Ride Height Valve

Thursday

Busy day today especially for Bonnie.  I was up first did a quick email read.  I heard from Colton RV and they could not locate the part or kit I needed to fix the linkage on the ride height control.  So I called Heavy Duty Parts and they had a repair kit and put it on the counter with my name on it.  Cost was $17.68 (when in broke PA. it cost me $96 for a quick repair) they put it on hold for me.

Then I headed outside.  I dug some planks out of the wood pile and cut the edges at a 45 degree angle.  The are 4, 3, 2, and 1 foot long.  I will stack them so I can drive the coach up on them so it is safe to get under it to repair the drive height valve.

Step ramp for the coach

Then I ran in took a shower and we headed for Cheektowaga. We made the stop and picked up the linkage repair kit, good news its the right part.  Then over to La Bella's to meet some friends for lunch.  We had a great time catching up.  They had been on a tour of Ireland and Scotland so we got to hear all about that.  Plus they are planning to head to Yellowstone next year and we were able to give them some hints about visiting there.

Then we headed straight home.  One of the back wheels is making a noise on the CR-V until you step on the brake.  Hope to get a chance to look at that soon.  Once we got home Bonnie worked on backing the Odyssey for her 31 Party tonight.  I got the tools together and the new parts ready to work on the coach.  Then changed clothes.

New link and a spare

Then we pulled the coach up on the ramps and I crawled under and put the new end on the linkage.  Only took a few minutes.  Then we took the coach of the ramps and headed into the house.  I was entering stuff in the computer when I realized I did not tighten the clamp on the new part.

Yep I forgot to tighten that clamp on top Now its tight

So I had to get under the coach and again and tighten it.  I managed to squeeze under and get it tight.  All fixed.  Finally I could head in just as Bonnie left for her party.  Once I cooled down I had my left over lunch that I brought home and then took a nice shower.  I documented what I did today and put pictures and part numbers into Evernote for future reference.

So now we are ready to go camping tomorrow with some friends at the Fireman's field in East Aurora.  Now time to relax and get to bed early as I am helping at VBS tomorrow morning before we load up and head out camping.  Bonnie made it safely home so I am headed for bed.

Friday

Up early this am getting ready to head to VBS for the final day, 51 degrees burr.  Well the final day of VBS went quickly and then the kids and staff put on a final program for the parents.

The final song with all the kids on stage

All went well from a technical standpoint and once the pizza party started I headed out.  I made a short stop at the fireman's field where we are camping this weekend.  Two of the rigs were there and I said hello to them and then headed home.

Once home I changed clothes and then went out to look at the CRV.  Something is making a dragging noise int the left rear wheel.  I suspected the brakes but all looks good with the disk breaks.  I even pulled the caliber and made sure everything was free to move.  I think the noise is inside the drum part of the brake that is used for the emergency brake or I have a bearing going bad.  So when we get back from camping I think it will be going to the shop in case it is a bearing and covered by the warranty.

Changed clothes again and we loaded our clothes and food into the coach and hit the road.  We did not tow the CRV Bonnie followed me in the Odyssey.   We were the last of the four couple to arrive.  We sat and talked for a while and decided to head to the Iron Kettle for supper.  We made 6pm reservations and there was a table almost ready for us, they just had to find 2 more chairs.   Everyone commented that there meals were really good and one couple said they would be coming back soon for another dinner.

Back to the campground.  Bonnie was working on some Thirty One stuff and the rest of us went in the clubhouse.  I checked my email and Scott and I talked about things in general while the others played Mexican Train with dominos.  We all called it a night and I am updating this before I head to bed.

Took four picture but got all 8 of us.

Saturday

Breakfast was at 9 this morning so we got to sleep in a bit.  I was running the heat pump to warm up the coach a little and Bonnie took a shower.  Well we are on a 30 amp circuit so of course we blew the breaker just before it was time to head to breakfast.  I had to find a screw driver to open the electric box but got it reset and we were back in business and we let the sun heat up the coach.  Breakfast worked out great and everyone just brought something to share.  We all had plant of good food to eat.

