Another Adventure Begins

It's been quite some time since I posted to this blog. During Harper's cancer journey, I used this blog to share updates and emotions. The emotions from then are no less raw today than they were almost 18 months ago.

But today is Harper's 11th Birthday, and it seems fitting that, unintentionally I might add, today our family embarks on a new and hopefully enjoyable journey. I think Harper is with us as we set out.

This journey may not be as warm as our time in Hawaii last year, but I hope it is just as scenic. We're off on another camping trip, this time to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, Maine. We'll spend (hopefully no more than) 2 days driving there (expecting 18-20 hours one way from north of Dayton), 7 days on Mount Desert Island, and then 2 days driving back.

And in true Wehneman fashion, we have drama right out of the gate. Yes, of course the girls were fighting in the back seat before we even started the truck, but that's not the drama I'm referring to.

Last week I had the truck gone over in order to prep for this long road trip. Towing 11,000 pounds (plus kayaks on top) 20 hours one way frightens me a little, especially in a 11 year old truck. But, she's a diesel, and lacking $60k just sitting around to buy a new one, we decided the best approach was some preventive maintenance.

So, there I was last week, shelling out more than 1/60th of a new truck for an oil change, transmission service, brake line flush, power steering fluid change, coolant flush, pinion seal replacement and a brake bulb (to round out the job). On top of that I had them replace a leaking valve stem on one of the tires. Towing goes slow with a flat...

So, we thought we were as good as we could be. Except apparently maintenance on one tire makes another tire jealous... So, another valve stem decided it wanted some attention...

And so, at 15 minutes before closing, just north of Cincinnati (on our way to the farm today to get the camper before starting our LONG road trip to Maine) we ended up here -




At first, the guy looked at me, looked at the truck, and balked a bit because of the load we were carrying (both in the back and on top). But, in the end, after discussing with the shop guy, they pulled us in and made the repair.




The family took it in stride, even the dogs (who are soooo looking forward to their little vacation with Uncle Alan at the farm these next 12 days - hehe - I guess that should be dreading - they're already nervous about being left behind)




So, 4.5 hours after departing out from home, and after multiple stops, both for tire repair and for relieving pressure on Finley's apparently hamster-sized bladder, we finally made it to the farm.

Tomorrow we set out on the long drive. We plan to get in as many hours as we can stand tomorrow, followed by the remainder the following day (spending the night in some yet to be determined hotel).

Wish us luck! Let's hope our mechanical challenges for this trip are DONE!