I hitched up Flo and crossed the river the next day. I wanted to stay nearby in Page and take a tour of Antelope Canyon. Unfortunately, the only thing available seemed to be the Walmart parking lot. I decided that I would save Antelope Canyon for “next time” and push on.
My next stop was Navajo National Monument near Kayenta, Arizona.
They were listed as a “free campground” in Campendium.com. There were warnings about length on the site. They said that there was conflicting information on the signs. The one out by the highway said there was a limit of 28 feet for any individual unit. Since my Airstream is 27 feet, I figured I’d be all right.
The sign at the campground said that the limit was 28 feet overall.
I wish I had looked at the warnings and decided that I should just roll on.
It didn’t seem that tricky to get into the site I picked, but those tough high-desert trees do not yield if you get too close.
I punched a hole right through the side of my Airstream! This photo was taken in the morning with the sun shining. When I was trying to get settled, It felt like rain was in the offing. I grabbed my duct tape and started closing up the hole.
I was taping away, and a couple in a nice small pop-up van camper came over to help. They brought more tape and a plastic container to put over the electrical connection, which I had also knocked off.
Then, I started working the phone. I had absolutely no internet connection and only the faintest whisper of a phone signal. I couldn’t look up any information, so all I could to was use the information in my phone. I called my good friends at Woodland Travel Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan and told them what had happened. Megan gave me some phone numbers and I started calling.
Some places didn’t answer. The one place I reached said that they couldn’t be able to work me in until July.
July? JULY?!!! (I had this little incident at the end of April.)
That place did give me the phone number for Airstream, at least. However, due to time zone difference, they were closed.
The next morning, I got through to Airstream, and they gave me a few more numbers. I found a dealer, Desert Autoplex, that would be able to help me, but they were in Mesa, Arizona. Mesa was about six hours away, and would involve “doubling back”, but they were able to help me and I was delighted. After that, I called the insurance company and got the ball rolling in that department.
I always say, if a problem can be fixed with money – and you have the money – it’s not really a problem.
And so, I left Navajo National Monument without seeing anything.
Oddly enough, I just wasn’t in the mood.
Don’t feel too bad, Kim, we have a similar hole in our RV too, for a similar reason. We too initially patched it with duct tape (what would we ever do without that stuff?) but then we were able to repair it ourselves using a fiberglass patch kit.
Thanks, Linda! I’m glad that I got it fixed. I also had the dent I put in the back end in 2014 fixed, too. I love duct tape!
Bummer. ?
Yeah, well, it turns out fine in the end!
It’s hard not to cringe seeing the pictures. I guess I should make sure I carry some duct tape when I hit the road. I’m glad you were able to get it fixed (along with the previous 2014 dent), but I’m sure at the time it was very upsetting. You handled it well!
I hope you make it to Antelope Canyon some day in the future. I’ve been several times and it’s amazing! One of those photography experiences I’ll never forget.
Thanks, Sara! Yes, you definitely need duct tape! Duct tape and cable ties! I hope to make it back to Antelope Canyon. The photos look wonderful! And, I do think I handled it well, but I think I’m suffering a bit from PTSD. I find myself in a very nervous state when I have to back into a site. So far, though, most of them have been pull-throughs! I am sure I will get over it one of these days.Happy trails!