Finally, Back on the Road
When I last left this blog, Betty and I were staying in South Park Mobile and RV Park on Federal Blvd, just south of Hampden Ave, Englewood, CO. This is a very nice and comfortable park with lots of grass, flowers, and mature trees. We will likely return to this location when back in Denver.
There were absolutely no issues stemming from my gall bladder surgery. The most uncomfortable part of this was a sore throat because they had a breathing tube inserted during surgery. After a few days, it was gone, too.
On July 22, 2007, I lost my mother after a very short bout with bowel blockage and perforated large intestine. She was a few weeks away from her 96th birthday. Today, nearly two months later, I will see something in a town we are visiting and think, “Cool, I think I will call Mom and tell her about this experience.” She often told me that she had a great life, saw so much, and experienced amazing changes in technology. She had said she was ready any time she received a call. It will be a long time, if ever, to get used to her being gone. Mother had spent the last 10 years sizing down from two homes (Colorado and Arizona) into her three room apartment in the Sunrise Assisted Living community, so we did not have a lot of “things” to handle. Those treasures that she wanted me to have are safely tucked into our cargo trailer which is parked in an indoor storage facility near Brighton. Our memories are safely intact. Her training and guidance will last a lifetime.
A few weeks ago I had a strange situation develop with leg muscles. The calves are very hard like a runner’s calves. I have difficulty walking too far and climbing stairs is quite a strain. Spinal deterioration was a possible culprit, but an MRI showed no stenosis. Blood tests are negative. I return to Denver on the 25th for an EMG (electomyography) and a nerve conduction test to see how nerves and muscles respond to stimulation. All in the process of “discovery.” In the meantime, we have once again, hit the road, albeit more slowly.
On July 31st, Betty and I flew to Washington DC and spend a couple days touring. Then, we rented a car and drove to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia to a Keller family Reunion. Actually the Hottel-Keller Association in Tom’s Brook, VA (see link on the side panel of this blog to the Hottel-Keller Family Association) still cares for the homesteads of both families and the family cemetery. In 1732, George Hottel, George Keller and their families arrived in Philadelphia, a month apart. In 1750 parts of the families migrated to Virginia and homesteaded on land purchased from Thomas, Lord Fairfax. This year’s family reunion was to celebrate being in America for 275 years. We met “cousins” we did not know existed. A good number of them live within 100 miles of the homestead. Definitely a cool experience and lots of fun. We want to do it again.
Finally, on September 7th we packed up the fifth wheel and departed Denver after celebrating mother’s birthday with my brother the evening before. We spend a few days at the Grape Creek Campground in Westcliffe, CO. The campsite sits on the edge of Grape Creek overlooking hay fields and cattle grazing country with the Sangre de Cristo range in the background. The park is perfect for relaxing, reading, viewing scenery, and readjusting from city to RV life. However, its $29 per night is on the high side for a park without physical amenities. From our experience, $19-23 would be more in the range. Nevertheless, it was the atmosphere we needed at the time, and glad we spent the few days.
This past weekend (9/14-16/2007) we arrived at the 4 Seasons RV Resort in Salida CO for the Colorado Excel fall rally and campout. We are parked right on the Arkansas River where we can watch and listen and relax to the moving water. Rafting is popular, here, and many enthusiasts pass by each day, riding or fishing. We have 25 rigs attending, friends we have made over the past 18 months who have the same brand of fifth wheel trailer. Betty and I, along with three other couples, planned and executed the weekend events (we are sorry that Helen and Dennis were ultimately unable to attend, but we appreciated their planning skills, nevertheless). We had a “hobo” theme, with members dressing for dinner on Saturday in hobo style. We prepared hobo stew with the club furnishing the meat (chicken and polish sausage). After browning, we placed the meat in three large kettles with each member bringing a can of anything they wanted to put in any pot. The stew pots simmered all afternoon preceding the evening dinner, and it was yummy. The members arrived in their “finest” attire and boy, was it a sight. Many long time members say that they have not seen such across-the-board participation in costumes in a long time. What a hoot! I am hoping to get some of the pictures that I can post with this blog entry. I might have to post them a little later.
