Motorhoming to Colorado and Beyond 2011

Upon arrival  home Ron noticed that our new driveway looked very much like our old driveway with a large rut on the right side. How could that be????? We spent a fortune to get the driveway repaved and the problem fixed and it is back again!!!!!!  Not a happy  couple here at all. Any good news yet????? We were both on our last nerve  -so we hoped nothing else big was waiting for us inside.

We unloaded the MH and debated whether to park the MH in the road instead of under the trees. We opted to leave the MH in the yard until the morning.

It was pouring when we got up but there was very little wind. After watching the  weather report we opted to put the MH in the road as far away from the trees as possible. Unfortunately there were telephone poles to worry about, but moved it anyway.

I was filling the washer for the last load of laundry when I smelled something burning. What now!!!! Well, the tub was full of clothes and water but would not agitate or anything else. Sooooo now the washer won’t work – PLEASE BLACK CLOUD – GO AWAY!!!!! It continued to smell like it was burning so I unplugged it and hoped for the best.

The wind picked up and while I was making lunch I watched and screamed as a tree toppled toward the house. Luckily it just hit the corner of the roof with little to no damage. We had two trees down by the end of the storm and multiple braches and pine tree debris. We always loved living among the trees but the mess after a wind storm or hurricane is a pain in the neck.

A little later I tried the washer again and managed to get it to work long enough to drain the water from the tub and spin the clothes. I could hear the control knob crackling so quickly shut it down and unplugged  it again.

 

 

Jewel was very happy to be home and quickly reverted to her old habits of running off to the flea market.

Well,  getting home in time for the hurricane was probably a good idea. At least we were available if something big happened. Hopefully our luck will change and no more issues will crop up. We have had it with daily problems.

After a poor nights rest we were up and on the road by 7:15 am. The goal was to find a grocery store before getting back to Raynham. We figured with all the hoopla about Hurricane Irene our chances of getting the staples back home was limited.

We did find a Stop & Shop in Connecticut on route 66. Ron pulled into the very small, chopped up parking lot and while he was looking for a place to park the MH I ran in for some food. It always amazes me how he can maneuver a big rig with a car in tow and not get trapped.

Groceries on board and back on the road we arrived home around 10 am. Our road trip was over and hopefully the dark cloud saga would end.

We had travelled 8,911.8 miles in the MH and 3, 774 miles in the Jeep for a total of  12,685.8 miles. Total cost for gas – a staggering  $4,887.94. Better then I had budgeted because before we left home  the gas price projection was around $4.99 per gallon. We paid anywhere from $3.14 to $3.99.  The only time we really got the gas for the gas was in Yosemite when we paid $4.79  to fill the Jeep.

We had problems with the generator, air bags, dash AC (fixed twice), the transfer switch on the converter, the house battery cable, tow plate, jacks, check engine light, replace  chassis battery and some things I’ve probably forgotten. Despite the issues and repairs we have managed to cross this beautiful country and enjoy what is has to offer. We are blessed to be able to do what we do and do not plan on stopping until we are stopped by forces beyond our control.

We were up and on the road by 9 AM. A record for us. We traveled 399 miles on fairly decent road  - for a change. At least until we got to New England. No major events. Just the same old stuff.

We stopped at the last rest area in Connecticut. Ron was tired and although we had only 138 miles to go he was finished for the night.

Another mistake on our part since the cool  air was replaced by the humid NE air and low pressure from the impending hurricane.

The noise in the Rest Area was brutal and the humidity overwhelming but Ron was way too tired to drive another mile.

Despite being at a very comfortable CG last night we didn’t sleep all that well. Although we didn’t experience a tornado (thank-you God) we kept awake most of the night by torrential downpours and horrendous thunder and lightening.

The good news – the humidity was gone and there was a really cool breeze blowing.

Ron fooled around with the jacks – once again. No luck – again.!!! He also noticed that the rear tail lights on the Jeep were not working. HMMMMM – they were working before. Yet another problem. We tested the brakes directional and hazard lights – all ok. Since we would be driving during the day we let it go.

Before leaving we sat outside for a few minutes and noticed some very large bees.  VERY LARGE BEES! The bees were over one inch long and had their nests in the ground.

