Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Finally got to blow this Popsicle Stand!

Hot Diggety Dog!  The part came in shortly after dawn, the brakes were bled, and the wiring to the parking brake replaced.  After a couple of test drives, it was deemed repaired and safe for me to travel!  I paid the $100 deductible for the nearly $5500 bill, hooked up the toad, and was on the road by 2:00 in the afternoon.  The trip through the southern portion of Chicago ensued, but I didn’t care.  I was free at last. 

IMG_3619By 4:30 I was setting up home at Prairie Pines Campground in Rantoul, IL.  This is the campground where my friends, Linda and JIM,  roost at every summer, so I knew it was a fine place to stop for the night.  I only traveled about 120 miles today, but for me it was like traveling to a different planet from the parking lot. 

IMG_3618

As you can see, Emma was happy to actually find some grass without sand burrs!  We are both very happy campers.  I’ve got 50 amps, and full hookups for the first time in a month.  And I don’t have to hang onto furniture as I walk through the rig because it’s level!  Besides being in a parking lot, I’ve been on a real slant for the last four weeks.  Adversity helps you appreciate those little things in life.  With a working parking brake, I can actually level the rig; and when I stepped on the brakes today, the rig came to a stop.  Whew!

While I was waiting yesterday, my oldest son, Daniel, got on Team Viewer and got me all set up for using Chrome instead of Internet Explorer.  What a difference that has made.  I really like it, and he was able to instantly import all my favorite places into Chrome.  RICK wrote about how to do this a short time ago, and I was going to try doing it when things calmed down, but Dan did it for me in minutes.  So, I thank both of them.

IMG_3621Not a spectacular sunset tonight, but it sure beats the parking lot view with all the 18 wheelers and trains going by.  Smile  I’m almost tempted to stay here a few days to regroup from the stress of the last month, but I’ll check the weather forecast first before I make any decisions about that.  I’m just so relieved to be back on the road, again!

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

P.S.  This was written on Tuesday, but I couldn’t get it to post last night.  Sad smile

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49 comments:

  1. RuthOctober 12, 2011 at 2:44 PM

    YAHOO!! Congratulations, you are definitely a 'very happy camper tonight'.

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  2. Sam&Donna WeibelOctober 12, 2011 at 2:47 PM

    Great to see your back in the road and heading south, I sure wish you could take I-55 south and make the detour on I-270 into Mo and the Weeb Ranch for a couple of days, We are only a mile off I-70 and I-64 and when you leave here you just jump on I-64 south back to I-270 west and then south to I-55 south completely bypassing St Louis, then it south to Memphis on I-55. Since I don't know your travel plans I don't know where you are headed but I presume south, be safe out there. Sam & Donna...

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  3. Jim and SandieOctober 12, 2011 at 2:54 PM

    Woot!! Woot!! Out of there. That is such great news.

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  4. AnonymousOctober 12, 2011 at 2:56 PM

    Yipeeeeee! Happy Trails (FINALLY!!!)

    Cyndi & Stumpy @ RVly Ever After

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  5. Kenny And Angela's AdventureOctober 12, 2011 at 3:04 PM

    Glad to hear your back on the road again.

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  6. Karen and AlOctober 12, 2011 at 3:07 PM

    That's such good news. Emma looked like she was smiling.

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  7. Luci & LoreeOctober 12, 2011 at 3:10 PM

    O my goodness, congrats to you & Emma!!! What a change and happiness to be on the road & in a nice/good park! Travel Safe!!!

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  8. MacOctober 12, 2011 at 3:14 PM

    If you didn't take one I just took a big sigh of relief for you. Now back to the business at hand, rv'ing...

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  9. Alan and Marilyn McMillanOctober 12, 2011 at 3:19 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  10. Alan and Marilyn McMillanOctober 12, 2011 at 3:22 PM

    Come on down -- them fried green tomatoes are waiting on you!

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  11. Carole October 12, 2011 at 4:02 PM

    Oh, Hallelujah! I'm so happy to hear that you've survived your ordeal and are now free to travel. Your patience and perseverance have paid off. Enjoy!