In two weeks is the New Mexico Fall Rally and campout, but we will not be able to attend as we have had a change of plans. We will be going to Wichita KS to the Escapees RV Club HDT (heavy duty truck) Rally. In this club, the members all have over-the-road truck-tractors as the tow vehicle for their fifth wheel trailers. Yes, like the big Volvo’s, Peterbilt’s, Kenworth’s, Freightliners, Internationals, and others. These are the safest tow vehicle available, as their rated capacities far exceed what a recreational vehicle need would be. [One member has an internet “handle” (name) of OVERKILL.] Indeed! Members have been acquiring used over-the-road tractors in very good condition, usually less than 500,000 miles (1,000,000 mile life before engine rebuild), 10 speed autoshift or fully automatic transmissions, getting drive train analysis and certification, then converting the trucks to RV use by removing one of the dual-wheel axles at the rear, shortening the frame to the length of a standard Ford pickup (approx 182 inch wheel base) then “dolling up” the interior. The foot print of these trucks is only a few inches longer than my Ford F350, cannot be any wider than allowed by law (96-102 inches), but taller: my Ford is just under 7 feet tall, and the Volvo’s measure between 11 and 13.5 feet depending on model, sleeper cab and wind deflector. These trucks will turn a circle INSIDE the turning radius of my Ford. Acquisition of these trucks is from a readily available commercial market, and prices are $10,000 to $15,000 plus conversion costs.
The following week, we will be in Sedalia Missouri at the Missouri State Fair Grounds for the Escapees RV Club MDT (Medium Duty Truck) Rally. These trucks are the same size foot print of my Ford, also, but not as tall and generally no sleeper cab. However, these trucks are not the best for RV use if they are off the used market, because these trucks are usually inner-city delivery trucks and have had harder use. Therefore, most of these trucks are purchased new, built specifically for RV use. Prices new will range from $85,000 to $145,000 depending on the quality of conversion and the amount of “fluff” the converter chooses to put inside. Used ones are much more reasonable, and we drove a 1999 International 4700 series with 55,000 miles that was priced at $36,000. To make a comparison, the HDT’s are still less money, and 2-3 times the truck. HDT’s are, therefore, quite popular. It will be fun to look around. I have one HDT member already willing to let me drive his rig to see how it handles. Betty said, “Well, I want to drive it too! “ OKAY!"
After that, we will head for Branson Missouri for a week of music and fun, meeting friend Joanie from Scottsdale. Then we will head for Kansas City to see friends (if the mobile ones are still around!!!). After a week we will head for Smith Center KS to the Excel factory for our last Warranty check up (gee, it has been two years since we took delivery); then, we will be in Lincoln, NE for a few days before heading back to the Colorado Springs / Denver area for the holidays.
There were absolutely no issues stemming from my gall bladder surgery. The most uncomfortable part of this was a sore throat because they had a breathing tube inserted during surgery. After a few days, it was gone, too.
On July 22, 2007, I lost my mother after a very short bout with bowel blockage and perforated large intestine. She was a few weeks away from her 96th birthday. Today, nearly two months later, I will see something in a town we are visiting and think, “Cool, I think I will call Mom and tell her about this experience.” She often told me that she had a great life, saw so much, and experienced amazing changes in technology. She had said she was ready any time she received a call. It will be a long time, if ever, to get used to her being gone. Mother had spent the last 10 years sizing down from two homes (Colorado and Arizona) into her three room apartment in the Sunrise Assisted Living community, so we did not have a lot of “things” to handle. Those treasures that she wanted me to have are safely tucked into our cargo trailer which is parked in an indoor storage facility near Brighton. Our memories are safely intact. Her training and guidance will last a lifetime.
A few weeks ago I had a strange situation develop with leg muscles. The calves are very hard like a runner’s calves. I have difficulty walking too far and climbing stairs is quite a strain. Spinal deterioration was a possible culprit, but an MRI showed no stenosis. Blood tests are negative. I return to Denver on the 25th for an EMG (electomyography) and a nerve conduction test to see how nerves and muscles respond to stimulation. All in the process of “discovery.” In the meantime, we have once again, hit the road, albeit more slowly.
On July 31st, Betty and I flew to Washington DC and spend a couple days touring. Then, we rented a car and drove to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia to a Keller family Reunion. Actually the Hottel-Keller Association in Tom’s Brook, VA (see link on the side panel of this blog to the Hottel-Keller Family Association) still cares for the homesteads of both families and the family cemetery. In 1732, George Hottel, George Keller and their families arrived in Philadelphia, a month apart. In 1750 parts of the families migrated to Virginia and homesteaded on land purchased from Thomas, Lord Fairfax. This year’s family reunion was to celebrate being in America for 275 years. We met “cousins” we did not know existed. A good number of them live within 100 miles of the homestead. Definitely a cool experience and lots of fun. We want to do it again.
