My trip home, from Oklahoma, started out fine. Just before I left, I practiced backing up the Airstream (AS) in my brother’s long diveway. It didn’t come easily, but if backed up about 2 ft at a time and stop to think..ok, I need the back of the AS to go this way, so I turn the wheel this way. I was getting it. Yea! Girl Power!

I had the truck serviced before I left SA, but did not do it when I left OK. Maybe a mistake? I took Hwy 281 on the way up. I only hit traffic in Marble Falls. What I didn’t like is, there is long stretches of 2 lanes. I had to straddle the shoulder so cars could pass. It felt a little scary.
Decided to take I35 on the way back, just set cruise control, and glide all the way home. My main concern was going through Austin during rush hour. I set my GPS, but it told me a weird way to go, back to the map.

It’s a really hot day but things were going well until about Ft Worth. It felt like I was losing power steering, but at that moment I hit bad traffic. The breaking was also getting difficult. I pulled over after I got out of the traffic in West, Tx, above Waco.
I had no idea?? Thought about calling my brother, but couldn’t get cell service. I have roadside assistance but have to find a phone. .About that time a young guy stopped, he said “you blew a belt” ( guess he could see it?) and your truck is also over heated. He called a garage nearby for me. He said “wait till the truck cools down, then drive to the mechanic, they‘ll take care of you“. I thanked him. He said , “my mom drives a RV, goes everywhere, and I would hope that someone would help my mom is she needed it.” That was so sweet. I didn’t even get his name.

So I got a lawn chair from the truck, found some shade. So Luna, my black dog, and I sat on the side of the road. I felt incompetent, stupid, scared, frustrated, that all turned to tears. I really felt bad about the over heating, I kinda knew that, not to let a vehicle get heated, kinda?? But never thought to look a gauge, didn’t really know which one it is? I rarely drive the truck. I remember that overheating can cause damage to the motor.

After an hour, drove to the garage, they were busy. Told me that I had to unhook the AS. There I was in the blazing sun, doing the unhook, there were 3 older guys, standing there watching me, no one offered to help. Another low point, I was really losing my girl power. While I was sitting in that hot mechanic shop, after enduring a lecture about the damage overheating can do to a motor, I thought I should re think my whole idea of solo travel by this method.

So 4 hours and $561.00 later, at 5 pm, I left with a new water pump, belt, and pullies (??). In this situation, you just have to “pay the piper“. The rest of the trip was uneventful, except I was really tired. No problem with Austin, since I passed through after 8:30 pm. Didn’t get home till after 10. I often say that it’s fun to go but equally great to get home. It felt so wonderful to take a shower and fall into my own bed.

After a good nights sleep, realized I did conqueror my greatest fear. What would I do if I had car problems alone on the road? Now I know, sit on the side of the road and cry. Hehe. Like all things in life, you get through with a positive attitude and by one step at a time and hopefully with a little girl power.