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Our good, bad and ugly opinions on just about anything

Just transferred my vehicle insurance from Virginia to Texas. The motor home went up 17.5%. The Vue went up 52%. Yuk. Explanation:

Texas has one of the highest rates of uninsured motorists in the nation.

Go figure. I'll check out South Dakota some time in the future. Same low personal tax structure as Texas and I am sure lower insurance rates.

I did get my Texas driver's license today: Class B Commercial (because of the motor home). I was required to pass a CDL test and do a behind the wheel driver test. I passed both.

Posted via web from merv's posterous

Since we are on the road full time, it makes absolutely no sense to be based in Virginia and be subject to the enormous personal property taxes on our Motor Coach ($4.20/$100 of assed value). Our real property was being taxed at about $1.20/$100 of assed value. Does this make any sense at all? Not to me since we hardly use Virginia's highways. Virginia, you just lost me but not without a bit of sorrow.

So, we have become citizens of the Lone Star State. It is just a matter of establishing "domicile." No state income tax and no personal property tax.

We are still "wandering" and on our way to California for the holidays.

Posted via web from merv's posterous

Attended the Blue Angels practice yesterday and awesome is an understatement. Here's a link to the full album of my favorite 36 out of about 160 taken:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=120862&id=568313900&l=0ca6d34e84

Posted via web from merv's posterous

We fully anticipated enjoying the beauty of this wonderful place on the planet and were not disappointed. The coastline, islands, mountains and the sea are simply spectacular. Unfortunately, attractive locations also draw a plethora of tourists just like us. Tourism is what drives the local economy from mid-May through October. It literally shuts down other times.

We will stay one more day then start our trek south arriving back in Leesburg late September/early October. Our trip north next year will certainly include Noca Scotia. Just wasn't in the cards this time for a variety of reasons not the least of which is Bill.

Posted via web from merv's posterous

Having been on the road and staying in RV campgrounds fpr 10 1/2  months I have one very profound observation: the number of families on camping trips. Kids, parents, friends and even grandparents are filling the summer campgrounds. Tents, popups, travel trailers, 5th wheels and motor homes.

What I see that makes me feel good:

• Kids riding bikes
• Playing frisbee
• Going to the beach
• Playing in the pool
• Sitting around campfires
• Roasting marshmellos (smores anyone?)
• Tossing a ball
• Teenagers watching over their young siblings
• Teenagers not wanting to be seen with their parents

The best memories I have as a kid was going camping with my parents. It's these experiences that are somehow family binding. Good to see families being together and creating lasting memories. This is what solidifies our family values! We need more of it.

Posted via web from merv's posterous