Issue #1 - One of the perils of driving any vehicle to Alaska, is the potential for windshield, and/or front end damage. With so many two lane roads, some of which are gravel, and all of the highway construction zones, a broken windshield is not an obscure possibility. Shortly after leaving Homer yesterday morning, we met two trucks coming from the opposite direction, with one of them kicking or dropping what was most likely a good sized rock. With both of our speeds considered, that projectile struck the bottom of our windshield at over 100 mph. The force was so great, it broke small pieces of glass inside the motor home, and sent cracks upward in several different directions. By the time we stopped for the day, a couple of those cracks had already lengthened to several feet. So, now what?
With duct tape over the area of impact, both outside, and inside, the windshield will continue to crack, but it's integrity is still pretty much intact. Waiting around Anchorage for a windshield to be shipped, and installed, is not a good option, considering everything else that's going on.
Issue #2 - Two weeks ago while in Anchorage, we made an appointment at a Veterinarian, because Gracie had started drinking lots of water. After blood, & urine tests, plus an ultrasound, the diagnosis was not good. She has significant kidney failure, which isn't correctable. With meds, and a new diet, the progression of the renal failure can be slowed, but not fixed. We have an appointment with the same Vet. tomorrow for more blood tests, to see if the meds are helping, or if a change is necessary.
Issue #3 - My seemingly never ending dental problems have once again become problematic. All of the work I had done about 6 months ago in Algodones, Mexico, has come undone. I saw a dentist in Soldotna yesterday, who said he couldn't do anything, without me being available for 2-3 weeks. Also, not a good option.
So, where does that leave us? Absent the 3rd issue, we could probably continue our trip as planned, returning to the lower 48 in August. However, the dental problem is the one that needs to be fixed like yesterday, and absent some miraculous solution, it looks like we'll be heading south a little sooner than we had expected.
Alyeska Ski Resort, Girdwood - $10 Cumulative - $1,226.27
Diesel - Holiday Gas, Soldotna - 56.4 Gals @ $4.60 per Gal = $259.27
Cumulative Fuel Bill - $2,996.39 MPG - 6.9 Avg. MPG = 7.9
Miles traveled - 187 Cumulative - 5,413
I am so, so sorry to hear about all 3 issues, but mostly about Gracy. When Pansy was as here worst with kidney failure,a round of stearoid injection and prednasone pills helped a lot. Praying for decissions. Love you guys.
ReplyDeleteWhat a bummer. Windshields and teeth can be repaired in time, but losing a pet is always tough. Just ran across your blog a couple of weeks ago and have enjoyed your current posts, as well as reading many of your older ones. Wishing you safe travels as you handle these curve balls.
ReplyDeleteOh my, you certainly have some challenging issues to deal with right now. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to read of you problems.
ReplyDeleteOur 10 yr old fur baby Honda, dog, has been diagnosed with kidney failure, it took me two weeks to be able to talk of losing her.
Check out www.nativeremedies Pet Alive, Honda has been on the Kidney Support herbal drops for a month now and the transformation is amazing, her quality of life has improved tremendously. I realize there is no cure, but quality of life is so important. There are alternatives to traditional medicine.
As for your dental situation, that is so unfortunate - my partners wrestles with dental issues and they are NOT fun at all - Best wishes to you all.