3 days, 1,400 miles late

Yep, you read it correctly. I am 3 days and 1,400 miles late on updating this blog. But the trip was, ummm, interesting and this is the first chance I've had. Not because I was driving like a banshee (I actually am trying to take Ashleigh's advice and slow down and see the sites) I didn't have a set arrival time but,

Thanks going to where they belong to "The Man" (otherwise known as God to me and others) my trip was enjoyable and nice. It certainly could have been worse but thanks to man, (as in human) and the things made by him, it had a less than enjoyable side.

It is Thursday morning bright and early. I am sitting here facing East so in a bit when the sun comes up I can actually see it. The sky is clear other than a few clouds hanging on the eastern horizon. For the first time in weeks I awoke to being cold. I left the a/c on low, as I have since arriving in Arizona, all night. Well, this morning I most certainly did not need it, in fact it was cooler than chilly, it felt really good.

I made some coffee and sit here with it, and a breakfast consisting of Hummus and multi-grain baked crackers. (Dang it Judy and Ashleigh. I tried that stuff because you guys liked it. I never ever thought I'd be eating it, by choice no less, for breakfast. LOL)

My thoughts are on my family, spread around the country. I wish I could teleport myself, then I could just pop in every few days, like for breakfast at Tammy's, then a hike and lunch with Ashleigh & Dan & Jessica (tongue stuck out at Miss Welcome for all the & signs LOL), Dinner with Amanda, and watch a movie with Carri, then back to the RV in Judy's front yard and watching "The Office" with her. And it would be cheaper on my travel budget. Mooch meals daily, no gas to buy, or repairs to make, could slow down and smell the Roses as Ashleigh suggests by actually speeding up and smelling a lot of Roses. 8) Well anyway back to my update.

Bright and early Monday morning I bid fare-the-well to my host and friend Judy in Tucson. I had been camped in her front yard for a couple weeks enjoying the Arizona heat. "It's a dry heat" they say. Well, I was there during the monsoon season and it was a very humid heat. But humid, wet, or dry, heat is heat and that's spelled H O T. I did get caught in the rain one evening on my walk, and enjoyed that not because it was rain. Heck, I live in Juneau Alaska where if it isn't raining people worry. The rain was warm, walking in it was a joy especially since it ended the blistering heat for a few minutes and a few minutes is what I mean because a short time later you could see the rain steaming on the ground as it dried up and the heat returning only now the dry part is history.

The exit was pre-arranged so I headed out to the TTT Truck Stop to meet my brother Randy and accompany him to the V.A. for some tests and reminisce, and say later dude. The test went well, he must have studied all night, we had a nice visit and I hit the road as they say. Mainly it was to check his upper vascular system to see if he could handle dialysis which he now needs every coule days.

I filled my water tanks, dumped my ex-water tanks, checked the box and little box, and basically got ready to drive 1,400 miles. Jimmy reminded me to take a picture of him saying goodby in front of the TTT sign.

A few days earlier the clutch went out in the Yeep. It was much to expensive to repair in either Tucson or Douglas (where Randy lives) and even though Judy offered her carport for me, and the guy across the streets friend Chuy to do it, he never showed so. I called my friends Tracey and Jerry in Oregon (Jerry is a mechanic at a local shop up there) He said they could do it and the price was more acceptable..

So, me and Jimmy, oops sorry Miss Welcome (The librarian at my High School who always corrected every one's speech)

So, Jimmy and I, headed North West on a leg of my journey that was earlier planned, but postponed.

It was at least 1,000 degrees, though some would argue it had cooled off, like say down to 999. LOL My plan at that time was to drive up to Salome, spend the night, and the next morning check out some land I have there, then move on.

While driving out of Tucson I called my daughter Ashleigh who convinced me that I should go see the Grand Canyon on the way. To slow down and take in the sights. After all I was retired not on a two weeks vacation trying to cram as much in as I could. I had NO set arrival time. So, Grand Canyon it was ,,,,,,,,,, until ,,,,,,,,,,

I hit Phoenix, in rush hour, and still 1,000 degrees. (officially 110+ but it felt more like 1,000 on that pavement, not moving, car exhaust, etc) Time for a new plan because I was leaving this heat, period.

The Grand Canyon still appealed to me, but the mountains worried me, but we lived there for a lot of years, but those mountain passes, but it's cooler, so I called them. (Yes, while driving) the entry fee had been increased to $25 AND if your RV was over 30' you couldn't stay in the camp ground and you couldn't park overnight in the lookouts or Babbitt's etc., but there were a lot of memories to relive, but to leave was still desert whether in Southern Utah (very steep climb to North Rim) or Vegas way. So, the Canyon was out, back to original plan of Salome.

