The Cruising Adventures of Wild Blue and crew...

Jim,

Thanks for your continuing posts and all the photos from 'down under'.

Your continuing efforts to educate those less fortunate, cloud-challenged, people about solar experiences just shows what a 'giving' kind of person you are... but, giving of what??

I like the latest cartoon. It reminds me of my three sons, who are continually telling me that I am "cellurlarly" challenged, and still living in the Ice Age techno-wise.

Say "Hi" to Joan for us all!

John
 
Jim I love the pic of the shrimp boats. I don't know for the life of me how these guys survive. The shrimpers in our area fought farm raised and imported shrimp for many years but I think they now are pretty much accepting the that the once proud industry is coming to and end.
 
Joan told me I need to pump up the inflatable and paddle it up and down the canal... then I could have used all the stuff in one day.

This morning, we went out on Wild Blue for a few hours - what a beautiful way to start the day. Then, back to our dock, Joan drove the truck to get the boat trailer, I took the motorcycle to put it in storage (about 15 miles inland). Back to the house, dropped me off, Joan took the truck and trailer to the ramp, I brought the boat around. Joan backed the trailer in, I drove Wild Blue up onto the trailer. We cleaned her up nice and pretty, flushed the motor, then drove back to the storage lot and put her in indoor storage with the motorcycle. Swapped hitches, then hooked up to the toy hauler and brought it home. I rode my bicycle down to get the mail. Yep, just need to tool around in the dinghy to make it a grand slam. :wink:

We'll spend the next day or two getting the trailer loaded, the house closed down, then we're off again.

A Louisiana friend of mine posted this graphic regarding the upcoming hurricane event (rated PG-13, that's why you have to click on it to see it)...

http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_ ... _photo.php

Kinda feels that way.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

PS for Marvin: Yeah, our shrimping industry has really taken a beating - high fuel prices, low shrimp prices, imported farm-raised shrimp. Our area is evolving into more tourist industry. Some of the shrimp boat operators are moving towards running crew boats for the oil industry.

PS for Dr. John: Hey, I did show a rain storm in that post - no rain, no rainbows. ;) It was hot and humid here today... the sea breeze helps, but it's easy to see why people in warm climates seem to always move slower. 8)
 
Just when I think Dan makes Captain Jim look like a dumas, he draws a universal truth that all guys know...

9_1PackStripE.sized.jpg

Enjoy!

We are now in SW Missouri; we'll pick up the new 5th wheel tomorrow. Hurricane Gustav has had an impact along our route... no, not with weather (yet), but with full campgrounds and motels. All along east Texas and SE Oklahoma we saw signs directing people who were evacuating from the hurricane.

Seems like we've been driving for days (only been 2 1/2). The view doesn't look quite right without Wild Blue in the rear view mirror.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
We are making the switch - from the toy hauler to our new 5th wheel. We pulled into the dealership just before noon. They were ready for us and had us pull the toy hauler up door-to-door with our new 5W. We took a few minutes to look things over, then started to make the move... the sky was gray, rain was predicted, and we were hoping to get the unloading/loading done before getting soaked.

TheSwitchE.jpg

Even though the toy hauler is much smaller, it is surprising how much it can hold; we have pretty well filled most of the basement compartments, drawers, shelves, and closets of this new rig.

With the rain looming, we just moved, didn't stop to put stuff away. Two hours later, while moving the last container in, it started to sprinkle. Now we can take our time to get it all put away nicely. Here's a look at the Blonde getting the kitchen arranged...

MovingInE.jpg

There are flash flood warnings tonight all over southwest Missouri... seems that the remains of Gustav finally caught up with us. The weather weasels are calling for 8 inches or more of rain over the next couple days. I hope we don't have to find out if this thing floats.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
I've gotten several e-mails asking if this new 5th wheel means less cruising with Wild Blue... let me think about it for a mo... no! 8) It may mean less time around the house. That remains to be seen after some time in this beauty.

The rain poured down all day yesterday; 3 - 6 inches locally, another couple inches last night. Looking at radar, it should be the last band of the remnants of Gustav. Last night, we settled in... the 32" TV seems almost decadent after the 7" version in Wild Blue; the recliners and full size couch give us options for comfortable lounging; and the fireplace (I wasn't sure about that one when we ordered it) was pretty soothing. When the wind and rain came up last night, I have to say I didn't miss getting up for anchor watch. 8)

Since this isn't C-Dory related, I won't make a gazillion posts about this land traveling... just wanted y'all to know. We still have a lot of water cruising to do, too.

Best wishes,
Jim & Joan

PS - As you might expect, I did make up some RV cards to swap with people we meet along the way. If any of you used to read Trailer Life, Motorhome, Highways, or Family Motor Coach magazines, you may have seen ads for "Campercards". Yeah, that was us. I hold the US Trademark on that name. On our cards with the 5th wheel, I put "Our other RV is a C-Dory". :D

HHCard2e.jpg
 
Congrats on the HItchhiker LS, she's a beaut for sure.

