Deadlines....

Yes, I know I promised to update you on the month of July and so far have only made it through the first week. But I currently have another priority in my life. Losing weight. LOTS of weight.

It all started a year ago when I bought this cute little Class C motorhome. Fell in love with her and she became my Lily Pad. She was SO spacious inside...lots of room to move around. When I got home I loaded up what I THOUGHT was 80% of my stuff (turned out to be more like 40%) and headed to the Escapade in Goshen, IN. While there, I got her weighed. Good to go...little heavy on the right side & the rear but not overweight at all.

I spent the next month moving the last items into the rig and took off, fat - dumb - happy. I added an auto-satellite dish to the roof, airbags, changed out the TV, got a new microwave, toilet & tires and added a full solar setup with SIX 12 volt batteries. Still fat, dumb & happy.

In March I attended the Tuscon RV Life on Wheels and opted to get weighed again. Truth be told, I DIDN'T want to get weighed but Rick Lang from RVSEF convinced me that even though I knew I was fat, dumb & happy, I needed to find out by how much. LOL! Oh boy, what a shocker. My right side was still heavy but not as much as I expected since I had done a little work in moving weight to the left side after the initial weighing. My overall weight was about 700# over but the scary thing was the rear was about 1200# over while the front was light.

So, a lot of the month I spent in Tucson was occupied with getting rid of STUFF. At least three totes of clothes were cleaned out, lots of miscellaneous stuff, and I was feeling good. I felt I had made great strides towards losing weight in the rear and smaller strides towards moving the weight to the front (hey, I DID move my firesafe to the passenger area...it's heavy!). Once again, fat - dumb - happy.

Fast forward to July and the Escapade and I once again get weighted. I knew I had way too much paperwork in totes so I moved all that to the car. I already had my lounger in the car as well as the duffels with all my motorcycle gear. I thought I was good to go! (Needless to say I hadn't factored in the new spare propane tank and gas grill stored in the back of the rig....gulp!)

I was still fat but not dumb and NOT happy. I had only managed to lose 100# overall. That seemed impossible but the scales don't lie. My rear was still over and the front under but the ratio was better....a little. This meant I really needed to buckle down and tackle all my STUFF.

Because there isn't a thrift shop in the small town of White Sulphur Springs, I wasn't sure what I would do with it all. Several things have happened as I have tackled the de-stuffing of the Lily Pad. First, my middle daughter called and proudly told me she had lost weight...okay, goodly portion of clothing clean out goes to her.

Then the campground owner told me the local high school was doing a garage sale fund raiser the middle of August. Phew! So whatever the other workampers don't' nab (and they have been VERY helpful in reducing the pile outside my RV) will go to the high school kids. (Well, except for a few things listed on eBay.... )

THAT is where the deadline comes in....I need to be done before this week is out. Thus every spare minute has been taken up with sorting out STUFF. I still have several areas to tackle but the storage bins are done as well as the kitchen, bathroom and 85% of the bedroom.

Just so you know I am still taking time to ENJOY....here is a progression of the sunset view we had last night after some major storms in the area. It finally got too dark for a good photo (my best camera is in for warranty repairs) but believe me, the sky looked like it was on fire. Gorgeous!



Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

Addicted to Dust

Yes, I made it to Quartzsite and I have been having a ball, thus the lack of a blog for several days (well, that and boondocking with limited generator time).

Harvey and I took a slight detour on our way to Q and hit a Super Wal-Mart. It had been a while since I had stocked up and my list had been growing. We got on I-10 East for 4 miles and got off in Buckeye, AZ. This had to have been the largest Wal-Mart I have been in to date. It had everything I needed and more....LOL!

We hit the road and found our Escapees SOLO folks around 3 pm. Everyone had a good laugh at my looking for "pull-through" parking. Needless to say, we could pretty well pick our spot. Nicely level, far enough from other rigs so my generator wouldn't bother them and was good to go. Well, except it was COLD...much colder than I expected thanks to the wind (we had been fighting it for about the last 50 miles of driving).

There is no way to remember all that has gone on so I will hit the highlights, thus far, in list form:

1. Had Hobo Stew* with the other members of the Full-Time Graduating Class of 2007. What a wild, wonderful, wacky group of folks. The stew was DELICIOUS! Wish I could have spent more time with them but they are 12-15 miles away on the other side of Quartzsite. I know I will see many of them on the road over the next year or two.
   *Take whatever meet, canned goods, etc that you can find, mix it all together and simmer for as long as it takes. Then you've got Hobo Stew. Some of the best ingredients are beef, sausage, chicken, corn, potatoes, tomatoes, green beans, carrots...you get the idea.
   
2. I've eaten in a couple of local restaurants, courtesy of several friends.
   
3. I've seen every variety of camper - I won't even attempt to name them all but wow, what a variety - types, styles, brands, sizes, classics, homemade and more.
   
