Sunday, June 11
The crew and I break camp and move out of Targhee National Forest. Before driving the short distance to board Interstate 15, a pause at a stop sign gives me a chance to take a photo.
Remember the horses? Here they are again. . .
And a few flower photos that didn’t make it into a previous post . . .
The next photo shows another nice boondock, located near the second one we enjoyed.
Reggie, Roger, and I enter Montana!
Interstate 15 takes us north out of Idaho and into Big Sky Country.
I pick a campsite at a familiar campground.
I camped here with the original canine crew. Beaverhead is a Bureau of Reclamation campground on Clark Canyon Reservoir. The campsites are well spaced and have a large shelter, picnic table, fire ring, and a level, gravel parking pad.
Our first day the weather is pleasantly in the 70s. The next couple days are chilly and rainy. Snow collects on the mountaintops.
The reservoir is gray to match the clouds. Ahh . . . Montana in June . . .
Shortly after our arrival, I email an RV service center in Butte to request an appointment for the bent jack, the propane heater with a leak, and a check of the 12-volt system in the Best Little Trailer.
I receive an email telling me that the next opening for a service appointment is 90 days from now.
Well, that’s not going to work.
The cynical part of my nature has me wondering if it would be a 90-day wait for a humongous, super-expensive, multi-slide motor home, rather than an itty-bitty fiberglass trailer.
No, that couldn’t be why. Stop it, RVSue. Paranoia is not a good look for you.
The camp host couple here at Clark Canyon Reservoir is friendly and helpful, the way camp hosts tend to be.
I’ve found camp hosts to be great resources for information pertaining to the local area.
“Do you know a good vet in Dillon?” I ask.
“Do we? Oh my gosh! Take your dog to Dillon Animal Clinic . . . . ” and they proceed to rave about the care their little 3-pound yorkie receives there.
Samantha, the yorkie, has a serious auto-immune disease. She cannot walk on the ground or she’ll become ill.
Hence, she is kept inside their motor home all the time, unless sitting on a lap outside or riding in the car. They have a litter box for her.
Good thing she isn’t an 80-lb. retriever!
Anyway . . .
I really like receiving an endorsement for a veterinarian, auto shop, or whatever from someone with experience rather than picking a place at random.
Wednesday, June 14
Temperatures have warmed up and the sun is shining as the crew and I motor north on the interstate 15 for nineteen miles to Dillon.
We combine a trip to Safeway with a stop at Dillon Animal Clinic. (My phone is garbage so I couldn’t make a phone call like normal people do.)
I make an appointment for the first available date for Roger’s neutering surgery, vaccinations, heart worm test, and microchip.
I also set up an appointment for Reggie for the same day. The appointment is for the following week.
That’s okay. I like our camp, it’s free, and we can stay up to fourteen days.
Okay, here’s an illustration of why I don’t like getting behind on my blog posts. In real time, as I write this, the appointment with the vet has passed.
Those of you who read comments already know that Roger’s surgery is a success and he’s recovering nicely. And he’s doing everything the vet said he shouldn’t do, like hop and jump and play rough with Reggie.
I try to control him. I give up after about two minutes.
You would, too.
(See illustration below.)
(Oh, Did you ever try to anticipate the jump of a chihuahua? It can’t be done! They stand still as a statue and a millisecond later, with no warning, they’re performing The Chihuahuan High Jump.)
“No jumping” . . . pffftt!
Coming up!
More about our days at this camp and highlights of the crew’s visit to the vet!
rvsue
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First?
CONGRATULATIONS, ROBIN! YOU’RE OUR LEADER TODAY!
Glad Roger did well at the vet. I’ve never owned a dog that understood the recovery directions of the vet and one is currently 15.5 years old and still doesn’t understand she has congestive heart failure.
Hooray for your elderly pal, Kim! What an uplifting comment! 🙂
SECOND PLACE TODAY!
Still making notes for next years campsites… Glad Rog is doing well.
Whether for a handy overnight not far from the interstate or for a longer, relaxing stay, Clark Canyon is the place!
There are several campgrounds around the reservoir… I think 7 in all and all free except the RV park. Across the reservoir is a Bureau of Reclamation RV Park if you should want hook-ups (like when it’s hot and you need a/c). I’ll post about that park with photos and prices.
CARLENE AND CORKY IN THIRD PLACE!
