A PLATTER TOO FULL
Prior to leaving Desert Hot Springs this year we made several significant decisions. The first involved leasing an RV space at Desert Pools Resort for the next five years. We had been spending most of every winter there for the past three years and found the area to be very enjoyable and, in addition, we had developed some wonderful friendships with both staff members and members.
Prior to cementing this decision we decided it would be wise to sell our motorhome as our intention was to leave our RV at the resort year-round. The thought of that wonderful diesel engine and all of the other mechanicals just moldering away to no good use seemed wasteful. It seemed more logical to sell it to someone who could continue to enjoy it traveling wherever. We also realized that in this shaky economy that could be difficult to do.
If we could sell the motorhome we would set about shopping for a large 5th wheel trailer to leave on our site. We don't intend to buy a vehicle to tow this rig but, rather, simply use it as our winter home.
The final decision was about repairing the deck on the rear of our Grass Valley home. We had put off making this happen for 5 years or more and we realized that further delay was downright dangerous.
On the very first day of demolition the contractor announced that there was nothing to save in the old structure. Thirty-plus years of hot summers and cold wet winters had taken their toll so, rather than a major repair we were faced with a complete replacement. Jimmy Buffet said it, “Breathe in, Breath out, Move ON. It was a big hit to the
check book but there really was 
absolutely no alternative. With most of the deck removed we had a two-story drop to the ground below. So onward and upward the deck was replaced in about 3 weeks time.
In the meantime we were receiving enquiries about the motorhome based on our advertisements on Craig’s List and RV Trader.com. In the first three weeks we had two couples actually come to Grass Valley to see it. The second immediately fell in love and it was obvious they would buy it if they could figure out the money angle. They said it was a stretch but, it was also just what they wanted.
They returned to see the coach on three occasions, making an offer on their final visit. I had hinted at the price I wanted and they agreed it was fair. Phew, the motorhome was sold.
While overseeing the deck construction and monitoring and responding to the action on our motorhome advertising, I spent uncounted hours scouring the internet for 5th wheel trailers for sale in the western United States. I had several criterion: it had to be big and roomy, well equipped, in excellent condition, and built by a quality builder with a good reputation amongst owners. It also had to be a virtual straight trade for what we were able to get for our motorhome.
Placing those parameters into our search significantly limited our choices. Towards the end of the second week of our motorhome advertising a 5th wheel showed up that seemed to meet all of our needs and desires. It was big (36’ long), it was roomy (4 slide out rooms), it was loaded with equipment and features (even a fireplace and automatic patio awning), it appeared to be in beautiful condition, and it was built by one of the foremost builders in the country.
When shopping for a used item you must be ready to strike when you find what you’re looking
for or you may end up settling for something less. With that in mind Judy and I drove to see this trailer and it was everything we hoped to find. It was just as advertised. It had showed up in my searches due to a rather large price reduction after being advertised for six months with no action. I believe we were the first to actually go and see it. The owner indicated they were absolutely firm at the new advertised price and I simply told him we didn’t have that much to put into it. After a half-hour conversation with his wife he called back saying, “We don’t want to sell it at that price but we will.”
Judy was understandably concerned that we had not seen any other trailers but agreed there was nothing more that we could want and probably no better value than this trailer. Our bid, after all was below low blue book on the rig. On top of that, she looked at that big roomy kitchen and said, "I've won the lottery." The kitchen area in our motorhome as very small.
It's also amazing that this trailer has more cupboards and cabinets than
we could ever fill. Everywhere you look there are places to put stuff. Ten drawers in the bedroom, for example, plus a wardrobe that is 8' wide, a linen cabinet, and a house-size hang up closet in the hall providing a great 
spot for brooms, vacuums, etc.
We agreed to buy the rig and the deal was done. The owner moved it to the RV park at our County Fairgrounds and we lived in it for a week exercising all of the systems. Everything worked perfectly without a single glitch. We are happy as clams at high tide with our decision.
So, finally, the motorhome is sold, our new deck is finished and is absolutely gorgeous, and we have our new winter home for the desert. “Breath in, Breath out, Move On.” It all happened much faster than we could ever have hoped and life can now return to normal.
We’ll have the trailer moved to the desert in October of this year and, in the meantime, visit it in the storage yard in which it is stored, loading stuff into it that we need down south.
We’ve definitely done our part in stimulating the economy in the past six weeks. We provided employment for four construction workers, we added to the coffers of the State and County through taxes, and gave some significant financial breathing room to another married couple.
At times it seemed like just too much was happening but it all worked out in the end.
Additionally, I believe we ended up on the positive end of the whole thing.
Now I think I'll take a little time to just kick back and enjoy the olde hotte tubb.
