Baseball in the desert .. time for Arizona Fall League ... great weather for a game (in the shade of course) ...

Finally got around to replacing the "clunker" TV in the front of our motorhome. The old "entertainment" style TV / 30" monitor overlapped the swing-down cabinet (probably made to fit the TV by the PO). I purchased a Visio 32" LED 1080P Smart TV which supported external speakers variably controlled by the TV volume thus maintaining compatibility with the DHS System in the coach.

The new TV is smaller than the cabinet opening. I found it easier to simply fill the opening with an additional inner wood frame as opposed to drastically modifying the cabinet or building a new cabinet (especially since my table saw is old and worn out!). I tried staining the added frame but couldn't get the stain to adequately match so I ended up painting it black satin to match the TV.

Here are the old TV components which were VERY heavy and the base unit would get so hot you could hardly touch it.


Here's the custom stand I built to hold the cabinet up to enable removal & installation of the cabinet.


The cabinet had to be repaired since it was coming apart from the weight of the monitor. I replaced the mounting screws with slightly larger versions to hold the piano hinge to the ceiling. The screws that lock it in place from each side cabinet were also replaced with larger versions. (I thought our last trip across California freeways was going to drop it for sure!?)

Here's the results:


It's not professionally done but looks decent enough for an old coach. The resolution should be much improved over that old "clunker" TV especially since we're still using the original Motosat dish with a Directv SD receiver. However, if & when the Motosat dish dies the TV will be ready for a new Winegard HD dish.

Now I'd like to replace all those mirrors in the kitchen with vinyl back-splash tile like Frank Krauland has done. However, we're reluctant to dump more money into the coach unless absolutely necessary. Replacing the front TV and fixing the cabinet had become a necessity for safety reasons.

The Family Railroad is BACK!!!

It may look a little different since it now employs corner modules as opposed to looping end modules. The original 24' long configuration wouldn't work (unless we leave Alice out of the garage). 

Oh how I miss our basement in Colorado!!!

Christmas in Florida ...

Sierra waiting for Grammie to get dressed ...

Sydney too ...

And the mother too ... 

The presents were ready ...

Finally, Grammie is ready!

How about some XMAS cookies before we start?

Biscuit is ready.

Grammie got hand crafted gifts from the girls ...

Grammie got a puppy calendar for Alice ...

And some blouses from Santa ...

Troy & Kristin with a couple of gifts from Santa ...

Sierra got 2 - Minion shirts ... 

Sydney got Smithsonian science projects - "Don't question the science!"

The girls got special gifts - iPhones ... we're all in trouble now!!!

Team Alice met Bill & Patti Figge in Corpus Christi and moved to the Pioneer RV Park in Port Aransas. You can reach Port Aransas in 2 - ways; drive around the west & south of Corpus Christi or east & south which requires crossing on a ferry. Team Alice on a ferry?! You betcha!!!

Following the Figge's across the Causeway ...

Waiting to load the ferry ...

Figge's are on board ... time for Team Alice ...

Directing us on board ...

Here we are on board ... pretty cool, heh?!

Time to disembark ... waiting for directions ...

On our way to the RV park ...

Alpine SoCal Bayfield Rally - Day 7

We had a very good catered BBQ dinner and then got everybody together for a group picture.

A big thanks to Jim & Stephanie Archer for a great job of being our wagonmasters, and to Jim & Stephanie McCain for providing tons of information about the area.

Alpine SoCal Bayfield Rally -Day 6

We visited the Mesa Verde National Park to view the cliff dwellings. We elected to concentrate on the Cliff Palace which is the largest cliff dwelling in the world.

First, we needed to purchase tour tickets at the new Visitor & Research Center

The Cliff Palace dwellings from the guide meeting point.

Starting the long walk down ...

Long and narrow walk down ...

The Cliff Palace dwellings ...

Our guide ...

And now for the long walk up & out ...

We also stopped at the Square Tower House overlook where the rangers are actively working to preserve & protect the dwellings. Notice that there's NO easy way down and back up!