New Coach

Well......we found our new coach!! This last week after perusing countless advertisements on the Internet, visiting dealers, and trying to find what is available out there.....we found our next coach in Maine of all places! Here it is.....Its a 2004 Diplomat made by Monaco with the all the bells and whistles including a transferable warranty period for three more years. We close on it the 1st of June. It has everything we had previously plus lots more and we think at the right price. The interior is maple instead of oak which makes the interior much lighter. It has two couches that face each other in living area, pretty much the same kitchen and is decorated a with a little more resemblance to a home to my way of thinking. Our plan is to pick it up in Bangor, Maine....outfit it with some of our things we plan on bringing from home, and then shopping for whatever else we need when we get there.
We also plan on visiting Bar Harbor for a few days and then heading back to Michigan to outfit it further. Needless to say, our settlements have come in and while we probably lost some money relative to the depreciated values, we are pleased that we came out as well as we did. We are especially happy to be able to continue traveling as we have in a motorhome seeing this wonderful United States.

Marge and I both read quite a bit and while in Bangor we had to go by Steven Kings home which was fun. Didn't really see much except a very nice house and a unique iron fence with gargoyles and dragons. The picture below is Marge in front of his house. Being a celebrity you may notice that the gates were locked although with the subject matter he writes about, we decided he probably wasn't bothered all that much by people. He is very popular with the local townsfolk and has done a lot for the community. They all seemed to know where he lived and had a story about him.
We can hardly wait for next week....we can plan again, make reservations and think about all the places we want to go.....again!!!

Insurance

Noticed on www.hitchitch.com that our blog was still on the "new list" because of the fire incident we had a few weeks ago. The webmaster mentioned that there was curiosity about how the insurance was handled. At this point, we are very pleased with what the adjusters have done with us and we were in my opinion very lucky to have changed insurance companies from GMAC to Progressive Insurance. Frankly, I was less than pleased with them a few years ago due to the increased insurance costs and had switched from them to the Good Sam insurance program. After 40%, 30% and 25% increases from the 1st year with Good Sam without explanation or claims or driving record changes, we had had it with GMAC. In shopping around, the most promising choice was Progressive and they were quite competitive. They also suggested that since the coach was 5 years old that we have it appraised and then insure it for that amount which we did. That particular advice has worked very well for us as the coach was a total loss there was no bickering about value. Actually, the fire was on the 19th and we had a check in hand on 7th of May for the coach only. It would have been sooner but a confirmation from the investigators that arson was not involved had to acquired. A pleasant surprise was that the company will pay or reimburse for the sales tax (in Michigan 6%) of the agreed amount towards the purchase of a new motorhome. I don't usually recommend insurance company's, but I do have to say that Mr. Jeff Jardine at Mason McBride (www.masonmcbride.com) led me through the process this past January and was most helpful. Obviously, he was looking out for me.

Contents are a little bit different, but the same in some ways. First with us it is covered by our home owners insurance ...not the motorhome insurance. In our case Allstate Insurance. We claim those items lost at our cost when purchased. That cost is depreciated to get an actual cash value. That plus the sales tax payed at purchase is reimbursed to us. Beyond that our policy allows for reimbursement cost coverage. To qualify, I must first repair, rebuild, or replace the damaged property item and present receipts for same with in 180 days. This covers the difference between actual cash value and replacement cost. They are giving me actual cash value and if I replace the item or items, they will pay the difference.

Insurance is certainly strange and we were lucky...mostly that "things" were involved not people. We had just come back from a 5 month trip and were not in the motorhome at the time. These past few weeks have gone by so quickly and we have been fortunate enough that they have gone well for us. If you have a motorhome or coach and are not sure about your insurance it might be a good thing to check you policies. Oh and another simple little thing... take your camera video, digital, whatever and record your property ......and store it somewhere with children or safe deposit boxes away from your coach.

Once again thankyour for all the interest and concern...were looking for a coach now and hope to be back on the road soon.

Motorhome quest

After a lot of thought ....well maybe not that much thought....we have decided to replace the old motorhome with something new (or used) and we have been looking to see what is out there. Motorhoming has been such a part of our lives since 1974 that we decided we can't give it up yet. We both think that if we can, we want to get another Monaco product. We had such good luck with everything on our old coach that its hard not to replace it with something similar. It was the first of any of the coaches (7) we have owned that actually got 10 mpg (not always, but for one 2500 mile stretch). Our average since we have owned it was 9.1. Mind you. we have slowed down considerably to achieve that goal, but these days its nice to know it can be achieved. We also had very few problems from day one, which we think is indicative of the manufacturing at Wakarusa, Indiana where both the Diplomat and Endeavor among others are made side by side. Yes, we did have a fire, but from everything we have determined it was a bit of a fluke with something simply shorting out that shouldn't have. I do think that the Roadmaster Chassis is one of the best.
We have spent a little time traveling to see whats available and this next week we plan to go east to check out something that looks very promising near Boston. Last week we were at the plant in Indiana. Strange not to be moving around like this without a motorhome. We have even found a new ...never titled ....2004 unit on the west coast that looks good. I know ....no pictures....but we will post some soon.....maybe a new coach!
We will post in a week or so to let you know whats up.

