My friend Rusty ( a full timer ) advised me that I could get my Jacks repaired by HWH , a company in Moscow, Iowa, who just happened to be the company that built my Jacks and they are 1 miles off of I-80 so we were going right by their front door.
I made an appointment for Friday morning but I knew we would get there sometime on Thursday. We arrived at 11:30 on Thursday and I walk into the office to announce my early arrival . To my surprise, the scheduler said to shut off my propane and drive into Bay # 2. As I stepped out of the MH the Mechanic was waiting to speak with me. I explained my problem and he said it was Lunch Time and he would get at it right after lunch. Moscow is an area, not a town, so we drove to the nearest town , some 10 miles away for lunch.
On our return the Foreman advised me that the problem was in the Control Box and that they had sent it to the Electronics department to have it checked out. He said he expected an answer by 3 PM. I ask what the price of a new one would cost and he said 350.00 USD... Ouch. Shortly after 3 PM I seen my control box being returned to the shop. I ask the Foreman if it could be repaired and he said it only need a power board. Of course I ask the price and he said about 100 bucks. By 4 PM they had the Control Box reinstalled and were about to do a test on the jacks. I ask if could watch and the Foreman said absolutely. He show me how to operate the controls.
One jack was very slow to return and in fact it finally stopped 1/2 way up. I mentioned that I had trouble with it a few times. He said it would eventually need to be replaced . Since it was after 4 PM and I knew the quit at 4:30 I ask if the could replaced it in the morning. The foreman said "hell " we can do it right now ; it only takes 20 Minutes. I said great. The foreman ask us to stay overnight in one of their camp sites ( they have 7 sites with power ) and to operate the jacks a couple of times tonight and twice in the morning.
He said if you are satisfied in the morning you can pay your bill then.
It is obvious our MH is not the only one with problems. They had 3 other MH's in the Bays, and 3 more parked in the camp site . There were 3 others who stopped in during the afternoon for , what I assumed where a quick repair. Cheers
Saturday, 5 November 2016
Homeward Bound: 19 Oct 2016
We left Dorchester at 8:45 AM and hoped to be in Marshall, MI where we left our MH by early afternoon. The US border is about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Dorchester and I was apprehensive about the US Customs.
Here we are, two seniors , driving our son's car with G/Kids paraphernalia such as 4 bikes , 3 scooters , ball gloves and 2 buoys from NS and several suit cases with clothes that were not ours. This is definitely grounds for the Customs Office to be somewhat suspicious. As we approached the border Kiosk I could see the customs officer was a young lady and I thought "oh no", we are definitely going to be searched.
So, I pull up to the Kiosk and I handed over our Passports and she started with the preverbal question: and then she ask; do you own this vehicle( I have never been ask this question ever) so of course I say no, it belongs to my son Todd. ( incidental , at that moment in my life I realized I did not have a letter from Todd to say I could have his car so I thought here goes the search). The customs officer seemed to buy that answer and then she said " Roll down the back window so I can see what is in the back". Again I thought, Oh No , when she sees the 4 Kids bikes , she is not going to believe another word that I say. She said, what have you got in there and of course I said my G/Kids bikes , 3 scooters and two suite cases full of clothes and it was about this time that I could think of anything else.
Carroll said, why don't you start from " Square One " so I ask the Customs Office if she would like me to start from Square One and her reply was ; It would be a good idea. So I describe the whole trip in detail and that we flew down to NS to pick our MH and I added that we stopped in Ont due to death in the family, thinking that might help our cause. The Custom Office says " that sounds like a reasonable explanation" and then said, you folks have a nice day. Whew, that went better than I expected. Then I thought about it for a minute; and said to Carroll, I bet it was my honest face that got us through.!!!!!
