A) Draining the sewer, this is a two
step process 1. Black water holding (that is toilet waste in case you
don't get that). Kevin connects an additional Hose to the Black
Water to add clean water to the tank to assist in flushing/cleaning
the debris from the tank. The flushing process begins once the tank
has finished draining via gravity. Kevin usually monitors the clear
water flush by letting the clean water run for about 15 – 20
minutes. Once the Black water has drained and the clean water flush
is completed the Gray water (shower, sink and other drains) is then
emptied. This also helps flush all residue from the drain hose.
The sewer hoses are then disconnected
from the drains. The ends are closed to reduce any residual draining,
they are stowed in there plastic buckets, and placed in the RV
basement until the next over night stop. Kevin does this all with
plastic gloves then washes hands thoroughly!
B) Inside the RV is readied by:
Closing all vents, windows, locking all
sliding doors, closing/locking all drawers, lowering the TV antenna,
making sure all electronics are off. These include the TVs,
Satelite, home entertainment center, cable box, thermostat,
refrigerators,......
Put all items away so that the slides
can be pulled in, this includes but are not limited to: rugs,
toaster, covers for sink and stove top, dog bed, yoga mat, numerous
bags with electronics and knitting projects, printer, etc
C) Then prepare for RV movement: this
includes pulling the 4 slides in, disconnect the fresh water supply
and filter system, coax cable. Put away all chairs, ladders, rugs or
other items removed from the 'basement' bays.
D) Raise the jacks (there are 4 that
stabilize the RV when parked).
E) Next start the engine and let it
warm up a bit. Disconnect the SHORE POWER and stow the 50 amp surge
protector and power cable. The days destination is entered into the
GPS.
F) Theresa then carefully guides Kevin
out of the site. Note there is not much room to make the needed
maneuvers so lots of back and forth is usually required... Theresa
and Kevin have their own signals..(more on that on another post!).
G) Next it is hook up the Toad (jeep),
be sure the power is charging the breaking system, check the turn
signals and break lights, ensure that the tow bars engage as well as
the wheels turn w/o any drag on the car.
Good to go! This can take 1-2 hours to
accomplish. Nothing is done quickly in an RV!
Additionally today, another round of
laundry was done by Theresa while Kevin initiated some of the
preliminary steps. There was really no rush, so Theresa also did her
30 min P90 21 day fix routine as well as a shower in the hour it took
to get all the laundry done. That was productive!
Kevin checked the pressure in the tires
and noted that most were a bit low. The park had a FREE air station
that was used to add? Air to the tires. When doing so to the right
front tire the air bursted out making it even lower. Kevin struggled
with the air hose and reached a tolerable pressure for the trip and
left it at that.
Finally at about 10:15 the Smitanic
made it's exit from the resort.
Traffic was riddled with construction,
accidents and Texas drivers. Kevin used the 'F' word in many
combinations... What the _, this is a cluster _, they are a dumb _,
Who the _, _ing idiot, as well as other expletives. Meanwhile,
Theresa would lean to the center of the RV with eyes closed in hopes to offset how
close the RV was coming to the construction barricades on the right. Kevin was a master and guided the RV right down the center with skill an precession! He does have skills!
The Smitanic was due for fuel so
Theresa investigate the options for the preferred Pilot/Flying J
stations (there is an App for that). As Pilot/flying J members they get a discount of .05-.08
per gal for diesel which can make a huge cost savings when requiring
30-50 gal per day. The tank holds 150 so Kevin likes to keep it
above ½. This also lessens the sticker-shock at each fill.
The only Pilot station on the days trip
required a slight detour from the GPS path. This turned out to be
good as the original route's exit was closed to trucks (and any large
RV) due to construction. There was an alternate way to get back on the
trail after the fueling stop. With the fueling complete, the RV was
on course to take the 410 north and then west to connect back to I10
to get around San Antonio. As soon as the merge to 410 was made the
traffic came to an abrupt halt. There were emergency vehicles
guiding traffic around a nasty accident and backed up traffic for 2
miles or more. After a 40 min delay the Smitanic was back up to full
speed heading West into the hills of central Texas.
The original destination was abandoned for a stop
another 40 miles West to an RV Resort in Kerrville, TX to allow for
shorter mileage the next day.
Each day Kevin and Theresa plan the
next days mileage, gas stops, and overnight stays. As the next day
unfolds they modify and adjust all elements of the days trip as
events unfold.
The 'resort' was a tight squeeze off a
country road, with lots of continuos traffic elevating the noise
level. The facilities did include an indoor pool and spa, which was
not leveraged due to all the other obligations that were required,
but the pool looked nice. Good thing this is just a one night stand
and there needs to be a quick exit in the AM. Note that the internet
sucked as well. Perhaps a rating needs to be done...
On Friday the plan is to make it to
Fort Stockton, TX to the ONLY campgrounds for a 100 mile radius!
This was on last years trip as well, so it is a known destination
that has full hook up and a cafe to boot! There are limited options
to adjust for this planed overnight stop, so this is it.
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