On Our Way

Our Trip 2010
Our plan was to leave on Nov. 1St, 2010 but we didn't leave until Sat. Nov. 13th. We had two minor complications; Jane had a minor medical issue which had to be resolved prior to leaving and we were notified that the could be a problem with the trailer where the wheels may not be compatible with the axle. As it turned out, Jane's Dr. Gave us the green light to travel and on inspection with a RV mechanic our wheels and axle are a match. We planned for our trip to start Sat. AM, up at 2AM and on the road by 3:30AM. This we did.

Saturday, Nov. 13th
Start: 228,666 Km (555Km)
11:30 to 6:30PM (7hrs)
As we pulled out we noticed we had very little brakes, pedal to the floor. We took it easy and arrived in Beaverton around 4AM and pulled into Aces Auto Repair and slept till 7AM. Aces never opened and Tanners didn't want to touch us. I called Randy Skinner, got him out of his warm bed, explained our plight and asked for his help. His shop (Skinners Auto Repair) is closed Saturdays. He promised to check our brakes at around 8AM. He found a break in one of the lines and was able to repair it while we waited, what a great guy. Needless to say we were a bundle of nerves at that time and nervously pulled away....unfortunately the trailer wasn't hitched properly ?????? don't ask my how or why, everything seemed to be okay....except me, I guess. The trailer crashed down onto the side panels of the truck bed and did some damage. Re-hooked and went for breakfast, I couldn't eat as I just wanted to throw up.
We left Beaverton at 11:30 AM
We crossed the boarder in Sarnia, without incident, and travelled to the first Cracker Barrel at about 6:30 PM. We stayed the night in their parking lot, with their permission, had a hearty breakfast and were on our way.
Marco Polo, our senior shaped, whined for the whole 7 hour trip, 636 Km.

Sunday, Nov. 14th
Start: 229,221 Km (717Km)
9:30 to 6:30 (9hrs)
A nice sunny and cool day. We did have a close call, we locked all 8 wheels for skid stop, some damn tourist didn't know which way to go and stopped on the HWY?? Must have been from Canada, LOL. Jane and I have been screaming at each other too!
We stayed the night at another Cracker Barrel, with permission. We had dinner and a breakfast

before leaving in the morning.
Marco Polo whined for the whole 9 hrs and I had a restless night, nightmares, stress and strain, not my normals self.

Monday, Nov, 15th
Start: 229,938 Km (440 Km)
9:30 to 4:30 (7 hrs)
We started South onto The Natches Trace Parkway from Nashville Tn
An uneventful trip, sunny and cool.The good news is that Marco slept most of the day.
We stayed at Natchez State Park en-route. A beautiful park, pull through site with an awesome view.
We decided to stay two nights.

Tuesday, Nov. 16th
A Rest Day. Cool, quiet, rainy and overcast . A good day to relax.

Wednesday, Nov. 17th
Start:230,378 Km (479Km)
10:00 to 8:00 (10 hrs)
Quick stop for food and fuel and back onto the natchez Pkwy. The Pkwy is very scenic and slow which was great for us. We stopped at a few Historical Sites and a local Craft Gallery






John Gordon Home & Lodge Jeff Busby Historical Site Jeff Busby Natural Campsite

Natchez State Park was closed and being dark at 6PM couldn't find a site I was able to pull into safely. Had to get back onto the Pkwy and hope that we didn't hit a deer (lots in the area). We travelled to Natchez, a Historical Town, crossed the Natchez bridge into Louisiana and found a nice spot in Riverview RV Park on the shores of the mightyMississippi.
Marco Polo was much better today, must be getting use to traveling. Both dogs have been amazing with all the adjustments they have to make in their lifestyle. We are doing much better, less screaming and more team work. My GPS is broken, but Jane thinks she packed hers'.

Thursday, Nov. 18th
Rest Day on the shores of the Mississippi River. A nice boardwalk along the River and lots to see. The day was overcast and cooler than yesterday.

Friday, Nov. 19th
Start: 230,857Km (274 Km) 12 oC
10:00 to 3:00 (5 hrs)
Stayed overnight at Quiet Oaks RV Park, Kinder, La
A quiet off road park with large drive through grass sites, perfect for an overnight stay.



Saturday, Nov. 20th
Start: 231,131Km (499 Km) 13 oC
8:30 to 5:30 (9 hrs)
Sun and clouds, first warm day. Stopped at a seedy place on Hwy 35 Texas, near Hwy 36 (Rockford).

Sunday, Nov. 21th
Start: 231,630 Km (290 Km)
9:00 to 3:00 (6 hrs)
Very hot day and overcast too. Afternoon was blue sky and even hotter. Nice pleasant drive on Hwy 35, missed our planned stop and stayed at Colonia del Rey, Corpus Christie, Tx. Decided to stay 2 to 4 days. Settled on 3 days. Nice RV Site, a little expensive for what they offer.


Monday, Nov. 22nd
Rest Day. Vacuumed, laundry and shopping.
Brought Daisy to doggie spa for a few hours. She wasn't impressed, she felt that we abandoned her but forgave us on our return.





Tuesday, Nov. 23rd
Rest Day.

Wednesday, Nov. 24th
Start: 231,920 Km (255 Km)
9:oo to 12 Noon (3 hrs)
Arrived at First Colony RV Resort as planned, did not like what we saw, did a 'u' turn and went across the road to FUN N SUN, and booked in for a full week. Most impressed Rv Resort. Everyone is so friendly and came for a short stay and stayed, many bought onsite mobile homes. Park models or just parked and stayed. Nice central Texas location. We will be sorry to leave.

