Good News

The truck has been repaired! In fact we picked up the truck at 9 AM. As we predicted, it was the turbo-charger. The receipt said the turbo seized. After paying a good sized ransom for the repair, we hooked  truck to fiver and headed east. 

Tonight we are in Declo, Idaho,  between Twin Falls and Pocatello, in a campground by the Snake River. Yes, it's the same Snake River that's near our home in WY. We will arrive home one day later than planned and then we will spend a couple of nights at our space in the local campground as we do not have water in our house. We will get water on Monday. 

In Elko

The dreaded break-down happened. And it happened at one of the worst possible spots! We were driving thru Emigrant Gap, one of 2 high passes on I-80, when we heard a pop and a squeal. We've heard that pop and squeal before, so we knew what it was...our turbo-charger died! Instead of climbing up the mountain at 55 MPH, we snailed up at 10 MPH! How embarrassing.  

We were 33 miles outside of Elko, NV inching down the road billowing great plumes of inky black smoke! And there was nothing we could do, other than inch down the road hoping we would be able to drag truck and RV to town. 

This is when iPhones earn their keep! After diagnosing the problem I searched for a Ford dealer in Elko. Gallagher Ford showed up along with a call button. I pushed the call button and immediately I was talking to the service department. I told them we were making slow progress towards Elko. Alan said they would be waiting for us.

Next step was to find a campground in Elko. For that I used an app called "RV Parks.” I searched for parks in Elko and discovered that Iron Horse RV park was right next to Gallagher Ford! I called the park and made a reservation for tonight. 

So right now we are waiting at the Ford dealer getting a diagnostic and hoping they have the part needed to repair the truck. Without the  turbo-charger we cannot tow our RV. Sure hope they have the part!

The nice folks at Gallagher and Iron Horse are helping us out as much as they can. Thank you folks!

Matilija Poppies

The last of the Matillija  poppies are blooming. I love their huge crenelated petals. I call these poppies "Marilyns" because the petals look like the skirt of the dress Marilyn Monroe wore in the "Seven Year Itch."

 We missed the rock roses but we are in time for the oleander. 

What's Wrong Here

We are home. I'm looking at "raw" pictures and I see this one. It's not been enhanced in any way. How did that extra foot get there? 

The Joys of Jet lag

I'm jet lagged! I should be asleep, but that's not happening. Instead I'm wide awake. But then I was wide awake all day too...until 3 PM, then I crashed! I asked my husband to wake me up at 5, but he crashed too. He woke me at 8:30. What to do now? We had a snack, looked at TV until we both got sleepy, but then I woke up! Typical jet lag scenario. I have a 9 hour deficit to make up. My theory of jet lag is simple. For every hour of deficit, a day is needed to recover. Therefore, in about nine days I should be back to "normal" (whatever that is). In the meantime, I'm going to fall asleep at all the wrong times. 

Is it worth it? YES! Travel is great fun and adventure and a bit of discomfort once home is a small price to pay. I'm ready for the next adventure -- in about 9 days. Look at the pretty flower and go to sleep!

Straits of Messina and Stromboli

Yesterday we went thru the narrow strait that separates Sicily from the rest of Italy. At the narrowest point, the strait is less than 2 miles wide. You get really good views of both Sicily and Italy. (BTW--the narrowest point of the strait of Hormuz is 21 nautical miles or 31.5 statute miles.)

Then as we sailed another hour we saw a volcano in the sea! It was Stromboli and it started to puff...we saw 2 white puffs of smoke and one black puff during our crossing. What is more amazing, folks live on the side of this little volcano.

Bridges in the Suez Canal

The first is a rail way/car bridge that can be swung out to meet in the middle when needed. The next is sunken...the next is the big Japanese-Egyptian that connects Asia to Africa. The last Is a pontoon bridge in case there is an attack.

More Suez

Lots of activity on the west side ... Guards, fishermen, ferry boats ... And lots of ships waiting to pass going the other direction.

More Suez

The west side of the Canal is developing, while the east side is barren sand.

Pictures

The next few posts will be pictures from the last few days.

We passed thru the Suez Canal a few days ago. It was a highlight of the 2nd leg of the voyage. Take a look! The canal is narrow and it's a one way "street." Our convoy of 14 ships is behind the tug.