Miss Terry’s birthday is Thursday, but she got her present a couple of days early. As I have said before, we have decided to downsize and take a new direction in our travels. We considered a smaller RV, but that really wasn’t what we wanted at this point in our lives. So instead, we decided to shop for a comfortable vehicle that would be good for regional road trips and our one long journey west to Arizona every year to see family.
And after a good bit of research and some shopping around, this is what we came up with. It is a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Touring L Plus, and I think you can tell by the smile on Terry’s face that she really likes it.
It came loaded with just about every option available except a sunroof, which we really didn’t want anyway. We have one on our Ford Explorer, and I think we’ve had it open three times in the seven years or so that we have owned it. Seriously, this thing has so many bells and whistles on it that I’m pretty sure if you sneeze a voice says “bless you” and a robotic arm comes out of the dashboard and hands you a Kleenex. It will even parallel park itself!
Of course, it will probably take me six months to figure out how everything works. Where is Greg White when I need him?
Somebody asked if we are going to keep the Ford Explorer and our Ford pickup, now that we have the van. Yes, we plan to. They are both paid for and in good condition, and we like them. And what the heck, with an 1100 square foot garage, we’ve certainly got the room!
Now that we’ve talked about new vehicles, let’s talk about old ones. My buddy Al Hesselbart, retired historian from the RVMuseum in Elkhart, Indiana, has a brand-new book out titled RV Capital of the World. Al is a popular speaker at RV shows and rallies, where he presents seminars on the history of RVing. We have known Al ever since our first year on the road as fulltime RVers, and he is a walking, talking encyclopedia of RV history. Every time I sit down and talk with him I learn something new about the old days. His new book tells the story of the Indiana RV industry and how the Elkhart – South Bend area became famous for the number of RV manufacturers and support companies located there. If you have any interest at all in RVing and history, this is a must read book! It’s fascinating.
Thought For The Day – One advantage of marriage is that when you fall out of love with him or he falls out of love with you, it keeps you together until you fall back in again. ~ Judith Viorst
Check Out Nick’s E-Books In Our Online Store
Nick Russell
World-Famous, New York Times Best Selling Author, and All-Around Nice Guy!
No RV at all? Several people we hang with are doing the same. I guess it’s perfectly normal turnover but when it affects us it just seems too prevalent. Another five years or so it might be our turn. I don’t like getting older.
Does the new wheels have a tow package? You can always pull a light weight such as a Trailmanor. That was our plan when we got the park model … unfortunately, other things have gotten in the way 🙂
I cannot tell you enough how much I hate motel rooms … lugging things in and out, unfriendly people, no place to walk, etc. I would take a RV park any day.
Snowbird,
Yes, we could tow a smaller trailer with it if we decide to go that route. Friends pull their small Airstream with one.
We were camping in a National Park Service campground in Tennessee (Bandy Creek) just a couple weeks ago and saw a retired couple with a similar van (a Honda I think) towing a T@B 400 teardrop trailer. Weighs just 2,700 lbs dry/3500 max. Really nice with a lot of great features. They were having a ball touring state and national parks like we do in our campervan. Whatever you decide to do, even if it’s the hotel route, get out there and keep having fun!
Sweet lookin’ ride you two !
So , back on the road to AZ.?
Take two ?
Even though we are 100% Ford people (my wife retired from there) you have picked the best and most advanced mini van on the market today. 🙂
Plus you can moonlight as an “Uber driver” shuttling all the local kids to and from their soccer practices! 😉
Given a couple of lemons and you made lemonade. I love it. Not saying the Winnebago is a lemon because it surely isn’t.
Didn’t think I’d live long enough to see you “hang up the keys”. Sure was surprised and seemed so sudden. But then when the time comes – just do it!. I have had MANy Chrysler Town & Country vans for work. Have a ’13 now & loaded like yours. We don’t mind hotels for a few days. But with eating out all the time it gets expensive.
Actually, I think I saw this coming when you got the house. Sticks & bricks can be pretty nice huh? I thought you might go for a Mercedes custom van but $$$!
Hope you haven’t moved too fast.
Nick, have enjoyed your blog since you were building the old bus. I’ll keep reading, and have most of your books too,
Thanks for all the good reading
Jerry Stearns
Very pretty new ride Terry. I love that red color. Glad you’re back home safely even though I’m sure you were anxious to see family and friends out west. Remember what you always both said……RV plans are always in jello so this was true once again. I believe your birthday is this week so Hapoy Birthday just a bit early and enjoy your new van.