Retirement Escape

On Friday I headed from Bakersfield CA to Needles CA (border of Arizona). Took CA-58 up to the high desert, and thus checked out the RV cooling system. Performed well but need more learning to become fully comfortable.

Encountered on problem with noise in the engine compartment. Most likely the radiator fan or water pump. Have appointment at service center on Monday so stuck in the Needles KOA till then.

Testing the RV air conditioner as Needles high is 100 degrees and the morning started out at 9 AM being 85 already. Also this RV park does not have wired TV as the local over air tower is directly across the desert (see site photo).

Technically there is an antenna on the roof but I’m sure it has never been deployed in the last 8 years and the crank handle broke the moment I tried to turn it. Quick trip to Target 20 miles away and I have an indoor HD antenna which is working fine.

I’ve Launched

Whoooooo Hoooo

After a year of escape from a manager from hell, I retired the end of June and have spent the last few months getting my RV (Freedom — license plate I FREEDM) ready for life on the road. Oh, yea — BurningMan was OUTSTANDING.

Thursday morning, October 8, 2015, at 9:15 AM I departed my base camp (Betabel RV Park, south of Gilroy), took a short detour for a gas fillup (Freedom has a unique feature where the gas pump auto shutoff occurs 7 gallons before actual FULL), a bit of a pain filling up.

Headed over the Pacheco Pass I had my first occasion to use 2nd gear to handle up hill, and down hill — also confirmed that the emergency blinkers work.

Really happy I ended up popping the $1000 to replace the Cruse Control. I pulled onto I-5 and set the Cruse Control for 55 MPH and just let everyone else pass me by. Yea, you’d think 55 MPH isn’t me but … time doesn’t matter anymore. I’m driving till I I can’t drive safely, but with no urgency.

Google Maps took me through a really odd route to CA-58 but in the end it was really free of traffic.

Spent the night in a RV park outside of Bakersfield and kicked back. Fixed a nice dinner, did my laundry and am doing this post. Turns out their is a train track close by. Some people would have a fit but I love trains, there is nothing more romantic or longing than a train whistle.

Got a noise in the AC but should be an easy fix once I stop someplace with service (Oohhhh, 2 days later it rattled itself away). As with RVs everywhere, a pin dropped out of a hinge and the latch on the lower door bounced open (Duh). Small fixes.

That’s it, nothing spectacular, nothing profound. Bill 2.1 has launched. Feels good to be on the road.