We haven't been on the Island since Labor Day so we came over to check things out and pick up some stuff. Oh, and, Wendy and Carder are coming! Now that's a reason! Cats and dogs are loving being loose again.
We left Gaffney at 0833. Interstate 85/485 to get around Charlotte and then US 74 to the coast. There was a neat back road (NC 218) to get to 74 that all the truckers use. We arrived Cedar Island at 1641. Fueled 62.560 gal @ $2.499/gal $156.34 at mileage 75,024. 386 miles in approx 7.5 hours. Computer says we were getting 7.8 MPG which we consider good.
First fill up at a truck diesel station. Nozzles are huge and fast pumps. Took almost no time to load 62 gallons. Also love that we carry 90 gal so we have much longer legs than the other rig.
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Thursday, February 16, 2017
FREIGHTLINER CUSTOM CHASSIS SERVICE CENTER
Today we headed for the Freightliner Custom Chassis Service Center in Gaffney SC. Freightliner made the chassis for our motor home. This means they made the frame and mounted the CAT motor, Allison transmission and the air brakes/air ride stuff.
This is what one looks like before it gets sent to the manufacturer of motor homes, in our case, Fleetwood.
RVers with this chassis rave about this Gaffney operation. They know the chassis like no one else (since they built it a few miles away) and their prices are very fair. We especially want to come here to baseline where our rig is on maintenance since it is new to us. It probably won't be cheap. The tech will also show me where all the filters are and how to do operator maintenance on the system.
Ms Pat has an amazing reputation on RV forums for her management of service appointments and customer service. This reputation is well deserved. What a great person and representative of Freightliner. We met with her and went over what needed to be done.
They have quite a few parking places complete with 50 amp electric and free wifi. And the wifi is awesome! Water and sewer dump are in the parking area. They don't charge for this!
We left Savannah at 0935 and arrived at 1447 (283 miles). We came mostly I-95, I-26, and I-85 since we needed to be here in time to go over what we wanted done. Bought 34 gal of diesel @$2.49/gal.
17 Feb 2017 Service Day. At 0800 Techs Devin and Ken showed up at the rig to take it to the shop. Before they moved it, they answered some of my questions. Great, knowledgeable guys. They said to give them a few minutes to get the rig on the lift and time to check it out and then we could come in and see it from the underside. The facility has a nice waiting room with TV, coffee, etc. Very nicely done. Pets are welcome. We found a doggie (and cat) day care nearby.
Wow! The shop is immaculate and amazingly equipped. It was amazing to see this honker, and others, up in the air.
Great news! The rig is in great shape! The coolant recovery tank had a crack (which is common per RV forums) and the shrader valve in the dash air was broke. Other than that it was all fluid and filter changes and a ton of other checks and adjustments. They did what they call a M3, 24K mile service. The M3 list is HUGE, Included in M3 and other things they did include:
Is this Gaffney facility good? They have zip, zero, nada, appointments available until 7 June!!!! People are already making appointments for next year.
Thanks Pat! Thanks Devin and Ken. First class service.
This is what one looks like before it gets sent to the manufacturer of motor homes, in our case, Fleetwood.
RVers with this chassis rave about this Gaffney operation. They know the chassis like no one else (since they built it a few miles away) and their prices are very fair. We especially want to come here to baseline where our rig is on maintenance since it is new to us. It probably won't be cheap. The tech will also show me where all the filters are and how to do operator maintenance on the system.
Ms Pat has an amazing reputation on RV forums for her management of service appointments and customer service. This reputation is well deserved. What a great person and representative of Freightliner. We met with her and went over what needed to be done.
They have quite a few parking places complete with 50 amp electric and free wifi. And the wifi is awesome! Water and sewer dump are in the parking area. They don't charge for this!
We left Savannah at 0935 and arrived at 1447 (283 miles). We came mostly I-95, I-26, and I-85 since we needed to be here in time to go over what we wanted done. Bought 34 gal of diesel @$2.49/gal.
17 Feb 2017 Service Day. At 0800 Techs Devin and Ken showed up at the rig to take it to the shop. Before they moved it, they answered some of my questions. Great, knowledgeable guys. They said to give them a few minutes to get the rig on the lift and time to check it out and then we could come in and see it from the underside. The facility has a nice waiting room with TV, coffee, etc. Very nicely done. Pets are welcome. We found a doggie (and cat) day care nearby.
