Fulltiming Road Runners

I’m in the Huntsville Library posting this.  When we moved to Jefferson Hunt campground on Sunday the only two sites that were deep enough for our truck and trailer are surrounded by trees.  We tried to get the satellite dish to connect to the satellite, but it just couldn’t find a gap in the trees.  Sooo… we are without internet until we go down to Ardell Browns to get the a/c fixed on the trailer.  We’re not sure when that will be, but it probably will be towards the end of this week.  After that, we have time to kill before getting to Quartzsite, so we’ll probably take Mari’s boss up on her offer of parking the trailer in the overflow parking area at her business (flower shop) for a few days.  I just checked the 10 day weather forecast for QZ and the temps are still staying up in the 100’s.  Too hot for us!

When we do leave here, we’ll most likely go our regular route.  Stop in Nephi, Utah for the night, then on to Mesquite, NV to park for a few days to a week there at the Casa Blanca casino.  I still have money left over from my winnings when we stopped there on the way up here in April (enough to play the slots a bit AND have the Saturday night all you can eat seafood buffet).  From Mesquite, we’ll go the rest of the way to QZ.  We’re almost positive we’ll be staying in La Posa South.  I’ve already picked out the spot I want if no one else is there when we arrive.

We originally planned on being there by the 15th of Sept, but now it’s not an issue.  We don’t know if we want to volunteer this year and the only reason we wanted to be there by the 15th is so we could get one of the 2 stipend positions.  The more I think about taking the winter off, the better I like it, but Thom still isn’t sure and I wouldn’t mind working 2 days a week if that’s what he wants to do.  We’ve met some wonderful people by working in the contact station and I will miss that if we take this winter off.  We’ll see what happens when we get down there.

It’s time for me to get back to the campground and get a few chores done.  I’m trying hard to keep the trailer ready to move, so we don’t have to take more than a half a day to hit the road.  Tonight is our last free night at the campground and we plan to pay for the next couple of nights.  We have our American The Beautiful Senior pass (both of us do) which gives us 50% off on all US campgrounds.  That includes Forest Service, BLM, Corps of Engineers, etc. It will only cost us $8/night here.

For those of you who are 62 or older and haven’t picked up the Senior Pass, please consider it.  It gets you into Yellowstone and parks like that for free (still have to pay 50% for camping), and it cuts your camping costs way down.  It’s $10 for the pass and it’s good for your lifetime.  You can pick a pass up at most Forest Service offices, at Yellowstone park, Grand Canyon, and maybe even BLM region offices.

Now, I really do have to get back to the trailer.  I’ll try to get another post done in a day or so.  When we get down in Salt Lake City area we’ll have the satellite again.

Ya’ll stay healthy ‘n happy!

Toodles.

The weather has been a bit of a deterrent to our getting all ready to head out.  Lots of wind and threats of rain, and lightning.  Hopefully the wind will be down enough tomorrow for Thom and I to put the tarp on top of the flatbed trailer and get it tied down.

Thom checked the tires on the trailer.  One of them was pretty low in tire pressure.  He brought it up to where it should be and hopefully tomorrow it will still be at the pressure he brought it to.  If not, we may have to take it down to Mike to get it checked out.

We’re not real worried about getting out of here tomorrow.  The weather has been stormy all weekend and we’re doing the best we can.  They can’t expect any more than that.

While here these past 3 years, we’ve made friends with people in the area.  We met Linda, the USFS Law Enforcement Office, in 2008 when we first worked for AL&L, and fell in love with her then.  This year at Cemetery Point there are what we call “water cops”.  Sheriff’s Dept. officers who go out on the boat to enforce the boating laws.  These officers also patrol the campgrounds and day use areas.  Towards the end of our stay here, we got acquainted with Monica, one of the “water cops”.  She is such a sweetheart!  She and Thom struck up a conversation the other day and she said she’d stop by before we left.  This afternoon, she and her husband (who works for the Ogden Police) and their daughter, dropped by to say goodbye.  They even came bearing gifts (fresh picked cukes).   I’m sorry we didn’t get better acquainted with them earlier, they are fun people to hang out with.

A bit later, after our dinner, Linda dropped by.  It’s going to be hard not seeing Linda next year.  Hopefully, if we get up here on our way to Oregon, we will get to see her.

