Intermission I
Before we continue the actual adventure, there are a few details which should be known to you, dear reader. These are, in no particular order:
The Coach, aka the Beast, aka our Baby:
The coach is a 2006 American Coach Works Heritage 45
It has a Caterpillar ACERT C15 engine which develops 600 HP and 1950 ft/lbs of torque.
15,000 pound tow capacity
It is 45 feet long ( the legal limit for a coach in most states) (inexplicably Maryland limits a coach to 40 feet)
It is 8.5 feet wide when the slide outs are tucked in. This does NOT count the huge mirrors which protrude on each side.
It is 12.5 feet tall
Gross vehicle weight rating (fully loaded) 50,200 pounds
The new price was in the $850,000 range (out of our reach when new)
It has a 12.5 kilowatt generator
It uses 315R 22.5x 80 tires which weigh about 170 pounds each
It has 8 tires
Tire pressures on the front are about 115 psi (your car is about 35 psi)
It gets about 5.5 miles per gallon of diesel fuel (the oil guys love us)
It has every luxury you can imagine, for instance:
3 large flat screen HD tvs
Full sized residential refrigerator with ice maker
Full heated, thermostatically controlled floors
3 15,0000 BTU air conditioners
King sized Sleep Number bed
Full bath with fully glass enclosed shower
Full sized washer and dryer
Complete "powder room" half bath
All leather furniture
Swivel, reclining captain and co-pilot seats
VORAD collision avoidance system interconnected to the electronic cruise control ( this is a terrific fatigue reducer for the driver)
Full color rear camera
Fully integrated security system with keyless locks for door and all under side compartments
Steel safe for valuables
Girard automatic awnings on both sides of the coach, running the full 45 foot length. They stow automatically if the wind is too strong
Dishwasher
Diesel Furnace
Aqua Hot hot limitless hot water heater
Diesel engine pre heat both electric and Aqua Hot activated
Anti Lock Brakes
Three speed Jake Brake engine braking system
Fully automated cruise control
Remote control mirrors
Completely networked remote control interior lighting
Two Bose LifeStyle Surround Sound systems
Solid light maple cabinetry
Spartan K3 chassis with tag axle
A complete office with euro style lounge chair and ottoman. Hidden PC desk, hidden wiring
Decorative rope lighting under the coach as well as under all counters (mood lighting)
3 "Fantastic Fan" brand ceiling exhaust fans that will close automatically if rainfall is detected. They are marvelous!
A slide out galley island to expand the food prep space
Cedar lined closet
Central vacuum system
Fully heated and lighted "basement"
Microwave/Convection oven
Instant hot water service in the galley sink.
Reverse osmosis water purification system
2 3,000 watt pure sine wave inverters
Tire pressure monitoring/ tire temperature monitoring system
Remote control window covering throughout the coach
Casablanca Style ceiling fan in the bedroom
Subtle led floor lighting
2 DVD Players
Automatic leveling both hydraulic and air bag types
The Commodorable aka Leslie aka Rocky, Murphy and Opie's Mom:
The love of the Captain's life and full partner in everything
MBA Cornell University
Married the Captain in July 1985
Retired from Alcatel-Lucent née Western Electric Corporation (35 years service to the ungrateful fools)
Beautiful (see photo)
The Westies
Rocky born June 25, 2001
Murphy born February 11, 2003 (he and Rocky have the same father)
Opie born on an unknown date and mistreated until he joined our pack. We say his birthday is July 4, 2008
On each birthday they celebrate with steaks and dishes of soft serve ice cream.
And Last, your Intrepid Captain
The Captain graduated cum laude from Virginia Tech with BS and BA degrees
Retired as Global Services Vice President, IBM in 2000
100 Ton US Merchant Marine Ocean Master
Prior Pilot and Flight Instructor
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