Paying Attention?

Contrary to what some folks might think - I have been paying attention. I may have looked like I was enjoying myself traveling all over the country - seeing sights and eating shrimp. I may have looked distracted .... but I have been paying attention.

I have noticed that the Affordable Care Act's implementation has been fraught with implementation issues. 

• The website that cost tons of our money and took 3 years to implement ... and that barely works on the best of days and is a ready target for any decent hacker seeking our (read: "your") private information is somewhat laughable ... but really doesn't cause me any direct and immediate concern -- although I am concerned for anybody that actually has to use the site.
• The fact that the President and his supporters lied about allowing folks to keep their insurance and doctor while getting the ACA passed - and while running for re-election doesn't surprise me ... and shouldn't be a revelation to anyone who pays attention to what's happening in the world around them.
• The fact that the targeted young folks haven't been signing up for a product that gives them little and costs them lots - in spite of a financial penalty that will be assessed by their government when they refuse -- doesn't surprise me. Why should they?
• The fact that most folks' insurance rates have been and will continue to increase due to the ACA shouldn't be much of a surprise. Income redistribution was the goal after-all.

I've noticed the problems. I just didn't think it would be such a big deal. It was all predicted with great accuracy back in 2010 by those who took the time to read the bill.

Then there was the big dust-up in Syria. The President drew a red line - they jumped over it - The Prez played golf - the folks yelled and screamed about the red line - the President listened to the poll numbers and threatened to do something stern if only Congress would let him - the Syrians promised to be nicer - he said "Well OK then." Nothing there to get excited about.

Then more recently the Prez had his Secretary of State sign an agreement where the Iranians promised to be nicer if we would quit bullying them with sanctions. The Prez and his administration claim victory and say the Israelis (and the rest of the world) are now safer. The Israelis say it's the worst idea they ever heard of!

Yep - I've not been asleep - I've been paying attention ... 

What about you?

Setting Records

Once again - these Maineiacs In Motion survived another trip and are safely home again. We made the 480ish mile trip from Clarksboro, NJ to home in about 9 hours last Sunday. That is a really long travel day for us but it went pretty well - all things considered. Considering we got up around 4:30 AM to get a 6:30 AM start in the dark, traveled along some of the busiest highways in the Northeast, and arrived just before dark. But on the good side - the weather was pretty nice for this time of year at around 50 degrees most of the day and the Sunday traffic was relatively light.

We are mostly done with moving "stuff" out of Winne and back into the house. Now we get to get her cleaned up inside and out, change the engine oil, perform her annual chassis grease job - and then put her away for awhile. Winne deserves some good care and a nice rest. She performed flawlessly for the 8,300 mile trip. I reckon those 107,617 accumulated miles just mean that she is now well broken-in!

I should be getting out there in today's sub-freezing Maine weather and get those chores done - and I will - but first -- here are some highly anticipated trip statistics:

Total Trip Miles - 8,295 - A new trip record for us - eclipsing our previous record of 8,221 set in 2009. The trip was divided pretty equally with 4,100 miles from East to West and 4,195 coming back East.

Our Total RVing mileage for 2013 will end up at 12,612. Although our Fall Trip was a record - our 2013 mileage is only our fifth highest. Our 2009 record of 14,621 still stands! The Vue has now accumulated 93,177 miles being towed, 80,564 miles being driven, and about 0.1 miles traveling alongside the roadway under no power while leaving her front facia attached to Winne back in 2010! 

Winne burned right at 1200 gallons for the trip putting her overall fuel mileage at just over 6.9 mpg. This average is lower that usual and is probably due to traveling in a lot of wind on the westward leg and more elevation changes than normal. I know the ups and downs equalize out on a round trip - but the fuel burned on those ups just isn't equalized by the fuel saved on those downs.

We filled up Winne some 29 times during the trip and the fuel cost averaged out at $3.34 per gallon. I budgeted the trip for $3.50 per gallon - and exceeded that average on the trip west - but the drop in prices during our return trip was a welcome sight! We had a tie for the most expensive gas purchased in Lee, MA and Ely, NV at $3.80 per gallon. Our least expensive (per gallon) gas was purchased in Wichita Falls, TX at $2.899!

