Category Archives: RVing

San Antonio KOA – A Special Trip

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Not being comfortable driving a 30-feet mobile home around in San Antonio to access the neighborhood of a long-time dear friend, I parked my rv at a KOA Campground from Sept 5 to Sept 7.

Lillie Ammann, an editor and I became fast friends in 2002 while creating informational eBooks for an online group-owned venture. This was an exciting opportunity for me because I had never written or published online eBooks before this venture.

During this time, Lillie and I were constantly talking on the telephone about one thing or another and talked about meeting for the last 16-years. However, life issues and making a living always took center stage for both of us.

I supported her on the telephone during her husband, Jack’s illness and death. She supported me on the telephone during my son, Keithalon’ s death. As well as, edited my book, “No-Not Again” a memoir about Keithalon and his oldest brother Patrick.

Meanwhile, the desire for us to meet was always a fleeting plan. After purchasing my mobile home, the trip to visit Lillie was #1 on my list of things to do which occurred on Sept 6, when I called to inform her, “Lillie I am in your driveway.”

When she greeted me at her front door with a smile of excitement and disbelief; I laughed. At that point, all we could do was hug – which made me feel like I had won the lottery. Finally…I met my dearest, supportive, long-time telephone friend, who is now one of my dearest, closest friends by voice and physical form.

Neither of us knew how to take a selfie. So, I took many awful pictures. Finally, the one which showed both of our eyes closed was a winner because we know its us and the cheek-to-cheek is real friendship.

Life is short. Honor all your promises and make time for your friends. One day, they might not be present in your life.

Steele Creek Park Campground, Morgan Texas

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This campground is also managed by the Army Corps of Engineers and allows community residents, sight-seeing visitors and travelers passing though the State of Texas to live at the park 14-days for free. The entrance and roadways throughout this park are paved.

This is a huge twenty-site campground which is the largest property I have stayed at. Also, privacy space between campsites are large enough to accommodate three additional mobile homes and/or ten-primitive tents.

Otherwise, this property is like Soldiers Bluff Park Campground. Campers have access to city water faucets, public bathrooms, boat ramps, a beach, private fire-rings and covered picnic tables with benches but does not include grills. Argentina Ants have infested this park too, but not as vast as Cedar Hill State Park.

I love the quiet serenity and stunning views of this campground; seeing deer on and near campsites presents its own wow factor. I am sure, the sight of so many deer on this property have caused heart-burn for many hunters, because BLM property is federal land and hunting isn’t allowed.

Furthermore, the deer seems to know they’re protected from hunters and park visitors because they are everywhere and not fearful of humans or pets. For instance, I was visited my next-door neighbor, who owns Jacob, a hound dog mixed with blue-tick.

Two deer were slowly strolling by his campsite. Jacob starts to whine; barked several times then went into charge mode. The deer stopped; looked at Jacob as to say, “you’re on a lease – tied to a post. What are you going to do about us passing by?” These deer stood there looking at Jacob for a while then looked at each other. Finally, they continued their stroll to the lake. Jacob whined in disappointment as his owner and I laughed.

This campground is patrolled by the grounds’ host, police, a ranger and sheriff on a regular basis until security gates close at 10pm.

Soldiers Bluff Park, Clifton Texas

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I decided to try my hand at Boondocking on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) properties managed by the Corps of Army Engineers.

It doesn’t matter what term you prefer to use: Boondocking, dry camping or single parking neither provides home comfort such as electricity, cable, city water and sewage system hookups. However, a few BLM properties do provide common area water faucets where patrons can fill fresh water tanks or containers for use on their campsites.

Soldiers Bluff Park is extremely quiet at night. Has its own park host and grounds are regularly patrolled by police. This park is open to community residents, out-of-state visitors, swimmers, boaters, cookouts, Rv’ers, group and solo primitive campers.

There’s an extra level of protection for night patrons once gates close and security systems are activated to prevent public access. Overnight patrons can stay FREE for 14-days.





