We're going to Disneyland!

Here is our trip map:

This is our children's first trip to Disneyland. At ages 8.5 and 7, they are just about the perfect ages to have a memorably wonderful trip. We are all very excited! We are also going to see some of our LA area family and friends. Ron and Louise are going to come have dinner with us on Wednesday night. We are going to have such a fun trip! More later!

Another cruise

We took the FMC out for a little local run last night. Every Sunday, we go to my inlaws for dinner. Last night, we took #708 out for a run. It performed beautifully and our new dog thoroughly enjoyed her first trip in the FMC. We filled it with gas at the cheapest place in our area. Ouch!

We head down to LA in April to take the kids to Disneyland. We have a few projects to get done before then. Greg has to get the new mirrors installed. I have to fix the bunks so the kids don't fall through them.

Ruby, the back dash dog!

Another trip planned!

We just booked ourselves for 2 nights at Pfeiffer Big Sur SP in May! We'll be meeting family friends from LA. Greg's sister's family will likely be there as well. And his folks will join us for a day trip. Hurrah!

Greg's View of the Trip

Well, we had our REAL maiden voyage this past weekend. We purchased
#708 back in October. We have driven it around the local area
including going to the excellent Western Rally in Felton (only 6 miles
from our home town) back in November.

This past weekend, we drove up to the Gold Country here in California,
about a 400 mile round trip. I am happy to report that the Coach
performed like a champ (through rain and shine). We had various long
grades to go up and down and engine felt strong and the temperature
(assuming an accurate guage) never got above 190. Gas mileage on the
way up (overall, about a 2000 ft. difference) was 6.82. We got about
6.5 driving around the foothills and then back across the
dread-Central Valley to the Santa Cruz area.

I found 2nd gear (I have the stock engine and tranny) to be quite
useful all around. Up grades and down grades were very manageable at
about 45 mph. I plan to tow a car in the future, so I hope this bodes
well. Also, all of the appliances worked fine and that was a relief
(we typically dry camp; no hookups).

We had a few of minor leaks in the rain: one at the top of the main
door, one at the top-middle of the window over the dinette, and one
that seams to be at the rear roof vent. The window and roof vent are
most likely solved with caulk. Not sure on the front door as the seal
does not seem to be very tight at the top and bottom.

When driving in the rain, the front defrost had to work hard to keep
the windshield clear of fog. The defrost could certainly be stronger
and I will look into that, but it seemed to be fighting a lot of
moisture on the inside when it was raining.

Lastly, I had to put 1 quart of oil in halfway through the trip.
Hopefully, it was just time for a quart and is not burning it quicker
than would be expected.

Overall, a very successful trip. We plan to go a little farther away
with each successive trip. We're taking the kids to Disneyland in
April! Can't wait.

If it's February and raining . . .

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Out for a Spin

On the road again
Originally uploaded by egret's nest.

Greg started up the FMC tonight -- just to give it a run for awhile. I suggested we go for a drive. What the heck . . . it's only money! :)

So, we did. The kids were so excited! We drove over to my MIL's and wished her a happy birthday in person! That was fun and such a surprise!

Then we came home and had a late dinner. I think the kids favorite part was climbing in the back to help Daddy back up . . .

Happy New Year!

I wanted to post a Christmas picture as our FMC was used at Christmas time. Not for a trip or as a guest room but as Gift Central. I am an inveterate online shopper. As gifts were delivered, we put them in the FMC. Then I took all my wrapping things out there, cranked up the furnace, plugged in my iPod and wrapped away. Totally awesome way to manage Christmas gifts!

But, on to the new year. . .

We have already started planning our Camping Trips for 2007.

February - camping at a reservoir in the Central Valley. Risky to camp in February but the Central Valley doesn't get much rain (at least compared to where we live!) and there are plenty of little towns with antique stores for us to poke around in if its rainy! We need to do this trip as a warm up to our next trip . . .
April - Spring Break, we are heading down to Anaheim. We're going to Disneyland! The kids don't know about it so don't tell them! We'll also visit some family on the way. What a trip!
May - Hopefully we'll be going to the West Coast Rally. Plans are still in the works but it's rumored to be in the Grand Canyon. We love the desert southwest and are looking forward to this one!
June - Quick overnight for Greg's birthday to Seacliff State Beach. It's booked almost solid for the year so we feel lucky to get a single night in the Summer.
July - We'll probably head up to my folks to drop the kids off for their week in the mountains. We'll hopefully get a night of camping just the two of us on the way home!
August - Our annual camping trip with our group of long-time friends. And, then school starts and the rat race begins all over again!
I'm sure we'll fill in a few other overnights or weekend jaunts here and there. Should be fun!

We also hope to make some improvements to the FMC this year. Greg is chomping at the bit to get some Alcoa wheels and is willing to spend big bucks to get them. We are also going to get a spare tire holder on the back -- it's already in the works at RVS. I'm sure we'll manage some other improvements as well.

It looks to be a great year for camping and traveling! Yippee!

What are all of YOU planning for 2007?