Disaster averted

Current location: Thousand Trails Rv Park called Lake Tawakoni.
Lake front view, 30 amps, water and decided to go with no sewer.


So, I notice I was losing a few pounds of air in the right front tire. As we left Ruston, I again notice the loss of air pressure. Just enough to trip our tire monitor. We pulled over, I put in a few pounds, check, and guess what. Back to where we started. I knew, that is could not the tire but the valve stem (loose).

As we were heading west on I-20, I spied a truck stop and instead of me doing it,  we drove into a Love’s Tire shop. Explained what was going on, next thing, we were in the bay. The  first thing, we were informed, sorry we cannot lift your coach, as we have no jack stand to put under this type of coach. Ok, so, I asked about the valve stem. They say yes it is loose, and we can tighten, we think.

First, thing they said, we can’t get to the nut from the back, due to the brake spring being close to the wheel. Ok, so they got a 9/16 inch open wrench and went to work from the front. Well, they said it was tighten a little, but we could see it was still loose. So, I decided to call another shop across the road.

Yes she said come over and park across the street, and I will send one of my trucks over. We, went, parked, and I got out, look at the location of the valve stem, and then it hit me. All I needed to do was move forward or backward, and the valve stem would be easy to get from the back side.

When Brian came over, he looked and said yep no problem, let me get a 5/8 inch open in (remember 9/16). He said, on aluminum wheels, valve stem is always 5/8 nut. One minute later, air added up to 105, and we were done. Walked across the street, the owner said give Brian a tip and I would be done. I took out a $20 bill, for 3 minutes of his time and we were done.

Moral of this story – 

The moral? Well the first thing was I forgot my own carnal rule. Stop, Look, Think, sit back and have a cup of coffee, before I do anything. We were in a safe place, no traffic, and we were comfortable.  With being safe, now I could have planned out what needed to be done. 

First think back, remember the valve stem? The valve stem is always rotating, so it would have been easy to move the Rv a few inches, if I really needed to get to it from the back. 

Second I would have made sure,  I knew what size wrench it took, and not make the mistake the gentlemen did working on it, knows what size the nut is. 

I realize I could have done this myself. In fact, I am checking the other size after completion of writing this. But, never let a loss of air continue, as you know know when a little loss turns into a flat tire. 

Safe Travels from
DaGirls Rv aka Dakota and Tilly
Susan and Dale

Wrapping up Time in Louisiana

We came, we visited, and we left.

Our primary reason, my nephew, John Atwood, passed away on Aug. 21.
How we found out was by FB. One phone call, 900 miles later, we arrived in a private RV park, a few miles from Shelly and Ed's house.

Our stay was at Alexandria Rv Park:

Press Here for Link 

Satellite View 

So, it was a time of sorrow, but also a time of happiness:
My Aunt Joy, turned 90 years old on Sunday, Aug 26.

We left Crittenden, Ky., on Thursday, 23. With a overnight spot at the Isle of Capri Casino located off of highway 61, in Mississippi.

Remember, you should click on the Map, right side - Northwest Travels and you can drill down to where we have stayed and see photos.

Currently we are staying, at the Albritton's. I have known him since 2013, but only by emails and phone calls. Each time we traveled by, we were unable to connect. Well this time, it all worked out.

You know me, I never turn down a chance to learn something new.  And Susan has learned how to operate a long arm machine. We truly are blessed, with knowing people like Trish and Dick.

Some of our travel photos along the way:

Ok, that's a wrap-up.

Safe travels from DaGirls AKA Dakota and Tilly

Saying safe travels and journeys

from Susan and Dale

    

Aug 22 - Where did the Time Go

You back, where have you been?

Well, to tell you the truth, we have been in Sandwich, Illinois, staying put. This allows us to visit Eric, Di, Mike, Dana & all the grandchildren. So, who needs photos and story of this nature. Least of all, me - I rarely read stories about people and their families.

It was time to get back on the road and head out to a new adventure. And just where are we heading to?

Press Here for the Link


We left on Sunday afternoon, later then normal, and taking the Illinois Highway system, instead of the Interstate system.

Our destination? Logansport, In., to discuss a leveling system of the Beast A.K.A.

As many Rv'ers are aware, as time goes on, products change and companies get purchased. When this happens, spare parts get harder to locate, and resources get very thin. So, with our Atwood Jacks, getting harder to maintain, I figured it was time to research a new item.


Sorry, got sidelined yesterday (Wed.).

Ok, so Jacks - Electric replacement - I will complete the write up and published at a later date.

We ended up in Kentucky, town called Crittenden. About 14 miles north of "The Ark Encounter". Susan and her brother, Mike, decided to surprise, their other brother with a trip. We knew, that due to the health of Harold's wife, future trips would be put of the question. So, we planned this special one, as we believe they would enjoy getting away and seeing something new.

If you pressed on the above link, by know you would have read all about it. Needless to say, it was different and something to see.

Another item of interest, I finally finished my Lasso rope basket:

I can thank Jerry Hyder for the rope and instructions. Not a master yet, but working on it.

Get this, sign stated 13 ft, 7 in. So, Susan watched and said we had plenty of room.  We both agree, sign may be wrong OR I measured incorrectly? 

On a sad note, we left Crittenden, Ky., around 7:45 am EDST (8/23), heading to Alexandria, Louisiana. I learned of the sad news, my nephew John Atwood, (40's), passed  away on Tuesday, due to a seizure. Susan & I are driving 850 miles down to attend the services. 


So, have a safe travel and journey well

DaGirls Rv
Dakota and Tilly