Getting back to real life after being spoiled for the past 4
months on a cruise isn’t easy. We got settled in at the Residence Inn by
Marriott. Mountains of laundry was done and we packed many things up to stay in
storage.
Making doctor appointments hasn’t been that easy. We had to
wait until the 1st to change our status from living overseas to the States.
Getting established with new doctors in timely manner has been more challenging than expected.
Greg contacted several on our plan and none could get us in before June, July
or even August. It’s for my medication refills, so waiting that long was not an
option, plus we would like to get on the road with the RV as soon as possible.
So, he did get a dermatology apt for the 25th of this month
for both of us. I made several calls today and was told there was nothing
available for a new patient until October! I kept calling other offices and several
had disconnected numbers and ones that were no longer in the medical facility
that was listed. Finally, I found a P.A. that could see me on the 16th of this
month.
Dental appointments were easier. We got in yesterday for
full exams and cleanings. (2 hours each). We each have a couple of older
fillings that need replacing so Greg got his scheduled for the 11th and mine
can’t be done until June 5 unless they have a cancelation.
The morning I was to go in for my doctor appt for my annual
check-up and meds refills, the office called and said she called in sick. So,
they were trying to push it out another month. I asked about another location
since Greg got in quickly in Stuart, not all that far from here. So they got
me in, in just a couple of days. Interesting visit. Greg’s appointment was the next day
and had a much better experience. She essentially did a complete physical and
ordered all the usual tests. Mine told me she didn’t have time to do a physical
so I would have to come back for that. She said I didn’t need the “usual”
tests, and just ordered a few things. One test I have always had to have due to
one of my meds, she said she didn’t know why they would want that. So, the end
of the month I go back and finish the physical. This office says I need office
visits 3 times a year to get my meds. Seriously?? Once a year has always been
enough and they have always written the scripts to do what our mail away plan
requires. 90 days with 3 refills. She did not write them that way. We’ll see
what happens the end of this month when I go back.
On another note, we have made some progress! We are now the
proud owners of a cheap small car!
A couple of days ago we drove south to a CarMax to look at
cars that can be flat-towed. The options are limited and we decided smaller was
better as total weight is important with an RV. We decided on the Chevy Sonic after test driving the small Ford and the
Chevy. The Chevy just felt more solid and “fit” us better.
We didn’t buy it, but checked the Auto Trader to see what
one should sell for. Greg found one just like it, but it was located in south
Orlando at a dealership. So, on May 4th we drove to Orlando (a couple
of hours) and bought the car after test driving it. Saved a couple of thousand.
It’s a 2014 with low miles and in really great condition.
the "toad" in the driveway
I had not driven a car for a bit over 4 years and my first
time was in rush hour traffic. Yikes! Anyway, it wasn’t really a problem. I
followed Greg to the car rental place to return the rental car and then Greg
drove us back to Port St. Lucie.
We had gone to La Mesa RV one day to compare the two we had it narrowed down to and we again chose the same one we keep coming back to. Then, we went back the next day, but our salesman wasn’t there, so they let us go back out and take another look. While we were there we went into other models and other manufacturers and that really confirmed our decision.
The next day, May 5th we went back to La Mesa RV and after looking at it again with our salesman we took it for a test drive. OK, by “we” I mean to say Greg did the driving. Yes, I will need to learn to drive it eventually. It was the only one left (and we checked many other locations, but they were way more expensive) so we sat down and talked numbers and we are now the proud owners of our new home on wheels! It takes approximately 2 to 3 weeks to actually get it ready for us. They go over it head to toe making sure everything is working. It did need a side mirror replaced which probably happened as they move them in and out of the showroom. They also fill all the fluids so it is ready to roll when we take delivery.
They called to set up the date to pick it up and have our walkthrough which was 5/24. About a week before we picked it up, we dropped off our car at the RV dealer so they can get it set up to be towed. (called a toad) So, we rented a car to use until we pick them both up on the 24th.
Here is a photo they took of us after we signed all the
papers:
They gave me a yellow rose
We bought a Class A - Fleetwood Discovery LXE 40D (40 foot
Diesel pusher) with a bath and a half, king bed, triple slide outs, washer
& dryer, dishwasher, double sink, combination microwave & convection
oven, 2 burner induction range, fireplace, L shaped sofa, free standing
dinette, 3 TV’s (32” bedroom, 49” living and patio entertainment center),
residential refrigerator, pantry, central vacuum system and quite a lot of
storage space throughout the coach.
