Trip from Hell

Lillian · Post by **Lillian** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 5:40 am

And its not over yet.

We have to get to Denver to pick up our youngest. His lease expires as the end of the month. So I started having the truck looked at, fluids changed, etc over a month ago. Transmission started acting up, so I took it into a place that I had heard good things about. I'll spare you the gory details, but they final had it ready after 27 days, the day before we were to leave.

Life is good, we are going on a road trip, from Seattle to Denver, about 2500 kms. We drove until we hit the Wyoming boarder and stopped for the night. Fran was going to take the first shift. We get about 100 miles down the road and she starts complaining about the steering being tough. So she pulls off at a truck stop in the middle of no where. There's a bit of smoke coming out of the engine compartment, so I take a peak under the hood only to to discover the power steering pump quit. Okay there isn't anything that can be done there and its still spinning, so we decide to try to limp back towards Rock Springs. Get about half way and have to pull over. The pump seized and tossed the serpentine belt. The truck is over heated. Make some calls and have a tow truck on its way. No one open today of course, so we'll drop by the dealership first thing Monday.

In the mean time we're hold up in a motel that is costing way to much for the middle of Wyoming with expensive nasty food. Fran pulls out her laptop to do some work and nothing. Absolutely nothing. The fan won't even come on.

We're not having fun yet.

We still have to get the boy and his stuff and get back to Seattle by Monday. I have only one more day of leave I can take before it's leave without pay. That's really not a good option.

If any of you have so pull with the Powers To Be, we could really use a favor.

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 5:51 am

Gee Lillian, I'm sure sorry to hear that. Sounds like it's going to be a very long trip, with lots of "hurry up and wait". Do hope that the local mechanics aren't looking to make the weeks wages on the first job Monday morning.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 5:54 am

You ain't kidding with the post title

Don't speak to the big fella, we aint on talking terms but if my thoughts had any effect, the rest of your holiday should be as smooth as a baby's bum

Lillian · Post by **Lillian** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 9:09 am

Allen, Nick, thanks for the kind thoughts. Monday has got to be better.

Bob Connor · Post by **Bob Connor** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 3:24 pm

Fingers crossed that things pick uyp for you Lillian.

Lillian · Post by **Lillian** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 3:42 pm

Gawd I hope so Bob. I broke a tooth at dinner and my dental insurance doesn't extend past their office doors.

kiwigeo · Post by **kiwigeo** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 7:24 pm

Lillian wrote:
If any of you have so pull with the Powers To Be, we could really use a favor.

Its ok Lillian, Ive just been on the phone to God and its all sorted.

Hope your luck changes....sounds like scenes from the John Candy movie "Planes, Trains and Automobles.

Bob Connor · Post by **Bob Connor** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 8:49 pm

Lillian wrote:Gawd I hope so Bob. I broke a tooth at dinner and my dental insurance doesn't extend past their office doors.

A bit of CA will temporarily hold that 'til you get back to work Lillian.

Lillian · Post by **Lillian** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 10:10 pm

Thank you Martin. I wasn't expecting a direct call, just a word or two with the Fates would have been nice. But thanks for the long distance call. Its appreciated. Yesterday was a bit much.

Bob, are you serious? I've heard so many bad things about CA that I don't know if you are poking fun at me or not. I cracked it all the way down to the roots. As long as I don't bite on it, it doesn't hurt too much.

The dealership opens in about an hour. I'll let you know how it all goes.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 6:05 am

Lillian wrote:Gawd I hope so Bob. I broke a tooth at dinner and my dental insurance doesn't extend past their office doors.

Turn around,drive home, NOW The fates are against you on this trip, I think the safest option is to get home quickly (but safely), send your son the fare to fly to you!

Sorry to hear things are in floating in custard there Lillian & now to top it off, the rest of your holiday you're faced with eating through a straw!

Ron Wisdom · Post by **Ron Wisdom** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 12:40 pm

Dang, Lillian, what a lousy experience. I'm thinking of you and sure hope everything turns out ok.

