Weekend trip

[Gardner Yeaw]

I guess I am not the only one who would like to take the trip. As
I mentioned, so far the plan is to retire in June of 2010, but
nothing is cast in stone. As far as taking a trip through Alaska, I
would do it soon after. Too many people I know wait, and then health
issues take over.

It would be great if a few Birds and maybe a few SOBs set up a
caravan to do the trip. The thing is a that 30+ day trip means 30
different ideas of where to go and what to do. It is a pretty
daunting task to plan even for yourself. Arranging campgrounds,
locating fuel stops, service facilities, timing the seasons, etc,
etc. could be a full time job.

The good thing would be a group of people who have working
knowledge of RV systems and a huge list of telephone numbers for
folks willing to help diagnose problems and offer tried and true
solutions.

I have looked at several of the packaged tours and some do offer
some nice perks, (established itenerary that is realistic and tested,
Trained CPR/Defib folks, free rock shields, tail gunner with tools
and stuf to get you to the nearest service facility) but the price
isn't cheap. Pretty close to $5000 give or take. That does include
camping fees and many meals. I will probably spend close to that much
just getting the coach ready.

By the time I am ready to go I will have put quite a few miles on
my coach and hopefully I will have shaken out the weak links.

Gardner
78FC33






--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gardner Yeaw"
wrote:
>
> My wife and I took the 'Happinest' (last weeks 'Bird of the week)
> for a weekend trip to Saylorsburg PA. and stayed at the Silver
> Valley Campground. We had a nice weekend and did some sight seeing
> and visited with family. On the way we were stuck in some pretty
> slow moving traffic for a while, but it eventualy opened up. That's
> when we discovered that the vent on the right front side (in fornt
> of the heater element) wasn't staying closed. It was 80 or 90
> outside and the right and left heat and defrost registers were
> blowing real hot air at us. Naturaly, we were whizzing along a road
> that has a two foot sholder, so pulling over was not an option.
Once
> we got to the campground, I was able to re-attach the control cable
> to hold the vent shut!
>
> So over the weekend we began to think about trips we would like
to
> take after I retire. Alaska was the top choice. Given the little
> problems we have each time we venture out, I have been thinking of
> what I would need to do to prepare a 1978 coach for a two or three
> month trip from New Jersey through Alaska and back! Hoses (power
> steering, radiator, heaters, transmition cooler, hot water heater),
> belts, idler pulley bearings, tires, brake components, compressor,
> just for starters. Spare parts???
> Front stone shield, toad stone shield, spare tire?
>
> Maybe I am crazy, but it sure would be a hell of a trip in the
> vintage bird.
>
> I figure I have three years to get ready..
>
> Gardner
> 78FC33
>