Traveland RV Sales and Thor Hurricane 29 M Motorhome

I bought my second RV at Traveland. Years ago.  Now I’m back again.  My friends Peter .and Larry bought their Tiffin Allegra they love there.  “My Mom and Dad bought their motorhome there,” Peter told me.   

I’ve kept getting bigger and bigger outfits much like my dad and mom did .did  They progressed from pole tent to motorhome.  I’ve followed in their wake. 

I’ve had only good experience with Traveland and their service department when I bought my RV there.  

Nicolina and Ernest just bought a Thor Hurricane.  It looked so skookum from the outside. Then Nicolina seeing me drooling at I stared at their new RV, asked <“Would you like to look inside?  Would I.

It was perfect. 

The main issue for me was the size.  32 feet. My Fifth Wheel Toyhauler is 40 feet and I’ve felt overwhelmed from the day I bought it. I use a tow truck to move it about. I love it but I don’t want to be towing it. I’m horrid at backing up. I have an Adventurer Camper with F350 which I ‘ve been snowbirding with the last few years.  My Keystone Fuzion 371 stays in storage because I find it too long to haul and worry about smashing it up as I did once with an earlier RV 

Nicolina and Ernest’s Thor is just perfect.  I really believe I can drive a bus that big. It’s gas so I don’t need any extra licensing.  Not like diesel which requires air brakes training. 

Peter and Larry’s Tiffin is truly luxurious but another 4- 6 feet longer.  I don’t know what it is psychologically but I really worry about taking turns with that extra length. I’ve yet to test drive the Thor but it really does seem manageable.

I’m taking Laura to Harrison’s Hot Spring this weekend so asked if she’d mind stopping by and looking at the buses in Traveland.  I really wanted to buy from them again.  I did  well with Meridian buying the Fuzion but the whole process of financing wore me out. It was a half day of delays and by the time the papers were signed the joy of the sale had gone. I really did consider going back then though because they are a good company and had excellent service.  My memory of Traveland and Peter’s endorsement had me going there first. 

Laura said she’d love to come along.  

Traveland is a 10 minute easy to get to drive off the number one.  She immediately remembered it fondly from before. “You bought the RV here the year you took me to Italy.”  She said.  I’d had a medical conference in Milan, IDAA with Dr. Nady El Guebaly. A superb conference all round. Laura and I loved Milan and I’d taken an extra week so we could visit Rome.  I’d rented a Vespa there and Laura and I not only visited the Vatican but rode the Vespa around Rome visiting the other famous cathedral’s.  On return to Canada we so enjoyed the new RV. 

Kenny was the salesman the two beautiful receptionists at the front of Traveland  called out for us.  He was thoroughly delightful .  Asked all the right questions and took me directly to a Thor Hurricane, “That’s just come in and fits your budget and I think is what you’re looking for.’  It sure was.  Second hand 2022 but only 20,000 KM on it 

“Laura,” I asked, “What do you thiink of it?” 

“I love it.” She said, Big smile. 

I loved sitting in the driver’s seat. Panoramic view.  Back up camera display.  There was a couch with seats and a dinette table.  The kitchen, sinks, microwave, and fridge were all just fine with lots of counter space for my cooking. What was a real treat was an outdoor kitchen with little fridge and sink and propane for a barbecue. I ‘m always barbecuing.  There’s an outdoor tv but I ‘d rather be inside  on the couch, watching  the really big screen tv. Laura had a couple of places she could sit too. We like to watch shows together while having dinner.  Vera, Yellowstone, Reacher, Bosch.   Most importantly Laura liked the spacious washroom. She ‘s particular about washrooms wanting space and spending an hour in there every morning. I might get a portapotty for relief. . The attraction of bigger RV’’s like the luxurious Tiffin is that they have an extra toilet like my fifth wheel does.  I’ve occasionally used it but I think we can make a solo toilet work. We’ve done it in apartments and hotels and the camper. In the camper we’ve been more often in the wilderness,   I’ve just gone outside with Madigan if she was holds things up inside . Older I don’t seem to have the capacity to hold it like I did younger.

Kenny showed us the Tiffin and it really was luxurious but I just felt it was too great a challenge for me to drive. I liked the slightly shorter Thor and felt I could maneuver it more safely with garter confidence .

All the way to Harrison’s Hot Springs. I was talking to Laura about it. All the pros and cons. I’ve been thinking of a bus since I was in the south this last winter and wanting to have one for next winter’s snow bird month.  As well I’d like to be able to just pick up and go camping in the summer with Laura. With the fifth wheel there’s the whole hitch and hydraulics and slides . The Hurricane only has one slide. With the camper there’s the loading and unloading and the happy jacks. It’s an hour to pick it up in the truck and an hour to leave it at the storage each trip. With the bus, like my sailboat, I can be heading out in a half hour . Peter told me that’s how long it takes him and Larry to come and go. 

