Four years ago today, we left on our "Huge Adventure". It is hard to be believe that it has been four years! We have had three different motor homes in that time.
We have been coast to coast a few times. We created a page of where we have been. It is not detailed, but Mom wanted to document it because it is getting harder to remember when we have been places. Our Travel Log
Mom says that living on the road is more stressful than living in a house. We have to worry about getting places, finding a place to stay for a month or more at a time (can be a challenge), the weather (storms are scary in a home that moves) and when things break, you have to take your entire home to the repair place. There are other stresses, but those are the ones that come to mind right now. On the other hand, our view changes all the time. If we don't like a place, we know that it is temporary. Our favorite part is exploring new areas. We have learned so much about our country. We have also made many friends along the way.
It has been a fun adventure. How long we will continue? We don't know. Life is always changing.
Joey,
The Greyhound Who Thinks The Whole Country Is His Backyard
We left Indiana last Friday. We had three things repaired while at the Entegra event; our side window was replaced, the windshield wiper arm and new wipers and our garbage can drawer roller. The windshield wiper and the side window were very important. We had Scout's leash holding the window shut, but there was a gap and wind came in while we were driving. As we were preparing to depart on Friday, two more things broke. Another one of the shade motors has died and now the couch which is L shape and part of it has to be locked into place no longer locks. Nothing major and we were able to secure everything for our drive. Mom is concerned that the washing machine is going to be inoperative pretty soon. The door lock is giving out and it takes several tries to get it locked now. It is probably just a matter of time when it will no longer work. Mom will be sad. Dad could probably fix it, but since it is under warranty.....he may want them to do it, which could take a long time. ::::sigh:::
Our drive to our destination took two days. We spent nearly $100 in tolls. Crazy! Any guesses where we are? 1) We have been here before. 2) Mom called this a very boring campground. 3) Very few people even talked to us last time and 4) This is where Scout died. :-( Mom really didn't want to return here, but there really aren't other places to stay.
Our site last year.
View from our site last year.
We are in Maryland for a third time.
When we called to make reservations this year, they said they only had one site available. Unfortunately, it was next to the first site we tried to get into last time and there was no way our rig could maneuver the trees. Mom was concerned that we would be stuck without a place to stay. Dad reminded her that last year they also told us that there was only one site available and that was not true. So, we arrived with fingers and paws crossed. Our site is wooded, but we were able to get our rig into it and WE LOVE IT! It is amazing how different the place feels this year compared to last.
Our view is of the ball field, pool and dance pad. Yes, that concrete pad is only for dancing. The sign says so.
The brown building is the band wagon. They play music there on weekends and that is why there is a dance area.
Our site is huge! It is probably the biggest site we have ever had. Mom says it is the best site in the whole place. We put our bird feeders out and we have been sitting out every day. On weekends, the place is busy, but during the week, it is all but empty. We have already talked to more people this time than the entire time we were here last year. I guess since we are in the Chipmunk section, people are friendlier. The Chipmunk area is made up of people who lease their sites for a year. Their sites are very well maintained. No tarps here. The staff has removed a lot of trees and even the site we couldn't get into last year might be okay now.
The only downside is that our satellite TV is limited due to all the trees. We are not getting all the satellites, but we do have cable, so we are able to see most everything we want. I guess you can't have it all. However, several people have told us that we have a great satellite site. We can't figure out why they think that. We have trees right over us.
Oh, another downside about being here is the cost of electric. It is $.24 kilowatt hour. Dallas was $.12. We figure our electric bill will be $200, maybe $300. We will have the help of shade though, so maybe it won't be too bad. We spent $14 the first two days though.
Mom is happy here, so I am happier too!
Well, except for the leaves.
Wouldn't you think she would help me instead of taking pictures?
This is the third spring we have been through this year.
It was a little chilly the other morning.
People to the side of us. Well maintained sites.
We are close to Gettysburg, but we are not going to GIG. We didn't have much notice we were coming here, so we couldn't plan for GIG which is this weekend. Mom said she didn't need the added stress. She has been feeling a lot of anxiety lately and didn't want to add to it. She seems better since we are here though and things are calming down.
Joey,
The Greyhound Who Is Loving All The Hiking Areas
We attended the Entegra SpringFest 2016 last week in Elkhart, IN. What is that? Well, it is basically an RV rally for Entegra owners. Our rig, coach, home, whatever you want to call it is made by Entegra.
