Home alone!!

 Thursday 15 February 2024

   Diane has left me home alone for the next 10 days. She flew back to PA for a winter break from the sunny days here in Florida. 😃  We left plenty early, needed gas, wanted to get some lunch and still have her there by 4pm. We left here at 10:30 had lunch.  She wanted nothing spicey for the flight, and I wanted no cheese for the long ride home. She ended up ordering Chili Relleno (hot and spicey) and I got a burrito cover in cheese sauce. The food was good nothing special.  By the time I dropped her off and drove home it was 7pm and my stomach was a mess.   Poor Rudy meets me at the door with his legs crossed. A long day.

Friday 16 February 2024

    I went to Lazydays in Wildwood to schedule repair of the Moho. I had called several times no one returned my calls, so I drove up.  I talked to the service manager, it didn't take long, halfway through our situation he cut me off and explained it would be at least late summer before he could get us in.😐 He did suggest a place just down the road a bit so off I went.  I pulled into Allegiance RV repair. After I went through my story, he told me to come back on Wednesday 😒with the Moho. So back to the Moho, disappointed on how long this is taking, so I washed the car. Rudy and I shared a burger cooked on the grill. He was so happy. 😏

Thursday 22 February 2024

   With Diane (my I.T. girl) out of town things went array in a hurry. The next few days of blogging went well but would not save. I should have quit right then and there but I kept plugging along. Days later I tried to log back on and the screen blinked a few times, then a pop up says I must shut down the computer. 😐 So I called I.T.  Just before she answered the screen went black except the icon strip.😕  I.T. girl had to go important meeting (with grandkids) but gave me some tips.  I eventfully managed to shut it down. Rudy and I went for a nice walk. After dinner I logged back on and voila, I had lost the entire week's blog. 😡

    The only good news not a lot happened.  Weather was great, cool in morning up near 70 or higher by afternoon. I spent a lot of time cooking, cleaning and doing laundry for Rudy and I.  Can't wait for Diane to get back. 😁

     Wednesday, I took the Moho to the shop for an estimate.  Like normal technician was great, asked a lot of questions and let me ask mine. 😊 The office girl on the other hand was cold, matter of fact and on the edge of rude. 😒 

   Now this week is over with almost no progress with the Moho.  They are to email the estimate, as of now nothing.  So, it will be at least Monday until something happens. I did get the car washed, half of the Moho washed and bought a step stool for the entrance.

   Diane gets home Monday, Wednesday we are going to Frostproof to meet our friends Dave and Winnie.  On the 5th of March we go to Hudson Fl to get 3 foggy windows cleaned and reinstalled. It's gone a be a busy time.

Saturday 24 February 2024

   Diane comes home in two days.  Rudy and I are killing time waiting for Monday. I did buy a stool for the Moho since it appears it may be quite some time until we get our steps working. No appraisal from RV repair man, guess it will be at least Monday before we hear back.

    A run to the grocery store and drug store.  I went to drop off my prescription at Winn-Dixie (bought by Aldi last year) only to find they closed all the pharmacies. now I have another stop at CVS. 

   Back to the Moho finished washing driver's side and started on the passenger side. Rudy said I did a good job and should reward myself with beer and a nice dinner, so I took his advice and grilled some shrimp😁.  I started the grill, was drinking my beer, went inside to go get the shrimp and a gust of wind knocked over my beer. 😒 By the time I came out Rudy had most of it licked up. 😬 Shrimp were great and Rudy was happy.

Sunday 25 February 2024

   My last day alone! 😃 The weather has been great this whole week.  A bit cool at night but around 70 degrees by afternoon. 😃 The last run today for groceries, last load of laundry, last day to vacuum and of course the last day to do dishes.

   The insurance adjuster called yesterday to see if I found a repair facility and if there was anything he could do.  I told him the situation and ask if he could recommend a repair facility. No can do! If it was a golf cart or car he knows several facilities.  But for motorhome we are on our own!

   Washed another section of the Moho and started cleaning up the place. It will be all leftovers tonight, just to clean out the refrigerator. Not really a whole lot of leftovers, a piece of chicken and some green beans.

