This blog is about Gardening, RVing, Traveling, and more.
Friday, February 27, 2015
Getting Ready for RV - Leveling the Pad
Well, the original guy that was going to level the rock today bailed on me this morning. He called and told me that his tractor broke. Hummm, not good. I'm on a timeline ya know. So, made some calls and after the go-round, found another guy who'd do it for $100. That's $25 more than originally figured, but it's also $50 cheaper than anyone else I could find, so I'll call it a win. Take a look at it being worked.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Getting Ready for RV - Rock Delivered
Rock was delivered today. SB2 is what they call it. The first step in preparation for the RV is to create a level pad. It seems we sort of jumped right into another RV. We were excited and we've found that both dealerships in Arkansas were having problems keeping Grand Design product on their lots, especially our model so we put one on order and had expected it to come in weeks from now. But, it came in sooner. I suspect that a previous purchaser dropped out so we picked up theirs. That's ok if that's the case. So, now we're rushing to complete the new carport to store it under, but before we can do that, there has to be a bigger "pad" or level parking area to rest the carport on. Rock is the first step. In the pic below, you'll see the 18 tons of rock piled up for the grand price of $275. We hired a guy to level it with his tractor. He's worked for us before and he does a bang-up job for about $75.
Friday, February 20, 2015
Our Second RV Has Arrived!
Well, our new RV has arrived at the dealership! We expected another couple weeks at least, but she's here. I requested a second air conditioner installed and upgraded tires as well. The tires coming in the RV are manufactured by Westlake and the reviews online aren't good. I knew about the tire situation as most RVs, from the factory, have what is coined "China bombs" meaning lots of folks have found over the years that tires manufactured in China have a tendency to fail and a 10,000 lb failure is not good! The only tire pretty unanimously favored in a 15" tire is Maxxis M8008. So, that's what we're putting on it. I requested a low-profile second air conditioner in the bedroom. 2d AC units are common in really hot areas. It's just good to have. The RV was ordered with dual pane windows and the Arctic package. That amounts to upgraded insulation for hot & cold weather as well as better noise reduction.
The differences between this RV and our last one are many. One, we're going to have a carport to keep the sun & rain off the RV while she's at home. Elements deteriorate the RV by a lot. Leaks find their way in and vinyl decals fade/crack. We had our fair share of issues with the Cameo and we don't want them again! This RV is 3 feet shorter, and more importantly, 3,000 lbs lighter. Towing the Cameo was easy enough until we hit a moderate to long grade of 5% or so. In east Yellowstone traveling to Cody, this became apparent as we had to pull over a few times to let the truck cool down. Had a grade in Vermont too, but to a lesser degree. This RV has a huge pantry! The Cameo had lots of storage too, but the pantry is nice. The sleep couch is better on this one. Much more comfortable. The furniture feels much better too. The Cameo had better options with outside space. The pass-through bay was huge and there was a rear storage that this RV doesn't have. This RV has one-touch leveling, LED outside awning lighting, much better entry steps, and one-touch awning operation that the Cameo didn't have.
So, our new RV is the Grand Design 303RLS. We go in a few days to pick her up! I will take pictures and reveal our upcoming 2-month adventure soon!
The differences between this RV and our last one are many. One, we're going to have a carport to keep the sun & rain off the RV while she's at home. Elements deteriorate the RV by a lot. Leaks find their way in and vinyl decals fade/crack. We had our fair share of issues with the Cameo and we don't want them again! This RV is 3 feet shorter, and more importantly, 3,000 lbs lighter. Towing the Cameo was easy enough until we hit a moderate to long grade of 5% or so. In east Yellowstone traveling to Cody, this became apparent as we had to pull over a few times to let the truck cool down. Had a grade in Vermont too, but to a lesser degree. This RV has a huge pantry! The Cameo had lots of storage too, but the pantry is nice. The sleep couch is better on this one. Much more comfortable. The furniture feels much better too. The Cameo had better options with outside space. The pass-through bay was huge and there was a rear storage that this RV doesn't have. This RV has one-touch leveling, LED outside awning lighting, much better entry steps, and one-touch awning operation that the Cameo didn't have.