I checked and checked and checked for an update on Roger’s operation. SO glad he came through AND no heart worms. 😀
Thanks, Sherri,
In case anyone missed it and wants to read the update, it’s near the bottom of the previous post.
Glad Roger is recovering nicely! Never been near the top before today.
Thank you, JoanneG. Roger is doing great!
Pardon my ignorance… Where is San Rafael? CA? MX? Anyone? The only one I know is San Rafael Reef in Utah, a favorite place to boondock…
I am in San Rafael, CA just north of San Francisco. Love the t-shirt I got at Goblin Valley State Park that says I’m a San Rafael Swell! We try to camp as often as possible in the San Rafael reef area.
Thanks, JoanneG. My first guess was CA. That is a clever t-shirt for you to have! 🙂
A beautiful view of lake and mountains…glad to see that Roger and Reggie are happy again after their separation…I like that view of the BLT next to the blue chair…very homey looking.
Deena and Miss Mollie
Hi, Deena and Miss Mollie,
There’s something about a scene of a camper with a lounger and a view of lake and mountains that captures the essence of full-timing… 🙂 That lounger is great prop for this amateur photographer as well as for this body of mine! 🙂
Beautiful setting
Hi, Joy! I’m happy to see you here again! Yes, it is a lovely view, no matter the weather or time of day.
Yay, so glad to hear all was a success – lovely campsite too!!!! Feels like I’m never going to get there – LOL.
Aww, Dawn…. I hate that you have to wait. Here’s some encouragement: Once I set a date for launching, the months passed slowly, then the weeks passed a little faster, and those last few days flew by! 🙂
Good for Roger…he doesn’t let anything get him down. I think when the vets give you all those instructions they mean for you to keep the animal in a kennel for a few days. Where would you even keep one?
Your suspicions about the trailer repair place could be right on. You might just have to keep asking around to find someone to fix the problems. Maybe some guy at a propane dealership could fix the leak or knows someone who could. Maybe there’s some small business around that is versed in 12-volt systems. Just might find someone who can straighten that jack for you. An RV service center isn’t always the only place that can fix RV problems. I know a car is different, but we’ve always had the best repair luck, with skilled mechanics, at smaller privately owned shops rather than dealerships.Usually for a more reasonable price, too. Good luck in getting it all sorted out and hugs for the pups.
You describe exactly the kind of places I hope to find. I did ask at a small electric/propane place and their small staff of service people are tied up in an out-of-town job.
It’s summer so the heater is no longer a pressing issue. The jack is still usable while bent at the bottom. And the RV outlet situation is a PITA but I have lights and here I am replying to comments while sitting in the PTV with the engine running.
Thanks for the good luck wish, Linda. It will all work out… someday!
Gosh, Sue,I feel badly that in order to post, check in and reply you have to sit in the PTV every time. I think sometimes getting suggestions can be annoying, so feel free to ignore this note. Just an idea…Amazon has chargers that run on their own enclosed batteries. If you are where you can accept deliveries it may be worth considering getting one.
One I saw for $39.99, Uber Quick Charging 20k Portable Power Bank with 3 ports, looks like with the included cables it would be compatible with your Acer and Verizon jetpack. Whenever it’s necessary the power bank itself could be recharged using the PTV’s outlet. They mention the laptop port on this unit works only with type-c , I believe your Acer back-lit keyboard model is a dual Type-a/-c.
Until you are able to have the BLT inverters fixed, it would be nice if you could access the internet sitting wherever you are comfortable doing that.
Thanks for informing me of this product, weather. I’m not in a position right now to receive anything shipped. In the meantime I’ll read up on the power bank.
Thoughtful and generous with your time to research that for me…
🙂
BTW, I have two new inverters and they both work fine (your last paragraph).
Oh right, I saw in a reply that you need the outlets to work, not inverters.
Is this the one you mean? It’s the only one I found at that price with 3 ports.
AUKEY USB Charger with Dual Quick Charge 3.0 Port & 8 USB Ports for Galaxy S8/S7/S6/Edge, Nexus 6P, LG G5, iPhone, iPad and more – White
I don’t think it works for my ACER laptop. If you look again at the item you referenced, the ASIN number will help me find it.
The ASIN number for the Uber unit is BO1LXCRP13.
If you look closely at the connecters ends they send with it, you can tell if they’ll fit your devices. Those photos and, and seeing in the specs for your Acer – wireless 802.11 a/c make me think it will work.
