More Preparation (More toys)

As June 3 approaches, we are still looking ahead as to what we may need as full time RVers. Here are a few of the latest items we picked up.

Internet.
Donna has an Iphone 5 and I have a Samsung Galaxy S3. We each have internet access via our smartphones (4 gig/month) and will access wifi at our campgrounds when possible. I picked up a Cradlepoint MBR95 router, a Bullet2 2.4 Ghz 100 mW access point, a Power-Over-Ethernet power supply, and a 15 db Omni directional antenna. I got the router from the 3g Store, and the antenna assembly from Streakwave. Now we can pull in the weakest of wifi signals. Works great!

Cradlepoint MBR95

Bullet2

Onmi Antenna

 

 

POE

 

 

 

 

 

Now for the times we need connectivity and no WiFi. To feed our Ipad, 2 netbook computers and my laptop, I picked up the Verizon Jetpack 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot MiFi 4620LE. We have found only I area that it didn't work. This also works great.

 

With our new (er) 5th wheel, our tires are G rated and needs to be aired up to 110 pounds instead of the 80 that our old Cameo had to have. So I picked up a bigger air compressor from Sears. It was recommended by RV Dreams and Gypsy Journal. Good to 150 PSI.

I picked up these cool valve stem extensions for my truck dually tires so They can be aired up with out standing on your head.

And another must have is an inflatable sport kayak. We picked up the SE-270 from InflatableBoats4Less.com. Recommended by many.



 And finally, a pickup bed cover for the truck. This rolls up when towing, and has Velcro along each side to seal up your load. Looks good and works like a pro. It is a TonnoPro LoRoll Tonneau Cover from RealTruck.com.

Rolls up when towing.

Seals up great.

We are moving to another Thousand Trails Preserve located in Leavenworth, WA in a few days. Just kicken back for now.

Later....

A Relaxing Weekend

A weekend with nothing to do but relax. This must be a pre-curser to my retirement on June 3rd.
Donna has been working daily to get all our stuff organized and stowed away. It is starting to look like home.

Did you notice all the posted notes on all the cabinets?

Until we get used to where everything is. Pretty cool huh?

My hobby is genealogy. As long as I have internet access, I am still discovering my roots. We can't wait to actually visit some of our families old stompin' grounds. 

With nothing pressing going on this weekend, I finally have time to get some stuff done around our home. I just set up our external antenna so we can pick up the park WiFi better. I use a Bullet antenna and a Cradlepoint 95 router.

The weather is great today and we have the awning out for the first time since we have bought this RV.

I even am able to put our 'Ferg' sign out.

We really have a great spot in this park.

We are located right along the mighty Columbia River.

Anyone want to go hot tubbing tonight?

It is not quite ready yet. We can't wait till they get it open. It is going to feel great. That's our rig off in the distance.

We are using our Splendid washer/dryer combo unit while we are here and today is a great day to dry some laundry outside. Donna says it always makes the laundry smell fresh when dried outdoors.

While walking around today, we found a site that we want to get into on our next visit. This site has 50 amp service, and a killer view of the Columbia River.

This is THE LIFE!!!!!!!

:)

Woodland Park Zoo

With less than a week in our Crescent Bar RV campsite, we decided to head over the mountains to visit Our Son Tim, his wife Shannon, and our Grandson Rome in Bothell, WA. We left the Thousand Trails Preserve around 6 AM for our 125 mile trip.

After we arrived, we all decided to drive into Seattle to visit the Woodland Park Zoo. The weather was great and this zoo is really cool.

Tim found out that if he sits with his back to the glass of the monkey cage, one of them will run over and sit with him, back to back. This happens every time. Is that cool or what?

The monkeys are one of Rome's favorites. Can you count the monkeys in the picture below?

We sure had a great day. Here is Tim and Rome.

The sea otters was also one of Rome's favorite attractions.

There was a great big carousel there as well. The kids loved it.

And penguins. Who doesn't like to watch the penquins play?

Rome was getting tired from all the running around. He was looking for a place to sit down for a while.

Found a spot!

After a nice visit we left after breakfast to return to our home on wheels. Oh...nice PJs Tim. :)

Another great day.

We Are Static Full Timers!

We are moving into our 5th wheel after 7 months of living with the best friends a person could ask for. Thank you Bruce and Carol!
We loaded everything into our new RV. We bought it last October and had the dealer winterize it, so this is our maiden voyage. Here is Donna trying to find places to store our 'stuff'.

 

We definatly must get organized before we can sleep tonight.

 

Ready to go.

 

 Along with our good friends.

 

It was cold (about 37 degrees) and a little rain was starting to fall. We had a 26 mile drive to the Thousand Trails campground at Crescent Bar, WA. Since the ground was still soft and wet, I put our truck in 4 wheel drive and hoped the RV wouldn't sink into the grass of the apricot orchard.

No problems and we had an uneventful trip to our new home location for the next 3 weeks. After getting checked in a nice 50 amp spot, I noticed that I had left the truck in 4 wheel drive all the way here. I thought I was using a bit more gas. Oh well. LOL.

We got her all set up except for needing a washer on the fresh water connection and spilling a bit of water when I noticed the ice maker hose was undone and shooting water all over.

But we are here.

Donna has done a great job of putting things away. It will take some living in here to get things where they need to be.

We are in site # 81 and it is a real nice spot. The rain even stopped and the sun came out. Temps came up to almost 60 degrees.

Life is Good!

Retirement Day (June 3rd) is coming fast.