We had two choices to get around Chicago but decided to stay on I-69 that put us on a Turnpike just inside the ID border. the Turnpike would take us to our planned overnight stay at a Cracker Barrel in IL. However, our exit was blocked due to some road construction and of course we missed the recommended exit and either got lost or obvious did not know where the hell we were going. Finally I pulled into a Wal-Mart thinking we could stay overnight but it was not so, however the Security Guard gave me precise direction how to get to our Planned overnight parking spot at Cracker Barrel in Tinsely Park. When I pulled off the Turnpike I had to cross 3 lanes of traffic to make a left turn and it was Rush Hour. So I might be short a couple of Christmas cards this year, if the sound of the horns is any indication. Cheers
Here we are, two seniors , driving our son's car with G/Kids paraphernalia such as 4 bikes , 3 scooters , ball gloves and 2 buoys from NS and several suit cases with clothes that were not ours. This is definitely grounds for the Customs Office to be somewhat suspicious. As we approached the border Kiosk I could see the customs officer was a young lady and I thought "oh no", we are definitely going to be searched.
So, I pull up to the Kiosk and I handed over our Passports and she started with the preverbal question: and then she ask; do you own this vehicle( I have never been ask this question ever) so of course I say no, it belongs to my son Todd. ( incidental , at that moment in my life I realized I did not have a letter from Todd to say I could have his car so I thought here goes the search). The customs officer seemed to buy that answer and then she said " Roll down the back window so I can see what is in the back". Again I thought, Oh No , when she sees the 4 Kids bikes , she is not going to believe another word that I say. She said, what have you got in there and of course I said my G/Kids bikes , 3 scooters and two suite cases full of clothes and it was about this time that I could think of anything else.
Carroll said, why don't you start from " Square One " so I ask the Customs Office if she would like me to start from Square One and her reply was ; It would be a good idea. So I describe the whole trip in detail and that we flew down to NS to pick our MH and I added that we stopped in Ont due to death in the family, thinking that might help our cause. The Custom Office says " that sounds like a reasonable explanation" and then said, you folks have a nice day. Whew, that went better than I expected. Then I thought about it for a minute; and said to Carroll, I bet it was my honest face that got us through.!!!!!
We had two choices to get around Chicago but decided to stay on I-69 that put us on a Turnpike just inside the ID border. the Turnpike would take us to our planned overnight stay at a Cracker Barrel in IL. However, our exit was blocked due to some road construction and of course we missed the recommended exit and either got lost or obvious did not know where the hell we were going. Finally I pulled into a Wal-Mart thinking we could stay overnight but it was not so, however the Security Guard gave me precise direction how to get to our Planned overnight parking spot at Cracker Barrel in Tinsely Park. When I pulled off the Turnpike I had to cross 3 lanes of traffic to make a left turn and it was Rush Hour. So I might be short a couple of Christmas cards this year, if the sound of the horns is any indication. Cheers
Thursday, 3 November 2016
Marg passed away; 15 Oct 16
Friday evening Marg was failing fast so the family was called to her bedside. Early Saturday morning Marg drew her last breath.
Paul invited both sides of the family to meet at his home Saturday evening to have a wake. It was ideal for Carroll and I as we had not seen Paul and Marg's Kid's and G/Kids for a few year. We also got a chance to meet Marg's brother and sister whom we grew up with but don't see very often.
As sad as a death is, it does seem to pull a family closer. My brother died suddenly in Feb so this our second time in 8 months that we lost a close family member.
16; 17 and 18 th Oct 16
Sunday was a day of reflection .
Monday evening was for the viewing and we were amazed at the large number of people whose lives that Marg had touched. The viewing started at 6 PM and the line up took 1 hour to reach the casket.
The funeral was held on Tuesday in the Catholic church in St. Thomas and there was in excess of 200 people in attendance. Marg's brother delivered a great eulogy which included their days of growing up. Marg had 2 brothers and 2 sisters.
Although funerals are a somber time there was some levity. It was a very warm day of the funeral and the exit/side doors of the church were opened slightly to allow air to circulate and keep the church cool. Shortly after the Priest started his sermon and was staying something about Marg's life, a gust off wind opened the door further and then closed it. The Priest turn to see the door move and quietly said, " Oh, there she comes now". It did take the edge off the somber mood for the moment.
After the internment we met at the church basement for a chance for friends and relatives to meet and talk about old times. I spent time canvasing the room to see as many cousins as I could find. Some I have not seen for years and some I did not recognize but it was still great to see them. cheers Cheers
Paul invited both sides of the family to meet at his home Saturday evening to have a wake. It was ideal for Carroll and I as we had not seen Paul and Marg's Kid's and G/Kids for a few year. We also got a chance to meet Marg's brother and sister whom we grew up with but don't see very often.
