(10-12-2026 02:29 PM)WKUYG Wrote:  I would look into ST Andrews state park in PCB for one of those months. If you dont like it too hot or too cold (most days) Dec is the month. Close enough to get back to your "home" if you wanted to spend a few days at Christmas.

Yeah, I have looked briefly at St. Andrews, just not sure where I will be, otherwise. Gas is my biggest expense. $4+ a gallon, and I get 8 miles a gallon towing the trailer, and 24 mpg without it.

(10-12-2026 11:31 AM)TripleA Wrote:  Big change of plans. The weather and season lateness are changing my plans.

I'm headed back SE to spend Thanksgiving thru New Year's in Collierville. Then maybe wintering a month at a time somewhere between the panhandle Gulf Coast and the Texas Hill Country. Then finally out west in mid April.

Too many delays to the original plan to get out west before the weather got cold.

Big change of plans again. I'm sitting in Custer SD, about to suffer through a 22 degree night without water, since I have to disconnect my shore hookup and drain it.

After that, though, the cold front passes through, weather is back to normal, and im back to my original plan. Leaving here Friday headed to Moab Utah (4 day trip), see the Mighty 5, then south to the Grand Canyon, Sedona and eventually back to Collierville for the holidays.

Hey Ollie, my prelim travel plan looks like a night or 2 in El Paso. A beer or bourbon might be appropriate, lol.

(10-14-2026 09:55 AM)TripleA Wrote:  

(10-12-2026 11:31 AM)TripleA Wrote:  Big change of plans. The weather and season lateness are changing my plans.

I'm headed back SE to spend Thanksgiving thru New Year's in Collierville. Then maybe wintering a month at a time somewhere between the panhandle Gulf Coast and the Texas Hill Country. Then finally out west in mid April.

Too many delays to the original plan to get out west before the weather got cold.

Big change of plans again. I'm sitting in Custer SD, about to suffer through a 22 degree night without water, since I have to disconnect my shore hookup and drain it.

After that, though, the cold front passes through, weather is back to normal, and im back to my original plan. Leaving here Friday headed to Moab Utah (4 day trip), see the Mighty 5, then south to the Grand Canyon, Sedona and eventually back to Collierville for the holidays.

Hey Ollie, my prelim travel plan looks like a night or 2 in El Paso. A beer or bourbon might be appropriate, lol.

Sounds like you need the bourbon tonight.

Its supposed to hit 88 degrees here in Atlanta today.

(10-14-2026 12:55 PM)bullet Wrote:  

(10-14-2026 09:55 AM)TripleA Wrote:  

(10-12-2026 11:31 AM)TripleA Wrote:  Big change of plans. The weather and season lateness are changing my plans.

I'm headed back SE to spend Thanksgiving thru New Year's in Collierville. Then maybe wintering a month at a time somewhere between the panhandle Gulf Coast and the Texas Hill Country. Then finally out west in mid April.

Too many delays to the original plan to get out west before the weather got cold.

Big change of plans again. I'm sitting in Custer SD, about to suffer through a 22 degree night without water, since I have to disconnect my shore hookup and drain it.

After that, though, the cold front passes through, weather is back to normal, and im back to my original plan. Leaving here Friday headed to Moab Utah (4 day trip), see the Mighty 5, then south to the Grand Canyon, Sedona and eventually back to Collierville for the holidays.

Hey Ollie, my prelim travel plan looks like a night or 2 in El Paso. A beer or bourbon might be appropriate, lol.

Sounds like you need the bourbon tonight.

Its supposed to hit 88 degrees here in Atlanta today.

Big difference in temps. Temporarily even worse. My propane tank ran out. I switched to its twin backup, but can't get it to crank up. Probably something stupid I overlooked. This is how I learn, lol. Through mistakes and ignorance.

Why didn't you give this a practice run w/ a rental?

(10-14-2026 03:19 PM)b2b Wrote:  Why didn't you give this a practice run w/ a rental?

Because this was the one I wanted, and it was the only one anywhere on a lot in the US. And I seriously doubt if anybody had one for rent, they would want some dumb*** screwing it up. Plus, the first time somebody rents a new one, the value drops 30%. And it would be useless for me to rent a different model, since all RVs are not the same, particularly trailers.

Hey, I don't have an issue with this process. How else are you going to learn? Grand Design Imagine XLS 17MKE owner training school?

