Observations and Conversations in Decatur

We arrived Decatur, only 343 miles from Tarentum,  yesterday afternoon in time to check in at Sullivan's, lest you get the idea it is a resort, I assure you it is not.  Sullivan's is another RV sales and service dealer here in Decatur, down the road from the Fleetwood Factory Service center.  They "invited" us to plug in and spend the night and said in the morning they would get to us.  Well it is a step up from the WalMart RV experience because there is free electricity, welcome in this Indiana heat and humidity, but the gravel lot alongside the highway is less than scenic.  Still, at the end of the day who's to question; we did not feel like driving out to Paul and Barb's farm, weary from the PA tasks and just. agreed to crash for the night.  Some Stauffer's frozen foods were sufficient for dinner, a cold beer for Jerry and lots of iced tea for me; ice cream in the freezer for a later dessert.   As the employees left, we began to feel like the night watch over the facility. While another coach was plugged in next to us, there were no occupants, indeed we were the night watch.

A new owner of an RV trailer was receiving instructions about how to operate his new rig while his wife and babies watched.  Jerry noticed as the new owner  tried to leave the lot  that his trailer TV antenna had not been retracted.  A young boy of about 11 was busily driving a golf cart around and around the lot, evidently waiting  until his dad was done working.  Jerry flagged the boy down and sent him scurrying golf cart at full throttle after the man, who was attempting to pull out of the lot towing his trailer.  The kid did so and flashed a big thumbs up sign to Jerry.  Accident averted and victory for the boy who was quite proud of himself for  the rescue.  Would have been a heck of a way to to break in a new trailer, losing the TV antenna right out the door of the lot.  From observing the man trying to pull out of the lot and navigate the turns, we could easily predict he will have travel problems aplenty.   

Today we learned that the awning will have to be ordered (inventories in stock are a figment of the past) to replace the one the PA thunder storm damaged/removed, the external light adjacent is of a type no longer made (why am I not surprised as this is a 2008 model and everything of course has to change) but a substitute would work as well, and finally Jerry's albatross, the satellite receiver  could be fixed.  At first they thought the awning would arrive tomorrow at which time we agreed to wait rather than stop by on our return trip in a couple weeks.  But as the day went on, they were no longer certain of tomorrow's delivery nor when tomorrow; as "when" morphed into "if" we agreed to call from home on our return trip to PA. 

  After 4 hours working, tinkering via computer, doing what Jerry had already done (?) on the signal with the KVH satellite company, and replacing a switch box which Jerry still believes was unnecessary,  we were good to go.  I exited to the guest lounge as Jerry explained to the installer his knowledge of electronics, etc. kind of hinting, "don't lead me on." On my way out the door, I  said, "just get it fixed already..." While Jerry remained in the coach observing I entertained myself in their lounge with courtesy coffee and a TV.  I have a good book to read, as usual, this one the autobiography of Peggy Lee along with a lot of historical jazz information, so I can sit for awhile.  But into the lounge came other customers and conversations flowed.

 A couple from Cincinnati towing a huge trailer on their way to Sturgis, SD, to the motorcycle gathering which they've previously attended, were return customers with a satellite TV problem as well as a generator issue. He said the generator works and then shuts off then resumes and the service manager told him they would have to tear it apart.  I speculated that as long as it was working unless they planned to miss Sturgis, they would want to be gone.  When I  related their story to Jerry, he shook his head and  said it sounded like a fuel blockage, uttering a few more  observations on how these guys were  not skilled diagnosticians.  The man  from Cincin. is recovering from a recent severe concussion  from falling off a ladder,  as he explained the first time in  over 30 years, nearly tearing his ear off and  having 32 stitches to his head, we all agreed it could have been worse.  His head was shaved bald and sporting only a small bandaid, but his ear was red and scarred.  He said that he is having trouble remembering and comprehending and tires easily, that likely explained why he seemed bewildered.   I asked if he should be driving that distance and he said when he tires he pulls over and rests. His wife admitted being unable to drive their coach, seems unwise to me given the circumstances.  This morning we noticed  them pull in their Tiffany coach which is  at least 40 feet like ours with a huge trailer where they load their bikes and who knows what else. The dust they stirred was amazing and they appeared to be in a hurry! Surprise, they were going to wait just like the rest of us. Earlier we watched them take a small Harley out of their huge trailer and tootle off, she riding on the back.   They told me he just turned 50 and his wife is 66, causing me to wonder about that age  difference.  She looked good but I wonder what either one would want with the other; that is enough age span to be a parent.  Whatever, good for the goose and gander so it goes.  This conversation started to go downhill when  the office girl overheard and approached, who knows why,  to  wave her hand at us, showing  off her big diamond wedding band, proclaiming that her husband referred to her as his Mercedes.  I tell you you do meet characters on the road. 

