Day 7 RV test trip

Today is Feb 29th Leap year. We have decided to go further south and see what we can find. We checked Parks on the internet looking for something that would suit us. Several that looked good ended up not wanting pets or just too expensive. After a few hours we decided on a park just south of Houston, price is still a tad high but we need to move. Hope the next one will be better; we are still learning this game.

This was an easy move, even with a lunch/fuel stop it only took around three hours. Check in was easy and the place is friendly, clean, and close to a “Wal-Mart” LOL….
You guessed it we went to Wal-Mart this time got a small Television to use when the weather gets bad.. Also picked up some vital supplies (ICE CREAM)..

Well we may not be at a lake or the beach but we do have some water close by. Took several photos that I like, see above. Not sure if it is the move to a new location or just getting used to things, but I am starting to enjoy this life. One thing that does have to change is the amount of money we are spending. Get that under control and this could be fun..

Day- 6

Well still at the same RV park as day three, so much for seeing different parts of the country. Staying because we need a fax for some papers that have to get done.

The day starts early again 0700, it is cold in the RV today, heater is not working.. Decided to take it to the RV repair and have it looked at, but first we have to return the rental. So I drive the rental back do the paper work, the fax number is gotten from the office. Checked in the the repair place and told we have to bring it back at 13:00 to have it looked at. Guess this will be another day shot at this park. So far I have not done a thing here that I could not have done in Ky… We go shopping, and sit around waiting… Still have not seen a beach or a lake to walk the dogs.

Well after going to the RV repair found out the reason for the heater going out was due to turning the gas on and off causing air to get in the line. Fixed was to cycle out the air and telling us not to shut off the gas. Man was nice and did not charge, but it did cause the loss of another day.

I think this trip needs to have it name changed to Wal-Mart visits, because that was were we went next. I am not sure but believe we have been to a Wal-Mart at least six times in the nine days I have been off the boat. From they we went to the lake, yep got to see the lake from the road because did not want to pay $6 just to drive up to it and leave. So now I have seen the lake.

Tonight after I finish this I will do laundry just to have something to do, I do not have to do it yet, but will.

Our park neighbors seem to watch us like hawks, see above photo. Drive up and someone comes out to look. What is with that??? Liking this less and less.

Tonight will make the forth night in this park.. I will bet right now if we go to a place I like we stay no more then two night’s tops!!!!

Day- 5 RV Test trip

Today was an early morning wake up, 0600am.. Had to feed the perros, Gatos and ourselves, take los perros for a walk, and unhook by 07:30 to get to the RV repair place by 0800. I am moving slow today d/t the old hip going out, this is painful and causes me to move very slowly.

Made it to the repair place no problem, filled out the paper work (work Order) secured cats in restroom and have dogs on leashes. I am now waiting for someone from the car rental office to come pick me up. Called the office at 08:10 to check and was told someone is being sent, called again at 08:40 and told he should be they any time, called at 09:10 told he should pull in any second, ride showed up at 09:30. Went back to the office to fill out paper work (7 min to get to office) and back to get everyone else. We were on the road to Houston by 10:05.

Stopped at a flying J to fuel up and get information about all the location in the country for future use. I have always liked the J truck stops, easy in and out not to mention most have RV sections and good food. So after filling up, we are on our way to visit Katy Tx, just West of Houston to go to Camping World.

Arrived in Katy at 13:00 pm, looked around several different places, had lunch, and headed back to pick up the RV for 16:30. Just made it back in time (really 5 min late)
Took the RV back to the RV park then took the rental into town to do some shopping at the local Wal-Mart. By the time this was done and we returned to the Park another day was shot.. So far RVing has not been much fun to me, not to mention the cost..

See what tomorrow brings.

RV Day-4 Test Trip

Day- 4 Feb. 26, 2008
Woke up took the dogs for a walk, found out that the older part of this park is much nicer. I believe it was built for comfort and pleasure not so much to make the dollar. After my walk I went to the public shower (we still have no working water) and had my first shower in four days. The shower room reminded me once again of when I drove a 18wheeler, it was just about the same as using one of the nicer truck stop showers. So far this is a good day, would be better if I could get a real breakfast with some real coffee, but do not see that happing.

