Refrigerator, Freebie. Well, almost. (michael)

Refrigerator, Freebie. Well, almost. We got a call from our dear friends Doc and Mary Roach. They asked if we could pick up some appliances from their rental house 30 miles away. We said we could. Then he came back with, "OK, then you can have the refrigerator for the bus." Say What! And you can have the oak cabinet island. $$$CHA-CHING!!! They are just the right color that Christi wants in her kitchen. Another check off my list. The refrigerator will fit through the side window. Not bad for a half days work. We are going to need 4 strong men and a small boy to do it. Lol.

All the Best, Michael & Christi See our other Blog;http://michaelhargisshow.blogspot.com/

Who's your Phil? (michael)

Who's your Phil? After reading more and more on-line about buses, I started to swim in doubt. Just as most, if not, all of you other bus nuts did. I stepped back and looked at this thing in the driveway, ripped apart, sub-project after sub-project opened and scattered about the yard. A grand vehicle that I drove home under its own power only 4 weeks ago now calls to me in my waking hours and in my dreams, "fix me, complete me, take me for a ride". Now I build houses in 3 to 6 months. Remodels in less time than that. Why does this seem so different? So alien? I am doing the same thing. Approaching the project in the same "git'er done" game plan. Then I start to question myself. "Can I do this?" What do I mean? I have to do this! "O, STOP IT"! I know what I need, I'm going to call Phil. You see, we've got a time constraint on our hands. We have to be in a bus, in Blue Mesa, CO for July 4th weekend for a 3 show stand. I need Phil. Phil will get me back in the groove. He knows everything. Phil will show me the way, give me the straight path to go on. But, how will we pay Phil? I don't have the funds for expert help. Ahhh, my old friend barter. Hey Phil, what do you need? How about this and you help me with this? Deal. Wow, Phil came over yesterday and started removing the air conditioning system. I started hearing the old Mighty Mouse song, "Here I come to save the day". Phil took charge. Get this. Cut that. Bring this over to that. I was safe again. Things are moving along at warp speed again. My thinking is back on track. I think we all need a Phil around from time to time. But I don't think Phil knows just how much we need him. Not just his expertise. We need his great attitude and hard charging "lets get it done" and "you can do it" ways. He puts it all back in perspective. I can do this! So, what's your "Phil's" name? Grumpy? Nick? Tom, Dick or Harry? The point is," WE NEED OUR PHILS!" To teach us. To show us the way through the dark. To show us how to become a Phil for someone else. So all you Phil's out there, the next time you get that stupid question, that call in the middle of a rainy night, remember you're the hero now, the go-to guy. When all is wrong in the world, only you, in our eyes, can make it right. And one day we will take that torch and carry it proudly in your honor. Thank you Phil for how you are and all that you do. All the Best, Michael & Christi Please Comment Below

Removal of the ramp (michael)

Removal of the ramp Everything on this rig is built like a tank, even the ramp. 1st we need to clean the crud out of the screw heads. Lots of dirt crammed in them. I used a knife blade to break it up then blew it out. Remove the large Phillips screws then the small screws along the front sides. Then take your trusty flat bar and work it under the edge of the ramp to pry it up. When it pops loose, place a wedge under it so you can grip it with hands and lift it up and out of the floor. Do not step into the void as the plywood decking is only 1/4 inch thick and you may go through it. You will find more trash and coins here. Mmm, treasure! This ramp is stout, I'll have to find a good use for it. Mmm, salvage. Tomorrow, we frame in the void. Honey, get me the hammer and saw. We're Building, Baby!

