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July - Sept. 2010
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The Motor Home Deal
By Cliff Popkey
As I followed him into the subdivision, I noticed
that there were lots of kids all running and pointing into the trees. I also
happened to notice that my oldest daughter was running about flailing her arms
as if directing the mass of confusion. I thought it odd but it didn’t really register as
something being wrong because the kids were always playing at something I
thought odd.
As I rounded the last curve before my house and I could see the road ahead I noticed that motor home was halfway in the street and my wife was sitting on the porch steps with her head down. Now I was concerned because I knew that was not where I had left the home nor was facing the same direction I had left it.
My neighbor and his tow truck were stopped right in front of my house and he was already out of the truck and looking under the home as I parked down the road a bit so if anyone was to drive by they could get thru and began walking toward my house. It was then that the kids all came running down the block yelling and screaming towards me. I couldn’t make out what they were yelling but then I wasn’t really listening I was focused on the motor home which was clearly tilted to the one side and PVC laid about the driveway. As I got closer I could see the rear left wheel was off the ground and the large granite stone was under the frame and I just about freaked.
Suddenly a loud rustling sound caught my attention as my daughter’s bird, which normally didn’t come near me, landed on my shoulder and squawked loudly. I held out my hand as it stepped down my arm and it rested on my hand just long enough to have my daughter race up and take it away. She yelled a thanks dad over her shoulder as she ran towards the house cupping the bird in both her hands. I was to learn later that it was the second time the bird had escaped that day.
My youngest daughter raced up and jumped into my arms giving me a big hug and quick kiss before asking if we were still going on the trip or could she spend the night with her friend. I set her down saying I didn’t know and continued on to the motor home a she ran off with her friends to play.
“What happened?” I asked as I approached the home and my neighbor looked out from under the home and grinned.
“It’s not too bad. She tore off the plumbing pipes and she dented the gas tank but it’s not leaking. There is some minor fiberglass damage around the wheel well but all in all it still usable without a major repair.” He stated as he crawled out from under the home. “I’ll need to pull the stone out rather than pull the home off it if you don’t want to damage it further. Where’s your floor jack?” He asked as he headed for the garage.
“Just inside, on the right.” I yelled to his back as I stared at the mess.
Finally I looked at my wife again but she turned away from me apparently not wanting to face me just yet. I did my best to control my anger and as I approached I asked, “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.” She stated curtly and before I could reply added, “It harder than it looked. But then most people don’t have to deal with birds flying in the window and kids running behind them as they back up.”
“Why didn’t you wait for me to get home?” I asked and she quickly looked the other way and then replied.
“I needed to get the thing loaded. I wanted to get out of town as soon as you came home.” She stated.
“But you’d never driven one of these things before. It takes a bit of skill.” I stated.
“Oh well. I guess we aren’t going anywhere now!” She stated in a huff as if I had caused the problem as she walked into the house with the wife of my neighbor trailing behind her.
As he walked passed with the floor jack in tow, he called out. “Hey once we get the stone out, you can drive it up the shop and I can replace the piping and you’re ok to go. It’ll take about an hour to an hour and a half. It’s still early.” My best friend stated confidently.
“Well let’s get the rock out and see what happens.” I said as I turned away from the door and we went to work. After forty minutes we freed the motor home and as I left for the repair shop I told the wife to get ready and have everything staged by the door so we could load it quickly and get on the road when I got back and off I went.
True to his word the motor home was fully functional within two hours and I was headed home. The huge expense I was expecting hadn’t materialized as my friend’s boss had stepped into the garage and after watching the process for a few minutes called my friend over and spoke with him. When I asked what he wanted since I was concerned that my friend might get in trouble for helping me ahead of other
As I rounded the last curve before my house and I could see the road ahead I noticed that motor home was halfway in the street and my wife was sitting on the porch steps with her head down. Now I was concerned because I knew that was not where I had left the home nor was facing the same direction I had left it.
My neighbor and his tow truck were stopped right in front of my house and he was already out of the truck and looking under the home as I parked down the road a bit so if anyone was to drive by they could get thru and began walking toward my house. It was then that the kids all came running down the block yelling and screaming towards me. I couldn’t make out what they were yelling but then I wasn’t really listening I was focused on the motor home which was clearly tilted to the one side and PVC laid about the driveway. As I got closer I could see the rear left wheel was off the ground and the large granite stone was under the frame and I just about freaked.
Suddenly a loud rustling sound caught my attention as my daughter’s bird, which normally didn’t come near me, landed on my shoulder and squawked loudly. I held out my hand as it stepped down my arm and it rested on my hand just long enough to have my daughter race up and take it away. She yelled a thanks dad over her shoulder as she ran towards the house cupping the bird in both her hands. I was to learn later that it was the second time the bird had escaped that day.
My youngest daughter raced up and jumped into my arms giving me a big hug and quick kiss before asking if we were still going on the trip or could she spend the night with her friend. I set her down saying I didn’t know and continued on to the motor home a she ran off with her friends to play.
“What happened?” I asked as I approached the home and my neighbor looked out from under the home and grinned.
“It’s not too bad. She tore off the plumbing pipes and she dented the gas tank but it’s not leaking. There is some minor fiberglass damage around the wheel well but all in all it still usable without a major repair.” He stated as he crawled out from under the home. “I’ll need to pull the stone out rather than pull the home off it if you don’t want to damage it further. Where’s your floor jack?” He asked as he headed for the garage.
“Just inside, on the right.” I yelled to his back as I stared at the mess.
Finally I looked at my wife again but she turned away from me apparently not wanting to face me just yet. I did my best to control my anger and as I approached I asked, “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.” She stated curtly and before I could reply added, “It harder than it looked. But then most people don’t have to deal with birds flying in the window and kids running behind them as they back up.”
“Why didn’t you wait for me to get home?” I asked and she quickly looked the other way and then replied.
“I needed to get the thing loaded. I wanted to get out of town as soon as you came home.” She stated.
“But you’d never driven one of these things before. It takes a bit of skill.” I stated.
“Oh well. I guess we aren’t going anywhere now!” She stated in a huff as if I had caused the problem as she walked into the house with the wife of my neighbor trailing behind her.
As he walked passed with the floor jack in tow, he called out. “Hey once we get the stone out, you can drive it up the shop and I can replace the piping and you’re ok to go. It’ll take about an hour to an hour and a half. It’s still early.” My best friend stated confidently.
“Well let’s get the rock out and see what happens.” I said as I turned away from the door and we went to work. After forty minutes we freed the motor home and as I left for the repair shop I told the wife to get ready and have everything staged by the door so we could load it quickly and get on the road when I got back and off I went.
True to his word the motor home was fully functional within two hours and I was headed home. The huge expense I was expecting hadn’t materialized as my friend’s boss had stepped into the garage and after watching the process for a few minutes called my friend over and spoke with him. When I asked what he wanted since I was concerned that my friend might get in trouble for helping me ahead of other