Chatting after a good breakfast

Bonnie and I ran to the bank to make some deposits after breakfast.  Then she dropped me off back at the coach.  I visited for a while with Bob and Caroline and then went back to get some lunch.  Bonnie pulled in as I got back to the coach and then Ron and Arlie pulled in in their car.  So they came into visit for a while.  Bob and Caroline then came over and we chatted for another hour.  Then we all went over to the club house for happy hour.  We had a few appetizers and everyone caught up on what has been happening with each other.

Happy Hour

Then back to the coach for a quick email check and then back together for a pot luck.  Bonnie had bought fresh produce and put together the fix ins for salad.  We had BBQ pork to eat.  Everyone brought their own meat and a dish to pass.  Once again we had plenty to eat and a nice variety.  Its almost Arts 73rd birthday so Donna brought a cake for him and we sang Happy Birthday!  It was German Chocolate, his favorite and mine.

We carried our stuff back to the coach, we had a little rain off and on, and then I headed back with the others to play Mexican Train.  Bonnie relaxed and read.  We played a few rounds and everyone was getting sleepy.  This camping and visiting tires you out.  So we called it a night.

Mexican Train

Time to call it a night.

Sunday

Its our last morning at the Fireman's Field in East Aurora.  This afternoon 3 of us plan to move up to Golden Hills for 3 nights.  We had a little rain yesterday evening but nothing significant.  The sun is shinning this morning and it is to be in the mid 70's today.  So looking forward to a nice day.  Pancakes are on the agenda for today and its time to head over for breakfast.

Breakfast was fantastic and we were all fully stuffed.  After breakfast we cleaned up the clubhouse and then slowly worked on our own rigs and getting packed up but there was no real hurry to get going.  Some time after noon we took the key back over to the pizza shop and turned it and the payment for the weekend in.  They back to chat some more with the others under the tree.  Bonnie made a trip to Tops as did Art and Donna.  Elizabeth and Alexus stopped in to see us on their way home from church and visited for a while.  Then it was time to head out.  Art and Donna left first.  Then I moved out of the way so that Bob and Caroline could get out and use the dump station.  Then they hooked up their car and we headed North for Golden Hill State Park.

We pulled in just before 4pm, good thing the office closed at 4.  We got set up and soon Art and Donna pulled in as they stopped at their house on the way here.  I went over to introduce myself to the couple on the next site.  Low and behold it was Sue and Jay.  I used to work with Sue at Wyoming county.  Her and I often talked about camping up here at Golden Hill.  Wow small world.

We all made our own suppers but we did sit out at a table together.  Then after supper Art started a fire and we enjoyed it as the sunset.  No storms like last time we were up here.  It was a beautiful sunset.  Sorry no pictures.  The cellular network is really bad up here.  I am hoping that I can get this to post.  After that we all headed tot he coaches.  Everyone is a bit tired and ready for a good nights sleep.

I sure hope I can get this to post.

Thanks For Checking In!

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” 
― Albert Einstein

Starting the days early-VBS Week

Monday

Up at 6am in fact it looks like that will be my start time everyday this week.   Today I need to be at church by 8:30 to work in the booth for Vacation Bible School.  I am running the video side today.

We had a lot of last minute things to get ready one at church but we were able to get started on time and things went pretty smoothly.  The groups of kids cycled through every 35 minutes and we even got a half hour break at 11:05.  All in all a good day.  I was headed home by 12:30.

On the way out this morning I noticed that the mouse bait was dragged out and all gone again.  So I figured I better build a better mouse bait station.  So I took an old coffee container and got busy.

Mounted the can over the spikes that hold the bait

Access hole for the mice

In place under the coach

Hot and humid so far today so I went in for lunch and to catch up online and on TV.  Later in the afternoon the wind picked up and it seemed to cool down a little.  So I went out fired up the lawn tractor and cut the back section of the yard where it was dry enough.  I wanted to get this done as it is to rain again tomorrow.  Then I got on to the tractor and turned the mulch pile and restocked it.  As I was finishing I noticed a bunch of bees, probable yellow jackets swarming around where I had just turned the pile.  There must have been a nest so I quite without getting stung.

I came back in and made a call to Roger about my HydroHot and had to leave a voice message.  He called back in about 40 minutes with good news.  They are going to provide a brand new current model AquaHot to replace my unit.  They want this one back to see what failed on it.  There are still some details to work out but this takes a big load off my mind.