As sad as a death is, it does seem to pull a family closer. My brother died suddenly in Feb so this our second time in 8 months that we lost a close family member.
16; 17 and 18 th Oct 16
Sunday was a day of reflection .
Monday evening was for the viewing and we were amazed at the large number of people whose lives that Marg had touched. The viewing started at 6 PM and the line up took 1 hour to reach the casket.
The funeral was held on Tuesday in the Catholic church in St. Thomas and there was in excess of 200 people in attendance. Marg's brother delivered a great eulogy which included their days of growing up. Marg had 2 brothers and 2 sisters.
Although funerals are a somber time there was some levity. It was a very warm day of the funeral and the exit/side doors of the church were opened slightly to allow air to circulate and keep the church cool. Shortly after the Priest started his sermon and was staying something about Marg's life, a gust off wind opened the door further and then closed it. The Priest turn to see the door move and quietly said, " Oh, there she comes now". It did take the edge off the somber mood for the moment.
After the internment we met at the church basement for a chance for friends and relatives to meet and talk about old times. I spent time canvasing the room to see as many cousins as I could find. Some I have not seen for years and some I did not recognize but it was still great to see them. cheers Cheers
Wednesday, 2 November 2016
Mill Tales Restaurant 14 Oct 16
My older sister Marilyn and husband Joe insisted that they treat us to a Fish Dinner ( Perch ) at the "Mill Tales " restaurant in Tillsonburg, about a 1 hour drive from London, Ont . Tillsonburg is a town of 15000 plus and it is a town which attracts may Senior as a retirement place of choice.
Tillsonburg is also the home of the Mill Tales restaurant which has a long history. The Mill Tales restaurant was constructed in the early 1800's as a Grist Mill and a Drying Mill. For those who may not understand the workings of a Mill. I will briefly explain. A Grist Mill was a place where a farmer would take his grain such as Oats, Wheat , barley and Corn to the Mill. The Miller would grind and mix the raw grain , rebag it and the farmer would feed it to his cattle. Cows do not normal like to eat raw grain and the farmer also likes to have a mixture to feed the cows.
This Mill also dried grain, mostly Bean. In the 1800's the drying method was simplistic. A fire was built at the basement of the Mill and the Beans would be on a screen about 30 feet above the fire. The hot air would go up the Shute much like a chimney and dry the grain.
An entrepreneur purchased the Mill a few years ago and apparently spend a Million dollars to renovate it into a restaurant. I spoke to him but he would not tell me the real cost. The renovations left the pillars and beams in place which really adds to the ambiance. The Mill was built on a river to make use of the water power to operate the Mill. Today the river adds to the ambience.
Carroll and I where treated to a great Perch dinner , at my sister's expense. My sister Marilyn has the dubious honor of working for the TD Canada Trust for 50 years. Even the CEO Ed Clark was surprised to hear of her record and sent a Limousine to Dorchester to pick her up and bring her to his Office for a meeting. Cheers
Tillsonburg is also the home of the Mill Tales restaurant which has a long history. The Mill Tales restaurant was constructed in the early 1800's as a Grist Mill and a Drying Mill. For those who may not understand the workings of a Mill. I will briefly explain. A Grist Mill was a place where a farmer would take his grain such as Oats, Wheat , barley and Corn to the Mill. The Miller would grind and mix the raw grain , rebag it and the farmer would feed it to his cattle. Cows do not normal like to eat raw grain and the farmer also likes to have a mixture to feed the cows.
This Mill also dried grain, mostly Bean. In the 1800's the drying method was simplistic. A fire was built at the basement of the Mill and the Beans would be on a screen about 30 feet above the fire. The hot air would go up the Shute much like a chimney and dry the grain.
An entrepreneur purchased the Mill a few years ago and apparently spend a Million dollars to renovate it into a restaurant. I spoke to him but he would not tell me the real cost. The renovations left the pillars and beams in place which really adds to the ambiance. The Mill was built on a river to make use of the water power to operate the Mill. Today the river adds to the ambience.
