not out this weekend hmmmm

This long weekend is probably for the first for many years that we have stayed at home.  The weather was supposed to be terrible, and the plan was to continue to work on cleaning out the house.  Well, Donald did well  - he finished the main floor bathroom window trim, painted and all.  Good for him.  Kim didn't get as much accomplished - a couple of boxes cleared out from one of the bedrooms ( and a quilt top for the fifth wheel completed ).

We did take the new RV to the dealership again a couple of weeks ago, and some new interior lights are on order.  They are very nice lights, but are not really made for a vehicle travelling on the road.  The lights tend to fall off or come apart, and even when the road is smooth and steady.  We will see how this will carry on.

 I think Gator girl wanted to go someplace too, this weekend: 

This week's plan is for some calls to a dog groomer, a vet visit for teeth cleaning, and then she should be " good to go".

smoke and moving the boy

Kim is back at the stix and bricks, working and helping the 2nd son get ready to return to school.  He will be attending British Columbia Institute of Technology in Vancouver, taking the first of 5 trips there to complete is apprentice training.  He will be in residence, so at least we have an idea of what he will need to abide there.

Don stayed down at the lot with the 5th wheel, completing some more retaining walls with landscape ties.  He will be leaving there tomorrow or Friday to meet Kim and son on the road.  Feels like we are always on the road - gotta love it !

Our area is inundated with forest fires all around, with evacuations at some areas about 1.5 hours drive from here.  Our son's roommate, who has a small security group that works at music festivals, has been asked to help the RCMP to assist with the evacuations. He left today and will be gone for a few days to help out. A cold front moved in, and with it, the wind.  This hampered the fire efforts by firefighters, as  crews were pulled off some of the fires due to safety.   Our little airport is extremely busy - all afternoon, there have been big chemical bombers flying low over the house every 15 - 20 minutes.  The house windows are shaking!  It shouldn't be any problem with our travels, as all the highways are open along our way for this weekend.  Breathing was tough on Sunday and Monday, but the wind cleared our area, and Kim can stop wheezing!      

Well, at least the mosquitoes are not as bad in northern B.C. as they were on the prairies!  Take a look at these pictures - the truck after arriving at the cottage!

On the road

Well, we have not posted for a week or so as we are on the road making incredible miles!  We left northern BC to travel 15 hours one day to Sherwood Park, Alberta.  There we dropped off the 5th wheel at a friends, and travelled the next day another 11 hours to the Manitoba/Saskatchewan border with only the truck.

We have been at the cottage visiting and participating in some family affairs with Donald's extended family, after the passing of his mum in April.  Donald and each of his 2 sisters prepared a Vinetarta ( Icelandic cake ) to add to the Memorial service lunch.  It was very appropriate as this specialty came from his mum's maternal side of the family and was always present at family gatherings.

Then it was another 10 hour drive back to Sherwood Park, pick up the 5th, a quick sleep, and a very long drive from there to the outskirts of Calgary, and on the TransCanada Highway ( # 1 ) to Revelstoke - another 11 hour day of driving.  For anyone considering travelling the TCH from Lake Louise through Golden, BC - be prepared!  The highway is being changed from 2 lanes to 4 lanes over a number of years and the construction is crazy with delays.....


We are presently at the Shuswap lot, cleaning up a few things and visiting with our friends, Bill and Penny.  The cool weather seems to follow us - it was cool here in June, crazy hot when we were not here in July and today we are wearing jackets. 

new Air Bags!

   Well, let's say a welcome to our guest for this blog posting: # 2 son, also known as 'the mechanic".

Q: What are airbags and why did you post a comment a few days ago that we would blow out our tires if we did not get some airbags? (And we think it was your very first comment, dear son! )

A:  You may not blow them out, but the weight on the back tires will get more wear and will get hotter.  The bags move more weight to the front tires, in a way - more load on the front.
  It makes the truck look better on the road!  All your drive line angles will go out of whack without them, and you get more vibration.  It brings your drive line into back into alignment.  

Q: Was it hard to install them? What did you need?
A:  No real special tools, took me about 5 hours with the wiring in your driveway.  The pump took me the most time because of the wiring and routing.  I hide everything and make it look nice.  Some guys don't really care, and man, I have stories! ( Mom is proud of her neat mechanic ).

Q: Should you get a mechanic to do the job? 
A: Yes, you could do the bags, but the pump and wiring should be done by a professional.

Q: Are all the components necessary?
A:  I put in the onboard air supply pump and that was an extra - cost about $200 more.  Without the pump you fill from the back bumper with tire valve-like valves.  It is harder to fill, especially with RV's.  This way, the bags are independent and can be adjusted on the spot. With the pump, they are combined and are adjusted equally and can be measured while pumping.  It is way more convenient - a flick of the switch.
  
So, here are some pictures:

This is the drivers side airbag, from the wheel well.

This is the airbag assembly installed, drivers side, looking from the rear.

This is the control panel, brake controller on left.

Air compressor.  Located drivers side under the rear seat.  The filter is located just outside of the picture.

Ok, well, thanks #2 for helping install ( or rather doing all the work ) our airbags and for being our guest today.

Now, for Mommy's disclaimer:  WE do not advocate installing airbags, we are not promoting airbags and we recommend you inquire with a professional. 

PS: Donald was chirping the whole time while I was typing as well.  It was a trio - effort!

Tidy Thursday

When we arrive in the Kispiox Valley, the camping area is just the rodeo grounds, and as such, has long weedy grass and uneven ground.  Donald, ever the tidy landscaper, brings along the gas weed wacker and cuts the 'lawn' in the square of rv units.  The guys even bagged up the grass and brought it back for composting.

Today, our mechanic son enjoyed a day off at our house installing the air bags in the truck.  Hopefully some pictures will follow as there are a couple of wee things to do on it tomorrow on his lunch hour.