Prior to leaving Desert Hot Springs this year we made several significant decisions. The first involved leasing an RV space at Desert Pools Resort for the next five years. We had been spending most of every winter there for the past three years and found the area to be very enjoyable and, in addition, we had developed some wonderful friendships with both staff members and members.
Prior to cementing this decision we decided it would be wise to sell our motorhome as our intention was to leave our RV at the resort year-round. The thought of that wonderful diesel engine and all of the other mechanicals just moldering away to no good use seemed wasteful. It seemed more logical to sell it to someone who could continue to enjoy it traveling wherever. We also realized that in this shaky economy that could be difficult to do.
If we could sell the motorhome we would set about shopping for a large 5th wheel trailer to leave on our site. We don't intend to buy a vehicle to tow this rig but, rather, simply use it as our winter home.
The final decision was about repairing the deck on the rear of our Grass Valley home. We had put off making this happen for 5 years or more and we realized that further delay was downright dangerous.
On the very first day of demolition the contractor announced that there was nothing to save in the old structure. Thirty-plus years of hot summers and cold wet winters had taken their toll so, rather than a major repair we were faced with a complete replacement. Jimmy Buffet said it, “Breathe in, Breath out, Move ON. It was a big hit to the
check book but there really was 
absolutely no alternative. With most of the deck removed we had a two-story drop to the ground below. So onward and upward the deck was replaced in about 3 weeks time.In the meantime we were receiving enquiries about the motorhome based on our advertisements on Craig’s List and RV Trader.com. In the first three weeks we had two couples actually come to Grass Valley to see it. The second immediately fell in love and it was obvious they would buy it if they could figure out the money angle. They said it was a stretch but, it was also just what they wanted.
They returned to see the coach on three occasions, making an offer on their final visit. I had hinted at the price I wanted and they agreed it was fair. Phew, the motorhome was sold.
While overseeing the deck construction and monitoring and responding to the action on our motorhome advertising, I spent uncounted hours scouring the internet for 5th wheel trailers for sale in the western United States. I had several criterion: it had to be big and roomy, well equipped, in excellent condition, and built by a quality builder with a good reputation amongst owners. It also had to be a virtual straight trade for what we were able to get for our motorhome.
Placing those parameters into our search significantly limited our choices. Towards the end of the second week of our motorhome advertising a 5th wheel showed up that seemed to meet all of our needs and desires. It was big (36’ long), it was roomy (4 slide out rooms), it was loaded with equipment and features (even a fireplace and automatic patio awning), it appeared to be in beautiful condition, and it was built by one of the foremost builders in the country.
When shopping for a used item you must be ready to strike when you find what you’re looking
for or you may end up settling for something less. With that in mind Judy and I drove to see this trailer and it was everything we hoped to find. It was just as advertised. It had showed up in my searches due to a rather large price reduction after being advertised for six months with no action. I believe we were the first to actually go and see it. The owner indicated they were absolutely firm at the new advertised price and I simply told him we didn’t have that much to put into it. After a half-hour conversation with his wife he called back saying, “We don’t want to sell it at that price but we will.”Judy was understandably concerned that we had not seen any other trailers but agreed there was nothing more that we could want and probably no better value than this trailer. Our bid, after all was below low blue book on the rig. On top of that, she looked at that big roomy kitchen and said, "I've won the lottery." The kitchen area in our motorhome as very small.
It's also amazing that this trailer has more cupboards and cabinets than
we could ever fill. Everywhere you look there are places to put stuff. Ten drawers in the bedroom, for example, plus a wardrobe that is 8' wide, a linen cabinet, and a house-size hang up closet in the hall providing a great 
spot for brooms, vacuums, etc.
We agreed to buy the rig and the deal was done. The owner moved it to the RV park at our County Fairgrounds and we lived in it for a week exercising all of the systems. Everything worked perfectly without a single glitch. We are happy as clams at high tide with our decision.So, finally, the motorhome is sold, our new deck is finished and is absolutely gorgeous, and we have our new winter home for the desert. “Breath in, Breath out, Move On.” It all happened much faster than we could ever have hoped and life can now return to normal.
We’ll have the trailer moved to the desert in October of this year and, in the meantime, visit it in the storage yard in which it is stored, loading stuff into it that we need down south.We’ve definitely done our part in stimulating the economy in the past six weeks. We provided employment for four construction workers, we added to the coffers of the State and County through taxes, and gave some significant financial breathing room to another married couple.
At times it seemed like just too much was happening but it all worked out in the end.
Additionally, I believe we ended up on the positive end of the whole thing.Now I think I'll take a little time to just kick back and enjoy the olde hotte tubb.
