Gettin good at breakin down.

We stayed at the fairgrounds a few more days then headed over to Coleville WA . Our plan was to meet up with Heather our old friend and she was driving Aura down from Slocan. The forest fire situation improved in the valley. The evac order was lifted and people were allowed back into town. Our neighbors in Little Slocan were back home and the fire that came so close to our land had shifted to the north and caused no strucural damage on property. The forest service did have to cut a large fire break above our land and in the process damaged our water line. So Lisa had to work with JP our neighbor to get the water flowing again. But what a relief to hear the update on that fire! Phew that was a close one.

We spent a day with Heather , always so sweet to see her and spend time. Aura seemed a bit older and refreshed after her long reprieve from bus life! Heather continued on to the west the following day and we were driving over to Republic to meet up with another friend, Kate . She was driving down from the valley to see us just for one day! She was bringing her boys, Weaver and Heron as well . So we were feeling excited to see them as we left Coleville and headed up over a mountain pass when the bus started losing power. UUGH. My first thought was clogged fuel filter as I pulled off the highway just in time as the shoulder widened just enough to fit our 50 foot length. We had barely started climbing and I was certain this was gonna be our last chance to pull over for a while. I ran back to the engine bay and when I opened the hatch a could see fuel leaking, spraying from behind the engine. I shut it down and looked for a loose fuel line or broken line. Did not take me long to spot a broken metal fuel line. Number 5 cylinder injector line broken right at the fitting. Seemed like it was the original line . Could have been vibration over time or the last guy who replaced the other broken line 2 weeks ago might have over tightened it, who knows. All I knew is that we were dead in the water.

This is not what anybody wanted right now. Shit. So here I go again, shift into troubleshooting mode. I knew we needed another fuel line . We were 5 miles outside the town of Republic. The only cell service was one bar, up on the roof. I started calling around and assessing the options. The best one was ordering one from Cummins parts supply. They have a warehouse in Portland and said they could have it here in 2 days. So I called the local NAPA shop in Republic and asked if they could take the fed-ex shipment there. The guy was great. He said no problem and he would drive it out himself. Very helpful. AND he knew a guy who would come out and put it in. I still didnt have the right tools for the job so this was amazing. Next I called Sam in Canada to try and get a hold of Kate who was on her way to meet us . She ended up calling my phone when we didnt show up at the meeting spot. So she came to where we were broke down. We had a visit then she took Inanna and Aura over to the next town where they got room for the night. I stayed with Nowa and Ivy in the bus on the side of the road . Next day a man stopped in and dropped off a big pot of beans and fresh corn bread! He said he lived up the road and thought we could use some help. That was the best pot of beans I ever had. A few hours later, Napa guy shows up with the part. Then next day mechanic guy shows up and puts the new line on in 2 hours. Great local guy. He loved the bus and did an awesome job. I gave him some cash and we were on our way! Breakin down is getting easier. Its not a matter of “if” its a matter of when! It will happen again and we will keep gettin better at it. Note to self: get the tools!