Pulling out in the morning we went through Bishop proper and were really surprised by the thriving business along route 395 in the middle of town. There is a strong tourism business for the area – skiing and hunting. On our way South, the truck’s cooling system light came on. We were just North of Independence, CA (small small town). We called our road-side assistance number and eventually talked with a service representative (back at Ford in Bishop, of course). He was pretty insistent about getting us towed back to their facility. After the engine had cooled and the light was off we proceeded to Independence (it turned out to be less than a mile down the road), we checked at both (that’s right only 2) gas stations and they only had what we thought was an off-brand of anti-freeze already mixed with water at 50-50.
After more discussions with the Ford representative and Sheriff and California Highway Patrol, we decided that the best course of action was to have Boots go with the towed truck. Ruthi and Karma would stay with the rig on a side street. Our thinking being – how long could it take to check the radiators (yes, this truck as multiple radiators and 2 batteries) and flush/re-fill the tanks? Then Boots could return and we would again be off South. You know snow is coming to Northern and Central California and that is not in our agenda ever again!!!
Well, the radiator problem is not simple – surprise surprise – but it is covered by the warranty – some good news in all of this. It seems there was an internal leak and something was broken and needed to be replaced. They needed to order the part (from Detroit, we guessed). So, Boots got a cheap hotel room and Ruthi/Karma settled in for the night. Because the rig was left on a side street, the slides were not deployed. What that means was that there is no access to the TV, pots/pans, and bedding (blankets especially). Ruthi was only eating liquids because of her sore throat anyway so the batteries would heat the broth in the microwave and charge her laptop. What more did she need.
Boots was provided a tooth brush/paste, comb, etc. by the hotel staff and ate at a neighboring restaurant. Ruthi, on the other hand, bundled up in long pants, a long sleeve shirt, and socks with a pareo wrapped around her head and went to bed with Karma close by. It was a one-dog night for Ruthi. With solar power charging the batteries during the day and propane for the furnace, she thought she was in great shape.
