Long dry spell

Linda's mother, Mildred, is in the hospital recovering from cancer surgery. After 50 years of smoking unfiltered cigarettes, at 81, she had a 2cm (2/3") stage 2 benign tumor removed. They took out 20% of one lung. She is/was very active and that has prolonged her life as well as stop smoking 10 years ago.
That leads me into the title. Her recovery is going slower that anticipated but she is improving faster now. The 4 of us in El Paso have cancelled our family reunion cruise. The rest are still going to the Mexican Riviera for a week. We won't be seeing our offspring this winter. Linda and Helen can not leave their mother.
I've finished up all the projects on the RV. About the time Mildred should be well enough to care for herself in late Dec. Linda starts federal jury duty in Jan. If she has to call in daily we won't be able to get out in the RV then either. Could be Feb for the next time. Really boring for me. I was so bored today I went for a bike ride. The Sat. riding group is almost dead. Most are too busy or just quit coming. Down to 4-6 guys.
Hoping small RV sells soon. I had to send my daughter money to buy another car after her beloved RSX was totalled when a stupid idiot in a SUV (I hate them and their drivers, especially when the 10 passenger vehicles have 1 person in them!!!) pulled out in front of her. Yes I drive a gas hog, but only on trips when both of us are in it, we actually live in it, pulling a bike, actually going somewhere, driving slow; not to a soccer game alone when a compact car would do!
I may not be posting much until there's more to say.

Ride or RV, OR Both!

For the next 6-12 weeks we won't be going RV'g. In Jan. Linda has to call in weekly for Federal jury duty. We do have the cruise coming up at Thanksgiving. The weather even here is cooling down (40's at night).
I love the idea I can pull a bike behind the RV to ride in different places. I'm about to run out off fixes/projects for the new RV.
The Sat. riding group seems to be dying. The alternative once Jan. is over go more RV'g!!!
We noticed sitting up so high in the RV the view is different, better. We can change it on a whim. Rarely do I hear dogs barking. Kids playing don't bother me. If they do we move.
Long dry spell coming up....

Liking new RV more

I'm so much more relaxed out RVing. Stress is even less. Drives good especially without cross or headwinds.
I like taking the bike to look for new roads, which I found on the west side of Deming.
It wasn't windy at all going both there and back so I know were back getting 10 mpg.
Even with Linda, Helen, Mildred and myself in it, with the slide out, we had plenty of room.
The view was fantastic looking over a 40 mile valley. The 2 sunsets were great. The weather was cool at night (hi-40's) and warm during day (hi-70's).
We were on the side of the Florida mountains and were not real level. I borrowed some 2x4's to help that. First time to use the automatic leveling system for it's intended purpose.
The dash noises are quieter. Everything seems to be working right.
Everyone is very nice in parks, were all there because we want to be. Usually a lot quieter than at the stationary house.

So why RV?

Isn't that a better view than the neighbor's house?
1. It get's ya out of the house.
2. It's something to do.
3. Ya gotta have something to do once you get there, scenery or activity.
4. It cheaper than moteling, if you don't consider the initial cost.
5. Ya won't go even moteling unless you got that expensive thing sitting in the front yard.
6. Park it in a storage area and it won't get used.
7. It keeps you busy loading and unloading it.
8. It will keep ya busy or broke fixing it, remember you have every system in a house and in a vehicle, all in one.
9. It has to be set up ad broke down every move: water, sewer, electric, and prepare the stuff inside so it doesn't roll around.
10. Ya both gotta wanna do it or you'll be doing all the work, it's a 2 person job especially backing up and parking.
11. Forget economy at 6-15 mpg, 35-75 gallon tank, and $3-4 per gallon it's a deep money pit.
12. You could live in it and save on house taxes, utilities, insurance, and maintenance, OH ya, you've got everything on a RV except taxes, but you do have lot rent, daily, weekly or monthly, $200-450/month.
13. It has a moving picture window.
14. NO barking dogs (on the move) and in most parks. I just turn up the A/C if they are.
15. Go back to #1

Well I'm doing it again

I said I wouldn't put as much time, money and effort into this newer RV as the old one. But after spending two weeks in it, it needs a few things to make life a little easier. The audio speakers that came with it are junk so I installed better ones I gave Linda years ago. I tied the DVD, HD Tuner, 5 disc CD into the Amplifier and the newer speakers. I installed my usual hand throttle which holds the throttle constant saving lots of fuel.
By the way, in hilly country do not use the Cruise Control they waste a lot of gas by increasing the throttle uphills and let off too much going downhill. Hold your foot steady.
The lights got left on twice because there is no buzzer telling us they are on with the ignition off. All the cabinets need another coat of varnish. The usual fluid and filters changes are next.
The carpeting is loose on the inside engine cover. Every cabinet door catch was loose.
We replaced the bed, it was lumpy and hard.
It was a rental so to get it back in better shape I will have to do more work. Oh, heck, I need something to keep me busy.