Goodby old coach

Where to begin....

This past week or so we have had insurance investigators on all sides here trying to figure out the cause of the fire. I think we have had no less than 10 representatives of insurance companies as well as experts , engineers and specialists that do this for a living .....looking and digging through the mess from the fire. The smell just does not go away and we have had to keep an old pair of clothes and shoes for when we are anywhere near the coach or the area around it.

At this point, it appears that somewhere in the coach some heavy wiring shorted out and eventually heated to the point of combustion or at least provided the heat for something nearby to combust. The experts poked around and picked up pieces of wiring and anything else that might point to a more distinct cause and of course took all kinds of pictures to document everything. They all were interesting to watch with everyone dictating into portable recorders marking things etc.
How they determine anything from a mess like above is beyond me but they seemed to conclude that it was indeed a short in something in the coach that led to the fire. After they left we were finally given the ok to get what we could out of the coach, but other than the outside compartments down low most everything was destroyed. We were able to get silverware and some of the pots and pans cleaned up and they will be used again, but all the books, maps campground guides and other treasures were gone or destroyed.
.The wrecker arrived and spent quite a bit of time preparing it for its last trip. It was slowly pulled out of the parking area with a great deal of squealing and noise. Like it didn't want to go.
They wrapped it pretty good with tarps to prevent debris from flying off while being towed
Backing down the street on its last trip.

Not sure what happens next, but we are starting to look for a replacement and everyone should know that we have no qualms about looking at another Monaco product. We both think they make an excellent product and would buy one again. This fire from all the discussion appears to be a bit of a fluke....the investigators said that most fires in motorhomes have been caused by refrigerators or kitchen fires.

We have had lots of emails from friends and even complete strangers from all over which we certainly appreciate. We thank you for your concern, but things will get back to normal soon!!

More on the Fire

Lots has happened ....we have been overwhelmed with insurance people and investigators trying to find out what caused the fire which at this point seems to be the electrical system in the coach somewhere. They have decided to bring in some sort of electrical specialist to make that determination. One interesting note is that the fire burns up and therefore all the goods in lower basement storage areas seem to be in good order. Most everything from the rear wheels forward down low seems to have been spared except for smoke damage. This includes the still full LP storage tank and fuel tank.


More pictures









I have more pictures and will try to get them up soon. Apparently the coach will remain in place until cause is determined and there are areas where we cannot remove or recover things yet. We have been given the go ahead to empty two of our basement cabinets and will do that tomorrow. Will try to post more info the first of the week.

FIRE!!

Last night after we had been in bed for an hour or two , I woke to the smell of smoke looked out the window and saw our motorhome in flames.



We really don't know which end is up yet and I assume insurance adjusters will bring us up to speed once they see it. We don't know what started it but it looks to be a total loss as is the building behind it. Will keep you posted

A Special Birthday

We were there when she was born but we missed her 1st Birthday last year so we hustled home to make sure we were there for Molly's 2nd Birthday. Isn't she cute!!! And the presents....it was better than Christmas...well almost! And brother Jack behaved himself and helped open the presents. Mom of course oversaw things.
One of the neat things she got was a box with hats....wigs ...boa's...shoes - all dress up stuff which I think might have been her favorite of the presents.
The Octopus from Florida was high on the list too! Dad was helping out now with "Grammy Blue Car" in the background. Marge is "Grammy Gray Car" and I am Grandpa Brown Truck". The kids picked up on the cars we all drove as a means to keep track of us all....I just wish I was called Grandpa Black Porsche!!
While we got back home in time for Molly's Birthday we also got home for freezing temperatures and a smattering of that white stuff we swore off two years ago. It's the first time I have winterized the coach in two years. This week is looking more like spring and with that in mind we are making repairs and cleaning the coach anticipating the warm months coming up here in Michigan and of course planning a few trips.

Ortona Locks on the Caloosahatchee

Sunday Morning .... and Big Al's 92nd Birthday---Happy Birthday!!!....we departed our beloved Keys to start north. Me pulling the new boat behind the motorhome and Marge following in the pickup. It's sort of a pain but we did not want to store the boat in the Keys with the threat of Hurricane season coming. We had decided on leaving it inland somewhere near Lake Okeechobee away from storms and at a substantially reduced insurance rate because of location. We had made reservations at a Corps of Engineers Park on the Caloosahatchee River called the Ortona South Campground at the Ortona Locks that had looked kind of neat and boy is it! Absolutely beautiful campground right on the river with water and electric...no sewer, but there is dump a station. I posted a couple of pictures taken from our site.

