I’m back with more questions from blog readers about RVing, what’s happening in our lives since we hung up the keys, and all kinds of other things. While I try to answer all questions individually, I also share some here occasionally.
Q. We have been looking online at real estate listings for your area in central Florida and it seems like prices are insane. Is the market really that strong there and do you think it will level out at some point?
A. Yes, prices here really are that insane. Homes are selling sight unseen for thousands of dollars over the asking price, and speculators are buying up everything they can get their hands on. The other day the news said 25% of the home sales in the Tampa area, on the other side of the state, were to corporations, not private individuals. Two or three times now, real estate people have approached us when we were in our yard asking if we wanted to list our house and telling us we could get double what we paid for it. The bubble’s got to burst at some point. I’m just not sure when.
Q. I know that you posted a blog about what to do when an RV Splendide washer/dryer combo stops spinning out, but I have searched and can’t find it. Do you still have that information, Nick?
A. Here you go. While this worked on our Splendide Model 2100XC, I can’t guarantee it will on other models. But all you have to lose is your time trying it, and if it does work on whatever model you have, you might save yourself an expensive repair bill. https://www.gypsyjournalrv.com/2018/09/splendide-washer-dryer-fix/
Q. Please tell me you have not stopped writing the Tinder Street series. All of your books are great and I read every one, but I fell in love with those characters and the time and setting that you created. Will there be more books in that series and if so, when?
A. I am in the homestretch on Big Lake Ranger and will have it out this month. Then I will begin working on The Hard Years, the next Tinder Street book.
Q. After reading yesterday’s blog, I have a question about that Colt revolver you showed. Is it an antique from the Old West or a reproduction to hang on the wall? Is it safe to shoot if it is real?
A. It is an unfired Colt Single Action Army (also known as a Colt Peacemaker) in .44 Special caliber that was built in the 1980s, and yes, it is very much safe to shoot. The original Colt Single Action Army was designed for the Army and came out in the mid-1870s. Today’s models have had some improvements over the years, but still look and function the same and remain popular with shooters and gun collectors.
Q. I know that you and Miss Terry have had your COVID vaccines and your booster shots. We got the one-shot Johnson & Johnson originally but are now ready for a booster. Would you share what you got originally and what booster?
A. Our original shots and boosters were all with the Moderna vaccine.
Q. I seem to remember that you were offered a gig doing self-publishing and travel seminars on cruise ships. I think that would be beyond cool. Did you ever give it a try, Nick?
A. No, I got busy with other projects, then COVID came around and changed everything for everybody. Just this week I received an inquiry asking if I was still interested, but I am not sure we’re ready to take on a cruise yet, either as passengers or seminar presenters.
Be sure to enter our latest Free Drawing. This week’s prize is an audiobook of Luminous: The Story of a Radium Girl by Samantha Wilcoxson. It’s a novel about Catherine Donohue, who worked at Radium Dial in Ottawa, Illinois and the secret lurking in the greenish-grey paint the company used that magically made things glow in the dark. To enter, click on this Free Drawing link or the tab at the top of this page and enter your name (first and last) in the comments section at the bottom of that page (not this one). Only one entry per person per drawing please, and you must enter with your real name. To prevent spam or multiple entries, the names of cartoon or movie characters are not allowed. The winner will be drawn Sunday evening. Note: Due to the high shipping cost of printed books and Amazon restrictions on e-books to foreign countries, only entries with US addresses and e-mail addresses are allowed.
Thought For The Day – Sometimes I wonder who Pete is and why we do things for his sake.
Nick Russell
World-Famous, New York Times Best Selling Author, and All-Around Nice Guy!
We just returned from an 11 day cruise out of Tampa. Celebrity Cruises requires that all persons must have Covid shots and a negative covid test within 48 hours of departure. The crew members are tested weekly and are required to wear masks and the ships are only sailing at 65 percent capacity.