Thursday, February 25, 2021

Insert Cuss Words Here!

 Up at my normal time, 8:30.  Clear skies and it will be a much cooler day with highs only in the mid 60s.  I'll take that.  Took Yuma for a short walk and it was so nice out it took me hours to finish my breakfast.  Had no plans except to get milk.  

My feet felt good after soaking them.  As I was resting outside I decided to clean the hummingbird feeder.  Haven't seen one since the first day and wouldn't you know it that little bugger came up and wanted me to put it back.  I guess it drinks from it when I'm not looking. 😁

As I was finishing breakfast, I decided I would drive to Why and see if they have milk.  Haven't been there yet.  It was 1:30 and Yuma and I jumped in the Jeep and headed out.  About a half mile down the road I saw this very nice big RV site and pulled in to check the Internet strength.  1-2 bars of 4G.  Much better than I'm used to getting.

Decided to hold off going to Why until I get moved in here.  Don't want someone else to take it.  Drove back to the White Lion and packed everything hastily and and slowly turned around to get out of my site.  

It's tight but I'm sure I can make it.  Like a dummy, when I started thinking I was in trouble, instead of stopping and getting out to survey the situation, I bull headily forged on.  I think you're starting to see why I have the heading at the top.


Missed my target!


The front end made it, but the back end wasn't following the same track and I ended up bottoming the rear end out in a big ditch.  Now, I'm making no excuses.  It's 41 feet long and I know I should be careful, but do I listen?  H--- NO!  

I got out finally and surveyed the situation and it was bad.  No traction to the back tires and this thing weighs 15 TONS!  Poor Yuma was scared because I was cussing so much and going through a massive amount of self-pity.  Why me!  Why me!  Because I'm stupid, that's why!

Luckily, I was only taking up half of Darby Well Road, so what little traffic there was could get through.  I knew right away I needed a tow truck and a big one at that.  Had to hook up my booster so I could call the Napa Towing Service in Ajo.  They said $150 an hour and I said come on out.

About 3 o'clock out comes an elderly gentleman with a two wheel drive flat bed and a winch to pull cars up  on.  His name was Bill.  We assessed the situation and tried pulling it out forward but the winch wouldn't budge it.  Tried pulling it out backwards but the truck would just spin its tires.

Bill finally called his boss, Jerry who runs the Belly Acres RV Park and he said he would be out shortly.   Jerry came out quickly in a 250 Ford 4-wheel drive dually.  I took one look at it and said I don't think this can do the job!  Jerry agreed and said he planned on using the flatbed truck.  He said Bill had only been on the job four months and didn't have a lot of experience.

Yuma meets Bill.

It's five o'clock now and the sun will be going down soon and my stress level is up a notch or two.  Jerry surveyed the situation and said he would place the flatbed ramp under the hitch and push while I put on the diesel and the plan is to push it forward.  Five minutes later I was in the road with all four wheels safely on the ground.  Thank you, Jerry!  All this for $150 😊.  Jerry didn't charge me for the training experience Bill received.

Just as the Sun sank into the West I finally pulled into my new site and called Dolly to let her know what happened.  I told her if I ever get stuck again, I'm selling the White Lion and retiring from my travels!  She said, "Sure you will!".

I'm exhausted and tired.  Guess I'll try for milk tomorrow.  Too late for dinner, so will just have pudding with whipped cream and call it a night.  

Thanks for stopping by.

20 comments:

  1. For only having a milk run planned,you had an exercising day! ...and,no milk, I might add. 😃 I'm glad you found some good folks to rectify your situation. Please try to stay out of ditches. You seem to be attracted to them. Take a deep breath, relax and have a better day tomorrow.

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    1. Thanks Dolly. Didn't exactly turn out like I thought. I PROMISE not to do that again. Could have been worse.

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  2. I'm beginning to think that White Lion likes to get you into a bit of trouble. Perhaps, the two of you should sit down and have talk about how much each of you can tolerate. Glad you're both okay. Keep out of ditches Doug, they do get you into trouble. So do gravel pits and don't bother asking how I know that.

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    1. Thanks MCA. I'm sure there are lots of stories out there about getting stuck. 🙂 Hope it was a relearning experience I won't repeat.

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  3. I was wondering why you had no blog posted for today when I started reading blogs earlier. Then I saw the comment above the one I made on yesterdays and we knew you had, had a problem. Glad to read you were able to get out and it did not cost an arm and a leg. Plus, the good news, no one pulled into the new site you were trying to get to. I am with Dolly I do not believe you will be selling the White Lion and retiring from traveling either, even if you do get stuck again. Just the same try not to do that. Take care.

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    1. Thanks Deb. I just better have learned a lesson. I am glad I'm in a better site with no ditches to contend with and better internet. Hope all is going well with you two.

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  4. All of us rivers have wild experiences that require cuss words and expensive services to solve. It is inevitable. Then after all is said and done, we are on the road again until the next SNAFU!😀

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    1. I think you hit the nail on the head gumo! Unless I want to stay in RV parks, I have to chance these problems. Just need to be more careful about the obvious ones.

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  5. I know well all those feelings you were having and I sure know those stressful times and having thoughts of wanting to pack the whole RV thing in and go home. I did something with our 37' Motorhome the last time we were in Borrego Springs that I never even blogged about. You and I have things in common when it comes to beating ourselves up over making avoidable mistakes. Better days ahead and enjoy the rest of your travels before having to head home after another fine winter in the great American Southwest:))

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    1. Thanks Al. I know most everyone has gotten into bad situations. I hope I've learned to be more cautious and not make hurried obvious bad decisions.

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  6. You are not alone Doug. I can tell you I've even made up NEW cuss words on MANY occasions!! I have learned to take my time and survey the situation every which way I can before making a move. It's a learning experience with those big rigs. So far you are ahead of the curve!!

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  7. Thanks for the picker upper. Don't think I'm ahead of the curve but hopefully I take you advice and be way more careful.

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  8. Love MCA's comment. Jerry was a truck driver for 25 years. And he has gotten into some interesting situations with the motorhome. So don't sweat it. Just remember to keep calm. There is a solution to everything. Even the time at the Palm Springs Thousand Trails where the old lady went to her RV and brought Jerry the duct tape!

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    1. It was a trying four hours but turned out okay except for my hurt pride. I'm needing a little duct tape myself. All in all came out better than I expected.

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  9. You're not the first rig to be towed, that's for sure. But now you're settled in a better spot.

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    1. Yes I am Jeff. I know I can get out of this one no problem. Now to relax.

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  10. We all learn by our mistakes. We just hope they are not so costly.
    Be Safe and Enjoy your new site.

    It's about time.

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  11. Thanks Rick. I'm so glad this one didn't cost an arm and leg. Came off cheap I think.

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  12. Hi Doug. Have never commented but wanted you to know I enjoy reading about your winter travels and offer encouragement to keep it up. You do not mention any damage to the back end so hopefully as is well there. As others have said you are not alone in getting into a snag here and there. Take care and enjoy the rest of your winter.

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  13. Wow! Luckily it went ok as far as mishaps go! At least your new spot was still available!

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