Posts
What a difference 3 days made! Three days after writing that last, kind of pitiful, post, we got an offer on our house! One that we could accept. And my sweet husband drove up to the duplex, pulled a few nails from the wall, carted off more trash, spackled a bit and suddenly I am able to sleep through the night!
The place does not look that much different. I am just choosing to see what it can be, rather than what it is!
Last week some friends asked us to join them at Henry Horton, a state park in middle Tennessee. It was time to try out our new-to-us trailer home. The park is big…. boasts a golf course, restaurant, inn and cabins. But it was so hot and muggy, we went into survival mode. Spent more time inside with the A/C than we ever had and the hubby still managed to get two tick bites!
We are working on getting a WDH. Our buddies at the Townsend rally sang praises for the Andersen Weight Distribution Hitch with sway control. Even those with full size pickups were using it with the 19’ Escape. This is what we want, we think, but no one in our area sells it and the one RV dealer who was willing to get it from the manufacturer in Idaho told us he did not understand how it works….even after watching the video on You Tube. Not sure if we want to spend $600 and not get it properly installed!! Still trying to figure out what to do.
We have got a new transmission cooler on the Taco. Our little truck pulled the trailer up the big mountain at Monteagle. I just need to get accustomed to the engine noise in second gear and 3500 rpms!
Another challenge that we are facing, one we can barely discuss, is the issue of the cats….as in, too many cats! Last week I finally made up flyers for the two older females, Sheba and Princess and began distributing them at local vet offices. Several calls have come in but when I mention their ages, 11 and 13, the interest suddenly disappears. (Please don’t try to shame us. If we had a motorhome, I could see us traveling with 3 felines, but the truck barely holds the two of us and Sylvester.)
After our short jaunt to middle Tennessee, we immediately got back on the road, minus the Escape, and headed for Louisville, KY, delivering a load of family antiques to one of the granddaughters.
That night we strolled across the Ohio River on an old railroad bridge. Loved the views from the river.
Louisville at night
The Big 4 walking bridge with led color changing lights
Ohio River
Paddleboat
We are one month and one day away from closing on the house, assuming we can get all the necessary repairs completed. Hope to find a contractor to take out a wall in the duplex and get new flooring before we move in.
Can’t believe we are starting the next phase of “the dream!”
Good news! So excited for you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, John. It has been a very exciting 48 hours! And thanks, much, for all your help with the truck.
DeleteJust love it when things start falling together. The "dream" is happening.
ReplyDeleteIt is so hard to remember to just get out of life's way and stop trying to control everything. I keep reminding myself not to listen to those negative voices between my ears.
DeleteJust about made myself sick with worry over the home inspection...and the results were nothing like I imagined. Moral of the story..don't listen to my self!
Hi Lynn,
ReplyDeleteWhat are you towing with now? Does it struggle with the 19? I need to get a new tow vehicle for my 19 and am still researching.
Hi Ann! We are towing with a 2002 V6 Tacoma, 3.4 L engine, automatic 2 wheel drive. It is referred to as "first generation" as the truck got more powerful in it's later years.
DeleteWe are doing great on flat and downhill. I don't like the feeling that it's doing all it can when we are climbing. It might feel better with a WDH or we might be fine with a later model, 2005 or newer, Tacoma.
I have been meaning to post on the Escape forum, introducing myself and asking how many are towing with Tacomas? Let me know what you learn!
Hi Lynn,
ReplyDeleteWhat are you towing with now? Does it struggle with the 19? I need to get a new tow vehicle for my 19 and am still researching.
Hi Lynn,
ReplyDeleteWhat are you towing with now? Does it struggle with the 19? I need to get a new tow vehicle for my 19 and am still researching.
Congratulations!!!!! So happy the sell of the house went fast and well for you guys!! Now, the next chapter begins!!
ReplyDeleteThe closing is one month away and my realtor says "it does not close until it does." So I guess we shall see!
DeleteGreat idea...I'll look around.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you. Hope it is not too hot in your locale. Very, very warm here.
Just saw your post. Great news. Hope everything goes as planned, and you can get on to more important things such planning camping trips.
ReplyDeleteI know! All this trauma and drama just so we can go camping (and stay longer).
ReplyDeleteCongrats on all the good news! Just remember, "it is what it is", and "all will work out as its supposed to"! Keep thinking good thoughts :-).
ReplyDeleteI would be better off if I could just monitor and discard all my negative thoughts! I made myself miserable worrying about the inspection!!!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with your comments. Will see how well I manage the next few months!
We used to tow a 29 foot travel trailer with an Equalizer hitch. They have a fairly extensive dealer network. It might be worth looking at for the Casita.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.equalizerhitch.com/
Sorry I did not reply....just saw your comment!!! Thank you for the info.
DeleteCongratulations on the sale......and wishing a smooth closing......I like the hitch, wonder if a local U-Haul place can put it on...though I have always been watchful of the u-places and tried to get online reviews on any specific ones...Mounteagle looks like a hair raising event...I watched the video....
ReplyDeleteso after your first camping adventure, how did the "New Egg" work for you.....did you get lost with all the new space.. :)
Take care and enjoy...Horst sends
ps..great Louisville at night shots!
No, not lost...just sleeping soundly! I normally never sleep with the A/C running but had no problem on this trip.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the hitch install. Most friends told me that they had to adjust and make it work themselves as their local RV place had no clue on how to do it right. My one girlfriend that had it installed has not been able to get the lift her van needs.
Look for a You Tube video by Andersen that has a guy speaking with a British accent. He does the best job of explaining it.
Best of luck!!
This question is kind of off topic ... I've followed your blog and your trips west. I'm still trying to answer my own question on whether to sell my small house in Indiana to move a "base camp" to the western states. I assume your duplex you are moving to is located in TN. With that assumption, do you mind having your principal residence so far away from where you travel in the winter months?
ReplyDeleteI just traveled from Indiana to Utah a few weeks ago. I love driving but had the thought there was no way I could have a base camp in Indiana when I want to spend most of my traveling out west.
I didn't see anyway to email you, so I've left this question in the comment section. Thanks for taking the time to read it, as I know you are busy right now.
Hi Steve! Nice to hear from you.
ReplyDeleteI am an east Tennessean, a native with an emotional tie to the mountains who just happened to fall in love with the desert in the winter time. So not thinking it too awkward to travel west for the winter.
I've followed your decisions about moving for some years now....recently heard a quote that I will gently pass on. Author unknown. "He who deliberates fully before taking a step will spend his life on one foot." Your inner self wants this freedom.
It's finally happening!!! I am so thrilled for you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sharon. Hope to get back to writing soon!
ReplyDeleteI've always enjoyed your stories. I'm happy for you and your new trailer. Tell us more about it
ReplyDeleteI'll be writing about the Escape when we get a chance to spend some quality time with her. Our downsizing is over, we are tweaking the new space and hope to write about the transition soon.
ReplyDelete