On the road...again!

[mustang6984]

And the hits just keep on coming. About 60 miles west of Billings I lost the right front tire on the trailer. Two and a half hours an $285.00 later I was back on the road. In Billings now, tomorrow up and over to Discount Tire for a new tire so I'll have a spare.
Had a touch of weather, rain and then some snow as we topped a small peak.
Off tomorrow for a long drive, followed by a shorter one on Tuesday hopefully. I will be so glad when this trip is done...other than the 3 week Christmas/New Year visit to the hospital...it has been the most exasperating trip to be sure.

[Fairlane62]

Your on the downhill now (literally), so just keep Missouri in the crosshairs.  It's a pain when its happening, but it definitely has given y'all some family memories.

James

[mustang6984]

True...memories that will I suppose in time be humorous...but right now...annoying living it to be sure! I need to get my fishing pole out when I get home and sit a spell!   

[mustang6984]

Well...Murphy struck early today...and with his fist this time.
My son and the family took off about 9 heading east on I-90...I went to Discount Tire and got my new spare. He made it about 75 miles or so and going around the curve ahead of MP-519 his rear u-joint in the drive-line let go...and that was where the tow-truck picked him up...100 feet from the MP-519 sign. I got there about 45 minutes after.
We were towed to Sheridan, to a Firestone shop. They put a new u-joint in, tried to re-balance it and couldn't true it up. Took it back apart, and upon serious scrutiny found a crack in it. So...now it has to go to a drive-line shop which will take the thing apart, fix the crack, grind it smooth again and then re-balance it there. Prediction is with some luck...we will be on the road around 1 or 2 in the afternoon. At this point we are looking at arrival in Shell Knob around dinner time Wednesday...assuming Murphy isn't paying attention when we leave town.
At the saga continues...on and on and o----(where is that Southern Comfort bottle?    )

[Ford Blue blood]

Hugh you have the makings of a terror movie going here!

[mustang6984]

Don't I though? Sheesh! 

[Fairlane62]

Well, I've always heard that Murphy was an optimist. 

[mustang6984]

I think we lost him!!! We managed to make the entire distance between Sheridan Wyoming and Murdo S. Dakota with no stops other than a loose strap holding a tarp down...and gas stops! 

Let's see how Wednesday goes...with any luck we'll be home by 11:00 p.m. long day...but should be a final day!

[mustang6984]

Ya' know...for a guy who has been dead for over 150 years...Murphy has sure been a thorn in my side for the last week!
Apparently whilst we slept...he caught up with us. As we took off this morning my son's truck just got weaker and weaker as we went along. Finally got to where he could barely top a hill. So we sidetracked to Pierre S. Dakota and discovered that every shop in town was booked out until next Monday or Tuesday...including the local Ford dealer.
Finally found one that said he "might" be able to get to it tomorrow...no promises. Dropped the truck off there around 10:30 a.m. and went to get a motel. Got one, but couldn't get into the rooms until around 1:30...but they let the kids into the pool so that was fine. Sasha and I napped in the truck and grass outside.
Hugh Jr and I were headed to Walmart around 2:00 and the shop called and told us the truck was ready. We had already paid for the rooms and moved into them. Of course. So we will just leave tomorrow morning since there is no way we could make it home tonight, and the rooms aren't refundable.
The issue? *&%$#@! One of the spark plug wires had slipped down on the exhaust manifold where it wasn't easily seen, burned through...and well...you can figure out the rest. Could have been worse, we were thinking a collapsing muffler or possibly cat...although the rotten egg smell wasn't present so I was thinking muffler.

Try again tomorrow...on the EIGHTH day of what should have been a 3-3 1/2 day trip maximum!  There is a liquor store nearby...getting awfully tempting...

[mustang6984]

Okay...5:15 a.m. Central Time...heading out in 45 minutes...hopefully for the last leg of this never ending trip. I am desirous of making my next update from my desk in Shell Knob MO this evening!
My buddy Bob arrived yesterday in between spring storms...so that is good. May we join him tonight? Stay tuned!   

[Lgcustom]

Good luck and be safe on the road today!

[terry_208]

This is beginning to sound like "A Never Ending Trip".  I hope things go well for the rest of the trip home!

[mustang6984]

Ah...home sweet home!  Trouble free...and his truck was able to take hills like he wasn't even towing anything...and on the flat and some small hills he was able to use 5th gear! We got in about 10:45 p.m. after leaving at 6:40 a.m.! HOORAH!

The trip is done! The next time I activate this thread...I hope it is for a trip to see some member's car(s)! Now...comes the fun of unloading once he finds a place! Oh...and I still have to finish renovations on my apartments that are empty so I can get them rented out. But after the last 8 days...that'll be a cake walk!

[terry_208]

Glad you made it home safely w/o further problems.

[alvin stadel]

Good morning Hugh,  it sure is boring here on the site now that you are home.