4. I've had my first (and definitely not my last) meal cooked in a solar oven. What a wonderful way to cook. I see one of these in my future....much easier and cheaper than using a conventional oven. YUM! With the prices in propane rising and the cost of using my generator to run the microwave, this would actually be a cost effective item (and would would involve healthier eating).
   
5. I got out to meet some of the local folks - dinner time at The Yacht Club. Great people, love the quirky flavor here (yup, I'm definitely a fan of quirky). Convinced me that I need to exercise more to get my back, hips & knees back into the groove of dancing. Good band, too!
6. I've seen beautiful sunrises and sunsets...photos to follow...almost every day.
7. I've met other RVers who also travel with a motorcycle as their "toad".
8. I sat in front of, behind, beside, all around multiple campfires - moving as needed to lose the smoke and keep my voice! (Someone asked if that was why my nickname was Froggi...)
9. I've learned that I have to remember to turn off my propane heater for the day or in 4 hours my generator won't charge the batteries enough to keep the heater firing all night long....even when set at 60 degrees.
10. Solar is definitely in my future....but I am much more comfortable boondocking than I expected and that is a good thing!
    

Here are some random photos taken so far....



As a friend posts in his blog....I am having TOO MUCH FUN!

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

Froggi's NEW Lily Pad

tioga000
Originally uploaded by Froggi Donna

Yup, I put down a deposit on a motorhome today. I hope to be able to get it within the next week to 10 days. I'm so excited!!

It's a 1999 Fleetwood Tioga, 26', has the Ford V-10 Triton engine and is on the Ford F-450 chassis which gives me over 2800# of carry capacity and 5000# of tow capacity. It has new Pergo floors, new tires and batteries, hydraulic levelers, ducted air, generator, backup camera, two awnings, Banks exhaust system and about 57k miles on it.

Now I get to sell my car, call Enterprise and drive down to FL pick it up. I will spend a couple days in a neighboring campground and they will fix anything that comes up during that first outing.

If this link works, you should be able to see photos of it.

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

RV Search Update

Morning everyone....

Well, I went to look at the Holiday Rambler yesterday. After getting lost (Microsoft Streets & Trips missed a vital turn) and getting found (thank you Mr. Garmin), I finally arrived. Chatted with the owner for a bit, nice guy who races dirt bikes and now wants to move to a toy hauler.

Several things concerned me, some fixable (front A/C not cooling as well as it should), some offensive (really musty odor, might have to pull the carpet & recover windows/furniture), some uncomfortable (it was very close to the size of our old one which was comfortable for two without feeling crowded, realistically more than I need or want) and some potentially really bad (signs of possible delamination around a window with ceiling fabric sagging inside). So I'm going to pass on this....it just doesn't feel right.

I really think my starter home needs to be a Class C to help me through the learning process. The house will eventually sell and I can upgrade then. This means no solar and I won't add it until I have an RV I plan on keeping, the expense is WAY to much for that.

So I'm still looking but won't be today since I have three appointments - one at the veterinarian's, two to pick up furniture I'm selling.

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

Bittersweet Day...New Beginnings

Today was bittersweet....my Harley-Davidson Softail Deluxe went home with his new owner today. She is a lady rider friend and is already in love with him (although he may morph into a her, she says). I was fine until it came time for them to actually drive off....I had to turn away and walk into the house.

But this provides the money for the purchase of my starter RV. I have found one locally that I am quite interested in and have made an appointment to see it tomorrow after work. If I like what I see then it will go to a local outfit for a complete inspection (my expense - should run around $350, well worth it).

So, it's beginning to look like I'll have an RV by the end of this month. Talk about exhilarating, scary, exciting, terrifying.....LOL! What intimidates me the most is driving it...I know if I need help with hookups, backing up, etc., there will be folks to help when I am in a campground. Until I get solar added (probably at Quartzite this January), I won't be boondocking as much as I plan to eventually. I will have a generator but that adds to my gas expense.

Oh, I digressed....intimidated by driving.....fortunately I have a neighbor and my real estate agent's husband who both drive motorhomes as well as three truck driver friends (2 retired, 1 still working). I just have to find a safe place to practice.

So things are on track for my being in Goshen, IN at the Fall Escapade held by the Escapees. Several days of education, information, vendors, friends and more!

Watch for another update tomorrow after I look at the motorhome!

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

Step by step, Closer and closer...

I'm inching forward....step by step, closer and closer to getting on the road. It looks like my Harley, Rex, will be leaving for his new home on Wednesday afternoon. It will be a bittersweet moment...I am very glad he's going to someone I know, a lady rider at that. But he will be tremendously missed.

So I spent the morning cleaning out all the bags on the bike, figuring out what stayed and what went with him. This meant I started looking at accessorizing Squirt, my new BMW. First thing I noticed was that where I am used to lots of metal and chrome, Squirt is plastic (often referred to as Tupperware ). This is one reason he's so lightweight as compared to the Harley.