(10-14-2026 03:07 PM)TripleA Wrote:  

(10-14-2026 12:55 PM)bullet Wrote:  

(10-14-2026 09:55 AM)TripleA Wrote:  

(10-12-2026 11:31 AM)TripleA Wrote:  Big change of plans. The weather and season lateness are changing my plans.

I'm headed back SE to spend Thanksgiving thru New Year's in Collierville. Then maybe wintering a month at a time somewhere between the panhandle Gulf Coast and the Texas Hill Country. Then finally out west in mid April.

Too many delays to the original plan to get out west before the weather got cold.

Big change of plans again. I'm sitting in Custer SD, about to suffer through a 22 degree night without water, since I have to disconnect my shore hookup and drain it.

After that, though, the cold front passes through, weather is back to normal, and im back to my original plan. Leaving here Friday headed to Moab Utah (4 day trip), see the Mighty 5, then south to the Grand Canyon, Sedona and eventually back to Collierville for the holidays.

Hey Ollie, my prelim travel plan looks like a night or 2 in El Paso. A beer or bourbon might be appropriate, lol.

Sounds like you need the bourbon tonight.

Its supposed to hit 88 degrees here in Atlanta today.

Big difference in temps. Temporarily even worse. My propane tank ran out. I switched to its twin backup, but can't get it to crank up. Probably something stupid I overlooked. This is how I learn, lol. Through mistakes and ignorance.

We had a travel trailer for deer camp. Kept the furnace at 50 something so it wouldn’t freeze up (vent in belly) and used electric blankets since we had a power drop. Helped to minimize the propane usage.

"Hey Ollie, my prelim travel plan looks like a night or 2 in El Paso. A beer or bourbon might be appropriate, lol." Triple

Sure, it would have to be a short visit though because circumstances dictate that I don't have any "me" time. With medical people coming a lot nowadays I have to be here to furnish any info on the condition of my wife. It saddens me because it sure would have been nice to see you personally. Maybe we can anyway, we'll see.

(10-15-2026 10:37 AM)olliebaba Wrote:  "Hey Ollie, my prelim travel plan looks like a night or 2 in El Paso. A beer or bourbon might be appropriate, lol." Triple

Sure, it would have to be a short visit though because circumstances dictate that I don't have any "me" time. With medical people coming a lot nowadays I have to be here to furnish any info on the condition of my wife. It saddens me because it sure would have been nice to see you personally. Maybe we can anyway, we'll see.

Got a few weeks. Maybe we can figure something out. Maybe i'll put on a smock and knock on your door with a six pack and a bottle of Jack.

(10-14-2026 03:39 PM)TripleA Wrote:  

(10-14-2026 03:19 PM)b2b Wrote:  Why didn't you give this a practice run w/ a rental?

Because this was the one I wanted, and it was the only one anywhere on a lot in the US. And I seriously doubt if anybody had one for rent, they would want some dumb*** screwing it up. Plus, the first time somebody rents a new one, the value drops 30%. And it would be useless for me to rent a different model, since all RVs are not the same, particularly trailers.

Hey, I don't have an issue with this process. How else are you going to learn? Grand Design Imagine XLS 17MKE owner training school?

https://www.outdoorsy.com/rv-rental/hugo...uJEALw_wcB

https://rvshare.com/rvs/details/1600485

https://www.outdoorsy.com/rv-rental/half...42-listing

https://rvshare.com/rvs/details/1690789

(10-16-2026 07:53 AM)b2b Wrote:  

(10-14-2026 03:39 PM)TripleA Wrote:  

(10-14-2026 03:19 PM)b2b Wrote:  Why didn't you give this a practice run w/ a rental?

Because this was the one I wanted, and it was the only one anywhere on a lot in the US. And I seriously doubt if anybody had one for rent, they would want some dumb*** screwing it up. Plus, the first time somebody rents a new one, the value drops 30%. And it would be useless for me to rent a different model, since all RVs are not the same, particularly trailers.

Hey, I don't have an issue with this process. How else are you going to learn? Grand Design Imagine XLS 17MKE owner training school?

https://www.outdoorsy.com/rv-rental/hugo...uJEALw_wcB

https://rvshare.com/rvs/details/1600485

https://www.outdoorsy.com/rv-rental/half...42-listing

https://rvshare.com/rvs/details/1690789

Getting the trailer was never a decision that required testing one out first. My wife passed away, I put my house up for sale, sold it in days, then bought the trailer and a new truck to haul it, which is what I always planned to do.

