I ALMOST spent $65,000 this weekend

Obviously the key word there is 'almost' since there is no new RV parked in my driveway. But man was it a beauty. A 39' Montana (one of the top lines) with FIVE slide-outs, fireplace, front living room (usually they put the bedroom up front), remote control EVERYTHING (leveling jacks, awning, front legs), hickory cabinets thru-out, yada, yada, yada. It was beautiful. But the idea of incurring that kind of debt ($605/mo for 15 years with $7K down) brought me back to reality.

The RV show was pretty neat. I was amazed at the mass of people paying $10 or so to park their car and then another $8 per person to get in an look at a bunch of campers. What recession?

This afternoon I went looking at some used 5th wheels that are more in my budget. I'm hoping that this recession has forced someone to get rid of their lightly used 'toy' and I can find a deal. Nothing yet but I hope to find something in the next 30-60 days

And speaking of recession, I have felt that the trucking industry would be a pretty good barometer of our economy in general. Before this recent down-turn, businesses' inventories were fat. For the past 18 months or so, retailers stopped buying from manufacturers and sold down their inventories. The trucking industry suffered as freight volumes dropped. Since there were still a bunch of trucks available, freight rates tumbled along with the volume of goods moving.

Apparently the holidays were fairly decent for many business owners and now it seems as if freight volumes are increasing. I judge this based on the number of options I have when I look at the load boards as well as what is being paid.

My first trip with our new authority was a short ride to Kansas City. I got really lucky when the same broker called me and had something coming back to the St. Louis area. And the pay was as good as I have seen in more than a year. So I am very optimistic about the near-term.

One other item of note is my new video game player - Wii. It's really not mine, per se. My oldest son has loaned it to me indefinitely. You may remember, several weekends ago, I was at some friends house and we played their new Christmas present - a Wii - for several hours. I knew Nathan had one and didn't think he was using it so I borrowed it. Now, before you start thinking I have lost my mind (perhaps some of you have been thinking that for some time), there is a very GOOD reason behind this.

One of the video games is called Wii Fit and is an exercise fitness based program. Like most everyone else in America, I would be happier if I had 10 less pounds to stuff into my clothes. THAT's my story and I'm sticking to it! Besides, shouldn't a Beach Bum have a Beach Body?