My little wristband frog rattle fit on my handlebars just fine. I found that the sides of the license plate holder were metal so I got to put my two small ribbons (USA Troops & Breast Cancer) on either side. I put my little biker frog on the very back of my luggage rack and fastened him down with two tie-wraps (zip-ties as some call them). Then I took my frog riding bell that was a gift and found a spot on the BMW for it.

I realized that I am going to need some type of tank or tail bag to carry the little things like sunglasses, lip balm, registration/insurance, wipes, sun screen, etc. On the Harley I had a good sized pocket on my tank panel as well as a windshield bag. Both were very convenient and easy to get into while riding. I spent a little time online looking at bags....boy, cheap isn't in THAT vocabulary! LOL!

Anyway, now that the bike is selling I will make an appointment to see the 33' Holiday Rambler here in town. If I like it, then will get professional inspection done and go from there. It is a bit larger than I want so I will still look for a Class C in the 25-30' range...so far they have all been cheapies, only fit for a weekend trip for a bunch of guys on a binge (be it hunting, NASCAR or beer....LOL!)

So watch for more updates this week....things are moving quickly now! (OMG, I'm trying to NOT have a panic attack about everything that still needs to be done!).

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

POTGPOTT vs ATGATT

POTGPOTT vs ATGATT - alphabet soup? Not for riders in the know (well, at least the ATGATT, I made up the other one...).

ATGATT = All The Gear, All The Time
thus
POTGPOTT = Part Of The Gear, Part Of The Time

I started out riding five years ago as a POTGOTT rider. As a new rider in Florida, I wore full-finger gloves, jeans, over the ankle boots and a shorty helmet...all the time. Hmmm, guess that really made a POTGAOTT. In summer it was too hot to wear a jacket and what the heck, I got nicely tanned arms.

I'd been riding a year when I participated in the Pony Express Relay for Breast Cancer, sponsored by the Women's Motorcyclist Foundation (WMF). I decided to do the entire Eastern Trail which went from the opening ceremony in Orlando, FL to the closing ceremony in New York City....and we got there via Chicago (imagine a group of 100+ riders going through Chicago twice in one day!).

This experience was life changing in many ones, one of which was my introduction to first, the wonderful founders of the WMF, Gin & Sue, as well as all the staff riders and second, The Motorcycle Tourer's Forum. Both were wonderful sources of education and information about motorcycling safely.

This meant learning how to ride safely in a group, doing day after day of riding, discovering protective riding gear and why it should be worn. My gear on the ride and then my solo return home, typically consisted of my requisite jeans, shorty DOT helmet, full-finger gloves, over the ankle riding boots, combined with a lightweight mesh shirt (this was in August) and topped off with a Draggin' Jeans Kevlar shirt (my pre-ride concession to the "what ifs" of an accident). Once I returned home to FL, it was POTGPOTF, meaning the helmet might get shed at times. (Hey, accidents happen to OTHER people, right?)

Since then, four more years and 55,000 miles on the road have made me a bit wiser. Too many friends, friends of friends and relatives of friends have been in accidents...that hits close to home. When I toured the country in 2005 after my husband's death, I went ATTGATT (okay, we won't count that 1 mile jog from the hotel to the Harley dealer on a hot Arizona afternoon when I left the helmet in the room Joe Rocket Alter Ego. It was textile but panels zipped off to expose a mesh base....perfect for those hot temperatures. So that was added to the closet...and it worked out great. I bought it a size too large on purpose, that let me layer a good fleece jacket underneath.

I have also graduated to a 3/4 helmet (which was a full helmet back in the 60's & 70's before full-faced helmets). I have trouble with helmets...I wear an XS and most dealers don't carry that in stock because of the limited demand. Imagine my surprise (and glee) at finding a gorgeous 3/4 helmet in my size at 50% off...at the Harley-Davidson dealer in Albuquerque. Normally I wouldn't have taken a second look, but in this case I had, just the day before, endured 3 hours in bone-chilling temperatures as I rode from Las Vegas, NM to Albuquerque where I had an appointment for my 1k service.

That helmet is now such a favorite that I ordered a replacement online way before I knew I would need it....in fact, once I bought that I never used the shorty on the trip again. I've found that even a black 3/4 helmet (this one has a flip face shield) is cooler than a white shorty helmet...except if you are in city stop and go traffic.

When I decided to go RVing last year, I sold off a lot of motorcycle gear I didn't use. That meant the Joe Rocket Alter Ego went on the block along with several other items. I added some new gear, most in pink to be more visible. I wasn't planning on longer rides but just in case I kept the black textile jacket & both the mesh and textile over-pants.

Now that I'm evaluating everything once again....I've sold off several jackets and ordered a NEW JR Alter Ego. This one is red & black (rather than the almost all black of the old one) and in my normal size. I know that once you go ATGATT you never go back.

