Scott and the Wooden Spoon
What would a trip in our RV be without a story? It seems like that’s when I’m most prolific. Love driving down the highway and tapping away on my Lenovo. Look up and around. Think. What do I want to remember? What might make me chuckle when I re-read later? Smile. Sip of coffee. Thinking.
5-5-24 Travel Journal Notes 1st Installment. I don’t know if there will be more installments than this; but just in case, I’ll call this the 1st Installment.
Background: Always good to lay the groundwork, right? It’s been one “hella” (you heard me. One HECK) of a winter for “Scooter” aka Scott and me. I rarely, if ever call him that. It’s an old high school nickname from his football coach and I didn’t know him them; but it’s kind of cute and funny. It makes me smile so I’ll toss it in. Scooter has a knack for giving me writing material.
Scott and I just had 4 full months of some rather concerning health hiccups (my attempt to downplay them). I’ll spare the details that we’d rather forget anyway. We did our best and mostly succeeded to literally hide our problems and make the best of warm Florida weather. Some people even questioned whether we were “making it all up” because we became quite skillful at dressing up and “putting lots of lipstick on the pig,” as the saying goes. Some people were curious and would like to know the “nitty gritty.” It was mutually frustrating that half the time or more we didn’t even know the “nitty gritty.” A lot of unknowns. A lot of uncertainties.
Fast forward to today. We optimistically are putting this behind with resolve to go to our quiet happy places for final healing. We know the future has some questions; but how is that different from anyone else’s lives? We will be taking a respite to the Blue Finn resort in northern Minnesota mid-June and going fishing on Lake of the Woods with a guide out of Baudette, MN mid-July. What are the chances we’ll have more experiences to write about? Life is and will be good. Strangers have often told us in the past that we’re “such a cute couple.” That speaks to the demeanor we hope to re-kindle. Count our blessings!
Okay—here’s the rest of the story for my May 5, 2024 Travel Journal Installment which begins actually a week or so before. You might recall that I have a motto about owning and traveling in an RV. “It’s always something.” And by that, it’s usually not something good. Time to get ready for our trip home.
Check the RV. Ooops. Rear dual tire low again. Back to the place that did the January repair. The leak was a bugger to find and ended up being the stem, which I guess is common for aluminum rims. There’s a different type of stem recommended that we’ll probably research and consider further. This repair place is a gem in Naples, Florida where things seem extra expensive. After all their time and effort, it only cost $40.00.
5-4-24: Started loading the motorhome and decided it would be easier and roomier to put the slide out so that the fridge door opens fully. The slide won’t go out! Try again. The slide won’t go out. Tried again. Tried again. It won’t budge for than 1-2 inches. Our murphy bed is on the slide. This is a must for our trip!! We tried rocking it. A little in and a little out. A little in and a little out. Still won’t extend. May Day! May Day!
Scott: Sylvia, you push the button to extend while I go out and try to tug at it a bit.
Me: Sure
Scott: Screaming at the top of his lungs. STOP, STOP, STOP, STOP!!!!!
Me: I am! I Did! I Did!!
Scott: You smashed my fingers!!!!
Me: Oh boy. Oh boy. Oh boy. That must hurt. I don’t see blood. Are you okay? Your fingers don’t look flat. What should I do?
Scott: You smashed my fingers!!!
Me: I’m so sorry. I don’ see any cuts. Do you want ice? Do you want heat? Do you want Advil? What do you need? Let’s hug. That will help!
Help! Help! Now what should we do on a Saturday afternoon with plans to leave Sunday morning? We wondered if the rubber seal on the slide was stuck from sitting in the Florida heat for the last several months.* Scott found a handy, dandy flat wooden spoon thingy that he gently and carefully slid between the rubber seal and the motorhome. Miracle of miracles, it worked. Scott flexed the slide’s muscles a few times and in and out it went again like a champ. Scott and the flat wooden spoon saved the day! We are grateful. Counting our blessing we’ll be able to get started tomorrow without further ado.
No further ado that is, after checking our “Leaving Florida” spreadsheet reminder list. And checking it twice. It had 49 reminders (I KID YOU NOT) on it and that didn’t include food and clothing reminder items. A bit overwhelming, eh?
*Note to self: Add check slide mechanics to reminder list and remember to check prophylactically while in storage in the future. Just another reminder like starting the engine, running the generator and rooftop air, and checking tire pressures periodically.
P.S. I just read this story out loud with proper expression and dramatic effect to Scott while he’s driving down the road. When it came to the “smashed fingers” part, I started laughing OUT LOUD, the kind where your tummy jiggles. He was laughing, too; but rest assured it was not SO funny when it was happening.
P.P.S. And if this story doesn’t make you want to post a comment… The “Submit a Comment” section currently resides below the “Privately Contact Syllee” Box. Your thoughts would be much appreciated. Please and thank you.
Keep the stories coming!! Our slide also would open or slide and the end of the summer so I think it’s new batteries we need!
The slide has been a periodic “glitch.” When we bought it new, it was a bugger. It turned out to be a loose wire that actually runs at the back underneath the bathroom sink. We were sternly told not to store anything in that open space Also make sure you are not storing heavy items on the side of the slide, so it gets too tired to move.
Thank you very much for the story writing encouragement! I’ll write something in the future about my friend Mary Toth and you’ll understand my appreciation.
The slide has been a periodic “glitch.” When we bought it new, it was a bugger. It turned out to be a loose wire that actually runs at the back underneath the bathroom sink. We were sternly told not to store anything in that open space Also make sure you are not storing heavy items on the side of the slide, so it gets too tired to move.