Patty and I passed on the 2004 Sunnybrook 23, but she is still up in Birch Bay (Daydream's BF150 is getting serviced at West Coast Marine today), and went over to the Arctic Fox dealer in Lynden yesterday and fell in love with Arctic Fox 5'ers. They only had 27, 29 and 32s on the lot, and we are most interested in a 23, but she sent me links to 3 units for sale on the net, so I know this is still on her mind. Unfortunately going to work five days a week 49 weeks a year puts a bit of a crimp in boating let alone RV'ing...
 
Pat Anderson":2vq4s03l said:
... so I know this is still on her mind. Unfortunately going to work five days a week 49 weeks a year puts a bit of a crimp in boating let alone RV'ing...
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Hi Pat,

About 10 years ago, some friends of ours who were still working sold their house and moved into their motorhome. They eliminated property taxes, house insurance, utilities, and all the time that goes with maintaining a house. They lived in a nice RV resort where they had a swimming pool, hot tub, golf, etc, etc. He said to me, "I'll never have to mow a lawn again and I have a pool guy here to look after that." :wink: We spent some time with them this summer and they are still living in their motorhome (upgraded to a 2008)... long since retired, traveling around, playing golf, and enjoying life. I asked them if they missed having a house... "Not even a little."

Not so different from the choices Bill and El made. Boat instead of RV, but eliminate the big expenses and you can live larger on less. It's not what we were taught about having some land, the house, and the white picket fence... but it certainly is another option.

Maybe Patty is subtly telling you something? :wink:

Best wishes,
Jim
 
I think she is subtly telling me she would like to have a house in Fall City, a house in Birch Bay, a C-Dory and an Arctic Fox! Seriously, we probably could sell the house next year when Austin goes to college and move into a nice 32 Arctic Fox 5'er I suppose...not something we have seriously considered, plus the housing market is sort of in the toilet around here (along with a lot of the rest of the country) and we sort of hope it will have picked up by 2012...but it is a thought.


JamesTXSD":69fefw13 said:
Maybe Patty is subtly telling you something? :wink:

Best wishes,
Jim
Click to expand...
 
Jame,

I don't know how it is in Texas, but in Kansas, you'd pay almost as much or more for property taxes, registration, insurance and lot fees as you would having a home.

That new 5th wheel of yours really looks roomy. I bet it already has "Molly" approval!

I have a diesel pusher motorhome which I dearly love to use, but the marina where I keep my boat does not have enough room for me to park it there, even if I was just going to use it for travel and stay on the boat.
I'd have to rent a spot elsewhere, tow a dinghy car, etc., to make all that work.

What I love about 5th wheels or motorhomes is just slowly exploring the back roads, like highway 281 coming back from Texas, thru Oklahoma to Kansas. If you see something you like, you just stop and enjoy!

'Will probably do more motorhome taveling in the winter. My motorhome is a short 32 foot aluminum model which is pretty economical to drive.

Good luck on your next adventure! Be sure to keep posting!

John
 
Hi Dr. John,

Our vehicles, boats, trailers are registered in South Dakota (we still have an interest there). SD is one of the 3 states in the country that full-time RVers like to use as a home base due to the low registration, reasonable insurance, and no corporate or personal state income tax; no personal property tax either, other than real estate taxes. Real estate taxes are relatively high there, so if you don't own a home or commercial property in the state, there are real advantages to having SD as a home base.

Molly has settled right in... she has claimed quite a few places as hers. Plus, it's easy to go for a walk anytime she wants. She's asleep on Joan's lap right now... a sure sign that she's content.

Currently we are in Branson, MO. Dixie called last night and made fun of us... something about being a FOG... Freakin' Old Guy. While we're not big country music fans, there is a lot to see and do in this area... and quite a bit of water. We rode bikes from the RV park into downtown Branson, along the shore of Lake Taneycomo... looks more like a river to me, but there were plenty of boats out and about. Mostly pontoons and bass boats. Tracker Boats is having some kind of a dealer convention here, so there are boats on display all over the Branson Landing area.

Beautiful scenery here: rolling hills, heavily wooded; kinda reminds me of the Black Hills, with lots of broadleaf trees instead of Ponderosa Pines, though. We will do some kind of boat ride in the next couple days; maybe a train ride, too. And yes, we have tickets to a show (rock, not country). There are a couple amusement parks with good roller coasters that I may have to investigate, as well. So, while we aren't water cruising, we're not having a problem keeping ourselves entertained.

Sometime in the next month, we may make it to Lake of the Ozarks and Arkansas. While this is land traveling, there is plenty of water on the map there. You can take the boy off the water, but you can't... well, I don't know where I'm going with that, but if I can't be out on the water, I like to be able to see the water. And yes, you can see the water from our campsite.

Being from Kansas, you've probably been here. Plenty of people around, many of them seem to be older than us. I may have to tell Dixie that I'm a FYG... relatively speaking. :wink:

Gotta run - time for my nap.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Pat Anderson":9d2zz2od said:
Patty and I passed on the 2004 Sunnybrook 23
Click to expand...