Carroll and I where treated to a great Perch dinner , at my sister's expense. My sister Marilyn has the dubious honor of working for the TD Canada Trust for 50 years. Even the CEO Ed Clark was surprised to hear of her record and sent a Limousine to Dorchester to pick her up and bring her to his Office for a meeting. Cheers
Monday, 31 October 2016
Return to Ontario 13 Oct 16
I woke up this morning and felt guilty because I left Ont with meeting my brother Paul. I just felt I should have somehow hugged him before I left. Before pulling out of the Cracker Barrel lot where we spent the night I went to MacDonald's to check our email. For whatever reason I could not connect to their WiFi with My iPad.
About 2 hours down the road we seen a sign for a truck stop with reasonable cheap diesel fuel so I decided to pull in. It was a small truck stop with only 4 pumps but it was easy in; easy out and I like those type of truck stops. Carroll went in to pay as we had some USD and we knew it cost 2 % extra to use our VISA. She noticed that they had free WiFi so we took advantage of it as we really want to check on Marg to see if she was improving or failing. The news was not good as she was failing so we decided very quickly that we must return to Ont.
We did not want to take the MH back as that would be a 10 to 12 hour round trip. I inquired at 2 truck stops about an RV or truck storage in the area but the clerks just shrugged and said they did not know of any. I then noticed a Parts Store across the street so I thought I would give it a try. The Parts clerk said there was a RV Camp Site 5 miles away and that they do have winter storage for RV. Our luck was changing as we ventured to the Camp Site and they said I could park for 50.00 for a month. And since we would be less than a month we could park in their parking lot instead of being crammed into the storage area. Their parking area was fenced and secured.
Carroll quickly pack a few clothes and we were on our way back to my sister's place in Dorchester. It was a 4 1/2 hour drive by car. cheers
About 2 hours down the road we seen a sign for a truck stop with reasonable cheap diesel fuel so I decided to pull in. It was a small truck stop with only 4 pumps but it was easy in; easy out and I like those type of truck stops. Carroll went in to pay as we had some USD and we knew it cost 2 % extra to use our VISA. She noticed that they had free WiFi so we took advantage of it as we really want to check on Marg to see if she was improving or failing. The news was not good as she was failing so we decided very quickly that we must return to Ont.
We did not want to take the MH back as that would be a 10 to 12 hour round trip. I inquired at 2 truck stops about an RV or truck storage in the area but the clerks just shrugged and said they did not know of any. I then noticed a Parts Store across the street so I thought I would give it a try. The Parts clerk said there was a RV Camp Site 5 miles away and that they do have winter storage for RV. Our luck was changing as we ventured to the Camp Site and they said I could park for 50.00 for a month. And since we would be less than a month we could park in their parking lot instead of being crammed into the storage area. Their parking area was fenced and secured.
Carroll quickly pack a few clothes and we were on our way back to my sister's place in Dorchester. It was a 4 1/2 hour drive by car. cheers
Heading Home 12 Oct 16
As mentioned yesterday, I had the MH Oil change and lube appointment changed to this morning and the truck garage was able to get it in right away. By noon we where hooked up and bide farewell to my sisters. I still did not get to see my bother but he was spending all his time at the hospital with his wife Marg, and we were not allowed in to visit the hospital. Since Marg seemed to be improving we decided to head home and if she passed away later we would make a decision then about a revisit.
We had some apprehension about getting thru the US Customs because most of the " Stuff " in the MH and the tow car belong to Todd's and family. We thought that 4 Kids bikes in the back of the tow car would trigger a few question. However, we were ask the standard questions and bide a safe journey from the Officer.
We drove for 5 hours and as it was getting close to supper time Carroll's eagle eye noticed a Cracker Barrel restaurant so we pulled in knowing we could stay in their lot overnight and the food is reasonable and good.
Cracker Barrel does not have WiFi and I suppose the reason is that they want us in and out quickly and not taking up valuable space. I could see a MacDonald's sign about a block away ago so I thought I would go there as soon as the rain stopped to check our email. However it rained continuously most of the evening so I deferred that idea until morning. cheers
We had some apprehension about getting thru the US Customs because most of the " Stuff " in the MH and the tow car belong to Todd's and family. We thought that 4 Kids bikes in the back of the tow car would trigger a few question. However, we were ask the standard questions and bide a safe journey from the Officer.
