Due to health and safety to others, we are moving toward selling our Foretravel. Please allow me a moment to say "thank you" to so many for your friendship and help over this dozen years of ownership. I am thankful for how far we have come in learning how to care for the Foretravel and for the travel enjoyment and especially the new friendships.
I remember Don Hay told me that dozen years ago, you have a steep learning curve. He was right but I do love learning so it was not a problem given your help except for a few times of panic. As when the dash light came on in leaving a park in Raton NM on the first leg of a first trip.... and the light meant, per the literature, pull over and park soon to figure out what is/was wrong. OMG, what to do?
The travel has been fun, from experiences of social gatherings to new vistas, new climates and experiences, like fly fishing, and very especially friends met along the way. Those are the best.
I am writing this to thank so many of you that helped solve problems, explain how something worked, what to worry about and not, how to work around a problem on the road, what to do and what to take in getting on the road, what is reasonable and not preventive maintenance, what upgrades are fun and which are essential. You get the idea. Without you and the Forum, no Foretravel
Thanks MOT and all the folks there. I began with Mike Rodgers, Keith Davis, David Whitehead, Craig and evolved into Keith Risch being our lead tech, helping too was Sansom. In more recent times, Eric Barnes and James Johnson in his new role. Quite a few other techs and parts department folks. Sales too, Stewart and Mel and Jason and Michael. Xtreme too, some as upgrades, some a damage control (repair) and especially James Stallings advice on what to buy, and not.
Due to me not driving, Keith Risch and Virginia came to Fredericksburg today to retrieve the coach to take to Nacogdoches to do the annual maintenance and a thorough check to see what I should fix or disclose to a prospective buyer. Try to avoid any surprises to a new owner. Keith had driven it over here for us about 18 month ago.
With some fretting of forgetting to mention someone...."a note of thanks to other besides Keith and Virginia for all your help and friendships" goes out to MOT, FOT, Xtreme Paint and Graphics, John Schenzie, Brad and Dave Metzger, Barry and Cindy, Brett Wolfe, Duane Hawk, Roger Engdahl, Don and Trudy Hay, Kent Speers, Danny Sherrod, Doris and Jim Havard, Aubrey Lee, Ted and Karen Campbell, Dani Chapman, Chappell and ML Jordan, Rudy and Carolyn Leggett, Dave Cobb, Norm Holloway, John Krebs and the Ladies Driving School at FOT, James Stallings, Rance, Don Cox plus a few more.
Two short stories. I was disappointed in the first Foretravel we bought and after about six months I went back to MOT. They said let's try again, gave me a refund. I told them to just keep the money until they found one. They said no, I might find it some other place. Mel warned me too it might take six months. I said that would be ok. But in about two months Mel and Stewart called to say one had become unexpectedly available in an estate that they thought it may not. Got it. It had been owned by two others before me and Jackie.
When I first met Keith Risch, I had had the coach a while. I had just gotten the front end aligned elsewhere and had it in to MOT for something else. When I went to pick it up, there was a note on a napkin. it said,"it will drive like a Foretravel now, Keith". He had test driven it, knew it needed a bit of adjustment when I had not noticed it. I had nothing to compare to. That little help was just a small beginning for me learning of his abilities. Aubrey Lee joined MOT in recent years, he was a jewel too.
I later found that Keith Risch and Aubrey Lee had helped build the coach. They had both signed the documents of build. Special
Thanks to all, safe travels and good health to each of you
mike and jackie
Oh my goodness. You and Jackie are two of the most wonderful people Rhonda and I ever met. I'm sorry you're not able to drive the coach any longer. You have rolled out the red carpet for so many in Nach over the years.
I would write the same letter about those who have taken care of us. Everyone you mentioned has been there for us at some point.
If someone is looking to buy a coach from an honorable guy, Michael Harbordt is your man.
We are probably not far behind you. Our coach hasn't been out of the garage in a couple of years except on very short trips. Our spare time is spent at the lake, and we only take the big boat out when our kids and grandkids are there. I just don't want the responsibility these days.
God's best to you two.
Rick & Rhonda
Mike, have never met you but enjoyed reading your post throughout the years.
I am glad you are hanging up the keys on your terms! Now it's time to enjoy your family and friends 🙏🏻.
Well said Mike!
We met at the Walmart in Nac.
We had just pulled in and you circled our coach twice and pulled up along side our coach and we started talking.
The best to you and Jackie
Michael & Jackie ... So very glad to have spent time knowing you both. It has been a while, but I remember well your hospitality and warmth. We spent a small bit of time with you in Angel Fire and wish it had been more. Selling your coach will be bittersweet, to be sure. I miss our Foretravel years more than I can say. I still have dreams where we are still living in the coach! But it will go on to someone who will love it and have new adventures.
Stay well. Carol & Jeff
Guys you have been wonderful friends and I am glad our Foretravel brought us together. I know the feeling of letting your FT go. I hope you stay in touch even though you are not traveling as much. I know we are not traveling anywhere near as much as we did since I sold the FT. Enjoy the next stage of life and remember the good times and not the lights on the lights on the dash.
Mike and Jackie, well said. It's always been a pleasure knowing you two. I will always be grateful for the encouragement you gave after Donna passed. Multiple times you guys encouraged me to get up and keep on going. You both have been a real blessing in my life. I have so enjoyed the years at Eagle Nest with y'all and have been so grateful you introduced me. Last year was my 7th year! Time flies! But I hope to continue our friendship, after all Fredericksburg is not that far away! So happy trails friends and hope to see you soon!