Second, congratulations on your new-to-you RPod.

Third, this forum has been invaluable. One hint on effective use. When you want to search, use the advanced search function. That lets you expand the date range for your search beyond the six-month default. Some things you want to find are much older, but the information is still valid and valuable.

Welcome .Remember the good times and smile as often as you can. make new good times and memories.

The Rpod forum has invaluable resources in the people and their experiences. Hundreds of collective years of rving and camping. most likely, any problem you have has surfaced before.  Listen to everyone-people's experiences, opinions and  and results may vary, but they all offer in honest and helpful ways.

don't hesitate to ask or respond -everybody learns from each other.

Travel safe and often

Vann

As all have said, all RVs need continual maintenance. Something we did early on which has been very helpful for us is we bought an nice log book that we keep in the RV. There we log notes about our adventures as well as maintenance reminders and notes on maintenance performed. It helps us stay on top of things like, the last time bearings were repacked or when the hot water heater was flushed and stuff like that. 

All the best. 

Being so ideally located in Napa, your choices for finding beautiful places to recover your feelings and find your way for the future are unlimited.  Having spent almost all my life in California, I have to say there is a giant hole in my heart for my loss of access to the wilds of the Sierra, the north coast, and the deserts after our move east.  It's beautiful here too, but just not the same.  I am sure that as time goes on you will discover or return to favorite spots and slowly but surely fine peace in accepting your tragic loss.

Welcome to the forum John.  I am saddened to hear about the passing of your wife, you will be in my prayers.  Totally agree with your thought concerning being in the wilderness with plenty of solitude, a good place to get your thoughts organized, prioritized, and in order.

I have benefited greatly from this forum many times since joining.  It is your 24/7 owners manual.  You can search on past posts and if unable to find, start a new thread and there will be those who have had the experience of that issue and can walk you through to a probable solution.  There is maintenance that is necessary on any travel trailer and this is a great destination to start from to gain the information needed.