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Author: Wolfgang
Travel-Journal June 2004
Travel-Journal
June 2004
Now, - are you ready for this? It’s June – and I have to reveal the “REAL” reason why we were still in Florida at this time of the year, - when hummingbirds are already way up north breeding, lol. Sure, - as you all know - we got to Central-Florida very late in the season, when most of our friends were already getting ready to have their bye-bye parties. And you also know that we had some work cut out for us cleaning up the approaching jungle, - which took some time doing. In addition you found out that because we had some trouble on our way down with the old MCI, I was actually contemplating making a change. Well, - you know how that went…..we endeared ourselves again to the old bugger - as we have done so many times in the past.
But since we came so close to purchasing a newer, larger coach, - the thought of indeed getting one never left my mind. So we first scoured the Internet for private sales…
….went to a few manufacturers (converters) and some dealers in and around Central Florida to look for off-season bargains .....to replace the one we just lost out on…
And what can I tell you – in the end we found not only a replacement for the one we lost out on, - but indeed found a far better and nicer one. What did we find? We found this gorgeous 1998, 45 foot, “Liberty Classic Prevost” at a factory subsidiary “Liberty Coach of Florida Inc.” in Stuart, - about 100 or so Miles south from Titusville on HWY 95. (www.libertycoach.com/) ATTENTION: If you click on this link - make sure you DOUBLE click the BACK bottom quickly to get back to this page.
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…here are my two beauties (both with bras on) during our trip up North in front of a friend’s house in Raleigh, North Carolina
She is just something out of this world – originally built as a Show Model with all the bells and whistles. We both liked her so much, that we instantly became serious about making a good deal .
To make a long story short, - we spent two weeks intensely researching all products in this high-line market ....and being armed with this knowledge provided us with confident to make serious offers. In the end.... after some ‘hum and ho’ - we finally convinced the people in Stuart to accept our offer. But all this had taken such a long while ....that by now we were literally running out of time. Remember, - we had to be back in BC by June 11th - the deadline for being legally absent (six months) each year. We did spend the last few days inside their shop in Stuart – while staying inside the coach with Blackie overnight – to get all the things fixed which we found to be in need of attention. That left little time for someone like Gary to teach us how to operate such a complex piece of machinery. I’m not kidding here, - but just imagine.... a new Prevost Coach Shell costs about $400,000…..but a new conversion like this one is sold for about $1,400,000.00. So - one Million Dollars for what? Well, - you find out when you get one. The space-shuttle is probably next in line when it comes to complexity and/or sophistication, lol. (see Specs at http://www.libertycoach.com/collection/classic/equipment02.asp )
Anyway….with only rudimentary knowledge about this new dream-machine we said our good-byes to the good folks at “Liberty Coach of Florida Inc.” ( http://www.libertycoach.com/whatsnew/florida.asp )
Dagmar with Gary, our “Liberty Sales Specialist"
….and here with Julie and Pete (the Business Manager)….and me setting up shop inside the lobby during those days, lol
…and drove our first miles alone down the HWY 95 (without any further guidance from Gary) to our TGO lot in Titusville to move our stuff over from the old into the new.
…the new in front of the old in our TGO lot
But by the time we got to TGO we were too tired to do anything ….and so went straight to our favorite “watering hole” to relax, reflect - and celebrate.
We decided in advance to leave the old one parked at our place in TGO and make up our minds what to do with her once we get back next season. The thought right now is to drive her down to a friend’s place in Belize and park her there – then occasionally fly down to this nice country to make discovery tours with the old bugger in and around Central America. But this is only a thought right now (hey, - anyone out there wanting a real deal on a classic MCI beauty?)…..
Hurray...we made it back to BC!!!
What can I say; - we arrived even a day before our deadline (June 11th) in late afternoon at the “TTN Resort” (OUR “real-estate on-the-road”) in Birch Bay, Washington, - very close to the border. What a journey that was.... Just a few days before we were in the hot South East, - now we find ourselves in the cold Pacific North West. What a difference in climate…..
But let’s go back…… When we left Florida that Saturday afternoon - having moved everything out of the old and into the new (which took nearly all day) – we got around mid-night as far as the South Carolina border. After a few hours of sleep at a rest-stop, we took off early morning to head for Raleigh NC to meet with friends. At Ken’s place, - with his wife Mary-Anna, ten-year old son Alexander “THE GREAT” and Sandy the dog, we had a marvelous time until about midnight. And Monday morning - after saying our good-byes ….
….here’s the bunch of us in front of Ken’s beautiful home (Alexander was still asleep)
….we barreled down the Interstate Highways utilizing our newly acquired GPS (Global Positioning System) to the max.....which worked flawlessly again. Dagmar - as co-pilot - really grasped the 'mode of operandi' of that unit....and in no time felt very confident in its usage. Having been fortified with a splendid southern breakfast from our hosts in Raleigh , NC we were able to zick-zack our way over and through the Appalachian Mountains ....and did get as far as Indianapolis. There we parked for the night at another rest-stop and on got as far as the Dakotas. And on Wednesday we covered over 1,000 miles traveling mostly at a very high rate of speed (over 100mph) through North Dakota and Montana (without once being clocked by police thanks to the on-board radar sensor). Now this we followed by another 1,000 miles the following day, - when we actually managed to drive all the way to the TTN Resort close at the border near Blaine, WA. Talk about barreling down the highways.....
