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Borrego Springs, CA

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Another one of life’s little adventures

In weak moments, I sometimes long for a less exciting (or trauma filled) existence, but it usually doesn’t last long.  Yesterday was a pretty calm day, so I planned for today to be the same.  You know what they say about plans.  After sending two more faxes to Samsung this morning, I decided Emma and I should take the scenic 304 route around Arkabutla Lake.  We started out down US 51 which is four lanes with a 45 mph speed limit.  A couple of miles down the road, the car decided to stop in the middle of the road.  It was like someone was stepping on the brakes!  Didn’t have too much control over the steering, and we were very definitely coming to a quick stop!  I almost made it all the way off of the road, but not quite.  I immediately put on my emergency blinkers and tried to stop shaking long enough to figure out what the heck was going on.  Could Emma have somehow pulled up the emergency brake?…no, that was not possible.  The engine was still running, but I couldn’t go forward.  Then I noticed a loud drone that my mind finally categorized as familiar.  I checked for traffic, and then quickly jumped out of the car to run to check the front grill.

IMG_3718  IMG_3719

Sure enough, that little thingamajig on the left had fallen out.  It’s the plug for the break-away brakes when you’re towing a car behind your motorhome.  It normally attaches to your rig, so if the car breaks away, it will automatically stop.  I’ve never had it fall out before, but at least I now know that back-up braking system works.  I did find it in the middle of the road about 20-30’ back, and plugged it back in.  Phew!!

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I took this pic along the way to the lake.  The young lady in the office said route 304 really wasn’t very scenic, but I beg to differ.  Maybe it’s because she has lived her entire life in the area, or maybe it’s because I’ve spent too much time recently in parking lots, but I thought it was just like a jigsaw puzzle picture.

63 On the way to Anahuac, 201117

The weather was perfect, and the views enjoyable around the big lake.  Emma and I were able to get out and do a little walking as well.

63 On the way to Anahuac, 201119As the road wound around through the courthouse square of Hernando, MS, I noticed a farmer’s market taking place.

63 On the way to Anahuac, 201118

If you’ve been reading this blog for very long, you know that I had to stop!  Of course, I got some tomatoes, but I had difficulty choosing which little six inch homemade pie I wanted.  Caramel Apple or Pumpkin Streusel?  I finally picked the pumpkin one.  (It’s delicious!)   This is a big sweet potato growing area, but I surely didn’t need a bushel of sweet potatoes. I asked one elderly potato farmer if I could just buy two potatoes, and he decided to just give them to me. How nice was that?

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On the way back to the rig, I also stopped at the DeSoto County Historical Museum, but I think I’ll leave that for another post.  All’s well that ends well…

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

33 comments:

  1. Oh, my, that was lucky to find that pin, wasn't it??

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  2. Wow, about time that if you had to have a problem, at least you had a simple one. Makes you wonder if a spare break away pin would be a good thing to have.

    I have all kinds of spare pins and links for my tow bar but the brake pin I need to look in to.

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  3. First NO brakes, then TOO MUCH braking! What's up with that???

    Though I know it was scary and frustrating at the time, I got a big kick out of your story, Judy... "like someone was stepping on the brakes." Yep, just like that. Nice to know it works, huh?

    Your name came up (to acclaim) a couple of nights ago when we met up with Jimmy and Nickie of Out and About with Ruthie (the intrepid decrepit travelers). We all read your blog, and how we wished you were there with us so we could finally meet you! Oh, well, someday.

    Safe travels!

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  4. Choosing which pie? I don't understand what you're saying. There are two pies. No choosing.

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  5. Glad you found that pin...your luck has turned for the positive. Loved that pumpkin patch!

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  6. I ran out of gas on the freeway out in DC (gas gauge didn't work) and it was horribly scary. Glad you were able to recover the pin and safely. I agree with Good Luck Duck - two pies - no choosing.

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  7. Who needed that buzzkill? Glad you got to enjoy the day!

    Cyndi & Stumpy @ RVly Ever After

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  8. I love fall photos and I love to take a lot of fall photos. Pumpkins, mums, and produce are so cool. Glad murphy only made a brief visit today!

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  9. Holy Toledo! I'm glad you figured it out rather quickly.

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  10. That's a very strange occurrence but glad you were able to figure it out and get the pin back in.