It was 5pm rush hour in Phoenix, and Salome was west of there on the cutting edge of some major desert driving. If I spent the night then I would cross that desert in the middle of the day then have to deal with Los Angeles traffic while hot, humid, and tired. So, plan 3 or 4 or,,,,,,,, whatever. I would drive all night, cross the desert at a balmy night time temp of 97 degrees, hit L.A. in the middle of night so no rush hour and not a lot of heat, get about 100 miles North of L.A. where it is cooler and sleep awhile (that turned out to be 2 whole hours LOL) So, West it was then North. Did I mention that Jimmy now had a new puppy? We named him George after my last dog who was a girl and appropriately named George after her predecessor who was named ,,,,,,,, see the trend here?

Driving West into the setting sun I headed for L.A.. While headed that way I remembered some things since this use to be a route I took often back in the day when I was a Marine Stationed at Camp Pendleton in Southern California. This was a change of scenery route to I-8 which went to San Diego those Marine years and after. I use to do what is called Swooping. That means to go home for a period of time that was generally shorter than the time to drive it. Swoop down there, visit, and swoop back with minutes to spare. I would leave Friday after duty drive the 560 miles to Douglas Arizona then leave Sunday at midnight in uniform with just enough money to make pre-set gas stops and arrive 10 min. early for formation. See why I travel the way I do? I swoop, constantly LOL

I passed under a bridge which sent me back in time to a day when I had a van and a dune buggy. Some friends and I were headed out to Indio to meet up with other clubs to play in the mountains. A cop was sitting on that bridge watching traffic (and me) then chased me down. Don't know why he was so upset, was it the black Dune Buggy being towed at night with no taillights (even though you could still see the van lights) ? Or was it the fact I was clocked at 93 mph towing that black dune buggy with no lights. 8) Either way the ticket costs more than the trip (Remember 35 cent gas?)

Then I went down that long grade at the Arizona / California Border and remembered when I "got out". I was driving a 1957 Thunderbird (my friends and I (HA, got it right the first time Miss Welcome LOL) called it a Thunder Chicken) I headed up that grade and the car not only overheated but the fan went through the radiator and it was around 8 pm. I drove it steaming to the top where i found a wrecking yard. They wanted more than I had for a new radiator so I called my Mom who was, by then, fast asleep. She groggily listened as I explained my problem and asked her if she could come up the next day and tow me home.

Ever hear stories about the sacrifices parents make for their kids? Well my Dad had to work the next day so my Mom said she was leaving NOW and heading up. So, I removed the driveshaft and prepared for the 500 mile tow home. She arrived in what seemed like an hour (she taught me to drive LOL) We tied the rope on and headed southwest at 70 or so mph on the end of a short rope. I remember hearing and feeling the driveshaft falling off somewhere past Tombstone (you have to disconnect it on a car with an automatic transmission to tow. and the wire I had tied it with obviously came loose) I was on the end of the rope and it was before cellphones and dark so waving didn't help. Besides I think she was on auto pilot after all she had spent a day working, drove 500 miles to get me, and now,,,,, never doubt a mothers love or get between a momma bear and her cub. We arrived safe, sound, and just a little rattled. Untied the car, I went to bed while she headed for work. Remember those two words MOMMA + LOVE + determination + always there + beating your butt when needed but only through LOVE>

I drove through Ehrenberg (on the Arizona side of the border) and scoffed to the $3.45 gas and headed for Blythe (the California side of the border 3 miles further) where gas was $3.95 so I returned to Ehrenberg and bought that scoffed at gas.. Go West Young man Go West, so on to L.A.

Remember up top I had a picture of a cross that I had taken the night before? And that I was guided and blessed on this trip? Well as it turned out I finally listened to that guidance for once because not only was it cooler in L.A., there was zero traffic which was extra good because I-10 was closed and a detour of almost 20 miles weaving through surface streets was required, Now, imagine doing that in 1,000 degree heat, unheard of traffic, driving a box on wheels and towing a little box. Though not to be out done by heavenly guidance I still had to exert my human frustrations and be stupid. I had purchased a cup like thing that fit in the cup holder to hold/charge the phone with a couple other 12 volt outlets So my phone was plugged in charging, you know for that call that always comes middle of the night, oh wait that only happens when your asleep not driving. Anyway the thing started smoking so I grabbed it and threw it out the window but in frustration ($20 and only 3 hours) and part because I didn't want a fire at 60 mph while booking down the freeway. I watched in the mirror as it impacted and exploded into a million pieces.

