“The Great Adventures of Tim Buchholz”. On about June 5 or 6, I got an email from my dear friend, Greg Harrop, our State Director with a reminder that a Konnection article is due by June 10. My initial thought was, what should I, what could I write about? Then after a June 10 reminder from him, the evening of the deadline it finally came together. So, I’m sitting outside a Mc D’s in Charlotte, Michigan writing this article because they are still not open to inside seating. Hope my battery lasts. 

I’m going to write about me and the fun I have had the last four days. Here goes; I had three spinal shots by my doctor on June 3rd. The next day I told Connie, I have never felt so good in a long time. No pain anywhere. Well, that didn’t last long, during the night and early Saturday morning I developed pains. By noon I was in the ER and spent the next six hours in the ER with kidney stones issues. Problem was, I had to leave early Sunday morning with the coach to arrive in Charlotte for service work at Spartan Motors. I had paced myself well and had most of the house prepping work for departure done by Friday. Well guess what I was out in the night late Saturday with a flashlight putting up shutters and nailing things down after getting out of ER.

I had pulled all the wheels on my Haulmark trailer the week before, checked brake shoes, bearings and inspected my three year old tires. All is good. A 6:00am departure on Sunday, Connie is staying behind for her scheduled eye shots. Cruising along just fine till just short of Tampa, tire warning. Lost the air in a trailer tire due to the valve stem leaking. Changed tire, on the way to Walmart on Sunday. Two (2) hours later back on the road. Eighty (80) miles later catastrophic failure of a trailer tire. Changed that and headed for Walmart. Four (4) hours later on the road again with two new tires. Thought now I’m good, got all four wheels loaded with 10 ply big boys. Now, a lot of time to make up to get to my appointment. Got as far as northern Kentucky and another tire literally comes apart by the steel belts coming thru the face of the tire. It’s crazy being swirled around by those King Aire’s going by within three feet of you. Again, search out a Walmart as this is 10:00pm and I need a spare. Overnighted in their lot and hit them at 7:00am. New tire again and on the road to Michigan. It’s now Tuesday. All is good as I see myself within earshot of my destination. Only 80 miles to go when another tire spins out all the steel belts and messes up my trailer. I change that and tell my spare to hold up for a couple of hours and that would really make me happy. Made it to Spartan “Hooray”. Next day went out and bought another tire. Now all four purchased are Made in China. Hold it… My battery just died on my laptop in the Mickey D lot and I’m on the hunt. Wow, found an open Culver’s restaurant nearby and am back at it.

As I mentioned previously, I left Connie behind. She now had to act as my inspector on site as my roof is being replaced and some additional work required. We have five damaged rafters from termite infestation even after having the house bagged and annual inspections done. All this was to be done a month ago. General Contractors and roofers, I don’t think get along. I finally got them to talk and of course they said we will be there when you are not. Anyway, I believe that was what they were thinking. The roof had to be opened up for quite an area and of course there’s rain each day. I’m happy to say Connie did an outstanding job of monitoring their work. The rafter work is done and the house is dried in as of tonight.

I will be picking up my Lady tomorrow in Flint, Michigan and “maybe” start having some fun. The coach should be out of the shop in the morning.

As far as the Pelicans and our Pelican Buddies are concerned, most of them are on the road to someplace farther north or have been there for a month or so. I just read where our member, Linda Holmes had some trouble getting to her destination. The last picture I saw was her Newmar on a flatbed heading for service. Most likely DEF head issues like so many. I believe she got it resolved quickly and as of this writing is on the road again.

To those folks heading for the Newmar International Rally, I know you will have a great time and a wonderful experience in that part of our country. I promise to be part of it next year at Wyoming unless the Father has other plans before that.

If you have taken the time to read this far down in this article, Connie & I wish you the very best for the Labor Day and the days beyond as fall won’t be far behind.

We can be reached at Tim.buchholz80@gmail.com  | 239-464-0219 (c).

Tim Buchholz (12344)
Florida Pelicans – President