Renting one wouldn't have helped, anyway. Rentals don't come with instructors, lol. Renting one doesn't teach you what to do to switch over tanks, unless I rented one for 2 months straight, which is when my first tank ran out. And even then, I would have learned exactly like I'm doing now.

What I needed was a hands on (with instructor) 2 week trial, but only so I wouldn't have to learn quite the hard way, as I have. No dealer would provide that service, anyway.

I learned by doing, and by reading up online as much as possible, especially as problems arose. And by getting help when necessary, as I went. People all around have helped multiple times, and I'm not proud. I even talked to RV techs on the phone a couple of times.

So buying one was never the decision. And I was aware it would likely be a steep learning curve. RV tech told me yesterday that it's about a 2 YEAR learning curve.

Im fairly sure "reading" also covers watching but just in case....

you can usually find a youtube video on just about everything and if you are anything like me. Seeing something being done is a lot easier to figure it out than reading about it. You are 80 years old and probably dont need this advice but that never stopped me for giving it lol. Most people gets upset when they cant figure something out, myself included (use to), step back, do something else for a few minutes, and a lot of times that problem gets easier.

If its in El paso, dont rush it, if Ollie lets you park it at his house, spending a few extra days with him very well could be the most interesting part of your "trip". I would love to met the guy and see if he's the same in person. A chilled out "God Father" that never gets upset, over a minute, then back to his calm, cool, self. What I really want to see is his interactions with that SIL LOL

"If its in El paso, dont rush it, if Ollie lets you park it at his house, spending a few extra days with him very well could be the most interesting part of your "trip". I would love to met the guy and see if he's the same in person. A chilled out "God Father" that never gets upset, over a minute, then back to his calm, cool, self. What I really want to see is his interactions with that SIL LOL" wkuyg

LOL, not with my HOA he can't. Those people are very strict.

I have a LOT of issues with the care of my wife and believe me if she wasn't sick or I was alone his visit could have been arranged very quickly. I can't entertain anyone at all and that's what I would want to do for sure but can't. My wife is bed ridden and only goes from our bed to the recliner day in, day out. She only sleeps and eats and I have to address every need. She can't talk either so conversation is out of the picture. We communicate with what we call the Alphbet, a paper with the letters of the alphabet written on it and she points to the letter to form a word and she's having more problems now even doing that. Sometimes I lose my patience because she points at the wrong letter and I'm struggling to understand what she wants to say. It's no fun having a wife with MSA but a man gotta do what a man gotta do...and I'm no martyr, just a husband that loves his wife and promised her that I would take care of her until fate ends it somehow. People tell me that I've got my place in heaven but I can't believe that. One doesn't go to heaven for doing what he is supposed to do. It's a mission, that's how I view it. Actually, I see it as a mission from God because believe me, by the way I lived my younger days I should have been dead a long time ago and He saw that she was gonna need someone to take care of her because if I wasn't around she would have probably died in a nursing home already, no kidding. There would have been no one to take care of her...no one but her sister but she couldn't do what I do every day, she wouldn't have had a choice but to place her in a home, and I wouldn't blame her. That's why I want to live longer than her, just so she doesn't go to a senior care center where people don't really take good care of their patients.

yeah ... like my pops, ollie, you have a place at the 'right hand' upstairs ... that's the definition of being a REAL Man!!!

(10-16-2026 09:44 AM)olliebaba Wrote:  "If its in El paso, dont rush it, if Ollie lets you park it at his house, spending a few extra days with him very well could be the most interesting part of your "trip". I would love to met the guy and see if he's the same in person. A chilled out "God Father" that never gets upset, over a minute, then back to his calm, cool, self. What I really want to see is his interactions with that SIL LOL" wkuyg

LOL, not with my HOA he can't. Those people are very strict.

