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Borrego Springs, CA

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

The saga of the MCD shades

Perhaps some of you recall that I had MCD shades installed on the inside of the rig across the windshield and the two driver/passenger side windows a little over a year ago.  They were well worth the investment for me so I wouldn’t kill myself trying to attach outside sun shades perched on top of a tall ladder.  Besides the sunshades, they also included night shades.  Not those pleated awful day/night shades that are on several other windows in the rig.

While I was at Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR this winter, the MCD shade on the passenger’s window wouldn’t retract.  I called MCD, and they sent me the needed spring part to replace so the shades would retract.  My friend John did most of the work in helping me get that repaired.  Then on the drive to Tennessee the entire structure of that shade crashed down giving me near heart failure as I drove along.

I was able to get a mobile RV tech out to the rig today to reinstall it.  I was concerned because the last time I called a mobile tech it cost me close to $300 for a five minute fix.  In less than 45 minutes, John Foxworthy not only reinstalled the shade (and improved the attachment so it won’t happen again), but also installed the new mechanism for my TV antenna that had broken and fallen out in pieces in my hands about a month ago.  Total bill was only a little over $130.  A lot of you guys probably could have done these things yourself, but I couldn’t.  Besides not having the proper array of tools that were used, with my left wrist presently giving me problems, I couldn’t lift the shades back in to place anyway.  I was happy as a clam, and would recommend John Foxworthy for repairs if you are in the Knoxville area.

For the last couple of weeks I’ve been trying to tape towels over that window as the afternoon sun just streams in and really heats up the rig.  The side wall around the window would get so hot that it would melt the gorilla tape sticky stuff and the towels would fall down.  What a relief it is to have the sunshade back in operation.

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By the time he was done, it was too late to do a day trip today.  Then in the afternoon, these ominous clouds began to roll in.  The wind began to pick up, and I rolled in my awning.  There was more of a threat of rain than actual moisture, but at least it lowered the temps a few degrees.

With the cloud cover, Emma and I were able to spend the early evening sitting outside for a change.  It’s been quite a few days that we’ve been cooped up inside because of the 100*+ temperatures.

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I was able to figure out a way to display the flag, that Robyn gave me, in honor of tomorrow’s holiday.  My last flag got eaten to shreds by mice at Anahuac NWR.  Sad smile  There is a street light right outside my rig, so I hope that counts for leaving the flag out over night.  I’m proud and thankful to be a citizen of this country.

I have a trip in mind to visit Cade’s Cove in Smoky Mountain Nat’l Park tomorrow, and my plan is to find a way to get there while avoiding the Pigeon Forge driving nightmare.  I might even set my alarm to leave by the crack of dawn.  We’ll see if I carry through on that idea.  Sarcastic smile

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

31 comments:

  1. Love your flag display. I'm sure the street light will suffice! Stay cool and safe tomorrow. Happy Fourth!

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  2. Judy, you need to turn the flag around. Copied from the flag code:
    When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should
    be uppermost and to the flag’s own right, that is, to the observer’s left. When
    displayed in a window, the flag should be displayed in the same way, with the
    union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street.

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    Replies
    1. Sholess Joe has this exactly correct. I do not believe that you displayed your flag the way you did with any disrespect but only because you did not know the proper presentation or a simple error.

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    2. Agree, was just reading the post and was about to call my mom and let her have it. :)

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  3. Glad you got your shade repaired at a good price. When I lived on the other side of the Smokies in NC, I found good honest mechanics and tradespeople for the most part, and their prices were very low by most standards. I really miss that part of the country.

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  4. Thanks for the reminder to get our flag out for tomorrow. We loved our MCD shades in our motorhome. They were so worth the money.

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  5. Pigeon Forge...YUCK!

    Happy 4th of July. We fly our flag with pride and memory of all our service men and women.

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  6. I was at Cade's Cove about 10 years ago. My dog, Shavano, and I tent camped in that small campground. It rained most of the time but it was just beautiful. It is certainly my favorite place in SMNP. You and Emma enjoy!!!!!!

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  7. Better get the flag out of the hall closet. Thanks for the reminder.

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  8. Glad you were able to get your shade fixed. I've been researching everywhere trying to find an alternative to our day/night shades. Is there a reason you chose the MCD vs alternative "residential" shades?

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  9. Thank you for displaying the falg that means so much to many of us. We are fortunate to be Americans!

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  10. I do know how to spell FLAG, my fingers just forgot... ;c)

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  11. We have a beautiful flag.... great pictures!

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  12. Judy, I'm seriously thinking about getting MCD shades. Do you think they're worth the $? Where did you have yours installed? Do they do a good job of keeping the heat out and letting daylight come in? I HATE a dark coach. Thanks for any info you can share.

    Cat Lady

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  13. Happy 4th Judy and of course, Emma. Hope you have a wonderful day!

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  14. Happy 4th of July Judy!!..hope you have a great day..
    nice repair job on the shades..nice to find a handyman when you need one!

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  15. I have the outside shades, my rig is not very tall, and I can reach to snap them on without a step stool or ladder. I have had good luck with the mobile RV techs. If I have a goal in mind - I can usually get up earlier (especially to avoid traffic).

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  16. HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

    Cades Cove is the only part of SMNP that we have visited and we loved it! We even saw a bear cub in the tippy top of a tree eating grapes! I hope you have an equally special day!

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  17. Love, love Cades Cove, but we always drove through Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg (another tourist trap filled with traffic, just not as many lanes)to get there. Abrams Falls is a great hike, but might be too far if your hip is hurting you. The whole park is just a true treasure. Have fun, Happy 4th! Tom & Lynn

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  18. Wish there was a way to know which mobile techs are reasonably priced. I am going to have to use one soon too.

    Can't wait to see your pics from Cases Cove. Hope the traffic there isn't too bad. I've only gone in the spring, fall and summer are too busy for me.

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  19. Those mobile techs are handy. Great idea on the flag!

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  20. I love the MCD shades and hope to get them next summer on our way through Texas... Glad you got evrything repaired and at a good price... Love those honest people who don't take advantage!
    Have fun & Travel safe
    Donna

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  21. I've stayed in Townsend a few times when visiting GSMNP. They refer to themselves as "the quiet side of the Smokeys" and it really is (compared to all the attractions of Pigeon Forge). From Townsend, it was easy to easy to get to Cades Cove in the wee early morning hours before the traffic jams build up too much. When it's cooler, the morning hours also produce a wonderful fog across the cove that is wonderful to photograph. Another great stop is to watch the sunrise from the overlooks a few miles west of Townsend on the Foothills Parkway (go south at the turnoff). Not quite as spectacular as Clingman's Dome at sunset, but still very similar with all the hills seeming to "stack up" on top of each other. Have fun!

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  22. That's a bit disappointing about the MCD shades falling down. That shouldn't have happened. Have you talked to them about reimbursement?

    Glad you found a good and honest mobile rv guy.

    Enjoy Cades Cove.

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  23. Great clouds.
    We are finally in the rainy season and it has cooled off nicely.

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  24. Sure hope the 'flag police' don't come around and give you a ticket. Have a great 4th of July.

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  25. Happy Independence Day! Will be watching to see if you got up really early or decided later was okay... :-)

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  26. We LOVE LOVE LOVE our MCD shade across our front windshield! We raise it with a flourish to greet each new day as it unveils the scenery outside each morning. And letting it down and night turns our open living area into a cozy private retreat...

    We added hand-pull down window shades on each side to match the main front one. The rest of our windows are regular metal thin mini-blinds. If we could afford it, we would probably put MCD shades on ALL the windows!

    ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
    Karen and Steve
    (Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com

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