Friday, September 17, 2010

Geez, where did all this stuff come from?

A very long day today...up at 6:00 this morning, start to pack, wait till the bank opens, drive down to S. Bend, drive back to Wayland, MI where the General is at, (four hours driving) sign the papers, move the coaches side by side, and then we started. Eldy did all the stair climbing today. The coaches were just a couple of feet apart. He climbed up and down steps for hours, bringing me box after box after box. I'd like to say I was proud of how I used every nook and cranny in the Challenger to store all our stuff, but after hours of Eldy bringing me box after box of STUFF,  I thought, this is ridiculous! We don't need all this stuff! I said that when we cleaned out two houses before we went on the road! I must have done a heckuva job getting a lot of it on board! We are two-thirds done with the move. I'm actually going to be a little sad to leave our first home that holds such great memories for our first few months full timing!

And, wouldn't you know...all the cute shelving and special holders that we used to maximize space in the Challenger don't fit in the Tiffin! Measure, review, measure some more, head out to Walmart tomorrow for suction cup holders for the shower basket/soap holder, refit the medicine cabinets with different width storage containers, and see how we are going to use those cavernous bays underneath. One of the bays has a roll out storage tray that you can access from either side of the coach. Nice touch! We need a second tray but will have to wait till we hit Tiffin to save money on freight charges. For now, we will try to store things in tubs so they don't roll and slide all over the place. We'll be able to finally clear out the tow car and be able to see out the back of it! Yay! Needless to say, we are both VERY sore and tired tonight...it doesn't take much activity or exercise to stiffen up quickly when you are 60 and over! When we both got out of the car tonight for supper, we could barely stand up straight..."My knees are killing me"..."My back is killing me..." we exchanged aches and pains for about five minutes, then decided enough of that!

Where are we gonna put all this stuff!?
It's a good thing we are staying in the parking lot of the General this evening, they knew we wouldn't get finished moving before dark...they have full hookups and

we were too pooped to go out on the road. Of course there were things we had trouble with right away...couldn't figure out why we had full hookup and no lights....no lights, no fan, no battery power...we got  a tech to come out to the parking lot, and darn, if we didn't have the battery disconnect switch on--that turns off the entire power to the RV--electric, batteries and all! Things are beeping at us, making clicking noises and then stopping--the refrigerator beeps at you if you stand there with the doors open, trying to figure out what you want to eat. If you take too long---BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!  (That could actually be a good thing, ha ha!) It's certainly going to be a learning experience. We don't know what all these sounds mean and if they are normal! They want us to stay close in the area for at least a couple of days...gee, I have a feeling they know already that we are going to have LOTS of questions! We will be heading over to Hidden Ridge for Saturday and Sunday to test out the drive, air bags, furnace, etc.  We've already discovered that the propane tank gauge does not work right. The tank registers half full when it is actually full so we have to come back on Monday. They will bleed the tank which will take all day, then replace the gauge. We'll still be in Grand Rapids on Monday, sigh!...but after that...it's the U.P.--northern Michigan! On the road again!....

2 comments:

  1. Now is a fine time to tell you but a wide plank between the two units prevents all the stair climbing.

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  2. Wish we were closer so we could have helped. But I am glad you to work so well together. Once your in I am sure you will move things several times until you get it just right. But just think by this evening you will be camping at one of your favorite places making new memories. Yes, you have made great memories in the chalenger but your journey is still just begining and just think of what's ahead and the new memories. Winter in this one will be much better. Can't wait to see it. Love you guys.

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