𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝗩 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗿

 

Wall Street Journal Article - September 19, 2021

If you have a WSJ online account, or know someone who does, this article series may be of interest. Here's a brief excerpt and I've included a link in this post.

The Wall Street Journal echoes what I've been telling people for years. First, not everyone is cut out for this, and some vandwellers may do this because they see no alternative.

For those who decide to "dive in" I also suggest that one consider longevity of the engine, transmission and other chassis and coach components before purchasing a used vehicle.  Yes, there are Class B RV's, specifically Roadtreks on Dodge and Chevy chassis that are 30 years old, are running and some are for sale. But one has to be realistic when purchasing such a vehicle. Yes, the sale price may only be $16,000 but one should expect some maintenance issues.  Even 21 year old Roadtreks are being sold for $30,000. My 2013 210P could probably be sold for about $68,000, which is the current going price at:

https://www.roadtrekchapter.org/roadtreks-for-sale/

Roadtrek 190, 2000 model year, 138,000 miles, sale price $30,000

I advocate renting before buying, but I also advocate that one have a real purpose and plan before purchasing. G and I made the decision jointly and it would not have happened if she was not sufficiently on board.  We did have concerns. But we also realized that expression: "Life Begins at the End of Our Comfort Zone".  In fact, when we purchased our Roadtrek 210P G took a photo of me accepting the keys and she remarked "This will transform our lives".  And it has, in many good ways. 

I was a ground camper with experience backpacking, wilderness canoeing and tent camping from -25F to +100F, so Roadtreking was a real comfort improvement.  My work experience included outdoor environments of -65F wind chills and the Arabian desert, the swamps of Louisiana, the Florida Everglades and even hurricane Hugo and the events leading up to and the aftermath of Katrina; I left NOLA on the last flight out prior to hurricane landfall. Then, I returned to rebuild industry back to normal. Yep, RVing would definitely be a glamping experience.  I'm going to digress for a few paragraphs and then return to the theme of this post.  The reader can skip ahead to the main theme of this post.

Some reminiscences of hurricane Katrina.

Working long into the night to design and prove the systems to return an industrial  facility to operation, after Katrina. That facility provided the materials to build the levies for protection of New Orleans from future hurricanes

In the photo above, I was working in a trailer at night in which the mice danced around my feet.  I had designed and built the control technology to resurrect a critical component for the facility. I transported this to NOLA after assembly in Illinois.  I was making final tests to prove the resilience and ability to achieve the requirements.

I had one of few motel rooms available because before I left NOLA which is prior to Katrina landfall, I had made a reservation for 30 days. When I arrived at the motel, people were sleeping in sleeping bags on the floor of the lobby, which was completely filled with occupied sleeping bags. Some businesses had arranged for rooms and were working people 24/7. The workers got up in the morning and were replaced by the workers who had worked all night and then occupied the same beds. There were few places to get food. I had driven my own food stash for myself and for others, all the way from Illinois.

One night I went into a Subway in Slidell LA for a dinner sandwich; that was about 8:00pm. I made it a point to get there before closing, because it was the only food establishment open; the Sonic ran out of buns or hot dogs or whatever on alternating nights. I could return to the facility after "dining" and I did. I worked long into each night. 

At the Subway the exhausted young woman who made my sandwich was sobbing. I comforted her and she told me that she had been working, alone and continuously since 7:00AM that day and was at the end of her resilience and capacity. I thanked her for her willingness to be of service to others, such as myself. I thanked her for her commitment, and the sandwich she prepared for me. I told her emphatically that if she wasn't there I would not have had anything to eat that night. I acknowledged that I was aware how difficult this was for her, and I told her that if she couldn't do this it was okay with me. Yes, I was grateful for her service, but we each must care for ourselves. She calmed down, and I took my sandwich.  She is one of many inspirations in my life. God bless her.

This is one of many reasons I have little capacity for shirkers.  There are some really good Americans and then there are assholes. 

Electricians resorting to "low tech" fans to dry the Process Control remote I/O after cleaning out the cabinets after Katrina. One of many such electronic cabinets.

