It seem there are a few that don't realize the severity of my situation. It's not simply turn'n the switch on, crank'n the engine with that piece of wire an' go'n down the road a piece. There's the never ending threat of the ignition switch failing while I'm travel'n a hunnert miles a hour. The engine shuting down, the auto parking brake applies an' I ain't got no where to pull over.....stuck in the middle of the highway.
I would be willing to bet ya a dollar, that there are very few, if any at all, RV'ers that would have done what I have. And it ain't over yet. I got 80 more miles of worry ahead of me this morn'n. Will I make it??
Ok, I posted a comment last night that I made it through Houston. There were no details. Ha, Houston on a Sunday afternoon could be like go'n through some little back woods country town. Traffic???? What traffic, there weren't none. I hugged the inside lane in case of engine shut down, but only one time did I get under 55 mile a hour. I got a full tank of gas, there ain't no meed to stop (left engine running while fueling).
Down the road a piece south of Houston, it's get'n late. What time does it get dark in south Texas. I see a Loves truck stop. I'm a bit over a hunnert miles from Sinton an' I ain't gonna make it before dark city. Only park'n place is out front. Probly a no parking zone. Victoria is just down the road bout 35 miles or so....an' they got a great big ol' Walmart to spend the night. I fire up, after three attempts an' head'n for Walmart. Oh, lookie here, a rest area on highway 59 south. I pull off, choose my desired nice level park'n spot an' "I got shut down". Engine ain't run'n no more an' that auto park'n brake brings me to a instant stop. Not yet into the park'n space. I cranked back up, thanks to the mighty one, an' am safe an' secure for the night. Right at 80 miles from Sinton.
All that happy I had in one hand an' feel'n so good bout mak'n it through Houston, that all went to pot on this last shut down. I had me a ton of confidence yesterday that my worries were over. Ha to that thought.
Now, bout that chair. I was wored slap out after bout 9 hours behind the wheel. I eat me up some that chili, Doritos an' cheese. Then took a Alka Seltzer. I jump in that chair an' I'm out like a light. For the next 3 hours. My back an' right hip hurted like a sum-a-gun, my legs are crazy....this sucks. To bed by midnight. Will I be able to go to sleep? Ha, my head hit that pillow an' I'm off in "La La land".
So now, it's another day. How will it prove out for the old Billy Bob? Come on one hand, let's get happy again.
See ya down the road a piece......hopefully one piece.
*******************************************************************************
Well, so much for that. I have no voltage to the dash......don't do nuttin. Fuses are all ok. Can't even start generator from the dash switch.
************************************************************************
Todays final update.....
How do ya spell Yeee Haaa???
After much frustration, tons of stress, internet searches for a mechanic, I was finally able to get me some voltage to the dash with the key in the run position. I refuse to give a account of all the cuss'n words what were fly'n round. Poor Sadie Mae skeered to death....hide from me.
Now that the lights are on on the dash, I touch that wire to the cig lighter wire I got stick'n out. Pooof, I blows the fuse all to hell an' gone. Don't even ask why. Where I had peeled back some wires on the ign. switch to check voltages, I had a 12 volt wire to start the engine.....with that wire ya know. Once the engine was running, there weren't no way in hell I would ever turn it off. I hit the road.
I'm go'n down the road, mind'n my own business, all stressed out...an' a freak'n pick up pulls up side me. Well I want you lookie here, it's the OFM Barney. He follows me all the way to Sinton. I rekon to just make sure I make it. What a feller he is.
I'm one mile to destination, "El Rancho Abraham". I make a left turn, engine shuts down, brakes engage, I'm in the middle the road. Luckily I Am able to fire up again. Pull into the gates an' an' turn this sucker off. I need to lay back for a bit before I disconnect the "billy jeep" an' back into my camp'n site. Hmmmm, will I be able to crank the engine just one more time???
I want to thank each an' every one of ya for your concerns an' wonderful comments. They DO help ya know.
