Blowhole at the waterfront of Xcaret Park near Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
Where are Kevin and Ruth now? Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Where are Kevin and Ruth going next? Toluca on December 24th!

Thursday, August 25, 2016

It's that time of year

When we arrive here at the park at the beginning of May, we're enthusiastic about getting the campground ready for the season. And, it's actually nice to be settled in one place for a while with all of the amenities that we don't normally have when we're traveling. You know, like a steady supply of running water, hot showers, and an actual washer and dryer!

And then our busy season runs from mid June until mid August and there's not time to think about anything else.

But after mid August, time starts to drag and we get itchy to get on the road again. And it's that time of year right now.

The park is pretty much empty. Most of the seasonal trailers are still here...they don't typically pull out until after Labor Day long weekend...but there are no people.

But, we've still got one month to go. We plan on getting out of here this year around September 25th...give or take a day or two either way.

In anticipation, Ruth has begun putting things back into the motorhome. We had pretty much emptied him right out when he was on his motorhome exchange adventure, and so it's also a good opportunity to give him a spic and span interior cleaning. Starting in the rear bedroom, the under bed storage was completely empty, so it got a good vacuum as well as the rear clothes cupboards and shelves. She even cleaned the ceiling.

I've got some mechanical work to do, but I'll get to that the week after the holiday Monday. It's going to be a bit of a job, but Sherman has a leaking right side exhaust manifold. Very common on the early 1990's Chevy 454. I've got all the parts I think I need, and it will be good to get it fixed. Also need to give him a fresh oil change and filter.

The little blue car doesn't need much this year. just an oil change and a touch up of the rustproofing, and we'll be able to put him into hibernation for the winter. That won't get done until around September 19th though.

In the meantime, we putter around with some landscaping and painting stuff at the campground. There's always something that needs done, and it makes the time pass just a little quicker.

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Speaking of getting back on the road, the 2017 North American Road Atlas is out now...includes Canada, the U.S., and Mexico! And it's on sale dirt cheap...

Rand McNally 2017 Road Atlas (Rand Mcnally Road Atlas: United States, Canada, Mexico)




13 comments:

  1. Mornin' - re the manifold bolts...you may already in the know but those particular bolts have a history of breaking. You'll want to have the tools to do the extraction. I fought and fought with an extended warranty company about payment of that. Ended up taking three times as long just because they broke and the extraction was tough. Ended up having to show them history research and how it was a common problem. Hope it goes well

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    1. Oh yes...I've done all the research and I know what's involved. I am also hoping it goes well!

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    2. Yep, I was going to mention them damned the bolts too!!

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  2. Oh, and meant to add...I talked them into replacing with stainless steel bolts...a good thing!

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    1. Yes, my new studs are also stainless steel. And, I'm going to cut the manifold to release the pressure that causes the studs to break in the first place.

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    2. Any details on cutting the manifold? Does it help on the Ford 460 as well?

      Garry

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    3. Hi Garry. Yes, apparently if you cut the manifold between the ports (either with a hacksaw or Dremel cutting wheel) it is enough to release the pressure caused by the heat. In fact there's apparently an actual Chev service bulletin out that advises to do this. I don't see why it wouldn't work with the 460 as well.

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  3. That is a job good luck with it, our V10 had 12 broken studs that was quite a job to replace.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks George! It isn't a job he is looking forward to but he knows it needs to be done.

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  4. Looks like bleeding knuckles are in your future...

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    Replies
    1. Yep, a bit of blood might be involved! :-(

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  5. Very cool header pic. What is the attraction to piney woods? I love being in the pines. The smell, the openness, quiet, the wind whistling through them. Incredible! I would tak a pine forest over a beach any day.

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    1. Thanks Chris! I know know what it is a about piney woods but we love them too and will happily take it over a beach as well. :-)

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