Time flies!

One year ago yesterday we boarded Kong and readied her for life on the road. Has it been a year already? Time really does fly when you're having fun!

Winds of 35+ mph kicked us along Route 66 this past Sunday. At times like these,
having a substantial tow vehicle and a sturdy 5th wheel really pays off!

We spent the waning days of Year 1 by kicking around that most famous of all U.S. highways, Route 66. It was great fun, albeit a bit breezy, with winds gusting to 50 mph and dust reducing visibility to less than a mile in some spots. More on that later. First, I want to share some thoughts about lessons learned over the past 12 months.

Thinking about the past always brings to mind a quote from Elizabeth Taylor who, upon turning 50, was asked by a reporter if she would like to be 18 again. “Not without my 50-year-old brain,” she replied. (No kidding!)

So what would I do differently if I could repeat the last year? I can honestly say – at least with respect to our choice of 5^th wheel and truck - nothing. This is due in large part to Leonard's thorough job of advance research. The plethora of wisdom he gained from others willing to share their insights made it hard to screw up badly.

For any of you considering taking up the full-time RV lifestyle, here are those pearls we found most useful as we set off on our adventure:

1. When it comes to size of your RV, less is more. I'm talking interior and exterior length. Figure out the smallest amount of RV needed to accommodate you and your travel plans. Getting something too short can spell misery for everyone involved, especially on days when weather prohibits escaping the confines of your rolling home. Choosing something too long will limit your travel and parking options. Many RV campgrounds, public and private, as well as the roads leading to them were constructed before the days of the “big rig.” We set our exterior limit at 40 feet (measuring end cap to ladder) and, thus far, have had no problems visiting the places we want to see.
2. Buy your third RV first. It will be your house. Any manufacturer can make an RV look nice, but only a few build them tough enough to endure the punishment of the open road. Purchasing the highest-quality RV you can afford at the start will save you unnecessary hassle, expense and disappointment.
3. When it comes to your tow vehicle, more is better. In other words, know the weight ratings for your axles and know how that weight will be distributed among them. Then, find a truck meant to do the job safely. After all, it's not just about getting up that 10% grade, it's about controlling your vehicle on the way down it. Skimping on your tow vehicle places you and everyone around you in danger. As far as I'm concerned when it comes to purchasing your truck, go big (enough) or go home!

Of course, there are some minor things we would do differently given the chance. For one thing, we should have bought our own mattress in lieu of paying for the crappy one that came with Kong. (Lost about a month's sleep figuring that one out.) For another, we could have passed on the manufacturer's linen package in favor of buying our own. (It's nice that the bedspread and throw rugs match our décor but monogrammed towels and sheets? Really?)

Okay, for that bit I promised about our travels along Route 66, you can check out the photos and captions below. Enjoy!

Established in 1926, Route 66 originated in Chicago, Illinois and ended in Santa 

Monica, California. It was removed from the U.S. highway system in 1985.

Outside the Route 66 museum operated by the State of Oklahoma in Clinton.

The Oklahoma museum houses several classic cars representative of those driven by travelers as they rolled down Route 66 during its heyday. Check out this sweet little '62 Chevy Impala!

A reminder of the days before unleaded gasoline and self-service stations.

The development of a paved roadway system in the U.S. gave rise to some new kinds of businesses, like freight companies. Gone were the days when horse-drawn wagons hauled goods from railroad spurs to nearby towns. A whole new day was dawning. 

Remember 78's and 45's? Bet this juke box entertained a lot of music lovers 

before being retired.

No Route 66 collection would be complete without a Volkswagen bus. Ironically, it was President Dwight D. Eisenhower's experience with another German invention, the Autobahn, that led to development of a more streamlined interstate system to replace the old system of which Route 66 was a part.

 

The Valentine Manufacturing Company of Wichita, Kansas operated between 1938 and 1974. Valentine built most of the diners located west of the Mississippi. Each sold for $5,000. Owners placing 10% of each day's proceeds in a lock box situated by the front door. A company representative came around each month to collect until the debt was paid.

Once the dust from our drive into New Mexico cleared, we discovered this sculpture in downtown Tucumcari. This is just one example of how some small towns along Route 66 are trying to stay alive by capitalizing on their association with the historic road.

 

Just one of hundreds of great images that have been preserved from Route 66's glory days. The shop's
new owners plan on modernizing by creating a web site. Times, they are a changin'.

The Blue Swallow Motel is open for business. I'm guessing the original black-and-white TV's have been replaced with flat screens. (One can only hope!) 

Check in at the Blue Swallow, and you, too, can spend a quiet evening by
this lighted fountain. Of course, that assumes nothing's playing at the local
drive-in.