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  12. LyniluOctober 12, 2011 at 4:07 PM

    Hurrah!!!!!!! You're freeeeeee!!!

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  13. NanOctober 12, 2011 at 4:11 PM

    i bet u are toolin down da road singing away! thanks 4 good wishes on surgery.

    1 hand nan

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  14. BobOctober 12, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    Not much to say, except Congratulations. Was a bit of a tough grind. Have fun!

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  15. TeriOctober 12, 2011 at 4:36 PM

    Hip Hip Hooray! Have a safe trip south. I am using Chrome now, but have not personalized it yet, have to find someone that can do it for me, so I don't have to deal with it.

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  16. RV Khronicles of KevelynOctober 12, 2011 at 4:43 PM

    Yippee, Yahoo!!!!! I'm so happy for you :)
    I started using Chrome a few months ago and am very happy I switched from Explorer.

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  17. Laurie and OdelOctober 12, 2011 at 4:46 PM

    Looks like all of us out here in blogland can feel your joy! So happy you are on the move (safely) again!

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  18. Along the Way with JnKOctober 12, 2011 at 4:48 PM

    Wow how exciting...finally! Does everyone else feel that a month or longer for any sort of repair is absolutely ridiculous? Seems the going thing nowadays. That should be unacceptable and not tolerated...any suggestions on how to make it all stop?

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  19. Lynne (WinnieViews)October 12, 2011 at 5:02 PM

    What excitement to be on the road again! Emma looks THRILLED! Glad you could get out of town before the cold weather starts moving in later this week. p.s. Isn't Chrome great?!! So fast, minimal, and lets you access favorites/settings from multiple computers running Chrome if you sync them all to your Google log-in.

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  20. John and AnnOctober 12, 2011 at 5:07 PM

    Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! A

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  21. Kevin ReadOctober 12, 2011 at 5:16 PM

    Okay, now we can celebrate! Currently having a glass of wine in honor of you being back on the road!
    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

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  22. Janna and MikeOctober 12, 2011 at 5:21 PM

    Great news!!

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  23. Donna KOctober 12, 2011 at 5:43 PM

    Add my WHOO-HOOO to the rest of them! So glad your ordeal is over. Safe travels to you.

    I finally switched to Chrome about a week ago and am loving it.

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  24. MerikayOctober 12, 2011 at 5:47 PM

    YEAH! Emma sure looks happy too! Clear sailing from here on!

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  25. Dennis and DonnaOctober 12, 2011 at 6:07 PM

    In the words of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.."Happy Trails to YOU!!"....Soooo glad you are back in paradise....I also took note of that campground..We spend lots of time going up and down through lovely Illinois:-(

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  26. Carol KOctober 12, 2011 at 6:12 PM

    Ususally I am sad to leave wherever we are camping, but in your case, I would have been glad to leave the parking lot. You're right, it makes you appreciate being able to drive out of there, and even appreciate having to drive through southern Chicago. Little things like being level, (as well as level-headed!), 50 amp, hookups, etc. You're on a roll and now you can go back to making all the decisions!

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  27. Paul and MaryOctober 12, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    Woo hoo!!!! Congratulations!

    Enjoy your new-found freedom!

    Here's to many fun, safe and trouble-free miles.

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  28. AnonymousOctober 12, 2011 at 6:38 PM

    George Stoltz said -- I am so glad that long stretch of bad luck and inconvenience is over.

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  29. John HedgesOctober 12, 2011 at 6:47 PM

    On the road again, yipeee!

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  30. Marilyn KircusOctober 12, 2011 at 7:23 PM

    That's great news but I'm disappointed that I won't see you at the Volunteer Banquet at Anahuac this Friday. I'll be house, dog, cat, and garden sitting in Galveston and plan to come to it.

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  31. VeraOctober 12, 2011 at 7:58 PM

    So happy to hear you are now in a nice park. Hope the weather report is good so you can stay for a few days. enjoy!!!

