Day 12 – Ship Shape

Narration here. 

It took until 10 am and 3 cups of coffee to accomplish the Smit household bills, check book balancing and expense recording chores. As part of the gainfully unemployable it is a critical task to see where all the unqualified dollars are going while there is minimal dollars to offset the outflow. Also included in the to do list was cleaning the RV, Kevin shook the rugs while Theresa got out the vacuum and started from the back and worked her way forward since everything pretty much was leaning that way on the “pancake flat driveway”. As the living room area was reached Theresa noticed that the beater bar was not turning. Arrgh! After a bit of diagnostic fiddling, it was concluded that it was time for a replacement!

With that rather depressing to-do completed it was time for a bit of physical activity! Taylor knocked at the RV door and was granted entry ”Permission to come on board Captain”, “Permission Granted”, was the proper exchange between Taylor and Captain Kevin.

Two alternative hikes were suggested for the days activity, but one did not allow dogs so it was quickly eliminated. The selected route was a 3.5 mile hike on a shared mountain bike trail and had been named after Taylor's dad Will! (so says Will).

 Taylor drove all 4 of the hikers and dog to the trail-head about 5 min from the house. The Will's Wander trail quickly headed into the shade and was slippery in spots from recent rains. Being the first and probably only hikers on the trail today Lauren lead and was quickly surprised with cobwebs that crossed the path at face level! She screamed then quickly relinquished the lead to Zin so that at least the webs at knee height would be cleared by the hound. Theresa had Zin on the leash so she would brave the higher web surprises. The trail as it's name implies meandered along with a gentle slope weaving in and out of the trees whose roots created technical obstacles for mountain bikers, and Kevin's feet. Theresa screamed once as a large net of a shoulder high web that included occupants caught her off guard as the trail passed a large tree trunk. From then on any overhanging branch or narrow passage would be cautiously passed looking for web evidence. There were several intersections where the trail crossed with other trails. Will had informed Taylor that the Left option would always be the correct choice. This proved to be confirmed by the posted trail signage. One intersection had some of the trail markings warn off. After consulting the map and Taylor texting his dad, they were informed that they should be at the next turn. The hikers ventured just a bit further to discover the 'Go Left' correct option. The path that returned to the parking lot was open and grassy, which allowed the team to remove big chunks of accumulated mud off once clean tennis shoes.

Everyone was hungry so Kevin and Theresa took orders for a nearby Subway. The sandwiches were quickly consumed and then Kevin and Theresa went back to work on more to do list items. Kevin did a search and made some calls to find a place in Forest City, IA close to their Sunday-Tuesday stop to determine if they had the parts needed and availability to install a new air brake breaking system for the toad on Monday. This was to replace the now failing and frustrating Break buddy that could take more than an hour to initiate each travel day. Kevin learned that the parts would have to be ordered. He pressed the parts department to see if they ordered the parts today would they arrive by Monday. He was placed on hold while the parts department checked with the dealer. “If we order today we could MAYBE have the parts by Monday” was the reply. “Great, can the service department fit us in for sometime Monday” was Kevin's next question. “Don't know the Service department and the parts departments are two separate groups, I will have to transfer you to them”. “NO, Please put me on hold and ask the question for me and let me know” was the plea from Kevin. “OK, Hang on” (music plays in the back ground....all our service technicians are busy with customers, this phone call may be recorded for quality purposes, your call is very important to us – repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat,.......) “The service department manager is with another customer can I have him call you to see if they can fit you in” was the final offering from the parts department personnel. Kevin then offered his cell phone number in defeat.

After Will and Lisa returned home all circled the chairs to enjoy a beverage and discuss plans for next summer when Lauren will be playing a golf tournament in NC and Taylor could get scuba certified!

Ring Ring Ring. “Hello” replied Kevin. “This is Daniel with the Service department, I think we can fit you in Monday Morning at 10am”. “Fantastic, we will be there” Kevin squealed in delight.

Dinner for all was at a local Pizza place where build your own pizza was the specialty. Kevin tried to stump the guy taking orders but after a few ingredients the guy behind the counter quickly caught on to Kevin's kid-in-a-candy-store-one-of-each selection process. The pizza was quite tasty and all left ready with food comma setting in.

The outdoor theater provided by the RV exterior basement TV provided a comfortable viewing for the televised Republican debates as plans were discussed for the departure the next day around 9 AM. That time was suggested as to not interfere with neighborhood traffic as the break buddy could take a while to get the Ready light.