RV 201 - We Built this RV, well sort of ;-)

OK, so how many of you read the title of the post and heard the tune of We Built This City?  Sorry about that.  It was kind of my intention even though I think it is one of the worst songs ever.  So sad that Grace Slick had to be associated with that one.  Anyway..... I digress :-)

The 5th wheel is now operational. (well, it has been since the first of June)  Still a few minor things to work on but it is useable. 

From this

To this

As you can see, we still need to build a new night stand top.  We will actually build two so they match.  The plan is to build them and use the same panel board we used on the wall as the tops so it will all match.

From this

To this

We could not find an exact match to the siding so this had to do.  Doesn't look bad and if it is noticed, we can tell the story of how it got to this point.  To see more of the pictures of this project, click HERE

The bottom line is that it is operational and we have had the opportunity to use it. :-)  There are still some little things to do but we can do them over time.  We need to purchase a slide out awning as well as a full awning for the entry side.  We continue to seal the seams (that's a never ending job) and we discovered we need to completely redo the seal around the sky light over the bathroom.  We have build a shelf for the front cargo area and Cherilyn modified some wire cube shelving to maximize storage space in several of the closets. 

The unexpected project: Landing gear rebuild

The pin that goes through the 3:1 gear box and controls the landing gear broke at the connection point to the crank rod that controls the extension and retraction of the opposite side landing leg.  This was an interesting learning experience.  At first we thought the 3:1 gear box had broken and we called the parts and service store and were told the manufacturer was replacing them and if we brought it in they would swap it out for the new one.  After taking it off, I discovered that it was the pin that had broken.  To get the pin out I had to disassemble the gearing that held it in. There were 2 clip pins that were not easy to access that had to come out to release the pin. Fortunately I was able to get them out but lost a pin in the process. After the hour drive to the parts and service place, new parts were obtained.  The process of putting the landing gear back together took a lot longer than taking it apart.

broken pin

new 3:1 gear box - metal, not plastic this time

Grinding the frame to allow the gear box to fit

Originally the gear box was plastic and it appeared to us that it NEVER fit properly from the manufacturer.  Cherilyn had to grind the frame down a bit in order for the gear box to fit and lock in place. We believe this was the cause of all the landing gear issues. We had already replaced the gear box once when we replaced the motor right after we got the 5th wheel home from purchasing it in OKC.

The new pin fully installed.  The top of the leg frame comes off and inside the pin goes locks into a set of gears that turns and pushes the legs down and brings them up. A c clip locks in on one side and a tapered pin locks the crank pin to the gear on the other side.

Gear box and motor reinstalled

It seems that RV ownership requires a lot of work and well, it does.  Something always needs to be fixed or replaced but when you are at the campsite making wonderful memories, it's all worth it.  I would like to say that I had my doubts when we got into this project but I am glad that Cherilyn had the vision where I didn't and the strength to keep me going through it all. 

Pictures and stories of the RV adventures to come in future posts - Stay tuned ........

RV 101 2.0 - the PROJECT

You may remember that last year we decided we needed to step up from tent camping.  Cherilyn had initially wanted to look into a pop up that included AC.  As we looked into the different designs and cost points, we discovered that for just a little more, we could get into a 5th wheel.  We decided that would be the way to go and we eventually found a good starter model. A little more about that HERE

A year has past and we were able to enjoy some 5th wheeling adventures that have left good memories and and fun thoughts of the future.  As you might have experienced with a car or house purchase, once you have had them a while you discover things you wish you had and some things you wish you did not. That is true of an RV as well.  So what did we do, we went to the first RV show of the year to see what was out there  for our future RVing needs (needs is used loosely, more of a want).  It is always fun to go to these places and see all the new goodies you would love to have if you had no $$ considerations.  :-)  However, since we do have money considerations, we are grounded and could see where in a few more years we could buy a newer used model than the one we currently have.  The RV show did put a bug in us for the quest to find something we would love to have.  We discovered that we really wanted a bunk house in our next 5th wheel and an outdoor kitchen might actually be a good thing.

