Checklist August 31, 2019, 10:36:27 am In the spirit of educating each other I have a somewhat embarrassing confession to make.A few days ago, in Forillon National Park on the Gaspé Peninsula in Quebec I drove away from our campsite to go to the dump station. With the electric power cord still attached to the LD. Ouch! My wife was nearby in our Jeep and tried to warn me with a honk of the horn but it was too late. All I can say is that I was distracted and failed to take my usual look in the driver's side rear view mirror before pulling out. First time this has happened in 16 years of ownership.Though it may not be apparent to those who know me, I try to learn from my mistakes. In this case that has to do with a checklist that I developed when we first started Lazy Dazing in 2003. Nicely printed up and sealed in plastic and kept in the center console where it is easily available. And never used. Well, I used it a few times at first but then things seemed to become second nature and the checklist got stowed and forgotten about.We all have different trajectories through our later years. I've been fortunate to have good health so far but I have had some incidents that make me concerned about a change in my alertness and judgement. This incident is now added to that list.I'm blessed with a good traveling companion who I've found is often more alert to what is happening than I am. Yet I don't always make the best use of her input and advice. Which as any woman will tell you, is stupid. But also the way things often are.So my response to this incident has been to get the checklist out and ask my bride to be my copilot and "run the checklist" at all appropriate points in our travels, especially before moving the motorhome. And to not allow me to advance our travels until she gives the OK.So far this is working well. She enjoys being more engaged in what we're doing. And I've been forced to relax a bit and take time for the checklist instead of rushing things along. And I think there are probably some lessons here for the rest of our life together. Since we're paired up we might as well take advantage of that and navigate the future in greater reliance on each other, at least while that remains a possibility. But for those not in that situation you might consider what a good partner a checklist can be in helping to prevent the setbacks that can spoil your travels.As to the motorhome, the damage was minimal. Most important, there was no damage to the structure of the LD, the exterior aluminum, etc. I was able to order a new Marinco/Park Power power inlet and a new 30 amp power cord through Walmart, which were delivered to the store here in Presque Isle, ME, where we're now camped. After a mild struggle yesterday with the adhesive/sealant we all know Lazy Daze loves to use to securely attach such fixtures I was able to install the new inlet and it works fine and looks good.FWIW, when I talked this over with Vince at LD he said, "You can probably still use your inlet and power cord." He was right. Though both were damaged, it was still possible to connect the two, the LD electrical connections were still intact and protected by circuit breakers. So we were able to continue to use power when available.Also, I reported the damage to the park's power pedestal, which got severely bent. A park maintenance person showed up, said he could make a decent repair and refused my offer to pay for the damage, saying, "No, enjoy your stay courtesy of Parcs Canada." Nice.Since someone will inevitably ask for it, I've attached photos of our checklist. 8 Likes
Re: Checklist Reply #1 – August 31, 2019, 11:30:42 am Thanks for sharing, Terry! I'm a big believer in checklists and have printed yours out for future reference. I'm also a believer in using your partner for bouncing ideas off of and helping out each other, imperative as we grow older!Safe travels,Greg
Re: Checklist Reply #2 – August 31, 2019, 01:27:33 pm "Yet I don't always make the best use of her input and advice." You can always delegate authority but never responsibility! 1 Likes
Re: Checklist Reply #3 – August 31, 2019, 02:09:35 pm Terry, all I can say is I feel for you. I have made so many forgetful and stupid mistakes over the years I'd be embarrassed to list them (like driving off with the parking brake in the toad still on). And at 67 I believe I am a few years younger than you. Like you, I am a big believer in check lists, and, like you, I often don't bother to consult them as conscientiously as I should. Thank you for your reminder to the rest of us.As a fellow "westerner" I would also enjoy hearing your impressions of RVing in the northeast.Mike Liner'08 24' FL towing a Subaru Forester
Re: Checklist Reply #4 – August 31, 2019, 03:05:56 pm Hah! Welcome to the club, Terry. I still haven’t replaced the ripped off TV antenna head that must have levitated all by itself as I drove off from under a tree at Cachuma. I have one issue with your excellent check list, under the “refueling” process. One of the final steps is “refer on.” Do you do that before pulling away from the pump? We always drive to the edge of the gas station property before Loni flips it back on. Just curious. We’ve enjoyed your photos from the Maritimes. — Jon
Re: Checklist Reply #5 – August 31, 2019, 06:29:22 pm Hi Jon,Yes, we pull to the edge of the gas station property to turn the refer on before proceeding.Terry
Re: Checklist Reply #6 – August 31, 2019, 06:43:35 pm Hi Mike,Camping in eastern Canada was no problem, though in July and August it makes sense to reserve anywhere from a few days to a few weeks in advance depending on where you are. Same with any ferry trips, such as to Newfoundland and back.As to the NE U.S., we've just gotten here and with Labor Day behind us as of Tuesday I'm not sure how relevant any information from us would be. Right now though we have gotten reservations for the next two weeks without any problem, including weekends. That includes two nights in Acadia NP but otherwise is in RV parks. The private campground we're in this weekend is full, but I think that is to be expected on the last holiday weekend of the summer.My experience is that something always works out. And there seem to be plenty of RVs in the east so it must not be too difficult to use them.One thing that did surprise us in eastern Canada and that continues here in Maine is the prevalence of "seasonal" camping, which is where someone leases a campsite for the entire summer season. This was true in both public and private campgrounds in Canada. I'm not sure about public campgrounds here in the eastern U.S. It's an interesting concept that actually has me thinking a bit about that use of the LD at some point when long distance travel is less feasible. We live at the northern end of the eastern Sierra. I'd love a seasonal site in a nice Forest Service campground near June Lake, which is just a couple of hours from home.
Re: Checklist Reply #7 – August 31, 2019, 07:08:42 pm "I'd love a seasonal site in a nice Forest Service campground near June Lake."---Yeah, me, too; fat chance.
Re: Checklist Reply #8 – August 31, 2019, 08:48:17 pm "I'd love a seasonal site in a nice Forest Service campground near June Lake."Well, Oh Ridge would be perfect (USFS) but they have duration limits. There is, if you know where to look, a tremendous amount of dispersed camping in that area. And just a few miles south there's Glass Creek. It's a squatters heaven, voluntary fee, nearly unlimited time requirements. I've seen folks there for weeks at a time with all the comforts of home.
Re: Checklist Reply #9 – September 01, 2019, 12:08:09 am QuoteNicely printed up and sealed in plastic and kept in the center console where it is easily available. And never used.I tried to use a checklist way back when with my first RV. It too was used a few times then forgotten.For important things to do before driving off, levelers, utilities, antenna, vents, I found a method that works for me.I have four wooden spring loaded clothes pins with the above items printed on them. As I use one of those items I put it on the gearshift lever. This alerts you that something must be put away before driving off. It works for me, YMMV 1 Likes
Re: Checklist Reply #10 – September 01, 2019, 01:16:36 am I posted my tow'd checklist a while back hereWhen hooked up, the checklist and key are either in the ignition (checklist completed) or in the LD drivers seat (need to work the checklist).
Re: Checklist Reply #11 – September 01, 2019, 02:37:52 am Before I drive my LD, I do a walk around, and a quick look on the roof. This pretty much takes care of anything that might be plugged in, open, or up. I’m a checklist person myself usually, but actually seeing what’s up helps me to know that I’m good to go. Plus it’s just a little reminder, that what I’m driving will be a bit bigger than my usual car.
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Topic: Checklist (Read 295 times)
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