Finally, on September 7th we packed up the fifth wheel and departed Denver after celebrating mother’s birthday with my brother the evening before. We spend a few days at the Grape Creek Campground in Westcliffe, CO. The campsite sits on the edge of Grape Creek overlooking hay fields and cattle grazing country with the Sangre de Cristo range in the background. The park is perfect for relaxing, reading, viewing scenery, and readjusting from city to RV life. However, its $29 per night is on the high side for a park without physical amenities. From our experience, $19-23 would be more in the range. Nevertheless, it was the atmosphere we needed at the time, and glad we spent the few days.
This past weekend (9/14-16/2007) we arrived at the 4 Seasons RV Resort in Salida CO for the Colorado Excel fall rally and campout. We are parked right on the Arkansas River where we can watch and listen and relax to the moving water. Rafting is popular, here, and many enthusiasts pass by each day, riding or fishing. We have 25 rigs attending, friends we have made over the past 18 months who have the same brand of fifth wheel trailer. Betty and I, along with three other couples, planned and executed the weekend events (we are sorry that Helen and Dennis were ultimately unable to attend, but we appreciated their planning skills, nevertheless). We had a “hobo” theme, with members dressing for dinner on Saturday in hobo style. We prepared hobo stew with the club furnishing the meat (chicken and polish sausage). After browning, we placed the meat in three large kettles with each member bringing a can of anything they wanted to put in any pot. The stew pots simmered all afternoon preceding the evening dinner, and it was yummy. The members arrived in their “finest” attire and boy, was it a sight. Many long time members say that they have not seen such across-the-board participation in costumes in a long time. What a hoot! I am hoping to get some of the pictures that I can post with this blog entry. I might have to post them a little later.
In two weeks is the New Mexico Fall Rally and campout, but we will not be able to attend as we have had a change of plans. We will be going to Wichita KS to the Escapees RV Club HDT (heavy duty truck) Rally. In this club, the members all have over-the-road truck-tractors as the tow vehicle for their fifth wheel trailers. Yes, like the big Volvo’s, Peterbilt’s, Kenworth’s, Freightliners, Internationals, and others. These are the safest tow vehicle available, as their rated capacities far exceed what a recreational vehicle need would be. [One member has an internet “handle” (name) of OVERKILL.] Indeed! Members have been acquiring used over-the-road tractors in very good condition, usually less than 500,000 miles (1,000,000 mile life before engine rebuild), 10 speed autoshift or fully automatic transmissions, getting drive train analysis and certification, then converting the trucks to RV use by removing one of the dual-wheel axles at the rear, shortening the frame to the length of a standard Ford pickup (approx 182 inch wheel base) then “dolling up” the interior. The foot print of these trucks is only a few inches longer than my Ford F350, cannot be any wider than allowed by law (96-102 inches), but taller: my Ford is just under 7 feet tall, and the Volvo’s measure between 11 and 13.5 feet depending on model, sleeper cab and wind deflector. These trucks will turn a circle INSIDE the turning radius of my Ford. Acquisition of these trucks is from a readily available commercial market, and prices are $10,000 to $15,000 plus conversion costs.
The following week, we will be in Sedalia Missouri at the Missouri State Fair Grounds for the Escapees RV Club MDT (Medium Duty Truck) Rally. These trucks are the same size foot print of my Ford, also, but not as tall and generally no sleeper cab. However, these trucks are not the best for RV use if they are off the used market, because these trucks are usually inner-city delivery trucks and have had harder use. Therefore, most of these trucks are purchased new, built specifically for RV use. Prices new will range from $85,000 to $145,000 depending on the quality of conversion and the amount of “fluff” the converter chooses to put inside. Used ones are much more reasonable, and we drove a 1999 International 4700 series with 55,000 miles that was priced at $36,000. To make a comparison, the HDT’s are still less money, and 2-3 times the truck. HDT’s are, therefore, quite popular. It will be fun to look around. I have one HDT member already willing to let me drive his rig to see how it handles. Betty said, “Well, I want to drive it too! “ OKAY!"After that, we will head for Branson Missouri for a week of music and fun, meeting friend Joanie from Scottsdale. Then we will head for Kansas City to see friends (if the mobile ones are still around!!!). After a week we will head for Smith Center KS to the Excel factory for our last Warranty check up (gee, it has been two years since we took delivery); then, we will be in Lincoln, NE for a few days before heading back to the Colorado Springs / Denver area for the holidays.
posted by TalktoBandG @ 10:25 PM
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