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      Tom and I got to Leslie Tire's garage half an hour after they opened. Tracy Leslie was ready to start on our replacement right away. Half way through our replacement process, a fire truck came in and needed new tires too. We weren't priority and they were. It didn't take Tracy's crew long to finish and get back to ours. An hour and a half later we had 6 new Sumitomo tires on our Traveling Talisman and were back on the road. Tom and I felt much better. The first thing we noticed was the smoother ride. Our drive took us through Detroit and to the other side where we had lunch at the first available rest stop. Buddy and Benny were in their cat carriers all morning. We let them out for their feeding and to stretch. An hour later they went back in their carrier's. We continued our route another 120 miles for a total of 201.00 miles.

      It wasn't difficult finding the American Campground in Kalamazoo, MI. Tom and I went over the directions before we left to familiarize ourselves with the route. We're staying here as an ROD (Resorts of Distinction) member and there is no cost. The ranger advised us there were no full hook-ups available and gave us an opportunity to pick our own campsite. We drove around the park about 5 times. After a half an hour we noticed a couple who looked like they were packing up. Tom asked if they were coming or going. They told him they were leaving and offered the campsite to us. He went to the office to inform them of our campsite number. Tom and I had time to disconnect the van from our Traveling Talisman. Then the funniest thing happened. I was afraid someone had video taped us like the show America's Funniest Home Videos. As Tom and I disconnected the tow bar from the van, the van started to roll away. We looked at each other realizing the van was in neutral and the doors were locked. Luckily the van only went about 40 feet when I was able to unlock the doors and stop it. And we were very lucky it didn't run into anything. Tom and I agreed to put the van in park first and then disconnect it from now on. By the time we were done the other campers had left. We were now able to settle in.

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      Before backing our Traveling Talisman in its space Tom and I looked the site over and discuss how we wanted to position it. To our surprise the campsite had full hook up. It was worth waiting for and fairly level, except for being a little low in the back. We put 12"x12" pressure treated boards under the rear four tires to make us level. I knew the slope was too much and the back tire would have been off the ground if I didn't. Then I lowered the HWH corporation hydraulics to stabilize our Traveling Talisman. Tom set up the inside while I set up the outside. After connecting the electric, water and sewer I notice a silicone splatter on our new tires so I washed them before putting on our TireSavers for protection. The bikes were also taken of the rack so we could use them during our stay. Tom and I finished our set up at the same time and went to the local store. When we returned it was getting dark. Our day was coming to an end. We had dinner and ate while watching a movie. Then we retired from our long day.

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      It's been a while since we got a good nights rest. Last night was quite. We started our day having coffee and breakfast. Tom cleaned up the kitty litter while I meditated. Then I got the bikes off the bike rake, set up Benny's Kittywalk penthouse, and finish washing the van tires, while Tom meditated. Before long it was time to set up our work stations. Tom's was in the bedroom of our Traveling Talisman. Instead of setting mine up in the dining room I decided to work out side and keep Benny company as he slept on his top hammock. The weather was fairly warm and the wind was expecting to be 16 to 21 mph with 33 mph gust. We stayed alert because of our awnings. So far everything was okay. I got caught up on my blogs and plan to transfer the information to my website later.

      Financial records needed updated and I'm not comfortable doing them outside. Just as I brought everything inside, Benny wanted to go for a walk. How could I say "no"? Tom decided to join us. A lot of visitors approached us about our stay. Some inquired about Benny's penthouse. Tom and I noticed there were other Winnebago's in the campground. During our walk we discovered the gulf course was very well landscaped. It was very green with a blue-green fountain. In a way it seemed out of place because the campsites were dry dirt with some stones, tall weeds and few trees for shading. Benny was on his best behavior during our walk. He used his great sense of direction and led us right back to our Traveling Talisman. When we returned Benny went inside while Tom and I went for a bike ride. We had a great time, but still had work to do. So our ride was cut short. I noticed the wind picked up and check the forecast on the internet. It was still calling for 12 to 18 mph. Tom had the NOAA weather radio set up for emergency notifications. Our work stations were put away around dinner time. During dinner we watched a movie that didn't end until almost midnight.