 Happy day tomorrow! 

    

Remember it's the JOURNEY

Thursday 8 February 2024

   We hit the road at 10am for a 227-mile drive to Chiefland Fl. Another nice day sunny and around 65 degrees. Still a nervous wreck (Diane the worst) every time we hit a pothole or big bumps you get flash backs😓.  It got a lot easier as the miles rolled by. Diane mapped us down route 90, we were on the interstate for less than 20 miles. Found a Flying J that had a Denny's at its location, so we fueled up and she ordered two salads.  The parking lot was full of other campers, so we drove to the next rest area (about 10 miles) had a nice lunch and a couple walks for Rudy. Back on the road, we got to our campground at 5pm (changed time zones).

   Diane called our friends Jack and Sandy to let them know we were in the area.  We were running low on food things (bread especially), but no one (Diane) wanted to get back on the road, so it was burgers 'cause we had frozen rolls.😏

Friday 9 February 2024

    Diane went to the grocery store first thing after breakfast.  I worked on rearranging things from the car to the Moho and vice versa.  We had just put stuff where it fit when we left the hotel. After lunch it was back to insurance paperwork.  Diane gathered and organized bills highlighted items the insurance should cover (so we think) and sent them to the claims officer.

    Happy hour started early.

Saturday 10 February 2024

    Light breakfast, cleaned up the place and drove over to visit friends Jack and Sandy.  We haven't talked to them in person for over a year. Time went by ever so fast.  Talked, a little snack, talked more, a late lunch (Jack's Famous pulled pork) talked some more and before we knew it, it was 5:30.  They have a new 100lb puppy (Max) a golden retriever that loved to play. Well, 11 year old Rudy took it for about 10 seconds before he had to straighten out Max😂. Afterwards they got along great.

   Back to the Moho.  Getting ready to move tomorrow.

A very nice visit with Jack, Sandy and Max!!

Sunday 11 February 2024 Super Bowl Sunday

    We left Breezy Acres campground at 11:30 a bit late even for us but we are only going 91 miles.  I know is was a short day but I'd like to mention we did stop at all. We pulled in to The Countryside RV Park at 2pm.  We have been here many times, but they like to take you to your site, so we waited.  Diane found the welcome packet, but it had no name on it, so we waited. Eventually someone came to get us and took us to our site. One power pedestal feeds up to 4 camp sites and we were the last ones in so had to do with only 30amp. We set everything up running with just 1 A/C unit, just as we get the 80-degree day this winter.  Right around dinner time the breaker tripped, fixed it, tripped a little while and that was enough. Tomorrow, we'll ask about moving.

    By the time got back from the grocery store temps dropped a bit and breaker was good for the rest of day.  Burgers for dinner and started to unwind. 

Monday 12 February 2024

   Started with a nice relaxing breakfast then Diane hauled butt to the office to see if we could change sites.  Just as she opens the office two guys walked in the back door and arguing about a very minor car accident in the park. Another woman came in trying to pay her bills. Diane asked if we could change sites and stated that she would be back later when things calmed down, the office gal waved at her and she left.  By the time she got back to the Moho they had texted and said we could move to site 60.  Another really warm day (not complaining) but I was sweating by the time I drug all the outside stuff over to the new site.  

Finally settled!!

    By the time lunch was over temps were near 80. I'm sure glad we have 50 amp.  I went to grocery store, Tractor Supply, Post Office and drug store. I surprised Diane by bringing back flower for her for Valentines Day.  She smiled!😙 Diane finished organizing the inside of the Moho. Both of us wore out. It was wine time and chicken for dinner.

Tuesday 13 February 2024

    Today it was back to insurance stuff again.  Calling mobile repair guys....no luck.  Some wanted $200 to come out even if they can't fix anything.  I think I'll just wait and talk to the adjuster tomorrow.  Diane cancelled the last of our reservations we had planned for a year now. She went back up to the office squared up our bill her.  And the office lady said it was good we just moved because someone else was asking about the site😓 We did make an appointment to get 3 foggy windows fix in Hundson FL. in early March. Nothing to do with the tire incident.  

