High Life.......

Yes I am including a motor home story in the "high life" section
BLOG might gain some interest in a few days and actually contain some road warrior stories instead of road worryer stories.
Returned from Pendelton yesterday with another story of woe, "Woodpecker Trucking" had no sense of urgency in getting the repairs to our ride completed. They were simply waiting for the service bay that had the transmission (supposedly in Portland....more on that later) to get what they termed an "end cap" to the tranny. Were not able to find one quickly and was on back order. Had no idea what the time was to completion.
After returning to Jamie's, I stewed on this most of the night (after attending lego night at the library with the boys, a much needed distraction and enjoyment) and got up this morning with a determination to do something about the situation.
After 3 cups of coffee, sat down with my laptop and phone with somewhat of an idea (and a sharp coffee edge) of what my objective was. I felt that if "I" could find the part in need, then I could contact those putting us on hold with something concrete that would get them over the hump and push them along.....whether willing or unwilling, if I was to solve what appeared to be their problem they would have no choice.
Well.....after 4 hours of computer research, several phone calls and help from several great freight liner and allison folks, I was able to get the model and serial #s of the transmission using the VIN (by utilizing the freightliner hot line number that I was graciously supplied by "dwolfe" from Texas in reply to asking for help on an RV question and answer website that I have book marked). This in turn allowed me to successfully pursue the needed parts actual name and part number from the folks after calling the allison transmission hot line. Then.......I found an allison parts house on line and after several transfers and suggested contacts found the "rear flange cover...PN 29503089" in TKT Sales (specializing in allison parts) in North Carolina.
Then.....called the service center in Pendelton to let them know that the problem was solved and I needed the number to the transmission servicing center so that they can get the part. As a result of this I found that the tranny is not in Portland but in Ridge Field Washington. Oh well, the rest of the story is that the part is expected to be delivered on Monday, tranny on Dyno on Tuesday and shipped back to Woodpecker on Wed of next week. This should result in getting the rig back either late next week or early the following week. Hurrah!!!!!

This is the rig that towed us in........3 weeks ago!!!!!!

High Life........

Very enjoyable week end with Brian, Jamie and the kiddos.
Went to the Portland OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry). Great educational hall that is set up for kids to learn thru interacting with the many exhibits.

Wyatt and his mom are deeply involved

Brothers sharing an experience

Quite the chipmunk costume Grant has on

 

 

Grandpa was able to sneek some time outside to take in the Portland scenery across the Columbia river.

 

 

Portland, the land of many bridges. Old ones......

......and new ones. Little hard to see but in the back ground is the new span currently under construction. Pretty remarkable and eye appealing.

 

 

Then was able to get a bit of a softball fix as Jamie was part of a team that was entered in a tournament benefitting the Susan G. Komen breast cancer awareness funding. Won their first game 20 to 10, but the other 2 were not as favorable. Great day with great weather.

 

Jamie's team prior to the first game

 Jamie at bat.......

 ......and in the field

Grant with moms old (from high school old) batting helmet on

Now its Wyatts turn

 

 

Road Rash........

 

Not much to comment on, still waiting for our home with the motor. Last we heard the transmission was pulled and sent into Portland for repair. Will get it back eventually. 

Jamie took us to Battleground State Park yesterday, very quint little park with a lake, trails and a campground. Actually put our name in for what could be a nice gig as "Campground Host". Targeting next year at this time.

History lesson on the name "Battleground".........
The name is ironically for the absence of a battle. In 1855 many of the soldiers at nearby Fort Vancouver were away fighting an uprising by the Yakima Indian tribe. Settlers organized a company of volunteers to guard the undermanned fort. Fearing that the friendly Klickitat Tribe on the Lewis River would join the uprising, the volunteers ordered them into the Vancouver Barracks near the fort.The settlers had been expecting a battle, and when Strong returned empty-handed, they accused him of cowardice. The women of the fort awarded him a petticoat of many colors in mock celebration of his courage. And the area where the Klickitats were encountered became known as "Strong's Battle Ground", and later simply "Battle Ground."

High Life.......

Jamie, Sue and Grant at Battle Ground State Park

 

Wyatts Sand Angel

 

Road Rash........

Literally...Helmet Saved Wyatts Melon

High Life.......

Grandkids are incredible, simply enjoying hanging out with them. Looks like we will have more time than anticipated to hang out.

Road Rash.......

Bad news from the service center yesterday, they found that the transmission end cap housing is cracked. This will result in another part acquisition delay, pulling of the tranny, another week of work (after they get the part) and double the initial cost to repair.  Sue and I have been talking, this may change our future travel plans a little. The repair delay plus what would seem to be an early winter coming our way. We may travel south quicker than what we had initially planned.

Have not posted in a few days, has been real slow getting our home back on the road but the blessing is that it has allowed us the enjoyment of my daughter and her family.

High Life.......

Had this sign posted at the drive way when we arrived a little over a week ago. What a great welcome.
Such a great couple of kids with awesome mommy and daddy.
Really taking in the house and setting. Plus the weather has been terrific. 70s and 80s with cool nights and not a drop of rain. Forecast has that changing in a couple of days but the moisture is greatly needed. Sunshine and warmth is appreciated even more when we see that the old stomping grounds had a light coverage of snow already this past week. Glad that we missed that. All indications point to an early winter, could change plans for the Endeavor flight. May push us south earlier than expected.

Road Rash......

Speaking of the Endeavor....it does not seem that everyone else is as concerned about getting our home back to us as we would hope for. The service center that has custody of our rolling house, finally called late last week and confirmed the expected repairs. Now it is a matter of getting the needed parts and the service plan (that will cover most of the cost) synced up with the shop so that all can get completed. Nothing is happening fast, but again we are fortunate that we have Jamie and Brian's hospitality to enjoy while we wait.