Cedar Hill State Park Texas

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Since there is no time like the present, rather than stay at campgrounds in Alvarado Texas to wait for parts to be shipped to my Texas service center from various manufacturers to repair my mobile home. I decided to homestead at Cedar Hill State Park in Texas which is my first State Park.

During my trip to the park Google map lost its connection after telling me to take an upcoming exit and pass shell. I quickly transferred over to Waze where a mickey-mouse sounding female said, “Make a loop; make a loop; make a loop.” However, there was no place to make a loop to the left-side of the street because traffic was heavy. So, I kept driving and looking for a place to turn around, but I saw nothing!

Finally, there was only one vehicle on the left-side of the street heading towards me. I quickly swung my mobile home out to my right, then back to the left through the turn and bumped the curve on the shoulder which closed the turn-lane and blocked three other lanes now filled with traffic. “god-dammit Danny Boy what a fine mess you got us into.”

No one blew his/her horn; pumped fist, yelled hurry the hell up or let me get in; I’ll turn you around or back you in – like Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC residents. Instead, these Texians patiently waited and watched as I repeatedly backed-up; turned my steering wheel to inch forward until I could clear the far-left curve. Then, I did three taps on my horn as a thank you and took Exit 67-North. Many folks honked back. Honestly, this is when I realized a 30-foot mobile home is long.

It was dusk when I arrived at the park-just in time to hookup my electric and water. I connected my sewer pipe 3-days later. However, prior to entering the park, the Ranger at the entrance informed me the park had an ant problem and recommend I purchase Sevin5 Ready-to-Use 5% Dust to sprinkle a circle around my rv to deter these pests from infesting your residence. The next morning, I discovered lines similar to magic marker lines along many exterior seams of my rv and discovered they were ants. I sprayed these areas with Hot Shot Spray and went to purchase the recommended product from Wal-Mart garden section which kept the ants out once applied.

I decided to research the parks ants problem and discovered, these ants were invasive species called Argentina Ants because they are native to Argentina and Brazil. These ants vary in color from light to dark brown and measures 1/8 inch long. Since their discovery in New Orleans in 1981, it was determined the ants had spread to Texas by 2016. Further, Argentina Ants colonies are huge and support multiple queens which explains the quick infestation throughout many parks and residents in Texas. Trust me, these ants are everywhere. If they enter your dwelling they are extremely hard to get rid of; short of setting-off Hot Shot Foggers or similar products.

Now about the park: Prior to becoming a State Park this land was owned by the Penn Family for over a century and known as Penn Farm an agricultural property used to raise cattle, horses, crops of wheat and/or cotton which is representative of small middle-class farmsteads that once occupied the border of Dallas County.

Do you remember the 1970-1980 Little House on The Prairie tv series? I hadn’t thought about that series or heard the word prairie mentioned until I moved to Sioux Falls South Dakota. This is when I begin to wonder why residents were calling unkept areas with tall weeds, grass, bushes and trees prairies.

Today a Park Ranger told me, “The word Prairie means Meadow which is a French word.” In keeping with that definition, there are many family and solo traveler things to do at this park such as hike and bike on trails; learn about plants and wildlife. Bird watch, fish, attend annual events, swim, sit by the water and dream, use private crafts to go boating or kayaking and enjoy a cookout or favorite meals with family and friends. This park is worth visiting or homesteading if Texas is your destination or a cut-through route during your travels.

On the Road Again

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                              Edith’s homestead at Tower Campground

I had no idea I would spend four months stuck at Tower Campground in Sioux Falls South Dakota because of a magnitude of problems; the whopper was a devilish rear leveling jack on the driver’s side that wouldn’t stay up. Although, various Thor Warranty Center Customer Support staff attempted to walk-me-through jack recalibration on the telephone which didn’t resolve the problem.

The fact there aren’t any rv electronic mobile service units in Sioux Falls; my mobile home could not be driven with one or more leveling jacks sitting on the ground.