      This resort is quite in the mornings. So quite, it's easy to sleep in. Late morning came and we finally got up. I made a batch of pancakes for breakfast. Afterward while I meditated, Tom set up his office in the bedroom. Then he meditated, while I freshened up and set up my office in the dining room. We spent another day getting caught up on things. Tom worked inside our Traveling Talisman most of the day. I worked outside at the picnic table. It's was beautiful day. Most of my time was working diligently on our finances until we were balanced. It was also important for me to get my website updated. I couldn't believe only the first stay of our adventure was on-line. Today, my goal was to complete our second stay. Half my day was over when I finished uploading our second stay. Tomorrow I shall start on our third stay. The temperature stayed around 75° until early evening. Then it dropped to about 59°.

      There is no need for an alarm clock for us. Benny does the job. He woke me up early again this morning. Today the weather is calling for numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms through early afternoon with highs around 80°. The chance of rain was 60%. Every morning I check the weather. The winds are expecting to come from the west at 13 to 18 mph. Our site is a good one for the wind. We are facing northwest. I positioned our Traveling Talisman this way because I knew most of the winds would be coming from the southwest, our driver's side. This helped protect our main awning on the passenger's side. I need to wash the roof top, so I put a bucket at the low end of our awning for the rain to drain into. While Tom was meditating, I happened to notice our gray water was full so I drained it using the Flush King. It is a great tool to have. By the time I was done working outside Tom had completed his meditation. Then it was my turn. Meditation helps me learn to focus on less stressful things.

      Most of our day was spent catching up on blogs and websites. I was pleased to have North Syracuse, NY uploaded on my website. I'd like to get the following two stays up before I leave here. Although the main purpose for our stay in Kalamazoo was to get caught up, Tom and I didn't want to spend all our time working today. So we decided to take a break and went for a bike ride. A neighbor camper was sitting out at their campsite and I stop to chat about their dog. In our conversation the gentleman asked us about our stay. He was interested in our travels and how we could do it at such a young age and thought we either had money or our parents did. I reassured him it was "guts". A lot of people we talked to wish they could do what we're doing. The truth is we're "just doing it". We'd never know what it would be like unless we did. During our conversation he advised us to watch our belongings. They had a cooler stolen from their campsite.

      The evening was fading so Tom and I continued our ride. The campground isn't very big and we ended up traveling the same area a few times. We found a section of new campsites being added. There were 150 of them started and the district prevented them from finishing. Some RVers staying here told us it was lack of money. Others told me the owners have the money, but didn't want to spend it. Roomer was going around they're buying a quarter million dollar motorhome instead. If this were my park, I'd spend the money on improvements to the current campsites. Our bike ride adventure turned out to be more than we expected, as we learned TMI (To Much Information). It was getting late and we put our bikes away. For dinner we had an Indian meal, from India.

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      It was another early morning rise, thanks to Benny. I may have to keep him up late so he'll get up later. Sometimes I'll get up to feed Benny and Buddy, only to return to bed. Not this morning, I was wide awake. Tom and I started with our coffee, breakfast, and meditation. Afterward Tom said he'd give me a hair cut. I needed one. He decided to video tape my hair trimming. I wasn't crazy about it, but he's keeping a blog on travelingtalisman.com about Benny, Buddy and me so I let him. He did okay on my hair, for being the second time he's done it. I felt better having shorter hair. Afterward I went up on the roof to clean it. Tom worked on his blog. I couldn't believe my entire day was up on the roof. Our last stay parked under the pine tree in Saint Clair, MI made the roof a mess. Unfortunately I only was able to clean the accessory items on the roof (two air conditioners, refrigerator exhaust cover, solar pannel, television antenna, two air vents, and a bathroom skylight dome) and the front portion of our Traveling Talisman fiberglass roof.