On the 24th, we had a 10:00 appt to spend the day
accepting delivery of our new home. Our delivery specialist, Bob went over
everything top to bottom. They use very residential home terms to talk about
the coach to give you a feel of buying a home not on wheels. We started with
the outside where he showed us our “basement”. There are 2 large bays (my son
would say, “one for the canoe!”), a tool shed, smaller bays for misc. storage
and then on the other side you see the multiple sets of batteries, propane
tank, water hose, sewer connection, generator, blah, blah, blah….
He demonstrated the patio with the various awnings and the TV and stereo system.
Of course, we looked “under the hood” and more blah, blah, blah. OK, Greg was
listening to that part. Up on the roof to see the solar panel and whatever
else is up there. (yes, Greg would know)
These are La Mesa RV stock photos of our coach.
Finally, we got to go inside. Starting with the dining
table he demonstrates how to attach the chairs for driving and the table pulls
out way further than we would have thought. There is a pull out “desk” on one
side with room for printer etc. underneath. There are day shades and night
shades on the screened windows. Next, the TV and the sound system and even
fired up the electric fireplace. The refrigerator was pretty self-explanatory.
Then, the half bath which has what looks more like a marine toilet with the
foot pump and there is a water hose next to it for cleaning. There is quite a
bit of storage in there and has a nice sink and counter. (that one belongs to
Greg) In the bedroom we were shown how to put the head of the bed up and down.
Shown the TV and the storage space that we didn’t know was there behind it. We
however do not have storage under the bed, which we had wrongly assumed. The
full bathroom has more of a regular toilet that flushes with a button. (small
& large water choices) Another wardrobe (there are 2 in the bedroom) sink
& counter with cabinets above and below. It has a shower (think cruise ship
size) with a seat. The photos are a combination of our actual coach and La Mesa RVs stock photos. The main difference is that our countertops throughout are more gray than black.
our coach
La Mesa RV stock photo
our coach
our coach
La Mesa's stock photo
La Mesa's stock photo
half bath - La Mesa's stock photo
Full bath - La Mesa's stock photo
full bath - our coach
Next, we move on to the other side of the kitchen with the
sink and cabinets. Bob demonstrated how to pull out the L part of the sofa and
how to use the one foot rest. (it wasn’t that self-explanatory)
our coach
La Mesa's stock photo
La Mesa's stock photo
our coach
bedroom closet area - our coach
bedroom closet area - La Mesa's stock photo
Then, it’s up
to the front of the coach. Driver’s side and passenger side controls. It comes
with a navigation system and sound system and the passenger side has a pop up
foot rest. More, blah, blah, blah…..
La Mesa's stock photo
our coach
La Mesa's stock photo
Then, we sat down with Bob and went through all of the
manuals that are kept in a huge heavy duty tote. Our next task was to bring in
all 3 slides. (hard to believe they make it soooo much bigger) Then, we made
sure everything was stowed to drive away. Another guy came and brought our car
around and demonstrated how to attach it for towing. Needless to say, there are
lots of checklists to go over before you drive away and again for when you
arrive somewhere to get set up.
We visited the parts store to buy a few things that are
needed that don’t come with the RV (like the sewer hose) and some bug screens
for vents and they were installed while we met with the final sales person to
sign all of the papers and hand over the large money order. We still had a few
things left to go over, but it was now 2:00 and we were starving for lunch.
After grabbing a quick lunch we came back and finished up and prepared to drive
away around 4:30. (yes, by this time our brains exploded several times.)
A front was coming through and while it did not rain, we
were having high winds for our maiden voyage as we drove away. Greg drove it
like a pro and we got it parked in the RV spot we had preserved in Outdoor
Living Motor Coach Resort. It was nearly 6:00 and we were ready for dinner. Our goal tonight
was just to get her parked and hooked up to sewer and water and electric. We
kept the hotel room so we could sleep there.
The hotel had catered in Godfather’s food (3 nights a week
they offered some sort of food that is included) As we were eating our brains
were still going 90 miles a minute with RV overload. At one point and just
looked at Greg and said “just stop talking”. I really couldn’t listen to
another RV related thing.
After dinner, we got the rest of our stuff packed up so we
could check out in the morning as we were going to spend our first night in the
RV the next evening.
Of course, in between all of this we are still going through
various medical appts. (dental, dermatology, mammo, blood drawing and other routine
doctor stuff.)
So, I’m sure most of you have wondered why I have been
“radio silent” and this is why. My next post will be our first few weeks in the RV.
What a cool adventure, even just buying it! BTW, I like all that blah, blah, blah stuff!
ReplyDeleteRick & Janie