Polar Bear Trip
1 week until we leave on our 2013 Adventure. First we head to the UP of Michigan to visit a few friends in Michigamme. Then we head through Wisconsin and Minnesota to International Falls and up to Sio...
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Day 2
We travelled from St. Ignace to Michigamme, MI. The weather started as a sprinkle of rain and it rained on and off during the whole day. We had lunch along the shore of Lake Superior. It lived up to its reputation as volatile.There are numerous scenic pull outs along the shore between Munising and Marquette. We tried to get a picture of Munising City Tourist Park but we were not quick enough with the camera. It is a recommended spot to stopover but we were going to Michigamme to visit one of MaryAnnes best friends and quilting buddies.
Day 3
Relaxation Day!
MaryAnne's friend came and picked her up in the morning. Mary Anne only gets up in the early morning if a buddy is coming for her. She's not a morning person which sometimes conflicts with my schedule . I spent the day walking the dogs and finding some 32" wiper blades for the motorhome. I just happened to go past a favorite spot of ours. Huron Mountain Bread Company. A small bakery in Ishpeming. Mmmmm...DONUTS.......Cooooookies.... Muffins. Well, you see where this is leading. Two bags later, I have enough calories to last the day...maybe two.
Day 4
We left Michigamme and MaryAnne's best quilting buddy and headed for Duluth. Along the way, I was told that we needed to Christmas shop for the family. Imagine my surprise! I'm in the land of NO shopping malls and we are going Cristmas shopping. I was relieved to hear that we were headed to the Stormy Kromer store in Ironwood, MI.
I ended up buying myself a present too. A plaid Stormy Kromer Hat. Made in Michigan not two blocks from the store.
We travelled on to Duluth on Hwy 2. We are spending the night in Saginaw, MN at Ogston RV Park. Tomorrow, Canada and fishing, Yahoo!
Day 5
Well, we almost made it to Sioux Narrows . 15 miles south of where I am going to fish for a week, we broke down. As I applied the throttle, there was no response. I looked at the dash and a warning light had come on. I looked up at the road and there was this beautiful snow plow turnaround. I coasted into it and sighed. I looked at my phone and saw the dreaded "No Service". I later realized that I had Voice Roaming turned off. I unhooked the Toad and drove to our intended stop for the week. I used their phone to dial Coach-Net. They identified a Cummins facility in Kenora (75 miles North). They dispatched a tow truck from Kenora and we waited. It wasn't big enough to handle a 40 DP. The Low Boy trailer would be there the next morning. So we got comfortable and read a book and watched some recorded TV shows that I have on a wireless hard drive.
Day 6
The tow truck driver, Joe, arrived with a semi truck and a LowBoy Trailer. I wondered how we were ever going to get a 40 foot Motorhome onto it. I would find out soon enough. We assessed the situation. We would have to move the motorhome back about 30 feet if possible. It doesn't start so it would not do it under its own power. It was level area so it wouldn't roll there if we released the air brakes. We couldn't push it without damaging the front. I suggested that I pull it backwards with the CRV that was hooked up. That worked. We had to put more air in the air tank to avoid having to "cage" the brakes. Not sure of the reasoning. I'll learn that one later, I guess. We finally winched it onto the trailer with me behind the steering wheel and Joe working the winch. MaryAnne videoed it for posterity. i should be able to laugh about it in a couple of years. A pic is attached with it loaded up. We proceeded to Kenora.
The service tech, Adam, proceeded to hook the laptop to the plug under the dash. Well, it wasn't what I wanted to hear. He can't do the work here. We determine that the best move is to leave it on the trailer and bring it to Winnipeg. The first appointment that they could get was on Monday. It is Thursday. Off we go. We arrive in Winnipeg at 5:30pm and unload the coach. The people here are very understanding when they hear that this is our home for the month. Kati, the scheduler?, takes the time to point us to a local motel that allows dogs. Since their facility is locked at night, we are not allowed to stay in it. Kayti will try to hurry things along tomorrow and see if they can diagnose the problem and make sure that they have a part. Hopefully, they work that out.
Here we sit in the Comfort Inn.
Day 7
We went to the Cummins dealer to check on a timetable and were surprised to find a technician with his computer checking out the coach. He has diagnosed it to the injector pump. The nearest part is in Edmonton, Alberta. They are sending the part on the evening flight. They hope to begin the tear down process tomorrow after they have the part in their hands. This is going to get expensive. The preliminary Quote is more than 10k. I can see a fight with the extended warranty company on the horizon. The Cummins dealer will not deal with any warranties other than their own.
We are determined to turn these sour apples into apple pie. We went to "The Forks" area and walked the dogs in the park. We went to the Market there and had lunch and later a cup of coffee. MaryAnne saw a local yarn shop and spread a few "tourist dollars" to help the local economy. I think I might need a couple of cold ones tonight and just go with the flow.
Day 8
I went to the Cummins dealer to see if the part had come in on the evening flight. We have a new injector pump. They began the tear down today but will have to finish it on Monday. We'll see if it is done on Monday.
We found a local quilters show and MaryAnne was happy wander through it while I walked the dogs on a local power line road nearby. We then went to The Forks area and had lunch. We took the dogs on a walk at The park next to the Zoo. I couldn't spell the name if I tried. Assiniboine Park (I looked it up).
