Meet our new home on wheels

Our new home on wheels is a 2001 Alpine 36FDDS.  The FDDS stands for Front Door, Double Slide and the 36 means it is 36 feet long.  It was manufactured in Yakima, Washington, by Western Recreational Vehicles. 

So what makes the Alpine so special? 

Let me count the ways!

Firstly, it has all the “boy parts” that Michael prefers.  The "boy parts" are what I call all the mechanical parts that make the coach work and run.  These include a Cummins Diesel 350 HP, 6-cylinder, 8.3 liter engine; a 6-speed Allison transmission; hydraulic disc brakes; 4-airbag suspension; and a 100 gallon fuel tank.   All those terms are way beyond the capacity or interest of my female brain, however, since we will be relying heavily on all these parts to get us down the highways and byways, I trust they are the best combination and will remain reliable.  Michael assures me that at 53K miles, the engine is hardly broken in.  

The other important parts that are in the bowels of the Alpine, are a 100 gallon fresh water tank (compared to Rialta’s 20 gallon tank), and two more tanks totalling more than a 100 gallon capacity for used water and waste (again, compared to Rialta’s 20 gallons).  With the larger capacity, we can, for instance, now boondock for up to a week without running out of water or filling up the waste tank capacity. 

What is boondocking, you may ask?  It’s the term used for dry camping in the boonies, a wilderness area without access to hookups (electricity and city water).   I’ll let you know as soon as we have had that first experience.  Over the past years of traveling, we have chatted with many folks who enjoy boondocking in the desert or on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) property.  There is a particular gathering of “snowbirds” in Quartzite, Arizona, that we have heard a lot about.  We plan to go there eventually, if only out of curiosity.

Secondly, the Alpine is spacious and has plenty of storage space, in what I call the

there are many storage compartments on both sides

“basement” below the living area.   Over the years I have salivated at all the storage in these larger coaches, and have dreamed of being able to bring along at least one sewing machine and several unfinished projects.  I have also learned over the years that quilters and seamstresses carry their machines and projects with them when they migrate south for the winter.   One gave me a few great tips on how to smuggle more fabric on board without hubby being any the wiser!  Most resorts have a club house where once or twice a week, the quilters gather and work on their quilts. 

looking towards the bedroom in the back: two couches, table,
 kitchen galley,  storage compartments above

Thirdly, the living quarters of the coach, which I refer to as the “girl parts”, are as roomy and comfortable as a small apartment.  The two slides, one in the living area and the other in the bedroom, create more floor-space when extended out.  Compared to Rialta’s compactness, this coach feels rather luxurious inside – more like a mansion than a studio loft. 

There is ample storage inside the entire coach, a well-laid out kitchen area with double sink, microwave/convection, three-burner gas stove and gas oven, a more than adequate fridge and freezer, and a small pantry.

looking towards the living section from the
bedroom: vanity and shower on the left; drawers
on the right at the foot of the bed; door with mirror
is the toilet; to the left of that is the washer/dryer
cupboard with more drawers above; and left of that
is the freezer/fridge

We have a dining table that extends to seat four comfortably.  This Alpine has two sleeper sofas, and the captain chair and buddy seats turn around to face inside for more seating.  So, there is plenty of space for entertaining. 

There is a TV in the living room and a smaller one in the bedroom.  Yes, two TVs in a 36-foot span, which is totally decadent.  Time will tell how much we will use the TVs but they are here.   The previous owners also installed surround sound, so we can also party on board.

The other features are a roomy shower, hand basin, separate toilet, walk-around queen bed, double hanging closet, and wait for it…. a compact European washer/dryer, and a central vacuum. 

This is no longer basic camping.   This is the high life on the road. 

And we’re now living the vagabonding dream in Alpine.

Alpine is a definite thumbs up!