I suspect we may have set a new record for accumulated toll costs on this trip. Our westward leg included toll highways in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York (although we avoided most of the NY Thruway), Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois - and the total for tolls was $76.82. Our return trip included the same tolls in Maine and New Hampshire, a short section of the Massachusetts Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike in New Jersey, and 2 major bridge tolls (One in Maryland and the Tappen Zee in New York). The return total was $68.48 for a total of $145.30!! Boy! the price of maintaining roads is sure going up fast! You folks in the western states should continue to count your blessings ... until your legislators learn from their Eastern counterparts!!

During our RVing "career" since 2004 Peggy and I have now stayed in 245 different RV Parks throughout the nation for a total of 1,023 nights (not counting those months in 2010 when I decided to live in Winne while working for a living for awhile!). That's a lot of hooking up and unhooking utilities folks!

So ... that's about it for 2013 travel statistics. For the next few months we will only be counting grand kid hugs and kisses and looking to set more records!

Grandkid FIx

Well we have made it to our "spot" here in Clarksboro, NJ. Our "Spot" is the Timberlane Campround. It's not that this place is our favorite Spot by any means - and it is certainly not the most inexpensive Spot - but it's close to the NJ Gang, it's one of only a few RV places for many miles, and it's open year round. That pretty much qualifies it for being our "Spot."

When I last posted we were hunkered down in southern Virginia trying to stay warm as the arctic air moved down into the southland. We burned a lot of propane that night and the next night and a fair amount last night. But the temps are starting to get back to "seasonal" for this time of year which means highs in the low 60s and lows in the low 40s. We drove a few hundred miles to Winchester, VA on Wednesday and then a few hundred more yesterday around Baltimore - over the Delaware Memorial Bridge and then here to Clarksboro, NJ.

After settling in here for a few hours we drove over to meet Nicki and the granddaughters at Emily's Karate Dojo. Emily has been taking Karate for a year or so and seems to be enjoying it. We were able to watch them practice their routines and it was very interesting. I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of one of those kicks - even if delivered by a 10 year old! After Karate we all headed over to Outback where we were joined by son Brian and enjoyed a meal out together.

We will be seeing more of the NJ Gang this afternoon/evening and then again on Saturday. 

As our 2013 Fall Trip winds down and I look back on where we've been and all that we have seen and done - I'd have to say it was pretty darn successful. Our main purpose for the trip was to visit with Marcie, Don, Nan and the Nevada Gang. We had hoped to give Marcie and Don a small break from their care giving duties - and I suppose we may have provided them a little relief - but they never did get their "getaway." That was really the only non-success of the trip. By the time we get home we will have been gone for 73 days/nights - traveled through 32 states - visited 4 National Parks - seen lots of relatives and friends - and generally had a good trip!

We plan on leaving here on Sunday - heading north. The only remaining question ... Do we drive those last 500 miles in one day - or take two? It would be nice to make it in one day and get it over with ... on the other hand ... after 70 some days and almost 8,000 miles what's another day? 

Can't wait to find out how it all ends up!

Hunkering Down

Another day - another few hundred miles. I awoke way too early this morning ... and we did manage to get on the road heading north by 0800 ... but we pulled off the road here in Wytheville, VA around noontime after driving about 200 miles into the wind while watching the temperature drop from around 45 degrees to near 32 degrees. We could have driven further today - but we decided against it. The wind wasn't getting much better - the temperatures were going in the wrong direction - and it just seemed that hunkering down for the afternoon/evening was a better idea. So here we sit - with our heated water hose deployed - burning propane and sitting with our quilts on our laps. Gosh - RVing in the late fall/winter is sure fun!

Some 69 days ago we left Maine on a lovely early September day. I believe I was wearing short pants and the weather was warm and sunny. It took us several weeks as we drove from Maine to Minden - through several states of corn - several states of national parks - and along the loneliest road. We enjoyed our trip out west and we enjoyed our visit with the whole gang in Nevada. We even enjoyed the trip back east - the western part through the high desert and the low desert of Death Valley - the picturesque part through the high country of Arizona - and the parts along Route 66 in New Mexico and Texas. We certainly enjoyed the detour through the southeast to visit friends in Lower Alabama. 