Late Morning we took a trip into town to set arrange to get some work done on the RV. Will drop her off tomorrow morning at 8am to have a tune up, oil change, filters, and get the water line for water fixed. This means having to rent a car for the day or sit around waiting. Renting a car sounded better so found a rental we will have starting in the morning until the next day if needed. By the time all that was arranged it was lunch time.

Found a very nice place called the Courthouse Whistle Stop Café had an excellent meal and got my coffee. From here we tried to find a Campers world, only to find out the closes was over 100 miles away, Not today.. Went back to the RV camp, walked the dogs and it is now time to start thinking about dinner. Problem is I am not hungry so may just wait and have a snack later.

So another day comes to an end. Not a bad day, but still want to go to a beach or someplace were it does not feel so crowded. We will see what happens after things are fixed on the RV.

RV Vacation "Test Run"

Well I have been hearing about, and reading about the RV life so, to see what all the fuss was about. Got an old used RV (test) loaded it and off we go. First we get delayed d/t a couple that came over to look at the farm and stayed for four hours. Let me introduce my friends, Big lab is Shelby, Black cat is Pepper, PIA is the small cat next to Shelby, and last but not lest is Spencer. Now back to the story, Driving was a lot like when I drove a rig for a living, go until you are low on fuel then stop to fill up and eat. Get back in and drive some more until you can not drive anymore. Stop on the first day was at a KOA that must have thought it was a Holiday Inn, cost $47 dollars for one night.. Not to mention due to our own fault we had to eat out. Oh did I mention the water line in the RV does not work so we have no water.?? Can not take a private shower..

Day two was lots more driving and stopping the night at a Wal Mart for the night. Okay this was a long day and once again had to shop for food due to lateness of arrival.

Day three we arrive at our destination Escapee RV Park in Livingston Texas. Let me tell you that this is NOT the place I want to be. People are not friendly at all. Walked my dogs and said hi to folks as I walked by, not one said hi back. Best not forget to have your Popper bag with you or you will get a lecture!!! If staying here you best love crowds because it is like a parking lot, one RV next to another.

All in all I have to say if I was to hold court today about the RV life style I would say it is only for the rich and insane... Still have two more weeks so lets see if it gets any better..

Done at last

Been in the Gulf of Mexico for the last five weeks plus, and just had to get my thoughts out about this last trip.

Trip in review

Day one…. Travel to the boat was by Bus, none stop so that we could meet the boat at the dock. Well we could have taken a restroom/snack break with no problems, we waited at the dock for 30 min before the Boat even showed up and then had to wait another two hours before we could get on…

Next fun thing was leaving Dock because this boat could not move into a different slip. This delayed supplies by two days when we were already out of minor things like drinking water. Also when we left dock we ran into a nice little storm (our first of many)

Not going to break each storm down one by one lets just say we have had far more shitty days of seas over 8ft then we have had of 7 and under. See photo above, it was taken just as the storm hit, it got worse. This has meant a lack of sleep d/t the rocking and rolling of the boat.

Lost three crew members to sickness, injury, and family leave. This hurt us because we were a small crew to start with (12 to start 9 still here). We all have had to do extra duty to pick up the load.

Now for end of trip, for the last 3-4 days what the office wanted this boat to do seemed to change daily. Then to top it off we did not know if we would be getting off on time to go home or not.

This crew is worn out… We need our break, do not want to stay over knowing the other crew ends up with a longer break yet again… So far this year we have done two five week trips on the boat and two four at home, the other crew has been 4wk trips on the boat and five at home… Speaking for myself I want my five week break!!!!!

Guess what the crew change for us did not take place on the 18th as it should have. Once again our crew gets the short end of the stick. When it was time for the other crew to change after ***Four weeks** the gear is pulled on and off to port, because the weather is not looking good for crew change... We have now been out for five weeks and counting… BEST we can HOPE for is some of us to get off only one day late the others two days late... And crew 1??? Sitting in the hotel rooms getting $70 a day plus full sea pay.