They have a place on the page with the ad to ask if your specific device(brand and model number needed) will work with the unit.
Oops,it maybe Pl3 ,not P13 at the end of the ASIN #, hard to tell the way it looks on my screen.
Thank you, weather. I’m not sure if this is something I need, will have to think about it, and read more when I’m not under time pressure. I charge up the Verizon jetpack but it doesn’t last long. The ACER laptop goes a lot longer on a charge. When I get them both charged up, I can take them into the BLT and blog there for a while.
That’s at least better than spending all the time sitting in the PTV, I’m glad. And hopefully you’ll find a RV repair shop that has appointments available in the not too distant future.
BTW, this was another great post! I’m happy Roger fared well with his operation and will catch up with you at another time 🙂
Okay… Thanks again. Have a good evening!
Hi Sue and Crew, Glad to see the 3 of you having such fun. Your site is beautiful. I was wondering if heartworm meds and flea meds are needed out West? Anything else out there that the babies might catch that we don’t have in the East? Thanks and take care.
Great question, Marieta! I’m not an authority on the West… Maybe others will help me answer your question.
I’ve been in the West for six years with a canine crew… I haven’t seen one flea or tick and I don’t give my crew anything for repelling those critters. The camp host says there aren’t many fleas in Montana but there are ticks. So far, no sign of them.
Heart worm meds are needed. We first encountered mosquitoes at Van Noy Canyon near Spencer, Idaho. Only a few, it was after a rain and, of course, it being the month of June . . .
A few more mosquitoes at Clark Canyon Reservoir, so I was anxious to have the crew checked and put on a preventative regime. I’m pleased that the vet had the chewable kind and that Reggie and Roger think they are special treats. 🙂
I don’t stay outside after dark (I read, the crew goes to sleep . . . early to bed, early to rise!). There may be hordes of skeeters I don’t know about!
A question for Blogorinos: “Anything out there (in the West) that the babies might catch that we don’t have in the East?”
Ticks are BAD and yes yes yes fleas and heartworms need to be treated for!
Now back to reading 🙂
Valley Fever is found in the southwest, and was recently found in south-central Washington state
you can Google for more info
Marieta,
the type of preventatives will depend on your location. Heartworm/fleas…in some areas ticks.
We use Heartgard chewables and Frontline plus..
Be careful with the products you use.. there are “products” that last for 6 months a dose that combines the three…if you read the fine print…the effectiveness isn’t guaranteed. My personal opinion is that is WAY to much bad juju to be given by mouth!
This looks like a wonderful place! So glad Roger’s surgery went well. 90 days, wow. That is crazy!
Thanks, Jolene! Twin Falls, Idaho Falls, Butte… all big RV service places with long waiting lists… That’s what I found. I can see us limping along until we return to Snowbird Country where RV service places abound.
In the RV group I help admin with now over 32K people in it on Facebook, the service wait times is a big complaint. Some of these people with brand new RV’s and it spends many months in getting service in the first year. Maybe these places need to bring on more techs during the busy times of the year?
I appreciate you telling us that, Jolene. I don’t feel rejected anymore. Ha!
My son and his wife have gone miles and weeks of waiting out of their way trying to get warranty service repairs on their brand new 30′ Airstream as well as waiting for months to get an appointmet. First in Idaho and now they have recently been staying at the Airstream factory for work that the Idaho dealer would not deal with. The jack on it does not work properly, it failed the second time they used it! Got it repaired and it failed again. Their heat pump/air conditioner failed within 6 months. Their door lock broke within a few months, the door hinges are not working right, etc.
They also discovered that the contract says warranty repairs are not covered if you a full timer using the trailer as your home. I guess it just is not built to handle that 😉
Karen, we hear these stories a lot in the RV group. As far as warranty and living in it full time, that doesn’t surprise me either. Also some insurance won’t cover if they find out you are living in it fulltime. My understanding is they do make a few RV’s that are considered for full time use. Other than that you have to make sure of what your warranty is as well as double check that your insurance will cover you living in it full time. It is not worth not telling them if something happens and you really need that insurance.
In regards to Jolene and Karen’s comments about all the service needs for new RVs, there needs to be something done about this in the RV industry. Imagine if you bought a new car and had to spend all this time getting warranty work done the first year. It would not be acceptable. I think the manufacturers of RVs and RV parts are not being held accountable. Okay, I will get off my soap box.
