RV SHOW

Hello Blog Buddies,

Yesterday we went down to Albuquerque for the annual RV Show.  It was very interesting and rather confirming to myself and my DW Melissa.  After a couple of hours of looking at Class A - Class C - Class B - travel trailers - pop up campers etc etc.  We both looked at each other and realized the following:

The RV that we purchased and is being built in Elkhart Indiana as we speak is in fact better in quality inside and outside from all but 1 RV that we saw at the annual show!!!
The price of our RV compared to the RVs at the show was also soooooooo much better!!

We saw ONLY ONE RV at the show that we could have said -  nice - not quite as nice as the quality inside and outside as our RV - also not even close to the level of construction quality of our RV.  Price wise the RV that came closer than any other to ours cost almost twice what our RV is costing.

We left the RV show feeling very happy with the RV purchasing decision that we made this past October.  One advantage we had with the purchase of our RV is the fact that the Manufacturer of our RV  - http://www.nexusrv.com/ - only sells DIRECTLY to the public and does not have the middleman dealerships.  Thereby, we saved over $30,000 - by eliminating the profit for the middle man!!!!  WOO-HOO WE DONE REAL GOOD!!!!!   :>)

On the way home we stopped at Camping World and picked up some small gadgets for our RV.  I love gadgets - I could spend all day at Camping World just looking around - plus they have RVs for sale there and those of course are always fun looking at and comparing as we did at the RV show.  :>)

We most always compare prices at Camping World to Amazon.com as most of the time Amazon will have the same product but at a cheaper price.  We also only order at Amazon when the purchase will exceed $25 so we can get free shipping.

Well, another slow day today - 1-4 inches of snow predicted - but I'd be surprised if it amounted to more and an inch.

I hope to get back into my painting tomorrow - it's been almost a week since I stood in front of the easel Mr.  ED -------- RV associated duties and all - but I'm ready to start throwing paint around again!

Take care my friends.

JR   :>)

   

A SLOW DAY

Good Morning Blog Buddies,

Well ----- me thinkith today will be a day of relaxation!  Did some more packing of "STUFF" today to bring down to the rented storage area.

I also packed up some RV STUFF that will be shipped Elkhart Indiana to the NEXUS plant as we will need these things for our return drive to Santa Fe.

My DW Melissa is a PACKING EXPERT!!!!!  She has a saying "ALWAYS ROOM FOR ONE MORE THING!!!"  Sooooooo with this as our marching orders, next Thursday we have decided to go down to the rented storage area and empty out as much as is necessary and re-pack!!!!  The object is to make room for the bench/pew so it will fit, along with other "STUFF"  in our TINY UNIT that we will be putting in come the end of March.

When we packed up the rented storage area when moving from our home, we had 4 people helping us and they were a great help and we could not have completed the move without them.  The entire storage area is 8x10 and has I would guess 10 foot ceiling height.  We pretty much used all the same size boxes and all the boxes (approx. 100) were packed along the back of the storage unit, from floor to ceiling.  As it turned out the boxes were the perfect size and fit height and width wise with no loss of space.

As the moving day progressed and folks got tired, efficient packing was cast somewhat aside.  Also things such as furniture etc NOT IN BOXES became harder to efficiently fit into the space.

Sooooooo we (she-DW) will redesign the storage of "STUFF" and I will provide the moving and lifting as directed.  This works out well for us sort of BEAUTY & BRAWN.  :>)

For my part in this RE-DESIGN effort my DW has promised to buy lunch at one of our favorite restaurants and I have been promised a Navajo Taco!!!

I digress ------ I wwent back onto my diet as about 7 pounds seem to have re-appeared without my remembering ever eating anything worth those 7 pounds!!! :>( 

Sooooo starting New Years Day I went back onto my diet that has always worked in the past and thus far I have lost 4 pounds!!!   One of our travelling mottos is:
"FOLLOW THE SUN - FIND THE BEACHES"  Sooooo I need to get back to into the range of 150-153 with a 34" waist which I believe is very possible to do by April 1 ---- And I'm not fooling!!!!!

