The Eagle Has Landed!

[Rick Coleman]

Well, after much looking, comparing, shopping, negotiating, etc. yesterday afternoon we brought home our "new" '05 36MDDS! After 2 1/2 hours of driving through crowded Friday afternoon L.A. freeways and 100+ degree heat we got the coach home and parked. Drives magnificently, but given that I'd never driven a coach before other than a few test drives, to say that I was exhausted would be a major understatement! I'm sure I've already forgotten 90 percent of the walk-through information from the dealer delivery. When I shut the engine off last night I then thought..."Now what do I do?" Somehow we got the new baby put to bed, and I for one, slept like I'd been without sleep for a week!

My wife, Sue, followed me home in her car and we communicated with walki-talkies all the way, so it felt like she was in the cockpit with me.

So much to know and learn...I'm not sure if I could even turn on the tv again without a little reading. Lots of electronics.

We are thrilled to finally have an Alpine, and we are looking forward to many fun miles and places.

I must say that this forum has been exceedingly helpful in figuring out what to buy, and what to insist the dealer triple-check before delivery! We know we still have lots of de-bugging to do, but I do feel much better informed than one whom might come into this absolutely cold.

Thanks to all the contributors to this forum for helping us make an informed decision.

Rick Coleman

[Rick Coleman]

Well, after much looking, comparing, shopping, negotiating, etc. yesterday afternoon we brought home our "new" '05 36MDDS! After 2 1/2 hours of driving through crowded Friday afternoon L.A. freeways and 100+ degree heat we got the coach home and parked. Drives magnificently, but given that I'd never driven a coach before other than a few test drives, to say that I was exhausted would be a major understatement! I'm sure I've already forgotten 90 percent of the walk-through information from the dealer delivery. When I shut the engine off last night I then thought..."Now what do I do?" Somehow we got the new baby put to bed, and I for one, slept like I'd been without sleep for a week!

My wife, Sue, followed me home in her car and we communicated with walki-talkies all the way, so it felt like she was in the cockpit with me.

So much to know and learn...I'm not sure if I could even turn on the tv again without a little reading. Lots of electronics.

We are thrilled to finally have an Alpine, and we are looking forward to many fun miles and places.

I must say that this forum has been exceedingly helpful in figuring out what to buy, and what to insist the dealer triple-check before delivery! We know we still have lots of de-bugging to do, but I do feel much better informed than one whom might come into this absolutely cold.

Thanks to all the contributors to this forum for helping us make an informed decision.

Rick Coleman

[swansnest]

Rick - A great big CONGRATULATIONS and Welcome to the ALPINE Groupies!!!! Now you have to join ACA and come to the Rally in North Carolina next month! Rallys are a great place to learn lots of things about your coach.

We highly recommend staying around for the FMCA Rally because there is where you meet the manufacturers & vendors for the parts in your motorhome.

We are right down the coast from you and we leave on the 17th to go pick up our new Apex at the factory before driving cross country to NC Rallys.

Again - Welcome - Tris & Carolyn Swan

[Dave Fernandez]

Congratulations Rick:

I personally know you have been looking for a long time. I also know how you felt driving the Alpine Home for the first time. I also remember I did not remember everything I was given instructions on systems when I went through my walk through.

I know that everyone on this forum will help in any way they can when you have a question or problem. I also know that if you attend an Alpine Rally or even a Rally with S.O.B's. (Some Other Brands) they will also help.

Should you have any questions please feel free to contact me. I hope to meet at one of the Rallies. If you can not attend the Rally in N.C. you can join Alpine So Cal in September 8. 9. & 10 in Paso Robles, and there will be two Rallies in October, first the Alpine Coach Association (ACA) Heritage Rally in Nashville, TN, Oct 3-8, and the Second one with Alpine So Cal, in Lone Pine, CA during the Lone Pine film festival Oct, 6-8.

[Danny Gayhart]

Congratulations Rick and Sue

Welcome to the Alpine family. I'm sure you will enjoy your new Alpine as much as we all have enjoyed ours. Much of the enjoyment comes from the people you meet while traveling in your coach.

Please visit us often and share your experiences. We are here to help you through the learning curve.

Danny

[gjstacy]

Rick & Sue,

Welcome to the Alpine family, and congratulations on the long awaited purchase.

My husband and I did about a year's worth of research before buying our first Alpine in January of 2001...it was also a 36 footer. To indicate how much we like our motorhome, we are now on our 3rd Alpine, and moved up to a 40 footer to get the kingsize bed. We have nearly 48,000 miles on our 2004, and enjoy our travels in it immensely.

We also belong to ACA and Alpine SoCal, and I highly recommend you consider joining both, as there are fabulous people, and we learn so much and have so much fun! We joined both right away and were so thankful we did, as we, like you, were new to the game when we bought our 2001. It is the best way I know of to help you learn your way around these rigs, from driving tips to maintenance and safety info, as well as travel info on where to go and what to see. I know you would not be sorry if you joined us!

See you on the road!!

[Rick Coleman]

Thanks for the kind welcoming words. We have spent the last 2 days checking out every nook and cranny. Still found plenty of pick-up work to do, and we are making copius notes of questions to get answered. This appears to be the first vehicle I've ever owned where it appears to be worthwhile to read EVERY one of those manuals in the 2' tall stack! Finally started on them last night and they are very helpful. Lots of reading ahead of us.

Rick

[Tom and Patty]

Rick,

I know how you feel driving in that traffic. Although we test drove our Alpine on mountain roads , I wasn't prepared for the rush hour traffic. We picked ours up in Reno at 5:00 PM. Nothing compared to LA traffic, but Patty was just talking away all excited . Finally she asks if I'm listening to her. I told her," Honey, I'm just trying to keep this thing between the lanes and not run over anyone. "

It gets better fast, but our first two days on the road were a work out. Now it's like driving an old Kingswood Estate, except I haven't figured out how to get that second gear scratch !