New A/C Filters

Since we'll be hanging out in OKC for a bit and there's really not a whole lot going on here that we haven't already seen, I thought I'd post some mods I had done during my time away from the blog. I'll do a different entry for each one, that will keep me entertained and you on the edge of your seat (ok, maybe not)...lol

I got this Idea from a fellow blogger, whose wife has allergies also, so, I thought why not, it just may help Sheryl out a bit. First off, I hate those little foam things they call filters in RV A/C units, they are just to flimsy and seem to get sucked up and out of shape pretty quickly. Anyway, I went to Lowes and found a size adjustable reusable residential A/C filter, said to filter out 90+% of the yuck and allergens in the air. They come in different sizes, so I pick the one I knew I could get two filters from. Sorry I don't have pictures of the box and frame, but they are easy to spot. Once you get the filter home, remove it from the packaging, frame and cut the filter to your needed size. One thing you will notice is, the filter has a plastic flow through cover on each side to stabilize the filter itself. I had Sheryl sew all sides of the filter so it would stay together nicely. Next check the packaging for the proper air flow direction and replace your foam thing with the new one. We've had ours in for a couple of months now and they seem to be doing there job just fine. They are also easy to clean with the hose outside.

Ok, that was short and sweet, stay tuned for our next mod, or real post which ever comes first.

Back for the Back in OKC

We landed back in OKC, OK Sunday afternoon, with my first doctors appointment Monday. We were lucky and got one of the few shady spots in the Tinker AFB FamCamp (RV Park), not overlooking the lake this time but still a nice spot. Doctors appointment went as well as can be expected, she is our family doc so basicly just took X-rays, prescribed a muscle relaxer and motrin with a referral to our neurosurgeon for evaluation. We were hoping to be back out traveling again within 2 weeks, but it's looking more like at least a month with as long as it's going to take to get the X-rays read and into see the neurosurgeon. Oh well, it needs to be done and then maybe I can get that long bungee cord of the back of the motorhome that keeps snapping us back here when we wander to far off.

Ok, we'll see you fine folks back here again, so until then, keep Lovin Your Life as we do ours!!!

Fort Smith National Historic Site, AR.

 After 5 days of Nurse Sheryl's back rehab program I was feeling good enough to get out for a little sight seeing. Today's destination was the Fort Smith National Historic Site. This fort was the western most fort of it's day, and attempt to control the indian territory to the west. It also became the site of the Federal Judge Isaac Parker (made famous in the Clint Eastwood movie, Hangem High).

 The Army Barracks, Courthouse, Jail and various other uses throughout history.

 In the background, one of the horse drawn prisoner transport wagons of the 1800's.

 The oldest building at the site is this commissary/warehouse, where up to 6 month's worth of rations for 200 men were stored at any given time.

After touring the Historic Site, we took in the National Cemetary to pay our respects.

My (Kevin) back is feeling considerably better than 5 days ago, and ready to travel. However, due to the way it happened, I we are going to return to OKC and checked out by my doctor. I need to make sure it is nothing more serious than a strain and if so have it taken care of. More than likely it's just a strain and we are hoping to be back traveling again within 2 weeks time. Our original plan may have to be modified, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. We are leaving Ft Smith in the morning (Sunday) and headed back to OKC.

So until next time, take care and we'll see you back here again.

Knocked on my Butt!!!

Wow, there I was standing in the motorhome minding my own business, when out of nowhere,  it felt like someone took a cattle prod to my lower back!!! Luckily I was stand next to the couch because down I went. This was on Saturday and I'm still paying for it with some pretty severe pain on the left side of my lower back. In my usual stubbornness I figured it would work it self out if I just kept active, nope just got worse. So now nurse Sheryl has put me on bed rest with all the usual back pain treatments she can think of. We are here in Ft Smith, AR till Sunday, so hopefully I'll be in traveling shape by then. Wosh me luck!!! and see you next time right back here.

Fort Chaffee, Arkansas

 We arrived here at the Ft Chaffee RV Park on Tuesday and have been mainly relaxing and recovering from the last week at Devils Den. Ft Chaffee is a Arkansas Army National Guard Base, located just east of Ft Smith, AR, just south of I-40 at the OK/AR line. It's a small park but the sites are very spacious. It's very quiet, however there are not facilities (commissary, laundry, showerhouse, etc) at the park or on the base, but for $8.50 a night, it's a great value.
  

There's a small lake here at the park and we were hoping to beable to put the Kayaks in, but it's even too small for that, so they'll just have to wait for another day. Our plan is to stay here for 2 weeks before heading out. There's alot of history in the area we want to check out. Thats it for this installment, so we'll see you right back here next time.

Devils Den State Park, AR.

 Once we hit the road, our first stop, Devil's Den State Park in Arkansas. The park is nestled in a river valley in the far western AR. mountains and approx 40 miles north of I-40. The park has several hiking trails and a river running through it. Waterfalls and steeped in 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps history. However, on our visit, due to the drought and middle of summer, the waterfalls were all dry and the river was down to a trickle. It is still a beautiful park and we had a great time.

 We arrived on Tuesday along with our little 5 year old grand daughter Clara. We spent a few days having some good ole Gama/Gampa Clara time all to ourselves before the rest of the gang rolled in. We set up camp and on Friday our daughter and her family came in along with our son and his family on Saturday.

 Before the gang showed up, we had found a secluded swimming hole which we had all to ourselves for most of the stay. Here Clara and Sheryl enjoy a nice cool dip, escaping the 90+ heat of the day.

 After Kaileigh and Josh showed up, it was time for Sheryl and I to strike out on our own little adventure. Sheryl has not been hiking for a couple years due to her back issues, but she is feeling so much better now, she really impressed me on the mile and a half hike which even had me winded at times.

 There is actually a little water in the park, a small lake, made by a 1930 era dam. The water is usually flowing over the dam and the lake much larger. The lake was still large enough to put the kayaks in and get a good paddle around. This is the first time Clara had ever been in a kayak and she loved it.

 Of course when everyone show up, it was time for all of us to hit the swimming hole. We even got Clara to jump off the rocks and that was quite a feat for her!!! The rest of the time was just a whole lot of relaxing, visiting and good food. It was great to get the kids together, with everyone's hectic lives, these are treasured moments.

I'll leave you with a few of my favorite images of the park. Next stop for us, Ft Smith, AR.

Until next time, Keep Lovin Your Life As We Do Ours!!!

On the Road Again

The day has finally come and Sheryls doctors have given her the all clear to travel!!! Yes, last week we started our grand adventure once again. We are currently in Ft Smith, AR. We spent a week at Devils Den State Park, AR.  before arriving here. The park had no cellphone or WiFi service, hence the late posting, but more on that later. I guess a little update is in order, since we haven't posted in 6  months. When we last posted my (Kevin) back and neck were all jacked up and was preparing for surgery. Well the darnedset thing happend, about two weeks before the surgery, I woke up one morning and all the pain was gone!!!  We went in for my schedule pre op appointment,  told the doc what had happened, and he said, no need to touch you then unless it comes back. Yes the damage is still there, but I'll take the no op and no pain any day!!!

Poor Sheryl has had a few scares over the past several months, but all is well now. No back surgery for her either and her heart is fit as a fiddle.

So, just a quick update, that all is well with us an as Willy Nelson so eloquent ly put it "we're on the road again"