I once read a classic Southern turn of the century coming of age novel called Cold Sassy Tree. The story tells of a man whose wife of many years dies. In the story, the man marries his assistant within a few weeks after his wife’s funeral. Responding to his children’s outrage, he offers an explanation something like this: “I loved your mother with all my heart the entire time she was alive, but now that she is dead time will not make her any deader.” He is lonely he tells them and can’t imagine life without a companion.
Things are not working like that for me. Instead it seems that every day Stormy does get a little farther from me. The divide between us becomes more unbridgeable. My efforts to flood the chasm with tears in hopes of swimming across are not working. Plus it seems that the only happy life that I can imagine has to include Stormy as my companion.
I realize that my imagination is limited at this time. Surely currently unimaginable happy days are ahead. I have never claimed to understand the workings of the universe. Yet with so many kind people and so much love around me, I can’t resist hanging around to see what happens. Plus, I owe it to Storm to pursue his dream of spending at least one year in a constant 70-80 degree outdoor temperature range. In order to do that I have to get out of Virginia before I melt.
I am making a list and checking it twice...then adding more things
It ia my habit to tackle seemingly overwhelming tasks by starting with a list. I am not going to share my WHOLE “get the RV on the road” list in this post. I don’t want to frighten you or myself this early in the game. Item one for my list is for me to drive the RV. A harrowing 4 miles drive will take me to the closest road with actual shoulders. There I can turn around and experience the ever narrowing return to my parking spot.
My route begins with a very tight, ditch bordered turn from the gravel road of our subdivision onto a 1-1/2 lane wide unmarked paved Virginia backroad. After a mile of this curvy, tree canopied delight (thank GOD I did not meet another car), I cross into NC. The pavement changes to a bumpy, RV width lane road with no shoulders and a little more traffic. Steve agrees to come along as my coach and Shelia (both from the original Dawson Gang) agrees to be my test passenger.
Exercising extreme caution, I practice centering in my barely wider than the RV lane. Without incident, I make this 8 mile round trip. After a little see-sawing, I even manage to back between cars and trees into my original parking spot.
Next Item
I need to take the RV to a shop and get some work done on a cupped tire and on the suspension. Before I make that trip, I must settle on a Jeep towing method and get it installed. I am not capable of using the flat trailer that Storm loved so much. I am considering a Blue Ox system with auxiliary braking. If you are using one of these systems and can offer me advice, please comment below (or contact me your favorite way).
I am delighted that you are planning on returning to life on the road as a RVer. FYI – you do not want to visit Las Vegas for the next couple months as you will not see 70-80F temperatures even at night!
I have the Blue Ox system and recommend it highly. Once you get used to it, you will find it very easy to hook/unhook the Jeep. The braking unit is manufactured by Brake Buddy and although it works well, I have found it a little difficult to setup. I move the seat all the way back to make sure it has room to “unbrake”.
Bottom line is I believe you will find this system to be much easier and quicker than using the trailer. Hope to see you in Benson this winter.
I think I will delay a visit to Las Vegas for a while – I should probably add bullet proof armor to the RV list before I head that way again 🙂
The video does make hook-up look easy. Is the brake buddy system the one that Blue Ox sells? I am still shooting for Benson – hope to see you there too!
Brake Buddy is separate from Blue Ox. Why the dealer chose it, I do not know. I would suggest going to some of the big RV forums for comparisons.
In addition to the heat, Sin City is currently being invaded by a horde of grasshoppers of biblical proportion (https://www.foxnews.com/us/hordes-of-grasshoppers-descend-upon-las-vegas-experts-blames-wet-weather). If Lake Mead and the Colorado River turn to blood, I am outta here!
We hate to see you go, but we have not been able to come up to see you at all, will explaine in a private note via email. Getting on the road will be good, any gal that can drive an 18 wheeler and airplane can handle an RV. Just like the plane and big truck, give yourself a little room and things will work out fine. There is NEVER I CAN’T just well……this may take me a little longer than some but I will make it fine. You need to keep busy and moving, and doing that at VA does not sound like the right move right now. You have friends all over this country now, help is just a phone call away, Sandy and I will be there when ever and where ever you need us, just might take a day or so to find ya. :>) Love ya kid, God bless and happy travels. GOD BLESS
JD/SD
I figured something was going on with you and Sandy. I apologize for not checking with you sooner. You are right about things taking longer – it is obvious to me now that Storm was carrying more than his fair share of the load when we had to move about. Thanks for being there for me! Take care of our yourselves!!
You go girl! Its not that hard once you drive it some and gain confidence. Just like learning to ride a motorcycle don’t overdue it in the beginning. Hindsight is 20-20 but if I was able to diagnose the front tires as being cupped at the tire store in Charleston instead of focusing on just the rears where I initially suspected the problem to originate I would just have had the tag axle tires moved to the front and the fronts to the tag axle. The tires are not dangerous just annoying to drive. All the rears including the tag axle tires were balanced so no need to do it again.
Thanks for the encouragement. When you guys get back and recover from your trip, I sure would like to get together with you. I am hoping you still want to head west as you have planned this winter. If you do, I would like to tag along if you don’t mind. Plus I would love to hear more about your trip!
Dear Deb,
You are an amazing woman and I have absolutely no doubt that whatever you set out to accomplish, you will be successful. Hoping our paths cross soon and we can be part of your new beginning. Nothing but love! Theresa
I only hope that one day I will be as amazing as you! I hope we cross paths soon too as I could sure stand to share a few laughs with you. Safe travels until we meet! Love right back to you!
Yo’ Deb. I’m at work and have Pandora plugged into my ears this morning. This song came on and I immediately thought of you two. Said to myself, “now this sounds like Charlie and Deb West tune if I ever heard one…”. Could be wrong though so I’m leaving room in my pride. Hope you enjoy.
LOL – wish we had ever sounded that good! That would definitely been a good song for us.