23-28OCT19 - Ponchatoula, LA (rv downsizing?)

Wednesday AM, 23OCT, since we cannot stay at the Houma Civic Center for our entire planned stay, we decided to head north of Lake Pontchartrain to Reunion Lake RV Resort.  This is a newer park, nice amenities (several pools each with an in pool Tiki bar, a “lazy river”, volley ball, putt-putt & giant inflated obstacle course floating in a pond), but pricey.  Dinner was at Roux & Brew Seafood & Steak House in Ponchatoula, LA; an upscale sports bar with a very interesting menu.

https://www.reunionlakerv.com/


https://www.rouxandbrew.com/


Thursday not much done other than trying out the lazy river.  We have been talking for some time about maybe trading our present RV in for a newer, smaller RV; so we decided to check out two big RV dealers located adjacent to the RV park.  We have been checking out the latest generation of different RVs based on what is known as the Mercedes Sprinter Chassis during our travels.  Many RV manufacturers are using this chassis for new designs in what is known as a diesel powered Class C RV.

Why replace our current RV? –


>we will no longer have extended warranty insurance after 150K miles (that will occur by the end of this trip); a new “used” RV would be eligible for extended warranty insurance at a lower cost

>since we no longer full time & live in it, we do not need the size or the storage

>we are reluctant to make spur of the moment short trips (like camping w/Rebecca, Raymond & grandkids) because of the effort to prepare our “large” RV for a one or two day trip

>a smaller Class C RV actually has more flexible sleeping accommodations for the grandkids with the cab over bed, if we take them “camping”

>Class C RVs have more options for routine maintenance & repair, that hopefully means no more dealing with semi-truck facilities


Friday we had to leave the Reunion Lake RV Resort because they were already pre-booked full for their big Halloween event(s).  We had already decided to move to another RV park in New Iberia.  But first we stopped by Berryland Campers & RV, which we had visited yesterday to take one more look at a Dynamax Isata3 RV we had seen during that visit.  In a torrential downpour we looked again at the Isata3, while the Berryland reps examined our RV.  So as a birthday gift to Corrie we traded in our “old” Allegro Bus for “new” used 2019 Dynamax Class C.  That evening was a b-day dinner back at Roux & Brew.

Saturday wake up to discover another torrential downpour w/high winds during night causing significant local damage & major loss of power (including RV dealership).  During the morning we signed more papers on our RV purchase & trading in the Allegro Bus.


Sunday AM wake up & power finally restored.  Searching Yelp we decided to have lunch at Punjabi Dhaba; an excellent Indian food restaurant located in a gas station.  After lunch we began prepping our RV for tomorrow’s swap-out.

Monday, 28OCT, finish paperwork on RV trade-in & purchase.  We park the “new” RV next to our old one & begin the all day process of moving almost everything from large RV to much smaller RVL  Tomorrow is departure back to Houma & granddaughter Coraline JaneJ

11-22OCT19 - Houma, LA (birth of our third grandchild - coraline)

Friday AM, 11OCT, final leg of our drive to Houma, LA, for the birth of our granddaughter to our son Joe & Bethany ChiassonJ  Drive itself is uneventful but for a few downpours.  Arrive in Houma & head to Civic Center to use one of their RV spots.  As detailed in our BLOG we have used them in the past.  In our opinion they do not have the best customer service focus.  So in the past we have tried to stay at daughter’s or son’s driveway.  But now our daughter Rebecca has moved to Washington state, & Joe our son has no room in his house/driveway.

Turns out that half of Civic Center parking lot being used for Relay for Life event for the next three days.  Because of this no one will be allowed to use any of the open RV spots – even though Relay for Life says no problem?  Since there are no real RV parks close to Houma (can you say trailer parks w/temporary RV spots?) we decide to support Relay for Life & pay to be in their parking area for three days (even though there half the parking lot is empty - ie almost 100 empty RV spots).  309 miles driven.

Then it was off to hospital for baby visit with parents son Joe & Bethany Chiasson, & new granddaughter Coraline Jane who was only a few hours oldJ!!!

Saturday cooler weather arrives & Corrie heads to Joe & Bethany’s to do laundry & other errands.  Early evening we head to hospital for another baby visit; then to Song Phi Wong for excellent Thai dinner.

