AHHH, FREEDOM!!

PRAISE THE LORD WE HAVE BEEN RELEASED FROM THE WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM!!  That's how it felt at our Summer workamper gig since we had limited cell and internet service.

There's a lot we could say about this Summer's job, but we won't bore everyone with all the details.  We likened our experience to the TV reality show "Big Brother" -- people made alliances and then were very careful who they talked to and what they shared...LOL!!  Speaking of Big Brother, we watched the finale last night and was glad the jury selected Ian as the winner.   Yogi in the Smokies and Cherokee was an experience we won't forget anytime soon.  Not all was bad -- Alan lost approximately 20 lbs over the Summer working hard in the heat.  And I am happy to say I learned the Campground Manager reservation system and overcame my fear of handling money, learning how to balance my register and finalizing all required reports at the end of my shift.  It was a challenging experience in many ways and there were days we both wanted to give up and quit, but we managed to adapt and overcome and made some good friends along the way.  We had a lot of rain in the mountains and as a result fought mold in the Motorhome most of the Summer.  We finally bought a dehumidifier and have been amazed at the amount of moisture it has pulled out. 

 

We left Cherokee ten days ago (Sept 10) and headed to Fletcher, NC, where we bought new tires for the Motorhome.  Because FMCA (Family Motor Coach Ass'n) has a program with Michelin, we joined FMCA for $50 and are very pleased with the program.  Snider Tire Company installed and balanced six brand new Michelin tires, with a manufacture date on all six tires of 29/12, meaning the 29th week of 2012.  Total cost was less than $3000.  Camping World had given us an estimate for six Goodyear tires for $4700.  Joining FMCA for $50 was a bargain.

 

We then headed to Tom Johnson RV Center in Marion, NC,  for extended warranty work.  While in Cherokee, our Splendide washer and our Sharp convection/microwave both died.  We purchased a cheap microwave at Walmart so we could at least warm our food.  We have been having a problem with one of our living room slides for a long time, so we had Tom Johnson check it out.  The teflon guides for the slide rails were broken and will have to be made and will not be shipped for at least another week.   It was the motor on the Splendide washer and they were able to get the motor for that rather quickly.  They had to send the convection/microwave to a local electronics company who -- as of today -- had not even looked at it.  Tomorrow they will reinstall the washer.  Since I have follow-up appointments at Duke next Monday and Wednesday, we have decided to leave on Saturday and return in a couple of weeks for the slide repair and convection/microwave.  The techs think the convection will actually be replaced but have to go thru the steps required by the extended warranty company.

 

We've enjoyed the peace and quiet at Tom Johnson's.  The NC Good Sam Club is having a rally this weekend and the place has really filled up the past couple of days.  We will post some pictures soon.  The pads are concrete and plenty of green grass.  Across the street is the rally area with approximately 500 grassy, full hookup sites.

 

We've been trying to walk every day.  Yesterday while walking, a lady on a bike spoke and asked me my name.  To make a long story short, she is my cousin.  I met her last year for the first time and knew she lived in Marion but didn't know where or how to get in touch with her.  She had seen me for several days.  What a surprise -- she and her husband live nearby and often come to Tom Johnson's to walk and ride bikes.  Tomorrow Gail and her husband are taking us on an excursion -- not sure where we are going, possibly to my birthplace of Banner Elk, NC.  It truly is a small world!

 

Thanks for stopping by.  I'm trying to get back in the swing of blogging.  We'll see how it goes!