That Story I Promised (Why is this man hugging a gas pump?)
(Mom, you can scroll down to the next headline…this is not a pretty story)
I mentioned in an earlier post that we have a lot to learn about driving this 42-ft monstrosity. On one of our first days traveling, we saw a sign for a gas station and took the exit off the highway. The town that housed said gas station was a bit…small for our big rig, and well, turning into the station was…tight. So tight, in fact, that between the low clearance over the pump area, our back end sticking into the intersection, and our axles straddling the curb, John was a little…stressed.
After pulling out of the street and into the station as best we could, we put into action our quickly-developing problem-solving skills. We purchased a plastic gas can from the wide-eyed gal at the station and John proceeded to tote 6 gallons of diesel back and forth from pump to truck. I sat on the curb with the dog who was seriously freaking out. (Might have had something to do with that curb we hopped coming into the station.) I had to wrap my arms around her in full “thunder coat” style to keep her from running to her daddy across the lot. I admit I wondered at that moment if they make a man-sized thundercoat 🙂
The pump shut off a few times and no one knew in the end just how much we owed for the fuel, but the gal at the station was pretty ready to be done with us, so I think she may have just made up a number. We made it out of that gas station in one piece and a minute or so down the road, one of us had the brilliant revelation: “Maybe we should just get gas where the trucks get it.”
Soooo….we googled the nearest Pilot. 40 miles away. The fuel range gauge said 35. Oh boy, were John’s knuckles white as we rolled along with no AC, praying that we would not run out of gas before we reached the truck stop! He will tell you that we were on fumes when we pulled in and found A LINE of trucks waiting to get fuel. We turned off the truck to preserve what we could. There was much rejoicing when our engine started up again and we pulled up to the very pump you see in the photo below.
AND THAT IS WHY THIS MAN IS HUGGING THIS GAS PUMP!!
OYAN Summer Workshop 2017–Where We Belong
June 12-17 our oldest three participated in One Year Adventure Novel’s annual Summer Workshop. Five years ago we brought our son to this life-altering event and after that for the sisters, it was all about being old enough to be an OYANer! I suspect we will attend until the youngest ages out in college. Or maybe we will have some more children so we can attend some more!
The Blessing of Friendships, Old and New
After West Virginia, our next stop was Trenton, Illinois at the home of Ray and Julie Swogger, friends we had gotten to know in Maryland. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit with them and their girls. One day a number of years back, Julie stood in my kitchen in Maryland and said to John and me, “You guys aren’t (cut from) cookie cutters.” Those words have stuck with me all these years. The Lord knew I needed to be encouraged that my family was not meant to do things the same way as everyone else. And here we are camping in their driveway!!
This is a fun write-up from start to finish… thoroughly enjoyed reading it! So happy to hear that you all enjoyed the OYAN conference and are reconnecting with special friends.
Thank you! It was much more fun to write that crazy story than to live it 🙂 We definitely are enjoying ourselves. I wish we had been able to build in a little more downtime. Our new home-on-wheels is not quite organized yet and after all that we went through to get here, we could really use some recovery–physically, mentally, and emotionally! I would appreciate it if you would mention that to the Lord for me??
You my friend, are a gifted writer – Swoggers are the B.O.M.B.!
Ok so… Siri tells me I’m missing a comma in my post – so here it is… , …
Have you seen this site by now? – https://away.gorving.com/
If you click on the “i” in the upper left you can post your own journey.
Redbook has a great RV article in their July/August edition under TRAVEL beginning on page 99:
https://subscribeandsave.redbookmag.com/subscribe/splits/redbook/rbk_sem_print?kenshoo_id=95c19c6e-b5b6-4756-9d34-1966dcabdd46&gclid=Cj0KEQjwhMjKBRDjxb31j-aesI4BEiQA7ivN-IYcvUFmit7QUo7UICfMlJVp0LcZTfqHq7v-KwwrN7QaAlr58P8HAQ
Thank you! I will check it out! Funny about the comma–I generally am ALL ABOUT the editing. Maybe Siri would be willing to proof my posts, too?? I am finding myself too tired to notice my own errors!
Bring it – Siri is amazing!
Tell her to feel free to message me with anything she finds. I really do value a polished appearance. I have just been so tired lately… I actually have seen a few myself but haven’t gone back yet. I know it probably drives people like me crazy!
Aw, thank you–that really encourages me! Yes, we are quite spoiled in that we have been able to see the Swoggers almost every year since they moved.
What an adventure! I would love to do the same some day!
Doing what we’ve done this past year is not for the faint-of-heart, but when the Lord leads your family on an adventure of any kind, its always a thrill 🙂
You are amazing!!!
There are few things we are smart enough not to try 😉
This is so great!!!
Thank you! I am having fun!
Glad to read the explanation of John hugging the gas pump – I so enjoy your writing! You must keep blogging, even after this trip…
Thank you, friend. That is really meaningful encouragement 🙂
Well done Chris. Short and sweet, nice pics, got there off facebook….perfect!
Thank you, Robin! I try to listen to good advice 🙂
I’m beginning to look at you in a whole new way…definitely not a “cookie cutter” family! I was brave and read the story of why John was hugging the gas pump. Thankfully I heard about this AFTER the fact so I wasn’t worried. We see God’s protective hand on you! Great to look at all the photos and see you are in good shape and having a great time…even Honeybelle!
Glad you are reading my blog, Mom! You have always been my biggest fan! No worries–we are in the Lord’s capable hand. Anything “interesting” that happens is just making great stories to tell! Wait till you hear about when we crossed the surface of Mars. Story coming soon 🙂
We feel your pain with the almost-running-out-of gas story! When we were in Texas pulling our trailer, we barely coasted down a hill and into a gas station late at night. We were running on fumes because there was no gas station for the past 200 miles! There’s no sight quite so welcoming as an open gas station at that point!
Know that we are praying for you as you travel on this adventure. There’s so much to learn when traveling with a new rig — especially one as big as yours! We have a map of the United States in our office and have posted your business card on it so we can keep up with where you are and remember to pray for you. 🙂
Yes, you understand! THANK YOU for praying. I know it was the prayers of friends that the Lord has used to propel us to where we are now!
For some funny reason I keep coming back to this for a re-re-read. The Redbook article and your Excellent Adventure have me mulling. Now to break it to Siri – “Hey honey, guess what we’re doing.”