Off to bed early tonight we head downtown to the mission in the morning.

Tuesday

We were up and on our way downtown to the mission.  Light rain here at the house when we left.  We were not there last week so I had a couple weeks of volunteer statistics and hours to catch up on.  So that kept me busy all day and Bonnie was able to finish her phone project.

We headed home and the sky was looking like a storm was coming.  We stopped long enough at Elizabeths to have a bowl of her homemade soup, it sure was good.  A look at the weather radar showed some heavy rain in the area, so we headed home.  I ran the trash out to the road and it was starting to rain.

Lots of heavy rain in the area, the news says it flooded parts of downtown.  Not too bad here at the house.  We did get a little over 1/2 inch and over 3/4 inch for the day.

Not an exciting day but a productive one.  Well I have made the decision to have the new Aqua-Hot shipped here and I will install it with a little help from some friends.  Roger will supply a kit with fittings and tools I may need.  The unit should ship in a few days and I think we still will be able to camp with our friends this coming weekend.  We may even have hot water if the leak does not get any worse.  I am hoping to finish the replacement install on the 25th.

Well another early day tomorrow so early to bed again tonight.

Wednesday

Wow what a day.  Its after midnight and I am just getting time to write the blog.

I was up at 6am and had breakfast and left for church to help at VBS again.  That went well.  It is overcast and cool today keeps looking like rain.  I got home after 1pm and Bonnie said she was not feeling all that great.  She did say that we needed to meet her sister at 7:30pm tonight (more on that later)

I needed to take some pictures for Roger so ththis at he can send me the installation kit for the AquaHot that should be here next week.  So Bonne and I went out to the motor home and I raised it up with the air bags so that there was room for me to get under it.  One under it there is plenty of room with the slide out.  I took off the back plate and took some pictures of the way the heater is hooked up.

This is the back and will be the difficult part I think.

Then the front side which should be the easier side.  More room to work and out in the open.

Front side

So I noticed while I was under the coach that the ride height valve linkage was broken again.  This happened last year on our trip to Pennsylvania to help at GAIN.  I think when I raised the coach up it might have broken.

Rubber part pulled apart.

So now I need to find that and fix it before Friday.  So that leave tomorrow.  I emailed Jeff at Colton RV and he got back to me but they were not sure what the part was but a tech called me and they are working on it.  I googled the part and found the part number and I think I can get it at a truck parts store when we go into Cheektowaga tomorrow, if Colton does not have it.

So come 7:00pm we headed for Carols with a recliner in the back of the CRV.  Jeff her neighbor came  over with his truck and we headed for Yorkshire to pick up a new loveseat for her parents new apartment, boy was it heavy.  Then we headed for the apartment in East Aurora.  Got there and it seems that the key got left at the house in Holland.  But Katie my niece was headed our way for work so she picked up the key and dropped it off.  While we waited we carried the boxes of household goods up that we brought and the recliner.  Then we tackled the heavy reclining love seat.  It would not fit in the elevator in the box.  So we unboxed and took up the three smaller pieces.  The we were able to get the rest of the base into the elevator and down the hall to the apartment.  Katie showed up with the key a short time later and we were able to move everything into the apartment.   I changed out the shower head for a handheld one and we headed home.  Got here a little after 11.  I wanted to check the part numbers for tomorrow and get the blog posted.

So now it time to post and get to bed.

Thanks For Checking In!

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” 
― Albert Einstein

Repair time again

Thursday

I am up early this morning 6am and heading to the dentist for my semi-annual cleaning and checkup. Will see if I need any repairs.  Got the thumbs up at the dentist and got to visit a few minutes with some friends.  I stopped at the logging company for a few minutes and then headed home.  I wanted to take a quick nap but that did not work out.  Bonnie headed out to mulch some more around the trees.

I put on my big boy mechanic pants and headed outside.  First order of business was to put some stickers I found on the cars.

The car is still nice and shiny

Then I went down and put the registration sticker on the utility trailer.  Now for the big job.  I wanted to pull the burner on the HydroHot and see if I can see a leak.