A new Camping World Store opened in Sioux Falls South Dakota on May 25. While picking up supplies on July 7, I shared my rv problems with the service manager, who confirmed they weren’t offering mobile services either because of the high cost to stock and maintain a service truck. However, the manager did provide the name and telephone number for me to contact an acquaintance that worked at another RV Service Center, who might be able to get to me quicker and resolve my problem.

After two attempts (July 10 and July 14) to recalibrate the rear jack that kept dropping a few minutes after adjusting; it was determined the control panel wasn’t communicating with the jack properly. On July 17, the problem jack was finally removed by a vehicle mechanic. Currently, the remaining three jacks are still retracted and my rv is now drivable. As a result, I have a warranty repair appointment scheduled for July 24 in Alvarado Texas.

I am so excited to be leaving Sioux Falls South Dakota on July 20; residents refer to Sioux Falls as the country. Meanwhile, I’ve been humming and singing Willie Nelson’s song “On the road Again.”

Garden of the Gods Park

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“Are you still planning to visit Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs after visiting the Air Force Academy,” a friend asked. I certainly do. In fact, I am excited and looking forward to visiting that garden. The name, ‘Garden of the Gods” make me think it’s a special place.

In my mind’s eye, I see a beautiful garden filled by an array of blooming flowers; benches placed throughout the garden with spectacle mountain views allowing visitors to rest and talk to other visitors or just watch as folks pass by. Further, I hear running water in the distance which is caused by a nature waterfall flanked by gentle flowing lakes.

“My God…Take a lot of pictures – I can’t wait to see them. By the way, how did your attraction magazine describe the garden?” I haven’t read any attraction publications as yet but will grab and review one at some point tonight or tomorrow.

So, prior to exiting the Air Force Academy grounds I told my GPS: Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs Colorado. “Got it let’s go, my GPS replied. Thirty minutes later my GPS said, “You have arrived at your destination.”

You have got to be kidding! All I see are different colored mountains, trees and bushes, I replied. This is when I finally took the time to read the attraction magazine which pretty much states: In 1859, two surveyors from Denver City Colorado were appointed to locate and layout the design for a booming township, when they stumbled upon Sandstone Formations which became the background for the town and designed to become a capital place for a beer garden; once the country grew up.

Based on the discovery and future intent for this land, the surveyors named the area Garden of the Gods. As a result, the name was accepted and remained, but the garden never materialized. In 1979, Garden of the Gods became a registered National Natural Landmark.


RV Headache-#2

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No one tells you to purchase a Sewer Hose Support to prevent your toilet and bathroom sink from clogging.

When my bathroom sink first clogged during the second week of owning my rv; I was upset. At that time, I didn’t know it was a precursor to additional bathroom problems to come. Anyhow, I made a quick trip to Wal-Mart to purchase Liquide-Plumer which I occasionally used when I was a home-owner. I poured the required amount in the sink through standing water and waited for thirty minutes. Nothing happened.

“This RV is new – why would the sink clog. I said to an empty residence”.

An hour later, the sink was still clogged. Since I was in the restroom, I decided to use the toilet. After pressing the foot-level, the sink made a belch sound and immediately emptied but the toilet was now clogged. A repeat press of the foot-level showed an increase of water in the toilet bowl. However, a quick search of my Thor Motor Coach (TMC) Warranty Ownership Guide didn’t provide an explanation or resolution for this problem.

As usual, I called Thor Motor Coach (TMC) Warranty Assistance and explained my bathroom clogging problems to a technician, who said, “Your Black Water tank sounds like it’s blocked. You need to pull your Black Level to clear your sewer hose.” Okay…. Where is the Black Level? “It is located on the passage side of your RV mid-ways between your entrance door and outdoor television compartment. You have to get on your knees to see the level; then you need to pull it towards you”. I did as directed and heard a powerful suction and flush sound which I informed the tech.