 When they learned we have made this trip so frequently, he asked for route advice saying he wanted to avoid Chicago.  I told him there is  likewise construction on I 80 which we saw in June and advised avoiding it. Another man who had taken a chair  agreed and said, to avoid I80 at all costs as he had that experience last week, one lane and hours of delay.   I shared our favorite route is 224 out of Decatur to  24 all across Indiana and Illinois to I 39 north toward Madison where they can pick up I94/90 and continue to Sturgis.   An old farmer, with only one arm,  replete in  dugarees who was also in the lounge offered that 24 ran right  by their farm and we were all invited to stop by.  The Cincinatti couple seemed interested in the route but he had a  lot of questions about where he could get gas; this puzzled me because we fill up at Beaverdam Ohio (east of here )and continue to So. Beloit, Wisconsin before we  refuel.  When I asked him if they use diesel and he acknowledged they did, I then questioned  what mileage he gets.  His response made me shudder, 5 to 6  mpg!  He  allowed as he is towing a huge trailer, but Jerry later said, likely he hauls fast.  In which case they will not like my advice on Hwy 24, which is good two lane road but not a speedway.   Jerry later said, best to watch out for their likes and give them a wide berth on the road, repeating that just because people can afford to buy these motor homes does not mean they should be allowed to drive without a special exam.  .   

I would periodically wander back and forth to the coach to check on the status.  My last return the old farmer told me that they were headed to Amishville RV in  Berne near here and he only needed a wheel fixed on his trailer.  I learned that Berne Swiss Days starts tonight, so we will take a drive there to see what Barb has described for years. 

We are spending another night in Decatur, this time just down the road at the Fleetwood lot, hooked up and will leave early AM.  A side trip over to  check in with Paul and Barb and we should be good to go.  Oh, the Dish works now, but............Jerry tells me he cannot get FOX news which we miss on the road.  This will be another extra expense I am sure.

On the Road, the sunny road and 50's memorabilia

Well we arrived in Decatur, IN at some very late midnight hour last night, or is that this morning?  A long drive  but with the madman at the wheel of his new diesel, intent on persevering, pushing onward toward the goal!  I did not realize Decatur in one day was  the ultimate goal, but it turns out he was looking to beat his  best time even venturing onto I 80 south east to Gary, IN an area we usually avoid. I dozed off on the couch about 10:00PM, enough for a day.  Something happens to Jerry behind the wheel of the coach and actually all previous motor homes, and truck  campers.  He loves to drive and he just keeps at it.  Many years back on a caravan to Calgary, Canada with friends we talked about how he and another man became boars behind the wheels, just driving on.  Not sure if we meant "bores" but we laughed and decided Road Hogs fit, years before Wild Hogs, the movie.  I have said many times that in another life he must have been either a long haul truck driver or pony express/stage coachman.  He absolutely loves driving.  Me, not so much, but I can keep myself entertained with my Blackberry and other gadgets.  Advantage to the coach travel  is my frequent potty calls do not have to rely on the driver pulling over. 

