Repairs have been long overdue, especially when traveling on the road full time. Emergencies are dealt with immediately, but those that can be put off until we are in a favorable location and when we have the time seem to accumulate.
House Repairs
We came back to an empty house in need of repairs.
In order to move back in we spent innumerable hours shopping for home goods to minimally outfit it.
We had a water leak in the kitchen about a year and a half ago requiring a new hot water line and flooring. Over time, the flooring discolored only over the repair, meaning the plumbers did not repair the vapor barrier. After 3 months of work and lots of arguments with the plumbers, we finally got it done right.
Seven of our sinks, faucets, showers and drains were leaking. Since we were the original owners, Kohler sent replacement parts for free. After numerous trips to Home Depot and watching youtube videos, we did replace most of them, leaving one project for when we return from our next excursion to Yellowstone and Colorado.
Some of our landscaping and irrigation were not looking their best. After numerous trips to the nursery and Home Depot, we were able to repair our fountain, fix sprinklers and replace several plants. Our three AC units needed to be cleaned. Another trip to Home Depot for a new shop vac did the trick.
Sandy’s tenacious desire to fertilize, plant, wack and prune did greatly improve the overall condition of the property. The newly planted verbena and butterfly bush and the existing blooming society garlic and crepe myrtle attracted the hummingbirds and butterflies.
We love watching the tiger swallowtail butterflies in the yard. Overall, they were suprisingly approachable for a photograph.
Even though there were hummingbirds in the yard from other plants blooming, we hung a hummingbird feeder bringing them a little closer to enjoy.
RV Repairs
We weren’t able to complete repairs from when we were in Nappanee or Tucson earlier this year. After 3 months of dealing with Holland RV in San Marcos, CA, we were finally able to get the recent list of repairs completed. They even washed the coach!
Ourselves
One of our biggest complaints regarding life on the road is the inconsistent availability of fresh food, good wine and exercise. At some locations we are near a Costco or a well stocked market, others, the best is a Dollar General. Some RV parks have miles of dog friendly trails to walk and some even have gyms with an assortment of exercise equipment. Most don’t. It’s been nice to be back in San Diego and go for daily long walks.
Ater an insane number of physician visits and procedures we are caught up until we return to San Diego later this year. Because of all the procedures we were essentially quarantined for months. We weren’t able to visit friends or do anything socially. Michael’s four COVID tests over a few months seemed excessive, but that’s what the hospitals required. Michael had colonoscopy, bilateral cataract surgeries, and a da Vinci laparoscopic umbilical hernia repair.
Sandy enjoyed her own room to setup her painting studio.
San Diego
Unfortunately, we did not have the time to explore as much as we would like. A few visits to Del Mar, Torrey Pines, Solana Beach and Black’s Beach were treats. Because of COVID, it seemed as if the beach crowds were more than usual.
Hopefully, after we return later this year, and most of our repairs are behind us, we will explore more of what San Diego has to offer.
