A little bathroom remodeling project

Before

The bathroom in our new DRV 5th wheel came without a backsplash -- probably because the bathroom has a curved wall making the installation of a traditional Corian or tile backsplash impossible. 

Of course, I've been worried about the wood wall getting wet.

I recently learned about Smart Tiles from the Facebook group "Full-Time RVers". Smart Tiles are self-stick vinyl tiles that are made to look like ceramic tiles. Terry and I purchased some at Home Depot for $30. While Terry cooked the turkey on Thanksgiving, I installed the backsplash. It took me just over an hour. No more worries about our wood getting wet and moldy!

After

- Amanda in Beaumont, TX

Thanksgiving in an RV

Our first Thanksgiving in Betty was a huge success! We're camped at the Gulf Coast RV Park in Beaumont Texas. Terry prepared a feast of 11 dishes with no problems. He cooked the turkey in our convection microware/oven and the side dishes in the propane oven. It's handy to have double ovens during the holidays!

Getting ready to stuff the turkey.

Lord of the Rings and a fire in the fireplace.

The only thing missing was our families. While we missed everyone, we are thankful that we can travel around the USA to visit our far-flung children and grand children.

Our smallest turkey ever (only 10 pounds) -- ready to carve.

The table is set. Time to eat!

- Amanda in Beaumont, TX

Paper Towel Advice!

We brought our favorite paper towel holder from home and mounted it in Betty. It is made out of wood and it matches the cabinets. To change a roll of paper towels, we have to unscrew one of the wood ends, replace the roll and screw the wood end piece back on. This takes longer than just popping the roll off, but we don't do it often so it's OK.

The only problem we have is it sometimes unrolls while traveling. I thought it would be fun to ask the Facebook Group "Full-Time RVers" for advice. Two days ago I posted this: "Silly question: How do you keep your paper towels from unrolling while traveling?"

Surprisingly, 163 people offered advice!

Some of my favorites:

• Tie a ribbon, shoe string, whatever around it while driving.
• We put a rubber band around it.
• Turn your roll around wherre its from top instead of bottom same with TP doent unroll as eaisly
• Little piece of scotch tape .
• Cut the ends off of a two liter soda bottle. Slit down one side and wrap the plastic sleeve around paper towels. 
• Viva dies not roll...our RV experience.
• Stand up countertop holder....no problem.
• Chip clip
• Mine are on a roll just like that and never had that problem. Lucky me! But Dick just said that's cause I buy the cheap ones, and they are not soft. LOL!
• Squeeze the roll so that the cardboard cylinder inside is not round. We do that with tp also . Works great
• I tuck the a sheet in the end and it stops it from rolling
• Rubber bungee cord. 
• Get a cat. he'll roll that right up for you
• Put them in the cabinet 
• A Velcro strap - this Velcro sticks to itself and it is Great! 
• I use a soft hair scrunchie. slides over roll when traveling and slides over to use roll. color matches kitchen

 And my very favorite:

• super glue

Who knew so many people who be interested in paper towels?!
 
We are going to try the 'tie a ribbon around it' solution. 

  
 - Amanda in Livingston, LA (Just outside New Orleans)
  

The Real Florida

I've traveled to Florida for vacations my entire life. The beaches, Miami, Walt Disney World, the Everglades, various cruise departure cities, etc. But, I never saw the "real Florida" until now.

We stayed in the Swanee River State Park in the Florida panhandle. I loved the wild things we saw growing during our short walk around the park.

    This looks surreal to me.

- Amanda posting from Livingston, LA.

All the little girls....

... want to come with us. As we drive around the country visiting our family, we've started to notice a trend. Every one of our grand daughters and great nieces (who are old enough to talk) has very seriously asked to come with us when we leave their town. The girls are 3 to 10 years old.

At first, I just thought it was just a sweet granddaughter who was reluctant to say Good Bye to us. But, it's happened 6 times now. So, there is more to it. We have several theories:

• They see our fifth wheel as a real-life play house
• They want to experience the joy of an adventure on the open road
• They like the idea of a permanent vacation with no school

When we asked the girls why they want to go with us, we get a response along the lines of "Because! Please, please, please can I go?"  One granddaughter burst into tears when her Mother said 'No'.

The boys haven't asked to go. I wonder why?

What do you think?

- Amanda at Suwannee River State Park in northern Florida

How do you move your chairs?

After we told ten-year-old Jade that the sides of our RV move in and out, she asked us how we move our chairs. I explained that the chairs move with the side of the RV, but I'm not sure she understood. So, I made a video!

An RV "slide" is a small room with 3 walls. The entire "slide" (floor, ceiling and three walls) moves in and out with the push of a button (and some pretty powerful hydraulics). It is kind of amazing.

This is Betty with her "door-side slide" in. As you can see, the kitchen table is right up against the center island. Behind the table are our two recliners (e.g. the chairs Jade asked about).

This is Betty with the same slide half-way out. Notice that the wall, and the two recliners, are in front of the couch.

Here is my video of the slide moving out. It's a bit shaky because I was holding my phone with one hand and the slide button with the other.

- Amanda in beautiful Savannah, GA