So, our new RV is the Grand Design 303RLS. We go in a few days to pick her up! I will take pictures and reveal our upcoming 2-month adventure soon!
Thursday, February 19, 2015
FAWN Gardening Explained
In 2012, I wanted to put my big empty deck to good use and I love to garden. Containers on the deck were the answer for me so I searched the Internet to get smart. I do a lot of research on the Internet. My first stab at containers was called "Global Buckets". That vision was brought to me by Max and Grant Buster. At the time of this writing, their site is still active. Do a search. I built the buckets and soon realized that the reservoirs were too small for my taste so I raised the top bucket over the bottom one using PVC. It's all in an earlier post HERE in the blog. There were limitations with Global Buckets for me mostly with water frequency at this point because I didn't grow in them but a half season. Other issues I discovered later that were relevant to all container gardening. In February, 2012, I added rain barrels to have a constant supply of non-chlorinated water that I could quickly top off the Global Buckets with. Still researching, I found Larry Hall's rain gutter grow system (RGGS). His system basically uses a gutter encased by wood instead of a bottom bucket. Wow, what a perfect water fix for me. I made 3 or 4 of his RGGS's and transplanted some of the global bucket plants while they were still growing. The gutter reservoir was brilliant I thought. It provided a linear sub-irrigated (wicking) system ideal for small spaces and alignment. Watering became really easy. But, other issues arose mostly with mosquito larvae and algae. It was obvious a cover was needed and it was so hard to keep the roots out. And, plants were stressing in the severe heat. It's here, I started parting ways from the RGGS system Larry created in search of answers. First, I added my barrels to create a gravity fed system. This was a brilliant addition and was an easy conversion as I had the barrels watering with a hose. I connected the gutters directly to the barrels using a float valve. It was logical since I'd already built them. It freed up so much of my time. It was such a chore to keep the plants hydrated in the heat. The season ended prematurely due to an RV trip Gina and I took, but I had ideas brewing already.
2013--the "wicking year". In 2012, the plants in the buckets stressed and didn't produce well. So, 2013 was the year to find solutions to these container issues. I came up with the idea of using wicking strings (100% rayon) and vertical reservoirs. The idea was to more evenly distribute the wicking water while using the reservoirs for other reasons like my top planter. Second critical find--vertical platforms. This worked well until it got hot and the season went on and I still hadn't solved the open gutter issues especially with algae. As the heat rose in summer, the wicks couldn't keep up with plant transpiration. So, I called it on the strings and started watering top down. Top down watering compacted the decaying soil medium suffocating the plants and stressing them further. The plants continued to live, but were poor. Turns out finding the correct soil medium was a huge issue and the cause of lot of my own stress. The mixtures were complex, costly, and had to provide all of the plants needs. Do I go chemical or organic? My goodness, the amount of mixes and materials I've tried to solve that issue makes my head spin today. One had to be a freakin' expert to find a right combination that would last a full season. Search "container mix" or "container soil mix" and have a go for yourself. There is tons of literature on the Internet. When I gave up fighting the containment of plant roots, from entering the gutters, I realized another great find. It was a key find in fact. Don't fight the roots. The plants want it, let 'em have it. Fertilize the reservoir, not the pots. Bingo! When the roots hit the reservoir, the plants remained vibrant in the hottest of times. I then figured I'd test a water-soluble fertilizer directly in the reservoirs and let the roots go wild. It looked promising, but the season was almost over and not much testing occurred. I'd continue in 2014.