This is the unit installed in the coach

The burner is nice and clean no dripping fuel

Nice and clean

But not the inside.

 The inside is all wet and you can see where the coolant is draining down the exhaust.  I smelled and tasted the fluid and it is definitely coolant.  I took a lot of pictures but they do not show what you can see with your own eyes.  I emailed them to Roger so he can see what he thinks about the proof for the warranty.  Then I put it all back together and fired it up to make sure the burner still worked.

Lots more fluid came out

I think the exhaust pipe was loaded with fluid and it came out in a solid stream while I ran the burner. I put the tools away and cleaned up.  Time for lunch and I could really use that nap.  Oh I checked the traps and no mice today.

Well I got that nap.  Still waiting to hear where they want us to take the coach for repair.

Friday

Looks like it will be another gorgeous day here in WNY.  Hopefully I can get out and cut the rest of the grass.  Still waiting to hear on my HydroHot repair.  No word so I called and Roger is still waiting to hear.  He forwarded the pictures I took yesterday to AquaHot and is waiting to hear back from them.

Bonnie mulched some more and then started to work on a craft project.  I went out to cut grass.  I did notice that the the board I mounted all the mouse bait on was dragged out from under the coach.

Baits all gone

We both smelled a skunk last night so I wonder if it got into it.  I may have to build a box for it to be in with a small hole for the mice.  No mice in the traps again today.  Well its too wet to cut grass so I grabbed the pruning shears and went around the edge of the yard and trimmed all the low hanging branches that hit me when I mow.

Does not show good but the side hill is all yellow wild flowers

Trimmed the low hanging branches

 Checked the mail just a piece of advertising for $500 off on a new MiniCooper.

Yesterday Bonnie asked about going to a Batavia Muckdogs game.  So we are heading to the game and the fireworks to follow.  But first we prepared a boneless pork roast to smoke

This is bound for the smoker

Finally at the game with a pretty lady

Muck Chow

Speedy guy rounding third

 He did score but we lost 4-2.

Homer the Muck Dog

 Then it was time for the fire works

The fireworks display was very nice and we were glad to see our car was not hit with any foul balls.

We had an uneventful trip home, did not see any deer and now off to bed we have an early morning.

Saturday

6 am early, way early after getting to bed after midnight.  We are headed to a park along the Niagara river to help at the Buffalo City Mission Motorcycle Run.  It benefits the Kids Day Camp Program at the Womans Facility.

There were quite a few staff already at the Gratewick Park along the Niagara River in North Tonawanda.  The river views were a pleasant site all day, busy with boats.  We jumped right in and helped where we could.  Putting up signs and banners and covering tables.  The propane connections were really worn on the rental grills but I was able to get them hooked up and not leaking.

One of the banners

Icing down the drinks

Chef Mike testing the grill, a little lunch for us workers

Before long the bikers started showing up.  All makes of bikes even one Moped.

Bonnie worked with Chrissy and Elizabeth at registration

 I helped by getting the correct T-shirts sizes for them.  All in all there were almost 80 bikes registered.  There was also a silent auction and other ways to donate to the cause.  We bought a few of the tickets but we did not win anything.  Everyone got some gift and I got a Tim Horton's gift card.

This was the T-Shirt design

Bonnie chasing down some that needed to complete paperwork

There was coffee and donuts for the pre-race snack.

Tim Horton's

The drive off was at noon. The Niagara County Sheriff Deputies Provided the escort.

They did the front and rear escort

Riders Away

The riders rode about 50 miles to another park, took a break had a snack and then headed back.  Once they got back they had their meal and then the prizes were handed out and the drawing for the Chinese auction.  Soon it was over and it was time to tear down.  It always amazes me how fast what took a long time to set up comes down.  We soon were headed home.

We made a stop at SAMS club and then headed home.  Its nice to be home and relaxing a little.  Church and a family reunion tomorrow.

Sunday

Church was good again as usual.  The small group studies were introduced today and we signed up for one over in Java on the Biblical significance of Israel (the Promised Land).  We start in September and finish before Thanksgiving.

Then on to the Williams reunion.  Almost 30 people showed up and we had a good time catching up with each other.  This was the 103rd annual reunion.  One of the ladies was 93 and so has been at a lot of them.

