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Yellowstone N P is calling my name. It just won't shut up!

Our grandson, Cody, has Downs Syndrome. He is 32 and cherishes our trips. He looks at our pictures constantly. We will barely get back home, and he will be asking his grandmother, " Next Trip Mimi." Most times on the trip home he will start asking us. Really would like another out West trip but don't know if we can swing it this year. After this trip we have 2 weeks at Defeated Creek near Carthage TN. Then time for out west??????? Maybe!

We have never gone the Class A, B, or C way of the motor Home. My wife has expressed interest in it, but we would need to change our whole set up, Camper and Truck, along with much money invested again. Our truck is too large to tow. We have friends that have class As and Bs and they always tow their dingey along so they will not need to take the Motor Home every time they go and explore. At 77 Y O I just don't know how much more camping we will be able to do it. I am a disabled veteran, and my health is sliding south more quickly than I like. It would not be wise to sell out and go with a motor home now. I had a heart attack last April and Sevier heart disease. We have decided we will just keep what we have and enjoy the camping we have left. My wife cannot pull the camper. It scares her to death just thinking about driving the rig. I keep the Good Sam medical Travel Assist so they will come and get the rig if I have serious health problems on the road. That comforts her. Heading to Destin Fla, Monday week. Going to take our grandson and have a 9 day stay. Will be saying in the Army Rec facility near the Bay Bridge in Destin. The Rec area faces the bay and is a great place to camp. Very reasonable as Destin does not have an abundance of campgrounds for visitors. We are hoping the weather cooperates as it is early to be headed to the beaches. We don't swim any longer and do enjoy sitting on the beach, walking, read, and rest. We always watch the sunsets over the big bay there and they are a treat. Have good sea food joints to top off the trip. You just can't beat it. Our accommodations cost us around 500.00 ( 65.00 each at the rec area and 40.00 each for 2 nights in Montgomery Ala traveling) for the 9 days. Of course, we have the expense of traveling there and back home. A little over 4 tanks of Diesel fuel. Not bad for a 9 day trip. We also have the savings of eating in the RV and not needing to eat every meal out, which is a large savings now-a-days. Most restaurants are 65.00 + for three adult meals after tips. Breakfast is even high today. Eggs you all know! We have and do have fun on or trips. Even camp locally (within 50 miles) also. Once loaded it is not a lot of trouble getting ready to go. Just load clothes and food, and you're on the way. After traveling/camping since 2001 to date, I highly recommend it. We have camped in 47 of the 48 lower states. Not Rhode Island. Well, I guess I still have a reason to go to Yankie land again! Loved Vermont, very mountainous where we were, and the syrup was great.

By the looks of the pics the blue one is in not the best condition. The S Steel one should clean up good.

I have had some travelers that stay a couple days then move on for about 3 weeks now. Got 2 females today. Have 2 feeders up and have refilled them 3 times. Seeing birds at both feeders. One feeder is under the front porch and one in the back at our breakfast nook bay window. We like to watch them when having our meals. No buzzing (territory thing) each other yet. I am having trouble with Red Bellied Woodpeckers eating at my feeders.

Watched the video. Interesting. Will reconsider the Bodyguard and take another look. He shot the pistol well and he has big hands.

I never like to purchase a new model firearm until it has had a good track record for the exact reason this guy was having and finally worked out his problem, with the help of Ruger. I do like Ruger firearms. They will work with you or give you a new gun if they can't fix the old one. I have a Ruger 40-caliber carbine, and it broke the extractor while we were firing it one afternoon. I purchased it used, and Ruger sent me a mailing label and fixed the carbine and sent it back to me. Also purchased a Ruger 10 22 takedown that would not cycle reliably. Sent it back and they could not repair it, so they sent me a new rifle. Ruger has great service to their customers IMO. Edited to add; On the AR I decided to go with a Springfield Armory Saint because I wanted an all-metal rifle.

Went to Acadamy Sports, in Smyrna, and handled a Bodyguard 2.0. I was not drawn to it immediately. To me, It was just a little small. Will go and handle it again in the future. Sometimes I need to taste it again before I develop a desire for one. I have a Ruger Max 9, and it may just need to fill my needs at this time. With the flush mag it would work, and it is a 9 MM. Ammo was quite a bit higher than where I have been ordering my ammo from. They did not have much of a selection for Self Defense ammo. I was in the market for 124 gr + P and they had none. I also wanted some Speer Gold Dot 38 spl 125 gr + P Short Brl for my EDC carry and they did not have that either. Did purchase me a new Leupold 42 MM binocular. Bird watching you know!

