Thursday, June 30, 2011

2011/06/30 – Thursday – Fun / Walking Day

We went to Cedar Point Park. We had fun and we did a lot of walking. I did 15 different rides, while Amanda did 13 rides and Eric did 9 rides and Cheryl did 2 rides (the train and the boat ride)


It was a long day but we did have fun.

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On another note, Mom M has an appointment tomorrow to get her elbow checked out (back at home) so hopefully it will be taken care of properly.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

2011/06/29 – Wednesday – Moving Day

We got up early to get Mom M onto the plane to head home.


Once back at the RV, we get ready to move. The drive to the next location was very short. We travel today for a little over an hour.

We will be here for two nights.

Once camp was set, we went out for lunch and some shopping. We also bought our tickets for tomorrow. (I guess you will find out where we went tomorrow)

Dinner was leftovers and the evening watching TV and playing on computers.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

2011/06/28 – Tuesday – Visiting the Valley

We made arrangement for Mom M to head for home tomorrow.


We went and found the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. We drove the valley and did several of the stops. We did stop at a very small tavern/saloon for a late lunch.

During the afternoon, we stopped for my work (meeting) over the phone. While I was on the phone, Amanda and Cheryl did a nature walk on the tow trail

We stopped at DQ for a snack / dinner (to take home for later)

Monday, June 27, 2011

2011/06/27 – Monday – Waiting / Working


Today was a waiting day; we were waiting for a phone call from the doctor for Mom and her elbow status.  After several phone calls, we found out they called the house instead of the two cell that we gave them. 

And to insult to the whole ordeal, this doctor said she does not need surgery, but two other doctors that have seen the x-rays said she most definitely needs surgery.  So a few more phone calls and now we have a new plan.

We did go and get the set of x-rays that was taken and we stopped for dinner.

Mom M will be flying home on Wednesday to start the necessary treatments, this is after calling her local doctor (back at home).

On the work front, since we were waiting, I decided to do some work; I attended four different meetings and worked on getting my resume started.  I am glad I was able to attend the meetings!  So today it turns out I did a complete day of work, which is what happens when you are waiting all day for a doctor.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

2011/06/26 – Sunday – Next Stop Fixing?


We left about 9:30 and I feel that is good, because of getting back to the RV so late.
Amanda started looking for the closest RV park to Cleveland Ohio.  Based on that the computer said only 2 hours, but I didn’t want to take the toll road, so it took only 3 hours with one gas stop and a rest area stop for lunch.

The campground we are at now was able to take us and after explaining what was happening, we should be able to stay longer.

After getting the RV setup, Mom M and I went for the hospital to get Mom M elbow fixed.  Well, they did take more x-rays and tomorrow we should get a phone call to see if she gets an appointment for surgery.

We came back and picked up the rest of the family and headed out for dinner.  The reviews of the place were good but they did not match our experience.

Now it is just a waiting game, so hopefully tomorrow will be good news about the appointment.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

2011/06/25 – Saturday – Last Day of Nationals


We got up late again (I know running story).  We stopped to return some items we got that was defective and a wrong item.  We got a free hot-dog for lunch at the place also, cool, a free quick lunch.

I went ahead and got both of my shoes shined, both set looks good now!

We left a little early for dinner.  We stopped at a local place and had big meal including desserts, that took longer than expected, but we made it back to the convention center in ok time

We did do some dancing during the day and evening; I even got to dance with “The Rowdy Group”.

For the after party we went to the Family hall and I did some dancing and watching.

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This convention was a small turnout, so hopefully Spokane will have a bigger turnout.  It sure was nice to fell like a participant and not a worker. 

It was a shame that the RV Park was so far out from the center (even the event’s RV Park (the fairgrounds) was close to where we were camping.  For the next few, I think the campgrounds are closer.

Friday, June 24, 2011

2011/06/24 – Friday – Dancing

We got up late – something about vacation and nothing pressing except for some good dancing.


We finally got moving a little before noon, so we stopped for lunch at a sandwich / soup / donut shop – good food.

We stopped by Camping World so they could take some of my money :)

We finally made it to Cobo convention center so we could do our dancing and wondering around (which might have included spending some more money)

We did find out that the place (“Dick Murry”) where we would buy our jewelry is no longer attending the National Convention, so we are bummed about that

Mom M did do one tip and we did it as a no hands tip in the family hall.

Eric danced in the youth competition. They had three squares. His group got second place, I think he was the oldest in his square, and he was the tallest.

We came back to the RV, before getting there we stopped to get some fast-food for dinner.

