Full-time With Doug

Miles and I are literally chillin. AC is slowly chillin us down (75). Starlink is struggling as I don't have a real clear view of the sky. No big problems today.  The tow bar was having a problem locking but I sprayed the silicone in it and I think it's ok now. The MH engine battery has an issue I need to investigate. I'm hoping it's not the alternator since lots of noise from a few pulleys. Real slow crank before it finally kicks over. I need to find a parts store for some fuses, light lense, small extention cord, and have the battery tested. I booked an extra night so we'll be here 2 nights. I can fully rest with AC before the long trip. It's just us and an older couple here. They let me checkin early. 2 nights for $48. I've gained a little more confidence and think I'll make it ok. If not, I know the drill.  

 

  I gotta get gas tomorrow when I leave here. It used to be an anxious event when I started doing this until I realized Street View is a big help. I can easily get gas here without leaving the toad in everyone's way and not getting stuck because I can't reverse. I like these angled pumps plus a road on either side. In one side, out the other. I'll spend probably $140, includes 4 gallons for the generator. Theoretically, I can go 350-400 miles but I drive less than that each day so I fill once each day. It'll cost near $600 in gas to get to my campsite in Colorado. I can do this in 4 days but may stay and relax in Fort Sumner, NM after I can buy weed.  I may try the RV Park in Ft Sumner for a few nights if the weather's too hot so I can run the AC. I want to see what $180/mo rv park is like in case I need it someday.  The Billy the Kid museum is right there. Maybe I can go for free if I stay at their RV Park. I've been there before. It's like Ruby Falls or Ro...

I took an outdoor shower yesterday. Full soap. The water pressure is good outside and hot water is nice. It's hot in TX and almost hit 90 yesterday. I'm here WAY past when I would prefer to stay but... weather forecast says more wind today. I have money to travel. It'll cost about $550 for gas to get me where I want to be. I have about $2700 of cash and credit to use if I need it. It's better to travel during the week. It's easier to find boondock campsites and help if I break down again.  I'll move 40 minutes north to Fort Parker Lake SP on Monday morning. There, I can pump and dump, plugin, fill water, and enjoy AC. There's a place to get propane nearby. I can't go long distance until I get propane so the refrigerator will work.  

 That little thing where the wire hooks up can twist. It has a little ignitor inside. You can see it. Turned one way puts it next to where the gas is for the pilot light. I bend the wire so it stays where I want it. Wires all have little burnt parts because the second or third try to light, gas has been building and... little explosions sometimes. Not big, just little. Once lit, it's bulletproof. Water stays hot.  It's old. 23 years. New ones are pricey but I can find cheap ones for under $300 if they're damaged. A crack in the foam covering or something dumb. It holds 6 gallons. I want to build a natural water heater out of 4 in pvc around back part of the motorhome roof. Painted flat black with a spigot running into the shower. I saw that on a camper. I still have to fill it. 50 - 60 gallons more I can carry. 60 x 8 more lbs to the motorhome. Showers are always nice.

 

 I'm studying my routes for Monday. I'm going to take the northern route. It takes me close to Waco and stays near Dallas in case I have problems. Once I get past Abilene, I'm exposed until Lubbock then .... It's a plan and we all know how that works.

 Miles is still a little clingy. He did good yesterday by staying outside. I even moved him away from the motorhome for periods of time. I go out and visit when I'm inside. This morning, he wants back in. I'll be moving outside as soon as I'm finished running the generator. 

  Starlink is a game changer for me. Before it, I had to use Verizon hot spot which had limits and not accessible from most places I go. I can go anywhere and still have Internet. It's my WiFi just like everybody else. Since I have WiFi, I have TV so I have no need for expensive phone plans or Dish. It's bullet proof. Solid, heavy construction with a long 75 ft cord that plugs into the "modem" and it plugs into power. The app controls it. Easy peezy. $135/mo going up soon to $150. Still worth it though.  BIG difference between a camping trip and living in the RV full-time. I need the same stuff you take for granted at home. I need WiFi, TV, Internet, security cameras. I need it all everyday, everywhere I go.

   It's easy to judge after something fails. If my "little gamble" HAD paid out, I'd be in a much better position. How much of a gamble? I had barely made it to TX from Colorado on fumes (literally). I actually stopped somewhere and dumped my gas cans into the motorhome.  I figured THAT to be the big gamble. The plan was to be as still as possible without spending lots of money. I can only be in one place for 14 days in most cases. I have to drive to the next place then the next place, I got oil changed and inspection for both vehicles plus some wire malfunction. $700.  So off I go to S Padre Island where I can sit on the beach for 2 weeks. I'd done it before. I know lots of people who've done it. It was only 1 hour away. Easy does it, I just needed to save $2500 to $3500 to get some work done. At $1400/mo you can save pretty quick. I would be able to get enough funds to do the inspections, fixes, tires, whatever to get er ready to Colorado.  Well laid plans. ...

 

 Made it to Limestone Reservoir. I need to reposition and get level but I'm too tired right now. Miles is a good traveler, he ventured around the motor home while we drove, even got on the bed. We stopped at a picnic area so I could evaluate things. All seemed good. A Sheriff checked on me. I gave her a thumbs up and she did the same and kept going. I was in shorts and no shirt by then. When I got ready to leave the transmission shop, the toad wouldn't start. I had to back the motor home to the toad to hook it up. On top of that the rear camera was not working because the lighter is not working. I borrowed Meghan's battery jumper thing that has a lighter receptacle so I got the rear  camera working later down the road.  The tow bar isn't locking again so I had to mess with that. I stopped for gas then the motorhome wouldn't start. The jumper thing wasn't charged yet so I dragged out the generator and battery charger. In 10 minutes we were on our way. I only said...

 You really do need to scout ahead if you're unfamiliar with the road you want to take. Luckily, you can use Google to see satelite images ahead of where you want to go. Before that trick, I found myself on a very narrow road that I had no business on. When the road is more narrow than the length of your vehicle, you can't turn around. I found this little road that had a gate but enough room to park. It was late so I went to bed. The next morning I walked further down the road and found a spot where I thought I might be able to turn around. I was able to turn around with a 50 point turn. I hooked up the toad and got out of there. Lesson learned.

 

  It's still a bit early to be at Taylor Park right now. 

 

  Miles is adapting well. He and Max take turns using each other's stuff. Meghan takes them on walks in the morning and evening and I take them a few times during the day.  I hope he travels well in the motorhome. He is about to be introduced to the outdoors like he has never seen. He's still limping or hopping. Poor guy. I massage it and he licks my hand. Eventually I'll have another vet look at it to see if something can be done. He's only 3 or 4 yo so he still has lots of living.  When I saw him I knew he was mine. He was very regal, sitting there with a superior attitude. Then he got up to come see me after a minute. That's when I noticed his limp. His name was Miles. How appropriate for a traveler. I still get teary-eyed thinking of Beau sometimes. I want to remember him as the younger, virile boy who he was. Just one more cry 😢 

  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.

 

  The rear brakes proved to be much harder than the front brakes. Springs, locking washers, 1/4 turn locking washer. Crappy tools. I got one wheel finished then almost finished the other one. I couldn't put the drum over the shoes so I need to adjust something. I'll finish tomorrow. Garage wanted $1,200, I did it for $200. Meghan stopped by and brought me new lug nuts. I fed her. She was sitting a dog in addition to Max so we had dogs everywhere.  I turned the AC on. It feels good and I'm glad it works as it will continue to warm up here. This is Texas.