Never Panic
09-01-2015
Author: Blog Editor in Chasing Adventure- Coast to Coast
My wife and I decided to spend a few days on the east coast of Florida in one of Florida’s beautiful state parks and recreation centers. We chose the Gamble Rogers State Recreation Area as our destination.
Our trip began from our home in Palmetto, Florida. Once we had loaded the RV with all the comforts we would need for the next five days, we departed around 0800 on a Monday morning. We decided to avoid the interstate highways so we cut across Florida on state road 60. This state highway was a dream come true with most of it being a divided highway. As we neared the east coast, we decided not to go up A1A due to perceived low clearances and the many tourists that were everywhere we looked.
Instead of the A1A we went up highway Route 1. We stopped in a few places and had lunch in Ormond Beach, in a shopping mall parking lot. This trip was the first time we had towed our 2011 HONDA CRV. We had just had the “Invisi Brake” installed and had a brand new Blue Ox tow bar. What could go wrong? Of course when the dealer was installing the Invisi Brake and wiring it so I could see an alert light on my dash each time the car applied its brakes, he was explaining how it works and what we should do while traveling. Key here is to listen!
Off we went, great trip across the state, great trip up route 1! Did I mention I was following the RV’s built-in GPS? When we were sailing, I never just relied on the GPS, I relied on charts of the area we were traveling and watched constantly for things out of the ordinary. I should have used that same wisdom in traveling in the RV. Approximately ten miles from our destination the GPS came alive and said turn right at the next intersection. I remember remarking how odd it was to make this turn yet, I followed like a blind novice. Approximately 300 meters down this road, we passed a sign that stated “Low Clearance 8’6”, this is not something you want to see. Yet, the GPS instructed us to take the next right, which was only another quarter mile. Immediately after making that right, the GPS started squawking ‘ROAD VIOLATION, ROAD VIOLATION”! Usually I find the voice on the GPS annoying and hard to take, however, this time I loved hearing the voice come alive.
The road was a narrow road leading down to the beach, just where we were heading. The RV was taking up one and a half lanes. So I stopped, pulled over as close as possible to the edge to let traffic get around us and looked at my dear sweet wife, who immediately asked, “What do we do now”. I calmly replied we back up! After being reminded we could not back up with the card in tow, I said no problem we will unhook the car, back the car out and then back the RV out. Sounds easy right? I must tell you that we had just purchased the car and really did not know much about it. So, as I am unhooking the car, I asked my wife to get in the car and start it up. We soon discovered the battery was dead! Remember I previously mentioned I was supposedly listening when the dealer installed the brake? Turns out I missed the part that we had to have the headlights turned on to maintain the battery from being drained in the car. Well, that was a hard lesson to learn.
So here we sit, blocking traffic and wondering how I was going to jump the battery when the RV battery is located half way up the RV on the right side. Meanwhile, my poor wife was sitting in her car that must have been 100 degrees, and “perspiring heavily”! I knew that I was not her favorite person at that moment! Just then a young couple pulled alongside of our car and asked if they could help. After explaining I could use a jump, he merely left his truck blocking the rest of the road, and prepared to give us a jump. I instructed my wife to pop the hood; problem is she could not find the lever to pop the hood, turns out neither could I. So we dig out the manual and discover where the latch is located. Problem solved.
Now it is becoming comical, with not knowing how to open the hood, the young girl was becoming concerned and kept asking, “Sir, are you okay?” Sure, I was merely drenched in sweat, but not panicking, my wife perspiring while sitting in a hot car with no AC, was taking care of the aspect of panic! I assured her I was fine. We eventually found the hood latch and received a jump. We thanked the young couple, who I am sure, over a drink that evening, told the hilarious story about these two elderly people they had assisted. After they left, I directed traffic around us then I backed the car out, and then the RV, much to the displeasure of many!
The moral of this story, is 1) Do NOT trust the GPS; 2) Do NOT panic, remember you do know how to back up a RV. That evening I was telling my wife what a great day I thought we had on our way to our destination. She, of course, thought I had lost my mind. But think about it, we learned to listen when being given instructions on a new item for the RV, and we learned that there really are some nice young people out there that care about the people they deem elderly! It was a great day, a great trip and we had a blast. By the way, if you have not had to back out of a wrong turn, just wait, you will probably get your turn down the road! Until the next posting, may your dreams of RV travel be recognized, and may the Lord keep you safe in your travels.
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About the Bloggers: Debbie and Mike Whitt are RV’ers who decided to give up sailing and begin a life on the road and enjoy the RV’ing lifestyle. With no idea of what type of RV they wanted, they began with a used 2006 Damon Challenger. Five RV’s later, they enjoy the RV life in their 2015 Itasca Meridian. They love the adventure, meeting people and searching for all the great seafood spots along the way. The RV life is somewhat different than the sailing world yet, it offers all the adventure they had hoped to find. Although adapting to the RV life has been a new experience, they enjoy the many trips that they have taken to discover the beauty of the USA. They are currently planning to be full time RV’ers by mid-2016. Follow the adventures of Deb and Mike and their two miniature longhair dachshunds, see where their adventure takes them while preparing to be full time RV’ers.