So ends another day of waiting to get our home on wheels back.
We travelled from St. Ignace to Michigamme, MI. The weather started as a sprinkle of rain and it rained on and off during the whole day. We had lunch along the shore of Lake Superior. It lived up to its reputation as volatile.There are numerous scenic pull outs along the shore between Munising and Marquette. We tried to get a picture of Munising City Tourist Park but we were not quick enough with the camera. It is a recommended spot to stopover but we were going to Michigamme to visit one of MaryAnnes best friends and quilting buddies.
Day 3
Relaxation Day!
MaryAnne's friend came and picked her up in the morning. Mary Anne only gets up in the early morning if a buddy is coming for her. She's not a morning person which sometimes conflicts with my schedule . I spent the day walking the dogs and finding some 32" wiper blades for the motorhome. I just happened to go past a favorite spot of ours. Huron Mountain Bread Company. A small bakery in Ishpeming. Mmmmm...DONUTS.......Cooooookies.... Muffins. Well, you see where this is leading. Two bags later, I have enough calories to last the day...maybe two.
Day 4
We left Michigamme and MaryAnne's best quilting buddy and headed for Duluth. Along the way, I was told that we needed to Christmas shop for the family. Imagine my surprise! I'm in the land of NO shopping malls and we are going Cristmas shopping. I was relieved to hear that we were headed to the Stormy Kromer store in Ironwood, MI.
I ended up buying myself a present too. A plaid Stormy Kromer Hat. Made in Michigan not two blocks from the store.
We travelled on to Duluth on Hwy 2. We are spending the night in Saginaw, MN at Ogston RV Park. Tomorrow, Canada and fishing, Yahoo!
Day 5
Well, we almost made it to Sioux Narrows . 15 miles south of where I am going to fish for a week, we broke down. As I applied the throttle, there was no response. I looked at the dash and a warning light had come on. I looked up at the road and there was this beautiful snow plow turnaround. I coasted into it and sighed. I looked at my phone and saw the dreaded "No Service". I later realized that I had Voice Roaming turned off. I unhooked the Toad and drove to our intended stop for the week. I used their phone to dial Coach-Net. They identified a Cummins facility in Kenora (75 miles North). They dispatched a tow truck from Kenora and we waited. It wasn't big enough to handle a 40 DP. The Low Boy trailer would be there the next morning. So we got comfortable and read a book and watched some recorded TV shows that I have on a wireless hard drive.
Day 6
The tow truck driver, Joe, arrived with a semi truck and a LowBoy Trailer. I wondered how we were ever going to get a 40 foot Motorhome onto it. I would find out soon enough. We assessed the situation. We would have to move the motorhome back about 30 feet if possible. It doesn't start so it would not do it under its own power. It was level area so it wouldn't roll there if we released the air brakes. We couldn't push it without damaging the front. I suggested that I pull it backwards with the CRV that was hooked up. That worked. We had to put more air in the air tank to avoid having to "cage" the brakes. Not sure of the reasoning. I'll learn that one later, I guess. We finally winched it onto the trailer with me behind the steering wheel and Joe working the winch. MaryAnne videoed it for posterity. i should be able to laugh about it in a couple of years. A pic is attached with it loaded up. We proceeded to Kenora.
The service tech, Adam, proceeded to hook the laptop to the plug under the dash. Well, it wasn't what I wanted to hear. He can't do the work here. We determine that the best move is to leave it on the trailer and bring it to Winnipeg. The first appointment that they could get was on Monday. It is Thursday. Off we go. We arrive in Winnipeg at 5:30pm and unload the coach. The people here are very understanding when they hear that this is our home for the month. Kati, the scheduler?, takes the time to point us to a local motel that allows dogs. Since their facility is locked at night, we are not allowed to stay in it. Kayti will try to hurry things along tomorrow and see if they can diagnose the problem and make sure that they have a part. Hopefully, they work that out.
Here we sit in the Comfort Inn.
Day 7
We went to the Cummins dealer to check on a timetable and were surprised to find a technician with his computer checking out the coach. He has diagnosed it to the injector pump. The nearest part is in Edmonton, Alberta. They are sending the part on the evening flight. They hope to begin the tear down process tomorrow after they have the part in their hands. This is going to get expensive. The preliminary Quote is more than 10k. I can see a fight with the extended warranty company on the horizon. The Cummins dealer will not deal with any warranties other than their own.
We are determined to turn these sour apples into apple pie. We went to "The Forks" area and walked the dogs in the park. We went to the Market there and had lunch and later a cup of coffee. MaryAnne saw a local yarn shop and spread a few "tourist dollars" to help the local economy. I think I might need a couple of cold ones tonight and just go with the flow.
Day 8
I went to the Cummins dealer to see if the part had come in on the evening flight. We have a new injector pump. They began the tear down today but will have to finish it on Monday. We'll see if it is done on Monday.
We found a local quilters show and MaryAnne was happy wander through it while I walked the dogs on a local power line road nearby. We then went to The Forks area and had lunch. We took the dogs on a walk at The park next to the Zoo. I couldn't spell the name if I tried. Assiniboine Park (I looked it up).
So ends another day of waiting to get our home on wheels back.
