Lunch at the Hunt Store, which has everything, bank included.
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Hunt TX
This morning Dave took us on a driving tour along the Guadalupe river.
Area is full of summer camps for kids. Places rich for hiking swimming hunting.
Deer everywhere. Elaine thought they were all young. No just very small here.
High fencing, exotic animals. Trophy hunting in these parts.
Elaine says this is a good place to be in the fencing business.
Lots of swimming holes- river water impounded by little dams. People are beavers.
What we call a river is a stream, creek or rivulet anywhere else. Or, sometimes as Elaine says: a drainage ditch.
Zero traffic. Miles of scrub and fencing. Occasional ranch entrances. Goats and goats.
Stopped at Garvens and there’s a peacock at the gas pump! Dave says: “Dolly don’t look to your right” and one crosses in front of me. They have a bunch. What’s a bunch of peacocks called? How about An ostentation of peacocks. That works for me.
Dave bought some Garven jerky– deer and beef. Both were pretty darn good.
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xmas pics
Christmas day. Dave fixes the cable tv so Elaine can watch the news in the evening. Took a bit tracing down the problem, It works!
Elaine gave us a set of dominoes so we can play Mexican train. My niece Jessica who loves to unwrap things would have loved it. A cellophane wrapped box, in a case, in a box in cellophane, dominoes in another cellophane wrapped box, then wrapped in separate bundles. 🙂
Dinner at 4:00 in the barn at the resort. Great food and interesting company. People from Nebraska, Iowa, England. Dessert galore.
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Xmas eve
Jessamine’s parents live near Kerrville so we got to visit a Texas ranch. House set on the ridge, It is gorgeous here. And oh so many beautiful things to see.
Dinner was a feast!
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glitch
The fridge is on the fritz.
But we are in a great place and help is on the way. Dave has to wait for the repairman.
Elaine and I are going to town for whatever we can find.
I got to the HEB grocery store while Elaine had her hair done. She needs to see the HEB, a glorious grocery store. Oh oh, went to Gibson’s. An old fashioned hardware, general store with lots to see and think about. We got dominos to play mexican train Elaine got sunglasses, and oh my goodness a great day.
Back to the coach for lunch Dave has the refrigerator working fine. Now we need a tool to check the cable for the TV to trace down the problem there. I think having the coach is just an entertaining series of puzzles for Dave to solve.
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Day before Christmas
So, we are decorated-
We have cranberry fluff, banana bread, stollen and honey cookies.
We are free on a sunny day.
Life is good.
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To Kerrville
Morning bright, clear crisp at 30 degrees but no wind. After a worry over why the fridge was off Dave found a loose wire. Brief breakfast and we were off towards Kerrville.
Stopped at Wildseed farms because it is easy to get the coach in there. I’m daydreaming of bluebonnets in the area between our sidewalk and the street at home. (The city plans on grass)
Then to Buckhorn RV resort. Very nice.
Dolly: This is the nicest place we’ve been in the coach.
Dave <laughing>: Don’t get used to it.
Signed up for our part of the pot luck dinner tomorrow and we will go to Walmart to get what we need. Adventures at holiday time.
Dave took us to Easter Island.
Then on to Stonehenge 
Then he took Elaine and me to shopping in a little artsy area. We saw gorgeous belt buckles for thousands of dollars. An artist’s studio, her work was great, painterly pastels. A jewelry shop… The only thing Elaine didn’t like were the day of the dead characters in an import shop. No te gusta.
Me: are you sure?
Elaine: I’m sure.
End of the day, we were all tired. Dave asleep in bed before the rest of us. Elaine up reading a bit longer. Clare on Elaine’s bed. I’m on the net at the moment but my computer is nearly out of juice so I’m out too.
Me: Nite nite
Elaine: Roses under your pillow.
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Getting Hye
First stop today, Garrison Brothers Distillery. in Hye Texas.
Brr its cold today. 47 and windy. Bourbon makes it seem a bit warmer.
The process of making bourbon is interesting. It has to be made of more than 50% corn. Can’t have any additives. Has to be aged in new barrels made of American oak. The Garrison Brothers bourbon is made of corn, wheat and barley (malted). Wheat gives it a different flavor than rye would. And Garrison Brothers use organic grains exclusively. The corn and wheat are grown in Texas. Barley is a cold weather crop that comes from the north, Washington and Canada. Otherwise they would buy barley from Texas.
We got to taste the mash, what they cook up before it gets to the yeast, tastes like the best porridge ever. Quite sweet naturally. I should make it for breakfast regularly. Lets see… 3/4 cup ground corn, 1/8 cup wheat flour, 1/8 cup malt, or something along those lines, cook a bit in filtered rainwater till good and sweet.
