Half a Bird---Better than None?

As I unhooked from the overpriced rv park that had been stricken with "dogmania", I noticed orange stains running down the side of my rig under my water connection. Hmmm...initially there was the ever present RV paranoia that took hold and then, it clicked. My potty water was also strangely orange and I erroneously concluded that I had forgotten to flush. Hardly ever do that by accident but sometimes when travelling in water conservation mode, "Condition Mellow Yellow" is in effect, which meant you don't flush liquids every single time. It turns out that steel mill across the street polluted the campground water with iron! Now it makes sense--Cassie threw up twice probably from the crappy water. After the 2nd whoops, I gave her bottled water and she did fine so I suspect the water upset her tummy. Boy is that campground going to get a stinker of an online review from me!

Here is a pic to prove that we are both alive and well despite drinking iron water.






You know the worst thing about having a wrist that might be broken? I used to think the worst thing was that one had to re-potty train to use the non-dominant hand for the usual hygienic finish. But, now I have definately changed my mind. The WORST thing is you can't shoot the bird at the cowboy trucker who scared the bejesus out of me crossing the Missouri River Bridge! Yup-the guy knew what he was doing. When trucks pass big butt RV's like mine on the left, the draft generated "pushes" the RV to the right side and you have to compensate to stay in your lane. That is hard enough to do with one hand; however, when one is crossing a large body of water in a tight lane with no shoulder and said cowboy trucker decides to pass me--a totally unnecessary maneuver on a bridge--it made me a little crazy. I decided right then that the HALF A BIRD to shoot was the worst thing about having a bum wrist.

Cassie and I made 3 very pleasant rest stops today. She is on some kind of internal schedule where she gets antsy in her "Palace"--between 60-90 minutes and she starts crying. So, of course I stop and let her stretch, drink and pee. It was a beautiful day and the rest stops we visited were unusually pretty places and very well maintained. Cassie did her wiggle/scratch in the grass to the delight of some onlookers who thought that was the cutest thing ever. It was a nice day until I got to Walmart.

Walmart in Columbia is possibly the worst Walmart in the system. It is impossible to find as it is not on a main road nor visible from the interstate. It had equipment piled up in every corner of the lot, which was woefully undersized for the shopping public. The lot is on a incline--not a flat spot on the entire property! The inside was being renovated, so all the shelves were half pulled apart/half empty and much of the merchandise relocated somewhere inscrutable. I found the wrist splint I was looking for; it is a rigid splint and is better than the Ace bandage. I was planning to stay overnight there but I could'nt stand it. Even though I was tired of driving, I left at 7:30pm for the Isle of Capri casino to boondock in the parking lot 30 minutes away.

I had previously determined that there were NO RV PARKS around this area. However, I saw a sign on the road that there was RV parking at McDonald's near the casino and a shuttle from the casino would come if you called. So, I pulled in and...there is was...in the distance a little shack down a side road that said RV Express and full hookups for $10. This place is NOT shangri-la in fact it looks like a rickety storage area, but, I am all hooked up, Cassie is snugged up next to me, I am sucking down a "Coconut rum + something" and it is raining (what else is new?) Tonight, Boonefille MO just west of Columbia MO. Tomorrow, going to Osceola, IA where Terrible's Lakeside Casino is.

Let's give a HOORAH to Travelodge of Concordia, MO for providing the free wifi signal so I could get this post online!

Blacktop Blues

Unhooked IN THE RAIN yesterday to get on down the road. It had been a planned 2-night layover to "rest" from the rigors of the road, but frankly, the shopping at Mama J's was pretty limited. I checked my route on my computer and found that I had 8---count 'em 8---road changes! Yikes, it's usually 1 or 2 but my route was a diagonal one to chop off about 30 miles.

All smaller, dual lane back roads but all are painted so it is OK. (That was my cardinal rule with Frank--any road was OK but only if it had paint on it). So, off I went in the rain. I made one mistake in Parsons, MO but only went about 1/4 mile off route and just combined it with a rest stop for me and Cassie.

Made a Walmart stop and caught a signal near the periphery of the lot "greg" so I phoned my dealer on my MagicJack. The person taking my call was the lady who "closed" my deal and she remembered me phoned him and got the guy's email who installed my backup camera. He suggested I send him pics so he could see which camera, position etc and he could email me back instructions on how to reposition.



The sun finally peeked out as I arrived at my stop in Sikeston, MO. I rolled into my campground and was met by a dog. Indeed, the office looked like "Overstock.com/CanineAccessories". Not a hooman in sight but everything a dog could ever dream of owning.

