RV Folly Adventure Freedom Ride

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January 31, 2008

We had such a great week. Rode the Peds, enjoyed paddling Shell Creek seeing the sights, birds, and a gator or two, applied this
year's coat of "Penetrol" to Folly, bled Folly's brakes, and, took a day trip to the east coast so Sandra could attend her daughter's
wedding shower and my bro and I could visit with our mom. WOW!

Folly has an enamel paint job and those that have fussed with old rigs know what a pain in the behind they are to get and keep
looking decent. The first time I tended to makin' her shine, I rubbed and rubbed, polished and polished, and waxed and waxed. She
looked fine! Three months later though, it appeared as if I never touched her. Hmmmm. There must be a better way, especially for a
rig this big. I'm way too old and smart to even think about washing and waxing Folly every month....lol. After checking RV blogs and
groups, I came upon an article on the net about using a product called Penetrol as a paint/shine renewal agent being used by classic
RV owners and RV sales outfits. I decided to go to Lowes to pick some up for a try.

First, I gave Folly a good wash with a mixture of Ivory Soap and vinegar and then gave her a thorough rinse. I applied the Penetrol with
a cut down, hand size sponge that I wrapped paper towels around and would change the towels as needed. Also, I used rubber
gloves for obvious reasons. Man, what a shine!!! And, the shine lasted for almost a year with a wash with Ivory Soap and a rinse every
now and then. Also, happily, the application I put on the other day went on easier than the first with the same results. Thank you
Penetrol! (be sure you to test the Penetrol on a small and obscure area first to be sure it's safe for your paint)

Our next post will be in early February when we can find the net somewhere after spending several days boon-docking in the
Everglades National Park. From what we have read and heard, we imagine we will have an adventure or two to share and a bunch of
awesome pictures. Until then, rock on RV Folly Adventure Freedom Ride!

January 23, 2008

Got her done yesterday. Living in the Florida country, we are not much interested in going anywhere or doing any "city" stuff. Rather, we
just want to enjoy ourselves with good weather, a hobby or two, and, get as much R&R as we are able. Well, the time came we HAD to
go into town as we were running low on LP gas.

So, we disconnected all the umbilical cords from Folly and headed to town. An Amerigas LP Gas provider was located just off
Tamiami Trail, aka US 41, on DuPont Street right in the middle of the Punta Gorda downtown district. Even so, they offered easy
ingress and egress, and, with excellent, friendly service, the whole process took only about 10 minutes. I figured we used about 1/3
gallon of LP a day since about November 20 and that included a whole lot of holiday cooking. I think we could easily get along on a
gallon a week, and if boon-docking, could do what is necessary to get along on a 1/2 gallon a week. That would allow about 4 to 5
months between fills.

Then, it was on to WalMart for a few hard-goods and then on down the road to a hair salon located next to a Publix as Sandra wanted
to have her hair cut and we needed groceries. The weather was gorgeous, so we decided to go to the Punta Gorda's Ponce De Leon
Park located on Charlotte Harbor. What a beautiful city park! We had a picnic lunch near the beach, did some exploring of the
shoreline, and ended up in a wildlife rescue facility. Saw many native birds being tended to for various health issues. Then, Folly
brought us back to our camp and we all decided to go to Best Western on the Peace River for a prime-rib dinner. We sat outside and
had our meal on a deck that overlooks Charlotte Harbor and the Peace River. Ah, what a nice time at sunset! We found the Best
Western Restaurant to be friendly with excellent service and reasonably priced.

All in all, what a delightful day spent seeing the sights, meeting people, and enjoying my brother and his wife's company for dinner.
Rock on RV Folly Adventure Freedom Ride.

