May 23, 2014 FINALLY!!!

(Today (May 28th) is the first opportunity I have had to start my blog.  That's why there are two dates listed.)


Drum roll please!  After months of anticipation, the Bickerers (alias the Tottens) are finally ready to head out of town.

Our home for the next several months is pictured below.  It is a 2003, 37' Beaver Monterrey RV (diesel pusher).  We purchased it in 2013 from a private individual. 

After having the outside systems checked, the inside systems checked and getting new tires (and doing the same for our tow car - the Acura), we left Isleta Lakes campground the morning of Friday, May 23rd heading east. Because we had never RV'ed before, we had spent a little over a week at Isleta "practicing."  Bruce did the outside stuff (hooking up the water and turning on the electric, undoing the trailer and taking off the car, emptying the grey water a couple of times and the black water before we left, etc.) (thanks Caleb for the lesson), and I made sure the inside stuff worked (microwave, stove top, shower, washer/dryer, etc.) and even made a chocolate cake in the convection oven.  

Here are a few pictures taken just before we left.  As you can see, Zoey is ready to go!  I have my massage chair with me, we both have our computer stations, lots of staples (popcorn!!), and even my bamboo plant that my friends at Sandia (in IES) gave me many years ago (for good luck).  At the last minute I remembered to bring my Christmas gift from Yoshi, my massage therapist, that he made for me.  He said it was for Hope (hope for a successful journey).

We spent our first night in Amarillo, Texas at the Oasis RV Resort.  We realized as we were leaving Albuquerque that it was Memorial Day weekend, and we had never made any reservations anywhere so we grabbed a spot here. Concrete pull-through pads made setting up easy; we weren't looking for fancy.  Dwayne & Linda - get a look at this rig ... now that's the way to go! (semi-tractor pulling a 40-ft. fifth wheel).  And all you New Mexicans ... note that we had rain!!  Lots of rain!!!

First night out ... so far, so good.  

Bruce & Jean ... Retired and loving our new lifestyle ...