Eric was not feeling good, so we let him stay back at the RV for the evening.

Back at the center we did some more dancing and wondering around.

Amanda was getting a blister so we decided to head back to the RV a little earlier and not stay for the after party.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

2011/06/23 – Thursday – Square Dance Convention

When I finally got up and got ready it was almost lunch – ouch a late start for the day.


We stopped to get lunch at the golden arches and headed into the Cobo Center. We paid for Amanda and then it was time for us to go to Mom M doctor appointment, so we left the kids and headed out.

We made it to the doctor office almost an hour early. We finally left about 5:30, so 3 ½ hours.

Well, we are changing our vacation plans. We are not doing the upper Michigan, but we are going to see Ohio. In-fact we are heading to the Cleveland area. So when we leave Sunday, we will drive to Cleveland area and once we setup camp, we head for the hospital to get mom checked again and scheduled for surgery.

On our way back to get the kids, they called and said they were headed out to eat with some friends. So I made a detour to head for the camper.

We stopped at the Denny’s to get dinner.

Once at the RV, we changed and I of course had to walk the dogs.

We finally made it to the Cobo Center and we did some dancing and some watching, we even stayed for the youth after-party.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

2011/06/22 – Wednesday – Made It

We left at 9 – right on time.


Our first stop for the day was for gas at a Pilot.

I received a phone call from a doctor that will be able to see Mom M about her elbow somewhere around the Detroit area.

At one point we ran into some construction that stopped us for a little bit.

Now another stop for gas was needed.

We stopped at the welcome center for Michigan and Amanda got a lot of brochures, still not sure what all we will be doing yet. We need to wait to find out what we will be doing in regards to Mom M elbow.

We stopped for a conference call I needed to be on for work and that was a long time setting in a rest area.

We finally arrived at the campground, it is a little muddy, but that part of camping – no big deal.

We had leftovers for dinner – yum

With the van unloaded we headed into Detroit to check out where we will be dancing. Paid the $10 to park and found somebody to drop off the showcase stuff to. Cheryl found where the icecream was and got some for all of us. We found where the kids will be dancing and the family hall. The hall is good size.

Back at the RV I did a little work on the computer, checking out my work emails.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

2011/06/21 – Tuesday – Double Rainbow


We got up late due to not being back at the RV until wee hours of the night (see yesterdays post).

Mom M made some phone calls to make sure things are ok and what our next steps will be.

We got everything put away and on the road by 10:00 so not bad for a late start.

We stopped at the hospital again to get the x-rays and Mom M prescription filled.  That took about an hour.

We were on the road heading again as planned, except for just a late start.

We stopped at a Flying J’s for the necessary go go juice for the RV and some food for us.

I had to stop for a meeting for work.  Well, I am not slotted for a position at work, I will have to apply for one of many new jobs.  Wish me luck!!!

The drive through Saint Louis was not bad – we did not hit any rush hour type of traffic – hurray

Another stop at a Flying J’s (before leaving Illinois)

We watch the rainbow for about half an hour and we did get to see the compete (full arch) rainbow and we also got to see the double rainbow.

We are at another KOA and that is when I found out that we crossed into another time zone – so we are not in Eastern time.

We unloaded the van and headed out for dinner, hoping to find a place that was still open after 9 pm.   
We found a steak place – good eating’s.

2011/06/20 – Monday – Yes – Another Good Day of Driving

We got moving right on time – 9:00.


Our first stop was for gas and lunch at the Flying J’s in the west side of Oklahoma City.

We of course stopped at the first toll booth and paid $9.75.

Again today I was watching my tire temps and I slowed down again from my pace of 60 mph to 55 mph and that would drop the temp by 2 to 4 degrees.

Turquoise was pacing so a quick stop at the last picnic area on the toll road.

Once through Tulsa we got on another toll road and that also cost $9.75

We stop at the Flying J’s in Joplin – man the damage was a lot, but the place was running out of a trailer until they get the store fixed back up. That was the only real damage you see from the freeway.

Now we are at Springfield MO, KOA.

Cheryl made meatloaf for dinner in the 12v lunch box while we were driving down the road – mmmmm good!

I did two loads of laundry.

On the way back to the RV mom fell and broke and dislocate her right elbow – yep we unloaded the van and went to the hospital for a 5 hour tour.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

2011/06/19 – Sunday – Another Good Drive

We got up a little early, but I heard Amanda being sick, so not a good start of the day for her.
Mom M, Cheryl and Amanda walked to the gallery store – everything was expensive

We left the campground about 8:30 – so an early start for us. I am not sure I want to stay at that KOA again, it was very close to the freeway and the train tracks.