Just for fun we scoured the internet to see what was on the used market. This was kind of to see what was available and what might be around at a good price point in a few years when we were ready to make another purchase.  What we found was the opportunity to MAYBE make something happen this year. We found that a bunkhouse model was not far from our reach, after selling our current 5th wheel.  We took a day and went to a lot not far from us to see a model that we thought might work for us.  The layout was more in line with what we were wanting and the price was decent enough. It was good to look at because we found the same model, a year newer in OKC and for 1k less. When we got home from our excursion, Cherilyn called the place in OKC to inquire about the model they had for sale.  To our surprise, the salesman told her that it was not what she would want.  The pictures on the net did not show it but it had some damage.  Cherilyn asked if he would take some pictures and send them to us so we could decide if we had the ability to do the repair work.

Here are the pictures we saw before we knew of the damage

Saturday, we received the pictures. Not only did it look to Cherilyn like we could do the work, the damage looked to take a significant amount off the price and that was REALLY intriguing to Cherilyn.

Here is what we found out

Someone had purchased the RV a week earlier and after leaving the lot, the siding pealed back and they simply returned to the dealer and said we cannot have this and they were given their money back.  Evidently there was a leak that was never properly repaired and this is what happened.  Water caused the rot and the wood just gave way when the last person got up to speed.  Their misfortune has turned into our new project.

We drove to OKC after church on Sunday and stayed with our good friends - shout out to Jason and Trudi for putting us up and watching the girls while we worked the deal! :-)  Monday morning we drove to the dealer and after looking at the RV, we decided we could handle the project.  We negotiated a GREAT deal and the team there screwed and taped up the siding so we could drive home.

We need a dealer license now! LOL

So that is our new project.  A front end rebuild and minor interior remodel of a 30' 2006 Frontier Explorer 295S Of course we also have to now sell our 1998 25' Coachman Catalina.  From the above picture you will also note we have a few too many vehicles as well.  Also for sale is a 2001 Nissan Altima and possibly a 2002 Pontiac Montana - any takers??  LOL  :-)

PS - just to let you know, if money was no object, I would want to purchase an Open Range, check them out, absolutely top of the line in quality and innovation.

Update June 3 2013:  The 5th wheel is complete to the stage of being able to use it, just a few details to handle.  Pics of the remodel are HERE

"I've never met a GPS stupider than a man"

"I've never met a GPS stupider than a man," said Lori after being told of our adventure.

After a week in southern Utah for the wedding of Cherilyn's cousin, funeral for Cherilyn's grandmother and Thanksgiving with Cherilyn's family, we headed back home.  We were to head home through northern New Mexico in order to see my dad. (he lives in Los Alamos) We charted our course to include a stop at Four Corners where we were able to not only see where four states come together but some friends of ours were able to meet us for a short visit as well. Our journey through New Mexico was to take us through the Jemez Mountains and  and past Hummingbird Music Camp where I made some great childhood memories. I was excited to go this way even  though it would be dark by the time we drove through the area.

Our Route

Our Drive took us past the Glen Canyon Dam and through the famed Monument Valley. What great wonder and awe we were able to take in between the beauty of Monument Valley, and the amazement of human innovation that is the Glen Canyon Dam. 

As we drove down from Farmington, NM, the dark of the day set in. (I hate the early nightfall of the winter months)  I had wanted to NM route 550 through Cuba, NM down to NM route 4, which would take us through the Jemez and right into Los Alamos.  The problem began when we were just outside of Cuba and the GPS wanted us to take NM route 96 to route 84 through Espanola.  I decided not to follow the suggested route and headed into Cuba.  After filling up in Cuba, I checked the "actual" map we had in the van and decided to take state highway 126, forgetting that I needed to go all the way down 550 to catch route 4. (to get a good visual, and I recommend you do as it will really help you understand the rest of the story, click on "Our Route" above the picture of the state of NM.  Be sure to zoom in on the NM part of the route until you find NM 126)