I would be willing to bet ya a dollar, that there are very few, if any at all, RV'ers that would have done what I have. And it ain't over yet. I got 80 more miles of worry ahead of me this morn'n. Will I make it??
Ok, I posted a comment last night that I made it through Houston. There were no details. Ha, Houston on a Sunday afternoon could be like go'n through some little back woods country town. Traffic???? What traffic, there weren't none. I hugged the inside lane in case of engine shut down, but only one time did I get under 55 mile a hour. I got a full tank of gas, there ain't no meed to stop (left engine running while fueling).
Down the road a piece south of Houston, it's get'n late. What time does it get dark in south Texas. I see a Loves truck stop. I'm a bit over a hunnert miles from Sinton an' I ain't gonna make it before dark city. Only park'n place is out front. Probly a no parking zone. Victoria is just down the road bout 35 miles or so....an' they got a great big ol' Walmart to spend the night. I fire up, after three attempts an' head'n for Walmart. Oh, lookie here, a rest area on highway 59 south. I pull off, choose my desired nice level park'n spot an' "I got shut down". Engine ain't run'n no more an' that auto park'n brake brings me to a instant stop. Not yet into the park'n space. I cranked back up, thanks to the mighty one, an' am safe an' secure for the night. Right at 80 miles from Sinton.
All that happy I had in one hand an' feel'n so good bout mak'n it through Houston, that all went to pot on this last shut down. I had me a ton of confidence yesterday that my worries were over. Ha to that thought.
Now, bout that chair. I was wored slap out after bout 9 hours behind the wheel. I eat me up some that chili, Doritos an' cheese. Then took a Alka Seltzer. I jump in that chair an' I'm out like a light. For the next 3 hours. My back an' right hip hurted like a sum-a-gun, my legs are crazy....this sucks. To bed by midnight. Will I be able to go to sleep? Ha, my head hit that pillow an' I'm off in "La La land".
So now, it's another day. How will it prove out for the old Billy Bob? Come on one hand, let's get happy again.
See ya down the road a piece......hopefully one piece.
*******************************************************************************
Well, so much for that. I have no voltage to the dash......don't do nuttin. Fuses are all ok. Can't even start generator from the dash switch.
************************************************************************
Todays final update.....
How do ya spell Yeee Haaa???
After much frustration, tons of stress, internet searches for a mechanic, I was finally able to get me some voltage to the dash with the key in the run position. I refuse to give a account of all the cuss'n words what were fly'n round. Poor Sadie Mae skeered to death....hide from me.
Now that the lights are on on the dash, I touch that wire to the cig lighter wire I got stick'n out. Pooof, I blows the fuse all to hell an' gone. Don't even ask why. Where I had peeled back some wires on the ign. switch to check voltages, I had a 12 volt wire to start the engine.....with that wire ya know. Once the engine was running, there weren't no way in hell I would ever turn it off. I hit the road.
I'm go'n down the road, mind'n my own business, all stressed out...an' a freak'n pick up pulls up side me. Well I want you lookie here, it's the OFM Barney. He follows me all the way to Sinton. I rekon to just make sure I make it. What a feller he is.
I'm one mile to destination, "El Rancho Abraham". I make a left turn, engine shuts down, brakes engage, I'm in the middle the road. Luckily I Am able to fire up again. Pull into the gates an' an' turn this sucker off. I need to lay back for a bit before I disconnect the "billy jeep" an' back into my camp'n site. Hmmmm, will I be able to crank the engine just one more time???
I want to thank each an' every one of ya for your concerns an' wonderful comments. They DO help ya know.
Good luck with todays travels, in warmer south Texas.
ReplyDeleteI guess your nephew will come help? Darn. I thought you were home free. Please keep us up on what the day hands you! Sure will be good to hear that you are back at Camp (Abraham, is it?). Good luck, BB.
ReplyDeleteI am relieved you made it through Houston and have just 80 miles to go. What a helluva trip this has been, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you, I think you've handled one problem after another like a champion, and my hat's off to you BillyBob. Good luck on that 80 miles, and please post an update later.
ReplyDeleteBoy...when it rains, it pours, right?