Luckily they weren’t biting so we packed up and left.

We ran into a lot of traffic but there was no construction going on so we managed to travel around three hundred miles. Unfortunately, since it was wall to wall traffic we were unable to avoid a large piece of rubber from a blown tire in the road. There was nowhere to go with trucks on both sides of us.

When we stopped for a break Ron was very upset to see some damage to the back side compartment on the MH and the right front bumper of the Jeep. That dam black cloud just won’t go away.

Later that evening we stopped at a the Flying J. After eating dinner at Denny’s we decided that since it was really nice and cool we would spend the night.

Ron took a look at the electrical hook-up from the MH to the Jeep. Once again, he found that it had not been connected correctly and one of the pins was depressed. He fixed that and we had our tail lights working again. Good news, since we  were driving into the belly of the hurricane beast.

We will definitely be getting the Jeep and its weld job checked out when we get home. 

Another day of the Tremblay’s black cloud saga. I told Ron , it could be worse and everything that has happened can be fixed. We still had almost 500 miles to drive so needed some rest and no more bad news.

As usual we got a late start. Never got out of the CG until 11 am. Back on the road it was the same – road construction and slow moving traffic.

It didn’t seem that we could get a trouble free day. The jacks down light came on again and we couldn’t get the jack to go up the 1/2 inch to shut off the alarm.

I pulled the fuse to quiet the awful  noise and we kept on driving. There was no possibility of the jack dropping because it has springs to hold it up.

We stopped for the night at the Tall Timbers KOA in Dayton, Ohio.

Once again Ron tried to fix the right front jack- but  no go. It was suppose to storm and there was a  tornado warning in the area. Hello- tornado season was suppose to be over.  Not sure what the night would bring, but unlike  the CG in Missouri there was no obvious storm shelter.

After a good night’s rest in cool air-conditioning we headed on down the road. We noted that there was hurricane heading to the East coast so planned on following the weather report.

Ron and I were both tired and the drive was very slow going. The road construction was never-ending and it took us forever to go a little over 200 miles. By 5 pm we were done. So we pulled into the Timberline CG in Mulberry Grove, Illinois.

Ron was a little disappointed that we didn’t make better time but sometimes the traffic and road conditions will work against you.

The GG was very nice and sat among the cornfields. It was unbelievably humid and once again we were happy to have AC.

Ron continually checked the Jeep to make sure the newly welded face plate was holding. The air-bags were working well – so far.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a brutal night in the heat and humidity   Ron and I looked at each other and said “What were we thinking?????” Spending the night in  a hot, sticky, noisy rest area was not one of our better choices. We finally realized  that staying in rest areas was no longer an option for us in the heat.

We would be staying in campgrounds until it cooled down considerably. Ron cannot tolerate the heat like before and it really makes him feel lousy.

We hit the road again around 9 AM planning to visit my brother in Clinton, Missouri later that day. The drive was slow-going with lots of road construction and going through towns with 20 MPH speed limits.

We had to stop for a quick nap and then again to fix the right front jack because the Jacks Down Light came on. So much for a trouble free ride.

We got into Clinton around 4 PM. Next was finding the CG. I had set the Tom Tom  to the address and we were doing OK until we saw a sign that said Cozy Corner CG next left. Well, the left was 20 feet after the sign so we took it despite Tom Tom saying left in one-half mile and Ron’s hesitance. We headed down the lovely paved road and then it became a dirt road. Nope – not a good idea to go down that road even though Tom Tom was saying it was OK.

So here we were in the blistering 100 degree heat and humidity, sweating and uncomfortable, a stones throw from the CG. We decided we had to disconnect and find another way into the CG. Ron was disconnecting and asked me to move the car up a little. I went to start the car  and  ----------------------------------------------------------- THE CAR WOULDN’T START. for the first time ever!!!! WHATTTTTT NOW!~!!!!!! I had finally reached my breaking point so it was not very pretty. Ron, who had been equally as frustrated kept his cool and opened the hood, took out some tools and tightened the connectors to the battery. Apparently when the front end was welded the battery had been disconnected but when reconnected the nut to hold the battery terminal was not even tightened one turn.  Yes, the car did start and after another navigator blunder we were on the road to the CG.