Anyway, we enjoyed the tour. Everyone there has a passion for the product. That makes it fun.
Now we are off to Fredricksburg, Looking for a grocery store, need milk and hazlenut cream for coffee. And lunch at Ratskellers. 12:04 Dave: are you guys hungry yet? Sure we can eat.
Lunch was bratwurst sandwiches with sauerkraut and mustard on a sweet bun. Pretty good but not as good as I remembered. Next time I’m trying the reuben. Lots of good German food here in Fredricksburg. Our waitress (we’ve had her before), has an alpaca ranch so we caught up with the latest news. New baby alpaca they are having to hand feed. Pictures of her were darling. Wish I had one. But alpacas die if they don’t have others. So I’d have to have two. Or three. Dolly needs a farm.
Sunny and warm enough in the lee of the buildings.
Walk around Fredricksburg. The square has that whirlygig thing in oversize form. Elaine loves it.
In the city park, Clare has to be on a leash. Dave’s interpretation.
Arrows making the handrail up to the church.
Checking out the vineyards on the drive back to the coach. Tons in this area. Might have to stop at one tomorrow. Right now I’m hoping for a nap. But then, I’m always hoping for a nap. 🙂
At the state park again, we walk down the trail to the falls. It is a Texas size version of Johnson Shutins in Missouri according to Elaine and Dave. It is a fairly steep trail and Elaine takes to walking a zig zag course to get back up the hill to the car. She is a trooper.
I get my nap while Dave and Elaine watch for deer. Early to bed this evening. It is going to be cold. Expecting overnight low of 29. We do have sunshine, but it’s winter in Texas.
Pictures will follow tomorrow. Too slow a connection to make them happen today.
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Pedernales Falls
Our evening for the next couple of nights is Pedernales Falls State Park. Nearest town is Johnson City. Got here around 5:00 just in time for a walk at sunset. Internet here is iffy so these posts the next couple of days will be sporadic at best.
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Sunshine!
1:09
Aaannnd we have sunshine!
Going to have lunch at the Koffee Kup in Hico.
Great Pies
Well, we ate too much to even think about pie.
Elaine stop, Let me take your picture!
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Texas trip
We are off to the wilds of Texas.
Left home yesterday. Got all the way to the warehouse. 🙂 I love staying at the warehouse in the coach. It reminds me of being a kid: “Mom! Can we sleep in the tent in the back yard?” Sure
So we spent the night in the coach safe and sound under cover.
This morning it was raining hard and cold. So we waited for a break in the weather to pull out. Just now got on the road around noon.
Elaine is in the passenger chair, Clare is at Elaine’s feet. Dave and Elaine chatting. All’s right with the world.
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Texas trip plans
Dave and Elaine are the sunshine kids. So I thought we should go south for Christmas.
Dave has been working on the trip ever since. He has a spreadsheet, google maps, regular maps, garmin… planning is one of his favorite things.
We pick up Elaine at DFW then many days later she flys home from Corpus. So we have Texas to see again. Elaine is a great traveler. And Dave is wonderful on vacation. It’ll be grand.
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Photos of new coach
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New coach to us
Just installed:
U295
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1993 U225 Foretravel for sale
This is a recap of what we had written about our previous Foretravel back in April of 2013.
36′ U225 Foretravel motorcoach
1993, 113,500 miles, Cummins, 5.9 turbo diesel, with Pac Brake. (note, that was the mileage when sold in April of 2013, update to follow)
This coach new in 1993 was over $200,000. There is no comparison to any other brand unless it is a Blue Bird or other custom builder. Most 36′ diesel in 1993 were less than $100,000, and for good reason. Check the build quality and fine furniture finish work in a Foretravel. Drive one and see why the Foretravel chassis and steel uni-body stand the test of time.
Coach is located in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. We have kept it in covered storage with power since we purchased the coach 2 years ago. The coach was a custom order for the first owner in Norman OK, the second owner, near Norman OK, enjoyed the coach for 3 years, before they upsized to another 93 Foretravel, U300 40′. This coach was built in Nacogdoches TX, and Foretravel is still building custom coaches today, and providing full service and upgrades. We have been there a couple of times for factory service, that is 5 star, in attitude, care and knowledge. Plus we enjoyed their campground and all the Foretravel members who we have chanced to meet. Just this past weekend there were 3 matching 36′ coaches just like ours on the camp parking area plus one 40′.