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

First an apology for my OOPS.....

I know I need to simplify....how do I know? Because I keep doing dumb things....at home, at work, driving the car, working on the computer, paying bills (actually NOT paying bills), etc. Yesterday was a big OOPS at work (my apologies to the lady I talked into letting her house be shown in 45 minutes after our phone call - she wanted 24 hr notice - turns out it was the wrong house - OOPS).

Tonight my OOPS was emailing a update to all my family & friends and NOT sending it BCC (meaning everyone's address is shown - something I detest doing). Guess I was subconsciously showing why I need to move my updates here. So I'm extending my abject apology to the masses who got blasted tonight...OOPS!

Okay, now for the life in general update for everyone else who bothers to read my blathering here (I promise it will get more interesting soon....).

The house is still getting shown but no offers...have another showing tomorrow afternoon. Keeping fingers crossed that something happens soon but know it will sell when the right person sees it. I've sold several furniture items, a bunch of motorcycle gear and am slowly sorting through things for eBay, keeping, storing, donating & trashing.

I think the Harley is sold....the good news is that he will go to a lady rider friend of mine. She relocated from GA to eastern TN last year. I'll know more next week.

I'm still looking at RVs for sale....vacillating between Class C (probably too small for me but great for boondocking) and Class A (more room but less built for back roads & out of the way boondocking). There is a nice Class A for sale here locally. Good news is that it's in my price range, appears to be in good shape AND already has a motorcycle carrier on the back. Bad news is that it's 3' longer than the maximum I had set for myself. I'll be looking at it next week, unless it's sold first.

I plan on doing a lot of boondocking (hopefully) both to save money on campsites (gotta love fixed incomes) and to be able to see more out of the way places. The photos and stories on several blogs I follow have made me realize that THIS is one of the main reasons I want to be on the road. Sort of a female Charles Kuralt...well, in my mind anyway.

My final day at work will be 8/30...then the serious fun (?) begins. I will be attending the Escapade in Goshen, IN from about Sept 7-14th. I may be in an RV (mine or rented) or a hotel...looks like it will be last minute planning on that.

My to do list is huge...all the little details that still have to be done. It's really hard to pin down everything, some days I feel like I have accomplished a lot, other days I feel like I've added three items to the list and only crossed off one. Part of the problem is every time I think of something, I jot it down. I now have a PILE of jotted down items....time to compile one list and set priorities and deadlines (hopefully the last deadlines I'll have to worry about ).

I know it will all fall together...eventually. I am really looking forward to simplifying things, getting on the road and taking things slowly....one sunrise & sunset at a time.

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

P.S. if you currently use a blog reader, I hope you'll add this blog to your list. If you haven't started using a blog reader I highly recommend the Google Reader. It's free and it's the easiest one I've found to use. You can toggle the display from ALL blogs to UPDATED blogs. You can also set up folder and sort them that way. I currently have 46 blogs marked and most days only a few have updates, this way it's not overwhelming PLUS I don't miss an update on a friend's blog.

Early morning ramblings....

The sound of thunder woke me around 2 am....after 15 minutes or so of listening to it, I stumbled out of bed and unplugged the computer. [Note to self - backup files ASAP] Hit the bathroom and then tumbled back into bed, sure I would fall right back to sleep.

NOT! Seems as though yesterday's news about the house sale falling in was going to be a major impediment to falling back asleep. After laying there for an hour, wide awake, I got up. Thus you now find me at the keyboard...

I love the sound of thunder but especially when mixed with the sound of rain. When Mike and I owned our cabin in PA, we enjoyed hearing the rain on the tin roof over our pavilion. It soothed us both. Rainy days never depressed me, they always seemed to be call for curling up in a comfy chair with a good book and a soothing drink.

There are many simple pleasures that bring me joy....hearing a baby laugh, watching children play with puppies, seeing a pretty sunrise or sunset (although I have to admit to seeing many more sunsets than sunrises), hearing a passing motorcycle, feeling the sun warm me on a chilly day, sharing time with family and friends, seeing a bluebird or cardinal or hummingbird or even listening to doves cooing in the back yard. I love the smell of strawberries, cinnamon and vanilla....they all make me smile. Baking bread is feel good smell. Watching a "feel good" movie always helps my spirits - love to see the underdog come out on top.

Guess I'm a simple person with simple tastes that allow me to enjoy simple pleasures.

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

Late at night....or is it early in the morning?

What am I doing up at one in the morning? Heck if I know....I was tired at 9:00 but didn't go to bed. So here I am now, on my second wind and wide awake. How much do you want to bet someone will call me before 9 am...how do I know? Because it's already happened twice this week.

