WEATHER REPORTS – YUK!!!

WEATHER REPORTS – YUK!!! Issue 15

Diary published weekly since 2001
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Hi Guys: We expect to cross the border on SUNDAY. What an eventful week we’ve had. According to weather.com and our weather radio reports, we expected to have a very windy, stormy and wet drive north throughout the entire week. I am happy to report other than our last hour driving in Kentucky on Friday; the entire route has been dry, sunny (a few clouds) and picturesque for the most part. I started this during Saturday’s journey, and although it is cloudy and quite windy, thankfully we still have no rain. We prepared for and expected a severe thunderstorm in Lexington, Kentucky Fri evening but – good news is it missed us. At 2:30 we checked into Flying J at Beaverdam, Ohio for the night, I paid for a day of WiFi. Hopefully this week’s blurb will be posted tonight. We are so happy that the Good Lord and our Guardian Angels continue to travel with us.

A few days ago an RV friend asked me what we did about weather reports that forecasted extreme storms – they were considering extending their stay in Virginia to wait out the weather. John and I listen to these reports and take heed of impending problems, but if possible, we set out as planned, but a bit earlier to get a head start on whatever we may find. However we assess each situation as it presents itself. A few years ago we got off the road at noon one day because the rain was so heavy we could not see and the next day we checked into another campground at noon because the wind was so intense. If no parks were open en route we have no qualms about spending the night in a motel room if needed. It also may be possible to park the LUXOR in their parking lot and pay a small plug-in fee. Soooo what I am saying is – be mindful of what the ‘experts’ are saying, but cautiously follow your plans because weather constantly changes and the reports are usually for static locations – but we RVers move from A-B and may avoid the bad stuff.

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WEEK IN REVIEW

We checked out of our extended stay in Fair Play, SC on MONDAY for the Freightliner Service Centre in Gaffney, SC in preparation for an appointment early TUESDAY morning. No other place we’ve been to puts our LUXOR on a lift to give it a bumper-to-bumper comprehensive ‘Medical’. Over the years we’ve paid very little in chassis updates to our 13-year old MH, but this time a number of things reached the ‘should-be-changed’ category – such as shocks, hoses, tie rod ends, etc. Of course we had routine generator maintenance and they changed all fluids. The techs that built our LUXOR at Gaffney now provide service to her. Because they know this machine so well, we feel comfortable in their diagnosis. Parts they had in stock were changed, plus we have a list of part numbers of what else needs attention.

The new Freightliner Chassis Service Centre is state of the art – 6-bays, a 20-space campground (50Amp), elaborate waiting room with WiFi; 2-day training course on FL Chassis and much more adds to a pleasant stay. At days end, when possible the techs put the coaches back together and return them to your reserved RV space – no charge to camp. Everyone is waiting for service, so each evening a group gather for Happy Hour – a regular party atmosphere. Best part is the hourly rate is only $85.00 and FCOC (Freightliner Chassis Owners Club) members receive an additional 5% off parts and labour. After two long days, our invoice was extensive, but we now know exactly what future requirement we need and we have time to decide if we can get it done in Ontario or return to Gaffney in the fall. Our excursions are also minimal this year, so we may wait till spring for her next annual ‘Medical’.

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TOUCHING BASE WITH ANOTHER LUXOR

THURSDAY morning we were invited to stop at the Virginia Welcome Centre to compare notes with Jim and Glenna – fellow ‘95 LUXOR owners. These two are not Fulltimers but they do like to travel. I am envious - their coach is immaculate – where ours needs a major cleaning if we ever stop long enough. Jim and Glenna plus John and I each made extensive modifications but they’re very individual updates to suit our whims. It was interesting to see these coaches side-by-side. Our hosts also took us on a tour of MOUNT AIRY. The town of MAYBERRY in the Andy Griffith series of the 60’s is patterned after life as it was in Andy’s hometown of Mount Airy, North Carolina.

It was fun to relive the era of Aunt Bea; Goober; Barney; Floyd’s Barber Shop and to see the birthplace of Andy. We drove past so many icons from that popular TV Show. A few highlights were Barney’s Cop Car and Emmett’s Fix-it Truck that were parked in front of a room full of Aunt Bea’s memorabilia at the Mayberry Motor Inn. Our hosts relayed interesting story after story. The famous Snappy Lunch was closed, so we enjoyed a tasty meal at Leon’s Burger Express on Main Street. Owners, Vickie and Paul serve tasty meals at old-fashioned prices – John said his meatloaf was the best he had since he was a kid. More info HERE

The new full-facility modern Mayberry Campground is suitable for ‘Big Rigs’. It is worth a stop for sure. . Mount Airy is also home to the world’s largest ‘open face’ Granite Quarry. For the past 100 years there has been no need to dig for this valuable super strength commodity. It’s stronger than pavement and not affected by salt. Numerous buildings around town and throughout North America are constructed of this special granite. Thanks guys for being such great hosts.

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OUR TRIP CONTINUED to Fort Chiswell RV Park (276) 637-6868 near Wytheville, VA – a definite 5-star establishment. This well laid-out park is easy access in; and to the sites; with free WiFi/Cable; long pull-thrus, 50 Amps, etc. Although it is a Good Sam park ALL visitors receive the 10% discount. $29.50.

FRIDAY was travel through West Virginia to overnight in Lexington, Kentucky. Toll cost in WV was only $6.00. We have not come via hwy 77 and hwy 64 previously and although the terrain was very beautiful, we encountered more hills through the West Virginia Mountains than we expected. The roads were good for the most part and bright sunshine made for a pretty drive. Next stop was the spacious Kentucky Horse Park (800) 678-8813 This is a full facility destination park that offers numerous amenities and activities. Sites are spacious 2-way back-in style. $22.00 p/night.

We chose not to set the Dish up due to very high winds, plus the park promoted a new WiFi system. But WOW – it was costly – $2.45 for 2-hours and a whopping $14.95 per day. I also had problems connecting to their system. My next plan was to connect with the Cell – it too was unsuccessful. Thanks to an extended call with Ositech Tech Service (maker of my charger/PC connection cord) Bob discovered the modem on John’s cell is no longer functional – my new phone does not have the Data-connect capabilities. Sooo I took the night off of email. When I logged on today, SATURDAY, at the Flying J in Beaverdam, Ohio I had 195 in my Inbox – I managed to delete them down to 25 that need attention after the Diary goes out.

SMALL REQUEST – if anyone has, or knows the whereabouts of a Motorola E815e phone not being used – please let me know so I can negotiate a ‘sale’. Verizon lists this great phone as out-of-service but it is the only one our computer attachments connect to.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

We leave Beaverdam, Ohio at the Flying J SUNDAY morning en route to the border at Detroit/Windsor (convenient but not my favourite crossing). We will overnight at London Flying J. MONDAY we have an appointment at our dealer to order parts for our step-motor and for them to add a strap to our propane tank. We have piece of mind that it will stay put in the future. We’ll then check into our park in Woodstock for the next few months. It will feel good to stay put for a while – 5 weeks ago we left Alamo, Texas. It’s been quite the trip to say the least. So happy the storms stayed away from us. I’ll close this week with a neat sign we saw in Ohio – “Slow down for the cone zone”. Travel safe all. P&J