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The San Marcos, Texas Shakedown Cruise
of the Ork Express
January 15-17, 2000

INTRODUCTION:

Blend beautiful weather with very little traffic and a motorhome primed for the highway and you have the ingredients for a great weekend. And we did.......have a great weekend in San Marcos, Texas. This was our first trip in our recently acquired 1995 Allegro motorhome made by Tiffin Motorhomes! After taking delivery on the day after Thanksgiving and being sick until after New Years, we were ready to finally experience the RV lifestyle. Actually, we were more than ready..... we could hardly wait!!! We had read, asked questions, added to our inventory of tools and equipment, made all kinds of checklists and had the motor home checked and rechecked by service dealers.

BRINGING THE MOTORHOME HOME FOR THE FIRST TIME

I had been very fortunate! A friend of 35 years, who had been into the RV lifestyle almost that long, flew to Alabama with me where I bought the motor home from Bankston Motorhomes in Huntsville and helped me bring it back to Texas.

A Happy NEW owner of a preowned Allegro Motorhome (left) shaking hands with the man who made it happen, Robert McAbee, Sales Rep. For Bankston Motorhomes.

Terry and I had decided on a pre-owned motorhome to see if we truly liked the RV lifestyle like we thought we would. I don't know if we can stand it if it gets better than our first trip.

During the trip home, we talked about supplies and items needed in addition to safety issues and needed daily inspections while traveling. My education into the RV Lifestyle began quickly.

A great friend and RV Mentor, Forest Turbeville, as he helps me bring the Ork Express home. He is also holding class!

STEPS INSURING A REWARDING FIRST VENTURE

A lot of factors are responsible for our feeling this way:

We bought from a dealer with an outstanding record for customer service and satisfaction.

We had the word and recommendation of a close and respected friend as to the reputation and reliability of that dealer.

We had occasion to personally test that dealer's customer service philosophy.

We knew the history of the coach and had talked with the previous owner whose name was freely given by the dealer's representative.

We had read and read and read about taking a RV on the road.

We had obtained all the recommended supplies and more.

We had the coach inspected several times for various and sundry reasons, like getting it inspected and titled in Texas.

Each report of the service people elevated our feeling about the coach! "It passed with flying colors" was invariably the comment.

But the important thing was, now we knew, assumptions and beliefs had been verified! It was more than just a feeling. Bankston Motorhomes had provided us with a coach in excellent condition!!

We are new to the RV Lifestyle and we have a great deal to learn, but I am convinced of two important points. Anyone can trust Tiffin and Bankston about motorhomes. When the maker and dealer are known for reliability and service after the sale, the happiness factor certainly increases.

Now we needed to do our part. And the "part" for people totally new to the RV lifestyle is considerable.

CHOOSING OUR FIRST DESTINATION

Coincidentally, we had missed being bitten by the Y2K bug, but the Flu/Cold/Sinus Bug's aim was deadly and the varmint decided to stay for weeks. So when we finally chased him away, we were "straining at the bit" to get on the road in our new home on wheels!

We decided on a destination far enough away to really test us and the motor home and yet close enough that it would not be a chore getting back home if we needed to. So we decided on San Marcos, Texas, about 170 miles from home. The added benefit is San Marcos is a very scenic small town on the edge of the Hill Country and close to numerous other attractive towns, shops and attractions.

From the pix below, is it obvious we are having fun? We met some friends (who live in Austin, Texas) in another beautiful little Texas town.

		Having Lunch with best friends in Wimberly, Texas at the Cypress Creek Grille

We are seniors and found ourselves strolling the campus grounds just for the heck of it! It was another moment to add to our memories.
Terry and Rocket at Southwest Texas State University

	Terry and Rocket adding to my day!!!
Any day with Terry is wonderful, but Rocket surprised both of us. He is a 7 month old long hair mini dachshund and there is ample justification for his name. WE had intended to name him TJ for our initials, but after watching him for 3 days, I called Terry and suggested we call him Rocket, because he flew around the house like he had a rocket in his __________ (you supply the word of your choice here)! Rocket was a real pleasure on the trip!
These ducks may have less stress, but I am not convinced!!!
The pix above is symbolic of our entire weekend! No weekend of crises, disasters, worries! Not one thing could have been better. All systems performed in an outstanding fashion! And......... the trip home was a special time to savor also. OH...... THE NAME OF OUR MOTOR HOME Terry's mom says we care for one another so much we are not like any couple she has ever known. She is convinced we are, in her words, "from another planet"! She has even given us a pillow/cushion that has "Just visiting this Planet" on it! She says we are from Ork! Hence the name The Ork Express! We can hardly wait to take the Ork Express out the next time!!! Additional Pixs

	Left: We found it! Right: Camped, all systems are working.
So we leave you with this thought: I really like the RV lifestyle, but I have somehow got to learn how to relax! Rocket loves T.V. too.

Incidentally if you have a sound card and you are not from Texas, that is "Deep In The Heart Of Texas" playing in the background

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Page Created: 01.24.01
Revised: 05.02.01