ann

Good rule!!! We all did survive BC (Before Cellphones), right? thx!

Ah, the treasures we miss when we forget that the destination is now - not somewhere in the future. "Pay attention" - words of wisdom - and our slow rolling Toy carriages allow us the time and space to do just that.

I do not have a tachometer - that sounds like a good idea. So far I've just been using "the force" to guide me . I am so encouraged by all of your thoughtful comments based upon your experiences. Nashville is definitely on my bucket list. I dove into the "how to keep your toyota pickup alive" doc last night. It is written in such a way that one does feel as though a friendly mechanic is right there with you. I already have gained more knowledge about what some of those weird looking things are under the hood and why they are there. And I like it And the advice the author gives on maintenance is excellent - if, as he reports, 80% of the roadside break downs are due to lack of attention to maintenance, then if all I do is pay attention to maintenance, I'm way ahead of the game. Much appreciation. I look forward to meandering slowly through the remainder of my life with Dolores, and Jed, of course, as long as his big old body will allow. Ann

teach a (wo)man to fish, and set her free. Thanks comrades, for sharing your advice, experience and the link to this fabulous book! What a great opportunity to, not only exercise my brain muscles, thereby hoping to stay cognitively in tact a while longer, but also exercise my freedom to go forth, more prepared to problem solve should murphy's law appear. Before today, when people asked "what are you going to do when you retire?", I had no idea I'd be responding with, "learn a few things about how things work under the hood ". Maybe a metaphor here? Ann

great, Great, and furthermore, GREAT! I haven't figured out yet how to respond to individual posts, if that is even possible, or that is bothering anyone? Enjoying the community here, and maybe it would be unkind, or rude to not include the group? I guess if anyone doesn't want to read or respond, they are free to make that choice- so, I LOVE the shift from living in the fast lane, to experiencing the sheer beauty of going slow, and deliberately finding ways to do so! The backroads - yes! only hesitation (sorry, fear again creeping in) is that fewer people/resources means more difficultly getting help if I get stuck. Maybe I should consider taking a class in general toyota repair? I am encouraged, again, by being assured that because Dolores is a Toyota, she may be healed from any injury. I always think that if one sets themselves up for getting in trouble by not being prepared, you kind of asked for it. I'd love to read the blog-book written by the Type A high speed driver - is there a link? I just retired, and so even more acutely aware of how fast life goes by, so Dolores is a true blessing in my life. I also have a 12 year old black Lab named Jed, who has always been my greatest teacher, and just knows what lesson is needed at any given time. He is now teaching, and demonstrating for me, the tao of slow. Why do we forget that the universe provides exactly what is needed at exactly the right time? Learning to trust that truth is something both Dolores and Jed model for me every moment. Fortuna is a lovely part of the world, and close to one of my favorite haunts, Ferndale, which I plan to hunker down in for a spell, soon. I love camping at the Fair Grounds there - I believe that's the only campground in the area, but as it is inexpensive and within walking distance to town, not to mention as sweet as can be with the sound of cattle lowing and the smells of farm and ocean wafting through the cosmos - well, I think I just talked myself into getting there sooner than later. And Hwy 1, albeit windy (and sometimes windy) -- how's that for a pair of homographic heteronyms will not be casually overlooked. Nashville - oh yes, another destination, as I have composed more songs over the last 20 years than you can shake a stick at (of course, I humbly profess that many are definitely hit material). Who knows, maybe there's a market for a making a star out of a grey haired deva (the deva part is a stretch), but I think that the world needs reminders that old age is a great time to be alive, with endless possibilities, hindered only by ones lack of imagination, or having succumbed to our cultures emphasis on the high desirability of youth, as defined as any age under 30? So, what's the best route to Nashville Fred? It's all good,, Ann

