Welcome to Daley Travels - Comments

Kathy mastropietro comments on Southern Hospitality

Kathy mastropietro — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 02:32:22 +0000

Hi Pam&mike. Pete&i are in st.George south Carolina tonight and heading to cape coral in a budget truck towing a car. We will be unloading mon &tues&wed and flying back sat. It wouldn't wild if our lathes crossed. Old Modesto friend kathy

Janina comments on The wrong turn in the right place

Janina — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 05:44:17 +0000

Ah, a fellow homeschooler! We still have a few years to go before we are "done", but we do school on the road without a problem. The kids are only in Grade 5 and talk about going to high school, but if we want to keep taking off for the winter months every year (we go to Mexico), that could be a problem! Although, in their teens they may not want to share the cab over bunk on our Class C, so who knows what will happen. You are right, life is always changing! I'd love to retire early like you, but I think my husband will have to work till 60, when our pension kicks in.

Pam comments on The wrong turn in the right place

Pam — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 22:32:28 +0000

Right, you do have to license the trailer that the car is riding on if you're not towing it wheels down. Plus there is some kind of extra braking system for the trailer. To be honest, since we are planning/hoping to trade our motorhome for another rig sometime after the next year and half, we don't want to make that monetary investment to be able to tow. We decided it probably wouldn't be worth it right now. So that's another reason I drive the car. 150-200 miles is 3-4 hours driving time for us - we keep it at 55 mph (89 kph) and just cruise along. After 200 miles our legs get stiff and certain parts of our anatomy get really sore. ;-) We're probably older than most full-time families though - we are in our middle 50's and have been lucky enough to retire early (and *live* on the pension check). We've home-schooled for 15 (?) years anyway, so we decided what the heck. :-)

You're so right - what works for one family may not work for another. Heck, what works for a family this month may not work 6 months from now. :-)

Janina comments on The wrong turn in the right place

Janina — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 16:46:17 +0000

That's so interesting, Pam! I guess I never factored in engine wear and tear. I always thought that you'd be spending more on gas whether you towed or drove behind, so why not tow? Everyone has different situations, I guess. I get my alone time by leaving my husband at the front and maybe playing a game with the kids at the kitchen table (they are a bit younger than yours--just turned 10). I actually feel bad for the kids, me being up front most of the time, but they seem to be ok. (except for the time they were dancing in the back bedroom and we hit a bump and one girl hurt herself on our fuse box--ouch) We drive really long days. I'm Canadian, so I think in hours, not miles (LOL!), but we drive at least 8 hours a day. Six hours would be a short day for us.

Out of curiosity, how much did it cost you to get set up to tow? You have to get the bar of course, but you also have to get a plate or something on both vehicles, right?

Deb Buckingham comments on Marquette, Michigan

Deb Buckingham — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 04:49:44 +0000

Oh...Michigan. Glad you got to experience it, though i have to say, i don't miss it. Maybe growing up in Grand Rapids doesn't leave much to be desired after spending the past 21 years in Colorado. The UP of Michigan is the most beautiful.

I love your yarn shop story too...not sure I'd have walked out with just one skein, though. Good girl! And oh by the way, miss you guys...

Pam comments on The wrong turn in the right place

Pam — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:59:07 +0000

Hi Janina - thanks for reading!

We could tow our car - and may end up doing so at some point - but for now we've decided not to for a few reasons. First is the extra strain towing another 2,600 pounds would put on the motorhome engine. Plus maneuvering a 33 ft RV is tricky enough with adding a toad - especially when there are no truck stop gas stations around. And then there's more to unhook & hook back up at each stop.

Although I'd love to be able to just sit in the passenger seat of the motorhome and crochet while Mike drives, it really isn't a big deal for me to just drive the car. It gets great gas mileage, very seldom do we drive more than 150-200 miles a day - and we don't travel everyday. A benefit for us and our personalities is that it gives us 'alone' time. Our 14 year old does ride in the car with me, but she's learned that I don't have the radio on when driving - I like it quiet. She does her own thing then and I get my 'thinking' and 'planning' time undisturbed.

That's what's working for us right now - who knows what we'll be doing a year from now. :-)

Janina comments on The wrong turn in the right place

Janina — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 04:57:35 +0000

Just a question: why do you not tow your vehicle? We are fairly new to this whole RV game. We aren't full timers, but have spent 2 months in Mexico (having driven down from Canada) and are hoping next year to get set up to tow a car, but it's expensive! Is that why you don't tow? None of our present vehicles (both old Toyotas) can be towed 4 wheels down and so we are looking at a Honda Fit or something (I won't drive standard), but even factoring out the purchase of a new vehicle, I think we are looking at around $2500 to outfit both vehicles to be ready to tow!

Thanks for your wisdom.

Janina

Deb Buckingham comments on Vacation Syndrome

Deb Buckingham — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 01:52:41 +0000

You know, I so admire you guys. Traveling non stop isn't my idea of fun, in fact after being away from home for 5 days in Laguna Beach, I was eager to resume my "normal" life. You guys rock! And sweet Sarah, to be "stuck' with her parents 24/7--not sure how she truly handles it. LOL I know my kids, they'd be looking for the nearest neighbor that had kids and invite themselves over for dinner every night just to get away from us.

But you guys are missed.

Safe Travels,

Deb

Diane Gorjanc comments on Gabriel

Diane Gorjanc — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:54:47 +0000

Amen, Pam! Praying for peace and comfort.

Stephanie Johnson comments on Gabriel

Stephanie Johnson — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:36:46 +0000

Sometimes just "being there" for Ozy and Connie is more powerful than any words you can ever say. I am so sorry for their loss, and will lift all of you in my prayers. My heart is breaking for all of you.