August 31, 2009 Day 3

Cool, but sunny day this morning. 10c. The guys found the little town of St. Ubalde on the map. 40 minutes N.W. from our campsite. While they were gone I tried to catch up on some blogging. 20 min. to download one picture. Not a great way to start the trip blogging. At 10:30 they were back beaming. They were able to get the alternator fixed and get another belt. The motor home was fixed in 15 minutes, we had a big breakfast and were on our way by 11:50. Another quick stop a few hrs later to do a little adjustment on the drive shaft. Good to go.

We are now in Edmundston N.B. at a Prov. Park called de la Republique. We hope to do some sightseeing before we continue our trip.

love to you all.

Alida & Marcel/mom & dad

August 30, 2009 Day 2

We got up at 7:30 to yucky rainy weather. The men wanted to pick up the alternator from the garage where they left it the day before. Peter couldn't sleep last night worrying. So, that's what we did. Lucky someone was there. We found a Can. Tire store in Quebec city that was open on Sunday. But no luck, so off for our sightseeing day. We spent 5 hrs. walking. The sun came out and we had a lovely day.

While we were there we watched a parade of military bands.

We are not sure what law Immy broke, but this band is on a mission. We will miss her.

Here we are walking around a wall surrounding the barracks that housed 400 soldiers.

Artillery Park.

We left Quebec city at 5:30 and checked on the Internet for alternator shops. A few in Quebec city. We planned to go back tomorrow and search for them.

But...while having dinner in the little village where we camp, I noticed a phone booth. The guys checked the yellow pages, and found one not too far away. We'll find out tomorrow morning.

Stay tuned...Alida/mom

August 29, 2009

August 29/09 Day 1

We were up at 6:00. - 15 degrees and raining.
We left the house at 6:45, Al waved us off and we were at Peter and Immy's at 7, as planned.
Jennie came the night before, and we no sooner hit the highway, and she snuggling on the couch for a snooze. Jennie does not do 6 a.m. lol
Rain stopped , but the wipers would not turn off.... minor repair.
By 1:15 in the afternoon the alternator was getting noisy. By 3 there was a burning smell, and we headed for the nearest campground. (Deja Vu...Steinbach). Arrived at Sainte Genevieve de Batiscan between Montreal and Quebec....for a fix it job. The campground is in the middle of nowhere, but quite nice.
The shaft is riding on a bearing and the bearing is destroyed, causing the belt to snap also.
The guys found a garage and a new part was to be ordered Monday morning. They left the alternator there.



Good thing we rec'd this huuuge container of speculaar from Amanda. Thanks soooo much. They are delicious.



The snapped belt


Peter working on the alternator.
We are now waiting till Monday. It's raining again, and found out the window above my bed is leaking. My bed is wet. I'm sooo happy.
Stay tuned.

Alida

August 22, 2009

Dear family and friends.
One week before we leave for our trip to the East coast. A short update on the motor home. Marcel has given it a face lift on the outside. He painted some of the black stripes a cream color, and made new bumbers for the front and back. Looks great.



After and Before
One of his fix-it jobs was replacing the leaking sewer pipes.

Here Marcel and Peter have taken out the gas tank to fix the vent pipe. The tank was taken out 4 or 5 times since our Alaska trip. Can't imagine a trip without those two familiar smells. lol.

Marcel now carries a small book in his pocket with the "honey-do" list as he calls it. Besides fixing the leaky sewer drain, the vent pipe to the gas tank, making new bumpers, he also fixed the windshield wipers, fridge door handle, (it came off), screen door, re-attached the rear bumper (it tore off catching a branch entering Sandbanks Prov. Park) and fixed the transmission lines. He moved the water tank to the front of the motor home, leaving room for our folding bikes, and put in a TV cable. The ugly blue awning has been replaced by a cream colored one, and a add-a-room is now complete. Thanks to Bill Langton. Left to do is fix the air leak in the air bags, and the heater fan. It only works on slow speed. No wonder he carries a list. Who can remember all that!!!

Love to you all.

Mom/Alida