We went 558 miles yesterday over 14 hours, of which only 10 hours and 27 minutes were moving, one hour lost to time change as we transitioned  into the  Eastern zone, 45 minutes to refuel, 5 minutes at a rest stop,  23 minutes at Madison, WI Camping World where himself loves to shop, 1 hour and  20 minutes to dine!  The rest of the time he was behind the wheel, eyes ahead.  I cannot sit still that long, so it is a good thing to be able to get up and down and around!

About his shopping escapade; I waited inside the coach because I have seen enough of the insides of Camping Worlds to last me the rest of my years; I feel the same about Cabela's  and other stores of the like.  This trip Jerry was intent on procuring some special vent covers sold nowhere else to his specifications. He also picked up a belated  birthday present for himself, a new shower head for the coach shower.  I liked the old one just fine, but he did not.  However, after my morning shower today, the old one has been reinstalled as I complained loudly that I did  not appreciate standing in a shower with a hose turned onto me.  He had showered first and commented that it was "forceful", which must be the understatement of the month, so far.

Our coach has a tile floor in the bath and in the kitchen  and dining area, just fine with me, but himself wanted matching carpet runners for the tile, which he found on sale at Camping World.  Another $33, unnecessarily spent to me, but I have abdicated any hope of curtailing his expenditures on this coach.  When at home, I purchased an additional decorative pillow for its sofa, he thought that not needed.  The sofa is  creamy colored  leather and I like the  pillows adding color and felt one more was needed.

So yesterday's purchases  leave us $461 poorer of which  $268 was  for diesel fuel which was the first fill up since our  return trip from AZ when we filled up in Des Moines, IA.  Most often we dine at home, but we did  get out  to dine at an Iron Skillet in Remington, IN whilst deciding whether or not to press on to Decatur.  Why did we have that conversation?  He already knew what he was planning, but took a break to indulge in a steer burger while I feasted on shrimp alfredo with ziti pasta.  Here in the Midwest where food is too plentiful and the cooks are all excellent  makes it an experience! 

We stay free here in Decatur at the Fleetwood Factory RV ground, a perk for Fleetwood owners in the area.  It was nearly full last night when we pulled in but nearly deserted today.  Jerry wanted a factory kit to mount the front license plate but after waiting around for an hour, decided to forego that. 

Today we lunched at Arnold's a Decatur, IN landmark, a 50's burger joint.  My favorite there is the old time cherry coke which I do not even  try diet style, instead reveling in the only authentic  cherry cokes  today, made just as I enjoyed them in my adolescent years in PA. The burgers are some of the best in the country and they make their own potato chips.  Health food!   There is ever so much stuff and  genueine 50's collectabilia inside, that one really feels back to the  50's  especially while moving to the original rock n roll music played.  We will not be here next week, May 14th  when they hold their car hop auditions, yes they really do.  Not just anyone can be a skating car hop at Arnold's. Foiled again,  I never worked as a car hop yet always thought that would be fun as a teenager. I would be unlikely to pass the age requirement for the auditions; I wonder how they get around that but it is hearland, Decatur. Anyone who gets to this area should experience Arnold's. 

I am curious  and must learn where the waitresses buy their saddle oxford shoes that all are wearing.  Oh I loved those shoes. I recalled  being a teeny bopper with a new pair when the game was to purposely step on our toes to scuff up our new whites.  One boy tried to do so to my  new shoes, but I responded swiftly  by hitting him upside his head with a book I was carrying and knocked him to the floor.   Another boy witnessed this and said, " Patty, you killed him!"  "No I didn't but if he ever tries that again I will!"  I was telling Jerry this story today in Arnold's and he shook his head; he marvels that I have friends today after all these years in PA who are glad to see me when we are home, next stop.   I said that word got around and no one ever  tried to step on my whites again!  No shy retiring violet was this girl!  By the way that was the same boy I pushed into the waste basket in 8th grade then grabbed him by his hair and out came a handful.  One would have thought he'd have known better thanto mess with Patty Lou; Robert Baldridge was his name and I believe he is dead.  No I did not kill him! 

 On to visit friends this afternoon.

Front counter at Arnold's Decatur, IN