OK digression over-----------------------------------------------------------------

I have all the confidence that my DW Melissa will reconfigure the storage unit into a  LEAN-MEAN-STORAGE AREA and all will end up fitting everything with room to spare!!

We will end up being able to keep our BENCH/PEW and all will be fine - once again proving the old proverb "ALWAYS ROOM FOR ONE MORE THING."

Well my friends enjoy the day - tomorrow we go to the RV Show in Albuquerque and stop off at Camping World to look :>) and pickup a few more small things for the RV that will be need on the drive back to Santa Fe.

I'm biting at the bit to finish up my "MENAGE A TROIS" painting and get started with a new one ---- this shall perhaps have to wait until Monday as my time now seems to be consumed with RV related tasks  ---- which fits in nicely with my blog title RVPAINTER.

JR  :>)

The Day Got Away

Good Afternoon Blog Buddies,
Well the day got away from me today!  Today was food shopping day as well as delivering more "Stuff" to the climate controlled storage unit.  We packed up 6 more boxes of "STUFF" that we do not need here in the TINY UNIT and will also not need in the RV.  By the time this was all done, it was about 11:30 am.

We have a wonderful old (antique) sort of a pew/bench.  Very heavy mahogany, and very nice.  We have tried to sell it but antiques are not selling in this economy and it is taking too much room in the storage unit.  We've tried to put it into a consignment shop but nope they don't want it as what they already have is not selling.  Best estimate we can get based on some Internet searches on the furniture maker is - a value of about $1500 -$2000.  We've owned it for 30 years, and moved it every place we've lived.  So this is still up in the air and we may donate it and take a donation deduction or we may see if our friends want it as a gift.  Ya just can't hang onto all this sh WHOOPS "stuff."

Soooooo anyhooooooo - I stopped at another consignment shop and same old story I would love to have it butttttttt "stuff" ain't selling!

After this I stopped at Home Depot to pickup some doodads for the RV - small stuff but necessary stuff:

GFCI tester - this will indicator wiring problems with electrical outlets - most RV Parks have good electrical connections, but with a lot of use and some not so careful people things do get broken or put into ill-repair.  This device will detect possible problems before plugging in the RV.  We also are having a EMS/Surge protection device installed that if a problem is detected in the electrical connection or a surge takes place the system will shut down the electricity before any damage can occur.

Brass hose Y with shut-off - This will allow me to use two water hoses from the same RV park water faucet

Rubber O-rings and hose washers  - Just in case

PTFE Thread Seal Tape - This is used to wrap around the threads of hose connections to eliminate leaks and dripping. Also - we bought a (tire pressure monitor system) which has brass signal emitters that attach to the valve stems.  Wellllll it seems some car/truck manufactures use aluminum for their valve stems and you need to put the PTFE tape onto the valve stems - if not a chemical reaction takes place between the brass and the aluminum and the brass signal emitters become FUSED to the valve stems.  The TPMS emitters cost $50 each, so FUSED is a word we do not use in our house (RV)  Our system has 11 emitters ( 7 for the RV and 4 for the Honda Fit) so FUSED is not a NICE WORD.  I told my DW Melissa that I RE-FUSED TO USE THE THE WORD FUSED!!!  :>)

So once this stop was completed, I came home - had 4 "cuties" for lunch - I'm on a diet again - getting ready for all the BEACHES we are going to be sitting on!!!!

Now it is time for me to go pick up my DW Melissa from work and then we will take our daily walk at the SFNC,

Later my friends.

JR   :>)

IT's TUESDAY!!!!!

