Month: November 2017

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

This morning was a rainy morning and it rained off and on most of the day. We were up early and got busy packing everything up for the move. Yes, Fred was just moving from the parking lot into the service bay but it’s basically the same pack up as when we plan a long driving day or days. Everything off the countertops, slides in, jacks up, all cabinets and drawers secured, bedroom doors latched open and the list goes on. Of course, first we took time for a wonderful Sunny’s Donuts cinnamon roll. Now that’s a great way to start the day.

Anne went on in to class at 8:00 while Max waited for our service technician to come do the walk around for the rig and discuss what was to be done today. There were several others getting service today so we really just reviewed yesterdays’ information until everyone could join us. We have learned a few important items over the past few days. Since some of our readers may have a Freightliner, you might like to know that Cummins endorsed and recommended Diesel Kleen +Cetane Boost and Diesel Fuel Supplement+Cetane Boost as a fuel supplement. Anyone needing information on this, drop us an email. We also learned a good deal about our air brake system and exhaust brake which improved our understanding of our coach operations. We also learned some maintenance items that will be added to our pre-trip check list. We definitely feel the classes were time and money well spent and would recommend Camp Freightliner to any owner. We got a good report on Fred as expected and all the preventative maintenance and fluid changes were performed.

So not much most people would be interested in today. However, Google did show us what we were doing this time last year. We were here in Gaffney getting service, but no class, so we went biking on the Swamp Rabbit Trail with our nephew Phillip and his wife Lauren and daughter Dorothy. That was a really fun day. No biking this year but maybe next. We made our appointment to return for our annual maintenance next year and won’t have classes then.

Monday, November 6, 2017

It was a very cloudy and foggy morning, but was a bright and sunny afternoon. We were up early so we could go to Sunny’s Donuts before class. Their fritters were as good as we remember. And we have a cinnamon roll for tomorrow. We tell people we come to Gaffney for the doughnuts and just get the motorhome serviced while we are here. Not quite the truth but we sure do enjoy the doughnuts.

Class started at 8:00. We had a working lunch then a break from about 4:15-5:15 and then a working supper. We have seventeen people in the class (we think), some of which are are very, very new to RVing so there are a lot of questions. We have learned some very useful information and expect more of the same tomorrow. Fred will be in for his first service tomorrow. We don’t expect any problems to be found and plan to leave Gaffney on Wednesday morning. Class is about all we did today with only about 30 minutes of walking. Talked to Mama Ruby and Anne’s brother Jim tonight and both seem to be doing well. Thank you Lord! Praying for some good times for both of them.  Hope everyone is having a good start to their week.

Sunday, November 5, 2017

Today was mostly a cloudy day. Temps in the low 70s. There was some light misty rain early. We looked online for a church to visit this morning, but decided what we really wanted to do was stay home and stream Lester Memorial’s service online. We miss Lester when we are gone so it was really good to worship there via the internet this morning. Today was All Saints Day so it was especially nice to “be there” today. We also got to see Donna and Barry and Anna and Edu and others via the streaming. Nice! We should be back there next Sunday.

After church we visited with some of the others here at Camp Freightliner and then went to the grocery store. Rather than going straight back to the campground we decided to drive out highway 11 which is a scenic drive through South Carolina. We were soon at Cowpens National Battlefield. We hiked between 4-5 miles going through the park areas. The battle at Cowpens was a turning point in the American Revolution. The win here lead to the British surrender at Yorktown and the beginning or our country. So glad we took the time to do the extra ride today. What a nice park. At the visitors center we caught the end of the Ranger’s presentation about weapons of the period. There was a 5 year old little boy named Max who according to his parents it very interested in the Revolutionary War. They have some educational DVDs and that’s what he watches all the time. It was obvious he knew an amazing amount about the war. He was wearing a little British Redcoat uniform. He was so cute and smart. Fun time today and a great place to hike.  We will probably go back there next year and maybe ride the bikes.  The drive was pretty with all the nice fall leaves too.

 

Just after we arrived back at the campground a couple drove up with NOMADS magnetic signs on their car. Talk about a surprise. They are here to get a little work done on their Phaeton. They have just completed their first project in Ocala, Florida. They came in and we talked about NOMADS for a while and answered a lot of questions for them. What are the chances that this would happen? We met some new friends. Great ending of the day. Tomorrow, we start class.

Saturday, November 4, 2017

Today was a travel day to Gaffney, SC. We woke up early to get ready to go and then remembered it doesn’t get light until about 7:30. It was muggy and we had some light showers. We started finishing the outside preparations about 8:00. Max had to turn all the power pedestals off, turn off the main power to the campground and then turn in all the keys. After that we said goodbye to Ken and Joyce, connected the truck and started down the road.

Traffic was nasty getting to I-75 in Marietta. Then there was a wreck on the on ramp for I 85 that had things backed up. So thankful we don’t have to do that traffic everyday.  Otherwise, it was a pleasantly uneventful trip to Gaffney. We didn’t stop until we got to the South Carolina welcome center. It took about 3.5 hours to get that far, so we took a nice walk and break. There were some really pretty trees and a nice hostess in the welcome center, who answered some questions about the Gaffney area. Anne then drove until we stopped for fuel at the exit before Gaffney. She had the easy section this time. We are now parked for the next few days at the Freightliner Custom Chassis Center. We will be attending Camp Freightliner Monday and Tuesday and Fred will be having his first service and oil change, etc. on Tuesday as well. Hopefully we will learn some more information that will help us take better care of Fred. Hopefully it will be a good experience.