Getting Back in the Groove

With vacation a thing of the past, it was only a matter of time before I really got back in the groove. After a good night's sleep, I was full of enthusiasm this morning as I tackled one job after another. In this motorhome, the batteries are in the rear as is the engine. My battery isolation system should have been in the back, also. In my Southwind the batteries were in the front and the isolator was also in the front. With our Safari, the batteries were in the back and the isolator was in the back also, under the bed, but easily accessible. This morning I took off the access panels under the bed to get to the battery isolator, or at least where I reasoned the isolator would be. It was not found! With a lot of grunting and groaning I got under the motorhome and searched there. Nope! OK, time to call Winnebago and find out where it really is. A few minutes later I had the answer. The solenoid is in a front panel under the hood, it's chest high and very easy to find.

It was! I did a few tests and became positive that the solenoid was the problem. When power was connected to the solenoid, I could hear the click, but it would pass no electricity. I went to a NAPA auto store and got a replacement and installed it a few minutes ago and all works fine now.

In addition to the previous, I repaired the runners on several drawers and I'm in the process of strengthening the drawers as well. One down and several to go. I'm also waiting for the gaskets for Helen's Lincoln so I can put the engine back together.

Yes, I'm getting a lot done today, but I'd rather be fishing in Alaska.

Vacation is over!

Wow, have we had a grand three months! I didn't count the states and provinces, but it added up to 11531 miles. Knowing what I know now, would I do it again? YES!!! In two years if I can talk Helen into it. There will be some changes next time, more time on the Kenai Peninsula. Halibut fishing from Homer or Valdez. Time my stay for the lowest tides, for clamming and also for the best fishing , for salmon. We will plan to see places on the way, as we did this time, but Glacier National Park will not be one of the destinations.

Now the fun begins as we transition into life at home. Being the super sensitive husband that I am, I took steps to make Helen's work easier. A few days ago I bought her a new lawn mower. She doesn't like to use the riding lawn tractor and has been using an old push lawnmower. Last year it was so hard to start that I'd have to give it a shot of starting ether to get it going. The new one starts easy on the first pull, but Helen doesn't even have to pull the start cord as it is electric start. And, it's self propelled. I know, I know, I'm too good to her, but she deserves the best.

Before vacation her car developed a bad coolant leak that made it undrivable and that is the project I'm working on now. I know I whined about the wet, cold Alaska coastal weather, but it's really hot and humid and I'd like some of that Alberta, Canada weather right now. OK, I've been avoiding the garage by writing this blog, but now it's time to get back to work.

Things are starting to come together!

Helen and I had an interesting few days heading home from Glacier National Park. At first, Helen wanted to skip the Crazy Horse Monument, then later decided that we should. A slight alteration was all it took because our route home was going to take us very close anyway. IT was a very interesting site and I'm glad we stopped.



Next on the agenda was a stop to see some blog friends. Left to right it's Me, Helen, Donna, and Sam. Coco is the dark chocolate Lab on the left and Riggs is the HANDSOME Lab on the right. Sam and Donna were excellent hosts and we're waiting for us.



It was just a little tense at first, Riggs being a healthy young male and my two being females, but soon the sniffing was over and they all wanted to play. We then decided to take the three dogs to the local off-leash dog park where they could run and SWIM. Since I had a bit of trouble getting to Sam's, (GPS problems.........yes, REALLY!!), I chose to ride with Sam and Riggs and let Donna ride with Helen and our dogs.

They all had a grand time as they will say on their blog.

We should have spent more time with Sam and Donna, but I was all too anxious to get home. The plan was to continue on and drive enough so that I would have two easy days of driving. However, I drove and drove until I got to within 626 miles of home. I knew I could do that. Helen was a bit miffed, I think, and she didn't enjoy spending the night at a steep angle in a Cracker Barrel parking lot. Still, we made a very early start and got home Sunday evening instead of Monday afternoon.

My efforts to have our cable turned on didn't work out as planned and I had to call Brighthouse service and finally got the cable to the TV working. I had no luck with the computer linkage and had to wait until this morning for a technician. He solved the problem in short order and now I'm back in business.

I uncovered the pool to find that the water was crystal clear and the dogs are enjoying their normal swimming hole. There is still so much to do, to the house, to Helen's car, and the motorhome that I am a bit confused, not knowing where to start. I guess it will all sort out in a day or two.

Computers.....UGH!!!!!

Well, the problem isn't REALLY my computers this time. The problem is that I can't get my cable to work and it will be Wednesday afternoon before a technician will be out to fix the connection. The company claims the modem is dead.

