Hell can't be far away

What is it that draws people to Phoenix? The heat here is insane. Everyone we talk to says that they stay here for the other nine months of the year and just learned to live with this part of it. More power to them. When the roads are so hot that tires blow up, when the air is so bad they tell you to stay inside, when the overnight LOW temperature is 91 degrees, it's clear to me this is no place to be --- period. Especially for two people that don't like the heat. No, don't try to fry an egg on the sidewalk --- it will be rubber by the time you're able to get it off. This is simply insane. I caught a bit of the local news this morning and they are saying that this July is shaping up to be the hottest one on record for the area. Isn't that special.

I've been offline for most of the time we've been here. Isn't that special. The local network was having problems. Actually it was just the gateway, for those of you that understand these things. I had some time this morning (while doing laundry) to call customer service and the gal I talked to said there were no incidents reported so she had no record of any problems with their system. Funny thing. After I got off the line with her and tried again about an hour later it was working again. Now isn't that interesting. Oh well. At least it's working now. I've inserted the log entries below as before.


July 15, 2003 - 6:00PM

We made it to Phoenix and it's just miserable here. Even the natives are complaining. It probably wouldn't be quite as miserable if not for the humidity. I can't say what it's at but it's definitely high. Anytime you seep moisture just sitting or standing outside, it's too much. We had the airconditioner running all day and even now it's still 94 degrees inside the trailer. It's been around 117 degrees here for the past few days. Way too hot for my taste.

The trip across the desert was a long, weary haul. Neither of us tolerate heat well and this is insane. I don't understand how anyone can live in this. Most say "because it's great in the winter". I guess if your mission is to escape the cold and snow - which both of us just happen to love - then it's a fine place to be. So be it. They can have it. My perspective? It keeps just that many more people away from where we want to be.

Can't get online. Guess the heat killed their network. The network is down. I can't even connect with my phone's browser - says the Network is not responding. Guess that says it all. Figures. I need to check a few things online - and post this log - but can't. Maybe that heat ain't so wonderful afterall...

Looks like I have a rear-end to replace on the truck. God protected us. The sound stayed at a consistent level all the way here. I was able to park the trailer at a nice park outside of town. Phoenix Destiny RV Resorts. The people here are great. Everyone we've talked to has been very helpful. This park is a great place to stop if you need one in Phoenix. It's a bit outside the city but to us, that's a good thing. Just off of AZ 85 on I-10. I can't say enough good about the place. If one must be miserable, this is the place to be. Many thanks go out to Ron Drake for his recommendation of a place to have the truck serviced. If you ever need work on any vehicle when you're in the Phoenix area, stop in to see Paul at Arizona Automotive Center. Good guy. Knows his stuff. We had stopped for dinner at a spot in town near Megan's home and it was here I noticed oil spray on the hitch. I got a chance to look at it later and discovered oil all over the rear axle and gearbox. I was able to procure the needed oil and pump and bring it back up to level. Wasn't empty but it was definitely low. Speculation from Paul was that it blew a seal and between that and the pinion bearing being worn (which is what he orginally assessed as the problem) the oil sprayed out because of the heat. The drive to his shop was uneventful. Still noisy but it got there. Paul got in to take a test drive and we no sooner got out of his lot when chaos broke loose. A loud bang and subsequent grind - heavy grating grinding sounds came out. Paul told me it just blew out. Gone. Broken gears, I'm sure. I am very thankful God answers prayer. I'd asked Him to get us to a service shop safely, and He did. I'd asked for direction for such a shop, and He answered. Some of you may not understand the power of prayer but it exists and it's real. From Cathy's incident with the bike rack to this, one would be hard pressed to dispute such evidence. Coincidence you say? I think not. I continually ask for guidance and protection and He delivers. Believe what you want but my God is real.

It won't be a cheap repair. We're certainly not in a good position to be shelling out a lot of money for such things but faith brings many things to one willing to test providence. We will make it to Colorado and He will provide. In my experience, God never asks more of you than you can endure. The flip side of this is that much of the time, He rarely provides anything more than what you need at the time. "A lamp to my feet". Keep in mind the average distance of view given by an oil lamp in the dark of night. You can easly see your next step. Beyond that is blackness. In the wilderness, a blackness you can feel. Rarely are we offered vision beyond our immediate needs. "Tomorrow will take care of itself". I believe Him.

We've been in town since Sunday night and will be here until the truck is ready. That will likely be late tomorrow or early the next day. We'll be heading for Vilas, CO to visit with Mom and Dad, Mike, Edna, and the boys. Cheryl tells me they are suffering very dry conditions and heat of 90 degrees. Normally, that would sound discouraging. Coming from here it will be a welcomed change. One thing about southeastern Colorado, you don't generally get much in the way of humidity. That makes all the difference. We're actually looking forward to it. Not as much as the cool of the mountains, but still a major improvement. Short of Death Valley, I don't think it can get any worse. I've been in engine rooms without cooling that weren't this hot. Sheesh!