Stayed a couple of days longer that we had planned in Lubbock which made it much more difficult to leave. After spending a month with Wendy, Gerald, and Jake we had come accustom to seeing them almost every day. Knowing that we will not be seeing them for some months now brought tears to everyone's eyes, but go we must. There are other grandchildren to visit and friends to see.
We loaded the scooter up the night before we left and that took almost an hour and a half. The learning curve is not improving very rapidly in that regard. Surely we will get better. Pulled out of our spot early on Friday morning and hooked up the truck. Thankfully we are getting much better at that, although when Dudley went back to make sure everything was in order with the pickup he managed to open the hood instead of disengaging the emergency brake. It's always something.
Pulled out of Lubbock around 1 PM and headed for DFW. Not much talking going on. Sherree was mourning (her words) leaving Jake, Wendy, & Gerald. About and hour and a half from Ft. Worth, we noticed the temperature gauge on the MH seemed to go higher each time we started up even the slightest incline, but would drop as soon as we leveled off or started down an incline. At one time it touched the red zone and almost reached it on several occasions. Did we say earlier it was always something? We came upon an accident as we entered Arlington and were worried that the temperature would really increase in that situation, but it didn't. Pulled into a Walmart for the evening and called Coach Net, the road service people, about the temperature issue. They contacted Freightliner, the chassis and engine manufacture, and they were to call us early Monday morning. Checked in at Cedar Hill State Park for a few days and that was another adventure. We had reservations and when we checked it the attendant was real excited about the newly installed full hookups. He assigned us one that he thought we would like, but we decided to drive the pickup down to take a look before we drove the MH down. Good thing. The spot he gave us was barely large enough for a small pop-up much less and 40 ft. MH. We finally found one that was big enough but it was in the sun with no shade at all. It was the only one big enough so we took it. There were signs every where telling everyone that it was chigger season and to take precautions. We decided to stay out of the grass and walk only on paved surfaces. Didn't work. We got chigger bites around our ankles and in some unmentionable places as well. Itch-scratch-itch-scratch-itch-scratch for the next several days.
Monday morning rolled around and Sherree headed for her Dr.'s appointment while I waited for Freightliner to call. When she arrived at the Dr.'s office all the computers were down and the Dr. was having to hand write everything. So much for modern technology. Her appointment took about an hour longer than normal. In the meantime Freightliner called, but did not seem too concerned about the overheating problem and said if the engine light did not come on, not to worry. Now they go the all the trouble to install a temperature gauge with a red line, so one would think that it should not be ignored. After a short discussion they suggested that I take it to the nearest Freightliner shop, which was very close, and have it checked out. As is usually the case they could find nothing wrong. I guess we will drive on and watch for the check engine light. The warranty is still in affect for another year.
On Wednesday we pulled out of Cedar Hill and headed for the RV dealer to have the radio replaced as well as the light fixture in the living room. As we headed down highway 360 we saw some debris coming our way. It looked like a long piece of chrome and I tried to straddle it and it appeared that I did so. When we pulled into the RV dealer we discovered that I had not been as successful as we had thought. The debris had put a long scratch along two access doors and almost ripped off the water heater cover. Our first insurance claim. Due to time, the dealer could not make the repairs, but did straighten out the water heater door so we could travel. Will get it repaired in North Carolina when we get there and stay for a few weeks.
Headed out for the nearest Walmart parking lot for the night. As Sherree was putting out the side, one of the cabinet doors was opened and we did not notice. As the side came out it caught the door, and fortunately for us, Sherree noticed it before it tore the door off. It did bend the hinge and the door was then hanging down at a unusual angle. Back to the RV dealer the next morning. At least the repairs were made at no cost. Finally no expenses.
As the old song from Hee Haw says, "If it weren't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all." We are headed to Clarksville, Texas to pick up my sister, Alicia, and her husband, Jamey, to travel with us for a week. Keep in touch as we head on down the road.
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