Sunday heat returns, not much done; Corrie runs errands & Dan checks out the few supposed RV parks in the area – no joy.  That evening we visit baby Coraline & parents.  Because baby shows signs of jaundice, she won’t be released todayL

Monday move RV to a spot at the Civic Center designated for RV “camping”.  Coraline Jane finally released from hospitalJ  Tuesday, 15OCT, Dan orders new headlights for RV & repairs black water tank capacity gauge.  After lunch we head to Joe & Bethany’s house for baby visit, & to meet some more of Bethany’s family.

Wednesday take dogs to Tractor Supply to bath them.  Not sure how many Tractor Supply stores have these dedicated rooms for bathing dogs, but for $10 per dog we will use them in future!  They literally supply everything – towels, shampoo, brushes, etc – the tubs are at waist level (no bending) & they clean up the mess.  Dinner was at Cajun Critters new location – the surf & surf platter was excellent, as were the funnel fries for desert!

Thursday not much done; head over to Joe & Bethany’s for family dinner w/Lilly & Noah (Bethany’s children).  Friday we install a new washer for Joe & Bethany.  That evening was a crab boil at Bethany’s parent’s house (June & T).

Saturday, 19OCT, Corrie heads to Bethany parent’s house to help pick left over crab.  Later in the day Joe picks up Dan to head to June & T’s house for BBQ ribs, BBQ sausage; bacon wrapped jalapeños; red beans & rice.

Sunday AM Corrie, Joe & June go fishing on the bayou; many fish caught but no keepersL  Dan works on RV maintenance & washing RV.  Monday heavy rains, not much done.  Tuesday we get flu shots, & Dan finishes washing RV, & begins prep’ing RV for temporary departure from Houma.  Turns out Civic Center has limit on how many days a RV’er can remain at their facility per month.  Since we want to remain until 06NOV, we need to find another location over the weekendL

07-10OCT19 - Various: PA, TN, AL, & MS

Monday AM, 07OCT, on the road to Houma, LA; plan is to drive hard on interstates for birth of son Joe’s & Bethany’s first baby.  Getting thru CT while passing north of NYC not fun.  Some fog & light rain until Harrisburg, PA, where we had heavy rain.  Finally find a Walmart for the night Chambersburg, PA; 411 miles driven.

Tuesday AM we wake-up way too early & decide to hit the road before sunrise; but our headlights not up to the task, so we pull over & wait for sunrise.  We start in PA, & travel thru MD, WV & VA, ending at a KOA in Bristol, TN; 405 miles driven.  I-81 southbound had an unbelievable number of semis & trailers parked all along the road & no room in rest areas (not sure why?) – we finally pull over on shoulder for lunch & toilet break.  Last quarter of drive in driving rain; entrance to KOA very challengingL

Wednesday better weather but now the battery charging system acts up? 384 miles driven to Pelham, AL.  To Dan it appears we have engine battery charging issue (alternator, voltage regulator, ???).  We call an emergency roadside service who says they will be at RV park in an hour – they never show!

Thursday AM, 10OCT, Dan calls local Cummins engine facility who advertises that they are a Coach Care facilityJ  These Cummins facilities supposedly will go the extra mile for RV owners.  First words out of their mouth are – we don’t deal with electric issues on RVs (even though the charging system comes with the engine out of the factory?).  They highly recommend RV Roadway for the possible engine work.


Dan makes appointment for tomorrow morning; luckily we decide to check facility out & not wait until tomorrow to see it firsthand.  Turns out they are small local RV dealer selling mostly trailers & definitely not capable of diesel engine work.  They then recommend Thompson Cat down the road even though we have a Cummins not a Caterpillar engine.  Now feeling a little desperate, Dan drives to the Cat facility & explains the situation.  They say bring RV in asap & they’ll try to fix today.  In four hours they diagnose the problem & locate the only part (alternator) in the immediate area to fix the problemJ!!!

Although feeling a little stressed out we decide to drive 170 miles to Meridian, MS, so that we can have a more reasonable drive to Houma, LA, tomorrow.  Fingers crossed!