I never was a morning person...much prefer to stay up late and then sleep in. Now that I'm working most of the day on sorting out what stuff I will keep, what I will send to the kids, what I will sell and what goes in the trash, I find my evenings are spent searching for the perfect "wheel estate" for me. Well, here are some late night/early morning ramblings....

You know what that means...more indecision. This was the week of the diesel pusher....found several nice ones. Then I started reading about the expensive maintenance, the additional pre-sale inspections and I started to get nervous about it. So, do I now go back to looking at gas motorhomes and hope I can find one that will allow me to mount a lift on the back? Do I keep researching toy haulers and hope I can find a decent used one-ton truck? It truly seems there is no perfect solution so I will keep attempting to make the decision that is MOST right for me.

The good news is that I've made good progress on the yard sale sorting....the kitchen is 90% done, the shed is 95% done, the garage is 99% done and the attic is 100% done. Gee, that only leaves the living room, dining room, utility room, two bedrooms, 5 closets and one office. In addition, a lot of the furniture has been sold, at least the major pieces - still have small pieces (misc tables, chairs, etc.) with my bedroom set, the dining room hutch, living room entertainment center and the washer and dryer being the bigger pieces left to sell.

More and more local folks are hearing the news about my selling the house and hitting the road in an RV. Most are impressed, I just don't understand that. To me it's just living life....always keeping something to look forward to up ahead. I'm really getting excited and look forward to getting on the road. It's really hard deciding what I'll keep since I don't know the configuration of my new home. But worst case, I'll store it or sell it at the last minute.

If you've never been in any type of motorhome or travel trailer, you may not realize how little wall space there is for hanging pictures and photos (in addition to the problems of keeping them hanging). But I have a couple of special things that will get hung - one way or another.

The first is a sign I saw in a catalog and I just knew it was meant for me - I've uploaded a photo of it. The second is one I will treasure forever. It is a custom painting done for my by my neighbor, a beautiful landscape of the Tennessee mountains with her trademark unusual tree in the forefront. On the back she put a photo of her and her husband. Tennessee will always be a very special place for me.

I've been thinking about the little things - sitting out under the awning watching the birds and squirrels play while I read. Meeting new folks from all over the country. Visiting family and old friends as I travel. Taking things slower....slowing down....relaxing.....smelling the roses.

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

Waiting is good....really!

Waiting is a good thing, honest it is. I find that it is making me really evaluate what I need vs. what I want in my motorhome. I know that I can easily live in a 30' version but I also know that I would like to have the combo washer/dryer and there just isn't room in the smaller rigs. I have to better evaluate gas mileage, prices aren't going to go down much from here. Even though I don't plan to drive every day, it will add up. Plus I need to consider what to get in a toad.

The Jeep Wrangler seems to be quite a favorite due to the ease of towing. Seemed like a good way to go, easy to find a good used one for a decent price. But then I noticed the average gas mileage. Hmmm, if I want to take a trip in the Jeep I could be spending quite a bit more than if I got a new Chevrolet HHR or Cobalt. Even a used Saturn Vue would be better....

Coffeemakers are a hot topic, too, since they pull a lot of power when brewing. Can I forgo that? I don't think so...guess I need to evaluate those as well. Already downsized my crockpot and ordered a small (one person) electric frying pan. Wish I could find a small blender but that doesn't seem to be a big item. Blenders are cheap but they do take up a fair amount of room for something that doesn't get used a lot.

Back to the rig....storage - convenient storage.....definitely keeping an eye on that. Basement storage is wonderful, especially for the heavy items, outdoor things and totes full of "stuff" that you don't need very often.

I picked up my new toolbox and am starting to build a list of the "must keep" tools. While I am not very mechanically inclined, I know it will be best to at least be equipped for emergencies. I also splurged (hey, it was only $20) and got one of the folding chairs with a built-in footstool and cupholders.

I've subscribed to Workamper News and received my first issue this week. Fascinating reading and a wide variety of jobs. I'm learning how to "redo" my resume, tailoring my past work experience for those skills valued in the workamper environment.

See, I'm not just sitting back, feet up, casually waiting for my house to sell. I really am using the time wisely....or trying to!

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

Grant me patience....NOW!

I'm normally a fairly patient person. I sit quietly in traffic, waiting my turn. I yield the right-of-way to merging traffic, subscribing to the "take one, give one" method. I stand in line, studying those around me in order to pass the time more quickly. Cool, calm and collected....most of the time.

But now that I have decided to sell the house, buy an RV and hit the road full-timing, I want to do it NOW! I want my house to sell so I can take the next major step, finding and buying my "Lily Pad".

I spend hours searching, browsing, reading all the various want ads. I've found the perfect rig at least a dozen times. I'm sure I'll find it a dozen or more before this is all through.... My Camping World catalog is already dog-earred. I've bought the "perfect" rechargeable lantern. I've bought my Corelle dish set. I'm evaluating all my kitchen appliances to decide what stays and what goes. I'm starting to sort things out to send to my kids. I'm putting things on eBay that I no longer need, things that will sell better on-line than in a rural yard sale.

