Please don’t think I am whining or complaining when I tell you about our RV repair experiences. When Storm and I decided to buy a used RV and head out to see America we knew that we would have to spend as much time working on the RV as we spent sight-seeing (well we were hoping for more sight-seeing, less repairing but you get what you get). While on the road, we have learned that our assumption was not quite right. Apparently we would have had the same sight-seeing to repair ratio even if we had purchased a new vehicle. In fact while at the Cummins dealership in Grand Junction Storm was lamenting to an fellow RVer there with a dead generator about our rush to get everything sold and to get us on the road. Storm believed that had we spent more time preparing the RV, we might have had less trouble.
Our new friend explained that he and his wife spent a year working on their RV, test camping and making trip preparations before they left Florida for their big retirement plans. Retirement day came, the adventure began and not a single slide on their RV would retract. After manually retracting the slides, their first stop on their grand journey was to the nearest shop to get the slides fixed. After hearing this, we felt better.
So it should have come as no surprise to us that the intermittent stuck flush valve on our fancy RV HeadHunter commode finally decided to remain in the open position, potentially filling our black tank and creating all sorts of chaos. We had been hoping it would self-heal as the recommended repairs required that Storm somehow manage to remove parts from behind the commode by standing on his head in the small water closet working by looking in a mirror with tools that he had to create as needed. When the water began to rise in the bathroom (no I am NOT kidding) action had to be taken. Fortunately we could get the parts overnighted to us. Well actually the only part we NEEDED was an itsy bitsy teensy tiny o-ring, but we had to purchase $450 worth of other parts to get that. We are in a campground so leaving the water off for a day is no problem as toilets and showers are within a few steps of the coach. Of course our Next Day Air package got delayed due to storms in St. Louis (all part of the RV experience) but when it did arrive, Storm brilliantly completed repairs. Two days later he had worked out all of his cramps and most of his bruises were healing from the contortions required by him to restore our facilities.
Then the storms arrived. The first time we rode our motorcycles to Rapid City we sat under a bridge for an hour outside the city waiting for thunderstorms to pass. Then as we rode into Keystone on that same trip, all heck broke lose and by the time we found a safe place to park we each had a lap full of hail pellets. So we should have been prepared for temperamental weather.
This time, we watched the clouds darken as the storms approached our waterless RV. We were actually in the park showers cleaning up from the first phase of repairs when the bottom fell out. I had never seen hail fall for 3 hours before, but I did this day. Thank goodness it was only pea size. No damage done, but our nerves were frayed. Here is a report from my niece Priscilla (aka Hailey Weathers) about the storm situation.
Welcome to the club, :>) Been there done that. Keeps ya on your toes for sure, but look at the memories that you are making. ;>)) GOD BLESS
JD/SD
Jim & Sandy
It is all good to us, Jim. Believe it or not I am even learning a little about fixing things and each disaster (or is it challenge?) gives me something to write about. Can’t legally complain about the weather as right now it is 70 degrees and low humidity – awesome!
No matter how hard it rains in SD (its a dry rain after all) its better than being here in NC right now. You remember, 90+ degrees with 90% humidity. It was so hot and humid yesterday that I couldn’t stand being outside for more than a few minutes.
When you guys made your way to Devils Tower did you pass through Sundance, WY? Terrie got pulled over for speeding while riding her trike by a town cop when we were there. We were on our way out of town in the area where the speed limit gradually rises. She was following me at her usual 8-10 car lengths behind and when I sped up as the speed limit raised so did she but she was still in the lower speed limit zone just as we were passing the cop and he lit her up. I think he was bored and looking for a diversion. He just let her off with a warning. Ever since she’s been a strict adherent of town speed limits.
On another note, Terrie said she wouldn’t mind going to Ocracoke this fall, I don’t remember all the details of your schedule but I know you’ll be in the area after Albuquerque and wondered if its not too late in the year if you might want to join us?
We did go through Sundance. I believe I remember passing a sign in town marking the spot where the outlaw biker Terrie was apprehended!
Is November too late? We miss Ocracoke something awful and I think if we go before Thanksgiving lots of things are still open there.
Think of the fun you will have sharing all the ups and downs of your adventure
and the dark clouds will seem less. You are remarkable in so many ways. I envy you for what you are doing. So many of us only wish for such an exciting venture. You made your wish come true. I am so very proud of you. Love you ,
Aunt Jeannette
I know I just laugh at the dark clouds and wait for them to blow over! I hear you have quite a summer garden and are very busy with all the produce. Good for you!