Things can only get better!!

[PNW Judy]

I've often thought a device like the clapper where, when you clap, an alarm goes off to help you find your keys, would be a good invention.

Glad you found 'em.

I recently lost my key/remote (all in one, not detached from each other like most cars). How? I was walking the dogs and thought my pocket was too shallow to keep my key safe so I tuck it in my bra. Then I realize this isn't very safe either and remember that the little container on the leash for doggie-doo-doo pick up bags has an extra little pocket for things like a key. But I get distracted and forget to move it, and didn't even think of it again until I got back to the car with no key. That was the end of that key. It could be anywhere in the 25 acre field we criss-crossed all over. Even a clapper-device wouldn't help with that.

Oh, man, Tony! I'm glad you found your hotel and didn't have to curl up on the floor at the airport. :)

[Lifemagician]

14th June, 2009

By now I have driven well over 70.000 miles across North America, on my four visits, with not so much as a flat tyre. So I guess I was due for it!

This morning, six miles south of Delta Junction AK, driving on Hwy 2 - Alaska Highway - the engine of the Dodge suddenly cut out. In vain I steered as far as I could, off the road and out of danger, but the shoulder was narrower than my vehicle.

After the initial trying to restart, panic and "now what?", I got out my AAA card - quietly said a prayer of gratitude to my friend who gave it to me - and made the call. Never before have I been so grateful to see that there was phone coverage.

While on the phone to the lovely lady a State trooper came by and enquired what the problem was. When I mentioned that I was low on fuel - but by no means out of fuel - he asked where I had been and went on to suggest that I possibly had contaminated fuel. He managed to restart the engine and I was on my way again.... for less than 2 miles, when it cut out again.

The same lovely lady at the AAA went on to arrange a tow and wanted to know exactly where I was; the nearest intersection, etc. On the Alaska Highway there ain't no intersections! Neither was there a milepost within sight. I kept telling her I was now about 4 miles south of Delta Junction on Hwy 2.

And then it dawned on me... I have a GPS. This invaluable little gadget showed that I was 64 degrees north and 145 degrees west. It may be a pretty useless gadget at times, but right at this moment it paid for itself twice over. It became the most valuable tool in my disabled camper.

The AAA follow up was fantastic, just to update me (it will be about 2 - 3 hours) and to make sure I was OK.

The towtruck driver called as well, a friendly chap who had to come from Fairbanks. When he heard that Fairbanks is where I was headed, he suggested he may as well take me all the way.

He had a great sense of humour too. When he asked if I was alone, I responded by asking if he felt we needed a chaperone. It was good to have a laugh.

I settled down to wait, made a cup of tea and something to eat, and then buried myself in my book. Most of this time it was raining, and I was comfortably seated on my mattress, with the rear of the car open.

It was around two hours later that I heard the tell tale beeping of a truck reversing. It was now more than three hours since the problem started. As releaved as I was to see him, it is a heartbreaking sight to see your mode of transport loaded on to the 'stretcher' to be taken to car hospital.

It was well over 100 miles back to Fairbanks, and almost three hours till I finally got to my accommodation, the GoNorth Hostel in Fairbanks. Chatting with Walter, my driver, he seemed to think that it sounded more like a fuel pump than contaminated fuel.

So here I am, in Fairbanks, thankful that I did not end up in Delta Junction. Tomorrow, Monday, I will find out what the damage is... what it will all cost. Meanwhile I am working out my finances to see if I can still afford to get to the Arctic. And until I hear tomorrow, there is absolutely nothing I can do about it.

The one thing which really surprised me about this experience is, that of all the dozens if not hundred cars which passed during more than three hours, only five (besides the trooper) stopped to enquire if I was alright. Well, two stopped, and the other three I waved on and signalled that I was OK.

Lifey trying to remain positive in Fairbanks

[Southwest Dave]

Hey Lifey,

I got my fingers [and everything else] crossed for you that it's something easily [and cheaply] fixed.

Dave, struggling to type while fingers crossed ;-)

[glc]

Lifey, if you are planning on going up the Dalton, you need at least 2 full size spare tires and the ability to change them. Due to the possibility of snow and ice even in June, I'd question the wisdom of trying to drive that minivan up there, you should either take a tour or rent a suitable vehicle. The odds of flying rock and gravel damage are pretty great, and you will be sharing the road with large trucks that won't slow down for anything. There is virtually NO communication on that road, and services are extremely scarce.

[Lifemagician]

That is why I am not sure if I can still afford it..... the tour is $1000+. It was going to be my birthday present to me - LOL

Will need to see what the mechanic says today. I have never considered driving it!

[glc]

If they have a slot available, the Dalton Highway Express is $442 round trip, with about $240 for a room in Deadhorse.

[Lifemagician]

I have the choice of taking a shuttle without commentary or anything else - leaving at 5am and getting back at midnight the next day, and making my own arrangement for the stay overniight in Deadhorse.

Or bein part of a three day tour, flying to Deadhorse, with a guide conducted two day road trip back - including side trips, and overnigbhting in Deadhorse and Coldfoot (I think).

The latter at least sounds like value for money!

[Lifemagician]

Hey Lifey,

I got my fingers [and everything else] crossed for you that it's something easily [and cheaply] fixed.

Dave, struggling to type while fingers crossed ;-)

Well, I guess it was not something which would be cheaply fixed... up here nothing is cheap. However, it was neither the $400 I had hoped, nor the $1200 I had feared.... but $800, the middle ground. Just hope they take Visa.

As for easily!! Well, there is not a fuel pump in town, in fact he ordered it late today from.... wait for it.... Oregon! Hopes it comes in before the end of the week. :-(

On a brighter note... have booked onto a trip to Prudhoe Bay... none of those mentioned above. This is a three day driving tour:
Day 1 to Wiseman
Day 2 to Prudhoe Bay and the waters of the Arctic Ocean and back to Wiseman
Day 3 back to Fairbanks
for $725, not including meals... 19th - 21st June.

Public transport is almost non-existant here, and a taxi to downtown is $15, so I guess I will have a chance over the next few days to catch up on the backlog of everything else.

Lifey who took some time to accept her fate :-)

[Lifemagician]

All good things come to an end.... and last night it was my much used and valued 12 volt cooler. When I returned from dinner, I noted that the outside near the motor was very very hot - too hot to touch, and when I opened it, I noticed that the contents were not extremely cold.

So after faithfully serviing me through three and a half long trips, it has gone where all good little coolers go, and I am left to resort to ice.

Lifey - taking bets on what will go next