Good Morning Blog Buddies,

Well ----- it's Tuesday and that normally means laundry and house cleaning!!  :>(

I'm happy to say that the laundry is all done and folded and the TINY UNIT is all cleaned and ready to be messed up again!!!!  :>)

Yesterday when my DW got home from work we went up to the Santa Fe National Cemetery (SFNC) for a nice long walk.  While walking, we came across an older (my age) Spaniard gentleman.  He asked if we were out for a walk and we replied "Yes."  He said that he normally walks in the mall during the winter months with a few of his friends but since it was such a nice sunny day he came over to the SFNC.  He said "my mall-walking buddies ask why I walk out here in the SFNC instead of the mall.  This is what he said:  "I told my friends I'd rather be out in the fresh air when it is possible and the SFNC is where I'm going to be buried so I'm trying to get acclimated to the surroundings." 

He was not kidding of joking he was so to speak (DEAD) serious!!!  WOW - I was very intrigued with his remark - as here is an older man - I would guess from his appearance most likely early to mid 70's and he is looking mortality straight in the face and saying HELLO!!!!!  I tip my hat to him as I don't know if I can be so progressive in my thoughts of my passing.

In our walks, we have found head stones that for some reason jump out at us - such as the 11 Unknown US Soldiers buried in one area with one marker and other old markers that say unknown child or small boy or Indian boy.  We have become very attached to our walks in the SFNC - most times we don't even talk - it is such a quiet (duh of course it is) place and the uncountable number of identical white grave markers leaves one speechless.  We actually find ourselves say "Hi John - Hi Mary etc as we pass by the markers.  It amazed me as to how many military women are represented as serving in WWII, Korea, Viet Nam.  Such a solemn-reverent place to be.

On our walk yesterday we took a turn going up a big hill that we had not yet gone up - the SFNC has a lot of hills in it!!  At the top of this hill was a section of perhaps 500 ground markers and large sections of multi-level above ground small crypts (cremated remains.)  I would guess perhaps a total of 1,000+

We both stopped in our tracks and said "Oh My."

The ground markers were difficult to see as the following pictures will demonstrate - some organization had placed Christmas wreaths at the markers.  This in and of itself brought tears to our eyes - such a moving scene.  These fields encompass many-many acres.

We try to walk at the SFNC every day that it is possible and I hope before we leave the area on May 1, We can find out some facts and figures about the number of people under these markers.  Some markers represent two people - the soldier and his/her spouse.

Most days we take our walk there is a funeral/burial service going on.  One day two such services were taking place.  This is with full military honors - taps and gun salutes - very, very moving.

I've said it before and I know every city does not have a National Cemetery but if you are in a city that does - go visit it - walk through it - notice some of the birth/death dates.  Say "Hello John - Hello Mary - Hello Unknown Soldier.  At times you can see markings for soldiers 19 & 20 years old - male & female - other times markers for those who cheated war death and lived to be in their 80's and 90's.

We have seen some markers representing 101 years of life.

Well, I'm not sure what the rest of the day will bring - not sure if I will paint as I have some minor RV things to do.  I do know we will go for a walk at the SFNC when DW wife returns from work.  We are going down to Albuquerque on Saturday this weekend as the RV SHOW/BOAT SHOW is there.  Nice to check out all the newest toys and "dudads" for RVs.  Of course it is fun to go into some of the half million dollar RV units 50-60 feet long looking inside like a New York Penthouse.

It will be a fun 3 hours +/- or so and on the way home we will stop at Camping World as I have a list of a few "dudads" that I need to buy for our RV.  Small things but we will need them on our drive back to Santa Fe.

Enjoy the day my friends and enjoy life - it's not forever - smile at yourself and at someone else.

LATER DUDES

JR  :>)

  

GOOD AFTERNOON BLOG BUDDIES

Welcome to 2012!!!!!

I got up this morning full of HP&V and ready to hit the pavement!  I did some RV related administrative duties and posted on my blog the results of the finalization of our RV Journey LEG 1.