      I noticed while up on the roof a lot of other RVs coming in today. Usually people are leaving on a Sunday and not coming. I also noticed the people that stay here like to walk trough campsites. It is rood when they walk right across our patio and past the Traveling Talisman door. I mean right between our picnic table and home. I feel they don't have any respect for privacy. Rules at most campgrounds state pets must be on a leash. They don't pay any attention to the rules. I found several dogs roaming around on our campsite. I'll have to be cautious about letting Benny in his Kittywalk penthouse. By the time I came down from the roof Tom was inquiring about dinner. He went over to the country store and purchased a $3.00 bundle of firewood and then went back to work on his blogs. I prepared a campfire and made pork chops and baked potatoes with it. After dinner I washed, dried and put our dishes away. I then went for a bike ride by myself. Tom had to finish uploading a video on his blog. When I returned from my bike ride, Tom was just finishing up. He put his desk away and we watched a movie before retiring for the night.

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      We woke up this morning to the sound of the birds singing. What a beautiful sound. After our breakfast and meditation, we went right to work. I thought I'd clean the roof today. The last campground we stayed at was under pine trees. Although parking under them was shaded and a beautiful campsite, it has sap problems. They also act like an umbrella overhead and hold campfire smoke down. The rainfall we had made a mess of our Traveling Talisman fiberglass roof. Most of my day was spent cleaning up the mess. Tom worked inside on his programming projects. At first I was rinsing, washing and treating as I went, but it was taking longer than expected so I decided to rinse the whole roof for now. While up on the rooftop, I was able to see the campground from an aerial perspective. I also got to see campground activity and notice an unusual number of RVers coming in today. Most arrivals don't come in until Thursday or Friday. Not much got done with the roof as I wanted, but tomorrow is another day.

      I started my day getting back up on the roof of our Traveling Talisman to continue cleaning. Again, it took longer than I expected. My entire day was what I call upstairs. It doesn't bother me to be doing the roof cleaning. I feel it's important to keep it clean. Our fiberglass roof is easier to clean than if we had a rubber roof. The main thing is, like everything else, the more it is kept up the easier it is to keep clean. By the time I was ready to stop I had only completed 2/3 of the roof. Climbing up and down the ladder with a bucket of cleaning water became more and more difficult. The water was changed and refilling each time. My body was sore and I needed a break. I was definitely getting lots of exercise, like squats. The whole time I was working on the roof, Tom spent working on his programming.

      Tom and I needed to make a few errands today. We were expecting mail and had to get groceries. Before we went, I worked on a few personal projects and Tom finished up some of his programming. We then checked our GPS Co-Pilot program (SID) for the post office and a grocery store. They both were two different directions according to the SID. So we headed off to the post office first. It was in a grocery store called Meijer. How perfect was that? The mail was picked up and groceries were next. It seemed the further west we went the more groceries cost. Our groceries were loaded in the van and we were headed back to our Traveling Talisman. On the way we stopped for auto fuel. Gas was $3.199 a gallon. We only got half tank. When Tom and I returned our groceries were unloaded and put away. Afterwards we had dinner and went for a bike ride. Tom's new bike has an odometer and he likes to measure our miles ridden. We've been averaging 3.0 miles a day. After our bike ride, we've been adding an additional 1.0 mile walk for additional exercise. Our exercise made it easier to spend more time photographing and less time resting from being exhausted. We settled down for a Netflix move received in the mail. Then we retired. Tom and I had a long day planed for tomorrow

