The Difference Between Men and Boys Is the Size of Their Toys!

Unless, of course, we are talking about an RV. When Tom was a boy living in Orange, he and his brother John loved to build forts. Lumber scraps from building served to make a serviceable fort. Almost half a century later, Ilene and Tom are building a new type of fort called an RV. They have Jack and Thomas as capable assistants who are dreaming of driving, fixing, exploring, and camping. All stuff universal to boys and girls of all ages. Here are some candid shots as Jack and Thomas imagine taking the big trip.

Thomas Campbell - RV Pilot

"Ho - Ho - the Magic Bus!"

Captain Jack Campbell

Scourge of the Highways & Byways

"Aaaarrrrg!!! I'll keel haul yer if ye tries to pass me! "

Jack and Thomas both had many a turn at the helm. In case you hadn't heard, Jack has chosen his career already- backhoe driver. As a future heavy equipment operator, his turn driving the RV will give him valuable experience operating a large piece of machinery. According to Jack, Thomas will drive the water truck, so he too has acquired valuable transferable skills.

Naturally, it is imperative that all tools are carefully inspected and tested before any road trips are undertaken. Jack and Thomas are up to the task as they look through Poppi's Uber Tool Kit.

"Crescent wrenches ... check!"

"Socket sets ... check!"

"Screwdrivers ... check!"

"Pliers ... check!"

Tim, "The Tool Man" Tailor would be proud!

Meanwhile, a name has been chosen for the RV. Taking inspiration from the sci-fi series "Firefly," the RV has been dubbed "Serenity." Besides the obvious implication that the name "Serenity" has, the name was chosen because of the reputation the space ship had in the series. As Capt. Reynolds said of Serenity, "She is a bucket of bolts, but she'll fly true." Good things we have lots of tools.

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!

Ali Trains the Boys to Be Gentle

What is a little blind dog to do? With three boys in one household and one soon to be in another, you would think that a smart little dog would stay out of the way.

Not Ali the Wonder Dog. Fearlessly she puts herself in harm's way so that she can teach the boys how to be gentle, how to love those who are poor in spirit, how to be a servant to those who are humble.

Later it is nap time. Why not steal Jack's pillow and blankey. Ali can even teach big boys to share!

Of course, meal time under the table is her favorite place to be as it often rains food. She can't see the food, you understand. As it falls from above, her bloodhound nose twitches, her ears perk up, and the Fatshoover Tornado Hound (so named by her pack sisters) goes to work. Even a $1000 vacuum cleaner leaves particles that can only be found, recovered, and recycled by little Ali.