In 2014, I got started early with Peas in 18-gallon totes. I added Miracle Grow fertilizer to the gutter from the get-go. None in the pots. At the same time, the wife did not want a garden on the deck. So, research began very early in the year on a greenhouse. Gina gave me the go ahead to build one. While looking into economic water-soluble fertilizer in 2013, I stumbled into the fantastic world of hydroponics. Hydroponics, defined, is the art of growing plants without soil. I have a greenhouse, let's give hydroponics a try! 2014 was a whirlwind of learning, experimenting, and fine-tuning. I ran both hydropoinic plants (perlite and drip systems) with my modified gutter system. It only made sense to use the hydroponic fertilizer in the gutters instead of miracle grow and I learned the value of "complete" water-soluble fertilizer. I actually started filming side-by-side comparisons and my eyes opened very fast. Hydroponics was awesome. Loved the production and health of the plants, but I also saw limitations I didn't care for.
FAWN was born. Flowing, Aerated, Wicking, Nutrient (FAWN) is the product of removing components of both worlds I didn't like and adding ones I did to combine into a single method. FAWN is NOT hydroponics. FAWN is NOT a typical sub-irrigated platform like Global Buckets, RGGS, etc, either. It is both of these in ways and it is neither. I've tried to classify it and haven't found an exact fit.
What I didn't like with hydroponics? Costs were a bit higher than I'd liked. PPMs had to be monitored. Nutrient had to be changed out to prevent salt build up. Drip components clogged. There was not a biological component. Maintenance was higher than I'd wanted. Clean up was more extensive than I wanted. Grow medium was expensive. And, I felt like the vegetables did not meet the quality of those in my ground gardens. Maybe it was in my mind.
What I didn't like with the sub-irrigated platforms. It was difficult to restrict the container roots. Soil mixes were very complex and often expensive. Warm (or cold) reservoir temps caused issues. Mosquito larvae in the reservoirs. Algae buildup in the reservoir. Float valve took up a portion of the end of the gutter. Making use of that space was difficult balance of float level and overall gutter water level.
I was already correcting some of those issues with sub-irrigated containers when I began the comparison between hydroponic drip and sub-irrigation. I have video taped some that in several videos on my YouTube channel. After the comparison of the two systems here completed, I decided to take a shot on combining both. First, I give credit where credit is due. The 3 biggest influences for my ideas were taken from the Buster boys, Larry Hall, and Bobby (hydroponic stuff), who has a YouTube channel called "MHPgardener". I wish I knew (or remembered) his last name. Since, I've been on YouTube, I have gotten other ideas from many other areas and some are from my past experiences.
BASICS of FAWN:
General: Keep footprint small, minimize water usage, keep plants from stressing, go vertical whenever possible, high organic content in medium, low maintenance, and limit use of pesticides. This video shows the conversion to FAWN in the beginning and while some things are a little different, there's lots of good stuff explaining the layout: FAWN Conversion
1. The base of FAWN is a complete fertilizer. It is important with containers to ensure plants don't stress trying to meet their needs. Stressed plants are vulnerable to many issues like loss of production, disease, insect damage, and premature death. The base can be any complete fertilizer. Emphasis on complete which includes micro nutrients. MasterBlend 4-18-38, calcium nitrate, and magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) are my choice. It needs to be water-soluble because it is pumped throughout the system. I pay about $100 for a 12-month supply running 10 platforms. Nutrient is dispersed via a very low wattage pump. Mine uses 35 watts and pumps 396 gallons per hour. A $20 Ecoplus 396 is the brand I use, but it doesn't matter what you use. Smaller systems can use a smaller pump or you can go bigger of course.
2. Provide the plants easy access to rich nutrients. Besides the complete nutrient in the reservoirs, the pots are filled with high levels of compost. The roots develop in both areas very well.
a. A flowing nutrient reservoir of at least a couple inches of depth allows roots to tap into their minimum needs. Before roots travel into the gutter via netcups, water and nutrient will wick up to provide the needs. If it's not fast enough, the plant puts roots into the gutter faster. It's amazing how that works. Gutters were what I used as the wicking reservoirs because I had them. Any similar reservoir concept will work. with a $20 Amazon pump Ecoplus 396. FYI. I also used gutters as the hydroponic returns too instead of PVC. Why? Because I had them. :O) Flowing is extremely important. It moderates temperature, it keeps reservoirs aerated, prevents stagnation, equalizes the ppm of the fertilizer, and provides a way to add supplements to the plants, if needed, like root treatments. Ideally, I'd like the reservoirs about 6" deep, but this has worked better than expected.
