V3N4A

I've been here in the Southwest for at least a month now and I like it here. I've been here before, and I like the sun and the warm weather. At home its cold and the snow is covering the ground. I just got back from Mexico and the road there was a little rough, but the way home was a lot better. I've been on rougher roads and I very seldom have an ache or pain that needs to be fixed. I've lost my gloss and I squeak but that's another story. So I don't know what we're doing here cause I feel good. I haven't had anything that needs attention for a while. I'm ready for an adventure.

I don't know why they're putting me in the back. I feel out of place amidst all the shiny new stuff here. I don't belong and I'm uncomfortable here. I want to leave.

Here they come.......I guess we're going to leave. Wait a minute. What's going on? What're they doing? I've had stuff taken out of me before, but this is ridiculous. They seem to be cleaning everything out of me. They're taking clothes, dishes, pans, food, fuses, jacks, tools, coolers, everything. Oh, oh, I know what's going on here. It's called a trade-in. I remember 10 years ago another motorhome parked alongside me that had this same thing happen. I don't believe it. Who do they think they are? I'm not going to sit still for this. Where are my keys? Oh no, they're in his pocket. Please, don't do this!

All right you ingrates, go ahead. Empty me out. I've given you the best miles of my life, but you don't care. How quickly you forget. We've been together for 10 years through thick and thin, rain and drought, snow and sleet, a hurricane, several high wind storms and a couple of blizzards that could have frozen you to death, and almost did, but I kept you alive.

Now that I'm thinking about it, I guess it was too much to expect that it would go on forever. I guess I'm just too old and tired. But looking back, we've had a marvelous adventure together. We've spent the last 10 years on a never-ending journey into this thing called North America. We've climbed several mountain ranges together. From the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, to the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, Sierra Nevadas in California, Guadalupe Mountains in Texas and the White Mountains in Vermont and New Hampshire. We've struggled through the Adirondacks in New York, Ozarks in Missouri, and the Shenandoahs in Virginia. We were on top of the world.

And all the beaches were exceptional. The weather was warm and the breezes were cool. From Myrtle Beach to Miami Beach, from the Sea of Cortez and the Salton Sea to the mighty Pacific. I recall with fondness, the Gulf of Mexico and the entire Atlantic Coast to the northern border in Maine, and even including the ferries we rode at Cape Hatteras. When they talk about the Great Lakes, we've been there. I didn't get a chance to see Ontario, but 4 out of 5 ain't bad.

We've shared family together over the years. I've brought you to the weddings of nieces and nephews, Bill. And Sharon, I even took you to the horse races with your sister.

I've carried an unhappy daughter to the majestic Grand Tetons and beyond. I've ferried you to 50th Wedding Anniversaries and even a couple of 80th Birthday Parties. Incidentally your dad loved riding in my front seat. And we even had your mother touring with us one time on the way home from your sisters, after a wedding. I've loved doing the family thing and helping you do it, was my pleasure.

And how about the friends we've enjoyed because of our relationship. They've come in all sizes and shapes. Motorhomes, Trailers, 5th Wheels and Vans. And every one came with people for you to enjoy.

I've taken you to every National Park, Monument, Historic Site. Battlefield, Seashore and Recreation Area that you've both been to. My count is 232 out of 376. I can still remember our first one in Teddy Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. Nobody can say I'm not patriotic. If I wasn't already painted I would have chosen Red, White and Blue.

And to top it all off, I've never left you stranded on the side of the road. I had a little difficulty that one time when you put the bad gas in me in Cody, Wyoming. But you straightened that out in Utah and we were rolling again. I've been damn dependable over the years. Sure I hesitated that time when you wanted to leave the day after Christmas, but when you got mad, I realized maybe I should go.....and I did. I had some problems like the mice and the ants down south one year, but that was Winnebago's fault, not mine. I didn't know they left those little holes for the varmints to get in. We sure scrambled over that didn't we?

I have to admit that I started to feel old last year. I had 70,000 miles and my furniture was starting to look tattered. But thanks to Sharon and a lot of work, and a brand new covering, I was feeling good about myself again. I've always had first class treatment with fresh oil and antifreeze and getting my old joints oiled at the right intervals. For a senior I was feeling and looking pretty good.

I recognize the name on the motorhome parked next to me. Itasca is my brother, and Sunflyer is his son. You must realize that we are a good family. Show him the care that you showed me and he'll never let you down. We're a dependable lot. We come from a long line of travelers.

And as for me, don't weep when I'm gone. We've had a blast in the last 10 years. We all need to move on eventually. I need to look for a young couple who hasn't been there, and who hasn't done that. I need more adventures to experience, and places to go and people to see. And not having to put these old joints on the cold snow will be good for me. I'm in Arizona and loving it. This is the land of sunshine and good weather. I'll be happy here.......Adios Amigos. (We are the happy owners of a 1999 Itasca Sunflyer, 36', 2 Slideouts and more than enough frills)