My new tow behind

I discovered that one bad thing about big boxes on wheels is when you get where you want to stay it is a pain to run to the store and you cant explore.

As much as I appreciate being able to use Amandas car while visiting I realized that may not be the case everywhere i go, besides i dont like borrowing cars. Besides what if i found a spot in the woods or somewhere so i figured i needed something to tow behind the big box. Something fun, can go wherever I may want to, towable (meaning a manual transmission) gets better mileage than the box (thats actually an easy one) and I would like to drive.

I decided a Jeep would do the trick. Jessica has one and i liked it so ,,,,,, why not. Today I bought (pickup on Monday from Dealer) A 1984 CJ7 Jeep. its not only the same year as my box but the same color, now that in itself is a "sign" right? So, see what you think ,,

Dont like the side view, looks to typical, nothing special?

The front appeal more to the rough and ready crowd? Notice the winch? How about the Hi-lift jack for those times when you get stuck. A not so funny story from years ago about one of those jacks. At the time I laughed but later realized it hurt someone I cared about and I should not have laughed. One day the kids Mom was driving our Blazer and had a flat. She came to me for help because she couldnt loosen the lug nuts, so i went up there on the freeway. The jack we had was a high lift because the Blazer was kinda high. She was jacking it up on the left front bumper while I loosened the nuts when it slipped and the handle smacked her in the face. Like a young stupid male I laughed and she hurt but luckily was not really hurt bad. You cant see it in the pics but it has a towbar and a bimini top. Thats a cloth 1/2 top for those sunny days. LOL

Well there's my yeep. Of course it will carry Alaska Plates. Oh and FYI Jimmy made it fine and is currently sitting on the deck with BTM and BTM Jr. watching me type.

Til next time ,,,,

Missoula, week 2+



Dont get me wrong, I have a terrible singing voice, cant do lyrics nor play the geetar. However, Sammie had the geetar and tons of encouragement so enjoy the video. LOL

My second week had been planned a while ago. They kids daycare closed for a well deserved vacation and gave plenty of notice so I came down to watch the kiddies and that was my second week. We had fun actually, spent some days hanging out at the house and some days going to parks, stores, etc. The kids really liked the stores part, oh yeah and the park.

After this video both girls were in the kiddie swings so I could push them together. Still a lot of laughing and giggeling but harder to take pic. needed two hands to push.

We took the big box up to the truckstop at crossroads to fill-er with propane, and gas. Had a good ol trucker lunch mine of course was accompanied by Root Beer. Then wallowed our way back home. Sammie and I had packed the box for the short drive and learned a lesson. Things still went bang and crash so I need to learn to do better at that, or buy softer things.

I took this picture of the girls, its a good pic and Taylor is being two and closing her eyes each time I tried. The week was a good one. We went places, did things and all in all had a good time.

The weekend was good had some good cookout then Sunday had a micro-burst tornado rip through the backyard. Ended up with some damaged roof shingles, a lost vent, and the stables barn roof 6 feet from the box on wheels.

That of course was after it bounced off the back fence breaking 12 posts, the only keeping it from lying flat was the wire.  So the week after watching the kiddies I was feeling useless and anxious to be productive so This week I temporarily put the fence up by driving steel posts next to the broken wooden ones and tying them together. At least it stands upright so the dog can go out. I replaced the sagging and broken rail gate with a steel rail gate and repaired the damage to the roof. I am now painting the decks a really nice color that Amanda & Jason plan on using on the trim of the house so now it can all blend together. I am still enjoying the visit with all 4 of the St, Clair's and really enjoying the T-storms which I havent seen in a while and even a baby tornado. Beautiful sunsets and sunrises, beautiful country. But at the same time I miss Juneau tremendously, Jessica, Dan, Ashleigh, & Little Ruby and my shop / garage. I am looking forward to the road again in a couple weeks headed for Marysville Washington for a week or so to visit Carri and her family. Haven't seen them since i was a fed so it has been a long time, then Philomath Oregon to visit an old Friend from Haines and her husband, then points east (Tammy and her family) and then south (My 80 year old Mom and then Arizona to see my brother and maybe an old High School friend and her family. May try to go camp for the winter on the property in western Arizona otherwise I may accept my brotehrs invitation to stay on his place in Douglas.. A fun itinerary with people to see. I was told by an RV dealer that if I drove the ol box 55 - 60 I'd get upwards of 3 - 5 mpg more but it likes 70 really a lot so I either need to fix the cruise control or figure out how to work it as it supposedly works. Or maybe break my ankle so I cant push so hard. LOL

