RV remodel – Live Laugh RV

Wow, I can’t believe our stay in Phoenix has already come to an end. The past two plus weeks have flown by. We even extended our stay at Lake Pleasant by a couple of days because we just weren’t ready to leave.As usual, the desert sunsets did not disappoint. Since our days were filled and thus we were kept pretty busy, it was always a treat to relax in the evening and enjoy the view over a drink.

So what kept us so busy? Well, the new couch lead to a few other projects; some necessary and some just for fun. The just for fun projects started with removing the wallpaper border which I found outdated, unnecessary, and simply didn’t like.

Although tedious, it was a fairly simple job that required a little muscle to pull and peel off the wallpaper border. Any left behind adhesive was easily removed with soap and water.

Next up was installing a tile backsplash around the stove. I didn’t feel I had a lot of options as I don’t believe in using ‘real’ tile in a RV. After a bunch of research I went with the “Smart Tiles”. Basically they are a resin/plastic based peel and stick product that is flexible.

I know a lot of RV’s out there have beautiful ceramic tile installed and it looks great. However, the home builder in me emerges and I just can’t help but feel it’s just a matter of time before cracks develop in real tile and grout. A ridged, breakable product installed in a moving object just doesn’t seem to compute in my mind.

I recall a fellow RV’er once saying, “We live in a rolling earthquake”, and boy was she right.

Next up, we had some necessary maintenance done which we enlisted the help of professionals. We took the RV over to Little Dealer Little Prices and had the wheel bearings repacked. This is something that should be done about every 10,000 to 12,000 miles or every one to two years and we were definitely pushing it. So I’d say we were a little overdue.

There’s a lot of maintenance Al and I do ourselves, but repacking the wheel bearings is a messy job that we felt best left to the professionals that have the facility and equipment to tackle the job properly.

And while the RV was in the shop, we had the waste tank release mechanisms reworked. Our release levers worked on a cable system, which I think is the most ridiculous asinine method ever developed. It sure is a crappy situation when one of those cables decides to break 😉 The new levers are fantastic and offer piece of mind.

Once out of the shop, Al and I went to work on some other household maintenance. Al cleaned out the ‘basement’ and reorganized. Any items we felt we wouldn’t need over the next few months would be stored over at our son’s home. Let’s lighten the load! While Al (at least part of him) was in the basement, I was on the roof with the caulking gun touching up. After all, our journey would be taking us from the dry arid desert to the moist Gulf coast.

Our time in Phoenix, Arizona, wasn’t all work. We managed to incorporate plenty of visits with our son and several get together’s with fellow RVer’s.

And did I already mention the fabulous sunsets? I could get used to these views.

Saturday we enjoyed dinner with our son and hugged him and my little red truck goodbye for a few months. My Tacoma is safely parked in our son’s garage while we head off to the Texas Gulf Coast.

The Texas journey begins ……

Mosaik Self Adhesive Wall Tile in Murano Dune (Set of 6)

Dicor EPDM Rubber Roof Lap Sealant, 10.3 oz, White 501LSW-1

As I choked back the tears, I gave daughter one last hug goodbye before climbing into the truck. We not only bid farewell to our daughter but also said goodbye to our beloved Colorado for the year. It was a great summer filled with plenty of discoveries and new-found friendships. We already look forward to next summer.

Alas with frost nipping at our heels, we set off on our 1,125 mile journey to Lake Mead, Nevada. We were on a mission …. a mission that entails redecorating the RV. We’ve now been living full-time in the RV a little over a year and although I don’t miss living in a sticks n bricks house, I do miss certain niceties. One of which is our beautiful leather couch and loveseat. I really miss that couch and loveseat. Before the movers showed up to haul them off to the storage unit, hubby and I even contemplated swapping out the RV couch for our leather loveseat. It unfortunately just wasn’t going to work. So we hit the road as is over a year ago.

free camping in Las Vegas Nevada — sun setting over the Lake Mead desert

But the RV couch has remained a source of discontent for both Al and me. I hate the chenille fabric and really miss the leather. I’ve continued to shop online off and on for a new RV couch ever since hitting the road full-time and a tentative plan to head to Elkhart, Indiana, in the summer of 2015 was being discussed.

remodeling RV — This is the couch the RV came with. I do like the storage drawer so storage is an issue with anything new I pick.

Allow me to digress and backtrack a tad. Last March while camped in Phoenix, Arizona, we were joined by fellow bloggers, Linda and Mike. During one of many conversations with this engaging couple, the subject of RV remodeling came up. Linda and Mike were making plans to head up to Oregon to have solar panels installed as well as possibly replacing the loveseat with a desk….. “Say what? Whatever shall you do with that soft, supple, butter cream, leather sofa? I call dibs!”

We spent more time hanging out with Linda and Mike as our paths continued to crisscross during the months of April, May, and June. Each time I stepped into Linda’s RV, I continued to longingly eye that loveseat but contained myself from saying, “When can I have the loveseat huh, huh, huh?” At that point they still hadn’t decided if they were going to go forward with the remodel.

Fast track to September – just when I was convinced my loveseat shopping would need to resume and that trip to Indiana was inevitable, I received an email from Linda asking if we were still interested in the loveseat? “Dah, YEAH!” A price was quickly agreed upon and then talks ensued for the logistics to be worked out.

We were in Denver, Colorado, and they were in Eugene, Oregon. We were separated by approximately 1,300 miles but our winter plans had us traveling in opposite directions. Where ever shall we meet? Lake Mead, Nevada, it is!

You can read about Linda and Mike’s remodel here. It turned out great.

RV furniture — Our new couch as it sits in the center of Linda and Mikes RV. For traveling, they had to strap it upside down to the other couch. They traveled like this for over 1,000 miles so their friends could enjoy this loveseat. I did call first dibs after all 😉 In all seriousness, we very much appreciated the above and beyond effort because they did have an opportunity to sell it in Oregon. Friends indeed!

So now you know why we needed to go to Lake Mead….. to pick up our new loveseat. Let the remodeling commence. Come on, you didn’t think I would stop with a new couch. Nope, now there are chairs to reupholster…… and of course a few other things here and there, but all in due time and I’ll share it all in a future post once our DIY projects are complete.

camping in Las Vegas — boondocking at Government Wash at Lake Mead, Nevada

free camping at Lake Mead — not a bad place to call home for a few days. Boondocking with friends at Lake Mead.

With the heavy lifting complete, what do two couples do boondocking in the desert in 100 degree heat with no air conditioning? But of course, sit in the shade, drink, eat, and solve all the problems of the world. After four days of desert dwelling and plenty of debauchery, it was in everyone’s best interest we bid farewell before we all needed to check into a detox center, but we do have plans to meet up again down the road. Perhaps more desert dwelling is needed.

Eating well. We start the day off with a hearty ‘breakfast skilletini’… red potatoes and veggies with eggs on top with a side of bacon. Note – no bread involved…. Paleo eating all the way!

Paleo muffins — Or how about starting the day off with fresh-baked banana muffins and zucchini bread? Paleo of course! I love my little RV oven.

free camping near Las Vegas Nevada — All alone boondocked at Government Wash at Lake Mead 😦 Time for us to move on as well.

Al and I are now comfortably parked in familiar stomping grounds back at Lake Pleasant located northwest of Phoenix, Arizona, and not far from our son’s home. Our stop here will be short. We’ll get in plenty of visits with the son, take care of our DIY projects, and some RV repairs, then hit the road around the 24th. Until then, I’m thoroughly enjoying the desert sunsets….. they’re the best!