Monday, June 29, 2015

An RVer's WORSE Nightmare!!!

continuing.....June 24, 2015- Thursday- Since it was raining when we arrived early afternoon at Bandera's Bunkhouse & RV Park, Lennie was in no hurry to set up our site.The owner, Cowboy Bob, I don't know if that's his real name but that's what Lennie has been calling him from the start....he came out to show us our site. It was the original site we first wanted, the very site that was underwater a week ago? But.....Cowboy Bob said it was okay, we shouldn't have a problem getting into the site.When the rain subsides, we make an attempt to get into the site. I stand in back of the site & try to motion Lennie in(this doesn't always work out well!?!) The first attempt in, I think it looks pretty good, but when Lennie looks at it, he wants to pull over just a little! He pulls back out of the site, moves over & starts to back into it again. I stopped him before he got past the rear wheels & told him he was really leaving BIG RUTS in the site spot! He looks at the site & goes to find Cowboy Bob. Lennie is feeling VERY uneasy about this site! Cowboy Bob still thinks it will be okay & offers wood to put under our wheels, we already have our own wood & wood is NOT going to help this situation. I know enough that when a man is having car trouble or RV trouble to stay clear. Otis & I walk around the campgrounds.
Lennie has finally convinced Cowboy Bob that we need another site. Our RV is diesel, all the weight is in the rear end! Another site is available, but it's too late.....our RV is now sitting cockeyed on the site!!!
Cowboy Bob thinks if he just digs the back tire free & puts some wood under it, all is well.....WRONG!!!
Before you knew it, EVERYONE at the campgrounds was standing at our site, each one offering their opinion on the subject, each one trying in some way to help out. Otis & I were staying clear, & I was praying hard that we'd get unstuck without any damage!!!!

              Whatta think....can we connect a tow rope somewhere?
                         Lennie is talking to Good Sam about a tow!
                              "Hey....we got our own tow truck"!
                               Anything I can do to help Dad???
                                EVERYONE was trying to help!!!
            The crowd gathers round for the next attempt to free our RV. Nothing's working our back left tire is sunk in mud right up to the axle! The hitch is sunk in the mud also.....
        Everybody tried to help, but it was time to bring in the big guns!
                                       Sizing up the situation.....
 Does the expression, TOO MANY COOKS SPOIL THE POT apply here!?!

                                                 Piece of cake!
                          Hardest part of the job....signing the bill!
                                         Let the wenching begin!
                                               Looking good!
                                             & we're free!!!
   The pictures don't do these ruts justice! You had to be there!


 What a welcoming sight, to see our "Pope Mobile" back on solid ground!
 Remember...the last thing Lennie does before we leave is to wash the RV!
                                  Kudos to Alpine Towing!!!
I believe our RV is grinning!
It was 7:30 pm when all this was done! Lucky for me there is a Cafe adjoining the RV park. It was open till 8:00pm. I went in & ordered us 2 burgers to go. What a day!!! I hope the rest of our stay here at Bandera's Bunkhouse is a lot more promising then the start of our day!
Our new site is far more scenic than the mud puddle he first put us in. We can see the Arkansas River right from our coach. We like this site better, but we didn't like the way we had to go about getting it!!!
                               Pretty nice ending to a hectic day!!!

Making our way to Colorado!

June 23, 2015-Tuesday-This morning Lennie doesn't walk, today we are taking off. Our destination is Howard, Colorado which we will not make today. Lennie is the only one driving & we never drive too far in one day....the advantage of being retired. The long drives really cause my feet & ankles to swell, we don't need a picture of that!?! We fix coffee to go then we prepare to depart!

I take Otis for a potty walk while Lennie makes sure we aren't leaving anything behind!
"PILOT" says we're ready....

So does the "Co-pilot"!?!
We hook up
& we're off!
Good-Bye Historic Independence!
Kansas City's skyline as we drive through....
& before we knew it....the STATE of Kansas!
     Then....a portion of the interstate turns into a TOLL ROAD!!!
          I bet President Eisenhower didn't plan on a toll booth....
Time to pay.....

That same road is now interstate again!
We keep driving & I'm thinking it must be time to "get rid of" our coffee!?! Sure enough we reach a Rest Area!
This rest area was not just a potty break....it was also Lunch time!!!

As we continue our drive, we see familiar landmarks!!!
Ft Riley water tower! Last time we were here, 3 years ago, we were visiting Derick & his family when he was stationed here. We are not stopping this time! 

 When we were visiting Derick & family, the temps here were 104 degrees during our whole visit! Good thing we have no reason to stay & visit!!!
                                             We keep driving!

The wind turbines are so soothing along the highway!
We still driving!!!!
                                          Colorado State Line!
                                   Still looks like Kansas to me!

                              The the Colorado Welcome Center!
We may not be in the part of Colorado I think of when I think of Colorado....but we have made it to Colorado!
Our one nighter is in Seifert, Colorado. A real small RV park, & the town....well????? No reason to go into town!?!
We've been here before, it works out fine for one night. A family vacation here....I don't think so!?!


A little relaxing time after his drive, dinner, a nice walk for Otis, some TV time....Before you know it, it's time for bed! Tomorrow's another day!