Tomorrow Amanda turns 30. There are plans but she'll read this so they may be posted after the fact.

Til next time. 8)

Missoula, week 1

Well, I've been in Missoula almost a week. Originally I was flying here to watch the kiddos because thier daycare was closed a week. Same plan, different conveyance to get here. I have had a great visit with Samantha (8) and Taylor (2) oh yeah and thier parents Amanda and Jason.

From visiting the Box on Wheels many, many times as I try to unpack all the boxes I mailed to myself. (14 in all) I DO NOT know what I was thinking. But Dude !!! 26 feet is still only 26 feet. LOL  I am currently moving stuff from bed to couch depending on the time of day. Gonna be visiting some donation places thats for sure. 1 example, 7 pairs of brand new work boots. Now how do you have 7 pair of work boots much less BRAND NEW, heck the tags are still on them.

I spoke to Carri today in Marysville Washington where I am heading next and found out fortunately her hubby wears the same size as I do so I shall haul them there. My loss, his and 6 friends, gain. LOL

The weather has been great, 80 -90 in the day and mid 40's at night. Very nice evenings on the deck and very nice sleeping in the box with the windows open.

During the day the girls are at daycare (until this next week) but when they get home its fun time. They are always glad to see Grandpa, and he enjoys sitting under the tree and watching them  swim in the pool. On a recent trip into town I bought them a slip & Slide which they have also been enjoying.

They live next to a stable and in fact Sammy goes over there on the weekends to help feed, brush, ride, the horses if shes been good all week. In fact living so close to a stable naturally there's bound to be a little horsing around.

 
Tonight they did girl stuff. Orange nails LOL

Well, I am having a ball. Enjoying the visit, the weather, and all the stuff Grandpa's and grandkids do. I am no longer ........ 

                 

Missouri to Missoula Montana Day 2

As you can see I picked up a couple accesories to my RV this afternoon. I arrived in Missoula Montana at 2:30pm on Tuesday July 5. After 1,697 miles and about $ 1,000 in gas I am here. To celebrate my arrival we had steak for dinner. Jason is dang good on that BBQ, him and Dan need a cook-off as Dan is dang good too.

So, the girls wanted to see the camper first thing so here are a couple pictures of the inside with my newly acquired models. For those that may not know they are Samantha (8), and Taylor (2).

This picture is the front or living / driving area.

Then the bathroom

The Bedroom

The kitchen

After a good night sleep I left billings this morning. Had a long day driving and so I turned the generator on as well as the A/C and slept very well.

Feeling better than I have for a few days i drove the 300 miles to end the current journey arriving here as i said this afternoon. The drive was very up and down, crossing the continental divide at 6,036 feet then immediately dropping back to the canyon floor The RV did well though the climb was steep and long as was the decent and it handled both very well. No lack of power, no overheating, and the engine kept the speed down on the other side requiring a minimum use of brakes.

The rivers were all high or over thier banks depending where you were. There was a mess on the Yellowstone in Billings from an under river oil pipeline breaking and a mess to clean up with the flooding.

I was happy to get here to see Amanda, Jason, Samantha, and taylor but also for the months break from driving, and free A/C without running the generator. LOL

Missouri to Missoula Montana Day 1

Well, it's 10:45 and I am sitting in Chugwater Wyoming stopped for the night. I was given a gift of a beautiful sunset to close out my day which began at 8 this morning in Kansas.