High Life.........
Setting comfortably at Jamie's place. Great getting hugs from everyone, the boys were showing off as they were racing their bicycles up and down the drive way,
Yes we made it, but not with out another experience that will be filed under "road rash".

Road Rash.........
Just peaked the "Dead Mans Pass" about 20 miles east of Pendleton Oregon, when all hell broke loose. I thought that I had been feeling an unusual vibration since leaving Baker City this morn. It kept getting worse until it got to the point that I had made the decision to pull over and was just commenting to Sue and mom that something was not right, when it sounded like an explosion. Quickly lost all propulsion to the motor home, was still running but no forward momentum. Was able to pull off the freeway to safety, jumped out to check what I knew were going to be damages and quickly noted a hiss and the smell of propane. Hastened Sue and mom out of the RV and had them stand at a safe distance. Looked under and saw that the drive shaft was disintegrated with transmission fluid running onto the ground. Right away thought for sure that we had lost the tranny. Cleared the area and got road side assistance on the phone. After about 45 minutes finally had a tow truck on the way. Propane was still leaking (sound and smell) but there was a wind blowing so gained the courage to venture close enough to unhook the tow vehicle (Vue) so that mom and Sue could drive ahead and get to a more comfortable spot (later found it to be the "Wild Horse" casino) with the tow truck still 1 1/2 hours from arriving. After their departure, had a chance to look closer at the damage and did not see as much fluid as I had initially thought was running from the system. If the transmission had blown there would be gallons of fluid but this was mere cups. So after further looking and recalling the event had decided that it may not be as bad as originally suspected. I think that since leaving on the morning jont, I had been feeling a universal joint starting to go out. The fact that we climbed the pass at 55-60 MPH was all the system could take and finally had to give.  The little bit of fluid was what came out of the back of the unit after the drive shaft tore itself in half. Was able to also get to the closure valve on the propane tank to shut that down.
Motor home is now setting in Pendleton at "Woodpecker Truck" waiting for an inspection so that repairs can be determined with nothing happening until Monday (this being Friday and no work on the weekend). A quick look by the mechanics had them agreeing with my final analysis.
After transferring items from the Vue to the motorhome and visa versa, we drove on into Washington to enjoy the grandkids and wait for the Monday phone call that will give us the diagnosis.

Not really to upset about this set back. After hearing stories from other RV'ers understand that this is part of the journey. Everyone encounters situations that you work through and continue forward with the adventure. In fact there was a second motor home (much newer than ours) in the truck compound that had been towed in the day prior. It had simply quit running and they were trying to figure out why. Those folks were still staying in the unit while it was being worked on. I am a wondering why so soon for us, but maybe all of our bad luck will be kicking us at the front of the trip and will be used up quick so that all the good luck will follow for months and then there will be more "High Life" than "Road Rash".

Sue was asking me what I might write tonight, my quick reply was to simply put......."The End", but this still just the beginning.

A quicky post.........
After 2 days of fighting the "Wild Wyoming Winds", finally relaxing in Baker City, Oregon with 290 miles remaining of the original 1630 miles (Superior Nebr to Vancouver Wash).
At least in Rawlins Wyo, we found a very well kept sleep over by the name of "RV World". Nothing really fancy but very clean plus we took advantage of something that we have never encountered in the way of resort accommodations........the place had a courtesy vehicle that we took into town to restock on grub. We could have dis-connected the vue from the motor home, but the offer of the vehicle saved quite a bit of work for a 30 minute trip.

Sue and mom with new friends that they made at RV World

Mom and ????????

A few other pix courtesy of Sue

Setup at Lincoln Park (Superior Nebr)

Cap'n Rod Piloting the Endeavor

Cap'n Rod Piloting the Pony (Minden Nebr Pioneer Village)

 

 

That's it for now

As I set here celebrating this Labor Day evening in the Cabelas camp ground in Sidney Nebraska, I guess we could say that the journey has officially began. We left the Minden and Superior families behind and are on our way to Washington State to spend some time with our daughter Jamie and her family (husband Brian, sons Grant (4) and Wyatt (2)). After absorbing some much anticipated grandson time, it will be off to parts unknown.
Once the grandparent visit is sadly concluded, the flight plan is an eastern route from Vancouver exploring parts unknown to us. Defined points of touchdown are Glacier National Park, Mall of America and Niagra Falls with the understanding that all ports in between are possibilities. We will not know until we get there. The only known and agreed upon route is south before the snow flies.

With the future as defined as possible, would like to enlighten all to why and how we got to the point that we are setting in a motorhome with the comfort of the Littleton home of 23 years no longer available (now belonging to a young couple that will restart the family building process and another young lady will enjoy the corner bedroom with the pink checkered walls and turquoise carpeting, a new generation begins).
It actually began about this time a year ago, in Portland Oregon as we were visiting the grandkids.......oh, and their parents. At that time we were motoring along in a 21 ft camping trailer being tugged along behind a Toyota Tundra. Anyway, we spent last year as a little fish amongst the big fish in the "Sandy Creek RV Resort" that was a few blocks from our daughters door step. Was a wonderful stay giving us the opportunity to make friends with the pilots of the big ships, hearing stories of 15 years on the road and asking questions of the type that opened up inner thoughts. One night as Sue and I were drifting off to sleep (or so we thought of the other) we looked at each other and simultaneously exclaimed, "we could do this"..........and so it began. With scheming, planning and months of continual progressions towards the goal (getting the house in show form, building a storage facility at our South Park location), we are finally on the road to living out a dream. Until we find the next property that will be our final residence. Who knows how long........