Sunday, December 21, 2008

Steak


Steak
Originally uploaded by RV Bob
Had to get started with grilling outside, too, now that we are full-time RV'ers.

The steaks were good, but it started to rain outside, so we had to enjoy them inside. Needless to say, the cook had to get wet, in order to bring these steaks to perfection.

Central Florida


Car and RV
Originally uploaded by RV Bob
Staying in Bushnell at the Escapees park.

The weather was much better than in Texas, where we received 2 inches of snow. The only problem was those lovely trees, which blocked all possible satellite reception.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Our First Bread


Our First Bread
Originally uploaded by RV Bob
Sandi used to bake weekly in Maui, but it has taken a long time to learn how to make the convection oven work in the motorhome. She has been baking regularly ever since.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Snow-Covered in Texas


Snow-Covered in Texas
Originally uploaded by RV Bob
On Sunday we headed east on I-10, with the Escapee's Livingston (TX) park as a destination. We made the drive in a few days with no problems, overniting at Escapee's parks in New Mexico and Texas. We got to Livingston and checked in to another welcoming Escapee's park.

We parked the coach and took a quick side trip up north in the car to visit Bob's dad for his 94th birthday. When we left Kansas, the temperature was 18 degrees (brrrr...).

The day after we returned to Livingston, we awoke to 2" of snow on the coach. This winter thing was getting way too close.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Alamo and Hotel


Alamo and Hotel
Originally uploaded by RV Bob
December 3, 2008: we stopped in San Antonio and enjoyed walking around the Alamo and the River Walk area. Bought cigars at Finck, and had amazing Tex-Mex at a small roadside stand.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Joshua Trees


Joshua Trees
Originally uploaded by RV Bob
There is a whole "forest" of them along the road between Kingman and Phoenix, Arizona. We caught this image while taking the coach out of Kingman, where they tried to repair our loss of engine coolant. Later, the coach was fixed in Mesa, Arizona.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

On the Flatbed Tow Truck

On the Flatbed Tow Truck
On the Flatbed Tow Truck
Originally uploaded by RV Bob
After returning from Australia in mid-November, we got our coach out of storage, provisioned her, and proceeded to get out of California before we got taxed out of all our retirement.

We departed the Alameda area, and headed to Laughlin, Nevada to spend a few days with our very good friends, Ray and Cathie Bailey. We planned to make the 600 mile drive in two days, but we found ourselves making good time, and elected to do our first night drive, arriving at the Bailey's place about 8 P.M.

We spent several days visiting with them and catching up. They just took delivery of a new Tiffen coach, and it was fun to go through their new toy.

On Sunday, 23 Nov we left Laughlin heading to Phoenix, where we had Mayo Clinic appointments first thing Monday morning. We were just a few miles outside of Bullhead City, heading up the long hill toward Kingman, when we got a low coolant warning and an immediate engine overheat. We pulled off the road and discovered a large pool of coolant under the engine, and decided we weren't going anywhere.

A call to Freightliner (the chassis builder) got a flatbed trailer dispatched, Carpe was loaded aboard, and off she went to the nearest Freightliner dealer in Kingman. We dutifully followed in Carpe Dinkum. We got to the dealership mid afternoon, and got Carpe "checked in" with a promise they'd look for the problem first thing Monday.

We continued to Phoenix in the car, and spent the nite in a motel not far from the Mayo Clinic. Following our morning Mayo tests, we heard from Kingman, where they found the problem to be a coolant hose leak in the coach part (not the engine or chassis). They shut the connection between the coach and engine, refilled the coolant, and declared us good to go.

So, we got in the car and drove back to Kingman. We spent the night in the Freighliner parking lot, and hit the road about 0500 Tuesday. We had no problem, and arrived at the Winnebago dealer in Mesa about noon. They quickly found the problem to be a split hose connecting the engine coolant to the hot water heater. They managed to fix it, along with a few of the many outstanding warranty problems, but due to the short (Thanksgiving) week, most of the warranty items didn't get fixed. In addition, they managed to track anti freeze in the coach, staining most of the carpeting.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Wine Grapes


Wine Grapes
Originally uploaded by RV Bob
September 20, 2008: Cabernet grapes in Sandi's hand. We were visiting some wineries in the Livermore Valley with friends who operate a winery there. We were just about to leave on our Australia cruise, and were doing some visiting and preparations.

