THE BABY ARRIVES AT HOME

12/19/2011

MONDAY

AS MOST OF YOU KNOW MY EMAIL ADDRESS FILE WAS HACKED AND WHAT A MESS THAT CREATED. THANKS FOR ALL OF THE CALLS [ABOUT 100] IT IS GOOD TO KNOW YOU HAVE GOOD FRIENDS.

MY COMPUTER HAS BEEN DOWN SINCE SATURDAY AT 2:14 AM.

MOST OF THE ISSUES HAVE BEEN RESOLVED AS OF NOW.

THE 33,000# BIG BOY ARRIVED SUNDAY, A DAY EARLY. THE WEATHER, ROADS AND TRAFFIC WERE IN THE DRIVERS FAVOR AND HE MADE EXCELLENT TIME. THE COACH GOT HERE ABOUT NOON, IT WAS FRESHLY BATHED [WASHED]AND THE BELLY [FUEL TANK] WAS FULL .

AS YOU KNOW I NEEDED TO HAVE THE DOOR TO THE COACH GARAGE RAISED 1 FOOT TO 13 FEET. WELL --- WHEN I SAW THIS BEHEMOTH TURN INTO THE DRIVEWAY MY EYES POPPED AND MY HEART WENT GOOFY --- I SAID TO MYSELF, THIS WILL NEVER FIT INTO THAT DOOR OPENING, IT IS WAY TOO TALL. NOW WHAT?

THE MANUFACTURER ASSURED ME THAT THE OVERALL HEIGHT TO THE TOP OF THE TWO ROOF A/C UNITS AS WELL AS THE DIRECT TV ANTENNA WAS 12'9".

THE DRIVER SAID HE THINKS IT WILL BE VERY CLOSE AS WELL. THEN THE DRIVER STARTS TO BACK IT TOWARDS THE DOOR [VERY SLOWLY] AS IT GETS CLOSER AND CLOSER, I AM MORE AND MORE CONCERNED.

HE STOPS JUST BEFORE WE PENETRATE THE DOOR OPENING, I GET MY 12' LADDER OUT OF THE BARN AND WE GUIDE AND MONITOR THE ENTRANCE OF THE COACH AS WE WENT DEEPER INTO THE OPENING.

THE TAIL END OF THIS BIG BOY SLIDES IN EASILY. NOW WILL THE AIR CONDITIONERS CLEAR - SLOWLY EVER SO SLOWLY HE KEEPS PUSHING BACK, THE REAR A/C CLEARS.

NO PROBLEMS WITH THE EXHAUST VENT HOODS. NOW THE FRONT A/C, WILL IT CLEAR? YES! YES IT DID!

OMG, THE DIRECT TV ANTENNA - IT IS A LITTLE TALLER THAN THE A/C AND IT IS THE LAST THING THAT HAS TO CLEAR THE THE OPENING. IT CLEARED AS WELL!

WELL, WHAT WAS ALL THE WORRY ABOUT, IT FIT AS PLANNED. WE DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TO LOWER THE AIR BAG SUSPENSION.

IN SO FAR AS THE LENGTH, I HAVE ABOUT 3 FEET IN FRONT AND ABOUT 4 FEET IN THE REAR. LIFE IS GOOD AGAIN.

THE DRIVER AND I SPENT WELL OVER AN HOUR AND A HALF POSITIONING IT IN THE BARN.

SANDY AND I DROVE HIM TO MIDWAY FOR A FLIGHT TO SOUTH BEND TO PICK UP ANOTHER COACH TO TAKE TO BOISE.

TODAY, MONDAY, WE BOUGHT SOME DISHES AND KITCHEN STUFF TO GO ALONG WITH OTHER ITEMS WE HAVE PUT TOGETHER FOR OUR NEW HOME ON WHEELS.

TOMORROW, WE TAKE THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE [CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN] TO THE SECRETARY OF STATES OFFICE FOR FOOT PRINTS [LICENSE PLATES] TO MAKE IT LEGAL. OH, AND BY THE WAY AS A SECOND THOUGHT, WE SHOULD PAY THE SALES TAX. OMG.

