it would probably be an awful place in the summer with dozens of huge souvenir shops and the like,  all those were closed in the “winter.”    

Anyway, they have a weird idea of Winter in Alabama.  55 -60 degrees.

We had dinner at “Fish River Grill – where the locals eat.”  Probably true because the tourist places were mostly closed AND the seafood was mostly deep-fried.  Liz and I shared an AWESOME and HUGE Fried Shrimp Po-Boy with Crawfish sauce accompanied by a delicious “Swamp Soup.”    

On to the mechanical issue.  I suppose Bus mechanical issues are interesting to only a very small subset of our newsletter readers, but this issue really does add to the narrative in a non-mechanical way,  so hang with me for a  minute.  I had felt since “Ho-Hum” in fact  that the bus was riding low in the front,  and perhaps a little right-leaning.  The latter is NOT a political statement;  if it were it would make me a little queasy. I also heard a little too much air “hissing” (pissing?) away when we stopped at Ho-Hum.   The bus has air-ride suspension and I suspected a leak.  In Gulf Shore,  it was CLEAR there was a problem…NO air ride in front.  This is not good  if for no other reason than the formerly smooth ride now threatens to remove one’s dental fillings over bumps.   WHAT TO DO…    

NO,  we are not planning to tow the now-sick bus behind the Clown Car, but it is good to have options… 

Dr. Google told me there was a truck repair place about 25 miles away from the State Park.  I called them and they said they would squeeze us in if we could get there.  Disconnected the Bus from Power and water, plugged the address into the GPS and Liz followed me in the Clown Car. The GPS lead us down smaller and smaller roads, county roads, backcountry streets until finally we arrived.  Lazzari Truck Service.  On Lazarri Lane.  Near Daphne, Alabama.    This is seriously in the middle of nowhere!  Our new best friend Val had us pull in and lifted the bus.  It was clear immediately that an airbag on the front-right had a serious but invisible hole.  WHAT TO DO… 

Val could get a new airbag by the next day ($100 shipping for a $200 part) or by Tuesday (5 days) for no shipping.  Val recommended we get a spare bag…if we ever have such a problem,  we could just hand the spare to any “Val” anywhere and say “Put this on,  please.”  There are advantages to driving an RV which is just basically a diesel truck below the floor…  Both Lazzari Truck Service and Val,  BTW,  were  VERY professional,  with lots of trucks being serviced.  Who’da thunk it? 

This is where I realized we were being punished by the universe for violating the law-of-no-planning.  NO WAY the Secretary of the Treasury (Liz) was going to authorize $100 for shipping.  And I checked… the really nice State Park we are at could accommodate us until Tuesday.  And,  ALL of our friends in Houston had replied to my emails;  NONE were in Houston at the moment.  Arguably,  the universe holed our airbag to remind us of THE LAW.  “NO MORE PLANNING.”   Well not too much,  anyway.  An occasional idea to maybe meet a friend on approximately a date…  Anyway,  all these meant we were going to abandon the current plan and just ENJOY THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND.   Could be MUCH WORSE.   

I drove  the bus (jarringly) and Liz the Clown Car back to the park and informed the ranger, then set up for relaxation.  Which included setting up the Satellite Dish for the first time,  just in time to get the Blackhawks v. Nashville on TV!  (They won after losing three straight while we weren’t paying attention!).  AND, one of our Houston friends will be back in Houston by the time of our unexpectedly-delayed arrival.  Things are looking up! 

Clearly,  if you have a plan, it will be busted by events beyond your control,  only to be replaced by better and more fun.  Best just to skip the “plan” in the first place! 

So,  we are spending 5 days in Gulf Shores, Alabama.  The Bikes are down off the rack and already accumulating significant mileage. We are finding it easy to “chill” like the locals. Though unlike said locals, at least initially we will follow posted signs and regulations.  Today we even had a private Blue Angels Airshow…apparently they train up and down the coast from their home base in Pensacola.  Wonder what New Years Celebrations look like here?  We are about to find out! 