b. A simple, but very rich source of compost mix. Each container I use will have a 50/50 mix of composted rice hulls and multiple-source complete compost itself. I pay about $20 for a truckload of each. Composted rice hulls can be exchanged with another source such as sphagnum peat (or other forms of peat), coconut coir, parboiled rice hulls, pine bark fines, or composted cotton gin remnants I suggest you source your cheapest, ph balanced source you can find. In FAWN, I'm finding that the container mix you use doesn't have to be nearly as complex as traditional container gardening. Focus on adding lots of organic matter into the mix. I get my compost at a composting plant in central Arkansas. They are certified organic and test their product. Even if you have to drive a little bit, it's important. If you can compost your own en mass, do that instead. It's was just too much work for me.
3. The platform. Should provide a stable place for pots to sit, be logically oriented for tight spacing, a continuous and covered reservoir, provide supply/draining to/from pump reservoir, and be constructed vertically when possible. I use untreated 2 x 4s with two basic platforms, a floor FAWN for plants that use a trellis of some sort, and a vertical FAWN for plants that do not. Tomatoes, peppers, beans, and cucumbers are examples of trellising floor FAWNS. Vertical FAWN plants include everything else stacked on top of each other like lettuce, broccoli, etc. Blue styrofoam works well cut to line the platform's bottom the gutter sits on. Here are two videos showing a flat FAWN, a vertical FAWN, a trellised FAWN, and even a double FAWN:
Christmas Video 2014
Harvest Video on 11 February 2015
4. Nutrient storage. I use an elevated, gravity-fed main storage, 250 gallons, and a smaller, 25 gallon, pump reservoir. I do not want to change nutrients all the time. Makes it less work for me. The 250 gallon system is 5 each elevated 55-gallon plastic drums plumbed and turned upside down. With this 250 gallon storage, I can go upwards of two weeks in the summer and much longer in the winter. One can go larger or smaller as needed or simply use the pump reservoir. 250 Gallon Reservoir construction outlined in this video.
5. Plug and play pots. "Pots" are any container that sits on the FAWN platform. Can be any shape or any size. I've used many types and still am working on variations. It is important that the container have a bottom that covers the top of the FAWN platform to insulate it, retain moisture, deter insects, and prevent algae. I have settled on 7.5" x 12". The platform is 7.5" wide and 12" seems to be a consistent spacing between plants. I tried less and plants get tight. I use the same styrofoam as the bottom because it works well, cuts easily with a razor knife, and helps insulate. I found that individual container bottoms allow you to turn them sideways, for space saving when young, and they can be moved and "plugged" into any FAWN anywhere. The plants have zero issues being moved. Here is a video of me constructing the a few pot styles: FAWN Pots
Well, there you go. It's how I got to where I am now. Some folks are asking about it more so I thought I'd record the history to date. If anyone has a question, just ask!
2013--the "wicking year". In 2012, the plants in the buckets stressed and didn't produce well. So, 2013 was the year to find solutions to these container issues. I came up with the idea of using wicking strings (100% rayon) and vertical reservoirs. The idea was to more evenly distribute the wicking water while using the reservoirs for other reasons like my top planter. Second critical find--vertical platforms. This worked well until it got hot and the season went on and I still hadn't solved the open gutter issues especially with algae. As the heat rose in summer, the wicks couldn't keep up with plant transpiration. So, I called it on the strings and started watering top down. Top down watering compacted the decaying soil medium suffocating the plants and stressing them further. The plants continued to live, but were poor. Turns out finding the correct soil medium was a huge issue and the cause of lot of my own stress. The mixtures were complex, costly, and had to provide all of the plants needs. Do I go chemical or organic? My goodness, the amount of mixes and materials I've tried to solve that issue makes my head spin today. One had to be a freakin' expert to find a right combination that would last a full season. Search "container mix" or "container soil mix" and have a go for yourself. There is tons of literature on the Internet. When I gave up fighting the containment of plant roots, from entering the gutters, I realized another great find. It was a key find in fact. Don't fight the roots. The plants want it, let 'em have it. Fertilize the reservoir, not the pots. Bingo! When the roots hit the reservoir, the plants remained vibrant in the hottest of times. I then figured I'd test a water-soluble fertilizer directly in the reservoirs and let the roots go wild. It looked promising, but the season was almost over and not much testing occurred. I'd continue in 2014.
