Jack Mayer

Pulling out of Goodman, KS from Mid-America RV Park. Oakley had a Rally going and was full. I'll tell you - we fit, but the park is overpriced, crappy and we will not return. The truck stop right next to it is not crowded, and has a bunch of spots that adjoin an island for drivers-side slides to go out over. Exit 17, south side. We would have stayed in the truckstop if we were travelling alone - but we are travelling with two other people that do not boondock. Be there around 4-5pm.

Loading the smart today and hooking up. Leaving tomorrow for Hutch. Overnight Thursday night in Oakely. Arrive Friday afternoon.

Fls are easy to single,if that is what you choose to do. What follows is a combination of my opinion, and fact. You can sort out which is which Older FLs are pretty uncomfortable, have a cheap interior, not very good driver amenities, and are noisy. They do, however, have something no other truck does...and that is a very nifty autoshift control on a stalk on the steering column. And it works quite well in my experience. That is the only thing I really like about older FLs. Well, I guess the price is better than a Volvo...so that is a factor - but it is not THAT much better for a truck I would keep for 10+ years. Newer Cascadias are competitive with a Volvo.....that is my opinion. But they do not have the condo or storage or a dinette like a 780 - that may or may not be important to you. They ride great, have great engines, and are quiet and fuel efficient. I still prefer the Volvo for the larger/better condo, better driver position (that is opinion, and specific to me), and slightly better ride.

Rocky we will be in Hutch, of course,and I know Jim is planning it.

Jim, I'll see you in Tampa.....

Chris, that is one LONG haul from Hays, KS to Moab.....man I would hate to do that. You might consider Oakley, KS as a stopover, High Plains Campground. Big pullthrus. You might consider a tour of the New Horizons factory, since you are going literally right past it.....Junction City, KS. If you get "down" to Colorado Springs we are in that area....looks like you are "trucking through" though. In Moab we often stay at Portal, when not boondocking.

Ha! You guys crack me up!! But it is interesting reading.....

TWRs are interesting ....but have a long way to go, IMO. But it is only a "lightly" informed opinion. Tesla has a great product, no doubt. I wish I would be willing to spend the money on one. Out of my league. But is sure would be a fun car to own. I've seen several on the road. Now if I owned a house, wanted an electric, and was not travelling distances I'd probably buy a smart/tesla electric. But it simply does not have the range for me.

I replied to your email/. We can likely fit you in, but it depends on how long you want to stay....

Thought you might enjoy that, Jim!!

Jim, have a steak at Wolf Lodge Inn.....it used to be pretty good...among the top 15 in the country...

So Derek, since you are thinking of the electric smart do you know what the range will be in it? The Tesla range is impressive. But my understanding of the smart range is that it is very limited...

We are in Woodland Park, CO for the summer. Come see us if in the area. We also have a great mechanic for HDTs in the Springs, if you are passing this way and need work. Trey and Susan use him too....

Jim, I'm pretty much aligned with your thinking. I'm almost totally out of bonds, and certainly I would never go into a long bond. There are some short term bond funds with the ability to "maneuver" that might be OK right now but in general I'm not keen on any bonds at the moment.

Derek, remember you have not made a dime until you cash in...

Yes, Danielle's truck is Canadian....fitting, since she is Canadian....and it DOES know snow. I drove it back to TX right through the biggest storm of the year. It was not fun.

In Junction City KS. Leaving here Saturday to meet George in Oakley, KS....

Kellie, it was nice to meet you guys....you sure were gone in a "flash"....We look forward to meeting up again! Maybe get the Jeeps off the road....

The problem with the all electric smart - or at least the potential issue - is that it may be based on the "new" body, not the current body. If it is, it is going to be too big to cross-load and thus will not be viable for those of us that piggyback. For an in-town car it would be fine. But even with 120 mile range it is not enough to be useful to THIS RVer. I need it to be refilled easily on my trip to (lets say) Denver from Colorado Springs. No can do, today or even in the near future. A non-starter for me. But for a commuter car, it would work fine.

Bob and Sue Guthrie pulled in yesterday and will visit until Tuesday. We are smoking baby-backs tomorrow....Rocky and Sherry are joining us. We are in Longview TX at Fernbrook RV Park. Exit 591 off of I-20. I'm sure there will be enough ribs....if one were to stop by....

Trey, we will see you guys and Howard and Linda around the same time, I assume.....You know where to find us!

Trey, if you come by our way we are at exit 591 on I 20 (Longview)....but I expect you are staying south....

Mike make sure you ask for one of the long pullthrus. I suggest reservations. This place is pretty full.

We are in Longview, TX until early/mid April getting out truck body built by Larry Herrin. We are at the Fernbrook RV Park just south of I-20 exit 591 if anyone is in this area.....nice park and has big-rig sites.

Cindy!! you are BACK..... how is life in the big town?