22 December finds us at a FANTASTIC RV PARK on Jekyll Island, Georgia. We are staying here until Tuesday 27 Dec. The island was a private club where the wealthy from the Northeast wintered in the late 18 and early 1900s. Today there are museums, shops and summer homes. We unfolded the bikes, aired and greased them up and started going for rides. I think the island is about 12 miles around and there is a bike path around the perimeter. There are also some fantastic beaches, and the weather is warm enough to enjoy them!

I will say that Xmas decorations, including animated snowmen, flying reindeer, LED Icicles etc. look a little strange when you pass them riding your bicycle in shorts! Best one so far was at our last RV Stop in Florida: It was a seasonally decorated outhouse. Every 30 secs. or so, the door opens and the jolly guy himself is revealed taking care of bidnez. VERY FESTIVE.

The McNichols, Liz’s brother’s inlaws, live in Brunswick, GA which is about 5 miles as the crow flies from the RV Park on Jekyll Island, but about 20 miles by road. Even before Liz’s official family arrived for Xmas, they’ve been gracious and welcoming to us Yankee travelers. They did warn us that family gatherings can get “raucous.” Like that never happened at Liz’s family events! But it has made Liz feel much happier about being away from her family for the Holidays.

We spent a few days at High Springs Campground near Gainesville before Jekyll Island. Nice little towns nearby…High Springs and Micanopy. Unfortunately, our timing was not the best….

We browsed an antique mall in High Springs where Liz found several place-settings of the EXACT Czech China her sister Janet has (formerly Liz’s grandmonther’s). We couldn’t get the price down enuf, which is probably just as well. We don’t have space to store China while we travel. There was also a Lowes for some needed bus-repair hardware.

And finally, breakfast with Mark Frankel, a former work colleague of Liz’s who lives in Gainesville now. After breakfast, Mark took us to a nearby state park to see one of the MANY natural springs to be found along the Santa Fe River.

Dec 23, we had a couple of bus projects to take care of. We found during torrential rains in Louisiana that every hole in the roof of the bus (2 skylights and 2 air conditioners) leaks. And if we are driving, the front heater/defroster air vents seem to suck water in and drop it on the dashboard. Bottom line: At times it rains nearly as much inside the bus as outside! Which is tolerable except that one leak seems to target Liz’s pillow! Making this a top-priority project. ;-p I bought some silicone and spent some effort today trying to find and caulk the problem. We won’t know if I was successful until it rains again.

Lizzie, meantime, spent some time finishing a quilt she has been making for her nephew, whom we saw on Christmas Eve. Her sewing machine workspace, custom made for us by our good friend Bob White is AWESOME. Liz has been promising to make me a quilt since before we were married. Nephew Phillip isn’t even 1 yet and was presented with his. Hmmm.

After this, we rode our bikes to the Jekyll Island Club Hotel. VERY fancy. Nice bar. Even nicer little pub down the basement.  They have a nice local beer (Jekyll Brewery) in bottles at the bar and on tap downstairs. We could become regulars here, except we are only here for a few days AND the prices are as you would expect in a fancy hotel.

There are advantages to riding your bike to a pub (about 4 miles each way): They say you SHOULDN’T drink and drive, but you DEFINITELY CANNOT drink and ride!

We put out the carpet and awnings and have a nice outdoor space including a firepit. We also put up a couple strings of XMAS lights that we bought on closeout sale when we were at Lowes. Not even competitive with some of the other folks at this RV Park, who decorate like they MEAN IT. But we are newbies, so we get a pass this year.

Xmas eve and day is mostly fun with family.    Liz’s brother arrived about 2:00 Xmas Eve.   Until then, we are hung out in the campground. Hooked up Lizzie’s WII so she could be chastised by her personal WII-FIT Trainer, who said:

Xmas eve nephew Joseph (2) was into the fudge.  I personally saw him eating 2 large pieces. For the record:  I did NOT feed him the pieces;  he found and devoured them all on his own.   That’s the benefit of being Aunts and Uncles (and staying 20 miles away).  I am sure it was a pretty long night after the inevitable sugar crash!

Today, Xmas day Lizzie and I rode our bikes down the beach at low tide for about 5 miles.  A bright, sunny, pleasantly warm day.  Then,  Xmas dinner with Liz’s brother and the McNichols.  