I'm SO ready to make this move....I'm SO ready to have the final yard sale....I'm SO ready to start the next adventure in my life. So, Lord, please grant me patience....just do it right NOW!

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

"You may be right, I may be crazy."

Thanks to Billy Joel....I know it seems crazy that I can't make up my mind about what rig to finally get. The saga continues.....from motorhome to toy hauler to diesel pusher to toy hauler.....what will be next?

Today I visited another local dealer who carries the KZ line of Toy Haulers. I really liked them the quality was good and I could actually close the 10' ramp without much difficulty. That said, I do prefer the 12' ramp since the slope is not as steep. I spent several hours there....small family owned business, great people. The prices were definitely in my budget as well.

I spent about an hour by myself inside a 36' model, checking out everything I could. As I started REALLY looking around, I realized that while the living space was good, the storage space (drawers, cabinets, closets) was actually pretty slim. Yes, I could store stuff in the overhead bunk (keeping in mind that you want more weight down low) and yes, I could store more stuff in the garage/cargo area. But that would be stuff that I don't need to get into frequently (off-season clothes, old books, tax records, that kind of stuff).

I decided to take another look at carriers/lifts for a motorhome. This is a long-term decision for me...I can't afford to buy something and then not be comfortable in it. It also helped me realize that 36' would probably be the smallest toy hauler I would want to get. The definitely increases the length of my rig. I already knew that a 30' motorhome was just fine and if I had to add a toad, it still wouldn't equal the length of the fiver.

Since Allegro is my motorhome of choice (had thought about a Four Winds Hurricane but discovered the NCC just isn't high enough for me), I wanted to check out what frame they were using in the year range that I thought I could afford. Turns out that many are on the Workhorse chassis which gives me a lot of weight latitude.

I also found a great site for lifts, Cruiserlift RV Motorcycle Lift System and another solution from the same folks which is a tow dolly with a motorcycle carrier on the front, Tandem Tow Dolly. Although I know a tow dolly can be a pain to deal with, it would allow me to keep my Rav4 as well as carrying my motorcycle. Something to consider....

So, the pendulum sways back to the motorhome solution....but that also means I will most probably have to give up the washer/dryer (unless I happen to find one in my price range that already has them). Another plus for me is the automatic levelers, definitely easier than leveling a fifth wheel.

Other than the swinging pendulum, the day was great. While stormy earlier in the day, by afternoon it had cleared. Blue skies with temperatures in the mid 70's, perfect for sitting outside. The trees are filling out quickly, the sound of lawnmowers filled the air and a little male hummingbird thought my peach shirt was a flower. Brought a big smile to me.....definite signs of spring in full bloom.

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

No News is No News

I haven't posted in a while because there really hasn't been anything much to write about -- thus the "No News is No News". The house has been shown maybe 4 times - asked the realtor today to add a sign at the highway to direct more drive-bys to the house. Today I got a literature box to hold flyers with information on the house. Created and printed up a flyer with a few of the pictures that the realtors took. Hopefully this will help drive traffic as well.

tries, my little Katrina rescue pup, is doing really well. We visited her new vet today, she's gained half a pound since I got her. She's definitely bonded and knows that she is supposed to potty outdoors. But since she doesn't really bark, she hasn't figured out how to tell me she needs to go out - other than going to the door and waiting. Since I may be in the other room, once she gives up waiting, her deposit is left close to the door. LOL!

The visit to the vet was precipitated by the realization that I was going to have to kennel her while I attend the Life On Wheels conference in Bowling Green, KY next month. When I made my reservations she wasn't in my life. Checking out local kennels yesterday showed me that she still needed her innoculation against kennel cough (bordetella). So today, in the pouring rain, she got that done...and charmed everyone in the vet's office including the Schwan's delivery guys.

As to the rig, although I have thought more about the motorhome and the simplicity of it, the fifth wheel/truck solution is still the better one for me. I really don't want to sell my current motorcycle if I don't have to...the toy hauler would allow me to add a little 250cc bike for when the campground would be risky for my 1450cc cruiser. I know I can find used trucks in my price range even when getting a new (2006) model toy hauler (still mostly considering either the Keystone Raptor or KZ's Sportsmen Sportster).

I have to admit to being pretty excited about getting on the road, even though I know I will be intimidated driving the rig the first couple of times. I expect I will be very careful in planning my route. I've finally started to sell some of my extra motorcycle gear - started in the forums and what doesn't sell by Monday goes onto eBay. Once this first batch is done, then I'll continue on from there. Have a lot of things to sell, especially knick-knacks. Figure I'd better get started now!

