And sadly leaving the kids too. We got to hang out quite a bit this trip, and I will miss them more than ever. While I won't miss the heat out here (and STILL the lack of a front A/C), I will miss the warmth of their love every day. It is comforting to know that I carry them with me in all of the travels of my life.
Ian - rockin the Bling hard!
The month or so out here has been completely awesome, riddled with a bit of frustration about our front air conditioner unit. Seems the unit took a dive on us somewhere between San Jose and Reno. We had stopped at a rest stop just this side of Donner Pass and decided it was a bit warm. We fired up the genny, then started up the front A/C. I see black puffs of smoke from the generator and know something is up. Appears the A/C just doesn't feel like playing anymore.
[More:]
Dust, rocking the Bling, but a little more gently 
We took a couple of days in Reno to try to get it fixed. No problem, they say. Pack everything up, slides in, disconnect the umbilicals, drive across town for a new A/C!! Denied. "Oh, we don't have one of those. We have to order it". No time - we are travelin folks!!
We can get it done in Denver. We will be there a while. And how hot can it be in the Mile High City?
Misty, not really caring about the Bling, but tolerating.
The day after we arrive in Denver, I find out from Monaco that they have a place in Golden that can fix me up - Windish RV. I dig around and didn't find any big horror stories about them, so they are a rarity. I call them and plead my case. No problem - they can squeeze me in for this emergency - in about three weeks. Wow. Three weeks.
We can wait. No problem. We will be hanging out with the kids, doing stuff. How hot can it be in the Mile High City?
Arin, behind some very large drink cups at dinner
Holy crap - it gets HOT in Denver!!
Alright, so maybe I underestimated the power of the sun at 5280 feet. All you have to do is look at my last couple of entries to know that I whined a lot about the heat. No problem though - the end was in sight. I would be pulling on a sweater in the afternoon because our 400 square feet of palatial living would be cold enough to hang meat.
Luckily, three weeks took its time to get here. Gave me time to spend with the kids. Not doing much, just hanging out. It felt like such a luxury to be able to NOT have to go back to my hotel at the end of a visit. It was great being able to spend this much time here with them because I had my house with me.
A week before my appointment, I drove to the dealer, talked with Service. Yep - I was on the schedule. Talked to Parts - no problem, we have one of those in stock. We can install it and have Dometic send the replacement. On the road in no time. Sweet - the pieces were all falling into place...
Self-shot, Grandpa with an armful of angel
On Appointment Day, we pack everything up, slides in, disconnect the umbilicals, drive down to the dealer for our new A/C!! Denied. "We don't have one of those. We will have to order it". Balls!! I have heard this one before, and I don't like how it comes out!!
No problem, it will be here till Friday. Gives me the rest of the week to hang with the kids, then we will be taking off on Friday across the Rockies, then across the desert where my new A/C will rock!!
Yea - you guessed it. This morning arrives, a call is made to the dealer. Denied. "Oh, they said they haven't shipped it yet. We can have it for you next week!!".
It gave me a chance to have one last dinner with the kids, but it is now time to go. Can't wait on these dealers anymore. We have to be in Oregon next Sunday, and with my working and all, weekend driving is our friend. So, off we go. No A/C, but lots of good memories of Denver.
Bye kids. You guys make me so proud. I could have never hoped in a million years that you would turn out as incredible as you have. My heart swells with pride and love when I see you, and think of you. You three are the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. Ever.
But damn, it gets hot in Denver 
--kev/dad
