Two for the Road: September 18 & 19, 2013 - The Kindness of Strangers

Jumping ahead to September 18th...

We were planning to head west today...but last night Greg noticed water in the outside compartments. We had been having problems with the water...when you'd turn on the faucet or shower, it would dribble out, then stop for about 20 seconds, then dribble again, etc., etc. But we didn't think it would cause the leaking...

So he stayed by the outside compartment while I ran the water in the kitchen sink...and all of a sudden I hear "stop!" The water was pouring into the compartments! He took some boards apart near the sink and discovered that the hose from the sink should connect to the gray tank (where sink and shower water goes into)...but it was broken!

Emailed Thor, letting them know what's up, and this morning called a few RV service companies in the area. No one could do it...maybe in a week. I widened the area...and contacted GoRVing in Andover, southeast of us. Spoke to Clayton. First he said next Tuesday, but when I mentioned we wouldn't be able to wait because we were traveling west, he worked it out so we could go there today!

They spoke with Thor and made all the arrangements for payment since it would be a warranty repair. So so nice!!! The best service we have ever had! And everyone working there was so friendly!

As we were showing Clayton, Josh and Dave the problem, lol, I was saying to Dave, that I didn't understand - it's a new vehicle! He shakes his head and goes..."You know what RV stands for? Repair Vehicle!" So funny, yet sad!! I laughed and agreed. Clayton showed us that the bracket holding the hoses was completely snapped off - the screws used to hold the bracket in place (it was under the slide out) were too short and it just came loose. Moving the slide (side extension) also caught the bracket and tore the linoleum floor.

He glued the linoleum to flatten it down but suggested we figure out when and where we would be along the road, so another service company could order the linoleum and have it ready to be installed. Then they started working on the bracket and hoses.

Clayton tells us there's an Ihop down the road, so Greg and I go have some brunch. (delicious!)

When we get back, we hang out on the cushy leather sofa (so comfy!)...and what's on the coffee table...

...took pics of the article to read!

This is hanging from the ceiling...(how did they know??)

Spent time talking to Megan. She was a blast! Before settling in Kansas she lived in San Francisco, Coronado (our favorite place in CA!) and Georgia - that's where the "sweet tea" is SO sweet, it hurts your teeth! She told me how to make a southern favorite - boiled peanuts! She said they're great! For a big batch - use 5 pounds of raw peanuts, add 1 cup of salt and boil! Just don't let it stick to the pot, then they're no good. I'm gonna try it! (will start with a one pound bag though!)

She just bought a goat and two twin babies, just to have as family (got them on craigs list!). Was saying how I was thinking it would be neat to have one and was telling her about the goats we saw at the state fair...she was there the day before us!

Her friend owns the Kathy B's place at the fair, and a BBQ place (said the food is great!) in the food court building. We missed that - I had only gotten a root-beer float there, and Greg had gotten chicken and noodles from a church that was serving food.

She had wanted to see a quick draw shooting competition but missed it - there were different things going on at the fair on different days. We would've loved to have seen that too!

Outside the building were these star-like things rolling around...

Asked Megan about the stars. She said yeah, guess it's the Kansas tumbleweed. Her 9 year old daughter calls the Walmart bags "Kansas tumbleweeds!" Hysterical!

The guys replace the hoses and use larger screws to secure the bracket. We decided to go for a better water pump - since this is now our third one. They said they will talk to Thor tomorrow morning to negotiate giving us the upgraded one under warranty!

It's after 5 in the afternoon, and the sky starts getting very gray. Then the wind picks up. It was pretty wild! And a bit scary!

Megan came out and thought it looked pretty menacing too! She pointed to this one office and said that would be the safest place to go if...you know...it's a...! Then the rain started and boy did it come down! (No tornado thank goodness!)

JB and well, everyone, offered to let us stay there...so they moved our RV right next to the building, connected us up with their electric so we'd have power, and we could use their WiFi also! We said we'd be up and ready to get out of their way as soon as possible in the morning, and Clayton goes, "aw, you should just sleep in!"

We were just blown away by their kindness. What a great place - they treated each other like family, and us too. Found out Dave is retired and he volunteers there every day - just because! A true testimony to the awesome work environment there!

As the night progressed, the storm died down. Greg went to get the jeep to move it near the RV and it was behind the gate. Someone working late saw Greg and went and opened the gate for him. Greg also met this nice man who lived in an RV nearby, and I think works here too. He had a German shepherd dog that was so friendly!

In the morning...yes, we were a bit slow getting it together...we went back into the office and Megan walks up with this book she had just recently bought...she brought it in just so I could look at it!!

Great book! It's a lot of work taking care of them, but they are so neat! She said her two baby goats jump up in the air, lol, and land on the mother's back and just stand there! Would've loved to have seen that!

Was telling her I also loved the bunnies at the show. She asked if we had seen all the pigs...nope, missed them. Found out there are "teacup micro-mini" pigs that fit in the palm of your hand...and stay that small! I definitely have to check those out!

So anyways, Thor made good on the upgrade water pump (I must say, Scott at Thor really tries to help us as much as he can). We go over the paperwork with JB who made sure we had copies of all the work they did.

We realize it's time to go...hugged Megan, thanked everyone, took pics...except of Clayton - he wasn't there today. : (

As we drove away, Greg and I decided, even though we didn't plan on passing through Kansas on the way back...we are going to try and figure out how we can...and hopefully stop by to say hi AND to have them service the RV...why? Well this drawing I saw on their wall sums it up...