Ellsworth AFB, SD

We awoke to a wind warning for the area starting this afternoon and going into the evening. So, to stay or to go on to Ellsworth AFB was the question. We had to determine the seriousness of the hydraulic leak first. I opened the access hatch at the steps leading into the coach to allow me to observe the hydraulic pump and switching solenoids while Barbara brought in the slides. We did manage to get all the slides in for travel, but as each slide came in there was a substantial spray of fluid which I caught in a beach blanket to keep from making any more of a mess of the camping site than we already had.

When we had slide trouble in Durango, CO the mobile tech that was helping us out made some slide locks for us out of his wife’s old crutches. Those of you that have followed our travels may remember that event. Well, we put those to good use again this morning to hold the curbside slide in and blasted off for Ellsworth AFB FamCamp in Rapid City, SD. We are going to try to salvage as much of this trip as possible. We managed to get there before the winds got too strong, and got laundry out of the way.

The jeep continues to have a problem with the shift linkage, and in fact, it is getting pretty bad. I tried to find a source of wire to make a temporary fix, but had no luck. I did manage to get a zip tie on the shaft to hold the cable end in place and hope that it works for a day and a half, because I bit the bullet and made an appointment at the local jeep dealer to replace the shift cable.

Back at the campsite things were getting interesting as the sun began to set. We could not put our slides out because of the hydraulic problem we had, but we would have kept them in anyway due to the forecast winds. Some of our neighbors did finally get the clue and brought theirs in. Unfortunately not in time for the coach on our right, and the cloth awning that covers slides was blown out to the point that the spring retractor was overcome. He pulled the slide in, but what we call the topper was not retracting as it should. Actually, it did not retract at all. As it puffed up in the wind it stood the chance of further damage. I went over with a length of rope to lead over the fabric and tie around the slide structure to minimize the amount of billowing. He will need to get someone to get the fabric wound back up as in needs to be, but this should allow him to save the fabric.

Barbara took Nia for a walk and had to fight the wind, which according to Weather Bug is gusting to 42 MPH. Nia was distracted by all of the bags and other debris flying by.

Back inside they found that the wind chime I brought inside when the wind picked up was now chiming away from the rocking of the coach in the wind. Can you imagine a 27,000-pound wind chime?

Tomorrow we are off into the Black Hills and all they offer.