Sue, I love your blog! I want to be you when I grow up.
Sue, I asked in my RV group about service wait times again and one of the people responding gave me this info. I don’t know what direction you are heading but this might be of help to you……
“Just came from Spokane WA and we suddenly had no slides that would move or jacks. These guys are phenomenal!!!! They try to have you in same day to assess issues. If they have to order parts they try to have them installed in the first day or two after receiving. They over-nighted parts for us, and intalled the day they arrived!!! Took great care of the coach and the service with a smile was the icing on the cake. We recommend them to anyone in Eastern WA or near Coar de lane ID area. Appleway RV Address: 7210 E Sprague Ave, Spokane Valley, WA 99212 Phone: (509) 868-0043 “
Thanks, Jolene. The information might prove very helpful for anyone in the Spokane area who needs service. I don’t plan on going to Spokane.
You make a good point, MelindaK. I’d be VERY ANNOYED if I paid big bucks for a new rig only to have it malfunction right away and then have to sit around waiting for it to be repaired.
Thank you for loving my blog. 🙂
Happens quite often Sue, very disappointing and frustrating for all concerned. In another group I follow, someone recently bought an RV, they are full timers with children, then went 750 miles to where they apparently were going to be working at. They didn’t have cell service till they got where they were going. Husband is starting his new job, working 6 days a week, and the RV dealership is trying to contact them during the time of no cell signal, they gave them the wrong RV. Gave them a 2018 model year when they bought a 2017. The dealership wants them to do a 1400 mile round trip to bring the RV back. They have contacted an attorney. Lesson here, always double check VIN numbers on paperwork to the RV you are buying before you leave with your RV. For these people, both of the VINS are mentioned at various places on the paperwork and when she contacted the company for warranty, they have them owning both of them.
I’ve heard that the quality of Airstreams have diminished. Sad for the price you pay 50K for a Bambi..15 footer.
They don’t make things to last…like back in the day!
Take for example my SUV…a 1999 and still looks like the day I drove it off the lot. The only repair has been the AC compressor and the alternator. Nowadays they sell “throwaway cars”.
If they make things that lasts forever…there is no money being made.
I hear ya! I’m a fiberglass trailer fan . . . $18,000 for the BLT and $8,500 for the PTV, plus a couple thousand for solar/batteries,etc, a few smaller items, and I’m all set to live off grid for an initial investment under $30,000.
Of course, if you slam your fridge and heater around like I did, those things are not going to last forever, but going on 6 years is good.
And the AGM batteries that I was told wouldn’t last 5 years if I didn’t take good care of them, i.e. maxxing the charge daily… well, we’re in our sixth year and I haven’t paid any attention to them in all that time. 🙂
1. laughing over “Reversible Dog / Cat Bed” for some reason
2. the flower photos are soooooo yummy!
3. the boondock below the flowers is so lovely!!! My kind of green.
Tala sends neck bites to the boys 🙂
Hi, Susan! The boys LOVE neck bites. 🙂
Yeah, that bed is funny. I didn’t think of it until you mentioned it… Put the cat on one side, the dog on the other!
We have better luck with mobile RV techs, in terms of time required to get on the schedule. They’re generally not out in the toolies, but if you’re near a city it might be worth calling. Oh wait, your phone is garbage. Isn’t that still under warranty? I thought you just got that recently.
No, I just made the last payment. Got the phone about two summers ago. I doubt the warranty goes beyond that. To tell the truth, I never liked it. I don’t understand how people are so enamored with their SmartPhones. I’d rather have a phone that is only a phone and have a full-sized keyboard for internet typing, like the one on my new Acer laptop or on my little Chromebook.
Apps, shmapps, not interested. 🙂
Miss Sue I sure love these antics of the Wild Child–Roger, but then Reggie is sort of there too. You must be tuckered! 🙂
No idea what to tell you about the fixes. Hope you have a good weekend! We are going towards 90 this weekend (on the coast-MELT).
Hugs from Hoquiam!
Barb
Thanks, Barb! You have a good weekend, too. Enjoy the sunshine! 🙂
You don’t need to go to an RV repair place to deal with the bent trailer jack. That can be handled at any trailer place including the kind that sell and service utility, highway, boat trailers, etc. You can also get it done at most U-Haul service centers. It will likely cost you less than an RV repair place!