AS I HAVE MENTIONED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE, THE MANUFACTURER, MONACO, A DIVISION OF NAVISTAR, HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. WITH THE PROBLEMS WE HAD ON THE ROAD, THE ROAD SERVICE AND THE FOLLOW UP ON THE REPAIR AS WELL AS OFFERING TO DELIVER IT TO NAPERVILLE.

TODAY, WHEN WE GOT INTO THE COACH WE WERE SURPRISED TO FIND TWO CUSTOM MATCHING FOLDING CHAIRS WRAPPED UP AND INSIDE AS A VERY SPECIAL GIFT FROM MONACO TO US. FRESH WASH, FULL TANK, THIS IS SERVICE!

ART

THE BABY COMES HOME

12/15/2011

THURSDAY.

I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE TRANSPORT DRIVER THIS AFTERNOON.

HE LEFT COBURG OR. YESTERDAY AND IS IN IDAHO ON THE WAY TO NAPERVILLE.

IF THE WEATHER HOLDS OUT THE "KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR" WILL BE HERE MONDAY.

THE DRIVER STATED THAT IT RUNS AND DRIVES JUST GREAT.

THE BARN IS READY TO RECEIVE THE NEW BORN, IT IS WARM, CLEAN AND COZY.

THE BARN DOOR NEEDED TO BE RAISED 1 FOOT FROM ITS 12 FOOT OPENING TO ALLOW FOR THE 12'9" HEIGHT OF THIS BIG BOY.

WE THANK ROTARY FRIEND "DOORS BY RUSS" IN NAPERVILLE.

FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT MAY NOT KNOW, RUSS HAS BEEN A SPONSOR OF OKTOBERFEST FOR YEARS AND NOW SUPPORTS SOUPS ON.

GOOD KNIGHT FOR NOW.

ART

OF THE KNIGHT

BABYS HEALTH CHECK UP

TUESDAY

12/13/2011

IT HAS BEEN EXACTLY 4 MONTHS TO THE DAY SINCE WE PURCHASED THE COACH.

THE REPORT FROM THE FACTORY IS GREAT, THEY DID PICK UP THE KNIGHT AT

THE DEALERSHIP IN PORTLAND ON SATURDAY AND DROVE IT TO COBURG OR. WITH

NO PROBLEMS AT ALL.

OVER THE MOUNTAINS AND THROUGH THE WOODS TO THE FACTORY IT WILL GO.

THERE THEY WILL WINTERIZE IT FOR THE TRIP TO NAPERVILLE TO PREVENT THE

FRESH WATER SYSTEM FROM FREEZING WHILE ON THE ROAD AND DO A COMPLETE INSPECTION OF ALL SYSTEMS.

IT APPEARS THAT THE TURBO HOSE, ENGINE MOUNT, ALIGNMENT AND 2 NEW TIRES

HAVE CORRECTED THE PROBLEMS =

MONACO WILL DELIVER IT TO NAPERVILLE AND WE HOPE TO GET IT HERE NEXT WEEK.

IT IS ABOUT 40 HOURS DRIVE TIME ON THE ROAD. SO IT WOULD BE 8 HOURS A DAY

MORE OR LESS THAT EQUATES INTO 5 DAYS PLUS OR MINUS.

WE SHOULD SEE IT MID NEXT WEEK IF THE WEATHER HOLDS OUT.

MORE TO COME.

ART

THE BABY GOES BACK TO THE INCUBATOR

12/10/2011

SATURDAY

THE NEW BORN WILL NEED TO RETURN TO THE INCUBATOR.

I SPOKE WITH THE NAVISTAR DEALER THIS AFTERNOON - HE SAID IT WAS GOOD TO GO.

AS Y'ALL KNOW I HAVE HEARD THAT BEFORE. THIS TIME THERE WAS SOME LOGICAL INFORMATION AS WELL. THE CASTER WAS OFF A LITTLE ON THE ALIGNMENT, THE

ENGINE MOUNT WAS BOLTED BACK IN PLACE, THE CORRECT TURBO TUBE WAS INSTALLED AS WELL AS 2 NEW TIRES IN FRONT.

