Schedules and plans, as most cruisers know, are written in the sand at low tide. It doesn't take much wave action for them to wash away and require us to make new ones. We knew we wanted to make trips to PA and NC to see family. There was also this RV show taking place in Hershey PA (“America's Largest”). We wanted to take Orion for a trip up the bay. And we kept shopping for an RV online and elsewhere. So, we made a plan. First, the RV show. That's on the way to Allentown to visit Dave's Mom and sister. Then back to Hampton. Then to NC for a visit with Cathy's family that would coincide with our great-nephew's baptism. Back to Hampton, where we'd get Orion ready to go out on her trip. Sounds great. And we actually managed to get some of it done.
Hershey RV show in Giant Center America's Largest RV Show
We've been to dozens of boat shows and, in the last couple of years, a few RV shows. So what does the “Largest” RV show look like? It's held in Hershey PA at the Giant stadium where the Hershey Bears Hockey team plays. However, the RV's are not inside the stadium. They are on 21 acres of parking lot that surrounds the stadium. The stadium building is filled with vendors, and a few venues for seminars. We helped open up the show on a beautiful, crisp September morning, and were dragging ourselves out to the truck in the dark as it was closing down. By this time, our search had narrowed to a particular model of Fifth Wheel – a 25 ft Palomino Puma. Since this is considered very short for a fifth wheel, we didn't find any of this model at the show, but did manage to find one made by a different Forest River make, Flagstaff, that came pretty close. The unit at the show was loaded with extras we didn't really want, and we didn't find their price for a stripped down model too attractive. So, we'd keep shopping.
We've been to dozens of boat shows and, in the last couple of years, a few RV shows. So what does the “Largest” RV show look like? It's held in Hershey PA at the Giant stadium where the Hershey Bears Hockey team plays. However, the RV's are not inside the stadium. They are on 21 acres of parking lot that surrounds the stadium. The stadium building is filled with vendors, and a few venues for seminars. We helped open up the show on a beautiful, crisp September morning, and were dragging ourselves out to the truck in the dark as it was closing down. By this time, our search had narrowed to a particular model of Fifth Wheel – a 25 ft Palomino Puma. Since this is considered very short for a fifth wheel, we didn't find any of this model at the show, but did manage to find one made by a different Forest River make, Flagstaff, that came pretty close. The unit at the show was loaded with extras we didn't really want, and we didn't find their price for a stripped down model too attractive. So, we'd keep shopping.
The Tin Man ponders weighty matters in York PA In the meantime, we learned about fifth wheel hitches, and the unique problems we have in our short bed truck. We talked to vendors about roofs and how to replace one that is failing (one of the ways an RV can go bad quickly). There were seminars about traveling to Alaska and about maintaining your RV that we managed to squeeze in. Although maintaining our sailboat is a good foundation for maintaining the RV, there are some obvious differences. By the end of the day, we were on overload – armed with more information and also more questions. Do we buy a new one or a quality used one? Do we buy now or in the spring? Which hitch do we get?
However, a week later, Dave stumbled across a new fifth wheel on Craigs List that was almost exactly what we were looking for – a 2015 Palomina Puma 253FBS. After some conversations with the dealer and lots of investigation on the internet, we managed to make a deal. We haven't seen it yet, but it's waiting for us to arrive in a couple of weeks. So, we're one step closer to becoming land cruisers – when we're not on the water.
However, a week later, Dave stumbled across a new fifth wheel on Craigs List that was almost exactly what we were looking for – a 2015 Palomina Puma 253FBS. After some conversations with the dealer and lots of investigation on the internet, we managed to make a deal. We haven't seen it yet, but it's waiting for us to arrive in a couple of weeks. So, we're one step closer to becoming land cruisers – when we're not on the water.
Jason with mom, dad and Pastor Mac Family North and South
After leaving the RV show, we spent several days in Allentown (as planned), and discovered the financial paperwork had slowed to a trickle, allowing us to enjoy the time together with Dave's mom and sister a little more. By Sunday, we were making our way south again to Hampton.
Or not.
Before leaving to head north, Orion's refrigeration had stopped working. It needed a new compressor, which was on order and still delayed. So, we asked each other why go back to the boat. The repair couldn't be done until the compressor arrived. So, we decided to keep driving south and west toward Winston-Salem to visit with Cathy's mom. It didn't hurt that it took us by way of another RV dealer, of course.
