Steering wheel table

It may be shocking to learn that our coach has a steering wheel. Which is kinda useful when driving… but not so much when parked at a campsite:

Steering wheel

A fun idea that we saw in an RV we looked at is to have a table on top of the steering wheel when parked. Which has two benefits: (a) it looks nicer, and (2) it prevents our cat from stepping on the air horn!

So we purchased a nice one from Wood Design RV Interiors.

The table has sides to enclose the wheel, and pins underneath to accommodate the angle of the steering wheel (when it is tilted almost flat):

Table underside

Here it is in place:

Steering wheel table

It’s a good place for our potted plants:

Steering wheel table with plants

How fahncy.

Disney day 4: Disney California Adventure

Our second (and last, for now) visit to Disney California Adventure.

Starting with a photo op:

Jenn and David

Jenn and David

Jenn and David

Jenn and David

We grazed on some food in the lunar new year area throughout the day:

Food

Beverage

Pacific Wharf:

Pacific Wharf

Goofy:

Goofy

Pacific Wharf

Parade:

Parade

Parade

Parade

Parade

We did the Golden Zephyr ride, spinning rocket ships:

Jenn and David

Golden Zephyr ride

And the Jumpin’ Jellyfish ride:

Jumpin' Jellyfish ride

Jumpin' Jellyfish ride

David and Jenn

More food:

Food

The Tow Mater ride:

Tow Mater ride

Tow Mater ride

Jenn and David

Photo op:

Jenn and David

Jenn and David

Horn-O-Plenty:

Horn-O-Plenty

The Rollickin’ Roadsters ride:

Rollickin' Roadsters

Rollickin' Roadsters ride

Rollickin' Roadsters topary

Rollickin' Roadsters ride

David and Jenn

Rollickin' Roadsters ride

In the Avengers area, Black Widow doing a skit:

Black Widow

Sanctuary:

Sanctury

Sanctury

More food:

Food

After leaving the park, we visited the neighboring Downtown Disney district, starting with the World of Disney shop:

World of Disney shop

World of Disney shop

Shops

Something for the Portland peeps:

Shops

LEGO shop:

LEGO shop

LEGO shop

LEGO shop

Star Wars Trading Post:

Star Wars Trading Post

Star Wars Trading Post

Tomorrow, our last day at Disneyland.

Disney day 3: Disneyland

On day three of our Disney adventure, we went back to Disneyland for the second time, on Jenn’s actual birthday.

A bridge soon after the entrance, with the train going over it:

Train

The entrance of Adventureland:

Adventureland

We did the Pirates of the Caribbean ride; quite a long line. We used Lightning Lanes for most rides, but that didn’t have one — but didn’t really need one, as the line moved quite quickly:

Pirates of the Caribbean line

Captain Jack Sparrow:

Captain Jack Sparrow

The Pirates of the Caribbean ride:

Pirates of the Caribbean ride

Pirates of the Caribbean ride

Pirates of the Caribbean ride

Pirates of the Caribbean ride

Pirates of the Caribbean ride

Pirates of the Caribbean ride

Pirates of the Caribbean ride

Pirates of the Caribbean ride

Pirates of the Caribbean ride

Lunch:

Food

Raft and ducks:

Raft and ducks

We rode the train around the park:

Train

Train station

Train

Dinosaurs from the train in a tunnel:

Dinosaurs

Dinosaurs

The park entrance from the train:

Entrance from train

The old classic, the jungle cruise:

Jungle cruise

Sleepy duck:

Duck

We really enjoyed the cheesy jokes of the jungle cruise:

Jungle cruise

David and Jenn

Jungle cruise

Jungle cruise

Sticking with the Adventureland theme, we did the Indiana Jones ride:

Indiana Jones ride

Indiana Jones ride

Indiana Jones ride

A fun thing is when some spontaneous entertainment turns up, like a marching band:

Marching band

Characters

A popular snack at Disneyland, pineapple Dole whip:

Dole whip

A very popular bar in the Star Wars area, Oga’s Cantina; we managed to snag a spot via a waitlist:

Star Wars Oga's Cantina

Star Wars Oga's Cantina

Star Wars Oga's Cantina

The droid DJ was playing some classic Star Wars cantina music:

Star Wars Oga's Cantina

Star Wars Oga's Cantina

Star Wars Oga's Cantina

Star Wars Oga's Cantina

Star Wars Oga's Cantina

Rey:

Star Wars character

A quick visit to Toontown:

Toontown

Toontown

Toontown

Toontown

Toontown

Toontown

We did the Thunder Mountain ride, a rollercoaster, confirming that I don’t enjoy them:

Thunder Mountain ride

Thunder Mountain ride

Me having a rest near the castle:

David

While sitting there, we saw two marriage proposals (and a third later):

Castle

Castle

Main Street lights:

Main Street lights

Disney statue and the castle:

Disney and castle

Back to the Star Wars area:

Star Wars area

Star Wars area

Star Wars area

Star Wars area

We had dinner at Docking Bay 7:

Docking Bay 7 food

Docking Bay 7 food

Docking Bay 7 food

Star Wars shops:

Star Wars area

Jenn did a custom build of a lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop, as an extra special birthday treat:

Savi's Workshop handbuilt lightsabers

Savi's Workshop handbuilt lightsabers

Savi's Workshop handbuilt lightsabers

Savi's Workshop handbuilt lightsabers

Savi's Workshop handbuilt lightsabers

Savi's Workshop handbuilt lightsabers

Savi's Workshop handbuilt lightsabers

Savi's Workshop handbuilt lightsabers

Savi's Workshop handbuilt lightsabers

Savi's Workshop handbuilt lightsabers

Savi's Workshop handbuilt lightsabers

Savi's Workshop handbuilt lightsabers

Savi's Workshop handbuilt lightsabers

Droids:

Droids

Droids

Stormtroopers:

Stormtroopers

Jenn got some photos of her new lightsaber:

Jenn's lightsaber photos

Jenn's lightsaber photos

Jenn's lightsaber photos

Jenn's lightsaber photos

Jenn's lightsaber photos

Chewie and Rey:

Characters

Star Wars area

Star Wars area

Star Wars area

Riverboat at night:

Riverboat

Popcorn cart:

Popcorn cart

Castle:

Castle

Waiting for the evening fireworks:

Jenn and David

Lights

Fireworks

Fireworks

Mountain lights

Lights and fireworks

Fireworks

Fireworks

Fireworks

Fireworks

Fireworks

Some animated GIFs of fireworks:

Fireworks

Fireworks

Fireworks

Fireworks

Heading down Main Street on the way out:

Main Street

Tomorrow, back to DCA.

Disney day 1: Disneyland

To celebrate Jenn’s birthday, we spent five days at the Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks in California, alternating between the two parks. This post includes pictures from the first day, at Disneyland.

Lines to get into Disneyland:

Lines to get into Disneyland

A selfie just inside the park:

Jenn and David

Minnie Mouse:

Minnie Mouse

Mickey Mouse:

Mickey Mouse

Music:

Music

Due to the pandemic, all of the characters are socially distanced from guests, behind barriers:

Characters

Sleeping Beauty’s castle and Walt Disney statue:

Castle and Disney

Horse-drawn main street transport:

Horse-drawn transport

We did the Haunted Mansion ride first (fairly randomly):

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

We then did the Enchanted Tiki Room, which was rather cringy cultural appropriation:

Enchanted Tiki Room

Enchanted Tiki Room

Enchanted Tiki Room

Enchanted Tiki Room

Hey look, some ducks! Oh, and a castle:

Castle and ducks

Ducks:

Ducks

We got the Genie+ option, which lets us use the Lightning Lanes (formerly fast passes) to skip lines. Another benefit is it includes photo ops, so we got some, including in front of the castle:

Jenn and David

Jenn and David

Photo magic:

Jenn and David

Heading through the castle:

Castle

Castle entrance

Shops

Shops etc

Carrousel:

Carrousel

We were keen to check out the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge area:

Star Wars area

Star Wars area

Star Wars area

We had lunch at the Galactic Grill in Tomorrowland, then afterwards decided to have a drive in Autopia:

Autopia

Autopia

Autopia

Autopia

Then enjoyed some cheesy goodness at It’s a Small World:

It's a Small World

It's a Small World

It's a Small World

Jenn and David at It's a Small World

It's a Small World

It's a Small World

New Zealand got a tiny representation:

It's a Small World

Back to the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge area; we really liked the otherworldly feel of it:

Star Wars area

Star Wars area

Star Wars area

Star Wars area

Star Wars area

Star Wars area

Star Wars area

A selfie:

Jenn and David

And photo op:

Jenn and David

Jenn and David

More socially distanced character stuff:

Star Wars area

Star Wars area

Star Wars area

We did the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride, which was fun:

Star Wars area

Jenn

Star Wars area

Star Wars area

Star Wars area

Star Wars area

Blue and green milk:

Blue and green milk

Jenn drinking blue milk:

Jenn drinking blue milk

Star Wars area

Star Wars area

Jenn and David

Then the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance ride:

Star Wars area

Star Wars area

Star Wars area

Star Wars area

Star Wars area

Star Wars area

Star Wars area

Star Wars area

After that point it’s a ride in a car, so I put my phone away. A pretty easy ride, with one big drop.

Heading for some shopping:

Star Wars area

And a snack:

Food

David

Jenn

Star Wars area

Back to Adventureland, and a sighting of Captain Jack Sparrow:

Captain Jack Sparrow

Jenn collected numerous smashed pennies:

Smashed penny machine

Smashed penny machine

Jenn's penny collection

Dinner:

Dinner

Shopping:

Shopping

Finally, the castle at sunset:

Castle at sunset

Tomorrow, we head to the neighboring Disney California Adventure park.