January 16, 2008

Into each life a little rain may fall? Or, how about, every once in a while a toilet may leak? Well, it rained AND Folly's commode started
leaking. Wow! I dug out the "toilet" file that was packed away with all the other Folly information stuff and went over the handy-dandy
Thetford "Aqua Magic" owner's manual. The trouble-shooting section on leaks gave me a pretty good idea of what to investigate and
the parts needed to solve the problem. After a trip to a RV parts supply company and the local ACE Hardware Store with my bro, I was
able to get the parts necessary for the Aqua Magic repair for a total cost of $13.50. Then back to Folly to remove, make the repair, and
reinstall the commode. Thetford still supplies parts for this appliance that was installed back in 1985. Sweet! This is one heck of a lot
better than Coleman AC parts that seem to become unavailable just a few years after they sell the AC unit to you. Learned that the
hard way.

After a small "smart" electronic control panel went dumb in our roof, Coleman AC, we were told we would need a new unit to the tune
of $650 as the "smart" panel was not available anymore. Well, I got out the wiring diagram and made a couple of changes to the
wiring. Now, we have a working AC but I have to cycle the AC compressor unit with an off/on light switch mounted to the ceiling unit
until I can salvage a cool/heat thermostat control from any junker AC/Heatpump unit and wire it in. In the meantime, we still have air if
we want it, AND, our $650. Funny thought, we haven't used the AC unit since we left back in early November.

Yesterday, I removed and will replace the distributor due to a discovered .010 play in the shaft. Advance Auto Parts will have one for
me today at a cost of about $50.

Our stay in Punta Gorda has been very relaxing and has allowed us both to get a lot of needed R&R. But of course, that what's RV
Folly Adventure Freedom Ride is all about!

January 13, 2008

Drove back to the grass-strip airport located nearby. At the main entrance, there are several "Beware of Dog" signs informing visitors
about a dog that travels the property looking for a quick meal and also a sign with a phone numberto call. Being the genius that I am, I
chose the phone number. I asked the guy that answered the phone for permission to come on the property and poke around a bit.
Permission was granted. While I had the guy on the phone I asked if he know who the Travco parked in the weeds belonged to. Turns
out it's owned by a guy that lives two doors down from my bro. Small world, eh? I also asked about the what appeared to be WiFi
antenna on his roof. Turns out, there is a guy in the area that sells hi-speed Internet hookups for $48.00 a month. The airport owner
went on to say that he tried a dish with limited success and DSL is not available in the area as yet, so the $48 per month gig is the
only reliable, hi-speed Internet access available. Of course, however, there is dial-up.......ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

So, since I am interested in being able to use the Net, I called around and found free hi-speed WiFi available at the public library,
McDonalds, and Panera Bread. Using my laptop along the trail to the public library, unsecured WiFi connections pop up everywhere.
Seems it won't be too long before WiFi will be available everywhere. Wouldn't that be sweet?!!! And, with data cards and cell phone
tethers to receive hi-speed Internet running $60 per month, and Hughs or other satellite systems about $80.00 a month plus the $3k
to $5K install down-stroke for the hardware, it may be a good time and idea to investigate antenna boosters. hhhhhmmmmm. Any
suggestions anyone? In the meantime, rock on RV Folly Adventure Freedom Ride.

January 10, 2008

So far, while visiting my brother and his wife's winter home in Punta Gorda, Florida, we have done some boating, bike riding, walking
and a lot of resting. We went for a two hour paddle in my bro's two person home built kayak on Shell Creek. If you look at the pix, Shell
Creek is one, "big" creek ..... a lot of water for a creek and runs for miles to the Peace River. Picture perfect views and lots of wildlife to
enjoy.

Yesterday, we stopped in a Pilot Truck Stop to get a Wilson Antenna for our cell phone to help allow for reception in boon-docking
areas. I bought the cheapest model and once hooked up, the antenna gives us a consistent extra "bar" on the phone's meter, so to
speak. We will have to wait to see how this works out in the back-country.

On a Moped ride, I decided to check out a small, grass strip airport a couple of miles down the road. Low and behold, parked under
some trees and in the brush was a Travco 270, probably an early 70's model. I will return later to get the particulars as it would be
nice to have a source of parts for good 'ol Folly.