Finally, this ole feller in a straw hat shuffles out smoking a cigarette which he waves around my face and hands me a Registation slip and says $23. I challenged him that the Passport rate said "$20". He said "Ole directory". That's it! Can't believe this place in the middle of nowhere has a street rate of $46 as there were only transient workers here. There is a steel mill and a railroad directly across the street and some kind of farm equipment storage lot behind the campground. Not pretty. Don't know why the Statue of Liberty is at the entrance; I checked and the torch does not light up at night (that's my RV directly to the right). Too bad. And, as I approached, there was the distinct odeur of skunk which fortunately, was not detectable in the campground.

When I got in, my wrist throbbed so badly that I immediately made myself a cocktail and took a pain pill. Fired up the computer and the MagicJack and called my health plan and local urgent care centers, trying to find a combo both ON my plan and that had an xray machine. No luck in this are nor anywhere in Missouri or Kansas along my route. Feeling OK right now but usually it is better in the AM and screaming at me by 2pm.

Mama J's in TN

Backing up just a bit from Mama J's...I stopped first thing in Camping World and was lucky enough to have the "new girl" help me in the Service Desk area. I wonder if they gave her any training at all as she could not even find my membership in the computer! Long story short--they couldn't even "look" at my backup camera until 3:30 (means 4:30 or tomorrow) so I left. Tomorrow, I'll call the Warranty people and see what's up. I'll just adapt the backing up business until I can arrange an appointment along my route.

Rain dogged me the entire day and it "flattens" the landscape and makes everything look drab and yukky. I was, however, WIDE AWAKE as I drove right through the city of Birmingham! And, I got a small thrill seeing the Talladega Speedway but nothing was speeding there. By 2pm, I could barely keep my eyes open! So, I found a Walmart and a Home Depot to hang out in for awhile until the storm cleared. I think it was the tropical "system" affecting weather up here--at least that's what the talking heads are saying on TV.


Today the route took me off the interstate on onto secondary roads in TN. It was a bit of a change with just a single lane and lots of curves and hills. Actually, the only pic I got was of flat dual lane hiway. You can see the crappy weather though.




Finally, I pulled over at the Powder Keg General store in rural Pulaski, TN and called the campground, as by my calculations, I should have reached it by that point. I was only 1/4 mile short of the entrance so pulled into Mama J's Cabin and was greeted by tabakkee-chooin' BillyBob in suspender overalls grinning at me with bad teeth.

(Side note: I carry Frank's wallet everyplace to pay in hopes that it will be assumed that there is a male accompanying me. Prominently placed in the tri-fold is his driver's license and PBA card.) The tab was dirt cheap--$13--and I bought some authentic (!) Amish apple butter to put on the cheddar cheese bread that I bought earlier at Walmart. Mama J ran the cash register and apparently makes enough money to get dental care.


The sun peeked out and a got a nice picture of her store. Campground is serviceable but a bit utilitarian-looking. In view of every camper is the Chapel which resembles a storm shelter.



Surprisingly, this is the first place I have had a TV signal---at the base of Powder Hill Mountain in Lawrenceburg, TN.

Holy Wind-driven Crap!

Theresa called me this afternoon to inform me I left town just in time-there was a funnel cloud over my house and two hurricanes headed to Cape Coral next week!

Update: My wrist still hurts; here is a photo of it trying to smash the
hamburger down flat in the skillet. It just can't be done...










I am in a really rural campground bought by a couple who raise and show Wheaten Terriers. They have a big RV with a specialty decal that is 3 feet tall (next to mine) of a wheaten and have 3 wheatens in the campground. The interior of the rig is specially designed for care/grooming of the dogs. They bought the place and are fixing it up as a campground for dogs and will allow owners in...as long as the humans stay on a leash!

Thing that went wrong today; I got my first back-in site and put it in reverse--my backup camera is supposed to come on automatically. Imagine my surprise when all I could see was my back bumper! Turns out that JVC only built the display; the camera is a peripheral probably slopped together in China and has no warranty. I am only 10 miles from a Camping World and will stop and see if they can reposition it tomorrow.

Thing that went right today--got around Atlanta with NO problems despite some tricky road changes.

Who'll stop the rain?

Uneventful and boring drive up yesterday; the rain just followed me all day and it was in and out of rain blanket blackout! You could see the line of the rain on the highway ahead. Slowed me down but still got into my CG at 3pm.

It was a Passport and when I checked in, they "automatically" added a $2 cable charge and I believed I had to correct them and they took it off. (I have been doing the Passport geolocation database and publishing online for several years and aware of the many tricks CG's use to "pad" the discounted Passport rate.) Reason they have cable is there is no "over the air signal" here. That's OK I had wifi---except the storms were so bad I had no wifi signal. It is morning and clear so I am posting a short one.

Headed for Heflin AL today where there is a newly-listed canine CG that caters to dogs with grooming, dog wash stations, dog walks, agility posts and interesting sniff stuff. Might stay and extra day if Cassie wants to!

Owwwweeeee!

