We all know what happens when we wash the car, it rains. Washing the motorhome has similar, but far more drastic results. Not only did it rain, it poured and the wind howled and we pulled in the slides to reduce our exposure to the wind. Haven’t done that before. Somehow the next morning the coach still was no where near as dirty as before I cleaned it. Of course 500 miles later in continuous drizzle the coach is pretty dirty, groan!

So what have we done in this time. Carol and I sat in class with Mike Cody of Freightliner customer Support for two solid days from 8 AM until 4:40 or 5:30 PM. We learned how to use the transmission and engine brake far more efficiently. We learned the service interval for every item that Freightliner supplied on the chassis, this is a very long list. We learned how the air system works and the exhaust system too, with the DEF and particulate filter system. I think I even understand how the exhaust from these modern diesel engines is cleaner than the air they take in. Ultimately it is water and nitrogen. They have arranged the service intervals so that an annual service can cover all the needs whether they are on a one year cycle or a five year cycle or some other annual cycle. I think the only thing that needs to be considered on a 6 month cycle is the coolant and I can check that with a dip stick and a color chart.

The morning following class Carol and I woke up in the Freightliner RV parking area where our coach had been parked after service. We gradually prepared to get underway with a plan that was subject to change. We thought we would drive the Blue Ridge Parkway as far Charlottesville and then decide what to do. As we climbed p to the Parkway at Blowing Rock we found ourselves climbing into fog. The Parkway was shrouded in fog and at times it was so dense Carol, who was at the wheel, could not see the passenger side mirror. This was becoming a tiring challenge and there was no purpose as there was no visibility. Eventually we dropped down into the Shenandoah Valley where the air was clearer and the rain was light. We found our way to Galax  and not wanting to spend our night in a very busy and noisy WalMart lot we found a campground, Lakeside RV, just outside town that had plenty of nice pull through spots and not much business midweek in early June. It turns out they belong to the same group as Yogi Shangri la on the Creek, in Milton PA, where we will be tomorrow night. They are both great for families with children, not so much for us when it is just us, the amenities do not meet our needs.

We had planned to meet David and Terry someplace as we passed near Leesburg. So we stopped at Candy Hill RV in Winchester VA only an hour from them. David suggested we try to find a restaurant in Winchester so using TripAdvisor I found One Block West just a couple of miles from the RV park. This lovely restaurant uses local fresh produce and meats to produce a lovely varied menu that changes with what they can find in the markets from day to day. We arrived at 7 and eventually decided to let the staff go home at 10. We enjoyed the food the setting and catching up with each other after not having been together for more than 6 months.

By the time you read this we will most likely be getting on the road to Milton PA where we will stay 2 nights. Dan and family will join us there on Saturday night for the longish drive to Shelburne VT.