After leaving the RV show, we spent several days in Allentown (as planned), and discovered the financial paperwork had slowed to a trickle, allowing us to enjoy the time together with Dave's mom and sister a little more. By Sunday, we were making our way south again to Hampton.
Or not.
Before leaving to head north, Orion's refrigeration had stopped working. It needed a new compressor, which was on order and still delayed. So, we asked each other why go back to the boat. The repair couldn't be done until the compressor arrived. So, we decided to keep driving south and west toward Winston-Salem to visit with Cathy's mom. It didn't hurt that it took us by way of another RV dealer, of course.
Carolyn honors the birthday girl Arriving in NC on Monday evening, we had almost a full week visit with Cathy's mom, which included some house projects and paperwork. Dave can now say that he has planted collards, which was yeoman's duty, since he is unlikely to want to eat any of their eventual harvest. And Cathy was able to sort through a few financial issues with her mom outside all of the hubbub of the large Christmas gathering. On Sunday, we joined the rest of the family for our great-nephew, Jason's, baptism in Raleigh. After the service we gathered for a festive lunch at Cathy's sister's new home in Raleigh. Grace and John had moved there in September, after having raised their family in Memphis, TN. It was a dual celebration of Jason's baptism and Grace's birthday the day before. As is typical at these things, there was no shortage of good food. And, of course, you would never know that Grace and John had moved in less than a month earlier. The new house was beautiful.
After lunch, we made our way back to Hampton, arriving just before high tide and discovered to our dismay that the finger piers were already under water thanks to several days of rain, the super moon, and the persistent northeast winds. Rather than slosh through the water with our stuff, we took Steve up on a standing invitation to stay at his house. But by Monday afternoon, we were back on Orion. We just weren't going to stay there that long. Thursday afternoon would find her stripped of canvas, battened down for the storm as we headed out of town, pulling Jr behind us.
Orion Jr says goodbye to Steve's yard, as the water rises. Rain, Rain, Go Away
Seven foot tides. That was the early forecast when it was possible that Joaquin would track directly up the Bay. And it wasn't arriving until late Sunday / early Monday. Before then, we were going to have rain and lots of it. That, combined with gale force northeast wind would create coastal flooding by Friday afternoon that would start to rival hurricane Irene from 2011. Orion was likely to be fine. We just needed to strip the canvas and get our stuff off. But we couldn't stay on board unless we wanted to wade to shore. With that much water, the docks would be underwater for most of the day. Then there was Orion Jr which was sitting in Steve's backyard in Poquoson. With the forecasted tide levels, Jr's spot would likely be under water. That meant we had to find another place for her.
Seven foot tides. That was the early forecast when it was possible that Joaquin would track directly up the Bay. And it wasn't arriving until late Sunday / early Monday. Before then, we were going to have rain and lots of it. That, combined with gale force northeast wind would create coastal flooding by Friday afternoon that would start to rival hurricane Irene from 2011. Orion was likely to be fine. We just needed to strip the canvas and get our stuff off. But we couldn't stay on board unless we wanted to wade to shore. With that much water, the docks would be underwater for most of the day. Then there was Orion Jr which was sitting in Steve's backyard in Poquoson. With the forecasted tide levels, Jr's spot would likely be under water. That meant we had to find another place for her.
Looking out of Steve's house toward Jr's parking spot by the trees Unfortunately, it was already too late to get the boats ready “before” the weather arrived. By Tuesday afternoon, it was already raining and wasn't supposed to stop for any significant stretch of time for the next week. That meant taking down canvas in the rain and stowing it wet down below. Fun. Then off to Steve's where we had to get Jr ready to move in the rain as well. Dave put air in all of the tires, while Cathy mopped up all the water down below. (We have had a significant leak that was related to our temporary hatch boards. Needless to say they are not being used anymore.) We put up the flags, replaced the straps with new ones that Cathy had made earlier in the summer. (Good thing.) Once everything was re-stowed down below and secured on deck, we hooked up and made our way to Jarratt and our daughter's house. A hundred miles inland would at least mean we were far enough away from the coastal flooding, if not from the endless rain. And her property gave us a few options for storing Jr.
But it's not looking good for getting Orion out on the bay.
But it's not looking good for getting Orion out on the bay.
