Dead In The Water

Wednesday, June 18th

Rich wrote a wonderful synopsis of our fabulous time in Anchorage.  Unfortunately, things have taken a turn again.  This morning, we didn't have the normal Chinese Fire Drill at the gas station.  All 3 coaches pulled into the Fred Meyer's gas station and filled up with ease.

Check out the Alaska prices for fuel!!

All called on the radios to head to Seward.  Unfortunately, Ehlenberg's RV decided to have other plans.  It refused to start.  Having encountered this 3 times before, we knew what the situation was:  Jack tried the old standby way of taking the hammer to the starter, but nothing happened. Called both Coach-Net and Cummins.  Everyone is extremely busy (or so they say) and techs would call us back.  Jack had to be the aggressor and call them back.  Someone to either jump start us or tow us was to have been here 30 minutes ago and still no one.  Shortly, the work day in Anchorage will be over and we will still be sitting at the gas pump at 5:00 pm - expecting a rental fee for our spot!

GET THE HOOK!!

Well, we finally got someone to our coach to look things over!  Yup, looks like the starter motor is fried, we were told.  Only option now is to get the hook!

"I sure hope this is a big enough hook!  Why me, anyways???"

Well, Jack's coach is now airborne...but not flying!

"OK, back him out from underneath the canopy!  Ooopps, just about got a little car in back there!"

"OK, so let's get this baby out into traffic during rush hour!"

All we could do is just stand and watch the process and hope for the best!

The remainder of the group parked in the back end of the lot and will spend the night there.  Hoping they continue on to Seward without us and we will catch up when possible.  Something gravely wrong - this will be the fourth starter in a 3 year old RV.  Not a good track record with starters.  We had packed all these extra parts, but never gave a starter a thought.  Will do a better job next time, if there should be a next time!!!!!!

At least this was the second day in a row where we have seen the sun - hooray!!!

Things could be a whole lot worse - we could have been in the middle of NOWHERE.  There is a Cummins dealership in Anchorage (about 3 miles away) - the only one in the entire state.  Just hope they have the necessary parts to send us on our way shortly.

Jack and Betty, and Patti, head off to follow their coach--driving the Toad, of course!

Will finish this commentary as we make progress.