There is a great forum of owners, which is priceless, try: foreforums.com
Additionally there is more info than imagined at the most excellent site, on every Foretravel model year and floorplans, FAQs and more, try:
http://www.beamalarm.com/foretravel-links/foretravel-links.html
We have all the printed manuals and info on the coach, in 5, 3 ring binders. Service tickets and upgrades listed since 2007 for most all service, repairs, upgrades, which are included.
This is the floor plan, with Side bath, island queen bed, dinette. Known as a SBID, this is a very popular floor plan on the 36′ and 40′ U series of coaches from the mid 80’s thru the end of the 90’s with some slight differences.
Shown is the mid door entry, with the low step up height, the door bell, the touch sensitive lighted door grab handle, and patio light.
I love the mid entry. Groceries come straight into the galley. Friends walk into the middle of the house, and can be seated out of the traffic in the forward area. Stepping out to check the BBQ does not interrupt the visitors.
And if I had a front entry every time we stopped I would lose my “nest”. I would need to find another place for my slippers, purse, maps and guide books. Hassle city. Most people don’t realize with front entry coaches the steps are covered with a sliding panel, for the passenger foot area. That panel slides away each time you stop and need to exit the coach door.
Galley:
An L shaped galley with Corian counter tops with inlayed edge, Corian sink and stove covers. Crisp and clean. 4 burner propane stove with oven, with a microwave/convection oven above. Double SS sink, single lever control, and filtered drinking water from the 88 gal. tank.
Dometic refrigerator to left of stove, new in 2007. Refrigerator works off the 120v. or changes to propane automatically when needed. There is a deep drawer below the stove for all the pots and pans we have ever needed. Below the refrigerator behind the tambour sliding door is the built in vacuum cleaner, and hose and attachments. Above the stove there is a 2 speed fan with thermostat, that can act like a whole house fan. We can open the windows where we are sleeping or sitting and have a nice breeze across us.
Cabinetry is walnut thru out, not pressed board. Drawers open full length, on Accuride ball bearing glides, with hidden safety releases, and you have full access to the back of the drawers. The small tall door is the storage area for the two Corian sink covers and where we keep the cookie sheet and cutting board. The double doors open to the under sink lighted storage, with a lower shelf on pull out glides. The double switch is for the 12v. water pump and the Propane hot water heater, both have LED’s to show when they are on. Inside the right door is the hidden switch for the electric hot water heater when you are plugged into shore power. It also has an automatic light inside the cabinet, and pull out bottom shelf.
Table is Corian in alabaster white with inlaid edge. We keep two chairs at the table. Table has a hidden release, and pulls out further so you can add two more chairs when you have four for dinner. There is an outlet under the table for a toaster or the laptop. Table has its own window, a perfect place for coffee and Facebook in the morning.
Note the walls of the coach are full walnut. Lovely, warm look. Carpeting is a deep rich burgundy. Cream colored valances are trimmed in burgundy to match. Foretravel’s are known for their high quality cabinetry. Notice that things fit, there is no trim to cover poor joints and panels like in so many RV’s.
To the right of the galley is the couch, with storage under the lifting seat base. Underneath you will find the forward furnace, that heats the main areas, and the basements for all season camping. A newer fresh water pump and the 2 gallon accumulator tank are mounted in the space as well. The accumulator reduces the duty cycle of the pump, allowing for flowing water till the pressure drops and the pump cycles on again.
Couch makes into a double bed. Couch was recovered in cream faux leather in 2007 to match the front driver and passenger seats.
Flexsteel driver and passenger seats. Passenger seat rotates to face the couch.
The drivers seat is electric adjustable, dual swing down arm rests, the wheel is tilt and telescoping. On the side wall is the computer controlled HWH leveling control for the 4 corner swing down jacks. Simple to level with just 3 pushes of the button. Between the seats the dash shelf is shown in the pushed forward position, but can be pulled aft to more than double the surface space. The finger released drawer below is handy and large. The dash has the regular gauges for the engine. In addition the coach has a rear view, and right side mirror cameras, showing on the screen to the left of the wheel. On the dash in place of the original dash camera screen is the new SeeLevel system. It shows the charging amp, fresh water level (88 gal.), grey water level (85 gal.), black water level (45 gal.), and % of propane in the 174# tank. On the dash is the control for the propane generator, and the 600 watt dash inverter for road travel computers located in the passenger footwell.
Note: Thanks to Kent Speers (U300) for many of the following photos.
Swing down armrests, manual control, and it rotates around to the side when camping. In the foot well on the side wall, we installed a 600 watt inverter for travel power for the computers. There is a flex arm map light, glove compartment and hidden sun glass storage nook. Hidden on the side wall is the large road atlas map rack. There is also a hidden combination safe with maybe a winning lottery number. 😉
Overhead cabinets are tambour style doors, just like a roll top desk. When closed they look like a solid piece of walnut. When opened the doors disappear into the cabinet. No head knocks. Reminds me of the woodwork in an elegant yacht. The walnut woodwork is in excellent condition.
