Underway

Within the past few weeks, from our home base in Fort Myers Beach, FL, we have purchased a 2004 Toyota 4Runner (which Susan has christened "Moose"), and a 2004 TrailManor 3124KB camper trailer.  Both of these conveyances have some miles on them, but so do Susan and I, so let’s go!  We have needed a 4wd vehicle for rockhounding in the summer in Colorado, as our 1994 Toyota truck (while still reliable) is proving too uncomfortable for long trips as it and we age.  The camper is also un upgrade, from our 2000 Coleman Santa Fe popup.  The TrailManor is also a popup in a way, but easier to set up and more secure, and has brakes which our old Coleman does not.  It is about 1,000 lbs heavier, however, and a whole lot longer. 

We saw one of these TrailManors in a state park in Utah last year, and were intrigued as to how the setup works, with springs and torsion bars.  We did quite a bit of research, looked at some for sale, etc., and finally decided to get one.  (http://www.trailmanor.com/)  Between the new (used) car, the new (used) camper, and new highways and byways to explore we'll have a lot to experience.  We'll see how the equipment and our sanity hold up.

The camper came with a weight distributing hitch.  The hitch uses two iron bars to move the tongue weight of the camper forward to be distributed equally on the tow vehicles two axles.  It's a mystery how it works, but it should improve the 4runner emergency handling (don't even think about it!) and ride.

Susan and I have been to Alaska before, flying in to spend some memorable, great times with her brother Mark and his family.  We have always wanted to drive, and an opportunity presented itself, as Mark’s youngest daughter Emily is getting married in Alaska at the end of May.  We start in Fort Myers Beach, FL and hopefully will end up in Alaska before the wedding.

Monday 5/2/11 – Today we embark on our Alaska road trip adventure.  We have left Fort Myers Beach late, due to the need of closing up our winter quarters.  We also stopped to see my aunt Geraldine in Winter Park, FL so we ended up only driving about 400 miles.  That put us in Albany Georgia around 11:00 pm and we parked for a few hours sleep in a WalMart parking lot – not exactly the “back to nature” theme we would have liked.  Also, we discovered that the refrigerator is not working on the propane setting (which means that it won’t be on unless we have access to plug-in 110v power - it has a 12 volt DC setting, but that does not provide much cooling capacity and drains a battery severly.)  We still hope to reach Bull Shoals, AR tomorrow, although that is 700 miles away.

Tuesday 5/3/11 -  We slept very little, in the noisy, city atmosphere but at least we got on the road early.  Traffic was snarled up in Birmingham, AL due to the serious tornado that went through the week before. 



Flooded railroad, Jonesboro AR

 We also saw flooding in Arkansas, near Jonesboro, almost over the highway.  A piece of a retread tire hit the car, putting a hole in the a/c condenser, so no a/c for now.  We made it to Bull Shoals and a warm welcome from Dick and Suze.  Dick has made an appointment for us to get new trailer tires locally tomorrow.

Wednesday 5/4/11 - With Dick’s invaluable help, we pulled and replaced the trailer tires.  We also greased the trailer wheel bearings, and ordered a new a/c condenser at a local shop, then enjoyed a quiet home dinner with our friends, Dick and Suze plus John and Jinny.

Thursday 5/5/11 – We took the trailer to a local RV dealer in an attempt, ultimately unsuccessful, to repair the refrigerator.  However, the condenser was replaced and we have a/c again. Yay!  We left Bull Shoals at 12:30 pm and drove to the Eldorado State Park near Wichita, KS.  The reefer, unfortunately is still not working with propane.  In fact, nothing requiring electricity is working either.  The camper battery which is supposed to be charging while underway discharged instead, and was dead.  So we sat in the dark for a while, then went to bed...pretty exciting. 

Friday 5/6/11 – Today we returned to Colorado, arriving in time to have some birthday cake (son Kevin’s 42^nd) and spend a few hours with the grandkids.  They sure change a lot in six months.  It was great to see the family again; we hope to see much more of them when we return from this trip.

Saturday 5/7/11 – Back at our summer home in Buena Vista, CO.  Everything looks good, but we just missed a visit from Florida friends Dan and Donna who are on their own western swing.  We spent Saturday and Sunday preparing for our trip and had good visits with neighbors, after being away for six months

Monday 5/9/11 – We took Moose in to see John at MJ Auto – he checked out fine. John also looked at trailer brakes – ok.  Picked up mail, etc.

Leaving Buena Vista, CO

Tues 5/10/11 – Left for Alaska – made it to Green river State Park, UT.

Wed 5/11/11 – Spent much of day waiting for reefer part (thermocouple) outrageous price in Salt Lake City.  Trying to arrange for TrailManor dealer in Washington State to replace thermocouple.  This will slow us down, as first opening is Tuesday 5/17, in Kent Washington.  Stayed at Crystal Springs c.g. north of SLC.  These mineral hot springs are really popular locally; 50 or so people were still thereat 9:30 pm.