  I never knew you could be so busy and accomplish so little. Better luck tomorrow they say.

Wednesday 14 February 2024   Happy Valentines Day to all

   We were up at 6AM this morning, toast for breakfast and get ready for the adjuster.  Insurance adjuster was here bright and early this morning at 8:00. We were up and moving, but very happy, plus it was a cold 45 degrees. The adjuster walked all around the Moho inside, outside, even on the roof.  He says they like to check out coaches and let customers know if anything needs maintenance outside of the claim.  He asked a lot of questions, took a lot of pictures, even crawled under the Moho to take pictures.  He left, we regrouped inside with a cup of coffee.  By lunch time our brains were fried.  We went to the 'Inside Out Grill' it's more like a walk up, order and set outside to eat. We both had a grilled chicken sandwich, by now it was warm enough to eat outside.

   Back to the Moho started calling repair places and trying to think what we will do if Moho is in the garage for a week or two. We tried to salvage the rest of our Valentines Day.  Made a few more calls trying to find someone to work on the coach.  I kind of thought Progressive would give us a list of repair facilities, NOPE we are on our own. We quit working on it at 4pm, opened a nice bottle of wine, and sat outside enjoying the sunshine. Grilled steaks and shrimp for dinner. YUM! Tomorrow Diane fly's home for a week.

We got permission to toss the mud flap and jack spring, and it really is a pretty good gash underneath that needs fixed before we can travel.  

Ordeal is winding down

 Monday 5 February 2024    Day 4

    With great anticipation we hit the ground running this morning. The free breakfast at hotel left our bellies a bit upset so we just had toast. I was over at the Tire Mart early getting prices and availability.  Diane worked on contacting insurance company and providing them copies of the towing bill etc.  After lunch we researched (to death) the brand and prices of tires.  After a while it blurs, and just over whelms your brain. About 3:30 we had to make a decision. I finally went with Hankooks.  The availability of

them made the deal, they could have them tomorrow. I explained I want tires no more 3 months old. Yes sir Mr. Brad the salesman said😏.  While I was there the mechanic was out reinstalling the axle on the passenger side.  He never seen anyone use a cardboard cover. He suggested I call and complain to the towing company, but again what good does that do.  Although it is good to make some progress. Diane made progress and is sending the towing bill to Progressive. Should have payment in two to three working days.

   Back to the hotel left overs for dinner and an early happy hour. 

Rudy had enough, just crawled on the bed, in among our stuff and went to sleep.

Tuesday 6 February 2024   Day 5

    Breakfast again from the hotel we tried a sausage sandwich. It is amazing how much you miss the comforts of our own house. No cheese for the sandwich, no snacks when you're hungry and of course no Lactaid free milk. 

   The insurance lady texted at 8am her time.  Here it was 7am, we weren't out of bed yet, Diane was not amused.  She wanted to go over our coverage. The main thing is we have $750 of hotel expense, at $120 a night we will be at the limit on Thursday.  Not much you can do about!

  We drove by to see the Moho and it was in getting tires.  We took the time to go up the road to a little

Hill Monkeys,
Thai restaurant

town of Crestview. Diane found this Thai place (The Hill Monkeys) that looked good and it is warm enough to leave Rudy in the car while we eat.  After lunch we took a walk around the city park. It was really nice two lakes and lots of trails.

   Back to the hotel dropped off Diane and Rudy before going to check out the Moho. It was parked back in the driveways with 6 new tires. I went in paid the bill and ask the salesman to get me the date of the tires.  He comes in, he can't find them because they installed them all with the dates turned inward. Well, I know why!😒😡 I had him sign the invoice with the dates he promised.

    Wine time started as soon as I walked in the room. At least we can leave tomorrow.

At the park, the
ducks come running as
soon as you get out of the car!

