A Mobile Odyssey

Boat and RV

January 1, 2019

A big welcome to 2019 from Conestoga Charlie and the crew of the Dawn Treader.

We wish to thank all the loyal readers for their encouragement and support.

Today’s special New Year’s Blog is a walk down memory lane.  It is a short picture story of the Odyssey into Mobile Living.

The story started in 2002 with early retirement from teaching Middle School Math. The first sailboat was bought in Ventura California later taken to Marana Arizona for refit then on to Port Isabel Texas. The second and third boats the Ericson 32 and Endeavour 43 were both in California. Our current boat the Endeavour 37 was bought in Port Charlotte Florida.

After Hurricane Irma destroyed our Volkswagen Westfailia the Gulfstream BT Cruiser 23 was purchased in Ocala Florida.

     

The Motor Home and Boats have taken us through many adventures which we have shared through this blog and monthly newsletters http://www.ourdawntreader.com  and has evolved the blog from Sailboat to Motor Home to Boat and RV as well as the creation of a special group dedicated to those wishing to have a mobile lifestyle whether by boat RV or both! 

 https://www.facebook.com/groups/425536471285181/?ref=bookmarks

So far the last 16 years has been an interesting adventure tosay the least and to the many new friends and accountancies we have met along the way again we wish you a most glorious and happy New Year.

To all those considering a mobile lifestyle we invite you to check out the web pages.

---

Boat and RV

January 5, 2019

AAAagggg! Conestoga Charlie almost recovered. Topic today ---- Infectious Diseases!

We lived on our sailboat for 5 years together, before that Dawn and I had our own boats. We have been traveling in our motor home for almost 7 months. THE ONLY TIME we have caught a Cold or Flu or anything was when we stopped and visited others! So you could say our boats and RV’s are a kind of Defense Bubble! Last Christmas we were invited to a dinner and one guest had the same Flu that was going around Florida---- yep we got it! This New Year our host had a cold and YEP! We got that also. What about the rest of you?

By the time I retired from teaching I had an Iron Clad Immune System and I guess it got out of practice.  Today we must go fill the Propane tank --more cold is on the way.

---

Boat and RV

January 7, 2019

Conestoga Charlie’s morning disclaimer!

I am not recommending or endorsing any one company only relating my own personal experience!

Yesterday I started a discussion about insurance issues as they apply especially to full time RV and live aboard Boats.

The mobile lifestyle has many interesting issues that our brick and mortar brethren do not share.

Example: an accident involving an automobile, truly it’s inconvenient but normally the adjuster is contacted the car taken to the shop the rental car is picked up for the duration and except for the deductable that’s pretty much the end of it.

However, say my motor home is involved, and I have no other home, now what? What if it is totaled? In the above example I have a place to live while and worse case shop for another car.

It becomes even more complex when you start figuring in depreciation as well as other factors.

It is just as bad for live aboard boaters.

GIECO gave us a generous discount to put our sailboat on land storage during the hurricane season and agrees to pay half the pull out fee.

Where do we live for the summer?

Our answer was to buy a motor home, but now that also puts us at risk!

I understand that some companies do offer more comprehensive coverage that will take into account personal loss as well but at what premium?

The other factor is simply that not only do we all hope we never need to use it, but the “what if” keeps us tied to our insurance. Our boat survived Hurricane Irma but several did not, so our premium increased a great deal! That’s just the way it works.

My first boat was insured with AAA because I had a trailer and they did not require a survey, (I was on a really tight budget at the time)

My second boat was insured through Boats US

(Pre GIECO) and was in California. I had to have it surveyed for the policy. I naturally got my first estimate from them but because it was in Florida the premiums were much higher. GIECO beat their estimate by a considerable amount, land yes it had a survey. The only problem is it is only covered up to the purchase price and many improvements have been made. So I need a new survey!

So we are still back to the basic question “what if” and “where do we live while” and how much extra is it going to cost?

One very important thing we are fighting is that a standard home is an appreciating item (manufactured and mobile homes don’t count)!

Our boats and RV are depreciating items, but maybe not to us!

      Today’s photos include a trip to the Islands!!

