Thursday, August 13, Iowa

Up and at it early again this am so we can get the coach to the garage for it’s service.  On entering the address the GPS asked if we wanted to drive, or walk!  Hmm, so the garage is very close.  But still it wasn’t easy to find.   Their signage was not at all obvious, but after a phone call we managed to track them down.  However, in attempting to head back the opposite direction and rather than go way around the block, we took a short cut and inadvertently rode up over a curb, quite a steep curb.  We blamed the sheriff who was sitting across the road eyeing us up, otherwise we maybe would have done it differently!  Well Mr or Mrs Nobody may not have securely closed the cupboard doors where the crockery is stored.  Crockery makes a very, very loud noise when it falls onto tiles!!  So do glasses!  Scared the bejasus out of us : )  That bloody Sherriff could have come and offered to help clean it up!

While waiting for the service we made a new BFF.   He was a rather large, 6’6” ex wrestler, truck driver who was waiting for his truck to be repaired so was also sitting in the air conditioned service lounge.   He had some very interesting tales to tell and definitely had the gift of the gab, kept me entertained for about three hours, I didn’t even get to open my kindle.  Kim came and went, torn between seeing what the service team were doing to our ‘home on wheels’ and learning what trucking across the States and Canada was like.

Service done and dusted.  At least it was only a 3 digit investment, not 4 digits like the last work we had done!  Next is to get to a Bank of America.  We chose that particular bank because Google said they had the most branches across the country.  Well they don’t have many around here!  However, our ‘trusty’ GPS found one for us and we ended up seeing the CBD of Des Moines as well.  We parked on the side of a one way street, using up 2-3 metred car parks and while Kim stood guard I rushed into the bank to do the buso!  I was as quick as I could be but meantime Kim had to move on as the traffic warden had ticketed the car in front and was eying him up next.  So he did a block or two around the one way road system and managed to get back to where I could rejoin him.

Then, we went back to the workshop, one of the changes they were to make and said they did, was to change the air brake to automatically come on when the foot brake is engaged, but it hasn’t seemed to work.  They put the coach back on the computer and confirmed they had made the change so we carried on.  Anyway we’ve had enough for one day so find the closest campground out of the city which has room for us tonight.  Most accommodation in the area is full because of the Ohio State Fair and the Dirt Track (Stock Car) Nationals at Knoxville.  So we are at Kellog, just off the I 80 (literally just off the interstate, we can see vehicles roaring by so will keep the air con on tonight and close windows on the that side).  No trains though : )  The campsites are located behind a gas station but they also do meals there, that is burgers and fried other stuff, but they also have ice cream and are open until 9pm.  Might have to visit for dessert (seeing our dessert plates are all broken)!  Limited ambience here though, a dozen or so trees, grass and soya beans on all sides.  The sites are all paved and we have full hook up, including TV, so all good.  It’s only one night.

Then we got neighbours who also have a Monaco coach so we get chatting, as you do.  They are towing a big trailer with their VW and Harley in and they’ve just been to Sturgis.  They need to get home for work on Monday but home is Pennsylvania which is still a few more states away.  They have been doing 500 and 600 mile days and were planning on doing a couple more days like that.  Crazy!  Their coach was also a 2004 but had a slightly different layout inside to ours.  On comparing notes we found out how to turn our TV cabinet lights on - by turning the headlight switch.  Who would have thought?  Bet you’re pleased to hear that Brad!

Kellog - view from front window

We are second from right, our new BFFs are on the right

Soya beans for Africa