Till next time- keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

This is it (one can only hope)

Well, this is it - at least I hope it is. After much more ruminating, researching and rusticating (okay, so that doesn't fit but needed a third "r" word), the decision is finally made. I'm going back to my second choice. I will be getting a new or close to new fifth wheel toy hauler and a used 1-ton pickup truck. This solves all my issues, gives me something to drive when the weather is bad (or I just don't feel like climbing on the bike), place for a combo washer-dryer as well as all my riding gear and lots more. I'm NOT changing my mind.... ;-)

I'm still undecided on the brand of toy hauler. I liked the quality of the Keystone Raptor but a few design things irritate me (not being able to see the tv when the slide is in). I have found a lot of '06 model KZ toy haulers that don't have that problem and seem to have everything else that the Raptor does, for a little less money (a good thing with my tight budget). I haven't seen them in person so can't compare quality yet.

Oops, just got a call from my realtor. They need to show the house in 30 minutes so I'm outta here for now!

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

The wheels on the bus go round and round

The wheels on the bus go round and round.....once again the pendulum swings. Yesterday I drove to a local dealership and checked out the Keystone Raptor toy hauler (fifth wheel). I really liked it with two exceptions. Even though the ramp has a spring-assist, it would be too much for me and I would have to get some type of winch affair added to it. The other would be a part-time quirk - the living tv would be hidden with the slide in. Talk about bad design....I could watch it in the garage (it's on a swivel) or I could watch the one in the bedroom, but that's beside the point. I also looked at a couple of other brands/models but the Raptor was definitely the best buy for what I am looking for.

Well, I think, maybe the decision is finally made. So I come home and start doing some research on trucks to pull the Raptor. Looking at something like a Ford F-350 dually. Found several, slightly higher in price than I wanted but still decent deals. Then I meet a friend at breakfast

But I'm still not sold....what happens to all that garage space when I no longer ride? Yes, it's good storage but more than I would need (and I do have to watch the weight of the trailer). Hmmmm, maybe I should take a look at used diesel pushers. Then I could do the motorcycle lift/carrier and add a toad at any time.

All three options hold attractions.....where will it all end?

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

Vacilate is my NEW middle name

Vacilate is my NEW middle name... First it was a motorhome but a toy hauler. Then it was any toy hauler. Eventually it rolled back around to a Class A motorhome, and one of 2-3 brands. Yesterday I started thinking about the toad issue. Today I am swinging back towards a large pickup truck and a toy hauler fifth wheel (fiver).

Am I nuts? Probably...although the fiver would be more difficult to backup, I had hoped to never had to backup the motorhome (and with a toad attached would never backup without first detaching). The advantages to the fiver solution are two-fold. First, I would have a vehicle to drive other than the motorcycle. Second, and this is something not really addressed earlier, I could add a small washer/dryer combo machine (like the Splendide 2100) to the garage area. MAJOR convenience AND budget savings, no campground laundry facilities to be endured or paid for.

So, more research and internet bookmarks - found one brand and model I really like and haven't found anything posted to the negative. It's the Keystone Raptor - only downside is the smallest unit I like is still between 36-37'. Now I do realize that part of that overlaps the pickup, so in effect it's not a lot longer than a 34' motorhome.

Decisions....decisions....I wonder what tomorrow will bring?

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

To Toad or Not to Toad

To toad or not....for those who don't know, a "toad" (in RVing terms) is a "towed" vehicle. This helps differentiate it from a "tow" vehicle which designates one that does the towing. Confused yet? LOL!

My first inclination was to go "toad-less", using my motorcycle as my only transportation. With that decision made I started to research carriers for the back of the RV. Discovered that unless I got a diesel pusher I wasn't going to be able to go this route. The weight of my current bike combined with the lift/carrier would be too much for the frame of the motorhome.

From there I moved to the idea of maybe towing a pickup truck and loading the bike in the back of that, again using a lift of some sort. I eventually tossed that idea out since I figured I'd need a full size pickup and that again brought the weight factor into play, this time it was tow weight.

Next thing tossed into my mental mixer was the sudden realization that campgrounds are often more dirt, gravel and grass than pavement. Not a bit deal, you say. Well, for an in-seam impaired motorcycle rider like me, it can be....at least with a 750# motorcycle. Hmmm, maybe I should rethink what motorcycle I really need. No more ego trips....I've had almost 4 years of riding Harleys. That's more than some folks ever have.

I had already been researching sport tourer bikes, maybe that would be the way to go. Lighter bike would mean less problem holding it upright on those uneven surfaces. Unfortunately my being in-seam impaired makes this a difficult challenge as well. Extended my search into more dual sport bikes and found there are two bikes that I might want to consider, the BMW 650GS and the Suzuki V-Strom DL650. Both are still tall bikes but both are supposed to be able to be lowered enough that I might be able to handle them. They come in the 500# range which, while better than my Harley, are still probably heavier than I want.

