5C's Que Pasa

We are still at Camp Cummins!!  Although the RV has been moved 4 times since we got here Sunday night. The engine has been diagnosed as having a broken exhaust clamp!!  As in broken right off and laying somewhere down at the bottom of the engine.  However there was no part to be had in all of Las Vegas, so the part has been sent here from the Cummins factory.  It is suppose to arrive by 10:30AM and installed by noon and then there will a test drive and so forth and then of course the payment.  We have no idea of the cost, we said “just fix it”!  However we have  very carefully refrained from going near any casinos, just in case.  I guess we could have won!!

Once the engine is good to go, then we reload.  First the bikes, then the stuff we took out of the car yesterday so that we could take a driving tour  of the Vegas freeways, visit Camping World, pick up another 3 cases of vino blanco.  So nice to have your own home waiting for you even if it is in a parking lot.

A short driving day of 233 miles but with a late start.

Tags: RV repairs, vino

Well we made it to Las Vegas with no incidents.  Thanks Leo for your concerns re the carbon monoxide in your comment.  We kept the vents open while driving and the fantastic fans on.  For certain we have a problem with the engine.  Our appointment was for 7AM and they were right on time.  We are not allowed to stay in the RV so we packed up and took over the waiting room.

So while the engine is being repaired, I will update you on the past few days.

First off I just wanted to mention that my friend Nancy in Mazatlan came out of her surgery with no problems and even managed to send me a quick email.  Now I won't worry so much.

Last Friday morning as we left Moses Lake, the Pressure Pro system started beeping like crazy only this time is was the front left car tire.  We were parked near the Auto service so pulled the RV over and filled the tire.  About 1PM that same tire beeped so we pulled into a rest area and Colin filled it.  Nice to be self sufficient.

Just past Pendleton, Oregon we came upon this sign. That RV was from BC, one of the 2 we saw that day. Not many heading south. They are probably already gone.

So this is what dense fog looks like, scary!! After a few miles of climbing we rose above it.

The entire trip ( including arriving in Vegas ) has been easy weather wise.  We have had to use the wipers less than 10 times and that was just a quick turn on, turn off.  We have been very lucky in the packing, the loading and the driving.  Temperature wise at night we just kept the generator running for the 4-5 hours before bedtime and we were cozy.

Friday afternoon Colin turned into a Cummins dealer just off the interstate after we had passed Boise, Idaho.  He had not told me but there was an engine noise that had been getting louder as the trip progressed.  It was 10 minutes to closing but a mechanic came out and as Colin drive he listened to the engine.  He could not be sure but thought we might have an exhaust leak.  They could not see us until Monday so we asked them to make us an appointment in Las Vegas.  The plan was to drive no faster than 55MPH so as to not shake anything loose and to drive with the vent open.  As the days progressed we had to open 2 vents and keep the fans running.

That evening we stopped at Walmart in Mountain Home, Idaho where Colin immediately disconnected the car and brought it in for service on that tire.  They quoted us $10.00 to remove the tire, inspect it and repair it.  It turned out that the tire was fine, not a thing wrong with it but we had a problem with the Pressure Pro sensor.  It was not  sealing and allowing air to escape so we just took the sensor off that tire and will deal with that problem another day.  At this point the fellows at Walmart refused payment claiming they did nothing.  Nothing but almost an hour of service.  Great guys and a great place to get your vehicle serviced.

Saw this as we left Saturday morning. The sign says it all.

As we drove into Nevada Saturday we saw weather all around us. Lots of snow on the mountains.

There are weiners tucked in there somewhere. We all stay cozy as we travel.

Saturday night we stayed at an RV Park and I found that much louder than any Walmart we have stayed at but we wanted to fill up and do what needed doing just in case we were living in the RV for prolonged repairs.

Finally sun and heat. Still a few hours away from Las Vegas. That road seems never ending and then suddenly you are there!

We hadn't really planned to arrive on a Sunday but it was a good thing as traffic was light and we were able to whip around doing as many errands as we could.  First we checked out the Cummins shop which would be fine for us to sleep at.  Then off to Trader Joe's.  We found a huge area to park in and then got started…..

...on our own personal wine tasting. We opened 5 bottles of the Charles Shaw and 4 bottles of the Oak Leaf.

After many sips, notes were made and decisions were made.  How many cases of red?  How many of white?  How many for dinner versus afternoon sipping?  How many Charles Shaw?  How many Oak Leaf?  How many other?  How many cases in total?

Back to the Cummins dealer where another coach from Colorado was waiting for service only they did not have an appointment.  We drove a total of 262 miles yesterday.

Up early this morning, we had to move stuff all over so that we could take the mattress off to get access to the engine, bikes off, wine cases stacked to the ceiling here and there and pack up some nibbles for us and the girls as we sat and waited.  So here we are Monday at 9AM still waiting.  Not sure what comes next.  A lot depends on how long the repairs will take, can they get parts today and who knows what else.  Our car is loaded and there is no room for all four of us so we are stuck here for now.  We can just go with the flow and hope that all falls into place.

I will keep you posted.