All the Best, Michael & Christi Please Comment Below

Removal of the upper Air Vent System (michael)

Removal of the Upper Air Vent System This mostly consists of air shafts that run along the base of the side walls. Made of stainless steel ducting, it is rumored to be the resting place for all the lost small objects. Start in the front and remove all the screws (Philips) from the floor. Now the duct was built in sections. Remove the screws that connect each section. With a flat bar, lift the section, grab it and pull up and toward you. The top of the duct is only in a groove and will come free. Each section you remove is like a treasure hunt. Lots of coins, postcards, casino memorabilia, ballpoint pens, tokens and 2 ear rings (1 gold and 1 small diamond) Oh, and a lot of trash. Lots of good stainless steel to be salvaged here. On to the air defusers we just uncovered. These are made of aluminum and are riveted to the wall. Drill out or shear them off to remove the fixture. You will find one on each side. OK, to the rear return air housing. these are also on both sides. These are again made of aluminum and are riveted to the wall. Drill out or shear them off to remove the fixture. You will find more stuff in the duct in the floor. Next the ramp.

All the Best, Michael & Christi Please Comment Below

Removal of the Over Head Storage Compartments. Part 3 (michael)

Removal of the Over Head Storage Compartments. Part 3

The last thing to do is remove the horizontal supports on the walls and ceiling. 1st along the wall. There is the main heavy aluminum rail that is affixed with Star screws. The ballast aluminum plate base is riveted to it and is supporting both the black aluminum shield, attached by 2 Philips head screws and the lite aluminum bottom rail that is held by rivets.

In approx. the middle of the supports, you will find a connection point for all 3 components. You can separate the rails here to make for more manageable pieces. Go ahead and drill out or shear off the 2 rivets, then remove the 2 screws from the shield. Then un-do the heavy aluminum junction plate from the main heavy aluminum rail. Now remove the star screws, grab one end and wiggle the rail off the wall. The components are a little long and should be fed out a window but can fit out the door. Once outside, you can disassemble the components for salvage. We will be re-using a lot of this.

Well, after that, the ceiling support is

a breeze. Unscrew the heavy aluminum junction plate in the middle of the rail. Unbolt the rail, grab one end and wiggle the rail off the ceiling. That's it. We will deal with the wires later, just make sure they are all capped.

Note the bin over the driver's seat. We'll leave it there for maps and such. Our new place is getting larger by the day and I can't wait to get on the road again!

All the Best, Michael & Christi Please Comment Below

Removal of the Over Head Storage Compartments. Part 2

Removal of the Over Head Storage Compartments. Part 2

It's time to remove all the wiring. We'll start with the lower wires that went to the comfort centers. These are held fast by rivets in insulated grommets. Drill out the rivets if you are going to re-use the grommets. If not, a wonder bar will pop them out and save a lot of time.

Mind the wires that are tucked into the frame work.

We were careful not to nick the wire so we could re-use it later.

We cut and capped the wires at the front where they came out of the wall leaving 6 to 12 inch pigtails. Fish them through the compartment supports. Roll it up and set the bundle aside.

Now remove the wires for the fluorescent lights.

There are a lot of connectors every 4'. Disconnect all of the wires. These insulated grommets are the crimp style. Open with a small flat bar or flat head screw driver and then fish them through the compartment supports. The space is narrow so feed the wire with one hand and pull with the other. The connectors will hang up on everything so just be patient. We again cut and capped the wires at the front where they came out of the wall leaving 6 to 12 inch pigtails. Roll it up and set the bundle aside. We need to remove the fluorescent light lenses. You will find them nearest the windows and under the compartments. They run the length of the over head storage. With needle nose pliers, grab the rubber keeper strip and pull. This will release one side of the lens. The other side is held by a rubber compression gasket. Grab the lens firmly with both hands and pull it free. There is a lot of dust on the lens, so go slow.

Once this is complete, you can remove the ballasts. There are two sitting side by side every 4'. Unscrew and pull them down. Cut the ground wire to free it.

Now you can cut the aluminum plate base that is riveted to the compartment frame work with a Saws-All. Use a bi-metal blade. Be careful of the blade grabbing at the end of the cut. Now you can cut the padded compartment frame work in 8' sections with the Saws-All using a bi-metal blade. Start the cut about 3" away from the vertical supports to reduce blade vibration. Continue cutting thru the plastic under side, to and thru the rear frame. It's time to remove the vertical supports. First, unfasten the nuts along the wall, then unscrew the supports on the ceiling freeing the 8' section. This will just fit out the door. Almost done.