Ron

Lillian · Post by **Lillian** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 3:03 pm

The dealership fixed the truck, sooner than they thought they would be able to and about a hundred cheaper than quoted. So that was all good.

We're in Denver and spent some time with the kids. It was good to see them. Its been too long. We'll pack Ryan up Wednesday and head back home on Friday. Ryan will fly out on Monday.

Thanks for all the good thoughts. I'll let you know when we head home so you can start them up again.

Dennis Leahy · Post by **Dennis Leahy** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 8:14 pm

Hot damn! A turn of luck, I'd say. Smooth sailing from here, Lillian!

Careful Martin, you'll have the NZ World Cup contenders beating down your door for some of that direct contact with god stuff. No wonder you are so innovative, hanging out with the creator and all. You are banned, you bastard!

Dennis

Kim · Post by **Kim** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 8:21 pm

Hey Lillian,

It's great to hear that things are on the up and up, you and Fran deserve better so lets hope it's all smooth sailing from here on in.

P.S. I agree with Dennis, Martin (The Monopoly) Turner should be banned.

Cheers

Kim

Lillian · Post by **Lillian** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:03 pm

You're a great bunch, the lot of you. Dennis, Kim, mind if we don't ban Martin over this? I really appreciate the help. Besides, I'm sure there will be other things down the line that will warrant banning him. Oh, like the day Martin actually passes Kim in his tonewood inventory. But for now lets not.

Kim · Post by **Kim** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:48 pm

J'st had ta bring it up did'nt cha

Cheers

Kim

Lillian · Post by **Lillian** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:39 am

Kim, come on, we all know Tim Spittle calls you if he has a special order that he needs to fill right away. I'm sure you don't charge him much, a replacement set and one just like it.

The fun hasn 't stopped yet. I lost my testing kit somewhere between the kids place and the hotel. My sugar has been all over the place lately. (Its not like I've been stressed or anything). Its an easy replacement, but one I didn't want to make. Fran woke up with welts on her arms and legs. She's allergic to the detergent or the bleach they wash the sheets in.

Nick, you might have been right.

kiwigeo · Post by **kiwigeo** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 4:26 am

Whoops.......

kiwigeo · Post by **kiwigeo** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 4:28 am

Lillian wrote:
The fun hasn 't stopped yet. I lost my testing kit somewhere between the kids place and the hotel. My sugar has been all over the place lately. (Its not like I've been stressed or anything). Its an easy replacement, but one I didn't want to make. Fran woke up with welts on her arms and legs. She's allergic to the detergent or the bleach they wash the sheets in.

Bates Motel??? Did you check the walls for knotholes with eyes peering through them?

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 6:22 am

kiwigeo wrote:

Whoops.......

Reminds me of that song "the Streak" and those immortal lyrics "Don't look Ethel, But it was too late...........she'd already been mooned."
Got more spruce than Alaska there Martin & more tonewood just lurking out of shot too

and if Kim has more tonewood than you, he's a bastard as well!

Sorry to hear you holiday woes still aren't over yet Lillian, still, it will make getting back home seem like heaven.

Hesh1956 · Post by **Hesh1956** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 8:31 am

Sister Lillian I am very glad to read that you have your wheels back again and beyond some stinkin detergent all is looking up.

I always thought that steering was over rated anyway.....

Yeah - let's ban Martin or at least send him a can of lighter fluid.....

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 9:04 am

Hesh1956 wrote:Yeah - let's ban Martin or at least send him a can of lighter fluid.....

HeHe, just to keep him warm on those cold Adelaide nights ofcourse!

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 9:06 am

Damn, Double post!

Ron Wisdom · Post by **Ron Wisdom** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 12:24 pm

That IS an impressive stack of tops. I only have three, I think. I think I have pinus envy.

Ron

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 12:36 pm

Ron Wisdom wrote:That IS an impressive stack of tops. I only have three, I think. I think I have pinus envy.

Ron

Yeah he certainly is well stacked isn't he?

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