     

      

      

---

Boat and RV

January 8, 2019

Conestoga Charlie welcomes all the new members. The group seems to be balancing out between RV and Boat owners. The original purpose of Mobile Odyssey was to share insights between both lifestyles. In our travels we have met many who, like us, have both.

There are so many things that are shared.

We welcome and encourage members to share photos and adventures as well as any issue that plagues you!

My personal goal is to bring solutions to common issues that living a mobile life does not share with our stationary brethren.

More and more our lifestyle is being recognized and accommodated by the banking and insurance people. However as far as our government is concerned we are still largely ignored. The department of Housing and Urban Development actually considers us homeless!

I mention this simply because one very important function which is seldom mentioned to the group is that I am working constantly to give us a voice and keep our ability to enjoy our lifestyles. I am also a prolific letter writer and do believe it will make a difference-----eventually!

Most of the people in the group have already discovered a mailing service such as America’s-Mailbox South Dakota and St. Brendan’s Isle in Florida who not only forward mail but in our case license our vehicle; provide voter registration as well as a residency.

Since 2002 I have been “homeless” as such and had to discover many of these things the hard way.

I am also shamelessly sharing a book I recently published----- a lighthearted look on how to go camping with relative comfort. The proceeds help defer the cost of all those letters to Washington!

https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B07MB3GVP6&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_I4qkCbFXHVJEK

---

Boat and RV

January 9, 2019

The miscellaneous Ramblings of Conestoga Charlie.

Today the first part of the morning was spent checking to be sure all the various bills were paid. This generated a flashback to the early days of RV and Camping.

There was almost no Internet and online banking was still a dream! This was not so very long ago. The 1970 Volkswagen Westfalia transported the family on many outings without so much as a cell phone.

By the 90’s the cell phone revolution had begun and banks started offering “remote” banking. Actually, it consisted of being mostly able to move money around an existing account. “Please enter account Number.” “Please enter 5 for checking,” and so on! My credit union still offers that method but I have forgotten the codes!

Today with literally a net of cell coverage and extensive Wi-Fi it is possible to create accounts, invest in the Stock Market, pay bills, buy necessities, and even send money to friends.

Anyone who struggled with the old Pre-Paid Phone cards and public telephones will welcome the change!

Photos today trace that change.

    

    

    

---

Boat and RV

January 12, 2019

Conestoga Charlie here with some facts about Wyatt Earp you may not get when visiting Tombstone Arizona!

Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp was an American Old West lawman and gambler. He worked in a wide variety of trades throughout his life and took part in the famous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral which is reenacted every day in Tombstone.

Born: March 19, 1848, Monmouth, IL

Died: January 13, 1929, Los Angeles, CA

Height: 6′ 0″

Buried: Hills of Eternity Memorial Park, Colma, CA

Spouse: Josephine Earp (m. 1882–1929), Mattie Blaylock (m. 1878–1881), Urilla Sutherland (m. 1870–1870)

As a young teenager, Wyatt repeatedly tried to run away and join his brothers James and Virgil who fought for the Union during the Civil War; each time he was caught and forced to return home. At 17, Wyatt left home and found work hauling freight and grading track for the Union Pacific Railroad.

(1875-76) He became deputy town marshal of Dodge City. It was in Dodge City that Earp would make the acquaintance of Doc Holliday, a well-known gunman and gambler.

Wyatt Earp moved around the West, eventually settling in California with Josephine Marcus, with whom he would spend the next 40 years. Over the years, he made a living by gambling, saloon-keeping, mining and real estate speculation.

On May 12, 1864, Nicholas Earp, father of Wyatt, organized a wagon train and headed to San Bernardino, California, arriving on December 17.^[ By late summer 1865, Virgil found work as a driver for Phineas Banning's stage coach line in California's Imperial Valley, and 16-year-old Wyatt assisted. In spring 1866, Wyatt became a teamster transporting cargo for Chris Taylor. From 1866 to 1868,

In spring 1868, Earp was hired to transport supplies needed to build the Union Pacific Railroad

Wyatt’s connection with Santa Fe came in 1877 when outlaw Dave Rudabaugh robbed the railroad camp. He was given a temporary commission as Deputy U.S. Marshal.