Wow! The shop is immaculate and amazingly equipped. It was amazing to see this honker, and others, up in the air.
 |
| Ken, Devin and Robin |
 |
| Ken, Devin, and Robin |
- Oil (19 qt) and filter
- Fuel filters and spare
- Fuel water separator and spare
- Air dryer kit
- Air filter
- Transmission filter kit and fluid change
- spare belts
- Axle gear oil/grease
- Coolant change
- Replace coolant surge tank
- Complete service of Onan generator (oil, filters, coolant, fuel)
- Replaced shrader calve in dash air and recharge
- Replaced steering column boot
- fixed our mirror
- Tour of rig on lift.
Is this Gaffney facility good? They have zip, zero, nada, appointments available until 7 June!!!! People are already making appointments for next year.
Thanks Pat! Thanks Devin and Ken. First class service.
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Restless...let's go to Savannah!
Saturday I said I was anxious to get the new coach on the road. Sunday Robin said we don't have anything going on this week and next so lets go somewhere! How about Savannah? We loved our trip here 2 years ago.
So we're doing it.
7 Feb 2017 Ship's Log: departed Indian Springs at 0927 - arrived Savannah at 1617. 288 miles. Burned 40 gal of diesel per the vehicle computer. Averaged 6.9MPG.
Great trip on all back roads (maybe 15 miles on interstate around Columbia. Easy route: US 321 from Hickory all the way to Savannah. 4 lane in many areas and lightly traveled elsewhere. Love going through small towns. In one small stretch of about 40 miles we went through Europe it seemed. Towns named: Denmark; Norway; Sweden; Bamburg!!! Really. Most had 1 traffic light, or less.
Checked into Red Gate RV Park. LINK We loved it last time and it is even better now. Will add some pictures. Nature and horses everywhere yet we're minutes from downtown.
Below you will see a honker Marathon Motorhome. The trailer costs more than our RV. I think their car is a Jag. This Marathon site gives a clue as to what that rig is..easily a mil $. Great for them! Lot's of workers made money building that coach. LINK
8 Feb 2017 Did a drive around the historic district enjoying the many beautiful squares and parks. Savannah is one of our favorite places.
Had a fantastic lunch in the Sweet Spice Restaurant LINK. What a fantastic place. Everything is made from scratch and with such skill. Sweet Spice is a good name. It is a perfect blend of the two with neither one over powering the other. Great staff too. "T T" is such a nice lady. It is a small place in a small strip mall with just a few tables. Most do take out. If in Savannah, go to it.
9 Feb 2017 Lazed around again a read books. Of course, we ate. Another fantastic place that has been around since 1949! Love's Seafood on US 17 a little south of the city. LINK My shrimp and onion rings were fantastic and Robin loved her salmon. Beautiful view of the river. This place is amazing: they can handle 350 people!
10 Feb 2017 Had some proposal work today so we did nothing noteworthy. Girls: Mom was in her Woodbury sweat shirt all day.
Since Wifi sucked I did a telecon in the office. Whilst there I overheard some Brit movie guys discussing a filming here of a TV series about a Brit couple coming to the US and RV'ing. At least that is what I think I heard. The area is VERY telegenic. Anxious to see if this happens.
11 Feb 2017 Today we moved to a different site (C1) and it is fantastic. Right on a lake and pretty much by ourselves. Animals have had a ball swimming and off leash.
Last trip we ate at the famous Clary's and loved it. Turned out we were right at it and they had a table. Only been around since 1903 and is in many movies. Their website LINK. It was great again.
After all this we just lazed around at the park. A great day.
13 February 2017 Today we caught up on some errands such as getting stuff at Camping World and Home Depot, just some minor things for the RV.
Of course we ate a late lunch. Per Trip Adviser, the #1, out of 677 places, to eat in Savannah was just up the road. Why yes, it was. It was next door to our Sweet Spice Jamaican restaurant that we mention in the 8 Feb posting! Joe's Homemade Cafe LINK. Another small (5 tables) family run operation. Had a great meal. Amazing for a small strip mall restaurant to be #1 in all of Savannah, I think. But the Sweet Spice is high also: 64th of 677!!! AND we walked next door and got a to go order for supper from the Sweet Spice and said hello to "T T".
Then a long walk around the park with the dogs. We love Savannah!
14 February 2017
We had a great meal at Paula Deen's for Valentines. Excellent country cooking.
Afterwards we drove around the historic district and walked along the river.
We love Savannah!
15 Feb 2017
Last say in Savanna. Rain and windy. We we to the commissary at Hunter Army Airfield. Then we went to a German/Belgian restaurant, The Biere House LINK Excellent German food and Belgian beer.
This ends our Savannah trip report. What a great time we had.
So we're doing it.
7 Feb 2017 Ship's Log: departed Indian Springs at 0927 - arrived Savannah at 1617. 288 miles. Burned 40 gal of diesel per the vehicle computer. Averaged 6.9MPG.