SIL, Niece (she was the bride a couple weeks ago), and Bonnie

Saying hello and getting ready to eat

Rescue Dog Bruno, very well behaved

So we had a good time over at the reunion but it was nice to get home and relax a little.  Well we got to relax after we put the pork in the smoker.  We caught up on TV and racing news and even got in a little nap.

Time to get the pork out of the smoker.  Out of the smoker.  Cleaned up the smoker racks and put the grill back on the roll around cart.  Now let it cook overnight.  I think I deserve a bowl of ice cream.  No other supper tonight neither of us were hunger enough to make it.

Well time to post this and get that ice cream.

Thanks For Checking In!

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” 
― Albert Einstein

Week off

Monday

After all the rain yesterday we pretty much stayed in the house all morning.  The mail lady did bring a couple packages to the door but left the mail out in the mailbox.  When Bonnie got a call I went out and got the mail.  Also checked the traps in the coach.  One mouse the other traps are still set.  So I emptied and reset it.  Then back in for a little lunch.

Later I headed out to look at a wet spot under the coach just to make sure it was not a leak.  But it was all dried up so I guess it was just water, which is good news.  I did see another mouse but he got away, so I set another trap next to the HydroHot unit.  Then I got out the ladder and decided to take a look at the awning over the door that will not extend.  I know the left cover needs to come off but can not figure out how.

Trying to get the cover off

Not much room to the left

Even if there was more room I can not find more that one screw that I can get at.  So I called Care Free the awning maker.  This unit has been discontinued and the replacement one is over $1200.  I asked how to get the cover off and they told me you have to drill holes in it and destroy it to get it off.  It seems these are made to be worked on when the awning is open.  Of course there is no way to manually open it.  Bonnie and I have decided it can stay this way for now.  I will check and see if the extended warranty will cover it.  So I put the ladder and tools away and retreated to the house.  Its not real hot out but it is sunny and humid again.


Tuesday

First day of school for our grandkids in Alabama today and the very first day for GD Reagan.  We have the Week Off from the mission because of some scheduled vacations.  The weather looked good this morning but then the clouds moved in and we did get a bit of rain.  The heavy stuff went south of us.  When I went out to get the mail I noticed a wet spot under the coach again.

This can't be good

 Coolant dripping from the Hydro Hot exhaust pipe.

This is worse

Enough that it made it all the way to the end of the pipe.  So it appears we have another leak in the new HydroHot.  It has a 1 year warranty so I contacted the company we bought it from and we are working on what to do next.

Bonnie went to Warsaw late this morning and extended her RV permit, got our new registration for the utility trailer, and did the grocery shopping.  She was home long enough to drop that stuff off and then she headed for her mothers to help with getting them ready to move.  I worked on getting the trash collected and out to the road.  Then went through more stuff in my room and took the hard drive out of a computer that no longer worked.  Once the rain came I sat down and watched the last episode of Lonesome Dove.

Bonnie came home after 10 and I think we are both ready for a good nights sleep.

Wednesday

Bright and Sunny this morning and it woke me up a little early.  I took care of some financial entries on the computer and then breakfast.  Turned on the computer and it reminded me that I had an early appointment at the dentist for a cleaning tomorrow, so I set the alarm for 6am.  Now to work on getting the coach looked at.

About all I did today was sent lots of emails and made some phone calls.  AquaHot wants me to get the coach checked at a Certified AquaHot Service Center, which is listed as Buffalo RV here.  I called them and was told that the one technician they had no longer worked there.  Colton RV where we bought the coach and where the new unit was installed has some trained technicians but AquaHot does not have a record of their certification.  So we are working on that.  Perhaps they will step up and become a Certified Service Center.  They sell Tiffins and a lot of them have AquaHot units.  While my unit is a HydroHot it is made by the same company before they changed the name.  So right now we are waiting to hear from AquaHot on where to take the coach.

We did not do much else today, we were really board and watched two movies.  One "Hatch" was ok and the other was not don't even remember the name.  Now for the news and supper.

Looks like our we need to change our passwords again after the Russian Hackers broke into hundreds of thousands (420,000) of websites.  So I will go ahead and get this posted for tonight.

Thanks For Checking In!

