Well, despite my assertions yesterday about focusing on the negative, today we did our best to balance out the force by entertaining two decidedly negative events.
First, we needed to make a quick stop at a bike shop to adjust Delta-V’s rear derailleur. It was making a chattering noise when I pedaled yesterday and while I was able to diminish the noise with some minor adjustments to the barrel adjuster, it never went entirely away. As it happens, this isn’t considered a negative. It’s just part of breaking in a new bike. I figured it was the limit screws, and when we made it to Mike’s Bikes in Wichita (only a couple miles off route - great!) that suspicion was confirmed. After Mike’s guy spent about fifteen minutes with the bike it was perfect. However, we spent about 1.5 hours at Mike’s. This because I locked the keys in the RV. My lovely (and far thinking) bride had not yet placed her spare key in her purse - as is typically her habit. So, this was clearly Susan’s fault. However, we have AAA roadside assistance. Which Susan got - so she’s off the hook. Like I said - far thinking. Regardless, in the long run it cost us nothing but time - which we had plenty of today since it was purely a travel day.
Second, as we were driving thru Oklahoma City some kind hearted Oakies (Texans everywhere take note) pulled up beside us on I-35 and shouted something like “Ick R Tail!” They were quite emphatic. So I slowed down and they pulled beside us again.”Ick R Tail! ICK R TAIL!!” Good Lord, where do they pick up a Southern accent that heavy. I mean really, we’re what - less than a hundred miles from Kansas and these people are talking a different language. We moved on. Pleased by the helpfulness of Oakies, but clueless as to their syntax and semantics. It wasn’t until we pulled in to the Wal-Mart at Pauls Valley, OK (c’mon - who doesn’t need a daily run to Wally World?) and were walking back to the rig with our goodies that Susan asked, “What’s that hanging down from under the trailer?” Turns out it was the trailer plug. It had somehow come loose and ground off a portion of the adapter that changes the RV output from 7 wire to the trailer’s 4 wire system. It was at this moment that I had a flash of insight. “Ick R Tail” translates as “Check Your Trailer.” Like I said, their accent was atrocious. Anyway - problem #2 for the day.
Regardless, the day ended on a good note with Mexican food at Tio’s (also in Pauls Valley) and the food was good. When we inquired, the waitress was kind enough to call the owner who said we could just set up camp in their Parking lot for the night at no charge. So, for $30 we got dinner and a camping spot for the night. They have a gravel lot back away from the road. Should work out fine.
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