Satan Continues To Throw His Darts

When we left Ohio, after being there for two and a half weeks, we had hoped our mechanical problems were behind us. During the previous 30 days, we had had to replace our two heavy-duty trailer batteries, 12 volt converter, refrigerator, broken dome light shade, closet door latches, trailer brake magnets, and finally our GMC Yukon XL. The Yukon had a broken frame. But the Evil One was not done with us yet. Going through flooded Iowa, with wind gusts of up to 50mph on Friday, June 13 (we are not superstitious), Gloria noted at a rest stop that one of our bedroom windows had been torn from the hardware. Probably it had not been latched properly. Then Jerry noticed that the ferocious winds had ripped one of the big, tinted, Plexiglas stone shields from one of our front panorama windows. That same protector had come off a couple of years ago. It was secured before we left home in April, but the flimsy (Sorry, Airstream designers) catches failed again. We repaired the missing bedroom window with clear plastic carpet cover and double-sided tape. Both items will be replaced at the upcoming rally.

While we could bemoan all the above issues adnausiam, the truth is that we have been on the road for most of the last two and a half years with few concerns. We sold our house in Virginia in October for a good profit, and the old 2000 GMC has been a great tow vehicle. We debated back in November about using some of our home sale money to replace our SUV for a sturdier model. “Naw, she’s running great. Let’s try to get 200,000 miles on her before getting something new.” WRONG! On the upside, we love our new, comfortable, Toyota Tundra, and its six-speed transmission provides great power on the mountain roads. Our retractable, polycarbonate bed cover is nearly water tight, except for a little seepage around the end gate. Our Airstream tracked steadily on the windy roads, and we hardly noticed the big passing 18-wheelers. Despite the adversity of the last month, we have been truly blessed in so many ways, and we love our “on the road again” lifestyle.

If we wanted to experience real problems, the flooded fields in Iowa gave us our chance. Only the top strands of wire showed above the water on many fences. Rivers were overflowing, and farmers’ crops have been lost. One could see the water above floor-level on several homes. Our problems during the last month do not begin to compare with these. The unfortunate people of Iowa deserve our continued prayers. As we passed by Des Moines, we were concerned that I-80 might close due to high waters. In places, the waves did lap the shoulders of the road, but the highway remained open. The same was not true in Cedar Rapids, but we did not need to go there.

In South Dakota and Wyoming, the snow-capped mountains reflected the daily sunshine. The contented grazing cattle on the rolling hills reminded us of a lifestyle that the farmers in Iowa would eventually cherish. In Wall, SD, we passed the unique, rugged Badlands and then stopped to visit the world's most famous drug store, Wall Drug, founded in 1931. It first became known for it's free ice water for thirsty early settlers passing through the area. Now one can get five cent coffee and partake of wonderful, homemade doughnuts. In fact the huge general store has everything from good meals to western wear, tack, souvenirs and gifts, and hardware items. Don't miss it if you come this way.

Though we are a week late, we are finally parked safely at the Montana State University at Bozeman. Above the domed field house, we see from our location the gorgeous Gallatin Mountains. Parked around the field house are several hundred Airstreams with their flags proudly waving. We are among the early workers responsible for building the forthcoming “Silver City.” The main rally begins on June 27 when the number of Airstreams here will approach 1100.