I Ain’t Ever Movin’ Again

There are lot of RVers I follow or have met recently who are buying their first rig, changing rigs, moving into boats, or heading back into stick houses.

I look around Miranda and think of how much work I’ve put into making her as near to a perfect home on wheels as I could make with my resources. All I can say is that unless something really major happens, I ain’t ever movin’ again!!! I don’t think I could do this once more!

This is the longest I have lived in one space in my adult life and I have zero desire to move. Sure, I sometimes look at other rigs and wonder ‘what if’, who doesn’t, but it’s never serious. I now know that unless Mr. Perfect comes along, Miranda is going to be my only RV.

She is getting on with years, but has less than 62,000 miles / 100,000KM on the odo and has been well maintained. She can last a good while longer. The interiors has been so carefully tailored to my needs that I am not likely to outgrow her unless, of course, my family expands.

I do imagine that I will eventually redecorate (and even have the new colour scheme all planned out!), but that will be a few more years down the line. For now, I’m really enjoying my cheery pink, yellow, and green.

Yes, there is money to be put into this rig, there always will be, but I really don’t see any point in changing, especially since I’m fairly certain I would have a difficult time selling Miranda considering how much I’ve customized her.

Peace and rest at length have come. All the days long toil is past, and each heart is whispering, Home, home at last.

Mexican License Plates

I cannot believe I have spent so much time near Mexico and yesterday was the first time I saw a Mexico-registered vehicle on this side of the border. I saw a second one today, too.

Along the Canadian/U.S. border, I’m used to seeing tons of license plates from either side so I find it rather peculiar how few Mexican vehicles I see here. Then again, I don’t get the impression that U.S. customs is as welcoming to Mexicans in general as they are to this particular RVer…

More Fun With My Ford Ranger

Wow, this little truck of mine never ceases to keep me on my toes! Its latest trick? For weeks now, I’ve been getting the following sequence of events:

-driving along smoothly or idling at a street corner
-TICK!
-engine revs and truck jerks
-repeat about every 30 seconds

Yesterday, I finally figured out that this has been happening only when it’s hot out, which gave me a clue as to where I should start my diagnosing.

I went out this morning, popped the hood, idled the truck, and played with climate control knob.

As it turns out, the AC clutch wheel thingy that hasn’t been turning to provide me with cold air has suddenly decided to TRY to turn. It will click, spin part of the way, rev the engine, jerk the truck, and then quit. This will happen in all climate control positions except off.

I’m detecting a theme here. Except for the first problem caused by low oil, every issue with this truck has had to do with the climate control system. I must have known deep down in my bones that I was having another issue in this area because it hasn’t caused me to worry much about the truck and I haven’t hesitated to take it out. Now, I know to roll down the windows and leave the air OFF.

I found a great Ford forum with really helpful folks and they are helping me work through this. I’ll troubleshoot as far as I can on my own, then go to a pro… once I’ve had the brakes done. That’s not urgent, but it really does need to get done before I get back to SK and start doing long hauls with the truck.

It’s a shame it’s so nasty cold and windy out today even though we got the promised sun. I was going to take Moya out for a much deserved wash and wax. 🙁

A Maddening Wind

I was awakened at about 3:30 this morning by a loud gale. I stumbled out of bed to close all the windows and roof hatches, which effectively deadened the sound of the howling wind.

But was I able to get back to sleep? No. Why? My %@&%*@( air condition rattles like the dickens. I noticed it was bad on the beach, but it was never when I was trying to sleep.

Tabitha and I would just start drifting off and then, RATTLE, RATTLE, RAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTLLLLEEE, RATTLE. OMG.

Anyone have tips for a rattling AC?