ReplyDeleteHope you get her all fixed up soon!
"I would be willing to bet ya a dollar, that there are very few, if any at all, RV'ers that would have done what I have. And it ain't over yet. I got 80 more miles of worry ahead of me this morn'n. Will I make it??"
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you on this one, I tend to repair things first then go. I replaced a clutch in a motel parking lot on a holiday weekend, replaced an engine in brother's yard in December, in the snow outside, and the worst driving I did was 3700 mile drive towing a trailer with a suv on it, with right leg in a cast from broken leg, result of changing engine in the snow. Oh the joys of RV travel, still love it.
What I admire about you is the fact that you are alone with nobody to share all this good stuff.
Mickey
Wow! What a story! Rest for a bit and go have some fun with Barney. The problems will still be there tomorrow and you can tackle them then.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI meant to say, "Glad you made it and it sure was nice getting support from old Barnie. It is nice to have great friends."
DeleteReading the last update, I'm just grinin' ear to ear.
ReplyDeleteNow lucky you, ya need to go buy ya a lottery ticket.
Gary
YES! So glad to know you are "home free"! And, yes, Barney is a good guy. Very like him to be looking out for a friend. Now we can all heave a sigh of relief.
ReplyDeleteGosh dont know why you dont just go on to Del Rio....luck like that.
ReplyDeleteyou still got it bb.!!! the touch and fire to go, back leg, hip pains and acid reflux don't keep you down. must be that new chair.
ReplyDelete"What a feller he is."
ReplyDeleteI'd say! Three cheers for our Barney; he's the man!
So relieved you are there and off those highway death traps.
Poor Sadie - can't say I blame her for hiding; I tend to do that when someone starts ranting/cussing in my space.
The poor dog may need psychological counseling, BB. Give her some good hugs and love words.
Barney did not do anything but show up late to the action and go along for the ride. BB already had it all under control.
ReplyDeleteI bet Billy Bob was tickled to see his golfin' buddy though. Betcha a dollar.
DeleteWow, what an adventure! So glad you made it to home base, now you will have time to replace that broken ignition switch. I have driven my RV through Houston four times and traffic can be a problem let alone having to worry about breaking down in the middle of the road. I am not suprised Sadie was skeered with all that cussing. Thanks to Barney for the support of a friend.
ReplyDeletevery glad you made it, a little luck, ingenujty, cussing, and a prey you made it. Thanks Barney, I owe you one. some day I would like to meet you. I hear so much about you. thanks again.
ReplyDeleteNow daddy, sit back and get yourself back together and fix things later. love you and take it easy for awhile.
I will be in North Alabama next summer. That will be our best chance.
DeleteSo glad you made it to your camp safely. What a scary and stressful ride. Hope you can get it fixed there. Take care.
ReplyDeleteWas wonderful that OFM Barney came out the follow you back home.
ReplyDeleteYou have a T off time tomorrow I think!
Nope course closed on Tuesdays. BB needs his rest anyway.
DeleteYay OFM Barney! I was worried about you Billy Bob. So glad you made it!
ReplyDeleteOMG!!! Well at least you have landed, if not excatly where you want to be.
ReplyDeleteTickled pink (or whatever color strikes your fancy) that you made it safe and sound, even if a tad frazzled! Well done!
ReplyDeleteBeen following your trip back to Texas and sending positive thoughts your way hoping that you made it to your destination safe and sound.
ReplyDeleteI can not even imagine the stress level you were under. Glad you made it back to El Rancho Abraham. Please take a couple of days off and relax.
It is good to hear you made it without major problems and great to hear you had back up for the last part of the trip!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the warm weather!
Happy to hear you made it! Now that wasn't so bad now was it? Haha! Max.
ReplyDeleteWelcome home, Billy Bob! Glad to have you... and thanks to the Man upstairs and Barney, too.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I was with you every mile of the trip! And you are right, very few of us would have had the guts or the ability to do what you did. I for one would have been calling my Road Service and forking out Big Bucks! My hat is off to you!
ReplyDelete