Once at the CG we cooled off, took showers and headed to my brother’s house where the saga continued. We knocked on the door and his three dogs came running out. After chasing them around, two took off running. My brother, who can barely walk is now all upset. The “dark cloud” Tremblay’s had arrived and now his beloved dogs were gone. Ron and I took off trying to find the dogs as did my brother in his car. So much for the refreshing showers.

After about 45 minutes we rounded up the little rascals and headed to the Nursing Home to pick up my sister-in-law Rose. She had a hip replacement (that’s a whole other story) and was getting rehab. They gave her permission to go out to dinner with us. (Another not so great idea on our part.)

We put Rose in her wheelchair and headed over to Applebee’s (Rose’s favorite restaurant). We placed our order and when it arrived my brother was not happy with his. Unwittingly, he ordered a weight watchers meal. He is usually a pretty mellow guy. Not sure what happened next but he blew up and sent his meal back –cancelling his order. OOPHS – Ron & I were mortified. I talked him into another meal and the waitress was so nervous she forgot to ask what type of potato he wanted. When his second meal arrived - just steak and mixed vegetables was on his plate. NOT SO GOOD - AGAIN!!!  He again loudly voiced his unhappiness, but finally did eat the steak. Rose ordered a steak but didn’t eat any of it so she brought it back to the nursing home with her.

After a brief visit there we brought Maury home. He was in obvious pain from his back and hip so needed some rest. Chasing after his dogs did him and us in. Back at the CG we settled in and prepared for the long drive home.

We left Mary’s Lake CG around 11 AM. We were both nervous about hooking up the car and towing it again. Ron said we had to do it and make sure everything was OK before leaving the area.

I don’t think I mentioned that when setting up at Mary’s Lake CG we had an incident with our right front leveler. Ron usually places blocks under the front levelers but had miscalculated on the right. The ground was gravel so the block twisted, wedging the two sides of the right front  pad and bent it up.  Soooo,  Needless to say we were frustrated that another problem occurred – this time it was our fault.  Only we could hope is that the Jacks would store properly.

Thank goodness as we traversed the last of the mountains through Colorado everything seemed  to be OK. We still were worried that something else would happen. For the first time in his life, Ron was paranoid.

Once on flat land we both felt more at ease and Ron was in the driving mood. The ride through Kansas was just as long and  boring as on the way out. We stopped for lunch and then for dinner. There was a great breeze blowing so we decided to spend the night at a rest area.

We stopped in Russell Kansas at the rest area around 9 PM. Ron drove over 400 miles so was tired and ready to call it a day. Unfortunately, there was no breeze and the temp had climbed. Oh, Oh,  we felt another bad sleep night coming on.

It was only 50 miles down the road but the weather was completely different. Didn’t see that coming. Once again we ran the generator to turn on the AC’s. We went to be around 10 PM hoping to sleep through the night.

After  a decent nights’ sleep we tossed around the idea of either just leaving and heading home or going into RMNP. We weren’t in the best of moods but opted for the park.

Ron had checked under the Jeep to see if he could figure out what the scraping noise was. OOPHS, not good – the front end was not bolted to the frame so it was just hanging by two screws. WHAT!!!! How could anyone return a car in that condition. Ron called me outside and asked me to take a look. So there we were at 8AM under the car in our PJ’s. Yep, the front end was not attached. Great!!!  And of course the shop is closed until Monday. Ron was quite angry about that. He grabbed some wire ties and attached the front end to the frame so it would not come apart while driving. The saga just did not seem like it was ever going to end.

We had to regroup our thoughts and finally agreed we needed to put the issue to bed and get on with our plans. I packed a lunch and finally after 4 days we were finally going into RMNP. The drive covers 48 miles one way and climbs to over 12,000 feet. The day was gorgeous with bright sunshine and crystal blue skies with fluffy white clouds.

The drive was very pretty and the mountains quite spectacular.

Rocky Mountain High with winding roads.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the top (0ver 12,000 feet) we stopped at the visitor center. The roof was reinforced with huge logs. Certainly, not anything we had ever seen before.

