DONT YOU LOVE THE BOBBLE HEADS????
Monday, June 21, 2010
GRACELAND
What a long day. 600 miles and about 85 gallons of gas. I'm glad Matt drove most of that and it only took me about 8 hours to get over my paranoia that all the bikes would not bounce off their racks. Because we really bounced alot today. We started in SC and went to Georgia,Alabama,Mississippi and Tennessee. So tomorrow is the tour and I learned that TCB was Elvis's trademark. I feel so stupid sometimes. Took some pictures but I'm not sure if they will upload or not, so here goes. Well guess what this site is very difficult to load pictures. Plan B????? God Bless, Art
THE FIRST MOBILE UPDATE
My first mobile upload while Matt is driving. A little difficult to type and ride, but here goes. Matt slow down, now!! This is not a motocross bike! Excuse me for a second. About an hour from Birmingham and then Memphis. Should get there around eight hopefully. Matt says we are not stopping until he sees the gates! Pictures will follow tonight. Back to my backseat driving. God Bless, Art
Sunday, June 20, 2010
AND WE'RE OFF!!
I hit the road to Lexington, SC about 2 today after church and a wonderful lunch with my lovely daughter, Lauren, who drove all the way from Asheville to be with me before I left. I also got to say bye to Dale (as in keep me out of trouble) and Lisa. I headed down 901 to catch 77 and that is the worst road for an RV. I don't think my suspension will ever be the same. I had to stop at the Flying J just to make sure the bike was still on the back. It was there, but one of the tie down straps had come unhooked and was looking for an early escape.
The ride south on 77 wasn't too eventful other than I worried about the oil pressure staying above 60 but less than 80 so I guess thats ok. I did call my GM guru, Rick who assured me all was good. I'm just a little nervous about that extra 15w 30 gulf oil we, I mean he, put in a couple of days.
Arrived at Matt's and he was all for stopping at Graceland in Memphis. I figured after his trip to the South of the Border this might be a step up on the excitement chart. Hopefully Matt will get all (not that much)his stuff loaded and we will head out early in the AM. The only disagreement so far has been who's going to be driving. I'm thinking of invoking the owner's rule. Have a great evening, God Bless, Art
The ride south on 77 wasn't too eventful other than I worried about the oil pressure staying above 60 but less than 80 so I guess thats ok. I did call my GM guru, Rick who assured me all was good. I'm just a little nervous about that extra 15w 30 gulf oil we, I mean he, put in a couple of days.
Arrived at Matt's and he was all for stopping at Graceland in Memphis. I figured after his trip to the South of the Border this might be a step up on the excitement chart. Hopefully Matt will get all (not that much)his stuff loaded and we will head out early in the AM. The only disagreement so far has been who's going to be driving. I'm thinking of invoking the owner's rule. Have a great evening, God Bless, Art
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Ode to REAGAN
I know this will probably upset all the dog lovers out there, which I knew I was one of. Please do not hold me in complete contempt quite yet. Reagan is quite a dog well actually he is alot of dog. I never knew a yellow lab could be so determined, have unending energy, leap tall buildings in a single bound and chew more wood than the entire population of North American beavers. But Reagan was all that and more. I knew I'd have to make a decision sooner or later about my ability to control the large rascal. In the end it came down to making a decision about what was best for him and me. I took him back to the breeder today to hopefully find him a better home, with plenty of kids to hang out with and a backyard that he cannot escape from anytime soon. I figured that was so much better than leaving him stranded by the side of the road in Arizona or playing fetch with him at the south rim of the Grand Canyon. So I sit here in a bittersweet mood and pray he ends up at a great place.
On a lighter note, the porch light came in and I removed the old one all by myself. I even stripped the white wire without losing any fingers. Now when I went to strip the black wire things kinda went wrong. Seems I stripped it and pulled on it at the same time and whamo it ripped out of the RV. Now who would have thought a black wire would actually be attached to a BLUE wire. Only in America. Yes Dale came over and finished the installation, but I know I could have turned this 10 minute job into an afternoon of work for me.
My GM mechanic showed up tonight to change the oil in the Magic Bus. We only seal coated a small part of the driveway which I'm sure will go away after a few downpours. We,well, he did cap the leak eventually and everything is ok. No really it is, and now I can get my life back. (A little BP humor there for you folks in chester). That's it, keep Reagan in your thoughts and prayers, but away from any wooden decks. God Bless, Art
On a lighter note, the porch light came in and I removed the old one all by myself. I even stripped the white wire without losing any fingers. Now when I went to strip the black wire things kinda went wrong. Seems I stripped it and pulled on it at the same time and whamo it ripped out of the RV. Now who would have thought a black wire would actually be attached to a BLUE wire. Only in America. Yes Dale came over and finished the installation, but I know I could have turned this 10 minute job into an afternoon of work for me.
My GM mechanic showed up tonight to change the oil in the Magic Bus. We only seal coated a small part of the driveway which I'm sure will go away after a few downpours. We,well, he did cap the leak eventually and everything is ok. No really it is, and now I can get my life back. (A little BP humor there for you folks in chester). That's it, keep Reagan in your thoughts and prayers, but away from any wooden decks. God Bless, Art
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
ALMOST TIME TO LEAVE!