I phoned Anil Auluck, my accountant to run it by him. I’d already talked weeks back to my wise friend, George. He’d just bought himself a new Buick and when I saw him last at Burnaby men’s he’d said, “so did you buy it”.  I’d discussed deisel versus gas with him and Kenny and Peter. Peter’s Tiffin came with choice of gas or diesel, the diesel more expensive . “Ive never regretted getting gas.”  Peter said.  George thought the diesel lasts longer but said as Kenny said,   I wouldn’t be putting the hours on the engine in a motorhome that a truck or commercial vehicle .  Longevity doesn’t count when you’ re not putting on the miles. The Class A diesel pushers are clearly the best especially new as they hold their value but the fact for me is I’m older and am only planning to motorhome the next 10 years. .  I see myself continuing to work virtually for 5 to 10 years but after that I don’t know. My Dad lived to 94.  Mom and he enjoyed their motorhome until mid 80’s when his eyes and energy gave out.  So I think the gas is fine for me. 

Actually I liked everything about the Thor Hurricane just as Ernest and Nicolina did. . Kevin Oh at TD gave me really useful information about financing because I didn’t want to face unnecessary loss taking out RRSP”s or mutual funds and such. I have the money in the bank but there’s good and better ways to take it out without penalty or the rapacious government wanting more .   Both he and Anil and Kenny all ex;planned how I could do it wisely.  I put $2000 down and now will be talking on Monday with Kenny moving forward.  I will have a test drive next Friday.

Again I love Traveland.  I also like that I’m  blessed to know all these wonderful people I  trust and can rely on for good advice.  I tell them if they have a head wound or develop schizophrenia I’d be there for them too. .  

I thought about Thor god of the Vikings and the idea of Hurricane. I’d not only survived three days of hurricane solo sailing the pacific in winter I’d been truly exhilarated going through the eye of the storm and coming out the other side.  Hurricane is a positive memory for me though I have to admit it was some of the most terrifying days and nights of my life. It taught me ‘surrender’ as I could only trust in God and hold on.  I did that.  Here I am again trusting in God.  I’m glad Laura loves it too.

Madigan was being a real brat barking outrageously  when I wouldn’t let him come inside and jump all over the furniture.  He didn’t understand there would be time for that only after the sale was closed. I have no doubt he’ll love it .  He likes  where he gets to be with me and Laura.   

Now we’re at Harrison Hot Springs Rsort . I’ve been in the mineral springs and we’ve walked Madigan around the duck pond.  God is good all of the time.   Thy will be done. Thank you Jesus.! 

Harrison Hot Springs, December 30 Friday 2022

We were here last year at New Years. Laura remembers.  I thought that was the year before. We’d worn masks.  It was so cold the doors were frozen. Laura’s sick again this year.  She checked that it wasn’t covid, just the ubiquitous flu going about.  

I just remember that in January and February I was as depressed as I suppose I get.  Hearing depression and anxiety all day and having little relief to give. The lack of resources was so sad.  Patients were desperate. I described the trip to Europe I’d planned for my birthday as ‘kedging’.  I found the disinformation and lockdowns all so political. So many patients were disturbed by the discouraging political scene in Canada.  I began to viscerally loathe Trudeau.  A week didn’t go by than I’d learn something from overseas news that CBC and other Trudeau media weren’t covering.  Poor distribution of Covid vaccines resulted in millions going past due.  The Chinese scientist theft of stage 4 lab pathogens continued to be covered up.  Ghislane’s list of Epstein’s pedophiles with Clinton, Trudeau and Gates island visits all in the background.

The Freedom Convoy with Trudeau demonizing them and freezing their bank assets while celebrating BLM riots and appearing on Drag Show tv. It all was confusing.I’d not be so concerned but the soft on crime and drug use was rampant. I was always wondering about whether I was past shelf life and yet like my work and patients. Mostly I limited myself to diagnosis and medication management because psychotherapy was limited by the site and setting.  It was still doing my bit but I couldn’t defend the ministry lockdowns. It wore on me and Laura was tired at work.

I had my bucket list.  Aberdeen and Delgatie Castle. I’d been communicating with the Hay Society since Mom became interested in my 20’s.  I’d had help from them getting the first anxiety kilt I had made and later the Royal Red.  I’d been to Glasgow and Edinburgh in my 20’s visiting with family. Now I introduced Laura to the Royal Mile and loved the memories being renewed. Lots of good memories. I’d been experiencing too many negatives and intrussive thoughts so it was good to be uplifted by travel. I loved the art galleries especially, saying they renewed my faith in my fellow man.  The invasion of Ukraine and Xi Jing Ping’s war mongering over Taiwan after invading Hong Kong all looked bad. Iran was continuing to imprison women over clothing while Ottawa cabinet ministers sounded more ill informed than anyone else.  