Thank you, kind, generous, and confidently experienced compatriots! Taking the time to write a thoughtful and very helpful response is so appreciated! I sensed there was more to my overpowering love for Dolores than just how darn cute she is! Through her I have discovered all of you. Proud to be a part of this "going slow movement". Anyway, the suggestions for routes to follow north to Seattle (avoid hwy 1) rekindle my memory of traveling that route more than a few times before. It is full of curves, for sure - maybe 101 better, with a jaunt now and then over to the coast. Not familiar with 15, but will check that out. Corbin, which route through Oregon are you referring to? and much appreciation for the apps recommendations, and repair shop in Seattle- so very cool- again, thanks! How smart and resourceful we are to tap into this wealth of experience! I've got some great tips on what to ask my mechanic to check out prior to disappearing with Dolores. I've already experienced the shake, rattle and roll that takes place while navigating various rough roads, and the understandable coming apart of things that have a few years on them. A good and frequent inspection of everything seems like good practice, too. I'm getting pretty exciting about venturing out, which is sometimes the best part of the journey. Ann

I love you guys/gals! Your comments are exactly what I needed. Donnie, thanks for the great advice on how to handle the transmission - Linda and Zach, your "experienced confidence" builds mine - Fear is our worst enemy, right? I will do everything within my control to ensure that Dolores (I named her after a line in Paul Simon's "Slip Sliding Away") is as ready as she will ever be before I venture out. Think I'll take one more short trip from Chico to Mendocino to see if Dolores behaves herself before I head up to Seattle via Hwy 1, and then.........slow is hugely under-rated. Now that I think of it, I recently was ruminating about how to make time slow down - I think Dolores is the answer. Ann

actually, it's an 1986. If that makes a difference?

Like many ideas I have, once I commit, I question "whatever was I thinking"?! Example: 1984 Toyota Escaper. I have some lofty trips in mind - Chico, Ca to Seattle - Chico to Mesa, AZ, Chico to Geneva, NY, etc, etc. But is it really a good idea to push my old Escaper like that? It has 87,000 miles on a 4 cyl 22RE engine with automatic transmission, good tires, new battery, radiator hoses, valve adjustment, all appliances and generator work, the bed is comfy, I figured about 14 mpg last time I checked, but is this more of a 200 mile triper, rather than 2000 mile triper? I'm sure that this is a difficult question to answer given that it's impossible for anyone out there to really know what condition it's in, but.......what do ya'all think? One concern - maybe my biggest, is that when I climb hills, it bogs way down - 10-20 mph - requiring that I put it in 2nd or low gear. Is this normal? Some of the posts that I have read on this forum indicate that some of you are flying up the hills? thanks! Ann

Studied the manual, took the couch apart, crawled all around underneath and am still unable to locate fresh water tank drain. There is a rubber tube that looks like it may be coming from water tank under rig but no valve to release water. I drained grey water tank just in case that have me a lead. Could it be possible that the 1986 model didn't have a draining mechanism and that I just need to open faucets and use water pump? Puzzled and frustrated. Thank you

Thank you kindly! You've given me some very helpful information. It will be fun learning about,and through my chariot! Ann

Hi - encouraging to hear about your voyage! i just bought an 1986 Escaper and, well, first of all, how do you drain the fresh water tank? also, does the couch open up to provide access to water tank? do you still have the kohler generator that came with the rig? how is it, if so? and, what about vinyl window covers? i have two bags of them and don't know where they do. thx much. any advice, tips, would be very appreciated. ann

And the beat goes on.....retired this week, bought an Escaper, and the old Lab and I are free at last! A couple of pressing items I'd love to have some guidance with are 1) how do I drain the fresh water tank? 2) is the couch suppose to open up to provide access to the fresh water tank?, 3) any tips/advice on the 2.5 Kohler generator that is original, and 4) why do I have 2 bags of vinyl window coverings, and where do they go/how to attach? I am so grateful to have found this website! Thank you!

I'd love to know how to drain the fresh H2O tank on the 1986 Escaper I just bought. All I see is a hose piece coming off of tank under rig. What does that do? Want to clean out tank b4 I venture out. Thank you. Ann