Thursday, August 15, 2013

Charleston Bound....and Back to the Homestead

Its been a week and a day since the Boys and I left for the Journey back to Charleston, SC...First night was at Greenville, La...and thats where I left you last.
Ft. McAllister State Park...Bubba Burgers and Bonding... 

The next morning we got up about 0630, cleaned up, ate breakfast and by 0715 we where on our way West.....it was another hot day.....AC going full blast...destination today Selma Al...about 425 miles East...took l-20 until we got to the first exit in Alabama..on to US-80 and by 1500 we where checked in and putting on our swim suits for a nice needed dip in the pool.....No, you got to be kidding...its got a tarp over it...two in a row...this is beginning to smell like  a conspiracy....I go to the office and I think the bottom line is they don't feel like messing with it or spend the money to maintain...they didn't actually say that.....but that's my take on it....so we sat around, watched TV and I planned for tomorrows destination....found a Taco Bell....came back, Skyped watched more TV and by 930PM we turned off the lights and soon where in Dreamland...



Thanks Opi.....

Next morning we where up and at'em by 0700....today is a short drive...about 280 miles...great morning...not too hot yet making good time..... about 5 miles west of Montgomery Al,  #1 Gson informs me he left the Ipod game cards at the motel.....I do have options but decide to turn around and get them...its about a 45 mile drive back to Selma....so our short day is getting longer....Hour and 20 or so minutes we're back to the point that we had to turn around...with game cards in hand......

Pool time.....


Things are going smoothly for the next 3 plus hours...its getting hot...and then I notice the AC doesn't seem to be working ...its spitting out a little cold air on the passenger side but nothing on the Drivers side...I stop to get gas, cool off and when we start up it works a little better, but after 30 minutes its back to almost nothing....I thinking maybe it was a circulation problem, as the front passenger area stuffed with the Boys blankets, beach towels, wii game, etc....I stopped put all that stuff in the rear cargo area and had hopes that I had solved the problem....nope...still no cold air......pulled into a Love's Gas Station...got the kids out...went into the fast food portion....as we ate I told the Boys we had some options....stop at the nearest Motel and leave early in the morning, go to our original destination...or tough it out one last time and travel longer than planned and they could be home tonight... it was unanimous...let's get home tonite...total miles to Charleston was 525.... we had about 330 left.....I bought several bottles of water and GatorAde and off we went.....


We're hungry...again

Having fun at the Zoo
We rolled into the driveway around 530pm...parents where at a retirement function...I had called them and informed them we would be arriving this day rather than the next day (Saturday).....we unloaded the car and I also repacked with stuff from the camper that I left here when I did some reconfiguring...

Horst Kelly Photographer


Shoot me out of the Cannon


 


Daughter and SIL got home around 630pm ...we ate, chatted, and revisited the entire journey. I decided to try and get to a Nissan Dealership early tomorrow(one had a service dept. open on Saturday)...went to bed early and woke at about 0300 hours...wide awake...so I got on the computor and did some reading on my AC problem..only concern is that there is a possibility of coolant getting into the transmission fluid....I'm thinking thats not a good thing to happen.....told daughter and SIL that either I'd get it fixed and they would have me for the day or more... or get a OK from mechanic to head home....Hugs and kisses where exchanged....had some special time with the Boys and then I was off...Arrived at the  Nissan Dealership 0800 sharp...told me they couldn't take me until Monday...however  in all likelihood its a "no harm no foul" mishap...ok to drive back to Texas....oh there is a small chance of the coolant mixing with the transmission fluid....however if you don't feel any gear slippage, just keep going.....
Naval Air Museum

Sooo...my decision....called Daughter and said Good-bye...I'm heading home...I babied the AC for two days...ran it for 15 minutes and turned it off for half hour...it was always blowing out "ice cold" air...the last day I ran it full blast and never had a problem....I will take it in to have it checked, however think it froze up do to the stuff crammed in the front passenger seat... early Monday afternoon I was pulling into the driveway...a WARM welcome home from the bride...have been in a "crash mode" since then.....its now Thursday pm(15 August).....

I will write a summary of the trip this weekend....the Good, the Bad, the Ugly...though there wasn't any of the latter two...just "Good and Gooder"..LOL....I thank all of you that took the time to follow this adventure and those that left those positive comments....Happy Trails to all...
The End.......Horst Sends

14 comments:

  1. Ol' Murphy climbed on board there in Selma when you weren't looking. You managed to sneak out of town on Saturday without him knowing, as he just knew you were going to still be around on Monday. Glad everything worked out for you and those grands. All about making memories, and you have given them some great ones.

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    1. I figure if Ol' Murphy doesn't come at least once each trip, it isn't a successful Adventure....There where a lot of GREAT memories for me....I am glad I was able to do this....Thanks for following along....hope Wanda's Mother is on the mend!!..Take care ...Horst sends

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  2. Get some rest. It is only two months before the desert is ready for playing in it again.

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    1. I've already told the Bride a "Solitude Adventure" is in the making in the November/December timeframe...its just too hot to do anything right now...plus I got some projects that I need to tackle here....maybe another winter Big Bend trip....and meeting up with the "OFM"...I'm enjoying following your current adventure...Horst sends

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  3. All good things have to come to an end I suppose but those sweet boys and YOU will never forget this journey. A great follow...I'm thinking a photo book for each for Christmas would be the best gift ever! Happy R&R...

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    1. You are so right...with the memories the voyage never ends.......and I like the Christmas idea....going through all the photo's will be a full time job....Down time is definitely whats happening right now...Enjoying following your Guys Full Time Journey...Horst sends

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  4. What an amazing journey you and the boys had together!! Memories that will be cherished forever. I think Jerry C called it...Murphy came visiting there at the end of the journey!! Get some rest and thanks for letting us tag along with you guys!! :-)

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    1. Thanks for stopping by.....it has been a Great adventure on many different levels.....did not realize that you folks have a Blog....So I'm going to add it to my Blog list and follow your Travels and Adventures....Hope all is going well with you new setup...Take care ..Horst sends

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  5. Glad that you were able to survive the heat and humidity! AC going out in August in the south sure sounds like a nightmare to me!

    Enjoy the downtime.....adventure awaits around the corner!

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    1. I'm glad the "hiccup" came at the end of the adventure vs. the beginning...I am trying to get use to the "quiet"...but still checking on the Boys as they sleep to insure they are alright....and then realizing they are not there...lol....hoping you Guys are enjoying the trip back home and some down time in Colorado!!!...Take care...Horst sends

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  6. Horst, I can't believe I missed your adventure. Just looked up your blog and have it bookmarked now.

    Better late than never, I guess.

    Your header photos is amazing. I thought it must be a painting when I first saw it. The colors and shapes are gorgeously surreal. And the old barn has a nostalgic warmth instead of looking forsaken or abandoned. WOW!

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    1. Oops, header photo, not photos. Not sure whether Murphy hit the brain or the keyboard. :D

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    2. Thanks for stopping by....and the kind words on my Header Photo...sometimes it all comes together...it is a Mormon Barn in the Tetons...about 100 years old...I spent 2 + months in the Northwest last summer...talk about solitude....great trip....Have a great weekend...Horst sends

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  7. Dad, a wonderful adventure that the boys still talk about to anyone who will listen. I think they had the best summer vacation, ever! I am getting used to the noise again, the quiet was difficult to get used to when you first departed. Thanks to you and Omi for taking such great care of them and giving them memories for a lifetime!

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