Well about half of us got off only one day late and feel lucky to be off, but that still leaves half the crew out on the boat for at least one more day.. I will get home two days late for start of break, but it could have been a lot worse.

What about Dreams

So far all I have written about have been to do with travel, so what about dreams? I am not sure what my dreams are anymore, once many years ago my only dream was to find that someone to love and grow old with. Now that that dream has died a slow painful death, I am once again trying to look within and find something that will make me happy. I am honest when I say I do not know what that something can be. Could it be retirement and never having to work again? Or how about winning the lotto and having enough money to do anything I please?.. Not sure either would truly make me happy, I am not sure anything at this time in my life would help to make me a happy person. Growing old alone is a sad thing that retirement and money can not change, all it would do is let me stay busy and allow less time to dwell on how I view my life.

So what would I do if I had the time and money?? Travel, travel, and travel.. I would first get a cruse to see Alaska, the last of the fifty states that I have not seen. Then I would travel to as many Countries overseas that I care to see. Then I would get an RV and travel all over the North American Continent, Living as much as possible in Canada and or Mexico as I could. Not much of a dream when you get right down to it now is it?

I guess my one and only remaining dream is to be left the F^&^%& alone and allowed to finish my life in peace.

The one thing in my life that does give my some happyness is my baby Spencer. He loves me and I love him.

Time to go Home

Well all good things come to an end, and so did this trip. Two days before crew change we got hit with a storm of 16 ft waves and wind gust of 60 MPH. The ship was a rocking and a rolling, was even pushed off its heading and had to shut down production for close to 24 hours. Word was to be ready to stay for an extra day or two because if we could not get off on Monday we might have to wait until Wednesday or as late as Friday. Lots of sad faces for two days ... I think not knowing was the thing that worried everyone the most. Could not tell folks at home for sure when we would be off.

As luck (GOOD) would have it we did get off Monday.. First step was a small boat transfer to the larger ship. This was both the most fun and dangerous part of the trip. Waves were still 4 to 6 ft and choppy, but everyone was more then ready to take the ride. Everyone got wet as well, some more then others. Some had foul weather gear so stayed dryer then the ones that chose not to wear the gear.

Second part of the trip was an hour ride in a helicopter to land, then shuttle to the airport. At the Airport I was lucky and was able to get an early flight out, unfortunately I was delayed at the layover airport and only saved 30 min, from what my first flight would have been.

Now up to this point everything was fine, however when I requested a shuttle to my hotel for the night it took 45 min for it to show up. ( after three calls) I do not like waiting in the cold after a long day of travel so was not a happy camper when I Finally arrive at the hotel... I had been up for the 30 of the last 33 hours and had not eaten in over 14 hours... This was a long stressful day and the shuttle wait was not fun... I will not Name the Hotel, But I will do my best never to stay at one again...

After all but passing out in bed at 8pm I found myself awake at 3am unable to sleep anymore. Ended up watching television until 10am when my ride arrived to take me home..

All in all except for the shuttle it was a great trip because it got me home again. Now to relax and sleep for two or three days... Do not plan on doing a thing until I have some energy..

Sites to Dream by

Things out here are not all bad or dangerous, we often find our self looking out over the water and dreaming. But not during work hours...LOL... I find myself wishing for a better camera because I can not get the shots I want with the one I have with me. I have seen rigs at night that are just so pretty, but when I take a photo it just does not come out at all.
The Sunsets so far have only been nice, nothing great. I hope someday I will be able to be in the right place at the right time to get one that may be called wonderful, if not great.
It is easy to dream out here and wonder what it must have been like for the sailors on the old sail ships. I can only imagine the difficulties of sailing back then, I am sure it was not as the movies show.

Small boats

This is not about travel on a plane, train, Truck, or even a car. No this is about how we transfer people and small supplies from one ship to another. If you look really close you will see a large ship in the distance that the small boat it headed to. Most of the time it is easy, however if it has to be done in foul weather it can be dangerous, and will need well trained people only. So far I have only been a passenger on one of the boats, but hope to be part of the crew of three someday. I will be leaving to ride the boat on the 17th of Dec. to go to one of the larger ships to be hilocoptered to shore to go home. Until then I hope you all had a nice turkey day..