It was a less than auspicious start to the day when the first words out of Ali’s mouth were, “I have to go back to the dentist.” She was in last week for a toothache and they kind of thought they found the problem and fixed it. Well, maybe, maybe not—but last night she was up with the ache. So between going to a specialist dentist, and running around to make some last minute returns, we didn’t manage to climb into the bus until noon.
The kids were excited to get going. Ouest had her shoes on, walked outside, then stuck her head back in and yelled out, “Bye, Grandma and Grandpa!” Like, thanks for having us at your house for three months, but I’ve got to run now and don’t have time for hugs and kisses. For his part, Lowe said, “Bye, Katy and Grandma.” What about Grandpa, we asked. “Booga Booga.”
Another foreboding sign this morning was the snow. Big snow. Ridiculous, end of March snow.
But hey, eventually we all made it outside, said our proper goodbyes, took the obligatory pre-trip photos, and climbed into the bus.
The first hour went well. The kids were good, and Ali was able to finish stowing most of our belongings we had tossed in the door a half hour before. We stopped for lunch. Okay. But when I turned the key to leave I knew the batteries were weak. I went outside and checked the voltage—11.2. Umm, that’s not good. Obviously the alternator wasn’t doing its job.
With no immediate options, I climbed back in and hit the road. This time with everything unplugged. No space heater, no fridge, no nothin’. After another hour we passed an RV park with dozens of what appeared to be full-timers. It was only about twenty degrees outside and if we were going to sleep we were going to need to be plugged in so we could run the heater—so we pulled in. We were sort of brusquely turned away because there were no more spaces plowed out. Yeah, these RVs were snowed in.
Continuing on we drove and drove—knowing that everything was closed for the season. Finally, around six o’clock we spotted a Flying J rest stop. I knew they had RV parking, but what I didn’t know at the time was that they didn’t have electricity.
So we exited, stopped at the intersection, began to pull away, and stalled. I turned the key—clickclickclick. Dead batteries. This was a busy exit for truckers and just about every one of them asked what the problem was. They couldn’t stop there and give me a jump though. Eventually one of them said he’d call the cops so they could help me back down the hill and get out of the way. Ali was able to direct traffic around me and I got us out of the lane a bit. A minute after that a couple pulled up and asked if they could help. We were hooking up the jumper cables when the cops rolled up.
During all of this Ouest had asked me about one of the truckers, “What did that man say?” I told her that he was going to call the police to come and help us. A minute or two passed before she asked, “Who’s in trouble?” I wanted so badly to make a joke about them coming to get her, but held it in this time and let her know that nobody was in trouble, they were just coming to help.
The nice thing about having dead batteries is that the kids can understand that. “Why is the bus broken?” Because the batteries are dead. “Oh.” Dead batteries makes perfect sense to them.
Anyway, we got going, drove the remaining two hundred yards to the Flying J and found out they don’t have electricity. We were going to freeze without a heater going, so we bailed out and drove across the street to the Days Inn. Ali made the kids dinner in the bus and then we all piled into our room for the night.
I thought the kids might be disappointed about not sleeping in the bus tonight, but boy was I wrong. I totally forgot how exciting hotels are to kids.
So we got them to sleep and I went back out to have a look at the bus, not expecting to perform a miracle. I started by cleaning all the connections, sanding them down, and hitting them with some WD. I then took a really close look all around the alternator and soon discovered a wire nearby just dangling in the air. It took me a minute to find the little tab that it was supposed to plug into, and as I pushed the connectors together I thought, “Hmm, I may have just fixed the alternator.” And I’ll be damned if I didn’t fire that engine up and get an immediate 13.99 volts out of it. Beautiful. I thought for sure I was going to spend the morning running around town trying to get that thing fixed.
So, while it wasn’t a perfect day by any stretch of the imagination, it at least ended on a high note.
Two or three more days before we reach take-the-long-johns-off weather. Can.not.wait.
37 Comments on “Start the Odometer at 66,712”
Keep moving South! It’s going to be 90 degrees here in Phoenix this weekend. There is warmer weather to be had! Presley says she wants to live in a motor home now too. I had to break it to her that it boat living for now.
Matt and Courtney
s/v YOLO
Awesome!
So glad to see that you guys made it out! The new chapter opens!
Being on the road is so different in a big RV, I’m sure you guys will have a hoot. Looking forward to reading the rest of the journey as it progresses 🙂
Smooth sailing makes no exciting adventure, or so I am told! In the eyes of your kids, you are the super-dad who fixed the problem, Pat. Way to go!
Thanks Karina. Now, in the eyes of my wife what am I? 🙂
Cool. Safe travels!
Of all the things a person would ask of your first day…what’s the deal with the Matchbox cars on top of the water bottles?
No idea. A kids puzzle I guess.
And away we go. Good luck with your travels.
Let us know where you are so we can follow you on google earth.
Shouldn’t the kids be wearing seat belts.
Cheers from sunny Queensland AUS
The kids are in booster seats with seat belts. At least they are in there most of the time.
I thought your bus only did around 8mpg? That’s going to cost you the price of a Catamaran by the time you reach warmer climes! 😉
I feel silly about how excited I am that you guys are on your way! As an owner of a sailboat and a VW bus, I didn’t think any other Bumfuzzle adventures would compare to those. I was so wrong. That Travco is just the greatest and the kiddos are absolutely beaming!
