[VAL] test

["Terry Tyler" <tylerbears@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Guys,

Like others, I monitor the list daily as a way to stay "connected" with 
my vintage roots (whatever that means).

This year we're visiting my Mom's house (now our house) in South 
Florida. Our Airstream sits forlornly in the storage area awaiting my 
daily visits. Each week, I do one maintenance job - most of them 
insignificant, but all of them satisfying to some degree.

This week or next, the job will be to replace that big skinny piece of 
plywood under the mattress with a brand new piece. When I lift the bed 
for access to the storage area beneath it, the plywood feels like it's 
about to fall apart. There are fractures everywhere. When this 
Airstream belonged to the first owner, I suspect there was a water leak 
that he didn't know about - which separated and fragmented the 1/4" 
plywood.

Last week, my job was to check the water level in the batteries and 
refill them with distilled water. All winter, we've had 70-80 degree 
weather with our solar guard digital meter reading 13.99 volts. Then, 
the gauge started dropping off to 12.80 volts and lower. Sure enough, 
each battery needed water.

Can't you tell? Minor details are getting a lot of attention. None of 
them worth talking about. Like others - I lurk and read. Then the next 
day when I visit the storage area, yesterday's topics give me something 
to check. Pretty sad state of affairs I know. BUT -  in a couple months 
when it's time to bolt out of here, we'll be raring and ready to go - 
in spades.

Sadly, I've even reorganized everything stored in our van. With all 
this non-stop sunny, warm weather and going down to the swimming pool 
every other day - it's downright boring in spite of the daily repairs 
needed by Mom's house because of three hurricanes strikes in two years.

Sandie and I have agreed this is NOT 	"a safe house. The 2006 hurricane 
season is fast approaching and we're not hanging around to experience 
it.

Terry
1989 32' Excella
1967 22' Safari
1963 22' Flying Cloud
1978 Ford Van 460 CID
1975 Mercury Wagon 460 CID
1987 Suburban 6.2L