RE: Lonely and down
Hey there Cool Mike,
Sometimes desperation can really bring us down, I know. When there is little or no light at the end of that dark tunnel, pulling oneself up is really hard, most of us do not come with self help handles.
I,personally, think that you have already made a very significant effort by asking for and seeking help. Good for you Mike! You know now that there are compassionate people at this source that can and will be here for you.
Do keep the lines of communication open here, they are good folks.
Best... Jack&Rita
RE: Hi ya all, new to C
Welcome and good luck in your search for Class C MH. We, Rita and I, have just had to trade from a FW to our 09' Fleetwood Pulse 24A for the same reason of many here, Arthritis. Just too hard to hook and unhook and setup the FW.
We choose the 24' because we felt it would suit our needs and still be manageable to drive, park and camp with. If past experience holds true we will be looking for a larger unit in about a year or two. Want to wait and see what diesel prices are doing then.
We really like the Pulse but there are downsides to these smaller units. For one you can not "take the kitchen sink" with them. Storage is limited as is towing capacity. We do not see these as major drawbacks just areas for better planning.
We, again, wish you well in your new journey.
Best Jack&Rita
RE: Waiting at the Rainbow Bridge
Yesterday, July 18,2008, our precious old "Star" crossed the Rainbow Bridge, and some part of us went with her. She was a thirteen year old 100 pound Black Lab, and our "alpha" dog. Two weeks ago a severe limp with her left rear leg got the diagnosis of Osteo Sarcoma from our vet, X-rays and blood work confirmed it.
The hardest part, for us, was in knowing when to 'let go', not too soon and certainly not too long to prolong her pain. Her brave attempts to go out were painful for her and very painful to watch.
She went to the Bridge so peacefully, held in my arms, looking trustfully, as usual, into my eyes. We weep for our loss but solace is in knowing that Star suffers no more. We loved that old girl so much.
As I drove her home to her resting place on our little farm the old song "I'll be seeing you" came on the radio. On the other side of the bridge dear Star.
RE: Dixie Overland Highway
view2a.thrill,
Thanks we do have that route "The Frontier Trail" or "Old Spanish Trail" I think it's called. We had planned to use it originally, while we still had our FW, but changed the route for the Dixie Overland Highway because of road issues still not repaired along old highway 90 after Katrina.
We would, at some later date, like to take the Frontier trail in our class C, and without having four of us along for the trip.
Though somewhat further north, research shows us that the Dixie Overland Highway may still have a few of the "old road" scenes and attractions. Who could bypass Chunky, Miss.?
We have the book Road Trip and have found several very interesting future trips there.
Thanks again for the info...Jack&Rita
RE: What is the hardest job other than dairy farming.
I used to be a Volunteer Fireman on a rural fire department, albeit many moons ago. The "hardest" part was responding to traffic accidents with fatalities, especially children who had NOT been properly restrained with seat belts or travel seats. Some of those scenes never leave your mind.
BUCKLE UP !!
Jack&Rita
Dixie Overland Highway
This road is the old US 80 from Savannah, Ga to San Diego, Ca in the thirties or forties. We plan on joining the Dixie Overland Highway at Columbus, Ga and leaving it in New Mexico to head north to Santa Fe. Among other noteworthy stops is Chunky, Ms. Old map can be found at:
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/us80map2.htm
Any info, experiences with this route would be much appreciated. We plan on taking US 20 around or through major cities and urban areas. We would like to experience that "old road" atmosphere as much as is possible today. Leaving mid September for two or possibly three weeks.
Many thanks...Jack&Rita
RE: Today is "the" Day
Yesterday was indeed more than we expected. The new Pulse and the thirty odd mile drive home went well with just one exception,we both got sore jaws from all that grinning!!
Rita, at 5'3", drove about halfway home and parked it herself, what a Gal!
Thanks to all again for the kindnesses and supportive replies to the OP.
Jack&Rita
RE: Narowowing down my search to Sprinter Chassis
This may not help you much but we took delivery of a 2009 Fleetwood Pulse 24A on the Sprinter chassis yesterday, July 5th. The 30+ mile trip home was so much better than anticipated as far as power, handling and lack of sway on turns was concerned. I stopped about halfway home and let Rita drive it the rest of the way and park it herself. She is 5'3" tall and had no problems driving except to get that grin off her face!
Best to you...Jack&Rita
RE: With My Whole Heart, Thank You for My Freedom!!!
Our heartfelt thanks, does not seem enough, but all we can offer for now. To ALL our service people past and present May the God of your Understanding Bless you and yours.
"FREEDOM IS NOT FREE"
Remember..Red shirt Friday is the Fourth of July.
God Bless America..Jack&Rita
RE: Today is "the" Day
Thank you all for the kind words and gentle blessings, they mean much to us especially the kindness and understanding expressed.