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” 
― Albert Einstein

Lots More Rain

Thursday

The Hawks calling back and forth to each other woke me this morning.  Well this was my second wake up.  A spectacular Thunder and Lightning storm went by between 4 and 5 this morning.  After breakfast we headed outside to wash the cars, while I started on the cars Bonnie pulled weeds.

We did both cars

It had been overcast but the sun came out nice and bright once we started on the cars.  We decided not to work on the coach in the sun.  Bonnie decided to spread mulch.

Working at the mulch pile

I put the hoses etc away and then used the tractor to turn over some of the mulch pile.  Then I grabbed the mail and headed into the house with the wet towels.  I threw them in the wash and made some lunch.

At least 4 points

Bonnie took this picture through our back door last night, he was with a doe and two fawns.

I can report that I had a successful nap today.  After the nap I went down to put the bucket and car brush away back in the garage.  I decided to go ahead and check the pressure in the coach tires and all are right around 105psi.  Then I checked the mouse traps.  Two of the three traps had caught mice.  I think that makes 6, at least they did not get the peanut butter.  No need to rebait, just reset them.



Friday

Another beautiful night for sleeping.  Woke up on my own this morning, no crows and no hawks calling.  Bonnie was up a short time later and after breakfast she headed out to trim bushes and vines. I decided to sort through old computer stuff and see what I could get rid of.

Sorting through some of my "saved stuff"

I was able to get rid of 3 containers of stuff.  Lots of it was papers and records so I ran those through the shredder.  Its starting to make some strange noises so I think I am wearing it out after many years of service.  Then I finally took a very old laptop apart and got out the hard drive so I could throw the rest of it away.

Top of the Line in its day.

While I was out I went out and got the mail and then decided to check the mouse traps.  One tripped and licked clean.  The other two had mice.  One was just caught by the tail and was trying to chew up the trap.  He had to be dispatched and then I cleaned up the chewed up trap, looked like sawdust.  By this time I was soaking wet with sweat.  Boy is it humid.  So I treated myself to a Klondike bar and a cold drink.  Now hoping for a quick nap.  Then off to a picnic and program at church.

We had a real good picnic and program at church with a couple from Israel.

Lots of good food

These were the best sloppily joes I ever had and they were made with turkey meat.  The side dishes were also spectacular.  Then there were the desserts, wow.  I learned a Jewish folk dance and the information and message on what is happening in Israel were very informative.

Saturday

What a beautiful morning, this is one of the many reasons we love WNY.  I went out to check the mail and the traps.  One trap was tripped but still has the bait and no mouse.  I am trying something new.  I put out a few bait blocks outside and under the coach so hopefully they will eat that and stay out of the coach.  Bonnie went over to see her sister and I watched Lonesome Dove.

Bonnie got home and I headed outside to cut grass before we get more rain later.  I got a lot cut where I could and saved some of the high ground for later.  The girls headed to the Attica Rodeo with their cousin for the afternoon session.

The new outfit and boots

Family Smiles

 They had a good time at the rodeo and stopped by to visit afterward.  We ordered Pizza and Wings from Prallers and then watched a movie.  We also had quite a storm and lots of rain in a short time .87 inch .

We got this picture last night.  Seems our two Alabama Granddaughters are budding athletes.  They both won 1st place for their age groups in a Triathlon.

Two Cuties

Sunday

Church this morning was very good again.  It was raining when we left and continued to rain for most of the day I believe it has stopped but the rain gauge shows .79 inches.  Today was senior recognition at church and it was amazing to read what these young people have already accomplished in their lives and what they hope to accomplish in the future.  The youth also left for 4 days at Darien Lake for Kingdom Bound.  It won't be fun setting up tents in the rain or even if its wet.

We watched Dale Jr win the NASCAR race and listened to it rain.  We had lots of water in the back yard again, run off from up the hill.

Lots of run off

We had left over wings and pizza for supper.  I fired up the grill and grilled them to heat them up, boy they were good.

Our new favorite to heat up left overs

Well the rain has stopped for now so we are hopeful the kids will have a good time at Kingdom Bound.  We had another good but wet week.

Thanks For Checking In!

"Life is not a Race, find Joy in the Journey"