Wow, what a day! I’m going to choose to be positive about today but you’re going to laugh when you hear what happened. It’s only funny because it is so ridiculous. We left the Butte area yesterday around 2:30 or so and the goal was to make it to Shelby (which we did) and camp for the night before going into Canada.
Things started out, as usual, this morning with breakfast at about 7:30 am, Mert (my Mom) had peanut butter toast, I had cheerios and OB (my Dad) had a grapefruit and some coffee. We were able to pump out the septic and fill up the fresh water on la jefa (the new name for the motorhome via MB). We headed out of the campground about 8:30 North on I-15 with about 30 miles to the Canadian border. We stopped at the last pull-off before the border to look at the map one final time before crossing the border. The plan was to head to Lethbridge and go west on Highway 3 to the Canadian Rockies, stop for lunch around noon and head toward highway 93/95 north and find somewhere to camp near Banff.
Here’s what happened to that plan; we were just 15 miles from Lethbridge when la jefa disappeared from the rearview mirror of the KLR so I stopped and waited the customary 5 minutes before turning around to go back and see what happened. When I finally found them sitting on the shoulder of the road, there was water gushing out from under the rear of la jefa and she wasn’t moving. What happened is the drive shaft grenaded and poked a hole in the grey water tank. Of course, the water leak is a minimal problem compared to the missing driveshaft. About five minutes later this nice Canadian gentleman stopped and told us that the parts were still laying in the road a couple hundred yards back. He actually went back and picked up the parts and brought them back to us.
OB got on the phone and called the Good Sam Company (roadside insurance provider) and reported the problem and our location. In about an hour a tow truck showed up to try and haul the rig to town for repairs. One small problem, the air ride had been damaged and la jefa was sitting too low to be picked up. So we sat there for 3 more hours until a certified mechanic could come and fix the air ride. We were then able to get la jefa loaded on the flatbed and hauled into town for repairs.
We are currently staying at a Quality Inn next to a casino, which is where my parents currently are. I hope they don’t lose their ass over there… Benz and I? well, we are kicking back at the hotel blogging and growling at whatever sounds worth growling at.
-Adventure takes on many forms, Alaska or Bust? Today…
Looking forward to tomorrow!
MM
Motorbike Mike 
That really bites. Hope you guys get on the road without to much out of pocket funds, and you reach your destination where your meeting Jenn before she beats you there.
The way I see it we can do this for three more day and still make it in time, I think 🙂
Apparently La Hefe needed a day off her wheels! Hope you and the boy aren’t finding too much to growl at!
It’s la jefa thank you very much and yes, she is the boss for now! Tomorrow will be a different day, we’re brining in El Hefe to straighten here out!
Man I feel for you as we chuckle about todays edition, nicely written by the way. We are in the hills of colorado and have to walk a half a mile just to get wireless signal on the phones, but its worth the effort to read about your adventure. Certainly we hope today is the last bump on the journey and it smooths out from here.
Man me too, thanks for the kind words!
MM
OMG!!! I hope this doesn’t affect your Dad’s great sense of humor. Not a really fun way to celebrate his birthday week. Keep the pictures coming. and for God sake. Keep smiling. :o)
I’m not sure everyone gets my dads sense of humor? I’m glad you do!
vacation memories! Sure glad I am not there….NO, it’s not funny!
Maybe Mom and Dad should ride the Crusin’ Carrot and you should ride the 1×1…..may get there faster!! Good luck convincing La Jefa that she doesn’t ALWAYS need to be the boss and still having enough cash left to get on down the road. Take care buddy.
We were passed by a cyclist yesterday so I believe you may be right…
I’ve been looking for Alaska Trip Day 4 report but so far silence. How’s it going?
The only thing you’re missing is Steve Martin & John Candy so far!
My father is both in one neat old package!