Hazmat garbed worker, cleaning out the office after Katrina

Returning to the theme of this post and the WSJ article

I did spent a lot of time, years actually, researching this RV lifestyle. I researched, discussed thoroughly with G and provided her with online resources. Using our conclusions we rented a Class B and learned from that experience; I had never before had any kind of RVing experience, other than walking around a few shows. 

Morning Coffee in Arches National Park from our Rental RV

When we purchased the Roadtrek 210P in December 2013 I took a year to climb under it, took some of it apart, and studied all the manuals including the various bits and pieces, while we trekked when time was available.  We've transitioned to full timers but still maintain a "sticks and bricks" abode I call my "furniture storage unit". It has taken time to transition to full time RVing and downsize and throw out, donate and give away a lot of stuff. 

A sampling of the manuals provided with our Roadtrek. I downloaded even more. 

I took on the Roadtrek as a long term project. It was about management by objective, an arcane philosophy. 

After purchase of the Roadtrek we took an inventory of all of the stuff in the coach. We logged manufacturer, model and serial numbers. I then downloaded dozens of specific maintenance manuals for everything I could find, from the furnace to the Tripplite inverter-charger to the 3-way refrigerator and Onan generator and all of the electrical components, etc. I read and studied them all and compared to what was actually in the Roadtrek. It was an education and it still is. I evaluated the purpose of each and every component and how they each contributed to our trekking experience. I identified possible improvements and the weak links in the chain. I then implemented improvements to strengthen the whole so as to make our trekking a better experience. Of course cost of improvements was a consideration. My thorough, methodical and cost-conscious approach has resulted in a better RV and better trekking experiences. I put what I can in this blog. 

RVing is for us a life of continuous education and discovery.  For me, I approached home ownership the same way, and maintained and improved the house and condo I owned using "sweat equity".  I've remodeled entire bathrooms and kitchens, for example. Added a Japanese Garden, expanded a garage to add a work room-potting shed, etc., etc., etc. All of this provided me with more and more skills layered on top of my work experience which included finance, business, electrical, mechanical, very high tech and so on.

I began this blog to share what I have learned, etc. For our Roadtrek I purchased spare parts and made a number of improvements slowly and incrementally, in part based up our trek when we rented a Sprinter based Class B, things about the Roadtrek which we identified before purchase decision, and then using our travel and living experiences. We have lived in it for up to 110 continuous days, and we have no illusions about the limitations or the benefits of the ownership and lifestyle. We also understand the financial costs of ownership and maintenance. I keep a maintenance log and I am of the opinion that these costs have been acceptable. There is a cost-benefit analysis to make and to consider. 

It is to be expected that the more we drive, the higher the operating and maintenance costs. We balance the cost of driving with the cost of camping.  For example, at 15MPG, a 300 mile driving day consumes 20 gallons of gas.  At $3 per gallon, that's $60 per day, plus the wear and tear on engine, transmission and consumables such as tires, oil, brakes, shocks and so on.  If stationary we live in a camper which was not designed for full time living, yet we have camped with nighttime lows of about 5F and daytime highs of about 103F (in the shade) and we have done so for up to 110 continuous days.  I continued to work remotely from the Roadtrek while we did this.  

In view of our expectations for our treks, we decided that it makes more sense to us to travel a reasonable distance and then camp for a while. But that's merely our perspective, and I suggest that one of the ways to create a positive experience is to have have reasonable and realistic expectations and then a payback for each trek, be it a unique location, something of historical significance, or a fun restaurant or even a resort campground. We design a purpose and outcomes and then strive to achieve them. 

Another component is to learn from our experiences. Our Roadtrek is not an automobile, although it is extremely comfortable.  Bouncing down the highway does stress the coach components.  So it is to be expected that things will break.  We save and prepare for future maintenance and we do know the proper maintenance intervals.  The Roadtrek is built on a well-known Chevrolet 3500 chassis. There is a wealth of information available for that vehicle. With all of the internet resources available, the FMCA Roadtrek Chapter and various forums, there also a wealth of information available for the modified coach. Caveat: there is also a lot of baloney and some mis-information, too.   Critical thinking skills are a real plus for the RV owner. 

"𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝗩 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗿: 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 - 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁." - WSJ Sept. 19, 2021

"...Yes, we have talked with retirees who have taken this route, most of whom find life, and work, on the road immensely rewarding. But they also caution that rookies need to navigate, simultaneously, two steep learning curves: how to live successfully in an RV, and how to think and operate (as one expert told us) like a “nomadic entrepreneur.”

To start, we’ll assume that you and your wife—as almost every expert recommends—already have rented an RV for one or two weeks (or, better, one or two months) to gauge whether living in a vehicle does, in fact, agree with you.

“It sounds romantic,” says Joel Cawley, a 61-year-old retired IBM executive who began RVing in 2020 and now writes books from his Winnebago. “But you don’t think about all the practicalities involved.” 

Mr. Cawley offers a partial list:

Learning how to maneuver the vehicle. (“Gas stations are tricky,” he says.)

Mastering (and, ideally, being able to repair, as needed) an RV’s various electrical and mechanical systems, particularly Internet access.

Finding the balance between travel and stationary days.

Deciding what you’re going to use to explore and run errands while your RV is parked. (This will help you decide what type of RV to buy in the first place.)

For beginners, Mr. Cawley says, “there’s plenty to stress about.”..........."

Here's a link to the article, which contains links to other resources:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/working-living-in-rv-camper-what-to-know-11631735215?

WSJ.com content copyrighted by the Wall Street Journal 2020

Roadtrek210.blogspot.com (c) 2021

Sprinter versus Chevy - Criteria

This post will look at some of the criteria we used for our camper van rental and comparison.

Deciding on Dimensions and Intended Use
Prior to renting we looked very closely at several camper vans over a period of months. I began my latest round of research earlier, in 2007. The vans in the current round of comparisons were approximately 17 feet, 19 feet, 21 feet, 23 feet and 25 feet in length. These were by several manufacturers and on several different van chassis. We went farther afield and looked at other alternatives. After looking and re-looking at various dealerships we decided that any camper less than 19 feet in length was too small for our intended use, and "21 feet" was the maximum acceptable length.We understood that in the range of 19 to 21 feet there would be compromises.

One of the primary requirements for the vehicle was the ability for both myself and my spouse to be comfortable in the drivers seat. Another was the ability to drive on normal roads just about anywhere, including crowded National Parks.  Cost was a factor. We were undecided if we would rent each year, or own. One of the questions we asked of each van we looked at was "Would I want to own this, and could it satisfy our requirements?" Renting was intended to provide a "hands on" experience.

One of the issues we discovered while doing research was finding suitable camper vans for rent. We wanted a camper van which could accommodate two adults for 5 days or more of continuous use during three seasons. 3-1/2 seasons would be better, with minimum useable temperature of 20F. Normal temperature range would be 25 to 95 F and below that we accepted the fact that we would have to give up some of the plumbing amenities. However, the majority of use would be above 32F.

It was my perspective that a camper van would be comfortable under a specific set of circumstances.  I also realized that different vehicles could "stretch" those circumstances and provide comfort at the extremes. For example, a smaller vehicle could be very comfortable for 2-3 days and a larger one for 3-5 days. An uninsulated vehicle could be comfortable in the temperature range 40-90F while a better insulated one could be comfortable over 30-90F. We considered heat to be more important than air conditioning.

Impact of Camper Van Features and Trade-offs
Van coach features would have an impact. We wanted the ability to stand upright without a pop-top. We also wanted as wide an aisle as possible, and appliances which didn't require one to get on their knees to access. An all electric vehicle with solar would be a different experience from one with propane heat and a generator, particularly if "off the grid." Of course, solar is "free" and available in limited quantities based on battery capacity while propane is a fuel that must be replenished with a cost. In other words, there would be trade-offs.  Increasing aisle width resulted in a wider vehicle. Adding larger appliances, or more appliances and a generator increased the weight. And so on.

