SeaDawg

That's entirely possible, Pete. And we'd love to have you and Oscar in the "caravan".... whenever we go. What's the deal on the plastic eggs on route 66 for 2010? Do you have some info on that in another thread that I have missed? Sounds interesting. And, wow, twin grandchildren. How cool is that? I'm excited for all of you! Sherry

Gas prices here are half of last year. Anybody else thinking that this is a good year for long distance travel... to Canada and Alaska? Sherry

Watching the weather reports around the country, I almost hate to say it, but our weather here is balmy. This is why I moved to Florida so many years ago. Today's high in the mid seventies, tonite's low in the sixties, it just doesn't get much better than the blue skies, light winds, and glorious sunshine. Many years, our January weather is the same. This year, unfortunately, we had a lot of cold weather, but warm conversation and lots of fun!!!

Nice looking installation, Larry. Did you use regular Velcro, or the industrial strength stuff? Sherry

Hi, Bugz. I'll look forward to your photos and posts this new season. Sure enjoyed your albums last year... especially the thread on camping in the snow in Hackberry. Have fun! Sherry

Cherie, Thanks for sharing the travel map. Don't know how our summer will unfold, but there's a chance I may be flying into St. Louis around Mother's Day, as I often do. I'll give you a call to see if you're in the neighborhood! Sherry

Congratulations on investing in your new "Nest Egg"! (I like the name, too.) Hope to meet up with you on the road one of these days. Lots of furkids in the Oliver family these days. Looking forward to photos when you pick up your Oliver... Sherry & Paul

We've been hurricane evacuees many times. Usually, to my mom or sister's house (at higher elevation, midcounty)... The alternate plan (north, past Georgia, maybe even as far as into MO) is always there.... Easier, now, knowing that we can tow a "house" behind us, with all the essentials in the TV. Insurance docs, deeds, tax records, essential photos, underwear for six days... blah on. Honestly, a few years ago, with predictions of a direct hit in our community, we left our house in coastal Florida, under duress of the sheriff announcing mandatory evacuation on a bullhorn by six (repeatedly, and loudly). I refused to leave till the final hour (ten hours later....) because, well... because. Consequently, we loaded all the important stuff early on, preparing for the mandatory six am evac. During the night, while everyone else slept a few fitful hours, I filled the last three cubic feet in the SUV with, well, junk. Trinkets. and well, more junk. I'm a tornado survivor (twice), and couldn 't sleep. I knew what it was like to grow up without stuff... photos, toys, etc. So, I fretted, sorted, and packed, having been advised that my home of twenty years would be underwater tomorrow. Was it dumb? Yeah. Will I know better next time? Maybe. I don't know. Those predawn hours were very emotional. I remember how I opened the closet door where we'd marked the heights of my daughter, my nephews, and their friends over the years.... many times. I even thought about taking said door off the hinges and taking it with me. With my back to my daughter at five forty five, ready to go, so as not to upset her, I cried a torrent as we left and locked the front door. Stupid? Probably. Stuff is stuff. A house is a house. It's not family, but it has connections. And, I was sure we were never to return to our home.... the only home our daughter had ever known. The home where we'd been happy, raised her, and hosted so many family dinners.. and more. So many memories. Hurricanes, though more predictable than tornadoes, still are "whimsical". About 2 in the afternoon, that devastating wind turned a little south, not much, sparing our home and thousands of others in our county. It turned into a far less populated area of Florida, still devastating, but taking the dreams and history of others (probably less prepared than we had been) with it. We were spared, but for a few branches and part of the roof, because we were a little bit further north. I felt relieved, but guilty, that others who were not prepared were now facing what I had feared. In the end, I knew that if all of us made it out, and safe, no "stuff" was really important. Thru the tornado years in the midwest, our family did fine without said "stuff" that we lost. Important stuff? None. Family? That's all that's truly important. Sherry

Since Pete has appointed (annointed?) me the queen of suction cups.... the outside suction hooks are awesome.... For holding: brooms, chair covers, outside shower towels... even my eyeglasses, folded over and perched on the hook. Occasionally, I've forgotten to remove them, and have been so surprised to see them still attached to the Oliver when we stop hundreds of miles later. (Can't say I recommend it... Just happened) As I have said, so very many times before, we love our little Oliver. We hope that both of you will feel the same way we do, a year--and 17,000 miles---- later... as we do now. We're soooo looking forward to summer trips in our Oliver. We have had great adventures, traveling and camping, and meeting wonderful people from this forum and others. It has been a blast. Sherry also known as... the queen of suction cups????

