SeaDawg

Really? I've read some good reviews on bleed stop powders and bandages. I've incorporated them into our big kit. Would you not recommend them for a reason, Steve? Sherry

It's time for me to take another online safe driving class to continue our insurance discount. In Florida, Paul and I save over $100 a year by taking a safe driving course online every 3 years. With AARP $20 member, 24 nonmembers, sometimes offer specials for the self-paced, online class. Some places offer classroom style classes if you're so inclined. Paul took the online class with some other company this year. I'll stick with the AARP course. Its actually interesting, reminds you of safety rules, and gives some pointers.. I didn't mind the time, and feel I gained a little something above the insurance discount. 50+ age in many states. Check yours. We received our discount almost immediately after completing the course three years ago. https://www.aarp.org/auto/driver-safety/

here's a series of s screenshots, if it helps...

So, I did this again, as my map was out of date anyway... I went to visitedstatesmap.com. Click on some states, and color the map. I chose the smallest size. Click on copy and paste the url. Then, copy. Go to your profile. Click on settings. Then, click on edit profile and arrow down to signature. DON'T CLICK ON LINK. JUST PASTE THE URL YOU JUST COPIED FROM THE MAP WEBSITE. Accept and close. Hope this helps. Sherry

Not showing up. Try again? Sherry

Good suggestion. Some red cross classes can even be completed online, at home. Here's a link to finding classes from the red cross near you. https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class

We have several first aid kits. One in the truck. One in the trailer, front of the shelf of the closet. Another bigger bag, more extensive, that moves from the boat to the hall closet, or can move to the truck, for longer trips. I also carry a very few items in my purse, and tuck a few in the glove box. One of the routine checklist items at the beginning of the season is to empty each kit and check the contents for missing or damaged/expired items. The general rule is also to replace items if they've been used at the next drug store or Walmart stop. Last trip, I spent an hour replacing the last of the g4 halogen bulbs in little used fixtures with LEDs. On the very last one, at the foot of the bed, I took off my glasses to see the tiny holes for the g4 prongs, as I see better close up without the glasses. Big mistake #1. I got a sharp pain in my eye when a piece of something fell into my unprotected eye. The slot for eye drops and eye wash was empty in the first aid kit. I'd neglected to replace it last time... Fortunately, I was able to hold my lid aside and cry it out. But, it could have been serious. I discovered a few other empty slots... antacid, and topical benadryl for bug bites. Filled them all when we went into town. Don't neglect your kit like I did.... Keep it up to date. Sherry

This trip, I bought an extendable wire shelf on legs at Walmart for $8, and put it across the back of the big microwave cabinet. Under the shelf, I stored cans and jars. Bread and pastry boxes on top. Taller, and some shorter daily use items in front. I was able to stow dry goods for more than two weeks in this new space. For the first time ever, I have some empty overhead cabinet space. Now, Paul can have the entire big space over the bed for his clothes in packing cubes, instead of having to share it with cereal boxes and crackers.? The lip at the bottom keeps items contained while traveling, and I can swing the door up without removing the few items on the board... medicines, phones, power brick, coffee cup, etc Still haven't figured out what to put in the drawer beneath the fridge yet. But. That's a nice problem to have. Sherry

We got back last weekend from a couple weeks in Tennessee and North Carolina. We're both quite satisfied with our choice of the tf130. It's really quiet and efficient. We camped in shade, but gained most of our power from a 100 amp solar panel that I moved around in the best four or five hours of sun. We supplied the rest with a short run of the generator in the morning. Paul likes the molded spaces for beer cans. Up by the freezer, it keeps the beers super cold. I'm figuring out the rest of the space. I love the slide out bin on the bottom. A lot less juggling of bulky items. The bottom door rail hold a quart of milk and another of half and half, plus other tall items. I had more than enough space for our refrigerated food. The freezer is small, but held several bags of vegetables, a quart size gel freezer pack, and a couple steaks. I think the fridge works best with a fairly full freezer, for some reason. With daytime highs in the low 80s, nights in the 60s, I could turn the fridge down to 5 or 6 instead of high, and still maintain 40 degrees or colder in the fridge. Sherry

Hi, Geronimo, You are welcome, but Jason recently posted some newer instructions here. http://olivertraveltrailers.com/topic/how-to-add-forums-signature-maps/ I clicked on your link, downloaded your photo, and cropped it for you if you want to try the image method mentioned in some discussion further down... You'll probably find some hints in the newer discussion. If not, let me know... Sherry

I saw a mention of Opemican NP in a magazine. This new park in Quebec opened partially this summer, full opening next year. Just about six hours north if Buffalo, it looks like a magnificent place to visit and camp. I'm adding it to my someday list.... https://www.sepaq.com/pq/ope/creation/presentation-parc.dot

