It is very rarely that I will ever be found speechless but the trip to Vegas has done that. I am still shaking my head over this one. Kim and I drove 13 hours to Stockton, Ca to meet with engine builder Bob Miner. We had a nice relaxing dinner and spent the night in the Best Western, Stockton Inn. We hit the road at 6 am the next morning. On our first stop of the day Kim checked the load in the trailer and remarked "hey, some of the cabinets are open". So I went into the trailer only to find out that not only were they open but they were empty. In addition so was the tool chest, the computer station and my suitcase was gone too. Missing were the hand tools, the air tools, the power tools, the desktop computer and my clothes. So now the scramble was on to find enough tools to run the car with for the weekend. After several phone calls (thank god for cell phones) I found a Snap-On dealer in the Vegas area and the local guy from my area. Between the two of them they could get us enough tools to work on the car over the weekend. But alas fate stepped in- I called the track at Vegas to inquire about parking only to find the event had been cancelled. And to think I had already decided the weekend vacuumed? So here I was, flying 6 people into Las Vegas, two rental cars, rooms for the weekend and food all for nothing? Thankfully Rocky came up with a brilliant idea- Lets take some pictures of the car at the strip? Good call Rocky. I was so busy wallowing neck deep in self pity that I hadn't even considered that idea. The team left early Saturday morning and Kim and I left Saturday afternoon. We probably should have left in the morning also. The storm that had caused the event cancellation had moved north and we caught it full force in the Siskiyous on Sunday. It took 11 hours to cover the three hundred and eight miles across the state of Oregon. Nothing but snow and ice all the way. Did I tell you I am NOT a professional truck driver. We drove a total of 23 hours that day to get home, running on the edge of a major winter storm. Waaaaahhhhhoooooo.
So now we are at home, regrouping. Working to replace the tools and equipment that are so vital but apparently easily packed off. New locks are in order also. But there is a positive side to this- Las Vegas seems like a very pretty place although I only saw if from a windshield. I did get to eat way too much at a buffet though. I got a chance to practice driving the freightliner in snow and ice and didn't crash it. So despite my whining things could have been worse, we all got home ok, the truck and trailer survived and I can't wait to go again. Dave Germain
So now we are at home, regrouping. Working to replace the tools and equipment that are so vital but apparently easily packed off. New locks are in order also. But there is a positive side to this- Las Vegas seems like a very pretty place although I only saw if from a windshield. I did get to eat way too much at a buffet though. I got a chance to practice driving the freightliner in snow and ice and didn't crash it. So despite my whining things could have been worse, we all got home ok, the truck and trailer survived and I can't wait to go again. Dave Germain