Good suggestions, Karen… Also a welding place might take care of it. I thought of an RV place in order to have everything taken care of it at once. Silly me.
I wanted to post earlier this month but couldn’t and even now I am tearing up..one month ago yesterday our little Kori passed away suddenly from congestive heart failure (ok one day, gone the next)..you met her in the fall of 2012 when you were camped in Wahoe Valley NV…reading about Roger from homeless/nameless dog to joining the crew REALLY helped both Gary and I get thru a very rough time.
We want to say Thank you so much ….your great stories of Roger and Reggie has given us much needed laughter and helped make our days a little brighter. You are a very special lady and your gift & talent for writing is so appreciated…
P.S. Love the flower pics too!
Oh, Mel, I’m so sorry. How traumatic for you both. I remember how you two doted on that little dog.
If my blog distracted you for a time from the pain of your loss, I am glad for that. Thank you for writing, Mel. My condolences to you and Gary. R.I.P. Kori girl.
Janet’s story of finding the perfect dog went into my spam folder. I found it and moved it here so that readers will see it. –Sue
My husband and I have been FT for over 20 years. We always had dogs when we had a wooden home but didn’t think it was right to leave a dog in a MH while we worked. I have followed your blog for quite a few years and enjoyed the loving relationship you had with you dogs and envied you for it. When we retired I decided I was finally going to get a dog but my husband was not real keen on the idea.
I started to search on the internet as we traveled around the country and had seen this little terrier mix in 29 Palms. She did NOT impress me at all. For 2 months I saw her on the web site while I looked for the perfect dog and when we finally arrived in Yucca Valley to visit family I took my adult granddaughter with me to have a look at the dogs at the shelter in 29 Palms.
We slowly walked down one side of the building and up the other when I saw this little dog and recognized her from the website. All the other dogs were barking and franticly running around but this little thing just walked up to the gate and put her paw out for me to touch.
That was back in Dec of last year and Tuki has turned out to be the most loving wonderful dog I have ever had. She can be a devil and an angel at the same time but she travels well and absolutely loves everyone and every dog she meets. She is a very active dog, maybe a little too active for we old folks but she has made us move a lot more than we had and that has been a good thing. Even my husband has admitted that he has grown to love her as much as me. But the point of my story is that it was YOU and your blog and you relationship with your family that got me ready for this big commitment and I just wanted to thank you.
Beautiful story, Janet! I’m very happy for you, your husband, and Tuki. May you enjoy many years making wonderful memories together.
The way you found Tuki reminds me of the way I found Spike. I kept seeing him on a shelter’s website. His photo was on there a long time. I remember grumbling, “Sheesh, why don’t they update the photos?”
Finally I drove to the shelter in another town and there was the Spikester waiting for me.
Thank you for sharing your experience, Janet. You write very well! I’m thrilled to think my blog might have helped in some way to bring Tuki into your home.
Tuki’s story posted here may lead someone to go to a shelter to find a forever friend. I hope so! 🙂
90 days out for an appointment? That is totally ridiculous! Eh just as well…something better will be down the road.
Those silly boys! The jaws clamped down made me laugh. It does look like Rog is somewhat on his back…which is a good sign that he isn’t too dominant.
The blue colored bird is a what did you say? Nice coloring!
The view from your porch is amazing.
Hi, Cinandjules,
I haven’t forgotten about the video of AO’s swim. I’m using all my charge for blogging, writing comments, and searching the web. The bird is a magpie. Very noisy, curious birds… several of them around our camp.
As for Rog being dominant, you’d be surprised, as I am, at how tough little Reggie is. He doesn’t tolerate excessive roughness!
‘
I would like to suggest tags with the dogs names and your cell number. Micro chipping is a good idea but people who find a wandering dog may not think of having the dog checked for a micro chip. You may also be hundreds of miles away by then. Even if you are without coverage, when you do get it , you may have a text or voicemail message . Happy Trails .Roger and Reggie and you are blessed .
Good advice, Stan. I got away from having tags on my crew after they lost a few of them and I keep changing suits. Not a good excuse! 🙂
(If I ever lost a dog while traveling, I’d never drive hundreds of miles away, not for a long time. I’ve known people who have done that. Even if on vacation and a job could be lost, it would take more than than a job to drag me away!)
Thank you for the wish for happy trails. Yes, we are blessed. I wish the same for you, Stan.
