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Thursday, May 22, 2014

Updated "look what ya did Billy Bob"....273 mile behind me

I'm gonna give this a whirl this morn'n, but don't think it will make a complete circle.

I try to let the comments cheer me up bout this trip, an' most of 'em do. But I got to tell ya one thing right now....it's not the same kind of fun mentioned.

A short recap of yesterday. To start with...."don't drive that far no more Billy Bob...it gonna cost ya". I ain't say'n I drove too many miles, but the time involved ate my lunch. I hurt this morn'n.

Back to the generator issue. Took 4 trys this morn'n just to brew me up a pot. Think'n I may need a professional service job on that sucker. While we talk'n bout service on a Onan generator, one time I took one in....service labor was so so until they told me all the parts involved. Their estimate was $2500 after a 30 minute diagnostic "rip off Billy Bob" was done.

A new problem has arisen. When ya turn the key to start the "da house" engine....nuttin happens. No dash lights, not a sound....there ain't nuttin. Turn it off, wait 5 seconds....an' it might work. Notice I said "might". Ignition switch? Battery control center circuit board? Starter relay...no, cain't be that. Yes this skeers me. I can see it now...a big ol' wrecker truck tow'n "Sally da house" down the road.

You knew I missed a turn yesterday....right? That only costed me bout 14 extra miles an' a couple Grrrrr's.

With my back issues, I should never spend that much time in a day get'n to a destination. All total, I spent 8 hours....with a very nice rest stop back there in Rockdale. Ahhhh, that was wonderful. That's still in Texas ya know. Up the road a piece is this picnic area. Trees, fresh cut grass just for Sadie Mae, an' it is a cool (66degs last night).

Do'n some serious think'n, I have changed my plan again. Todays "up the road a piece" will be right at 190 miles. I'll be in LooseAnnie ya know. Soooo, I will hold off on my morn'n departure until bout 11 am....what will put me in La. right bout 5pm if'n I schedule my rest stops accordingly.

Ok, I got to get my mind on today. Yesterday is gone, I paid my dues, this is a new day. Thank God for invent'n 500mg back an' pain aspirin. Gasoline. I got to get me some gasoline. That sounds easy don't it. Well, when ya got a big ol' motorhome with the gas filler in the back an' ya got a full size Jeep hang'n off the back, find'n a station to fit in is a chore. Most new gas stations now have the pumps.....what the hell is that word...perpendicular? There is no room to make a turn with out run'n slap into the building. Then ya got to have a way to get back on the road....curbs an' shit like that block your way. Nope, I got to find me a parallel set of pumps. Easy in an' easy out.

Ok aspirin, do yer thing. See ya down the road a piece.
To be updated as the day passes.
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2:30pm update

Yep I sure did do something. Instead of follow'n the rules of Billy Bob's Travel Agency, I never got out the driver seat for 4 straight hours. Well, yeah I did...to get gas. Now I am hours ahead of schedule, it's hot, there ain't a wisp of air blow'n an' still 5 or 6 hours to sit in the sun before night fall. "Real smart Billy Bob". Dang I wished I would listen when I speak.

Ok, here's the deal...there weren't no places to pull off an' take a break. The one Walmart I passed by, I says...."Billy Bob, there's a Walmart".....zoooom poooof, it was gone....just like that. But here I am in Louisiana at the tourist information center....Ha, a freak'n rest stop an' camp'n site. That's 189 miles to be exact.

Everthing seems to be work'n right....once ya get the engine cranked up. Gas mileage is a mite lower than it usually is. That's not good when ya gotta pay these high prices. Maybe I need to throw out bout a thousand pounds of stuff I've collected in the last 13 years. Oh wait....I may need that some day.

I was think'n bout tak'n me a break an' go'n on down the road for another 93 miles. But Gypsy said no. So I'm just gonna sit here an' enjoy the west La. sunshine. Eat me up some that Billy Bob beef stew soup an' maybe take me a relax'n nap. Dang it's hot in here.

