On our last day in Pierre we decided to try the RV park located on the Minot Air Force Base in Minot, ND. We have a four year old book listing all the military recreational facilities. The book stated that there were only six spots for RVs and that no reservations could be made. Dan called the number listed and asked – if the facility was still there, and if no reservations were taken? Dan was told that all spots were taken and that no reservations could be taken. We were also told that two sites “might” be vacant tomorrow but no guarantees. Fully understanding that we might not find a space, we decided to get up early and drive hard for six hours and try our luck.
http://www.minot.af.mil/
We arrived on base to find one space open. We immediately called Outdoor Recreation Office to tell them we were backing into space. We were then told that the space had been RESERVED over the phone earlier in the day! When questioned on how this could be, it turned out the Supervisor had decided to ignore their published rules. We decided to drive to the office and “discuss” the situation. Although the parking lot in front of the office was empty, we were told not to park there because nearby buildings were being spray painted. So while Dan drove off to find a spot for fifty five feet of RV and tow, Corrie went in to “discuss” the situation. By the time Dan got back to the office, it was perfectly clear that Corrie had indeed “discussed” the situation. End result was personal phone call from the base Executive Officer (or as the Air Force says, the Deputy), but no RV spot.
Being extremely tired after long drive and “discussing” the situation, we decided to dry camp on base (ie no water or electric hook-ups) since it looked like two RV spots would be open the next day. The next morning Corrie got up early as always, and every half hour would drive over to the RV park and check to see if anyone was leaving (sort of like a vulture circling over head?). At 0800 Dan gets cell phone call to fire up the RV and drive over now. We got a spot for our intended three day stay; and funny thing, when we went to pay the only charged us one third the daily rate?
Next couple of days were spent just relaxing and catching up chores. As with most Air Force Bases the facilities are excellent, including complete, modern, gym that stays open until midnight. Dan’s favorite is the outdoor pool with pretty big waterslide! Corrie and Dan also have enjoyed numerous biking excursions on the bike paths of the base, along with the mandatory walking tour of downtown Minot. Of note in Minot is the Old Soo Railroad Depot, free museum dedicated to the Soo Railroad Line. Very good explanation of how railroads were not only important for main line towns, but all the small communities on the deadend tracks. Unique was display of winter scenes of buildings and cars that were collectibles issued by the mysterious Department 56. Turns out Dept 56 was division of Hallmark still in business today.
On Friday, 20JUL, Dan decided he wanted to drive over an hour to Parshall, ND, to see an eccentric museum based on Paul Broste’s rock sculptures. We had two pamphlets from ND saying museum opened at 1000. We arrived at 1045 to find out museum opened at 1200. However, Corrie new that nearby town (New Town) just happened to have an Indian casino. So it was off to the Four Bears Casino to donate to the cause. After, an hour we decided to stop in New Town for lunch before returning to Parshall.
www.parshallnd.com/rockmuseum.htm
http://www.4bearscasino.com/
After lunch the bad luck commenced as we left town. Dan noticed that AC was not cooling car and that car was accelerating slowly. Then the car lost power, and started to misfire. We immediately made a U-turn to get back to town. Dan just happened to notice small non-descript building that said – Sammy’s Auto Shop. Dan pulled and found Sammy Westphal. Sammy’s guess was fuel filter or fuel pump. He called the only auto parts store in town, and found out they did not have either part. Sammy guessed that only tow truck in town would charge big time to tow car to nearest Ford dealer in Minot. It was then agreed that Sammy would drive Corrie and Dan back to Minot AFB (for a fee), where we would get the RV for towing the Ranger back to Ford dealer.
Since Sammy had not bothered to bring vehicle registration or proof of insurance, he couldn’t get on base. So we paid him his fee, and hi-jacked a taxi with passenger trying to leave base and convinced them to take us back on base to our RV. We un-hooked the RV and headed back to Sammy’s. Once there, we hooked up the truck and set out for Ford dealer in Minot.
Upon leaving Sammy’s more bad luck, Dan noticed that speed gauge stuck on 65mph and cruise control would not function. We dropped the truck off at dealer and made it back to the AFB RV park. So we ended up driving 360 miles and going nowhere! Dan started to troubleshoot the problem with the RV, which by that point had grown to include half the 12 volt systems on the dash were not working. Troubleshooting was complicated by the fact that all Dan’s tools were in a toolbox in the truck. So we were forced to extend our stay until Tuesday, hoping that the car dealer can find and fix the problem on Monday!
