Travel Log 20: October 2010 - Ever the Clampetts!

On our last Sunday before leaving Canada, I rose early to let Bailey out for her morning constitutional. Upon opening the door I found that our awning had collapsed in the night and was hanging like a curtain down the side of our rig. "Er…Adrian…we have a problem!"

 

The self-dumping electric mechanism on the awning had failed in the night. So, while a slight drizzle of rain continued through the wee hours, the weight increased to the point that the awning arms gave up when the mechanism jammed. Thankfully there was little damage to the side of the rig. To position our limp awning so we could use the door, Adrian propped one end on the ladder and secured the other with a rope to a tree.

 

Later the same afternoon, the foot pedal pump on our toilet failed. This required that the water be turned off to the whole trailer because the foot pedal not working meant the water kept running. "Hmmm…things come in 3's" I said. "What next?" 

 

The universe answered my invitation the next day with a leak under the bathroom sink. We have never felt more like the Clampett hillbillies. Luckily we were still in Penticton (Wright's Beach Campground) getting our last details sorted before heading south, however, we couldn't move the trailer to the dealership for repair because the awning was dangling from the side of our unit, unable to be secured. This dilemma was coupled with the fact that we were parked between two trees which would not allow us out of the site unless the awning was retracted.

 

Adrian spent several days that last week getting a new toilet, a new sink faucet and doing the installation of these himself. We had great luck with our insurance on the awning issue and it was replaced by the dealership shortly thereafter as well.  Whew!

 

Our departure day came and we travelled happily down our usual route through Washington State on Route 17. We had an easy time at the Canada/US border and the weather on our first two days of travel was magical. Through Boise and Twin Falls, Idaho we enjoyed 33 degrees! Really…can potatoes grow in the tropics?

 

This mild weather has led us to take the chance to visit some of the sights we've neglected on the way to Vegas in previous years. We're planning a side trip to Zion National Park and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The North Rim closes due to harsh weather each year by mid-October, so we hope our mild temps and early timing will translate into a reasonable experience weather-wise.

 

We are both looking forward to this introduction to some of the great National Parks of the U.S. Shall keep you posted!

 

Much love,

 

Brenda (for Adrian, Brenda & Bailey)