Jim & Alice

Merry Christmas to all SKP'rs!   Our rig is parked in Arizona, while my wife and I are sitting here in our house in West Michigan with kids & grandkids... it is 19 degrees outside and 8 inches of new snow.   Couda been much worse but the blizzard is officially over!   Driving car back to AZ in a couple weeks to get back to retirement and warm weather. 🙂

Jim & Alice LaPeer 

Thanks, Derek.   This made for some good reading.   Much appreciated.

I use Facebook mostly, focused on Groups that I like to participate in.

Thanks, Derek, for the family history... and for Your service!

Thanks for the heads-up, Derek.

Thanks for some of the comments here.   I've had Mutual of Omaha G for years, had two hip replacements and other assorted age-normal treatments... again, no problem w/full coverage.   But... obviously things could change.   Might check out other options during Medicare open enrollment season.   Thanks again, folks!

1 hour ago, Arnwrkr said:

 routing us on US160 through Pagosa Springs. 

Can't advise on trading in the wife (still training mine almost 50 years now), but a very pertinent question... Does your route take you over Wolf Creek Pass on 160 East of Pagosa Springs?   Very significant grade in that stretch between Pagosa Springs and Wolf Creek Pass.

3 hours ago, GlennWest said:

Signed up today for Mutual of Omaha Medicare N. 

I've had Mutual of Omaha Medicare G for years. Quite pleased with them.   

Just FYI for the group, my wife and I got our latest Moderna booster shot today, along with seasonal Flu shot.   This was done after consultation with my wife's long-time Primary Care Physician.   No problems.

We are in Michigan visiting family, and received shots at the Greeneville Walgreens after scheduling them with Walgreen's on-line system.

Kirk, I marked, "I  am at least 70 but not yet 80 " .... even tho I constantly keep reminding myself to "respect your elders".

Congratulations, Derek!    Couldn't happen to nicer folks.   We hit our 50th on December 1st.   My wife has nicely domesticated me... 🙂

8 hours ago, RV_ said:

We are Pfizer Pfans so may not apply if you are sticking with Moderna. 😉

Yep, and we would be sticking with Moderna most likely, but family back in Michigan some are Pfizer... and the kind to be needing some gentle encouragement.

3 hours ago, Kirk W said:

I was in contact with our primary care physician on Friday and she strongly recommended that we both get one as soon as available to us. Ours was Moderna and she does believe that it is wiser to stick with the same one as in the past, if possible. CVSis here in TX is supposed to be receiving some of the vaccine this next week so I intend to be in contact with them on Tuesday. Their website doesn't yet have anything about getting the latest vaccine. 

Thanks, Kirk, for sharing your investigation & plans.   We too are Moderna.   Our 1st Primary Care Physician checkup (wife) is in a little less than 3 weeks in Michigan.... that's when we should get an answer on vaccination #5.   Like you, not sure of the availability, just soon in the pipeline.   I will post what the PCP recommends.

6 hours ago, RV_ said:

...I will post if either of us have any side effects.

Thanks, Derek, for sharing your thoughts & plans.   I will be tracking for follow-up posts of side effects. 

Count me in the category of "have had all four vaccinations" and will discuss this new vax with my primary care physician.    I have read where the new vax (Moderna) is very similar to the existing vaccinations, so, while being concerned at lack of Human testing, that at this time is not yet a show stopper.   Of course, this could change...

Years ago, on a road trip, saw two herds of wild horses on the north side of US Hwy 6, between Tonopah and Ely Nevada.   I remember clearly there seemed to be a 'lead' horse for each herd.    The traffic was virtually non-existent, so I could stop on the highway and watch the herds... beautiful!

We went thru this question about nine years ago... decided to buy one (propane firepit) and carry it with us as we began to more extensively boondock.   Plan worked beautifully, and we still use it often even as we have slowed down.   I remember after first buying it, being checked out by an Arizona Forest Ranger (around Cottonwood) for safety during a burning ban... and she was impressed - and approved use.

And campfires under Arizona night skies... are wonderful!

Thanks, TXiceman, Dutch12_078, and trailertraveler!   Much appreciated.   I am going to share these experiences with the appropriate people here.   

Anyone else?

Thanks, jbh and Chalkie.   I have used Tengo net in the past and have good recollections... Thanks jbh!   And SkyWeb/Spectrum sounds interesting - Thanks, Chalkie!   Will check them out.

Any other suggestions?  Experiences?   

10 hours ago, Lou Schneider said:

  We looked into repairing the system but it's just too easy now for people who want to be connected to get superior service from a cellular provider instead of using park wifi.   The breaking point came when Visible offered $50 phones with unlimited hotspot data and decent speeds for $25 a month.  No way could we maintain a park wide system to compete with that.  

Thanks, Lou!   That is just the kind of feedback & experience we are looking for.   Others?

I am workamping at a large RV Park.   We are considering a park-wide wifi upgrade/replacement project.   We have about 500 RV sites, and 70+ Cabins, and currently are utilizing Vast as a wifi service provider.    Anyone have any good experiences to share with other wifi vendors that we could check out for potential replacement?   Thanks in advance.

Thanks, Derek.   This thing is still out there, and we are taking all the steps we can to avoid it.

Good series of comments about hiking the Grand Canyon... excepting the Ottawa Lady passing away, of course.

Back in 1998, and again in 2000, we hiked the canyon in late June (we were age 50'sh),   Went down the S. Kaibab Trail, stayed 3 nights at Phantom Ranch, then back up the Bright Angel Trail.   We researched things well in advance, and acknowledged up front (and dealt with) the danger of heat and elevation change.   One smart thing we did was to reserve an empty mule "feed sack" that we could fill with hiking items to go back up with the mule supply train... and then we could retrieve at the top.   Reducing weight even just a few pounds on the trip back back up made a difference.

Both times, we traveled from Michigan to Arizona leading a party of 10 hikers from our church... including our two teenage kids... and 20+ years later is remembered by all as an "experience of a lifetime!" 

11 hours ago, bobsallyh said:

Glad to see that you will be escaping Wellton after having to be in the "no travel" mode. Have safe and enjoyable travels. We have a bad case of "hitch itch".

Thanks, Bob & Sally.   It feels good to be going again.   And I remember you well from some "how to summerize a motorhome" advice you provided.   Good to share experience!

Good to hear from you, Derek.   Been wondering how things were going.   Good health back to you... Best wishes and prayers, my friend.