tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38293643149897504442024-03-12T17:59:42.376-05:00Our Highway LifeDKStallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11684314272511610282noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829364314989750444.post-52411818889332710302016-01-19T12:00:00.000-06:002016-01-19T12:00:05.971-06:00McKinney Falls State Park - Austin, Texas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Humm, looks like they didn’t know we were coming!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I expect we're going to get quite an education visiting all 69 state parks that can accommodate the <i>MC Kismet</i>. We're a little surprised at how each park is operated differently. I called here the afternoon of our planed arrival and got a recording that said the office was open until 9:30 p.m. Friday nights, so I didn't worry about talking to anyone since we would be arriving by 8:30 p.m.. (Also listened to that same information when I called the next morning). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Upon our arrival, just before 8:30 p.m. we found the office closed and the "No Sites Available Without Reservation" sign out. I parked and found the posting shown here. Despite having a pre-paid reservation our name was not on the list. Certainly it was a mistake. After looking at our reservation paperwork and receipt again I drove on in to the park armed with this photo so that we would know what empty sites were already taken.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We drove through the park in the dark until we found an empty site that was not on the late arrival list. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With a little assistance from a park host who's site was across the road, we backed into a spot for the night. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At another state park we had arrived after the office closed, found an open spot, and parked. In the morning we called the office and they took care of us over the telephone. Very helpful since we aren't towing another vehicle. On the way out we stopped and presented our Texas State Parks Pass and finished up the paperwork. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Such would not be the case here at McKinney Falls. We would either need to pack up, disconnect, pull in the slide, and drive back to the office to check in for another night or hike across the to the office. Ugh!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the bright side, always looking for the silver lining, we could also cruise the park and look for a potentially better site. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We really enjoyed McKinney Falls State Park where the morning sun was streaming in through the trees, campfire smoke was hanging in the air, and the morning started at a brisk 36F under a clear blue sky.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's not hard to see why McKinney Falls State Park RV camping sites are water and electric only. With rocky soil like this running sewer lines would get very expensive in a hurry! That said, there are plenty of restrooms and a convenient dump station that can accommodate RV's from two directions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is an urban park very close to Austin. Accordingly, there was a little highway noise in the distance, the occasional aircraft overhead, and some ambient light from the city. None of which detracted from camping and hiking in the thick trees and brush. This is also a very active park with a good number of day users. We too enjoyed the paved roads and nice hiking trails. Frankly, it was nice to see so many families and lots of teens and tweens and senior scouts. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Being near Austin it also didn't surprise us to see more people walking with dogs than not. Austin known for being a dog friendly city and we fit right in with Jazz, our own Australian cattle dog corgi mix. She sure likes camping and going for walks. And there's always lots of things that she <i>needs </i>to smell. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Unfortunately recent flooding from Onion Creek had much of the lower park closed for recovery. That made it difficult for us to enjoy the falls on this trip. But we understand that supplies have arrived last week and repair are about to begin so it can all be reopened by summer. Some day we'll come back and enjoy that part of the park as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So mark us down for having completed two nights at our fourth Texas State Park in the <i>MC Kismet</i>. Only 65 more to go! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>DKStallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11684314272511610282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829364314989750444.post-28984725909758243062015-11-19T08:51:00.000-06:002015-11-19T17:14:29.914-06:00Brittle Shroud Syndrome <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbOUFUlSXjQrbbvuBP6hfb_mafR-Z51cz18ukWczIBL-V44JVWMHhBLugcCeLPnjg47kOaQhQIGz2WAifGyyHtuff9dqUllVJzLr2CKdSGIJhT2mugaq6QBday-GYq04StueQsuPAiLOe/s1600/DKS1511157694R1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbOUFUlSXjQrbbvuBP6hfb_mafR-Z51cz18ukWczIBL-V44JVWMHhBLugcCeLPnjg47kOaQhQIGz2WAifGyyHtuff9dqUllVJzLr2CKdSGIJhT2mugaq6QBday-GYq04StueQsuPAiLOe/s400/DKS1511157694R1200.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Put a plastic enclosure on top of a motor home and leave it out in the sun for 16 years and it will get brittle. I found that out when I put my palm through this air conditioner shroud while moving around on the roof checking the television antenna. Oops!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well I wasn't too happy with myself, but it probably needed replacing anyway. And, I'll be more careful with the other one. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A few minutes later I moved down the roof and guess what? Yep, the other air conditioner shroud was already broken and I didn't do it. So I found myself in the market for two new shrouds. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I located a couple sources for new replacement shrouds on the Internet but decided to poll a few other 1999 Tradewinds owners to see if they had any recommendations. They did. The same vendor too, Icon Direct in Canada. I also found out that I was the only one in our little circle of Tradewinds owners that still had the original A/C shrouds, a distinction I would soon lose.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I suspect that a low tree got the second cover. These old shrouds were made in two parts with a gray plastic band riveted around the bottom which itself is screwed to the air conditioner framework. Factory installed solar panels were also mounted atop of each shroud.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had thought that these solar panels were glued to the shroud. Wrong! Under the glob of really tough rubber adhesive I found rivets. These rivets didn't just attach the panel to the shroud, they went through the shroud into the metal of the air conditioner. Each rivet had to be drilled out before the panel and shroud could be removed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With the covers removed I took the opportunity to clean out small debris and record part numbers and serial numbers. These were indeed the original air conditioners.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh14CbyCmMHzFZBTbvIv_UIaOI9S6ZShFrDwp8k9T-8IuC6vMIrNSfHsJqdTBmExgbtZk4EyDZtsvqhnRuRGbop67pCU7zmAE93yJTUeslnxtEFKRSjSNxg3LFsGiUGRCWWRBODSbQiq9C/s1600/DKS1511157711R1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh14CbyCmMHzFZBTbvIv_UIaOI9S6ZShFrDwp8k9T-8IuC6vMIrNSfHsJqdTBmExgbtZk4EyDZtsvqhnRuRGbop67pCU7zmAE93yJTUeslnxtEFKRSjSNxg3LFsGiUGRCWWRBODSbQiq9C/s400/DKS1511157711R1200.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The new pliable plastic shrouds were quickly and easily maneuvered to line up with the existing screw holes. The original screws were put back into place and I was done. The old covers were vented on the sides and open on the back. The replacement covers are vented on the sides and the back as well providing better protection for the condenser coil.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Re-installation of the solar panels however was deferred. First off I have no expectation that they are functional. If not, why punch holes in brand new shrouds? If we don't boon-dock do I need them at all? If I do, and if I need new panels, it's unlikely the mounting holes will be in the same place. So I'll wait and see. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The old shrouds were well past their useful life. They had become so brittle that when dropped off the roof they shattered. I consider this effort and expense not just a repair, but an upgrade.</span></div>
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DKStallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11684314272511610282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829364314989750444.post-54506141948504941282015-11-17T18:26:00.002-06:002015-12-09T10:38:25.795-06:00Let There Be LED Light<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSeHUAuP4SBoazntGXE4UFVHImWJ2pew6csaTF9GaFzQUSDv4suxo9rx4J9KvmjoYZpYsyFVMjWblmfEoJ8NRzw40zBk4-qNKdpkLmyrcF4HkHOuvrB0Q71tE1jNZ6Kp3fjmvLpS1p0ZW/s1600/DKS1511137631R1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSeHUAuP4SBoazntGXE4UFVHImWJ2pew6csaTF9GaFzQUSDv4suxo9rx4J9KvmjoYZpYsyFVMjWblmfEoJ8NRzw40zBk4-qNKdpkLmyrcF4HkHOuvrB0Q71tE1jNZ6Kp3fjmvLpS1p0ZW/s400/DKS1511137631R1200.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These reading lights are four of the most often used lights in our motor coach. Positioned in pairs over the sofa and love seat, they are not only good reading lights but give the coach a warm home feel when the florescent lights are off. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With two, three, or four of these lights on for hours at a time we found them getting very hot. It turned out two of them had the wrong size bulb. Each fixture is labeled for use with lamp type number 1139. Even with the right bulbs these fixtures get hotter than I would like so I thought this might be a good place to try LED lamps.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRlrfXvZshqhbpw8q3sLqoWKrIbO75XgbratQwGu1_Qm3nrYBY-fN6OIPTpIXGwSCMx94OD22IMiVPrKGImJt1Cq1Cmwd1PUgVmKGAA8sORi5xlwvlsh9hce_2DPuurGYNRUa3_FX7RVp2/s1600/DKS1511137644R1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRlrfXvZshqhbpw8q3sLqoWKrIbO75XgbratQwGu1_Qm3nrYBY-fN6OIPTpIXGwSCMx94OD22IMiVPrKGImJt1Cq1Cmwd1PUgVmKGAA8sORi5xlwvlsh9hce_2DPuurGYNRUa3_FX7RVp2/s400/DKS1511137644R1200.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">LED lamps are available from numerous sources ranging from local RV stores to the Internet. Color (light temperature) was every bit as important to us as the low heat, energy efficiency, and long life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With so many options we found exactly what we want on the Internet. Each of the four LED lamps purchased came individually packaged in anti-static plastic bags. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsU5bGsDztdFOJyFr1jyJFMTzOT3A9edEitsoAP1crdTA2C97tdGxiKGJKdWAeLvJ9hKER15HSS7TvqyiNsjOolLIZTzrxE5o7PS8cUYYeNoaDBjo_5tK1n08dCJC8oRBK3gwe2TVZtE42/s1600/20151113_112018R1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsU5bGsDztdFOJyFr1jyJFMTzOT3A9edEitsoAP1crdTA2C97tdGxiKGJKdWAeLvJ9hKER15HSS7TvqyiNsjOolLIZTzrxE5o7PS8cUYYeNoaDBjo_5tK1n08dCJC8oRBK3gwe2TVZtE42/s400/20151113_112018R1200.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The new LED lamps look every bit as high-tech as they are. The lamps we selected are smaller and shorter. This model has four LEDs on what I'll call the bottom. Other designs have the LEDs on one side, two sides, around the body in all directions, or around the body and on the bottom. This varies by lamp type it replaces and the fixture in which it's used. Some have a translucent cover to resemble a conventional lamp. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQAuA6fqG0OLE85AXAu89Ykp8KHbmQILJttXIhDsQNrHOB17JERfEJ0SKeG-GBbLVllNPRfmZKgWwoscIxCcfl5Yub4WwJt32ubQidL8gu5SnNbN9ecly8ptaXR1T3IIZf3wYlB-H6EDq/s1600/DKS1511137646R1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQAuA6fqG0OLE85AXAu89Ykp8KHbmQILJttXIhDsQNrHOB17JERfEJ0SKeG-GBbLVllNPRfmZKgWwoscIxCcfl5Yub4WwJt32ubQidL8gu5SnNbN9ecly8ptaXR1T3IIZf3wYlB-H6EDq/s400/DKS1511137646R1200.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The new LED lamps sit a little further back in the fixture than the conventional bulb and as a result throw a little narrower light beam. That also means that installing them can be a bit tricky. The bayonet base requires the side pins to be in the proper position as you push the lamp into the socket and twist into position. On these adjustable fixtures it's important to hold the movable portion so that the pressure of pushing the lamp into the socket doesn't damage the fixture itself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These LEDs mimic the warm glow of a tungsten filament bulb. The photograph above contrasts the color temperature of the lamp light inside the coach to the daylight out the window. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnaoJkojh1-YiG55cavFeuGcByIk6LYbceMqD8suiUrtItIh8bF-N4zJ3Y6SrLJqX-tc3gp0xCNzp3xMiwkJ1pcS_21kz4e_te4oLS_KODniC2FqjkhM_-1pH1U5BBcNPXD2eM3OealQn/s1600/DKS1511137650R1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnaoJkojh1-YiG55cavFeuGcByIk6LYbceMqD8suiUrtItIh8bF-N4zJ3Y6SrLJqX-tc3gp0xCNzp3xMiwkJ1pcS_21kz4e_te4oLS_KODniC2FqjkhM_-1pH1U5BBcNPXD2eM3OealQn/s400/DKS1511137650R1200.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While not objectionable to us, the LED (left) is a little more yellow than the original incandescent bulb (right). This is, again in our opinion, much better than the blue tint of many LED lamps. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is our first foray into using LED lamps. I think we'll move slowly. Maybe we'll try a LED conversion on the first 12V florescent fixture that stops working. More likely I'll try the brighter LED lamps to replace the backup lights on the rear of the coach. Seems like we arrive at campsites after dark fairly often and a little extra light would be helpful for backing into spaces in the dark. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you were wondering, we purchased the new reading LED lights from <a href="http://www.m4products.com/" target="_blank">M4Products.com</a> and were pleased with the price and very fast shipping. </span></div>
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<br />DKStallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11684314272511610282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829364314989750444.post-42804732337779262302015-11-04T08:50:00.001-06:002015-11-04T09:08:39.649-06:00Don't Overlook Your Backyard for a Micro Escape<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When we bought our motor coach we set a goal of using it<i> </i></span><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">every month. Given the constraints on our time (we both work full time) I figured that might mean driving the <i>Kismet </i>to the grocery store or WalMart 20 miles away most months to meet that goal. Fortunately Linda had some better ideas.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have often observed that those who live close to an attraction may go there less than those of us who live further away. Maybe it's a case of not seeing the forest for the trees. Or not appreciating what you have. In any case it might be a big mistake. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Taking the travel time out of a short getaway leaves more time for other things. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We just proved this point and it was delightful. Here's Linda exploring our newest campsite. (<i>click on any of the photographs to enlarge</i>) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is Oak Thicket Park on Fayette Lake and it's only five miles away from the <i>MC Kismet</i>'s home port. That's right, five miles, or about seven minutes driving. Only recently did we discover that this recreation area operated by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) included a campground. We had always thought about it as a popular boat launch, but not much more. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5G09-BffTxAKO0l4fOpBKrcGkZbOOpXrs8JGD5JzcPIbsghAb-ak9PDbKC5-xDLZK5-RRQav8naSo6VJXonPkUjfaG6N2cc5W9rVCOCWw5ZUruDK_4opyGzVVmINfRah7z29EPqLaDTl/s1600/22660201281_a10c740752_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5G09-BffTxAKO0l4fOpBKrcGkZbOOpXrs8JGD5JzcPIbsghAb-ak9PDbKC5-xDLZK5-RRQav8naSo6VJXonPkUjfaG6N2cc5W9rVCOCWw5ZUruDK_4opyGzVVmINfRah7z29EPqLaDTl/s400/22660201281_a10c740752_k.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All twenty RV campsites are on a single loop and are back-in spots with electric and water only. Each has a picnic table, grill and fire ring. Most have a nice separation of trees and thicket.The site we selected had 50 amp service and a water view. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Saturday afternoon we enjoyed the outdoors and fresh air while walking through the park. It would not have made any difference if we were 500 miles from home instead of five. It was someplace new and different. It was in our backyard, yet it was still a world away. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dinner at the Captain's table aboard the <i>Kismet </i>was spectacular. Linda is a wonderful cook and we enjoyed pork tenderloin with raspberry chipotle, baked sweet potato with butter and cinnamon, broccoli, and a glass of moscato d'asti. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our stay was quiet, peaceful and very relaxing. Overnight we had a light rain. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sunday morning we experienced another <i>Kismet </i>first as we deployed the main awning for our first time. Very nice and much easier to extend than I had thought it would be. Long, deep and high. We'll be seeing more of this awning in the future. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As required, we vacated the campsite an hour before noon. However, we just moved the <i>Kismet </i>to the day use parking lot and played with the smaller awnings before taking another walk down to the water.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Linda posed on the T-head pier where she was enjoying the sounds and view of the wildlife like ducks and a great blue heron. We had been here a few times many years ago for boating, but had never seen the camping sites. Now that we know what's here, we'll be back. They also have several rental cabins adjacent to the RV camping that we can invite non-RV owners to rent and join us in the future. Cool. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0BpJVW3gMlmtIuTAFnIA5_Z4eQB1ox_jTEU9v_o3B6Y-5tjTYq4Xxl-7MhYxbzVrpodIPu2QEiG8g5YA5K1TNMzl2EbbGro-75B_WnDMjmZa6_leeRlU8Rp42u4BEcdE1WtKXSI4eHRi/s1600/22692774861_d0e1017859_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0BpJVW3gMlmtIuTAFnIA5_Z4eQB1ox_jTEU9v_o3B6Y-5tjTYq4Xxl-7MhYxbzVrpodIPu2QEiG8g5YA5K1TNMzl2EbbGro-75B_WnDMjmZa6_leeRlU8Rp42u4BEcdE1WtKXSI4eHRi/s400/22692774861_d0e1017859_k.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What a nice micro escape. It was only overnight, but with round trip mileage being only 15 miles almost all of that time was at our backyard destination. What's in your neighborhood? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you are just now joining us on our motor coach adventure you can see how this highway life began by clicking on this link: <a href="http://ourhwylife.blogspot.com/2015/09/taking-leap.html"><span style="color: blue;">Our Hwy Life</span></a> At the bottom of each page you can continue by clicking on "Newer Post."</span></div>
<br />DKStallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11684314272511610282noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829364314989750444.post-17841987526247177052015-10-29T08:48:00.000-05:002015-10-29T08:48:13.342-05:00Three Day Getaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With Friday off, Linda and I took the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">morning</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> to </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">continue the process of outfitting the </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">M.C. Kismet.</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Dishes, pans, a toaster, silverware, tools, and other items were brought to live aboard full-time. We expect that each trip will add a few more items to stay in addition to the groceries that will always be required. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTE70b3GSRb7DWrWr2VIghlbiVrveQ5w79P_utlWk2VYnm5CZ_9EpMjKVhr_D5RE8OKU7h7rQAjB4K7rd5nyBeJ-vCNYb1a0oHSJuoV_D86UGFwp55vQNrDVmYOR_huN7ZRK8UdHETxh9/s1600/20151023_124431_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTE70b3GSRb7DWrWr2VIghlbiVrveQ5w79P_utlWk2VYnm5CZ_9EpMjKVhr_D5RE8OKU7h7rQAjB4K7rd5nyBeJ-vCNYb1a0oHSJuoV_D86UGFwp55vQNrDVmYOR_huN7ZRK8UdHETxh9/s400/20151023_124431_resized.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here we are making a lunch stop on the square in Fayetteville, Texas before hitting the highway. We found ourselves in no hurry. It was raining on and off and we had only a short drive to Bastrop State Park.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXStYfIrIJv_6LUh3G-O9tX3jQPvPqshq0Pa1d2EuyZOHXgJWlhquBu-ZB_c8hmIYIERqoTLGIcNyeaCXxiVhHJmkU3Ef9rHS31y1shE-AvRfnJ3NX2bP_TrBDCtoD8loZliEhkmzBG9a/s1600/20151023_115023_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXStYfIrIJv_6LUh3G-O9tX3jQPvPqshq0Pa1d2EuyZOHXgJWlhquBu-ZB_c8hmIYIERqoTLGIcNyeaCXxiVhHJmkU3Ef9rHS31y1shE-AvRfnJ3NX2bP_TrBDCtoD8loZliEhkmzBG9a/s400/20151023_115023_resized.jpg" width="225" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was the first trip that our dog Jazz was able to join us. It didn't take her long to feel right at home aboard the <i>MC Kismet</i>. By the end of the second day she was a champ at bounding up and down the five steps of the entrance stairs. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqW2xH_wB7EkWlubNcVYpzDmJExAK2-D9TrAANmoszjQv5bXH4bXS8O9ZN-07ExHtsJmT8MOu7gEDY-6upl4oMWwx1zRWo5MB4mgGWTwrDGJt2b787DZUA_7N0GsrtMIBmhzvvL-qXF_2/s1600/20151027_162701-1_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqW2xH_wB7EkWlubNcVYpzDmJExAK2-D9TrAANmoszjQv5bXH4bXS8O9ZN-07ExHtsJmT8MOu7gEDY-6upl4oMWwx1zRWo5MB4mgGWTwrDGJt2b787DZUA_7N0GsrtMIBmhzvvL-qXF_2/s320/20151027_162701-1_resized.jpg" width="309" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take a Pass and save some cash. This $70 Texas State Parks Pass saved us $32.50 on a two night stay at Bastrop State Park. Three more nights in the next twelve months and we break even. Chances are pretty good that we'll far exceed that number. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmW5A-_IsfYSoRoRZprchyphenhyphenZYgjNgic5Uhvokm21cyKSR-B-RM_bdxR2i1I0iBpn0HpDtoRSxtz5m5NHRVlM9G31ByYFYu7_IkqSmezpioZjz9giTSUaWEPFdqTVbmXDQlPvI2MRYIQsjp9/s1600/20151023_163922_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmW5A-_IsfYSoRoRZprchyphenhyphenZYgjNgic5Uhvokm21cyKSR-B-RM_bdxR2i1I0iBpn0HpDtoRSxtz5m5NHRVlM9G31ByYFYu7_IkqSmezpioZjz9giTSUaWEPFdqTVbmXDQlPvI2MRYIQsjp9/s400/20151023_163922_resized.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We arrived at Bastrop State Park in the rain and this was the view of our campsite from the <i>Kismet</i>. Friday and Sunday proved to be the only days when the rain gave us any break. By the time we left the two tent campers in the distance gave up and packed up. The heavy and persistent rain wasn't a surprise to anyone as pacific Hurricane Patricia moved across Mexico into Texas. During our entire visit the county was under a flood watch or warning.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0shRsZl1tvuEeOv0fCcbd64Y6jdy7t-3kR2BWvcTT39cTaEwazTcEyZDA9qoLa6E4vc6J6za8U9z5xQtpgqoiM0-clqvwmi6WtFUboZmUmfnsfa6xGcaaqic83fVJipDVrbjth2xDjJH2/s1600/20151023_174507_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0shRsZl1tvuEeOv0fCcbd64Y6jdy7t-3kR2BWvcTT39cTaEwazTcEyZDA9qoLa6E4vc6J6za8U9z5xQtpgqoiM0-clqvwmi6WtFUboZmUmfnsfa6xGcaaqic83fVJipDVrbjth2xDjJH2/s400/20151023_174507_resized.