Well, it could have snowed. But it didn’t. Nice (?) some of you had a white Christmas. We just got our Christmas present to us yesterday, but more of that later. It is the biggest ever, and the last. Meanwhile, the day here was pleasant. Our only box of presents from Lani got miss-sent, and didn’t arrive on time. But no never mind. We had dinner with about 100 others in the park, and had a very nice dinner. One lady brought her best Christmas china, goblets and gold table wear to boot. We had ham and turkey provided, and the rest was well planned pot luck. We were divided by groups and sat at tables of 10-12. Then we got to graze every one else's’ tables after we were done ours. Met some new people, and participated in the remembering of the founder of Escapees – Joe Peterson – who made his transition the day before. He was well and vibrant, creative and living here in the park, but knew his days were numbered by an aneurism in his renal aorta, which was slowly leaking his life away. His wife, daughter and grandson and spouses survive him, and the creativity and life style of his creative life succeeds him. His celebration of his life will be Jan 8 and we have decided to stay here in order to pay tribute to him and support his wife of 60 years or so. I had pictures of the day, but they got lost in the transfer from the camera. They will probably show up in an unexpected cyber spot at an unexpected time. As will your Christmas Card. Maybe about Valentines day. Know that I think of all of you often, and I am grateful for the cards I received via Caroline’s due diligence in forwarding our mail.
Our lives have been busy and almost hectic. Our rental property (a restaurant building) has changed leasers in the last month. Our renter wanted out, and was loosing money (which go hand in hand) but the good news is a new leaser who came knocking at his door, wanting to buy the building and take over ASAP on a lease basis. We were delighted with the news, as we saw the demise coming. She took over the building on Dec 13 or so, remodeled, cleaned, painted and opened Jan 1 with a 35 min wait part of the day!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whooppppee. She sounds like a great business woman, has a very large family behind her, and lives only a few blocks away from us in Arvada. So that has consumed a lot of time, but profitable and rewarding. She hopes to buy the building by next year. Then we will really be retired – in real life.
What then????????????????
Well, we took care of that with the Christmas present to us, as previously mentioned. Okay, we just bought a new coach (new to us at least) in March, but you have heard nothing but our watching the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ pour into the thing, and still it was not right. We got to hating the thing, and feeling stuck in a bad outcome of the impulsive decision to buy it in the first place. So on our way to here we made an appointment to have the heating/water heating system fixed (again!!!!!!!!!!!) and had had cold showers for several weeks at that point. Well they found a problem and fixed it, but it wasn’t the only problem obviously, as two days later it was trouble again. We really liked this dealership and service department who did the work – it was in Nacogdoches. Good old (not so old, actually young squirts) Aggie boys, Texans to the core. So we started looking at the options of this money pit we were driving. Just so happens, they had a 2004 Foretravel – 38’ on the lot, and of course we made a special trip up there after being here for a few days, to look. Just look. Well you know the rest. Somehow the deal came together, our Country Coach is there on consignment, and we are housed in the MOST luxurious coach I ever thought was possible. They have thought of everything in this rig. Best of all, they are still in business manufacturing them (in Nacogdoches) so parts will always be available. Country Coach had gone belly up 2 years ago (or more), and parts were hard to come by, which was the main concern, and the main reason for the loss of value. Huge loss of value. Yeh, we took a beating. But the decision was: do we have a bon fire party some night (not really, but to sell it outright we would practically have to give it away), and quit the life style??????, or bite the bullet, take the immediate loss, and get something which we will enjoy and be comfortable in. I think the years passing will prove that we will have lost the same amount, but the pain would have just taken longer. We will have to tighten the belt a little, but you should see this baby. Last night was our first all nighter, and when we lay down and looked up, there was control buttons for all lights, generator switch, panic button the whole schmeer right over our heads, and if we didn’t want to look at the lit panel, a switch to turn it off. It has all the bells and whistles of the last one, and a lot more besides. And a heater which actually puts out hot water like it should. The mechanics told us (finally) they did not like the previous brand of heater at all, though it was job security for them. Foretravel is a step up in the motor coach world, and well worth the reputation. Needless to say we are happy with the decision, and busy putting in the necessary towel racks and clothes hooks, drawer dividers, and such, but hopefully we will have ease for the rest of our travels.
After the Joe Peterson service, we will head further south to Rockport Tex for two weeks on the coast, then start north and west. We will make a stop in San Antonio and see the Alamo, a few days at Fredericksburg for something, I forget what, but on the advice of lots of fellow travellers. Then through eastern NM, to Raton to look for that one sunny day to head over the pass and home. Colorado in the spring time. Well okay, we will be a bit early, and maybe with the comfort of living and travelling in this new rig, we will stay a bit longer. A little snow will look good to us, as long as we don’t have to drive in it. But if we do, what comfort we will have while we wait it out. Life is good.
I would love to send along some pictures, but alas, my patience wears thin on the project. I will venture to take some, and the first taker that I find to teach me (once again) how to perform that task, you will see pictures. I have not the patience nor inclination to sit here for the hours it would take to go in circles and accomplish little. I have gotten on Skype however. My Skype name is Lois.Kropp (don’t forget the dot). So if you have that or gmail video, call me (email me and let me know when) and we can look face to face. You don’t even have to comb your hair, as I won’t.
Enough already. Till next time.