“Alright, your sink and toilet should be cleared now. Before I hang-up, I need you to go inside and check.” Upon entering the bathroom, I ran water in the sink and flushed the toilet which showed both (toilet and sink) was unclogged and worked properly.

A week later, the bathroom sink was clogged again. I flushed the toilet and the sink cleared but the toilet clogged. I went outside and pulled the Black Level. This time, I heard a mild suction and half flush sound. I called TMC to discuss my problems with a technician again. After telling him, I had already pulled the Black Level which made a mild suction and flush sound, but the toilet was still clogged. He said,” Sounds like your sewer hose is clogged. I need you to go-outside; look at your hose and tell me what you see.” I informed the tech that the hose had four snake-like bends in various areas.

“Okay, that’s your problem. You need to straighten out those bends and make sure your sewer hose is lying flat, as well as properly inserted in the sewer pipe for your parking site. Then, I want you to go inside and flush the toilet.” After following his directions, the toilet was unclogged. Meanwhile these practices of unclogging was becoming an ongoing recurrence. As a result, I spend a lot of time on my knees pulling the black level and straightening out bends in my Sewer Hose.

I am no technician, nor knowledgeable regarding the workings of sinks and toilets in RVs, but I knew there had to be a way to prevent or limit recurrence of these problems.

While visiting Camping World, a new Mobile Home, RV and Fifth-Wheel supply and repair shop which opened in May. I discussed my clogging issues with a service center employee who informed me, “You need to purchase a Sewer Hose Support to prevent your sewer hose from curling/bending. Otherwise, your toilet and/or sink will always clog and not flush/empty on a regular basis because your sewer hose is preventing free-flow to your sewer pipe.”

After making the sewer hose support purchase based on this employee’s suggestion, I returned to my rv to install this new contraption and discovered; not only was my sewer hose curled in numerous areas, it was heavy and required great effort to lift and route the hose onto predesigned grooves along the top of the sewer hose support. Currently, instead of pulling the black tank level and adjusting the sewer hose every five days; I am doing it every ten to fourteen-days now. However, I haven’t seen any other mobile-home, or 5th-wheel owners parked at my campground rearranging or adjusting their sewer hoses. Why, am I having this problem?

My dealership, salesperson, concierge nor TMC technician told me that I needed to purchase a Sewer Hose Support to properly permit the free-flow-emptying of my Black or Gray Tanks to prevent toilet and sink clogging.

RVing-#1

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On March 15, I stated “RVing offers a headache free life-style.” Ha…I take that back! What I should have said is, life-style as a full-time RVer offers a whole new level of headaches and frustrations. Although, I still believe expenses as an RVer opposed to that of home owners are cheaper.

Since parking my rv at its original campground, I’ve been forced to deal with everything my dealership, concierge and warranty customer service never told me.

For instance, I noticed my rv was out of balance which was evident because once the sink’s stopper was removed; a puddle of water remained in the left corner of the sink. Since I was told the truck had to be running prior to dropping or retracting its jacks, I followed this recommendation.

Then returned to the control panel and pressed the electronic leveling control for auto leveling which is supposed to drop all four jacks. Upon going outside to check; two out of four jacks were down. I returned to the control panel to retract these two-jacks to enable the reset process and try again. This time one jack dropped.

I called the Warranty Customer Support Department. The telephone tech had me redo what I had previously tried on my own. After several attempts. “Your system needs to be recalibrated”, he said. What…I have no idea what you are talking about, I replied. No problem, I’ll send a copy of our LCI Level-Up Motorhome Leveling Owner’s Manual to your email address. However, if you can’t reset it using those instructions. You should contact Schaaps RV’s which is the nearest repair company to you in Sioux Falls.

After reviewing the senseless nineteen-page owner’s manual dated (2013-Present) which was written for a technician. I called Schaaps Rv’ s Service Center and informed by a recording, that Schaaps was under new management and closed due to this change. In the future, the company will reopen as Camping World.