In 2014, I got started early with Peas in 18-gallon totes. I added Miracle Grow fertilizer to the gutter from the get-go. None in the pots. At the same time, the wife did not want a garden on the deck. So, research began very early in the year on a greenhouse. Gina gave me the go ahead to build one. While looking into economic water-soluble fertilizer in 2013, I stumbled into the fantastic world of hydroponics. Hydroponics, defined, is the art of growing plants without soil. I have a greenhouse, let's give hydroponics a try! 2014 was a whirlwind of learning, experimenting, and fine-tuning. I ran both hydropoinic plants (perlite and drip systems) with my modified gutter system. It only made sense to use the hydroponic fertilizer in the gutters instead of miracle grow and I learned the value of "complete" water-soluble fertilizer. I actually started filming side-by-side comparisons and my eyes opened very fast. Hydroponics was awesome. Loved the production and health of the plants, but I also saw limitations I didn't care for.
FAWN was born. Flowing, Aerated, Wicking, Nutrient (FAWN) is the product of removing components of both worlds I didn't like and adding ones I did to combine into a single method. FAWN is NOT hydroponics. FAWN is NOT a typical sub-irrigated platform like Global Buckets, RGGS, etc, either. It is both of these in ways and it is neither. I've tried to classify it and haven't found an exact fit.
What I didn't like with hydroponics? Costs were a bit higher than I'd liked. PPMs had to be monitored. Nutrient had to be changed out to prevent salt build up. Drip components clogged. There was not a biological component. Maintenance was higher than I'd wanted. Clean up was more extensive than I wanted. Grow medium was expensive. And, I felt like the vegetables did not meet the quality of those in my ground gardens. Maybe it was in my mind.
What I didn't like with the sub-irrigated platforms. It was difficult to restrict the container roots. Soil mixes were very complex and often expensive. Warm (or cold) reservoir temps caused issues. Mosquito larvae in the reservoirs. Algae buildup in the reservoir. Float valve took up a portion of the end of the gutter. Making use of that space was difficult balance of float level and overall gutter water level.
I was already correcting some of those issues with sub-irrigated containers when I began the comparison between hydroponic drip and sub-irrigation. I have video taped some that in several videos on my YouTube channel. After the comparison of the two systems here completed, I decided to take a shot on combining both. First, I give credit where credit is due. The 3 biggest influences for my ideas were taken from the Buster boys, Larry Hall, and Bobby (hydroponic stuff), who has a YouTube channel called "MHPgardener". I wish I knew (or remembered) his last name. Since, I've been on YouTube, I have gotten other ideas from many other areas and some are from my past experiences.
BASICS of FAWN:
General: Keep footprint small, minimize water usage, keep plants from stressing, go vertical whenever possible, high organic content in medium, low maintenance, and limit use of pesticides. This video shows the conversion to FAWN in the beginning and while some things are a little different, there's lots of good stuff explaining the layout: FAWN Conversion
1. The base of FAWN is a complete fertilizer. It is important with containers to ensure plants don't stress trying to meet their needs. Stressed plants are vulnerable to many issues like loss of production, disease, insect damage, and premature death. The base can be any complete fertilizer. Emphasis on complete which includes micro nutrients. MasterBlend 4-18-38, calcium nitrate, and magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) are my choice. It needs to be water-soluble because it is pumped throughout the system. I pay about $100 for a 12-month supply running 10 platforms. Nutrient is dispersed via a very low wattage pump. Mine uses 35 watts and pumps 396 gallons per hour. A $20 Ecoplus 396 is the brand I use, but it doesn't matter what you use. Smaller systems can use a smaller pump or you can go bigger of course.
