Ahh the joys of RV parks. Our slip is almost the furthest from the wifi antenna so we often have no connection and when we do it is slow. I haven't figured out why yet, but the cable for the TV doesn't work. The park checked it out today and it works on their end.
Due to a communication error, our cell phones went dead the other day.
Life's little challenges don't go away just because you did.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
New ER
Worked in the new ER for the first time today. Interesting how similar some things are. Patient care is the same, just the way you document and move patients is different. There is a basic ER nurse personality type that is here too. Variations of course color everyone differently, but underneath we are all similar.
A steep learning curve the first few days but I don't expect it will take too long to pick up the big pieces. Hopefully I can get most of the small ones before the contract is over.
Learning the new equipment presents a challenge as well. After a few contracts I should be pretty well rounded. Until then, the struggle continues.
A steep learning curve the first few days but I don't expect it will take too long to pick up the big pieces. Hopefully I can get most of the small ones before the contract is over.
Learning the new equipment presents a challenge as well. After a few contracts I should be pretty well rounded. Until then, the struggle continues.
Monday, July 5, 2010
The road to Tonkawa
As promised, our first...errr...misadventure.
First day out and we planned a short drive to Tonkawa Springs in Garrison Texas. We used a trip planning service on the internet from one of the RV groups who shall not be named. Was going to be about a three hours drive quick and easy first day. Right? Right.
Started out well enough, we loaded up and left Trader's Village drove out and hit Hwy 59. Not too far in we found a truck stop and filled the tanks and got the rig weighed. We came in at a svelte 22,280 pounds.
Sarah was driving the Civic and ranging up ahead or trailing behind as the situation dictated. We bought two way radios so we could stay in touch. Everything was working out well. The truck is great, pulls strong, the tow/haul mode works great.
Then we get to the turn off of 59 heading toward Tonkawa. Small highway, no problem. Then we get to the next turn. We look down to see a steep short descent onto a poorly paved road with trees overhanging from both sides. But, this is the directions to the park and they do say big rigs welcome. Can't be as bad as it looks, right?
We turn down and sure enough we clear everything. The road is narrow with periodic stretches of low hanging branches, but nothing has rubbed yet. We keep on going down the road and I am wondering what happens if we cross paths with an RV leaving the park because this road is far too narrow to let to RVs pass. We didn't have that problem.
Eventually we come to where the road turns to dirt. We were expecting this as the camp staff said there was a short dirt road leading to the camp. The road led on for a mile or so before coming to some chicken farms, then on another mile or so, and another...and another. Several miles later, wondering just where in the heck we were we came to the bridge. About twenty feet long and made of wood. Yes, wood. Wooden supports, wooden cross members and 2x6 boards laid out as a track to drive on. Sarah and I confer on the radio and decide that, hey, they say big rigs are welcome and this is the road...right? Did I mention 22,280 pounds?
We made it across.
Then we come to a Y in the road that isn't mentioned on the map. By this time I have about had it with the mild heart attacks and ask Sarah to go ahead and find the camp. She gets on the phone with them and tells them where we are. They guide her in and she finds the place. The camp staff say we are coming in the wrong way. That road is only for county maintenance trucks. The other way is paved. And safe.
Sarah asks them if they think we can make it and the camp lady says, "Oh man...I don't know. You aren't supposed to come in that way."
Well, we decide that anything would be better than going over that bridge again and Sarah thought we could make the last leg in safely so we went for it. When we got to the camp the entrance was angled for easy access...from the other side. You know, the way you are supposed to come in! I had to turn down another dirt road and then back the rig up about 200 yards down a narrow dirt road and past the entrance so I could drive in the normal way. I made it. Not too bad for my first day really driving this rig. We had a pleasant day swimming in the cold (65 degree) spring fed swimming hole. The campground was nice, there were deer roaming all over the place. It was quiet and I could use a good rest by this time. IT was a good first day. The next day would present another set of challenges. This RV life does have a learning curve and some days it can feel pretty steep.
First day out and we planned a short drive to Tonkawa Springs in Garrison Texas. We used a trip planning service on the internet from one of the RV groups who shall not be named. Was going to be about a three hours drive quick and easy first day. Right? Right.
Started out well enough, we loaded up and left Trader's Village drove out and hit Hwy 59. Not too far in we found a truck stop and filled the tanks and got the rig weighed. We came in at a svelte 22,280 pounds.
Sarah was driving the Civic and ranging up ahead or trailing behind as the situation dictated. We bought two way radios so we could stay in touch. Everything was working out well. The truck is great, pulls strong, the tow/haul mode works great.
Then we get to the turn off of 59 heading toward Tonkawa. Small highway, no problem. Then we get to the next turn. We look down to see a steep short descent onto a poorly paved road with trees overhanging from both sides. But, this is the directions to the park and they do say big rigs welcome. Can't be as bad as it looks, right?
We turn down and sure enough we clear everything. The road is narrow with periodic stretches of low hanging branches, but nothing has rubbed yet. We keep on going down the road and I am wondering what happens if we cross paths with an RV leaving the park because this road is far too narrow to let to RVs pass. We didn't have that problem.
Eventually we come to where the road turns to dirt. We were expecting this as the camp staff said there was a short dirt road leading to the camp. The road led on for a mile or so before coming to some chicken farms, then on another mile or so, and another...and another. Several miles later, wondering just where in the heck we were we came to the bridge. About twenty feet long and made of wood. Yes, wood. Wooden supports, wooden cross members and 2x6 boards laid out as a track to drive on. Sarah and I confer on the radio and decide that, hey, they say big rigs are welcome and this is the road...right? Did I mention 22,280 pounds?
