STRANDED Aug 12-13

We waved goodbye to Billy and Carolyn after early morning coffee.  After getting details in order for crossing into Canada, we headed over to Costco to grab last minute supplies and buy two new batteries for the starter bank.

The rig had been starting slowly – and slower as time went on.  We knew the batteries were old but had installed solar and had hoped it would keep them at least manageably charged.  Regardless, it was time to replace at least the starter bank for safety’s sake.  Rob removed the two beasts from the rig before realizing Costco’s batteries would not work in our rv.  He began the slow process of reinstalling the old batteries while I worked on finding a different source.

When all was said and done … the engine wouldn’t start!  At all.  Nope.  Nada.  Dead.  We tried everything in our power and then called our roadside assistance.  First up was a nice kid who didn’t have a truck big enough to jump us.  He   No luck.  Time for a tow.  The truck arrived not large enough to load our rig.  On to #4 who had essentially the same problem.  Are you seeing a pattern here?! 

called in the next up who arrived with the big rig.

Of course, each of these interchanges added an hour of Costco parking lot time!  We had already made one run in for basics and then another for an item or two we figured we could use.  Then another because it was THERE!  Then we learned that the only truck available to tow us had to come from 30 miles away and was not available until the next morning! 

Having now spent 6 hours in the parking lot, we officially announced to Costco we were stuck for the night.  They met us with gracious support, offering whatever they could do to make us comfortable and safe.  Rob and I were getting stir crazy by now and set out to walk the area, desperate to just get moving and be distracted.  As 

you’d expect, there’s not much of interest around a Costco but we did find a bowling alley not far down the road.

We whittled the balance of daylight away doing odd jobs and catching up.  As the sun started to set, we wandered out again with that bowling alley in the back of our minds.  We went in to find lanes   We’ll be back!

full with league bowlers and surprisingly high lane rates but noticed a special for a Monday Night all you can bowl special after 9!

I was on fire and took the first three games!  Rob and I are pretty competitive all around but he really does expect to win!  I tried to be kind but couldn’t help feel pretty darn excited!  I started to slip on game 4 and Rob played two more solo games – one with SIX straight strikes and the next with almost all spares!  Great way to change the energy of a long, hard day!

The night was surprisingly quiet and we woke up ready to get the show on the road.  Of course, the tow didn’t show at 9 as promised and I was pretty despondent.  Finally arriving around 1030, the monster truck pulled up ready to get things   After a lot of assessing and preparing, the driver, Aaron, took a final look at the battery connection to find that a terminal that appeared connected WASN’T!  They fired up the rig just as I was getting the last parking spots cleared to be able to maneuver the parking lot!

rolling.

Back in business but still needing batteries and more, we headed to TDI Truck Repair 30 minutes up the highway.  They graciously took us in right away but the batteries took time to source and we waited for hours as things progressed slowly.  With a truck repair bay being my view for the day, we spent another stir crazy day passing time.  When the batteries finally arrived and were installed, we still wouldn’t start and a new starter was installed.  BINGO!  Back in business, we waved goodbye to the good folks at TDI and headed out for the next chapter in the adventure!