It looks harmless enough, right?
It almost didn't happen; the escape that is. A malfunctioning refrigerator, a propane leak, tires low (and no place to get air in dirtville) all worked against my leaving dirtville, permanently this time.
You see, in order to leave dirtville you must cross one of two cattle guards. There's a superstition that lives in Dirtvillian minds. Almost irrefutable proof exists that some other-worldly phenomna will prevent a person leaving if they are fleeing dirtville, forever.
Oh sure, you can go on a shopping trip to Vegas, Kingman, Bullhead City or Havasu. You can even take an extended vacation. But if you head towards the cattle guard with thoughts of liberation, some type of trouble will befall you.
Having worked through all the issues placed in the way of escape, I headed for the cattle guard. Fingers crossed, prayers uttered, and talismans placed stratigically around the MoHo, I rolled down the hill into the flatlands.
When I reached the flatlands I realized Theo was not shifting into high gear. What the hell??!!!??? This is the same problem that's been worked on 5 times, for over a year. I've driven the rig numerous times without issue. WHAT. THE. FRIGGEN. HELL???
I went over the cattle guard, anyways. Now the rig won't shift from first into second. I turn around, defeated; my extraction from dirtville, thwarted.
I had already called any mechanically minded friends looking to get my tires aired and knew everyone was either in Vegas or Kingman. I have one friend in the flatlands, with RV hook ups. I call him, knowing he is in Kingman, and get the ok to park at his house.
At this point, I'm thinking my son is going to have to come and get me. He can borrow his dad's truck and trailer. We'll load all my stuff and I'll move in with him until I can find affordable digs. He'll be thrilled, no doubt!
When Jerry arrived home he took the MoHo for a spin.
OK. Who knew there's a little trick to get a transmission to shift when it doesn't want to? And why didn't you tell me? I've been driving trucks for almost 30 years; everything from Ford vans (E150s to E350s) to a 2-ton stepvan. The times that the vehicles shifted was a fluke??? The RV's transmission is fine, albeit on the older side. Sometimes it needs a little help shifting.
PHEW!
Proof that I made it to Vegas
Celebrating my son's 29th birthday, with his dad, at the world famous Lotus of Siam in Las Vegas
Buh bye, dirtville! See you in the fall!
Many thanks to the wonderful, generous friends who made living in dirtville bearable and my liberation possible!
I'm headed to Quartzsite and the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous on Thursday. Hope to see you there!