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Friday we had a break in the weather that let us enjoy the fresh air and take a nice walk. The state park was exceptionally clean and well maintained. Being a dog friendly park Jazz enjoyed the walk as much as we did. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Several years ago this park was damaged by a huge forest fire. Today new growth is coming up amid dead trees and a full recovery is well in swing. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpTFwaVD0tFFWmPGk0FlR4MZz-0fyQWJsj0lWoaGrA1hTyzOTlh28wHWHuoihDq4YzNIjWl52RI1qLg2IzLZNax7AEJcjD_yDIQmBkEaxSuUspSH88vqMyRjvBIWPThyphenhyphenO0GPnVe9K19Yl/s1600/20151023_183611_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpTFwaVD0tFFWmPGk0FlR4MZz-0fyQWJsj0lWoaGrA1hTyzOTlh28wHWHuoihDq4YzNIjWl52RI1qLg2IzLZNax7AEJcjD_yDIQmBkEaxSuUspSH88vqMyRjvBIWPThyphenhyphenO0GPnVe9K19Yl/s400/20151023_183611_resized.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was the one evening we could sit outside and enjoy the surroundings. So we did. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQ8rI0vOUTIjm-Q6pewWTPcFQzu_kC3F-HTZXzCUyKgIZgkLKny3SV2JpczAmO3a8L9lO-a_kX6NBLWDwhY5MZ1tjEjh0p_3SoJRXE7vzoHwv0HtBjM4eQ7OSPb7jlZzKl8xHYwe-EoTX/s1600/20151024_094102_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQ8rI0vOUTIjm-Q6pewWTPcFQzu_kC3F-HTZXzCUyKgIZgkLKny3SV2JpczAmO3a8L9lO-a_kX6NBLWDwhY5MZ1tjEjh0p_3SoJRXE7vzoHwv0HtBjM4eQ7OSPb7jlZzKl8xHYwe-EoTX/s400/20151024_094102_resized.jpg" width="225" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday morning brought our first use of the stove top to prepare a meal. Oh boy, wish you could smell that yummy ham! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCc7TSK6eh_EJxJJbsXEOD4iiL1YeOmr9led1chKk9WYsIq7x3RLtNlD716nkjBuwfIq_eHdpF4-u1r5Cf-QZqydxU846G8IfxhdXT1Dzj9PHSSn1YlVDWb-HBwFCMDjQLoFlo7fMOWRyI/s1600/20151025_113955_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCc7TSK6eh_EJxJJbsXEOD4iiL1YeOmr9led1chKk9WYsIq7x3RLtNlD716nkjBuwfIq_eHdpF4-u1r5Cf-QZqydxU846G8IfxhdXT1Dzj9PHSSn1YlVDWb-HBwFCMDjQLoFlo7fMOWRyI/s400/20151025_113955_resized.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was wonderful to sit next to our big picture window and watch the rain from the warm, dry comfort of the <i>Kismet </i>dining table. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkkMds12WFtHs5M4VtZM3elX7WJLlSC9RQvHIFt6km73N6F11LgC8ZaQN9sH0T8IUdIZeK7zyMgrqnUVU_8g8TfzI3hOiqi4KfbtHEzOzrLLb0PVctropNVCv9zGyiFZyFLmFKzSG90hd/s1600/20151025_145427_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkkMds12WFtHs5M4VtZM3elX7WJLlSC9RQvHIFt6km73N6F11LgC8ZaQN9sH0T8IUdIZeK7zyMgrqnUVU_8g8TfzI3hOiqi4KfbtHEzOzrLLb0PVctropNVCv9zGyiFZyFLmFKzSG90hd/s400/20151025_145427_resized.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Clearly the <i>Kismet </i>and crew are much more than fair weather sailors. Lots of rain did nothing to dampen our enjoyment of Bastrop State Park. On our way out we stopped at the park office and purchased a sticker, cloth patch, and coffee mug to remember our visit. </span></div>
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<br />DKStallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11684314272511610282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829364314989750444.post-20269505320413418392015-10-18T14:22:00.000-05:002015-10-18T14:22:01.577-05:00Mimi and Pop-Pop's Weekend Visit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2yA7tfR4XyLcghaqew6Yd8U9AIsdxFPwdZ0IOnXLcBbJBv9imbFoT70st_01EvMzuam08jyYPrdS2l7LpCOQn8N6NUEf6LAZ_x95Ofe8_QXw6R1_1zqGvosS5kswVYXFEBOUb0xPWUbG/s1600/20151016_145306R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2yA7tfR4XyLcghaqew6Yd8U9AIsdxFPwdZ0IOnXLcBbJBv9imbFoT70st_01EvMzuam08jyYPrdS2l7LpCOQn8N6NUEf6LAZ_x95Ofe8_QXw6R1_1zqGvosS5kswVYXFEBOUb0xPWUbG/s320/20151016_145306R.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not all road trips need to be long in miles or days. Such was the case this weekend. Friday the <i>Kismet </i>traveled only a few miles to join Linda for lunch in Round Top, Texas. Here she is on the square. After lunch she got her first Texas motor vehicle inspection. Of course she passed with flying colors. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LKechVCER3pL53qyB_9Kno1rHqtSafK_QwPqft26UHe4M_YoKn6DWBoKgoAh5skea9MceesXJY5tmIsee9Oj67HN_Cw8b0TQJRBGLVZP9jvH9in7qmGRW0yhwEB4kd29qFPFwNE4ylkF/s1600/20151017_123544R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LKechVCER3pL53qyB_9Kno1rHqtSafK_QwPqft26UHe4M_YoKn6DWBoKgoAh5skea9MceesXJY5tmIsee9Oj67HN_Cw8b0TQJRBGLVZP9jvH9in7qmGRW0yhwEB4kd29qFPFwNE4ylkF/s320/20151017_123544R.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After work Friday we struck off for Houston. About half-way through the short 2.5 hour trip we stopped at Cracker Barrel for dinner where motor coach parking is always convenient. At the end of the day Friday the <i>Kismet </i>was parked in front of our daughter's home. Mimi and Pop-Pop, that's what our granddaughters call us, had arrived. This was the first time our daughter, son-in-law or granddaughters got to see the <i>MC Kismet</i>. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemjwfZBOsOJT9fKWOfv9i7pksdrO_KH7epDU3FSCxTciSuWs_myHDRDMWlfBTFr9IkjgMUfEJt-pKfMywWo8TBAbLOwLK0gtNDnyLzwk6ur1lNMv7ia7GiUd4BLe4PQJgwazkFhjfQpGc/s1600/20151017_081551R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemjwfZBOsOJT9fKWOfv9i7pksdrO_KH7epDU3FSCxTciSuWs_myHDRDMWlfBTFr9IkjgMUfEJt-pKfMywWo8TBAbLOwLK0gtNDnyLzwk6ur1lNMv7ia7GiUd4BLe4PQJgwazkFhjfQpGc/s320/20151017_081551R.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday morning we entertained two special curbside visitors. The older two granddaughters enjoyed cups of hot chocolate at the window side table overlooking their own front yard. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDt-80yRa38UilYEXZqFeQDJnryu7GJaS9oawYFuHxreQTu_jbQcMUimx5Fp6sFFhyphenhyphenc80Cezy2Ml-nv2Hv_CPMNagVZci5wXGJX5n64CThJ6J0M-vh6nPK9Id3VokOtn0q74CCBCVdd2JR/s1600/20151017_082834R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDt-80yRa38UilYEXZqFeQDJnryu7GJaS9oawYFuHxreQTu_jbQcMUimx5Fp6sFFhyphenhyphenc80Cezy2Ml-nv2Hv_CPMNagVZci5wXGJX5n64CThJ6J0M-vh6nPK9Id3VokOtn0q74CCBCVdd2JR/s320/20151017_082834R.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What a great way to spend time with grandchildren. Linda brought Willa a new American Girl doll catalog and the two of them discussed all the new outfits and accessories as well as the newest dolls in the collection. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogkKwm8bbkG0NhJouBjrFiaUs7LMDGyHDTH0AlqL9JIyL-7Knko6KmRRzmJQ_q4Kf-64OQtdbPUscZcWJkKbH3azP-mGZgT_efVLNY-ySjNkPveFINbEfvkUG5F4VPd4vJsUTGYhG-d8d/s1600/20151017_093600R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogkKwm8bbkG0NhJouBjrFiaUs7LMDGyHDTH0AlqL9JIyL-7Knko6KmRRzmJQ_q4Kf-64OQtdbPUscZcWJkKbH3azP-mGZgT_efVLNY-ySjNkPveFINbEfvkUG5F4VPd4vJsUTGYhG-d8d/s320/20151017_093600R.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <i>Kismet</i>'s living room on wheels provides lots of comfortable space for everyone to visit. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While in Houston we took the opportunity to take out the Sleep Number bed and replace it with another queen size mattress more to our liking. This was one of the important reasons we wanted a motor coach that was designed for a full size mattress, not the shorter RV queen. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since we're not towing a dingy we took the <i>Kismet </i>out for dinner. When we pulled into the parking lot of Miller's Cafe a car came around us and pulled sideways in front of us blocking our turn into a good parking position. The driver was looking directly at me. I was puzzled. When she took her sunglasses off and smiled I did too. I know who that is! It's Sandra, a friend that I haven't seen in about eight years. Turns out she has been following our travels in the <i>Kismet </i>on Facebook and our HwyLife blog. When she saw a giant white motor home with the distinctive markings of the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tradewinds </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">she took chase and caught us! Of course she got piped aboard and given the tour. What a nice surprise. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9SQqs3-k9dZgY97ZjCyve-MmAvcytZYB-s5oTdmiYPzAA1YV9qxPwffP0lqS3x-UuYNrdG2wt4rjUuPqUV_OFP-Rb1TbVREi0fxtjP7woJiEK6Ik9DrkHoWiTqwrrxoTMf835fW0bAOsN/s1600/20151017_191241R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9SQqs3-k9dZgY97ZjCyve-MmAvcytZYB-s5oTdmiYPzAA1YV9qxPwffP0lqS3x-UuYNrdG2wt4rjUuPqUV_OFP-Rb1TbVREi0fxtjP7woJiEK6Ik9DrkHoWiTqwrrxoTMf835fW0bAOsN/s320/20151017_191241R.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With obligations at home on Sunday it was time to start heading that direction. Our only stop on the return trip was to take on diesel in Brookshire, Texas. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even though it was only one night and one full day, it was a very nice visit with our daughter and her family. We really enjoyed bringing our highway home to their front yard. I'm sure this is a trip that will be often repeated. </span></div>
<br />DKStallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11684314272511610282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829364314989750444.post-64095701568545119372015-10-09T19:22:00.000-05:002015-10-09T23:20:48.231-05:00More Photographs From The Shakedown Cruise<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MSIrTFHdKF9p6OkY9CaeHPoLf4vjlQvl4FHvCH6PPvvWTLocTp78FBxXrvdCOT8mnnex5HAw3bH7O7lFqu2zN8Xm0zWoKuSMgENRSV4n4_dQgb2OyHuGk-4TPIJeOv5zexQTWNovXur_/s1600/_SP_7063R2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MSIrTFHdKF9p6OkY9CaeHPoLf4vjlQvl4FHvCH6PPvvWTLocTp78FBxXrvdCOT8mnnex5HAw3bH7O7lFqu2zN8Xm0zWoKuSMgENRSV4n4_dQgb2OyHuGk-4TPIJeOv5zexQTWNovXur_/s400/_SP_7063R2400.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our first fuel stop. Diesel and propane in the RV lane at Flying J in Salt Lake City, Utah. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFYs2sThPDBLSPGovH2b8Cp7G4uy9FdEGwZk2SToE0MbErVYrk1qIZZg1yeqdGdyx6r1Gi8_k56E-2UMuHZok17ZTZsihKwPTur_PnFWF8K0e2GBgfAAlqoUtT63mDTLNbOr7qfKR7RkE/s1600/_SP_7076R2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFYs2sThPDBLSPGovH2b8Cp7G4uy9FdEGwZk2SToE0MbErVYrk1qIZZg1yeqdGdyx6r1Gi8_k56E-2UMuHZok17ZTZsihKwPTur_PnFWF8K0e2GBgfAAlqoUtT63mDTLNbOr7qfKR7RkE/s400/_SP_7076R2400.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An interesting bird we saw across Wyoming starting here in Evanston.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJT1L1hazRIIg0Ryz4vI5KZw1J8Y-JlFdhtSfOhUp4aQK0dHWm5J81qjBiAwxH5fIleGpTymtqph8zpAvtTRFfD3WwCFyrHaXRbqW01-9yRg5POViWgzzaih-boOR62JPPm-AUFwNo1rIG/s1600/_SP_7080R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJT1L1hazRIIg0Ryz4vI5KZw1J8Y-JlFdhtSfOhUp4aQK0dHWm5J81qjBiAwxH5fIleGpTymtqph8zpAvtTRFfD3WwCFyrHaXRbqW01-9yRg5POViWgzzaih-boOR62JPPm-AUFwNo1rIG/s400/_SP_7080R.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not a great picture but it shows the black, white, blue and green coloring.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPClU6pJtG5rmr4JkOj9lCQTwX97QnzSyAcgbV2UxdrGVHq8bIs9NpvWfisZppGDzstcXGNKhXhqsM5iQbLCHoNcmiPodIklnPZkfATfIjtqz6H7SteBJTx14Ydv4OkVBusJ6Kd1POKgB9/s1600/_SP_7089RA2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPClU6pJtG5rmr4JkOj9lCQTwX97QnzSyAcgbV2UxdrGVHq8bIs9NpvWfisZppGDzstcXGNKhXhqsM5iQbLCHoNcmiPodIklnPZkfATfIjtqz6H7SteBJTx14Ydv4OkVBusJ6Kd1POKgB9/s400/_SP_7089RA2400.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our first "family portrait" with the <i>Kismet </i>at Little America, Wyoming.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmqkXOAFT7Y4ullm8TzJgPmqlZ0gJ-kWqQUBUZ07Odh9zGguFKA1Sg_KsfF4908Mt0TPSZuutpZlculDta8Wu7Qtmyf0-xrlV5cY0IAuvJGL0jVCE33m2yI5Q46hH721dEyi5KXRfgk3h/s1600/_SP_7093R2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmqkXOAFT7Y4ullm8TzJgPmqlZ0gJ-kWqQUBUZ07Odh9zGguFKA1Sg_KsfF4908Mt0TPSZuutpZlculDta8Wu7Qtmyf0-xrlV5cY0IAuvJGL0jVCE33m2yI5Q46hH721dEyi5KXRfgk3h/s400/_SP_7093R2400.jpg" width="298" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lincoln Monument at Sherman Summit on I-80 in Wyoming photo bombed by <i>Kismet</i>..