THE MONACO FACTORY WAS TO PICK IT UP THE COACH THIS AFTERNOON AND RETURN IT TO THE COBURG OR. PLANT FOR FURTHER INSPECTION.

I DO HOPE THEY MADE IT BACK WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS - WE SHALL SEE.

WE LEAVE GRAND ISLAND NE. FOR NAPERVILLE IN THE AM - SEE YOU SOON.

ART

WATSON MY DEAR FELLOW, I THINK THEY'VE GOT IT

12/9/2011

FRIDAY

ONE OF MY DEAREST FRIENDS AND MY MENTOR, THE GUY I CALL MY SECOND DAD,

BILL RICHARDSON, HAD A BIRTHDAY TODAY, GOD BLESS HIM!

GASOLINE IN WY. $2.99 @ GALLON -WONDERFUL

DRIVING THROUGH THE COLORFUL MOUNTAINS AT 7,500 FEET - SPECTACULAR

FINDING THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE TURBO CHARGER HOSE BLOWING OFF - PRICELESS

TODAY I CALLED THE NAVISTAR DEALERSHIP IN PORTLAND OR. FOR AN UPDATE ON THE COACH AND THE TURBO CHARGER PROBLEM [EXPLAINED EARLIER].

TO ME THIS IS WHAT SERVICE, PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE AND AN ALERT TECHNICIAN IS ALL ABOUT.

HERE IS WHAT PAUL AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME, OR AT LEAST AS CLOSE AS I REMEMBER.

I WAS DRIVING THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS AT 82 MPH [I LOVE THOSE 75 MPH SPEED LIMITS PLUS 9%]. HANDS FREE FOR SURE.

HE SAID THE ENGINE TECH FINISHED THE TURBO REPAIR BUT DID NOT DRIVE THE COACH AS IT WAS READY TO GO TO THE ALIGNMENT SHOP.

IF HE HAD DRIVEN IT, THE SAME PROBLEM WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AGAIN - SO.....

PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT ALL OF THE WORK ON THE TURBO IS AT THE VERY REAR OF THE COACH'S ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH IS IN THE TAIL END OF THE COACH. HE SAID, THAT PART OF THE JOB ALL LOOKED GOOD, I HEARD THAT 3 TIMES ALREADY AND IT WAS NOT GOOD.

I AM NOT SURE IF THE TECH REALLY LOOKED FOR THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM OR JUST REPLACED PARTS THINKING IT WOULD SOLVE THE PROLEM.

IT WENT OVER TO THE ALIGNMENT SHOP, THIS TYPE OF CHASSIS REQUIRES ALL 4 CORNERS TO BE CHECKED WHEN AN ALIGNMENT IS PERFORMED.

AS THE ALIGNMENT TECH WAS CHECKING THE SUSPENSION FOR PROBLEMS HE NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE ENGINE MOUNTS WAS NEVER BOLTED DOWN AT THE FACTORY.

THAT WOULD ALLOW THIS EXTREMELY POWERFUL ENGINE [1150 '#s OF TORQUE] TO LIFT UP WHEN POWER WAS NEEDED, LIKE CLIMBING A HILL OR POSSIBLY A MOUNTAIN AND WHEN THE 2 TURBOS WOULD KICK IN, THE ENGINE WOULD LIFT AND PUSH THE TUBE OFF THE TURBO PIPE.

THEY ARE NOW WAITING FOR PARTS, TOMORROW WE HOPE.

I AM ANXIOUS TO HEAR ABOUT THE ALIGNMENT ISSUE AND WHAT WAS FOUND THERE AND FINALLY THE ULTIMATE ROAD TEST REPORT.

WE ARE SPENDING THE NIGHT IN ROCK SPRINGS WY.

A & S

FINALLY SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED

WEDNESDAY

12/7/2011

12/7/1941 - PEARL HARBOR HAPPENED : ((

12/7/2011 - BLOGO GETS HIS DUE - 14 YEARS AND $20,000 FINE : )

12/7/2011 - THE COACH DIDN'T HAPPEN : ((

12/7/2011 - SURPRISE - SEE BELOW : ((

SOOOO-WE INTEND TO HEAD HOME TOMORROW IN THE MKX.