Mike's post about the Dakotas reminded me of the fall Scandinavian festival in Minot, ND. This is an amazing and wonderful festival, even if you're not of Scandinavian heritage. One of the best road trips I ever took with my dad was to Norsk Høstfest. Minot is a really small city, maybe 48,000, but the entire community, and the air force base, work together to create the biggest Scandinavian festival in North America. The music is amazing. This year, Alabama is a headliner. Music all day, everywhere. Yes, lots of accordion and fiddles ( full disclosure, I played accordion as a kid in a Scandinavian farm town..), but so much more. Everything from the Texas Tenors (awesome) to a Canadian polka band, and more . If you are camping in the Dakotas that week, don't miss it. $25 a night camping, really reasonable tickets for a truly amazing experience.</p> And, you can see authentic Viking games, and ski ballet... http://hostfest.com/entertainment/ Wish I could say see you there... we have too much company coming this year to leave Florida. Sherry

Beyond the national parks, the Dakotas have a number of wonderful state and local campgrounds, and most small cities, by our urban standards, have historic sites and museums. The Dakotas are well worth the time. Imo. Beautiful plains and parks, and nice people. Sherry

As far as skipping a 4 hour side trip to North Dakota , that's all weather dependent. If the forecast is good, and you have the time ... I'd do it. I like ND teddy roosevelt better than the SD badlands. Just don't dig yourself in somewhere without sufficient lp and supplies, at altitude, to wait out weather. At lower elevations, the snow will just melt away in a day or two while you enjoy the scenery... its still early for snow in October... but later in the month it sure can happen. Last year, we had close to blizzard conditions in eastern ND and western Minnesota in late October. On the 26th, in tropical southern Owatonna, MN, we awoke to beautiful 70s, and went to bed in the low 30s with a strong wind. In the morning, the snow was three or four inches deep. I drove south past Osage, Iowa on the 27th, before I could turn off the wipers... some slick spots on 218 in the early morning. We left at 8. I was driving miss daisy ( mom), and had a flight to catch out of St Louis, so not much time to hang around and enjoy the beauty of the first snowfall... bummer for me. I love seeing the first snowfall. Especially since I know it will melt... Sherry

412 is an awesome number. We're number 12. Hope to meet you one day on the road. A lot of advances in 400 units forward, but we are still told ours looks new. And, we're very happy, after almost 11 years. Happy motoring! Sherry

Congratulations to all of you from #12. Hoping you enjoy the next ten years with your Oliver as much as we have enjoyed the adventures of the last decade. Sherry

If I want more ventilation, I prop the bathroom door open, open the bath window and vent, and open the main cabin vent. Leave the fantastic fan on low and auto... This actually draws a lot of air through our little trailer. Pretty tiny thief to fit thru the bath window... lol. But, you've probably already done that... Sherry

A year ago, we saw the sun come up on a huge mess left by Irma. Grateful to be safe, even though we knew we had a lit of cleanup, and no power likely for a week or more... I wish our northern friends good luck and safe travels. Leave as soon as you can, and stay safe. Florence may be uglier than Irma. Sherry

Looks like a great solution for you. Please report back after you have had some time with the ghost bed. Happy trails! (And sweet dreams) Sherry

Congratulations. Wishing you as much fun as we've had in our 2008... Sherry

I'm resurrecting this thread because of our last two an a half week trip... We stripped everything out of the Oliver when we came home. Put everything in bins. Added back the bins. Plus clothes and toiletries before departure. I forgot one entire huge bin. The only thing I truly had to buy was a dish pan, because I prefer to wash dishes outside when I can. Not needed for the sink... a lit of duplication and unnecessary items in that forgotten bin Guess which bin I will intentionally leave home next trip. I loved the empty cupboard space.. Sherry

<p style="text-align: left;">Foy and Myrna, you do amazing work. Thank you for sharing your talent with the community.</p> We've had wood shower mats in our sailboat for 40 years. Maintained properly, your shower mats will never need a replacement. Thanks again, Sherry

We've never had an lp monitor, other than lifting the tank, or running a hand down the side to try to gauge the difference in temp.. We run one tank till it's gone, switch over, and fill the empty. Luckily, the primary tank has rarely emptied in the middle of a winter temp night. After camping with our trailer for awhile, we got a feel for how much propane we used in varying weather. The ability to carry two tanks, for us, is very useful. We tend to use tractor supply and other places that charge by the pound or gallon for a fill. We don't have to wait for empty to fill a tank. For us, it's not quite like running out of gas in the truck. We always have that second lp tank... ready to go. Sherry

For your dog, please make sure to use a pure benadryl or generic. Not a cough medicine with acetaminophen or sudafedrin or ibuprofen... andi get the children's formula, so it doesn't have achohol. Many human medications are used for dogs, but some of them are toxic to them. As I recall, many of our otc pain relievers, and especially ibuprofen. I've read that some medications do truly degrade over time. I always check mom's nitroglycerin, as I was told by her cardiologist that it was useless after a year. Others, not so much. Personally, I have no problem with any expired allergy med or ibuprofen, but that's not a recommendation from me, either.... Sherry

Congratulations. We've spent some time in your area. Paul's cousin lived in Gettysburg for a long time. We camped in their driveway and explored on several occasions, with local tour guides. I love the statue of liberty in the river. Don't remember the highway number, but you would know. . Sherry