So Far It Just Needs More Money

We keep finding little things that need fixing.  A few dollars here and a few dollars there do add up.  Today I discovered that the front air shocks have no pressure in them.  I will pump them up to see if they hold pressure but if not, I can plan to spend some more money on replacing those.  I also notice a squeak in the power steering pump.  So that will probably need replacing soon.  I have a 2002 Honda with 113,000 miles on it and I have not replaced the first thing on it.  Why is it good old American made GM engines can't go 24,000 miles without repairs?

Taking The Big Step

We had considered buying a motor home for a very long time. We went to several RV shows to learn about the different kinds of RVs available.

Finally, we decided to fly out west and rent an RV from Bates RV Rentals. They were located in Helena, Montana. We were flying into Missoula as we wanted to tour Glacier National Park.

The young lady who ran the Bates Rental was most helpful in planning our trip. I am so sorry I don't recall her name now but she was top notch. When we flew into Missoula, her Dad met us at the airport with the motor home. He took us to the local Walmart parking lot to show us how everything worked. He also was very helpful.

We stocked up on groceries at Walmart and I got behind the wheel for the first time. I had never driven one of these things. It seemed so big and awkward. To my surprise within a few short miles I was completely at ease driving it.

It was a super vacation. We stayed in wilderness campgrounds in the national park most of the time. It was a wonderful experience. We knew we had the bug now. This RVing thing was great.

We decided to buy something used for our first RV. We didn't want to invest a lot of money and not be happy with our purchase. We figured if we just got out there doing it we would see the advantages of one over the other in time. We could make a change without being out of a lot of money.

We found a 2001 Winnebago Brave 30' that was in very good condition and the price was right. We thought this size was just right for the two of us. It wasn't too big to get into many of the places we wanted to go. Nor was it too cramped and uncomfortable.

Driving a class A was a bit different from the class C we had rented.  I found it difficult to handle driving it home on the interstate.   I told my wife it was like trying to ride a bucking bronco in a straight line. The wind of passing 18 wheelers was unnerving. It sucked me one way and blew me the other.

Once off the interstate though things settled down. I found it much more comfortable out of the high speed traffic. I never drove the class C on the interstate so I have no idea if it would have handled the same way.

We have cleaned and tested everything and find everything in very good condition. Now we are planning our first trial run. Like Captain Ron says, "If it's going to happen, boss, it's going to happen out there." (For those of you who have never watched the movie "Captain Ron", it is a must see for anyone who loves sailing.)

Our first trip will be to Myakka State Park in Florida. It is only a short distance from home. I will write and post some photos from there. We plan to make this trip sometime the first part of April. See you then.