That first pic of Roger looks like he suspects something! Your crew are such cuties. Luckily the boys’ operation isn’t too invasive, not like the girls who have a long incision to watch our for. Glad he came through it ok and feels good.
Thanks, Pat, for the nice note for Roger. He does feel good, a happy guy, playing and eating large. 🙂
Montana! That’s brave; I would be worried about the cold. And happy about Roger’s successful surgery. He will probably play better with Reggie, maybe no moments that disintegrate into fighting.
I have spent 3 nights in Tulsa at my friend Chris’ house. We will head out today, heading to Missouri. Every time I am in Tulsa I think to myself that I could come back here to live, it is a pretty cool town and affordable. I don’t know if I could handle the weather. The dew point is 75!
Getting adjusted to sleeping in car. I sometimes wake with a stiff back, but it recovers quickly. But on the whole, I’m pretty comfortable.
So, just checking in. Hope we all,have good travels today!
Hi, Ginger,
Thanks for the update on your cross-country travel. Glad to hear you are sleeping okay in your car and are comfortable. It’s nice that you have the time to take a break from the road, spending a few days at your friend’s house. Good travel to you, too!
Congrats RV Sue and Reggie for finding another exciting crew member Roger. He seems to be an almost perfect fit for you Sue and the perfect pal for Reggie. Sorry, I have been away from internet service for 6 weeks and have just now caught up on your past reports.
My heart jumped for joy when Reggie and you got Roger to trust you enough to at least be adopted by someone, who turned out to be you and Reggie in the end. I almost always get teary eyed when I read about homeless animals that are rescued from either being homeless or abused. People like you are some of the Best people in the world. Thank you for what you did in the the past and I know in the future if you come across the same situation. May God continue to Bless you and your now full crew of 2.
Thanks as always for all the beautiful pictures of the mountains, rivers, streams, creeks, forest, flowers, birds, sheep (loved your story about the 7000), horses, places you see in towns and all the others.
Glad to hear Roger’s surgery went well and I pray Reggie and yourself are healthy as well.
Until next time, please be safe and keep enjoying your life/adventure.
Respectfully,
S. Kaeseman
Such a lovely note and I find it in the spam bin! I’m sorry, Steve. I don’t know why that happens.
Great to hear from you again. Thank you for the wish for our safety and enjoyment, for the compliments and for reading all the posts you missed while without internet. The latter is a big compliment! I’m very happy you enjoy what I post. Also thank you for sharing our joy with the addition of a new crew member!
All three of us are blessed with good health and good times. I wish the same for you.
I agree Steve, show me a animal lover, rescuer and I’ll show you a truly good and genuine person such as our Sue.
Oh, you guys… 🙂
I am so happy that Roger is doing well, and also you and Reggie. Do you have an idea of Roger’s age?
You know, Nancy, with so much going on when I picked up Roger… I forgot to ask for the vet’s estimation of his age.
Roger obviously is full-grown. He has adult teeth and they are in perfect condition and very white. I’m going with 3 yrs. old.
You might try Mickey in Anaconda for your jack and electrical. 406-563-6416
I don’t know how busy he is, but he’s an old school type good guy. The kind you can trust. His main business is auto repair and towing.
Enjoyed your post as always.
Thanks, Carol. Anaconda is in our general area.
A complicating factor right now is the upcoming holiday weekend. In five previous Independence Day weekends, we have come upon filled-up campgrounds and, no matter what type of camp we’re in, obnoxious people.
My focus now is finding a place to survive next weekend.
With the reservation system taking over campgrounds, it’s not as easy to simply drive up to a campground and camp. Go remote and there are locals shooting guns, firecrackers, their wife, getting drunk, racing ATVs, revving dirt bikes, whatever. Ideally I will find a campground with a responsible camp host and that isn’t tied up with reservations. If that’s near Anaconda, voila!
Thanks again. I hope you are enjoying the “cabin” you mentioned.
There are lovely forest service camps at Georgetown lake. It was really cold at that altitude 2 weeks ago. But beautiful
Thanks, Joyce!
Also Mickey might be able to recommend someone local if he can’t help you.