Our first stop was just down the road to get go go juice for the RV.
We stopped for lunch after we went through Albuquerque
After lunch the wind was so bad, that my tires were getting hot, my inside duel was at 168 degrees so I slowed down from 60 to 55 to help in reducing the heat. But with the heat outside over 100 degrees and the wind blow very hard from the south the tire were still between 158 to 165 degrees. I was constantly checking the Smart Tire system!
I was going to get gas at a Flying J’s but they had no power for the town, so we hit the road hoping to make it to Amarillo Flying J’s (which we did). So on a tank of gas we made a little over 400 miles
We stopped by the LARGE cross, of course we took pictures…
We stopped for the night near Shamrock TX.
Cheryl made dinner and we walked up to the office to get some ice cream.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

2011/06/18 - Saturday - Good Drive

We all got up and had breakfast with the family we stayed at last night.  It was good.  Thanks E&P

We left about 10:00 and it was already over 90 degrees out.

Our first stop for the day was at the Flying J's in Kingman. 

Cheryl talked with a friend and they tried to figure out a way to meet, but the friend just could not get away.

We stop just shy of Flagstaff to eat a late lunch and get more fuel.

Somewhere after the meteor Turquoise wanted out, so a quick stop on an off-ramp and as I was about to get off the highway - Eric's soda went all over the place, so it was a good thing I was stopping anyway.

When we crossed into New Mexico the time needed changed

Amanda found a KOA in Gallup, NM so we made the stop for the night.  We pulled in about 7:00 MDT.

Cheryl made dinner - it was her awesome pasta.

Cheryl wanted to go for a walk, so we walked around the location twice to get her 3,000 steps that she wanted.

We had cable, but we all just worked on our computers.

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All is going well - no side bets about problems from the peanut gallery :)  (knock on wood)

2011/06/17 - Friday - Vacation Starts

While I was at work, Cheryl and Mom M went to Sears to replace the RV jack that needed replaced.

Cheryl, Mom M and Amanda went to the DMV.  About an hour later she is a proud owner of a driving permit.

They finished the grocery shopping and finished loading the RV.

I finally made it home after a full day at work and got my stuff loaded into the RV. 

Moved the vehicles around and finally got the van loaded on to the trailer.

We finally left the house about 7 and our first stop was at Costco to get all the tires on the RV and trailer topped off.

We stopped at Flying J's to get propane, dump the tanks, and of course get the go go juice for the RV.

We pulled into our spot at about 1 in the morning.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

2011/06/16 - Thursday - Fixed

I went and did some running around to get a part that I needed for the RV.  Three different stores and then return to the first to buy a relay.

We started on replacing the relay and got it put back in without any problems.  When we tested it, now the lights worked and all seems to be well with the RV power - hurray!!!!!!

We did some more loading but nothing major.  Cheryl and Amanda went and did most of the grocery shopping and that was loaded straight to the RV.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

2011/06/15 - Wednesday - Problems

I got the trailer tire down and they do not have one in stock so I will pick the tire up tomorrow.

We started to get the RV ready.  I wanted to double check the 12v system and now I have a problem.  All of the 12v system will not work on just the house batteries, but only works with the plugged in power (via converter).  A switch, relay or another relay is not working correctly.  So tomorrow I will go and buy parts!

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

2011/06/14 - Tuesday - Trains

I was checking on Mom M progress throughout the day.

Eric and I got the tire off the trailer - so now I can go and get a new tire, we also worked on putting new bearing caps on the axles.

We went and got Mom M from the train station - her trip was good

The first place we stopped to get dinner, well, they were full and it would be a while, the next place was closing, the next place had waiting room only, so we finally stopped at Coco's and they were closing in 6 minutes, but at least they allowed people come in until it was closing time.

Monday, June 13, 2011

2011/06/13 - Monday - It's Back

I got the notification that Mom M is on the train heading down here - goody

I got the phone call, but not exactly what I wanted to hear.  The dealer could to replace a bushing without doing a lot more work, so I opted not to replace it yet - it can wait a few more years.

I walked to get the RV from the dealer and because they did not replace that part it cost less (which I am glad).

I reconnected the RV to the trailer and move the trailer so I can work on it tomorrow.

Group was good as usual and a good size group.