All the Best,

Michael & Christi

Please Comment Below

Christi's Virgin Blog (christi)

Christi's Virgin Blog So, I've finally decided to sit myself down and give this a go. So, please be gentle in the comment section. :) I've been waiting for the right time to add my input to this blogging thing. As I was drying my hair this morning, (a mindless mundane chore that allows my thoughts to wander), I was going over Michael's last couple of blogs. I realized that now that the rig is here, a lot of his writing will be interesting only to those who are nuts enough (our soulmates), to take on this type of project. While it may be a learning experience or guideline for some, for others...BORING!! Much like Michael's favorite TV shows. You know, The History, Science and NASA channels, or, are you ready?... THE RESEARCH CHANNEL, (can't they make this stuff more exciting?). Ok, so I have a short attention span. Anyway, back to the task at hand. Right now Michael is taking out all the overhead compartments, which seem to be built to hold Tammy Faye's cosmetic case instead of the average person's carry-on luggage. This job requires taking out every screw, nut and bolt, one at a time. Too tedious for me! My idea of demolition requires a crow bar sledge hammer and a Saws-All. MMMM, love those power tools! But then he is a much more patient soul than I. I look forward to the part where we get to start putting in flooring, walls, replacing windows, etc. Now that's excitement! Ok, so I probably could use a little help in the excitement department, too. Now that the bus is finally here, I find myself wanting to say, "Is it done yet? Can we go now?" Alas, there's sooooooo much to do before we can go anywhere, and not just readying the bus. It's a bit overwhelming. But I'll save that for next time. Oh, Honey! Where's that sledge hammer?? All the Best, Michael & Christi Please Comment Below

Removal of the MCI Over Head Storage compartments. Part 1 (michael)

Removal of the Over Head Storage Compartments. Part 1 At first, this looks pretty cut and dry. But as I look closer, I can see that these compartments are constructed very well with a lot of components and one heck of a lot of screws. OK, step by step. 1st, turn the master battery switch off. Remove the doors by unbolting the gas struts. Then using a Philips head screw motor, remove the screws from the hinge and the door will come off. The door latch has 4 Philips head screws to remove it. I removed all the components in an assembly line style, ie; all the struts, all the doors, and so on. It goes faster that way. Now remove the Comfort stations. Remove the 4 Philips head screws and it will hang down by the light and speaker wires. Take them apart at the wire disconnects. These components have good parts that can be re-used. The lights we will use as reading and accent lights throughout the bus along with the switches. I don't know what to do with the speakers. Next, remove the door hinge base and light cover. Remove the 4 Philips head screws and the mount will swing out to you. Lift it straight up and it will come free. Be careful of the 3' fluorescent bulb under the cover. Then remove the bulbs and put them in a safe place. You can salvage the stainless door hinges by drilling out the rivets. Then remove the very back padded panel by 6 Philips head screws. Take a flat pry bar to the middle front edge to pop it loose. Now remover the bottom padded cover held by 6 Philips head screws and silicone caulk. You will have to push from the bottom in order to free this panel. Now remove the side panels with a Philips screw driver. You will find 4' fluorescent bulbs in the back of the compartment. Remove the bulbs and put them in a safe place. There is a lot of aluminum to be salvaged for re-use or recycle in these compartments. Here is the result of my Saturday. I spent the day creating this pile of stuff that is as long as the bus. This is the end of Part 1. I will be back at it today, (Sunday). There is still a lot to do. All the Best, Michael & Christi Please Comment Below

Seat Removal MCI (michael)

Seat Removal We're Getting started People!!! Ahh, the task of removing the passenger seats is at hand. I'll go step by step. Start at the front. There is a track on the floor and one on the wall. You will find 4 nuts and track bolts per bench seat. Remove the nuts and the bench seat will be free to move. Stand each of them on end and they will fit through the door. The rear seats are removed by lifting the seat cushions, then lift the 3 back cushions straight up as a unit. Gravity holds them in place on simple hooks. This task should take you approx. 4-1/2 hours. If your seats are in perfect condition, you can sell them. I found this site on line that talks about it. http://www.rv-coach.com/current_category.75/FAQ.66/faqs_detail.html If your seats are junk like mine are, you can dismantle some of them for building parts. The ones that are SO-SO, I will offer on Craig's list for bartering. The rest must go to the land fill. Hate to do that. The bus has a lot more room now Honey. All the Best, Michael & Christi Please Comment Below

1st Stage.............Done, One To Go

1st Stage.............Done, One To Go

The Crown Supercoach is safe and sound in Tombstone.

