Old Friends, New Friends...

We spent the last few days outside of Moultrie, GA at the beautiful Reed Bingham State Park. Mature trees, good roads and widely spaced campsites. And believe it or not, full hookups. And a very clean laundry facility. All in a state park. WOW.

We talked some of our fellow Alaska explorers into joining us there and had a great visit. Everyone enjoyed the fellowship and is looking forward to our adventure. 

Of course, there was also the ubiquitous crawling around on the ground under motorhomes. I'm beginning to think it's a core activity, like a general education requirement in college. But with expensive tools, and cussing.

We can't wait to see everyone at Dawson Creek! We are counting the days.

72...

Mona gets some new shoes...

So who is Mona? Mona is our 2011 Monaco Knight, or as I refer to her, the other woman. She is a comely lass, but high maintenance, to be sure.

We decided to get two new steer tires before taking off for Alaska. The old ones had significant rivering. Rivering looks exactly like it sounds, but is not at all beautiful.

Enter our new Michelin 275/80R22.5 tires. Smoooth, said Craig, on his drive back to the ranch. Even smoother as we headed out toward Florida to meet some new friends and traveling companions.

We did keep one of the old tires to use as a spare on the trip to Alaska. They do sell tires up north, of course, but you never know how far you are from a tire store.

And Mona loves her shoes.

Sparks will fly...

Craig found a pinhole in a weld at the top of one of the jack cylinders that was causing a hydraulic fluid leak. Luckily it was behind the radiator so he could try to weld it shut in place. By luckily, I mean there is just enough space to get his head very close to the place he will weld and just below the fuel filter for the engine. You see where I am going with this?

My job was to turn the welder on and off so he could stay under the coach. I must say I am amazing at this kind of job. I may have been born for it...

Sadly, the first weld didn't take, since the hydraulic fluid continued to ooze. He decided to be a little more aggressive, and turn the welder up. I'm a little concerned about his proximity to the welding and as I'm about the voice this concern, Craig returns from the shop with a small fire extinguisher.

Uh, oh. Craig hands it to me, points out the possible sources of fire (more than one, not counting my dear husband) and crawls back under the coach.

Meanwhile, I'm checking the extinguisher to make sure it's good, just like Mack the Fire Guy showed us in Quartzsite. Is it Stop, Drop and Roll?

After all the preparation, there was no fire, thank God. Just a little more cussing as the weld still could not be completed. Craig had to remove the jack and weld it in his shop, where conditions were perfect and so was Craig's work, as usual.

Wet Bay...check

At last, the wet bay is back together. With the addition of the tank monitor panel. It remains to be seen whether there is truly value in knowing you have 68% vs. 2/3 of a tank. Could lead to a false sense of security? We'll see. 

Craig is happy and the panel looks amazing. That's all that really matters. 

Please step out of the vehicle...

I'm kind of famous at our house for leaving things in my luggage that ensure that I get to spend quality time with our airports first line of defense, TSA. Luckily, I've never been delayed so long I missed my flight or gotten to see the inside of one of those little rooms.

Usually, I've forgotten something in my carryon. So far we have an allen wrench, corkscrew (it was new), small knife with scissors (I did get to keep it since my friend had snapped off the blade) and most recently a large bottle of water. I couldn't believe I left that in my bag. Luckily, the young man tested me for bomb residue, took the bottle and advised me to "stay out of trouble". Easier said than done.

Given my history, I will be giving considerable attention to the task of making sure there is no contraband in the RV that could hold us up at the Canadian Border crossing. I'll be checking every drawer, cabinet, bin and under all furniture for anything prohibited.

I've been reviewing the Canadian Border Services Agency website for the most current information. I'll be checking it several times for updates.

While we were in Tampa, we were lucky enough to attend a seminar presented by Ron Jones, author of RVing to Alaska. He has a wealth of information about traveling to/from and within Alaska, crossing the Canadian border and about camping along the way. One of my biggest take-a-ways was the feeling that anyone can do it.  

I'm almost sure that includes me.

Gimme some water...

So one of the things Craig wanted to do was install a new water pump. Of course, in order to reach it, you had to take off the front panel. And that had to be done in two pieces. 

Taking it apart was fairly easy. But as is the way of RV gear heads, while the cover is off...

Now there will also be some new fittings and tubing, new o-rings and gaskets, SeeLevel Gauges, revised panel layout and access, and other things still to be determined.

We love having a place to work on projects. But it came with a price. There just aren't any stores around for the inevitable items that pop up, some of which are showstoppers. 

Amazon.com to the rescue. 

And so we wait...

Back from Yahoo Monaco...

This past week we attended a Yahoo Monaco Rally in Tampa, FL. Craig was invited to give a presentation with a friend and fellow RV nut about the steering and handling characteristics of the Roadmaster chassis. 

The presentation went very well and we made some amazing new friends. But it's great to be back home. Especially after a long day of driving in the wind. As always, Craig did a great job.

Now the prep work starts in earnest. We both have lists and are checking them twice.

Craig's list starts with installing locks so that he can access all the compartments. There were a couple of doors that were hinged, but screwed shut. As with any RV, you want to use every little bit of space there is. Enter the tubular lock. He is installing them today, with exacting precision, as usual.

He always smiles when he has a project.