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Kota · 04-18-2013, 09:18 AM

Thought I'd start a thread for our May trip. I'm off work from April 27th through May 29th. I drove it home from storage about 2 weeks ago with a bunch of projects planned. The weather here in Boulder has not cooperated. We've had nearly 3 feet of snow and relentless cold. Often in the teens. Spring snows are not uncommon but they usually melt off in a day or two. The snow stopped last night and its a sunny day but still 18 degrees.

I did get the new solar controller, coach batteries, and latching power relay installed. We are going to have settle for cleaning the carpeting instead of the new wood (or vinyl). The love seat will not be replaced by a swivel recliner...

I've got a couple of small preventative maintenance items to take care of. Purging the brake and power steering fluid will complete the fluids, belts, and hoses since I purchased it. I usually take too many tools and will probably work on a few projects on the road.

Kota · 04-18-2013, 09:29 AM

We will be heading north and east from Colorado ending up in northern Michigan at my parent's place for a family outing. Probably spend a few days in Mesic Michigan during the morel mushroom festival. (A family tradition) Hope to link up with some friends in northern Minnesota. Either coming or going.

cesalie2 · 04-18-2013, 10:00 AM

Dakota,

Sounds like an exciting trip!

Please take photos of the spectacular countryside to share..

Ps: amazing what you can get done with a little bit of tools in your coach.

dadstoy · 04-18-2013, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dakota

We will be heading north and east from Colorado ending up in northern Michigan at my parent's place for a family outing. Probably spend a few days in Mesic Michigan during the morel mushroom festival. (A family tradition) Hope to link up with some friends in northern Minnesota. Either coming or going.

That sounds like a great trip. I hope you do get to northern Minnesota. As a young boy, I spent many a weekend at Sauk Lake in Sauk Centre, Long Lake in Brainerd and Leech Lake in Walker...all in an Airstream trailer. Happy Walleye fishing!

Kota · 04-18-2013, 08:08 PM

Learned some today!

One of my furnaces wouldn't run when I pulled it out of storage last week. It would light off for about 5 seconds and shut down. I got online and downloaded the service manual for the Atwood Hydro Flame 8500. I figured it was something to do with flame sensing. I pulled the gas valve/burner unit and found a mud dobber nest built around the flame sensor probe. I removed the nest and cleaned up the contacts. Put it back together but the problem persisted. Swapped controller boards with the rear unit and determined the board was bad. $98 at PPL and a new one is on the way. It did give me a chance to go through another system and make sure everything was in good serviceable condition. I calibrated the LPG pressure gauge and set the pressure. Checked the heat exchangers cleaned everything up.

bkahler · 04-19-2013, 06:43 AM

It's amazing where those little buggers end up making their nests. The one you found is a pretty good sized nest.

Good job on figuring out your furnace problem! It's nice that you can swap parts between units to troubleshoot.

Brad

Kota · 04-19-2013, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkahler

It's amazing where those little buggers end up making their nests. The one you found is a pretty good sized nest.

Good job on figuring out your furnace problem! It's nice that you can swap parts between units to troubleshoot.

Brad

In was bigger and different than mud dobber nests I've seen. It might be some other type of wasp. The chambers were lined with an orange cellulose looking material.

I'm wondering if the nest shorted out the sensor circuit and smacked the board. The rear controller had been replaced at some point. It was encased with a plastic coating. Hope the replacement is the newer revision.

Kota · 04-30-2013, 08:18 PM

Day 1:

Got behind a couple of days with some doctor stuff that couldn't be put off. All is well.

Drove further than I like on "vacation" to get back on schedule. 550 miles today with a late start, fuel stop, and a propane fill. She ran like a top. Cool temps and light winds. We cruised about 70 all day and beat the winter storm out of Denver. Stopped at Lake Francis Case SD for the night. It just started raining with snow forecast after midnight. Other than the Camp Host, we are the only ones here. We'll hunker down until the storm passes. I'm sleeping until the crack of noon tomorrow.

ScrapIrony-2 · 04-30-2013, 11:57 PM

Don't have any idea what the weather up the north shores will be, but that's a beautiful drive with parks everywhere...lots of lighthouses, and the Duluth RR museum is worth the trip...enjoy it for all of us, and, well...a novel idea...LOTS OF PICS!!!

Kota · 05-01-2013, 06:35 AM

Before the trip I pulled out the funky love seat out from behind the passenger seat. It's only use was a place to pile stuff. I really having it gone as does Dakota. Makes it feel like we have a slide out. I'm going to try to find a nice cushy recliner to replace the passenger seat.

Kota · 05-01-2013, 06:56 AM

No snow this morning! Planning the day based on the weather. St Croix Falls WI tonight.

Kota · 05-01-2013, 02:51 PM

The storm caught us at Jackson MN. We checked into a KOA and are hunkered down with plenty of movies, music, munchies, and martoonies! Snowing pretty hard with wind gusts over 30 across the road. "They need the moisture"

I thought April showers brought May flowers!

Kota · 05-01-2013, 04:25 PM

May Day! May Day!

bkahler · 05-01-2013, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dakota

May Day! May Day!

I like it!

dirigible25 · 05-01-2013, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dakota

May Day! May Day!

Its a good thing you have until May 29th, you can take it easy and go with what the weather has in store for you without too much stress about getting there and back. Enjoy the trip

Kota · 05-02-2013, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirigible25

Its a good thing you have until May 29th, you can take it easy and go with what the weather has in store for you without too much stress about getting there and back. Enjoy the trip

Always an adventure! No new snow this morning but its moved east. I90 is closed east of here. We'll hang out here for a bit. Glad I serviced the a/c and heaters. We're keeping toasty on camp ground electricity. New door seals are on the list of things to do. There's a big truck parts store close by. Might go shopping for some new spray nozzles for the wiper arms.

Kota · 05-02-2013, 05:55 PM

The snowman died!

No snow today but the weather to the east was bad and the wind were blowing over 30 kts. We stayed put and will head out for another long day early tomorrow. Manistique Mi is in the sights.

Kota · 05-03-2013, 09:50 AM

Back on the road trying to get through this stationary line of weather. Sitting in Albert Lea waiting for it to stop snowing.

Kota · 05-03-2013, 09:52 AM

Might stop and role one up! A snowman, that it!

Roads are just wet but the winds are ripping out of the north. Close to freezing so I'm being pretty cautious!

The KOA we spent 2 days at was only about 50 miles west of here. They have gotten over 20 inches with 10 yesterday.

Kota · 05-15-2013, 07:26 PM

Had to modify the plans after the 3 day weather delay. The trip across Minnesota and Wisconsin was pretty ugly with snow, whiteouts, strong winds and slippery roads. Things cleared up about Green bay. We stopped for the night at the Onida Indian casino. Free RV parking turned into $15 and another $80 for dinner and $20 in the slots trying to pay for the trip.

The next day got us on the other side of the weather as we crossed the UP.