It was a nerve racking way to save $500 bucks but it went off with a hitch. Haaahaaa. OK, I got pics:

Thank you Brother Larry Bowers, YOU DA MAN!

All the Best, Michael & Christi Please Comment Below

Bus Conversion Sites & Blogs "BUTS" ( michael )

Bus Conversion Sites & Blogs "BUTS" There are alot of them, at first glance. Some professional and some novice sites. BUT, when you take the time to look at them, there are only a few that are, in my opinion, helpful at best and then they are incomplete. I have found a site that offers the bible for bus conversions for $XX.95. It states that you can read it for free on line at said website, BUT, when you go there it says that you can read part of this guide from this date to this date, then this part from this date to this date, and so on. It would take you 6 mos. to get access to the whole thing. But, I said, "I'll give it a try". It takes time to convert a bus, BUT,there are no good links to the book, they just go nowhere. This is a professional site? The large bus conversion companies have some good bus stats and pictures, BUT no real conversion information. Now, this is not a bad thing. These guys want your biz. BUT, guys like me cannot afford their services so we have to fend for ourselves. The private sites have better results. BUT, I am finding them to be works in progress and incomplete. Some sites start out very descriptive with lots of photos, BUT stop cold after the roof gets raised or the inside gets ripped out. Some sites are very descriptive BUT have no photos that have anything to do with the information given. And I found sites that are quite the opposite. Some websites are just plain confusing with no real value whatsoever. I came upon a site that was very well put together with lots of links to other pages, BUT there is a statement on the front page, "I put the bus in storage until I have time to work on it". That was in 2006! I've found sites that state they have been working on their bus for 2, 3, 5 and even 10 years. TEN YEARS!?! This is not encouraging to me AT ALL! BUT, I also found sites that quickly put in the basics and hit the road within 3 months of buying their bus. BUT, then they are working on it while they travel. I can hear it now, "Is it done yet? Is it done yet?" Try listening to that everyday. Pros & cons for this one. Hmm, another topic to blog about. The bloggers and forums are very helpful on a case by case basis, BUT, you cannot go to a specific category. You have to search the months and years of archives and hope to get lucky. Or you can just ask the specific question and hope for the right answer. Basically start from scratch. If someone could bundle all this information into one user friendly site. Wishful thinking? Perhaps. I think all in all I have found just enough good information for a complete bus conversion. BUT, then again it may be just enough information to get us in alot of trouble. The internet info is still incomplete, BUT its coming along. You cannot find everything you need to convert a bus into a home in one place on the internet. BUT, with lots of research, I'm talking lots of time, you can find just enough to do it. OK, all BUTS aside. It seems to me that you need at least some skills in the building or the mechanics department and alot of time to learn how to convert those skills to fit your bus project. If you don't have some knowledge or someone to guide you, steer clear of the bus thing and buy a manufactured ready for the road RV. BUT, if you do have what it takes, you should find converting a bus one of the most fulfilling events one could experience in ones life time. From planning, buying, building, completing and then traveling with your new family member. It will be a dream, my dream, come true. No "BUTS" about it! All the Best, Michael & Christi Please Comment Below

Its a dirty job but, someone has done it (michael)