My faith is in a risen Christ.

I am thankful.

Defunct Ammo, how do you like the shoot ability and overall handling of the Bodyguard? Seriously considering purchasing one. My choice will be between the Bodyguard or the equivalent Ruger 380.

I like pocket holsters. DeSantis Nemesis. One can alter the mouth of them, but I don't know if they will fit a Bodyguard. They may even make one for the Bodyguard. I carry a 7 shot 2" revolver, which is a K frame size, in a D Nemesis, that I had to open the throat to accept the larger cylinder. My wife sowed it back on her machine. These holsters are 29.00 + and cover the trigger and stay in the pocket when drawing the firearm. They last about 8 months to 1 year for daily carry IMO. I have been interested in the Bodyguard but want to wait a while to see if they have any bugs in them. Time will tell on that. If they turn out to be reliable, I will probably purchase one for myself. I really am not fond of 380 but it seems to be a little light but minimally effective. The round count in in the right direction for me. It would be much, much, much better than noting IMO. I read Carl Chinn's book about the church shooting that he was in charge of security for. The church was in Colorado, and he was forced into a situation of facing down that shooter who was armed with a fully loaded AR 15 and 2 9 MM pistols. Carl had a small 32 tip up brl 7 shot micro pistol. He said while standing there waiting to face the shooter, that was now in sight and coming down the hall toward him, he thought to himself, how stupid he was for being in that position and all he had was a small 32 caliber "Minni" pistol. I don't never want to be in that situation. My thoughts and purpose for the Bodyguard is for a weak side backup pocket pistol to my 357 Mag revolver when traveling across the U S in our RV. I know in many situations probably one will never need a backup pistol; however, it would still be a comfort to have a New York reload handy on my person. My feeling while traveling is my wife, and I are most vulnerable when stopping for fuel in unknown circumstances. We are forced to stop about ever 200 to 250 miles (truck averages 12 MPG) for fuel and relief. Going coast to coast, guys that is a lot of stops and many vulnerable situations. I would still like to make one more trip across the US before packing long travels in. My wife wants to explore San Francisco. I feel strongly the Bodyguard may be the one to have. I have a S W 642 Snubby now I use but it is a little limited on round count and a tad bit bulky. The slab side would be more comfortable IMO. California will not allow me to carry anything, but I am almost certain I can have it in my RV(roller home). DAdams, keep us updated on your new pistol and "enjoy it". I have really noticed the Bodyguard, like it, but pray I am never forced into a situation to need to use anything, again. I do believe one needs to be prepared, anyways.

Big K not writing this to brag, but our camper we have now has 2 bedrooms with a queen bed in the master and 4 bunks in the bunkhouse. The main galley and living room combo. Also has the booth type dinner booth. We have 2 lazy boy chairs, and a swivel rocker for comfortable seating and watching TV. It is 7 1/2 feet wide and 35' long. There is all kinds and lengths of campers and almost one that will fit anyone interested. That is the beauty of camping you can do it as a minimalist, or have more amenities, at each one's choice. It is a lot of cost and work, but we have enjoyed it.

