If you have been following our story, you know that about a month into this journey our fun was marred by power outages and poor signals for phone and mobile broadband services. Our trailer jumped ship and faceplanted itself. Our camper fell TWICE, and somehow we have sustained no serious damages. The power and connectivity issues have been the most problematic because our work was delayed, which means collecting payment was delayed. Keeping in touch with family and friends has also been a challenge, as a result. But as we caught up our work we were able to piece by piece, little by little, resolve all of our issues. Creatively...
Saturday was to be a day of replenishing crucial supplies -- water, propane and fuel for the generator. I awoke feeling dizzy and completely drained of all energy (pun somewhat intended.) As I explained my condition to David we discovered the generator was not running. He checked the fuel and oil, spent a lot of time following the manufacturer's troubleshooting guide. Dead. Great. What was supposed to be a very reliable primary source of energy now and only a back-up source after we install wind and solar generation kits has kicked the bucket. Only three weeks since we purchased it...great.
The brand new canopy also collapsed. Actually, two different versions of the canopy failed. We also need new shocks on the truck and a new axle on the trailer. We also discovered one of the tanks we use to carry fuel for the generator had cracked and was dripping fuel on the outside of the trailer. Since we will not have the generator, we gave the cracked tank to some beach revelers who built a giant pyre near us Friday night. They were thrilled.
So there we were, thirsty and hungry and fearing the nighttime cold and without our primary source of energy. Sage was uncomfortable. I was getting cranky. David was smoldering. His intensity only made us feel worse -- I told him so later and not in a very nice way. Yes, let's just use the cliche that "emotions were running high." That's enough detail for now. Ha. From the beginning of the planning phase, we agreed that we would end the journey if it stopped feeling fun or safe. The trailer rebuild is all but finished; it has transformed into a playhouse/dance studio I would have dreamed of as a little girl. Sage adores it. She also loves El Valor so much she hugs the doorway often and says, "I love you, camper." She gets just as excited as we do about traveling. But Saturday, with Mommy and Daddy feeling edgy and our adventure infrastructure crumbling all around us, she was ready to call it quits. In truth, I considered it, too. Briefly.
By Saturday evening we were checking into a hotel for a 4-night stay. Half-way through, I can honestly say that this little reprieve has done more for morale than I had expected. The dizziness has subsided. I think I was just a wee dehydrated because I was not drinking enough water. Rationing is commendable but not if it means Mommy suffers from vertigo...Our little "regrouping break" has also given us time to take care of other very necessary items. In a few days the generator will be returned for a full refund. New axle and wiring are being installed on the trailer right now, and tomorrow the truck will get new shocks and a stabilizer arm. Oil and fluids were changed and topped off this morning. At this very moment the canopy is being replaced AGAIN. This time, we are also reinforcing with additional poles and straps. If you have ever camped for more than a day or two on the Texas Coast, you understand how unforgiving the conditions are sometimes.
All of this comes at a very inconvenient time -- so close to Christmas. Our holiday plans might be affected but not so much that we have to end our journey, I hope. Instead, I will believe in the magic of the holiday season, that everything will be resolved by Christmas Eve. That everyone will feel recuperated and ready to ring in the new year with love and hope and joy and prosperity. Oh, and more adventures. Definitely more adventures!
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