The Gilmore "Land Barge" Comes Home

We are now officially RVers. Ilene, Ali and I picked up our "brand new" 1977 Pace Arrow RV on Tuesday, July 8, 2008. It has orange/lime green shag carpet (very 1970's), 25 ft. of space, sleeping space for six, a refrigerator, a stove, a 450 Dodge Engine, generator, and a 4-track tape player. It only has 25,500 original miles on it. All in all, a great package!

RVs are also called "land yachts." Ours is more a land barge. Not too fancy, very practical. We are much looking forward to fixing all we can for as little as possible. We have received tips on places where pick-a-part RV lots exist where we can go to an RV graveyard with wrenches and tools and go shopping for parts for cents on the dollar. My brother John has said I am turning into a Wadester. Hopefully, that will be a good thing. By the way, Mom is starting to save yogurt cups, jars, etc., so we can store things. We will be by to inspect your trash soon. (Just kidding).

It was quite an adventure getting the RV home. The previous owners, Evelyn (Peggy's sister) and Elwood (Evelyn's husband), were most gracious and helpful. The RV didn't want to start so I got a new battery, gas, carburetor cleaner and went at getting the RV started with Elwood in 106 degree temperature. This was on Saturday and we got the engine to turn over but not stay running.

With renewed vigor and more gas, Ilene and I came back on Tuesday. This time Elwood had Vern there - a ringer - a former mechanic and fellow RVer who he had recently met. Vern is wise in the world of mechanics and engines and had the engine started pretty quickly. He has a light touch and would not be denied. Still the RV was reluctant to stay started.

Elwood put the battery on a trickle charge and Ilene and I went to buy a second battery (they come with two) so we could have reserve starting power. With some backfiring and smoke, Vern got the engine started and it actually stayed running. This only took 5 hours of elapsed time.

We formed a caravan of four cars -the RV piloted by Elwood and co-piloted by me, Vern in his truck, Mom and Ali in Platypus, and Evelyn in her car. We took back streets with wide places to park in case the RV decided to give it up and drove the 10 miles home.

The RV stayed running, though slowly (max 45 MPH). We passed a highway patrol car and a sheriff's car but were not stopped. At long last we got the RV home to the relief of all.

Now we have to do's to do. First is name the RV. We thought about "House" since that is what it is. But House is a cranky old man with a limp, so we're not sold on that one. Perhaps a variant of Avey (Arvey). But Avey was a hog. Doh! Suggestions are welcome.

Next is getting the engine up and running, smog certification, testing all systems, fixing what systems need fixing, sealing the roof, and much, much more.

We are still debating about putting a seat belt on the throne (toilet). Since the bathroom does have a magazine rack, we might be inclined to be in there long enough to make a seat belt prudent. ;)

All in all, we see lots of fun in the future. It will be a good "Spare Room" for adventures with the grandchildren and a potential sanctuary for adults. We also suspect it will be a heck of a lot of fun on the road!