 

Pictures Posted in the Visitor Center.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We saw lots of Elk along the road

The Rockies had record snowfalls for the 2011 Winter

and there were still remnants of snow left on the mountainsides.

 

 

We stopped for our usual picnic lunch and were entertained by the beautiful birds flying all around us. This bird was waiting to grab my grapes and bring them back to its’ nest.

We stopped t the Grand Lake Lodge and had a great view of the lake, some vintage cars and a peek at the inside of the Lodge itself.

We headed back and the views of the mountains were even more spectacular.

We were greeted by a baby Moose crossing the road. We didn’t see MOM Moose anywhere.

After leaving the park we headed to Stanley Hotel famous for the filming of Steven King’s “The Shining”  TV Mini- Series. Scenes from the movie Dumb and Dumber were shot at the Stanley Hotel as well. It is a beautiful hotel with the claim that it is also the most haunted hotel. We took a tour and were treated to the folklore of the hauntings.

The Stanley Hotel LINK:

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=ll

 

r0n NOTE:

I know, I Know It is the 1 who Haunts ME!

 

 

The Stanley Steamer

One of two replicas of the hotel used in the “Shining.” They burned one down at the end of the TV movie.

After completing our tour we stopped for gas and groceries. We went to the CG to spend some time with Don and Martha before saying our good-byes. They are heading back to South Dakota, then Martha will be flying to NY to care for her Mom.  We hope to see them again in the near future. Our stay in Estes Park was much more pleasant with their company. We will miss their smiling faces and great stories!!!!

Heading home on Sunday. Hopefully we won’t have any more mechanical problems!!!!!!! Keeping our fingers crossed.

We were told that we would be getting our Jeep back by late morning. While waiting for the call I went to the CG office to see if there had been any cancellations, hoping we wouldn’t have to move. No such luck we had to leave.

We hadn’t heard anything by 11 am so headed over to the Mary Lake CG. Yes, we did secure a site for Friday and Saturday – no problems. I guess the booking  issue from Thursday was resolved.

The sites at Mary Lake weren’t very big so we had to take up all the available dirt there was. Full hook-ups and only $27.00 a night. Not a beautiful  place but a site that we needed, so we were good with that.

At the park there was a large group called the On the Fly Ladies. It was  a woman's group that had both an interest in fly-fishing and vintage travel trailers. They were there for the weekend and had an open house planned that got rained on.

There were at least 35- 40 vintage trailers. All a little different and some vey unique.

We waited all day for a phone call from the repair shop but the hours kept ticking by. Finally, At 4:45 PM Ron called them. The shop closed at 5 PM so we were definitely getting nervous. Well, the Jeep was NOT finished but they would stay until it was done. Oh dear, now we’re looking at OT. How much was that going to cost??????

Around  6 PM we got the call that they would be retuning our repaired car to us. Ron was told that it was better then new but that there was an odd sound coming from the font end not related to the repair. What now? Does it ever end???? Ron paid the guy $400.00 for the repair and we finally had our car back.

Sure enough there was an odd grinding sound when going over a speed bump. Never had that noise before so not sure what it was.

Well, we had a show to attend so couldn’t dwell on any new issues. We met Don and Martha at the theater. The show was great and much better  then we expected. There didn't seem to be anything they couldn’t do from rock & roll to opera and everything in between. We were stomping our feet, clapping our hands, singing along and reliving our youth. Just an all round great show!!!!

After the show we went back to Don & Martha’s Fifth Wheel and had Peach pie with ice-cream and coffee. We talked until 11:30 PM and then we headed back to our CG. Another great evening with our new/old friends.

Since we had the Jeep back, our plan was to take the 96 mile R/T road trip through RMNP on Saturday. Another great day despite the mechanical problems we were encountering.

All photos for Day:

 

While walking Jewel this morning Ron met Don and Martha Mack. They struck up a conversation and Ron was gone for a very Loooooong time. I headed out around  10 AM to find him and sure enough he was chatting up a storm with the Macks’. Ron told them about our plight and they offered to help if we needed them for anything.

