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  Jerry noticed as the new owner  tried to leave the lot  that his trailer TV antenna had not been retracted.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 Home

We spent overnight here  at the Elkhart RV Park in Elkhart, IN after winding along some back roads of western OH and eastern IN.  We were here last year October 31 on our return trip from PA; the price at this RV park  has increased by $11;we are not surprised as everything is increasing in price despite what the fools who run Social Security say when denying old folks a COLA.  Even our trusty hosts, Ed and Fran at Mt. Top, our home in PA increased their fees by $5 per night, their first increase in many  years;  while Fran was apologetic, I consoled her, "we expect it, price of fuel is driving all prices upward."   There are fewer motor homes but the business is still flourishing as this Elkhart has added about 30 additional spaces for rigs.  We are again parked next to a million dollar rig, a Patriot; the folks are from TX and full timers. 

This morning we looked over the travel logues I keep on our journeys and  realized that regular gas prices are up over $1 per gallon just since October 2010, not even a year ago. And lately peiople are supposed to be happy when it recently decreased ten cents!  Hah!  Today with this coach which uses  diesel, that has also increased in price,  but Jerry is pleased that with the 10 to 11 mpg he gets with this coach we are ahead in what we spend on diesel fuel compared to last year's  gas consumption.  This is a phenomena which he understands and which makes my eyes glaze over.  Whatever, at least we can still afford to travel.

Elkhart has many open spaces but is looks like over 75% capacity.  Mt Top in PA had  many construction workers staying there again while they work in the ' burgh but not as many motor coaches, though a couple from FL were next to us and they are regulars there too.  They are from the area but live in FL, avoiding the PA inheritance tax.  Can't say I blame them as PA is ridiculous with that.

 Had a conversation with my friend who is also my estate attorney about that and while he being a full liberal believes it is right for the government to confiscate funds from estates, I fully disagree.  The money was already taxed and so if the person wanted to leave it to Disneyland that is their money and not the governments.  Rich on the other hand believes it is only fair; fair I say.  Well he says why should someone who didn't work a day in their life  inherit millions?  I say why not, again, the taxes were paid by the deceased and if they saved good for them.  Greed and government greed know no bounds. I tease my friend that I must hire a conservative attorney instead of a liberal.  However because we go way back and I can trust him, this is a game we play with words.  Naturally estate tax is on my mind as I will be administering Uncle Carl's estate and now that I  have experience with the PA tax greed from 2009 when my aunt passed, I will be more diligent in tacking and deducting every penny of expense I can.  I am pleased Uncle Carl designated a gift to his church as that money will put them over the top for the building fund they have underway on expansion.  He is smiling at that, I know as will the Monsignor when he gets the check.  But I digress, this is about RV travels homeward.

Each trip as we near home, I can't wait to get there.  Although we have house sitters who give us peace of mind, I want to be back in my own routine and off the road.  My body misses its workouts.  We will reach home sometime early evening today and along the road we gain an additional hour changing to the central time zone from eastern.   Jerry says to get a steak out of the freezer for tomorrow as he has not had a steak this entire time and his body is suffering withdrawal.  On travel days we eat lightly, a sandwich along the way and last night it was huge salads, more of the fresh asparagus Lowell gave us from his PA garden,  some left over pulled pork for Jerry and some seafood salad.  As Jerry looked at his meal, he shook his head and said, "pitiful."  He is missing meat!  I on the other hand am ok with greens and grazing.  After all we did have burgers on Monday courtesy of friends, the Hemprich's. 

Someday when we stop here in Elkhart we will stay more than a night and go to the RV museum.  Someday we will be other places than back and forth between home and PA.  But in July it will be back to PA to get the estate sale and home clear out done.  I can say I am not looking forward to PA heat and humidity, but it has to be.

I was so thankful for my homeys, my NK cronies who came to the viewing and the funeral and all around are fun good people to be with.  I am heartsick about Pam who is fighting breast cancer, but at least now her friends know as she has shared and they can support her as much as she will allow.  Patti, another friend has a multitude of health problems too but keeps on moving onward.  That's how we New Ken kids of the 60"'s are--get over it and get on with it.  No pity parties entertained.

Route home looks like  Hwy 20 to 94/80 then to 39, then 90 to the La Crescent turnoff.  Six hours driving time.