I just finished one week of retirement and haven’t had a chance to relax yet. We have had to make several trips back to the condo and finish cleaning out and bringing the last few items that seemed to be small in the condo and huge in the RV, and trying to find places for it.
So a co-worker asked is it freeing to not have to worry about maintenance issues since selling our sticks and bricks. I am still laughing. Since the day we bought this RV we have had minor issues but one of the biggest and still ongoing is the half bath toilet plugs constantly and it did the first time we took it out a year ago. Up until this trip, we haven’t put any solids in and it backs up. We had to this trip because all the bathrooms in campgrounds are closed due to COVID-19. After our last trip in February, we took the RV in for the few items that we still noticed needing repair including the toilet issue.
We picked it up after all the repairs, loaded it with most of our items, and headed to our first and current campground. The first day all seemed to be well and no backup. Yea! Well, that only lasted two days and sure enough, it backed up and plugged. Of course, my husband absolutely can’t deal with the sewer system, remember I am the one who always connects the sewer hose when we set up. He can’t do it on our boat either. So after using the plunger and snake and bringing up the “literal” crap, I thought we were good. Well, that lasted a few more days.
So I bought Command pods (this is like Drano for the RV) and have put one in the toilet and filled the tanks. We will let it sit for the night and see if it breaks anything up. Of course, if this stuff has been going on for over a year, I am pretty sure it will take more than one dose.
Okay snaked again and this time brought up more “solids”. Ran 5 full tanks through and it appears to not be plugging. Fast forward 2 days and still no plugging. Did I solve the issue? Only time will tell, but for now, I am taking it as a victory.
Thursday, May 14th, was a rainy day so we tackled the last few indoor projects together (now that is dangerous). Okay what that means, is John holds the tools while I do the work and swear at him. So we re-attached a border that fell off, leveled the sliding bathroom door, replaced a cabinet catch, and mounted the TV. For most people an hour project for us, 6 hours, however, they are done.
Up until today, May 15th, I haven’t really felt like I retired. Well, it hit home today, I got my last paycheck. Oh my, what did I do? I certainly hope all that financial planning works.
We are officially on the road and leaving Michigan, first stop Michigan City, Indiana for the night. We stayed 12 nights at Alice Springs, Ionia. All the services are closed, however, it does look like a very nice park.
So all along, I have named all my files Alaska 2020. Yesterday, we were notified that Canada campgrounds are closed at least until Jun 21st. Our first stop was on June 15th, so we are making adjustments. We will head to Montana, and if the borders open by the end of June we can still go, or at least head to Banff and Jasper (just over the border). Meanwhile, I am renaming my files Retirement 2020.
