Spring Cleaning

After working in the Community Garden in the morning, took the afternoon this Saturday and washed and waxed RoadAbode's Front end and Cap. Was too hot to continue down her sides and rear. Had to stop a few times to take a drink of H2O. Not suppose to be this Hot and Humid the first day of May!

Also took care of some rust spots on her rear bumper and repainted. Not perfect, but serviceable.

Forgot to take pictures of our new upholstery on the dinette. Had the job done by Ciarlante Upholstery in Chalfont. Not only was Mike the only one to give us the decency of a call back right away, but he was great to work with - and responded by email and phone! Was not cheap by my standards, but we just couldn't find what we wanted/needed on the web, or anywhere else.

May have Mike Ciarlante look at the Jack-knife sofa and get a price to have that re-covered too - next year.

Below is a pic of the newly painted bumper.

Prepping for Our Trip

Just like a house, RoadAbode needed some "spring cleaning" to ready her for our trip. The forecast was for rain, but we figured we could still get some cleaning done inside. So Saturday picked her up from storage and drove her down. She travelled beautifully. (Well, as beautiful as a lumbering house-on-wheels can) And this time, the weatherman was right - it poured! But it got me to thinking..I could wash her, and wouldn't have to worry about rinsing...and the rain wasn't THAT cold....and those over-winter black streaks down her sides were really unsightly....

So I got out some Awesome cleaner, a bucket, and a long handled brush and gave her a once-over. Notice I didn't say a QUICK once-over, because when you're washing anything that's 30 feet long, and 14 foot high, it's not gonna be quick.

Even though I had my rain gear on I got soaked through. And I started having second thoughts when I saw a bolt of lightning course through the sky, and some loud rumbles of thunder follow. (Did I mention that brush was on an aluminum pole?) But I got done, she looks mighty better, but I'm paying for it today - just achy all over and a nice cough to boot. Cutting out of youth group for the night to try and re-coup.

I did help Amy a lil' bit on the interior, but she handled most of that herself. RoadAbode is looking more Spiffy that usual!

Today after Church and meetings, I prepped RoadToad with her tow brackets. Vehicle-wise, we're roadworthy! Just have to gather the troops food, clothing, and other essentials, and we're ready to be off!

RoadAbode's Bath Day

Amy picked up RoadAbode and brought her home Friday during the day. On Saturday 9am, we got together our 'battle plan' and started RoadAbode's "Bath Day".
Amy started on her roof, scrubbing it nice and clean (while being really careful up there)
she swapped out the washwater often, and once again RoadAbode has a bright white roof. While up there, Amy inspected all the caulking and everything looks 'road worthy'.
While Amy was on the roof, I started washing down RoadAbode's sides, with some help from Emily - in between handing things up to Amy that she needed. Most of RoadAbode's ugly black streaks came off relatively easily - probably because we try to keep up on her waxings.
After She dried for a bit, we started on this Spring's wax application. I like using Nu-Finish (Orange bottle) because it is pretty easy to apply, removes easily also, and leaves a great long lasting shine. Another benefit is that any hint of blackstreaks are removed on application. To apply, I use old socks, worn as mitts, and swap them out as they get grimey. I use socks also to remove the wax as it dries. "Wax on - Wax off"....

Started on the Rear first, and moved up the topside of both driver and passenger sides, then the bottom parts of each side - with Kimberly's help - and then had a lunch break (Grilled Cheese!) Finished by doing the front cab over bunk area and the cab area itself. Amy did the final waxon-waxoff that I couldn't reach - the middle of the cab-over bunk, above the marker lights. While there, she washed the cabover window.
Did a few odd jobs, like greasing the Coach door locks and steps, and RoadAbode is all set for our Spring/Summer adventures! Here she is, all 'sparkly clean'!

Started at 9am, done by 3pm. Took a little nap on her couch 'til 4pm, and around 6pm took her back to storage - by myself - Kimberly was babysitting, and Amy stayed at home with Emily, who needed to get in her own "bath time". Was nice just lumbering along alone in RoadAbode - and the Storage place was nice and quiet, just a few birds. If not for other obligations, I would have "boondocked" right there for the night! I closed her up, and headed back. When I got home, started a fire in the backyard fireplace for Emily's enjoyment (Amy and I also) and then settled in to watch a movie, relax and wait for Kimberly to come home. Once Kimberly was home, finished the movie - and it was off to bed for the girls while I 'reported in'.

Just another good day that included family and RoadAbode.

De-Winterizing and Getting Stuffed @ Shady Maple

A picture of our site @ Spring Gulch
Saturday morning it was lightly misting, so after a great breakfast of French toast and sausage, Amy and I worked on de-winterizing RoadAbode. This consisted of flushing the pink antifreeze from the water system, and filling RoadAbodes fresh tank with fresh water that we added some bleach to disinfect the tank. Then we ran this thru the pipes. After letting the bleach mix sit in the pipes for a short time, we flushed out with fresh water. We are going to let the mix slosh around the fresh tank (half full) until next week when we bring her home to wash & wax her. We also did some dusting and I cleaned RoadAbode's coach air-conditioning unit, atightenedned some loose bolts.
Last I switched the winterizing switch of the water heater and let that fill with fresh water also. After checking all the plumbing, I got a fresh coffee (my 3rd of the day) and took a walk around the upper sites. It was still misting, so I threw on my rain jacket. Most of the campground was quiet, with pockets of activity as people were waking and getting moving for the fishing tournament. While walking around on loop of campsites, I noticed an old hand pump. Reminded me of my younger days with my father, mother and brother when we would picnicking and berry picking at French Creek State Park, not to far from where we were camping now.

There are also a good bit of seasonals in the upper campground, but most were neat and tidy, not like some messes I've seen at other places.
Once I got back to RoadAbode, the girls decided it was their turn for a walk, and I decided to take a shower. By the time they got back it looked like they had taken a shower too! They got caught in a downpour. They were still having fun being together and checking out the campstore.
Once they got semi-dry, we got ready for Shady Maple. Shady Maple is an experience not to be missed! The food is great, the gift shop fun to look at (especially with girls as well behaved as ours!) and we had to stop at the Farmers Market - not for produce or meats - but for the peach bread Amy has fallen in love with, and my standard Lancaster dessert - ShooFly pie!
We also stopped at the Goods Store located there - kind of an old fashioned General Store - with great stuff- and great prices too.
Headed back was still messy outside - rainy and windy - but nice having RoadToad to tour around with!