Hurricane Repairs - RV Construction - Route Planning

living.boondockingmexico@yahoo.com

After it is all dry and things have settled down we are dealing with our hurricane damage. It's all about water and it's just like an rv or sunroof.  Water knows how to find it's way into everything.  As the water rose it breached the tile around the front of the house and went above the tile trim.  They are here today to do the repairs.  They are able to salvage the tile pieces by trimming off the grout and some of the cement on the backsides.  It would be easier to replace the pieces but good luck ever finding a match.  

In addition, it turns out that the cement foundation for the house was poured before the porch that runs around the house leaving some spaces between the two.  When the rains or drought come there is some movement.  Also, the knucleheads that did the tile work to begin with, should have removed the paint from the cement block or prepared it with a barrier.  Because that was never done, that paint has to be removed.  

It's worse than it looks.  Also, instead of using cement (cemento blanco), they used stucco. 

Here they are removing the tile and the paint and giving it a good cleaning.  They are using a product similar to piso sobre piso, which is a mortar-like product that allows you to lay tile over tile.  It's sticks to everything and very well.  

I talked to the insurance company and they said we could call for an adjuster but I think the amount for the work doesn't warrant a claim after paying the deductible.  Now that they have started the work, I wonder if I can file a claim.  Maybe I will.

Okay, so here's to rv construction.  I watched this very interesting video of a couple that bought a $600,000 US motorhome.  They heard a lot of air during the first demo ride, and the salesman sitting in the coach said it sounded like a window was open.  Well, it wasn't, the windshield was falling out!

They fixed it, the couple bought the coach and had tons of issues.  This is supposed to be a top-of-the-line motorhome.  But here is the part I found interesting unless I am a very naive person.  Take a close look at the taillights.  

Before asking for a completely new motorhome and the factory fixing everything, the new owner saw that one of his taillights was out.  He discovered the problem in a circuit connection and ordered the part using the VIN number.  The factory said it wasn't their number but probably a Lippert number.  They called Lippert and they said the same thing.  To make a long story short, two separate taillights make up each side.  The 4 taillights are from a 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe!  What?  This is a 2024 motorhome.  I couldn't believe it.  So how did they figure out the design?  Did they buy out the stock of Chevy Tahoe taillights?  Please educate me.

The moral of the story is a private inspection and a leak test.  BTW, we looked at another Durango.  Company-owned, all dealer maintenance and reasonable mileage.  We got there, it was exactly what we wanted until we opened the hood.  She said it was a V8, it's a V6.  Perfect conditions for buying but the wrong engine.

Here is the preliminary map for our Route 66 trip this fall.  I still need to figure out boondocking locations along the route and make them flexible enough in case we stay longer or shorter in our stops.

I've found maps by state with all the major stops and we will have to pick and choose which famous places we want to see. 

Hurricane Beryl Update - Trip Planning and Reservations

living.boondockingmexico@yahoo.com

Hurricane Update

Clouds are building up over the mountains and we are expecting high winds and rainfall tonight or early tomorrow morning.  Sandbags are ready and the generator full.  I've charged all of our LED lights, phones are hooked up and so are the laptops.  Using sandbags is a first for us.  We've never had it as bad as Alberto.  I'm sure this will be less water.   They say this is the new norm and this season will not get any better in terms of hurricanes.

The cool weather will be here in a couple of months and we are beginning our trip planning.  The first trip is to visit family in the U.S.  We'll be taking the VW and staying at Airbnb and hotels.  Airbnb has become a cash cow for many.  I know they will say that they have had issues with guests and in turn, have to raise their fees. 

Here is an example of what I'm running into.  Here is a typical Airbnb in the Dallas area (we will be visiting friends).  This is a mini-casita so it has a bedroom, bath, and a kitchenette.  We're to staying for long periods but on the road to Kansas City, we will make a couple of one-night stops.  We like to make our own meals and that's why we have preferred and used Airbnb.  $48 US in taxes and cleaning fees. 

Not far from there is this hotel.  It's not five-star but is a new hotel, with a king-size bed, microwave, refrigerator, and all that jazz.  In addition, it includes a complete breakfast, coffee 24 hours a (we always take our own coffeemaker), gym, and pool.  The total price is $55.   

So far, we are going to San Antonio to pick up some paintings that were willed to us from friends who have passed away.  We'll visit his cousin and have dinner.  Then off to Dallas, Fayetteville, AR, and then Kansas City.  We'll stay in K.C. for four nights.  Another Airbnb cluster ---k.  

$100 cleaning fee (not daily cleaning) and $56 in taxes.

The hotel I picked is within walking distance to the Country Club Plaza and convenient to most of my family.  Again, king-size bed, micro, refrigerator, etc. full breakfast, and manager's happy hour.  It is within walking distance of the Nelson Art Gallery and the Plaza.  $237 with a senior discount.

Airbnb is slowly losing us as customers.  The apartment we had last year in K.C. is now a permanent rental.  Too bad, we liked that place very much.

After Kansas City, we may go to Chicago first and then Cincinnati.  After, we will head our way back down.

I'm still looking for something this month.  Iberia keeps promoting cheap flights to Italy, Ireland, and England but I'm not having any luck with them or any other airline.  

November we will head to Route 66 to celebrate our 66th birthdays!

I Thought It Was A Goner

living.boondockingmexico@yahoo.com2

Great friends celebrating Rodolfo and Minerva's 30 years together.

We've had four days without rain.  It's started again.  We had a leak in the roof ridge.  It would begin dripping and follow the ridge through the hallway for about six feet.  Nothing we could do while it was raining.  

Thursday Juan went to the hardware store for materials to attempt the job ourselves.  While there he saw a guy loading a few cement bags into his truck.  He had a decent truck and was a decent-looking guy.  Juan approached him about the roof.  The "handyman" arrived at the house two hours later.  He removed the ridge tiles, laid the cement, and placed the tiles.  We have had rain every day since and some pretty hard ones with winds.  No leak.  Nothing was damaged but it was the stress of having a roof leak.

I mentioned that the Honda generator after having it repaired on two occasions.  It never ran right.  We really needed it during the hurricane but it would start and sputter.  No way would it power anything.  I pass this house on my exercise route and he advertises small engine repair.  What the heck.  One more try.  He had it for two days.  

Yesterday, Saturday, we went to a renewal of vows for friends who have been married for 30 years.  It was a very nice church wedding or renewal and a fantastic party afterward.  I am so glad they didn't have it at night.  I don't function well if I stay up after 11 p.m. at the latest.  The repairman called and said we could stop by after the party.  When we got there he showed he set up the generator and fired it up.  He had a vacuum nearby and I asked if I could plug it in.  Worked like a charm on normal and eco-mode.  I let it idle for a few minutes and was satisfied. He took apart the carburetor and cleaned it, a new spark plug, and fiddled with the idle switch, and an oil change.  600 pesos and a three-month guarantee.  I'm happy.

Later today I will hook up the RV to the generator and see how it does.