Stickered Up

Alert the media! We DID something today!

We've enjoyed a long string of calm, quiet, relaxing days. Not exactly ripe with blogging material, but definitely most enjoyable. Today was different, though. We actually had a job to do.

As Texas residents, both of our vehicles are registered in this great state. For the privilege, we are required to renew our registration and get the moose and squirrel inspected each year. We took care of the registration a couple of months ago. It's a piece of cake. A few clicks online and the deed is done. Our inspections were due this month. That's a wee bit more complicated. We have to present our vehicles at our choice of official state vehicle inspection station, cough up 15 bucks and let the inspector go to work. (A special note for our fellow Livingston residents: You don't have to have your inspection done in Livingston. Anywhere in Texas will get the job done.)

Rocky required one pre-inspection to do. Back in Iowa, when we were returning to Forest City to pick up the moose, a stone flew off a brand spankin' new Tour headed out of Winnie Town and smacked our squirrel's windshield. The next morning the sizable star turned into a big ol' crack. And, here in Texas, if you want to pass a vehicle inspection you need to have a crack-free windshield. Paul found a local auto glass company here in Kerrville that made quick work of the job. On the way home from getting the new windshield, he spotted an inspection station and whipped in with the Jeep. Rocky passed with flying colors and came home with a new inspection sticker on his pristine windshield.

Bullwinkle's inspection took a bit more coordination. First, we had to find a place that inspects RVs. Our RV park provided a couple of recommendations. Paul scoped them out and found one that would definitely work. Next, we had to find a day where we could make time in our oh-so-busy schedule to load up and go. (Stop laughing!) Wednesday sounded good to us. So, Wednesday morning Paul called our chosen inspection station and learned the inspector had called in sick. Yesterday's cold temps and gusty winds were enough to keep us from venturing out, with or without our motorhome. When this morning revealed sunny skies, calm winds and moderate temperatures, we were ready to roll. Paul called the station and they encouraged us to come on in.

Why does the very idea of packing and moving suddenly sound like such a big deal? I must confess to doing some first-class procrastinating. But, I can't tell you why. After all, we do this all the time! And when we do, it's no biggie. But, for some unknown reason, today I was definitely dragging my feet. After six weeks off the road, I'm out of practice, perhaps?

Whether you're driving your motorhome ten miles or 200, the task of packing is the same. Despite my foot dragging, we got the job done. By early afternoon, it was slides in and jacks up and we made the 15-minute drive. We pulled into the inspection station, where we spent more time waiting than actually being inspected. Before long, Bullwinkle was all stickered up, sporting new registration and inspection stickers on his Imax windshield. Within 90 minutes of our departure, we pulled back into our familiar and comfortable site.

As we started the process of settling back in, we freed our happy cats from the confines of their crates. They went through their very familiar end-of-a-travel-day routine, hopping up on the windshield and checking out the place. All it took was a quick glance. They turned around in perfect sync and gave me a look that said, "Really? After all that we're back here? What in the heck was that all about?"

With our not-so-big travel day behind us, we're ready to get back to the business of having fun in Hill Country. With friends close by and more on the way, I'm sure we can find something blogworthy to do around here...