A Whirlwind of Events!!

Finding the time to sit down and type my thoughts on all of our recent events.... has been  challenging to say the least. However, some marvelous things have been happening...and I look forward to sharing those with you. The first being the arrival of our new REDWOOD 36RL Residential Vehicle - 5th wheel. 

We take the keys on April 14, 2012

As the Professor continued his travels for Explore USA RV, from the Dallas/FT.Worth regions back the down to the San Antonio area living in hotels (coming home on weekends), I was back at our home in Somerville preparing for our upcoming departure.    We finally took possession of "Lady REDWOOD" (the  Professor as affectionately calls her) April 14th, 2012 after a few weeks of delays.  You might notice that the model that we received is most definitely different than the rig I told you about in the previous posting.  All I can say about that is.... this unit was my first choice and we are very happy that it arrived. The photo is taken at the Canton, TX location of Explore USA RV. 

Here are a few photos of her along with 'Max' the Ford 350 Turbo Diesel 4x4.

She arrives in Canton, TX - Explore USA RV Dealership

36 RL is the most popular of REDWOOD's floor plans. I like it because of the contained bathroom to one side, the placement of the washer/dryer units and entertainment center. I love the big window in the rear of the unit.

With beautiful marble counter tops, I elected to NOT have a traditional RV oven. I went with the extra storage below instead . However, the microwave is a convection oven, as well.  I cooked with convection ovens during my entire 15 years of restaurant ownership. A great way to go.

Love the bedroom - a queen bed. I purchased this bedding from QVC.com and we both love it. The colors are very soothing. Across the room is the walk-in closet of cedar. A special place for shoes and large shelves. We placed our printers and other electronic components there while traveling. GREAT SPACE!!

You know....it is the details that REDWOOD did an awesome job at. The tree design on the closet doors is so pretty. One of the reasons why I chose the bedding. They went together perfectly.

You are looking at the hallway where the washer/dryer are stored. I really do like it there ...rather than in the nose of a 5th wheel. This way two separate units can be installed...rather than the one piece unit that washes & dries. Much better time spent. 

I will post more pictures later. I need to push on.

Saturday morning, April 14th, 2012 - We were in Denton, TX for an all day Open House-Spring Event Sale at Explore USA RV .  For me, it was great meeting the staff of Explore USA. The people back in Service were awesome. I can see why they do such a great job there. The people are wonderful.  We enjoyed visiting with their customers, as well. In fact, some folks that the Professor and I  had met at the last Workamper Rendezvous which was in last October - came to see us when they heard we were going to be at that event.... Kenny and Denise Poole.  We didn't know it...but the Poole's purchased a brand new Heartland 5th wheel last year and they are loving their unit. (I can see why after checking out the unit that they purchase - wow) Glad to hear that they loved their experience with Explore USA RV. Also, Kenny and Denise are working toward becoming workampers in a few years. We are excited about that.

Later on that evening....after picking up the REDWOOD in Canton, TX ..., we headed Northeast toward Arkansas, traveling up HWY 30 to attend the 2012 Workamper Rendzvous.  We stopped overnight at a hotel their in Texarkansas,  (yes, I said hotel not campground..I will explain later***). The Professor and I were so surprised by the number of people who stopped us wanting to know more about our beautiful unit.  Of course, we were very happy to tell them more.!! 

The next day, as we traveled up to Little Rock, I was asked by the Professor... where I would like to eat lunch...my response was; "It doesn't matter where I want to eat...it matters where we can find a place to park the 'Lady' where she will fit". Haha...and you all know what I mean by that!!  With 39 feet of 5th wheel and a long bed dually Ford truck...you can't park just any where.  But...you can always count on Cracker Barrel to have enough parking for the RVer. :-) 

By mid-day, we had arrived in Heber Springs, Arkansas and were greeted by our good friends...the owners of Workamper News - Steve & Kathy Jo Anderson and their daughter & son-in-law, Jodie and Luke Duquette.  If you don't know the story of how Workamper News came about...it is worth the time to go read up on it and see if this might be something YOU would like to do. 

We arrived in Heber Springs, Arkansas and put the unit on display for all the attendees of the 2012  Workamper Rendezvous to take tours.

The next 5 days were spent in great company. The Workamper Rendezvous officially began on  Monday evening with a mixer then opened with fully packed information seminars beginning Tuesday and went through Thursday. We finished up the 3 day event with a wonderful BBQ meal out at  Greer's Ferry Lake on Thursday evening. Seeing the sun go down on the water was a  real treat. 

Friday was our All-Day Mini RV Maintenance Day....where we joined a room full of people wanting to go even more in-depth on RV Electrical (which included solar), RV Propane Systems and RV Water Systems.

We finished our week by heading out Saturday morning and heading back to Texas. We thoroughly enjoyed our week with the Anderson's and look forward to seeing them again in October at the next Workamper Rendezvous. 

***Oh....I mentioned that we did not stay in a campground while on our Arkansas trip...and the reason is this: The Professor knows that there is a very important reason why you should never take a 'Maiden Voyage' trip very far from home.  Here is a word of advise - After purchasing your new RV ...never,  ...Never,.... NEVER go too far from your main support systems. Should anything go wrong, you need to be where you can get help from YOUR RV dealer or a Service Center. Don't wind up 500 miles from home then find out that you need help. Just a rule of thumb. :-)

Until next time.....Happy RVing!