Ridgecrest, California
Thirty one hours ago our RV broke down in the middle of the Mohave desert.
The Ridgecrest Chevron is populated with very nice people including Denis, Kelly, Cathy, Patty, Dennis Jr., and Roger. I did not get the name of the guy with the bad teeth and the missing finger.
We have consumed vast quanities of water as it was 107 degrees today.
This has necessitated frequent trips to the bathroom, which has given us the opportunity to really get to know Herman, as we've affectionately named the cockroach in the urinal. I no longer try to drown him for sport which, anyway, I came to recognize as pointless since I'm fairly certain that cockroach living in the middle of a very hot desert simply cannot be killed.
We've learned that the engine configuartion on the Tioga Montara by Fleetwood with it's Elixir 1000 cab is particularly difficult to work with, that the replacement fuel pump and fuel pump regulator seem to working fine, but that there is some sort of vaguely understood electrical problem. The modified RV vehicle configuration is not in their computer, thus diagnosis is difficult, so mostly it's been trial and error. Someone (currently in Las Vegas) is getting back into town tonight and he is a "fast troubleshooter."
Plan B involves some sort of SUV/truck/van rental, a slimming down possessions, and a charge to the Playa.
Our day was mightily improved by the arrival of Kim and Lisa, also headed to Black Rock, also in an RV, also broken down. They are currently creeping up to Carson City to have a radiator replaced.
We have eaten twice each at Denny's and McDonalds, which have air conditioning.
You probably don't know this--we certainly did not--but Ridgecrest is just lousy with Dollar Stores. In our five visits, we purchased approximately 50 item, including a Jesus who look like Edward James Olmos, according to Mark.
Adding, inult to injury, the s key on my keyboard jut died. thi i probably a good time to wrap thing up. We have been very zen throughout thi whole thing, are lodged in a Bet Wetern down the treet and will be on the Playa tomorrow one way or another. I'm ure that there i ome leon in thi experience but right now I jut want to get the hell out of Ridgecret.