Ron drove the car over to the Collision shop around 11 AM as instructed. After being dropped off at the MH Ron realized the cell phone had slipped off his belt and was on the way to the shop in the Jeep. So – no way for the repair shop to make contact with us.

Sooner then we would have thought Ron was back talking to Don and using his cell phone to call the repair shop. The plan going forward was to call the repair shop back to #1 – find out if the Jeep frame could  be repaired and # 2 when could it be done.

After more conversation with Martha and Don (who already felt like old friends) we headed back to the MH for the waiting game to begin. Neither one of us was in a good mood so we didn’t get much accomplished.

Later that afternoon Don and Martha stopped by to see how we were doing and also to ask if we wanted to attend the variety show at  the Rocky Mountain Opry on Friday evening. We did and off we went to buy tickets.

Since we knew we would be at the CG for an additional night we walked to the CG office to secure one more night. We were told on arrival that our site would be available through Friday but  oh – contraire – no site for us – period!!!!! After some wrangling and down right begging – still no site. Our MH  was too big for any of the few available sites left after the expected influx of people on Friday.

Well we had already purchased the show tickets and we were sure we wouldn’t be getting our car back until  at least Friday so we had to secure a camp site somewhere else.

Once again Ron borrowed Don’s phone and called the repair shop. Good news – they could fix it  and we would have the car back late Friday morning. OK – now the camp site issue and how to get our phone from the Jeep.

Once again, Don and Martha to the rescue. Not only did they take us to get the phone they even took us to secure a site at the Mary’s Lake CG. Sounded easy enough – pay for a site for Friday and Saturday and move in the morning. WRONG – the saga continued. Couldn’t secure a site unless we paid for three nights including Thursday. Since we already had  a site for Thursday there was no need to book that night. Hello – I am speaking English?? Something has to go right, doesn’t it???? OK so we were left with – come back in the morning and you can book two nights  but you can’t book two nights tonight??????????? Why Oh Why – Never did figure that one out.

After running us around we went out to dinner with Don and Martha at a local Italian restaurant. Again , great conversation and that feeling that we had been friends for life, not just the last few hours. How great was that and how lucky are we?

After dinner we walked around the town of Estes Park. Martha and I shopped while the men sat on the benches and chatted. It was a beautiful evening and we truly enjoyed ourselves.

 

 

Back at the CG we waited to see the black bear that walks through the CG nightly. We were lucky enough to get a glimpse of him but because it was so dark couldn’t get a clear picture.

We said good-night to our friends and headed back to the MH for some sleep and hopefully good news in the morning.

After a good nights’ rest we prepared for  the 244 mile trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. We were told that the climb up the mountain into the park was very gradual and should pose no problems. Good to hear.

The final preparation before leaving is to inflate the air bags. HMMMMM – the front inflates but the back doesn’t.  Ron checked and thought maybe there was an air hose leak but with nothing to fix it with we decided to ride without the airbags. Most gas MH’s do not have air bags so should be no issue – or so we thought.

Ron mentioned that he had noticed on top of the pass that the back of the MH looked lower then the front. He thought it was just the angle. I mentioned the rough ride in the back and again noticed it on the drive to RMNP.

We were 1.8 miles outside the gate of the park when Ron pulled over in front of a hotel. He told me he had to check something. OK then- When he tells me he has to check something the bells go off in my head. Usually it means he thinks we have a problem.

Well, we did have a problem. Ron believed that the blots holding the face plate on the Jeep were loose again. We had them tightened 20,000 miles ago and Ron checks it every day before leaving for the day and in-between just to be sure. OOOPHS, they were fine before leaving in the morning!

We were in Estes Park, a tourist town, so not sure if we could get services. Ron went into the hotel and the young man was very helpful. He directed us to a local garage and even printed out a map and directions. We disconnected the car and I followed Ron to the garage.

We arrived at the garage  and  OMG – CLOSED on Wednesdays. Ron saw a couple of men at another establishment and asked them if they knew anyone else. Sure enough 30 feet up the road another garage – OPEN. We stopped in there and Nathan, the owner dropped everything to check out the jeep. I mentioned the air bag problem and Nathan asked his father to take a look. What service!!!!

