Utah to Albuquerque NM

Tuesday, 20 0ctober

An even later start than usual for us, on the road at 11:00 after making arrangements to get the wipers looked at by Auto-Motion at the south end of Salt Lake City. We pulled in there at 11:30.

Met by a friendly fellow who directed us around the side where we unhooked the jeep. He then reversed it into the yard behind the shop while Art went in to fill out the work order.

Art returned and eventually the mechanic, who had disappeared, returned with a buddy and began poking about under the hood at the wiper mechanism. All the time chatting about all kinds of things. They had visited Victoria and the island a few times and even remembered which hotels they had stayed in. His daughter in law is from Maple Ridge. Quite a chatty and friendly fellow—he and Art got along just fine!

“I think it's just this part here is slipping” Removing a nut he pushed the wipers back to where they should be and tightened it up again. After a couple of times turning the wipers on and off, and re adjusting the parts under the nut all seemed well. “I think that should hold it at least for a while.” But he warned us that we might need to order a new wiper motor from Itasca.

When Art said that he'd go in and pay the bill he was told there was no charge, it was just a little job. Art said that's not right, you can't do that, he replied with a grin, “yes I can, I'm the boss. I'm one of the owners.” He had certainly spent a bit of time on it so Art handed him a 20 and said “then put this in the coffee fund.” To which he replied with another grin, “Being a good Mormon I'll just do that.”

12:55 we were southbound for Moab, about 4 hours away. For those following our route we turned off I-15 at Spanish Fork on route 6 to Green River then the 40 East to 191 and south to Moab.

The weather was still reasonably good but as we went over the top part what was looming to the southeast wasn't promising at all.

Photo through the windshield

 and one via the rear view mirror

An hour or two into Route 6 as a truck passed westbound there was a loud bang like a rock hitting the windshield or at least the front of the rig. We couldn't see any damage and carried on. A hour or so later Gillian said “That is where the rock hit.” Two short lines rising from near the right front corner of the driver's side windshield.

In the town of Green River we stopped at Ray's Tavern for hamburgers, recommended by our loquacious mechanic up in Salt Lake City. Burgers were good enough, at least not over cooked, the fries were good, the coleslaw excellent. As was the beer. (The driver had a taste!)

We had planned to stop in the Portal RV Park in Moab but as we slowed for the entrance a sign said Sorry Full. We carried on almost all the way through town (a few miles) to Canyonlands RV Park where thankfully they had space. $38.00 for the night. With free wifi. And they had a laundry. The machines accepted credit cards!

Once we got settled Art called ICBC's 800 number. Surprise, they answered on the first ring. When he explained the problem he was transferred to the Out of Province Claims number which again was answered promptly. Note this was after normal office hours.

A claim was started, Art was advised that there was the $200.00 deductible and since we were out of province we would have to talk to an adjuster who would call tomorrow. Art explained that we were traveling and that cell service was spotty at best. He was given the claim number, a toll free number for the adjuster and his adjusters name. He was also told that ICBC had a list of approved glass shops in the USA. Things were looking hopeful.  Hope that $200.00 deductible is in Canadian dollars!

Next morning we hung around a bit hoping the adjuster would call, finally called the 877 number and left a message in the machine and set off for Bluff in the southeast corner of the state.

Weather was much improved, a bit of rain here and there just to test the wipers and by early afternoon we had arrived at the Cadillac RV park Bluff, Utah. The park is for sale and was last time we were here two years ago and the grounds are a little run down. The ponds are full of bullrushes, the grassy areas knee high, though the parking areas were as neat, clean and well kept as ever. There were no more animals however. Trekker used to like the goats though he wasn't too sure about the emus! And of course no more waterfowl in the grown over ponds.

Gillian decided that since it was quite a reasonable day we should walk to the Twin Rocks cafe a short distance  back down the highway. Good idea said Art who grabbed is stix and off we went. 20 minutes had brought his heart rate up a bit so he thought he had earned a beer. Food in this place has always been very good. They bake their own Navajo fry bread and ash bread--both delicious. Art's Sheepherder sandwich (Roast beef and a bunch of other stuff in a frybread (like a pan fried flat bread, similar to naan bread).  Gill had a beef stew with ash bread--similar bread but with black ash specks.  ???  Truly delicious though!

Thursday morning we left late again, fueling first and were on the drive to Albuquerque New Mexico. We had thought to head to Santa Fe, but Art looked at the map, the small very twisty roads that meant hills and lots of driving not just steering so voted for Albuquerque instead.

The roads out of Bluff and on towards Farmington were in pretty bad condition. We were down to 50 MPH for some of it. After Farmington they improved a lot, the 550 was a great highway.

Entering Albuquerque we headed for the first RV park listed in the GPS, which turned out to be a huge parking lot for the Balloon Festival Museum. No signs or rigs around so up the street to the next one. This one was full of mobile homes, the office was closed, no information for late arrivals. And a great row of mail boxes. Obviously a residential park. So south some more to the I-40 and east a few miles to the Albuquerque Central KOA Nothing central about it—as far south and east as you can get in the city!

It is a nice park though, but being a KOA not cheap: $108.00 for 2 nights.

Stay tuned for the next episode:

23 called ICBC No adjusters on Friday Said we would be in San Antonio

internet info on Hurricane Patricia.

lunch with Cathy and Ken, dog food

News about flooding in Southeast Texas.   Hmmm Maybe a re-think in the morning.