</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgieu0aIcWI-pATJKvjL382MMP56iGkHRz9z0l8j3hFjgY87ihjSc6Scl0A3TVFd2NN5h9Wdv1r_1et7UKRgMP_3mkgvLss2X0VxOBis1sVevgPJpq-LNu18DxbPKyXdf_e_4rR9L8_u7Dk/s1600/_SP_7097R2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgieu0aIcWI-pATJKvjL382MMP56iGkHRz9z0l8j3hFjgY87ihjSc6Scl0A3TVFd2NN5h9Wdv1r_1et7UKRgMP_3mkgvLss2X0VxOBis1sVevgPJpq-LNu18DxbPKyXdf_e_4rR9L8_u7Dk/s400/_SP_7097R2400.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Old Governor's Manson in Cheyenne, Wyoming. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EfQ_aS9N_U5SUZjeHCR8fsTDNCEvHWzIMt5hRtaMO6lOSWc_2YHbeKA_pqqXIZoIADqbdu9MeCH4EqxZFIA6ojWmDTCNWjW1jBBGAAitqnTJOSta8MvPdLDROgehwrGEQfuB9bik7jcN/s1600/_SP_7104R2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EfQ_aS9N_U5SUZjeHCR8fsTDNCEvHWzIMt5hRtaMO6lOSWc_2YHbeKA_pqqXIZoIADqbdu9MeCH4EqxZFIA6ojWmDTCNWjW1jBBGAAitqnTJOSta8MvPdLDROgehwrGEQfuB9bik7jcN/s400/_SP_7104R2400.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look'n good in Wellington, Colorado.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZkY71OEvww3Sjthw_biEwY05QQVw_C8wy6Hka5XGbiH2ThRBNP-B8wJ7r9n52JIgBOX-k7NeqRdTn1DVp3gSKHv7dmYjXJm4DxdyLzk89TjE43L7cqkwYmre0UZtfVW5ctaipYqjST7G/s1600/_SP_7114R2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZkY71OEvww3Sjthw_biEwY05QQVw_C8wy6Hka5XGbiH2ThRBNP-B8wJ7r9n52JIgBOX-k7NeqRdTn1DVp3gSKHv7dmYjXJm4DxdyLzk89TjE43L7cqkwYmre0UZtfVW5ctaipYqjST7G/s400/_SP_7114R2400.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkRoUmtmIAThkfDa4QndDRGWs6gMrb2hJk4OAualzpUhpPK01gqd4RKxfnv1o8Hgk0rDJUYQAz0aFiUDGmogtURz25CHSNv7I4aDFZMZCS5wVPj1CEvuEcA7yc2k1ylIYZdbo2qdslRXp/s1600/_SP_7123R2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkRoUmtmIAThkfDa4QndDRGWs6gMrb2hJk4OAualzpUhpPK01gqd4RKxfnv1o8Hgk0rDJUYQAz0aFiUDGmogtURz25CHSNv7I4aDFZMZCS5wVPj1CEvuEcA7yc2k1ylIYZdbo2qdslRXp/s400/_SP_7123R2400.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Game Day! Go Broncos!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHG8SujrdgLm_EJe6OeTBH8kIlxDkOwW3klN_TYDgwritthAvfmpXwHGE709Rwp3FUPpR9vTF5x8iWEKuHSuaPXBjWpF16T76sUJsbzB5YRqfaXNW7Ks5dYJC9svRc9x2N_Wm2Q5mF70k/s1600/_SP_7135R2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHG8SujrdgLm_EJe6OeTBH8kIlxDkOwW3klN_TYDgwritthAvfmpXwHGE709Rwp3FUPpR9vTF5x8iWEKuHSuaPXBjWpF16T76sUJsbzB5YRqfaXNW7Ks5dYJC9svRc9x2N_Wm2Q5mF70k/s400/_SP_7135R2400.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoying the comfortable living area of our motor coach near Bowie, Texas.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdDXz36D71GqfsRFAQOSEA7qeOX66DSLxTLDR075LPVRrSlmKHVghsWW6ex82hfC1auIOhhHYbRW_LxKSBvKz_4tSvrDyE5-uVGYY_Yr6xGGx-v8GAunCXRh7dyD-1kJfsD0ZKdyB-zpl/s1600/_SP_7137R2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdDXz36D71GqfsRFAQOSEA7qeOX66DSLxTLDR075LPVRrSlmKHVghsWW6ex82hfC1auIOhhHYbRW_LxKSBvKz_4tSvrDyE5-uVGYY_Yr6xGGx-v8GAunCXRh7dyD-1kJfsD0ZKdyB-zpl/s400/_SP_7137R2400.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And finally home on the Town Square in Fayetteville, Texas.</span></div>
<br />DKStallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11684314272511610282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829364314989750444.post-82070204087511558612015-10-08T02:53:00.001-05:002015-10-08T13:23:06.332-05:00Kismet Reaches Her New Home Port in Fayettteville, Texas<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good Morning from Bowie, Texas! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27oHqZCyR9KBT374AoG09AD48BCWyhRmTPjPL4tIogPayhMvjNG6mAOd5l0hn7Vrv2z7oLrzKcu61JoewJ1JYqqjoPcuvqnqW5J3mGJwXuBSLJYJFBBzcSQ9FMhAleUSvCPQirQs2ANLr/s1600/20151006_090529R2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27oHqZCyR9KBT374AoG09AD48BCWyhRmTPjPL4tIogPayhMvjNG6mAOd5l0hn7Vrv2z7oLrzKcu61JoewJ1JYqqjoPcuvqnqW5J3mGJwXuBSLJYJFBBzcSQ9FMhAleUSvCPQirQs2ANLr/s400/20151006_090529R2400.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the best meals of the trip was a hot breakfast served at a table by an open window near Bowie, Texas. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had a nice slow pace morning in a very quiet RV park. I took the opportunity to do a little tinkering on the Kismet, cleaning and removing more unwanted cup hooks and such. Then it was on the road again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today we fueled in Waco, Texas, taking on 30 gallons of diesel. Our new three tank average rose to 9.8 miles per gallon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hitting Austin rush hour traffic took all the rush out of our effort to get to the Austin Airport. Miles of stop and go traffic. Now you might wonder why we were going to the airport. But you should recall this voyage began by flying to Utah, which means we left a car at the airport. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Linda is pretty sure she is among the few people ever dropped off at the passenger arrivals bus lane in a diesel pusher motor home. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vHBs08608laCHwrJNmvs8Jxkt1z731HZsmgo7R7zBQV4qcKJLKFtL47HJaY9uWqEJAH7UYAwIttj4HxH5UWEoICrTOjeaYHgeFrkvLzpdmiinzwy7v714QPX3xXgbktX37DusqK6gsjR/s1600/20151006_190047_resizedR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vHBs08608laCHwrJNmvs8Jxkt1z731HZsmgo7R7zBQV4qcKJLKFtL47HJaY9uWqEJAH7UYAwIttj4HxH5UWEoICrTOjeaYHgeFrkvLzpdmiinzwy7v714QPX3xXgbktX37DusqK6gsjR/s400/20151006_190047_resizedR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Separated for the first time in five days meant Linda could snap some pictures of the <i>Kismet </i>approaching home port from her chase vehicle. . </span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZq_ii2BPJgZM4p-vwDN6pG4Cdc-vHFqXMYRjDVTfedsCYC7ynCndG1bAHRiJyWHyFo5GZyn54TwijPziEE7e_mU7G_ISM41oLXzVMT-fQNHMLmw8-LLXJB7s0jJjrZ2rzRYSKyOtFKmoy/s1600/20151006_191118R2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZq_ii2BPJgZM4p-vwDN6pG4Cdc-vHFqXMYRjDVTfedsCYC7ynCndG1bAHRiJyWHyFo5GZyn54TwijPziEE7e_mU7G_ISM41oLXzVMT-fQNHMLmw8-LLXJB7s0jJjrZ2rzRYSKyOtFKmoy/s400/20151006_191118R2400.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <i>Kismet </i>has finished the last leg of her 1,650 mile maiden voyage to arrive on the town square in Fayetteville, Texas. A few minutes later she would be backed into a covered parking space and locked up while Linda and I had dinner at our local cafe. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In two weeks the <i>Kismet </i>will be back on the highway. Stay tuned. </span><br />
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DKStallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11684314272511610282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829364314989750444.post-36910109229236918692015-10-07T11:51:00.000-05:002015-10-07T12:19:20.411-05:00If It's Tuesday It's Texas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBEl-RXJGHiP856WKMCrBy99kvLLxYYTKzEv1T46q6FMz_7BIHR69ik2GVL1WLgZ9SFQXTR11mxN8c0u12-zqxKCLWhciap0B_WIdU-3ggDzktIfoEpQ7vFsONoQJ0pH3VeVWUTZh4_U3/s1600/20151005_105128R2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBEl-RXJGHiP856WKMCrBy99kvLLxYYTKzEv1T46q6FMz_7BIHR69ik2GVL1WLgZ9SFQXTR11mxN8c0u12-zqxKCLWhciap0B_WIdU-3ggDzktIfoEpQ7vFsONoQJ0pH3VeVWUTZh4_U3/s400/20151005_105128R2400.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good morning from Dumas, Texas. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were glad to find this space in the middle of the night. We were so tired that we dropped anchor and didn't make any shore connections or even open the door until this morning. Again it rained most of the night. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having had lots of heavy rain, both while parked and at highway speeds, we are assured that there are no roof leaks in the living area of the motor coach. No roof leaks, check. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday was the biggest push and longest day of this maiden voyage. To get to Dumas we traveled 471 miles from Wellington, Colorado, through rain and dense fog. These next two days will be in sunshine and at a much slower pace. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQLOtuvNJNG7cVtf8lqLpOeejnS-nYp9eQHADMfMU93OlfDOaJqyH5jslqr9zm7WCfbEz6gZbCfQP5EPVxO1XJxXv7aSLIKH-9yFIkhp5qOCdDmA9TZCeQgilwfLsba2nsNe_6cGFfkFh/s1600/20151005_104354R2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQLOtuvNJNG7cVtf8lqLpOeejnS-nYp9eQHADMfMU93OlfDOaJqyH5jslqr9zm7WCfbEz6gZbCfQP5EPVxO1XJxXv7aSLIKH-9yFIkhp5qOCdDmA9TZCeQgilwfLsba2nsNe_6cGFfkFh/s1600/20151005_104354R2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQLOtuvNJNG7cVtf8lqLpOeejnS-nYp9eQHADMfMU93OlfDOaJqyH5jslqr9zm7WCfbEz6gZbCfQP5EPVxO1XJxXv7aSLIKH-9yFIkhp5qOCdDmA9TZCeQgilwfLsba2nsNe_6cGFfkFh/s400/20151005_104354R2400.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After three days on the road we managed to fill both holding tanks. Taking showers helped. By filling our two fresh water tanks </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to capacity </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">as well as both holding tanks we were able to verify the integrity of all four of our tanks. No tank leaks, check. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And so, this morning was our first waste water dump. No cap leak. No valve leaks. Both black and gray valves operated easily and properly. The plumbing bay wash down hose worked okay. Another highway trial successfully completed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really like the new sewer hose we bought at Camping World. Unlike hoses I've bought and used in the past this hose accordions into a stiff tube that's easy to handle and store. Likewise it only expands to the length you need when making a connection. With two 10-foot sections I will also only use one length whenever possible. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9Kyg5OBKF-zyRA-R3znEDdkh8vO9o9CyYDvNya-IILKuK44njD2q-PsU6gRtyO4TR64e7_BaUNkngcR9N_I-p538TkHkUJoTm8k-OKwQgvNIGScr9FKAWLhj3vhqMN02Y6KQCy-ydHpx/s1600/20151005_115758_resizedR2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9Kyg5OBKF-zyRA-R3znEDdkh8vO9o9CyYDvNya-IILKuK44njD2q-PsU6gRtyO4TR64e7_BaUNkngcR9N_I-p538TkHkUJoTm8k-OKwQgvNIGScr9FKAWLhj3vhqMN02Y6KQCy-ydHpx/s400/20151005_115758_resizedR2400.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello Amarillo. This was Linda's first time in the Texas Panhandle and Amarillo. She got better pictures through the windshield than I did. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbBPl_nYzWZkuWKhPsFX2olz4MpnfLgCIuzMzkzoOHuxX96iNWTLozZNlvc_xnDSV7aOV8pFP8-L0ePZ2Gib3bcW0M4uZIsBYxC4aJTUdElBKcgZH0h8qRk0EJolJulZ46cS5YccQjpOq/s1600/20151005_164230_resizedR2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbBPl_nYzWZkuWKhPsFX2olz4MpnfLgCIuzMzkzoOHuxX96iNWTLozZNlvc_xnDSV7aOV8pFP8-L0ePZ2Gib3bcW0M4uZIsBYxC4aJTUdElBKcgZH0h8qRk0EJolJulZ46cS5YccQjpOq/s400/20151005_164230_resizedR2400.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We saw and raced lots and lots of trains across Wyoming, Colorado, and Texas. Linda exchanged greetings with a BNSF engineer from her co-pilot seat. I gave him a toot on the air horn. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today's fuel stop was in Childress, Texas, where we took on 50 gallons of diesel. During the next 24 hours I've pay even more attention to fuel economy. I'll keep the speed to 65 MPH, keet the dash air conditioning off, and keep the transmission in economy mode. So far the results are promising. Our three tank (fueling) average is 9.0 miles per gallon. Let's see what tomorrow brings. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CDlCjs9bHlqKD5G1v5NuKXhBF8-Kyy6bpbjNg8Veu2f10_dahMzxtdOyvaU2cVrWVz8uwdlMGsuqRPWjkhHwGNMpZIdZCkhnLXn_Xe3W_6MOzBPOwlK1Fvd2lGkFwr2DLSCufzaxfsIP/s1600/20151005_183947_resizedR2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CDlCjs9bHlqKD5G1v5NuKXhBF8-Kyy6bpbjNg8Veu2f10_dahMzxtdOyvaU2cVrWVz8uwdlMGsuqRPWjkhHwGNMpZIdZCkhnLXn_Xe3W_6MOzBPOwlK1Fvd2lGkFwr2DLSCufzaxfsIP/s400/20151005_183947_resizedR2400.jpg" width="225" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Traveling only 207 miles today made for an early arrival at our RV near Bowie, Texas. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dry weather and cool temperatures meant we could open all the windows and enjoy fresh air and the sound of crickets. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was the first day that all three meals were prepared aboard the </span><i>Kismet</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before dinner we turned the pilot and co-pilot seats around to become part of the living room. Once again we were impressed with the comfortable seating for six. And there was still room for two more using the dining room chairs. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimo3XvlNP1aYdz-E45d0SCQ7fLmWiYEPZphtwRjUAo_APywgZHgRKaGAWfB1h32yHwl3vARYjVkAtAVVHDpyV62tu5Xh_gBm0aMTASd9AmLszxqyTkfDoMm9cmzjTnb9eNAsu7pJ2ybEkV/s1600/20151005_184956_resizedR2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimo3XvlNP1aYdz-E45d0SCQ7fLmWiYEPZphtwRjUAo_APywgZHgRKaGAWfB1h32yHwl3vARYjVkAtAVVHDpyV62tu5Xh_gBm0aMTASd9AmLszxqyTkfDoMm9cmzjTnb9eNAsu7pJ2ybEkV/s400/20151005_184956_resizedR2400.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">After dinner I took the opportunity to work on yesterday's blog and Linda caught up on a magazine. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Very relaxing. Time for another cup of coffee. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tomorrow night we'll be home. </span><br />
