Since our plan to spend a couple of nights camping in Denver didn’t work out, we decided to start our voyage a day early. Mid-afternoon on Saturday, September 19, 2009, we launched our maiden voyage in the Spirit of Sunrise. For peace of mind – and heeding Lesson 1 — we made reservations for two nights at Mid-America Camp Inn, a quarter mile off I-70, in Goodland, Kansas.
The sun was shining. The road was clear. And the Spirit of Sunrise purred down the highway. “We’re about to pass a vehicle for the first time,” David said, and with David at the wheel, our trusty RV did it with ease. A major “right of passage” achieved!
Less than a hour into our journey, the transmission made odd sounds, the cruise control stopped working, and the “Service Engine Soon” warning light came on. What? We had everything checked out, right? Something was amiss. I distinctly remember writing a couple of hefty checks to get everything road ready.
We decided to keep heading for our destination and hope for the best. Fortunately, we made it to Mid-America Camp Inn just after dark. After hooking up by flashlight, we jotted down another lesson for RV happiness: Always arrive at your site in the daylight.
And they’re off! More or less. Sorry you had vehicle troubles right out the gate. But hey, it gave you a story to tell.
Love the blog. The entries are short and sweet, making them an easy read. But they’re just long enough to evoke a sense of the road. I knew you’d do it up right!
You two are my heroes. Safe travels!
Thanks, Cara. The admiration goes both ways — we’re just exploring the U.S. You traveled around the world and will be sharing your extraordinary adventures in your soon-to-be-released book. I can’t wait to read They Only Eat Their Husbands!