So I have been out of commission for a little while.  Our internet is non-existent in the rental we are in until full timing commences-March 12, 2013!  Two more weeks of work for me!  In the meantime we have been very busy getting everything organized.  Whew, it is hard work trying to drag everything you own along.  Many items will be placed in storage or given to our daughter.  The furniture in the house is getting picked up this weekend, the satellite receiver is getting installed in the beast and the washer dryer is getting picked up.  Laundry will need to wait until first camp.  This weekend we plan on practicing loading the kayak on the car roof rack, bikes to be loaded, ladders, etc.   Should be fun!

We have de-winterized the beast and of course temperatures are still low.  A fill up of the propane was required to keep it above freezing.  Where we are at outside of Las Vegas the temps are still in the low 20's at night.  The wind has been howling making it much colder.  This weekend calls for warmer temps, so we can finish things up comfortably.

New tires all around, new bike rack and the towing system installed.  Almost ready to go!!!

My First Bike in over 30 years!!

Santa brought this to me.  Yesterday was the first day I could ride since it's been snowy and very cold!  It is just perfect!  

Now, how to bring it along on the adventure?

Gidget enjoyed her buffalo bone that Santa brought her.  So much so she feel asleep with it....

A Day Late......

Happy 2013!  It's finally here!  2012 was a busy building year for us, getting ready for full timing in our Motorhome.

Hubby retired on the 27th of December and we celebrated with a party at the Resort on Mt. Charleston.  The crew there did an amazing job, I didn't have to worry about a thing.  Tommy Rocker entertained with a great combination of oldies, reggae, and a little Johnny Cash.

To everyone on Mt. Charleston:  We have enjoyed the time up here and have made so many friends.  You are all going to be missed.    

Our daughter and her boyfriend came for the party and Christmas of course.  We sure enjoyed their company and were a little sad when they left.

New Years Eve was very calm at our house (like usual).  Hope everyone has a wonderful 2013, now that we know we averted the fiscal cliff. 

And As Previously Promised.....More Modifications......

This is a small slide out pantry that was begging for wine bottles......

A small pine shelf spray painted black for my little nicnacs.  I love to collect little items on my travels...

I know this is not so much a modification, but I took small tension rods so the glasses will stay put and made felt sleeves so the glasses won't get as scratched.

Doesn't every home need a Rabbit wine opener and a martini shaker?

My favorite thought.  Couldn't bear to leave this behind and who needs a small mirror 3.5 feet off the floor anyway?

Now this is practical....A cell phone booster!  Even where we live now, this has come in handy for the ipad.  We get 1-2 bars in our sticks, 4 in the Motorcoach!  Amazon shopping sure is easier with 4 bars!

Thanks to RV Sue for the information on the cell phone booster!

The Beast is Back!

After 7 weeks, (yes 7!) the beast is back from the repair shop.  I'm not going to name names.  There were several small issues that we wanted addressed before moving into the coach full time-
A slide out ram was leaking fluid
A basement bin door hydraulic arm was coming loose from the door.
The ceiling was drooping in the living area causing me to think I was in a Dali painting (think melting watch).
Oil change
Serpentine belt replaced
I'm sure there is more, but you get the picture.  I guess when you tell the service writer they can keep it as long as they need to, they take you at your word.  It's all good though since we are not living in it, but I certainly hope when we are full timing it, we can get in and out of service places quickly.

I am happy to have it sitting where it belongs and really can't wait to start loading up all the new goodies we got for it.  We took this as the next chapter and we are leaving lots of old behind.  It's been really fun getting all new stuff.  We didn't get this cool of stuff when we were first married almost 27 years ago.

I am a big fan of the Fabulous Beekman Boys.  They used to be on Planet Green, but the Cooking Chanel has picked up their 2nd season and I hope they pick up more.  I enjoyed their book the Bucolic Plaque, it is a fun read and the show is simple harmless fun.  Anyway I digress....They call their time away "the year of sacrifice" as one works in the city and one works the Beekman farm.  We are in our year of sacrifice as we sold a beautiful home and moved into a rental so we could hit the road next spring.  It hasn't been that much of a sacrifice since there is so much less to clean and take care of!

We've done some additional modifications-I'll post the photos next week since we have our beast back!

Modifications made to a 2007 Phaeton

Our coach of choice is a 2007 Phaeton.  The price was reasonable, the miles low and wow did I love the maple cabinets.  We did decide to do a few modifications to make it more "ours".  We recarpeted the entire coach, removed the furniture and replaced the living area with two Euro Recliners and ottomans.  We traded the small dining chairs with full size dining chairs that surprisingly matched the valances.  

 New larger TV with Sound Bar for those great action movies.

 The mirrored wardrobe doors were removed and two cedar lined closets were created with additional drawers in the middle.  A ceiling fan and a new sleepnumber bed was added.  

A new cabinet was installed in the toilet area.

In addition to the cosmetic modifications, we have added solar panels to the roof, upgraded the satellite system and added a basement freezer on a sliding base.  We are looking at a cell phone booster & tire monitoring system.  Next and right before we hit the road are new tires.  It takes a awhile to get all this stuff done and I'm sure we'll make more changes once we are in there full time and traveling down the road.

Counting Down!

We are counting down to the last day of work for us.  After January, we will be footloose and fancy free.  Sold the house, check.  Bought the coach to live in as full-timers, check.  Bought the four wheel drive flat towable toad, check.  Make the modifications to make the coach truly liveable, almost check.

The great adventure starts in March, 2013.  Can't wait.  Follow along as we make modifications, plans and probably change things up as we set off to the full-time RV lifestyle.