Florida - Phase I

Saturday, Jan 24

Got some minor work done on the motor home this morning, and this afternoon rode up to Punta Gorda with the B's for lunch.

A front went through last night and we had some rain and rather strong winds - and it's turned cold - it's supposed to get into the 50's tonight.   Maybe it's time to head South.

Sunday, Jan 25

I finally got started replacing the bathroom exhaust fan.  The fan blades had destroyed themselves, so I ordered a new unit.  Replacing it required removing the old unit, which meant having to remove the waterproofing sealant around the base.  I had done this before to replace the shower skylight and it is a nasty, backbreaking job.  So I purchased a saw that would help me - and it really did the job very well.

Up on the roof!

The B's came over for supper, but I was so tired from working on the roof all day that I really couldn't enjoy them or supper.  Early to bed

Monday, Jan 26

Another rain shower last night.

This morning after working out, I finished the job on the roof.  Thank goodness I had gotten far enough along so as to not have a leak from the rain.

A nice swim this afternoon and a bike ride at dusk.  Even though it was a little cool and windy, it's still shorts weather.

Tues, Jan 27

A relatively chilly day - and windy.  The temperatures were in the 60's (upper) most of the day.  Sure kept people away from the pool, so I had it to myself for a good swim.

This morning, we bought a couple a life vest to use with the kayaks.  We probably have 20-30 at home, but didn't bring any with us, and it's the law here in Florida that you have to have one if you're kayaking.  We now have 2 - here

The bad news  ------  Clara's found another Tiffin Phaeton motor home she doesn't think she can do without.  I'm in contact with our financial advisor to see how much earlier we have to die if we buy it. i.e when will the money run out.

Wed, Jan 28

Took the motor home over to get some work done on the charging system between the car and motor home.

Then went by to talk some more about the Tiffin.  Glory, hallaluya!!  It's sold.  Whew!

But we went looking again.  This time came across a Holiday Rambler Ambassador that has the very same layout as the Phayton.  Oh Well!!

Thurs, Jan 29

This morning we drove over the the B's to meet with Dave and Pat Marshall, who are in a RV resort close by and we all took off to a restaurant on Pine Island, about an hours drive away.  It was great to get all the neighbors from back in the 70's - early 90's in Brookwood Forest.

This evening we had a show here at the resort.  The Re-Creation USA group performed for a packed house.

Re-Creation is a group of 11 young people, mostly college age, who make a years' volunteer commitment to working together to provide entertainment to veterans groups, mostly at hospitals and VA centers.  They perform about 330 shows per year split between for profit shows like this one tonight to raise money, and free shows at the VA centers.  They put on a very professional show.

www.re-creationusa.org

And when we got home, we had a message that the deal on the Tiffin Phaeton that we really liked had fallen through.

Friday, Jan 30

We met Tony and Jill, friends from Maine/Witchita Kansas for lunch.  They are staying in Tony's brothers home a few miles North of here.

Thhhheeeennnn, we got a call from the salesman we had worked with on the Tiffin saying that he had another similar motor home to the Tiffin we liked that he wanted to show us.  Soooooo, we took the bait and off the North Trails RV Center we go.

We did not like the new motor home he showed us, especially after looking at the quality of the Tiffin.

But we decided to take another look at the Tiffin Phaeton that Clara had fallen in love with.  It didn't take long for us to realize that it was meant to be.  After a lot of back and forth negotiation (by Clara), we signed the paperwork to purchase a 2012 40 foot Tiffin Phaeton motor home with 17,000 miles on it.

Our new home.  Clara swore she didn't want more toilets to clean, but we've ended up with adding one with this - it has a bath and a half.

Jorge, our salesman, is now a part of our family.  Clara's been hugging him and acting like his mother, plus he has a beautiful wife and 3 beautiful children (whom we've met).  Clara makes buying a motor home a personal experience!
I may look a little shocked.  Holy Mackerel, did I say yes?