Beware of Flying Rocks

I was sitting at a photo shoot for a client yesterday and my phone rang. I looked down and was surprised to see my mom's cell number on the screen. I knew they were well on their way back from Yellowstone and wondered if maybe my dad got antsy and they pushed to get home early (they were due home to Mankato today). As soon as I heard my mom's voice I knew something was wrong. (Note to Mom: Please in the future when traveling - especially with one of the grand kids - and something goes awry make sure to say RIGHT away when you call that there is nothing wrong with ANYONE. I don't need any help with the gray hairs.)

Turns out right after they left their campground somewhere near Keyhole, WY, the Coach basically shut down - everything quit working. Luckily they were able to limp it into a nearby parking lot. A call for a tow left them with an estimate of $1,500 just for the tow. My mom said they "lucked out" and it was only $1,200. I don't fully have the story straight but from what I can gather the mechanic came to them. The diagnosis - a hole in their radiator. The proposed treatment - with any luck a repair otherwise a full radiator replacement to the tune of $4,000 - 6,000. Yikes!

They spent the day in the truck parking lot while the mechanic worked to repair the hole - a hole he figures was caused by a rock thrown up on a gravel road they traveled on to get a look at Devil's Tower. When they traveled to Texas last Winter they encountered much snow as they headed south and with few plows it seems Southerners fight snow with salt - lots of salt. They figure the salt got in there and corroded the radiator thus making it vulnerable to getting a hole. The good news is thank goodness this didn't happen when they were in the mountains in Yellowstone. Who know how they would have got it fixed.

Talked to my mom today - they spent last night in Sundance, WY and were approaching Rapid City, SD with plans to make it to Sioux Falls by evening. They should be back home to Mankato early tomorrow afternoon.

Prayers and crossed fingers for a safe and uneventful return home.