Emzee, so strange that you should suggest the Class C motor home in your post. Strange in the sense that there really do not appear to be any coincidences in this journey we all share, aging, health etc. I went to our RV dealer yesterday morning, after a medical appointment, to pick up the retail value statement of the FW that they had prepared for us. We donated the truck and camper to a local 501c3 charity and needed value documentation.
While at the dealership I noticed several Fleetwood Pulse 24A motor homes on the front lot and inquired about their cost and specs. To make a long story shorter, Rita and I went back to the dealer at about 4:30pm and she "loved" the Pulse, we take delivery on Saturday. I think we'll call this new rv the "Impulsive".
For us "the other door has just opened". Coincidental? We no longer believe in co-incidences, and haven't for some time now.
Take care, God Bless and thanks again...Jack&Rita
Today is "the" Day
Today is the day that I heed Clint Eastwoods' advice form one of his films. "A man needs to know his limitations", now applies to me. Arthritis in hips and spine have finally brought me to the end of our fifth wheel camping experiences. It has been great fun but as Cole Porter said "Just one of those things".
We bid very fond farewell to our Chevy dually and Keystone FW. There are many memorable people, places and adventures that will always be ours because of the camping lifestyle. There are no regrets just a melancholy in passing through this stage of our lives. One door closes but another opens has been part of our life journey for years now. We will still travel but with a different style.
We plan to still "Lurk" here but may not have too much to contribute from now on.
All Take care and God Bless....Jack&Rita
RE: letting the locals in
While camping at a local, for us, Jellystone park with our 7yo grand daughter the management allowed several local day camps in to use the facilities. It is their place and yes, for those looking to attack the op, they can do as they please with it.
However there was absolutely no mention of the facilities being available to the "public", read non campers, posted anywhere in the registration office when we checked in to camp, had there been we would have gone elsewhere. Agreed, "you could have moved on" but we felt that this public usage should have been declared at check in rather than after the fact and after setting up our campsite.
We ended up waiting until the day camp groups went home and then used the facilities. Actually there were so many day campers that the pool and adjacent small lake with the water slide required considerable waits for a turn.
There was management supervision at the lakeside water slide but none visible at the pool area during public day camp use. Food and beverage containers of all types around the concrete pool deck. Way too much rough housing even for a grand parent supervised 7yo to be around.
We did have a nice visit with our grand daughter and did, after day camp hours, enjoy the camp ground and its' many attractions. Would we go back there? Probably not. Did we feel that there was an error of omission by the Park owners by not disclosing their day camp program? Absolutely.
Are we elitist? I wonder if those who participate in these name callings would do so in person, face to face. I seriously doubt it.
Best.. Jack&Rita
RE: 2008 Chevy 1-ton dually Diesel
Eric and Bev,
We traded a 2004 GMC 3500 DRW DA 5spd Allison for our 2008 Chevrolet 3500 DRW DA 6spd Allison a few months back. In MHO there is no comparison. The 2008 is far and above the TV that the 2004 was mainly, MHO again, because of the 6spd Ally. Sixty-five mph with FW intow @ 1600-1700 rpms vs 2000+ with the 2004. We took a chance that this would be an improvement and, for once, we were right.
Only caution is that bed rails on 2008 are higher than 2004. We had to "raise" Moryde hitch to bottom holes for safe clearance.
Good luck with your choice..Jack & Rita
RE: How many of you get a laugh at the Toyota Tundra?
I don't know too much about Toyota trucks but I have seen the commercial(s) you are talking about. When that Toyota passes my Chevy 3500 DRW 4x4 DA towing my Travel Supreme with the same FW I'll be a believer. Until then " Caveat Emptor".
Best... Jack
RE: Higher gas price, less travel?
We are on a fixed income. The cost of fuel has made us reconsider, re-evaluate our plans and priorities. The necessities are the usual basics, food, housing, transportation and must, pretty much, be left unchanged. The rest, new cars, trucks, campers and camping are choices we have to reprioritize. Can we afford to continue as is, yes. Would that be our best choice, probably not.
An example is we had planned a life long desire for an extended trip to the "West" maybe four weeks or more this fall. The modification for this dream trip is not taking the FW and instead taking a more fuel efficient gas burner and watching our lodging and meal expenditures. This "mod" allows us to juggle our costs more effectively than the "known" expense of the diesel for the FW and Dually.
Giving up? No, modifying, yes. The shorter runs, 300-500 miles are still doable, though not as often. Middle class? An interesting concept. Class? Here in the USA? Maybe income brackets are more accurate a term, at least we like that designation better than Class.
Take care and GB...Jack&Rita
RE: Honda gens
We just went to the Honda ES 6500i, it solves the two genset issues very well, is just 4db louder at idle though run time goes down to about 6.5 to 7.0 hrs versus ten or more with the Honda ES 3000i we were using. We keep the gen in the back of the dually and, so far, have had no problems with the gen itself or the location.
Jack&Rita
