Monday, July 11, 2011

Ready To Travel

We've been looking at and talking about a motor home for awhile, mostly so we can take our pets along when we travel - can you believe it.  But we'd about talked ourselves out of it due to having to spend so much and risk not liking it.  But then a friend of ours upgraded and put his on the market - it was too good of a deal to pass up.  We paid less than an SUV would cost and we know he was meticulous about keeping everything in great shape.  It's a 1996 model, 37 feet long with a diesel engine.  This is the two sides and the main living area.

We brought it home on Thursday - it was in a campground 1/2 mile away and it looks bigger in our driveway - it was sure an experience backing it in the first time.

We took it on it's maiden road trip on Sunday to take the grandkids half way home - Step 1 is to learn how to drive it and put fuel in it.  We made a 300 mile round trip and learned alot about driving it and some things that need to be done before our next trip.  Next will be to learn how to live in it by going camping locally, then making a trip out West.  After that, if we still want to keep it, we'll figure out where to store it for the long term.

One thing for sure, it takes all of your attention while driving - no electronic devices, no dog on lap, no eating - only the occasional drink of water.

All photos can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by Almost Heaven South.

One year ago:  A Very Berry Breakfast

Larry

21 comments:

  1. We've been kind of thinking that maybe we need one. I hope you keep sharing your experiences with it.

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  2. Our dream is to buy a motorhome. Will the cat be making the trip? I see alot of people taking cats in these things. It sure doesn't look like it's that old. Even the design seems new. We'd love to buy a Road Trek, but they're pretty darn expensive.

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  3. Our dream is to buy a motorhome. Will the cat be making the trip? I see alot of people taking cats in these things. It sure doesn't look like it's that old. Even the design seems new. We'd love to buy a Road Trek, but they're pretty darn expensive.

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  4. That is a nice motorhome! I'm always amazed at how plush they can be!! My very good friend and his wife bought a motorhome and he said the same thing about driving it and backing it into spaces..!! Have fun with it!

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  5. What a nice motorhome!! I bet backing it up was an adventure. I stink at backing up a car, muchless a coach of that size :) Happy travels to you!

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  6. Larry, I thought that your first long drive in your new motorhome would be a learning experience. I've driven one larger and one smaller unit, one time each, and you definitely need to stay focused! When you add a car in tow, it will be even a bit more challenging... Once you're past all of the learning, you, Bev and the dogs should have some great times cruising the USA! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

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  7. It looks fantastic! We have a small 24 footer and we LOVE it! We have explored so many wonderful places because of our motor home. I hope you love it as much as we love ours.

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  8. That looks like so much fun!
    Backing up would be my nightmare though... lol
    Enjoy it!

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  9. Larry, I hope that you enjoy your motor home. My parents used to have one and I wish that they still did. It was SO much fun! They drove us out to San Francisco when I lived in L.A. and we even drove the durn thing up that windy San Fran road! Insanity! I hope you have many fun times with the gang and the pets!

    Now I'm going to go check out that quiche recipe that you just told me about! Thanks for the azalea fertilizer tip too!

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  10. Very nice, Larry... You all will enjoy it I'm sure. My cousin and hubby recently retired and just bought one. We saw TONS of them out west...

    Congrats.
    Betsy

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  11. I'm impressed you got that thing backed onto your driveway. I can barely back my impala around your driveway without hitting one of your retaining walls.

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  12. I wouldn't mind an RV, but my dearly beloved is very much a homebody. His favorite statement is, "I like my house, so why do I want to leave? If I didn't like my house, I'd get a different house and stay there." So I'll just drool over yours. And then I'll claim that my time driving the 15 passenger Ford van would absolutely qualify me to drive that sucker. I'm nothing if not nervy.

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  13. I just know you are going to have many wonderful times ahead in your new motor home. I've always wanted to see the county that way. I will look forward to reading about your adventures, Larry.

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  14. I'm very suprised about the motorhome addition. Can't wait to tell Carol.

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  15. Absolutely fantastic! A nice motorhome!
    Vigorously nodding my head in agreement with all the comments above.

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  16. What a way to travel Larry. It's much bigger on the inside than I imagined. Sounds like you also got a great deal.
    Sam

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  17. Congratulations! My hubbies 2 brothers and parents own RVs and love that lifestyle. Up here in VA just outside of DC we really can't own one as we would have no place to store it. My MIL freezes their meals in small portions and stores them in the freezer in the RV for their trip. Enjoy yourselves- can't wait to hear about your adventures! Oh my FIL back into many mailboxes- I don't know how many he has had to pay for;-)

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  18. How awesome is that rig!?!?!

    I bet it was an adventure for sure. My parents are retired and spend a lot of their time camping with their pull behind unit. You are going to learn a lot about weight management, packing, cooking with minimal equipment (compared to home), and all kinds of fun stuff.

    So glad for you guys!

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  19. Larry, when are you guys taking that RV down to Florida?

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  20. How 'bout that!? What a beauty and I always like a bargain. I think you and Bev are going to love it.

    We debated about getting a motorhome or trailer, and finally settled on a used 5th wheel several years ago from a couple who had barely used it (and for half of what he had paid); then we found an older used diesel pickup in great condition. Once we get MrP to finally retire (again), we plan on hitting the highway, travel east, see some of this great country, unless of course gas skyrockets.

    Gosh I hope we don't pass each other on the road going in opposite directions! ;) Be sure to let us know when you come this way.

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  21. What an exciting purchase! I keep dreaming of owning a motor home one day - this is awesome, Larry!

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