Jeep

     Most, be not all, of the readership of this fine blog are RVers, and most of them tow a dinghy behind their motorhome. It is to that audience that I address my comments today. Between looking up the tailpipe of our '98 Bounder and our 2007 Allegro Bus, our 2003 Jeep Liberty has eaten over 100,000 miles of being towed. Plus, the odometer says 97,000 of being driven. When we got back from our trip to Asheville, there was a disconcerting front end noise that only was audible at very low speed. It sounded like and old leaf spring that needed a squirt of WD-40. Since our Asheville trip had included a very steep (30 degree) concrete driveway with a sharp turn, AND since the Jeep had been towed for over a hundred thousand miles, the front end noise warranted inspection.The front drive shaft comes out of the transfer case with a coupling that had failed. It will be $1000 to fix it. In addition, the there are some front and rear axles that need some additional lubrication. So I guess it will be an expensive trip. 
     So... if you re towing a dinghy, check that front end.

Frank

Ashevlle, NC

     A fully equipped Jeep takes less time to pack than does an Allegro Bus motor-home, but there is a lot less room to work with. Last week with Cindy playing instigator and motivator, the three of us spent a week in a mountain cabin in Asheville. It was meant to be a transition from the motor-home to a simple vacation away from home. It worked just fine. We packed over the weekend and left at mid-day on Monday. Check in was at four on Monday.
     It was a simple, four hour plus drive up I-26 and then a bit of local maneuvering. I drove the first half each way. We have dabbled with the Blue Ridge Parkway before, mostly in Virginia. Asheville, of course is the home of the famous Biltmore mansion and grounds that we've also visited before. Cindy visited the Biltmore on Wednesday because the best weather for exploring the Parkway was Tuesday.

     How can you not sit there? It might be a good spot for a Happy Hour.

     These pictures clearly show where the name came from. The Blue Ridge Mountains are generally forested over the top. There is no timberline. So, even though they lack the "purple mountains majesty" of the Rockies, they are no less attractive to contemplate.

     Wednesday Durelle and I crashed at the cabin while Cindy toured the Biltmore Estate. George Vanderbilt spared no expense in building America's greatest castle, and its classic beauty has stood the test of time. Cindy said that the ostentatious opulence stirred her inner socialist soul, but she could still appreciate the magnificence. The pictures, obviously, are hers. There is one interior shot of the library, and the rest are taken in the gardens.

     It was a planned self-sufficient community with many aspects that were well ahead of its time. AND it is beautiful. It should be on a lot of bucket lists.

     Entirely unbeatiful, but the height of luxury for my old bones was the cabin's hot tub. I used it so much that I didn't even bother the last night. The ladies did not join me so I did not even have to completely remove the cover.

Blue Ridge Mountains

     The week after the fourth of July we, Cindy, Durelle and I, decided to spend a week in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Call it, "RV_lite". An internet search turned up a company that has an assortment of cabins scattered over a wide area. Although 4WD is not required, it sure makes the trip more relaxing. Cindy's bedroom was on the second floor. Our's was a king-sized bed, and there was a hot tub on the deck. So far I've used it twice, and the ladies are planning to try it tomorrow.
     Today we wandered along a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway. I can download pictures from the camera to my computer, but I don't know how to download them to my tablet. Fortunately, I can download pictures from my email to the blog. Cindy sent me some pictures, so mine can wait. Here's me trying to get some pictures.

     Here's another picture of some attractive chairs.

    
     Can you NOT sit there?

    The pup Is doing fine.

Fourth of July

     

     This is the front of our house on the morning of 4 July  2018 just before a brief, but intense, rain shower descended upon us. (thanks to Cindy for the picture)

      Our supper was traditional: grilled cheeseburgers and macaroni salad. It was simple but tasty. There were plenty of fireworks, both public and private. Mocha was drugged enough that she weathered the storm pretty well.

     I will always remember the fourth of July 62 years ago when I woke up in he Army hospital at West Point. The day before the weeping poison ivy blisters on my hands had soaked into the white, cotton "gun gloves" that we wore to the swearing in ceremony on Trophy Point. They were dried when I removed them along with a good deal of epidermis from my fingers. I spent ten days there with nearly continuous saline soaks. It made for a less than ideal start to plebe year.

     The many successive annual observations have been much more enjoyable. I have always been astounded by our founding fathers who put their lives (and their sacred honors) on the line (literally) against the most powerful super-power on earth at that time. The British Empire ruled the world and our fathers were thirteen small, squabbling colonies. Audacity, for sure.

    I hope you had a great fourth