MONACO RV WILL PICK THE COACH UP AT THE NAVISTAR DEALER IN PORTLAND, RETURN IT TO COBURG, COMPLETELY GO OVER IT AND DELIVER IT TO NAPERVILLE WHEN IT IS REALLY READY.

PARTS ARRIVED TODAY ALONG WITH 2 NEW WHEELS AND TIRES FOR THE FRONT.

WE CHOSE TO DO IT THIS WAY AS TO HEADING OUT NOT BEING SURE THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN SOLVED. MR NICE GUY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO HANDLE MORE "ON THE SIDE

OF THE ROAD" WITH FLASHERS RUNNING FOR HOURS.

IT WAS A REALLY NICE 5,000 MILE RIDE. WE SAW SOME GREAT VIEWS AND OVERALL ENJOYED THE TRIP ALL THINGS CONSIDERED.

ABSOLUTELY EVERYONE INVOLVED HAS BEEN WONDERFUL AND HELPFUL.

SOME TIMES THINGS HAPPEN FOR A REASON - MAYBE WE SHALL SEE WHAT THIS REASON IS.

SURPRISE TO ME.

AS YOU ALL KNOW I HAVE BEEN IN THE AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS ALL OF MY LIFE.

SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENED TODAY:

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE I HAD TO PAY FOR AN OIL CHANGE ON MY CAR. OMG!

I SUPPOSE THAT THIS BLOG WILL SLOW DOWN A BIT AS THE KNIGHT WILL BE IN OREGON FOR A BIT.

I WILL RESUME WHEN WE RESUME THE "ADVENTURES IN THE KNIGHT".

TA-TA FOR NOW BOYS AND GIRLS

A & S

vehicle fuel and other stuff

12/6/2011

TUESDAY

WELL, THE DEALER GOT TO THE COACH THIS AM. THE SICKEY SHOWED UP.

MONACO IS SENDING 2 NEW WHEELS AND TIRES JUST IN CASE THE FRONT TIRES ARE FLAT SPOTTED FROM DRAGGING ON THE ROADWAY AT TIMES WHEN IN TOW.

AN UPDATED AIR PIPE FOR THE TURBO WILL BE HERE IN THE AM=WE HOPE THAT IS THE FIX.

THE DEALER IS CHECKING THE ALIGNMENT, I MAY BE CRITICAL BUT I DON'T LIKE THE WAY IT TENDS TO WANDER AT HIGHER SPEEDS. IT IS JUST THE CAR GUY IN ME.

BY THE WAY, MONACO HAS BEEN FANTASTIC THROUGH ALL OF THIS. THEY WILL EVEN DELIVER THE COACH TO NAPERVILLE IF THIS DOESN'T CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

GREAT LUNCH TODAY AT SALTY'S, WONDERFUL SEAFOOD CHOWDER.

FUEL, HOW MANY OF YOU RECALL FULL SERVICE AT THE GAS STATION?

IN OREGON, STATE LAW WILL NOT LET YOU PUMP YOUR OWN FUEL.

THEY WILL, IF REQUESTED, CLEAN YOUR WINDOWS AND CHECK YOUR TIRES.

WHODA THUNK THAT WAS STILL AROUND?

TIL TOMORROW THEN-

AH! THE "SERVICE" DEPARTMENT

MONDAY PM/UPDATE

12/5/2011

TODAY, WAS "POSTAL". AS THE POST OFFICE TOLD US THAT FIRST CLASS MAIL WILL NO LONGER BE A ONE DAY SERVICE BUT 2, 3 OR EVEN 4 DAYS.

SO WAS THE INFORMATION FROM THE DEALER AS WELL. IT APPEARS THAT THE "SPECIAL" TECH THAT WAS TO WORK ON THE BEAST, CALLED IN SICK.

YA KNOW, I THINK I MAY HAVE USED THAT EXCUSE ONCE ON A WHILE MYSELF.

AT ANY RATE WE WILL COOL OUR DIESELS HERE FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER DAY.

