Like A Bunch Of Cattle In A Cattle Car…

Jim says:

If Mary’s youngest son Doug had been here…that’s what he would have said about our experience in Asheville, North Carolina yesterday. Moooooooooo!

I must also confess that yesterday’s experience was a first for me…in all my years of traveling. But Mary really wanted to get a feel for the City of Asheville, North Carolina and when you have woman in your life, one must make compromises…

The Cattle Car.

It’s just something I wouldn’t do if I were traveling alone. In general…despite the fact that I is one…I tend to shy away from “touristy” activities. In truth…it wasn’t all that bad and Mary really enjoyed herself.

Just one of the photos I took today.

To see the other 21 photos I took, click this link…
http://picasaweb.google.com/jimjrver/AshevilleNC5510#

Finally…the best news of the day…we got to spend the night on the pretty grounds of Moose Lodge #781 in Asheville. Peaceful and quiet with lots of pretty songbirds.

Our parking place last night.

Today we continue heading towards the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2010
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://www.panamaorbust.com

My Plans Are Changed By A Little Yellow Light…

Jim says:

When I started the motorhome engine yesterday morning, my plans were to have a very pleasant drive along a little used highway about 150 miles to Spartanburg, South Carolina. I was going to spend the night at an American Legion.

However…once I started the engine all the lights went out the way they’re supposed to …except the little yellow ABS warning light. I started the engine another five times hoping the light would go out…nope!

The little yellow light that changed my plans. The red light is my parking brake light.

The Workhorse Chassis Manual says the braking system is made up of two parts. When the yellow light comes on, the manual says it means one portion may not be working properly…the vehicle can still be driven…but drive carefully and get it to a service center asap. Great!

I drove about 60 miles and the light remained lit. No signs of leakage and the brakes seemed to be just fine. As I approached the state capital of Columbia, I stopped and looked up the Workhorse Service Centers online, hoping there would be one in Spartanburg. Nope…just two in the entire state and one happens to be in Columbia.

So, instead of driving on to Spatanburg, I ended up parking under some shade trees behind a shopping center where I spent the night. Oh by the way…yesterday was 90 degrees with about 90% humidity. Yuck!..said the Weather Wimp (that’s the name my life-partner Mary has given me because I gripe whenever the temperature is not within the 65-75 degree range).

The service center is a Chevrolet Dealer about two miles from my overnight parking location. I plan to be at the service center door when they open at 8:00 AM. I’m about 150 miles away from where I need to be to pick up Mary at the Asheville, North Carolina Airport on Tuesday (tomorrow).

If I where just driving on flat land, I would have driven on…however…I’m headed for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and cannot take any chances when it comes to possible brake problems. I’ll let you know what happened in tomorrow’s Blog.

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2010
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://www.panamaorbust.com

I Depart Summerton, South Carolina…

Jim says:

After a nice visit with Bob and Judy Michaud for the last week..I’ll turn northwest for about 250 miles to meet Mary at the Asheville, North Carolina Airport on Tuesday. After five weeks in California of taking care of business, she’s ready to join me back on the road.

This map shows my progress since November 30, 2009…about 4,500 miles.

Yesterday in Summerton was 86 degrees with high humidity. At 5:00 AM this morning it was 76 degrees and humid. Time to head to the mountains to cool off.

Next planned stop…Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2010
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://www.panamaorbust.com

Mary Has Left Me…

Jim says:

once again. I dropped her off at the airport yesterday. She’ll be in California attending to family business for about five weeks. She’s scheduled to fly and meet me May 4th in Asheville, North Carolina. In the meantime I’ll wander along eastwards by myself.

My jet-set gal.

I spent the rest of the day continuing my re-read of John Grisham’s the Pelican Brief which is partially set in New Orleans and in particular the French Quarter. We were just there two days ago so it adds to the enjoyment of the read. John Grisham is my favorite author and I read all of his books two-three years ago. I saved them all and will re-read all of them. The Pelican Brief was his third book. He’s done so well writing that he gave up his law practice. If you enjoy realistic legal-type drama books, give his a try…you’ll enjoy them.

It’s awfully quiet in the motorhome with her gone. Hmmmm…

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2010
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://www.panamaorbust.com

The End Is Near!

Jim says: Our eight-week stay in Louisiana, that is…both of us are really lamenting about having to leave Southern Louisiana. We’ve had a great time here!

We decided to stay one more day at the American Legion in Plaquemine. Mary began her packing for her flight back to her home in California.

Today we’ll take the motorhome and move on. One stop today at the Laura Plantation.

Tomorrow is move into the campground and do laundry day.

We’ll have a final day wandering New Orleans on Monday.

Tuesday Mary flies from New Orleans.

Wednesday will be a day of routine maintenance and odd jobs on the motorhome for me.

On Thursday I’ll depart the campground and start drifting further East.

Mary will meet up with me again in Asheville, North Carolina on May 4th.

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2010
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://www.panamaorbust.com