An extra step

Another recent purchase, related to the rug tweaks covered yesterday: an extra step, since the front of the coach was higher than usual due to the slope of the ground at the Xscapers Bash:

Extra step

Extra step

We won’t need that often, but good to have it when we need it.

A clever idea: bolts to secure our outdoor rug

We have an outdoor rug that we put down when a campsite has gravel, sand, or dirt next to the coach (can’t use it when there’s grass, and no need when concrete). We used to secure it from blowing away with stakes hammered into the ground, which can be tricky with hard surfaces (I’ve bent a few stakes!). But while at the Xscapers Bash, our neighbor demonstrated a cunning idea: using lag bolts and washers, screwed in with a drill driver. Clever!

So I bought a cordless drill (my existing one was corded; less convenient for outdoor use) and some lag bolts and washers. I could get larger washers, but these work fine:

Drill driver, bolts, washers

Bolts, washers

The driver has a suitable bit in a quick-connect, for when I want to use the driver for other things:

Drill driver and bits

A bolt and washer secures the mat at each corner:

Bolt and washer securing mat

Mat

Though even that was no match for wind gusts of 30+ MPH:

Unsecured rug

It wasn’t a failure of the bolts, though: the bolts stayed put… but the rug tabs didn’t remain attached to the rug:

Broken rug tab

Oops! So we’ll weigh down the rug more when experiencing high winds, and screw the bolts directly through the reinforced corners of the rug:

Bolt through rug

Jack pads

A recent addition to our RV is a set of high quality jack pads — heavy duty pads to go under the hydraulic leveling jacks, to provide better support on soft ground like dirt, or protect more fragile surfaces like asphalt from the weight of the jacks.

Here are the pads under the back jacks:

Jack pads

And the front jacks (yes, those jacks are smaller):

Jack pads

Peeking behind a front wheel, you can see the whole jack mechanism:

Jack

While there, a bonus pic of part of our 150 gallon diesel fuel tank, which can be filled from both sides:

Fuel tank

And a front air bag, which acts as suspension while driving, and can be used as alternative to hydraulic leveling for short stays:

Air bag

A couple of jack pads after removing them:

Jack pads

I store two on each side of a basement compartment, for easy access when setting up at a campsite. I don’t need them when on a concrete pad, and not so much on gravel, but on sand, dirt, grass, or asphalt, they are a useful addition.

A perhaps better (certainly more convenient) option for jack pads are permanently attached ones, like SnapPads, but unfortunately they are not compatible with our coach, as there isn’t enough clearance between the back tires and the jack when it is up in travel position.

Xscapers Bash: Every Little Detail Mobile Detailing

One of the sponsors of the Xscapers Annual Bash is a local business, Every Little Detail Mobile Detailing. We saw them washing neighboring rigs, and decided to get them to wash and wax ours, too, since it needed it — we haven’t had a chance to wash it since we bought it a few months ago. Washing an RV is a bit more complicated than a car.

They had a team of four working on it:

Washing our coach

Washing our coach

View from inside:

View from inside

Drying:

Cleaning

Hand waxing:

Hand waxing

Hand waxing

Hand waxing

Hand waxing

It’s so nice to have a clean coach; so shiny!

Clean coach

Clean coach

Clean coach

Apple Park Visitor Center

While near San Jose, we had of course to make a pilgrimage to the mothership, i.e. the Apple Park spaceship. 

Or at least as close as we could get to it; the Visitor Center across the road from the campus:

Apple Park Visitor Center

I’ve been there before, during the Apple’s developer conference (back when it was held in person), but this was Jenn’s first visit.

One can glimpse the spaceship from the roof deck:

Apple Park

Apple Park

The roof deck:

Roof deck

Below is a cafe, an AR display (currently closed due to COVID), and an Apple retail store:

Apple Store

Cute AirPods display:

Cute AirPods display

I want to get a new MacBook Pro 16″ like this, though I want a specced-up model that isn’t available in stores yet, so I’ll hold off for now:

MacBook Pro 16 inch

We’d talked about getting a base model MacBook Air like this for Jenn:

MacBook Air

So we did:

MacBook Air box

RV purchased!

We have now purchased our motorhome. It is a 40-foot 2017 Tiffin Allegro Bus 40SP diesel pusher.

I know everyone is waiting to see pictures, but we are busy moving into the coach, and preparing for a trip to Yellowstone (ironically in a rental trailer instead of the coach, for reasons). So for now you’ll have to make do with a couple of exterior shots from the campground:

2017 Tiffin Allegro Bus 40SP

2017 Tiffin Allegro Bus 40SP