Day 10 – 2014-05-29, Thursday – Eisenhower S P, TX to Copper Breaks S P, TX

Ah, headed for Palo Duro Canyon S P today – under 200 miles, so an easy day,

Ok. Life not so good. Pulling into Wichita Falls, I smell diesel, but figure it’s the rig I’m about to pass. Get past him, and realize I figured wrong. VERY strong smell of diesel, and a check-engine light. And there’s diesel on my floorboard. UGH! Thankfully, there’s an exit a half-mile ahead, so we take it, and I coast into the Flying J. Ok, I coast into the entrance to the Flying J and stop there.

Pop the hood and what do I see? LOTS of diesel over the left rear of the engine compartment. Thankfully, diesel won’t catch fire like gasoline might. We’re stuck. Call Good Sam Club Road Assistance, and The Bear is on the phone about an hour. While we wait for them to get someone and call us back, we notice a truck repair place next door, so we go over. He’s talking to Good Sam! He’s working on it as I type.

Ok, no pictures, so I guess it didn’t happen. I cannot fathom a better way this could have happened. Talk about good timing! Karma. We did a good deed at Clearfork, when we loaned money for the guy to get his truck towed out of the lake, so I guess we get paid back by breaking down in a fairly painless way.

Long story short, the fuel line to the number four cylinder split – evidently a common problem as the new one is designed differently, and made of a different material. Three hundred bucks for a half hour of work and the part, but we’re on our way! Life is good.

Ok, I did get two photos after the fact, so it DID happen. This is the old part:

And this is the new one:

See how the old one was gold colored, and the new one is silver? Also, the bracket that holds it in place is a different design. Hmmm…

This only delays us two and a half hours, so we’re good. Still arrive at the park while they’re open, and we get a slot. Very nice park with a flavor all its own. I actually got some photos!

Here’s the State Park office: