KathyF

I can't tell you anything about Alaska, but I can tell you about ToyHomes and bears. My husband and I took ours to Yosemite earlier this month. The campground host told us they have almost daily bear visits, and vans and cars get broken into on a regular basis if food is left in them. They have NEVER had a bear break into an RV - it's like they haven't figured 'em out, somehow. The only recommendation is to leave all windows and vents closed when away from the RV and to not leave food out in plain sight (stash it in a cupboard or close the blinds). Alaska is on our list too, but we have other higher priorities. First will be a tour of the southwest and all the national parks down there. Have fun! Kathy

Wow, I've been bad about following this thread! Thanks, Noreen - I will definitely give you a call; I'll take all the advise, insight, wisdom, and stories I can get!!! I did get a ToyHome - a 1990 Itasca Spirit I've named Tinkerbell. We brought her home about 2 months ago. So far we've taken her on two weekend outings - first one to the Felton, CA Toy Rally hosted by Greg and his lovely wife, the second one to Yosemite. Both were great and both were with my husband. Between now and the end of the year is gonna be busy, but I look forward to getting out on my own for at least a one-nighter in January. We (and I separately) have more plans for next year.... it's very fun, and I doubt I'll be regretting my purchase. Kathy

Jonathan and I had a blast for the weekend! This was our first trip in Tinkerbell, and I can't think of a better way to launch our lives with her. We enjoyed the setting (redwoods, river), the company (lots of good people and dogs), wonderful food (and lots of it), wine (and lots of it!), and the help and advice. Special thanks to Greg and Katherine for arranging and hosting. The touches of the twinkle lights and table cloths were great - and it's nice to know we would have been warm with the heater had we needed it. The fire pit was great too (can't remember if that was Larry's or Greg's?). We learned A LOT about Tink!!!!!! Our water heater is now working; thank you, Gassy Guy Dave!. And we have weathered our first dumping of the tanks; thank you to Larry for the loan of your hose and to the whole committee for cheering us on, laughing with/at us, and documenting this momentous occasion. Betty, I appreciated the "womanly tips" - I'll definitely be making some of those window covers you showed me. Perhaps we can have a woman-only Rally sometime. I'll be adding my pictures to Dave's Picasa album as well. We're hooked and will definitely be regulars for this Rally. We're also thinking we'd like to start hosting a Rally up here in the North SF Bay area, maybe starting next year. What a great group; thanks for the memories. Kathy 1990 Itasca Spirit "Tinkerbell"

I just got my "new" 1990 Itasca Spirit last week. Her probable name is Tinkerbell. Gosh, there's a lot to learn! Our home is in Petaluma, CA; 45 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge in beautiful Sonoma County. Kathy

Looks like I'll be in good company once I finally find and buy my ToyHome! Thanks, ladies, for the inspiration. Kathy

Nice to see so many "gals" out here. I'm still looking - the ones I've been really interested in and wanted to buy have gotten sold faster than I could move. I'm practicing patience; not enjoying it much, but I know it's good for me. And I really want to make sure I don't settle and buy one just to buy one when it's not what I really want. For instance, I definitely want the rear bath and don't want the mauve or rose interior. I want a newer one - 1990 or newer, and I don't want a project. And I listen to my inner voice; if I'm thinking about one and I don't feel really excited about it, I move on. I'm looking all over the country, and would consider flying or shipping for the right one at the right price. Sigh. I know I'll find the right one eventually, but it's hard in the meantime. Kathy

Thanks for the encouragement, Liz. I'm planning to learn more mechanically than I know already, but also expect to be either having my husband do stuff and/or paying someone else to do some of the repairs. There's a shop in town that teaches basic auto mechanics, and I plan to take their class when I get my Toyhome. The big thing now is to find the right rig. I'm not a patient person by nature and I've been looking diligently for almost 2 months now, so I'm getting a big time lesson in that department. But I'm trying to stick to what I want and not settle. For example, I want 1990 or newer, the rear bath and I *DON'T*want the rose interior. I hope I can find my preferred but somewhat rare floor plan with the swivel chair and L shaped dinette on the passenger side along with a couch on the driver side, but could be content with the "usual" booth type dinette and couch if everything else feels really good. In the meantime, I'm subscribed to and have been reading just about every email on the toyota-campers Yahoo Group, and have definitely been in learning mode. Sometimes I'm amazed by what I know - sometimes it's more than the owners I've been talking to in my search! But so much more to learn, and I actually enjoy that. Anyway, thanks again for your encouragement. Kathy

Good luck with your decision! I'm still a wannabe myself, but I've read enough here and elsewhere (toyota-campers Yahoo Group is also a great resource) to feel comfortable that I can do this solo when I feel like it. Sounds like you have more knowledge than I do already, so I'd say GO FOR IT!!! when you feel like you've found the right one. Wondering what you did with the one you were looking at.....do tell. Where are you located? Kathy

Thanks, Estelle - that's very generous of you! I don't have a Toy yet, still looking, but once I find mine, I may just take you up on that offer. I live in Petaluma, so about 400 miles south of you. One of the things I'm most looking forward to is spending more time in the redwoods. I am still learning and don't yet know what is needed to offer you the same kind of hospitality, but you're always welcome here if you want to stop 45 minutes north of SF some time. I know we have the room for you to park, not sure about the rest. Kathy

Thanks for the input, I never would have thought of all that stuff! Unfortunately, the decision is out of my hands. Due to a miscommunication with the sellers, they sold to someone else. Kathy

Thanks, Shanda and Linda Kay. Nice to know I'm in good company. Unfortunately, due to moving slowly and miscommunication with the sellers, it looks like the Dolphin I thought I was buying will be "the one that got away." Sigh. Stay tuned - I hope I won't have to wait to long for the next perfect one (for me) to come along. Kathy

Just curious... I'm getting close to buying, but it would be mine primarily, with my husband sometimes using/working on/etc. it. I'm not "smart" mechanically but am smart in general so could learn at least some stuff. Am wondering if I'm biting off too much to chew, but I have this fantasy of taking off for a night or two or more by myself and going to the redwoods or the beach. Any others of the female persuasion doing that? How is it for you? Thanks, Kathy

Okay, I've been looking at a 1989 Dolphin, and am just about ready to commit. One owner (sadly, deceased) and less than 26,000 original miles. This thing was babied and the son/daughter-in-law have a folder with all records/receipts for every oil change and maintenance visit. It was not garaged, but the outside seems in darn good shape. There was apparently a small roof leak (stains on ceiling), and the roof was last sealed in 2007. I get the impression they would just regularly take the vehicle to an RV service center and basically said "look it over and do what needs to be done." It's stock - no awning, inverter, extra battery, fancy stereo, etc. Does $9,500 in San Francisco Bay Area sound reasonable (I at least imagine there is some geographic difference in pricing)? Thanks, Kathy

I apologize if this is addressed some place already out here, but I can't find it. Anybody have any recommendations for RV service places in the San Francisco Bay Area? Specifically: The Dolphin I'm looking at currently lives in Richmond (East Bay) and I'd like to get it checked out before paying all that money. I live in the North Bay (Petaluma) and would like to have someplace closer to home for the future. Thanks, Kathy

Thanks for the welcome and the input/advise. They are both deeply appreciated. I hope to go try driving the Dolpin tonight, and see how it feels and what my confidence is in getting comfortable with it. When I said I need to learn to drive again, I meant I imagine driving a Dolphin vs. driving a Prius will be really different. I have been driving for over 40 years (how is THAT possible?!?!?!), and have in my past driven a Dodge van and a VW bus around the country. I'm comfortable with smaller cars; what I need to learn is details such as how much of the road it takes up, what the turning radius is, where all the corners are, weight distribution, (as mentioned) what happens when it's windy or I'm passed by a big truck, etc. I'm glad to know there are so many friendly and knowledgeable folks out here - if I take the plunge, I have no doubt I'll be "seeing" a lot of you! Thanks, Kathy

Hi, I'm just entering the RV world and am excited and nervous. I want something small that I can easily head out in by myself (with my cat) for a night or two here and there. I'm used to driving smaller cars (have a Prius now), so will need to learn to drive again! From the reading I've done, here and elsewhere, the Toyota chassis 18-22' RV's seem good. I'm currently looking at an '89 Dolphin with 26K original miles. The original owner has all paperwork, and it looks like it's been well maintained mechanically and otherwise (there even appear to be records for every oil change!). Oh, it's the V6, automatic. I don't want to own a project, I want to own a functioning home away from home. I do know that a 20 year old RV will need some looking after and my husband will probably help with maintaining and fixing some things. I will certainly take it somewhere to get professional repairs/maintenance done when necessary - although I don't have an endless pile of money. Does this vehicle sound like a good fit for me, given my lack of experience with owning/driving large vehicles or RVs and my lack of interest in having an RV be a major project? Are parts generally available when things do break? Are there any things I should be particularly concerned about? Any tips or pointers? Are there other RV's I should be considering instead of the Dolphin? Thanks for any and all advice, Kathy