I just don't feel like processing pictures today so the images from Moss Landing will just have to wait.
Somehow, when we arrived in Moss Landing we missed the very obvious entrance to the KOA. We went a little way past it and turned around, then we drove past it a second time.
(We were later told by Levonne that she and the manager watched us drive by.)
We stopped down the street from it, and I went into the Post Office to ask directions. Two nice ladies were getting their mail and walked out with me to point out the KOA which was all of a half block away.
They looked at the Alfa and asked: "Is that your Big White Thing?"
When I reboarded the Alfa I told Craig what they had called it and he decided that would be its new name.
"The Big White Thing"
I will probably still call it The Alfa.
Other bits:
We have ordered walkie-talkie head sets to use when getting in or out of our yard, or backing into park spots.
I called and requested an estimate from a stump grinding company to remove the stump which will widen the upper drive a bit.
I ordered a $10 toy Class A RV that I can play with to help me understand how to give better backing up directions.
We will do better next time!
Craig and Merikay at Avenue of the Giants, California
Haha Merikay - The big white thing! I can see a bumper sticker in this ;-) Or make a window decal! Mine got dubbed Ellie because a friend asked me if I bought a white elephant or what? So Ellie stuck. When will your next adventure out be? Glad this one went well.
ReplyDeleteThat is funny!! Big White Thing indeed. Sounds like you are still getting things done in your typical organized manner. Good for you. Have fun with that toy RV - good idea.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was an insurance claim adjuster we used little toy matchbook cars on occasion to help us determine how accidents occurred by the impact points. Barney, our rv driving instructor recommended the walkie talkies but we've never bought any.
ReplyDeleteTBWT...priceless!
ReplyDeleteThe Big White Thing....cute!! I like it!!
ReplyDeleteYou don't have audible on your back up camera?? We had the ability to talk to each other via the backup camera. Check for an audible button.
Walkie-talkie headsets? What a great idea. We do fine with hand signals while parking, etc., but when there are serious long grades, we sometimes drive separately, so that headset idea might be worth an investigation. Have fun in your Big White Thing!
ReplyDeleteThe Big White Thing..better than the Big Behemouth!!..love it!!
ReplyDeleteLove the name!
ReplyDeleteOn giving directions, here are a couple of helpful tips I keep in mind.
(1) The Big White Thing has EIGHT corners. Keep an eye on all of them.
(2) When backing into (or out of) a spot, the person giving directions should stand behind within view of side mirrors. If you can't see the mirrors, the driver can't see you. (And our rule is if Paul can't see me, he stops.)
(3) Figure out hand signals that work for the two of you, and use them clearly. I'd rather have park neighbors laugh at me for my big obvious hand signals than for backing our rig into a tree!
(4) We have walkie talkies but never use them. Hand signals work much better for us. (If we start talking we confuse each other!) When the rig is backing toward you, just point your arms in the direction you want the back end to move. That's the direction the driver needs to turn.
After you watch your rig move around a few times you'll get comfortable with knowing when it needs to start turning, etc.
The best advice we ever received was from the salesman who sold us our first MH: Whenever you get in a sticky situation (and you will), stop, both of you get out, and look around and figure it out. You just can't see everything that's going on from inside the rig.
Finally, our motto: Never Ever Be In A Hurry. Ever.
Happy practicing!
I love it, great name. "The Big White Thing"..................
ReplyDeleteWe went to camping world yesterday...there was a Big White Thing on their lot. Since we had never been inside one, we took a look -- NICE...very nice!
ReplyDeleteGreat name for your rig!
ReplyDeleteThe BIG White Thing - that is too funny. Love it. And I agree with Mary's suggestions on backing. That's who Jim and I do it also. Large hand signals and if I'm not sure about how it's going to fit, Jim gets out and takes a look with me. And the more you do it the better it gets - so get out there again as soon as you can.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I'll be patient for those pictures. How is The Big White Thing today? I love the way you're taking care of yourselves for the RVing lifestyle preparations!
ReplyDeleteLove the name and the idea of using a toy RV to help learn how to direct the backing up directions.
ReplyDeleteLove the new name of the blog. It's very positive and exciting!
ReplyDeleteWe have walkie talkies. I HATE them. Leonard wanted me to use them to assist in backing up. I could never understand what he was saying.
ReplyDeleteReminds me of when we had CB's in the truck. He understood the talk, I never did. Funny because he never seems to understand what I say to him.
We, too, find hand signals work for us.
I'm thinking it should be called the Big, Beautiful White Thing.
ReplyDeleteThose Alfas sure are nice.
Too Cute! BWT... lol!
ReplyDeleteJust always remember to be able to see the mirror on one side or the other and that way you know that Craig should be able to see you!
Some former friends once had a white cat and named it Herzog after Whitey Herzog of baseball fame.... just a thought.....
Have fun!
I hope I haven't told you this little story already...one day we were camping and just getting ready to take a nice long nap...about 1:00 in the afternoon. We heard a rig pull in (not real big) and the wife was trying to help him back in. It went on and on but it was cute.."a little this way honey...a little that way honey"...pull forward honey...come backward honey"....I told my husband they must be newlyweds...I would like to hear them in about five years!...lol...
ReplyDelete