Kyle and Karen, Congrats on your new Oliver. Looks like you had a great time on your first trip. We wish you many more wonderful adventures with your new trailer. Sherry & Paul PS Love the fabric you chose, and the options. The interior shots are great!

Phil, Thanks for all the great photos. Makes those of us who couldn't be there almost feel like we were there, too. Looks like everybody had a good time.... We recognize a lot of faces in the happy crowds. Sherry

Wow. This world, which seems so very big, is really so very small. Don and Lin (vacationing from Maine), and their friend Connie (who moved from Maine to Naples) came to see our Oliver on Saturday morning. Over coffee, we chatted about the Oliver and our summer trips, including visiting my college roommate and her husband in Connecticut for the occasion of her oldest daughter's wedding. Hearing Alana's name, and the location, Lin asked her last name, and shortly, we were both stunned. Lin and Alana had been close friends in grad school, commuting and studying together, and Alana and I have been friends since we were both teenagers, though all of us have moved away to different parts of the country over the years. What started as a friendly look-see of our trailer became almost a "reunion" of sorts as we looked over the wedding photos of our mutual friend's daughter.... two friends of the same person in Connecticut, who had never met before, brought together by an Oliver trailer. Fate? Chance? Whatever. Life is amazing, and wonderful. Sherry PS Don, Lin, and Connie are so very nice, and fun to visit with. We hope to see them again soon!

We had a blast dry camping at the Tampa RV SuperShow last month. We met Paul's cousins for dinner, and enjoyed the show for two days-price of one- ticket. Touring the new entries to the market was fun,(as was last year's show), but we both felt we made the best decision last year when we chose to purchase our Oliver. We camped in the parking lot overnight, and had a lot of great conversation and fun over dinner with Paul's cousins. Most of our fellow campers were of the (Chuck's phrase) sunblocker type, as you can see from the photo. But we enjoyed the cool weather, and the company. About 40 curious people stopped by during happy hour and morning coffee to check out our little Oliver, which was fine with us. The show attracts a lot of really nice camping folks. We picked up a few tips on Florida campgrounds from some of the folks who took a peek at our camper... Oh, and Paul's cousin made a really tasty pot roast... What a treat on a chilly Florida night.

Jam49, That's a great link! Great info.... on campgrounds, host positions... just don't get lost in their forum. We'd miss you! Thanks for posting. Sherry

Thanks, Chris. We, too, had a great time when you and Cherie visited.... Please stop by any time your travels bring you to Florida! Sherry & Paul PS The "flavor of the month" on tap is Anchor Steam.... S.

Great idea, Chuck. I'm sure that really adds a lot to the general lighting of the Oliver, without draining the battery system. Do the lights look as nice in real life as they do in the website photos? And, thanks for the link. I like the wall sconces, too..... hmmm

Welcome to the forum! We are several hours north of Nokomis/Venice via I-75 and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. You're welcome to take a look at our Oliver if you decide to come up and visit our area of Pinellas County... we have some of Florida's finest beaches and parks up our way... I'll pm our phone number and contact info. Sherry & Paul

Congratulations on your new Oliver! We wish you and your family many happy and memorable camping adventures! Sherry

Isn't that a cute photo? I'll bet she has a blast in the kitty maze...

Cherie, I don't use the "cutting board" area for much but a shelf or resting area, but I do use a small plastic cutting board placed across the kitchen sink for prep. That helps, as this is a very well lit area. Sometimes I feel lazy, and sit down and use the small table as a work surface... another well lit area. I do think that the overall general lighting of our trailer could be improved with an overhead light forward of the fan, in addition to the work area lighting. That would also light up the "cutting board" area. (I use the quotes since in our trailer, at least, the cutting board has a finish, and therefore is not really a cutting board.) Sherry

The trail rack is the box extending above the spare tire? Looks like a great idea!

That rack looks great, Mountainborn! Sweet addition to the rig. With 300 lb. capacity, you have plenty to spare. We know (from experience, sadly) that some of the racks whistle when not under load. Glad yours is properly engineered. Congrats on a great (and great looking...) choice.

It was great fun with four Olivers together at Withlacoochee.... Sherry (Sorry it took me so long to download photos!)

Sure have to agree with you, Larry. They're wonderful. No condensation, wonderful thermal protection from the heat and the cold. You'll love them even more in the summer! Sherry

A rare sight, I'm sure. Did you get a photo? We'd love to see it! I'm sure the desert flowers after the rain were spectacular. How fortunate for you to be there at such a unique moment.