Compromise would be necessary. One of the compromises could be limiting the usefulness or duration or treks. One can always check into a motel, or stay at an RV resort and plug-in and use the showers. These are reasonable options when the weather turns against one, or camping is no longer fun. I've done ground camping at extremes of -25F and 110F. This was achieved while backpacking in the wild, and canoeing and portaging 90 miles in Quetico. That was not the experience we were striving for with the camper van. Nor were we going to take a camper van into the wild and in places where a 4x4 is the only safe means of travel. If that was the goal, we should have been evaluating extreme vehicles, such as a GXV. One of the trade-offs was that we would be limited to where we could go, and if "off the grid" we would have a finite and limited amount of fresh water, energy and food with us.

Idealistically we wanted a vehicle that would be fun and useable in sunshine, rain and intermittent snow with the greatest temperature range. We were looking for a vehicle or vehicles which could be used for a range of treks covering the U.S. and Canada, with round trip journeys of 1000 to 2000 miles, or more. Typical duration would be 5 to 15 days with stops at RV resorts or parks, motels and so on. A larger, better equipped vehicle would provide the opportunity for the longer treks of greater duration. A larger vehicle should reduce the need for supplemental motels, etc.

We wanted the ability to sleep in reasonable comfort with heat when necessary and assisted ventilation. If on "shore power" air conditioning should be available. We wanted the ability to carry refrigerated, fresh food as opposed to freeze dried meals, granola bars and PBJ sandwiches. We wanted fresh running water daily and we also required a bath area in which the door could be closed for privacy when in use. We wanted the bath to include marine toilet and shower; ideally it would also include a sink.

Sprinter
We were interested in the Sprinter based vans, which are currently in vogue but expensive. I was curious about the bluetec (tm) diesel and we both realized the straight sides and high roof provided an optimized interior as compared to exterior dimensions. However, we also wanted to try competitive camper vans. We decided to use and evaluate two camper vans on two different treks about 60 days apart. We found this approach to be fun and enlightening. It also provided a true 3-1/2 season experience in camper vans.

We decided to include Roadtrek in our comparison because we were impressed by the "fit and finish" and the many good things we had heard about them. We also decided to use a vehicle converted by a smaller company.

All-Electric versus Propane and Generator
We decided to compare a vehicle with all-electric coach to one which included propane and a generator. This would be somewhat reminiscent of my days as a sailor. My 25 foot sailboat used wind power as it's primary motive force and was inexpensive to operate. A solar-powered camper van appeared similar. However, my sailboat used a very small gasoline powered outboard to maneuver in harbor or under zero wind conditions. The solar electric van used a diesel engine as it's primary motive force. The solar was primarily for charging batteries and there were definite trade-offs and power rationing if "off the grid" as electricity was required for the stovetop, hot water heater, space heater, vent fan and air conditioner. The batteries could be recharged by running the diesel automotive engine, but that was spoiling the fun. In our experience this type of vehicle performed best when on "shore power."

Real World Comparison
We used and compared two very different vehicles. One was "19 feet" in length and the other "21 feet" in length. These approximate dimensions were within what we considered a useful range. We considered the 19 footer to be the smallest usable footprint; it could be driven every day and parked anywhere, but was too tall for a normal garage. The 21 footer was a larger footprint and could be driven everywhere we wanted to go, but was at the limit of parking dimensions and we considered it to be too large for daily use. However, after driving the 21 footer, I have decided if the "continental" tire kit is removed and the spare stored inside that this van could be used more extensively.

Second Trek - Larger Camper Van

Note: Added some interior dimensional information per questions. See the notes at the end of this post.

Original Post:

In December we took a second trek in a camper van. This was in a slightly larger van, about 21 ft. long on a 155 inch wheelbase.  The first trip was a personal "proof of concept." Of course, the concept of camping is well proven, with 16.7 million Americans RV camping in 2011 according to The Outdoor Foundation. Within those millions there is a lot of diversity with towables, 5th wheels, truck campers, camper vans, Class A mobile homes, etc.

So finding the right balance for one's use is a very personal one. We had done our homework and had designed the expected use for the camper van. Yet, it remained to see if the reality met the concept. In another post I'll provide more on our intended use, and how it influences our decisions and the insights we've gained from our adventures.

How long have I been planning this? I first suggested that we rent a camper van in 2007.

