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Sunday, March 31, 2013

Real Time Bad News, and More Photos Of "The Land Of Standing Up Rocks"


You know the BCB oft lags behind real time. While photos of this post come to you with love from the midst of Chiricahua's bouldered bliss, the text comes to you with anger, calming to frustration, calming to resignation, calming to indifference at the un-luck that rains on the just and the unjust... in a Red Rock boondock just south of the Village of Oak Creek, Arizona. You know you are having a spell of bad luck when it takes three cups of extra strong coffee and the words, "It could be worse" to jumpstart your morning mood (sigh).


I won't belabor bad luck because, as I previously stated, it rains on the just and the unjust...which takes in pretty much everybody, including the likes of "Murphy," Amelia Earhart, and Jesus Christ, just to mention a few. That today is Easter Sunday especially reminds me to try to find the ever elusive "silver lining," to be thankful it isn't worse. Tho dead of spirit, at least I'm alive, and, so far, un-crusified. 

Long story short 

Upon arriving back at Madera Canyon's Campground from Chiricahua, while trying to force-level Goldie in what I can only describe as an off-kelter "Fun House" campsite, I, evidently, strained the old girl's transmission beyond its capability. Eagle-eye Maikel points to a pool of blood on the pavement and says, "Uh oh. What's this?" 

So I get on the phone, try to find someone who can lift a class C motorhome and R and R a leaking tranny. Turns out my best bet is downtown Tucson at Holmes-Tuttle Ford (sheesh). I also arrange to be towed, because I have reservations about driving 40 miles with Goldie's lifeblood dribbling onto pavement on of one of the busiest, undersized freeways in the world. Five hundred dollars, thank you very much!

I couldn't get Goldie into the Doctor's office till the following Monday morning. Silver lining: At least we were stranded in a cool camp with supportive friends like Susan and Maikel. Sunday morning I limped Goldie halfway to Tucson and camped in friend Sandy's Green Valley driveway. The leak was no longer hemorrhaging for some strange reason, so I cancelled the tow and rolled the dice that I could make it to Tucson. Dark cloud; silver lining... I made it.

What was supposed to be a one day repair took two days (of course). We got a cheap motel with hopes it would be a "one night stand," and by noon the nightmare would be a distant memory. Well it was dark by the time we pulled out of Holmes-Tuttle Ford. Dark cloud, darker lining. I was blaming myself for this whole ordeal, trying to make old Goldie do a young girl's tricks. A thousand dollars later I gave up on "silver linings." Things like, "Well, at least we avoided the tow bill, " and, "At least its all behind us now," just didn't cut it. I had a funny feeling that hard as this was... it wasn't over. 

We set up camp in the dark at Gilbert Ray... the closest campground. Bright and early the next morning we were headed north to cooler temps. It was pushing 90 degrees in Tucson, way too hot for this Colorado couple. 

That brings us to real time at our present boondock, where another puddle of red blood has formed under Goldie's transmission. Dear God, Dear God, why has't tho forsaken me? 

Happy Easter,
Mark and Bobbie... looking for "silver linings" in Red Rock country.






























17 comments:

  1. I am really sorry to hear about your tranny problem. I hope it can be fixed without parting with too many bucks. To avoid that five hundred dollar tow charge in the future I suggest you get Coach-Net for a bit over $100 per year. They are well worth it. I have used them a couple times myself and their service is great.

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  2. Their work should be guaranteed! Think about that before you get too far away...

    Great photos as always!

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  3. So sorry Mark. I spent an awful summer about 5 years ago blowing not 1 but 2 transmissions out of my Subaru (that did not appreciate towing a trailer in 100-degree heat thru the Rockies). Keep appreciating the silver linings. As painful as they might be-- Goldie will be better than ever when this is all finally over.

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  4. Bummer. Sorry.
    If not leaking too fast, maybe buy some cans of ATF and give Goldie a transfusion then head back to Tuscon Ford.

    Anonymous Vicarious Lurker: AVL
    aka Don

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  5. butterbean carpenterMarch 31, 2013 at 12:41 PM

    Howdy Mark,
    (NOT FLAMING)
    I KNEW MURPHY AND JOE BFSPLK HAD KINDA ABANDONED NICK RUSSELL & BRIAN, BUT DIDN'T KNOW HE JUMPED ON YOU!!! SORRY!!! WHY DO DEALERS DO THINGS LIKE THIS(TELL YOU IT'S FIXED)AND LET YOU BREAK DOWN AGAIN!
    THEY PROBABLY JUST DRAINED, FLUSHED, REFILLED AND DIDN'T EVEN PUT A NEW GASKET ON IT!!! NOWADAYS IF YOU CAN'T DO IT YOURSELF YOU CAN'T TRUST ANYONE ELSE TO DO THE JOB CORRECTLY!!!

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  6. butterbean carpenterMarch 31, 2013 at 12:45 PM

    PAGE 2

    MARK, I FORGOT TO TELL YOU HOW GREAT THE PICS WERE TODAY, AS USUAL!!!

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  7. Definitely need to invest in roadside assistance. I've used Good Sam for years. One tow a year pays for all. That dealer better guarantee their work. Does suck. Enjoy your surroundings for the day anyway. Lovely boulder shots.

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  8. Fingers crossed for a quick, permanent fix.

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  9. I hate that you are dealing with a hemorrhage. Praying for a good outcome. (Universe Pay Attention!)
    Great pics!

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  10. Walden creek rv steveMarch 31, 2013 at 9:28 PM

    I have always said -that a guy needs to know 3 people= a good mechanic- a good doctor and a good lawyer-- in that order! I have been blessed with usually finding one of those good backyard mechanic- I have one here in Melbourne- A few really cold beers is only remedy sometimes! Hope all works out- Camera seems to be working fine! I think maybe we should get into the towing business!

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  11. Why does it always seem that when it rains, it pours! So sorry to read about your troubles. Hope all is well soon:)

    Wonderful, beautiful pictures! My favorite is the one you shot between the two rocks looking at the two towers.

    Happy Easter! Better days ahead for sure.

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  12. There's only one way to look at it...

    and that's very Shortly. ;)

    The cost is maybe two months of a NEW rig's payments...

    you've lost 1000 of those green pieces of paper...

    The second repair should be warrantied?

    damn... that's four huh?

    Things break. You can pay 14 times as much for NEW reliability and STILL blow up six miles from the farthest place the dang tow truck will go to...

    As long as you end up still goin' down the road all's well.

    Just for sayin' it... Good Sam's tow service hauled the truck more than 100 miles for ZERO (not counting the annual membership) in Utah with that blown pump. them or coach-net is a must have for somebody on the road.

    Now, as for Murphy, always always always keep three things handy.
    A Hammer
    A pocket full of ten penny spikes
    And a glass of cool beer.

    Then... hide in the bushes and wait on the thievin' lil' irishman to come tryin' to sneak a sip.

    Whack him on the noggin' with the hammer...

    Then drag him back juuuuuust till his fingertips can't reach the glass... and nail his feet to the floor...

    Then sit back waitin' for him to wake up and go to wailin' when he can't reach that coooool glass of beer to soothe the bangin' in his head!

    He'll leave you alone for a week or three after that! ;)

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  13. Great pictures again, too bad about Goldie, hope the doc can get it right!

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  14. Hope Goldie heals fast. So sorry to hear of her travails! Godspeed to Moab! Scamp

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  15. So sorry to hear about Goldie and hope she's back to her "normal self" soon!

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