Made it back to Whatcom County - with one big problem!

[ali1257]

Well we made it back to Whatcom County today. I can't say we made it to Blaine because we never made it past Ferndale. Once we were in North Bellingham I decided to go ahead of Ron (I was driving the suburban) and stop at the store to pick up some hamburger for hamburger soup and also stop and pick up our mail from my friend Dee.

I was about 2 miles ahead of Ron when he called me on the two-way radio. He had a problem and was pulling over. The radio went dead. I had to go about another mile and a half to reach the next exit. I turned around and drove back to the Portal Way exit (about 2 1/2 miles altogether). I got off the exit and couldn't find my two-way ~ it had fallen off the console so I called him on the cell phone to ask him where he was and what was wrong. He was actually on the off ramp and we had another fire in the rig. (Remember we had a motor home fire last November and were displaced for over 3 weeks while the motor home was repaired). I pulled around so I was closer to the off ramp and started walking up the ramp when a cop started backing up the ramp with his lights flashing and I heard sirens coming from somewhere so I took off at a run - not a funny sight I am sure. I got to the rig and the cop was coming out of the door of the motor home and yelled at me that Ron was okay so I slowed down. Right behind the motor home was a pickup with lights on top flashing, a fire engine with lights going and an aid car. I am sure you can understand the panic inside of me.

After catching my breath and actually seeing that Ron was okay I asked what happened. He said smoke was coming out of the back of the rig so he pulled off as soon as he could. He jumped out the driver's door and ran around to the side door to get the fire extinguisher only to find the side door locked (we always lock it while driving). He ran back around, climbed back in the driver's door and climbed over the engine cover and grabbed the fire extinguisher and put the fire out all within a few minutes.

The firemen came up to the rig, checked things out and then they left. The cop stayed long enough to put our emergency triangle out aways from the back of the motor home and to know that the tow truck was on its way. There really wasn't anything else he could do.

Our friend, Jim showed up. I had called him, he is also our insurance agent. He stayed around for a little while to make sure we were okay and find out the plan. The plan: have the tow truck driver take us back to Bellingham to Jerry Chambers Chevrolet. They will be the ones to fix the motor home. While waiting for the tow truck driver, two of the gals from the TT/NACO campground that we stay in saw us on the side of the road so they went up and turned around and came and checked on us. It was good to see them and they were glad we were okay. Then my friend, Dee (she is my personal mail lady and I had called her to tell her where we were) stopped by on her way home. It was so good to get a hug from her - it had been since the end of June since I had seen her. Once she made sure we were okay and that we had a plan in place and a place to stay she headed on home.

Once the tow truck driver got us hooked up and back into Bellingham we met with John, the shop supervisor and he was not happy that we were back ~ they had done the work almost one year ago to the tune of $9000. He said nothing should have gone wrong. Because it was late (almost 5:30) he put out a cord for us for power and made sure we were okay. They will check things out first thing in the morning.

I am hoping that because things were not as bad as last time, it will take just a few days to get this fixed and we will be back on our merry way.

We are thankful that this happened close to home where friends are nearby to help us. We are staying in the rig tonight but will be moving to Jim's condo tomorrow for the duration. He has condos right across from the bay so the location is great! (We stayed in his condo for three weeks last year while the rig was being repaired).

Many friends have offered us a place to stay and other tangible helps if needed. We are just so thankful that this did not happen on one of the many passes we have traveled over the last three days.

Also heard today that our unemployment benefits have been approved! That helps settle the nerves somewhat too. Also yesterday we found out we were hired for a Christmas tree lot job. We start around the 22nd of November and will work through Christmas Eve and maybe a few days after Christmas with tear down and clean up. Another two things we are thankful for.

Guess that's all for now. Just wanted/needed to share with someone about our very unexpected day.

[VickieP]

Ali, I know the main thing is that he is okay, but I hate hearing that yall had yet another fire! I don't remember what caused the fire the last time, but wonder if you think it's the same thing this time or something else? Hopefully things can be repaired in a short time and correctly and yall can be back to your plans.

[AlmostThere]

Goodness, you do have your moments with that motorhome! I'm grateful no one was harmed and pray that the fix isn't going to be costly. If it's something stemming from the BIG fix they did before, I'd think they'd stand by their work. Take care.

[Colliemom]

Geez, glad to hear you are both okay. Hope this is nothing serious. I think I would be afreaid to go anyplace with that motorhome after two fires.

But at least you were close to home and friends. That's when you find out who your friends really are. Hopefully they will get you fixed up and you can be on the road. And you got a job for November into December, so that will be great too. A bit of cash to supplement the unemployment.

[Liz]

Oh, what a scary event! I'm so glad you had good support nearby. You didn't mention what caused the fire, so hope it's nothing too serious. Stay safe.

[Redetotry]

So sorry to hear about the fire! Glad your DH is ok and I hope the repair is quick.

[BirdbyBird]

So glad that you are safe and that Ron was so quick in his response...I am sure every second counted in the prevent damage control...... Will be thinking of you as the repair decisions (and $$) come around.

[WickedLady]

A 2nd fire? I think I would have been tempted to let it completely burn and start over with another rig.

[cpatinjones]

Sorry to hear about this. I know it is very disturbing. Thankfully, no one was hurt.

[retiredhappy]

So glad to hear you guys are okay. How scary!!! Let us know what started the fire, please.

[Bethers]

What everyone said. So glad YOU are both ok. Now, to make sure it gets taken care of so it can't happen again. How scary.

[avalen]

holy moly glad everyone is ok

[VickieP]

holy moly glad everyone is ok

See, it's posts like that, that I've missed! It makes me giggle.

[snowball]

so glad to hear that you are ok! here is hoping that they find out the problems and fix it once and for all!
sheila

[Nasoosie]

OMIGAWD, Ali! How scary! I am so happy you are all ok, and that the rig is back where it needs to be. Who insures your rig, may I ask? And who is your road service company?

Let us know when they figure out what in heck caused the fire this time. This should NOT happen.

Hugs while you get it fixed.