It's a dirty job but, someone has done it. I dread the up coming event, and yet I can't wait for it to start! The research hours (and I mean hours of it), should come in handy. I can only hope it goes smoothly. In every article it seems the bus owner goes through the 7 gates of h*ll before slaying the putrid beast. Time and time again I read the out cries to the experts, "Heeeeelp, I can't go on like this." Is there another *%@* strap somewhere? UNCLE, Tag me. Please, I beg of Thee!!! They explain how they are covered from head to toe in crud, blood and frustration while chanting vile verses that would make a sailor cringe. Did these brave and brawny soles venture into this nasty task willy nilly? No research? No clue? I picture them standing alone in the bottom of of the deep pit with skin leaking where shards of stainless have pierced. A smoldering Saw-All clutched in filthy blue tinted hands as a deluge of rain drops fall down upon the defeated soldier. He looks up into the heavens and simply screams, WHHYYYY?!? It has all the makings of a true nightmare. Off course I'm talking about the removal of the bus privy. The stainless throne fortress that holds all the remnants of human "squat and leave its". I salute all those who have gone before me. This should rank up there with crossing the equator, H*ll week in college, earning the Arrow of Light or Eagle badge. There should be an annual convention just for Rolling Chamber Pot Removers and a boot camp that fledglings, like me, could go and listen to the ones who have been there, done that!" The Masters" And maybe, bring home a "How To" manual. And, don't hold me for a $59.95 ransom please. Some things should be gratis. At the very least, this one. I stand tall before the Gods. Its my turn now. It has to be done. I will go, but I will go in armed with all the information and required weapons I can find to dispatch the honey pot beast. My forefathers, my Masters, will be guiding my hands as I endeavor to cut the crap. Excuse the pun. Wish me luck. Wait! I have an idea, "Oh, Honey. I need a big, big favor..." All the Best, Michael & Christi Please Comment Below

Getting back on track ( michael )

Getting back on track. With all of the bus drama going on, we haven't stopped down-sizing. Each week that trickles bye, Christi remains on the lookout for stuff. She ventured into the Munchkin's domain last week. I did not see her or him for a full day. I did see boxes and bags of stuff appear just outside the portal of the forbidden waste land. The realm of our 11 year old is a high-tech cluttered cave at the end of the hall that emits sounds of horrible explosions, intense flashes of light and screams of bloody murder. Being an ex-military man, I damn near hit the dirt on my way to the bathroom when the red hot lead sprays out from the void along with the shrieks of zombies meeting their maker...again. How my wife mustered up the courage to enter such a vile place I'll never know. But, she did. She, with head held high stated, "I'm going in", and just marched right in. I would have at the very least thrown in a couple of frag grenades, then assault the fortress in the standard 2x2 formation. Not her! Armed with only a vacuum, trash bags and rubber gloves, she dove in. I love this woman. Hours later she emerged with victory in her eyes along with a small mountain of tween stuff banished to the local thrift store. Transportation of hoards is my job. Without haste, I load the SUV luggage rack with the things that were still alive, the rest went inside. I chained and locked down everything in fear that it may somehow crawl back into the forbidden zone, or more important, attack me! On the way I hit a pothole and something moved behind me as it let out a blood curdling scream. I powered through the feeling to bale and delivered the payload with due diligence. Arriving back home, I expected to see a stink faced tween and a disgusted mother, but instead, there was peace and harmony with a sense of pride. The rats nest had been transformed into an eye pleasing, young man's bedroom although those sounds are still there. All in all, we're all getting back on track. Wonders may never cease. All the Best, Michael & Christi Please Comment Below

Idle Hands? ( michael )