A few people have emailed us about our budget and food preparation. Sandra retired on September 4, 2007 and the wind filled Folly's
sails allowing us to head south on November 8, 2007. Not surprisingly, we have found food, gas, and RV parking is where most of
the money has gone so far.

Food per week runs about the same as when we were living at home. Gas is an issue only when on the road. And, RV parking is an
issue only when we aren't boon-docking or staying with friends or family. Hence, $700 to $800 a month for two is entirely realistic.
One could mostly likely do better, or, easily spend $2500 a month, or more, depending on how much traveling one does or the
lifestyle one wishes to have and/or can afford. Sandra and I wanted to get off the "fearcycle" (described in "Life Shared") and could do
so only on the cheap. For the many that share our income level and health issues, early retirement and a lifestyle living on the cheap
traveling the countryside just may be of interest and just may be possible for you. We would encourage you do put your dreams on
paper and then do the math to see if you can realize those dreams. Be flexible.

We could be at home with Sandra still working full-time while we pay for our day-to-day living expenses, insurance and taxes on our
cars and our house, taxes on Sandra's income, taxes on my income, insurance, taxes, and more insurance and more taxes, and, at
the same time worrying how we will be able to continue. Instead, we are following the sun, seeing new places, meeting people,
visiting family and friends, and doing our best to live a 100% stress-free life.

Sandra is a wonderful cook. It is truly amazing what she can create and prepare in Folly's "galley" kitchen. From a complete holiday
meal to a quick snack, Sandra has mastered the small 4 burner gas stove, small gas oven and the occasional use of a micro when
we are hooked up to power along the way. She hopes to work on a web page describing her food preparation experiences sometime
down the freedom road.

January 6, 2008

January 3. We said our goodbyes to Cassie in the a.m., Sandra’s mom and step-dad in the p.m., and, then went to my mom and step-
dad’s house for the balance of the evening. The next morning, we had a great breakfast, prepared Folly for departure, and said our
goodbyes again. Sigh! Hello’s are so great and goodbyes so difficult, but we manage by always looking forward to meeting up again
down the road.

Then, we headed west from Lighthouse Point, Fl. into what looked like stormy weather. Picked up the Florida Turnpike at Sample
Road in Pompano Beach and headed north to Lake Worth where we exited onto Lake Worth Road headed west. Then onto US 441
headed north until we headed west again on US 441/98 & SR 80, aka Southern Boulevard, in West Palm Beach.

During our adventure to this point, we went from as many as 16 traffic lanes at the start down to 2 lanes. And, along the way, we had
spotty rain, some heavy at times. We think the Gold Coast of Florida has the best winter weather anywhere in the continental USA. But,
it is soooo crowded with traffic and noise all the time. Hence, it’s nice to get back to open country and peace and quiet again!
However, the now 2 lane highways are a bit rolly and bumpy and continued on this way to Lake Okeechobee. These roads were built
on soil removed to make the canals that paralleled us along our way, so, I would guess all the very heavy trucks traveling these roads
have caused all the dips and bumps over time.

Continuing, we picked up SR 800 about twenty miles east of Lake Okeechobee and continued to Belle Glade which is located on the
southeast corner of the “big lake”. Once in Belle Glade, we got on SR 80 to US 27 and followed the western shoreline of Lake
Okeechobee to Clewiston. It’s interesting one never gets to see the lake due to a huge levy that blocks the view along its shore. We
found Clewiston to be a very nice and clean town and noticed many RV and Mobile Homes Parks dotting the countryside …. mostly
avid fishermen one would think, as there doesn’t appear to be much of anything else to do.

We continued north on US 27 to SR 29 & 74 and then onto SR 74 running almost due west the rest of the way to Punta Gorda, Fl. Most
of the roads between US 27 and Punta Gorda were smooth but were also a bit tricky. They are two lanes, narrow, and in some places
very soft shouldered with a bit of a drop off along the road’s edge. Punta Gorda is located on the Peace River. The Peace River
empties into Charlotte Harbor where one may enjoy safe mooring, if traveling by boat, adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico.