For trek 2 we took what we learned in the Sprinter (Trek 1 in October) and we wanted to see what improvement a slightly larger unit would make for a trek of the same duration, roughly a week. The additional or changed amenities for this trek included:

• Adding propane instead of an all-electric camper van
• Propane two burner range, rather than electric
• A propane heater in addition to electric
• A microwave and/or convection oven
• Third seat upfront, 5 seatbelts total
• Swivelling captain's chairs
• Motorized couch to bed conversion to speed changeover in the evening and morning
• A heat pump as an alternative "heat" source for cool weather
• A generator and coach batteries with inverter in place of solar panels
• Larger kitchen area for preparation
• More storage
• Improved gray and black water systems with macerator pump. 

We decided our evaluation would be in a Roadtrek 210 from the 2013 model year. It is built on the Chevy 3500 Express Van chassis and this would provide a different, but equally interesting and comfortable experience.

The Trek - Bad Weather to Florida

We decided to head south to Florida, which was about the only part of the US east of Arizona which was predicted to have decent weather (high of 80F). A major arctic front was headed south and with it frigid temperatures and snow. To the south near what I call the "freeze line" there would be a "winter mix" and further south heavy rain! This would be a real test of the entire vehicle. During trek 1 we experienced warm to cool temperatures and perfectly clear weather.

Before leaving, I purchased three gallons of special anti-freeze for treating the fresh water system and P-drains prior to the return. It was to be in the teens by the time we got back to the north, and I was very concerned about damaging the piping systems with an extended freeze. The vehicle manufacturer does not recommend purging the lines with compressed air and so anti-freeze would be our approach. 

We left later than planned because packing, etc. took a bit longer than expected. We loaded pots, pans, utensils, staples, consumables, clothes, and manuals for the RV to assist in de-winterizing and re-winterizing. By the time we headed down the road it was mid-afternoon. We drove east and then south towards Indianapolis and it began snowing. The snow increased in intensity, but nothing like the "Lake effect" snow I've encountered many times in the past. The decreasing temperatures created icing conditions and soon we were in a convoy of trucks travelling at 25 MPH. We drove to the vicinity of Columbus IN and decided to spend the remainder of the night at a rest stop.

Normally, I prefer to drive beyond a city so as to avoid morning traffic; most people drive into the city to get to work in the morning. Driving beyond the city provides the opportunity to avoid that morning "rush hour" or two or three. Unfortunately for us, to do so under the conditions we experienced would have required driving to Louisville, KY and beyond, finally resting to the south. However, at our current rate of travel, that 75 miles would have required another 3 hours which was unrealistic. So we stopped. That's what a a turtle can do. Stop, and pull in it's legs. In our case it was snowing, but we had travelled beyond what seemed to be the worst of it and we were tired. We had no idea what was ahead, but it probably included a "wintery mix" of snow and sleet. 

We pulled into a rest stop and parked. I fired up the generator and we heated some coffee and tea in the microwave, and I turned on the thermostatically controlled propane heater; this was initially set at 68F. As I recall, this camper van has R4.5 insulation but the windows are single pane and covered with thick fabric during the night. I shut down the generator, but left the heater on and we setup for sleeping and tucked in. We used the inverter and batteries to power up the electricals. The refrigerator was on "automatic" and so it was running on propane. Everything was set and it should be a good night, and it was. 

I believe we finally settled on a thermostat setting of 70F. The rear of the vehicle and bed were very comfortable. We had two pillows, sheets and used a polar-tec fleece blanket and a good wool blanket. We adjusted the height of the rear bed using the electrical selectors and "hit the hay." 

The next morning we awoke about 5:30am to a wintery scene. My partner had already gone to the rest area facilities (our tanks were empty and winterized).

I fired up the generator so we could heat coffee and tea, and we dressed and prepared to leave in the gray dawn.

Travel southbound was much better than it had been the previous night. However, there were patches of ice. I drove warily, but there was no "slipping and sliding." The vehicle performed very well. As is my usual preference, I travelled in the middle lane, and with traffic. Traffic heading into Louisville was heavy because of the reduced speeds, but we kept a steady pace and continued southward. 