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DKStallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11684314272511610282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829364314989750444.post-46181624520606303782015-10-05T13:48:00.000-05:002015-11-09T09:38:02.176-06:00Day Three, Colorado<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Good Morning Wellington, Colorado. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLgyWqwriDrIsflIiqC2JE8XT9OkxrP1tuEEHsLkPJkhGjuTnIIZRu3-n8dSRFo4CGXD-Xmhy23IEbLYFD2kAJ0FyYGXEM9oakbXUwNFqadUIIrJOamqCdUOy2xuHbartdujlcRgMnMlg/s1600/20151004_091518R2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLgyWqwriDrIsflIiqC2JE8XT9OkxrP1tuEEHsLkPJkhGjuTnIIZRu3-n8dSRFo4CGXD-Xmhy23IEbLYFD2kAJ0FyYGXEM9oakbXUwNFqadUIIrJOamqCdUOy2xuHbartdujlcRgMnMlg/s400/20151004_091518R2400.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We prepaid to get a space with an unobstructed view of the Front Range. So here's the view from the front windshield of the </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">M.C.Kismet</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. No mountains this morning, just fog! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBykUCCrCPusYv49GKzkTy4ZD4B3ND2Uu7A6Xgd0TipN_9SZ20Tb7VYgd6tS1pth1m7shaGYGJZK1gy5l4F60yQ_BYmB9OVO63Xlzn1hGeW43voazEHq_riKWcdINotAhwoPLMfgb3o7K/s1600/20151004_094847R2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBykUCCrCPusYv49GKzkTy4ZD4B3ND2Uu7A6Xgd0TipN_9SZ20Tb7VYgd6tS1pth1m7shaGYGJZK1gy5l4F60yQ_BYmB9OVO63Xlzn1hGeW43voazEHq_riKWcdINotAhwoPLMfgb3o7K/s400/20151004_094847R2400.jpg" width="378" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Despite the fog we did have a good site. The concrete pad was much appreciated after another night of hard rain. Having arrived in the dark we were not too certain of our surroundings until morning. Only shore power had been connected on our arrival, but this morning we would connect the <i>Kismet </i>to city water for the first time. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZb7-ycKPqX8N0lGwF-AllYuWKLDboSpv5ujOXmF3U-kQnodv1GBLnWZxkVOz3ix_Rvc1cgvbHfVIiBOYFalQtZ26YAf_wx6mByqluqV-yodsB7Dn2vu5ZK8Y0Tk6-NJTOrjoaNX5AihVC/s1600/20151004_094924R2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZb7-ycKPqX8N0lGwF-AllYuWKLDboSpv5ujOXmF3U-kQnodv1GBLnWZxkVOz3ix_Rvc1cgvbHfVIiBOYFalQtZ26YAf_wx6mByqluqV-yodsB7Dn2vu5ZK8Y0Tk6-NJTOrjoaNX5AihVC/s400/20151004_094924R2400.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Watch that last step! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Arriving in the dark I made only one trip outside, to connect the power. Then it was back inside out of the rain before leveling and putting the slide out. This morning I wasn't paying enough attention to that last step. Whoa, this will wake you up! About 15-inches between the step and the slab. Enough that the front tire was well off the ground. Add a small platform step to our needed equipment list. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Using a new pressure regulator and hose we connected to the city water input in the plumbing bay. The valves were set to fill the fresh water tank and the supply spigot</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> turned on. So far so good as we began refilling our two 45 gallon tanks. It took awhile before the water reached the overflow indicating full tanks. The valve was then moved to the "City Water Serve" position. With the pump off this pressurizes the motor coach's water system. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">More shakedown maneuvers for the <i>Kismet</i>. We flipped the switch and turned on the propane water heater. Two tests, how long to heat, and how long the hot water lasts. About 30 minutes later Linda stepped into the shower. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1XXVPOHW7KMeTIAD4ihDvUtuk6ao6baEmv37SZM4w1ib585X09cMFxuQKDVKW-oDMUFwQF_wsk_bRBY34QVJ3bDdfplLIXguLuqK99Ft8lurUAyck24p5rOeftdQS0HQnb7plR_HVrKE/s1600/17R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1XXVPOHW7KMeTIAD4ihDvUtuk6ao6baEmv37SZM4w1ib585X09cMFxuQKDVKW-oDMUFwQF_wsk_bRBY34QVJ3bDdfplLIXguLuqK99Ft8lurUAyck24p5rOeftdQS0HQnb7plR_HVrKE/s400/17R.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Both of us took 15 minute showers about 15 minutes apart and never ran out of hot water. Wonderful. Even better was the overall shower experience. The glass enclosed shower-tub turns out to be larger than the shower we had one of our past houses. Not tight at all. Add to that the skylight above and there's lots of headroom and natural light. We had initially thought the shower head might be too low, but turns out it's just right. It's all good. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our morning was spent relaxing, showering, cooking a hot breakfast, and exploring our new highway hotel. Accordingly, our departure was delayed until shortly after noon. Then we were off south through Denver where Linda and I enjoyed the opportunity to drive past Mile High Stadium on game day. That was great! From the very nearby highway we could see a sea of orange going into the stadium. We also saw the huge tailgating party well underway. A short time later I turn on KOA, the Denver radio home of the Broncos and we listened to play-by-play for the first half of the game as we drove south away from Denver. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our next stop was </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Centennial, Colorado where we</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> picked up more photo prints from Walgreen's. Since it was Sunday we moved into the adjoining Wells Fargo Bank parking lot for lunch. Then it was on to a Love's truck stop just north of Pueblo, Colorado. This was our third time to purchase diesel for the <i>Kismet</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since our departure from Salt Lake City we have traveled 699 miles and purchased 79 gallons of diesel. That works out to an average of 8.9 miles per gallon. Not bad since we have done nothing to help with getting good mileage. We've run the dash air conditioner, kept full water tanks, and sure haven't watched our speed. There will be plenty of time to do those things in the future, but this is a shakedown cruise and I wanted to stretch her sea legs. I have to admit that she is so easy to drive you have to watch your speed on level highways or you'll look down and find you are cruising at 80 miles per hour. Sure glad I got the high-speed rated tires. I also pushed her up all the grades we encountered and left the engine idling for long periods during lunch and other stops. If there's going to be a problem I want to know it now. So far it's all gold stars.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dinner was served by Cracker Barrel in Pueblo, Colorado. As we finished dinner we used our notebook computer to watch the score ticker for the last 10 minutes of the game as the Broncos beat the Vikings. Following Pueblo it was</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> south into more rain.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By now we had another, albeit much shorter, list of things we need for the highway hotel including a few more food items now that we have confirmed the refrigerator and freezer are working dependably. Oh ya, did I mention that we made ice today? I turned the ice maker on this morning and as we were eating lunch at Wells Fargo there was a distinctive crash sound as a tray of ice was dumped into the bucket. We smiled. It's ice! The ice maker works, check. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjerr9l56f8iLTq4auQtvFLef6jYWYgqrqjsxNZa-GuaRp2pniTeF2zXrghWL4J9Z0ycklY6_WYwt4Sbqp8ZJHtQRbW2ZEcjDoyPqGrqasM00yIaKUxPBUE5L2CZkbVyC1XGeomd6AJQSl9/s1600/20151004_193822R2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjerr9l56f8iLTq4auQtvFLef6jYWYgqrqjsxNZa-GuaRp2pniTeF2zXrghWL4J9Z0ycklY6_WYwt4Sbqp8ZJHtQRbW2ZEcjDoyPqGrqasM00yIaKUxPBUE5L2CZkbVyC1XGeomd6AJQSl9/s400/20151004_193822R2400.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our <i>Kismet </i>was clearly the largest object in the WalMart parking lot in the Trinidad, Colorado tonight. Next stop, Dalhart, Texas. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our journey was about to get a bit more challenging than just dark and rainy. Shortly after leaving Trinidad we ran into heavy fog. By the time we got to Raton Pass visibility was about 150 feet so we wound our way over the pass moving slowly. Once we reach the other side it was clear and more rain. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just before midnight we pulled in to the RV park in Dalhart, Texas. We were tired and ready for bed. Unfortunately however, they didn't hold our reservation and there was no place to dock or park so we were back on the road. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Shortly after midnight we found a spot in Dumas, Texas. Parked and didn't even set foot outside. Connections would wait until morning. Jacks down, slide out, lights off. Good night.</span></div>