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      We got up early this morning. Buddy and Benny were fed. I made some phone calls that needed to be made. Unfortunately there wasn't much successfully accomplished by phone, but it was worth a try. I went through the mail received yesterday and was then off to complete more of my roof cleaning. Tom worked on his programming in his office. As I reach the top of our Traveling Talisman rear later, I found the roof looked the way it did a few days ago. Not all of it was covered with a dirty film, but instead with a sticky sappy finish. Naturally I had to redo it all. Tom called up to me for lunch in the afternoon, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Who said our meals were always going to be fancy? After lunch I climbed back up stairs. I was determined to get it spotless. Later, Tom called up to me again. This time he climbed the latter to talk. He needed to go on an errand for medicated cat food and deliver mail to the post office. All my cleaning supplies were put away so I could take him on his errands. I like to drive and enjoy being Tom's chauffeur. With the help of our hand held GPS (AMY), we were able to find the vetinarian. We've been to the post office at Meijer and didn't need AMY to get there. When we returned back home, Tom and I continued to work on our previous projects. I finally completed the roof. This time I took pictures. To see them, click on Clean Roof Project. We like to give our Traveling Talisman a good cleaning the day before leaving. So we'll do more on Tuesday. We've been here for a week now and I haven't gotten very far on my website. It was time to get back to it. I needed to get our stay in Lockport, NY done. Tom and I have one more week here in Kalamazoo before we headed for Joliet, IL.

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      It's going to be a chilly day. The weather is calling for a high of 75°. Tom checked the weather for Chicago, IL. It was expecting mid to upper 90's there. After breakfast Tom started his meditation. In the mean time Benny and I went for a walk. While we walked around I tested Benny by carrying him away from our Traveling Talisman and put him down. It was a test to see if he could find his way home. He's a smart cat. He gracefully walked me right back. By the time we returned Tom was done meditating. It was my turn. As I meditated I could hear Benny calling to go back outside. I already had Benny's Kittywalk penthouse set up. After meditation I set up my work station outside. Benny waited patiently. It's funny to watch him get into his penthouse. As soon as I bring him to it, he climbs right through its zipper doorway. He likes to perch on the second level hammock. I joined Benny outside and began updating my website. Some progress was done when a group of children stopped to pet Benny. They knew Flat Stanly. The moment was right. Tom grabbed his camera and took a photo of the children, their dog, and Flat Stanly. Then Tom and I went back to work. After working for awhile, Tom decided he was going for a bike ride. I needed a break too and went with. We clocked another 3 miles of biking and a 1 mile walking. Another RVer was selling some 12" x 12" plastic base plates. They were perfect for our HWH corporation hydraulic leveling jacks and purchased four. We weren't sure whether to get more for the tire levels. It was something to think about first. Tom and I continued our walk to search for some needed kindle. We found some at the campground country store. Now we could make dinner by campfire. Tom and I put hot dogs on a stick and cooked over the open flame. The beans were cooked on the outdoor Coleman propane stove. They would have been cooked by campfire too, but we didn't have the proper pan to cook them in. Tom even made a large garden salad. Dinner was great. After dinner Tom needed to upload some things from his computer. I needed to catch up on my travel logs. I was just about to edit my website, when Tom announced it was time for a movie. Naturally I saved my work and put it away for the night.

      We woke up to a chilly Traveling Talisman again. Tom didn't mind it. I started coffee, then fed Buddy and Benny. Tom requested French toast, ham, and scrambled eggs. He found dirty cabinet handles and started cleaning. I think he woke up in a cleaning mood. While I was making breakfast he started cleaning and vacuuming. We took a moment to eat breakfast. Tom went back to cleaning and I set up my work station to get some more of my travel logs updated. After my travel logs were updated I started on my website. Excitement was in the air, I was almost done with our stay in Lockport, NY. The outside temperature was 79° and it was expecting to be a high of 81°. Today was a perfect day to get the caulking done along the fiberglass roof and gutter. It should have been done long ago, but I've been putting it off. Tom had the entire interior of our Traveling Talisman done and stopped to let me know. There wasn't a spot he missed. The message was clear I wasn't keeping my end of the cleaning bargain. I used to think projects outside are mine, while projects inside are his. When the temperature was right I put my work away and went outside to climb upstairs with all my tools. The afternoon temperature actually reached 81°. My work was almost done when I was short 3 feet of caulking. Tom and I planned to stop at Meijer's again, so I'll pick some then. It was late by the time I finished. Tom was just finishing up himself and was starting dinner. It was pizza and a movie night.

