Follies of Travel

 In our short time of traveling with the RV we have had some issues arise already and, if it continues, our trailer will end up looking like the photo above. I do not consider anything to be a failure. Rather, they are meant to be a lesson learned and to make us wiser. The trailer is no different in this capacity. Things have happened to the trailer in our travels that we did not anticipate, and we have learned what to do and what not to do in some cases. Of course, some things are unavoidable like driving through Chicago which will wreak havoc on your trailer. If you've ever driven through Chicago, no matter the time of year, then you know what I mean. If you haven't driven through Chicago, allow me to give you a glimpse of what that experience is like.

I drove an eighteen-wheeler for twenty years and I have been through Chicago many times. As a truck driver it was necessary to keep most paperwork on the dash of the truck due to lack of storage space inside the truck (maps, log book, notebook, directions, etc.). Once when I was driving through Chicago with the truck it became a little bouncy. Well, not just a little. Literally everything from the dash wound up on the floor! I was bouncing in that truck like a toddler in a bouncy-seat. That was almost thirty years ago and not much has changed.

I must digress for a moment however and mention how we got to where we were going. On our way to streamlining to Gettysburg (our first stop), we left Minnesota and traveled through Chicago via Wisconsin and stayed with some dear friends of ours. Dean and Nancy couldn't have been better hosts. Upon arrival to their place it was dark, and when I say dark I mean it's like you're in a cave 350' from-the-surface dark. We pulled up to their corner of paradise and they were outside with flashlights and reflective vests like we were entering a mega-church parking lot. We got backed in with their help and they warmed up some dinner for us. Driving on the road for several hours at a time does not afford one the opportunity to eat well. In fact, most of the time we end up eating from gas stations! 

We spent two days with Dean and Nancy and it was great, despite the fact that they're Packer fans! Why the picture of the boat? Because they named it the U.S.S. Dock-Dinger, and I think that's funny! We took a tour of the lake from the boat. They are truly blessed to have what they have. Thanks for the hospitality Dean and Nancy.

                                                        
Anyway, back to the task at-hand. Whilst bouncing through Chicago we discovered an issue upon opening the trailer when we got to our destination. An entire piece of molding had fallen off of one of the slide-outs. It is a piece about seven feel tall and six inches wide. If ya can't fix it duck it! Not in this case though. I don't think Pam would have approved had I duct taped a piece that large. It would have made the kitchen look too white-trashy. A little is ok, but ya never want too much white trash in your trailer. Living in a trailer is trashy enough! The only thing we're missing is a car up on blocks and a Rebel flag proudly displayed. I mean . . . we are in Virginia after all.

Once we got around to taking our bi-weekly showers (kidding!), we notice that the skylight above the shower was cracked along with the vent fan that's in the bathroom. Upon observation, I noticed that the crack does not go above the roofline. No harm no foul. What could possibly go wrong? I feel that another post of lessons-learned will be forthcoming. Oh, but there is so much more to tell!

While pulling an eighteen-wheeler down the road, the driver is ever-cognizant of bridge heights and plans the route accordingly. Typically, I will trip-plan for the RV a day or two before we leave and Pam will navigate while en-route in case of unforeseen sudden rerouting necessities. If you're new to RVing, or driving a large vehicle, you should have more than one option when it comes to routing other than the Google machine. I knew this already and I have about four different apps on my phone for said purposes. Why use the others when Google is there? Well, we found out rather quickly why not. We turned down a road, while rerouting, that took us to a low clearance somewhere in Ohio. If you've ever driven through Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania (et al), then you know how expensive toll roads can get, especially if you have five axels. We were avoiding toll roads because the previous day we had spent about $135 on tolls. We're trying to do this RVing thing as economically as possible. On the non-toll route, we saw a sign that said the maximum clearance was 13'6". That just so happens to be the same height that we thought we were at the time. Danger Will Robinson! 

Upon seeing the 13'6" sign Pam panicked and disagreement ensued. You have to know that Pam has not always been this way. I like to call that bait-and-switch. She couldn't bear the weight of possibly looking like we were delivering a bridge at zero MPH. I told her it would be fine. Sure enough, the bridge had a clearance of 13'6" on the right side and higher in the middle since the bridge sloped up. We went under the bridge without issue. How do you tell someone you really love "I told you so?" If you care about your marriage or your significant other, or living peacefully with them, the answer might surprise you.

                   

We've had a few follies, and I am sure there will be more to come. Yes, Pam and I have argued at times, but please reference the above video. We are crammed into roughly 600 square feet and spend almost all day, every day, together. We are like caged animals! As a word of advice from someone who has been with the same woman for thirty years, find someone who makes you happy, who will support you, and with whom you share common interests. That way, when you become a caged animal you will be able to figure it out without killing each other. Although . . . I fear she may still be looking for a shallow grave. Happy trails!