Well it's getting close and I'm just wondering what I've left off the list. I ordered a bike rack last weekend from Wal Mart and it showed up yesterday. I actually put it together and installed without having to call in any experts. Of course it hasn't actually carried any bikes yet so who knows. I did have a minor catastrophe yesterday morning when I decided to turn on the refrigerator and a/c at the same time on the Magic Bus. I guess 15 amps is just not enough juice to power both. Well when they both turned off a slight panic set in as thoughts of no refrigerator for a few months freaked me out. Being the expert electrician that I am, I immediately searched all the fuse boxes I know about in the RV (I'm sure there are at least two more places that I'm completely clueless about). Everything seemed in shape in the RV so I turned my attention to the power coming from the house. Checking that panel revealed no breakers that were tripped (I think). So I grabbed Lauren's hairdryer and figured I would test the outlet outside. I'm sure the neighbors were wondering why I was blow drying the vinyl siding. Well no juice was coming from the outside receptacle so at least I knew where the problem was.
After exhausting all possible remedies known to this man, I had to call in my master RV mechanic Dale who always drops what he is doing to help the helpless. Dale came over and flipped one switch and wham power was back. Who knew one little GFI button controlled all the outside receptacles??? It was worth buying him breakfast later. I sure am looking forward to calling Dale from New Mexico and asking what little button do I need to flip when there is no hot water in the shower!!
Well tomorrow night my GM guru Rick is coming over to change the oil in the Magic Bus. Yours truly would normally attempt this routine task, but I figure there's enough oil spills happening in the earth right now. But I will take copious notes on which bolt is the drain bolt because I'm sure the engine is held in place with the only other bolt under the Magic Bus. Ok I am off to start another project for somebody else to finish. God Bless, Art
After exhausting all possible remedies known to this man, I had to call in my master RV mechanic Dale who always drops what he is doing to help the helpless. Dale came over and flipped one switch and wham power was back. Who knew one little GFI button controlled all the outside receptacles??? It was worth buying him breakfast later. I sure am looking forward to calling Dale from New Mexico and asking what little button do I need to flip when there is no hot water in the shower!!
Well tomorrow night my GM guru Rick is coming over to change the oil in the Magic Bus. Yours truly would normally attempt this routine task, but I figure there's enough oil spills happening in the earth right now. But I will take copious notes on which bolt is the drain bolt because I'm sure the engine is held in place with the only other bolt under the Magic Bus. Ok I am off to start another project for somebody else to finish. God Bless, Art
Saturday, June 12, 2010
WHAT A YEAR
I can hardly believe it’s been a year since I died. At times it seemed to drag on, especially when I wasn’t allowed to drive, and other times it flew. It has been the best year of my life. I have learned and experienced so much and have felt “alive” more than anytime in my life. When it comes to God what can I say? He is GOD. Everything that has happened is for his glory. Personally I’m still overwhelmed and humbled by all the miracles and events that happened a year ago. To family and friends, you are the greatest in the world. Your love, kindness, caring, support and prayers are tremendous blessings in my life. When I cry out to encounter God, He tells me to look for Him in all of you! We are His greatest creation.
I’ve gotten the opportunity several times this year to speak about those events and the impact on my life. I’ve also been given the opportunity to speak several times on my new passion of nutrition and health. So ironic given my past experiences, which I’m sure GOD chuckles about all the time.
I never would have thought I would spend a year unemployed, on disability, on a heart transplant list and be leaving in an RV next week to fulfill a lifelong dream. I am so humble and grateful for this experience. And I get to share it with my youngest son. This trip may seem to be about “us” but it is really about GOD and the experiences he wants to share with us. At least I try to tell myself that all the time. I can’t think of anything that makes your heart more alive, than getting an opportunity to live out your dreams! GOD-thank you!
I know this is not a risk free adventure, but what in life is risk free? I do have some fear and have not thrown “caution” to the wind, but if not now, then when? I don’t mean this flippantly but I’d rather die at the south rim of the grand canyon following my dream, than laying in a hospital bed dying waiting for an event that may or may not happen. I think my family understands my heart in this matter.
I hope to update this blog with pictures (help me matt) and keep you all informed about our travel experiences, including all the unexpected miracles along the way!! The only plan, if there is one, is to pick matt up on the 20th and head to the big hole (Grand Canyon) on the 21st. Well it’s time to start packing or at least think about it. Thanks for reading and God Bless, Art
I’ve gotten the opportunity several times this year to speak about those events and the impact on my life. I’ve also been given the opportunity to speak several times on my new passion of nutrition and health. So ironic given my past experiences, which I’m sure GOD chuckles about all the time.
I never would have thought I would spend a year unemployed, on disability, on a heart transplant list and be leaving in an RV next week to fulfill a lifelong dream. I am so humble and grateful for this experience. And I get to share it with my youngest son. This trip may seem to be about “us” but it is really about GOD and the experiences he wants to share with us. At least I try to tell myself that all the time. I can’t think of anything that makes your heart more alive, than getting an opportunity to live out your dreams! GOD-thank you!
I know this is not a risk free adventure, but what in life is risk free? I do have some fear and have not thrown “caution” to the wind, but if not now, then when? I don’t mean this flippantly but I’d rather die at the south rim of the grand canyon following my dream, than laying in a hospital bed dying waiting for an event that may or may not happen. I think my family understands my heart in this matter.
I hope to update this blog with pictures (help me matt) and keep you all informed about our travel experiences, including all the unexpected miracles along the way!! The only plan, if there is one, is to pick matt up on the 20th and head to the big hole (Grand Canyon) on the 21st. Well it’s time to start packing or at least think about it. Thanks for reading and God Bless, Art
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