DAY ONE UNDER OUR BELTS

Saturday, November 3 – We pulled out of the driveway at first light this morning (7:30 am) heading South. This is our first experience towing a 5^th wheel trailer. We've towed utility trailers, travel trailers, and cars behind the motor home, but this is a new experience for us...EXCITING!

Getting out of our skinny driveway onto our skinny neighborhood street was our first challenge. A little “hairy,” but we pulled it off on the first try with no problems and headed down the road.

Our only mishap – or was it just the bone-headed driver – was when we pulled out of the pump area at Flying J. We must have turned too sharp because the emergency break-away cord pulled out and locked the trailer brakes. It was nice that the Ford instrument panel lit up, “wiring fault on trailer.”

After resetting the break-away plug, the instrument panel continued to warn of a wiring problem. After several attempts of unplugging the main plug and re-inserting it with no success (and surprisingly Paul swearing didn't help either), Paul finally shut the truck off, unplugged, and pulled the emergency break-away plug out. After refastening everything, the instrument panel code was cleared, and we continued on our merry way. Guess we learned something new today!

Poor little Bella. It took her several hours before she finally settled down and enjoyed the ride.

She was so tired after meowing off and on for several hours, she feel asleep in the strangest positions.

Sleeping on Marsha's lap lying against the door.

We hit rain in Louisville, KY as we neared our destination of Cave City, KY. We are at the Singing Hills RV Park. We've stayed here a total of three times now. It is a Passport America park meaning we paid $16 for a 50-amp full hookup site. The sites are gravel and pretty level. We are only about two miles off I-65. The owners are wonderful people. So helpful and friendly. We are in the same site we were in a year ago. Free WIFI to boot!

Site #42

Looking right.

Looking left.

Our backyard where the deer and the chipmunks play.

As we ate supper, the skies darkened with dangerous looking black clouds. We thought we got out of the rain when we left Ohio.....hummph!

Our reflections of switching from a motor home to a 5th wheel.  Paul feels it is much easier to drive the truck towing a 5th wheel compared to driving a motor home.  He just doesn't have the overwhelming feeling of being so big.  Getting in and out of the gas station was easier and maneuvering in traffic felt more comfortable.  Even pulling into the campground, Paul felt more at ease. 

The gas mileage (diesel fuel actually) was better with the truck and 5th wheel too!  Although, we'll pay more when sightseeing in a big truck compared to the Honda CRV.

It was nice for Marsha to be able to stand up and move around in the motor home.  She'll miss being able to run back to the bathroom, make coffee while going down the road, or dig out her crafting projects without stopping.

Our first reaction is it is easier to set-up and level the motor home – especially since it had an automatic leveling system.  We assume the same will hold true for preparing to pull-out of the campsite in the morning

The 5th wheel feels more "homey" sitting here this evening watching TV.  It's nice not to have the driving compartment in your living room and the big screen TV across the room instead of above the windshield is wonderful. 

All-in-all, we are happy with our switch to a fifth wheel.  The consensus that you can't beat a motor home while moving down the road and you can't beat a 5th wheel when parked may be true.  We certainly felt comfortable driving today and love sitting in our little home on wheels tonight! Well see if we feel the same in the future.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a wonderful day!

READY TO ROLL

Friday, November 2 – Well, we're all packed up and ready to go. Marsha was so excited that we successfully hooked-up the trailer on the first try. Guess she thought Paul would miss the pin box while backing the truck under the fifth wheel....ha ha! We successfully towed the 5^th wheel about ten feet with no mishaps!

First time backing up.

Marsha's responsibility for this first time was to be sure the pin aligned with the hitch.

Success.

Ready to roll.

Paul did check the tire pressure on the trailer and discovered only 65 pounds of air pressure in all the tires instead of the 80 pounds marked on the tires. So he dug out his air compressor that he had stored in the basement of the 5^th wheel and increased the pressure to the recommended amount. Wonder why the RV dealer delivered the 5^th wheel with low air pressure?

With everything completed, we settled into the house for the last night in Ohio. Interestingly enough, there were a few snow flakes in the air as we closed-up shop.

Here are just a few photos of the inside.

We are ready to roll!

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!

IT HAS ARRIVED…THE TRUCK IS HERE!

Tuesday, October 30 – Paul received the phone call he's been waiting for ....”Your truck is ready and can be picked-up today!” So on this cold and rainy October day, we drove to the dealer and received the keys to our beautiful “new to us” 2010 Ford F350 DRW pick-up truck.

Paul's first look at his F350

Eddie of Freeway Motors in Canton, Ohio, did a great job of finding our truck online. It was on a Ford dealer's lot in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A one-owner vehicle, owned by a fellow who buys a new truck every two years – weather he needs it or not – and in this case it sure looks like he didn't need it. It only has 18,800 miles on the odometer and looks absolutely NEW! It was completely inspected by Eddie's inspection service before shipping to Ohio and re-inspected here in Canton by Eddie's service staff before we took delivery.

It took a little time to get the vehicle here from Minnesota, but it sure is a beautiful truck and just what we are looking for in a tow vehicle. You can't believe how happy we are with the truck and the service we received from Freeway Motors in Canton, Ohio.

Joe, Marsha, Paul and Eddie.

WOW! What a beauty. If she tows as nice as she looks, we should be very happy. It is a Lariat model and nicely equipped - “Nicer than anything I've ever owned.” Paul states, with a smile on his face. It's all set-up for towing except the hitch, which we will have installed Thursday.

Here he comes.

A little peak at the truck.

So if all goes well, we plan on pulling out of the driveway early Saturday morning in route to Houston, Texas. We are so anxious to get back on the road after a long stay in Canton. Much longer than we planned but time well used and “life changing” to say the least.

So be sure to check back and see how we do in our new lifestyle and our new experience TOWING our house instead of DRIVING it (like we did in the motor home). This is going to be fun :-)

Tuesday, October 30 – BLOW BABY BLOW!!! With wind gusts in the 70 mph range, Hurricane Sandy nearly blew NE Ohio into Lake Erie. WOW! What a storm! I sure wouldn't want to be driving an RV around in these winds.

Luckily our power stayed on, even though many lost power overnight. Schools were closed and many business shut down for the day.

Forgot to take some snippets of the weather report on Monday. This one is from Tuesday.

Notice the winds were still gusting up to 40 mph.

Rain fall totals exceeded three inches but the real story was those winds! There sure aren't any leaves left on the trees now!

How this one tree in our yard has leaves is waaaaay beyond us.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who took the direct hit of Sandy. We pray that help arrives quickly, electric is restored and food reaches all those in need.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!