Winnebago Time!

September 11 – A moment of silence for the anniversary of 9-11. 

6:30 came early!  We had to be at the Service Center by 7.  We ended up requesting a

Our RV in its space at Winnebago

meeting with a Service Advisor instead of signing up for service and not getting to us.  We got an appointment for 11:45 and picked out the parts we needed for the hitch and the sink and would pick it up after our appointment later. 

The Visitor Center after closing

The Visitor Center was not open until 8 so we went back and I made pancakes and bacon for breakfast.  Once the VC opened we signed in for the 9 AM tour and toured the building with the history of Winnebago.  It was quite interesting.  At the time they started the RV’s were being made in California so they joined forces with a company there and brought a manager here.  A local group of businessmen, lead by John Hanson, pooled their money to start up the company so they could provide jobs for residents of Forest City that were leaving.  The new company only lasted a few months but then went on its own with more money infused and Hanson ended up owning it.  He owned several other businesses in Forest City.  Winnebago was the first to build a motorhome.  The really interesting part of their story is they actually make most of their parts in Forest City or now in plants they have in other cities.  Most are within 60 miles of Forest City.  They do the upholstery, the tanks, cabinets, aluminum parts.  It’s a very impressive company.

After the tour we went for our appointment and got a lot of our questions answers and the

We went of one of these busses

right places to contact regarding some issues such as the info system.  I will start making calls when I get home.  We picked up the parts and headed into town for lunch and a few groceries.  We had lunch at Hardee’s and then went to Bill’s Family Foods.  My Aunt Janet called while I was there and they are leaving from Ohio tomorrow and may be getting to Orlando about the same time we do. 

When we got back I thought I better check the new sink drain I bought as it was not a pop up drain, but a regular one with the plunger.  Apparently the guy who had the RV

first, for whatever reason, took out the plunger drain and put the pop up one in and when he did he removed the plunger post that is needed to make it go up and down.  So I walked back over to the Service Center and took it back.  They don’t have the plunger post and there is definitely a hole for it in the back of the faucet.  Guess I’m going to Lowe’s when I get home and see if I can buy another pop up one!  Crap!

We just relaxed this afternoon and wrote the last of the postcards.  Bill took a nap.  I made dinner a little early as he wanted to eat by 6 so he could go to the local high school’s football game.  I was invited but I passed.  I don’t go to see our teams at home so I certainly don’t have any interest in these kids.  Plus, it gave me some time to my self!  I made the chicken we didn’t have last night with corn on the cob and fresh green beans. 

I had some email to catch up on and steamed the rest of the beans for another night.  Then shower time and reading until Bill got back.