Ropeshaft

I was at Oshkosh Friday. I wish I would have checked them out. I will check with my local dealer and get one when available. My 2000i should still be worth something on the secondary market.

10 hours ago, Kirk W said:

The subject was dealing with the prices not our opinions about why they have gone up. 

We will be leaving on Monday for our trip to Escapade in Lebanon, TN, followed by a visit to Radcliff, KY for a week or so and then probably back to TX. That 3 week trip is going to be about 1700 miles and with diesel prices now over $5/gallon pretty much everywhere and still rising, For purposes of estimating fuel costs I'm using $6/gallon but we will pay what we must. For us that looks like somewhere between $800 and $1000 depending on where the prices go between now and July. Since we have doctor appointments we must be back for those but we may head back out later in the month. We have shortened our planned distances as we had considered a trip to northern MN, but that has been dropped.  

What are others doing at this point in time?

Our RV-ing the past several years has been renting a Class C. This fall we have a 3-week trip planned and we are estimating 489 gallons of gas. Originally for estimating purposes I had gas at $4.00 per gallon. Obviously that figure is out the window but no matter what it is, I can deal with the price. My larger concern is if we encounter a shortage since I can’t do anything about that.

My car ran out of gas yesterday. I’m pretty sure it’s totaled. 😜

Our RV-ing these days is usually an annual rental of either a Class A or Class C.  Last year was a rental in Alaska after flying into Anchorage and getting sites wasn't bad since the Canadian border was closed for people wanting to drive from the lower 48.  This September we will be doing a 3-week rental from Wisconsin and heading west.  I have some reservations made already and some I can't do more than 6 months in advance so that will happen in March.  I do plan to have reservations for the whole trip to avoid unpleasant surprises.  I figure if our plans change for any given nights and we forfeit our deposit, it's not the end of the world.

Winnebago did unveil their e-RV at the Tampa Show yesterday during Industry Day which wasn’t open to the public.  But they did stream the announcement and the unveiling which I watched.  It is a concept and no details on when it will be available for purchase.  We are heading to Tampa today and will be at the show tomorrow and Friday so I’ll get a better look at it but this link should tell you what you want to know.

Electric Concept Motorhome (winnebagoind.com)

I'll be at the Tampa Show.  Looking forward to checking it out.

9 hours ago, Kirk W said:

Now all we need to do is to get those not yet vaccinated to read the last two posts and then believe what they say. 

I guess what it really comes down to is that each one of us must figure out what works for us. It is a subject that Pam & I have discussed a great deal of late, but still do not have any answer for. 

I do take all the CDC recommended precautions and I will get the Moderna booster when it is available.  But at the same time I am not going to stop living before I stop living.  I don’t do everything I did before the pandemic but I’m not going to live in a bubble either.  That’s my take on it but I respect the choices others make. 

We always get our flu shots in October.  But this October we will also be due for our 2^nd shingles shot and our Covid booster if the booster is recommended 8 months after the 2^nd shot.  Might have to do some checking before we get this triple dose so close together. 

I do like Menards for many things.  Being mainly regional I have 3 close Menards stores near my Wisconsin home but none anywhere near my Florida home.

I think it is very important to note that not all tankless water heaters are created equal just like most things.  My Florida condo had one when I bought it.  I was never crazy about it with the temperature fluctuations even though I never ran out of hot water even with two separate showers and the washing machine running at the same time.  It eventually started acting up so I replaced it with a highly recommended model made in Germany.  The replacement has been flawless and I love it.  I realize this isn’t real helpful because I'm not in Florida from May to October and I don’t have the names of either brand handy.  But the point is if you are considering a tankless heater, you need to do your due diligence just as you would for anything else you buy.  They are not all good and they are not all bad.

We have crossed Lake Michigan 3 times on the Badger and it was always a pleasant experience for us.  In 2016 the Department of Interior officially designated the Badger as a National Historic Landmark. 

This was our 3rd time renting a Class C in Alaska.  We only boondocked one night this trip but that is always an option with an onboard generator and numerous road pullouts where boondocking is permitted.  We traveled approximately 1,000 road miles this trip but we saved 350 road miles by taking the ferry from Valdez to Whittier.  We would and likely will do this Alaskan adventure again.  I will email you and you can ask all the questions you want.

We just returned this past Friday from our 15-day visit to Alaska.  We flew into Anchorage and rented a Class C.  With the Canadian border still closed it was very rare to see any vehicle with an out of state license plate.  RV parks in Seward and Homer were pretty full but the Valdez park we stayed in was almost empty.  We really lucked out on the weather with only 2 days of rain during our visit and only one of those days caused us to change our plans.

We’re traveling Alaska right now in a rented 22 foot class C and no doubt it is much smaller inside than the 31 foot class C we rented here 2 years ago.  We chose the 22 foot this time because we’ll be putting it on the ferry from Valdez to Whittier and the ferry has a 25 foot maximum.  This 22 foot is working fine for just the 2 of us.  Renting is another good way to determine what your needs are.

We are flying into Anchorage in June and traveling in a rented Class C for 15 days.  I made reservations for every night of our itinerary back in January.  We wanted something we can count on with no surprises.  Plus we got to pick out the site we wanted based on prior experience (this will be our 3^rd time doing this in Alaska), campground maps and campground reviews.  Worst case if we change our plans is we’re out one night reservation fee.  I can handle that and feel peace of mind comes with a price.  Alaska likely won’t be as crowded this summer with the Canadian border remaining closed so that should help too.

