How to Find the Nicest People

For a while now we have been smelling diesel around the engine when we have stopped.  I had an appointment at Southern Oregon Diesel to have our rig serviced and the source of the smell diagnosed.  I had looked at the engine and I could not find anything. The other day we noticed that it was getting worse (drips under the coach). So yesterday we were pulling out for Oregon and I decided to pull into the rest area at Shasta Lake.  Well the fuel was pouring out. A decision was made to turn around and go to Cummins West back in Redding, that was the best thing we could have done. We lost several gallons of fuel in the 15 mile drive, the rear of the coach was covered, as well as the “Pod Racer”.  Just as we turned into their parking lot the engine started to miss, and I knew we never would have made it more than another 15 miles north and we would have had to be towed to a shop.

The nice folks at Cummins were able to get us in right away, the leak was found to be a fitting that had vibrated loose, and was simply screwed back on and tightened.  While there I had them do the service so I wouldn’t have to stop again in Roseburg.  If we had been towed to another shop we could have been at their mercy and had to pay whatever they wanted, probably more than the $285.00 Cummins charged. I had fears of the injector pump going out and that costs around $1700.00 plus 5 or 6 hours of labor.

That said we have sure been fortunate to find some very capable and honest people when we have had problems, so if you want to find some of the nicest people just break down in Redding and come to Cummins West.

We wound up staying the night in Redding at the Green Acres RV Park, and will be heading out shortly for the Seven Feathers RV Resort in Canyonville, OR, and then home on Wednesday.

Sorry I never thought to take any pictures.

More Later,

Rich

Long Time No Post

We have been plagued with poor internet service for a long time now, so posting was not an option or too slow.

We are currently headed for home and are in Patterson, CA for two nights then it’s off to Redding and then over the pass into Oregon early next week.

Debbie and Jerry are traveling with us and we have had some great times together. One of the highlights was a trip to Death Valley, there is sure some rugged scenery there.

Here is the lowest point in the US, (click on the picture to enlarge the sign).

The Sea Level sign was way up the side of the mountain.

They have an interesting museum with artifacts from the 20 mule team borax mining days.

Get up on a high spot and you can see forever.

There is wildlife down here this guy was looking for a handout.

Another trip we took was to the Salton Sea south of Palm Springs this is also an area below sea level but not quite as low. The Salton Sea is –227 ft. while Death Valley is –282 ft.

The Salton Sea is a lake with fish and birds. Everything was camera shy that day so no pictures, sorry.

Our Palm Springs stay was very enjoyable, as was Pahrump. A five day stay there was extended to eleven waiting on some weather to pass, we had hoped to see Pam and Steve in Reno but gave up that idea because we didn’t want to travel in what looked to be some winter weather (freezing temps, and the possibility of snow showers). So we headed west to extend our sunny warm weather for a few days. That brings us to the Kit Fox RV Park in Patterson, we are well off the freeway and we are enjoying the green hills, it’s good to see green again.

More Later,

Rich