ONE GOOD THING, I ASKED PAUL IF THEY WOULD BRING THE COACH INSIDE FOR THE NIGHT SO OUR WATER SYSTEMS WON'T FREEZE. HE SAID HE WOULD GET 'ER DONE FOR ME. [I WILL BE SURE TO CHECK ON THAT LATER]

THE DELI HERE AT THE PORTLANDER HOTEL IS FANTASTIC, THEY MAKE THE VERY BEST SANDWICHES.

BY THE WAY, WE DID NOT MOVE, THE PORTLANDER IS THE HOTEL HERE IN THE JUBITZ COMPLEX, I FOUND TODAY THAT THEY EVEN HAVE A CHIROPRACTOR HERE.

OFF TO DINNER = SOMEWHERE

MORE TOMORROW

A & S

UP AND AT EM

12/05/2011

MONDAY

THE DEALERSHIP OPENS AT 7AM

SANDY, NOT BEING A MORNING PERSON, THIS WAS DIFFICULT FOR HER.

I WANTED TO BE AT THE NAVISTAR DEALER WHEN THEY OPENED, I KNOW FROM 40+ YEARS OF AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE THAT THAT IS THE BEST TIME TO ARRIVE.

SANDY WAS A TROOPER THIS AM AND WAS UP AS ASKED AT 6AM.

I PROMISED HER THAT SHE COULD STAY IN THE MKX AND NO ONE WOULD SEE HER HAIR, IT WORKED. SHE HAD TO DRIVE THE MKX AND FOLLOW ME TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT WAS ABOUT 3/4 MILE AWAY.

WE LEFT THE HOTEL AT ABOUT 6:30 TO RETRIEVE THE MOTOR COACH FROM THE FRIENDLY CONFINES OF THE 500 UNIT SEMI PARKING AREA.

FIRST, LAST NIGHT WAS DAMP AND COLD SO THE MKX WAS COVERED WITH FROST AND IT TOOK FEW MINUTES TO THAW OUT.

WE WENT OVER TO THE COACH AND IT HAD NO FROST ON IT AS WE LEFT ONE OF THE TWO THE FURNACES RUNNING TO AVOID FROZEN PIPES

THE CHASSIS BATTERIES WERE A BIT LOW SO I RAN THE GENERATOR FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES TO CHARGE THEM AND THEN THE BIG MAXFORCE 10 NAVISTAR ENGINE

CRANKED BACK TO LIFE.

499 SEMIS KISSED THE KNIGHT GOOD BY.

I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE COACH ABOUT 15 MPH UNTIL IT WARMED UP AND THEN IT WOULD ONLY GO 10 MPH.

WE ARIVED AT BRATTAIN INTERNATIONAL AT 7 AM. I WAS GREETED BY PAUL COOK A

SERVICE ADVISOR. OUR SAGA ROLLED OUT FOR HIM AND HE SAID THAT THE SCHEDULE DID NOT LOOK TOO BAD AND THAT THEY WOULD GET A LOOK AT IT SOON.

[WHAT EVER THAT MEANS IN AUTOMOTIVE WORLD] MAYBE "SERVICE ABOVE SELF".

THIS MORNING I HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL CALLS FROM MONACO COACH CUSTOMER CARE AS WELL AS OUR SALESMAN IN FRESNO CA. ALL WANTING TO LOOK AFTER US AS BEST THEY COULD.

THEY HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE NAVISTAR DEALER TO ASSURE THEM THAT THE FACTORY STOOD BEHIND ME AND THEM.

IT IS 11:30 AM HERE AND THE FOG IS STILL THICK, TRAFFIC REPORTS MENTION THAT BLACK ICE IS AN ISSUE IN SOME AREAS AND BRIDGES.

WE WILL STAY N THE ROOM FOR A WHILE TODAY.

AN OREGON OBSERVATION:

THERE ARE PRETTY MUCH NO RUSTY CARS HERE, I SAW A 1965 FORD LTD AND A 1956 FORD F100 AS WELL AS 60S SOMETHING PLYMOUTH AND MANY OTHER ELDERLY CARS AS WELL = GUESS WHAT = THEY USE SAND AND NOT SALT.

