This is only the beginning...

Sadie has been part of our family for about a year and a half. She is a 1988 Hawkins Motor Coach, built on a Chevy P-30 chassis with a 454 c.i.d. V8 engine. We are the third owner of this fine coach, which in its day, was a top of the line motor home. The shell is fiberglass.

Since acquiring Sadie, we have made a number of improvements. They include:
1. New tires
2. New radiator and ancillary cooling equipment (including water pump, hoses and belts).
3. New brakes
4. New front air springs.
5. New rear view camera and monitor. (The original just wouldn't work anymore and would have cost more to repair than a new unit.)

That's about it, except for routine maintenance. Today Sadie is at the body shop having some rust areas on the driver and passenger doors repaired. This will put her in tip top condition.


So, now we are planning an extended trip. We are currently in the planning phase. We hope to see Bryce canyon, Zion National Park, the Grand Canyon, the Petrified Forest, Canyonlands, and Arches. I (Tom) have always wanted to see Santa Fe, NM, so we are planning a loop through Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado. Then we will head home.

Today we sat down with a map and a pad of paper and began planning actual routes. Jill made some notes about how to pack the coach, and we are planning final jobs to do on the coach. The transmission temperature gauge needs a new sending unit. Our favorite mechanics cleaned up the old one, because they couldn't find a new one on short notice, but it has stopped working again. So, we will get that taken care of later this week. Then, I think, Sadie will be ready to go.


Tentative departure date for this caper is about May 8, 2009. In the meantime, stay tuned. We will keep you updated on stuff we do and learn as we prepare.