WELL GUESS WHAT WE BOUGHT THIS MORNING:))))

Sitting in our recliners earlier this morning shakily waking up from another Senior night's sleep I foggily heard Kelly say, 'Oh here's one'.  Her RV alert site had just popped up a 2002 20' Class B Dodge wide body Leisure Travel Freedom A2 camper van.  Top of the line model for that year we think.  Checking where this van was located we were pleased to see it was just a pleasantly moderate country drive away if we wanted to go look at it.  From recent experience looking for Class B vans we knew if we wanted to see it we had to react swiftly before it was sold.  Those older Class B vans are selling like hot cakes these days and are hard to come by.  Emailed and phoned the folks with the van and minutes later we were on the road heading for Palmerston Ontario about 60 miles northeast of Bayfield.  We made it in just about the nick of time.  Even while we were there looking at it calls were coming in to the seller's cell phone regarding the van's sale.

HERE GOES THE BUNCH TO HAVE A LOOK AT AN RV THIS MORNING

IT WAS A NICE RELAXING COUNTRY DRIVE TO PALMERSTON AND BACK TODAY

THAT'S THE IN-ROOF A/C UNIT ON THE TOP

WE WERE REALLY SURPRISED AT THE AMOUNT OF STORAGE SPACE IN THIS VAN

A nice older couple about our age were the second owners of the van and had had it for seven years.  With a few medical problems of their own they had reluctantly decided to finally hang up the keys.  Nice people and we felt comfortable in what they were telling us about the van.  We felt it was just the right rig for our new type of hopeful travels and with the owner were able to come to an amicable agreement on price.  The van comes saftied and we'll probably pick it up sometime later next week..............in between medical appointments.

THAT'S A COMFORTABLE POWER COUCH AND BED

KITCHEN ON THE RIGHT AND WASHROOM ON THE LEFT

COMFORTABLE AND CUSHY FLEXSTEEL LEATHER FRONT SEATS

The inside was a bit dated of course but looked pretty good with the cab area looking like it had just come out of the factory.  The outside finish was faded and showing it's years with some flaking paint and cracking decals but I think a good bunch of elbow grease, rubbing compound, a few dabs of paint, and a couple coats of McGuire's wax will do wonders for the finish.  I am looking forward to hauling out all my cleaning gear again and getting right at the clean-up soon as we get it home.  This van has an Onan generator and a brand spanking new awning.  No dents or bangs and Carfax Canada says it has a clear history showing no accidents.  Van was bought new in Forida by the original owners and has been undercoated and never winter driven.

BACK UP CAMERA, GENERATOR DIAL, AND AN AIR SUSPENSION GAUGE, ETC.

ONBOARD SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT PANEL

The smaller interior will no doubt present a few challenges for us and especially after stepping down from a 37' Motorhome.  We are up for those challenges and will make them work.  Yes we have tried downsizing before and it didn't turn out well for us at that time.  This is now, not then, and it's definitely a different ball game for us from our traveling habits, needs, and wants years ago.  Stick with us folks and see how we make out:))     

DVD PLAYER AND BLUE RAY TUNER

This Leisure Travel Van was built by the same Mennonitte people who built our 2003 Triple E Commander in Winkler Manitoba so we are well aware of the quality control that went into this vans build.  And we have in fact toured that Triple E plant in Winkler too.  And a big shout out to the Triple E Winkler couple who bought us breakfast at McDonalds while we were there:))

THE VAN'S OWNERS NICOLE AND BOB

I'M HOPING THE VAN'S NAME HOLDS TRUE FOR US

And buying this van earlier today finally gave me something of interest to write about for a change.  I said to Kelly on the way home, 'now all's we both have to do is live long enough to get a few good travel miles out of this rig and enjoy it':))))) 

WE HAD US A PRETTY SNOOZY LITTLE POOCH ON THE RIDE HOME

GROANER'S CORNER:(( Continuing the current trend of large-scale mergers and acquisitions, it was announced today at a press conference that Christmas and Hanukkah will merge.  An industry source said that the deal had been in the works about 1300 years.  While details were not available at press time, it is believed that the overhead cost of having twelve days of Christmas and eight days of Hanukkah was becoming prohibitive for both sides. By combining forces, we're told, the world will be able to enjoy consistently high-quality service during the Fifteen Days of Chrismukah, as the new holiday is being called.  Massive layoffs are expected, with lords a-leaping and maids a-milking being the hardest hit.  As part of the conditions of the agreement, the letters on the dreidel, currently in Hebrew, will be replaced by Latin, thus becoming unintelligible to a wider audience.  Also, instead of translating to "A great miracle happened there," the message on the dreidel will be the more generic: "Miraculous stuff happens." In exchange, it is believed that Jews will be allowed to use Santa Claus and his vast merchandising resources for buying and delivering their gifts.  One of the sticking points holding up the agreement for at least three hundred years was the question of whether Jewish children could leave milk and cookies for Santa even after having eaten meat for dinner.  A breakthrough came last year, when Oreos were finally declared to be Kosher.  All sides appeared happy about this.  Fortunately for all concerned, he said, Kwanzaa will help to maintain the competitive balance.  He then closed the press conference by leading all present in a rousing rendition of "Oy Vey, All Ye Faithful."
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