 Wednesday 7 February 2024 Day 6

    I went over to check, crawling under the Moho to find the date code, week 16 of 2023 not the week 44 the salesman said. I went inside and had some words the tire store to no avail of course😖😟.  Got the Moho fired up and drove next door to the Freightliner Dealership to have an air leak fixed.  It took me a while, I had to run the generator for a hour or so to charge the batteries. Sitting 5 nights not plugged in drained them down pretty low. Technician came out I showed him the leak and headed to the hotel. We decided to check out of the hotel, Freightliner thought they would be done by lunch. So, we went back to Crestview to kill some time and get lunch.  And sure enough around lunch time Freightliner called.  Not to tell us the Moho was done but to tell us they found another air leak that needs fixed. Still not worried and happy to see the end of this ordeal.  We picked a place for lunch, it was the Hideaway Pizza Restaurant, the place was packed, and the pizza was great (cauliflower crust).

    We returned to the Moho, parked the car and started to wait, wait and more waiting.  The technician was working under the coach by the door so we couldn't even unload the car.  He finally finished, we unloaded the car with stuff we needed clothes, refrigerator items and dog food. They eventually came out with the bill.  Again WOW 😒.  Paid it and we were on the road. It was after 4pm by the time we hooked up and left.  Not to worry we planned for this scenario our campground was just 40 mile down the road. 

   Very tense drive. Every bump or noise fired up the memories. We pulled into the Outback Campground at 5:30pm. The ordeal was over!! Just the insurance company to deal with😟and trying to get money back from the tire company.  The insurance adjuster did call and will be over to look at the Moho Wednesday morning at 8:00 AM

   

A Wasted Weekend

 Saturday February 3, 2024

   Rudy didn't care to much about being up after midnight.  He was jumping up and down at 6:30 wanting to go out. Tired as crap I got up. 
   The hotel has breakfast. Not much and not every good, but it is convenient and free.  We had some breakfast, kinda made a list of items we needed and headed over to the Moho to check it out in the day light.  It was a mess I had to make room for the axle in the basement storage area so that stuff was inside.  Also, inside is the exhaust pipe for the generator, the mud flap and the entire tow bar apparatus.  We could barely get back to get our pills out of bathroom. 
   Still pretty much in a fog We got a few items and went back to the hotel.  Diane organized the room the best she could, and I went back to talk to Southern Tire Mart where the Moho is parked.  It is Saturday they are only open until noon.  The only thing I really learned was nothing is going to happen until Monday. And they were mad the tow truck driver didn't put the axle back in.
    We rested, tried to nap but Rudy would have no part of that. Everything we thought of required a trip back to the Moho.
    Diane searched around the area for a cheaper hotel (that allows pets) this one is $120 a night plus $25 day for a pet.  That's right, per day! 😐.  She found one about 15 miles away and got a price for 3 nights and it probably $30 cheaper.  Then she went up to the office explained our situation and they reduced our rate enough we are staying here.
    Next big thing is what to get for dinner. We can't leave Rudy in the room and to cold to leave him in the car, so it has to be carry-out. Diane finally found a BBQ place and picked up a rack of ribs and coleslaw.  We ate about half of ribs. We ate early, started wine early and were off to bed early. Like 8:30 early.

    Back to yesterday dealing with Progressive Roadside Assistance Program without good service and being in the middle of nowhere, was just useless. 😖 There is no one to talk to, just a computer and we kept getting dumped back in the same loop. 😡

Still missing the axle.

Sunday 4 February 2024

   A little more relaxed today. My shoulders are sore from turning the wheel so hard.  But all in all, we started to focus on what we need to do.  First was a trip to the Moho.  The batteries were running low, so I want to start the generator, but the exhaust pipe is lying on the floor.  New priority, reattach the exhaust pipe. It wasn't hard but I didn't know what parts and bolts and bracket went where.  I finally figured it out, I crawled under the Moho and Diane handed me tools and parts. A couple hours and we were done.  Fired up the generator.  We carried most of the items out of the aisle way and opened one slide. It was almost like home😉.
    I started researching and researching tires, tire programs and tire discount programs and of course reading hundreds of reviews/posts on the internet. Eyeballs falling out and no decision made I quit for today.
   Diane went to do laundry 10 miles down the road.  First one was so run down she didn't go in, the second one had three cop cars👮👮 in the lot with lights flashing she didn't go in. She did find Beef O' Brady's restaurant and picked up wings for dinner. She was home by three and the wings were cold by dinner time. We had to microwave 2 at a time in the hotel's little microwave, it wasn't that bad but took forever. Good thing wine is served at room temperature.
   Once again, we made list of things for tomorrow expecting big progress when everyone is open and back to work.