While driving through Kansas I saw some wind generators. There were hundreds and they covered miles They are quite impressive when you get up to them. And they were turning so slow. I guess it doesn't take much to make them turn and generate electricity.

Kansas was pretty flat then came Colorado where I began climbing to the Mile High City

It was a long climb and even though very gentle you could tell with the increase in gas consumption. But as far as power the ol RV has plenty to spare.

As you can see BTM is still along for the ride. He sits on the dash and acts as the navigator. It was funny the kids Mom called me and asked who Jimmy was then who BTM was. Half way into the question she stopped and said oh, I get it. I asked what did she get and she said as I was asking the question who BTM I realized what it stood for. 8)

I traveled the Purple Heart Highway most of the way through Kansas and Colorado. I thought it pretty cool they had it, also notice the speed limit. Even though the ol RV likes 75 I prefer 65. The gas mileage isnt that good so every little bit helps.

As I came up on Denver in the distance I saw the rockies from the east about 75 miles out. I found Denver to be disappointing actually. It did have a huge Safeway presence there was a beverage plant and a huge trucking facility, I also drove by Coors Field, Home to the Denver Broncos, and a large speedway where I was going to actually stop as they had a race going but there were a bunch of cars so I chose to motor onward, and Northward.

                                                                                                                                                               

As I headed North I was now going "downhill" towards Wyoming. I had to keep letting off the gas as I kept creeping above 75. It was a gorgeous drive and when I rached Chugwater its pretty amazing. Try to get picture tomorrow. The town is at the beginning of a basin between amazing mesa's and bluffs. I missed the exit at first and came back so saw them but it was getting to dark for a pic. so will try as I leave tomorrow.

I like thier Welcome to Wyoming sign too.

The Adventure begins ,,,, the trip to pickup RV

Well, today is Saturday July 2 and I sit in a restuarant in Chicago's O'Hare Airport with BTM. I just finished a nice breakfast of 3 eggs, bacon, potatoes, milk and toast for less than $9 and it was good. While I was enjoying my first food since yesterdays goodbye lunch at Bullwinkles with Dan & Ashleigh, Ruby and Jessica BTM was checking the departure gate and times for out next leg to Kansas City Missouri where we will get the new RV.

As I mentioned Dan, Ashleigh, Ruby, and Jessica joined me yesterday at the downtown Bullwinkles for a goodbye lunch. Jessica paid and everyone had a nice visit and some good pizza except maybe Ruby who had shots the day before so slept through it all.

All week I had been concerned because my cashiers check which I mailed to Missouri to pay for the RV had not arrived. And I had decided to put the money together today before I left to pay cash and hope the best for the check. On the way home from Bullwinkles Jessica suggested we check the mail. Ashleigh got a box which contained shattered pyrex bowls she had mailed from her recent trip to Tucson and I received a Priority Mail envelope.

Ashleigh was quite upset about her bowls and they weren't just broken they were shattered and obviously were thrown not just dropped. She has the pics on her blog which can be reached from here. It is called Ewing.

 My envelope contained the crushed box that I had mailed my check in minus the check. Oh yeah and a letter saying that the enclosed package may be empty. LOL

After iitially being upset I figured I was already taking the cash anyway so, nothing really changed except I now knew the check was lost so I needed to swing by the bank and get a stop payment on it.

Jessica had a brain storm and suggested we see if they could also re-issue the check since we had all the proof that it was gone. Long story short, they placed a stop payment on the original check and also re-issued a new one so my beginning just got much better.

We all hung out at Ashleigh & Dan's for awhile, said goodbye there then Jessica gave me a ride to the airport where I caught a flight to Anchorage.

After btm checked flights and stuff we caught the red eye to Chicago. I think I got the worse seat Alaska Airlines had. But maybe I was tired since I had been up since 4. I couldnt sleep and arrived in Chicago at 8 a.m. tired and hungry since I hadnt eaten since Bullwinkles

Now we wait a couple hours then a flight to K.C. Missouri and then the adventure begins. LOL