We are even enjoying the cold trip north through Tennessee and Virginia as we make our way to New Jersey to visit up with kids and grandkids. 

We have enjoyed it all. But it is definitely time to go home. 

Time to settle into our at home routine. Time to not wonder what road is next.

But time to start thinking about what trip is next.

Ah - the life of a part time RVer.

Look out Jerzee Gang - we are only a few days away!

Thanks

Today is Monday - November 11th .... Armistice Day, Remembrance Day, or more recently - Veterans Day. A day we pause to remember first - those who lost their lives defending the freedoms we enjoy here in the United States of America. Secondly, we remember those who served in defense of those freedoms.  When Armistice Day first became a federal holiday most Veterans had served during World War I. When "Veterans Day" replaced Armistice Day in 1954 most Veterans alive at the time had just survived WWII and/or the Korean War. Today - most Veterans are survivors of the Vietnam War or the Various Gulf Wars. Regardless of their era of service, whether they were volunteers or not, or whether you agree with the decision to go to war in the first place - these folks earned and deserve our respect and thanks. 

As for me - I not only want to say thanks to all who have served but a special thanks to all those with whom I had the privilege to serve alongside. You all were special friends to me and I'm glad to have known you all.

Peggy and I arrived here near Knoxville, TN yesterday afternoon and took a day off from travel today. It turned out to be a pretty nice day weather-wise but that looks like it is going to change dramatically tomorrow! The high temp here today was in the mid 60s somewhere and the low tonight is supposed to be in the 40s. Tomorrow the high looks to be in the mid to high 30s, the low tomorrow night is forecast to be around 20, the winds will be coming out of the North at near 20 mph, and it looks pretty likely we will see SNOW!

As of right now we plan on heading further north tomorrow. Since the weather looks "unsettled" at best -- we may drive 100 miles or maybe 200 miles. Or maybe we just sit right here, turn up the heat, and watch it snow. 

In any case ... stay safe and thank a Vet ... better yet - thank 'em all!

Fajita Fiesta Friday

Brrr! It has cooled right off here in Lower Alabama. It is about 50 degrees outside this morning and I may have to break out the long pants again! I suppose I might as well get used to it since we are planning on heading north tomorrow and I see the lows are below freezing back home in Maine. But before we do - we have more food to eat here in Alabama!!

Wednesday it was blackened shrimp at Big Daddy's with the "gang" from here at the Plantation, 

yesterday it was Cajun Eggs Benedict in Fairhope and then Crabmeat Pie at the Patterson Gulf Shores RV Resort - and today is Friday so that means Fajita Fiesta Friday over at the Meacham's RV! We are certainly looking forward to more yummy food and great conversation this afternoon!

Now that we have fattened ourselves up to survive the harsh New England winter it will be time to head to the north country.

The present plan is to travel for two days up to near Knoxville, TN where we plan on a day off from traveling - and then travel for probably three days up to our normal spot in Clarksboro, NJ - where we will stay for a couple of days visiting with the NJ Evringhams. We plan on leaving NJ on Sunday - November 17 for the final leg home to Maine. We may make the final drive in one day - we may do an overnight somewhere and take two days to finish the trip. I guess it will depend on the weather somewhat but mainly it will depend on our moods at the time. Right now I'm guessing we will just want to be home!

And then the work begins again!! Time to unload and prepare Winne for her cold weather respite, time to get the Chevelle in her cold weather storage spot, time to prepare for the big Thanksgiving Family Get-Together, time to play with Sophie, Taylor and the rest of the Maine Family, and that will be followed quickly by time to get ready for Christmastime!

Yup - we're looking forward to getting home!

But First Things First -- Fajita Fiesta Friday here we come!

No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems

My how things can change in only a week. Last week on this day we were traveling along Route 66 at around 6,000 feet elevation enjoying the dry high desert air and the gorgeous mesas along the roadway. Today we are enjoying a relaxing Alabama morning here at the Patterson Gulf Shores RV Resort - "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems!" Well ... I suppose I'll keep my shirt on - no sense scaring the neighbors.