A computer Google for Electronic Technicians in Sioux Falls provided one electronic company which I called to explain my dilemma. I discovered this company only worked on electronic car systems. However, the owner knew a guy who owned a mobile tech service and gave me that person’s name and telephone number, whom I called.

Again, I talked to a stranger regarding my rv jack problems and stressed I have owned my rv for ten days. He asked, where do you live? In Sioux Falls, I replied. What a bummer…You won’t find anyone in Sioux Falls to make a recalibration adjustment to your rv jacks.

In fact, I used to own a mobile tech service that repaired problems like yours. But, I sold my business because there wasn’t enough business for my services in Sioux Fall. The guy that brought my business; moved the business and its name to another location which is an hour and forty-five minutes from Sioux Falls. If you’ll give me your name and telephone number, I’ll have him call you.

My telephone rung about ten minutes later. A male said, “Hello Ms. Brown…I was told about your jack problems. Although, I can do the job…today isn’t a good day because I’ve got, ten more service calls to take care of before my day is done. But, I can plan to see you in the morning around 10:00am if that time works for you,” he said. It does work for me, I replied. Okay…. Please give me your address. Alright Ms. Brown, I will see you in the morning. The technician arrived at 9:45, recalibrated my jacks and charged me $188.10. However, I was prepared to pay much more because of the distance he travelled.

My telephone rung about ten minutes later. A male voice said, Hello Ms. Brown…I was told about your jack problems. Although, I can do the job…today isn’t a good day because I’ve got, ten more service calls to take care of before my day is done. But, I can plan to see you in the morning around 10:00am if that time works for you, he said. It does work for me, I replied. Okay…. Please give me your address. Alright Ms. Brown, I will see you in the morning. The technician arrived at 9:45, recalibrated my jacks and charged me $188.10. However, I was prepared to pay much more because of the distance he travelled.

*To Be Continued*

Fire Baptism into RVing-Day-8

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Upon leaving the Kansas Drive hotel, I ran into strong winds blowing across various areas on the highway which was a little unnerving. Suddenly, it was hard to keep my RV in its lane without man-handling the steering wheel. At first, I thought I might have blown a tire. Then I recalled Jordan, my salesman and driving trainer say, “RV’s are top-heavy and will sway and/or shake due to high winds.” It wasn’t long before I noticed drivers of 18-wheelers also swaying in and out of their lanes. Therefore, I moved over to the right-lane and slowed my speed to 65 miles an hour rather than the posted 70 and 80-mile speed limits.

Once I arrived in Sioux Falls after a two-day drive. I pulled onto the shoulder of the highway to activate driving directions to Tower Campground on my GPS. I had contacted this campground prior to leaving My Place Hotel. At that time, I was told vacant sites were available to accommodate my RV. I arrived at the Campground’s Office before they closed for the evening.

After check-in. Josh, an employee led me to my assigned space which was a shared site, rather than a pull-through which was provided while living on the grounds of the MHSRV dealership. By the way, shared site users back-in from different roadways which allow RV’s and Fifth-Wheel vehicles to park back-to-back at his/her designated utility hookup (i.e. electricity, water and sewage station).

As I stood looking at the rear of an RV already sharing my space. “Wow…Backing up a 30-Foot RV wasn’t a part of my forty-five-minute driving training. Further, I’ve owned this RV for 4-days; I can’t back into that space. You’re going to have to do it.” Okay. No problem Josh, replied. He got into the driver’s seat; pulled forward a little and swung the front-end of my RV to the left and backed into my assigned space like he was driving a Beagle vehicle. “Mmm…I’ve got to learn how to do that!” You will, he replied.

Now, let’s get this puppy hooked up to your services. Did a MHSRV Technician show you how to properly hookup utilities? Nope, I replied. “That’s okay, I’ll show you how-to do it now. However, the dealership should have given you a water and sewer hose which I need to begin your hookup.” Those items are in my garage. I’ll get them. “Now that’s sweet! A garage in your RV,” he replied. Alright, this is what the dealer gave me.