I enjoyed walking about Oxford again revisiting Magdalene.  I love the church service.  It was all rather mystical.  The train was a delight like the train we took in Ireland.  The London again and Picadilly, Book of Mormon, Royal Ballet, British Museum and British Art Gallery.  I loved seeing the impressionist as much as I’d loved the Art Gallery of Scotland and seeing the Scottish painters.  The high speed train under the Strait , an incredible engineering feat, was a wonder. Being in Paris, our West Bank room, the neighbourhood, croissants breakfast on the streets the Louvre abd Or de Say and more impressionists.  I was glad the Norte Dame survived the terrorist attack.  

I don’t much remember the summer.  The camper was being repaired. I remember some fine lawn chair time outside my place.  We stayed in Clinton at the Lodge and I loved swimming in the lake. That was end of summer. I actually camped by Princeton in hunting season and didn’t like the hard ground and morning chill. Madigan and I shot some grouse. He actually fetched them which was a miracle. I’d only thrown a ball and bit and never trained him to do this. What a trooper. I enjoyed the ATV.

My back was a bother in Europe. I’d actually slipped hiking up Arthur’s seat.  I cracked my ipad but it remained usable . My back was no better and no worse. Just a daily strain despite 800 mg ibuprofen most days.  All summer it was made better by seeing the chiropractor every few weeks. I replaced my chair and that helped. I still need to replace the couch and mattress. I’m on my second mattress in the last few years. I’d have replaced the couch but the cat and dog have used it as their scratching board. After George and Gilbert died I was glad to have Madigan but hoped to add a cat so didb’t want a new couch if I was going to do that.   My place is cluttered.  

I was so glad to spend November in Yuma. I’d developed severe Sciatica before the drive down and could hardly stagger to the rest stop toilets with poor Madigan who had little exercise on that trip. Driving was fine but standing and walking were a near impossibility.

I’ve been doing back exercises for years and added more in Yuma. After the second week I was walking again and so enjoyed the visits to Algodones.  I bought purses for all the girls for Christmas given the incredible prices for leather goods.  I really enjoyed working virtual so that I paid for my time off and didn’t return to pay off Visa. I’m hoping to do the same next year.  

Now I’ve been back in Burnaby for December. We had the worst snow storm with severe freezing.  My waterlines and holding tank froze so I was days trying to empty my toilet tank.  Thankfully we had this time booked here so I’ve had relief for my back and am hopping that all the enzymes I left in the tank and the warming weather will relieve my toilet. Thankfully I had  another. I was glad to get the water running so was little inconvenienced except that I didn’t do the work I’d planned.

Now we’re here.  I’m ready novels and taking trips to the Hotsprings and walking the dog, picking up food at the restaurant to eat watching tv.  Pretty basic.  

I’ve had quieter thoughts not such a barrage of past trauma.  I dreamed of a charging hear last night but couldn’t find my gun.  I actually was charged by a black beat and shot it 6 times it’s snout almost at my crouch before it veered right and climbed a tree,  I had emptied the Ruger 30:06 and had to reload to shoot the last 2 shots in the spine in he tree.  I’d hit both lungs and the heart and it still went up the tree where my shot severed the spine. Then there was the charging moose I felled only yards in front of me, watching two bullets bounce off the horns before I had the opening in the throat which felled it at my feet.  

I worry I’m not aging gracefully .  Anxiety.  Impotence issues.  ED .  The unreliability of one’s own penis.  Will he or will he not?   We used to talk of the penis having a mind of it’s own.  Today it does still.  

I continue to struggle with gender identity and addiction. Is the future better as a trans woman given the Trudeau Castration of white men and euthanasia of the mentally ill.  I could become the celibate monk, I’ve been voluntarily celibate for a year when I was training spiritually.  Do I want to leave sexuality behind and become the monk. Is it time. I’m already the mystic, Druid, celtic Christian, with spirituality and sychronicity.  

I’m happy enough with Laura and Madigan. It’s only when I’m alone that I de masculinity. It’s an avoidance tactic.  I’m alone then   No one cares. I’m invisible old.

My back hurts,  I fear young punks,  I fear the government.  Having my life threatened seriously the last couple of years and the authorities were worse than useless. They are the enemy with their preference for criminals .

I don’t feel ready for the New Year, glad it’s coming. Looking forward to it but still uncertain about what is coming and what I’m doing.  Writer, Physician, traveller. I’m looking forward to my camper and parking in the woods by a lake so madigan can be off the leash.  

Thank you Jesus.  I loved Handel’s Messiah and the Hallelujah Choir.