Well, we are finally on the way to Bonneville! Our target departure time was 12:00 noon. We actually left about 1:30, so we’re actually right on schedule. The original plan was to stop at every state line and take a picture. We dutifully stopped at the Illinois line [about 60 miles] to shoot a picture and do a general check. Everything looks great…except the Chevelle won’t start. OK, we’ve got the motorhome full of tools and parts…except for jumpercables…or a battery charger. We accosted a neighborly truck driver and gave him $50 for his new set of jumpers. We got the car started but found that it was putting out a generous 10 volts at the alternator. So, do we turn around and drive an hour back to the shop or press on to solve the problem on the road?

Our collective male stubborness insisted that we go forward, not backwards. We continued on toward St. Louis to one of our dealers, Old Dog Street Rods. No problem running on the battery until about 30 miles from St. Louis when it finally run out of juice. Score one for bringing the trailer! Yes, we could have resolved this problem eventually without the trailer, but we were on a time schedule and took the lazy way out.  

Tommy and the great guys at Old Dog  had a new alternator and battery waiting for us and graciously delayed their Friday night booze and booty tour until we arrived and installed the new parts.

An hour later we were on the way again with no further incident. Having the motorhome really makes it nice for eating and sleeping …no more truck stop food or chasing motel rooms. We stopped about 9:00 to eat and watch some satellite TV, then drove another couple of hours until nightcap and bedtime. THIS is living!!

I di get some pictures and by tonight I may be un-lazy enough to learn how to upload them. Until then…have fun!!