I learned that when the train is announced 10 minutes before the train, the people RUN to the gate to get on the train.  It happens EVERY time for EVERY train!  It would really SUCK to do this every day.  As it is, it’s a friggin’ hoot!

Just skip to the end of the video.  It’s funny to watch them run!

We first took the train from Harrimen station to Penn Station (via Secaucus transfer).

Sleepy traveler

We then waltzed on over to the Empire State building.  We did not go up as there was zero visibility.  I can see everything from pictures anyway.  It was still cool to go inside and look around and check out the outside.

Look at me

Closer look

As you enter...

Clouds on the building.

We then checked out the Manhattan Mall.  How do they afford the rent in the middle of the city?!?!?!?  Wow.  It was pretty cool to see it there.  You could not tell the expansiveness of the innards from the outside.

My Models!

Looking up!

I just don't know. She is just cute...

Family restroom fun!

Subway adventures right outside of the mall.

When taking the subway, please pay attention to the fine print explaining which lines stop where and also pay attention to the flyers that explain the addendum’s for the weekend.  These are vital for your travels as you might end up in places that you do not want to visit.

That is exactly what happened.  We did not note that the B and C trains were the only ones that stopped at 86th street so we could cross the park and see the museum.  We ended up at 125th street.  That is nothing to most people until you learn that 125th street is smack-dab in the middle of Harlem!  I really dropped a solid brick in my pants as I exited the subway station and saw a sign that mentioned Harlem.  I overreacted.  It was nothing but another neighborhood.  We ended up getting to see the Apollo Theater and see some really nice buildings and churches on our 2.5 mile hike to the Guggenheim Museum.

First view out of the subway station. The sign says HARLEM!

Snapping away...

The Apollo

Still snapping

Snapping

cool buildings.

church

buildings.

don't know what I was shooting...

still have my phone...

We finally made it to the Solomon Guggenheim Museum.  We heard that museums were free on Sunday.  No such luck with the Guggenheim.  It’s $18.00 all of the time.  It is pretty cool.  I’m no art connoisseur and I think that most of the crap in there could have been done by a blind paraplegic person but there were a few things that stood out to me.  I really enjoyed most of the drafting type drawings of some complex structures.  I was most impressed with an exploded model of a building that was held from the ceiling with fishing line.  It displayed great detail and even represented the heated flooring copper tubing that was to be put under the flooring.  That was the most impressive for me.  We were not allowed to take pictures in the museum.  Ahh, we were able to take pictures in the children’s section but they are on Tammy’s phone.  We got some good pictures of Zoe (of course).

The top as viewed from the bottom floor

The different floors were spiraled

Line for tickets inside

she slept in the museum

Outside

Outside

Outside

The baby outside afterwards

I just took these walking around.  Can you believe the sky?

buhloooe sky!

buhloooe sky! and an ad!

While we were walking around, Tammy noted a store that we thought was really out of place.  It was KMart.  We went in.  It was a multi-floor jobber.  To me, it was still just a KMart.

just a kmart

just a kmart

After the KMart, we successfully grabbed the correct subway train to the World Trade Center remains (the E train).  It led us right to it.  It was more modern that the other trains as it had an electronic sign that showed every stop.  The site where the buildings used to stand really was able to pull out some emotion.  I was able to recall where I was at the time of the event as well as what I was doing.  It was heart wrenching!

loved the sign!

caption that!

yea, I'm cool!

Hey! The Braseltons!

We had a long day and took the 21:11 train to our “home” train station.  It go us there at 22:50 or so.  We got home at about midnight.  We were and ARE pooped!  It was worth every ounce of energy.  These are experiences that will last a lifetime!  I am very appreciative that I get to experience them.  It is also great to spend it with my family.

Let's get home! I'm pooped!

These are the places that we have been so far where we took pictures. I will be using this feature the entire time.

RV Travels so far...

Click Here! <——————————***

I have Zoe in the “nappytime” hold.

Sleeping Baby

- got P.O. Box
- forwarded mail to it
- van registration
- animal shot records
- Best buy
- SAMs
- Ihop breakfast
- Dr appt for Zoe’s shots
- Whataburger lunch
- Canceled cable and phone
- Sold Yamaha generator
- Gathered more stuff from house
- Cleaned leather in van
- Emptied above van storage
- Chilis dinner

All of this in one long and hectic Friday. We feel very accomplished and prepared for our trip.

We are knocking out the last items that we have on our list. I have to wash off Brutus and and pack final items. Finally, we will be off to Florida today.

I’ll shoot for Alabama tonight so we can see the USS Alabama in the morning. It is in Mobile, Alabama. Those ships are impressive to me. We can then visit with Andrea in the afternoon on Sunday.

Once he has vomited, he then hangs out and breaths really hard.  Today, he hung his head over the steps and was looking like he had a severe hangover.  Poor dude.

Poor Sick Dali

LP line at the bottom was ON FIRE!

Upon investigation, I found the problem.  I switched the fridge to gas.  The “Check” light came on.  Ok, I know what to do.  I did it again and ran outside.  I listened to the rear of the fridge and heard the starter spark trying to light the fridge (They run on LP gas also… In case ya didn’t know).  I did not hear the fire start so I took off the panel.  To my suprise, it was burning!  The LP line connecting to the fridge was on fire.  The wires above it were getting cooked.  The whole back is black with burn marks.