Thursday, Nov. 25Th – Thanksgiving Festivities on Site

Get Ready, Get Set, almost a go!!!

Hello everyone, the 1st of Nov. is near (So is Halloween).
Complication, there are always complications, aye!! We just got a recall that there maybe a bearing problem on our rig so we have to check that out this week.
We have been parked at our lot just outside of Kirkfield since Oct. 7th, we are hooked up to 15 amp service and water, toilet facilities are available in the store or Chip Truck, we can shower and pee BUT no (do do's) as we can't dump the black waste. We are managing okay, just blowing the odd fuse on these cool nights.
We are pre-booked in Texas for the Month of Dec. and pre-booked in Arizona for the months of Feb & March.
Had a chance to say good bye to most of our friends and nearby relatives.
We will be using this 'min notebook' with a built in rocket stick for our journey. Jane has her iPhone programed for US and Canada and I have locked out my phone till the spring. Jane's no is 705-328-6562.
That's all for now folks!

One step forward for the McN's

The house is sold and the closing date is Sept. 10th so it doesn't give us much time to liquidate the balance of our furniture. We have moved most personal essentials to the trailer but there is still lots to do.
Jane has invited all our neighbours, friends and family to drop by and purchase anything that would fulfill a want or a need. The results have been very successful and more to visit next week.
My tools and things that I brought to Balsam Station to sell has slowed down. I can't complain as I moved quite a bit over the Summer. Still have 2 computers, tools and some antiques up for grabs.
I will be bringing more 'stuff' to Balsam Station and the trailer during this week. Our freezer is still 1/2 full so we better eat up and get fat, LOL!
It now looks like a Southern trip will become a reality. It is amazing on how everything is following into place little by little.
We have the option of storing some stuff in the garage at Balsam Station and then perhaps bring in an Auctioneer or something.

Sale of Home & Update

We are into early August and still liquidating excess holdings. Last week we finally spent one full day and two nights at the trailer park. Animal orientation went real well, both dogs seem to be adjusting to the surroundings real easy for which we are pleased.
Two weeks ago we received and acceptable 'Conditional' offer on our home. Today we found out that the buyer received an acceptable offer with minor standard conditions. Seems like the next step is about to happen.
We have been moving personal effects to the trailer and into our new storage shed. The storage shed was built and delivered by local Mennonites.
Tomorrow we are off to the trailer for a few more days. I am working my Chip Truck Fri. to Sun., I have an experience lady running it Mon. true Thurs. which gives me my first Summer break in 7 years. We both work on Sunday which is our busiest day of the week.

Liquidating

Ouch! This hurts. Being seniors we have accumulated a lot of stuff. What helps is 'that if I haven't seen/needed/wanted' this in the last year then why am I keeping it.
It has been (is) a slow process. Our house has not sold yet so the remaining furniture has to remain. We have distributed a lot of small stuff to local flea market which gives you minimal return. The larger stuff went to used furniture/antique shops which gives you a better return but turns over slower. Garage sales have been very successful with decent returns, selling mostly tools and house hold maintenance items. Sales have slowed down once items have been picked over, time to lower prices again.

Falling into place

May 1st, 2010:
While out checking on camp site possibilities we ran across a 5vr with truck for sale. We were warned about buying private, but we stopped to inquire anyway. The couple, mid 70's, have developed health issues and have to be monitored frequently thus have to give up RV'g. They have not camped for the past 2 years. They gave us a tour and to our amazement this 'showroom' condition 5vr was a 2005 model, a 39' Glendale 'Titanium' with a towing length of 34'. We bonded with this couple as if we could be great friends forever. We thanked them, told our story, and said that we are interested but we were not ready to buy.
May 2nd, 2010:
I checked out all I could find on Glendale and 'Titanium' and found that they are ranked 5th out of all RV manufacturers. The 1999 Ford F350 Lariat with a 7.3 Lt Diesel has 220,000 Km and is capable of another 400,000 if the body will hold. The body does not have a scratch on it and like the trailer is in showroom condition. Jane was out on calls that day and dropped in to see a trailer park that she saw. She called me immediately to say she found the 'one', I met her there and viewed the 'Resort' with her, chose a site and agreed with her choice.
May 3rd, 2010:
We bought the truck and trailer combo and booked a site, all with a deposit 'to hold' until we sell our home.

This all happening to fast and to easy, someone must be looking down on us.....again.
Thank you Dear Lord!
PS: Jane ran across a great deal on a corell setting for 8 for $75.00 and it was in one of her preferred patterns, this is getting scare!!!!

Steps to Liquidation

First it is important to 'stage' your home before you put your home on the market. That means that you have to make it look clean, simple and inviting.
To do that you have to remove all your personal pictures, stuff and clutter. We painted the whole house in soft neutral colours to make it inviting and larger looking. We painted the front concrete porch and washed all the exterior windows, first impressions are lasting impressions, so we have to make everything look good.
We have a lot of excess furniture, pictures, collectibles and keepsakes out on consignment with antique shops and used furniture/collectibles shops. The house is down to the bare bones, clean and inviting, just waiting for that special Mr. and Mrs. buyer.
All that stuff that we have been carting around for 50 years and never knew we had has now disappeared and believe it or not we didn't shed a tear. Our curb is loaded every garbage pickup day. The garage, OMG! has yet to be tackled. I shouldn't have to much trouble selling off my tools and I have lots from my Handyman business days.
Somehow I'm going to find a spot for my 24" iMac, no crummy little laptop for me....I could get over ruled by the boss though, LOL!
It is a tough and long process but by taking it one room at a time, one project at a time and one day at a time we are slowly getting to were we want to be at this stage of our adventure.
Next: Our next challenge, what to do first after it sells???