I then figured I would continue with and finish the painting of the 3 pears "Menage a Trois."  However I felt a bit rambunksious!!!  And since I was full of HP&V I decided to do a palette knife painting.  The last aspen/pine tree painting I did was in Balck & White which to me is a very soothing-quiet-mind resting painting.
However a fellow RV-er I met on an RV blog, seemed to disagree.  He is a wonderful photographer and in a class he was teaching a young student remarked that B&W photos are sort of the "in thang."  So the fellow RV-er decided to show the boy an example to dispell this statement.  He took a photo of a boat at a dock ON FIRE and made it into a B&W photo.  Showed it to the student and ask him what he thought - the boy basically was not impressed.  Then the fellow RV-er showed the boy the photo in color with all the glory and fury of the ranging fire.  OF COURSE IT WAS MORE IMPRESSIVE AND EYE GRABBING!!!  OF COURSE THE BOY SAID WOW!!  I think the demonstration hovered on the verge of entrapement!!!!  :>)

B&W photos/paintings are intented to envoke a sense of quiet-peace-solitude - whereas the color photo of the blazing flames engulfing the boat where meant to bring "eye shock" and startle the viewer - and IT DID!

Therefore I decided since I felt full of HP&V I would do a very similar scene to the B&W but in color. 

16 x 12 on Heavy Linen Paper using palette knife - some minor brush work, my hair comb and my fan brush for the FG foliage and the BG indications of trees.

First I begin with a quick pencil sketch -

Nothing very elaborate - just some indications of tree trunks - pines and aspens.  I keep telling you folks I can't draw a straight line!!!!  :>)

I will try and show via photos the process for developing the bark on the pine trees.  Basically I put blobs and globs of paint on with my palette knife - normally 3 or 4 different colors and then I literally comb the wet paint using my hair comb to generate texture of bark.

Pretty clever EH!!! 

Blobs & Globs

Blobs & Globs combed out

The Aspens need to be generated and this is done with blobs & globs of paint put on with a palette knife and the bark is developed with a small round brush using white-grey-black paint with quick staccato jabs.

A lot of folks wonder why I put in the BG last.  The "why" is because I feel the BG & FG need to be tied into the middle ground - in this case the pines and aspens.  Soooo I will via photos show this process.

1/2 done with BG

Can you see how this has moved the tree trunks FORWARD?

Now to finish the BG - there are 3 different color greens used here as well as a dark blue and also a shot or two of purple.  (my secret ingredient in shadows)  :>)

BG basically completed

We now need a FG and some hints-indications of distant tree trunks in the BG as well as jabs and dabs at the tree trunks and some general "housekeeping" of lights-darks-edges.

Throw some ground in and then we'll need shadows on the ground as well as some ground clutter - with the fan brush

BUDDA BING BUDDA BOOM

DONE!!

As always or almost always here are some closeups for my "attention to detail" blog buddies - better know as -------- WHOOPS - I promised not to use that term WHEW I caught myself!  :>)

OK ------ how he do dat

Well, I enjoyed doing this piece.  I think both B&W and COLOR photographs and paintings have their place and both can express a very different feeling in both the artist and the viewer.
I hope you folks noticed that we did not have any rude interuptions of loud talking or unsavory remarks.  I have taken necessary steps to increase the security (at great expense to me) at the entrance to our room used for the presentation of Objects d' Art

I apologize for any incorrect spelling as the google blog spell check has stopped working - probably due to all my errors!!!

Hope your New Year 2012 got off to as good a start as mine did - enjoy the day.

JR  :>) 



RV TRIP LEG #1

Good Morning Blog Buddies,

Some of you folks have asked for a clarification of the beginning of our RV Journey.

Following is LEG # 1 of this Journey:

-April 4, 2012 Fly to Elkhart Indiana-pickup our RV from the manufacturer NEXUS
-We will hang around for a few days to get a feel for the operation of the RV
-Onto Council Bluffs Iowa to visit a fellow artist - my good friend Dale
-Return to Santa Fe for a couple of weeks for RV Journey preparation
-May 1 head out to San Antonio TX for a week (I lived in San Antonio - loved it!)
-Next stop Charleston South Carolina for a week
-Next Virginia Beach for a couple of days
-Onto Littleton MA. for a week & visit Melissa's side of family
-Next onto Salisbury Beach for a week and visit my side of family
-Onto Wolfboro NH to visit a lovely lady I worked with for 32 years
-Onto Damariscotta ME. to visit friends in the area (we lived in Maine for a long time)
-From Damariscotta onto Acadia National Park area for a week
-Next onto Nova Scotia for a month at an RV Park over looking the ocean
-From Nova Scotia we cross over to Quebec and stay on Ile d' Orleans for three weeks

Ile d' Orleans is an island in the middle of the St. Lawrence River just off the shores of Old Quebec City - connected by a big bridge.  My DW Melissa and I LOVE this area - it is in fact our PARIS!

