NEW BLOG FOR MY NEW MOTORHOME

In June of 2012 I built a blog for the Class B Pleasure Way camper van that I was hoping to purchase.  That was a year and a half ago and it has finally happened.  So here is the link to my new blog.

http://momiyayascajunpleasure.blogspot.com/

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THE FINAL VOYAGE OF THE GYPSY BOHO FREEDOM EXPRESS

This has been one hectic week for me.  Long driving days and lots of anxiety about the trade-in has taken its toll on my health and all my medical conditions are out of whack.  Now that I'm back home I am more relaxed and feeling a little better.  Stress is a killer.  In fact, it could have been a disaster if I had arrived on Thursday as planned instead of Wednesday a day early.

As I was signing the paper work inside the office I noticed there was a couple inside my Pleasure Way.  I joked with Nick and said they had better get out of my RV.  We both laughed and a little later the couple walked into the office and the sales person told us that they wanted to buy it.  Nick told him to inform them that it was sold.  As the couple was leaving they spoke to me and wished me well with my purchase.  They had driven down from New York.  I sure hope they find something that they like as much as I like my Pleasure Way.  I'm going to miss my Class C motorhome but this move to a van was the best choice for me to make... all considered.

My experience at Sunshine State RV in Gainesville was pleasant.  There was friendly and helpful staff and a very nice inventory of motorhomes.  Nick gave me a fair deal and although I lost a great deal of money on my trade-in I do understand that my Class C Coachmen motorhome does depreciate dramatically every year.  So even though it is only 5 years old and I've had it for only 3 years of that, it averaged $10,000 a year depreciation from the price I paid for it.  That's a big loss for someone on my tight budget.  Oh well, you live and learn.

This Class B Pleasure Way is the last vehicle I will ever purchase.  It will have to last me to the end of my days because I don't plan on getting any other vehicle.  I'm glad that my last vehicle is the one I dreamed of for so many years.  This camper van represents the fulfillment of a young hippie girl's desire for a van to travel the country in.  I've waited a long time for her and traveled a crooked road to get to this point - but it has finally happened... and I am happy.

It took hours for me to move all of my stuff from the Class C into the Class B.  There simply was just not enough room so we just stacked all the bags onto the twin beds and I took off back to the campground.  When I got settled in I started to clear off one of the beds for me to sleep in for the night.  I stacked everything at the entrance to the van and on the other bed and the next morning put it all back on my bed.  I had emptied out the basement before leaving home so that was a good thing.

I stayed at Meaher State Park in Spanish Fort, Alabama my first night and my last night of the trip.  Stayed in site 19 and 21 both near the water.  Torreya State Park was nice but far from the Interstate.  Oleno State Park was close to the Interstate and I enjoyed my stay there for two nights.  Also stopped at Beaver Lake Campground for a night.  It's just a large grassy area with full hookups but very close to the Interstate.  There were only 3 campers there with me.

Meaher State Park 

Torreya State Park

Peace Rock

O'Leno State Park

O'Leno State Park

Peace Rock #45 - the last one I'll ever place

The Gypsy Boho Freedom Express is no more.

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INTRODUCING 

Momi YaYa's Cajun Pleasure

Meaher State Park - return trip

O'Leno State Park - return trip

Meaher State Park - return trip

My babies were so confused by all this change in their lives.  They'd just sit on the floor and stare at me.  They weren't comfortable enough to take their naps and stayed awake alot.

This is what it looked like when we arrived at the campground the night of the purchase.

Finally cleared off one bed and stacked all on the other bed.

Also stacked some stuff by the entrance door.

Strangely enough, all of my bathroom stuff fit into the bathroom.  

I just love my little bathroom.

We were even able to use our electric fireplace.

After deciding to just throw a lot of stuff away, I was able to clear a bed for the Shih Tzus.  

Poor little babies.  They look so confused.

They did enjoy the yard at Meaher Park.

Now for one last chapter in this saga.  When I got home I went upstairs and walked out on my balcony and looked at the roof of the van.  To my surprise there was a tool that had been left there by the workers at the lot.  It stayed in that one spot all the way from Florida to Louisiana.  I got my ladder out and climbed up and used a broom to sweep it off the roof.  However, there is now a discolored rust spot where it had been.  I scrubbed it with a brush but it didn't come off.  I will probably just paint over it. 