Gomer, you have plenty time left to use a camper L/w, if you back problems don't get worse. We have a complete house set up we never take out of the camper. That way you don't need to empty everything every time you come home. Lots less lifting. The other thing it takes time and money to be able to use your camper. We took 23 years to discover the lower 48 states. I have been retired since 2004 with a good income which allowed us to do our camping plus, I had a good friend that took us on our first out west trip. The thing about camping is knowing where to go and what to see. Plus, the things you discover by accident while traveling and exploring. My wife, grandson, and I have enjoyed "immensely" our travels. At 77 we are still wanting to do the camping thing. I now only drive about 6 hours continuous and then take a break. It helps me to not get stressed out and then feel better the next day and be able to have good travels. When I was younger, we drove to the Grand Canyon in a little over 2 days from middle TN. That is a little over 12 hrs driving per day driving. Didn't faze me as I had good stamina during those younger years. It has been a 25-year enjoyable thing for us. My first goal, after we purchased our first camper, was to camp in every State Park in TN that had RV camping. That in itself was tremendously enjoyable. For instance, on one trip was to East, TN and when we explored Bristol Tn, we found out that one can stand in the middle of downtown main street and there are markers in the road that show one side is TN, and the other side is Virginia. Also toured the Bristol Speedway and traveled to Virginia and took in a show at "The Carter Fold." They dance with dogs there while different artist is playing Blue Grass Music. A P Carter started this show so they could keep Carter Family Music alive. Another thing we found out, Davy Crocket did not grow up on a mountain top in TN. At the D C State Park his cabin Replica is beside a creek with a very flat campground adjacent to it. Disney had it all wrong! I can go on and on about the thing we have seen and explored. JUST DO IT, if you think you would enjoy camping. Edited to add; The first country recordings were recorded in Bristol and the Carter Family were among the first to record there. They now have a museum devoted to country music and those recordings.

That is a good start. You should be able to tow a sizable camper but still must say in the range of your truck's towing ratings. My 2500 HD is rated for around 10,000 pounds to be safe. Ford rates their 250 at 12,000 but I think that is a little overrated. Don't know about Dodge. Wheelbase has a lot to do with stability going down the road. My truck is a 4 door with an 8' bed. It is the longest wheelbase one can buy. It is really stable towing our 35 footer. The diesel is a large difference in power also. I had a gas burner with the same setup but when we got the Duramax Disel there was no comparison which truck was the strongest. Edited to add; What is you age G P?

Airstreams are the best, most rugged, but not cheap, IMO. Campers are not like stationary homes; they are much cheaper built and not as durable. We have managed ours by doing most of the work and repair ourselves. Just replaced the inverter last week. Never had to repair leakage damage. We have a cover for our Wildcat, and it, and our truck sets inside except when we camp or on the road. A good truck is a necessity, and they are not cheap either. Light trucks (F 150, Chevy 1500 or Dodge 1500) pull small light campers. Larger heavy-duty trucks pull larger campers. Must have the right combination. They are dangerous to tow if you don't. With what new equipment cost now, I don't know if I would make the investment unless you already have a good tow vehicle.

I have camped in all the 48 lower states, except Rhode Island, and it took us 23 years. I am on my 3rd camper; a 2007 Wildcat 35' fifth wheel pulled with a Chevy 2500 HD Duramax Disel. It is a lot of work, but I was much younger when we started in 2001 and never noticed like I do now. It was much easier then, but we still have the urge to go at he 77/her 75. Our first-born grandson (32) usually goes with us. He has Downs Syndrome and really enjoys camping with us. In fact, he has been on most of our out west trips. Have traveled all the interstates form East Coast to West coast but never crossed the mountains into California except for 1 occasion 3 years ago. We are headed to Destin Florida for a 6-night stay in an Army Rec Center on the bay close to the Destin Bridge. Cost us 70.00 per night plus fuel to get there. Truck averages 15 miles per gallon of fuel. It is about 450 miles to where we are camping. We leave in a few days. I have never purchased a new camper because they lose too much in value for the first owner. Have always purchased slightly used campers. We have had the one we have now for 9 years, and it is still road worthy. Now I ask where can you find sleeping and eating accommodations, in Destin, for that kind of lollie? Can even cook if we want too and not need to pay 70/80.00 per meal eating out. We have the desire to go back out west, this year, if we can get things worked out by July. If we go it will be for 5-6 weeks, and cost approx 6,500.00 to 7,000. I feel I still have one more long trip in me. We have thoroughly enjoyed our road trips to many places we would have never been able to travel too, if not for camping. Just put a new set of tires on the Silverado and prepping. Hope it works out. One needs to be very careful not to overpay for a used camper or it will take the fun out of it.