THAT IS THE GOOD NEWS = THE BAD NEWS IS THAT FOR THE WINTER THEY USE STUDDED SNOW TIRES [REMEMBER THOSE] AND OR TIRE CHAINS.

THE STUDDED SNOW TIRES DO AN AMAZING AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE ROAD SURFACE AND THE ROAD NOISE FROM THAT IS TERRIBLE. YOU THINK YOUR TIRES OR WHEEL BEARINGS ARE BAD UNTIL YO HIT A FRESHLY PAVED SPOT.

AH THE QUITE!

ONE MORE TIME = GETTING STARTED IS NOT EASY

FIRST THIS ADDRESS IS:

ADVENTURESINTHEKNIGHT.BLOGSPOT.COM

LAST NIGHT I SENT A MISSIVE TO A FEW ABOUT THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS AND HAD SOME FUN WRITING IT AND THEN I THOUGHT WHY NOT MAKE A BLOG AND EVERYONE THAT WANTS TO CAN VISIT IT AND KIND OF FOLLOW US AROUND AS WE TRAVEL THIS GREAT COUNTRY OF OURS. I WAS GOING TO WRITE A DIARY BUT THEN IT WOULD BE JUST ON PAPER AN HARD TO SHARE.

WE HAVE SPENT THE LAST WEEK IN OREGON AND IT IS BEAUTIFUL THIS IS OUR FIRST TIME HERE AND IT WON'T BE THE LAST.

SO WHAT ARE WE DOING IN OREGON SOME MAY ASK.

I WILL START WITH SOME BACK GROUND TO BRING THOSE THAT NEED THE INFO

WILL BETTER UNDERSTAND THE STORY.

I AM NOT MISSPELLING KNIGHT!

IN A FAR AWAY PLACE A LONG TIME AGO SANDY AND I HAD A MOTOR HOME, IT WAS IN THE MID 70S AND IN 1973 WE HAD JUST OPENED OUR NEW BUSINESS = DAVIS AUTOMOTIVE = AND WE HAD LITTLE TIME TO ENJOY THE MOTOR HOME BECAUSE IT SAT MANY MONTHS AT A TIME AND WHEN WE WANTED TO USE IT THERE WAS ALWAYS SOMETHING BROKEN. WE SOLD IT AND HAVE ALWAYS MISSED IT.

WE STARTED LOOKING AT MOTOR HOMES AGAIN IN ABOUT 1986 BUT FELT THAT THE SAME ISSUE OF LACK OF USE WOULD STILL BE THERE.

THAT WAS THEN THIS NOW.

ON JULY 8 2011 WE SOLD OUR BUILDING AND OUR BUSINESS IN NAPERVILLE, IL AND RETIRED.

STILL INTERESTED IN A MOTOR HOME SANDY AND I DECIDED TO ATTEND THE FMCA SUMMER CONVENTION IN MADISON WI. WE HAVE BEEN MEMBERS OF FMCA [FAMILY MOTOR COACH ASSOCIATION] FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

WE WENT JUST TO LOOK AROUND AND SEE WHAT WAS NEW, AND LOOK AROUND WE DID. WE PURCHASED SANDY'S BIRTHDAY PRESENT ON HER BIRTHDAY AUGUST 13,

IT WAS A NEW 2012 MONACO KNIGHT MOTOR COACH.

IN SEPTEMBER WE TRAVELED TO HERSHEY PA. TO CHOOSE THE COLORS AND THAT COLOR SCHEME IS CALLED NEO-CINNABAR, I DON'T KNOW WHY BUT IT IS.

WE NEEDED A CAR TO TOW BEHIND THE COACH AND THE LINCOLN MKT IS TOO HEAVY SO WE ORDERED A 2012 LINCOLN MKX IN BLACK FROM OUR DEAR FRIEND NORM WHO HAS JUST OPENED A NEW FORD LINCOLN LOCATION IN NAPERVILLE IL.

SINCE THEN WE HAVE HAD AN AUXILIARY BRAKE SYSTEM INSTALLED AND A TOW BAR SYSTEM ADDED TO THE FRONT. THE MKX WAS "PAINTED" TO MATCH THE GRAPHICS ON THE COACH.

