When I got up this morning, it was raining, and the wind was blowing. I checked my weather sites, and finally decided I’d give it a go to get a little further south. For a change of pace, I actually had a tail wind for about 100 miles. I was happy as a clam as I seemed to fly down I-29. There were a few sprinkles along the way, but no torrential downpours.
About fifty miles down the road, I needed to clean the front windshield from the dirty stuff kicked up by passing 18 wheelers. So, I hit the windshield washer button, and things were fine for about two swipes of the windshield. Then the damn wiper on the passenger’s side went bonkers once again. It stayed on the arm, but just like this spring, the metal arm began scraping on the glass. They are both brand new blades and holders, so I just don’t get it. I stopped at a rest area to tape the blasted thing together. I sure hope I don’t have to use it again.
About 40 miles outside of Sioux Falls, the winds shifted and I ended up with high winds directly on my right side. It was a bit of white knuckle time as I made it the last 50 miles to my chosen stop for the night. I found Countryside Campground, which is within spitting distance of I-29, last spring when I got stopped by severe winds. It’s an easy gas stop for me which is high on my list, and there’s a full hook-up campground for $25/night. I was set up for the night by 1:00 in the afternoon with only about 150 miles traveled, but I’m just not comfortable driving in high winds. At least there’s no snow in the forecast for tonight.
I’ve looked at several forecasts for tomorrow, and I’m hoping to take advantage of a very small window in the morning before the winds return to the 30 mph stage. My plan will only take me a little over 90 miles further, but at this point a little progress south is better than nothing. I just may end up at a casino to park tomorrow. Never done that before.
Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later, Judy
Nice that you had a tailwind. I wouldn't know what one felt like, I seem to always have its nasty sibling, the headwind. :c(
ReplyDeleteCan you take a photo of your errant wiper so I can maybe give you an idea of what is wrong and how to fix it? It's worth a try.
Try to get a close up of where the wiper clips on to the arm.
ReplyDeleteI love a tail wind, but don't get many. Good luck with the wiper think. I had one do the same thing in a heavy rain. pull off the next exit and "fixed it", for about an hour. But by then the rain was letting up. Then had it replaced for the second time in about two weeks. I guess I should be glad it lasted that long. LOL
ReplyDeleteI hate driving in high winds; I'm still getting used to my Class A and it leans when there's a high wind. Seems like you did pretty well, though, you didn't have to stop in some god-foresaken place and got to where you'd intended to stop. Hope things work out with the wipers - I don't have a clue about them but it reads like some people do - hope they help.
ReplyDelete150 miles sounds like the perfect amount to drive to me. And 90 sounds even better. Slow but sure, you'll get there. But you'll have to drive further south than Virginia if you want to miss out on lows in the upper 30's. :-(( Hope Paul can help you with the windshield wiper thing. Ruby's wipers make a ridiculous amount of noise and nothing I've done seems to stop it but that's not as bad as not having them work. Here's hoping for no more rain for either of us.
ReplyDeleteSTOP buying wipers and wiper arms that are meant for cars. Spend some time on the web and find a pair for a TRUCK. Sure, they will cost you more, but you are risking your safety by using the wrong equipment.
ReplyDeleteHere's to safe travels and no more rain till the wiper gets fixed!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you got as far as you did. Good luck moving a little further south each day.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you got off the road. We just don't do wind if we can help it. But I know you have to get south and out of the cold weather. We stay at a lot of casinos. I'm sure you'll find other RV's there. We've never stayed at any casino where we've been all by ourselves. Stupid wiper. Hopefully Paul will have some ideas for you. He's pretty good with stuff.
ReplyDeleteJust stay safe...that is all that is important.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are traveling along and glad you found some respite from the wind. It is so great to see all the blogger family out and rolling southward again. Love reading about all of it this time of year. Short days are really really nice, as we found out on our last trip.
ReplyDeleteI only drive as long as I am comfortable then I quit as soon as I find somewhere to pull over. I really don't like driving in the wind either. Hope that wiper problem gets solved
ReplyDeleteSlow and easy saves the day!!
ReplyDeleteJust thought you might like to know we had a fair amount of snow this morning, didn't last long though. Tomorrow we are forecasted for 2-3" and it just might last a while! I am glad you got out of DL before it got here. Take care. Jo and the Petz
ReplyDeleteSounds like you got out of there in the nick of time! Hope Paul can help you with the wiper.
ReplyDeleteThat is 150 miles down. Safe travels. Hope you get a nice tail wind this morning.
ReplyDeleteIts too bad about the winds, but I am so happy you pull over when they get too strong. I can't imagine driving a rig like that in strong winds!! Safe travels as you make your way south.
ReplyDeletenothing wrong with inching your way along. . .arriving in one piece is the ultimate goal. . .right?
ReplyDeleteIf we get an easy campground, close to the interstate, and easy fuel, we don't really care about the price. Sometimes easy trumps cheap. Safe travels.
ReplyDeleteHope you get those windshield wipers fixed properly as you don't want to be paying for a whole new windshield that's for sure. Stay safe and out of the wind while driving, o.k.
ReplyDeleteI hate driving in the wind, especially a headwind. It just makes for a long day. Your wiper problems sounds oh-so frustrating. I hope that someone can get it straightened out for you.
ReplyDeleteInch worm, inch worm....Safe travels Judy.
ReplyDeleteI think truck wipers and having someone install them..Maybe a truck stop with a repair bay and a garage..it would be worth whatever it costs for your safety ...and peace of mind..I really don't mind "inching along"..you see more and can flip off the drivers that pass you on the ride... ;-)
ReplyDeleteWe don't like wind either. Great call on getting off the road. Be safe out there!
ReplyDeleteYou and I waited too long. Now we are having to choose between winds and cold. At least your furnace is working; I hope, I hope. I haven't been rained on yet this trip but I forgot where my light switch is and turned on my wipers trying to tell a truck he could pull back into my lane and let those bozos hurry by him.
ReplyDeleteWind is tough, but you are tough. You are smart to avoid high winds. Windshield wiper problems are blood pressure problems. Careful and safe, you're in my prayers
ReplyDeleteI like over-nighting at casinos. There are always other people around so I feel really safe, and they often have great restaurants and buffets.
ReplyDeleteAfter driving in those high winds this spring and wrecking my hands, I'll never do that again. It took five or six months until my thumb would bend again and my middle finger still gives me problems. I'm glad you got off the road. Better safe than sorry. :)
Hi Judy!
ReplyDeleteI've been reading your blog for the past week or so - I started from THE BEGINNING :-D You probably wonder, "now why would she do THAT?" Well, I'm a housewife - with 2 teen boys - and sometimes living 'vicariously' through someone else is more exciting than the real deal. Anyway, I applaud your 'umph' and courage and have thoroughly enjoyed your blog - even on the days when you think it's boring!
I'm attaching this link, in case you aren't aware of it? It gives you a general idea of high/concentrated winds - and while it's current and doesn't predict the future, it MIGHT help give you an idea of what you might be driving into. Stay safe and I look forward to future posts!!
http://hint.fm/wind/
Lacy
Breaux Bridge, LA