However, - I have to say, - that the coach drives so smoothly - and so effortlessly, that sitting behind the wheel in that luscious IRSI leather seat in what is referred to as "THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE" (a PREVOST Coach made in Quebec - no less) cannot be compared with anything else in this world. Talk about a safe and sound feeling driving the beautiful High- and Byways of this splendid continent....
So early morning (June 11th) we went across the border without bothering with US customs, - since when we got there - were told to come back Monday. Why? Nobody was at work able to deal with us (re: permanent exportation of a US vehicle) ....because of Ronald Reagan's funeral. But as mentioned so many times before, - we had to be back in Canada that same day. So - we went straight to Canada Customs.... and got through without a glitch. Those border guards were very helpful and polite and our (well prepared) paper work was dealt with flawlessly. We paid the GST (Goods & Services Tax) on the American price converted into Canadian Dollars ....and in the following days expect to receive a kit from The Registrar of Imported Vehicles (Transport Canada) to proceed with our vehicle Registration and Insurance in BC. We let you know how that plays out.
Right now we’re staying at the very beautiful "TTN Cultus Lake" Preserve on the mainland near Chilliwack until…
Our new RV in the shade under huge trees….
....we're registered and insured. Then we shall turn south again. The reason we are still on the mainland (and not at home on Vancouver Island) is that on July 9th, 10th and 11th we’ve booked a “BusNut” Convention in Salem, OR. That way we can save the ferry trips back and forth.... This particular gathering will be a very interesting and educational experience for us….. like picking the brains of real BusNuts, lol. Right after the convention we drive home to Victoria.
BTW, - when we got to "Cultus Lake", I got stuck in the muck. It was raining all weekend and the ground became soaked. So I decided to drive the bus a little forward to be on higher/harder ground. That failed. The wheels begun to spin and I dug myself some nice deep holes. Management had to pull me out the next day with one of their trucks. Those guys on the truck were former logging riggers - and they sure knew how to pull me out expertly – using a big tree and their truck for leverage. So now I know that this unit is - V E R Y - heavy indeed....(48.000+ pounds).
..stuck in the muck on arrival day
Here are some pictures from the inside of this stunning “Liberty Lady”. They actually do not do justice (my old camera either does focus poorly – or me stupid)….
A view from the LR toward the rear…. The LR with cockpit (the co-pilot seat can be turned around)
..the cockpit area a view from kitchen area toward the rear, the toilet on the right, with shower in the middle
and vanities on each side
Kitchen area with opened 110Volt control panel…. View of the BR with TV in corner and a “Carrousel - Wardrobe” behind the rear mirrors
…Blackie trying to hide behind some throw-pillows on the Queen sized bed ….
(click here for Virtual Tour: http://www.libertycoach.com/collection/virtualtours/classic500/a-cor.asp )
So my friends…now you know the reason why we stayed down south so long. What should have taken us at least four weeks of traveling time - driving from the far south east ....to the far north west (outside Alaska) of the Continental United States - we actually done it in FOUR DAYS straight. Not much to report on sightseeing (this time around) .....or looking for watering holes (too bad), lol.
In retrospect – those four days seem like a blur to us right now. But we did accomplish our "Maiden Voyage" with time to spare....and without any mechanical problems. Now we only hope - things like the Registration, - Insurance, - DOT inspection, - the missed US Vehicle Export paperwork, etc. - will also not cause any trouble or concerns……..
Ahhh, - but there is one more dreadful thing - besides the already paid GST and Excise Taxes .....we have of course to dole out for the PST (Provincial Sales Tax) in order to get our BC License Plate. (Boy – those darn Taxes alone would have bought a nice RV, lol)
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More later…..
Today is CANADA DAY….and we find ourselves again in the United States….but this time with BC instead of (temporary) Florida License plates. More about that later….
We are presently staying at the magnificent “TTN LaConner” Preserve in LaConner, WA right at the water’s edge at Skagit Bay with a beautiful view of the picturesque bridge at “Deception Pass” on Whidbey Island. For the weekend the Resort has prepared for a big 4th of July (Independence Day) celebration with a lot of activities during the day and entertainment in the evening. On Saturday evening members at “TTN LaConner” will celebrate “Canada Day” and Independence Day together and the Smith Bros. Band will have us dancing all night long in the “Family Center”. We’ll also have a huge fireworks display right on the beach at midnight. We’re looking forward to this weekend of festivities….
The last two weeks in Canada have been trying ones. We had to bring the coach back into the US in order to get the official stamp of approval (inspection) for exporting that vehicle. There is so much to this vehicle Export/Import business and dealing with Government Agencies is not always a pleasant experience - as we all know. But now everything is behind us and we’re looking forward to having a great time enjoying our new coach in the months ahead.
From here we’re heading for that “BusnUSA” (www.busnusa.com) convention in Salem, OR and following that event, head home to our friends in Victoria.
We shall report again from there….
PS.
TRAVEL ADVISORY:
Don’t cross the border into the US with any plants, fruits or vegetables - or God forbid - meat products. They are so scared of the “Mad Cow” disease that they even confiscated our cat food…because it was made in Canada with supposedly Canadian meat by-products.
I have this from a reliable source…they are morbidly scared because of this “European Health Commission” Directive…..
…and another thing, - here is a picture taken of people looking suspicious to those border guards (like those Mexicans and their poor dog). To witness this makes you pull in your tail too, lol….
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