As we travelled the snow gave way to a wintry mix and finally to rain. We did not encounter the dreaded "black ice," Travel continued steadily and was significantly improved as compared to the previous day. We decided that at an average of about 50 MPH it would take 10 hours to get to Atlanta. I include pit stops when I calculate my average speeds. We knew this would mean encountering rush hour traffic in Atlanta. So be it! We travelled with traffic, stopped for a lunch and relaxed. This was supposed to be enjoyable!

We did arrive in Atlanta during rush hour with heavy rain. We negotiated our way through the myriad lane changes and so on. The camper van was quite the vehicle in traffic. The transit through Atlanta was uneventful.

We had some assistance. We used two GPS's for the trip. One was an offline unit with onboard database. The second was a Verizon dumb phone which provided real time traffic updates.

Segue into GPS's 
GPS's can be problematic. They are known for occasionally providing misdirection or unclear information. As a consequence we use two units and attempt to avoid making time consuming mistakes. This approach worked very well on trek 2 with "real time traffic and condition" updates provided by the Verizon dumb phone App. My third tool is Microsoft "Streets and Trips" with a GPS dongle. We also have a smart phone which we use for online searches and verification. (Not Apple!).

My personal perspective is simply that good information is essential for making good decisions. However, for trek 2, which I considered to be in travel terms "a milk run" did not require the third approach. Here's a couple of photos from a previous adventure, using the MS software. That trek was about 1500 miles and extraordinary. I have witnesses!

The Second Night - In the Navigator's Seat

We left Atlanta traffic behind us and began thinking about a stop for the night. We wanted to end earlier so we would get a good rest. Whoever sat in the right seat, which we always refer to as the "navigator" does research using several guides we had brought with us; for this part of the trek it was G's duty. She's really great at this. We were interested in stop options and with a second "smart" phone did online verifications and additional searches. We found an inexpensive campground in GA and decided to see what they had. We called ahead, made a reservation and it was dark by the time we arrived, and raining. 

Setup was easy and we plugged into shore power and started the heat pump. We had not yet flushed the system of anti-freeze and so we were dependent upon the amenities of the campground. However, we could always use the toilet in the camper van, but we had limited fresh water for flushing. I did have two separate gallons with me for coffee, tea and so on and it could certainly be used to flush if we decided to do so. However, part of this trek was to further discover the amenities provided by camp grounds which had hookups for RVs. We were newbies at this and discovery is a part of the process.

Soon we were eating soup and sipping hot liquids. We were both very tired and ready for bed. The rest stop the night before had been adequate, but last night we were both concerned about the weather ahead. So neither of us had sufficient REM sleep. Tonight we were beyond the "freeze line" and so we prepared for a good night's rest.

The Final Stage and Into Florida
The next morning after a good rest we awoke to very light rain and mild temperatures in the low 50s. We prepared to pull the plug and continue south. But before we travelled very far, there was the call of good pecan waffles for breakfast. It is important to maintain perspective and priorities!

After breakfast we switched seats and I became the navigator and we continued our trek to Florida. By mid-afternoon we had arrived at our destination near Gainesville. It was warm, sunny and pleasant. On arrival at the RV resort and after check-in we took a leisurely stroll and stretched, and then began set up. We flushed the anti-freeze from the fresh water systems. This took longer than expected because of the cryptic nature of portions of the camper van manual, but we did successfully flush the system, bleached and flushed the fresh water tanks, refilled and flushed once more. Then we took a second stroll for the day and got to know the neighbors.

Bleaching (sanitizing) of the fresh water system is not a frequent occurrence. However, this was a new vehicle and so we took no precautions.

After long walks we concluded we were certainly one of the smaller, if not the smallest rig on the grounds. However, we wanted to get to know the flavor of camping in RV resorts, discover the amenities and talk to all kinds of folks. Our immediate neighbors were from Nova Scotia and were in the warmer climate for three months; they said they do this each year. In the other direction was a couple from Ithaca, NY. Both families drove Class A motor homes. The couple from New York were preparing to return home for the holidays.

Sarasota and North Bradenton
We had arranged to visit family near Sarasota and so the next day we continued south. We arrived about noon as expected and parked the camper van. After initial conversation, everyone agreed we were hungry. Nancy drove and we headed to the Columbia Restaurant in Sarasota. Both G and I were familiar with Ybor City in Tampa which has the original Columbia. Yet, we had never had the opportunity to dine there. So it was agreed that "off to the Columbia" we will go.