Safe Travels! Hopefully, that was the only hiccup for a while!
Yay!
Congrats guys. Great to see you back on the road. Drive safe.
I know it’s not your style, but that’s why we do shakedown trips, close to home, without the kids. 😀
Bus is looking good, glad you found what the issue was.
Yeah, that’s totally not our style. I’ve never understood the need to try and eliminate every possible thing that could go wrong. Where is the adventure in that? Our kids learned that the bus breaking down isn’t the end of the world, that the police are our friends, and that total strangers are willing to offer help in exchange for nothing but a simple thank you. That’s why we just get up and go.
I really admire your attitude! I hear what Andreas is saying and I totally understand why they would do a shakedown trip, but damn, you’re the kind of dad and mom I would want as a kid! (No disrespect to my parents, they were the best!) You are so right about what Ouest and Lowe learned too! As always, looking forward to the next post.
I’m with you. Shakedown, schmakedown! If you had taken a shakedown trip, the exact same thing would have happened, you’d have fixed it and then you’d still be at Grandma & Booga Booga’s place having made absolutely no progress towards the warm. And, who’s to say that when you finally did leave, something else might not go wrong? You did right. Head out with the notion that everything’s pretty much ready to go and then fix along the way. As you say, great lesson for the kids.
I wasn’t being critical of Pat’s decision to just get up and go. We live a very different life, where being stuck somewhere waiting for an engine to get fixed would not be a “whatever, we got lots of time”, it would mean a ruined weekend or holiday.
So before we set off in our vintage Airstream, I like to know that whatever needs fixing is fixed. We’re planning a long trip for the year after next, where Pat’s mindset will be ours – just go and fix stuff as it breaks because otherwise you’ll never get anywhere.
Andreas, I truly didn’t read it like you were being critical at all! Different strokes for different folks. What works for one person often does not work for another. As you said, your situations are different. So please know I meant no disrespect to you!
Do you know about the Good Sam Club? Their roadside service is kind of an AAA for RVers. You also get a discount at many campgrounds. I know you’re a do-it-yourselfer, but it may come in handy some day.
Already got them. Might need that expensive towing. 🙂
Yay!! The launch… so excited to follow your family of four on your new adventure. I’ve been following you all for years. Safe travels and Blessed Be!
KOOL On the Road Again..go Willie go!!! Yep, very nice here in Phx 80’s daytime 50’s at night..best time year here..until May/June..
Did you get the Onan genset put in?
So exciting! It is nice and sunny down here in Mobile, AL. We are three hours from New Orleans. Sugar white beaches are about an hour away in Gulf Shores, AL. RV camping is available!
Reading “Living on the Margin” on my ipad. Enjoying it so far. Good Luck!
You ask, ‘What am I in the eyes of my wife?’
I think the answer would be ‘Hero and love of my life.’
Be safe and happy.
Sometimes I wonder how you got around the world in a boat! All the best in your new adventure.
My folks took me around the country several times in an old (even then!) Winnebago. I don’t think they knew it would turn me into a vagabond for life, but what a wonderful experience seeing all those places. They always had me keep a ‘journal’ – drawings and stuff when I was little, short essays when I was older. Wonder whatever happened to those…
Hey Guys
I am looking forward to following this next part of your life
Hat off to you both.
Regards
awesome first entry amigo! all be damned if your sense of humor came back the minute you were balls deep in adventure.
see you down there.
I’m glad you got the alternator straitened out. You may want to check, along the way, for thr highest amp unit , with the same bolt pattern, you can find. I’m sure the later models were higher than the one’s from the 60s. Also one’s with built in voltage regulators gave less problems.
Good luck, John
Congratulations!
You guys made it off and that’s the most important part….an adventure in a vintage RV almost HAS to start off with some engine troubles 🙂 Love following along on your adventures, great inspiration!
I have no idea why I’m so excited about you getting on the road to your next adventures, but I am; maybe just vicarious living, but whatever it is, looking forward to it. Safe travels and fair winds!
Congratulations. I also feel great happiness about this latest launch, for some strange reason.
Welcome to the best lifestyle in the world: Full timing in an RV. We have been “out” for almost 8 years. There is nothing better.
The kids will get to actually experience this great country personally instead of reading about it in a book.
Carry on.
OK, I know you guys, you just sailed out without a problem and just wanted to add some drama and are now sitting in an RV Resort sipping on a mint julep trying to think what would spice things up a bit. The cruiser behind you was there because he clocked you doing eighty-four in a seventy mile an hour zone. Nice getaway, keep it up.
TomsToy
Like I’ve said before, you guys are special. Adapt and overcome!
I’m new to the Bumworld but not new to RV’ing, restoring, sailing, or much else at my age.
Great job on the Dodge Travco. My buddy had one and we travelled to Yellowstone many moons ago. I’m into the vintage RV scene, too. Last year I completed a restoration on a ’71 Starcraft.
If you’d like any help on the RV electric, including solar, you can drop me an email. I have some specific ideas about the Travco that may help you out in the future.
Best of luck on your travels and, BTW, you escaped MN at a good time. People forget but we had snow last year on May 1. Happy travels!