Well, since it was dark, and it had been MANY years since I had actually been in the area, I was a little discombobulated in my directions and thinking. The GPS had not found the route I wanted to take, it just kept wanting me to make a U turn and go back up 550 to 96. I instead followed the road sign to state highway 126. With the GPS still wanting me to turn around or take another road back to route 96, I still thought I knew better.  How wrong that thought would turn out to be.  I remember passing a sign that said something about improvements to the highway. (2 lane state highway) but did not catch all of the wording so I proceeded, after all, the sign never said the road was closed or anything that drastic. As we proceeded through the woods and up the mountain, it seemed to get darker and darker and there were not only less signs of civilization but there were NO other vehicles on the road, in either direction. Somewhere around the ten mile mark, the pavement ended. (remember that scene in RV where the highway was at a standstill so he went off road to go over the mountain?) With the GPS still telling us to turn around, it also let us know that by doing so we would now be an hour later than planned. It seemed like pressing forward was a better idea since we had come so far anyway. Eight miles later we were not only still on dirt road, we were encountering snow as we were approaching 8,000 feet above sea level and we had NO cell service. NONE! NADA! Absolutely nothing, the only things that could hear us now were the critters in the woods! Which, I might add, include bears! It was at this point that it began to feel like one of those movies where things go horribly wrong. Fortunately things did not go horribly wrong for us.  At one point we came around a corner (still on dirt road) and we saw one of those blue adopt a highway signs.  Really, 8,000 feet up a mountain in the middle of the forest on a dirt road, the state of New Mexico is requesting that someone adopt the road to clear it of trash.  I guess you had to be there to hear Cherilyn's gasp of expression at seeing the sign but it led to a good laugh that broke the tension a bit and that was good.

Well, somewhere around the thirty mile mark on the road, we returned to pavement.  The highway is about 40 miles long and it seems most of it was getting those improvements the signs at the other end of the road were mentioning.  As we approached highway 4, the GPS finally found where we were and knew the route we were wanting, as it turned out, the trip through the woods only cost us 5 minutes.  Thank goodness for that because if it had taken any longer I'm not sure I would be here to write this story for all to enjoy at my expense. The issue I will now have the rest of my life is always having to trust the GPS and follow its route selection no matter what I think.

"Get A Room"

The, We Look Happy Picture!

Lately I have been told that Cherilyn and I look very happy, this picture in particular has received many comments to that regard.  It is nice to be told one looks happy, it validates that you actually are.

This past weekend, Cherilyn and I enjoyed a wonderful time together, an extra long date.  After delivering a puppy and dropping off the girls at their dad's, (dad lives in Oklahoma City) we were off on our date.  We checked into our hotel and then went to do our service in the temple.  (for those of you who may not be aware, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we are a temple going people. For more information on LDS Temples, see my POST from earlier this year)  After our time in the temple we got a bite to eat and went back to the hotel.  Saturday morning was nice and lazy - no kids, no dogs to tend to, just each other to enjoy.  Early afternoon had us doing some shopping which took us to a large mall. - for those of you who know me well, you know I LOVE a good mall - While in Macy's, Cherilyn found some good sale racks to look through.  After picking out some things to try on, we headed to the dressing rooms.  As we were approaching the dressing room entrance, an employee approached us and asked, " Do you two need a room?"  to which Cherilyn replied, "You rent those for an hourly rate here?"  We all got a good chuckle.