Lastly, we apologize for listing link to Muffler Man in our North Platte blog as RODEsideamerica, it should have been ROADsideamerica! We have corrected the link.
http://www.minot.af.mil/
We arrived on base to find one space open. We immediately called Outdoor Recreation Office to tell them we were backing into space. We were then told that the space had been RESERVED over the phone earlier in the day! When questioned on how this could be, it turned out the Supervisor had decided to ignore their published rules. We decided to drive to the office and “discuss” the situation. Although the parking lot in front of the office was empty, we were told not to park there because nearby buildings were being spray painted. So while Dan drove off to find a spot for fifty five feet of RV and tow, Corrie went in to “discuss” the situation. By the time Dan got back to the office, it was perfectly clear that Corrie had indeed “discussed” the situation. End result was personal phone call from the base Executive Officer (or as the Air Force says, the Deputy), but no RV spot.
Being extremely tired after long drive and “discussing” the situation, we decided to dry camp on base (ie no water or electric hook-ups) since it looked like two RV spots would be open the next day. The next morning Corrie got up early as always, and every half hour would drive over to the RV park and check to see if anyone was leaving (sort of like a vulture circling over head?). At 0800 Dan gets cell phone call to fire up the RV and drive over now. We got a spot for our intended three day stay; and funny thing, when we went to pay the only charged us one third the daily rate?
Next couple of days were spent just relaxing and catching up chores. As with most Air Force Bases the facilities are excellent, including complete, modern, gym that stays open until midnight. Dan’s favorite is the outdoor pool with pretty big waterslide! Corrie and Dan also have enjoyed numerous biking excursions on the bike paths of the base, along with the mandatory walking tour of downtown Minot. Of note in Minot is the Old Soo Railroad Depot, free museum dedicated to the Soo Railroad Line. Very good explanation of how railroads were not only important for main line towns, but all the small communities on the deadend tracks. Unique was display of winter scenes of buildings and cars that were collectibles issued by the mysterious Department 56. Turns out Dept 56 was division of Hallmark still in business today.
On Friday, 20JUL, Dan decided he wanted to drive over an hour to Parshall, ND, to see an eccentric museum based on Paul Broste’s rock sculptures. We had two pamphlets from ND saying museum opened at 1000. We arrived at 1045 to find out museum opened at 1200. However, Corrie new that nearby town (New Town) just happened to have an Indian casino. So it was off to the Four Bears Casino to donate to the cause. After, an hour we decided to stop in New Town for lunch before returning to Parshall.
www.parshallnd.com/rockmuseum.htm
http://www.4bearscasino.com/
After lunch the bad luck commenced as we left town. Dan noticed that AC was not cooling car and that car was accelerating slowly. Then the car lost power, and started to misfire. We immediately made a U-turn to get back to town. Dan just happened to notice small non-descript building that said – Sammy’s Auto Shop. Dan pulled and found Sammy Westphal. Sammy’s guess was fuel filter or fuel pump. He called the only auto parts store in town, and found out they did not have either part. Sammy guessed that only tow truck in town would charge big time to tow car to nearest Ford dealer in Minot. It was then agreed that Sammy would drive Corrie and Dan back to Minot AFB (for a fee), where we would get the RV for towing the Ranger back to Ford dealer.
Since Sammy had not bothered to bring vehicle registration or proof of insurance, he couldn’t get on base. So we paid him his fee, and hi-jacked a taxi with passenger trying to leave base and convinced them to take us back on base to our RV. We un-hooked the RV and headed back to Sammy’s. Once there, we hooked up the truck and set out for Ford dealer in Minot.
Upon leaving Sammy’s more bad luck, Dan noticed that speed gauge stuck on 65mph and cruise control would not function. We dropped the truck off at dealer and made it back to the AFB RV park. So we ended up driving 360 miles and going nowhere! Dan started to troubleshoot the problem with the RV, which by that point had grown to include half the 12 volt systems on the dash were not working. Troubleshooting was complicated by the fact that all Dan’s tools were in a toolbox in the truck. So we were forced to extend our stay until Tuesday, hoping that the car dealer can find and fix the problem on Monday!
Lastly, we apologize for listing link to Muffler Man in our North Platte blog as RODEsideamerica, it should have been ROADsideamerica! We have corrected the link.
1 comment:
Dan - I'm envious!
Ron Borison
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