We drove for 5 hours and as it was getting close to supper time Carroll's eagle eye noticed a Cracker Barrel restaurant so we pulled in knowing we could stay in their lot overnight and the food is reasonable and good.
Cracker Barrel does not have WiFi and I suppose the reason is that they want us in and out quickly and not taking up valuable space. I could see a MacDonald's sign about a block away ago so I thought I would go there as soon as the rain stopped to check our email. However it rained continuously most of the evening so I deferred that idea until morning. cheers
Sunday, 30 October 2016
More Ontario visits and Dinners
10 Oct 16
Since today is Thanksgiving it will be slow day so we called our travel friends Rusty and Laura to drop over for a visit. They have a 40 ft MH and have been Full-timers for 14 years . Rusty is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to MHs. I told him about my fridge tripping off and that I could not reset it. He gave me the name and number of an RV shop about 20 miles away in St. Thomas and assured me that the owner was an excellent Fridge tech. Finally , I thought , someone who can fix a fridge.
Because today is Thanksgiving, Barb ( Pat and Henry's daughter in law ) has directed that she will be cooking Thanksgiving dinner and it will be delivered and served at Pat's place and we are invited. Free dinners are our strong suite , no matter who is cooking it. The dinner was superb and Pat and Henry's family were there including the adult G/Kids.
The evening was closed out by watching a ball game and a hockey game. cheers
11Oct 16
The first thing I did today was call the RV fridge tech, whose name I got from Rusty. The tech said bring it down right now so I said I will be there in one hour. I already had an appointment at 10 AM to have an Oil Change and Lube on the MH so I had to cancel that. The Truck garage gladly changed my appointment until tomorrow.
I took the MH to Gammon's RV in St. Thomas and he looked at the problem right away. Mr. Gammon use to manufacture cooling units for fridge several years ago but due to lack of skilled labour he has changed his business to a one man show and does RV repairs. He did a quick check on the fridge controls and noticed a wire to the igniter was pitched which could have caused the power control box to trip off. He clear that problem and reset the power supply and the fridge started right away. He provided me with a wire and showed me how to reset the power Box should it happen again. His cost was 40.00. How is that for Service.
Another slow day but lucky for us as Carroll's brother called to invite us for supply. Boy; there is nothing like a free lunch. cheers
Since today is Thanksgiving it will be slow day so we called our travel friends Rusty and Laura to drop over for a visit. They have a 40 ft MH and have been Full-timers for 14 years . Rusty is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to MHs. I told him about my fridge tripping off and that I could not reset it. He gave me the name and number of an RV shop about 20 miles away in St. Thomas and assured me that the owner was an excellent Fridge tech. Finally , I thought , someone who can fix a fridge.
Because today is Thanksgiving, Barb ( Pat and Henry's daughter in law ) has directed that she will be cooking Thanksgiving dinner and it will be delivered and served at Pat's place and we are invited. Free dinners are our strong suite , no matter who is cooking it. The dinner was superb and Pat and Henry's family were there including the adult G/Kids.
The evening was closed out by watching a ball game and a hockey game. cheers
11Oct 16
The first thing I did today was call the RV fridge tech, whose name I got from Rusty. The tech said bring it down right now so I said I will be there in one hour. I already had an appointment at 10 AM to have an Oil Change and Lube on the MH so I had to cancel that. The Truck garage gladly changed my appointment until tomorrow.
I took the MH to Gammon's RV in St. Thomas and he looked at the problem right away. Mr. Gammon use to manufacture cooling units for fridge several years ago but due to lack of skilled labour he has changed his business to a one man show and does RV repairs. He did a quick check on the fridge controls and noticed a wire to the igniter was pitched which could have caused the power control box to trip off. He clear that problem and reset the power supply and the fridge started right away. He provided me with a wire and showed me how to reset the power Box should it happen again. His cost was 40.00. How is that for Service.
Another slow day but lucky for us as Carroll's brother called to invite us for supply. Boy; there is nothing like a free lunch. cheers
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