We hope to be in Jefferson Hunt Campground tomorrow.  There are bunches of trees there, so we may not be able to get the satellite dish to point thru them to the satellite, therefore, we won’t have internet.  I will post as soon as I can.

Ya’ll stay healthy ‘n happy.

… to being ready to move on.

Today we got up at 5:45 a.m. so we could hit the road by 6:45 to Roy to be there early enough for Mike to change the oil and filter in the Truck before his customers showed up.  On the way home we stopped to top off the gas tank in the truck then stop for breakfast at IHop.  The last time we were at IHop was at least 4 years ago, then and now was less than satisfying.  Definitely not worth it.  Next time I want crepes I’ll learn to make them myself.

Since we got up so early, it’s been a long day.  We did get a lot accomplished.  I’m confident we’ll be ready to move down the road by the end of tomorrow.

We were going to get the opportunity to babysit Coen on Saturday (tomorrow) while Mike worked and Tiff gave one of her Slumber Parties, but our having to move pretty much canceled that.  I was really looking forward to having that time with Coen and maybe forming a bit stronger bond with him.  When we leave here, we won’t see him again unless they can come to the coast while we’re there next summer.  Needless to say, it will be just as hard to not see Mike or Tiff for a year… or more.

Living on the road is wonderful, good for the soul, etc… BUT not being able to connect with family at times can be painful.  Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth it, but other times I totally KNOW it’s worth it.  If this life is something you think you might want to live, then make sure your partner is a best friend and someone you want to share the little things with.  That’s the only way it will work.

Tom ‘n Ann, if you read this blog… it will be a few to several days before I can get to the editing of that photo.  We didn’t anticipate getting booted out of here so early.  I’ll get to it as soon as I can.

We sure appreciate all our readers and wish we could do more for you than share our experiences… maybe some day…

Ya’ll stay healthy and happy!

Toodles.

We managed to get quite a bit done today.  All of our stuff from the site at the point is now here and we just have to rearrange things in the little trailer and the pickup.  Tomorrow morning we will be going down to Roy to have Mike change the oil in our pickup (meeting him at 7:30).  Then we’ll go to Amerigas to get the big propane tank topped off, then back here to spend the rest of the day sorting and packing.

We’ve decided what our plans are between here and Quartzsite.  We plan on leaving here on Sunday and going a whole 5 miles down the road to Jefferson Hunt campground.  It is an AL&L campground.  The Al&L employee handbook says employees in good standing (we were laid off, not fired) are entitled to a complimentary stay of up to 3 days in any AL&L campground.  Those 3 days should get us to the time the A/C arrives at the dealers and we can go there for the installation, then meander our way down to Quartzsite, taking our time.

We’ve been discussing whether we want to volunteer for the BLM this year.  We’ve done it for the last 3 years and I’m wondering what a full winter without obligations would be like.  When working the contact station we work 2 days, then we have a day of laundry and a day of grocery shopping, that leaves 3 days to ourselves.  What would it be like to have a day of laundry and a day of shopping, leaving 5 days to ourselves?  I think it would work nicely, but Thom isn’t too sure.  We both enjoy meeting the people while working the station, and it keeps the boredom away, but now that I’ll be collecting Social Security, we can better afford to take the time off.  We’ll let you know what we decide.

There’s a show on TV tonight I want to watch and it’s on in just 13 minutes, so I’m going to say g’nite and head for the couch.

Ya’ll stay healthy ‘n happy.

Tah!

Just 20 minutes ago Rick (Area Manager) came here to tell us what info he got from Steve re. our a/c replacement and to hand our pay vouchers to us.  We can go with the $1000 or whatever the insurance company wants to pay.  He also said we had to be out of here as soon as possible.  Since we are no longer employed by AL&L the Forest Service doesn’t want us here anymore.  I asked him if we could still go to Anderson Cove.  Take a wild guess what his answer was… “since you’re no longer employed by AL&L that’s not an option”.  He asked when we could be out of here.  Thom said 2 days, I said no way was I going to let Thom kill himself getting ready to move in just two days, and I told Rick it would take a week.  Rick said it would be best if we could be out in 2 days.  Needless to say I’m so totally mad I’m in tears.  To be honest, it should only take us 4 to 5 days, but I wanted to give us time in case Thom does have a tough time, or if my raging sinus infection gets worse.