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DKStallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11684314272511610282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829364314989750444.post-30004111765008838352015-10-05T07:14:00.001-05:002015-10-05T07:14:05.037-05:00It's Wyoming!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6twhB4EiJlvP0M3F2IeB9ThNqxlOgKKI9fKCkY2EWQF_MuiQ5nRtYy101HBG4-pSOJ7SfjOofiFMoIcN2oYFqPElrHdo9pqb36x3nzFgfhgsZ6ZhWSkZ2nb5vioRlDEl2iIof__-jipNZ/s1600/20151003_080046R2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6twhB4EiJlvP0M3F2IeB9ThNqxlOgKKI9fKCkY2EWQF_MuiQ5nRtYy101HBG4-pSOJ7SfjOofiFMoIcN2oYFqPElrHdo9pqb36x3nzFgfhgsZ6ZhWSkZ2nb5vioRlDEl2iIof__-jipNZ/s400/20151003_080046R2400.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good morning Evanston, Wyoming! Breakfast is served at our very own window on the world. A nice cool morning with overnight rain. The cool weather gave us a chance to test out our two central heat style furnaces. And they performed perfectly all night long. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On our first day we only traveled 123 miles just in case we needed to return to the RV dealer or any number of shops in Salt Lake City. Fortunately, that will not be necessary. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRYggOY_vUT10j0K5qYXM-_4Xzvxqo_hUmWm5IWY3XCiyzWBb19JvxJWC-lb35YIrfVqiESRVB0eqIDTCKneOoIv-q0KQX3lcNPNmRr-Y_qJHhclhaKek4H90kLDN5x-aBglfK5UIRlH1/s1600/20151004_090333R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRYggOY_vUT10j0K5qYXM-_4Xzvxqo_hUmWm5IWY3XCiyzWBb19JvxJWC-lb35YIrfVqiESRVB0eqIDTCKneOoIv-q0KQX3lcNPNmRr-Y_qJHhclhaKek4H90kLDN5x-aBglfK5UIRlH1/s320/20151004_090333R.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before we got underway again I took some time to remove unwanted exterior hardware and clean up the residue left behind by stickers and adhesive mounted emblems on the rear of the motor coach. This also gave me the opportunity to install our own Family Motor Coach Association oval. We are also members of the FMCA Amateur Radio Chapter, Diesel RV Club, Freightliner Chassis Owner's Club, Good Sam Club, and The Dolphins. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppnlr5tndCaiYdXNHRlg7UgrepaoCEx8zsd07K-E43O2w9aq0P6BGT0bmLBv3Nfe7v3C-bfPCnk9Bx_JnF5Y_mJtwc47gwuOwXKBht-JiJIP2A_B9RSehn2pRcU8inEZn6YgZNvq9nyxQ/s1600/20151003_103406R2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppnlr5tndCaiYdXNHRlg7UgrepaoCEx8zsd07K-E43O2w9aq0P6BGT0bmLBv3Nfe7v3C-bfPCnk9Bx_JnF5Y_mJtwc47gwuOwXKBht-JiJIP2A_B9RSehn2pRcU8inEZn6YgZNvq9nyxQ/s400/20151003_103406R2400.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Talk about wide open spaces. We were unprepared for the variety of landscape to be seen across Wyoming between Evanston and Cheyenne. Just spectacular. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPxaaqH2YBIDToGvDzV93cGivU9npvhBmTbAw3KEZttpSFwiXUrDul_CAPalTSCdBo0YIan7kkrCo5n1t7eOOfLnw23bDm9Ei7O7hASNQpiXPvg-rRXqzw4KZNsIzr4lE9Ajm4FTaMX5J/s1600/20151003_113530R2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPxaaqH2YBIDToGvDzV93cGivU9npvhBmTbAw3KEZttpSFwiXUrDul_CAPalTSCdBo0YIan7kkrCo5n1t7eOOfLnw23bDm9Ei7O7hASNQpiXPvg-rRXqzw4KZNsIzr4lE9Ajm4FTaMX5J/s400/20151003_113530R2400.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Okay, so we didn't really stop here for any reason other than take our picture with the Little America sign in Little American, Wyoming. I got a great picture of Linda and I standing with the <i>Kismet </i>taken with our camera on a tripod under remote control. Unfortunately, I later discovered that I didn't bring the cable necessary to get the photograph out of the camera. Oh well, guess you'll just have to wait! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCb6x0HlhU7U4HIB7n8XuaJjZAMCxkCz2Oqi15yjeb-jzz25AUHVE0SPLyaoI92kDSuO-DG9vP3cptJCp92XLndBne3RwMmIKgl-CDAuM7wNh5wzyIirzVcFHVEvCS0tfkSE1A1n9oUj_l/s1600/20151003_121727R2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCb6x0HlhU7U4HIB7n8XuaJjZAMCxkCz2Oqi15yjeb-jzz25AUHVE0SPLyaoI92kDSuO-DG9vP3cptJCp92XLndBne3RwMmIKgl-CDAuM7wNh5wzyIirzVcFHVEvCS0tfkSE1A1n9oUj_l/s400/20151003_121727R2400.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here we took a tourist detour through Green River, Wyoming. This unique (although not so unique for Wyoming) rock formation looms up over the city. Pretty darn cool. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0WsRK7geLH_K_WzxcoUqho1Cf0jMXtXO1KD_GwHCKNQb_OkF7ZAEH1B7Q59XgrOjqET3NIDE2mlFZdbTPGH2oFL0PupkhQrQjB7Nt60m7Z_HRbZZB04qjwalrPevdYKr5idyiAJaE2Id/s1600/2015-10-04_10.16.40_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0WsRK7geLH_K_WzxcoUqho1Cf0jMXtXO1KD_GwHCKNQb_OkF7ZAEH1B7Q59XgrOjqET3NIDE2mlFZdbTPGH2oFL0PupkhQrQjB7Nt60m7Z_HRbZZB04qjwalrPevdYKr5idyiAJaE2Id/s400/2015-10-04_10.16.40_resized.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With a Walgreen's app installed on my smartphone I'm able to take pictures and order one-hour prints to be picked up along our route. Works great. Shots from Utah picked up in Wyoming. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflINjYheqNcAd_EdCGueBXdMwBgr-yPty37f1tjIf3evNKTaKONLaRy5ZL5pu2iPkhdOSKbQexjojhEzhCKAqELjUiJfRDV-yqHgteC8yobgZOOPbkYUD5MsSkd2VEMrEyBgzBdD3DfwG/s1600/20151003_125949R2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflINjYheqNcAd_EdCGueBXdMwBgr-yPty37f1tjIf3evNKTaKONLaRy5ZL5pu2iPkhdOSKbQexjojhEzhCKAqELjUiJfRDV-yqHgteC8yobgZOOPbkYUD5MsSkd2VEMrEyBgzBdD3DfwG/s400/20151003_125949R2400.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Turns out that the parking lot of Walgreen's in Rock Springs is also a pretty good place to have lunch. If you've brought your own kitchen! Once we arrive home the paper plate will be replaced with something reusable. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mGfHrz5FX2GTQ56wIDmRRliJL6IKiZ8RMlFaXg3pkEJQkFaWvU3xgFw-u65Zsf1ug4fJwgvxbN4pPIyV2mIKL40L9xcAEWyIN0gbTnIZDcmQVOqRlUBZFcKYVt_n_uAGbKdggFM8g3vj/s1600/20151003_173726R2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mGfHrz5FX2GTQ56wIDmRRliJL6IKiZ8RMlFaXg3pkEJQkFaWvU3xgFw-u65Zsf1ug4fJwgvxbN4pPIyV2mIKL40L9xcAEWyIN0gbTnIZDcmQVOqRlUBZFcKYVt_n_uAGbKdggFM8g3vj/s400/20151003_173726R2400.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you ever seen the Great Leaning Tower of Lincoln just outside Laramie? We have! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JeRjXC4HPODiGOqV7mwYPLIFGKaavAYLkceoBzbabdjH9Sh9AHEhMvGzbYgFEBgf7O88ONEam-SaJrjvprsgIkpMDywXEtqiqAyB-2UePbPiY_SVKf1kGewA1N3NBO7Xe5UsUP0m6RpL/s1600/20151003_173741R2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JeRjXC4HPODiGOqV7mwYPLIFGKaavAYLkceoBzbabdjH9Sh9AHEhMvGzbYgFEBgf7O88ONEam-SaJrjvprsgIkpMDywXEtqiqAyB-2UePbPiY_SVKf1kGewA1N3NBO7Xe5UsUP0m6RpL/s400/20151003_173741R2400.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We drove up and down and over summits as high as 8,640 feet as was the case at Sherman Summit in Albany County, Wyoming. Here's a view down from the top of that summit. [<i>Click on this, or any of the photographs to enlarge</i>]</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One last stop in downtown Chyenne, Wyoming for dinner with distant relatives. No, we didn't eat at Subway, we had a great meal at 2 Doors Down on 17th Street. This was a little like my childhood when traveling with my grandparents and their travel trailer and stopping to visit relatives across the country. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also got a really good photograph of the Governor's Mansion before dinner, but alas it's stuck in the camera for now. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The drive to Wellington, Colorado, was in the dark and driving rain. Although not appreciated by the co-pilot, it was yet another good test of the <i>Kismet </i>on her maiden voyage. </span></div>
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<br />DKStallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11684314272511610282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829364314989750444.post-79495267131922996952015-10-04T09:28:00.001-05:002015-10-30T15:42:02.095-05:00The Big Day Arrives<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The day we've been waiting for had finally arrived. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Linda and I departed our small farmhouse in rural Texas at 4:00 a.m. for the Austin airport with just enough time to catch a 6:00 a.m. flight to Salt Lake City, Utah via Denver, Colorado. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We arrived in Salt Lake City under cloudy skies. Our RV dealer picked us up curbside and in 15 minutes Linda was seeing the <i>M.C.Kismet</i> in person for the first time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had my final check list to review and was pleased to find everything had been done. New slide-out cover, new tires, new thermostat, etc. Next up was the final paperwork in the office while Linda stayed aboard getting to know her new highway hotel. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once I was done with the paperwork and the temporary paper license plate in place, it was time to back her out of the service bay and hit the road. This would begin our shakedown cruise across five states. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our very first stop, a Flying J truck stop just off I-15 five minutes away and still in Salt Lake City. We pulled into one of the RV lanes and took on 59 gallons of diesel before moving over to the adjacent propane filling station. After waiting our turn we added 48 gallons of propane to our 55 gallon tank. These were also the first two uses of our Pilot Flying J RV Plus card. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since it was already noon we moved over to the parking lot with the big boys and took our first picture of Linda with the Tradewinds. Then it was off to their restaurant for lunch. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With everything working, running and ready for the road we struck off for the first of two provisioning stops. First up was Camping World in Draper, Utah, just a few miles south of Salt Lake City. Not only did we get a large assortment of RV supplies but I also got another picture of Linda with the <i>Kismet</i>. (You know this photo thing will just continue everywhere). Among things purchased were a 30-foot 50-amp extension cable, waste water hoses and connections, 25-foot drinking water hose, water pressure regulator, a carpet runner, and lots of odds and ends. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our plan had been to make our second provisioning stop at a WalMart Super Center in Salt Lake City before heading east to Wyoming. However, we were enjoying the view and ride in the <i>Kismet </i>so much that we decided we would rather drive than stop again so soon. We were happy to be in a new (to us) motor coach and in a new place that we just wanted to go! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Frequent stops gave us an opportunity to check those things that we still weren't super familiar with. It also gave us the opportunity to pull off at scenic rest stops and soak up a little Utah. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the open road the <i>Kismet </i>performed wonderfully. She cruised up grades like taking a walk in the park. What a stark contrast to the 34-foot Bounder we drove to California in July. This time the roles were reversed. It was us floating uphill past 18-wheelers and gas powered motor homes. And no tugging at the steering wheel, or being buffeted by passing trucks. Oh, and the cockpit is so quiet with wind noise being the loudest thing heard (with the generator off). We both agreed that riding in the <i>Kismet </i>is even quieter than riding in my Ford Fusion. Wonderful. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6COMNyLbe-XQwGeKccZbIJlyMHvHjXKHEOOnaCdt3I_WrQU3pRVL7TgKLOrtPToiodw89307ygxTQPq5rjcbAOAjK8Lm1FqvasGOd50q7QPihMOvZN27wYCzPY58ZUCZXYipPvJwWJpDY/s1600/20151002_164922R2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6COMNyLbe-XQwGeKccZbIJlyMHvHjXKHEOOnaCdt3I_WrQU3pRVL7TgKLOrtPToiodw89307ygxTQPq5rjcbAOAjK8Lm1FqvasGOd50q7QPihMOvZN27wYCzPY58ZUCZXYipPvJwWJpDY/s400/20151002_164922R2400.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Late in the day we arrived in Evanston, Wyoming. We located our RV park, checked in, paid and found our site. On the park owner's recommendation we left for Jody's Diner and a great dinner in a place filled with local families. I had never heard of mac and cheese soup before, but was quite popular in this diner. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our second provisioning stop was the last and most expensive of the day. Flying somewhere to buy a motor coach means that you arrive with virtually nothing to set up housekeeping. Bedding, linens, towels, cooking utensils, cleaning supplies, small appliances, and groceries. Whew! Two carts full. The receipt tells the story, 89 items. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As Linda points out, we'll push these two carts all the way home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back at the RV park it's now dark and we're glad that we had the opportunity to see how we would need to weave the <i>Kismet </i>through trees and hedges to fit into our slip. Deflate air suspension, check. Leveling jacks down, check. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once docked I uncoiled our new power cable and put us on shore power for our first time. Shortly after we were in for the night it began to rain, which it did on and off all night. This presented a good opportunity for us to check for roof leaks. Happily none were found. Yea! