& Then I Bought an RV!

The story is not good......We are now at December 18th.....and Duchess is still in a restraint for her right leg. It will remain, except during showers and PT.........Til January 7th. Then rehab begins in earnest of the leg which will have atrophied.  "Roadhouse, II" sits.....

This time Duchess fell.......She was at her club for water aerobics, finished her class, and was showering.....When she flipped the swimsuit over the shower-curtain rod, it fell and she followed. She landed on her shin on the tiled lip of the shower, and then her elbow and knee.

Off to Tampa General Emergency room where it was found she had a broken knee cap. Surgery followed the next day. The shoulder injury is still progressing to an MRI.....Probably a torn Rotator Cuff.......Sad as Duchess is "Tired" of surgery and rehab.

More later folks

The story is long and convoluted.....but true. Duchess had problems and we also had "Roadhouse, II" problems........got to Rockford, and had to drive last 100 miles without air suspension in rear of the bus. Knocked things off the walls, hangers in closet, etc.

We fixed that, but Duchess' problems with getting about remained, and we had to drive to Tampa and get her bacxk in rehab and water aerobics/water volleyball....Lost our entire summer season.

Sad, but life is life.....

Now we are into December and Duchess fell in her water class area shower and broke her knee cap. Surgery and a leg brace til January 7th......Not good, and no Christmas trip to Texas.....

The future is clouded as we await problems with her shoulder.....from the fall....

St. James Winery, St. James, MO......found this place last year and stopped to replenish our supply this year. Some good wines.... Duke

Today we got to Branson, MO....."America's Best Campground".......We simply pulled in, hooked up, and have enjoyed a quiet evening. I am enjoying Crown and Coke... Duchess is having the same. Tomorrow, St. James Winery and off to S. Illinois.....Terre Haute, IN and friends Dick and Norma.....

We were told 60% chance of Thunderstorms today on the road and in Branson. All I got was enough rain to make the Roadhouse a bit dirty.... Duke

These places are neat as we buy fuel there....get 3 cenyts off per gallon, and stay here free. Had to run generator/AC, but that is not bad as we use about 5 gallons of fuel for whole night. Then off to Branson.

Lovely night and great food....the fellow who seated us and then entertained us had the deepest voice I have heard (minus one fellow in Branson, MO...) Great memories with Daughter Teri and kids.son-in-law.... Duke

In Dickinson, and busy with family. Thus I'll combine these days and post a pic or two.....My usual mode is daily pics and stories....however family things do not offer as much for most of my readers....

Roadhouse has a leak......However the leak only occurs when i park nose down and left side down. Water from air conditioner ran down side of coach and under slide. Used fan to dry carpet and all is well..

Coach very comfortable...temps here are in the low 80s, but humidity makes me feel like I am back in Florida. It is obvious we left home at right time......from here we go North to Illinois and more family, with a brief stop in Indiana to see friends who stood up with us 17 years ago when we were married.

This will take us through mid-May, and we'll strike out East to begin the vacation part of our vacation!

A couple pics later today!

Duke

Posted on Facebook about the day......heavy traffic, millions of love bugs, terrible Louisiana roads, But, we got to our park in Dickinson, TX. Tired driver as we had cross winds all day 25-30 mph which caused Roadhouse, all 31,000 pounds of him, to lean right all day. Still blowing here as we set up for the week. No main awning as it is too windy. Just awnings over bedroom and living room windows for now. Great dinner with daughter Teri, son-in-law Lance, grand kids Robbie and Lauren. Spaghetti and meatballs with garlic toast....and a nice salad. Tomorrow the visit begins with me washing dead love bugs off Roadhouse. Duchess with daughter and grandson. He has a medical procedure and wants some grandma support! Duke

Day two....Quincy, FL to Hammond, LA. Day of driving, not unpleasant. The facts are, I found a real YIKES type situation....and then reflected upon why I didn't get a TICKET for speeding! I was cruising West on I-10. Speedo said 70, the posted speed limit. Passed several radars. Passed several cops with people stopped. Roll on. It occurred to me I was passing almost everything. Turned to the speed setting on my GPS and SURPRISE!!! When my speedometer said 70 my GPS said I was doing 76 mph! Finished the day driving about 65 or 67 on my speedo which was about 72-73, which i feel I can usually get away with. 2nd night was much quieter, and I slept well. Already settling into my usual on-the-road time schedule. I wear out sooner and go to bed earlier, then awaken earlier in the morning than at home. Tomorrow, on to Dickinson, TX. Pic is my back camera with our Jeep Wrangler Brutus towed behind....the usual view. Duke

VIEW FROM THE HELM! Trip was late-beginning....and fairly quick. In Quincy at Flying J by 9:20pm....Sleep was elusive for me as it was cool out, windows open and lots of noise. The picture is of Rt. way to short-cut I-75.....No traffic to speak of. Duke