One long day at the wheel!

Today was really a full one. Started at 6:30AM with one of my duties as a tailgunner: taking a baseball bat and "thumping" all the tires on all 14 rigs and tow cars to make sure nobody has a flat tire. Next, a travel briefing at 7:30AM, where Jim tells us of our drive today. I start off the day with a low tire on my inside dual, which required removing both wheels to get to a failed valve extension. The green angels gave me a hand, and we left about 30 minutes behind the rest of the caravan, and had to play catch-up. We are to cover 225 miles, mostly 2 lane blacktop, in motorhomes and fifth wheels. 

It will take us about 7 hours of drive time. Roads are narrow, and although the pavement in most areas is good, there are usually no shoulders, so it requires lots of concentration. Last time we drove this, with Nancy's sister Anne and hubby Keith, it was in a small SUV. In a motorhome with tow car, it's an entirely different deal. Passing oncoming 18 wheelers can be very exciting when the lanes are 9' wide with no shoulder, and a dropoff on both sides. By the time we get to our destination, a remote ranch in the high desert where we will dry camp overnight, we are really tired. The staff (read us and the wagonmasters) prepared chili and salad for all, which was gratefully received, and after a lovely sunset, we all hit the sack.