Tags: Mexico, RV repairs, The girls, USA, vino, Wine

We got here safe and sound.  We only have left just over 230 miles to Las Vegas and our 7AM engine appointment Monday morning. We do have a problem as we can smell carbon monoxide in the bedroom where the engine is, we likely have an exhaust leak.  Which was likely caused by inefficiency from the air filter change 3weeks ago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Colin is beginning to think he has to supervise everyone!  For some reason I am very very tired this trip and even doing only 334 miles today exhausted me.  Tonight we are at an RV Park.  We dumped, filled with water and are enjoying 50AMPS.  Suppose to go down to 28F with 30% chance of snow.  We have no idea if the engine repair will be a full day or 2 or 3 days which of course will change all our plans but at least we will be prepared to dry camp for a week if need be.

As I for see 1 – 2 days of nothing to do but be on the computer ( during the repair ) I will fill you all in on all the details then.  Our plan is to head into Las Vegas in the morning and complete all the errands that need doing.  Biggest of those is my huge annual wine purchase which at this point seems to have no place to be put, but I am very very resourceful in finding space.   I am talking 15 or mores case of vino!!  Plus it will likely be my final opportunity to purchase anything I have forgotten such as a certain light bulb, fruit for the trip, etc.

Quick response to “The Ducks” re your comment yesterday…..we have had the extended valve things but using them with the Pressure Pro System has caused some problems. The centrifical forces tend to splay them out and the tire senssors hit the rims.  The extenders don't last very long so we decided to put the sensor right on the valve. Plus the sensors on the extender were wearing a groove in the aluminum rim.   Found out that truckers don't use extenders, only lazy RVers!!!!!  They were corroding the sensors so last year we removed them.  I think having the Pressure Pro System is the very best thing to have.  This trip alone it has helped us twice and we only have been on the road 3 days.

I have no news yet about my friend Nancy but keep sending her healing thoughts.

Our Sunday drive!

Hope you all enjoy your Sunday!  Tonight is our last of the cold, sunshine and heat, here we come!

Tags: friends, health, RV repairs, travel, vino

No worries, we have arrived intact in Mountain Home, Idaho, a total of 407 miles.   Not to say we didn't have the odd issue today but we coped and we do have an appointment with Cummins in Las Vegas on Monday at 7AM re an engine issue!!!  Our top travel speed from here on is 55MPH!

When I checked my emails a few hours ago I was shocked to receive an email from a dear friend, an American who lives permanently in Mazatlan.  She had some pain this past Monday and went to a Doctor who has diagnosed her with ovarian cancer.  Her tests were completed yesterday and she entered hospital today and is scheduled for surgery tomorrow.   Too much for me to take in.  This individual has done more that anyone I know to promote tourism in Mexico and Mazatlan in particular.  All I can say tonight is that thank goodness the Mexican medical system is top notch and within less than 7 days from initial pain to diagnosis she is undergoing surgery.

My thoughts are with my friend tonight folks.  More tomorrow.

Our destination tomorrow is Ely, Nevada, about 340 miles.

Tags: emergency, friends, health, Mazatlan, medical, Mexico, RV repairs, travel

It did take longer than expected but we were able to start the engine by 12:15 noon.

We got as far as the Holiday Park  parking area where we ho0ked up.  The girls insisted on going out to do their business.  While that happened the Pressure Pro Sensors were warming up and started to beep an alarming racket!!  One of the inner duals on the RV was down to 25 lbs!!  Had we driven we certainly would have had a blow out.  So thanks to the girls and thanks to Pressure Pro.  And the biggest thanks to my sweetie who had to crawl under the RV and fill the tires.We think that when Colin brought it in for service a few weeks ago, the young fellow working on the RV did not tighten the sensors enough and we lost air.

He worked in the cold like this for an hour.

…………so we actually only got away at 1:40PM!!!!!!  Rather late but we hit the road.  We were primed.  We were the only vehicle at the US border yet had to wait over 10 minutes for the Agricultural Inspection and she was working to rule today.  Get out of the RV please but first open the cupboards that you have got dog food or treats in.  We were standing outside in the cold shivering as we listened to cupboards opening and closing.  Finally we were done and we thanked her.  She thanked us for thanking her and asked why we had thanked her????  Well to protect the USA from Canadian made pet products I replied……”I did not!!”  I just smiled.  By then it was after 4PM and getting dark.  We decided to push on as Friday is a 400 mile driving day. After 257 miles we did arrive at the Walmart in Moses Lake, WA but not till 7:25PM.

The girls were perfect travellers today & of course starved for their dinner.  Us too and we enjoyed our traditional first night on the road of bagels, creme cheese and lox and lotsa vino!!  We each went into Walmart for a few pertinent stock up times, me for fruit for the morning and vino for the evening.  Colin snagged a new a 25″ RV hose, a 50″ garden hose, 3 screen filtered for the hose, 2 sediment & 2 carbon filters for our water system for  a mere $41.00.  My stuff cost much more than his!!

All in all it was a good day and we did not let stress take the upper hand.

We do have our Verizon working but in a very spotty manner so this is it for tonight.  What will tomorrow bring?  !0:45PM and checking out as tomorrow holds 400 miles for us.

Washington to Mountain Home, Idaho.

Tags: emergency, food, Holiday Park, RV repairs, travel, vino