January 2017 in Oklahoma

It was not our intention to be in OKC in January.  We are winter Texans and this is our 5th year to schedule January and February waayyyy south of Oklahoma.  Why?  Because it is COLD in Oklahoma!

Having spent the fall in Tulsa and spending loads of quality time with our sons, and with many friends in the area, and having celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas with family, the time came on December 26, 2016 when we concluded our Tulsa stay.  It was a gorgeous Monday and we decided to take our time getting out of our RV park and drive the short 2 hours to Rockwell RV park in OKC where we normally stay on our way south.  Rockwell RV park isn't much to look at but it is located near our favorite hang outs, shops, restaurants, and family/friends.  We checked in before dark, parked, set up our rig, and settled in for our morning departure to our first week in Texas where we were meeting two other couples.  We would see the old year out and the new year in with family and friends, just as we had in previous years.  Menus were planned and we were in anxious anticipation.  Tuesday morning we were all ready to begin our southerly trek when one of the slides on our motorhome got stuck--out!

Slides must come in and we have 3 of them.  Slides are what give us room to live inside our 400-ish square foot home.  Today we were able to get 2 our of 3 slides to come in.  Normally I'd say 2 out of 3 isn't bad, but in this case it is not good at all.  We called a mobile repair person to  come out but he could do nothing and suggested driving the rig, with the one slide out, the short 3 blocks to the only dealership in Oklahoma City (that we are aware of) which sells our brand of RV, McClains RV.  That was Tuesday the 27th of December.  Winnebago was closed most of the week and that is where the kit to repair our slide must come from.  

Winter at Penn Square Mall

McClains has been very accommodating to us.  We have stayed in their show-out campground in our coach since our slide issues began.  Reservations for the week in the Ft Worth area were immediately cancelled by us, and then by our friends.  San Antonio reservations were scheduled January 3-February 5.  December 28 our part was ordered and due to arrive Thursday January 5.  San Antonio had to be bumped.  On January 5 our main heating system stopped working properly.  That Thursday the rig went back to have the slide repaired.  We checked into a hotel where one night turned into 4 nights.

 Friday the 6th, McClains notified us that the slide kit which arrived was not the correct kit.  They offered to keep the RV in a bay over the weekend rather than move it back outside.  Since the temperature was extremely cold and would not be above freezing for days, we decided to remain in the hotel while our home was safely and warmly snuggled in at McClains.
During this time we made almost daily trips to Penn Square Mall and walked the upper and lower levels.  It is a beautiful mall and since it is fully enclosed, it is warm and a pleasant place to walk.  The pic on the right is a screen shot of our local weather.  The local news said it was -2 in OKC, but my app says 0.  OH MY!  With the diesel heat in the RV acting up, and relying on the electric fireplace for our heat, we felt blessed to have a warm place to stay.

It is week 3 in OKC and Wednesday the 11th the correct kit arrives at McClains.  We are watching the weather for the week planning our OKC escape and San Antonio arrival  The forecast for the weekend in OKC is looking rough.  The news has used the term ice-mageddon during the forecast and my stomach turns over.  Must get to San Antonio.  The reservation has now been "bumped" multiple times as we have always tried to be optimistic as to when our rig will be repaired.  

Wednesday night our diesel heat worked "enough" to keep us warm, but when morning came around it was 20 degrees outside and the heat was not keeping up.  Our electric fireplace was not putting out much heat and our indoor temp was down to 52 degrees.  They were scheduled to come get our rig at 9am.  They didn't come at 9 and at 9:30 Chris went over to check on what was going on.  He also told them to look at our Aqua Hot heating system while they had it.  The diesel heat had completely shut down.  Our bags were packed for a stay in a hotel during the repair.  With our previous experience of one night turning to 4 nights, we packed accordingly.

Our friend, Loretta, who takes in "homeless" people

 Chris and I do not require someone to entertain us.  Nope.  We always find things to do.  People to visit.  Malls to walk.  And seasonally, trails to ride!  During the past 3 weeks we have had many friends and family checking on us.  We never felt alone or abandoned.  God was looking out for us and we knew it.

Who breaks down 3 blocks from the only dealer in the OKC area who sells your type of RV?  What RV dealers let you park in their show-out lots?  We even had a family member come to McClains and start in sales then work their way back to the back lot to find us and ask us to move in with them for the week.  Blessings abounded!

Thursday afternoon (Jan 12) we had not secured a hotel room.  No idea what we were waiting for, we just weren't in a hurry.  A dear friend of ours, Loretta, texted to check on us that same Thursday afternoon.  When I told her we were moving into a hotel for the night, she invited us to her home.  For the night.  For the weekend.  Whatever we needed.  We gladly took her up on the offer.  She has a generator and food enough to withstand ice-mageddon which is hours away.  Friday the 13th arrived and McClains reported they were not going to have the Aqua Hot diagnosed before the weekend.  The slide would be finished, but we would not have heat other than our fireplace.  They agreed to keep our rig in a bay and diagnose the issue on Monday.  We would stay with Loretta for the weekend.

Oklahoma City missed the worst of the ice storm.  Thankfully!  It was cold, rainy, wet, and slick in spots outside, but we were warm and in loving company with Loretta.  On Sunday we went to our former church and had lunch and good visit with friends.

Monday January 16 we received word that the Aqua Hot had been diagnosed and parts ordered.  We could move back into our rig and use the electric heat to stay warm.  Oklahoma would be above freezing for several days.  The part would arrive on Wednesday (Jan 18).  On Tuesday they updated us.  The part should arrive Friday, January 20.  San Antonio reservations bumped.  Again.  So we wait....

One day when walking at the mall we ran across this young man, Sam Kahre, cellist.  He is quite talented.

 An outing at Lake Overholser on a beautiful day with sunshine!

Many have asked about Schooner.  We boarded her during all the snow, ice, and freezing temps.  She is still "speaking" to us and seems no worse for wear.

On the left is Chris and Schooner on a walk along the Oklahoma River.  This is a bike/walking trail that we rode numerous times when living in Mustang, OK.

OKC is dear to our hearts.  We aren't in Texas, but we are keeping busy and staying warm.  Our rig will soon be ready to take us south.  Chris, Schooner, and I look forward to our winter in Texas, regardless of its brevity.



Addendum:  The aqua hot part arrived on Friday, January 20 as predicted.  Installation occurred on Monday January 23.  By end of day on Monday the aqua hot heating system was still turning itself off - reason unknown at this time.
January 24 another part was ordered and it arrived January 26.  This part made the last piece to our puzzle and by 3pm on January 26th we were headed south.  We stayed at the WinStar Casino RV park in Thackerville, OK which has a Good Sam rating of 10-10-10.  It did not disappoint!

Friday, January 27, 2017 we drove to San Antonio approximately 3 1/2 weeks later than originally planned, but with a highly functional RV.  We are thankful for the repairs which took place in OKC where we were surrounded by family, friends, and RV service people who took really good care of us. Now, to enjoy our winter in Texas!