Another lesson learned: trust your own judgement when it comes to your bus

[Christyhicks]

So, as I step out of the door of TempBus, into 2" or 3" deep water, wading through the swamp to dryer ground, I realize that I've indeed learned another good lesson on bus ownership, TRUST YOUR OWN JUDGEMENT!  As I stared at the body of water, (formally known as a camping spot), surrounding TempBus, I wondered just how long we were going to be living in Canton, waiting for low tide! .

As always, we had a great weekend at the flea market in Canton, but this morning wasn't quite so nice.  You see, we were not really pleased with the campground spot we had to take, as it sat fairly low and flat, with evidence of prior ruttage (the spin your tires kind).  We watched the weather closely throughout our time there, and sure enough, come Saturday evening, it sure looked like we were in for some baaaaad weather.   Being the pro-active type, when we noticed a few campers hook up and pull out of some higher spots next to the road, I strolled over to the office to let them know we were going to move up to a "safer" spot.  Much to my surprise, the lady at the window told me that that simply was not allowed!   I questioned her as to why it would be a problem, and she didn't have an answer, simply wrote down my request in a notebook and again informed me that they didn't allow people to change sites.

At this point, I picked my chin back up off of the counter and politely but firmly explained that we were in a bus, we were parked in what would become a swamp if we got rain, therfore, we'd be stuck.  She again stated that they simply didn't allow people to change spots and they she understood we weren't going to get any rain anyway.  I then tried a different tack, suggesting that were we to get rain, at the very least, even if we weren't stuck, we'd surely leave large tracks in their campsite, all to no avail.  When I suggested she ask a higher official, she explained that was impossible, because they were searching for a lost child, so I immediately dropped my argument, walked back to the site and explained the situation to Larry.

Through the night, as I awoke time after time to yet another downpour thundering on the roof, I pondered the stupidy of my mistake in "following the rules."  When I stepped out into that cold water this morning, I wondered just how our new office girl, Julie, was going to respond when I called to tell her we weren't coming home any time soon  .   When a tractor showed up to extract a truck/fifth wheel combo behind us, we decided to go ahead and give it a shot. In a feeble attempt to pull out, Larry made it about 3' or so before his rear tires dropped into a mud puddle, and there we sat.  The first tractor they used wasn't up to the task, but the big backhoe did the job, thank goodness. . yay for hooks on the front of the bus!  

Morale of the story. . . when faced with imbeciles, trust your own judgement.  I should have had Larry move that bus and then dealt with the office people later.  They could have had someone come and explain why it was more important to follow the rules than be parked in a place that was safe and dry!  Oh well, this time it was no harm, no foul, , , ,next time I'll know better!   Christy

[Dallas]

Christy,
In a long lifetime of breaking rules and sometimes even getting away with it I've learned one cardinal rule:

It's much better to ask forgiveness than to ask for permission!

[Singing Land Cruiser]

A good rule of thumb, When in dout? Shout. We can all learn from this one. Thanks for the post, It could be the makings of a good Blog. All the Best, M&C

[Lonnie time to go]

Canton Oklahoma is that the place your talking about??

[Lonnie time to go]

I must say if its the same place we had been through a flood at the same campground.  At the time we had a tent.  When the rain started it was ok but soon after we were floating in the tent with about 6 inch of water under us.  We made a dash for our van, within minutes it was up to 3 ft.  Washed away everything even the dog who was saved by a rope hooked to his collar. We found out later that all the water from the road " at a much higher level " and the rest of the campground flowed through our site. We were all ok but learned a lesson the hard way lol.

[Christyhicks]

Canton Oklahoma is that the place your talking about??

Actually, this is Canton, TX, about 50 miles east of Dallas, where they hold a huge flea market once a month, called "First Monday Trade Days".  We go down two or three times a year, and just have a great time whenever we do.

Yeah, like I said, I have a tendency to follow the rules.  . when the traffic sign says "lane ends, merge", I do so,  :)when the light is red, I stop,  I even stop at stop signs when no one is around , I drive the speed limit, I never sneak grapes in the grocery store , if a customer overpays, I refund it . . .

but, he he he,

I will admit that I am the first to dash across the road if no cars are coming, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BLOCK EVEN!    Just call me a cold-blooded JAY-WALKER!

