October 25, 2016

I took BOB to the doctor today. I had a list of his ailments, and I was told that if he needed parts or warranty work multiple visits may be required. I dropped him off at 08:00 and he was ready for pick-up by 09:30. Good or bad news? The voice mail message didn't say. It was good news! BOB doesn't have an electric tank water heater (although there is a rocker switch for one on the control panel); it turns out I HAVE to use a propane torch or long match to light the oven because BOB doesn't have an electric ignition; the bedroom light was wired incorrectly, so BOB didn't need a new switch; the noise the water pump makes is normal; the propane water heater had a little too much air flow; I asked for the sliders to be greased and for valve extenders to be inserted on the front tires. BOB cost me $83. Good BOB.

​I arrived at my parents' house on the 9th of October, a day before BOB was scheduled to have the chip in his windshield drilled and filled. I had his inspection scheduled for that afternoon, and the windshield chip would result in an automatic failure. The drill and fill went well, and it was completed in less than 30 minutes by a very nice Scottish lad. The afternoon inspection went like this: "The RV is new, right? The lights, horn and turning signals works, right?" I cited the mileage and proved the functionality of BOB's safety features. I was out of there in less than 20 minutes. Plan B was to establish residency in South Dakota where inspections aren't required, residency is established with one night's RV stay or hotel bill, and there is no state income tax. Plus, South Dakota is home to The Badlands, Wall Drug, The Black Hills, Sturgis, Deadwood, and Mt. Rushmore. Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

I left my parents' house the next day for a rendezvous with my possessions in storage in the Providence area. When I left Columbus last spring I couldn't transport everything back to Providence, so I left some things in Steve and Karen's basement. I extricated those en route east, kept what I need, and stored or gave away what I didn’t. I took one suit, one dress, a pair of dress shoes, and a winter coat in case I have to fly somewhere cold for an interview. I left my summer dresses behind, save two which are interview-friendly in warmer climates (plus two sweaters to wear with them). I ditched my non-athletic sandals, and picked up my Wellies. I decided that my go-forward look while traveling in BOB includes only white, navy, grey, and black tops, shirts and sweaters, so I gave away all of my other-color things and resupplied my new, narrowed uniform. I did keep my mandarin orange post card chinos from Sundance because I love color – I just don't like to manage it.