Once we reached the intersection of SR 74 and US 17, we stopped at a Winn-Dixie to stock up on needed supplies to get us through
the next week or two. Then it was North on US 17 a couple of miles to Washington Loop Road for several more miles until we
reached my brother and his wife’s winter home.

This area is sweet. Folly is now situated a stone’s throw from Shell Creek which empties into the Peace River. Our front door opens
west onto woods and we have neighbors to the south and north. My brother and his wife’s house is to the east. Actually, we are
camped in their back yard and are hooked up to their water and electric service. Also, my bro and I found a cleanout where we can
empty our holding tanks when necessary.

January 5 was spent getting Folly moved into her new resting spot, getting our camp set up, riding the mopeds, resting up a bit, and
doing some visiting with family and neighbors.

Today, we continued setting up housekeeping. Now, we have a small tent for stowing some gear and a large screen tent that will be
used as an “outside living room” while we are here. It’s so good to spend time with my bro and his wife …. while our RV Folly
Adventure Freedom Ride rocks on!

January 3, 2008

Well, got up this morn to 35 degrees. Holy Moly! From 84 to 35 in the AM .... what a shock!

Got Cassie up, who was sleeping inside grandma's house, about 7:30. She needed to catch a train at 9:49 AM at the Deerfield Beach,
Florida Amtrak station back to North Carolina. The man at the ticket counter said to expect about 18 degrees when she gets off in
Carolina. BRRRRRRrrrrrr! We gave her a pair of gloves and suggested she call her "Bo" to bring her a warm coat when she gets off
the train. Saying our goodbyes is always the hard part, but Sandra and I will see her again in February. We appreciate the short time
we did have together and sure had a good visit!

Then it was back to Sandra's mom's house to prepare Folly for departure to get gas and empty the holding tanks. Then on to my
Mom's house for the night. We will be heading for the Gulf Coast Friday AM. And, we will get there using back roads again. We hope to
share a story or two and some pix when we can find a decent Internet connection someplace. Till then, rock on RV Folly Adventure
Freedom Ride!

January 1, 2008

Happy New Year everyone! What an interesting New Years Eve. As usual, I fell asleep about 9:00 pm but this year I was awakened at
about 11:30 pm by a whole bunch of activities going on about the hood. There was a party with a live band about two blocks away, and
several other parties all competing for "who could be the best and the loudest." All the while there were fireworks going off all over the
place.

We watched the festivities and the ball drop at New York City on TV and then went outside for a wonderful fireworks display in every
direction that would easily rival the fireworks displays seen around the homestead back in Pinehurst, NC. Just beautiful and a whole
lot of fun. We were so happy to see so many of our fellow human beings enthusiastically celebrating the incoming New Year! Then, it
was back to bed while several parties went on until sunup this morning.

I saw on the TV early this morning the dropping of Sushi. Sushi is a drag queen that was dropped slowly down from a building, with
one red shoe on and one off in Key West, Florida. This could ONLY happen in the Conch Republic....lol...and everyone was sure
having a great time.

Then Sandra, Cassie, and I went down to the beach about 8:00 am figuring we'd be the only ones there. Man, were we wrong. The
place was packed with walkers and beach goers. Saw a sign where it was already 81 degrees. We figured the snowbirds may have
finally arrived in full force or maybe people want to enjoy the beach today as it's supposed to be only in the 50's tomorrow. For people
living here, 50's are what 10's are to the snow birds up north.

Cassie will be heading back to Raleigh soon to a reported 21 degrees by the time she gets there. We will miss her very much, but will
now look forward to seeing her again in late February when we will hook up again. Sandra and I will soon be heading to the Gulf
Coast.

Rock on RV Folly Adventure Freedom Ride.