Service work complete and meeting new friends

Finally reached the end of our repairs and servicing today. The paint shop finished yesterday but  took three days (over the weekend) to complete their work and I must say LD (the painter) did a superb job.  Nita and Bridgid (new friend) and I finished a 1000 piece puzzle of a country farm scene. I'm still blurry eyed from looking at all the red and dark pieces.

Today we had an appointment to get the engine, transmission, generator and chassis serviced at a local Diesel Service shop where Tiffin sends all those needing that service. They are certified Cummings Diesel and Freightliner Chassis qualified. The "Diesel Shop" service techs said it appeared that the previous owner had never serviced anything except engine oil and a couple filters. So we had the works done: change oil & filters(all of them) in the engine: changed oil & filters in the generator:  chassis completely serviced as well as changing fluid in the  the transmission plus the filters: transaxle: tires and brakes checked and changed antifreeze in the radiator ( it was contaminated-diluted)and had to change the water reservoir ( it was broke and wouldn't hold the cap).

Tiffin doesn't do any of that type of work anymore and it's their way of supporting the local community. Seems as though most of the area supports Tiffin in one way or another. I really respect them for that. Even their workers are allowed to provide Tiffin type services  to us after working  hours and away from the maintenance facility. They just don't want them to compete. Materials must be purchased from Tiffin  to ensure quality work is done. All parts are available through the company store.We had the top of the slide outs replaced  and resealed (re-caulked- took 20 tubes of caulk) the roof.

Tonight we joined our new friends, Ron & Bridgid, for a farewell dinner. They leave tomorrow as well for either Savannah, GA or back to Vancouver, WA. We had dinner at a "red neck" restaurant called "Swamp  John's" . It is a small building converted from a service station that still had the pumps (6) installed. The fried fresh catfish was just "fantastic" and delicious. Has to be some of the best I've ever eaten. I had a large platter--had two fish on it. Anita had a medium with three filets.

We had several meals with Ron and Bridgid and the most unusual was breakfast at "A n D Grill" in Vina, AL, about 10 miles down Hwy 19.  The "chocolate gravy and biscuit" was a first for Nita , although it is on almost every café menu in this area.  But, the entertainment was at the next table and so funny.  There were about 6 or 8 locals and they could do stand up comedy anywhere.  They included us in their conversations and tall tales and of course you know me . I can adlib and joke  with the best.    We could hardly eat, laughing so much. To add to it they were obviously redneck by the way they talked.  Oh, the chocolate gravy was pretty good.  Nita said she will  have it again.

Tomorrow morning we will head South