Day of Disaster

 Friday 2 February 2024

    Today we were headed to Mid Bay campground in Niceville FL.  The campground is the recreation area for Maxwell-Gunter AFB located at the water's edge of Choctawhatchee Bay.

    It started out like a normal travel day. Breakfast, cleaning and packing the Moho. Weather was nice, temperature was in the high 50's.  Rudy got an extra-long morning walk to compensate for having to be in the Moho all day. No need to hurry we were only traveling 150 miles.  It was almost 11am until we pulled out. We stopped at the Florida welcome center for a nice lunch.  This was close to the halfway point of todays trip.

   Full from lunch and with a fresh cup of coffee we pulled back out east bound on I-10. Diane had contacted the campground to give them our ETA.

   Then at about 1:30pm a LOUD bang.  We blew the front passenger side tire😐. Almost like slow motion the Moho pulled to right onto the berm continuing off the road into the dirt. I realized I had cruise control on and we were going 60mph in the dirt and we were going to DIE!   Hit the brakes and with all my strength I could muster I tried to get back on the road. As we came back on the berm it felt for sure we would roll over. Cupboards opened Rudy kennel slide along the floor. The noise of tire pieces clunking and banging as they tore back under the Moho and car was scary😕💩

   I over corrected a bit and we were almost in the passing lane before I could get us straightened back out. Finally under control we slowed and back to berm and came to a STOP. I pulled the brake😟. We LIVED.  Diane and I were ok. We both looked for Rudy he was still in his kennel and was ok. We were so lucky! We sat for a minute or two before checking for damage. And you know not one car, truck or person stopped to see if we needed help.

   That was over we were OK.  I opened the door. First problem steps didn't work. I jumped down. Diane got Rudy out and we walked down the side of Moho. OMG It was just not the tire! Damage all along the side and under the Moho. Mudflap was trailing behind us fastened only on the driver side, compart door behind the tire was open, several pieces of wire and fiberglass hanging from underneath. Saddened, we crawled back in to start the arduous task of calling insurance people etc. It was now 1:45pm on a Friday afternoon.

   I'll just summarize the rest of the day. And as bad as it may sound it was worse!!  We had poor phone service, but we 'could' make calls. Started with Progressive.  Everything is computerized and we could not open their links. Pushed numbers just took us back to the start. No problem I called our agent, she contacted progressive and we were on a three-way connection. Got disconnected. Called again. Finally got to Progressive claims department and she says we don't want claims we need RSA roadside assistance and transferred us, got disconnected.  Now 3pm, Several more attempts Diane made contact!  Calls, calls returned calls to no avail.  We would have to find our own towing service.  Somewhere around 4pm Friday night in the middle of nowhere.  We are on our own!  Calls, calls, returned calls finally we find someone with a tow truck big enough to handle the Moho and capable of removing the drive shaft for towing. Now almost 6pm.

   He shows up just before dark. A good old boy wishing he was home having dinner with the Mrs.'s.  He tried and tried he had to remove the exhaust pipe to the generator, block up the Moho to get the lifting arm under it then remove the axle because he couldn't get to the drive shaft.

   At 9:00pm we were parked at the truck repair facility. By 10pm we were in hotel having wine. Diane walked next door to Sub-Way got us a sub. It was well after midnight until we went to bed.

More to follow!

The fuel fill line
pulled right out
of the Moho

T

Its amazing the amount of damage that 1 tire can do.

Sad seeing your home damaged this way.

The steps don't work and the jack pad and spring are just plain missing!

             This started at 1:30 and here it is 6:30PM and they are just getting ready to tow the Moho.  What a loooooooong day!!