Wine and Diamonds


Wine and Diamonds
Originally uploaded by RV Bob
September 20, 2008: we stopped for a while in Pleasanton before our Australia cruise. During the visit, we saw some friends who have a winery in the Livermore area. This shot was taken during our wine tour, as we had lunch.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Ready to Hook Up


Ready to Hook Up
Originally uploaded by RV Bob
We were trying to drive to Oakland, California. Near San Rafael, on the freeway 101, our brakes quit. Turns out we lost all air in the air brake system.

The tow man was very helpful. He found that all our brake lines were loose, and we had lost the air through the fittings. He tightened up all the fittings (which should have been done correctly at the factory), and we were on our way again. Whew!

Monday, September 8, 2008

Forest Fog

Forest Fog by RV Bob
Forest Fog, a photo by RV Bob on Flickr.
Taken on the approach to Cape Meares lighthouse along the Oregon Coast.

This area was wonderful, and we want to see it again.

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Long Beach, Washington

Long Beach, Washington by RV Bob
Long Beach, Washington, a photo by RV Bob on Flickr.
We visited this town for a few days.

Sandi agreed to pose at the big entrance sign.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Cape Disappointment Lighthouse

Cape Disappointment Lighthouse by RV Bob
Cape Disappointment Lighthouse, a photo by RV Bob on Flickr.
We visited this area during our travels through Washington state.

This area has the lighthouse, the US Coast Guard training for roll-over surf boats, and the Fort Canby historical site.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Ahrens-Fox Fire Engine

Ahrens-Fox Fire Engine by RV Bob
Ahrens-Fox Fire Engine, a photo by RV Bob on Flickr.
Taken in the Aberdeen Museum, Aberdeen, Washington.

Bob visited the museum to learn what they had regarding the Spruce Squadrons during the First World War.

Don't know about the Spruce history? Check out:

Spruce website

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Hoquiam River and Picnic Table

Hoquiam River and Picnic Table by RV Bob
Hoquiam River and Picnic Table, a photo by RV Bob on Flickr.
The setting at the Hoquiam River RV Park was very nice. They were right next to the river. There were picnic tables and park benches near the river, in order to enjoy the beauty.

Friday, August 8, 2008

Spokane, Washington


Shield With Harp
Originally uploaded by RV Bob
We visited friends in this area. Our visit included lunch at the Davenport Hotel in downtown. The architecture is amazing, and the food was great. It was wonderful seeing Betsy again.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Big Sky and Old Faithful


Big Sky and Old Faithful
Originally uploaded by RV Bob
As we traveled further north, we stopped at Yellowstone National Park. The scenery was spectacular, and we enjoyed a cooler climate in the high elevations.

We stayed in West Yellowstone, and the park was very comfortable.

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Idaho Spud


Idaho Spud
Originally uploaded by RV Bob
As we headed for West Yellowstone, going north from Utah, I snapped this photo of a candy bar and our dashboard. Ah, taking a road trip!

Friday, August 1, 2008

Zion Peaks


Zion Peaks
Originally uploaded by RV Bob
We visited Zion for a day. The scenery is wonderful.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Sunset in Phoenix


Sunset
Originally uploaded by RV Bob
It was trying to rain. Often you get the most spectacular photos when the weather is bad.

It was over 100 degrees F in Phoenix as we hit the road in our new motorhome.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Grand Canyon: View from Lookout Studio


The View from Lookout Studio
Originally uploaded by RV Bob
At the Grand Canyon. The temperatures were much milder than in Nevada. We enjoyed staying in Williams, Arizona, including a visit to Rod's Steak House.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Ready to Store


Ready to Store
Originally uploaded by RV Bob
One of the first photos we took as we started our motorhome adventures. We had to load lots of boxes of tools and belongings into this coach. This was taken in Laughlin, Nevada, as the temperature soared to 117 F.

Teddy Driver


Teddy Driver
Originally uploaded by RV Bob
Taken during the first week we were in the motorhome. The bear wanted to drive, but we decided to do it ourselves.

During this first week, we were in Laughlin, Nevada, and the temperatures were in the high 110's (F).

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Laughlin Sunset


Laughlin Sunset
Originally uploaded by RV Bob
One of our first camping stops: Laughlin, Nevada. Only drawback was that the temperature hovered around 110+ F.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Casino RV Park


Casino RV Park
Originally uploaded by RV Bob
Taken at our first real RV camping adventure. This was the RV lot for the casino in Laughlin, Nevada.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Our New MotorHome


Our New MotorHome
Originally uploaded by RV Bob
The photo that started it all. Taken in Las Vegas as we finalized the purchase. We actually set out on our adventures in July.