Our life of travel causes concern and worry for some when we are stuck on the side of the road waiting for a tow, but for Bruce and me, it has become a beautiful opportunity to express gratitude for the blessings that come EACH.AND.EVERY time. Instead of sinking into despair whenever Ramsey signals there’s something wrong, we grin at each other and say, “Wonder what miracle is headed our way.”
That is why, after our travel plans to head to Missouri this spring were squashed (after a two year absence from seeing our kids and grandkids), although disappointed, we were filled with expectations and gratitude, knowing everything would be okay.
It all began when we fueled up in preparation to begin the trip. Unfortunately, there was gas accidentally mixed in with the diesel and Ramsey soon let us know something was wrong. The first tow took us in for repairs where the fuel was drained, lines flushed and a new fuel filter installed.
Ramsey ran beautifully as we made our way to the first stop to visit family just 2 ½ hours away. When we left to continue on, the truck sailed north towards Flagstaff and we kept remarking how amazing it was running. And then …
Ramsey had no power. We glided to the shoulder of I-17, barely off the highway, snuggled up against a guardrail. We had driven only 80 miles. No time was lost in calling roadside assistance, but it took 3 ½ hours to finally be towed off that horribly busy highway where every passing vehicle rocked us side to side. It was a long wait, but it also was Divine Intervention … a necessary time for us to talk, to consider what’s our next step, what’s the best thing to do; i.e., should we continue to Missouri or head to Oregon where Ramsey’s doctor will heal him?
Those 3 ½ hours were a sacred time as we opened our hearts and let go, trusting that God and a host of angels would guide us. We agreed that it was imperative to head to Oregon to get Ramsey back in tip-top shape. We’d go to Missouri later.
The tow truck driver went above and beyond what was allowed or required to find a place to park us. Every stop at a repair shop was a bust. They either couldn’t work on the truck for days or weeks, or they wouldn’t allow us to sleep in our camper at their shop. This is the first time we’ve ever been told no about staying with our camper. He drove from shop to shop for 1 ½ hours, even took us to a RV park as a last hope, but there were no sites available. Finally, he decided the only place to take us was to his friend’s shop, which he had kept mentioning as a possibility, but hesitated because he couldn’t get in touch with the guy to make sure it was okay with him to drop us there.
We spent the next four days there, awaiting the replacement of the fuel lift pump. We couldn’t have been in a better place (Thank you, God!) for we had access to showers, a kitchen, and a fridge and freezer full of food – all graciously offered. (See why we say we are always provided for?)
Finally, the part was installed and we were back on the road. Ramsey sailed along so beautifully. We made it to Kingman, AZ, then to Barstow, CA, and then to Madera, CA where we stayed with friends for a few days.
Onward we sailed towards Oregon, until Ramsey wouldn’t start again after stopping for gas, just 30 miles from our next destination – a campground in the Mendocino National Forest.
For the third time in two weeks, we called for a tow. You might think that by now, worries were more prevalent than expectations of blessings and miracles. Not so for us. We’ve been through this so many times, have experienced such amazing miracles, that we sit back and wait for them to happen!
Once again, we could not stay in our camper at the shop while waiting for repairs. The little town of Orland, CA has only one hotel – just a few blocks away from the shop – an easy walk if you’re not lugging all the stuff you need for a few days at a hotel. There was no Uber, Lyft or taxi service in this town. Another huge blessing came when one of the mechanics offered to drive us to the motel. We were so grateful, we tipped him $10. (Remember this tip!) It appeared that we would be at this motel for maybe the rest of the week. Gulp! Rooms were $122/night! Still, we trusted everything would be alright.Settling in a hotel room is weird for us – we rarely do it. We missed our home, our bed. And oh, did we ever miss our coffee maker. The room did not provide one! YIKES! I had come prepared with coffee and filters. Fortunately, we were within walking distance of some stores where we found a cheap coffeemaker. All is good now!
The next day, the mechanic who had taken us to the motel called to let us know he worked on the truck and it was running just fine. (That $10 tip worked like magic!) I immediately hurried to the front desk to cancel our 2nd night and hopefully get a refund. At first, she hesitated since it was an hour past check out time, but then she relented. (Thank you, God!) And once again, someone from the shop came to pick us up at the hotel.
We took off, heading to a campground where we planned to stay several days as we watched the weather in Lakeview, waiting for sunny days with temps above freezing so the roads would be clear. And then, the day came for our last leg of the trip – 230 miles to Lakeview on the up and down mountain roads. I talked to Ramsey the whole trip, encouraging him, telling him how many miles were left to get to Ray. One last stop for fuel and we had just an hour’s drive left. Ramsey was a beast … it was as if nothing would hold him back. He climbed those mountain roads with ease. Bruce had to slow him down when he reached 75 mph.
We made it! And this is why we bring Ramsey to Ray every summer …
The first thing Ray said when we pulled in was, “I heard you coming. Ramsey isn’t well.” You see, Ray hears things that no other mechanic does. He KNOWS this truck; he LOVES this truck. He climbed into the driver’s seat, placed his forehead against the steering wheel, closed his eyes and listened to Ramsey – placing his hands on the dash. He could hear what was working just fine and what was not. He knows what Ramsey needs him to do. They talk to each other!
So, here we are now, awaiting Ramsey’s repairs. Our loosely held plans (for we’ve learned to be very flexible and open about plans) are to head to Missouri in July. Our ninth grandchild is due August 2!
We drove 1400 miles, had three tows, three repairs, RV parks and motel expenses and through it all, felt immensely blessed and safe. It’s been astonishing to see what a difference it makes to accept whatever comes our way. Instead of being overwrought with worry, we are filled with the expectation of miracles and blessings. This change of mindset has made all the difference in our life. We not only experience the peace and calm when we break down on the road, but also with everything and anything that comes before us.
So many times, I hear (and have said it myself), “I wish life would be smooth sailing instead of these bumps and boulders.” Here’s the deal. You know what an EKG looks like – the ups and downs of your heartbeat? It’s the same for our lives. There are peaks and valleys. They signify life. Smooth sailing would be like the flatline of an EKG – which signifies death. Yeah, I’ll take whatever comes with grace, with trust, with expectations of miracles.
A favorite quote of mine came from the movie “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.” It has become engrained in my being. I say it often:
“Everything will be alright in the end,
and if it’s not alright –
it’s not the end.”
And so it is with us. Stay tuned! July is coming!
Bruce and Trisha