Photo shows the recliner in the forward looking travel mode, and the handy wooden TV remote control holder.
Chairs across from couch both pivot. The right one is a recliner with foot rest and headrest, swiveling on a rotating base. The cabinet between chairs has a table that pulls up and lays across the wide shelf for games or another eating place. There is great storage inside the two doors for tall bottles. There is an additional 120v outlet on the forward side of the cabinet. We had a printer that sat behind the forward chair, but out of sight. In the photo below, both chairs are in their travel mode.
Lots of room, storage, and features, all typical of the high quality Foretravel custom coaches.
Not shown are the hidden indirect strip lighting under all the overhead cabinets. Center ceiling lights are switched in various places, same for the under cabinet hidden lighting. Spare bulbs are included of course.
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Closets and built-ins
Sold: 36′ Foretravel motorcoach, U225 1993
Photos courtesy of Kent Speers
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Seating arrangements
36′ Foretravel motorcoach, U225 1993
Photo credits: Kent Speers
36′ ForetravelU225
photo credits: Kent Speers
This is an update done by the 2nd owner, nice large screen, easy to view with just a glance.
We added hash marks to the screen to show the distances aft. The top of the screen is 40′, marks are at 20′, 10′, 7′ and 3′. The remote control allows for screen adjustments and the switch to the right side mirror view. In the photo, you can see that the storage roof shadow is exactly 10′ behind the coach bumper. The black tape shows the centerline for the trailer hitch receiver, great when backing to hook up.
The SeeLevel II monitor is great, and shown is Battery voltage, % of 88 gallons of fresh water, % of 84 gallons grey, % of 45 gallons black and % of 174# of propane. Handy when filling the fresh water tank located under the dash area and you can watch the fill add up.
Just like any truck or coach, but with double needles air pressures and transmission temp as well.
A dash scuff from letting the wheel tilt forward, I am more careful when I pull the release lever.
Some dash discolor from photos of 2011, that I don’t notice some two years later, possibility it has faded some over time.
Sold: 36′ Foretravel motorcoach, U225 1993
photo credits: Kent Speers
Stainless double sinks:
Oven and 4 burner stove top:
I only used the oven to make cookies. 🙂
Microwave/Convection oven:
Dometic refrigerator/freezer:
Pantry with sliding shelves, shelf spacing can be changed depending on the height of your stored items. ie soup cans, cereal boxes etc.
Power vent over galley:
Above the stove there is a 2 speed fan with thermostat, that can act like a whole house fan. We can open the windows where we are sleeping or sitting and have a nice breeze across us.
shown with cover in place
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Cummins engine
This coach is powered with the famous Cummin’s 5.9B inline 6, with turbo. It is rated at 230 hp, powered thru the Allison 4 speed automatic. Foretravel spec’d this engine at 230 horsepower. Note most coaches by other manufacturers spec’d less horsepower. For instance 190 was a cheaper choice. In addition the first owner installed a Pac Brake, and dash switch as soon as he took delivery. Pac Brake is an engine brake in the exhaust system, that works on a “no throttle” sensor to help slow the coach, or to control down hill travel.
This coach has had upgrades to the engine cooling. The second owner installed an aluminum radiator to the front behind the grill to help with summer cooling needs. There is a manual shut off, for winter driving. The second owner also had the main radiator reworked, a new pump and dynoed at Cummins in OK. We have enjoyed 7,000 miles in the last 2 years in Texas without problems. We have replaced a number of small items on the engine. Of note have been the D2 regulator on the air system, the air dryer, the fuel filter mounting base, and a couple of new senders. Access is under the lifting bed deck and easy for spot checking. No parts have been replace in over a year, and our 7 weeks of trips this year we have had zero issues.
We get on average 8 mpg, towing at speeds between 60 and 65, loaded as we like, towing a light weight Saturn station wagon. All fuel use, mileage and costs have been recorded and the list is in the coach.
We enjoy traveling just below the posted speed limits, with the cruise on, and enjoying the views from the wrap around windshields.
The fuel filter is the white part, and mounted on a new engine mounted bracket.
The silver cylinder is mounted on the blue bracket, is the Pac Brake exhaust brake. It is controlled by the dash switch, and closes when on, and you lift off the throttle.
Top view of the 5.9 Cummins in line 6 cylinder turbo diesel, rated at 230 hp.