Easter Break

Bus Update!

The bus is done it’s welding stint, and has moved on to the mechanical repairs needed.

While it waited to get in to the shop, I installed the water system, so now we have RO drinking water, wherever we go, which is nice, since you never know what flavour of water you’ll wind up with on the road.

It was a fun weekend, with a huge easter egg hunt with all the cousins. A great time was had by all, and many candies were harmed during the production (but no bunnies).

Ethan went and took his learners test this week, and cleaned house, so now I have two chauffeurs to take me from place to place. I can just relax and watch the scenery. Except neither of them wants to drive the bus. That’s all up to me.

Hopefully we’ll hear from the repair shop soon, so we’ll know when the bus will be ready to go, then we can say, “What’s next?”

Welding

I bet you’re soooo happy to be reading another post about our preparation. NOT! Most people are looking forward to reading some posts about where we have traveled, and what we have done, and how our large family has left it’s mark on the geography where we were.

Well, I’m sure we’re leaving a mark, but it’s mostly welded in the psyche of Grammie (Tanya’s Mom) and the other family members that are having to put up with us in close quarters.

And speaking of welding, the Rubicon is in at Keith’s work, being welded on (he put in the first day of work on it today) to get it up to standards for Alberta registration. He has a few more days of work to do by his estimate. Then it’s back to Akitt Mechanical for the rest of the inspection corrections (tag tires, left front suspension air bag, clearance lights, backup lights, more in depth brake lining/drum checks, left tag wheel bearing, and other items) before we can pick it up. Then we do the aforementioned bunk installation and water system installation, and after that we will be more or less ready to go. We were beginning to settle in to the bus a bit, so now that it’s in the shop, and we’re back at Grammie's house again it feels like somewhat of a step backwards. The kids are doing remarkably well throughout all of this, and are adapting to homelessness.

Liam was saying he misses the house last night. When I asked him what he missed, he said “The table”. He liked having the kitchen and dining room tables to eat at, and draw and write at. We may have to find another solution to the cheesy particle board table that is in the bus now.

Tanya seems to be doing better with her tooth/jaw. The dentist had to do some grinding to make the teeth meet properly, so that should take care of the discomfort in a couple days.

All in God’s time. Talk to you soon!

Cameron

Off we go to the dentist again today (poor Tanya)

She's been having pain in the jaw, TMJ, and headaches that started a few days after her root canal, and have been escalating since. We were hopeful it would subside after a few days, but three weeks later, it's still pretty ouchy. So back to Calgary today, to see what is going on with her poor tooth.

The bus is in being inspected, and they found a lot of items that need attending yesterday. They were going to take a day or so to work up a quote for the repairs which include:
Front drivers air bag (suspension)
Tag axle frame
tag axle bearings
back up lights
valve cover gaskets
clearance lights
tag axle tires
We'll know more when they call today what we're looking at for $$

Keep you posted.

Readying Steadying...

Yep, it always seems to take substantially longer than you expect. We have the bus, but the earliest I could schedule the inspection is Monday, so we wait.

I have no idea what the inspection will show, or even what they are looking for. But after the inspection, we will have to make whatever changes are required before we can head out. My fine brother in law Keith made the frames for the bunks, and they are ready to be installed, and my fine brother in law Kurt has arranged for a Reverse Osmosis water system that we will get next week, and install. That will leave geeking out the bus (with computers, and a network, and perhaps a TV and sound system to make it all work together).

The three girls had their hair cut and styled, and we have been on the quest for foamies to add to the top bunks. I’ll post some pictures of the process when I can, and more pictures of the bus for those who want to see it.

See you soon!

Cameron

Ready, Set....

It's here! The Rubicon!

After hours of driving, and much trial and tribulation, the Rubicon is here. Now all we need to do is finish outfitting it, get it inspected and registered in Alberta, and we're off to the races.

Get ready for the start of the Rubicon podcast, coming soon to Mevio! We'll be posting the link here, and everywhere else. If enough people watch it, maybe Mevio will pay us for our Diesel bill (or not)

Thanks to everyone who prayed, and worked, and loaned vehicles, and prayed, and lifted, and cleaned, and prayed, and helped us to get out of our house, and onto the road. More stuff to come soon.... Hang tight!