The day did not start well. I did not sleep well so I got up around 3:30am and of course, Cassie wanted to go out. I turned on the outdoor lights and trotted along behind her and WHAM!!! I suddenly found myself flat on my face on the concrete! Hoping that nothing was broken!

The light/shadow of the entryway disguised the change in elevation at the small step and I missed the step down. Fell completely down with hands out in front to break the fall. As I laid there, Cassie sat down and looked at me with disgust on her face. As if to say "What the H*** is the matter with you anyway? Get up and walk me!"

I knew one of my wrists was hurt; I had a similar fall when I first learned to rollerblade. A bump in the pavement put me down with my wrist breaking the fall. I recall it took almost 6 months for my wrist to heal. I fervently hope that this injury is not that bad, though it hurts like crazy! I can't turn the key in the ignition and all the hookups had to be tighteded with my other hand. Very inconvenient. By the end of the day, my wrist throbbed just from the act of steering. And here I thought it was gonna be my hip that was a problem...

Rolled into N Ocala around 4:00pm without incident. Even though I swore not to drive in the rain, I did. There was no place to hide! It rained on and off all the way up. The place I am staying is more of a "permanent" mobile home park with an associated sleazy motel. However, the overnight site I am on is quite pleasant!




I have full hookups and cable TV which I can't use since I didn't bring cable wire and also wifi. I have both computers hooked up as I am updating Frank's computer and using it for difficult wifi--his computer has a whazzoo wifi card and his can get signals mine doesn't even see! I also fired up the Magic Jack and made 3 phone calls, including one to my dealer serviceman because I can't get my generator to fire up. I need someone to troubleshoot the problem before I call for service.

Finally, a Gourmet Feast of hot dogs, edame beans and Coconut Rum in Crystal Light pomegranite juice. Look at me cook! I forgot the Pam. I just love those edame beans because you don't have to cook them.


Tomorrow I will set down at Arabi, GA (which is near Cordele) where I'll stop for discount GA gas. I fueled today and experienced fillup sticker shock. I'm not used to frequent fuel stops; the Mutha only needed a stop every 1200 miles but I will have to stop around 350. Using my cruise control, you betcha!

As most of you know, the MuthaShip was traded in on a motorhome more suitable for Sue to drive and maintain. My new vehicle is an '04 Four Winds Magestic and I think of it as the "SistaDinghy". It is 25 ft long and will transport Cassie and me in basic comfort. Prior to departure, however, there were many modifications-inside and outside-that needed to made for convenience and comfort.

Most importantly, summer travel requires serious sun/heat control, so all windows were outfitted with reflective coverings.

Second, the useless dinette had to "go" and this area, which is also a functional area housing electrical wiring and furnace, was converted into a couch. I used the existing dinette cushions for the base of the couch and custom-fit a quilted cover over the sections. Then I purchased foam which was custom cut and -covered in fabric. (Everything in an RV is "custom" and needs to be hand or machine-sewn) I sewed a set of matching pillows and a new set of curtains to complete the space.

In a cubby under the couch, my handyman, Steve, fashioned a retaining door to house Cassie while we are moving. He put her name on the door "Cassie's Palace".

Third, there was NO TV and no space designed for one! So, Steve unbolted the club chair removed it and reinstalled/rebolted a corner TV cabinet. The cabinet houses my 13"TV, the digital converter, the DVD, my rollabout computer bag and miscellanous stuff.

The last final "big" thing was removal of the existing queen innerspring mattress which was old and uncomfortable. This was replaced by a foam mattress and topper (overstock.com) which I cut to fit the odd angled bed shape and then I custom-fit the bedding.

I also re-worked was the bathroom which needed a complete overhaul to provide for some towel storage and hanging space, also some cosmetic attention.

Outside, the water and sewer connections were greatly improved with the addition of an extra bumper nestled adjacent to the original vehicle bumper to store sewer hose. A fresh water hose reel was anchored inside a compartment to handle the connection of the fresh water hose to faucet.

Due to the unique construction of this type of motorhome, there is almost NO exterior storage available! So, I bought a HitchHaul cargo tray which I got off craigslist.org , and found a heavy-duty waterproof cargo container on amazon.com.

In addition to all the RV stuff, I have also been preparing the house for a 3 month vacancy and for hurricane season.

At the recommendation of a friend, I bought a Magic Jack which allows me make/receive calls anywhere I have an internet connection. Since I will be travelling Interstates primarily, I will have an internet connection at most overnight RV parks and rest stops. MJ also has voicemail which converts to .wav files and sends the message to email. Really cool--I can listen to your message on my 'puter. This is a wonderful thing as I don't have to worry about running out of premium cell phone minutes!

I leave tomorrow morning, Aug 14th. My MJ number is 772-882-6859. My cell phone has unlimited talk time on weekends so I can chat as long as I want: 239-247-1655.