This story got me to thinking about the comments that have been made of late about how we look happy.  I am glad that we look happy.  I feel happy and so does Cherilyn so it is nice that people notice. We have been told we look happy by many but we have never been told to get a room.  Were we giving off a different vibe that the Macy's employee was able to pick up on?  Things that make you go hmmmm! :-)

Cookies and Conference

Ingredients prepared and ready to be baked into cookies

Baked and ready to eat

As many of you know, I am a member of the Mormon faith and twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall, we have what is known as General Conference.  This is the time of year when we have the opportunity to hear gospel messages from the leaders of the church. Just like every batch of cookies is different from the last in that the shape might be unique or the flavor might be a little different from the last time you made them, the conference messages are unique to the time they are given and just a little different from the previous conference messages.  The underlying principles are still the same with each, however, the cookies are still cookies, a recipe was followed in order to give you the end result, conference is still the same, an outline and format was followed and the messages all revolve around Jesus Christ. 

LDS Conference Center, Salt Lake City

As we add ingredients to our bowels to create the cookie dough, we may not be as exact in doing so each time we do this. We still get a cookie in the end that is good to the taste, unless of course we use a cup of salt instead of a cup of sugar. (that lesson is for another day)  As we listen to the speakers, many of whom are different from the speakers in the previous conference, we still end up with a gospel message that is good for the soul. 

What we obtain from each conference is personal and depends on our preparation. Just as in preparing the cookie dough, when seeking knowledge from on high through those our Heavenly Father has set apart to deliver that knowledge, we must be prepared. With the cookies, we prepare the kitchen by cleaning the counters where we will make the cookies.  We bring out all the ingredients we will be using and gather the bowels and utensils and preheat the oven.  When we want to be taught by God, we must prepare ourselves by doing whatever we need to set our minds at ease and put our spirits at peace.  We perhaps prepare by having enough rest, having ourselves fed so the hunger pangs do not interrupt us in our concentration. We may ponder the issues we are seeking guidance for.

When prepared, the dough is ready for the the oven.  During this time the dough bakes into cookie deliciousness. The loose ball of dough becomes a solid, thinner entity, the cookie.  When watching and listening to conference, we are baking. Once conference is over, we can go back and read the talks or watch it again, we get to eat the cookies.

Just my simple thoughts for the day as the family and I enjoyed the messages of General Conference and warm, fresh baked chocolate chip cookies.

*to learn more about General Conference click the link to General Conference above
**to learn some interesting information on the design and construction of the conference center, click the link under the picture

Edjumacashonall Thoughts

My wonderful daughter Krystene is close to completing her college career, she graduates in December, where she has studied elementary education. I am very proud of her for her efforts in college and in her choice of an honorable profession. She is, upon approaching the time to step out and obtain a job in the profession she desired, becoming concerned with the political environment.  I applaud her for taking the time to look into what is happening around her.  If you know Krystene, you know that gaining knowledge of politics and national and world events has not been one of her priorities growing up.  I guess that side of me just did not rub off on her as it did from my mom to me.

I agree that she has valid concerns and should take an active role in carving out the future of the environment she will be working in.  As a result of Krystene's concerns, I have begun to reflect on mine and her educational experiences; as well as look into, on a small scale, some things impeding  the progress of the educational system. Unfortunately, the bottom line turns out to be lack of personal responsibility and the allowing of politics to get in the way.

Teachers are part of the unsung hero class.  They work hard to balance their desire to help a child improve and work within the political correctness  of the educational environment as well as appease parents who demand much and never give back. How many other jobs are there where you need to purchase the supplies without reimbursement? If the carpenter had to pay for all the nails and wood to build the house, how many houses would he ever build? So, with these points alone, you have to think that the majority of teachers are there because of honest, honorable reasons, they want to make a difference.  I am certainly proud to say my daughter will be making a difference in the many lives she touches in her honorable career.

Now, I need to say that anyone in any party has no room  for pointing the other direction. Blame never solved an issue and there is plenty of blame to go around. The groundwork for many of the issues in education began with the federalizing of it.  The Constitution clearly lays out the responsibility of the federal government and NOWHERE in there does it say the federal government is responsible for education.  The tenth amendment, however, states that anything not clearly defined as a federal responsibility can and should be handled by the states. So, education is up to each individual state.  They define it and fund it.