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  32. Weldon and SandyOctober 12, 2011 at 8:10 PM

    So glad you made it out!!!!! Hooray for you!

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  33. AnonymousOctober 12, 2011 at 8:34 PM

    Judy, I am so glad you and Emma got out of the parking lot, that was not a cool way to spend this beautiful fall weather. Hoping, you have more that wonderful travels in the future. I cannot leave a message on your blog, unless I agree to be Anonymous,
    Muffy from Muffy's Marks

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  34. Karyn-LeeOctober 12, 2011 at 8:39 PM

    I was wondering when you would have your freedom :))

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  35. Paul and Marti DahlOctober 12, 2011 at 9:07 PM

    Glad that "Get out of Jail Free" card worked. I bet your burned rubber all the way out of that parking lot.

    Nice to see your extended warranty paid off. Now you can sit back and enjoy some black olives!

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  36. JBOctober 12, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    Run Judy Run! and enjoy the ability to do it. Well that and stop too!

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  37. TravelingLongdogsOctober 12, 2011 at 9:36 PM

    WooHoo! So glad for you. You managed to write a great blog through all that adversity. Thankful that all that waiting paid off in the end and you have everything working well now. Travel safely.

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  38. Sue and DougOctober 12, 2011 at 10:28 PM

    whoohoo..you made it out alive!!..enjoy the campground and the 50 amp and being level!!

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  39. meowmommaOctober 12, 2011 at 10:51 PM

    Hallelujah!!!

    We know you would have been happy with only 50 miles! So glad you finally escaped that darn parking lot and are now back among the traveling!!

    Happy Trails and make 'em safe ones too!!!

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  40. Linda MyersOctober 13, 2011 at 12:16 AM

    I remember spending a week in an unleveled RV. The worst! Glad you're out of there and on your way again.

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  41. GypsyOctober 13, 2011 at 12:36 AM

    I can see all your photos, so maybe Chrome is the reason?

    I am so glad you are on the move again. I'll have to say though, I'd be terrified of putting out the slides, using the leveling jacks, putting on the brakes, etc. For me it would be like learning to drive a big rig all over again! Happy travels.

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  42. RickOctober 13, 2011 at 12:40 AM

    Yeeeeeeehawwwwwwwww! Congrats, it sure must feel good to be outta there finally! Amazing.

    All that and Chrome too - quite a day!

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  43. DonOctober 13, 2011 at 6:03 AM

    Glad to see ya on the road, with a fixed rig....

    Safe travels.................

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  44. ErinOctober 13, 2011 at 6:25 AM

    Yahooooo! And you actually remembered how to drive the rig after being stuck in a parking lot :-)))) So, will you head strait down to Anahuac now? I have a friend who is going to be in the area and was disappointed that she wouldn't be able to say hi to you when I told her about your travel woes!

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  45. Catherine, Jo Beth and GraceOctober 13, 2011 at 7:02 AM

    yippee

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  46. JerryCOctober 13, 2011 at 1:53 PM

    Happy you're on the road again, but I'm sure I'm not as happy as you are. Safe travels.

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  47. HappytrailsOctober 13, 2011 at 2:10 PM

    YAHOOOOO! Free at last!! Our congrats for your endurance and patience during that trying time. Enjoy the new sights!!

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  48. Ann or Paul StoughOctober 14, 2011 at 4:59 PM

    Hi,
    I just found your blog today. A very nice blog. I was especially interested in your troubles with your brakes. I can understand a computer going bad, but I dont understand why your brakes needed to be bled? To my knowledge the only times brakes need to be bled is when air is introduced into the system, usually by having low brake fluid, and sucking air, or by the brake fluid boiling from dragging brakes. Did anyone explain to you why the brakes needed to be bled? If not, it seems to me it could happen again.

    Best of Luck.

    Paul Stough

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  49. BarbOctober 14, 2011 at 7:18 PM

    Sooo happy for you. Your rig looks really good, so shiny. And Emma looks ecstatic to be out and about again.

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