THAT IS THE SHORT HISTORY AND NOW ON TO THE "REST OF THE STORY"

WE GAVE BIRTH TO OUR KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR ON OCTOBER 17 WHEN OUR BABY ROLLED OF THE ASSEMBLY LINE AT 37.5 FEET AND 33,000 POUNDS.

IT ARIVED AT THE DEALER ON THE 21ST FOR FINAL INSPECTION AND PRE DELIVERY STUFF.

WE LEFT THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING FOR THE 2,300 MILE TRIP TO PICK IT UP.

WE ARIVED LATE IN THE AFTERNOON ON MONDAY THE 28TH

FROM OUR VERY FIRST LOOK AT THE BEAUTIFUL MACHINE WE LOVED IT.

WE SPENT SEVERAL DAYS AT THE DEALERSHIP ADDING A FEW MORE TOYS LIKE A SATELLITE RADIO AND A BLUE RAY DVD PLAYER IN THE BEDROOM. A FEW OTHER THINGS AS WELL WERE DONE. THE DEALER HAD DRIVEN THE COACH ABOUT 35 MILES AND I DROVE IT ANOTHER 100 TO BE SURE ALL SYSTEMS WERE A GO.

IT RAN AND DROVE JUST GREAT.

THE DEALER WAS TAKING PICTURES OF THE MATCHING DYNAMIC DUO AS THEY HAD NOT SEEN THE SAME GRAPHICS AS THE COACH PUT ON A CAR. IT DOES LOOK COOL.

DECEMBER 2

WE TOOK DELIVERY OF THE COACH ON FRIDAY ABOUT NOON AND HEADED FOR THE GREAT OPEN ROAD AND HOME.

ABOUT AN HOUR INTO THE TRIP WE ARE HEADING UP A PRETTY GOOD SIZED HILL AND WE HEAR THIS VERY LOUD POP THAT SOUNDED LIKE A TIRE BLOW OUT BUT IT WAS NOT, WE HAD LOST ALL POWER IN THE ENGINE AND COULD NOT GO OVER 10 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE BOTTOM OF AN OFF RAMP FOR SAFETY.

I CALLED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AFTER ABOUT 2 HOURS A SERVICE TECH SHOWED UP, IT TOOK ABOUT AN HOUR TO REINSTALL THE HOSE FOR ONE OF THE TURBO CHARGERS = TOTAL TIME 3 HOURS = THE TECH SAID ALL WAS WELL AND HE HAD CHECKED THE OTHER HOSES AS WELL.

OFF WE WENT ASSURED WE WOULD HAVE AN UNEVENTFUL TRIP = LIFE IS GOOD =

STUFF HAPPENS = EVERYTHING WAS WORKING WELL AND WE WERE HAPPY CAMPERS

100 MILES LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN = ANOTHER 3 HOURS = A DIFFERENT TECH COMPLETED THE REPAIR AND ALL WAS GOOD AGAIN OR SO WE THOUGHT.

WE STOPPED FOR FUEL = THE FILL UP WAS ONLY $300.00 AS WE STLL HAD 1/4 TANK LEFT.

WE MOVED ON FROM THE FUEL STOP AND GOT ABOUT 100 MILES AND "POP" NO POWER. I GUIDED THE COACH DOWN A VERY NARROW EXIT RAMP HEADING TO "THE DALES" [PRONOUNCED THE DALS] DAM, IT WAS PITCH BLACK OUTSIDE.

FOR THOSE OF YOU KEEPING SCORE WE HAVE OWNED THIS BEAST FOR 10 HOURS AND 6 OF THAT HAS BEEN ON THE OFF RAMP, DOA.

I AM BACK ON THE PHONE [THANK GOD FOR THE CELL PHONE] WITH MONACO ROAD SERVICE AND THEY SEND STEVE FROM STEVES TOWING TO TOW IT BACK TO PORTLAND, ABOUT 100 MILES. HE PUT THE HOSE BACK ON AND SAID WE COULD GET IT TO A SAFER PLACE, WELL THIS TIME THE HOSE CAME OFF IN ABOUT 100 YARDS.