      First thing this morning I worked on my website. It was hard to believe I'm still working on my Lockport, NY page. That reminded me of what Tom said yesterday, "There's a lot to get done before we leave Kalamazoo". Most of our stay here was scheduled cleaning. Tom already had the interior done. Out of the last 4 days, I spent 3 days cleaning the roof. I like to photograph our campsites as we travel and photographs couldn't be taken until our Traveling Talisman was clean on the outside. The roof was done, but the exterior walls were still dirty and sticky. The temperature and light was good, so I stopped working on my website and started cleaning. The driver side was shaded and I worked on it until lunch. Yesterday I had made macaroni salad for the first time. We had some with Tom's tuna sandwiches. The sun moved around to the driver side shortly after lunch so I took a moment to call my parents. Things are doing well there. Afterward I continued the passenger side. Dinner time came quickly and I was tired. While Tom made an India dinner mix I took a shower. We had dinner and then went for a 3 mile bike ride and a 1 mile walk. When we returned we put on a movie and relaxed.

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      My plan today is to finish cleaning the exterior of our Traveling Talisman, photograph our campsite, getting laundry done, and uploading Lockport, NY on my website. We had coffee, breakfast, meditated and exercise. Tom had some programming to update for his clients. He worked on programming all day. I started cleaning and couldn't believe it took 5 days. Our Traveling Talisman from the roof down to the storage compartments below was done and I could now photograph. The sun was shining only on the driver side, so I grabbed my camera and photographed that side. The sun wasn't going to get to the other side again until tomorrow morning, in which I would wait to do. In the mean time I need to get laundry done. This campground has no laundry facilities. The van was loaded up and I drove to the nearest town in search of one. It was 6.8 miles before I found one in Otsego, MI. By the time I got home it was after the typical dinner time. I still needed to complete one more thing today. I think I'll work on it after dinner.

      Tom's phone rang this morning waking him up. He made coffee, then fed Buddy and Benny. This was unusual because feeding them was my job. I wasn't able to stay in bed because today was packing day. Tom and I had coffee breakfast and then took turns meditating. Afterward Tom finished a few things for his client and I made some final touches to my website. It wasn't until late afternoon that uploads for our stay in Lockport, NY was done. More excitement was in the air and I could hardly wait to work on our next stay. Before packing a few things to make tomorrow's departure smother, I took my final photographs of our Traveling Talisman in it's campsite. To see more of my campsite photographs, click on Campsite. Benny's Kittywalk penthouse and other outside items were first to pack. Tom worked on his programming until lunch and then worked on packing a few things inside. We didn't need to put everything away because some things could wait until tomorrow. The awnings were on today's list. Tom and I cleaned the main awning together before it got rolled up. Several people saw us cleaning up our Traveling Talisman and asked if we were leaving. I told the first couple that asked they could have our campsite. They were willing to wait until tomorrow. His name was Peppy, his wife I fail to remember. Peppy caught my eye right away because he resembled my Uncle Phil's characteristics. My Uncle was a full time RVer too, before he passed away. A lot of times I think he's watching over Tom and me. I let them put their car on our site over night to save the campsite. When Tom and I had finished cleaning our main awning it got rolled up. Then we emptied our gray and black water tanks together. What a job. We used the Flush King again and it sprung a leak. It wasn't a big leak, but it was one and boy did it have a smell. After that it was time to clean up and have dinner. It was very late in the evening when we sat down for dinner and a movie.

      I wasn't happy this morning. To be honest, I didn't want to go through the packing stage. It's amazing that Tom puts up with me. I admit I can be difficult sometimes. He always puts me in my place. And I'm thankful it's in such a calm way without being too stern. Tom reminds me of my father, who I love dearly. I'm not sure if you know what I mean, but I felt I needed to mention it. My first agenda outside was to clean the morning dew drops hanging along the slide topper canvas edge of our Traveling Talisman before the slide-outs came in. Tom took care of the very few items inside. The HWH corporation hydraulic were lifted. Peppy and his wife were waiting so patiently. We said our "good bye for nows" as if we had been camping neighbors for our entire stay here. Tom and I were on our way to Joliet, IL.

Remember to visit travelingtalisman.com by Tom Reider.