Wyatt Earp and Josephine went to San Diego, California where the railroad was about to arrive and a real estate boom was underway. Wyatt Earp speculated in San Diego's booming real estate market, bought four saloons and gambling halls between 1887 and around. At the height of the boom, he made up to $1,000 a night in profit. He also owned the Oyster Bar located in the first granite-faced building in San Diego. One of the reasons that it drew a good crowd was the Golden Poppy brothel upstairs, owned by Madam Cora. Each room was painted a different color, such as emerald green, summer yellow, or ruby red, and each prostitute was required to dress in matching garments.

Through the Santa Fe Railroad Wyatt also became associated with Bat Masterson as well as their connection through Teddy Roosevelt. Santa Fe Railroad officials had wired Sheriff Bat Masterson asking him to recruit men during it’s war with Denver and Rio Grande R.R. Later when Santa Fe attempted to connect a line between Barstow and San Diego the Sothern Pacific blocked the line in Colton California and Wyatt as well as others were made Marshals to attempt to move Sothern Pacific from the crossing. The two lines still cross in Colton California.

When Wyatt Earp died Tom Mix a famous Western TV Star was one of his Pall Bearers.

    

San Bernardino, "D Street", 1864

---

Boat and RV

January 14, 2019

Conestoga Charlie is gettin’ ready to move them wagons. Tuesday we head for McKinney Texas.

Yesterday was what the Mobile Life is all about-meeting new friends! 

Craig and Andrea Olsen, Dawn and I all met for lunch. We had Sushi at Izumi Sushi Bar in Tucson and visited afterwards.

    

I know this sort of thing happens all the time and we think it is quite special when it does.

A little background, Craig and I kind of zig-zagged all the way through Nevada and Arizona but on diverging paths and never quite met up. While we were both still in Tucson area we finally got to meet up. Craig and Andrea are like us in that we both also have boats and live part time in each.

Hopefully this will encourage others to share similar stories.

Photos today are of our lunch and motor homes.

---

Boat and RV

January 16, 2019

Conestoga Charlie here with a special invite to all members.

Please share your photos, adventures, and RV and Boating Projects with the group.

Since starting our motor home odyssey we have not only documented the Journeys in photos but kept a comprehensive list of expenses.  The idea was to encourage others to share their experience as well.

So, many things have evolved from having a mobile lifestyle for us and many others we meet along the way.

I post our blog in some other groups as well as the one created especially for those who have boats and want an RV and for those who have RV’s and want a boat or just simple curious about living on the Road or Sea.

Photos today are the stops along the way to the next stop in McKinney Texas.

    

    

    

  

---

Boat and RV

January 18, 2019

Conestoga Charlie here with a surprise discovery.

I’m sure most of you veteran RVers know this, but I just must share.

Those with newer fuel injected gas engines keeping the Engine Air Filter replaced is critical to extend gas mileage.

Our recent trip from Tucson, Arizona to El Paso, Texas, netted 12.5 MPG. From El Paso to Big Springs, Texas, we hit 13.31 MPG! Previously we were hitting about 10MPG and the best was 11.4 MPG. Just before this trip we had an oil change and checking the air filter, had it was replaced.

We had figured the dealer that sold us our motor home serviced the engine before delivery. Obviously Camping World skimped on that as well. After our first oil change, oil consumption ceased (it was only ½ quart down) and we went from 10 to 11 MPG and figured it was good because we ran the generator a bit.

So, bottom line, keep a clean air filter. We use synthetic oil in ours as well as “Lubri-Molly.”

This is a little over 14% increase. This may not sound like much but during our over 8000 mile journey almost 100 gallon savings (about $250)

The only difference that I can figure to account for this is the air filter, I should have thought of it sooner as my Mustang was equipped with an Air Aid and it increased its’ fuel mileage. I just accepted our big ole V-10 was thirsty!

About the photos, one of the rest stops, Monahans, Texas  B-24 Display at  Safety Rest Area is near the old site where all the crews for the B-24 Liberator trained of which the Enola Gay was one of the many!