You can see where it had moved a bit off of the rust spot during the trip.

I can get the whole front end under my deck which is 8 feet high and the van is 9 feet high.  I may eventually get a carport installed.

I woke at 7:00 this morning and did not stop till dark.  However, I finished everything I wanted to do inside and out of the van.

These are some photos taken after I was able to empty out all of the stuff I don't need.  

My bed will remain dedicated and the sofa or doggie bed will remain with the back rest on it.

There is our little fireplace which fits nicely and gives me a place for my computer by the lamp. 

The TV swivels out.  The two front chairs also swivel around.

The dealer threw in a van cover with the deal.  Thanks Nick.

I'll be building another blog for my travels in the camper van and will link it to this one.

Right now I just want to rest.

TRAVEL EXPENSES FOR THIS WEEK LONG TRIP OF 1174 MILES

Gas................................$381.26     -     $239.77 in Class C     -     $141.49 in Class B

Lodging...........................$148.35

Food..............................$  24.40

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                                               $554.01

Ain't It A Beauty?

Finally got what I wanted.  More details to come when I get back home.  Still in Florida.

O'Leno State Park - High Springs, Florida

Left Torreya State Park this morning around 10:00 and arrived at O'Leno State Park around 2:00 this afternoon.  Stopped once for gas and once at a rest stoop.  Florida has the nicest rest stops with night security.  In fact, I'm thinking about sleeping overnight at a couple on my way home.

Tomorrow is the big day.  I plan on being at the RV lot before noon.  I checked the website and my chosen camper is still there - so that's good.  He had it on Ebay for awhile but it didn't sell.  It must be waiting for me.

Will post photos when I get back home.

Check out this blog for a good write up of O'Leno.

http://directionofourdreams.blogspot.com/2013/04/on-to-oleno-state-park.html

ON MY WAY TO FLORIDA

It's been 4 months since I've been on a trip in the motorhome.  I left home this morning around 10:00 and arrived at the Meaher State Park in Spanish Fort, Alabama around 3:00 this afternoon.  This park is right on Ducker Bay with lots of tall pine trees and a fishing pier and boat launch... very nice.

I'll only be here one night as I'm anxious to get to my destination in Gainesville, Florida to trade in my Coachmen for a Pleasure Way camper van.  I'm finally going to do it... but a little scared.  I don't know what I'll get on my trade in and really want one particular rv that is pretty expensive.  I'm hoping for the best deal I can get.

Took lots of photos of this campground but forgot my cable for transferring from my phone to my computer so no photos on the blog till I get back home.

This is a photo from the web.







I'll be leaving in the morning and my next stop is Torreya State Park in Bristol, Florida - about 4 hours from here.

BACK HOME

We got back home yesterday and the doggies ran into the house and Cha Bu went running around chasing the cats.  It was as if she were saying "It's good to be back."  They love going for a ride in the camper but seem to be overjoyed to get back home.

Pulled in to my driveway.

The ride back home was a little smoother with the air bags inflated.  It still rides a little rough so I may put more air the next time I use the RV.  Thanks Pat for all of your help in this matter and for the hospitality you so graciously give.

One of Pat's cats doesn't mind Xi Shi getting close.

Unloaded the RV and didn't have to worry about getting the sand out as I had vaccumed the day before.  However, the basement is full of sand.  I will probably clean it out sometime this week.  I did remove the bike and washed it down and dried it off.  I sure don't want any rust on it so I clean it often.

Some of my neighbors came over and we chatted for awhile to catch me up on the news of the hood.  Today we are going out to eat crawfish as a special birthday gift from my neighbor Evelyn.  My other neighbor Carolyn gave me some body lotion that smells wonderful.  Thanks ladies, for the gifts and your friendship.

I may return to the beach next month if it isn't too hot.  My favorite spot at the State Park will be available by then.

BEING 66 DOESN'T FEEL ANY DIFFERENT

Well... today was the day of my birth 66 years ago.  I was the second child for my parents and the last.

Last night I was treated to a couple of drinks and a nice supper at Pat's house.  He cooked Filet Mignon and new potatoes.  Really delicious.  For desert we had an ice cream cone of butter pecan.  Yummy.