I have a LOT of issues with the care of my wife and believe me if she wasn't sick or I was alone his visit could have been arranged very quickly. I can't entertain anyone at all and that's what I would want to do for sure but can't. My wife is bed ridden and only goes from our bed to the recliner day in, day out. She only sleeps and eats and I have to address every need. She can't talk either so conversation is out of the picture. We communicate with what we call the Alphbet, a paper with the letters of the alphabet written on it and she points to the letter to form a word and she's having more problems now even doing that. Sometimes I lose my patience because she points at the wrong letter and I'm struggling to understand what she wants to say. It's no fun having a wife with MSA but a man gotta do what a man gotta do...and I'm no martyr, just a husband that loves his wife and promised her that I would take care of her until fate ends it somehow. People tell me that I've got my place in heaven but I can't believe that. One doesn't go to heaven for doing what he is supposed to do. It's a mission, that's how I view it. Actually, I see it as a mission from God because believe me, by the way I lived my younger days I should have been dead a long time ago and He saw that she was gonna need someone to take care of her because if I wasn't around she would have probably died in a nursing home already, no kidding. There would have been no one to take care of her...no one but her sister but she couldn't do what I do every day, she wouldn't have had a choice but to place her in a home, and I wouldn't blame her. That's why I want to live longer than her, just so she doesn't go to a senior care center where people don't really take good care of their patients.

Ollie, you certainly have your hands full, and I would never ever want to interfere with that.

Actually, I can relate to your situation to some degree. My wife suffered from severe depression starting 3 months after we married in 1983, until she passed away last April.

Also, when we married, she was making more money than I was, managing a temporary help agency on commission. Then her depression kicked in 3 months into our marriage, and she never worked again. Not that money was a priority, it just shows how bad her problem was.

She would have periods of lucidity that lasted various amounts of time, but since the summer of '83 until this April, I had to do most things, and essentially look out for her.

Anyway, I wish you the best, always. Even if you won't let me into your neighborhood. j/k

"Anyway, I wish you the best, always. Even if you won't let me into your neighborhood. 03-lmfao j/k" Trip

I'm playing it safe, I've got a lot of Demonicrats in my neighborhood and they might find out I was entertaining you and they might torch my house. That's why I never place any political signs outside my front lawn. LOL

J/K Trip, but I REALLY wish circumstances were different so I could welcome you with open arms.

(10-17-2026 09:57 AM)olliebaba Wrote:  "Anyway, I wish you the best, always. Even if you won't let me into your neighborhood. 03-lmfao j/k" Trip

I'm playing it safe, I've got a lot of Demonicrats in my neighborhood and they might find out I was entertaining you and they might torch my house. That's why I never place any political signs outside my front lawn. LOL

J/K Trip, but I REALLY wish circumstances were different so I could welcome you with open arms.

No worries. The feeling is mutual, my friend.

Change of plans. Too much wind, cold nights, and curvy roads from Hot Springs SD to Moab, UT.

Instead, I'm going to drop straight south through Denver to Albuquerque NM, then cut west to Petrified Forest NP, then to Sedona, Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon, up to Page AZ (slot canyons) to the Mighty 5 in Utah, then back home.

Headed to Crazy Horse tomorrow, then The Mammoth Site, spending Sunday night in Hot Springs SD, then off to the south, thank goodness.

(10-17-2026 06:40 PM)TripleA Wrote:  Change of plans. Too much wind, cold nights, and curvy roads from Hot Springs SD to Moab, UT.

Instead, I'm going to drop straight south through Denver to Albuquerque NM, then cut west to Petrified Forest NP, then to Sedona, Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon, up to Page AZ (slot canyons) to the Mighty 5 in Utah, then back home.

Headed to Crazy Horse tomorrow, then The Mammoth Site, spending Sunday night in Hot Springs SD, then off to the south, thank goodness.

Watch yourself at Raton Pass, it is pretty treacherous and very steep. Don't ever do it in the winter with snow.

(10-17-2026 06:40 PM)TripleA Wrote:  Change of plans. Too much wind, cold nights, and curvy roads from Hot Springs SD to Moab, UT.

Instead, I'm going to drop straight south through Denver to Albuquerque NM, then cut west to Petrified Forest NP, then to Sedona, Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon, up to Page AZ (slot canyons) to the Mighty 5 in Utah, then back home.

Headed to Crazy Horse tomorrow, then The Mammoth Site, spending Sunday night in Hot Springs SD, then off to the south, thank goodness.

If you are coming down 25 there are some cool places in northern new Mexico. Capulin Volcano National Monument is east of 25, you would want to drop your trailer and take the truck up to the top.

Cimarron, Eagle Nest, and Angel Fire are all cool towns. The St. James in Cimarron is a cool lunch stop with a ton of history. If you were ever a boy scout Philmont with their scouting museum is right there.