Needless to say, I won't be doing my planned nine part series on Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend, Iowa. We were excited about going there, and had hoped to get a little respite from the over 100 degree temps that Jim had been working in in Greeley.
We made it to Dodge City on Monday, but not without some excitement. To start with, I had a dreadful nightmare on Saturday night. I was looking in my closet, and it was in a shambles, completely destroyed. And, I do not mean ransacked. It was in shreds. I couldn't quite figure out why I was lying on the ground looking in at the destruction. Then I woke up, and that's all I remember. Was it an accident, a tornado, -- I just don't know. I only know that I woke up saying "I can't go to Kansas, I just can't go - it's going to be dangerous." I've had a few spells of tears over the last couple of days, but I have to stop doing that - it really bothers Jim.
We decided to start traveling on Sunday. (even though Jim's company does NOT pay us for Sunday moves) We just thought it might be a little less hectic if we took the extra day, and not put too much stress on Jim.
So, Sunday morning we had our coffee and began breaking things down to go. By 8:30(MT) we were ready to start the engine, get propane and be on our way. Jim told me to go ahead and "fire her up." I've never heard an explosion quite like that! It scared me so badly, I not only turned the key off immediately, I pulled it out of the ignition and tore out the front door in fear the whole thing was about to blow. A crowd of other RV'ers came running to see what was the problem and were we OK. We were fine, a bit shaken, but OK. Jim looked first toward the engine and it appeared to be fine. His next thought was the battery compartment. When he opened the bay, smoke POURED out in one huge rush, and the problem was discovered.
One of the engine batteries had exploded. And I don't mean just the top popped off of it. The entire side and top of it had blown completely out. There was battery acid and little pieces of the top and sidewall everywhere. Thankfully, we were still in the campground and still had access to the water to begin washing everything down. I rinsed things for a good 30 minutes or so while Jim made a safe place for the batteries in the car. He went to the nearest NAPA and got new engine batteries, installed them, and we were on our way only 2 hours later than we'd anticipated. I'm sure glad that we had decided to start out a day early.
We drove as far as Oakley before we stopped for the night. The campground advertised WiFi, but it didn't work. They put us on a 50AMP site and about 2 hours later we lost power. When we looked in the power box, the socket was broken. Part of the spot where you plug in had been broken away from the socket itself, so we weren't making good contact. We got it going again, and headed off to bed for the night. About 2 hours later we both woke up sweating in the heat. The temperature inside the Coach had climbed to almost 90. No power again-same problem. This time when Jim fixed it, it lasted all night.
Monday morning we sort of hung around and didn't leave too early. Along the way, we stopped for breakfast, and then moseyed on in to Gunsmoke Trav-L-Park.
Jim talked with his contact here, went and found their office so he'd know right where to go, and today he is already off to work.
I don't know how long we'll be here, but I am saying my prayers that they will send someone else in, and transfer us out as quickly as possible. We have strong family concerns in Virginia (having really major surgery next month after just having a triple bypass last month), and Jim's dad in Ohio, who has also been having some health issues since Memorial Day, not to mention the 18 year old granddaughter there who has a very rare liver disease which normally strikes only men. Though for those of you who had already added her to your prayer list, you'll be happy to know that, all things considered, she's doing a lot better than anticipated! (what a plus)
If I find anything at all in Kansas worth Blogging about, I'll be sure to do just that. In the meantime, please go shopping! (those big batteries were pricey)
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