🙂
If the heater malfunction is inside the unit itself, it can be shipped to the manufacturer for repair. Another RVer did so with good results:
https://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/2011/10/motorhome-modification-repair-of-our.html
Thank you, John. I would have done that from the get-go but as we travel this summer…. where do I tell them to ship my heater when the work is done? I don’t know when the manufacturer would ship it, don’t know where we will be when it is ready to be shipped and, if I did, I’d need an address to which it could be shipped (General Delivery won’t accept so I’d have to find a UPS store) and I don’t know how long I’d be there. I’ve played the mailing game before while waiting for license plates, under a 14-day limit . . . All the planning in the world and it would still be a major PITA.
I think Karen was at her home (sticks n bricks) when she had the repaired heater shipped to her. Apparently she wasn’t moving around a lot at the time.
The more I think about it, the more I’m inclined to buy a new Wave 3 heater for $165 at Amazon. Then I’ll have a brand new heater and I’ve skipped a lot of hassle. It’s summer. I can wait until we are settled in one spot this fall to order the heater and have it installed.
Hi Sue & Crew!
It’s been awhile, so I thought I’d check in and let you know I’m still riding along and following all your adventures. Wow, what a wild ride it’s been! There is so much that has happened, I can’t go all the way back. So I’ll just say Congratulations on adopting Roger! Seems like a Perfect fit to round out the crew. Especially since You & Reggie approve.
Still preparing for the move to full time RV living. Getting rid of 35+ years worth of stuff is allot more work and much more difficult than I first thought. We are making progress a little at a time and starting to progress a little faster now. I keep telling my wife: How do you eat an elephant? “One bite at a time” Thank You for all your inspiration and your blog. It has been very entertaining and more importantly very informative.It has helped us so much!
Hope you have a Great summer and know we will be there all along the way!
FloridaScott
Hi, Scott!
How nice of you to keep in touch now and then to update us on your progress and to let us know you’re still riding with us. I understand about the process of getting rid of stuff. At first I was particular about where things went, sorting for a yard sale, the thrift shop, relatives, friends, historical societies, the dumpster, etc. As our launch date drew near, I wasn’t quite as particular anymore — just got rid of stuff! 🙂
Thank you for the congratulations on Roger’s appointment as co-pilot on the canine crew. He’s learning the ropes and I see a great future for him and Reg as they “help” me in vagabonding.
You have a great summer, too! Enjoy the elephant bites!
The backup at RV dealers is ridiculous. I had a toilet installed in March in Florida at Camping World because it was the only place I could find a toilet that fit in a short time period, like a week. There is something funny about the way it was installed because I am getting an odor behind my bathroom cabinet which is worse when I open the drawer. (I suspect something is not properly fastened to the black tank.) But do you think I could find another Camping World that would pull the toilet and reinstall it without a two-month wait??? I have been moving around a lot for a lot of reasons, but I found that you really need to decide where you are going to be in several months and schedule an appointment at a dealer where you are hoping to be and then hope you really are there! Very irritating, but this is true no matter how large your RV. I think I am going to find a local RV repair guy and have him reinstall the toilet and just pay for it myself–much easier.
One thing you can do is order a part and have it shipped to a Camping World. I’ve done that a couple of times. Pick it up at the parts dept, make sure it is really the right part, and then call a local RV repair guy to install it.
I have NO IDEA what you are supposed to do for a real emergency. These dealers think you have a home and can leave your RV parked for months waiting for them to get around to fixing stuff, also.
Hi, Judy!
Always a treat to hear from you, although I’m sorry you are coping with a toilet issue! Yeah, I agree with your plan to have the work done in a way that’s less complicated for you. Time and ease are precious to those of us with places to go. 🙂
Thanks for giving us a glimpse into what one may encounter in the full-time lifestyle, specifically when it comes to repairs. Good luck, Judy, and have a wonderful summer!
Happy to see Roger hasn’t noticed his missing parts and is still happy to tussle and neck bite Reggie! I enjoyed the photo with the captions! Those are some awesome mountains in this camp! Snow capped even! Enjoy the cool because the west is suffering a heat wave right now, all the way up to Oregon!
You have really had some good suggestions on getting repairs to happen! Always a PIA when dealing with repairs! Good luck!
Hug your crew from us! Yay! A full crew! The thought still makes me smile! ((((( hugs Sue!)))))
Hi, Geri!
I always smile to see a comment from you! I think we will get a bit of the heat wave in Montana. I see 80 degree temps in the forecast. Yes, the mountains are BIG around here. Ha!
This morning we are on the road again. I’m writing this as we sit at a rest stop. I still have a bunch of stuff to write about our camp by Clark Canyon reservoir and Roger’s vet visit. We really enjoyed that camp and we would still be there if it weren’t for the 14-day limit.
