Be careful what you wish for!

Planned route to Florida for 2015

We are at our second stop on our annual trip from Washington State to Florida.  We chose Post Falls, Idaho as it was two short days from home, and gave us access to both Spokane and Coeur d’Alene.

We were planning on staying at most stops three nights,  but modified that to add a few extra days at each location.  This would time our arrival  in Fort Collins to coincide with when my twin sister, Susan, would be at home.  Well, our wish for a delay came true today when the drive shaft broke and fell out of the back of the trucks transmission.  It  broke part of the transmission housing as it “let go”.  So, the truck got towed to the Dodge dealer.  We are now planning at least a few MORE days here in the  bustling metropolis of Post Falls, Idaho (between Spokane and Coeur d’Alene).

Looking back, our decision to stay one more day here meant that when the truck broke down we were not on the highway pulling the fifth wheel.  We are really fortunate for that!  Actually, the truck just slipped out of gear for a second, then in a bit I felt a vibration through the steering column.  This was followed shortly by bad vibration and it was obvious we were dragging something.  I pulled to the shoulder and when I looked under the truck the front end of the drive train was lying on the asphalt.  It was red-hot, had melted a small patch of asphalt and set it on fire.  So now I’m on my stomach under the truck blowing on it like a birthday cake.  Got the fire out, called AAA and got towed to a local Dodge dealership.  Incredibly, that local dodge dealer just happens to be about 200 yards from where we have the camper parked!  Oh yeah, the travel gods are watching over us!

Lunar Eclipse “Blood Moon” 9-27-15

We spent the rest of the day watching the Seahawks skunk the Chicago Bears and ended the day with a total lunar eclipse.

Ingress news:

Many of you know that Linda and I have been smitten by the very addictive game “Ingress”.  In this, and most posts following, I will end with news about our progress and experience game-wise.  Feel free to skip this if you are not interested.  The first day we operated in Post Falls.  We threw a 28k MU field over 3 cities.  We had to ADA one friendly portal and that did NOT go over well with the portal owner.  Never the less, we made second place on the regional score.  The following day we operated in Coeur d’Alene, getting uniques and gather AP from any blue portals with links and fields.  Also did some missions and fielding in local parks.  Our planned assault on Spokane has been cut short  by the lack of our truck, but the rented Fiat should  be a suitable replacement.