    I think your pictures show that to be a very scenic area. Glad you had a good rest of the day and got a good pie as well.

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  11. I love your fall photos, I am partial to the pumpkin one. Don't you just love country hospitality? Giving you the sweet potatoes. Is this about it for misfortunes?

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  12. I would have been scared to death! and I'm with Roxanne... what choice?

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  13. Judy, Judy, Judy...

    Let's leave that mechanical black cloud behind you, okay? I give you credit. I don't know if I would have figured that out, but Paul and Marti are right--a spare would be a good idea.

    Loved the comments about the pies because I was thinking the same thing. I just a ran out a bit ago to get sweet potatoes to slice and bake for Jack and couldn't pass up that evil pumpkin pie that was in my way.

    Gosh, I can't wait to get on the road, again. We learn a lot when we are left to our own devices, don't we?

    Jack says to tell Emma, "Don't worry. He's usually first on the list of suspects when something goes wrong. Now how would we know how to take the emergency brake off?"

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  14. Yikes! For a minute there I thought Murphy was back. Glad it was a simple fix.

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  15. I am impressed with you -- AGAIN! I doubt I would've ever thot about the pin. Glad you are safe -- looks like you were able to have a great day, in spite of a brief visit from Mr. Murphy...LOL!

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  16. Nice catch on the pin! Foiled Mr. Murphy for sure.

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  17. two pies?..no choice buy both!..so glad you got the mystery solved with the car!..at first I thought 'oh no' here we go again..another problem for Judy!

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  18. I really think you deserved both pies!!! And I'm thankful the man gave you the sweet potatoes!

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  19. Great photos...as usual!

    So lucky that you found that pin...seems as if your luck is changing!

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  20. Yikes! Glad you were able to figure out the problem and locate the pin. I'm going to make sure we carry a spare!!!!

    If that picture is of your pin, it looks like you're missing the little rubber O-ring that fits on the key ring end. That should help it stay where it's supposed to. We recently made a trip to the hardware store to pick up a few extras for ours.

    Safe travels!!!!

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  21. Disaster averted! Enjoy your pie. I enjoyed your pictures!

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  22. Well, certainly sounds like that pin put the temporary brakes on your trip alright.

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  23. Judy...you just cannot catch a BRAKE!!!

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  24. Reading your latest scare is like being in the front seat of a roller coaster adventure novel. Glad to see you landed on your feet, again!

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  25. I'm with the Duck, two pies, two purchases. Simple to me! LOL
    Glad you got the pin sorted out and found it!
    WOW.
    Maybe your luck is turning around?

    Cheers!

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  26. Damn, girl! Is there any RV glitch you are NOT going to experience? I'm so glad you made it safely out of that one!

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  27. This comment by Paul & Mary makes the most sense to me. I guess a spare could be worth the cost but it seems like when it falls out YOU STOP so it can not be far away (you said 20-30').

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  28. We have the same kind of pin for our auxiliary brake system. However, we are not sure the braking system is working full-time. We've had that slowing and droning problem also. Now we have to figure out where to go to get the brake system (1) serviced or (2) replaced.

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  29. You must be in for some really good luck soon:) I have been told that those emergency stop pins should be tested. I have not done that yet, maybe I should:)

    Mine must be still different, it is part of the brake buddy system and as far as I know, only works the brake buddy in a breakaway.

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  30. You are some smart cookie!!! Glad you figured it out and didn't need a tow.

    Your farmer's market makes me DROOL!

    ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
    Karen and Steve
    (Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/

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  31. I loved your comment about the scenery being great when you've spent a lot of time recently in parking lots.

    You're pretty self sufficient. That's an admirable quality.

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  32. Mmmmmm love pumpkin pie and sweet potatoes. Good to know the brake works. I have always suspected it did not really do anything.

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  33. Having recent experience fixing our refer, my interest was up, and went back and read your January post, when the Samsung was installed.

    You mentioned that once they got the unit inside through the window, and set it up in the living room, they turned it on, and it was cooling.

    You didn't mention the time frame, but with refer compressors, if they are tilted or laid on their sides, the oil drains up into places it isn't meant to be. It is recommended that once it is set upright, you wait several hours before turning it on, to allow the oil to drain back down. Don't know if this is the source of your problems, but just a thought.

    Hope the repairs/replacement goes well.
    Journey39n

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