Our trip began from our home in Palmetto, Florida. Once we had loaded the RV with all the comforts we would need for the next five days, we departed around 0800 on a Monday morning. We decided to avoid the interstate highways so we cut across Florida on state road 60. This state highway was a dream come true with most of it being a divided highway. As we neared the east coast, we decided not to go up A1A due to perceived low clearances and the many tourists that were everywhere we looked.
Instead of the A1A we went up highway Route 1. We stopped in a few places and had lunch in Ormond Beach, in a shopping mall parking lot. This trip was the first time we had towed our 2011 HONDA CRV. We had just had the “Invisi Brake” installed and had a brand new Blue Ox tow bar. What could go wrong? Of course when the dealer was installing the Invisi Brake and wiring it so I could see an alert light on my dash each time the car applied its brakes, he was explaining how it works and what we should do while traveling. Key here is to listen!
Off we went, great trip across the state, great trip up route 1! Did I mention I was following the RV’s built-in GPS? When we were sailing, I never just relied on the GPS, I relied on charts of the area we were traveling and watched constantly for things out of the ordinary. I should have used that same wisdom in traveling in the RV. Approximately ten miles from our destination the GPS came alive and said turn right at the next intersection. I remember remarking how odd it was to make this turn yet, I followed like a blind novice. Approximately 300 meters down this road, we passed a sign that stated “Low Clearance 8’6”, this is not something you want to see. Yet, the GPS instructed us to take the next right, which was only another quarter mile. Immediately after making that right, the GPS started squawking ‘ROAD VIOLATION, ROAD VIOLATION”! Usually I find the voice on the GPS annoying and hard to take, however, this time I loved hearing the voice come alive.
The road was a narrow road leading down to the beach, just where we were heading. The RV was taking up one and a half lanes. So I stopped, pulled over as close as possible to the edge to let traffic get around us and looked at my dear sweet wife, who immediately asked, “What do we do now”. I calmly replied we back up! After being reminded we could not back up with the card in tow, I said no problem we will unhook the car, back the car out and then back the RV out. Sounds easy right? I must tell you that we had just purchased the car and really did not know much about it. So, as I am unhooking the car, I asked my wife to get in the car and start it up. We soon discovered the battery was dead! Remember I previously mentioned I was supposedly listening when the dealer installed the brake? Turns out I missed the part that we had to have the headlights turned on to maintain the battery from being drained in the car. Well, that was a hard lesson to learn.
So here we sit, blocking traffic and wondering how I was going to jump the battery when the RV battery is located half way up the RV on the right side. Meanwhile, my poor wife was sitting in her car that must have been 100 degrees, and “perspiring heavily”! I knew that I was not her favorite person at that moment! Just then a young couple pulled alongside of our car and asked if they could help. After explaining I could use a jump, he merely left his truck blocking the rest of the road, and prepared to give us a jump. I instructed my wife to pop the hood; problem is she could not find the lever to pop the hood, turns out neither could I. So we dig out the manual and discover where the latch is located. Problem solved.
Now it is becoming comical, with not knowing how to open the hood, the young girl was becoming concerned and kept asking, “Sir, are you okay?” Sure, I was merely drenched in sweat, but not panicking, my wife perspiring while sitting in a hot car with no AC, was taking care of the aspect of panic! I assured her I was fine. We eventually found the hood latch and received a jump. We thanked the young couple, who I am sure, over a drink that evening, told the hilarious story about these two elderly people they had assisted. After they left, I directed traffic around us then I backed the car out, and then the RV, much to the displeasure of many!
The moral of this story, is 1) Do NOT trust the GPS; 2) Do NOT panic, remember you do know how to back up a RV. That evening I was telling my wife what a great day I thought we had on our way to our destination. She, of course, thought I had lost my mind. But think about it, we learned to listen when being given instructions on a new item for the RV, and we learned that there really are some nice young people out there that care about the people they deem elderly! It was a great day, a great trip and we had a blast. By the way, if you have not had to back out of a wrong turn, just wait, you will probably get your turn down the road! Until the next posting, may your dreams of RV travel be recognized, and may the Lord keep you safe in your travels.
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About the Bloggers: Debbie and Mike Whitt are RV’ers who decided to give up sailing and begin a life on the road and enjoy the RV’ing lifestyle. With no idea of what type of RV they wanted, they began with a used 2006 Damon Challenger. Five RV’s later, they enjoy the RV life in their 2015 Itasca Meridian. They love the adventure, meeting people and searching for all the great seafood spots along the way. The RV life is somewhat different than the sailing world yet, it offers all the adventure they had hoped to find. Although adapting to the RV life has been a new experience, they enjoy the many trips that they have taken to discover the beauty of the USA. They are currently planning to be full time RV’ers by mid-2016. Follow the adventures of Deb and Mike and their two miniature longhair dachshunds, see where their adventure takes them while preparing to be full time RV’ers.
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