Hugs to you, Chuck, Radar and Tater! Love you guys!
💜💙💚. One heart for each of you!
Welcome to Montana, Sue.
You are correct in that the next weekend will be a boondocker’s nightmare. I see in previous posts you have camped along the Madison River on the BLM tract out of Bozeman. If you get there early and find a place away from other camp sites, you might be in luck. It’s an expansive place and a lot of folks camp there. But if you scout it, you will probably find a good place. At least for the weekend. Watch the people floating by in rafts.
I am solo-ing up a canyon south of here next week. Can’t wait. It’s funny how the puzzle pieces of The Dream to Live on Less and Enjoy More can come together. Right now, Hubby is working like a mad man finishing work on the house to get it to sellable quality. Probably won’t be able to sell for a couple of years because the market is slow. He has become very interested in full-timing in a big enough RV bought with the proceeds of the house sale. That is huge progress.
Anyway, as I told you in a former email, Delmoe is still a mess. At least what I saw last year.
Ticks are the big issue among dogs this year in MT. My dog takes tick meds and has her yearly worming, just in case. She never leaves the yard nor congregates with other pups. Ticks are the issue. Had a vet tell me that you don’t have to worry about Heart Worm in this dry climate, but you go everywhere. May see you on the road. Maybe not. Good luck in finding a suitable place for the 4th.
Thank you for the welcome to Montana, Diann. I was just thinking about you! We’re on the road and parked at a rest stop. I open up my laptop and here you are!
I’m so excited and happy for you that your husband is now on board for full-timing! Forgive me if I’m confusing you with someone else, but I’m thinking he was resistant to the idea. Anyway…. Good luck getting the house on the market. May it sell quickly and at a price that makes you happy.
Gee whiz, I don’t like hearing there are lots of ticks for us to deal with. So far the crew hasn’t picked up any.
Fourth of July weekend is tough. We aren’t going to be along the Madison River, although I do like that area. I’m not going to put us in a boondock situation for the weekend after what went on last year in a forest in Oregon (guns, fires, fireworks, drunken fights). People are nuts. This year I’m going to try finding a campground that isn’t too popular and that has a camp host.
What a shame about Delmoe Lake. It was so pretty when they were there and then the OHVers did their damage. Oh well, sometimes things have to get really bad before they get better.
Thanks for the nice note, Diann. I’m happy to hear from you.
Time for us to get back on the road and roll across the big, wide-open spaces of Montana! Congratulations on the “huge progress” with your husband (Hi, Hubs!) and enjoy your canyon camp next week!
Dollar General stores seem to carry many of the same products across the country. In case you think you may spend time where ticks are unavoidable, the store near me carries a flea and tick treatment/preventative that lasts for a month, $6 each. I think probably other stores do , too.
I didn’t know that! Thanks, weather.
Missy, Roger update requested. Thank you….J
Translation: Does he seem to miss “them”?
No, Roger doesn’t miss “them.” He acts like he still has “them.” 🙂
Good morning, Jim!
Sorry to be absent without leave… Last night we camped at a place that had no internet signal.
🙂
Hi Sue, Pretty swell campsite there. I love the white Casita, green grass, blue-blue water, and the mountains in the background. Sweet! Glad you and the crew are healthy and happy! 😎
Thanks, Suzicruzi! I hope you are healthy and happy, too! What’s The ‘Couve?
my guess is Vancouver, WA … there have been posts by Suzicruzi from Van., WA
It seems like the camera loves Roger more too now – he is looking especially cute.
Enjoyed your update. Glad the crew is fit and in fighting form.
Thank you, Li. 🙂
Sue, If you make it up towards Missoula, there is a mobile rv repair guy we see in the campground all the time. RV Repair Done Rite. 406 565-1084. He has a web site
rvrepairdonerite.com. Maybe you can set up a future appt for if/win you come to this area.
I am at the KOA, but there is a cheaper, not as nice campground in Turah which is about 10-13 miles east of Missoula in case he only goes to campgrounds.
Hope this helps. If you use him, let me know. If you aren’t going to be in this area but up around Polson or Kalispell, I know another guy, a friend of ours, who is really good
Thank you, Pam. We aren’t at Missoula. I’ve put repairs on hold for now. It’s summer! 🙂