Continuing Our Travels…

Continuing Our Travels… The Big Surprise

I suppose by now you were wondering—what in the world had us pushing that hard, chasing miles like we had somewhere important to be?

You’d be right.

Our destination wasn’t just another stop on the map—it was Sullivan. And the reason?

To meet up with Amy from O'Dell Labs.

Now here’s where the story takes a turn from diesel engines and roadside repairs… to something a whole lot sweeter.

The big surprise?

We were on our way to pick up Mocha Teal Prichard—a beautiful little female chocolate lab., that Dakota had a big paw in finding.

Yep… after all the breakdowns, phone calls, busted hoses, and improvised engineering, the road wasn’t just leading us east—it was leading us to a new traveling companion.

Funny how that works, isn’t it?

All those delays, all those unexpected stops… and yet, somehow, everything still lines up right when it needs to.

So now the journey changes again.

New passenger.
New energy.
Probably a lot less quiet in the RV.

And if history tells us anything… a whole lot more stories ahead.

Welcome to the road, Mocha Teal. 🐾🚍 

May 2nd 

Safe Travels from

Susan, Tillie, Mocha Teal, me and Dakota, always leading the way.

Well… Here We Are

 Well… Here We Are

So here we are—parked, settled, and for the moment, calling Sugar Creek Truck Lube & Roadside Service home.

Not exactly the destination we had in mind when we started east, but sometimes the road writes its own story.

And in the middle of all this uncertainty, something worth pausing for—people.

Chris and Dave have gone above and beyond. Not only are they working with us through the mechanical mystery, but they’ve also allowed us to stay right here on site, living in the RV while we sort things out. No scrambling for a hotel, no added stress of figuring out where to go next—just a place to be.

I can’t say enough about Dave’s ability and willingness to help. The man has stuck with us, digging in, thinking it through, and treating this like more than just another job. And Chris—opening the door and saying, “Stay here, no charge”—that kind of generosity sticks with you.

It’s easy to get caught up in the frustration when plans fall apart. The miles we didn’t make. The destination we didn’t reach—like Downstream Casino Resort still waiting somewhere up the road.

But moments like this are a reminder… the journey isn’t just about where you’re going. It’s about who shows up along the way.

And right now, we’ve been shown a whole lot of kindness in a place we never planned to stop.

Stay Tuned…

So for now, we wait.
We learn.
And we take it one wrench-turn, one phone call, and one cup of coffee at a time in the morning and 1 bottle of wine at night.

The road may have paused us here at Sugar Creek Truck Lube & Roadside Service… but the story is far from over.

Stay tuned—same channel, same time (well… almost)—for the continuing saga of DaGirls RV. 🚍

Oh, but wait. What was the problem ? The High Temperature Hose from the Charge Air Cooler to the Inlet Manifold to the Engine. Think of it as a 3 inch Radiator Hose type material.

Remember double click to enlarge the images

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Susan, Tillie, me and Dakota in Sprit in Gus da Bus

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 We are getting close to packing up and leaving Elgin, Saint Charles, Illinois. We have been here since July 14. Roughly 26 days. Susan has completed her assignment. Helping with wedding, house sitting and other family enjoyments. 

My assignments, Rv and puppies and stay out of the way. 

We have stayed at the Kane County Fairgrounds, cost $35 a night. 50amp, water and a common dump. easy access and close to shopping. We arrived just prior to Fair opening, stayed for a couple of nights and then went to Paul Wolfe Campgrounds.

We also are getting a few boxes, we have and reviewing the items.

I found the following, which where from my parents, and am now looking for a home.

Back to Paul Wolfe CG. 

We like Paul Wolfe, for it sites and 13 miles from Dana's & Tom South House. The sites are large and easy setup for most of them. There are a few, which for a 40Ft Alfa would be a challenge, except for us. I will explain a little later. The only downsize is no dump on site. Which includes the campground hosts. Currently there are only 3 Rvs onsite for Camp Host. Doug who is great and another is thinks he is Law Enforcement. I just blow him off. 

Press Here for additional Info on Paul Wolfe 

As for the Fairgrounds it is all about the search. 

