Sunday, January 2, 2011

MOVING ON IN 2011: LESS TRAVEL, MORE PROJECTS

Lovely LunaOdel and I are in complete agreement that 2010 was our best travel year yet.  We visited so many places we had never been, we visited with friends and family at the right intervals, and we had few mechanical problems.  Just one event marred the year: the death of Luna.  We still miss her.  :( 

The calendar change to the new year is a time many traveling bloggers review their travels of the past year.  I might have done the same, except we are so busy with our winter plans that I don’t have time!  Not much travel and sightseeing for us this winter, as we have some big projects on the horizon.

Tomorrow we leave Yuma for RV Renovators in Phoenix to get an estimate for the renovations we plan to make in February.  Scoopy is a 2002 model, and has been a fulltiming rig for all her life – she looks a little tired.  We renovated her exterior 2 years ago; now it is time for the interior.  We’ve got a long list of changes we’d like to make: new window coverings; replace the bedroom carpet; remove the kitchen and bathroom tile and the living room carpet and replace it all with vinyl flooring; replace/reset the windshield; possibly replace the compact washer and dryer with a new set; replace the big, old, heavy living room TV with a lightweight, flat screen TV and remodel the cabinetry. 

OK enjoys the injoy benchIn a discussion with RV Renovators on the phone, they estimated a 3-week timeframe to do the work.  Though we would be able to live in Scoopy most of that time (except while they carpet the bedroom), we would need to be out of the motorhome each day from 8 to 5.  Very unappealing – so we also need to find a place (home, apartment, condo, park model) to rent in the Phoenix area while the work is being done. 

Planning, planning, planning.  We have mile long lists, and seemingly endless discussions – it will be a relief to finally get started!

Beyond Scoopy’s renovation, Odel has decided on an upgrade, too.  Those of you who have had joint replacements will be able to relate: time for a new knee.  Once we finish our motorhome renovations, we’ll return to Sacramento to have that done, hoping he will be through with surgery and rehab by mid-May.

So, no time to reminisce about 2010 – we’ve got work to do! 

17 comments:

  1. I know Odel will be happy with the knee upgrade once the healing is complete. I've had both knees and a hip replaced in the last 6 years and really enjoy the freedom it has given me. RVing is more fun than ever. Best to Odel.
    Wayne from Fair Oaks, CA

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  2. Wow! That's a lot of changes! I wish you well with all of them. I'm also thinking of having a few things changed inside in between my volunteer gigs, but not as extensive as you. :)

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  3. Now don't take this wrong, I'm sorry to hear that Odel needs a new knee, but when you said "Odel has decided on an upgrade,too". I'm just glad you were talking about his knee and NOT You.
    Yipes, that was a close one.

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  4. WOW What a coincidence! This is the first year I have done any planning before the traveling season (warm weather) and it has really had me engaged. Sometime this year I have to make some changes to my rig also. Odel, I have met one fellow who was a little disappointed after knee replacement. He thought he would be back to running marathons twice a month, but the docs told him to quit all the heavy running since he would wear out his joint quickly. So now he is into long distance speed walking. I know you will be in a lot better shape for fun after the rehab. Have fun.

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  5. Should be interesting to read about the renovations. Good luck with the knee. I hear it can be a great improvement, or not.

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  6. PalmsRV, yiu always make me LAUGH, both in your comments and on you blog. I can promise you this: if Odel every decided to upgrade me, he would need more than a new knee!

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  7. Good luck with all of your projects; remember to take time out and sit on a bench to "INJOY."

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  8. Too bad you can't get a good RV renovation in Sacto, while Odel gets his surgery and rehab done. You could probably find cheaper temporary accomodations in Sacto than in Phoenix, during the winter. Oh well.

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  9. Three weeks in a condo in Phoenix sounds kinda awful, actually, but the outcome for Scoopy should be wonderful. Hopefully we can catch up and do some hiking, although after that new knee, I would imagine I'll never keep up with Odel. Good to hear from you.

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  10. Good luck with both the renovations and the knee replacement. Janna's Mom has had the knee thing done and so has a fulltiming friend--he recovered while staying in his 5th wheel. Both are very happy they did it!

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  11. busy busy! best of outcomes for all improvements!

    we are heading out one day? this week for AZ ourselves! Scottsdale, for Barret Jackson (hubsters dream trip) and then ???

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  12. Sounds like a lot is happening with you all. When do you think you will be in Sacramento? We are going to Middletown, CA from Lewiston, ID in early mid February. Don't know if it will work to meet up but we can always check.

    Have fun with the renovations. Once we are settled in Hondo and our new jobs I am thinking of redoing our bedroom valances and blinds...I think we have the original from 1986 in there :)

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  13. Yep, you have a busy year coming up alright which will make 2011 an interesting & speedy year. Always good for the mind to have a few constructive projects on the go.

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  14. Your RV renovations sound like what we need to do with our HOME!!! I love to update stuff, and it seems to give me a much needed lift in spirits when I do....As for the knee...Tell Odel "WIT"..Whatever It Takes..to make life better!! Best of luck in all your endeavors...

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  15. Sorry to hear about your precious pet Luna... And looks like BIG plans ahead with the renovations and knee replacement... Good Luck on both!!!
    Happy New Year
    Travel Safely
    Donna

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  16. Just had my second knee surgery done in November Odel. Just make sure you do everything your Dr. and Physical Therapist tells you to do. It's a long process but so worth it.

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  17. Looking forward to seeing how the renovations turn out. We just passed through Phoenix today on our way to Desert Center, CA. Good luck with finding a place to stay.

    Speaking of Odel's knee, my mother just had knee replacement last year and she was up and around quickly. The hospital actually had her standing that same day! Good luck Odel! Hope you come through with flying colors.

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