Stopped at the Suzuki dealer (maybe I already mentioned this, sorry if I did), but I found what could be the perfect bike for what I want. It's close to 300# (great weight) and when I sat on it, the ergonomics were wonderful. What this would allow me to do is carry it on the back of the motorhome, at least with the right lift.

From there my mental gymnastics started contortions....it suddenly occured to me that my early thoughts of just using the motorhome to swing into Wally World, etc. for groceries would only work if I were moving a lot. Since I plan to workamp as well as take advantage of monthly rates as much as possible, I won't be moving too often. So, no "toad" means no convenient way to get groceries, etc. Sure, I could bum rides but I really hate to do that. And what if I'm just not feeling like riding. Well, with the option of this little Suzuki GZ250, I could easily add a lightweight "toad"!

Now that I'm thinking along these lines, I am researching other little 250 bikes, there are several to choose from. Something small, lightweight, nimble and very appropriately named "Hopper".

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

Quandry becomes my middle name

Quandry becomes my middle name...yesterday I mentioned that I had found the "perfect" (for me) motorhome in AZ. I heard back from the owner's daughter and they are willing to hold it till July with a non-refundable deposit. I've never been much of a gambler but am wondering it I dare take a chance that my home might not sell between now and then. I am working on a counter-offer that would extend the timeframe a bit....not ready to toadily give up on it.

The house was shown again today and my neighbor has a friend that is going to tell someone she works with about it as well. Keeping my fingers crossed that something happens quickly.

I spent time working on updating my website, My Prime Years, not fixing the links, just the formatting. Also adding Google links, easy way to generate a little income. Feel free to nose around!

Today ended up being a nice day....bit overcast but beautiful temps. Looks like we're going to pay for it tomorrow...rain starting sometime in the morning, changing to severe storms (again) by tomorrow afternoon. Will be interesting to see how well Trixie and I do making potty runs in the rain.

Sometime this weekend I will drive over to Pigeon Forge to meet a group of lady RVers appropriately named the "Groovin' Grannies". I look forward to meeting them and checking out THEIR rigs.

Spent more time reading...getting into the more technical side of things: water, electric, etc. At least the basics for "Idiots" like me (yup, bought the "Idiots Guide to RVing". I need to get a notebook and start writing things down - things to remember, questions to ask, general notes about RVing.

Yes, I'm still very excited about all this....in fact that is part of the problem, I'm ready to do it NOWWWWWW!

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

Choices and Logistics

Choices and logistics - that is what is driving my crazy. First I thought a Class A, since that is what we had before. Then I started looking at Toy Haulers (now also called Sport Utility Trailers or SUTs as well as Toy Boxes, Sport Haulers, Fun Movers, etc). While I really like the concept, nothing to tow with a motorhome toy hauler, the prices are soared out of sight in the last year (thanks to their popularity). The ones that I can afford are too minimalistic for my tastes. The used ones only come in the minimalistic design...who knew they would be so popular?

So next I looked into Class C motorhomes....they seem like they would be easier to drive. Well, at least they would feel more like being in a normal-sized vehicle. Downside is that they are just as wide as the Class A and you lose a lot of vision. Bigger downside is the lack of available weight for my "stuff" due to the lighter chassis that must be used.

So here I am again....back at a Class A. I took a trip to Nashville and visited several dealers there. I knew that 34', the size my husband and I lived in, was much more than I really needed. After walking through several Class A and Class C motorhomes in the 30-31' range, I knew that was more than adequate.

So next step was to start hitting all the classified ad sites....there are a TON of them. I saved the links to homes that I thought would fit my parameters, sticking with Tiffin Allegro, Four Winds Hurricane and Winnebago Adventurer. I also wanted 1999 or newer, preferably 2002-2003 vintage. Slides are a bonus, I can live without them. Levelers, generator & heated tanks are a must...would add the levelers & generator if I had to.

Now the logistics come into play....I can't buy until I sell. Once I sell, then I will know the timeframe I am dealing with to get moved out onto the road (buy the rig, get it here, move my stuff). Time to get things packed up to store at my youngest daughter's, time to pick up what I'm keeping and time to SELL everything else! LOL!! Then I get to figure out the logistics of getting the motorhome I want, getting it brought back here to load up and hitting the road. Oh, and did I mention that I have to learn to drive this thing?

I did sign up for the Life on Wheels Conference in Bowling Green, KY on May 12-15th. That should be very informative and although I probably won't be able to get driving lessons, there will still be a lot to learn. I've also rejoined Escapees, reactivated our lifetime Good Sam membership and found out what our old FMCA number was so that I can activate that once I complete the deed....

I have found one motorhome that would be perfect for me....it's an Allegro that looks remarkably like our old one did....makes me feel at home just looking at the pictures. It's a 2003, 31' long with only 10k miles on it. The owner's husband passed away unexpectedly in January and since she won't be using it, they've put it up for sale. I'd love to have it but.....logistics, those darn logistics!

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna