“Shooting the Moon” with the Sail plane
Picture of the Week
Reply
Author Archives: Kent
Aack, motor home repairs-Cont
It started with a call to my “award winning” service advisor at the nearest International dealer, in Phoenix. I know this since I heard it in the infomercial so many times while on “HOLD”. After much discussion they determined I did have warranty coverage but in order to receive it I would need to have the vehicle in Phoenix. Towing the 200+ miles for the motorhome was estimated at $1,150 and another $950 for the trailer. No, there was not anyone closer that could perform the repairs and towing is not covered under my particular warranty plan. It would be an out of pocket expense. Not acceptable. Then I talked to their mobile repair manager. No, he could not help either unless I would tow it in. How mobile is that? Not going to tow it 200 miles for a starter! Called a local truck repair shop. He was at the campsite in about 20 minutes. Confirmed the diagnosis, took down part numbers and went back to the shop to go to work. Within about an hour he called to say none was available locally but it could be in tomorrow morning from the Las Vegas International dealer and including the special freight it would be much less than towing to Phoenix. He also tried to get a dealer he works with to help with the warranty coverage but could not. He gave me the official term for a “rural repair” which is available to cover situations such as this. Armed with this I made the 4th call to the dealership and was promptly forwarded to the warranty specialist just by mentioning the magic term. Now we are getting somewhere. She suggested a more local non-official repair shop they work with often before she realized I had already found local help. They wanted to express the part to me. Sorry, after being turned down 3 times the part is already on the way from the Vegas Dealer.
Good to his word the local guy came to the campsite the following morning and installed the upgraded starter and we are happily motoring again. We will see how frustrating getting the check for the “pre-approved” warranty claim turns out to be. My guess is it will be less than a delightful experience.
Picture of the Week
London Bridge, the original moved to Arizona in the 70’s during development of Lake Havasu City.
Picture of the Week
New Bridge across Colorado River @ Hoover Dam. Highway has been rerouted over new Bridge to relieve congestion over dam. You can still drive across the dam after passing security checkpoint.
Picture of the Week
Two bridges across the Colorado in the bottom of the canyon for Kaibab & Bright Angel Trails.
Into the Canyon
We boarded the “Hiker Express” @ 6 am to get to the trailhead. The express skips all the scenic stops along the rim and goes straight to the trailhead. Temperature on the rim was in the low 30’s. We headed down S. Kaibab Trail before 7. S. Kaibab Trail starts at 7,260 and passes Bright Angel Campground just across the Colorado River at 2,480 in 6.8 miles.
On the trail and bus we met several hikers who either were staying at the ranch or had arranged for duffle service so their gear was hauled by mule. Needless to say they were traveling lighter and much faster than we. The N. Kaibab trail continues on past to Roaring Springs and up to the North Rim where we hiked last week. By the time we arrived at camp after 1pm the temp was in the mid 80’s. We still had a little of our 7 liters of water left. At Phantom Ranch we checked out the canteen lemonade and a ranger program. Quiet hours at the campground started at 8pm so we were in bed early. It had nothing to do with the days activities.
Heading back up.
The alarm went off at 5:30 (1 hr prior to sunrise). Around sunrise the campground was about 70% vacant. Many were hiking to the rim and the rest of us were just trying to beat the heat during the climb. From Bright Angel Campground to Indian Garden Campground (elevation 3,800 ft, climb 1,200 ft) is 4.6 miles. We arrived at Indian Garden before 11 and beat the real heat. We cooled our bare toes at Victor’s Oasis, fed by Garden Creek in the campground.
Out of the sleeping bag before 5
Tuesday we started by the light of a nearly full moon. A few really rocky spots were supplemented with flashlight. We stopped on a point for sunrise. With the early start we arrived at the rim shortly after 10 am. 4.6 miles and 3,000 ft. of vertical climb. By starting early we avoided the heat as the canyon walls provided shadows. Not that we didn’t get warm, just not hot. We watched a California Condor soaring on the thermals even though is was early. We expected their flights to be more active around mid-day when the air temp and thermals really get going. No water concerns today as Bright Angel trail follows the water supply line from the north rim and has 2 refill locations in today’s trek.
The motorhome was awaiting our return in the parking lot located near backcountry office and trailhead. Hot showers were a high priority. Ahh!
Did you know?
There are actually people who RUN rim to rim to rim! They leave, run to the river, race to the opposite rim then return to the side of the canyon they started on, all in the same day. Insane!
Up is Mandatory
The warning signs for the underprepared along the trail “ Down is Optional but Up is Mandatory” makes every attempt to warn against going too far down and experiencing trouble back up.