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Motorhome Experiences of Judy and Lyle Dean Lebsack
8463133Spring 2024
Judy and Lyle are making plans for a month-long journey from our summer base in Berrien Springs, MI to far northern Idaho--a scenic part of America we have not yet visited. Intermediate stops include Aberdeen, SD (one of Lyle's first radio jobs) the International Peace Garden on the North Dakota/Canadian border, Badlands of North Dakota, Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota, the Badlands of South Dakota and, yes, WALL DRUG!.
Our goal is to end up at International Falls/Rainy Lake in Minnesota where Lyle's son and daughter-in-law have an island cabin. With any luck, catching (and eating) walleyes is on the agenda.
Summer 2024
UPDATE
Things happen!.
In April, Lyle had not felt well--with abdominal discomfort, not pan. After a week, it was not better, but he ignored July's urging to go to the emergency room. Finally, she called Lyle's son, Erik, who lives nearby in Ft. Myers. They loaded Lyle into a car and hauled his stubborn butt to Gulf Coast Regional Hospital Trauma Center (at 2 am). The medical team quickly diagnosed him with severe sepsis. Thus began a ten-day hospital stay, two weeks of rehab whiile awaiting gall bladder surgery. Timing, they say, is everything. One doctor commented to Judy that one more day of waiting might have been too late. Lyle has recovered nicely, but so thankful to Judy, Erik and the team at Gulf Coast for saving his life.
That series of events changed our summer cruising plans. We left the motor home in FL and drove the car back to Michigan. We still have plans for that fishing trip on the Canadian border over Labor Day.
We have a competent crew keeping watch on the motorhome until we return in November.
January 2025 UPDATE
Leaving the coach on its RV site in North Fort Myers for the summer of extreme heat and two hurricanes was nerve-wracking, but it pretty much survived unscathed--thanks in part to an RV repairman and his wife who checked on the coach frequently. Weather this January in Florida has been cooler than normal, but nothing compared to farther north, so we are thankful.
May 2025 UPDATE
Okay, nothing is going according to our schedule--which would have put us back in Michigan about now. Lyle has been (still is) waiting for two relatively minor medical procedures. After meeting with doctors today, it appears we are making progress toward getting out of FL around June 3rd. Neither of us are happy with the delay, but we feel staying here where we are confident wbout health care seems wise.
June 2025 UPDATE
FINALLY. Lyle expects final clearance from the surgeon Monday, June 9 Scheduled for service to the coach Tuesday morning and--then--heading north. This morning had chassis batteries replaced. One was totally dead, probably from the relentless 90 degree heat here in FL. Not a cheap fix, but better than being stranded in the boonies unable to start the coach. We are slightly over a month late leaving FL for MI, but annoying health issues have been taken care off (kidney stone and hernia) and we're slowly getting packed up. .
June 15, 2025
We left Ft. Myers on June 10 after oil, filters and lube for the coach. Made it to Bushnell, FL and Paradise Oaks RV Park--about 3 1/2 hours. Our goal was/is to get to Michigan in time for No Kings Protests (spoiler alert: we made it). The plan included three fairly long days and getting through Atlanta, Chattanooga and Nashville traffic. Just one significant issue was when a wheel barrow fell from a construction truck on I=75, tumbled end over end across three lanes of heavy traffic. Lyle almost missed it, but had no place to swerve. Almost means minor fiberglass damage to the lower right front bumper. Could have been much, much worse!
We moved the coach today, Father's Day, to its summer home near St. Joseph, MI.
June 6, 2026
We enjoyed an uneventful winter in North Fort Myers. Since we had no motorhome trips planned for this summer, we elected to leave the coach on the lot in Florida. The decision made economic sense even before diesel prices jumped. Prior to driving north in the car, I took the coach for oil, filter and lube. The tech confirmed a small oil leak in the oil pan and diagnostics showed another problem, which was more pricey--but a necessary fix.
At the same time, the Mercedes SUV showed a check engine light. Took it to Mercedes of Bonita Springs. I was impressed by the thoroughness of the service experience. It was not cheap!
So, we're back in SW Michigan, unpacked and getting caught up on routine medical stuff, Judy has renewed her contacts with friends and extended family. I set up recording facilities for To Your Health. Life is good. We pray it stays that way!