We made the final leg of our trip south yesterday from Jackson, MS to here in Summerdale, AL along a series of "Red Roads" through the countryside of Mississippi. We saw lots of farmland, cotton fields, and cow critters. Although we have visited here plenty of times these past 6 or so years I believe this is the first time we have been here this late in the year. The weather looks to be pretty darn nice over the next few days with highs in the low 70s and lows in the 50s/60s -- not bad for November and certainly warmer than we are going to be facing as we head northeast later this week.

We are both looking forward to resting up here for a few days before finishing up our 2013 Fall East-To-West and Back Again Adventure. It will be great visiting with some of our RV friends for a few days but I'm pretty sure Peggy (and Mikee) are starting to "smell the barn." 

6,500 miles down and only about 1,500 to go!

Today - Mississippi - Tomorrow - Alabama

Here we are ... 3 days and some 750 miles later ... in Jackson, Mississippi on the shores of Ross Barnett Reservoir. We drove from Amarillo, TX to Wichita Falls, TX on day one, then to Longview, Texas on day two, and finally got out of Texas - through Louisiana - and into Mississippi today. A few observations from the last few days ...

1) Texas is a big state. I think I have mentioned this before while driving across I-10 - but it holds true for I-20 as well. Texas is a BIG state!

2) I really like gas prices less than $3.00 per gallon! I may not like fuel mileage around 7 MPG -- but I like it better when the cost per mile gets below $0.50 per mile!

3) As long as we have to change time - from daylight savings to standard - and back again -  it might as well be while we are traveling. When we are changing time zones almost daily - what's one more change added in? 

4) As you may already know - when traveling east to west and back - Peggy and I try to find license plates from each state (except Hawaii) - each way. We are usually successful but we lacked Delaware heading west. In fact - we still haven't seen a Delaware as we head back east! I may have to head through Delaware on the way home to see one! But then I still have to find a North Dakota as well as we head east!!

5) Back in my working days - following my first retirement - I went to work for Entergy Corporation - a power utility with Corporate Offices in New Orleans, LA and Nuclear Power Plant Corporate Offices in Jackson, MS. I only had to work out of Jackson for a few weeks per year in 2006/2007 (I actually had a desk in the Jackson, MS office). The fact that I would have had to relocate to Jackson was a major factor in my deciding to re-retire when I did and must be the reason I get a queasy feeling every time I return here. Nice place I suppose .... but I won't miss it when we leave tomorrow!

6) Obamacare ... what can I say that hasn't already been said? Bottom line - we really need to get the government out of our business - in more ways than just healthcare!

See you in Summerdale - Shrimp Awaits!!

Decisions - Decisions

A couple days, a couple of time zones, and several hundred miles later and we find ourselves in Amarillo, TX. The drive across Arizona, New Mexico, and into Texas was uneventful and Winne just keeps a rollin' along. Up the hills, down the hills, through the wind - she doesn't complain - she just keeps on goin'.

These last several hundred miles have been along I-40 and generally following the old Route 66. Most of the iconic Route 66 motels and gas stations are long gone but you still see a few places if you cruise through towns like Winslow, Holbrook, Tucumcari, and Santa Rosa. And then there are the relatively new icons  - like Cadillac Ranch here in Amarillo. 

We are staying at an RV Park very near Cadillac Ranch - so even the RVs get into the act!

Now that we have made it to Amarillo - we had a decision to make. Do we keep with our original plan and head to Branson, MO for a few play days before heading home? Or do we divert further south to Summerdale, AL to visit some of our RV friends before heading home? We have decided that either way we are going to be stopping in New Jersey for a few days to see the NJ Gang ... but which way to go first - that was the question! Before we decided we needed to find out if our "spot" at the Plantation was available ... so we called the Patterson Gulf Shores RV Resort to check on availability. We soon learned that not only was our "spot" available ... but that Big Daddy's Grill was open for business with plenty of shrimp to be had! We were still having a tough time making a decision so Miss Judy volunteered to flip a coin. Heads - we would head to Alabama. 

Tails - we would head to .... 

wait a minute -- I just figured out this game was rigged!!

Regardless of how the decision was made - I recon we are headed to Alabama. Don't you be frettin' you youg'uns up North - we are still planning our stop in Jerzee and will be in Maine on or around the 18th of November. 

We will spend today here in Amarillo - enjoying a zero mile day and doing some laundry. Tomorrow we head southeast.

Look out Shrimp - here I come!