Great trip on all back roads (maybe 15 miles on interstate around Columbia. Easy route: US 321 from Hickory all the way to Savannah. 4 lane in many areas and lightly traveled elsewhere. Love going through small towns. In one small stretch of about 40 miles we went through Europe it seemed. Towns named: Denmark; Norway; Sweden; Bamburg!!! Really. Most had 1 traffic light, or less.
Checked into Red Gate RV Park. LINK We loved it last time and it is even better now. Will add some pictures. Nature and horses everywhere yet we're minutes from downtown.
Below you will see a honker Marathon Motorhome. The trailer costs more than our RV. I think their car is a Jag. This Marathon site gives a clue as to what that rig is..easily a mil $. Great for them! Lot's of workers made money building that coach. LINK
 |
| All part of the park. Lots of trails to walk in nature |
 |
| Yes Carder...Goats |
 |
| That big black honker looks amazing. Its a Marathon, the custom built ones that bands use |
 |
| That big black honker looks amazing. Its a Marathon, the custom built ones that bands use |
 |
| Us |
8 Feb 2017 Did a drive around the historic district enjoying the many beautiful squares and parks. Savannah is one of our favorite places.
Had a fantastic lunch in the Sweet Spice Restaurant LINK. What a fantastic place. Everything is made from scratch and with such skill. Sweet Spice is a good name. It is a perfect blend of the two with neither one over powering the other. Great staff too. "T T" is such a nice lady. It is a small place in a small strip mall with just a few tables. Most do take out. If in Savannah, go to it.
9 Feb 2017 Lazed around again a read books. Of course, we ate. Another fantastic place that has been around since 1949! Love's Seafood on US 17 a little south of the city. LINK My shrimp and onion rings were fantastic and Robin loved her salmon. Beautiful view of the river. This place is amazing: they can handle 350 people!
10 Feb 2017 Had some proposal work today so we did nothing noteworthy. Girls: Mom was in her Woodbury sweat shirt all day.
Since Wifi sucked I did a telecon in the office. Whilst there I overheard some Brit movie guys discussing a filming here of a TV series about a Brit couple coming to the US and RV'ing. At least that is what I think I heard. The area is VERY telegenic. Anxious to see if this happens.
11 Feb 2017 Today we moved to a different site (C1) and it is fantastic. Right on a lake and pretty much by ourselves. Animals have had a ball swimming and off leash.
 |
| I thought Labs hunted geese? Bruno could care less. |
 |
| Dog Cat (Minoux) by the table. Enjoying it too. |
12 Feb 2017 High Mass! Bells and Smells! We decided to go to Mass today. It counts as a Baptist service for Robin since the name of the curch is "Cathedral of St. John the Baptist". :-). Beautiful Cathedral. LINK
We thought it would be a regular Mass. Nope. High Mass. Bishops with their mitre hats and a Shepard's Crook.
Bells and smells. ("Colloquial term for the elaborate ritual style common in many Anglo-catholic parishes. In this expression, "bells" refers to the ringing of bells at various points during the eucharist. "Smells" refers to the use of incense. This term is used pejoratively by some, playfully by others.")
Huge choir and huge organ and a couple of trumpets. Occasion was a Georgia Diocese wide "Gold and Silver Marriage Jubliee Mass". Probably a 100+ couples celebrating their 25th or 50th wedding anniversary with a renewal of their vows. It was a very moving Mass.
Robin and I decided that we'll come back on our 25th. Only 22 years to go. Doubt we'll make the 50th.
Afterwards we walked around the neighborhood. We love Savannah.
After all this we just lazed around at the park. A great day.
13 February 2017 Today we caught up on some errands such as getting stuff at Camping World and Home Depot, just some minor things for the RV.
Of course we ate a late lunch. Per Trip Adviser, the #1, out of 677 places, to eat in Savannah was just up the road. Why yes, it was. It was next door to our Sweet Spice Jamaican restaurant that we mention in the 8 Feb posting! Joe's Homemade Cafe LINK. Another small (5 tables) family run operation. Had a great meal. Amazing for a small strip mall restaurant to be #1 in all of Savannah, I think. But the Sweet Spice is high also: 64th of 677!!! AND we walked next door and got a to go order for supper from the Sweet Spice and said hello to "T T".
Then a long walk around the park with the dogs. We love Savannah!
14 February 2017
 |
| Valentines Day Lunch |
Afterwards we drove around the historic district and walked along the river.
We love Savannah!
15 Feb 2017
Last say in Savanna. Rain and windy. We we to the commissary at Hunter Army Airfield. Then we went to a German/Belgian restaurant, The Biere House LINK Excellent German food and Belgian beer.
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