The event was $150 and included our site for three nights, 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners and also a dessert reception which was also a trivia night. The folks' team came in 3rd and they won a $25 Visa card. Also included was a tour of the Entegra plant, a technician coming to the rig to fix three items, driving lessons and bus rides to the offsite events. There were also tech talks which Dad really enjoyed.
There are not that many Entegra coaches on the road. I think they said 2,200, but we were told the number a week ago and our memory is not what it used to be. Mom thinks she counted 66 rigs at the campground. It was a little confusing seeing all the rigs. There were three including ours that looked alike. I had to be careful and not walk into the wrong one.
Nope, that is not ours.
This is ours.
Maybe we all received lawn signs so that we knew which rig was ours. BOL!
We arrived on Sunday afternoon. The event started on Monday. The folks ate dinner at Flippin' Cow. Mom said it was really good.
The menus are actually inside old record album covers.
The fried pickles were excellent. They were slightly sweet pickles with a spicy breading.
The Hangover Burger with fried egg, bacon and cheese.
When we arrived at the fairgrounds, our rig stood out. It stood out because it was dirty. We noticed most of the people cleaning their rigs. The next morning, we were outside cleaning too. It took us six hours, but our rig looked good!
Resting after a hard day of work, but look at the shine!
I am tired!
Waiting for our neighbors to arrive. One of our neighbors had two mastiffs and a pig. The pets weighed almost 600 pounds.
Entegra Coaches
We have a 2015 model. This is the new design for the 2016. It looks more modern.
This was the dog park. HUGE! It was so large that Mom wouldn't let me run in it. She was scared I would run too fast and get hurt.
Entegra remembered the furry kids. We received treats in the goodie bag. They even had my name printed up on a card for a drawing. I didn't win. A dog that wasn't there won. Doesn't seem fair.
Waiting for the dessert reception.
The folks attended a Gala Dinner at the RV Hall of Fame. Mom said the food was excellent. She didn't take many photos though. Each table had someone from the company to sit with them. The company is all about their customers and it really shows in their customer service. We have had problems with our rig, but everyone does. When you drive your home down the road, things happen. Every bump you hit is like an earthquake. We have been very happy with the response from Entegra for any repairs that we have needed.
VIP Entrance
Walking the red carpet.
Waiting for dinner.
After dinner, the 2017 models were rolled out. A few models were also at the campground so that everyone could take their time and tour them. Dad really likes some of the updates on the 2017.
Mom's favorite part was the plant tour. She really liked seeing the
cabinets being made. They are made by the Amish onsite. The men were
eating their lunch when the tour group approached and the men said thank
you for buying a coach and the tour group applauded the men for their
workmanship. If you would like to see some of the plant tour, there is a
YouTube video. Hopefully it works for you, if not just do a search under Entegra coach.
We really enjoyed our time at the rally. The folks visited their favorite Amish bakery as well as Amish meat market. We were there two years ago at the Escapees rally. They ate dinner one night at Blue Gate Restaurant which is an Amish restaurant. Dad had the liver and onions and Mom had the fried chicken. We brought me home some chicken. Yum!
They also shopped at a few of the RV outlet stores, but didn't buy anything.
We were sorry to see our time in Indiana come to an end. Dad's three week vacation went way too fast.
Last week, we were at home visiting the doctor, vet and family. We had to take our rig into the repair shop in downtown St. Louis because the engine light came on and the siren went off. Well, maybe siren is the wrong word, but it was ear piercing.
The shop was nice and had recliners and a big TV. They said I could come inside.
They said our rig's computer was not up to date and that was the problem. Dad was hoping it was something where they replaced a part because he would have felt more confident that it was fixed. However, we have since driven about 470 miles and it is still off, so maybe that was the problem.
I went to the doctor on Monday for a blood test so that I could have my teeth cleaned on Friday. Mom asked the vet if I would be able to travel about 10 hours on Sunday if I had extractions. She said no. Actually, we think she got nervous when she read up on greyhounds, dentals and bleeding. They do not have the drug Amicar on hand and she didn't seem to want to get it. Basically, she said she would not do my dental. The folks are glad she was honest with them and they will find a vet who is more confident in dealing with greyhound dentals. I was able to get my Heartguard for a year, so I am set on that. Next year, I need my rabies vaccine.
The folks took me to Robertsville State Park on Tuesday. I haven't been there for a few years. It looks the same.
The folks visited their doctor on Thursday.
We are now at an Entegra Rally. What is that? Entegra is the company that makes our RV.
Me and Dad at the entrance to the rally. Don't we look happy?