So now we not only have to get sorted, packed and ready to move, we have to find a place to go until our dealer can get the Air Conditioner ordered and delivered.  That will take about 10 days.  I’m NOT going to bust my butt to be ready to move in 2 days though.  They can live with 4 to 5 days or go suck eggs.

If any of our readers are considering taking a position with AL&L, keep in mind that as long as things are going smoothly, as long as you don’t mind being on the job more hours than you are paid for, and as long as you don’t need to count on company support, go ahead, you might have fun.  Otherwise, stay as far away from them as possible.

Today was laundry day.  Thom always does the laundry, so I stayed home and did the dishes.  I spent most of yesterday sneezing constantly and blowing my nose.  Today I woke up with a sinus headache that turned into a sinus headache AND face ache.  I’ve got a raging sinus infection.  We can’t afford the time to go to Salt Lake City to the Dr. so I’m hoping my cortisone nose spray  at least keeps it under control.  There was a time today I was sure the headache was turning into a migraine.  I managed to sleep a bit on the couch and it felt a bit better when I woke up.  I’ll be okay, and I’ll be able to do my part in getting ready to hit the road.

See how it is… My blog has turned into a “bitch fest” again.  Sorry.

I’ll try to post again tomorrow if we’re not totally exhausted.

Ya’ll stay healthy ‘n happy.

Toodles!

Our last day of work was 4 days ago.  It feels good to be done with it and away from Larry’s lousy management, and paranoia.  The last few days he followed Thom around like a puppy dog trying to find things Thom did wrong or find things Thom might have done in revenge.

We’ve been busy since Friday, our last day.  Saturday we went to Thom’s family reunion in a group site at the North Fork Campground a few miles from here.  It was fun to see family and catch up, but it was so noisy and  busy we could only last about 4 hours.  There were more dogs there than you’d find at the pound.  Three of the dogs were either full blown or part pit-bull and all three of them were vicious with the other dogs. We did take Willow because we didn’t want to leave her in her pen that long, but she was so well behaved it wasn’t a problem at all having her there.

We are so much more relaxed and happy now that we’re away from the compound and not working.

Steve, the vice pres at American Land & Leisure, has given us another story on paying us for the a/c.  He said since their deductible for the insurance would be $1000, they will pay us that much and no more.  To cover our costs would be a little more than $1300.  We will give him our answer tomorrow so we can get the ball rolling on the ordering of the a/c and the appt. with the dealer.  Rick is meeting with them tomorrow and will try to get full recovery costs.  We’ll see what happens.  We totally expect to get screwed.

Today we stayed home all day.  Thom went to the compound to start packing some things.  He gathered the firewood we brought here and stowed the fire pit. I stayed home and got the bird cages completely scoured and clean.  It’s been a year since I’ve been able to do more than change paper and wipe down the bars.  They look so good, I almost didn’t want to put the birds back in them.

Tomorrow is cheap propane day at Amerigas in Ogden so we’re going down to fill the BBQ tank and stop at Walmart to pick up a few things we need.

In preparation of heading down the road again, we need to start using the food in the freezers so if things do happen to go wrong it won’t be such a big loss.

I also need to find a pet store or vet in Ogden that will trim the birds wings and Lymon’s toenails.  I’ve been postponing that chore since we were in Quartzsite last spring.

Okay friends, I promise to stay more current here.  I’ve not blogged in so long because of all the negative feelings I’ve harbored and you don’t need them bleeding all over you.

Hopefully I’ll have something to share tomorrow.

Ya’ll stay healthy ‘n happy!

Toodles.

NINE days since our last post.  A new record.  I’m so sorry friends.  I’d tell myself I need to post to the blog and then realize anything I might say would be all negative.  We’ve not been happy campers since the first week of this month.  Our unhappy feelings all go back to our being laid off, so I won’t say anymore, you’ve heard it all.

We have had some great times with family.  Tiffany’s birthday was the 11th and we went to their place for a surprise party for her (the big 30).  It was a lot of fun with her family, Mike and Coen.  I love Tiff ta pieces and I don’t think I’ve told her so…. so Tiff, if you’re reading this, you’re one of my favorite people ‘n I luv ya bunches!

We’ve seen a lot more of Coen lately and he has gotten to the point of being comfortable with us without Tiff or Mike around.