Same dealer (Camping World) has two Class A's parked out front with "$70,000 discount" banner on one side and "$58,000" on the other side -- at least that is what I saw as I drove by last night.

Warren
 
dotnmarty":wgwmorbf said:
So they are older than you, huh?! Just wait a minute :wink:

MartyP
Click to expand...

Yeah, but age is more about attitude than years, as far as I'm concerned. Honestly, I look at a really old guy like Brent and think, "There's a guy who sure seems spry for his age." :twisted: Why, in another 15 years or so, when I'm as old as he is now, I hope I can get around as good as he does. Of course, a lot of it has to do with his much younger wife, Dixie... she waits on him hand and foot... I guess that's how it works with those mail-order brides, huh?

I wouldn't know that from experience. Joan and I were high school sweethearts... odd how we were close in age back then, but I'm so much older now. :crook

If anyone should refute any of the above, let me state that I have photos and the Photoshop skills necessary to make the National Enquirer blush. We're looking forward to cruising with our buddies again.
 
I'm gonna pass that part about "waiting on him hand and foot" on to Dotty.
Hope you and the crew have lots of fun with the 5th wheel trailer.
MartyP
 
Jim B said:
Sometime in the next month, we may make it to Lake of the Ozarks and Arkansas. While this is land traveling, there is plenty of water on the map there. You can take the boy off the water, but you can't... well, I don't know where I'm going with that, but if I can't be out on the water, I like to be able to see the water. And yes, you can see the water from our campsite.
Click to expand...

Jim, How right you are. We don't live where we can see the water, and only 5 block from work but 5 minutes from the marina, and it is a daily stop to or from work, just to get the water fix. Somehow if we don't get that, the blood just doesn't flow through the veins right and things get all sluggish. I think I get a bigger kick from Salt water than adrenalin. It what it takes to keep things running smoooooooth.

Enjoy the new 5th Wheel and anytime you get up to the left corner your welcome here,

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
I'm sorry I called you a FOG :lol: but honestly, it ain't going to take 15 years for you to catch up to Brent. As I recall, you are about 55 and he is a young 62. As far as waiting on him "hand and foot" you've got to be kidding. Today is our anniversary and we've been married for 40 years--you don't make it 40 years without learning something. Have lots of fun at the Rock and Roll show--even if it is only half of the Righteous Brothers and Paul Revere and the raiders (however many are left). It will be like a walk down memory lane. We can't wait to see the new RV!
 
Discovery":1dukq2ie said:
I'm sorry I called you a FOG :lol: but honestly, it ain't going to take 15 years for you to catch up to Brent. As I recall, you are about 55 and he is a young 62. As far as waiting on him "hand and foot" you've got to be kidding. Today is our anniversary and we've been married for 40 years--you don't make it 40 years without learning something. Have lots of fun at the Rock and Roll show--even if it is only half of the Righteous Brothers and Paul Revere and the raiders (however many are left). It will be like a walk down memory lane. We can't wait to see the new RV!
Click to expand...

It's OK, I thought you meant Fine Observant Guy... you know how I write about what I see. Indeed, I am 55... and I want my discount at Denney's, dammit! We had never thought about Brent as being old, even though he flaunted it...

OldGuysRuleE.jpg

Happy 40th anniversary! You two are a great couple and an example to us all for spirit, attitude, and kindness. I just can't believe Brent married you when you were only 4 years old! 8)

Going to Branson and not going to a show would be like going to Lake Powell and not getting out on the water. We are looking forward to seeing the Righteous Brother... we danced to The Righteous Brothers songs in high school. And my sister took me to see Paul Revere and the Raiders when I was 12 years old - my first big concert. It changed my life... I was playing in a band then; we changed our name to "Spirt of 76", made Revolutionary War costumes, and learned a bunch of PR&tR songs. OK, it didn't change my life, but it made me want to play music even more... and being a local rock 'roll star helped me get a date with the Blonde. And that certainly changed my life.

Ah, a trip down memory lane... umm, what was the question?

Have a great time at Lake Powell, and best wishes for another great 40 years.

Jim & Joan
 
Highjacked Thread

Happy Anniversity Brent & Dixie...Your not old until you are as old as dirt...and they are shoveling it into your face.

Back to our regular scheduled program:
Wagons ho...land trawler. You guys trade toys so fast I can't keep up with you anymore. I don't know how you made all that money taking pictures of ulgy people all those years so some day I want you to let me in on the secret...or tell me just how rich is the blonde's family.

Judy , the dogs and I just returned from another beautiful day of sailing, while "Papillon" rests on her trailer (just in case Ike decides to change his mind). I talked to a few of the local sailors when I got the rag boat and they all told me I would have to wait till winter to enjoy sailing down here. They said no wind and to hot in the summer. Well I don't understand, With the line of hurricanes we have there is lots of wind and with wind...the heat is not an issue.

Hope Ike doesn't come toward Texas, for another shot at your house. I will blow as hard as I can as it goes by and try to steer it to Mexico for you.

Later Gator.
 
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