Wait wait wait....it's freak'n 97 degs out there. Can that be right?
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19 comments:

  1. Good morning, BB. We know exactly what you mean about service stations that don't meet your needs. We were 29 ft towing a Honda Accord. Had to pass many a station because of the setup. Also, we had to give up RVing because of husband's back problems. Sitting for any length go time is intolerable for him. Do hope you make it today without vehicle problems. You don't need that stuff added in! Wishing you good luck.

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    1. So sorry Rose that you had to give up RV travel due to back issues. Stay tuned to what happens to my back....it may help your hubby. Well shoot, it's got to help mine first.

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  2. Hey, ya did it! You got going and drove a pretty good piece down the road. Sitting for that many miles can make a back hurt even if the person doesn't have "back problems". Just hang in there and don't drive too far in any one day. Keep safe, Billy Bob.

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  3. Sorry to hear about the back. Sounds like you did get a go9od start on the trip, though.

    In the words of Roy Rogers, Happy Trails!

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  4. Yep, I know what you mean about fuel stops not being too RV friendly. When I am pulling my Jeep, I am pushing 60 feet. That can be a problem at times.

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  5. The biggest problem ain't getting diesel for the RV, it is filling the Jeep while it is still hooked up to the RV.

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    1. I would almost bet ya a dollar Dizzy that you don't pull into many perpendicular gas pumps. You fill the Jeep while it's hooked up? Why?

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    2. Cause I don't want to drop it before I get to my destination and some places I go are far from filling stations. I only filled it up once when it was being towed. Most of the time I remember to make sure it has fuel before hooking it up.

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  6. Hope you find a gas station BUT with decent prices. Yesterday, I made a trip to the landfill. Got gas $3.42.9 day before; discount of $.30 gal., I paid $3.12 Yahoo, Right? Left landfill, passed station. Sign now says gas $9.55.9 gallon! WHAT?. I freaked out! Almost had me a stroke! Certain it was a mistake - yet oil companies could hike it high as they wish, I reckon. Next station price- $3.55. Dang jump of 13 cents in seconds. Oh yes,, Memorial Day coming up. Greedy, oh so greedy oil crooks. Crazy, crazy world we live in.

    Hope traffic isn't bumper 2 bumper where you are driving.

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    1. I don't know that I would blame the "greedy oil crooks" when it's the inbetweens that gouge everbody on every holiday an' long weekends. Stock market speculators have a lot to do with it too.

      So far no trafic at all....well other than them damn big trucks go'n over a hunnert mile a hour down the road.

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  7. Coffee, being one of the top priorities while traveling and generator being one of the lowest except when mated with the coffee maker when it becomes number two. Having to deal with that became a major issue but I found a cure, propane coffee maker from amazon, works great and makes good coffee.
    Doing good on the driving part, I never travel alone which fits right in with I never drive after dark or in the rain.
    Enjoy the journey, destinations can be disappointing at times.
    Mickey

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    1. I have a stove top coffee maker, but he coffee usually sucks. Yeee haa to my Mr Coffee.....an' the dad gum generator.
      Journey is com'n along fine as long as I don't go too many miles an' sit behind the wheel for too long. Billy Bob's travel rules state that 6 hours is max for any given day.

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    2. Are you keeping a log book of your driving?

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    3. Yes....it's called "Billy Bob's Place"....my blog.

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  8. yee ha, you're getting closer. don't push it to hard. sorry to hear about your back hurting, it hurt my back riding for long distances. but we stop ever 180 miles to get gas ,drink, junk food and pee. hope you get to feeling better. also, hope that you don't have motorhome issues. give yourself a big O hug for me.lol....Ok love you, later

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  9. Hey, I'm sorry I meant to say thanks for the map a few days ago..Now I know where Sinton Texas is..This is from an old guy waaay up in Washington....
    I'm following you...as I have been...
    David

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  10. We try to plan our fuel stops at Flying J's with Rv lanes, making it so much easier We have them all on our Computer Microsoft streets and trips program.
    We had an issue in 2010 in Mexico. Perpendicular pumps, fuelled up, pulled out sharp left turn. Guy to our right opened his door and we took it almost completely right off. Nobody hurt but sure made a mess of our coach and his SUV.

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  11. Only 600 miles left. Two days and a wake up and you are there!

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