Christy Hicks

[MattC]

I live bout 24 miles from Canton, we got about 3.75" rain that day.  It'll be three days before I can walk on my lawn without sinking.  Y'all are lucky yer bus wasn't burried to the axles.  =)

However, like Michael said...  Good Point, I'd actually thought bout taking my bus over there to avoid the traffic but I'll think that one over carefully.

=)

Matt

[Christyhicks]

I'd actually thought bout taking my bus over there to avoid the traffic

Oh, don't get me wrong. . we're going back next month, ha ha!  There's nothing nicer than walking your tail off and then crawling back to the bus for an afternoon nap, only to go back out for another round!  We camp on the grounds, which means we can pretty much carry or wheel all but the largest items right back and stow them under the bay.  It doesn't matter how hot it is, we can retreat to the bus for a "cool-down" and rest any time we want! 

Nothing is more fun than strolling through the "junk" area and exclaiming, "we've got one of these". .. "that's pretty cool". . . "you know what this does???" or "What in the world does THIS do?"  Christy

[Chopper Scott]

I had an ordeal at a campsite that rivals yours. It's a state run park. Not only do they hit you with the camping fee but also make you purchase a state park permit for each vehicle. So I buy the necessary permits for the bus and my pickup towing the boat and set up camp. The next evening, after being there already one night, a so called camp ranger stops at our site and informs me that my bus is not on the gravel site and I need to pull ahead 5 feet! Now this is at 10 pm and I've been sitting there for 30 some hours already. I proceed to tell him that with my truck and boat I don't have enough room. He states the rules are the rules. So I'm airing up the bus and parking my truck and boat in what is basically the road. In my pissed off state I end up running over my power cord adapter  with the bus and ruin it along with blowing the breaker. There is a Walmart 15 miles away so off I go to get a plug in and such to repair it. It's hot out and we need the a/c. I am really hot now. When I return the gate is closed and I can't get back in.... or so they think. I have 4 wheel drive and proceed to my campsite via the ditch. Next thing you know here comes Mr Ranger with an attitude. By now it is well after midnight and I am in a real good mood!!! I mean a real good mood!!! Lucky for me and him he just walked away. The next day I walked about the campgrounds and noticed 5th wheels and other motorhomes hap hazardly parked about the entire campsite that were way off the gravel.  I complained rather loudly the next day at the camp office but it fell on typical government employees with their strange sense of power. Then I aired up the bus and moved it back to it's original location so I could get my boat and truck off of the road. No one told me to move again. I learned that the next time someone tells me to move my bus I'll just ignore them . Let them find a tow truck that can move me!!!  Later

[Dreamscape]

We had the same problem at the RV park at Breaux Bridge! Woke up to water standing everywhere! Thank goodness we didn't experience the problems you guys did, as it slowly receded before we left.

We are parked for the night at an RV park in Lakeview TX tonight, no rain is in the forecast!

We'll wave as we drive by Canton, if you guys are still around give us a call and we'll stop and say HI! 325-six six zero- 4635. We'll be heading out around 9 am toward Dallas then Abilene. Put the coffee on!

~Paul~

[Christyhicks]

I'd love to see you guys, Paul, but we had to get back here to Oklahoma Sunday night so I could slave away at work come Monday, ha ha.  You know what they say. . .  "No rest for the wicked"!  

Plus, this was Julie's first time at the helm while we were gone, so we didn't want to push it to much and COMPLETELY abandon her, ha ha.  We'll leave that for later this summer!   Christy

[Charles in SC]

I have said this for years, do not let someone else drive your bus (let someone else make your decisions for you). If you think you need to do something, do it. The girl in the office does not have to pay for the problems if something gets broken.

[Gary '79 5C]

Glad things worked out,

I am a simple guy and I have the strong believe "God helps those, who help themselves" its gotten me thru 55yrs and should beyond.
I reckon that the great majority here fit the bill, other wise we would be riding & complaining about store bought RV's.

Have a great day.

[buswarrior]

"other wise we would be riding & complaining about store bought RV's."

Complaining? If we were so inclined, I'd think we'd be rolling along happy as clams as the sides delaminated, the leaks develop, the stuff breaks... after all, we've read far worse in the RV magazine....

I'm with you. Take care of yourself, God is too busy helping those others who really need it.

happy coaching!
buswarrior