Wednesday, March 25, 2015

A Year Later, Remembering the FIRE

2014 Storage Fire

March 25th of last year there was a fire in the Storage Facility that our motorhome was parked in.  Of course, the section holding our Jayco Melbourne.  Of course, it was a total loss…..

Jayco before the fire

Here we are tucked ‘safely’ (or so we thought) in parking place C-1, next to this nice class C.  Sometimes I backed it in, as I did here, sometimes I parked straight in, as it was on that fateful night.

Jayco after the fire   Jayco after the fire

The picture to the left was looking through site B-1 to the front of our now demolished home on wheels.  The picture on the right is the view from outside C-1.  Remember that beautiful Class A we were parked next to?  Now it is hard to make out ours from theirs.  Frankly, there is was more of theirs left than ours….from the rear ours was nearly all ashes at this point.  I can still remember that feeling in my gut that day when I took these pictures just by looking at these pictures. 

Dynamax Isata along Arkansas River, Little Rock

Although this was a BIG setback, we replaced the Jayco with a Dynamax Isata.  Here it is back in October parked at a RV park along the Arkansas River near Little Rock.  The Dynamax is four feet shorter, so it is easier to drive and maneuver. Being smaller, we have to be smarter in what we take and how we take it.  This year we are planning to go to Alaska, which was our planned trip for 2014 until the fire.  To prepare for it, I have redone the pantry, which will be a huge improvement on how and where we can store things now.  We got rid of our short couch, and now have real nice La-Z-Boy recliners.  I have also added some small storage nets to hold some of our small items….one next to each recliner, one over the driver/passenger seats, and one next to the entry steps.  I also arranged the one storage bin which holds stuff, since the other two hold the sewer hoses while the other holds the electrical cords and hoses. 

Dynamax Isata north of Albuquerque

Above we were parked just north of Albuquerque where we enjoyed the opening day of the annual Balloon Festival.  So far our little Dynamax has been in 16 states, and we have really enjoyed it.  This year’s trip to Alaska is our ultimate trip…but we have enjoyed each of the three years we have traveled already. 

Portland Rose Garden, 2012

In Portland back in 2012 we visited the Rose Garden.  We knew that along with the roses, comes thorns….

Portland Rose Garden, 2012

….and sometimes bees.  Roses are pretty, the smell is beyond words, but what comes with them are thorns and stingers.   You just got to take the bad with the good sometimes…..and how you handle the bad many times determines just how much you appreciate the good.

10 comments:

  1. North of Alberquerque .....would that be Cochiti Lake?

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  2. Have a good time in Alaska. I know we did.

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    1. Thanks, I am sure we will....and it looks like the gas might be just a little less than you all paid too.

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  3. I thought through the entire horrible ordeal of losing your motor home that you had such a wonderful attitude about such a terrible loss. I am so glad that you found a replacement you love and will be off to Alaska for a fabulous adventure.

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    1. Thanks Sherry...I know you all have a more serious ordeal than what we faced...our thoughts are you and David.

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  4. Dave, you handled your situation last year with fire so much better than I would have. Those photos are just amazing. So glad that your Alaska trip is right around the corner. I can't wait to follow your journey:) Good you were able to make so many improvements to your home on wheels to make it comfortable for the two of you.

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    1. Thank you so much. I sure enjoy all of your hikes....and wonderful pictures.

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  5. I'm so happy that everything came out good for you two. And the most important thing - you're going to Alaska! (even if it's a year later)

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    1. Thanks. I sure want to congratulate you two on your 23rd year of full-time RVing.

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