Did you read anywhere in the last paragraph the words or anything near "I removed my IPhone"? LOL

It seemed to be a lot of pieces flying in the air as I watched in the mirror. Then, a moment of clarity, (lets me get this right the way the good people say it) H E double hockey sticks, or was it POOP, or maybe *&^% anyway I suddenly became phoneless. It's funny, it wasn't that long ago I didn't even have a cellphone in fact when I come home I routinely look for the flashing message light on the answering machine I haven't had for awhile. Realizing i was now phoneless, I suddenly NEEDED to call or text someone, anyone. Now you know the truth about the demise of my IPhone. Well, no longer an IPhone but a California Freeway phone. Oh and before you spend all that money of the Otter Box Defender thing. My phone exploded and that Otter Box thing didn't protect it for ____ beans.

After being up for 26 hours and driving for 16 hours straight I was ready for sleep. (As you can see Jimmy and George didn't have that problem) Imagine my frustration when I saw the much sought after rest area sign with another sign that said CLOSED next rest area 48 miles. That had to have been the longest 48 miles I can remember.

Finally reaching it and the only parking spot had the right side of the box facing East (wonder why I would mention that? But, like a good movie you use a scene to set up the next one or two) and I was so dang tired I just went to bed, after closing the blinds above the bed so the rest of the travelers didn't have to see me asleep. 2 hours, let me say that again, 2 HOURS later the sun which was rising when I parked was now blistering those blinds radiating heat that got me up. So, in the immortal words of Willie Nelson I was "on the road again".

So, day 2 began with a bang, or a heat wave, or realizing that people who care and call couldn't reach me and would be worried and ,,,,,,  Using my trusty computer (which hasn't even been allowed near a window) I located an AT&T store hoping I could afford to replace my phone. That little map program took me right there, it was cool. So, I was able to get the exact same phone for 50 bucks then I got another Otter Box Defender (Yeah, I know), and one of those things that go in your ear so I could drive with 2 hands, and another thing that mounts in the A/C vent to hold the phone exactly where I wanted it. Total $200, but that's what I thought I was going to be spending anyway so it fit into the planned shortfall budget wise.

I don't know if I mentioned it but when getting gas to leave in Tucson I was pulling out of the station and there was a sharp incline to the street. In cases such as this you want to cross at an angle because otherwise you could drag the rear of the box on the ground and depending how hard you dragged possibly cause damage. Well someone in a hurry cut me off causing me to swerve back to straight and scrapping my way onto the street. I decided to check it out before getting on the road again.

Seems that the dragging had pushed on the exhaust pipe enough to loosen the attachment to the manifold which has now blown out the gasket commonly called the doughnut. I didn't have the proper tools so,,,,,, as I was rolling out from under the bus I happened to notice the exhaust on the generator look odd so I checked it. Seems it is now trashed and needs a total replacement. And that is why you always cross inclines at an angle children.

Day 3 started out well. I got a decent nights sleep, took a shower (yes my box has a shower AND hot water) shaved etc. coffee, oatmeal, and a nice, cool, morning. When I started the bus I noticed the alternator wasn't charging very well. Charging but just below minimum. I figured it must be recharging the "house" batteries and kept driving. It was early, like 4 a.m.'ish so I had the headlights on.

I decided to take some of Ashleigh's advice and take it my surroundings. I stopped at Lake Shasta but couldn't get any closer than this pic because of construction and not wanting to get the box somewhere i couldn't get out of. When I got back into the box and turned the key to start there was nothing. 8(

So, needing a jump I got out the cables and waited? Nope, I got out the cables, opened the hood, and jumped myself from the "house" batteries. Seems I now also need a new battery. See what I meant by heavenly guidance and protection vs. my human stupidity and luck. LOL
Now i cant stop because I cant shut the box off so other than getting gas I drove straight on the Philomath Oregon where I was going to visit Jerry, and my friend from Haines, his wife Tracey.

I am glad to be here to visit, when she gave me directions she said to look for a post in this neighborhood that said Carroll Lane and turn right. I found it and said no way, that's a sidewalk not a street, so I turned into this skinny little lane then about 100 yards in it dead ended into their yard. Now here i sit with a Yeep on a tow bar behind this box in a driveway needing to back out a skinny sidewalk and turn a very tight turn to escape. LOL

Here's Tracey and Jimmy saying Hi. She lived in Haines with a previous husband and was a good friend of mine so I look forward to visiting a bit and meeting Jerry the mechanic and her husband.

So 1,337 miles, 157 gallons of gas, and 1 phone later I have ARRIVED !!!!!  LOL