On The Road In The Panhandle

Transcript

"On the Road" - Retirement RV Trip to the Florida Panhandle On the Road (Interstate 10) at a rest stop near Pensacola, Florida. Some of you have been asking about the inside of the coach, so since we are at one location for 4 days, I thought I would start the coach "tour" with an "on the road" issue. Above is the 55 feet "footprint" of the "home" to the TropiCal Trio. From the rear of the coach looking at the "Street Side" (RVer term). At the rear of the coach are our bikes covered to keep the dirt off. There are two "slides" on this side - the Sofa and the Dinette area (depicted by two dark double windows mid coach. The Bedroom slide is the rear dark double window. From the "Curb Side" (another RVer term). There is one slide on this side that starts at the right awning strut (black thingy after the second window) and ending just before the fifth window (faint line). The slide includes the kitchen area and the desk that I write these emails from. The connection to the tow car (called a toad). The front protection bar on the car is removed and replaced by a "base plate" that you connect the tow bar to. Blue safety cables are attached from the motorhome to the car, similar to a boat trailer. The fiberglass mat underneath the tow bar is to keep the stones and other road debris from damaging the tow car - our 2006 Honda CRV (built in the UK). The CRV is one of several cars that can be towed "four down" (all wheels on the ground) Florida has two dreaded seasons of "lovebugs". Crazy little bugs that fly "connected" and just "love" to implant themselves on the front of your car or motorhome. This leather "bra" helps protect the front from bugs and also helps with rocks and other road projectiles. OK, enough of the exterior. Above is the interior with all slides "in" for road travel. The kitchen area is on the left with the sink in the foreground, followed by a coffeemaker and an espresso machine on the counter then followed by the microwave and stovetop beneath it. On the right, you can see the pillows on the sofa (converts to a queen bed for guests) in the foreground, followed by the dinette area. Close-up of the dinette area (also converts to a bed for 2 youngsters or short people. Lunch is being served - Starbucks lattes made in the RV and soup heated in the microwave made from several days of leftovers. Having an onboard 7500 watt diesel generator comes in handy for just these times. The bedroom area - queen bed that "slides" out providing access to the mirrored closet in the rear - about 1/2 showing. Note the TV in the upper left in the bedroom and a large storage area underneath. The door on the left leads to the bathroom - sink and commode. Shower is on the right out of view. The "Cockpit". The rear view camera (also displays side camera views when turn signals are engaged) is to the right. I added a GPS that can barely be seen through the right part of the steering wheel. Can be removed and transferred to the tow car when the RV is parked - so we can sightsee. Plenty of switches and gauges to keep an eye on along with steering (aiming might be a better term) this monster. That's enough of the interior for now - more to come. This is the nicest rest area we have ever been in. Fully equipped for the traveler and well maintained. Even a windshield wash spray area on the departure road. Sturdy new picnic tables equipped with a water faucet and cover from the sun's rays. How about a paved "trail" to follow and stretch you legs and get the cobwebs out of the brain? The coolest part of this rest stop - a full scale model of the Blue Angels jet over the exit road. Pensacola is the home of the famous precision flying team. Safe Travels and hopefully plenty of pictures and comments from our stay in this lovely city -coming soon! Take care, Tom, Sally and Valentine