Hanging Up the Keys

This is the hardest blog I've ever written.  Hanging up the keys, isn't easy but you know when it's time.  Bill turns 82 in about a month, and I'm in my 70's.  We've enjoyed the past 10 years exploring all 49 states in our RV.  We actually have been to Hawaii a couple of times but until they finish the bridge, the coach won't make that. 

We started out the summer the 1st of April with the Schoolcraft's and Morey's heading to Betty's RV Park in Louisiana followed by the Montana Rally in Hot Springs.  Bill had a hospital stay in Georgia and Jacksonville before we went to Jenna and Garrett's wedding in Savannah.

He wasn't allowed to drive so I headed the truck west.  Bill said he felt fine so we attended the Escapade in Sedalia, Missouri.  He was still having trouble with afib so we headed back to see his doctor in Casa Grande, Arizona.  Once the doctor saw him we left again on Father's Day.    

We were having a problem with the living room slide coming out an inch or so.  Our Montana has been trouble free and we've really used it.  Even the trip to Alaska had no problems.  When we were in Raton we had a slow leak in a trailer tire.  I've heard of so many people that have had tire problems but we've been lucky and had none.  The incident at the tire shop where the owner hit a truck while taking it into the garage upset us, but we realize accidents happen.  That morning, I was ready to say that's enough let's go home to Arizona.  We had reservations in Colorado Springs and decided to go up there, and then decide what we are going to do.  The campground was 50 years old and I was so surprised that we had no trouble leveling.  Bill said the trailer felt very heavy going up the steep curvy hill into the site.  

Ron Lichtenberg called Keystone and told them we were having a problem with our slide.  Keystone set up a service ticket for us and gave Ron names and numbers of dealers that could help us out. Now that's a friend that really goes out of the way.  I called the dealers and they were all booked with the upcoming holiday weekend.  I then tried the mobile techs and they were all busy.  One tech said they had a slide bracket that would hold the slide in.  We drove across town and picked it up.  He was surprised that it was a Montana that had the problem, he said it's common in other brands, but not with a Montana.  I had no idea a slide bracket was made for this problem.

We talked with Harry and Carlena and told them we were headed to Arizona in the morning.  They tried to talk us into hanging in there until the Montana Central Plains Rally.  We did find out that Bill must have hit the brake controller when getting into the truck after registering at the campground.  Okay, now we don't have any issues with the slide or the brake.  Do you ever get the feeling someone's trying to tell you something?  

We had the last site at the campground and only had 30 amp service which doesn't allow us to use both AC's.  It was over 100 degrees but livable with the one AC.  Harry and Carlena were so convincing telling us we could enjoy the rally and say our goodbyes to all of our friends that would be there.  As we are about to the point of saying okay we'll go the other 600 miles, the electric goes out.  Okay, we hear you!  I think the man upstairs is telling us something.  It turned out to be low voltage and came back on.

We went for a walk and came back and found the AC not working.  That does it, we're heading south in the morning, even though we paid for another night.

The following morning I pulled the cover off the thermostat and the AC started working.  It didn't matter, Bill and I both knew it was time.  Nick Russell had told me that he and Terrie said they also weren't having any fun anymore when they decided to hang up the keys and they knew when it was over.

We had said we would hang up the keys next year and this would be our last summer on the road, but we both feel now is the time.  

The one thing we will miss is all the friends that we've made with this lifestyle.  We're hoping these friends will be traveling through Casa Grande and stop for a visit.  Bill says the doors always open.  

I told Bill even though there is no doubt in my mind this is the right decision, it is a hard one.  Kind of like when you have a pet that you've had for a long time, and you have to have it put down.  

I never imagined when we started this how much fun we'd have.  We've seen some unusual places that I never in my wildest dreams expected to see.  I wish I had started blogging sooner so I would have records of the earlier years.  The biggest thing we will miss is all the friends.

Today I had a call from Torrie at Keystone asking me if the dealers she recommended were able to help us.  It's a nationwide problem.  At least Keystone follows up with their customers. It's not that dealers are slow, there just aren't any people working at technical jobs.  Try and hire someone to paint your house.  I was told last fall it would be 90 days before they would come by. 

There's a local dealer that will get the slide repaired in  3 weeks.  We need to find someone to do the bottom panel where the tire shop owner dinged it.  After that we will put it up for sale.  Hopefully, it will be bought by someone that enjoys it as much as we have.  

We're up in the air about selling the truck.  Other than the issues with the AC which were finally fixed it's been trouble free.  I'd love to see someone buy the truck and trailer together.  We've added everything possible to the trailer over the years for our enjoyment.  We plan to price it for a quick sale as it's going to be painful enough knowing we are parting company.  The truck has a v-gate, auxiliary fuel tank, air bags, exhaust brake and equipped for pulling.  It's hard to find a diesel truck without 4 wheel drive and it's much easier to get into and out of. 

Even though we won't be traveling with the fiver, we'll still be traveling.  Yesterday we booked a land tour to England, Scotland and Wales which leaves in two months.  We've visited 51 foreign countries and are looking forward to adding two more.  Wish we would be seeing some of our RV friends friends on the trip.

Turtle Safely...........