To those who read this, Helen, Jodie, Coco, and I are home in Florida safe, sound, and hot. I love it. The pool is uncovered and is as clear as can be, so the dogs and I will be in for a swim tomorrow. I will catch up on the last few days, including out visit with Sam and Donna and their wonder dog, Riggs. I will post pictures, too, once I get Picasa working again.

At least the WiFi at the library is working well.

Paul

Doing a little better.

We did a little better with the miles covered today. It helps when you get an early start, but we had a few errands to tend to on the way. Coming across South Dakota, I wanted to stop in Madison at "My Dakota Address", the firm that has been handling our mail. They have been SUPER, but I can't say the same about the US Postal Service. Getting mail in Alaska proved to be a major problem. It always takes several time longer than in the lower states. Added to that, the PO in Valdez was a mess where they were unable to find packages that were traced to that very office. In the end, it was all waiting for me in Madison. Then we wanted to pick up a few supplies at a real USA type Walmart. Fresh fruit at a SMALL fraction of what it costs north of the border. In addition, we can find the products that we've been used to. Still, we covered about 450 miles today.

Yesterday?? I think, I mentioned the Circle 10 campground someplace east of Rapid City, SD. It was not the fanciest campground but it more than makes up for it with the friendliness of the staff. Very, very pleasant people and a great continental breakfast, not to mention a potent WiFi connection.

Tonight we're at some Lighthouse campground right on the Missouri River, a bit west of Whiting, Iowa. This is a nice grassy location and the natives are very friendly. Tomorrow we'll let the dogs swim in the Missouri prior to giving them a bath. For $22.00 we were given our choice of any site and I think we actually cover two. There are showers and laundry. They are very dog friendly, and the free WiFi is as good as any I've had on this vacation. The only downside to this location is the mosquitoes. I hope it will be better in the morning when the sun is out.

Tomorrow we make tracks down the western edge of Iowa and then across Missouri. I hope all continues well. Right now it looks like well reach home on Monday.

Getting the last tank of diesel is always a consideration before we get home as there has not been a suitable site in our town. However, just before we left for vacation a new Racetrac station opened up with easy access for my rig, and it's only three miles from home. No more worried about condensation in a partially empty tank.

Heading Home

We got the first early start in quite a while when we left the campground in St. Mary, Montana, just outside the East Entrance to Glacier National Park. We drove to Browning, Montana where we filled the motorhome from the same pump that we used on that cold, snowy night two months ago. It was a real difference. Helen noted that she was unable to see rivers that were visible before there were leaves on the trees.

I put on some heavy mileage, over 626 miles yesterday and felt that I could have driven several hundred more. It was a delusion on my part. We settled for the night in the Walmart in Gillette, Wyoming with several other campers.

I refer to the delusion on my part because here it is the next day and I couldn't manage 300 miles, and the last 50 I was falling asleep. Happily, we found a nice campground right off I-90 called the Circle 10. We ended up here because I got confused with my destination and thought I was actually 100 miles further east. Hot, endless showers, dog friendly, EXCELLENT free wifi, and a continental breakfast. WOW!

So I've fallen behind on my intended travel and will TRY to make up some time tomorrow.

More later,

Back in the Lower 48

Yes, we're back in Montana, just outside the east gate of Glacier National Park. We got in yesterday afternoon and before dark I took quick ride into the park a ways. Glacier is not in the same league as some of the glaciers we saw in Alaska, but it was very scenic just the same. I saw a herd of elk as I was coming out, but that was all.

Today Helen and I took a drive all the way through and it was an ordeal. Thankfully, Helen was driving, because the traffic was terrible and construction on the road held us up for long periods on several locations. When we got to the west gate, rather than turn around and follow the Glacier road back, we chose to drive the long way around. It was longer, but there was no traffic or construction problems. Besides, If we had driven the Glacier road back, I would have been on the outside looking down into the abyss. It's not a feeling I treasure.

I think or rather I know that the vacation is now behind us. Helen has given up on the Chief Crazy Horse monument and just wants to get back home as fast as possible. We've been at it a long time and it will be good to get home, heat, humidity, and all.

This brings us to another question. Does she mean as fast as possible by my standards or as fast as possible by hers? She doesn't let me drive too fast or too far in a day because it upsets Jodie. My best bet might be to fly her and Jodie home and Coco and I can cruise our own way.

We'll see what happens. What ever else, we're leaving tomorrow for points south.