We made it across.
Then we come to a Y in the road that isn't mentioned on the map. By this time I have about had it with the mild heart attacks and ask Sarah to go ahead and find the camp. She gets on the phone with them and tells them where we are. They guide her in and she finds the place. The camp staff say we are coming in the wrong way. That road is only for county maintenance trucks. The other way is paved. And safe.
Sarah asks them if they think we can make it and the camp lady says, "Oh man...I don't know. You aren't supposed to come in that way."
Well, we decide that anything would be better than going over that bridge again and Sarah thought we could make the last leg in safely so we went for it. When we got to the camp the entrance was angled for easy access...from the other side. You know, the way you are supposed to come in! I had to turn down another dirt road and then back the rig up about 200 yards down a narrow dirt road and past the entrance so I could drive in the normal way. I made it. Not too bad for my first day really driving this rig. We had a pleasant day swimming in the cold (65 degree) spring fed swimming hole. The campground was nice, there were deer roaming all over the place. It was quiet and I could use a good rest by this time. IT was a good first day. The next day would present another set of challenges. This RV life does have a learning curve and some days it can feel pretty steep.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
Landing
Touchdown. We have made it to Poplar Bluff. After three days and 690 miles towing our home behind us I think I have learned a few lessons.
Don't trust computer trip planners. Just don't do it.
The engineering that enables us to tow our 13k + home with us for almost 700 miles is amazing...stuff still breaks. In this case it was only an overloaded clothes rod in our closet.
Get fuel early and get fuel often. Don't wait.
Onstar will find you a diesel station if you have it. Just don't pull over to the side of the road and wait for your poor wife to try to roam ahead and get a can full of fuel back to you when she has the dog and the one year old with her. Go ahead, use Onstar. That is why it is there...the station might only be a mile away.
Don't trust computer trip planners. Even the ones from RV clubs. Just don't do it.
There is a small town in northern Arkansas that has a bike path just wide enough for a dually diesel pickup towing a 40 foot fifth wheel to drive down. The local police will look astonished enough to see you doing this that they might forget to pull you over for disobeying the 'no motorized vehicles' sign.
Did I mention not trusting computer trip planning?
All in all it was a great adventure. Just remember that adventure often equals discomfort. Still fun. I will post more later...time for some sleep.
Don't trust computer trip planners. Just don't do it.
The engineering that enables us to tow our 13k + home with us for almost 700 miles is amazing...stuff still breaks. In this case it was only an overloaded clothes rod in our closet.
Get fuel early and get fuel often. Don't wait.
Onstar will find you a diesel station if you have it. Just don't pull over to the side of the road and wait for your poor wife to try to roam ahead and get a can full of fuel back to you when she has the dog and the one year old with her. Go ahead, use Onstar. That is why it is there...the station might only be a mile away.
Don't trust computer trip planners. Even the ones from RV clubs. Just don't do it.
There is a small town in northern Arkansas that has a bike path just wide enough for a dually diesel pickup towing a 40 foot fifth wheel to drive down. The local police will look astonished enough to see you doing this that they might forget to pull you over for disobeying the 'no motorized vehicles' sign.
Did I mention not trusting computer trip planning?
All in all it was a great adventure. Just remember that adventure often equals discomfort. Still fun. I will post more later...time for some sleep.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Houston we have liftoff
Just a quick note from our one night stop over in Little Rock Arkansas. Mostly a note to remind me what to write about when we have time.
The road to Tonkawa Springs.
Almost running out of diesel. The sound of frogs, deer poop.
Good things and good times on our adventure so far. Due tomorrow to pull in to Poplar Bluff. Tonight we stay in Little Rock and hopefully get a visit from Pancho.
Off to the pool.
The road to Tonkawa Springs.
Almost running out of diesel. The sound of frogs, deer poop.
Good things and good times on our adventure so far. Due tomorrow to pull in to Poplar Bluff. Tonight we stay in Little Rock and hopefully get a visit from Pancho.
Off to the pool.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Panic attacks.
OK, so not really as drastic as PANIC attacks, but just that moment when you are intimidated by the depth and breadth of change you are making. Realizing just how small 429 square feet is. Seeing the mountain of things that never seems to get any smaller no matter how much you sell, give or throw away. The sad eyes of a grandparent who won't be getting daily visits with the kids anymore.
All of these things make the change hard. By this point it doesn't matter how hard it is, it is happening. Too far gone now. Just have to remember the reasons you wanted this change in the first place. Stop letting your stuff own you. Start seeing the world and the people in it. Get out of the big city for a while. See some relatives who are used to annual visits instead of daily.
Take a deep breath and the feeling will pass. Get back to work. So much to do and only so much time in which to do it. We pick up our new home tomorrow. That ought to be a catch-your-breath moment. May it lead to a few take your breath away moments.
All of these things make the change hard. By this point it doesn't matter how hard it is, it is happening. Too far gone now. Just have to remember the reasons you wanted this change in the first place. Stop letting your stuff own you. Start seeing the world and the people in it. Get out of the big city for a while. See some relatives who are used to annual visits instead of daily.
Take a deep breath and the feeling will pass. Get back to work. So much to do and only so much time in which to do it. We pick up our new home tomorrow. That ought to be a catch-your-breath moment. May it lead to a few take your breath away moments.
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