We only have 3 more work days.  We work tomorrow (I open at 7 a.m.), then have 2 days off, then work Thursday and Friday.  It’s funny, one has a work ethic and even though one has been screwed, one can’t let go of that work ethic in spite of having been treated badly.  Thom can’t leave a bathroom uncleaned, I can’t be nasty with the customers no matter how demanding they are.

We are both looking forward to getting to Quartzsite and even looking forward more to getting to Oregon.

I start collecting Social Security next month so we’re hoping we can throw money into our savings while in QZ to cover gas costs to get to Oregon via Utah.  Living on the edge of solvency is a real adventure.  We always seem to make out okay.

Again I apologize for going so long without posting.  After Friday our time is our own and we will be staying here for a week or two.  We still have to replace the A/C which could take a few days, and we want to be in QZ by the middle of September, but I’m sure I’ll be a lot happier after Friday and want to post more.

In the meantime, ya’ll stay healthy ‘n happy!

Toodles.

I don’t think I’ve mentioned how much we appreciate our readers, and those of you who send in comments commiserating, appreciating, and encouraging us to continue.

Thank you all for being our friends and part of the full time RV’g family, whether you are full timing now or thinking about it for later in your life.  We love ya all!

-j

The other day Larry (our supervisor) gave Thom our new schedule for the month, but it only had 2 weeks on it.  We thought maybe Larry was still working on the last two weeks of the schedule.  When Larry gave Thom the schedule, Thom reminded him that we would be leaving by Sept 10th and Larry acted panicky because we’d be leaving early.  Later Thom found out the others had 4 week schedules, so today he asked Larry about ours being only two weeks.  Larry said “you’re through at the end of the 2nd week.”  That means we’re laid off as of August 21.  Our contract says the job runs approximately from May 5 - Sept. 26.  On the employment opportunities page of AL&L’s website it says approximately means it could be a FEW days before or after those days.  I personally don’t consider a whole month being a FEW days.

Thom and I have worked for AL&L for 3 years and have a great reputation for doing a tremendous job.  Three of the 4 other couples are brand new and one of them offered to Larry to leave early, yet we’re the ones Larry let go.  We’re not sure of the exact reason he’s done so, but we are sure he’s doing it out of anger over something.

Today we met with the Area Manager over something else and mentioned to him that we’ve been laid off.  He didn’t appear happy to hear that bit of news.  He said he didn’t know that he could do anything about it, but we don’t have to be in a hurry to leave here.  We can stay where we are until we’re ready to leave.  He also said that if the Forest Service needs us off their compound then we can go to Anderson Cove to stay until we’re ready to leave.  Needless to say, Thom and I are pretty upset over the whole deal.  We were pretty much counting on those last two paychecks to pay off our credit card.  I guess if you have a job like this and have a plan for the income you have to kiss your boss’s arse and not say what you think.

That’s the bad news.

This is the good news.

The reason we met with Rick was to find out if he’d brought up the electricity issue with the corporate office and if they have agreed to pay us for damages.  He did bring it up and they have agreed to pay for the A/C and bug zapper replacements.  We have a feeling they may try to prorate the cost of the A/C, but we won’t accept  the check unless they cover the cost of replacement, therefore not releasing them from responsibility for damages.  Rick asked us to have the estimate for the A/C replacement and the receipt for the zappers faxed to the office and to him and the check would be sent to us right away.

It’s going to be hard for me to be civil with Larry and Sue for the next 2 weeks, but I’ll manage.

Ya’ll stay healthy ‘n happy.

Toodles!

There’s not much new going on.  We’re more or less settled here at the Forest Service compound.  Things at work are pretty much the same.  They did put insulation into the booth which has brought the average temp down from 98 to 88F.  It’s much more livable.  It took me telling the boss that I would NOT spend another 5 hour shift in a 98F booth to get it done.

We had a meeting with the area manager here to discuss the issue of the available electricity at the site we were at and the fact that the poor hookups caused our A/C to die and the companies responsibility towards the repairs.  Of course he said he’d do everything possible to see we were satisfied with the reparations, but we doubt he’ll do anything.

As for our relocation… we’re happier.  We have fewer interruptions  here and I’m finally seeing birds at my feeder.  They may be only house finch, but at least they are coming in to feed.  Didn’t get any at the lake.  We have a golf cart to drive to and from work.  It’s not bad.

Time to say good night.

Ya’ll stay healthy ‘n happy.

Toodles.