Idle Hands? I don't think so! We have some time until the bus arrives in the driveway and we jump into its refit abyss. We could rest on our laurels and wait. NOT! We are heeding the advice of our heroine and trailblazer Toast. She writes a hands-on sailing blog called Toast Floats ( blog.toastfloats.com/ ) that is good reading and quite entertaining. She suggested that we hit the websites with a live aboard theme and research, research, research. I have to say that we have found a wealth of information from bus conversion to places to spend the night for free. It's almost overwhelming. I have also found alot of sites that are not complete. The authors start out with great topics, lots of photos and step by step instructions and then...........................................Nothing. Ahhh hello!!! I got this thing off, now what do I do with it??? Then there are the Mega websites that have all the links one could ask for on the RV conversion topic. BUT, when you start to explore this mega vat, its empty. The multitude of links go nowhere. I look for a contact link............none, and when I do find one, I get no response. Then I find that alot of these sites have not been updated for years, yes, YEARS! It's like leaving 2 squares of toilet paper on the roll. Sure, the roll's not empty, but you sure can't finish the job with it! Isn't there some sort of web spider out there that targets these sites? Something to remind the authors to maintain their sites? If not, how about tagging the dead sites so we don't waste our time. Hey, Microsoft, anyone? I understand that sometimes the "life" thing gets in the way of ones good intentions and S*** happens. So why not give the site up? Ask for help, pass the torch or sell it! Hey, there's an idea. Ebay anyone? I could list all the dead ends and maybe I'll start a list. Hmmm, Maybe I'll call it "stale sites or dead links or don't give a rats rear.com. All I ask is that the authors of these dead/stale sites show some pride and responsibility. You showed you had it when you started the project. It's time you finished what you started. Complete the project. Update the site. Put a fork in it. DO SOMETHING! Idle Hands? Blaaaah........ All the Best, Michael & Christi

You never know who you know! ( michael )

You never know who you know! Feb. 3rd, 09 (see blog) we found ourselves with a 1952 Crown Coach previously converted to an RV, but has since been gutted, and trashed. After all was said and done, the beast is still in dirt road, AZ and so far we have no way to move it. We haven't received a call from the land owner about it, yet. You can see where we're at on this one. All we could think of was to raise the $500 in extortion money the tow truck driver was demanding. And since we are getting the MCI, what are we going to do with it? Well, yesterday, I was in our front yard chatting with our dear friend, Larry Bowers, a fellow Mason and Shriner. He needed to use our car trailer. He asked me when our motor home was to arrive? (see Set Back blog Jan. 28th.) I told him all the pitfalls we were experiencing and got him up to speed. Then, out of the blue he started rattling off a step by step plan that included an elaborate mix of a MIG welder, a gas powered air compressor, and a large truck with a heavy duty tow bar. I said, "The hulka weights 27 thousand pounds!" "Trust me", he says. "We can do this!" I have to tell you, I was impressed with how he put this plan together. I've known and worked with Larry for a few years and he is not one to do things in a haphazard manor. This could work and you can bet I'll be taking some photos. Let's say that all these things come together. Where are we going to put it? The MCI is claiming the prime space next to the house for refit. What will we do with the beast? As it stands right now, Christi & I plan to put the walls back up and clean it as best we can. Basically, we'll do the bare minimum and offer it to someone in need for what we have in it. It's a good thing. Now, where to put it??? Hmmm. Oh, Honey!?! All the Best, Michael & Christi

Set back... (michael)

Set back... This whole dream of hitting the road came about when my dear brother william got it in his head that the IRS was going to take away his birthday along with all his earthly belongings and he was going to move on to an Indain reservation, ???? don't ask!. Now in his deranged free for all he tried to give away the class a motorhome that we had sold to him sohe would not be living under a bridge somewhere. The motorhome is a 1992, 36ft. Gulfstream that was had lived in while shopping, buying, remolding & moving into our home. There was only minor repairs to do on the rig when we sold it to him and he lived in it for about 1 year to date. When his came to us with this absurd idea, we said that we would put it back in our name until this passed and his use of it could be maintained. He said, a homeless lady with 5 dogs agreed to take over the pmts. We don't know this girl and we would not have sold the rig to anyone save a family member in need. So, we said, NO. My dear misguided brother said, well if that is the way its going to be? you can just take it back. By this time william had found and old mobile home in st. david, az and moved into it. We told him, we will take back the rig & you should keep your new home and fix your IRS problem. 3 weeks of our dream plan had gone by when I call william to pick up th rig. He said, ok but don't be mad! Up to this point, we have starting in moition the big dream as our blog would indacate. I told my loving wife that I should go alone to help him remove all of his belongs from the camperand just in case something is out of order, I could fix it. OMG, What mess, He has ripped the whole rig apart, Heance the , Don't be mad comment. The bedroom, Gone. Closets, Gone. Dinette, Gone. Even the dashboard, yes, the gages, housing, all gone. Again, OMG. I turned to my brother and said commly, I can see that you have a grand plan to make this rig just the way you want it and now your stuck with it. He agreed to make the pmts. and I went home to break the news to my tolerant bride. Long story longer, we are without a rig to hit the road with. So, the search is on for a new to us rig. We will post as it goes. more hell or high water, were going! Michael & Christi

