FUELING

As we travel around America showing the Oliver Travel Trailers, fuel prices will vary considerably. And likewise the fuel delivery pumps will vary vastly too. The Pony has several fuel tanks and it is possible to tear up a thousand dollar bill real quick when taking on diesel fuel. Here is a look.

We filled one tank and a small part of another in the above photo !

The fuel pumps delivery rate makes a big difference in how difficult the refuel session can be. So, we have developed some zany tricks to get it done. Here is a short  ( 29 second ) video  of a couple of those tricks that we sent to a friend.

Pony Express fueling trick

Ok, here comes the video disclaimer:

Like so many other things in life that I have been known to do, more cautious and prudent persons will find fault with my field expedient methods, and, question the sanity, safety and possibly even the legality of  them. No doubt I will receive a bit of “fan mail” over this tongue in cheek, “gag” video !

LEVEL

Now, we’ve all heard the expression, “half a bubble off” of level. But until you have had to spend a couple of days contending with “half a bubble off”, it may not have the same meaning. When parked on a campsite that is a “half of a bubble” off of  level it effects nearly all of your RV’s systems and can cause vertigo in some people.

The fluid levels in the various tanks are effected to the extent that they may run out sooner or fill up quicker.

The electric leveling jacks can cure many of these ailments, but, the step up from the ground will always have one larger or shorter step you have to take. Here is a look at our current step set up.

The first and third steps are standard, but that second step can fool you ! We can hardly wait for the new bi-folding step to reach us out on the road !

Here is a look at it. It will sure make a difference for those of that have had ankle, hip or knee surgery.

The bi-fold step, it’s one more step in the right direction !

FISHING

As we tour the New Oliver Legacy II around the country, piling up the miles and the back log of States behind us, this country boy's mind wanders more and more frequently to fishing. Yes, good times at the lake with good friends and, fishing ! We started our tour quite far South, and as we move progressively more to the North, we bump into Spring again. So, there you have it. Mother nature is telling me constantly that we are supposed to be fishing at this time of the year ! You know, this is such a cool job ! But, dang it, a Mountain Boy is supposed to be fishing this time of the year. Here is some pix that I remember of good times at the lake.

This is one of our favorite campsites. The Big fir campground out on Housley Point in Lake Ouachita. It is a Primitive campground with vault toilets, no water and no electricity. The greatest of Boondocking fish camps !

This is at Lake Greeson, a good cat fishing lake, but it has sewer, water and electricity. A very cool place, but not nearly as much fun.

This is our "live box", it is usually anchored out in the Lake just a bit, away from the shore break stirred up silt. Hey, gotta' keep them cat fish fresh !

The boat, with the jugs loaded and ready and the tackle box loaded. I an writing this as we are in the Charleston SC KOA, showing the Oliver, and, we will soon start up the East coast plumb up to Maine before looping back to the West below the Great Lakes. Looks like it will be July before we get to the lake this year. Oh, well, better late than never ! Betty and I hope to see you at the lake this year !

BLUEBONNET

Lots and lots of stuff going on at the 2014 BlueBonnet Casita Club Rally ! Here is a look at the start of the days activities this Saturday morning.

Pancake Breakfast in the rally hall with friends.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdgUduRJofY

Friends the Underwood’s arrived, looking like this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQYU-WgbD7s 

Most early mornings begin around the campfire like this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fk5eoiQdPU

Squirrels

They are everywhere ! Those pesky Squirrels are everywhere.  No sooner did the sun come up when thump thump, a Squirrel comes out of a tree onto Poco’s home while we are touring with Oliver’s Legacy II.

Betty, Poco and I were in our usual early morning Coffee Drinking spot, under the awning, in the lawn chairs.

Poco was dozing in a patch of sunshine while in his lawn chair and on his favorite blanket, when he heard the atrocity.

Instantly he is on alert.

Then suddenly, bounding out of his chair in pursuit of the intruder. Tail high in the air, the Squirrel fled for the safety of the nearest tree. Satisfied that he had taken care of the situation, Poco strutted back to his place in the sun and curled back up in his blanket.

Ah, yes, life out on the road in America’s Heartland. Ain’t it cool !

PARKS

All RV parks are not created equal. Although the across the board pricing and fees seems to be fairly consistent. During our 2014 Oliver Legacy tour, a overnight stay with full hookups seems to cost between $25 to $35., depending on which membership cards you are carrying.

Most parks want to be readily seen from the highway which means trees and shrubbery that can subdue traffic noise are few. Parking near the back can really help with that.

The quality of services offered can vary widely in areas such as laundry room, general store or recreation hall. If you are on vacation or holiday, that isn’t quite as big of a deal, but, if you are full timing, it becomes more important.

Connectivity is pretty fair if all you are doing is checking email or light web surfing for reservation’s. But if you are uploading videos, paying bills or burning through a lot of data, you might need to have your own internet device.

Parking surfaces can vary widely from finished concrete, sand, dirt, gravel or grass. Using your jacks means needing to have something to put down to distribute the weight.  Wood blocks are heavy and take up a lot of space. Plastic blocks are lighter, but are easier to break.

Pull through parking spaces will cost about the same as back in spaces, and a thirty amp electrical service will cost about the same as a fifty amp space.

All in all, exploring these parks is a cool part of the over all RVing experience.

We hope to see you out on the road soon !

MEAHER

Friday the 4th of April we departed Lake City Florida before a front arrived that was forecast to bring that area four days of rain.

Our campsite had pine needles washed up in rivulets that told us that it had flooded during the last heavy rain, and the ground was already saturated. It was time to move.

We took this sign shot as we departed.

Heavy rain off and on all the way to the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay Alabama where we stopped at Meaher State Park.

Located right on the waterfront, we have a very scenic show site. Here is a look.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4MujrBuPZ4