It's been awhile since I've spent some time in the Beaver. Partly, working out of state, spending time with Pete in the Bigfoot, and mostly because the Beaver had developed a deep, insatiable addiction to oil. I knew it had a little problem, but for some reason as soon as I got it back from Expertec (not insinuating anything) the problem got worse. Must be because I was driving it more, and the problem was becoming huge. A pool of oil in my place when I left any spot. I was buying quarts at a time, trying to please it's oil thirst. Quarts turned into gallons. Not good. Finally, after prompting from, everybody, I took it into
Blue Lake RV Repair in Gresham. Essentially, rehab, to kick it's oil habit.
I just got it back, problem fixed but they had the nerve to warn me about another issue. The fuel line or tube is old (1983 old) and the gasoline these days is breaking the material down. They told me this can cause a fuel break/leak and potential make the beaver stop, and burst into flames. I'm like, Ok, fine, I'll take my chances. I thought about it for a few minutes... and then called to make the appointment to get that fixed. The appointment is next Tuesday.
But for now, I decided to take the chance and take it somewhere anyway, before I get that issue fixed. I was tired of not
doing anything with this thing. I still don't know what it is I'm doing. I haven't spent enough time in it. So I gave my friend Jake my car keys and told him to not let me trade or have them back for awhile. He mentioned he was the biggest push over and surely all I had to do was to ask for them back, so we made the agreement that I would have to show him my tits and then I could have the keys back. Just something to cause me to pause before asking for the keys and that was something he could hold out for.
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| Heading down Roger Road to Gales Creek in the Tillamook Forest |
I decided to take it to the Tillamook Forest for the night. I would test everything I got fixed on it thus far. If it breaks down, I'll smoke a cigarette watching it burn. At this point since I just got it back from Rehab, I was calling it the Big Beaver Burden Bitch. It just seemed like I would never get ahead. I knew I needed to spend some time with in it ( I call it
'it' when I'm mad at
it) So I knew I had to take it on a mini trip. Since one of the things I got fixed was a new fuel pump ( recall how it wouldn't go up hills, and die) I knew this drive would be a good, real test. Also, a good time to watch the oil level, from the recent fix. So on my way to Tillamook Forest,
up up up Hwy 26, across the North Plains, and
uuup Hwy 6. I made it to Gales Creek, where it looked like a perfect place to stop, I noticed the season for camping was over but I parked anyway, near the creek and settled in for some major Beaver bonding. I sat with it. I slept in it. I woke before six, made coffee, and even drove the drive with the all Commuters. Up up up and all.
Everything is great with it for now. Except for the roof leak caused by some reckless upper right rear oversight. Some tree branch along some way caused some ripping to the top and side. On my list to fix.
Below are some highlights of some stays thanks to some pretty understanding friends within the past month.
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| Thanks to Jake and Amanda... they have helped so much in a lot of car/beaver hosting and shuffling around. |
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| The Beaver is so convenient! I had a very early flight so I just stayed in the Beaver in the economy parking lot at the airport, got up at 4 am and bussed over to the airport. Smart smart smart! |
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| My favorite daytime spot is next to the Laurelhurst Park. |
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| Currently, enjoying a nice spot under an Evergreen in NE, thanks to Yorra! |