“Shoot. This RV Sewer Hose is too short. Further, they didn’t even give you clamps, hose coupler, adaptor or drain seal. Okay, we need to buy some additional parts for the sewer hookup tomorrow. Where’s your exterior electric cord and your city water connector?” The electric cord is in this compartment and the city water connector is here; prior to approaching the driver’s door. “Great. Look…There’s a circle in your electric compartment which pushes out for you to pull-out as much cord as you need to access electricity. But, remember. When you unplug and put your cord back into this compartment don’t forget to close the circle to ensure your cord does not fall out while driving on the highway.” Alright, I replied.

The next task is to connect you to this faucet which is your private city water connection by using your water hose. First, make sure there are rubber-washers in both ends of your water hose which prevents leaks from either connector. Now, screw one end to the faucet; the other end to your RV’s connector and push-down on the faucet’s handler. Good job! No leaks from either end of the hose. So, you’re now connected to city water. No need to refill or use your fresh water tank as long as you’re parked here.

The next morning, an older man and Josh knocked on my door. “Good Morning Mrs. Brown. I am Bill, the Property Manager. I understand Josh couldn’t finish your hookup because you need additional parts for the sewer hookup. We’re here to help you get hooked up. Let me see the sewer hose the dealer gave you, please.” Here it is, I replied. “Yeah, that’s way too short. I’ll go buy what you need and you can pay me when I return.” Okay, that works for me because even if you told me what I needed; the items I buy might still be wrong since I wouldn’t know what the items should look like, I replied.

Knock, knock. “Mrs. Brown if you’re ready, we can finish your sewer hookup now. Also, here is the receipt for the items I brought and they look like this. An additional sewer hose, clamps, internal hose coupler, hose adapter and drain seal which cost $16.25. Thank you, Bill. Let me pay you, then I’ll be ready.

Alright the first thing to remember is this: RV and Fifth-Wheel Campgrounds have different utility station setups. So, it’s not uncommon to need additional sewer hose(s) to reach your assigned station which is the problem here. We use an internal hose coupler to join both hoses together and clamps to make sure the hoses don’t come apart. Then insert this hose adapter to one end of the sewer hose which connects this hose to your RV’s Black and Gray Tanks; the black tank is waste from your toilet and the gray tank is water from your sinks. Now, we connect this hose end to the drain seal which connects to the sewer/dump pipe. I’ll like to add one more thing: To keep the sewer hose from recoiling or bending – we put boards like this under the hose and a few bricks across the top to keep the hose straight. You can keep these boards and bricks if you like, Jose said. Thank you. I’ll keep them.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Since you were interested in a longer space to park your RV so you can use your deck and ramp to load/unload your motorcycle. Those sites across the road will be open in mid-April once we finish using them to pile snow. Therefore, if you plan to stay a while longer and want to change sites; Josh or I, will be available to supervise your first task of unhooking your utilities; retracting your jacks and slide for the move to your new site. Then, guide you through the backup process into your new space and re-hook your utility services, Bill said. Great. “I’ve been eyeing Site 424 over there and would like you to block it for me in advance.” Consider it done, Bill replied.

Based on my experiences: I find the staff at Tower Campground to be friendly, helpful and professional. The grounds were well-maintained and consist of the following: 118 RV and Fifth-Wheel Sites, full RV hookup (i.e. sewer, city water, electricity and television cable); a laundromat, security cameras, concrete, crushed rock parking pads, fire pits, picnic tables and a bathhouse for men and women. As well as, tent sites, cabins, winter storage for boats, RV’s and trailers. Currently, my RV site cost $595 per month which includes utility services; opposed to my past home mortgage note of $1,484.15 plus utilities that fluctuated monthly.

