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I just started using a new browser - Flock - and it has an extensionfor blogging from within the browser, so I thought I'd check it out.

BluewaterKey RV Resort offers peaceful seclusion on the largest RV lots in theFlorida Keys. Our Key West RV lots all feature private waterfrontage, private tiki huts and private docks.

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Kitty Safe Bed Slideout

Traveling with a curious cat has some challenges. Thankfully, our cat Bobbi is an indoor, litterbox trained cat. But there was one issue that caused us a little concern: what is under the bed slideout that may cause her harm. Probably nothing? But the small space and the acute angle prevented me from seeing anything under there except for part of an electrical junction box and some electrical conduit. That was enough for me.

The only time that is an issue is when the slide in IN. When the slide is out, the pedestal or "frame" of the bed's headboard butts up against the oudside wall closing off any access to that area. However when we are underway and the slide is in, there is an opening about 4 1/2 inche high and about 32 incles long that appears to be made for nothihg other than a curious cat.

I have been able to take care of this situation in our Bounder. I made what I call a kitty fence. On the floor on each side of the bed, I attached a piece of wood that is 4 inches high and 3 feet long to the floor. The end butts upagainst the outside wall under the head of the bed and runs parallel with the bed pedestal. (What I am calling the pedestal is the wood frame under the bed that the matress sits on and it forms the storage area under the bed.. this is kind of hard for me to explain without drawing a picture!) I attached the board to the floor with a couple of 1 1/2 inch L brackets like you would use to attach a small shelf to the wall. I mounted it on the floor leaving a little less than 1/2 inch between the board and the bed pedestal to allow room for the bed to slide without touching it, but it is close enough that the cat can't get behind it. I used 1/4 inch thick by 4 inch wide finished shelf board from Lowe's so it would look finished and I wouldn't have to cut and sand it. I stained it with Cherry stain to match the other wood in the Bounder.It seems to work pretty good so far. When the bed is in, it completely blocks the space under the bed. When the bed is out.. it is barely noticeable because the wood color blends in .I'm not much of a technical writer, so this whole description may not make sense to to anyone that hasn't seen it, but I dont know how to describe it any better. If anyone would like more info, you can email me and maybe I could send a picture or maybe I will just post a picture here later when I have time to take one.

Like I said before, there may be absolutely nothing dangerous under there, but knowing our cat..she would get under there and refuse to come out when we were ready to set up camp and put the slides out. I would rather she not get under there at all.

Our RV History

Our RVing History.

We have been camping since about 1989. Our first RV was a 28 foot 1985 Terry Trailer and a Chevy Suburban to pull it. Tristan and Addie were small then and we all enjoyed it. Some of our trips with the trailer include:

• A trip to Washington DC - camping near Fredricksburg VA and commuting into DC via train each day.
• Austin TX to visit our friends, the Rawsons.
• Myrtle Beach - Many times - camping at Lakewood Campground.
• NC Mountains - Maggie Valley, Lake Juneluska.
• Williamsburg VA.
  

In about 1995 we decided to downsize and we sold the Terry and bought a pop-up...or to be politically correct a "tent trailer". We only used it a few times, sold it and in 1998 purchased our first motorhome - a Type C 1998 Coachmen Pathfinder.

The highlight of the Coachmen was a 7 week trip from NC to CA, Oregon, Washington and back. I'll write all about that trip at another time.

That was a trip of a lifetime. Tristan and I left Monroe around the middle of June. Our goal was to get to San Francisco by July 3 where we would pick up Pam and Addie. They were going to fly from Charlotte NC to meet us there.

Us guys had a great trip through Dallas TX, Carlsbad Caverns, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley UT, and Las Vegas NV. That is where things changed for us. Tristan fell on his roller blades and broke his arm. After a trip to the emergency room.. a long trip to the emergency room in Las Vegas, we decided to stay in Vegas another couple of days so he could rest. Then we headed directly for SF to meet the rest of the family.

SF on the 4th of July was a great experience. Then we headed up the Pacific Coast Hwy, Portland Oregon, Spokane WA, and Yellowstone NP.

All that was great but the one area that stands out for me is the trip up Hwy 14 from Cody WY over to Sheridan WY across the Big Horn Mts. That is the absolute steepest road I have ever been on before or since! The views are fantastic, but beware the grades.

Mt. Rushmore was next, then the corn belt (Iowa) and back home. What a trip. We all will never forget it.

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