After which, we found another pub on the island…so many options,  so little time.  Good that it was open later XMAS Day, and right on the way back to the bus!    

Boxing day (26 Dec) we are hosting the McNichols and the extended group who have tolerated us for the weekend for cocktails at the bus.  We are offering tours…the regular one is 30 seconds but the extended version is a full 45.  

Starting to think about the next segment of our journey.  We will roughly parallel I10 across the southern US.  But it was suggested that we take US 98 across the Florida Panhandle as it hugs the coast more.  Then US 90,  which will get us via Galveston and Houston all the way to New Orleans and beyond.  Once in Texas,  several people have recommended we detour south to Big Bend National Park for a few days.  Why Not?

In a word: eventful. 

I am writing this in the parking lot of a Walmart about 40 miles east of Pensacola Florida.  We have successfully escaped the frigid north,  with the storm-of-the-century nipping at our heels the whole way.   Here in Florida,  “shitty weather” means rain and 50 degrees.  We think HOOORAY,  no ice…which has been a major part of our lives for the first two days.  In Florida,  they wear mittens.   

Let me start at the beginning.  Before the beginning, actually. 

Our “plan” was to leave THURSDAY MORNING the 15^th of December.  Bus is parked out front for ease of loading, in the snow and BONE-CHILLING COLD.  It looks ready,  we are ready. 

On Wednesday evening,  a pipe broke in our Tenant’s apartment!   Not a gushing-in-your-face break,  but a puddle-in-the-basement break.  Even before Wednesday,  while we were still constructing in the basement,  I actually looked at that very pipe…one of the 2 remaining old galvanized risers…and I asked myself:  “Self.  Should I replace those risers now,  when the ceiling is open and there are no tenants upstairs?”    Unfortunately,  I answered myself:  “Self.  They aren’t leaking.  Let’s not open that can of worms.” Hindsight… 

This problem was resolved by pretending we were already gone.  I called the property manager and told him there was a plumbing emergency.  And guess what:  HE HANDLED IT!!!!  This is good…and helps us feel better about leaving a 110 year old building behind! 

So now it is Thursday 15 Dec.  Our first target is Bethalto, Illinois (Across the river from St. Louis).   This is where the mechanic is who first put the bus back on the road.  You see,  we had a bad propane valve,  which prevents us from turning on the gas and therefore the furnaces.  Did I mention the storm?  And the cold?  It was 10 degrees F when we left.  We need the furnaces for at least the first couple of nights…  I sent Todd some pictures of the valve.  Todd sez he will squeeze us in.  “It should be an easy fix.”  Scares me when the mechanic sez this.   So we get near Bethalto by evening and we found a hotel with a big parking lot. And an AARP discount.  And free hot breakfast.  Maybe we’ll just stay here! 

But now we have a problem:  it is starting to drizzle in St Louis.  And since it has been cold,  this means the roads are all icing up.  BAD.  We look at the radar,  and Todd,  who is a pilot,  calls up his aviation weather.  It appears that we are on the very southern edge of the drizzle.  If we can get just 50 miles south, it will be all rain.  The roads we need to take are all interstates,  with plenty of traffic and salt trucks. 

Anyway,  once we got past that hill and a few tens of miles further south,  the precip. did turn to rain and there was no more ice.  It was already 10:00, now,  but we decided we had better get further south before stopping to rest or the storm would catch us.  So,  we drove about 2 hours to Perryville Mo. Where we found a Walmart parking lot and crashed for the evening.  BTW,  the temperature in Perryville (just 120 miles south of St. Louis) was  65 degrees when we pulled in.  After about 4 hours of sleep,  the temp was 40 degrees and crashing.  So we lit up the engine and started south again.  We figured we need to get all the way to New Orleans to be certain we would not see any more ice.   

As we drove during daylight (vs. yesterdays frantic dash at night), Lizzie, not to be outdone by Yogi Berra said, “I like driving in the daytime better because you can actually see that you are not missing anything!”   We drove about 8 hours and found a very nice and reasonably priced RV park in Amite, LA.  This is 60 miles north of NO. 