I was home by midnight when a thunderstorm struck.  I love hearing the rain on the roof of the RV.  I tried to stay awake to enjoy it but dozed on and off.  This morning I finished another book I had started last month while having coffee in bed with the doggies.  

Little Cha Bu has taken to sleeping under the lap tray I keep at the foot of the bed.

My little babies Cha Bu and Xi Shi

A birthday card and gift from Pat.

Pat and I had a discussion about my air suspension or lack thereof.  I explained how the coach rides rough and it feels like when I hit a small bump in the road it is metal to metal and bang, bang, bang and things fall off the wall and such.  So he decided to take a look at my air bags.  Stuck his head under the coach and said they were deflated.  Used his pressure gauge and it read 0.  

When I purchased the coach three years ago I asked about that intake valve and was told not to worry about that as it was something that was done at the manufacturer and I would not have to do anything with it.  Then at the RV Boot Camp in Texas I asked again.  One of the instructors came to my campsite and I asked what that valve was for and he said basically the same thing.  So I trusted them and as I didn't have a manual for the air suspension, I put it out of my mind.

Now that Pat has brought it to my attention that the bags were completely deflated and could have easily been punctured, I have a better understanding of what to do about it.  I went online and read a few message boards and found out that the minimum air pressure should be about 30.  So Pat inflated the bags to that and they are holding the air so are not punctured.  However, for the last 3 years I have been riding and bumping along metal to metal which was causing the rough ride and the bang, bang, bang on certain highways.  I'm very lucky that I didn't do more damage to the underneath of the coach.

So ladies who go solo, check your air suspension.

My friends Sylvia and Helen came to Grand Isle for a visit.  Invited me to join them for a drink at a new restaurant in town but I just wasn't up to it.   Felt like being lazy, I guess.

Sat out under my awning for an hour or so then walked the dogs for the last time today and in the camper we went for the night.  The mosquitoes are out after last night's rain and I prefer to stay indoors when it's like that.

Going to have some chili for supper and maybe watch a movie. 

CATAMARANS and MOTORIZED PARAGLIDING

Finally finished my current read today.  It's taken me a month to finish 1,118 pages of a Biography on Marlon Brando.  Interesting reading.

Rode my bike to the beach today, alone.  No doggies.  Stayed a couple of hours.  

Like the name "Knot Really"

There were two paragliders flying over the beach today.  Looks like fun.

The motor was pretty loud and I could smell the fuel burning.  This flyer is a female.

There were families all along the shore today.  Some had set up canopies and had ice chests and chairs all around.  I don't usually see that when I'm here in the winter months.

The beach was clean, no trash, or dead fish.

Got there about 6:00 and stayed till 8:00.  Set out my beach chair and read awhile.  It was very relaxing.

AFTERNOON RIDE ON THE BEACH

Had a good night's sleep and this morning opened the awning and put down my mat and set up my chairs.  It was really hot and I could only stay out for a little while then had to go back into the cooler air in the RV. 

At lunchtime Pat brought over a roast beef poboy sandwich that he made on a tosted piece of French Bread.  It was delicious.  I had not eaten French Bread since last August when I was diagnosed with diabetes.  It was the one thing I knew I had better give up in order to lower my blood sugar.  However, this is my birthday week so I indulged.  It will probably be another year before I eat another piece of that delicious bread.

Walked the dogs around Pat's property and took a few photos.  Spent some relaxing time on the tree swing. 

Good photo of my new porcelain caps. 

Life like alligator made of cement.

One of Pat's two cats.

The ATV

Love these palms.  They are 15 years old.

Some shade is nice.

Later in the afternoon, attached the doggie cart to the bike and we took a ride to the beach.  I was surprised to see that the beach had built up all the way to the rock jetties. 

Rode for a long time then let the dogs out of the cart and walked them around.  They played in the water a bit then we headed back to the RV.  Rinsed them off with the outdoor shower hose and then put them inside.

Rode Pat's ATV up the street to the little store and got some friend chicken for supper.  Took a shower and now I'm watching DVDs of Frazier.   My little doggies are sleeping next to me and I think they enjoyed their time at the beach.

Tomorrow I'll go to the beach solo.  I just want to chill for awhile at the water's edge in my comfortable chair and gaze out at the waves.