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overlander63 · 09-27-2007, 03:54 PM

This evening I am finishing dismantling my office, and packing the few remaining things in the store room here. I wired the backup lights into the pin on the trailer umbilical. Bertha has functioning backup lights (the first trailer we have owned with this feature), and I am sure we will need them one day.
If you want to see the place we are initially going to, here is the url:
Map of 14880 Tamiami Trl Punta Gorda, FL by MapQuest=

If you drive there in person, it is the campsite with the giant Mapquest pushpin in it...

TomW · 09-27-2007, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overlander63

... Bertha has functioning backup lights (the first trailer we have owned with this feature), and I am sure we will need them one day...

Terry,

When I was prepping my Overlander for the drive from my uncle's house to mine, I was pleased that the backup lights still worked.

While expressing my joy about how cool that was, Uncle Les kind of laughed (a rare moment in itself), and recounted how neat he thought it was when he bought the Airstream that it had backup lights.

In practicality, he allowed that he never got enough light from them to do much.

I have yet to back in in the dark, so I can't comment on the lights' usefulness.

Tom

overlander63 · 09-29-2007, 06:48 PM

I'll try to post again tomorrow just before we leave, the place we are going has no wi-fi, so any posting will have to be done before we leave tomorrow, or from somewhere with wi-fi.
Things wouldn't be complete without a disaster or two, and this time there is at least one, and possibly two of them. First disaster is the person we have been staying with was admitted to the hospital with complications from surgery. She will be there at least through the weekend, which is bad enough (I hate hospitals), but this means we now have custody of her dog, and we obviously can't take the dog with us when we leave. We are now trying to find accomodations for the dog, and arrange for the care of our friend when she returns home.
The second problem is with the WFCO converter I installed a few months back. Up to this time, it has been working flawlessly, but now seems to not be charging the battery like it should. Added to the issue is the fact the converter is conveniently located between the bathtub and inner wall of the coach, inside a closet. Naturally, on the eve of our departure, it seems to be thumbing its electronic nose at us. Luckily, I have a small battery charger that should keep us going until I can get a new one if the converter fails completely.
The only things not currently loaded are the plastic totes that are to be stored in the bed of the truck. The area we now are in is not very good, crime-wise, with gangs, drugs, shootings, and things disappearing from peoples' cars and homes. So, that stuff will be loaded in the morning, where the truck can be monitored, and locked up so the casual thief won't get in.
For those following the pantry insulation story, I checked the temp this afternoon, after several days of the fridge running. Outside the pantry is 72 degrees, inside the pantry ranges from 76 to 80 degrees. At least something is working like I planned.

sd90mac · 09-29-2007, 07:07 PM

Hi,

I gotta get a bigger unbrella! When it rains it pours. Found a sitter for the dog and someone to stay with Jeanie, and we are outa here tomorrow.

We thought every thing had been weeded down to the bare essentials, but NOT. The is still a pile of stuff in the coach that needs to go away. I have for the 20th time, tossed clothes, and then opened a drawer in our bedroom and found more shirts. If not worn in 4 months, then not needed.

Well, we will try to get internet by next weekend and will update all of you onour progress. We will be on line until about 2 pm tomorrow. Happy trails until then,

Marie

nohillgrish · 09-29-2007, 07:36 PM

Terry & Marie,
I have been following your posts for some time and, as others have already said, you guys are motivation with a capital M!!! Guess you realize how much we're all learning from your experience (adventure). Hope you're not off line too long.

silver 67 · 09-29-2007, 09:49 PM

Have a safe trip tomorrow... we'll be thinking about you.

When Marie talked about getting rid of more clothes and you all running out of space, I was thinking about our first experience in Moby this past weekend. We were making a list of THINGS WE DIDN'T PACK! Including the boards for under the stabilizer jacks, a coupler for the poopy pipe and a few minor details like that....

It was amazing though how much we realized that we could live together in a small space with only necessities and be completely comfortable.

Live life in an Airstream - be cozy!

overlander63 · 09-30-2007, 10:20 AM

The WFCO converter seems to have healed itself, at least for now.
Shore power and water lines have been unhooked, and equipment and personal items stowed and secured. All vents are closed, fans off, and fridge is operating on LP. The truck is hooked up, and the totes with our not-so-valuables are in the bed, inside the cap.
Even though this first move is a short one, it is a very large step in our fulltiming adventure. there's no turning back now.
It's a big country, I wonder what's out there? Stay tuned, y'all can find out with us.
See you down the road.

Happycampers · 09-30-2007, 10:27 AM

Terry and Marie.. Happy trailers from Annie and Marvin

sd90mac · 09-30-2007, 10:55 AM

....And the antenae is down and secured.

Terry and Cookie just left and I will be following in a couple of hours after I finish vacuming and mopping.

There is a possibility of internet before next weekend, and if so, we'll be back sooner..

Every one have a happy, joyous, safe and prosperous week.

Marie

Boondocker · 09-30-2007, 11:57 AM

Happy trails

driftwood · 09-30-2007, 12:13 PM

HAPPY TRAILS !!

Alumatube · 09-30-2007, 12:16 PM

Best of wishes to you two intrepid explorers! I am sure all will go well, and if it doesn't, you have the skills, fortitude and good humor to get through it with flying colors. Plus the support of 23,392 forums members!

You are definitely in our heoughs!

Susan

vswingfield · 09-30-2007, 12:24 PM

Congratulations on the big step! I look forward to your further adventures.

richinny · 09-30-2007, 03:47 PM

maybe we'll meet in december or ingrids 99th bithday party in january :-)

Sugarfoot · 09-30-2007, 08:04 PM

Best wishes to my new full-timing heros! Hope to see you two Sunday of the Falluminum weekend.

sd90mac · 10-07-2007, 10:01 AM

Hi all,

Just popped into our friends for a few moments and logged on to say hi.

1st week and what I've learned!

1. To many canned goods in the cupboard, was advised to keep in tote in back of truck and that is what we are doing.

2. Wash clothes more than once a week, or they need thier own trailer.

3. Dishes have to be washed more than once a day, and dog licking them does not count.

4. Shoes must not be kept in the middle of the floor or in front of the closets.

5. 8Lb peek a poo takes up over 1/2 of a twin bunk!

6. Long dark drive from South Fort Myers to Punta Gorda at midnight, 25 miles.

7. Really really love living in Bertha. Takes 10 minutes to do daily housework, and 30 minutes on the weekends.

Thanks for all of your good wishes and yes, we still plan on showing up at Falluminium end of this month. Can't wait to meet our friends.

Marie

Boondocker · 10-07-2007, 10:04 AM

Hi Marie,

What was the issue with the canned goods?

maxandgeorgia · 10-07-2007, 10:33 AM

Terry and Marie, it's been quite a journey for the two of you during the past year, and how far you've come. . .and who knows all the places you've still to go

Our very best heoughs are yours for the fulltiming days ahead! ~G