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>DKStallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11684314272511610282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829364314989750444.post-40922846413495801122015-09-30T09:14:00.001-05:002015-09-30T17:10:46.921-05:00A Little Something For The Gearheads<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILG9Md5U3nEzMT_rr_OXN4PlR0PV8CcfiYQVqb5SALCSuHG3YUd5rXuCIJYZLsX0ltQqY-7mLxHyHGPu_MUBvkt_Uzd_R3zZrM2SFJrV4juRQTC2hguhIf15dkxGBZoLcLRV40Rn6oHk3/s1600/DKS1509257379R2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILG9Md5U3nEzMT_rr_OXN4PlR0PV8CcfiYQVqb5SALCSuHG3YUd5rXuCIJYZLsX0ltQqY-7mLxHyHGPu_MUBvkt_Uzd_R3zZrM2SFJrV4juRQTC2hguhIf15dkxGBZoLcLRV40Rn6oHk3/s400/DKS1509257379R2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a look at the power plant of our motor coach. It's a 300 horsepower turbocharged six-cylinder Caterpillar model 3126B 7AS diesel engine. It drives an Allison MD3060 six-speed electronically controlled transmission that features an economy mode. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />The CAT is an electronically controlled engine with hydraulically activated, electronically controlled injectors. This truck engine produces 860 lb-ft torque that easily pushes the coach up steep grades. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our coach is also equipped with a Jacobs Extarder system commonly called a "Jake Brake" on 18-wheelers. The Jake Brake improves downhill control and significantly reduces wear on the service air brakes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <i>M.C. Kismet</i> is big, very big. She is 37-feet long, 8.5-feet wide and stands 12-feet high. She's heavy too with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,350 lbs. (13 tons) with a cargo carrying capacity of 6,030 lbs. (3 tons). Plus, she can tow another 5,000 lbs.(2.5 tons). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite the big size and weight, she should average 9.5 miles per gallon (much better than the 6.5 mpg we got in the 36-foot gasoline powered Bounder in July). With her 90-gallon fuel tank the <i>M.C. Kismet</i> has a maximum cruising range of 850 miles (we had less than a 520 mile range in the Bounder). We'll plan on refueling our new coach every 500 to 600 miles. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>DKStallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11684314272511610282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829364314989750444.post-83159430991907174702015-09-28T21:09:00.000-05:002015-09-28T21:09:17.709-05:00Let the Countdown Commence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the planning now complete we have started the countdown for the <i>M.C. Kismet</i>'s first voyage. In case you were wondering, that's M.C. for motor coach, instead of M.V. for motor vessel. Kind of sticking with the nautical theme. And yes, we even have a real hardbound logbook! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week while we are counting the days, our Tradewinds is getting new belts, fluids, and filters. Bearing are being checked, a new slide cover installed, terminals are being cleaned and tightened, latches and knobs replaced, and the air conditioning and heating controls upgraded. By Friday she'll be ship shape and ready to set sail. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At O' dark early Friday Linda and I will leave home for Utah and by mid-morning we'll climb aboard the <i>Kismet</i>. It will be Linda's first time to see her in person. We're both excited. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We'll spend about half of the day Friday shopping for provisions. We'll need a little of everything necessary to eat, sleep, and travel for the next five days. A new Keurig coffee maker is a high priority and will remain a fixture for future voyages. It ought to be a good day for Camping World and Wal-Mart. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before leaving Salt Lake City I'll top off the 90 gallon diesel tank and take on 45 gallons of propane. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the end of the day Friday we'll be in Wyoming and the adventure will be well underway. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stay tuned. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>DKStallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11684314272511610282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829364314989750444.post-36144713026171787112015-09-25T23:10:00.003-05:002015-09-25T23:13:14.193-05:00A Very Long Day In Utah<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_sp8gf5LRwkq2wLAna2i2dDdwS7i4CFgFUOvqaoZb7CUrnlNmtpNGcRwGr8CY0HdzDVKl-RPdg8Db9rx-wkzw3M6WKvfUL3Fifn3W1c3hut-qTyC9h4I1cH5bor5tiT1EkDPJMMsWg4Ee/s1600/2015-09-25_16.08.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_sp8gf5LRwkq2wLAna2i2dDdwS7i4CFgFUOvqaoZb7CUrnlNmtpNGcRwGr8CY0HdzDVKl-RPdg8Db9rx-wkzw3M6WKvfUL3Fifn3W1c3hut-qTyC9h4I1cH5bor5tiT1EkDPJMMsWg4Ee/s320/2015-09-25_16.08.58.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An hour driving, about three or four hours flying, with a change of plane and short layover and I arrived in Salt Lake City. This was the much anticipated inspection visit for what we hoped would be our new to us motor coach. </span></div>
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For the next three hours I went through every cabinet and appliance inside, laid under the chassis inspecting brake drums, tanks, piping, pumps and jacks, climbed on the roof, poked in every storage and equipment bay, and poured over the generator and diesel engine, </div>
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There were a few items that I needed demonstrated or explained. Enter the service manager who was competent and most helpful. Only one item proved not to be functioning 100%, and his response was that they would replace it with an upgrade. Okay. </div>
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This was all followed by a 30 minute road test. Then another hour rechecking to be sure I didn't miss anything. Most of the day I followed a check list that I prepared in advance, I made notes, and a punch list. </div>
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Then I had a meeting with the seller and discussed the few additional things that would need to be addressed as his expense. We reached instant agreement. Then I added a list of additional items I wanted at my expense, and who could object to that. And it all needed to be done by October 2nd. Done.</div>
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So I signed the paperwork and we became the owners of our very own Tradewinds 7372.</div>
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Before I even left for the airport a crew from the truck tire center arrived and took her away for a set of six very large new tires. On the advice of others we upsized from the stock tires and went with something that was better suited for the weight of this beast. These tires stand 37-inches tall. Wow.<br />
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Now I'm reversing the morning's travel schedule. This time stopping in Las Vegas instead of Denver, and arriving back in Austin minutes after midnight. So technically I won't even be back at home until Saturday. Now that's a long day. </div>
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And so it begins. Pride of ownership balanced against the cost of maintenance! </div>
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We think the secret of motor coach success is use it, and use it often. </div>
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</span>DKStallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11684314272511610282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829364314989750444.post-33439463629410586612015-09-24T18:19:00.003-05:002015-09-24T18:19:46.141-05:00Salt Lake City Eve<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In less than twelve hours I'll be on my way to the Austin airport to catch an early flight to Salt Lake City. My bag is packed and my papers in order. I'm bringing an assortment of tools and test gear to perform a stem to stern inspection. I expect the result to be a punch list of minor items to be resolved before our return a week later on October 2nd. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I fully expect that by the end of the day tomorrow we'll be the proud owners of the "<i>M.C. Kismet.</i>" That being the case, I'm taking advantage of the opportunity to bring a suitcase full of items to leave aboard for the trip to Texas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whatever the news is tomorrow, you'll read it here first. Stay tuned!</span>DKStallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11684314272511610282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829364314989750444.post-19711668516037350882015-09-20T09:18:00.000-05:002015-09-21T12:10:49.382-05:00Planning Our First Trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCDSHYsrLXvF70TWOoV5wnnjBuLCZdm0rka5yN24YA1IeFCtqodBvHFVn4oDVQ__sX6TeBO8cDXeFe9MCZOu0gZCRLKKbTW4j8JYyBJlXOeWz5C8QAlXrHELoTjlklZwFy6ZW2vjNpLTA/s1600/Return+Trip.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCDSHYsrLXvF70TWOoV5wnnjBuLCZdm0rka5yN24YA1IeFCtqodBvHFVn4oDVQ__sX6TeBO8cDXeFe9MCZOu0gZCRLKKbTW4j8JYyBJlXOeWz5C8QAlXrHELoTjlklZwFy6ZW2vjNpLTA/s400/Return+Trip.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's time to start seriously thinking about our maiden voyage and shakedown cruise. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Linda has been in charge of planning the first trip in our new motor coach. Of course we will be starting at Salt Lake City. The first night we'll stay close to Salt Lake City while we stock the coach with food and supplies and confirm that everything is working before striking off across Wyoming. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This will be the first time that either of us have been to Wyoming and we're looking forward to it. We'll travel across the width of the state on the Lincoln Highway passing through both Laramie and Cheyenne. Between the two we plan to stop at Sherman Summit (elevation 8,640 feet) the highest point on I-80. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We'll be travelling through this part of the country </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the first week of October,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> at the very end of their RV season. Some parks will have already closed, and most of the others will close by mid-October. We'll enjoy the cold weather. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From Cheyenne we'll turn south into Colorado where we'll spend our second night. Sunday we'll pass through Denver and get a photograph of Mile High Stadium before the Broncos game with Minnesota. Then it's on to New Mexico and Texas. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunday night we plan on being back in Texas, albeit in the panhandle a little more than half-way home from Salt Lake City. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Monday we'll motor southeast across Texas and make one more stop, the fourth and last overnight of our first trip in the Tradewinds. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tuesday afternoon we'll return to the Austin airport so Linda and get our car and follow the coach back to Fayetteville. I hope to get back early enough Tuesday to have the local auto shop perform the Texas motor vehicle inspection required to title and register our new coach. </span><br />
