Hurt, VA day 2

 This was our first off day of the trip.  Yeah, OK, it’s day 4 and this early anything can be a “first”.  

Both Barb and Paul were working today so Carlene and I were on our own.  That was excellent because we had things to do.  Those two cold nights drained a propane tank so we needed to get that refilled at a campground a few miles up the road.  The most time consuming part of that was the owner who was a champion talker!  I believe we left four times before actually getting in the truck.  

Then there is the good news bad news good news story of the day.  So, last night the pump ran intermittently on a very regular timing. Run 2 seconds every 20 seconds.  A LEAK!   Where?  Too late at night to check it out so just turn off the pump.  Who needs running water overnight. This morning Carlene says she saw a wet spot under the camper.  Sure enough there is an active leak in a fitting.  But it is below the camper floor so right in the open, not hidden back inside the interior.  Wahoo!  Go visit the hardware stores!  I don’t have any experience or tools or parts for PEX (plastic pipe).   Here my big chance to learn something new!  We also want a hike so on the way we stop at a Wayside Park and do a mile hike in the woods.  Who says you can’t do it all?

Back at camp at about 2 and start the plumbing work after getting parts and tools at Ace Hardware.   Now this Ace is a classic old style store with a classic old style owner operator. It all looks like stores I remember in small VT towns in the 60s.  Him too.  But he takes the time to advise me on how to do this and what I need to git er done. So I cut off the old 90° elbow and realize it has to drain the hot water tank before it’ll stop flowing water.  Laying on my back under the camper I already have a sleeve full of water it go indie to eat and read while the tank drains.  It’s a quick fix, the new part goes right on and clamps sort of tight with the gear I bought.  I put extension pipes of the handle of the crimper to

increase the tightening force.  OK.  Turn on the water and it leaks just as bad as it did before.  Back to Ace.  More talk, more parts.  Back to camp.  Put on the new part.  Worst leak yet.   By then it’s 4 pm and Barb & Paul are relaxing on the porch.  I ask Paul if he knows anything about PEX plumbing.  No but Barb’s brother does, he can fix anything!  And he’s coming to dinner anyway!  Mike gets here with his tools and his big Mongo size crimper and soon has it fixed.  Plus another leak I hadn’t seen. 

Then a fine evening of tacos & good conversation.  Everything is good again. 

Tomorrow we go to Cheraw State Park in South Carolina for 2 nights.  We have been there several times, it’s a beautiful park with a couple nice hikes.  

Leesville Lake

We were looking for a place to hike.  This wasn’t it. 

The original leak

My first repair

My second repair

I dint get a photo of the final repair

Paul’s downstairs social center