Travel Blog

Well, we've had a pretty exasperating and expensive 2010. We've had three broken computers, we wrecked our RV, our new RV had a broken air conditioner, furnace, converter and microwave, and now our truck needs its transmission pulled out and rebuilt. We're hoping that's about it for the bad news this year, but we still have almost a whole month to go, so we don't want to get our hopes up too far.

But anyway, a couple of days ago our Check Engine light came on. We did a self-diagnostic by turning the ignition on, off and on again, and the error code on the panel told us it was a faulty transmission throttle valve. That didn't sound too bad, right? How expensive could a little valve be? So we scheduled an appointment in Flagstaff (an hour+ away from where we live) to get the oil changed and this valve thing checked out. Turns out that the valve was not operating correctly, but it wasn't the valve's fault. It was due to a couple of leaks somewhere in the bowels of our transmission that were increasing the pressure of the transmission fluids and that was what was keeping the valve stuck open. So they have to pull the tranmission out, find the leaks, replace all the fluids and whatnot. We're going to be a few grand lighter after this experience, but I guess it's better than having to buy a whole new truck.

They wanted to keep the truck for a few days, so we're driving a rented Ford Focus right now.

It's weird being so close to the ground, and we've already bottomed out a couple of times because in our truck we dont' have to worry about inclines too much. But the worst thing is driving around with California plates. We've made so much fun of California drivers lately, what with the snow and just the crazy way they drive (sorry Steve and Tara) that now we're getting payback. We've already had some Arizonians tailgating us and being all-around jerks. I blame the plates.

But enough about our woes, let's focus (ha ha) on the beautiful canyon when it snows.

The visitors haven't been too happy that it's cold and snowy, but we've been trying to make them feel better by telling them that when it snows, you can get even better pictures than when it's sunny. And it's true. The bad weather makes for interesting views. In my humble opinion, anyway. I just feel bad for the Easterners who, like me when I first left PA, thought all of Arizona was always hot and sunny. So they've shown up in shorts and flip-flops. Not the best attire for the Canyon in December, but at least it's been good for long-sleeve shirt sales.