Pullin' Chocks

Finished up at Junction City, KS

(Storm update at the bottom)

After the third week at Junction City we were ready to depart, but not before being delayed by a day of high wind forecast.  We stayed until Thursday 4/24 just to be safe side, even though we were ready to go Wednesday.  We enjoy the slower methodical pace, what's the hurry anyway?

We had larger more durable wheels installed, along with a new air ride hitch and heavy duty pin box.  Plus a number of smaller repairs and enhancements and we are ready to go on to our next adventure.

Air Ride Hitch shiny and new

  Hitch Installed in Pepe´ our truck

Heavy Duty Pin Box Installed

 Hitched up with the new Pin Box and Air Ride Hitch, now she's dirty

 Dan installing new wheels

 Gari checking out new bigger wheels

 New Wheels 17.5" YAY!!!

Test Drive to Abilene, KS 40 mile round trip from Junction City

Pulled like a dream!

We headed out early Thursday morning for Manhattan, KS where we had a date to install mud flaps and rear axle air leveling bags on Pepe´ our truck.  The Ford OEM driver side front flap came off within 500 miles, the passenger side lasted an entire 1,000 miles.  We asked our dealer to replace them and they said "not warranted".  That was probably a good thing because we know how long they last.  With very little luck these after-market flaps will outperform the Ford non-solution.

 Pepe´ in the shop getting refitted with flaps and bags.  Sounds like the latest plastic surgery fad.

Out for a test drive at Tuttle Creek Lake State Park

Check out the flaps!

Now it was time to check into our new temporary home, Tuttle Creek Lake State Park.

The locals call it Tuttle's Puddle.

Lot 57, a peaceful spot with 50A service to boot!

Our Backyard through the rear window; see the puddle?

 View from atop the earthen COE Dam; see Penelope in the trees?

 On a walk down by the river...

We were all ready to go, then the storms came.  The meteorologists were saying it was going to be the worst outbreak of tornadoes this season.  That got our attention!  We looked at the forecasts and maps and decided there was no place we could get to that was not at risk so we stayed at Tuttle's Puddle.  That's when the storm came right over this park and set up the train situation, and we were right on the tracks.  Luckily the wind was not bad, just lots of rain and lightning and a little hail.  We saw worse hail in Junction City.

We checked out the available storm shelters the day before.

 It's all concrete, even the roof

This storm came in the middle of the night, and we were fortunate that we did not have to go to the shelters.  We did spend the night with the slides pulled in on our rig and that was not so comfortable or convenient  Monday 4/28 we leave Kansas and continue the journey to South Dakota.  We have our sights set on York, NE for the night tomorrow.  We are looking at the weather there and there are tornado watches in York and North Platte tonight.  I guess it was a good thing we waited, and I remind myself that I am not in a hurry!

This just in...
We just saw this map of where the severe storms and tornadoes broke out today.  It looks like we made a good guess by staying put in Manhattan, KS.  The storms were all around us!  Tomorrow the severe weather is forecast to move farther east, so we will head north and hope for the best.  We understand this slow, moving system is expected to carry severe weather all the way to the east coast by weeks end :(