2. Provide the plants easy access to rich nutrients. Besides the complete nutrient in the reservoirs, the pots are filled with high levels of compost. The roots develop in both areas very well.
a. A flowing nutrient reservoir of at least a couple inches of depth allows roots to tap into their minimum needs. Before roots travel into the gutter via netcups, water and nutrient will wick up to provide the needs. If it's not fast enough, the plant puts roots into the gutter faster. It's amazing how that works. Gutters were what I used as the wicking reservoirs because I had them. Any similar reservoir concept will work. with a $20 Amazon pump Ecoplus 396. FYI. I also used gutters as the hydroponic returns too instead of PVC. Why? Because I had them. :O) Flowing is extremely important. It moderates temperature, it keeps reservoirs aerated, prevents stagnation, equalizes the ppm of the fertilizer, and provides a way to add supplements to the plants, if needed, like root treatments. Ideally, I'd like the reservoirs about 6" deep, but this has worked better than expected.
b. A simple, but very rich source of compost mix. Each container I use will have a 50/50 mix of composted rice hulls and multiple-source complete compost itself. I pay about $20 for a truckload of each. Composted rice hulls can be exchanged with another source such as sphagnum peat (or other forms of peat), coconut coir, parboiled rice hulls, pine bark fines, or composted cotton gin remnants I suggest you source your cheapest, ph balanced source you can find. In FAWN, I'm finding that the container mix you use doesn't have to be nearly as complex as traditional container gardening. Focus on adding lots of organic matter into the mix. I get my compost at a composting plant in central Arkansas. They are certified organic and test their product. Even if you have to drive a little bit, it's important. If you can compost your own en mass, do that instead. It's was just too much work for me.
3. The platform. Should provide a stable place for pots to sit, be logically oriented for tight spacing, a continuous and covered reservoir, provide supply/draining to/from pump reservoir, and be constructed vertically when possible. I use untreated 2 x 4s with two basic platforms, a floor FAWN for plants that use a trellis of some sort, and a vertical FAWN for plants that do not. Tomatoes, peppers, beans, and cucumbers are examples of trellising floor FAWNS. Vertical FAWN plants include everything else stacked on top of each other like lettuce, broccoli, etc. Blue styrofoam works well cut to line the platform's bottom the gutter sits on. Here are two videos showing a flat FAWN, a vertical FAWN, a trellised FAWN, and even a double FAWN:
Christmas Video 2014
Harvest Video on 11 February 2015
4. Nutrient storage. I use an elevated, gravity-fed main storage, 250 gallons, and a smaller, 25 gallon, pump reservoir. I do not want to change nutrients all the time. Makes it less work for me. The 250 gallon system is 5 each elevated 55-gallon plastic drums plumbed and turned upside down. With this 250 gallon storage, I can go upwards of two weeks in the summer and much longer in the winter. One can go larger or smaller as needed or simply use the pump reservoir. 250 Gallon Reservoir construction outlined in this video.
5. Plug and play pots. "Pots" are any container that sits on the FAWN platform. Can be any shape or any size. I've used many types and still am working on variations. It is important that the container have a bottom that covers the top of the FAWN platform to insulate it, retain moisture, deter insects, and prevent algae. I have settled on 7.5" x 12". The platform is 7.5" wide and 12" seems to be a consistent spacing between plants. I tried less and plants get tight. I use the same styrofoam as the bottom because it works well, cuts easily with a razor knife, and helps insulate. I found that individual container bottoms allow you to turn them sideways, for space saving when young, and they can be moved and "plugged" into any FAWN anywhere. The plants have zero issues being moved. Here is a video of me constructing the a few pot styles: FAWN Pots
Well, there you go. It's how I got to where I am now. Some folks are asking about it more so I thought I'd record the history to date. If anyone has a question, just ask!
Saturday, February 14, 2015
We're Back. What's New?