If one has time, you should listen this long podcast. It is total 52 min (long) but you can cut the promo and just listen to him. This guy talks about ammo, guns, equipment that works, some that don't work, and many aspects and dynamics of his 14 shootouts he has participated. I know he is a cop, and we are not, and I am glad for that. I would not like his job; however, he has real world experience and is knowledgeable about the subject of "gunfighting". For instance, most of his shootings were one hand firing at 6' to almost point-blank distances. Did not have time to get into a 2 hand stance. Talks about backup guns. Just take the time and listen. Very worthwhile training. After all this is a gun page. Edited to add; You will come away with a whole different thinking on the power of the handgun you are carrying, from the first shooting to the last. Handguns are very underpowered as far as fighting weapons guys. Yes, even the one you are carrying. Case in point he shot the first guy with 44 magnum multiple times after his partner emptied 2 guns in him. The guy succumbed to his injuries several days later. As for Red Dot sights, this guys believe you will never see it in a real life or death gun battle. Just listen!

Just finished listening to an interview/podcast of a cop who has been through 14 shootings. Massad Ayoob conducted the interview and the link to the interview was on another blog. He used point shooting in all shootings, while only looking for the front sight, but 1 where he used the iron sights because of distance over 19'. Most all shootings were within room distances, point blank/10'. Mass asked him why he didn't use the dot, and he said he didn't believe there was time to find it. The guy has been an officer for 30 years and still at it. YMMV! Edited to add; https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=f3f443f852de20baeb6246887c52aacc7b2b332e19e24b5c022a209a5b4d15d6JmltdHM9MTc0NDUwMjQwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=22546ce9-b283-62b0-233d-6390b3af6382&psq=massad+ayoob+podcast+interviews+cop+who+has+been+in+14+shootings&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmZW5zaXZlY2FycnkuY29tL3RocmVhZHMvbWFzLWludGVydmlld3MtYm9iLXN0YXNjaC1jaGljYWdvLXBkLXZldC1zdXJ2aXZvci1vZi0xNC1ndW5maWdodHMuMjA3NzMwLw&ntb=1

They recommend McMaster Carr in Illinois who carries the best steel alloy screw they can.

Not the dots that are failing. it is the mounts and screws used to mount them are failing. It is in the other post which explains it. Sorry for the double post.

Just finished reading an article in American Handgunner Magazine (Nov Dec 2024 issue page 20) about Red/Green dot sights. Author is Massas Ayoob and he relates that Police trainer Jeff Chudwin told him they are now offering a Duty Handgun Optics Armorers class for Officers who have gone to dot sights. Mount of Optics is the focus. Why? In the past year 50 to 100% failed in some fashion during their classes. Loose screws, broken screws, wrong screws, no or wrong Locktite, etc. They recommend McMaster Carr in Illinois who carries the best steel alloy screw they can. They now check every firearm before moving to the range. Have any of you red dot sight guys had anything like this to happen? These guys are firing 100's of rounds weekly. Me, I am not going to dot sights. My concern, if it is mechanical in any way, it can and very well may fail. Irons can break, but that is what I am putting my trust in. You are welcomed to your opinion's guys.

Double Post. Have no Idea why my computer is double posting on occasion.

I purchased a 19 2.0 Gen 5 about 3 years back. Still in the box and never fired it. Glock is just not my game even though I feel they are good accurate pistols. I also have an older 23 in 40 cal and have fired it many times. My cup of tea is pocket carry Revolver then SW MP 9 Cs. I have 3 and one is an EZ. All the same size. The EZ is a 11 shot single stack magazine with a little thinner grip. the others are all 15 + 1. I IWB, at 4:00, carry these. Thinking of taking one and having a little better trigger (Timney) installed to see if I would like it better. That is the only rub on the MP series pistols I have. Really enjoy the MP series of pistols. Glocks, not so much.

Just got an e-mail from S G ammo who I order ammo from. He is saying that if the tariffs are 25% on the foreign companies and foreign companies where components come from, then the ammo prices are going to increase signifyingly over time. Might be a time to lay in some extra ammo if you have the spare money. Right now, he has Winchester White Box 115 gr practice 9 MM ammo (239.00 per 1000 no freight charged on over 200.00), which I like to use, at a fair price. He said his sales has increased 500 to 600 % in the last 2 weeks. Steel cased Magtech is even better, at 30.00 per thousand cheaper, if that is your cup of tea. I don't like Steel cased as some say it does put extra wear on pistol ejectors. Sam said Rifle Ammo is not exempt either and will slowly increase if the tariffs stay for any length of time. For sure on foreign imported ammo. Something to consider. Thinking about ordering an extra 1000 myself.