7 hours ago, Twotoes said:

RVs are in high demand and low supply so dealers have no incentive to negotiate much but still will a little to make a sale. My daughter went out this week looking for a used TT private party and could not believe the high prices and unwillingness to accept less. She is also looking at a used car and experiencing the same. I just bought a new HD motorcycle and the dealer would not budge at all on the price but did come up a little on my trade. So I guess it is happening every market not just RVs.

Add real estate to that list, at least here in Florida.  I’m not in the market to replace my condo but I do enjoy watching the listings.  Listings pop up one day and the next day they are pending sales, often after a bidding war from competing purchasers.  The old saying “I’ll sleep on it” doesn’t fare well in today’s market.  “You snooze, you lose” is more appropriate these days.

The IRS started processing 2020 returns on February 12th.  I filed electronically in late January and indicated they could take my payment immediately.  They didn’t take it until February 17^th.

7 hours ago, NamMedevac 70 said:

RV if you are still here did you receive any form of documentation that you received the shot and if so what did it look like.  I have heard strong GOSSIP that some countries or businesses may in future require one to prove he or she has been vaccinated.  Just curious not concerned. Friendly regards,  Dustoff Three Three

We received a “shot card” after our first Moderna dose on January 6 indicating our dosage.  We took the card with us for our second dose on February 4 and they updated it with our second dose information.  Reminded me of my old military shot card.  I have it handy and will take it when we travel to Alaska in June.  You never know when you might have to prove you are vaccinated. 

6 hours ago, agesilaus said:

From the Nature article

 

 

There just does not appear to be any well controlled tests period. What they have is based mainly on N95 masks which are unavailable. The common cloth masks, even if they work better than 11%, are very poorly fitted. An effective mask needs to fit so that it is in firm contact with skon all around their perimeter.

I have been looking at the way people wear these things and they are in most cases anything but close fitting. Try it yourself, next week look closely at the way people are wearing these things. My observations are that there is a gap where the cloth does not contact the cheek. In at least half you could stick a finger in that gap. Do you expect those to stop transmission?

I have to agree with you on the way some people wear masks.  I do have a supply of N95 masks.  They are available but also expensive.  Currently costing $4 or $5 each where at one time they were 3 for $1.  However, they do fit tightly with little to no gap anywhere on my face.  Some call them uncomfortable but you do get used to the tight fit.  It always bugs me when I see people wearing masks with their nose hanging out and some who look like their mask is only a chin strap.

13 hours ago, GaryCQ said:

I have wanted to go to Alaska for over 20 years and maybe I'll do it this time. 

For any wishing to give me any advice or sharing their own personal experience with me it would be greatly appreciated.

Gary

I became a widower suddenly over 5 years ago due to my loving wife of 45 years having an aneurysm.  After a few years I hooked up with my current soul mate.  She is somebody my wife and I knew for many years so I knew what I was getting and there have been no unpleasant surprises.  I remain very active at 72 and enjoy doing many things but I enjoy sharing them with somebody else probably more so than I would doing these same things by myself.  Unfortunately, Alaska probably won’t be an option for land travel this year due to the continued closure of the Canadian border.  I love Alaska and have been there many times.  We are flying there for 15 days in June and renting a Class C motorhome to travel in.  It is one way to still see Alaska during these COVID times. 

I remember our first RV rental trip to Alaska in 2005.  One of our excursions was a drive from Anchorage to Haines.  We set up camp in Haines and boarded the ferry for a day trip to Skagway.  We enjoyed a nice peaceful day in Skagway including the famous narrow-gauge railroad ride.  As we were boarding the ferry for our return to Haines a cruise ship docked.  4,000 passengers got off the ship and flocked into Skagway.  I know the local businesses live for that but we were so happy we missed the crowds for our day visit.

Canada extended a ban on cruise ships through all of 2021.  The ban has a significant impact on Alaska tourism since most foreign registry cruise ships sailing from the lower 48 are required to stop in Canada before proceeding to Alaska.  One source states that of the 2.2 million summer visitors to Alaska in 2019, 60% arrived by cruise ship.  I do have sympathy for the Alaskan tourism industry but the silver lining is it may mean smaller crowds at the attractions when we visit in June.  We love Alaska and this will be our 9^th visit to the State.  This will be our 3^rd time flying to Anchorage and renting a class C motorhome for our touring.

9 hours ago, Randyretired said:

A number of times when our mail was forwarded we would come home to mail in our street side mailbox.   I finally started taping a note across  the opening inside the door that the mail was forwarded.    If some one opened the box door they would know we were gone but our mail was forwarded. 

We do that too Randy since we spend 5 months in Wisconsin and 7 months in Florida and I think it helps.  But we do have a reliable neighbor in both locations check our mail occasionally while we are gone.

It's sad but everyone has to do what they feel is best.  We have many Canadian acquaintances here in FL but not seeing any of them this year.  I'm still looking to see my first Canadian license plate where most years it's like 1 out of 10 plates is Canadian.

18 hours ago, Jinx & Wayne said:

I had the first shot of the Moderna vaccine today in Florida.  Next one in four weeks.  No one asked for any insurance or payment.  The form included a section for insurance, but that section was x-ed out. 

So far I am feeling OK

Wayne

Wayne & Jinx
2017 F-350 diesel, dually
2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ

We got ours in Florida today too.  Our county only had 500 doses available so we felt fortunate.  It was first come first served and many had to be turned away.  Looking forward to the second Moderna dose on February 3rd.