W.F.W.T.W.

W.F.W.T.W.  That's what we did today, Wandering from Walmart to Walmart.  Okay, an explanation.

This morning we woke up at the Walmart we stopped at last night and spent a TON of money Christmas shopping.  The only problem was our granddaughter, Taylor,  is enamored with the Care Bears and asked for some for Christmas.  Being the grandparents we are, we decided that we'll get her Care Bears.

A fast Google showed that Walmart carries Care Bears.  Good, we're right here.  But the Care Bears were not.  Or at the next Walmart we stopped at on the way home.  Now we're getting serious, this is a challenge and we grandparents are up to it, even if our wallets are somewhat lighter from the previous Walmart visit.

We zipped home in the Journey, actually more like a fast waddle and did the painful deed.  We winterized it.  The forecast for later next week has much colder weather and possible freezing temperatures.  We were hoping to hold on for another two weeks, but decided a few dollars worth of RV antifreeze is better than a huge repair bill fixing frozen water lines.

Marti pitched in and we firnished up in about an hour, then zipped (waddled) over to the storage lot to put the Journey back in exile.  We'll still use it, just not de-winterize the water system.

We took our leave of the storage lot and pulled out all the stops.  These grandparents don't play nice.  We went to Toys R Us.  We searched high.  We searched low.  We asked where the Care Bears are.  Well, the Care Bears aren't!  Care Bears are a discontinued toy.

Now we're doing the on line search.  There are plenty of Care Bears, at extortionist prices.  We'll pay them, we can't let little Taylor down.  And it will be cheaper than driving the Journey all over the place at 8 mpg. :c)

Thanks for visiting and feel free to leave a comment.

Where Else When Everything Fails?

We departed this morning, picked a direction and head out in the Journey.  Zoe, the Wonder Dog, included.  Today we thought we'd head West, then South, and run down Rt 81 through the Shenandoah Valley.

First stop was Walmart in Woodstock, VA, to pick up a couple of items.  $250 later, we wheeled the cart out to the Journey.  In all fairness, we picked up some nice Christmas presents for the grandkids.  Yes, it's that time of the year again.

Pulling out of the Walmart, we took a two lane road that parallels Rt 81, enjoying the scenery and small, historic towns.  As the day wore on and the Christmas music began to repeat on the CD player, I decided to stop at a nearby campground, Endless Caverns.  After driving down the entrance road, we found it was closed for the season.  Bummer, we've heard good things about it.  So off we went back to Rt 81 South, determined to stop at the next campground for the night.

After driving for almost an hour, we found the next campground, a Good Sam CG...closed!  Hmm.  With it getting late in the day, heading further South with no real plan wasn't a good idea, an about face and back to the North to the same Walmart we stopped at earlier.

After getting permission, we set up for the night.  We're comfortable in the Journey and grateful that Walmart is a welcoming place to stop for the night. :c)

Thanks for visiting and feel free to leave a comment.

Generator Servicing before Rolling Out for the Weekend

I picked up the Journey this morning from our storage lot and brought it over to the house.  On the maintenance list today was servicing the generator.  Oil changes are every 150 hours of use and the fuel filter is replaced annually.  Most of the work is done from underneath the Onan 8KW diesel generator.

There is a small door that opens to give you access to the oil and fuel filters.

You put your fingers into the two square holes and squeeze that catches together to open the door.

The door swings down and opens to the fuel and oil filters.  If you look closely at the picture, in the center you can just make out the oil filter, just to the right of the hose, with the white rectangle on it.  You get access through the door, but it is tight.

I take off the oil filter and before putting on the new one, the important step of oiling the rubber gasket needs to be done so the filter will seat tightly and not leak.  A couple drops of light oil is all it takes.

After installing the new filter, I remove the oil sump drain plug and drain the oil from the generator.  It is thoughtfully labeled by Onan to make it easier to find.

After draining the oil and reinserting the drain plug, I put in 3 quarts of new oil in the dipstick hole on the top of the generator.  I use Shell Rotella T 15W-40 diesel oil. 

With that done, I move on to the fun job, replacing the fuel filter.  The reason it is so "fun" is because you're working under the filter and you have to remove the two fuel lines and then the center nut to get it out.  Gravity jumps in here and the fuel in the lines drains down your shirt sleeves into your armpits if you're not fast enough.

I'm getting better at it, only got the diesel fuel up to my wrists this time.

After buttoning everything up, I test run the generator and make sure there are no leaks.  I like to be sure that the job is done right.  All tolled, it took me an hour, start to finish and I'm good to go for another 150 hours.  Now if I can just the smell of diesel fuel out of my skin.  A long, hot shower is next on the agenda.

Thanks for visiting and feel free to leave a comment.