I'm already having some pent up fears at driving the RV with car in tow over that

 BIG-TALL-LONG-BRIDGE!!!!  :>(

We leave Ile d' Orleans on August 19 which will start LEG #2 of our RV Journey.

This first leg takes in approximately 6,000 miles and 4 months time.  The 6,000 miles is RV driving miles - we will of course be sightseeing a lot using our Honda Fit which will be towed behind our RV.

As time progresses, I will let you buddies know what RV Journey LEG # 2 will consist of.
A hint - we will be travelling to an area that will provide (we hope) warm winter weather and beaches!!!!  :>)  Our path to this area will include some very pretty country side as well as some places that we have wanted to visit for quite some time now.

Exciting times ahead, with the start of our RV Journey not that far away.  WOO-HOO!!

Later my friends.

JR  :>)

HAPPY NEW YEAR

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY  BLOG BUDDIES,

This was a quiet day for us - just took things easy - went for a nice long walk at the Santa Fe National Cemetery and sat back and enjoyed the day.

One thing that RV-ers like to say is that they want to cut down on "THINGS - STUFF - BELONGINGS - MATERIALISTIC BAGGAGE."

Several years ago my DW and I decided to try and become "MINIMALISTS"  We have a saying "all you have is all you need."  In order to keep myself in check with this approach, I say "all I have is all I'm going to get!!"  Before we go out and buy anything we look around and ask what do we have that will work just as well and DO WE REALLY NEED THAT "THING?" 

Weight can be the enemy of the RV-er.  The chassis of an RV (depending on size) can only carry so much weight.  Our RV is being built on an E-450 chassis which has a weight limit of SAFELY carrying 14,500 pounds.
 
There is the weight of the RV and all it's components and then of course you have to add all your belongings - clothes-pots-pans-plates-silverware-tools-etc etc.  In addition our RV will have a 55 gallon gas tank-a 42 pound propane tank-a 40 gallon fresh water tank-a 36 gallon grey water tank-a 27 gallon black water tank.  On and on - ya got to add ya beach lounge chairs - can't forget those!!!!!!  Water weighs 8-10 pounds per gallon ( facts differ on this), propane weighs 4 - 5 pounds per gallon.  Then of course there is the weight of the gasoline etc etc.  Soooooooooo the best and only way to know you are safe regarding the overall weight being supported by your chassis is to have the RV weighed.  There is also an allowable weight factor per axle so that has to be taken into consideration.  There are 4 wheels on the back axle so that axle can support more weight.

Most people do not bother with weighing - sort of like "I carry what I need!"  One fellow told me - I've never had my RV weighed - just drive slow - around 50MPH and you'll be fine.

Lots of people today turn to RV-ing with the intention of reducing their inventory of materialistic CRAP - however many of them really want all the existing comforts of home and would rather be able to drag their home behind them so they just carry what ever they please.  An overloaded RV is a very dangerous WEAPON on our highways.

Anyhooooo We intend on paying very close attention to our total RV weight side to side - front to back.  As a side note, we have accomplished becoming minimalists!!

Some of the RV-ers on the road today remind me of the Beverly Hillbillies when moving to Beverly Hills with their pickup truck sky high loaded with all their belongings!!

:>) 

I hope and pray that we as a country can turn ourselves around and bring America back to where it belongs.  2012 I pray will be the beginning of this turn around.

My very best to all my friends.

JR  :>)