We stopped by to get the Jeep and when we got back to the house, I worked on the RV trying to get the old (new to me) inverter to work but I think its broken.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

2011/06/12 - Sunday - Working on Things

Cheryl did not go to church because she had a headack when she woke up.

Eric and I worked on the back yard and did some cleaning up.  We did some driving around got a few things taken care of.

We worked on getting things ready for vacation and a few trips out to get a few things (again).

Saturday, June 11, 2011

2011/06/11 - Saturday - Active

Lets see - we did a lot of running around.

The dogs were dropped off to have there hair (fur) done.

I was just going to drop off Cheryl at the salon, but she talked me into getting my feet done.  It did feel ok, but I don't know I want to do that again.

Went and got a new regulator for the tanks.  Next was a stop at Home Depot get the correct connection for the regulator.

Eric and I worked on the trailer and finished one project, but I don't have all the parts for the other projects, so I have to wait for the RV to be back.

Putting the part on to the regulator and then found out it was the wrong connector, so back to Home Depot to exchange the parts.  Now I have the correct part and it works good!

Cheryl got me and Amanda a new pack for the camera equipment and each a new lens.

We went out for a relaxing dinner.

We stopped to get another car holder for the phone for the RV and believe it or not, we got a good deal on it.

Friday, June 10, 2011

2011/06/10 - Friday - Family

I got a phone call from the dealer, well, the RV is not ready and hopefully it will be done on Monday.

The dogs now have an appointment tomorrow to get trimmed.

We went to dinner tonight with family from AZ.

Thursday, June 09, 2011

2011/06/09 - Thursday - Appointment

The kids had their dentist appointments.

The Jeep needed some more fuel - so a stop to get the Jeep a drink.

Next stop Eric and I got to close to some clippers.

A quick stop a W-M and then go get some dinner for the night.

Wednesday, June 08, 2011

2011/06/08 - Wednesday - Cleaning

Cheryl and the kids went to group tonight

I unloaded the Jeep and did a little uncluttering of the inside.  One of these days I will take the shop-vac and really clean the inside.

I was looking at the door hing on the front passenger door and it will need to be re-welded - I might be driving around without a front passenger door soon.

Tuesday, June 07, 2011

2011/06/07 - Tuesday - Meeting Night

This morning I took the RV to the dealer for the yearly maintenance.

I stopped at Harbor Fright to get my half of the raffle item for the Dirt Devils club meeting.

I got a call from the dealer on my way to the meeting and found out the bill will be much higher then planned!

At the meeting, we found out who is now the president of the club - ME.

We also had a big group tonight.  The room was FULL. And we voted in two new families as members!

I also found out who took my drive shaft!  Now that I have it back, I will be able to get my measurements without going under the Jeep and then call to get a new one in the next few days.

Monday, June 06, 2011

2011/06/06 - Monday - Work

As we were heading for group tonight, we talked and made the determination that we need to go to our client and work on their system.

We did have to go get some new equipment to fix a few things. but I think we are making progress.

Sunday, June 05, 2011

2011/06/05 - Sunday - Fixing More

I worked on the trailer again, but still was not successful on getting the new LED lights to work. 

We took the friend that spent the night back to her house and we headed back to the RV store to get a few more parts for the trailer and to try to get the lights to work.

Eric and I worked on the lights, but to no success I could not get the LED lights to work, so replaced all the bulbs back to the incandescent bulbs and worked on a marker light.

Saturday, June 04, 2011

2011/06/04 - Saturday - RV Parts - Dance

I got some parts for the trailer - I am trying to get the trailer lights to be brighter.  So I got some LED lights.  I started to work on making sure the lights on the trailer is working properly. 

I did get the van finally washed - so it looks good.

I did not finished working on the trailer and got ready for the Funster Square Dance club dance.

We left early to get some dinner.  We picked up a friend, then we picked up another friend, and now heading for the dance.

Dance was good and fun.

We left a little early and headed to our normal spot for after dance snack.

We finally got home a little after midnight.

Friday, June 03, 2011

2011/06/03 - Friday - Shopping

We did a little shopping trip.

We got a few electronic items. 

Thursday, June 02, 2011

2011/06/02 - Thursday - More Catching Up

Well, I worked on the more of the mind dumps, tomorrow I need to work on the picture.....

Of course still working the laundry

Wednesday, June 01, 2011

2011/06/01 - Wednesday - Starting to Catch Up

Now I am trying to catch up on my old postings (over the weekend).
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Cheryl and the kids went to group, while I continued to work on laundry and on the older posts.
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Just as a note: this won't be posted until I get the older post posted.
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