Not forgetting, the maintenance of my lawn, hedges and roof including power-washing of house siding, the deck and driveways. However, houses are wonderful investments when you are raising children. But once your children are grown and gone due to independence, marriage or death, the home you enjoyed becomes an endless money pit. This is when RVing offers a headache free life-style.

The Purchase & Fire Baptism into RVing-Day 7

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Upon checking out of My Place Hotel, a taxi dropped me at Sioux Falls Regional Airport for a 7am flight to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Upon my airport arrival I was met by transport services, who delivered me to Jordan, my salesman at Motor Home Specialist (MHSRV) in Alvarado Texas.

I was seriously overwhelmed as I looked at the MHSRV’s acres upon acres of the numerous brands, styles, sizes of RV’s which were way below Maryland and Virginia’s prices. Based on my observation and the low RV price I paid. I conclude, MHSRV is the largest and cheapest RV dealership in the world. Therefore, if your dream is to own a RV. I suggest you decide upon a brand, check dealerships in or near your residence and obtain a precise sales price for your selection. Then visit mhsrv.com website, select your desired brand and request a precise sales price which you will find to be extremely lower than other RV Dealerships.

After completing paperwork for the RV, I selected at MHSRV.COM. I was escorted to my RV which was setup for my immediate occupancy and hands-on-training in a special location on the grounds of the dealership. At this point, I was met by a personal RV Technician, who walked me through the operation of a remote panel which controlled an array of interior and exterior RV components. As well as, instructions on how-to setup three beds to sleep 6-people; setup the patio, operating 3-televisions; releasing 2-exterior awnings, dropping the ramp to load my motorcycle and more.

All of this took place on my first day which I considered an information overload. After meeting my personal concierge, whom I report RV malfunctions or problems needing to be addressed prior to my departure for home. Later, my salesman returned to provide me with a loaner vehicle to go purchase food and household equipment to help make the RV home.

My second day: As occupancy in my RV and on the dealership grounds was a verbal repeat and hands-on rv training. Further, identifiable problems were repaired such as, the cable for the ramp, caulking around shower wall and repair of an exit door which was hard to open, etc.

The third day: I learned how-to prepare my rv for travel which involved retracting the slider and jacks; disconnecting and storing the electric cord, ensuring drawers and cabinets are secured; stove top cover is down and secured, and fallible items are packed or laid down. All right Edith, everything looks great. It’s time for your driving test, Jordan said.

“No Jordan…I can’t do it. I’ve never driven anything that’s 30-foot long and 29-high. At this moment, I think we should arrange for this rv to be towed to Sioux Falls.”
Edith, you came here on a one-way ticket; you drive a Ford pick-up truck and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle which means you can drive anything with a little practice. I have confidence in you, Edith. You can do this! This is a Ford just like the one you drive every day. However, if you aren’t ready to drive solo after trying today. Although, I don’t see any reason why you won’t be. But if not, we will return and park in dry-dock and try again tomorrow. I don’t want you to leave if you aren’t ready, he said.

After forty-five minutes of driver training and passing a short driver’s test, I was ready to leave Alvarado Texas and drive my newly purchased 2018 Thor Outlaw 29h, Class C Toy Hauler to Sioux Falls which will be a two-day journey. At this point, Jordan relinquished his passenger seat and said, “Edith be careful. Call me when you arrive in Sioux Falls.” Thank you, I will, I replied.

I exited the largest RV dealership in the world with one thought on my mind: I can and will do this. There is no other option. Further, no one on a white horse is going to rescue me!

After driving on the highway for a while, I become comfortable merging to and from exits off and onto the highway. As well as passing other vehicles. My next obstacle was to dependent upon my mirrors, and the final was to find the largest toll booth lane to enter; pay the required toll and exit without tearing off my left mirror. Although, I was driving a brand-new RV. Prior to dark I checked into the Kansas Star Drive hotel in Mulvane KS which cost $123.56 for the night.

*** To be continued ***