Just about settled on a Dynamax Class C Coach

I am flying to Florida tomorrow to look at this small coach and feel it just might fit the bill. I will never find anything I liked as much as I did the Firan Telstar. The last model year for the Telstar was 1995 so it would be impossible now to find a nicely kept one like we owned. My Telstar was 27 ft in length and this one is 29 ft overall. The wheelbase is about 20 inches longer than the Telstar and of course, is built on the newer E450 Ford chassis. I will just have to drive it to see if I feel it is something I can enjoy driving. This coach has a slide in the living area which provides nice space when you're parked in an area where the slide can be extended. I will have to see how the coach handles as I'm sure the slide adds a lot of extra weight. Almost all of the coaches now come with slides so I hope they have been engineered to fit properly into the over all weight distribution on this small Ford chassis. I don't want to purchase something that is beyond my capacity to safely handle. Excited to go see it. Dynamax does make a smaller unit, about 26 ft in length, with a shorter wheelbase. I might have to go to the smaller coach if this one proves too much for me. This coach has a walk around bed in the back, (very narrow walk a round :-) which makes it easier to make the bed and change the linens. I like to have a bed made out so I can stop and take a nap if I feel like it.

2005 Dynamax 280SL

Myles sweet little face

Test post created on iPad

Mama wren in bucket in the greenhouse...

thinking of purchasing used motorcoach

I miss my little Telstar and am thinking of purchasing another small used class C coach to use for travel. Too old to be traveling without a way to stop and catch a quick nap or to be without the use of my own bath facilities. Another consideration is being able to take Myles and Miss Snickers with me. Craig is most willing to care for Miss Snickers but she is too old to be left all day without someone checking on her. Myles requires attention, too, and the idea of leaving him outside all day isn't something I would want to do. Sooo, I'm looking for a well cared for used coach.

Here is one I'm particularly interested in, a 1999 Born Free Rear Side Bed model, 26 ft coach with 49,000 miles. While old in years, it has been well maintained and the floor plan works for me. Plan to travel to Georgia to have a look sometime next week, once the weather moderates. There are a few personal changes I'd have to have done to make it work for me and until I actually go over it in person, I won't know if the added costs will make it worth while.

The two makes I'm considering are the Born Free and Lazy Daze. I would be pleased with either make, as both are well known for safety and quality build. I don't want to tow a car if I can help it. That would just add additional potential for problems. I feel KISS is the best policy for single elderly travelers. Yet, having a small car available to use when stopped for several days in one location cannot be discounted. Still pondering this option.

Clematis 'Dr. Ruppel' blooming on this lovely spring morning, April 22, 2013.

Myles and I spent all day yesterday working outside. We gathered leaves, swept the deck, and did some much needed pruning.

 

Watching next door neighbor, pretty little Bella (mini doxie) through the fence ...
 

 

 

so many new sniffs, so little time ...



 

 

Can you say boooooor'ing ... Mom has to work on taxes so think I'll take a little snooze ...

 



We would like to introduce you to our newest family member, Myles.

 

He is the sweetest little guy you'd ever want to meet. He is originally a Texas boy but has consented to move to Arkansas and make his home with us. Mama Cat, Miss Snickers and Boo have all been very accepting and everyone has settled in nicely.

He has recently had surgery on his left rear knee, needed to correct a torn ACL. His surgery went splendidly and his knee is healing well.

We are all blessed to have this sweet, happy little guy in our lives.

Firan Motor Coach - news release

Firan Sells U.S. RV Operation to Forest River...


Firan Corporation says it has entered into an agreement to sell certain assets of Firan Motor Coach, Elkhart, IN, to Forest River, Inc., for an undisclosed cash consideration. Firan Corpor-ation, based in Canada, is a manufacturer of electronic systems for air traffic control applications worldwide and is Canada's largest RV manufacturer.


D. Morgan Firestone, Firan's chairman and CEO, said, "Under our agreement, Firan Motor Coach will honor warranties for all Firan produced product through the Firan Motor Coach service center."


Pete Liegl, president, Forest River, Inc., said, "The skilled workforce and excellent production facilities at Elkhart will enable us to increase our fifth-wheel business. Motorhome and fifth-wheel products have much in common in the manufacturing process."


Production activity at the facility is expected to be increased and will require additional employee recruitment.

Our new "old" Firan Telstar Motor Coach

  

Our new "Old" motor coach

Well, we've done it. We sold our Bluebird coach and found we couldn't do without something to travel with. We discovered this older Firan Telstar motor coach in NW Arkansas at Bud Brown RV's in Rogers, Arkansas. We just fell in love with it and bought it. It handles like a dream, is easy to drive in any traffic situation and comes with our own beds! Yea.

You need to wear sunglasses when looking directly at the carpet, but, hey, the price was right. The engine only has 24,000 miles on it, new michelin tires all around, the generator has 82 hours, etc. It's been nicely cared for. Bud Brown, the owner of the RV business, has owned and driven it this last year. He originally sold it new to a couple, then when one of the owners passed, it was sold to a gentleman who needed the use of this type of coach for a year. He did a lot of updates and when he was ready to sell, Bud bought it for his personal use. We couldn't be happier with this old Telstar, a coach we admired when it was in its heyday. As so many of the better small coach manufacturers are finding out, they just become too costly to produce and eventually the better manufacturers are closing shop. That's what happened with this company and, more recently, with the Chinook Motor Coach company. So sad, as there will always be a need for the smaller, well made coaches.

We hope to enjoy many miles of travel with this old girl and hope to see you on the road.

Mike & Mary

early morning along the creek

Took a walk down to the creek bank and discovered these beauties enjoying the old fashioned Zinnia's planted with the wildflowers.

I've no idea what kind they are but they were sure enjoying the morning.

I have been looking at getting a new digital camera but I think I'll hold off. This old Sony still takes nice shots...

Pretty in Blue, Betty Prior & Butterfly

Ouch ... this is a 'humor' keeper

 

A soldier, a sailor, a marine and an airman are all riding together in a car. Each is arguing that there branch of the military is the best to serve in. Suddenly, an 18-wheeler hits them head-on and the four die and go to Heaven. As they arrive at the Heavenly city, St. Peter tells them that before they enter they can make one request of God. Each of the four replies that they want to know which branch of the military is the best. "A highly unusual request," Peter says, "But I'll see what the Lord says." Peter is gone a few minutes when a snow white dove flutters in with a piece of gold parchment in its beak. One of the four takes the parchment, opens it and reads: DEAR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES: EACH OF YOU HAS SERVED YOUR COUNTRY ADMIRABLY AND TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY. YOU EACH SERVE IN THE FINEST BRANCHES OF THE MILITARY THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN. YOU EACH ARE THE BEST AT WHAT YOU DO AND ALL ARE PROUD OF YOUR SERVICE. NO SERVICE IS TO BE ESTEEMED HIGHER THAN THE OTHERS. SINCERELY, GOD (USAF, RETIRED)

creekbed in late summer of 2004
~Mary