A week in Bayou La Batre

 Saturday 27 January 2024

    Woke to that all so familiar sound of pitter patter on the Moho one more time.  Making the best of the day we went for a drive, checked out some RV parks on our way to pick up an extra water filter.  The water here is terrible. After three or four stops with no luck we ended up at Wal-Mart.😡 Hey, they had our filter. 

    By now it was 2pm we were starved and decided to stop at the first restaurant we passed, it was closed. Second place, carry out only and finally it was the Lighthouse Restaurant. The service was so sloooow, by the time the food came out we gobbled it down without really tasting it. With our bellies full

We did have some
nice sunsets.

we took a side road that wound around the waterfront. There was just enough daylight to hook up the water filter and softener when we got back. And believe it or not just a snack for dinner.

Sunday 28 January 2024

   No rain this morning and 50 degrees and nice warm morning to walk Rudy. I woke up with a very sore ankle. Didn't hurt when I went to bed, but I could barely walk this morning.  It really hurt. Diane had to walk the dog, go to store, do dishes all while I sat at the table. And just like that, the pain went away (as soon as dishes were done).  The sun came out and it warmed up to almost 70.  This is more like it.  We had grilled steak with mushroom and grilled garlic toast.

No building allowed in this area! 

Monday 29 January 2024

Another nice warm morning. A quick breakfast and we headed over to Dauphin Island for some site seeing. First stop was the Visitor's center, Museum, Old School, town Library, coffee stop and gift shop. Yes, that was all in an old two room schoolhouse. The volunteers were the best.

We drove around the island walked briefly on the beach admiring the beach houses. Lunch was enjoyed at the Dockside Seafood Restaurant. It was a little odd the bar was upstairs, and food was downstairs. But the food was great. Then off to the other end of the island to tour Fort Gaines. It was a civil war fort which fell to the Union in the battle of Mobile. It was really quite interesting. Back to the Moho a long walk for Rudy all of us enjoying another sunny day.

The bay is full of these natural gas rigs.  

Tuesday 30 January 2024

   The weather gods are certainly smiling on us. Another great day. We made good use of the weather. We had an early lunch and headed out to tour the Bellingrath Gardens and Home estate. The gardens were hit hard with three hard freezes in week. It was still beautiful with enough blossoms to add color to the greenery. The house was amazing to say the least. The Bellingrath's made their fortune bottling Coke. They had no children and planned to leave their estate to the people of Mobile. They were very generous people even providing for their Butler allowing him to live on the estate, with a pension, until he passed. When Mr. Bellingrath passed the house was turned over to the city of Mobile, including all furnishing. It has remained unchanged. If you ever get a chance, visit the grounds.

Back to the Moho another great evening.

Shots from the garden and exotic plant house

Wednesday 31 January 2024

All good things must come to an end. No sightseeing today. I worked under the sink trying to strap the bundle of utility lines out of  harm's way as the slide comes in and out. The space is small and..... well, I'm not. Diane did laundry and made a trip to the grocery and drug store. I had tried several times but could not fix the lines. So I quit. Try it again tomorrow. Happy hour arrived a bit early😀this evening. Again today, good weather prevailed.

Thursday 1 February 2024

This week is almost over. I worked on and finally was successful securing the lines under the sink. And I had half of my tools in the kitchen brought in one at a time and ended up grinding out a flange to allow the lines to pass safely.

    Diane tracked down a shrimper that sells off the boat to the public. The lady was great explained how the best way to freeze them and went on to say down here they sell shrimp with the heads on, headless shrimp are referred to as shrimp tails. So Diane bought several pounds on shrimp "tails".

   For our last night here in Bayou La Batre we went out for dinner. The restaurant of choice was Catalina's. Not much to look at but food was great. Diane was eyeing up crab-au gratin, it was funny the waitress looked at her and shook her head 'no'. So she switched to Royal Red's a local shrimp reddish in color (no surprise). I ordered the seafood platter 'grilled'. The food came out Diane could only eat have of her shrimp. I on the other hand ate most of mine, grilled oysters (the best), shrimp, crab claws (small but tasty), crab cake (OK), catfish (took home) and both came with slaw and fries. It was great.

A great end to a weeklong stay. Tomorrow we are off to Mid Bay campground in Niceville FL.