Welcome a special edition of our web site, titled -

“HOW WE SPENT OUR SUMMER VACATION – 2011”

After returning from South America, we needed to spend some time in Indiana attending to family affairs.
Throughout our travels we have always kept our eyes open for an affordable waterfront property to enjoy
post-Adventure. If it was near to family – all the better.

As luck would have it, a hand-made sign by the side of the road near our campground in Elkhart led us
to a rundown place with wonderful potential on a channel with direct access to Simonton Lake – an area
that Bob has always liked. Situated just north of town, almost to the Michigan border, residents favor
pontoon boats over speed boats, though jet skis are also allowed (much to the delight of the grandkids).
We bargained for a great price and were mildly surprised when our offer was accepted. Later we found
out why.

So on May 23rd we made the deposit, and on June 10th we closed. The next day we took possession
and started our remodeling wish list, then started to work. For the next month we toiled, worked up a
sweat, got sore - and didn’t seem to make much headway.

Then we hired some professional help. Why, you ask?  Because of the things that were just beyond our
skills: new doors throughout; new deck and dock; some new flooring; refurbishing the bathrooms;
exterior caulking and painting, etc. As we worked on these, we ran into even bigger problems that we
had not anticipated: a new well; a new sewage pump; a new hot water heater; repairs to the air
conditioner; mold throughout the downstairs bathroom … and the list went on. On July 18th we
discovered that a lien had been filed against the property. (This is why you get title insurance, and they
paid the lien). For the next 12 weeks we starred in our personal version of “This Old House,” taking one
step forward, two steps back as specialized crews came and went.

Finally, on October 8th we hosted an Open House for our neighbors, who had been following our
progress with great interest. On the 16th we declared it “good enough for now” – which is fortunate
because our “fix it up” budget had run out. The next day we hooked up the RV and hit the road to Ohio to
continue our Adventure and rest up from our “vacation.”

So here’s the plan: Once we finish this nomadic RV life in a couple of years, we will spend winters at our
home in Austin, TX and summers at our lake house in Elkhart, IN. We’re looking forward to it!

To navigate your way through this month’s edition, click on the gray tabs in the navigation block to the
left. As always, we would appreciate any comments. You can email us at kabopa730@yahoo.com .
BOB AND KATHY'S RV
ADVENTURE
      Our summer vacation - 2011
Our Rig