Tuesday, May 18, 2010-Red Roof Inn

We woke this morning to another cold and rainy day. We can't believe how cold it is up here. Of course, when we get back to Houston we'll be wishing we were back in Elkhart and enjoying the cool temps.

We went to eat a light breakfast at McDonalds just down the street from the motel. We have learned that it is just as cheap to eat a real breakfast at a restaurant as it is to eat fast food, and probably healthier too. After breakfast, we went by the shop where our trailer is being worked on but the front end is still off it, so we didn't stop. We went to the grocery store to buy a few things to snack on while traveling and came on back to the motel. Jim F. called a little while after we returned here and said he would meet us at the shop.

When we got there, we learned that the problem was apparently with the Lippert frame not having been welded very well. They had repaired it and welded on another brace on both sides of the frame and installed a new board that is inside the frame rail to further strengthen the frame. Keith said they had also put in more gussets in the frame and that it should never give us any more trouble. I don't mean to sound ugly, but this is the same thing they told us week before last and it only lasted about 700 miles before it broke. I am not ungrateful for all the work that was done, just wary.

Jim F. said it will be ready to go tomorrow but they want us to take a drive around and hit some bumps to see what happens. It took several hundred miles to find the damage before, but if this is what they want. I'll do it.

We stopped off at Charlie's Butcher Block, a well-known meat market/deli in Elkhart. This place has been recommended by my friend Jim B. and it is worth it! We got a sandwich to split and it was delicious. The place was packed with locals at the lunch hour, but we will return there.

We came back to our room and laid around for awhile. I took a couple of naps and got some reading done, and we generally didn't do much of anything all afternoon. Stella wanted to go to the oriental restaurant next door, so like the good husband I am, I took her. I was careful to get through with our meal by a little after 6 o'clock, but I had forgotten that NCIS doesn't come on here until 8. It's that darn eastern time zone again!

So long.