Our dually tire flattened too—the stem.
Very funny.
Very true to RV-ers woes.
Sometimes I’m very private; but when it comes to these travel stories, I can’t help but share and be transparent sometimes. If we can’t laugh at ourselves…..It’s all part of our adventures and journey.
Thank you very much for reading and commenting.
Sylvia, just read your email as I sit waiting for a new set of tires on my Malibu, getting ready to head South soon to my lot 3038 in Crystal Lake.
Gave me a good laugh! I have 5 slides on my new Montana that I have on my lot, believe me, been thinking a LOT if they will go out !!!
By the way, I purchased your pickles, “delicious !!!
Oveta Flint (Kathy)
Thank you Oveta for appreciating the story. Call on us if you need help with your slides. We’ve had enough experience; but each time seems to be a different set of circumstances. I would recommend “exercising” them occasionally though. The Florida heat can be tough on them. Hope to see you at Crystal Lake for the 2025 season.
Reminds me of a flowchart I saw years ago, most of which isn’t fit for a public post. “Does it move? Y/N. Should it? Y/N. etc. Y answers lead to “No Problem” Most N answers lead to variants of vulgarities. Bottom Line: If you can’t fix it with WD-40 and / or Duct Tape, throw it out. Using a hammer to drive a nail can be done fairly easily by most people. Only using a hammer, and only to drive a nail, is called “functional fixedness.” Using a tire iron, a 2×4, or a heavy boot requires more creativity. Wooden spoons can be used to prevent boil-overs, and to urge recalcitrant motor home sliders to “slide” as they’re meant to. A previous use, to administer discipline (now called “excessive corporal punishment”) is generally frowned upon.
Most minor if temporarily painful injuries can be joked about much later, although more often by the injurer than by the injuree.
Most illnesses not leading to fatality are fit for public discussion. Exceptions to this involve issues with the more gross private bodily functions more appropriately dealt with by medical professionals and / or very patient and loving significant others. ‘Nuff said.
Looking forward further adventures. “On the Road” made Jack Kerouac a household name (at least in some households) so maybe Syllee may someday join him.
Thanks, Kevin, for your comments, especially the suggestion to connect with Jack Kerouac. Maybe I’ve ignored a call from him thinking it was one of those annoying spam calls. Yes, I bet that’s it. I’m sure he’s waiting for my return call. Big Wink!
Good to see the two of you having some happy adventures. You deserve it! As a fellow RV owner, I know exactly what you mean! Nothing can go smooth but you always find a way! Enjoy your travels!
Hello Amy! It is a sweet surprise to hear from you and learn that you’ve had some RV adventures, too. Glad our pain (LOL) stimulated your reply. I’ve thought of you often and wondered how things were going for you, too. I’d love to catch up more some time.
I used to own a camper an and raveled the entire US except for Oregon, Alaska and obviously, Hawaii. At first I thought how lucky I was to have no problems. Then I started to remember things like the blown tire, the vacuum hose coming loose in the engine compartment, the leaking roof, etc.
It all brings back good memories that I had with the wife and kids. It also makes me laugh to think that my friend just bought an used RV and commented “life is wonderful”. Yes it may be wonderful, but expect pitfalls and the unexpected along for the ride.
P.S. I loved that camper van even if my kids named it “The Pink Flamingo”.
P.P.S. In a grocery store there was a sign by the cashier. Don’t drink and drive. Of course, my daughter pipes up and says, “Dad, you do that all the time”. The female cashier looked stunned until I responded that the sign refers to refers to alcoholic beverages, not Pepsi. Fond memories!
Fun to get to learn something more about you and your travel escapades, Don. Who knew? Thank you for your reply and chance to get to know you better, all precipitated by my brave story telling. Much appreciated!
Take care of yourself and Kate. We’ll look forward to seeing you in 2025.
Judy H: We’re funny, eh? Funny after the fact, that is! Other people take it all in stride. We do, too, except I write a story about it and try to make a good/funny memory. I keep wondering as we get older what our memory will be like. And wondering if our memories seriously fail us, will my stories jog our memories? What if we develop dementia or Alzheimer’s, will these stories help? What do you think?
From Lauren F: We were on a trip with grandkids, visiting National Parks. We stopped overnight In Chamberlain, SD. Our Newmar diesel pusher locked up with hydraulic jacks down & slide outs extended. The nearest RV service was in Sioux Falls, SD, and they could not come for 3 days. The kids hit the pool, & Mary Ellen went downtown to pick up a few things. She mentioned our plight to a local druggist and he said “ just a minute “. He called a friend who owned a large trucking firm on the outskirts of town. The friend immediately sent his electrician over. Long story short, he traced all circuitry , corrected a problem in about 10 minutes. No skinned knuckles , no wooden spoon. I tried to pay the owner, but he declined. Just wanted to help a traveler. So we sent him a nice gift later. I could write a book on our RV experiences. A friend did.
Lauren F: I’m thrilled to hear from you and your experience in S. D. Memories. Memories. We had a very similar experience outside of Denver heading back to MN. A nice young couple helped us, and the bill was not very substantial. When we got home, I wrote a letter to the editor of their local newspaper asking that our expression of gratitude to one of their citizens be published. I’ll see if I can dig that story up and send to you.
In the meantime, did you see our 2022 RV story coming back from Montana through North Dakota? https://www.sylleecreations.com/its-always-something-an-alfred-hitchcock-horror-movie-scene/