We still have a few minor issues with the Rv, minor, but will wait till we get home. Currently we are weighting the options for the route home. Found a few containers which fit perfectly.

I also replace our water pump. Cannot believe we purchase this one in 2019. I repair it once, put this time I install this one. 

RV Water Pump, 12V DC Water Pump, 6GPM 70PSI 

I also purchased this one 

4048-153-E75 RV Water Pump，12V 4 GPM, 55 PSI

When you really look at all three, they are all the same. When I removed the one from the Rv, I made a test fixture, this allowed me to adjust the setting after I cleaned it up. 

I also had to replace the drawer slide in our large kitchen drawer. I realize the local stores do not carry slides 28" long. 

In addition to the pumps, I also purchased a 0-60psi gage, which I plan on installing downflow of the pump. 

We also went back to the County Fairgrounds. Friday, Saturdays and Sunday (Aug 2, 3 & 4). 

Toy Fair 

Press Here for the Next Event 

A few photos to wet your appetite:

 

So, if you need to plan something, you may want to put this on your schedule.

One thing I am tired of discussing. Slide Motor Mounting Bolts. The photos below came from a member, who had a failure. 

The Gearbox failed due to the casting studs. They failed due to the bolts were too short. So, another $700 failure caused by less then $5 worth of hardware. 

I am also glad to report she is doing good.

History

Dakota developed Idiopathic peripheral vestibular disease (IPVD) is a sudden, nonprogressive neurological disorder that affects the peripheral vestibular system of dogs. On July 23rd we came here due to the staggering, head tilting and I moving back and forth along with throwing up. They gave her a pill, stop the nausea, so she is would throwing up.




After the first week, the jerkiness of the eyes has gone away, but the tilt of the head is still there. It has been a week with a continuation of loss of appetite.

July 29, we are back to see if there's anything else specifically causing the loss of appetite. It is possible it is the pill that she is taking.

They gave her a shot to increase the appetite, and a different pill for the nausea. With the new Meds, her stomach, is much calmer and here appetite has increased. Dakota is back to normal except for getting older.

Dakota thanks everyone for all the healing vibes and blessings.

Plan is to leave on the 9th and head south, to visit Susan's 2 brothers and extended family. 

May I introduce the Blended Family known as the Crazy Eight Plus 2

Safe Travels and Journeys

DaGirls Rv and Gus the Bus

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me

Heat - and More Heat

One of the things Susan and I learned many years ago living in Arizona, is how to keep the Heat Outside the coach. 

We start with our Sun/Window Covers installed. Then using a roll of reflective foil insulation. We cut it to fit on the Windows outside and under the Shade.

Inside Temperature with Shade and Foil Outside the Window

Temperature with foil inside the coach Vs outside.

Yet you can see the Inside Temperature is very good.

By doing this early we can get ahead of the heat inside. If we start the night before, we can get really ahead of the heat. You just have to make yourself do it when you arrive at your site. Along with our Roof-Top AC, we can get the coach cool down in a few hours. Then during the night, the coach is better the next day, whether it be staying or traveling.

Well, we had a scare. You see Dakota had a very rough night on Sunday. We rolled into Elks lodge and it was hot. close to high 90's with a high heat index. We are normally we are very careful with Dakota and Tilly. Tilly can be carried but Dakota cannot. Then needed to be taken out, however in walking just 50 ft to green along with the temperatures, we believe she got over-heated. She work us up around 1am throwing up. No sooner did we get that cleaned up, 30 minutes later she did it again and again. She had us very worried until we gave here Pepto Bismol, which settled her down, and cranked down the 3 AC's to cool everything off. We were worry she may be dehydrated, so we were getting ready to find a vet and get her rehydrated. However, breakfast came - little bit of chicken and wet dog food,  and she started drinking water. She is back to normal, which is a blessing. 

We are being extra careful now, due to the extreme temps on the route we are traveling. 

A few photos from Mountain Home

Lyman Rest Stop & Wyoming Welcome Center

Well that's it for tonight, tomorrow we will be in Laramie, WV. Hoping for a spot at the fairgrounds 

Safe Travel and Journeys

DaGirls Rv, Gus Da Bus

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me.