Moving On

It was a hot and steamy day in July, and the clouds resolutely remained at bay. Old haRVey and new haRVey were both EZ-bake ovens.  This is the day we moved.

New haRVey is five feet longer than old haRVey it includes a studio/bonus room, exactly what we were looking for in an RV.  Dave has a studio!  The trade-off, which we have happily made, is less kitchen storage and fewer drawers in the bedroom and bath. 


I had envisioned our move to be leisurely, filled with thoughtful pauses as I considered where we would store each item. When the real world slammed in, much to my chagrin, it was more throw and throw! The temperature hovered at 95 degrees with no wind and the inside of each RV was even worse.  By the time we loaded the last of our stuff, some of which we would have gladly pitched just to be done, we too, were done.

Our first stop with new HaRVey was St. Ignace, Michigan, because who wants to suffer moving all your stuff, then drive through Chicago on your way to Wisconsin? We enjoyed two days at a nice campground with 50 amp hook up (air conditioning :), while we sorted through everything ...again. 

I can honestly say six months later I love our haRVey and so thankful to have an RV that is not falling apart. :)  

More photos to come stay tuned.

A NEW haRVey?

Old

July 2017 was an emotional month!  It may sound strange but, saying goodbye to haRVey was much harder than we thought! At the dealership, Haylett RV, in Coldwater, Michigan, we felt compelled to share information about our quirky RV.  Strap the steps or they may fall open; use a bungee cord on the cupboards or they WILL fall open while on the road; the furnace does not work; the greywater tank... well, do not, do not overfill - just saying. Can you believe this - they did not even care!  

When I asked if they would even be able to sell the thing, they said, "Oh, yes. We'll sell it easily." 
"Who would buy it?", I queried. 
"Oh, someone will place it in the woods as a hunting shack, or on a lake for a fish camp. This is Michigan!"
At this point, Dave, who was signing papers, picked up his head and with a furrowed brow, asked, "But not for traveling over the road?"
"Oh. No!" said the salesman, with much concern in his voice, as if a child had suggested we ride on the hood of the car down the freeway. The furrow on Dave's brow increases. He thought for sure we could squeeze another three or four years out of it.

Months later I find myself having to pause and think about where the water bottle or the backpack is stored or where do we keep the AA batteries now? I forget.

New haRVey: our first time hitched and ready to go!

We do love our haRVey 2. We have discovered a few quirky behaviors which will only endear us to our new home and moving on. 

I wrote this post a while back; we have since traveled about 1000 miles and moved probably 10 times. I can happily report that haRVey 2 is broken in and is just like home. :)

Darth Vader Wins

Dave and I saw this epic aftermath of a battle a year ago while walking the neighborhood near Bethlehem Lutheran, in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, where we were parked. 

Clearly, the snowman, the reindeer and Santa did not stand a chance against the powerful light saber wielded by Darth Vader.  

Show a Little Kindness

This dear lady whom I do not know and only spoke to in passing while having morning coffee at McDonald's was so very kind to her customers. She sought out only those who were alone, sat when invited, shared a ready smile and listened.
She had an unhurried manner which was quite refreshing. It was the highlight of my day to watch this gal at work.  
It was a busy truck stop where we had boondocked the night before. I don't remember where - Oklahoma perhaps. Anyway, not everyone is able to put themselves out there, but those who can should. It makes a difference even to those who only observe.

Mouse or Pepper

About a month ago as I was setting the house up after a move, I opened the cupboard where the spices are kept and a Costco-sized container of peppercorns flew all over the place. Doesn't it look like we have a mouse infestation? So, it could have been worse. No mice.

I swept, vacuumed, and laughed.  When my son lived at home, in our stick house, air-soft pellets were the thing!  I would find them in places they had no business being. It was crazy.  


Update:
As we set up our house in every move since this event, I  still find peppercorns. It is worth a laugh. If you live in an RV, you will NEVER need a Costco-sized seasoning of any kind. 

Can you Celebrate That?

In 1969 my family moved to West Bend, Wisconsin, and this house.  I loved my neighborhood and everything carefree about being 10 years old.  Our neighbors across the road had ten kids, the family to the north also had ten kids.  Kick the can, touch football, sledding or biking; there was always a bunch of kids ready for fun. It was a happy time.
Eight years later I went off to college, my family moved and that ended my longest stretch in one home until...
May 1, 2016.  On that day Dave and I celebrated eight years of full-time life on the road with haRVey!  Had anyone ever told me I could claim being the Queen of a triple-slide trailer for more than 8 years I would have laughed. 

The Lord has a sense of humor and so here we are in what we hope is the middle of a great journey that is joyful, hard, satisfying, and right for us.  You just NEVER know where you will end up. 

National Parks

I have a National Parks Pass!! Remember the line in It's a Wonderful Life, when George Bailey says, "I've been nominated for membership in the National Geographic Society"? It is like that - being involved in something BIG.  I am a card-carrying member and part owner of all the National Parks and therefore I must visit them and see how they are doing.  
We try to visit State Parks, too, and hit the trail as often as we can and experience the wonder that is out there.  As the Ranger said when we bought our pass, "Go see stuff!" God helping us, as we ramble along, we will!
  

Yosemite

Glacier 

Joshua Tree - with no trees in the frame 

and the extras... Pacific Crest Trail

Mount Hood - not as glamorous at the top

The Welcome Center at Olympic Peninsula - NOT a through road, although, MANY maps, including our GPS, claim that it is.

The Lighthouse at Cape Hatteras, NC, 

Cuyahoga National Park in Ohio

Here is a listing of National Parks by state.