On July 10, our family was scheduled to leave for the Defending Your Faith family conference sponsored by Vision Forum and Answers in Genesis in Branson, Missouri. The Dischers, who had won an audition to perform in NC for the national conference of county agricultural agents, left as scheduled, heading first to visit family in Charlotte. Danny had decided this was the time to show his old Beaver RV (now affectionately known as the "Beavasaurus") was still "the top of the line" -- after all, he got a great deal on it, and in its day (1987), it really was top of the line.
He had done some preliminary preparations on it, checking out the engine and other mechanical parts and even having it nicely cleaned and waxed. I was my usual skeptical self (or maybe worry-wart self), since it feels top-heavy to me, and I worry that it will topple over on every turn. But I knew I had to trust the Lord and be willing to give it a try. Well, now Danny says he feels like the Bible story of Balaam applies to him -- and he is Balaam. Mechanical genious son-in-law Chris and Danny spent 2 - 1/2 days working on the old dinosaur, causing our departure to be delayed and me to stew and fret.
We actually went and looked at some new models, assuming that the gas crunch had made dealers desperate to get rid of guzzlers -- they weren't all that desperate. Chris kept working, and an RV shop even proclaimed the RV road worthy, but every time we thought we were ready to go, something new went wrong. Finally, Danny gave up and stopped beating the poor donkey. We went up the road to an RV dealer not far from us, and looked again. This time, there was a nice, 2006 model, just the right size and a good price (really) that was pretty much prepped and ready to go.
The Stricklen grandchildren and adopted granddaughter Amanda (family friend) eagerly switched stuff from the ole Beavasaurus to the new "Sun Seeker", and off we went! What fun! We knew we would not have all the cushion time we had planned to visit at daughter Katie's home in Arkansas, but we were on the way! Oh, as Chris was bringing the old RV to the dealer for trade-in, it started smoking and the transmission totally blew! Thank you, Lord, for saving us from ourselves and a stay on the side of the road somewhere in Mississippi!
He had done some preliminary preparations on it, checking out the engine and other mechanical parts and even having it nicely cleaned and waxed. I was my usual skeptical self (or maybe worry-wart self), since it feels top-heavy to me, and I worry that it will topple over on every turn. But I knew I had to trust the Lord and be willing to give it a try. Well, now Danny says he feels like the Bible story of Balaam applies to him -- and he is Balaam. Mechanical genious son-in-law Chris and Danny spent 2 - 1/2 days working on the old dinosaur, causing our departure to be delayed and me to stew and fret.
We actually went and looked at some new models, assuming that the gas crunch had made dealers desperate to get rid of guzzlers -- they weren't all that desperate. Chris kept working, and an RV shop even proclaimed the RV road worthy, but every time we thought we were ready to go, something new went wrong. Finally, Danny gave up and stopped beating the poor donkey. We went up the road to an RV dealer not far from us, and looked again. This time, there was a nice, 2006 model, just the right size and a good price (really) that was pretty much prepped and ready to go.
The Stricklen grandchildren and adopted granddaughter Amanda (family friend) eagerly switched stuff from the ole Beavasaurus to the new "Sun Seeker", and off we went! What fun! We knew we would not have all the cushion time we had planned to visit at daughter Katie's home in Arkansas, but we were on the way! Oh, as Chris was bringing the old RV to the dealer for trade-in, it started smoking and the transmission totally blew! Thank you, Lord, for saving us from ourselves and a stay on the side of the road somewhere in Mississippi!
CJ and Willie in the "Chipmunk's Nest" above the cab of the new RV. What a ball we had taking turns riding with Grandmother and Granddaddy!
Danny in the captain's seat -- this RV is a pleasure to drive and ride in. 
Amanda being her usual jolly self! We so enjoyed having her along -- and I know the granddaughters did. She was our cheerful Miss Suzie Homemaker in keeping the RV tidy and functional.
