The first thing you notice about Independence, Missouri is the tremendous numbers of steeples, pointed skyward. There are plenty of historic churches of all denominations scattered about the historic downtown. Joseph Smith led Mormon missionaries to Independence and declared this frontier town to be Zion, the City of God. it seemed like a good place to pray for an RV repair. Divine intervention was fast becoming our only recourse since we had been unsuccessful at finding a human solution to the RV’s electrical woes.
Although we we could not find a service tech in Western Missouri, we HAD to find a notary. Time was of the essence, as we were up against a deadline to close on our Lake Anna construction loan. The title company arranged for us to meet the signatory at a Pizza Hut. It turns out that the meeting spot was in a sketchy part of town, so the notary opted to come to the Campus RV Park. That’s right, all three of us squished into our broken motor home, and in that tiny space we began the next step towards happy home ownership.
Independence is undoubtedly, best known as the home of Harry S. Truman, 33rd president of the United States. He was notorious for authorizing the use of the atomic bomb against Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. “Give ’em hell, Harry” became popular sentiment during Truman’s 1948 campaign for reelection. I wanted to find a meaningful quote from the former president for this blog but, instead, found this completely unrelated, but totally amusing citation:
Harry S. Truman
Next stop, Sundown RV park in Salina, Kansas. It was a parking lot with water and electricity. The sounds of I-70 lulled us off to sleep and our nightlight was the Phillips 66 gas station across the street. It was only one night. Good thing. Even Gypsy was not sure how to react.
Salina, however, is a clean, beautiful city with a vibrant art scene. The sidewalks are wide and walkable. Shops and restaurants are plentiful. Each block boasts an amusing sculpture. The entertaining urban hike almost made up for the unusual lodging.
When we pulled into Lake Scott State Park in Western Kansas, I was excited about the picturesque lake and cowboy-like topography. I was smiling and eager to explore UNTIL I saw my husband’s face. I was pretty sure someone had died. He had a look of utter despair as he pointed to the slide-cover, which sometime during our very windy drive, had begun to unravel. He was not happy. I, on the other hand, was thinking, “Just cut it off. We don’t have an operational slide, so who needs a slide cover?” It would have been unwise to voice that opinion at the time, so, instead, we climbed on the roof and attempted to rewind the fabric. Nope. It was too complicated without dismantling the whole mess. We do not have the patience, the know-how, nor the tools. Instead, we did our best to secure it with Gorilla Tape. That’s right, our slide cover is being suspended by tape. What are the odds we will make it to Colorado without that thing billowing in the breeze like an RV parachute?
It’s over 100F, and because our luck just keeps getting worse, beautiful lake Scott cannot be used for recreational activities because of a toxic algae bloom. No cooling off for us. But, we are troopers. We arose at sun-up for an early morning hike around the lake. It was absolutely stunning.
We have no other option but to move forward. A diamond is merely a lump of coal that did well under pressure….
Tomorrow we meet Byron the RV Repair Guy in Limon, CO. I hope he doesn’t run away screaming after he meets Big, Broken Bertha…
Stay tuned
Retired and Rambling 
I love your lemonade from lemons attitude. The adventure you are both having and the memories that you will laugh about when sitting on the front porch or around the fire at the home on Lake Anna is finished.
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I agree, at some point you may laugh about all of this, in the meantime please know that alot of your loving friends are praying for an easier go of it with Big Bertha. xoxo
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