Full-time With Doug

 I talk about water a lot. It's because it's so important for comfort and survival. I'm slowly mastering my water strategy. I have 4 of these 7 gallon jugs. That's roughly 60 lbs each if filled. I used to pump all 4 into the motorhome when the tank goes dry. I use lots of water out of gallon jugs like dog bowl, toilet, and my drinking water. I now keep one 7 gal jug in the motorhome for filling 1/2 gal jugs for those things. No sense pumping water into the motorhome, only to pull it back out in the faucet. I also don't commit my last drop into a tank where it could get trapped if my water pump fails.

 I did some custom work on the TV to make it a Roku TV. Duct Tape. Black Duct Tape. The problem is that I have power for the TV and roku. Different lengths, dangling around. The Roku device needs to face me so it works. I also separated the power from Starlink which I don't want to be mobile. It doesn't help that the Roku device power USB port is loose and flaky. Duct Taped it also. Now I can easily move it around with a cord. A Roku TV would work nice. $88 at Walmart. I'm not mounting it. That corner is where the wood stove goes. 

 I went to Jewett to buy a few groceries. Dwindling population for sure. Great land here, I bet it's cheap. I'll go back Saturday to stock up and also do laundry. 17 minute drive. I added another place to call home. When I come back, it'll be familiar here and I know where to go.

 

  This is North Pass. It has a Native-American name I can't pronounce. It crosses the Continental Divide from the south and is relatively easy to cross as its elevation is under 10,000 ft. These passes are hard on the motorhome. If you are touring around Colorado, you will cross over a pass or two eventually.  The video is only 2:24 but is fun to ride along. I play these when I'm itching to get on the road.

  Once upon a time, Beau's name was Elvis and he was a champ. I got him after he retired at 6 yo in 2016. He is a well-traveled dog and used to lots of attention. His color is wheat but his breed also comes in black. I treat him like the royalty that he has earned.

 

Limestone County Park. I can park where the car is. Table and grill. Nice lake. Beau enjoyed being outside.  

  OMG this was wonderful. It had quite a calming effect. My anxiety is up a few notches as I take Beau to the vet tomorrow at 2:30. This helped. I have meds too. It was also good for my pain.  We're going to take the toad on a ride north in the morning. I'm scouting out a place I want to homestead on for 2 weeks. Maybe see some more joy from Beau if we get out by a lake and a place to hang out.  3 different parks run by 2 counties. It's dry camping. I've scouted via Satellite view. Beau surprises me sometimes. He'll get right up and wobble over to a food bowl and start eating. Devouring it. There's different kinds of food all over. He is mostly blind and real weak. Sometimes he seems confused. Sometimes he'll start chewing on a bone. I made him exercise but I did have to carry him down and up 5 flights (45 lbs). He pooped and peed. Every now and then he wags his tail. He likes to hang out on the balcony. He'll pee there as well. It is what it is. I'l...

 

  By the time I shot this, I was already stuck. These were "storm surges" about every 10 minutes. After each one, I could run around taking care of biz. There was a van about 1/4 mile up but a tow truck showed and took them off the beach. This went on all week. A family I had met stopped by on Thanksgiving and brought me a plate of food. If you camp on the beach, you should use wood planks to put under the wheels. 4 foot, wide boards. That will slow the sinking and allow you to haul ass if this happens.

  We're currently residing at Meghan's apartment while the motorhome gets a new transmission. We're in our 4th day. Max likes our company and I think Beau likes having Meghan and Max around. It'll probably be 2 weeks. I hope Meghan doesn't hate us by then. I'm making tentative plans for when the transmission shop gives me my house back. North to Limestone County Parks, 2 to choose from. Dry camping and it's free. I can stay there for 14 days then on to Colorado when I get paid on May 5th.

  It's clear that Beau isn't getting any better. He's definitely worse. I got him to eat a can of tuna last night and this morning. He has little balance and weak. I hold him on my lap and give him love for as much as I can. I made an appointment with the Vet Hospital on Monday afternoon. I'll be prepared to have him put down then. He's 13 yrs old and has had a big life. I don't know how long I'll cry but I sure will miss him.

  I'm supposed to get towed to the transmission place tomorrow. It'll probably take a few weeks but my aim is to get it done right. I can't afford to keep getting fucked. Meghan graciously invited us to stay with her. BTW, tow will cost $700 to go 23 miles. Transmission will be $5000 (or more). I don't like to be booted from my home and it's unsettling.  Beau is still very weak but getting around. He won't eat out of his bowl but will take it if handed when he's hungry enough. I've been soaking food to make it soft and to make it seem like different food. I tried a small bit of chili seasoning but he licked it off so I need to mix it up. I carry him down the steps and help him get back up. I'm no spring chicken. I put him in my lap for 30 minutes in the evening and immerse him with love. I'm so sad my buddy isn't well.

 Beau is 13 and is a Norwegian Buhund. I adopted him from a breeding kennel when he was 6. He was a show dog and used for breeding. His name was Elvis. When they are finished with a dog, they keep him in a pen with a run. I found him online and had him flown to me in NC. Beau has been debarked which means he has a raspy bark. This is common with breeders and especially this breed as he barks at everything that moves. Beau is very affectionate but seems to have a problem with small children.

 Welcome to my blog. I just ramble on about all aspects of my full-time RV journey. I use to do this on Facebook but they banned me for making threatening comments. Facebook sucks.