Sunday, December 28, 2014

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!
 

  
 
 

42 comments:

  1. Jodee, that sure is a beautiful rig! You two will be living quite nice in this home on wheels, congratulations.

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    1. Thank you Maura - it was feeling like home after an hour :-)

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  2. Sounds like a very big CONGRATULATIONS are in store for you and your new home. That certainly was a fast move. Most folks I know have started with "trainer" wheels and then the main. However, you seem to know exactly what you want. Now it's almost time to move into your new home on wheels.

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    1. We thought about starting with "less" and then as everything started moving into place so smoothly we were comfortable just "going for it". Indeed it is nearly here!

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  3. This is it! It's the one I googled before I knew you'd already posted about it. I was at the beach and didn't read the email until just a bit ago. It's gorgeous and it is clearly THE ONE! Hope you can take it out for week-ends before you hit the road for good. Like every week-end? LOL! Can you boondock with that enormous refrig?? SO FINE!! CONGRATULATIONS!!

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    1. Yep, you had it right!! Isn't that frig crazy? I'm thinking of using some of the space for linens :-) But it only pulls 6 amps when it's "running" so we're thinking we can boondock a few days with the genny. We're planning for solar before we launch in June and should be golden :-) Thank you, thank you, thank you!! We are so happy :-))))

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  4. I bet you two are flying on Cloud 9!
    Glad that you both feel comfortable in the drivers seat. Guess those boxes in storage won't need to be there too much longer since you can start putting them into the coach.
    Congratulations!

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    1. I thought the same thing about the boxes! We were laughing last night that we had time to load, reload, organize and reorganize a couple times before the official launch :-) Thanks Renee - you guys are next - there's room on the Cloud!!

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  5. Congratulations! Another step closer.....yehaw! You have a pretty rig there.:-)

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  6. Awesome! You're going to have so much fun personalizing it! Looks like a great floor plan...how exciting!

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    1. I'm really happy with the more neutral trim, making it easier to make it our own - you know I'm already "re-doing" it in my head :-))

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  7. Wow ! the rig is soooo nice ! Your going to have trouble sleeping now with soooo much to think about.
    BIG congratulations.....

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    1. Thanks Kelly! You're so right about that - we are both just buzzing with excitement :-)

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  8. Isn't it nice when those biggest of big puzzle pieces finally fall into place. We know & feel your excitement. And see......dreams can come true:))

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    1. Oh yes they can :-) Thanks Al, we are so very excited!

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  9. Found your blog through a link on the Bayfield Bunch! congrats on your new home on wheels...its a beauty!!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Sue, and thanks for the good wishes. It really is a great looking coach!

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  10. Wahoo!!! This is awesome news! Congratulations on your new home:) You just know when you have found the right rig. We looked for years and then when we getting close to ready for retirement, the perfect unit was there waiting for us. The puzzle is almost finished:)

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    1. Exactly - not just the model but the actual rig - it felt like home right away.

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    1. Thanks Randy - we can see them already, just around the corner :-)

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  12. Congratulations on your new home, isn't it great when all the pieces start falling into place.

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  13. Wow!!!! Beautiful rig--reading your blog I can feel your excitement!! Congratulations!

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  14. Looks great, congratulations and I know you guys will have a Happy New Year!

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    1. Thank you so much. We are looking forward to the new year even more now!!

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  15. More CONGRATS!! Love it! This was my favorite part. You'll love making it "yours" and thinking of how you'll store things and how you'll decorate! Tessa looks like she is saying, "Let's get this party started!" Great 2015 ahead!

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    1. Thank you Debbie. I definitely think this part will be so much fun, for all three of us :-))))

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  16. Came to you from the Bayfield Bunch. Congrats on your new home. You will enjoy your new life of everyday adventure. Looking forward to following your blog in the New Year. Have a great one!

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    1. Welcome Doug, and thanks for the good wishes :-)

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  17. How exciting! That is a beautiful motorhome and looks like a perfect floor plan. Great way to end the year!

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    1. 2014 is definitely going out with a bang! We think it's going to work great for us :-)

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  18. Stopping by via the Bayfield Bunch. Congrats on finding the right wheelestate. Looks to be a beauty. After some shakedowns you should be ready to roll in June. Hope to meet you somewhere down the road.

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    1. Thanks Gaelyn. How fun to see you here - I love your amazing photos and blog :-) We hope to get in some short runs in the next few months (wish we could make Borrego while everyone is there, maybe next time).

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  19. oh man Im drooling!! My husband and I dream of owning an RV someday so to read this post made me feel a little "hungry" for a road trip. Blessings on your journey, May the hand of God be upon you as you travel and start this new season of life. God bless you guys.

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    1. Thanks Cindie. We've been dreaming for awhile and it's still sinking in that it's coming true for us. Hope you're able to get on the road as well!

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  20. Just discovered your great blog. Congratulations on this big step. I think you've done all the hard stuff now!

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    1. Thank you so much Joanne. Glad to have you come along for the "ride"! It sure feels like the hard parts are out of the way with nothing left but patience - a different kind of hard :-)

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