Introduction to our second journey 2006/2007

Not unlike a nasty virus attacking  an otherwise healthy body, the traveling fever took possession of us again, when the summer 2006 turned into early fall. For weeks on end we were playing with the idea but too many other plans seemed to collide with a winter stay down south.

However when November came around with incredible cold weather the urge grew unbearable and we decided to plan for a late departure but before Christmas. On December 9 Bea got back from a trip to Vancouver and I was back from a business trip to Florida. Our trailer, which had been under repair for more than 6 weeks after a monstrous tire blow-out in September, was ready to go as well.

December 11

Instead of pulling the trailer back up to Cold Lake for loading we rather rented a U-Haul trailer from Cold Lake  one-way to Edmonton. On December 10 this trailer was loaded with everything we would need for a 4-months stay and off we went to Edmonton. We spent our first night at the Leduc WalMart and were ready to go next morning as the first daylight hit the ground. On Hwy 2 we went to Calgary and ended the first full day of driving on a Truck-Stop at Milk River, just 20 minutes north of the border.

December 12

Rolling south towards the border at 7pm. A wonderful eerie sun-up is the background for a couple of mountains on the east side of the US-Interstate 15 as we proceed into Montana. Soon we are met by strong winds from the South-East slowing us down and increasing our overall fuel consumption.

At about 7pm we are south of the Montana Border in Wyoming and park on a Sheridan Truck-Stop for the night. The weather forecast mentions an upcoming storm with cold weather and snow.

Montana Sunrise

December 13

Today's trip will get us through Wyoming. In order to get ahead of the storm we hit the road before daylight comes around. I-25 runs through an open hilly landscape where today's winds are expected to be at 70mph. At first driving conditions are acceptable. Five hours later when reaching Casper the winds pick up and at one time I notice that our truck and the trailer is lifting up on the passenger side. 

Somewhere in Wyoming		Wyoming Cattle Drive

At Wheatland we decide to stop and pull over into a truck stop just north of town. The weather forecasts leave little hope for any improvement in the weather conditions. Yet at 5pm I notice that the winds have died down. We decide that we will dare the jump ahead to Denver, Colorado. 

As we hit the road again, we soon see the first Semis Trucks turned over by the storm. We thank The Lord for having being spared for such an experience and continue on our way south.

Some places we still have some wind but mostly the danger is over for now. At 8pm we reach Denver. As we want to visit Bea's relative i town, we roll down the Colorado Boulevard, but then I take a wrong turn and we are ending up in a very narrow street in a shopping center. Cars are parked on both sides of the street and oncoming traffic has to escape into open spaces between parked cars when we pass.

Finally we manage to get out of there and back onto the Colorado Boulevard. At 8.30 we reach the address where Bea's relative lives. After a couple of hours chatting and talking we retire to our trailer.

December 14

In order to beat the traffic we start at 7am. I-25 is busy but traffic is moving swiftly. We pass Castle Rock and Colorado Springs. There is little wind this morning, but we have heard the warning about an upcoming snow storm and are eager to make as many miles as possible. At the town of Trinidad, CO it is time to fuel up. As we are driving up the ramp a strange noise from the front of the truck reminds me of our transmission disaster from last year. The rumbling is distinct and something is terribly wrong. With my heart sinking we stop at an RV Campground next to the Gas station. I book us in for one night and ask for a couple of phone numbers for mechanical repair shops. The first I call is Manginos Automotive. After explaining what has happened the friendly man invites me to come down after lunch break and he will check it out for us.

Two hours later: I am down at the repair shop where I meet the owners friendly white haired  mother, who has taken her turn to watch the shop during lunch hour. Shortly after her son, Jim, appears, and after sorting out some matters with other customers who already have been waiting for his return, jacks up our truck in the front. He directs his attention to the wheel bearings. And sure enough when getting to the passenger side he discovers that the right front wheel is rumbling terribly when turned around.

After a couple of phone calls he has located a new wheel bearing for our truck. On the way to town he drops me off at our campground.

We are relieved that this time it is only a wheel bearing. It might be an expensive part but not at all competing with last years repair expense.

At about 5pm Jim pulls up at the campground with our truck`- readily repaired. We are more than happy about his prompt service and recommend this place to any traveler coming through Trinidad, CO.