The problem:  Where to get it fixed.  We bought Brutus from Camping World in New Braunfels.  There were a few things that needed to be addressed before we purchased the Motorhome.  One repair was the water line to the ice maker in the fridge.  They explained how they had to pull the fridge out to repair it and such.  So, I partially think that this is damage caused by that repair.  It seems, to my novice eye, that either the line was bent and then a leak formed or the line was not tightened when replaced.  I also didn’t see any of that thread tape stuff that I would normally.  Not sure if it needs it on these fittings. 

If I tried to take it elswhere for repair, they would see the fault and not repair it as it looks like it was just improperly installed. 

It stinks.  Either way, we didn’t blow up.  We didn’t burn up.  We just were at the edge!

Never get too busy making a living that you forget to make a life

Tammy and I glance at each other and decided to get it. I immediately put it up in Brutus. It is viewable from the outside and a light will shine on it while camping.

Enjoy and live life. Love your family.

We are going - here!

We have been in cubicles for some time. I have not found a job in my searching. We decided to use our time wisely and see what we can while we have the chance.

Shoot us an email with your address and maybe we can send a postcard from a place that you request. Feel free to ask questions. You can also interact via Twitter. We are hooked up! Tech rules! We have many plans and chances are that we will be somewhere you know.

Wish us luck!

Master Tow 80THD With Surge Brakes

What do I know of towing a car/truck/van?  NOTHING!  That is why I research all that I can and then speak to “professionals” to really give me what I need.

Tammy’s Toyota Sienna will be going with us.  We have it all decked out and ready to go.  We need to be able to tow it with Brutus the Motorhome.  Brutus is capable of towing 5000lbs.  The minivan’s curb weight is approximately 43xxlbs.  This allows approximately 700lbs worth of tow dolly as long as we don’t pack a bunch of junk in the minivan.  No problem, right?  WRONG!

There are too many things for the novice to keep track of when getting a tow dolly.  The weight of the vehicle to be towed.  The capabilities of the towing vehicle.  The width of the towed vehicle.  Blah, blah!  Too much junk to worry about.  After research, I found that the Master Tow 80THD-SURGE would be the ticket for us.  This included surge brakes so I did not have to install a brake controller in Brutus and we can use the dolly on any car/truck.  So, here is what I found (in no order):

• Minivan Curb Weight: 43xx lbs
• Minivan Width: 77.4 inches
• Brutus Towable weight: 5000 lbs
• Master Tow Dolly Weight: ~550 lbs
• Master Tow Dolly  GVWR: 4900 lbs
• Master Tow Max Width Towable: 78 inches

So, with all of that information, we can tow the minivan with Brutus with no safety issues or problems.  We found the dolly in Houston for a great price.  We picked it up with the minivan so we could point out EXACTLY what vehicle we will tow with it.  David at Hilltop Tool Rental said that it would to the minivan with no problem.  Great!  I towed the dolly to our storage place and came home.

That evening, I decided to read all of the documentation and manuals.  I wanted to make sure that I understand the adjustment process of surge brakes and such.  As soon as I gathered the papers, I looked closely at the title.  It stated that the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating – all that it can do) was only 3500lbs.  I noticed that this was a 2007 model.  Did the specifications change that much?  I checked on the website to make sure that the GVWR was 4900lbs.  I was LIVID!  I tried to call the place but it was closed as it was 18:00.  I tried to call Master Tow to find if the specifications changed that much in two years.  Tammy then emailed Master Tow to get clarification as I was just furious.  I was sure that we were sitting on a very expensive hot potato with nothing that we could do about it.  I could not see a good outcome and my family’s safety is my main concern.

I called Master Tow first thing after my shower this morning.  I was ready to drive back to Houston and shove this thing up the guys…  The Master Tow guy (George) explained that all of them say 3500lbs as this is the AXLE rating.  This is what weight that can be put DIRECTLY on the axle but as half of the vehicle is on the ground, it is capable of the 4900lbs.  Sheesh.  A load of weight was removed from me.  I feel much better now!

My family is safe.  The minivan won’t go down the highway without us.  All is good in the universe!  Now I have to wait for the 17th?  Sheesh!   Hurry up already!

Tomorrow, we are driving to Houston to pick up a Master Tow 80TH-SURGE Dolly.  It is honkin’ enough to tow the minivan.  Funny thing is that we will be using the minivan to pick it up.  Towing the tower…

Tick-tock.  Time is running out and things are coming together!

• 20″ LCD Digital Television w/DVD built in on the side
• Mac Mini with external 250GB HDD and iSight camera
• Nintendo Wii
• Old Playstation for some games that I had around

It works great and makes absolutely no noise driving.  I love it.

We’ll certainly miss the Jayco Travel Trailer.  She has served us well and we have many fond memories while camping with her.  We have big plans for this new guy.  I have already completed many nifty upgrades on the interior.  I’ll create separate posts for each of them later.  As for our missions?  I’ll keep you updated on that also.