Just a small piece of history about that mission, Germany and Italy had surrendered yet Japan continued hostilities in spite of continued pounding by conventional bombs from the B-24 Squadron based in the Pacific.

Faced with high casualties in the Pacific theater the go ahead was given to use the new “Atomic Bomb” and even this was not enough to bring capitulation and a second had to be dropped. Quite frankly the fear of the destruction that nuclear weaponry is capable of had prevented another world war----so far!

    

    

    

---

Boat and RV

January 22, 2019

Conestoga Charlie with a detour through the Dallas Area on the way south: But not soon enough, it snowed and froze!

Those of you who are winter camping like us, the inside must be kept above freezing to prevent pipes from cracking and leaking water, not to mention, tearing apart the motor home to replace broken plumbing.

That part is relatively easy as long as the propane holds out.

Luckily, while we are here we have shore power, for those that do not it means generator use to keep the furnace motor running. Another help is the use of a Mr. Heater Buddy, Catalytic propane heater to get it warmed up quickly in the morning.

The other issues are the holding tanks which are exposed to the outside.

For that problem about a half gallon of RV Anti-Freeze in each will prevent freeze in all but the coldest weather. (prolonged Sub-0 may require more Anti-Freeze - see directions!)

Our original destination was Port Isabel and South Padre Island, the stop in Dallas Area was to assist our friends in dismantling all the Christmas Decorations and to help catalog the many, many items from all over the world as they have decided to sell much of the items they have collected after 49 years of Missionary Service.

    

     

      

  

---

Boat and RV

January 23, 2019

Conestoga Charlie with a proposal.

While we are in Dallas area helping friends with their house, I plan on running the original 10 part series from the beginning.

There have been many new members and some have indicated that they are contemplating joining the RV or Boating Ranks.

In that series many aspects are discussed from our experience as a a first time motor home owner.

To prevent boredom the series will only appear in the Mobile Odyssey group!

Photos today are the rest stops and roadside sights from our trip.

    

    

    

    

    

    

---

Boat and RV

January 26, 2019

Conestoga Charlie battling the weather in Middle Texas?

Ever notice every day aboard an RV is a ‘bad hair” day?

Not that the days themselves are bad, in fact most are anything other than unpleasant.

No! I mean my hair itself. It seems totally unruly most of the time! We go into shop and are spotted immediately as “The People in the RV!”

The Motor Home has now been parked in McKinney, Texas, for over a week now and there seems to be no end to the Christmas decorations. One tree alone took 3 days just to remove and box the ornaments!
The other fun issue is the gathering of all the financial reports for the annual Income Tax Reporting Torture.

Those of you who are full time know what fun that is.

Photos today are the clearing of Christmas Stuff and the Giant Roadrunner in Las Cruces, New Mexico. It was recently refurbished and has become one of the Interstate 10 Landmarks.

  

  

  

---

Boat and RV

January 29, 2019

Winter marches on for Conestoga Charlie and company!

We are surviving low temperatures of 24 to 26 degrees (-1 to -2 Celsius sounds colder this way!).  I have spent the nights below freezing in the motor home to monitor the inside temperature. We have used a total of 5.2 gallons of propane since leaving Arizona 3 weeks ago. I put about a half gallon of RV anti-freeze in both the Gray and Black water tanks as they are directly exposed to the outside air.

Nothing froze or broke so far.

I must be honest I miss my Florida weather but we have been getting a lot of stuff done for our friends……

Photos are of the dismantling of the house.

---

Boat and RV

January 31, 2019

Conestoga Charlie with a fun report!

For those of you who live full time on a boat or in the RV and have a mail forwarding system here is the fun!

I will not mention the company name but I spent 3 days and went through 4 people to have my Insurance Billing and Policy become “Paperless!”

As most full timers know when you have mail forwarded it’s paid twice. Not that I have anything against the USPS as they need all the help they can get.

It is well recognized about the need for internet and ID security especially among people with a mobile lifestyle, however some things border on ridiculous!

Photos today are more of the dismantling our friends extensive Christmas decorations.

Their open house runs from the day after Thanksgiving until New Years Eve!

 We are appreciative of the time to collect our business commitments and get all our tax stuff ready as well.