This is our site which is typical of all 51 sites on the River..... although some tables were set up to share with an adjacent site, which is perfect when traveling with others.

We had lots of boats go by during the day from large paddlewheeler excursion boats to some really unique other boats that I haven't seen before.

The view from our site West that gives you a pretty good idea of the area

And of course the locks themselves.

This was the sunset this evening it was pretty as you can see it certainly compares with those at Key West
We have stored the boat so we will be on the road home tomorrow morning.

Moving the Toys

One of the problems for full timers and others that have hobbies and interests that require things like fourwheelers and boats, is the transporting of them when you move. The RV industry in recent times have come out with built in garages and have coined the word "toyhauler" into the description for the units they produce that have storage for these toys. For the last twenty years we have been hauling a inflatable 12' boat and motor and stored them on board the motorhome without problem. Times have now changed as we have purchased the new 19' Mako fishing boat a Travel with boat and truck and motorhome now presents unique problems. Do you take two vehicles and drive both down the road? Here at Sunshine Key some have found solutions by special trailers......



The first two pictures are of a system from Heimgartner Trailer Systems (www.trailersystems.com) and is intended for aluminum light weight boats in conjunction with a special lightweight trailer. The second, manufactured by Built Rite Trailers is substantial to say the least, and frankly approaches the weight limit for towing (10,000#). This second unit would work very well for our situation and will be something to consider in the future.

A Day at Key West

Each year we go to Key West a number of times to see the sights and watch everyone having a good time. One of the stops my friends Ross, Art and I like to make is the marina at stock island where there is always someone working on a project boat. The boat below is an old Alco from the 1930's or so being redone. We thought that it was originally a launch used to transport people to and from larger boats and we were told the guy that was working on it planned to do somewhat the same as a commercial venture after restoration was complete. There wasn't much else to look at which pleased the ladies so we went on into Key West. After shopping and wandering around for a few hours we always meet up at Sloppy Joe's where we were fortunate enough to see Pete and Wayne's show. Risque!!!! but great fun.
We took over a table by the open window/door and while waiting for everyone to show we met a nice couple, John and Sonja on vacation from the cold north. They joined us and we helped them prepare for Sonja's planned mechanical bull riding event later in the evening. Unfortunately, we missed that, but we did enjoy meeting them and wished them well

The reason we missed the bull riding was the wonderful dinner at Pepe's which we would recommend to all if your ever in Key West. The meal was great and atmosphere unique as only a restaurant in Key West can be. The structure and signage certainly wasn't new but don't let that scare your away from and excellent meal.

Snowbird Plantings

I'm not sure exactly the reason...... whether it's an opportunity to have a touch of home or what, but most snowbirds seem to plant either some vegetables or flowering plants. We have done that in the past with Hibiscus plants outside our door every year. They really are nice with new flowers most mornings. This year I decided to try something with zucchini plants which has worked out well with a limited crop coming in now. I'm not sure whether there is too much sun or what but I have been disappointed with the crop to this date. We have watered regularly but they are not the large size I expected.

Our neighbors tomatoes
Peppers

Herbs

Hibiscus

Zucchini

Of course, it would be much simpler to just go to the outdoor market or flea market for vegetables and probably pay a normal price for these items but instead we buy potting soil, pots fertilizer, seeds........ which probably works out 20 or 30 times a price for what we do get...but it is fun!

Manatees Redux

We have had warmer temperatures this last week and yesterday after returning to the marina from a less than successful fishing trip we were surprised to see our manatee buddy from the other day back with 5 or six of his friends. Our buddy was easily recognized by the scars on his body and cut tail, but his friends did not seemed to be as marked up as he was which is probably a good sign.

Once again the inappropriate watering of the animals below

These guys would vie for getting the stream of water directed their way as best they could even rolling over like a dog would to get attention. There were a total of six animals that I saw and a variety of sizes although no young ones.

Our neighbor is a skindiver and has enjoyed going to an area called "the horseshoe" which is an area nearby that was dredged out for fill and has become a good place to fish from shore and dive. On his last dive he was fortunate enough to swim with a manatee and its youngster for some time without alarming them.....even allowing him to "pet" the young one. Unfortunately, his wife wasn't able to get a picture.

These guys just kind of jostled for position to get at the water stream

Needless to say these animals brought quite a crowd to the marina and docks. Do you suppose the manatees are watching them as much as we watch the manatees?