Mon - Feb 27/12

Started the day (and the week) off by going to the weekly announcements in the Main Ballroom.

It was even more crowded than usual. Doughnuts and coffee are provide by the park. I had a huge chocolate doughnut and Charlotte had a toasted bagel.

We were in for a surprise this morning. Marg (everyone wears name tags - when they (like moi) don't forget ) said hello to Charlotte indicating that she recognized here from our daily (when we travel) blog. We recognized Marg as an active park regular at many events; however, I believe this is the first time we had talked. Marg is from the Paso Robles, CA area and resides in the park for several months in the winter. If you have never been to that area add the run along Big Sur from Carmel, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA to your bucket list. Don't forget to stop to visit Hearst Castle on the way by! If you don't like riding "on the edge" do the trip from south to north which will keep you on the inside lane of the highway. Best is to do it both ways if you have the time!

At Paso Robles SR-1 (commonly called the Pacific Coast Highway or PCH-1) runs mostly inland for the next 100 miles. The "Sweet Ride" here is on the Amtrack's "Pacific Surfliner" from San Diego, CA to Los Angeles, CA. This is one of the Great American Train rides. At times you can watch both ends of the train pass each other as it negotiates "switchbacks" while slowly climbing through the mountain passes. Other times, from the top deck of the panoramic two-level Lounge Car, you can press close to the window and still not see the ground beneath the train as the tracks are running so close to the Pacific Ocean. Another treat (at least when we came through) occurred when retirees (dressed to the "nines") boarded at San Luis Obispo and gave an hour and a half running narration of every landmark we viewed from the Lounge Car. What a Treat! They disembarked at Paso Robles for the return trip to San Luis Obispo. Their "treat" was a meal in the dining car provided by Amtrack.

After the meeting we went to the Activity Desk to purchase tickets for the month's activities (that have a fee). We line them up in the RV over the kitchen area. If you have nothing to do here - it's your own fault.

At the morning announcements we were given a "High Wind Warning"! Most RVers had already pulled in their awnings to avoid losing them in the gusts. That is, the RVers that were here. Our neighbour was still in New Orleans where they went for Mardi Gras. Soon there was a meeting of neighbours busily stacking his outside furniture and BBQ in a sheltered position near his RV. This is one of the bonus "Joys" of RVing. Everyone is friendly and ready to help.

The big problem confronting us now was that George's electric RV awning was fully extended! John, Herb and myself (Bill) remained to try and solve the awning conundrum. Herb's RV has an outside switch that controls his awning so we looked for that option. No such luck! George's RV is a Fleetwood (like mine) and his control is also inside an overhead cabinet. Being of similar manufacture as my motorhome raised the possibility of trying my awning remote control  - still no luck! I also tried my door keys with the same result.

Next we looked for an emergency key in the "easy" spots behind the fuel filler door and motor grill. Still not lucky. John phoned George in New Orleans to inform him of the situation. There was no emergency key available to us. George said he would pay for an RV service to open the coach. John had his wife phone but they were not readily available in the required time frame. The awning was now coming under more stress from the increase wind gusts.

The next procedure that I could think of was to "jump" the 12  volt electric awning motor directly. John tried to reach the top of the awning arm using a step stool, Despite his extra height he managed to "pop" the electrical cover (I thought it would be there) but could not quite see over the top (safely). Herb brought over his taller ladder and John managed to disconnect the motor. Recognizing the type of connector I went back to my RV to get jumper cables (battery ) and a section of trailer wiring harness while John pulled his truck over near the awning.

Between the three of us we managed to hold all the connections together - jumpers to battery to trailer harness to motor connector. No Luck! The awning was at full extension and nothing happened with our first connection. Being the motor (reversible electric) both raises and lowers the awning we reversed our connections - Voila! Success!. The only problem was that when fully retracted we could not access the junction box to reconnect the terminals. We will have to reverse the procedure when George returns to extend the awning and reconnect the terminals so it can be operated, as usual, from the RV control switch.

OLD GUYS RULE!

Charlotte returned from her "Pen & Ink" session shortly after we solved the awning dilemma.

She was busy today also managing do to a little more quilting. It is now "pinned" and the actual "quilting" has begun. We relaxed before having a "nibble" for supper. Then it was time for "Rebecca Dawn"!

"Rebecca Dawn", at 7 pm in the Main Ballroom, was one of the several "Cal-Am" sponsored shows that occur during the "High Season" (Jan-Feb-Mar) in the various parks. "Rebecca Dawn" is a regular in Branson, MO. Due to the climate (snow and ice make the "hills & hollers" in the Ozarks quite treacherous in winter) Branson's Theatres and shows effectively shut down in January, February and March. It is at this time many regulars take their show on the road to the RV park stages throughout the southern USA.

If you haven.t seen "Rebecca Dawn" at one of the "park shows" you owe it to yourself to place her on your agenda. No only is she an accomplished vocalist, her show has many themed costume changes and a healthy dose of comedy. Rebecca Dawn spends as much time circulating in the audience as she does on stage.

Her husband was not only the "sound tech"; but added to the comic relief by joining her onstage (as Sonny) or by circulating through the audience (often on a scooter) dressed in some outrageous garb.

I am sure every bald head (mine included) was rubbed or kissed at some time during the show. There was a high degree of audience as they enjoyed familiar songs from many eras. Rebeccas Dawn does a new show every year. I am sure most everyone here tonight will attend again if she returns to the park.

Another busy day even if it was too cool and windy for a swim.