Climbing the STUFF Mountain ( michael )

"You see that mountain up there? One of these days I'm gonna climb that mountain." No, not the Ole Rivers song. I'm talking about the STUFF mountain. The love of my life woke up this a.m. and stated, "We need to go through the back room this afternoon!" I say to myself, "Lord, where did all this come from?" Not only do we have our stuff, we have O.P.S. (other peoples stuff.) How did we become the Keepers of O.P.S.? Don't they live somewhere? Shouldn't they be responsible for there own stuff? How do we get rid of O.P.S.? Do you call them and say, "Hey, how are you? Come get YOUR stuff." And what if they just don't come and get their stuff? Do you take their stuff to them? Do you give it to the local thrift store? Do you put O.P.S. out on the curb??? Is this legal? Sometimes life is tough, and it requires tough love. Yes, we should be nice about it, BUT, we have to get rid of our stuff too. OK, we will start with nice. I gaze upon all of our stuff and think back of how a certain THING came to be here. Do I/WE really need it? I trace back to Toast Floats blogs. "Hale to Toast" With the space and weight limitations of an RV, we must think; how many functions can this THING do? Does this THING hold that much sentimental value? Will LIFE go on without this THING? It is a true blessing to be able to read what other people have gone through preparing to hit the road. Maybe we can avoid some costly mistakes along the way. "Honey, tie off this rope." "Yodalahehoooooo." Where the hell did this come from??? It's gonna be a long afternoon!

Order in Chaos ( Michael )

I'm lost. I long. I TOAST??? What in the world am I doing? This odd feeling has slowly taken over my senses. I find myself searching for something but I can't put my finger on it. I talk to my "God sent" wife, Christi, but I have no questions. I look into the eyes of passing humans only to find emptiness. Books, family, history, science? Nothing! Hmm. Internet, ok, calm, sand, a palm tree. Hmm, Sea of Cortez, ok enter. Aah photos, sea life, beaches, mmmmm. Sailing. Hmmm Toast? Ok click. Hmm read, read. I continue to read. Life, read, read, read adventure, sigh, read, read,read trials, read, read, read frustration, read, read, read. Mid-life crisis? BANG!!! Could this be it? I read this heroine's words and could not stop. Toast, hmm I like Toast. I ask my wife, "Honey, can we get a boat and sail off into to sunset?" "How big of a boat?" she asks. I say, "Well, oh say 25' ". "Kitchen and bath?" she asks with lowered eyes. "Ahh no", I reply "And why not?" she asks. "We can't afford fixtures," I reply. She says in a loving tone, "Not right now dear." "But Honey, Toast did it!" I exclaimed. "What is a toast? she asked. I pulled up Toast Floats on her lap top and she hopped around, laughed and got the gist of Toast. "Baby, we can't do that" she explained, "I know you were in the Navy, but we don't know enough about a sail boat to do that! Sorry." I was stunned, not because of the rejection of my 'off the wall' request. It was the tone in her voice. A tone that I've felt growing inside me for a long time. It was a tone of possibility! You see, I am on a dead run to 50 years of age, in July. Damn. My beautiful wife has just passed that milestone. Maybe she is feeling that emotional perculator too. "Honey, can we load up the motorhome and drive off into the sunset?" I ask. She answers, "That sounds so nice! Ok, lets go!" Once again my mind is blown, "Did she say yes?" I ask myself, "YES!!! YES she did!" Happy New Year, let the planning begin. I love Toast! I can now see Order in Chaos. I need a asprin. michaelhargis.com