#21
I’m home again in Las Cruces, drinking a glass of Chardonnay and relating my “story.” Yesterday, before leaving for Borrego Springs my transmission did act a little funny and there was a small leak. A garage looked at it and so did my neighbor. The consensus was “take some transmission fluid with you and keep an eye on it.” I wavered, thinking I shouldn’t go, and finally decided I was being “silly” - I can add transmission fluid if I need to.
Everything went smoothly until I approached Benson. I literally “coasted” down a hill on I-10 and off an exit on the east end of Benson. I called my road service and they reported it would be 1/2 hour for a tow truck. The representative told me the truck would take me to an RV park for the evening and then tow me tomorrow to a repair shop. The tow truck arrived after dark and the driver told me he was going back to get “another truck.” The facility was literally one mile away and it took him another 45 minutes. He then towed me to his repair shop, where I stayed in my RV all night listening to the train that ran beside the shop and the highway noise. OK, I listened until I took two Xanax.
This morning at 8:00 a.m. after a delicious, satisfactory, cup of Circle K coffee, I was told the mechanic would be there in twenty-five minutes of so to “access my problem.” I sat in my RV until noon, and went in to ask about my RV. The “person in charge” said he was waiting for an estimate (used and new) and would let me know. I locked my RV (Cali was in there) and went with the Enterprise agent to rent my car. (I didn’t know if he cared if I was going to transfer my dog with me, but since it was the “only game in town” I wasn’t taking any chances.
At about 2:00 p.m. I asked if the estimate had been received. Well, it had. I was told that there were no “rebuilds” and the transmission was about $4,500.00 and the labor would be another $2,000.00. The shop hadn’t examined or started my RV. (I know because I had the keys with me at all times.)
I realize I must have been remiss regarding my personal hygiene (I hadn’t had a shower yet) because I must have not washed the STUPID sign off my forehead. I promptly went across the street to an auto supply/repair shop. The “nice man” called me back on my mobile phone within a 1/2 hour and told me that a rebuilt transmission installed at his shop would be $1,900.00. He also went on to say that knew another place that specifically did transmissions that was eighteen miles away if I wanted to towed there. He said the turn around time would be faster and it would be about $100.00 less.
Needless to say, I started my RV and low and behold was able to drive it across the street. Since the previous shop had basically “ignored” me all day, and apparently thought I was really desperate, naive, stupid I didn’t feel I owed them anything. (The towing bill is automatically paid to them by the service I use.) The only “bad” news is that this person can’t begin until Monday because of the Thanksgiving holiday. So, I took my Enterprise rental car and had my first meal of the day at a KFC buffet. Not what I wanted, but my culinary choices were somewhat limited. Cali got some chicken and I got back on I-10 headed to Las Cruces. That is, until my mobile phone rang.
The “evil” towing company said that I owed them a “diagnostic fee” (they didn’t even look at my RV) and were going to call the police if I didn’t show up in twenty minutes. I did show up - at the police station and told them what happened. (Yep, I’m ashamed I was crying, but it had been a long day.) The police asked if I had signed anything (no), if they had done diagnostics on my RV (uh, no), and was the towing bill my responsibility (no, the company pays the towing service directly)? The police told me to basically just forget it and drive home, and to document what happened in case there was a civil suit.
I’m back on the road again and my mobile phone rings. This time it’s the shop where I left my RV - right across the street from the “evil” shop. He told me they apparently saw my RV, but it’s in a gated and locked area and not to worry. I told him I’d spoken with the police and he told me not to worry - just be safe driving home.
Helen from church has kindly invited me over for Thanksgiving - (Mavis must have told her) so it’s nice to have a place to go.
Terrie: Thank God my darling girl was with me. What would I do without her? I know she’d “go for the jugular” if someone tried to hurt me.
Mavis: Thank you so much for offering to “come and rescue me.” I must have driven you crazy with all of the calls today.
Lisa: Thanks for the “thought” of coming to get me if you weren’t so far away. It means a lot to me!
Diana: Say hi to everyone at Borrego Springs - I’ll catch up with you sometime for another photo adventure!
Doc: Even though you probably won’t read this since you have that funny e-mail program, I’m going to miss you and the “poker games!”
I’m home, I’m safe, and I’m eating turkey tomorrow. I don’t know why this all happened, but it did. In times like these, I’m reminded of the words of Julian of Norwich…
All shall be well,
and all shall be well,
and all manner of things shall be well.
on 
on