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DKStallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11684314272511610282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829364314989750444.post-73272036484778537882015-09-19T13:07:00.000-05:002015-09-19T13:07:21.696-05:00Time In Slow Motion<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have to admit I feel a lot like a child waiting for Christmas. I'm counting the days. I also know that the coming week will pass in a flash and I'll wonder where the time went! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Six days from now I'll fly to Utah to purchase our new motor coach. The flight will be early and I will have worked all week so everything needs to get packed tomorrow before the work week begins. Eek! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The weather forecast for Salt Lake City next Friday is warm and dry.That's good since I will want to study every inch of the coach, inside and out, and underneath</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> as well. Dry weather will help with that. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A week later when we return on October 2nd to drive home the weather forecast is for more mild days and nice cool nights. </span></div>
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<br />DKStallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11684314272511610282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829364314989750444.post-32512775154093070572015-09-15T18:16:00.002-05:002015-09-15T18:16:27.178-05:00Looking Forward To Hitting The Highway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgGv79V5E8jvbAFg9pgW1nC0LJmb_u2YovUaXiwnl-EvNm9IEgST2bhomF7vXpHzEHmxOQe5scsafqgd_3z9sMG1b8dWSYW2XkrgDyBgU3Ty5YSlT8j3Xnzv2_4VTje0MV-LFmEWyEg0C/s1600/BehindTheWheel-01aR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgGv79V5E8jvbAFg9pgW1nC0LJmb_u2YovUaXiwnl-EvNm9IEgST2bhomF7vXpHzEHmxOQe5scsafqgd_3z9sMG1b8dWSYW2XkrgDyBgU3Ty5YSlT8j3Xnzv2_4VTje0MV-LFmEWyEg0C/s400/BehindTheWheel-01aR.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here I am behind the wheel of a Tradewinds 7371</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">three weeks ago</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> during a test drive on Interstate 59 in Houston, Texas,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. I was having a grand time! It was my first and last time at the helm of a Tradewinds. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All-in-all it was a good test drive and I thought it would soon be ours. Alas it was not to be. For a host of reasons we decided it was not the road-ready highway-hotel we were looking to find. So the search continued. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In ten days I'll be there again and this time I will be a piloting a top of the line Tradewinds 7372 on Interstate 80 in Salt Lake City, Utah. If all goes well, and I expect that it will, it will be far from the last time I'll drive that Freightliner motor coach. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm ready to roll. </span>DKStallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11684314272511610282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829364314989750444.post-36675792773190784182015-09-14T07:33:00.003-05:002015-11-10T06:33:56.393-06:00Who Doesn't Love A Good Floor Plan?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsh_bTwK0sgst-koRnLJIBjXcHpwKv5RdTS7YFrIIA-H05VwziEvhmPnaOlp_VRjp-hfytb5NmclLMDFe74ge2-HXY4qBy7UzFSqwUfLTelGrQ2eWAt6BGNrCEc-BVpxEOh_QpEE4XLs5/s1600/1999_M_7372_Floorplan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsh_bTwK0sgst-koRnLJIBjXcHpwKv5RdTS7YFrIIA-H05VwziEvhmPnaOlp_VRjp-hfytb5NmclLMDFe74ge2-HXY4qBy7UzFSqwUfLTelGrQ2eWAt6BGNrCEc-BVpxEOh_QpEE4XLs5/s400/1999_M_7372_Floorplan.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />( <i>Click on this or any photograph to enlarge</i> )</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The floor plan is a huge part of what we love about our coach. Slide-outs are all the rage today, so finding a motor home without too many isn't easy. Specifically I don.'t want any slides in the bedroom so you can get around the bed anytime. And, I want a full Queen size bed, not the shorter RV size mattress. Got to have real nightstands on both sides of the bed. We also aren't fans of any slide on the passenger side where they impact access to basement storage and create head knocking hazards for grandchildren. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYW0cnyMv1eahZWbQG0_lT-0fe4oA2tRl15-CHO3uF2UdNTo0DgMIq3ijusRBHFnnlLKuPtoJnFznWTbMklsVV6WBD_KwyN5JfyKxktoRbVaIbf5z97BbKdyXPisfrZEis223Blxkx9mn-/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYW0cnyMv1eahZWbQG0_lT-0fe4oA2tRl15-CHO3uF2UdNTo0DgMIq3ijusRBHFnnlLKuPtoJnFznWTbMklsVV6WBD_KwyN5JfyKxktoRbVaIbf5z97BbKdyXPisfrZEis223Blxkx9mn-/s400/15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The kitchen is another big deal. Linda really likes the U-shape counter where she can stand out of the traffic pattern. It also has more counter space than many of the others we looked at and in a spot that's good for serving too. The sink isn't pushed into the corner as much as the floor plan shows and there's a counter extension to the left of the sink. The counter top is Corian as is the range cover that lays flat providing more counter space when the stove isn't in use. And finally, we wanted the kitchen on the driver's side so we can have more window space on the passenger side. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwLRoLykA_zese73af19IL4020g0-7zrg0EwCGFj4tPaPJp-bluSgLU2uCI2cz8VqehA-yhtk9pKPl9kHQIUhBTVKi7rv4l1UjdDtox6ppUoPFqRsTquvdwcq3j8rWrjEqKAWyFbzik6K/s1600/17R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwLRoLykA_zese73af19IL4020g0-7zrg0EwCGFj4tPaPJp-bluSgLU2uCI2cz8VqehA-yhtk9pKPl9kHQIUhBTVKi7rv4l1UjdDtox6ppUoPFqRsTquvdwcq3j8rWrjEqKAWyFbzik6K/s400/17R.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We also wanted a water closet that when in use wouldn't restrict access to the sink, closets or bedroom. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFKnSg9Rjj4RLjXyBH7fWVbhjmIVnnoJmpxp9xy5jJKw8cmo8iev67EZ21Ns6SgBwPOWjUtXVemYxR4Ksa2N7t7wyP9g9V0Ja1ODz6xceNqnp4G61O2Nmo6xUFZrGX_m7mRhYVUkxXn0V/s1600/12R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFKnSg9Rjj4RLjXyBH7fWVbhjmIVnnoJmpxp9xy5jJKw8cmo8iev67EZ21Ns6SgBwPOWjUtXVemYxR4Ksa2N7t7wyP9g9V0Ja1ODz6xceNqnp4G61O2Nmo6xUFZrGX_m7mRhYVUkxXn0V/s400/12R.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While I've already said this, we don't like dinettes. A table and real chairs please.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Windows, lots please. Mostly on the passenger side. In the bedroom put them where you can see out while laying in bed (not above the headboard). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lastly we believe that our coach should be as usable with the slides in as with them out. </span>DKStallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11684314272511610282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829364314989750444.post-72101132323718903672015-09-13T20:23:00.001-05:002015-09-14T15:03:31.194-05:00A Few More Pictures and Details<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEoUlm56bILNiYc86ZpCSkWyeyNneQbfbKwBVAO-If55FiuXEop7hUk0SCbA_soC3jg8wTOvbsXYRTucMLaXntFzbeN7reOA5lvwFGM9xc95EF54b-sxVlg6WYabn9f44WDfA2P5o6UiwY/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEoUlm56bILNiYc86ZpCSkWyeyNneQbfbKwBVAO-If55FiuXEop7hUk0SCbA_soC3jg8wTOvbsXYRTucMLaXntFzbeN7reOA5lvwFGM9xc95EF54b-sxVlg6WYabn9f44WDfA2P5o6UiwY/s400/14.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The motor coach we have selected is a diesel pusher, which means that like a commercial bus it has a diesel engine in the rear. Ours is built on a Freightliner XC Chassis and has a turbo charged Caterpillar engine, six-speed Allison transmission, air suspension, and air brakes. The photograph above shows the front half of our coach with the dining table in the right foreground, kitchen counter and real wood floor to the left, hide-a-bed off-white leather sofa (left), white leather love seat (right) and the leather cockpit chairs in front of that huge windshield. Both of the cockpit seats unlock and swivel around to the living area. The cabinets are solid walnut. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69PzLVQS5wnG_WAI71EGOLwHLktKgh2PBXCXkYuoSyFI17c6aO4FvkHmIdPiLWY48PNHDMyF1cRlYvHkCXxA1Z3XWO_3KVnboxEfHO0iDOY8E3mmH1icrrKTVei_5MRIDIr96pqFrY4Wk/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69PzLVQS5wnG_WAI71EGOLwHLktKgh2PBXCXkYuoSyFI17c6aO4FvkHmIdPiLWY48PNHDMyF1cRlYvHkCXxA1Z3XWO_3KVnboxEfHO0iDOY8E3mmH1icrrKTVei_5MRIDIr96pqFrY4Wk/s400/11.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a view from the co-pilot seat looking back. These photos are from the seller and aren't the best, but they will do for now. Linda really likes the U-shaped kitchen with lots of counter space. We both like it being on the drivers side so that the large windows are on the passenger side with the door and where the campsites have the tables and fire pit. We also like having a real table and chairs instead of a dinette booth. Beyond the kitchen is a dressing room, shower, water closet, and bedroom. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYW0cnyMv1eahZWbQG0_lT-0fe4oA2tRl15-CHO3uF2UdNTo0DgMIq3ijusRBHFnnlLKuPtoJnFznWTbMklsVV6WBD_KwyN5JfyKxktoRbVaIbf5z97BbKdyXPisfrZEis223Blxkx9mn-/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYW0cnyMv1eahZWbQG0_lT-0fe4oA2tRl15-CHO3uF2UdNTo0DgMIq3ijusRBHFnnlLKuPtoJnFznWTbMklsVV6WBD_KwyN5JfyKxktoRbVaIbf5z97BbKdyXPisfrZEis223Blxkx9mn-/s400/15.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's another view of the kitchen. Double sink, Corian counter tops with a drop-leaf extension and range cover, convection microwave oven, and lots of counter space and storage. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHf3P4t1dE2_hqibrLHNLuhXauLT5_-9OUk5JFXz3cq5SRlhv64WIDEtEn-Z2Ms8znlorIRryvb6Zet2zKLQwGROGPS8bhOU9rOGvxC__jv8RgazBZtQaYCSrRKgGgKlLeiBuPpLJZLAO/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHf3P4t1dE2_hqibrLHNLuhXauLT5_-9OUk5JFXz3cq5SRlhv64WIDEtEn-Z2Ms8znlorIRryvb6Zet2zKLQwGROGPS8bhOU9rOGvxC__jv8RgazBZtQaYCSrRKgGgKlLeiBuPpLJZLAO/s400/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And here's my flight deck. Hydraulic leveling jacks, push button electronic shift control, air brakes, air horn, heavy duty 6-way electric leather seat, and in-dash rear view camera system. The TRW steering wheel is both tilt and telescoping so you can put it wherever it needs to be. Of course you are sitting forward of the front wheels so there's more swing in your turns (at both ends) and it drives like a bus so the wheel is typically adjusted more horizontal (flat) than you would have in a car. It's a lot like the cab-over fire trucks I drove in Seabrook. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll take a lot more photographs myself in two weeks when I fly out to inspect the coach. By then they will have completed replacement of the windshield, minor repairs, maintenance, and other work we have requested. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you click on the pictures above they get larger. </span></div>
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DKStallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11684314272511610282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829364314989750444.post-45289992645307929542015-09-13T17:37:00.000-05:002015-11-04T08:20:19.095-06:00Taking The Leap !<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4nX8zuD8B8oMJtcWqCsCEb7CBjQ5g5eqGdK65L0JctWNIQsd8rhjs3fCZdF8miyVoQ1zJ3GY0_bK2w3WnroRzaZYeY4YbJCeWQZr9bctrS-NoVrl3Zr66lLVHFGHcqm7LA80G-S4PqGO/s1600/2R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4nX8zuD8B8oMJtcWqCsCEb7CBjQ5g5eqGdK65L0JctWNIQsd8rhjs3fCZdF8miyVoQ1zJ3GY0_bK2w3WnroRzaZYeY4YbJCeWQZr9bctrS-NoVrl3Zr66lLVHFGHcqm7LA80G-S4PqGO/s400/2R.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yesterday we took a big leap of faith, negotiated purchase terms, and put a deposit down on this Tradewinds model 7372 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Okay, it wasn't as spontaneous as that might sound. This purchase decision follows several weeks of researching and looking at lots and lots of motor homes and comparing features against our list of wants and don't wants. A few weeks ago we settled on this specific make and model. After one false start in Houston we began a dialogue with dealers in California, Oklahoma, and Utah. In the end the best fit and best deal was found in Utah. And here we go! </span></div>
DKStallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11684314272511610282noreply@blogger.com3