Time to move on!

 This morning, we had our last coffee hour as a group of nomads.  I had everything packed and ready to head into Quartzsite to load up and head to Saddleback Mountain about 2 hours east on I-10 near Phoenix, Arizona.

The morning was perfect.  Sunny, slight breeze and quite warm in the sun.  Near 10:30, Yuma and I said our goodbyes for now and jumped into the White Lion.  It started right up and we were off.

Yuma is going to miss his friends.

Jumped onto hwy 95 heading north right into Quartzsite to do our duties and then head out.  Just as I was pulling into the RV Pit Stop to take on water and propane, the WL gave up the ghost, so to speak.  The engine died and we rolled just barely into the lot before coming to a halt right at the entrance to both the propane filling entrance lines.

If I didn't know this was a very busy place, I do now.  I had to jump out and wave folks around me.  I took up most of the entrance area and with a lot of squeezing and maneuvering, the folks could get around me.  Luckily, I take blood pressure medicine, so I was cool as a cucumber.  NOT!  

It was just around noon and the place was hopping with business.  Finally, one of the employees, brought out a caution cone that alerted people to not just wait behind the WL, but go around me and into the Pit Stop.

I called a tow truck company, and the lady said someone would be out soon.  They were on their lunch hour, so be patient.  I can do that, but not so sure about the owner of the Pit Stop as people with the really big rigs just moved right along because they couldn't squeeze in.

As I was waiting, the boss sent out an employee to see if he could help.  They even tried pulling the WL with a big pick-up, but the WL was stubborn and would not budge.  The employee was living on the property in his made for RVing pickup camper and asked if I wanted to trade for his smooth running truck with solar panels.

I always laugh at the predicaments Nancy, a blogger friend of mine always has.  I won't laugh anymore.  Deb and Deb stopped by to give me sympathy and the name and phone number of someone in town that was a CAT Diesel engine expert.  Gave them a call and the woman answering the phone said to bring it on in and Diesel Dave would look at it tonight.

Finally, the MAN arrived in his $250,000 Black Beauty!

What do I do, Dad?

Rick, the tow man wanted to tow me to Phoenix for $2300, but we ended up towing it to Diesel Dave's here in downtown Quartzsite, all of three miles for a quick $575.  Can't beat a deal like that!  Thank goodness, money grows on trees, but unfortunately, not many trees here in the desert.

Where did you go, Dad?

Rick, asked me to crawl under the WL and hook a tow line to the frame, so he could pull me out of the line of traffic.  Rick is what you would call a big boy and me, not so much.

Then, he was able to properly hook it up to his Black Beauty and off we went for three quick but expensive miles, to Diesel Dave's place of business.

Both, Dave and his assistant, Gale were very nice.  They stopped by my new home to take a look at the WL and to do a CAT diagnostic test  to see if the problem can be fixed.  This was the third time a professional diesel mechanic has looked at it.  And it was a strikeout.  After his professional analysis, he suggested that I find a reasonable RV site near Quartzsite and park it there.

He ain't got no engine, Gale!!!!

I've done enough.  Me, Yuma and the White Lion gave it our all and it was not meant to be.  Personally, I think the WL wants to live out his remaining days in the warmth of the desert southwest and not the cold corn fields of Illinois.

Anyway, Diesel Dave said I could stay in the WL at his shop until I decide what to do and do it.  He even provided an electrical hook-up.

 I called Dolly and we talked.  No firm final decisions made, but I will pass along my decisions as soon as I figure out what is best for me, Yuma Dolly and Fergie!  Stay tuned.

Thanks for stopping by.