Well, it's been a while since I've blogged mostly because I'm doing gardening YouTube videos. I thought I'd just be done with this and convert to videos only, but that doesn't offer me the ability to speak to what's been going on in our lives, and well, blog about it. So, with some changes on the horizon, I felt inspired to begin blogging again.
First, Madison is college bound. She will begin at Arkansas State University this fall majoring in Animal Science on her way towards a Veterinarian goal. She's excited and so are we. At first, we thought she'd stay home and drive back and forth, but it looks like it's a better fit for her to live on campus. The dorm room, meal package, and living on campus has many advantages over back and forth driving. It'll help free up time, keep out local distraction, and give her some independence.
Second, we sold Voyager, our Cameo RV, home away from home, that has treated us so well over the last 5 years. Boy we had some amazing adventures and will miss that RV. She'd been sitting for so long with us not being able to take off much and had a couple leaks that I'd tried to have fixed. I'd get one thing done, have some serious interest and even had it almost sold, but something else would happen. Insurance didn't pan out like we'd hoped, but a guy who knew the struggles with her, decided he wanted her anyway--at an pretty hefty discount--"as is". It ended up being $20K less that what we bought her for but we got to keep about $5K worth of the extra stuff we can use again in the other RV like the blue tote, RV mat, macerator pump, filter system, chairs, BBQ, etc. So, breaking it down: For $15K, we got to enjoy Voyager for 5 years. Gina and I agree, it was well worth it!
Third, we got to thinking what we'd do now that we'll have an empty house again come the end of August. We've thought about a cruise. We've thought about a trip in the car. And, we've thought about buying another RV. It was quite weird how quickly we jumped back in on the RV solution. And, it's been coming on quickly since we made the decision. We took a liking to the Grand Design manufacturer in 2014 on a trip to see my sisters on Thanksgiving. It met my requirement to be a little smaller and lighter weight. It met Gina's floor plan and had the amenities she liked. It met both of our requirements to be well made. Fit and finish were very nice. So, we put one on order! We are having a Grand Design 303 RLS built! Right now, Voyager II is simply a frame with axles.
More to come and I hope to continue blogging about it.
First, Madison is college bound. She will begin at Arkansas State University this fall majoring in Animal Science on her way towards a Veterinarian goal. She's excited and so are we. At first, we thought she'd stay home and drive back and forth, but it looks like it's a better fit for her to live on campus. The dorm room, meal package, and living on campus has many advantages over back and forth driving. It'll help free up time, keep out local distraction, and give her some independence.
Second, we sold Voyager, our Cameo RV, home away from home, that has treated us so well over the last 5 years. Boy we had some amazing adventures and will miss that RV. She'd been sitting for so long with us not being able to take off much and had a couple leaks that I'd tried to have fixed. I'd get one thing done, have some serious interest and even had it almost sold, but something else would happen. Insurance didn't pan out like we'd hoped, but a guy who knew the struggles with her, decided he wanted her anyway--at an pretty hefty discount--"as is". It ended up being $20K less that what we bought her for but we got to keep about $5K worth of the extra stuff we can use again in the other RV like the blue tote, RV mat, macerator pump, filter system, chairs, BBQ, etc. So, breaking it down: For $15K, we got to enjoy Voyager for 5 years. Gina and I agree, it was well worth it!
Third, we got to thinking what we'd do now that we'll have an empty house again come the end of August. We've thought about a cruise. We've thought about a trip in the car. And, we've thought about buying another RV. It was quite weird how quickly we jumped back in on the RV solution. And, it's been coming on quickly since we made the decision. We took a liking to the Grand Design manufacturer in 2014 on a trip to see my sisters on Thanksgiving. It met my requirement to be a little smaller and lighter weight. It met Gina's floor plan and had the amenities she liked. It met both of our requirements to be well made. Fit and finish were very nice. So, we put one on order! We are having a Grand Design 303 RLS built! Right now, Voyager II is simply a frame with axles.
More to come and I hope to continue blogging about it.
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