We did it!!
What a BIG day!!
The plans for today were settled at breakfast.
Firstly by a GPS because we figured Harriet really was a nice navigator and we would purchase her cousin.
So we headed to a Target and found a Tom Tom GPS and figured that has had good name in Aus, so that will do. I do need to mention here, that gee, the female species don't seem to understand. We were in the store to purchase a GPS BUT how come we come out with a skirt as well as spent some more time looking and trying on clothes?
Someone might be able to explain that to Earnie and Rick
Off we head to the RV following Harriett's instruction.
The seal on the Tom Tom was a bit tight so we decided to set it up when we had the RV.
We arrived ok and Frank had to fill out the paperwork, this gave us time to go over the motor home (RV yet to be named. )
We were given a DVD tour of "The Castle" (We found a name!) explaining the do's and don'ts.
Then we were given the keys to go over it inside and out.
A few little niggles that Earnie managed to find, such as the little locks on the small hatches required some attention and the electrical plug required straightening as well as a small section of the upholstery that needed to be fixed.
These things were attended to very quickly without a bother.
We were then given open house to obtain the interior fit out.(IE: access to the storeroom for the cutlery,
Gee that was fun!!
Karon was very polite and only took the indicated set. Rick chose to have a look around and see what was required.
The few "extras" will make our life a little easier.
We also obtained 4 sleeping kits which included 4 pillows, 4 sleeping bags, towels etc. As well as a bucket and broom extras that will come in handy.
Karon was a little surprised that Rick didn't get pulled up for ensuring that "The Castle" was fully equipped.
So we managed to get the paperwork done and here we are at last in front of "The Castle"
Well the best report is to come!!
We set up the NEW GPS that came with a choice of names, the one that jumped out was Mandy,
So we now have Mandy telling us where to go (Gee we won't get lost now will we!)
Time to return the car to the closest drop off point. It was ten minutes away.
Earnie is set up in the car with Harriet and Karon & Rick with Mandy.
Off we go!
Well we can laugh now but it was such an interesting journey.
Unbeknown to Rick and Karon, Mandy had a different address than Harriet.
So we set off following Mandy's instructions and Earnie being a good little fellow was right behind us in the car.
I am not sure if everyone knows, but, when you follow a GPS (Garmin Harriet) if you miss a turn or go the wrong way Harriet gets MOST upset and loudly tells you "Recalculating, Recalculating"
Well the ten minute journey ended up about 30 mins through horrendous traffic with the 29 foot Castle closely followed by the unhappy Harriet telling Earnie to change direction.
Over some really challenging traffic conditions and in amongst large semi trailers hauling towards the port of Long Beach.
Over a couple of huge bridges and at last we found a place to pull over.
We pulled over and were a little shell shocked from the interesting introduction to driving "the Castle" with a little lapdog car on our tail J
We then discovered that Mandy had taken us exactly to where she was programmed to take us (which was incorrect) and Harriet was taken off the dash and thrown into the back seat cause it was too much for Earnie he turned the radio on and simply followed.
As we say "It could only happen in America!"
So to get us back Karon & Rick grabbed Harriet (simply because we were used to directions and warnings.) Earnie decided he would just follow.
We made another 25 min trip back to the drop off place AND found it this time.
We parked The Castle at a servo about 250 metres from the drop off place and took the car and walked back to the Castle.
Reprogrammed (this time correctly ) Mandy and headed home.
Well you can imagine what Rick had to put up with because by this time it is around 3pm in the arvo and the Garlands had only had one cuppa at breaky and nothing to eat since then either.
We drove back home and then to a restaurant similar to a sizzlers but better selection and better quality food. This appeared to stall the complaints.
I must mention here, that it is interesting to note, that Karon is not ashamed to be called a senior if it saves money! When we were in Hollywood the bus around trip was $5 off for seniors so she claimed we were all seniors, and today it saved us $1 each for the meal so she again flashed her seniors card. Must be the inbuilt Garland blood!!
From there we went into a K Mart to obtain some more essential items for The castle and off to the food market to obtain food items.
These were put into the various storage places including the fridge, then home to the hotel
Well great! a 29ft Castle into a hotel car park J
No problems!! Aussies can do anything!
We drove it a park along near the main traffic flow and parallel parked it. Called into the office to explain we had just bought it and we were checking out the next day.
Not a problem and we had parked it exactly where they wanted.
Up to the rooms with some food etc ,to have that cuppa. Nope there wasn't a tea available at lunch/dinner (but there was coffee so Rick was happy)
Earnie went into his room and then came out to Rick and Karon's and let his door go and realized he had left the key inside. Off he had to go to obtain another. (Do you reckon we might be getting tired by this stage it is only 8pm J)
Anyway that completes this days "Adventure in America" (an Aussies view point!)
I will get a couple of the Castle Pics up tonight, and catch up with the rest tomorrow.
We are moving into an RV park about 1 Km away, (that is also another story with a smile)
So it is pack up from the room and pack The Castle, and move into the RV lifestyle as from tomorrow.
We have one more day at Disneyland and followed by Universal studios.
Then it is "hit the Road Jack" or is that Harriet or The Castle or Mandy or or---- GEE I am confused but I guess you guys will be able to sort out what I mean.
Love to all
