Where the heck did summer go?

Do you ever feel like you fell asleep and woke up 3 months later?

It’s Labor Day Weekend 2023 and that’s exactly how I feel.

I swear we just celebrated Memorial Day.

The months between Memorial Day and Labor Day are a blur but I remember the past couple of weeks quite well.

The Week Before Last…

We had a brief but excruciating heat wave.

I seem to have adjusted to hot and somewhat humid weather but this heat wave was extremely hot and unbearably humid.

On Wednesday…

I spent the morning and early afternoon at my campsite in the high heat and humidity.

Tidbit: There’s no air conditioning in my home on wheels. The van has AC when I’m driving but the home portion does not have AC.

My Aunt had a 3pm doctors appointment and asked me to go with her.

It will be nice to be in air conditioning – even if only briefly.

At The Doctor’s Office…

I can’t cool down.

After 10 minutes in the air conditioned waiting room… I was still overheated.

The office staff were concerned and brought me water.

With cool water and more fanning… I began to cool down.

After My Aunt’s Appointment…

I decide it might be best to go to a hotel for a couple days.

Tomorrow (Thursday) is supposed to be worse than today but it should start cooling down on Friday.

With my MCS, tolerating the hotel fumes isn’t easy but my choice boils down to the lesser of 2 evils.

Also During That Week…

I discover the coolant in the van is empty. I’m no expert but I know coolant is important to keep a vehicle running properly!

At the campground, I ask a friend what I need to look for when buying coolant. I also ask him to verify that it was my coolant tank and not something else (just in case I was wrong).

At the nearest gas station, I purchase a jug of coolant and fill the tank.

That wasn’t so bad. I feel a bit more confident in my vehicular knowledge and abilities now (haha).

My goal for the day is going to Freeport for groceries.

In Freeport, I check the coolant level… and it was low.

Wasting no time, I call the auto shop. They said bring it right in!

Just As I Pull In To The Auto Shop Garage…

Bells start ding-ding-dinging.

I notice a wrench light lit up on the dashboard.

Thankfully this happened right at the auto shop!

I ask the Service Guy to add this to the list of things to check.

After What Seems Like Hours…

The Service Guy gives me the news.

The coolant tank is cracked and needs to be replaced. It would take a day or two to get the part.

The wrench light was due to the fuel pump. But… since I’m not having any issues starting the van or keeping it running… he said not to worry about it.

Until this point I was in a pretty positive mood.

I absolutely do not like being told not to worry about a warning light displaying on my dash. If it’s something I’m not supposed to worry about what’s the purpose of the lights???

But I can’t let this destroy my day… so onward I go!

As I Leave The Auto Shop…

I turn the key and Bella starts right up.

But I notice the wrench light turned into an engine light.

I head back inside to talk to the Service Guy. He said the wrench and engine light are the same thing and, since I’m not having any issues starting or driving AND as long as the light isn’t flashing, not to worry about it.

I need to trust what the Expert’s tell me, right?

On Thursday…

After filling the coolant tank, I head to Freeport to take care of a few things.

It’s a nice morning so I take the backroads for a change of scenery.

A favorite thing to do while in Freeport is… grab a Starbucks or a coffee from Higher Grounds and go to Flagstaff Hill in Krape Park.

On Flagstaff Hill, I listen to the birds, watch people walk their dogs, talk to passersby and/or walk one of the paved walking paths scattered about the park.

It’s Time To Leave the Park…

I turn the ignition key and put the van in drive.

Bella moves forward about a foot before she stops in her tracks.

Turning the key again did absolutely nothing.

Taking a deep breath… hoping to inhale some confidence… I pop the hood and get out of the van.

I lift the hood and prop it open (as if I know what I’m doing). Then, I attempt to see what I can see.

Hmm… I definitely need some windshield wiper fluid but that wouldn’t cause Bella to clunk out.

The coolant leaked a little but was still just above the MINIMUM line. But, to be safe, I’ll top it off.

Back in the driver’s seat, it’s time to figure out a plan.

Out of habit, I turn the ignition key and Bella starts right up.

I’m not taking any chances. I’m heading straight to the auto shop!

At The Auto Shop (Again)…

The Service Guy greeted my by name and said the coolant tank arrived.

After telling him my newest dilemma, he searched for fuel pump so I could get this taken care of today.

But… alas… it had to be ordered.

The fuel pump would arrive tomorrow (Friday).

Friday Morning…

I haul my belongings from my hotel room to the van. It’s still a bit humid but noticeably cooler.

As I put stuff away in the van I secretly hope the van starts when I turn the key.

Bella only needs to go 3.3 miles to the auto shop where she’ll be fixed up, good as new.

I turn the ignition key and breathe a sign of relief as Bella starts right up.

I’m home free!

A Quarter Mile Down The Road…

I was reminded never to count your chickens before they hatch.

Just after turning on to the 2 lane highway… Bella begins to sputter.

I pull onto the paved shoulder of the highway and… a couple sputters later… Bella completely clunks out.

I wait a few minutes and turn the key.

Bella kinda-sorta starts but she won’t stay running.

The Only Option…

It’s time to call a tow truck.

I haven’t used AAA for a few years but I know everything is done via the app.

Tidbit: I use the AAA Plus RV plan because I want the added benefits.

After fumbling with the app for a few minutes… my plea for help went through.

Not even a minute later, the tow truck company called me to confirm.

Climbing Mt Everest…

I didn’t realize I’d have to climb Mt Everest this morning!

The passenger seat of the tow truck/semi is an awful LONG ways up there.

My hip was out of place (which isn’t uncommon). I’ve been meaning to get it fixed but haven’t had time to get to the chiropractor.

Climbing the mountainous side of the tow truck/semi… with steps that seem like they’re 2 feet apart with 3 inches of footing… I finally reach the summit and, with a sigh of relief, plop into the passenger seat.

The climb wasn’t easy. I had to maneuver body parts I didn’t remember I had in ways I didn’t think I could maneuver.

But I wasn’t giving up!

On The Way To The Auto Shop…

The Tow Truck Driver and I talked about living in a condo on the beach (not living together – just that we both would love beachfront living).

We were talking so intently that he missed the turn to the auto shop.

We had to take a detour but I found humor in the situation!

Finally At The Auto Shop (Again)…

Climbing out of the tow truck… down Mt Everest… isn’t as difficult as it was going up.

The auto shop gave me a loaner vehicle because I was taking my Aunt to another appointment that afternoon (she needed a chauffer for this appointment).

I left Bella in good hands and took my Aunt to her appointment.

Parting Thoughts…

After 2 days of extreme heat and humidity… the cooler weather finally set in. I can tolerate more heat and humidity than I have in the past but I learned I still have my limits.

After a few days of back-n-forth with the auto shop… and parting with $1,300… Bella is running great!

Later this month I’ll celebrate my 6th decade on this earth (I bet you didn’t realize I was that young!). Even with age and health challenges, I somehow found the gumption to climb into a big tow truck.

Sometimes when it rains, it pours. But a sense of humor helps and I’m glad to be on the other side of it!

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