HE DID GUIDE US TO A SAFE LOCATION, A PULL OFF ON HWY 197 WHERE TRUCKERS STOP TO REST. WE SPENT THE NIGHT IN THE COACH VERY SAFE AND COMFORTABLE.

STEVE SAID IT WOULD BE BETTER TO TOW US IN THE MORNING BECAUSE THE NAVISTAR DEALER WAS CLOSED FOR THE NIGHT AND HE FELT IT MAY BE SAFER TO TOW IN THE DAYLIGHT ANYWAY. I WILL BE BACK AT 7AM HE SAID.

THIS TOOK ABOUT 2 HOURS IT IS NOW 11PM

7 - 8 - 9AM PASSED NO STEVE. I CALLED THE ROADSIDE ASSIST YET AGAIN, THEY SAID STEVE WAS TOO EXPENSIVE AND THAT THEY HAD DISPATCHED ANOTHER TOW COMPANY AND THEY SHOULD BE THER ABOUT NOON.

WE HAD BREAKFAST AT DENNY'S ABOUT 11AM.

NO TOW TRUCK AND IT WAS AFTER 1PM, I CALLED AND ROADSIDE SERVICE SAID THE NEW TOW GUY HAD CANCELLED BECAUSE HIS TRUCK COULD NOT LIFT OUR COACH

ROADSIDE SERVICE SAID I HAD BEEN IN FORMED = NOT!

I CALLED MY SALESMAN AT PAUL EVERETS RV IN FRESNO AND TOLD HIM THE STORY

HE CALLED BILL HURD THE PRESIDENT OF MONACO CUSTOMER SERVICE, BILL CALLED ME AND AUTHORIZED STEVE TO DO THE TOW.

MONACO IS PICKING OUR HOTEL STAY, VERY NICE OF THEM!

THEY FOUND A SERVICE THAT WAS 100 MILES AWAY IN PORTLAND AND THEY WERE ON THE WAY.

BILL ARRIVED AT ABOUT 3PM RIGHT ON TIME WE WERE HOOKED UP, DRIVE SHAFT REMOVED AN ON THE WAY TO PORTLAND BY 4PM.

WE FOLLOWED BILL AND NOTICE THAT THE COACH HAD NOT BEEN LIFTED HIGH ENOUGH AND THAT THE FRONT TIRES WOULD SKID ON THE PAVEMENT ON LARGE DIPS IN THE ROAD, I FLAGGED HIM DOWN AND HE RAISED IT UP A BIT MORE.

AS YOU KNOW ALL OF THIS HAPPENED ON FRIDAY AND ENDING ON SATURDAY.

THE DEALERSHIP CLOSES AT 4 ON SATURDAY AND IS CLOSED ON SUNDAY.

I WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE BOOKED UP ON MONDAY SO WE SHALL SEE IF THEY WILL DO "SERVICE ABOVE SELF" FOR US TRAVELERS.

WERE WERE TOWED TO A GIANT TRUCK STOP IN PORTLAND CALLED JUBITZ.

IT WAS VOTED ONE OF TOP 10 TRUCK STOPS IN THE US.

THEY HAVE PARKING FOR 499 SEMIS AND ONE MOTOR COACH. WHY IS IT SO GREAT YOU MAY ASK, HERE IS WHY:

ON A GOOD DAY THEY WILL PUMP NEARLY 300,000 GALLONS OF DEISEL FUEL

THEY HAVE A BLUE BEACON TRUCK WASH, A BUFFET FOR BREAKFAST LUNCH AND DINNER.

A LAUNDRY MAT, A DELI, A LARGE STORE. A SHOE REPAIR SHOP, A BARBER SHOP AND SALON, A UPS STORE, A MOVIE THEATRE, A HONKEY TONK BAR AND RESTAURANT

WITH LIVE COUNTRY WESTERN MUSIC EVERY NIGHT. DID I MENTION 2 HOTELS.

12/5/2011

7AM I WILL NURSE THE BEAST OVER TO THE INTERNATIONAL DEALER THAT IS 3/4 OF A MILE AWAY AT 10 MPH

MORE TO COME = STAY TUNED

ART & SANDY

getting started is not always easy 12/3-4/12