A Huge Piece of the Puzzle Moves In Place

Don't have the keys, and haven't signed the last of the last documents - but we bought our motorhome on Saturday! 

 

Although the Tiffin Allegro 33aa was still on the list, after our introduction to the Thor Tuscany 34ST in October we have really thought that was the rig we wanted. I've been "checking out" the photos of a 2014 at Giant RV here in SoCal for weeks, thinking it was near perfect for us. Didn't like the red stripe on the exterior and the couch looked uncomfortable with little option for changing it out. Everything else was great.

 

Like so much of our journey, this piece just sort of fell into place. The rep we met in October stayed in touch, and Bill got an email about a dealer "show" back at the Pomona Fairgrounds starting on the 26th. The timing was good and we made plans to head over there on the weekend "just to look". Uh huh.

 

I called the rep when we got there and found out he was in Quartzsite preparing for the big show next month. He gave me the name of another rep to find on site. We headed to the diesel pusher "section" and walked up to the first reps we saw. Yep, one of them was the guy (turns out he was a sales manager), and one of them was the factory rep. Score!

 

So we have "the" guy, and two units over is "the" rig. The one I've memorized online. It's the only 34ST. Naturally the "red" stripe is really a beautiful brown/wine color, and the tan is the exact color of the Jeep (I think the serial number is a code that spells our name). Bill and the sales manager head inside while the factory rep and I discuss some possible options for the couch. Good to know. 

 

But is anyone surprised to hear that the couch is really comfortable? Of course not. 

 

Tessa-Approved Comfort

 

From the darker leather upholstery to the larger bathroom and bedroom to the more efficient storage to the 360 HP engine.......everything we want. It's big though. Not big like the 45-footers next to it, but it's still intimidating. Yes, we want to take it for a drive. The weather is Chamber-of-Commerce perfect. 

 

Bill goes first as my passenger skills are much more in question than either of our driving skills. He handles it like a boss. On city streets, on the freeway, into a parking lot, all good. No shaking, no rattles, it glides on every surface. I only make a fool of myself once in the passenger seat. The reps were warned ahead of time. We all survive it.

 

When it's my turn I'm actually wondering if my feet are going to reach the peddles well enough to drive it safely, but the seat does everything but lie flat so I get situated comfortably before "engaging" the behemoth. I've driven a 29 ft Class A with a small toad. This 35 ft baby handles ten times better! Out the parking lot, down small streets (do have to remember those trees on the side), and then on a dead end street. No problem, just make a U-turn! Because the rig doesn't just turn tight, it pivots on a dime - so cool :-) 

 

Bill and I don't even have to discuss it. He says "Are we going to buy it?" I respond "Yes we are." We spend some time alone in the coach while the rep meets with the mysterious office people, and start to get pretty excited about what we're doing. Tessa has made herself at home , and she clearly approves. In about 20 minutes he returns. We have a deal. We have a motorhome!

 

Everything on our list

 

A couple more signatures and instructions in the office and we're back in the Jeep headed home. Never looked at another rig. After just five weeks to sell the house, I guess less than five hours to buy the rig is about right.  Again, we are VERY grateful for our good fortune!!! 

 

We made one stop for Juanita's burritos. My favorite burrito for the last 30+ years, and the perfect celebration for completing this very critical step in our plans. I try not to spill rice all over me when I occasionally start giggling. Geez, I am REALLY excited!

 

There are a couple storage places nearby that I'll look at in the next week, and find a good spot to keep the coach for the short time we're here. We take possession in a few weeks. As much as we want to "play with it", the longer they have it, the less we pay for storage it so there's no real rush.

 

Two big steps left - Bill retires and Richie graduates from high school.  Nothing to do but just wait for those to happen, so we're both feeling that the dream has become reality.  We can easily see ourselves on the road, can see fitting comfortably in our new home.  Bill is driving it in his sleep and setting up his music both inside and out.  I'm looking at a more colorful bedspread and searching for spots to boondock nearby. 

 

2015 is already looking very good!