Update:

using SSMS 2008R2 remotely, I'm able to create the maintenance plan.

So it would seem that the issues would be with SSMS 2016, there would

be a prequisite that is needed...

that's what I have SSMS 16.4.1

ok , I was the error code 13...

1 of the servers still had the firewall active...

Thanks all

yes, I tried name and IP same result.

sorry bad habit of calling them nodes.

Yes they are 2 separate instances on 2 vm servers. Server 1: SQL5 and Server 2: SQL6

Yes I disabled all the security...

GOT IT!!!!! 😀

dbo.sysmaintplan_logdetail

many thanks Melton.

On the same note, by searching around I just found that the maintenence plan "history"

is showing the retention...is THAT stored in a system table?

Fred

Yes I am using the maintenance plan wizard to create it, but when I look in that system catalog this is what I have for command...

/Server "$(ESCAPE_NONE(SRVR))" /SQL "Maintenance Plans\test-retention"...