I was up at almost the crack of dawn this morning because I wanted to take a window of opportunity to get to my next stop before the wind storm started. We rolled out of the KOA right at 8:00 and headed north. Seems the weather guessers were wrong once again, and the winds rolled in very shortly out of the north. It seemed a struggle to move down the road, and I literally watched the gas gage move downward.
After about an hour and a half, I noticed that dreaded gap of light from the awning once again in my rear view mirror. Shucks! I slowed way down and exited the highway where I could get some gas. My plan was to fill up, get the ladder out and push the awning back, and head onto my next destination. What was I thinking? At this point, the wind was blowing in the 30 mph range and I knew I couldn’t go on let alone fix the awning.
Luckily, this gas station had a campground connected to it. So here we are. Stuck once again. After only 60 miles, I was set up to spend the night by 10:30 in the morning! The wind has been so strong that I couldn’t even put out the living room slide for fear the slide topper would rip off. Emma has been as nervous as when we are in a terrible thunder and lightening storm.
I didn’t even make it to Sioux Falls, so we are about 320 miles from Tamarac NWR, and I have a dilemma. They are expecting me tomorrow, and one of the interns will stay on call to open the gates for me so I can get to the RV site. I know I can call the intern, and tell her I can’t make it, but this journey has seemed to go on forever and ever. I’m anxious to get there. I guess I’ll just have to see how the winds are in the morning.
Along about 5:30, the winds had abated to about 25 mph, so I set up the ladder to try to fix the awning, again. You’ll just have to imagine me perched near the top pounding on the arm. At least this time I could lean back against the slide out for stability. I got it in, but I sure hope I don’t have to stop every 75 miles or so to do this tomorrow. Cross your fingers for me.
I would have gotten on the roof to see if I could secure the arm except for two things. First, it scares me to go up there, and second, I figured I might get blown off and flown down to the Gulf of Mexico! I like gulf shrimp, but I sure don’t want to be one! 
Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later, Judy
P.S. Hope you know that I appreciate being able to vent my frustrations on you all…
