Well, THAT was unexpected.

So I didn’t think I’d have anything to post about for a few days, but then this happened.

I was up there because the worm gear (or whatever you call it) that deploys and retracts the awning chose yesterday morning to give up the ghost. It rained where we were, beginning when I got to the CG and continuing most of the night. I had deployed the awning all the way out for shelter from the rain, and because I could—there was no wind at all. Got up yesterday morning, got a good start on the day, let the cats out for a bit, got them back in, started breaking camp, and got to the point that retracting the awning was the next thing to do—and bam. No way. Climbed up top to see if I could figure out what to do.

This isn’t the first time the awning has gone wonky when I tried to retract it. It goes beyond annoying to incipient panic, because I cannot move the van with the awning out. I think once I did move it about fifty feet that way, going well under five mph, but that was enough to convince me it was never going to be possible to drive for help with the awning out.

Here’s the culprit.

You can’t actually see the dysfunctional part. It’s inside the roundish bit over on the left.

Because it was that gear thingy, the awning couldn’t be retracted manually either. In fact, there’s nothing wrong with the motor part at all. I avoided full-on freaking out because I decided that if push came to shove, I’d cut the awning off and just have to get a new one later. But I definitely was not enthusiastic about that solution.

I started trying to remove the motor to continue my exploration, but didn’t have a socket or wrench small enough. At about that time, the camp host drove past, so I asked him if maybe he’d have something small enough. He went and got his tools, and after finding the size needed (8mm—I think I need to add one to my toolbox in the van), stayed to help.

It turned to be a two-person job. We ended up removing the entire assembly down to a square thingy that is what has to turn the spindle that rolls up the awning. I got the three bolts that needed the 8mm wrench, and then he climbed up and got the rest off.

No pictures for the rest of it, because it took both of us to roll up the awning. He had channellock pliers that gave a good grip on the spindle end, but I wasn’t strong enough to turn it. The arms that support the awning what it’s deployed have a LOT of tension in them. Eventually we figured out he could turn the spindle while I pushed up on the arms, and bit by bit we got it done. My arms, legs, and back were all complaining by then.

I found some extra bungee cords, he put them on to keep the awning from springing loose while driving down the road . . .

Et voila’, mobile again.

I was exhausted but sustained by adrenaline at that point. The drive, however, was beautiful.

By the time I got the above, I was past the best part. Until I got to my lunch stop, by which time I was calmed down from the morning’s crisis. Here’s Shadow appreciating the lunchtime view.

That’s Mt. Rainier. This is a better shot. See if you can pick out the mountain snows from the clouds.

This will help.

Made it to Ellensburg, collected hugs, and got set up. As unsociable as I am, I have been thoroughly enjoying all the socializing. From supper last night.

Lots more socializing to come, so back to it