Unfortunately, too many states have decided that money is the answer to education.  Unfortunately too much money goes into management and overhead instead of actual teaching. Example, the $587M price tag for a school in Los Angeles. As if that was not the only way to misuse funds, how many states claimed the need for an "educational" lottery to raise funds? What happens in most of those states is the budget created from tax revenue slated to go to education gets shifted to other items and the educational system is no better off than it was.  Look at my home state of North Carolina, they supposedly "needed" an educational lottery to "save" the educational system and continue to employ teachers.  If that is the case, why have they been laying off teachers if the lottery was the savior of education in North Carolina. The answer is, politicians fudge the numbers and move the monies from one account to another. Dr. Terry Stoops wrote a good article concerning the issue in North Carolina explaining how the federal government went from supporting 6% of the educational workforce to 12%.  Again, if the lottery was to be able to support education, why the need for the federal dollars?

The bottom line - local involvement!  Krystene had two parents who were involved with her education by becoming involved with the PTO, volunteering in the classroom, voting for those who would do the right thing on the local school board and assisting with the learning process through help with homework and providing other educational experiences. If more parents would be more involved, the education system would improve and future employers would have better prepared individuals to choose from.

Again, I express my deepest love for a wonderful young woman who I am proud to say is my daughter. I love you Krystene! May God bless you in your  honorable profession.

Krystene AKA Miss Lang, teacher extraordinaire

5th Wheel Adventure

As we finished our visit with Krystene, we prepared to hit the road with the RV.  The morning after Krystene flew home, we headed north.  Our first stop was just outside of St. Louis.  We arrived at 370 Lakeside Park and dropped the camper. As Cherilyn drove to the airport to pick up her parents and the girls (Brittney and Carissa had been in Utah visiting the grandparents and cousins for 14 days), I prepared the camper and got the nights meal going.

After dinner,  Brittney and Carissa and I took a bike ride around the lake.  It was a little longer than expected.  We had not planned on going all the way around but but Brittney got too far ahead and Carissa and I had to keep riding to catch up.  By the time we did catch up, we we over half way so it wasn't any different to continue going around or turn back, so we thought!

the girls ready for bed :-)

view of the lake to the left of our camp site

view of the lake to the right of our camp site

Ya, not much to say here. LOL

the not so glamorous side of having the RV

We woke to another beautiful day, just about perfect for travel.  Overall the RV park met our needs for the night.  The place was very new so the trees had not matured.  Give it another 5 years and it will look quite a bit different. If we were staying for a few days we would have rented the paddle boats and gone out on the lake. Maybe another time.

Off to Nauvoo!

Day 2 of the trip brought us to our destination of Nauvoo, Ill., where we stayed in the Nauvoo State Park. It was nice to camp in an area that was tree covered compared to our previous park stay. 

relaxing at the end of the day

campfire treats, YUM!

During our stay we enjoyed the sites of Historic Nauvoo as well as the festivities of the Nauvoo Pageant.

Family at the Nauvoo Temple

Joseph and Hyrum - last ride

Browning Guns

Carriage ride through town

ready for an old fashioned ox cart ride

Our days were filled with the site seeing and adventures in pioneer experiences in the restored town of Nauvoo. The visitors center had wonderful displays and great information concerning all the activities going on in town as well as explanations of what life was like as Nauvoo was being built and populated.  Our evenings were spent by the camp fire or enjoying the Pageant itself or one of the other shows.
Our Saturday evening treated us to a special evening with the BYU Dancers where we were treated to some very fun routines, including one of their light suit routines which was very cool. Here is a video on how the light suits came to be.

part of the opening act

opening act ensemble

BYU Dancers

 Sunday was a relaxing day which began with a church service and some time walking around the temple with the remainder of the day spent at the campsite enjoying the company of family!

Monday saw us breaking camp and heading home on the 7 hour drive. We survived the first RV trip and the memories will last a lifetime! :-)