Good news- bad news – as Nathan put it. The car is drivable but cannot be towed. What the heck does that mean?????? The faceplate is intact but the frame of the car is broken on both sides of the face plate. OWCH!!!!! His Dad Guy said there were two welders in town that could fix it for us but not sure how soon. He called a place and we were able to get to see the owner. He set us up for an appointment on Thursday at 11 AM. No promises but he would see what he could do.

If unable to fix for towing I will have to drive the two thousand miles back home myself following the MH. OH Please don’t let that happen.

Back at the first garage Nathan and Guy were working on the air leak. The hose had melted through. It must have happened when climbing Wolf Creek Pass and everything heated up. Anyway after some effort they did get the line changed and working again.

Not sure when the frame on the car broke but we did hit some nasty bumps along the way. Thank God nothing worse occurred. All we could do once back at the CG is wait for the verdict on Thursday. Hopefully we can get it set up to tow and we’ll head home.

Ron did some research on-line. I guess what happened to us is not so unusual. Forum members are pointing fingers at Blue Ox and Jeep because these were issues everyone believes should have been known to both manufacturers.We just want it FIXED.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elk in the Campground. We were told there was a bear that ambles through daily but we didn’t see it.

I took Jewel for an early morning walk and ran into Dot our neighbor from MA. Had a great conversation with her and do plan on touching base once we are all back home.

We left the KOA around 10:30 am  and had our propane tank filled before leaving. We were not sure if we would be  dry camping so made sure we had enough propane to heat the camper in the high elevations of the park.

Then it was off to buy gas for both the MH and car. Then to the grocery store. We actually didn’t get on the road until after 11:30 am but whose rushing.

As we were driving we could see the mountains ahead of us. Quite spectacular to look at but not so wonderful to drive over. Ron doesn’t like pulling mountains but there was no choice. We pulled 12,000 feet in Vail without difficulty so 10,000 feet should be no problem!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Wolf Creek Pass has a notorious reputation with the truckers so we were not really sure want we were in for. Ron’s plan was to take it slow and not push the MH.

Well, the pull was a lot more difficult then we could have imagined with a very steep grade. Although we pulled the pass over Vail  at 12,000 feet, it was a gradual grade and less stressful on the MH and us.

About  three-fourths of the way up the pass we realized we probably should have disconnected the car, but at that point it was too late. The MH was beginning to show signs of  strain – along with us, and when finally at the top the temperature gauge was starting to climb. It never got to hot  but it did go up one notch. That had never happened before. The temp gauge on the mirror which tells us the outside temp and the temp from the engine read 131. Yikes, not good.  Ron opened the hood and you could here the cooling system gurgling. Again – not good.

At the top of Wolf Creek Pass is the Continental Divide.

We sat for a while, had lunch and when engine sufficiently cooled we headed down the pass. Going down was not as bad as the climb and thank goodness  no  more difficult passes to go over.

Ron checked the entire rig and car and everything looked OK. Our only regret is that we didn’t disconnect the car putting less strain on the MH.

web site

http://www.motorcyclecolorado.com/wolf_creek_pass.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_Creek_PassWaterfall

 

Waterfall Along the Way

Tunnel Through Mountain Pass

The  Road from Hell

 

 

 

 

 

By the time we finished our drive over the pass we were drained. Sounds crazy, but it was not a fun drive. Coming down the pass wasn’t as bad but the pass was 16 miles  long and the first 8 miles was at least a 6-8 % grade up.  Really tough. The maximum speed limit, even for cars was  35 MPH and we were going 22 MPH. There was a State Patrol Car pulling people over who were exceeding the 35 mph limit.

We decided we would catch a CG down the road. I had walked back to the BR and noticed that the MH was not riding as smoothly but didn’t think much of it at the time. The roads were a little rough so I thought that was the issue.

Around 5 PM we pulled into the Lathrop State CG for the night. We had only driven 200 miles but it felt like 400. It was a difficult 200 miles with rough terrain and really low speed limits.

 

 

We had dinner, settled in and just had to discuss our drive over Wolf Creek Pass. Despite all the research  and  discussions Ron had with people who knew the area we were still not prepared for the difficult pull over that GOD-AWFUL PASS.