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Tony & Kim Rian (Rianrts)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 06, 2005 - 12:18 am: | |
Great news!!! We made it home on schedule. We did have a few things that were unexpected. First of all, I was elated to use the computer at the airport to keep everyone updated on our travel. However, after the first and only post, my laptop decided to take a holiday of its own.
Day one - Uneventful. Had to change a tire and rim and serviced the engine all done in Texas. Locked ourselves out of the coach. Pretty hysterical to all the truck drivers as they watched my husband climb up and over me into the window. He nearly decapitated parts of his body. Important lesson for all.... don't lock the door unless you have the key. Day two... Stopped to purchase diesel and then the coach would not start up again. Purchased new battery and on the road again. Okay, I will admit that I did alot of praying. We were going into Albequrque, New Mexico. We are on top of this huge pass, with construction going on. Cement barrier on one side, HUGE trucks on the other side. Did I tell you that it was snowing like Hell? In the middle of this charming adventure, the blanking windshield wipers decided to take a holiday. I then covered my head and prayed that Tony was a really good driver. We survived with no casualties. We pulled off a busy exit because we thought there was going to be a truck stop. (I never said that I could read a map well, but know I am an expert) Basically we had to choose between a car or a curb. We chose the curb and spent $400 dollars finding the only tire available in this town. We drove down the road to the Dancing Eagle Casino, donated a little money, drank a few beers and had a great supper. Day three... THIS DAY SUCKED!!!! The man who will remain nameless, because I am a lady and not allowed to use the terms that I would really like to use. (prior to our pick up of the bus, the compressor was to be replaced) It was replaced but the bolts were not tightened. The sob, tried to fall off. Do you know how much of a mess 7 gallons of oil makes on the back of your coach? Thank God, we pulled in to buy goodies in Gallup, New Mexico. This was only one hour into our day. We had to have a tow to the diesel mechanic. (R.G. Truck Repair is AWESOME. If you need anything in that area of New Mexico, Go there!!!! This man knows his motors, he will do whatever is needed to get you back on the road@!!) 5 hours for the tow to show up. Then they can't lift the damn coach.. I was really happy at this point. I really smiled when the tow driver told us that he was going to use a chain to pull Ole Red. We call the coach Ole Red because she is. The only glich was that the door was somewhat damaged in the transfer. Easily replaced. Day 4... Wife spent the day in the casino. Won $50 dollars on blackjack table. Had fun Day 5...(Monday) back on the road around 5:30pm. (Thanks to Mike at US Coach for having the parts on standby, if they were needed) Day 6, & 7 ... Las Vegas won lots of money, drank and ate too much and had a blast. Day 8... This is the BEST day.... Got to about 100 miles from home. Appeared to have lost shifter cable. But we were wrong. Transmission filter line sprung a pinhole size leak from rubbing against the power steering line. Therefore, there was really hot atf spraying everywhere. At that point, it was 1:00 in the morning. Tow truck drivers get really pissy about being called out that time of the morning. Tow truck arrives at 4:00am Day 9... We had let all the air out of the bags because every truck that went by made us feel like we were on the ocean in a storm. When the truck driver showed up, the bus would not rise to the occasion. The wheel lift was unable to go under the bus. We had a very expensive taxi ride home without our bus. This tow company was from our home town of Grants Pass. Arrived in G.P. at 7am, tired and cranky. Came home, picked up our truck, tools and coffee. Went to purchase two new tires and atf. (during the process of the last mentioned problem, we noticed steel showing on one of the steering tires) Got back to the bus at 10am Only to find that the CHP had just tagged it to be impounded because they thought that it had been abandoned. YEA HAW To our luck, the CHP was right there and we explained the situation. We were okay. The cop tried not to laugh. Atf line replaced and back on to get the tires replaced in Yreka at Les Schwab. I was following Tony in our truck and noticed that the driver's inside dual was looking kinda funny. The guy's at Les Schwab found a bolt in the back tire. Come to find out, it was a HUGE hole in the tire. It had been flat for .... who knows. (p.s. we do thump the tires before we leave anywhere or stop for any reason) Fixed tires, and home by 3pm. 5 baths later on the bus, she is red again. All in all.... small annoyances, but nothing major. We will use our wheelbarrow in the garden. Thanks to all for your advise and encouragement. We appreciate your knowledge. |
niles steckbauer (Niles500)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 06, 2005 - 12:45 am: | |
Glad you made it safely and had a good time -
How do you like your new bus? |
Brian Brown (Fishbowlbrian)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 06, 2005 - 1:11 am: | |
Sounds like an adventure. Glad it wasn't more eventful (and expensive) than it was. So, how fast does she go? MPG?
Oh, and let's see some pics!
BB |
Pat Bartlett (Muddog16)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 06, 2005 - 6:53 am: | |
The best thing about this is you made it home safely, congrats! Now when you go to bussing events you have plenty to tell, nothing like a great adventure to make you feel alive. Welcome home. |
DMDave
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 06, 2005 - 9:51 am: | |
EXCELLENT!!!!the choice between the curb or car sounded like a rough time. You probably got 5 years of experience on one trip. If you get east stop on by. |
Craig (Ceieio)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 06, 2005 - 12:02 pm: | |
Thanks! That was a great story! The good news is that you are not that far from Southern Oregon Diesel. Congrats on the bus. They bring fun no matter what, don't they? |
ChuckMC9 (Chucks)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 06, 2005 - 10:33 pm: | |
"...on top of this huge pass, with construction going on. Cement barrier on one side, HUGE trucks on the other side..."
Sounds like my first solo outing. Glad you made it safely and had some fun thrown in. |
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