After a wonderful lunch we walked "new" Sarasota. I was able to find a handy mat to place outside the entrance of our portable abode. It's made of recycled plastic and drains water continuously and can be readily shaken out and rolled up for travel.

We took a walk in "new" Sarasota, then to the beach and a drive through the older, established portion of Sarasota. 

We stopped and purchased some wine and continued to Gerald and Nancy's. We had a relaxed dinner together and watched Golf TV and football. We retreated to bed at about 9:00 which is "Bradenton Midnight."

The next morning, after a lovely breakfast, we thanked our wonderful hosts and headed north toward Tallahassee.

Tallahassee and a Portion of the Panhandle of Florida
We drove north toward Tallahassee and decided to explore a small portion of the panhandle. The cold front had progressed to the full extents south and so we had overcast weather.

I wanted my partner to see some of the things I've experienced. So taking G to the west along the panhandle was a wonderful way to do that. She and I will return in the future to explore Port St. Joe and hunt for blue crabs.

We had a wonderful lunch in a golfing community near Eastpoint on US 319. Then we continued to Tallahassee to continue our final night in Florida.

I am very actively involved as a board member of a large condominium and I had a timetable to meet, so I could attend the next association meeting. If it weren't for that, we would have spent several more days in Florida.

Our Final Nights Prior to the Return

We checked in at the RV resort and set up camp. Setup was quick, but the black and grey water hose barely reached. So I moved the vehicle to the extreme rear of the parking area. I guess I'll buy an extension hose for situations such as this.

G and I took a leisurely walk, met some of the neighbors and explored the community area. It included a lovely kitchen with oven, microwave and so on. On Thanksgiving we understand there were three turkeys in that oven in a coordinated, sequential way.

G played a piano tune to the attentive bison, who had no choice, as he was pinned to the wall.

We missed the weekly pancake breakfast. Perhaps next time?







As evening set in, we both relaxed and savored our final evening prior to the drive home. Dinner was uneventful.

The Return Trek
On our final morning we followed the manufacturer's winterizing recommendations "straight out of the manual." We drained the tanks completely and the water heater. We then removed the anode. Then the bypass valves were turned to isolate the tank.  One gallon of "pink" anti-freeze was put into each fresh water tank using the external fill points. We used the long necked funnel I had brought to do this.  This procedure went more smoothly than our initial purge and sanitization. We ran all of the taps to assure that the pump, valves, lines and spigots were pushing anti-freeze. I pressed the toilet flush valve to assure that we had anti-freeze in the toilet system. I then poured anti-freeze into the toilet and each of the drains, filling the P-traps. I ran the macerator and drained both of the gray and black tanks again.

Before leaving warmer climate I drained the external fresh water tank using the direct drain valve provided near this tank. I popped the internal covers and it appeared that the interior tank was also drained.

We spent a portion of the day with additional touring and then reluctantly turned northward. The return was smooth driving. The cold front had blown out and the storms had passed. As we progressed north, we encountered clear, cold air.

We spent one additional night on the road, and planned to approach Nashville TN in the early morning. However, there was some icing and with it several accidents, which were aggravated by the heavy traffic. Here is the backup we encountered at dawn:

Trek 2 was a success and we learned more about this lifestyle.

Notes:
1. Bench and bed dimensions: In the rear of the 2013 210P I have an electric convertible sofa bed. Roadtrek describes it as "king" size although it can be set up as two "twin" beds. Roadtrek's specification for my 210P are as follows:

• Rear King Bed Sleeping Length: 1980 mm/78"
• Rear King Bed Width: 2030 mm/80" (maximum)
• Rear Twin Bed Sleeping Length: 1980 mm/78"
• Rear Twin Bed Width: 760 mm/30"
• Actual measurements: From the inside rear door to the frontmost edge of the side seats/bed is about 6 ft. 6 inches. When in the "sofa" position the rear sofa is 6 ft. 4 inches wide and the benches are 36 inches wide. The rear armoire reduced the seating width of the bench on the passenger side.