As we drove,  I noticed in the rear camera that the hood of the Clown Car is flapping in the breeze — about to fly off.  I pulled over and realized that the hood is held on only be a couple of plastic tabs.  The wind was howling right in our face at 40mph and the bus was moving 60.  So that is 100mph creating suction on the hood of the Toad.   Easy to see why roofs blow off in hurricanes. The “Fix” was obvious.  DUCT TAPE.  What a fortuitous thing that the clown car and the duct tape are almost the exact same color!!! 

Anyway,  we got to Amite about 8:00 (after hours) and found that someone else had mistakenly taken our spot…reserved hours previously.  We called the emergency night number and they sent someone over.  They did not move the offender…instead they found us a nice alternate spot.  Very nice,  actually.  Much nicer than the first spot.   Better still, it was 78 degrees F.  We set about to de-winterize the bus,  fill the water tank, take showers,  and generally breathe a sigh of relief as we had escaped the storm.   OR HAD WE?

At 4:00 AM a huge wind came up…from the north.  The temp dropped 30 degrees in 10 minutes.   It started raining.   I am getting the feeling we are never going to win this race…  But as I mentioned above,  rain is not ice.  We are JUST FINE,  thank you very much! 

Today,  we packed up and decided to get into Florida and another Walmart.  This is because we needed to procure some things to help organize the bus.  

The weather forecast is for rain at least through tomorrow.  So we are thinking we are going to head across Florida and find another nice RV park…maybe on the Atlantic side? By then,  the weather should be past???  And maybe we’ll spend a few days there before heading up to Georgia for Christmas with Liz’s brother. 

As many of our friends know,  our “plan” was to construct a new, smaller unit for Los Harris in the basement of our home in Chicago.  This unit was to be one we could “abandon” for months at a time while we began our ongoing travel adventure.  Well,  as of 1 December, 2016,  the apartment is DONE — done being more of a waypoint than a destination.  So what does “Done(ish)” mean in this case?

• We applied for the building permit in JANUARY of 2015.  We received the actual permit on 1 AUG 2016.  By the city’s own stats,  which they proudly publish on the permit itself:  426 Days total,  380 waiting for the City and 46 waiting for applicant (us).   You can’t make these things up!   And,  the reason we are leaving town a bit later than we had hoped!!! 
• The Final electrical and plumbing inspections are complete and signed off (though totally different experiences…more below)
• We moved in…and are nearly finished emptying the larger apartment of our worldly belongings.  Speaking of worldly belongings,  we have relocated DOZENS of bags to Salvation Army        Lot’s of challenges in this process…mostly all successfully overcome. 
• Our unit is now on the rental market
• We traded in the Honda for a Smart Car to tow on our travels.  This means construction is now DEFINITELY DONE because I can no longer fit more  than a box of nails in the car should I need to go to Home Depot. 
• We even had an informal house-warming event.  Lot’s of friends and food and good cheer.
• — And,  THE CUBS WON THE WORLD SERIES.  (Boy,  writing that felt good and never gets old!)

If you are interested,  we have a short video tour of our new abode, in which we intend to spend very little time!

So,  now that our new home is complete,  we are FINALLY ready for departure on our Travel Adventure.  Sort of.    More on that follows here-à

Electrical and Plumbing Inspection – two VERY different experiences.

For context,  it may help to know that Liz and I did “most” of the plumbing,  under the oversight of our long-time journeyman plumber.  On the other hand,  we did NONE of the electrical work.  Rationale:  bad plumbing makes a puddle on the floor.  Bad electrical starts fires!  

Anyway,  the final electrical inspector was,  shall we say, “Detail Oriented.”  I would use a three letter word beginning with “A” but shouldn’t…   Anyway,  some things that were important to him:  “The outlet on the kitchen peninsula must be no more than 10” from the counter top” (ours is probably 14”).  After about 45 minutes of making the electrical contractor squirm,  he finally said, “I really shouldn’t do this,  but I am going to sign off…”

On the other hand,  the Plumbing Inspector walked in the front door and immediately signed off.   I asked him if he needed to look at anything (having been prepared by my plumber as to what he would want to see).  He said, “I see no puddles and you seem happy.  Good enough for me. “ 

I am not sure which kind of inspection better serves the public.  Nor do I care.  Both signed off,  and we are DONE in the eyes of the city!