Trials and Tribulations!

Praise the Lord in ALL things. He is in control.
"We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose", Romans 8:28

Yesterday is finally over. We started out with the plan to go to Custer State Park, and make a loop drive to Hill City, then end up at Mt. Rushmore. We got the maps, the binoculars and a picnic lunch together and off we started to go. The jeep sputtered, sputtered, died, and sputtered again........It was just not going to start. So we called GEICO. They have been the greatest insurance company when responding to us, by the way, and the cheapest rates we have found! They sent a tow truck, and in the meantime I got the name of a good mechanic in town. GEICO tows to the closest shop, which happened to be a jeep dealership. When I called, they said they were backed up and would not be able to even check it until mid-week next week. So I called the referred place, and they could at least check it in the afternoon.
That meant us paying part of the tow bill, but at least it would not be a week. Bottom line, the tow man did not charge us extra, PTL! And even dropped us in the middle of Rapid City so we could explore instead of just sitting while waiting. So we took the trolly around town, had lunch, then got the sad news of needing a new engine. Used engine would run at least $1700. Those that have seen the Jeep, with the springs showing through the seats, the holes in the top, the leaks because of bad fit of the top, the 4WD needing repair, and the paint peeling......Decisions.....Paul had been planning to detail it when we got back, fixing it up and just using it around town. But to put that much more $ into it would not be a wise investment. So with sadness, we are letting it go. It was purchased by a jeep lover, which made it a little easier. It has been a very reliable, fun vehicle and we will truly miss it.

I love the "bright light" caught on the picture! LOL! Maybe good Jeeps really do go to heaven!

While we were having lunch, a storm hit, the full on thunder, lightening, hail and rain as well as loss of electricity. Well, the area we were campted at was particularly hit hard, and we were told about 50 cars were damaged. The car rental place told us one of their cars lost a windshield due to hail damage, and the camper next to us told us of other damage they had heard about in the campground, including the RV on the other side of us. So Paul checked out the top of the RV this morning. Damage to vent lid, AC cover, three of our small awnings, and the plastic sewer line. PTL, It could have been worse!!

SO, we moved to our next site, north of Rapid City, and have a week before we move on to our next work site, which starts August 6. However, there are a lot of little things around the RV that need to be taken care of, including a slide-out that is half out, crooked and STUCK!! I think we will be kept busy just catching up on maintenance, repair and cleaning of the motorhome.

And I will blog later about the fun day God had planned for us yesterday.