#39: Tackling the Truma

Upon leaving Mount Rainier, the closest and most suitable place I could find with electrical hookups was in Enumclaw, WA, about an hour southeast of Seattle. Haven’t heard of Enumclaw? Neither had I. But the campground was more than okay and close to stores if I needed supplies.

I started focusing on the Truma immediately. There were multiple issues:

1. Multiple error codes appeared when I turned on the heater. Sometimes it was one code, sometimes it was another, making it difficult to diagnose.

2. Usually, when the Airstream is plugged into shore power (electric power), a little “plug” icon appears on the Truma control panel screen (see image below). This was not happening, so it seemed the Truma didn’t recognize the connection.

Strike 1

The first call I made was to Truma customer service. They were extremely helpful, but after troubleshooting with me over the phone, they concluded that a professional needed to see it in person. On to the next option: Seattle Airstream dealer.

Strike 2

I called Seattle Airstream, and they were booked out for weeks. This is a HUGE problem with Airstream dealerships/service centers. They are so busy and in such high demand that they can't (or don't) make room for full-timers who live in their Airstreams. It's frustrating. 

The gentleman on the phone was friendly and gave me some things to try. Since one of the error codes I was receiving pertained to the fan, he suggested that the fan's electric connection perhaps became inactive. He advised me to test the wire that fed the fan to see if it was hot. I went out, bought a tester, and tried it. The wire was hot, concluding that this was not the issue. I appreciated his help, but none of his suggestions got me far. I got the impression that he could feel my pain in my voice.

Strike 3

The third idea was to see if any remote RV repair services were around the area and available. I knocked on the camp host door, and the friendly host gave me the name and number of a guy. I called. He was booked out for three weeks. I went back, asked if she knew of anyone else, and she gave me another. No luck with that one either.

I was zero for three, and I was beginning to feel like I was out of options. My neighbor at the campground saw me flustered and asked if he could help. He gave me the name of yet another guy, but I couldn’t even through to that guy when I called.

Oh, Yes. The Bumper.

Let’s also not forget that I still needed to address the bumper situation. Given my travel route, I would pass through a few more Airstream dealerships in the next few months. The bumper was not urgent, but after calling a few dealerships along my way, I learned that the new bumper would take six weeks to manufacture and deliver. I would be close to Utah with that timing, so I coordinated with Airstream of Utah in Salt Lake City to order the part and make the repair when the time came.

Conclusion

I spent the entire day on the phone, trying different potential solutions and getting more and more irritated. I needed to take a shower, so I braved a cold one in desperation.

Typically, I can solve my problems one way or another. But in this case, I felt so helpless and hopeless. My hands were tied. I was at the end of my rope. The tears of frustration began to roll.

It didn’t take me long to snap out of it, remembering my motto: 10% is what happens to me and 90% is how I react to it. I have some friends in the Seattle area and decided to retreat from my Airstream problems for at least a night and head to their house in Burien the next morning.

#38: Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier was the second of three national parks in Washington that we visited. After our ever-so-eventful experience at Olympic, I decided to drive Rainier and not worry about seeking out hikes. Numerous stressors were/are in the air: Addie's health, lack of mobile service, trouble finding campsites, and a fussy water heater in the Airstream. I didn't need one more thing to worry about, which was navigating Rainier's hiking situation (specifically with Addie, who is not allowed on trails).

Camping options around Mount Rainier were scarce. All the park campgrounds were reserved, and the only first-come, first-serve camping choice is tent-only. One of the most troubling factors was the lack of mobile service as I got into the area. I rely on apps to find camping, but obviously, apps are useless with no signal.

I spent a while driving to a few places I researched but couldn’t locate. I then had to go back into a service area to look up other options. Around dusk, I spotted some RVs through some trees off the main road. I turned around and took the first turn into the woods. This was lucky. It was a dispersed camping area that was annoyingly busy, but I could back into a spot between trees that worked - at least for one night. I would get up the next morning to find a more suitable place.

My stress level curbed some when I landed at La Wis Wis National Forest Campground. However, my stress level inflated again when I backed the Airstream into a post while settling into a spot. Not only did I back it up over the post, but also when I pulled forward trying to get it off (it was a short post just at the height of the bumper), a section of the bumper wholly detached. Awesome.

I was laughing at this point. This little mishap was nothing unfixable. I used duct tape to reattach what I could, and I went on with my day. We hiked around the campground area a little and hung out by the river.

After grieving the loss of the Airstream’s back bumper, Addie and I made our way to Mount Rainier National Park in the afternoon. Like many other national parks, there are multiple entrances.

I knew I wanted to get to the Sunrise section, which at the peak, is the highest point reachable by vehicle within the park. The road getting up to Sunrise, Sunrise Park Road, is only accessible in the warmer months, and as you drive up, you can’t resist pulling over at multiple points to take in the views.

The scenery from the top took my breath away. In my opinion, I was there at the best time of year, and the weather that day couldn’t have been any more perfect. Addie and I got some much-needed solitude up there, proving to us that you don’t always need to hike a park to get a lot out of it.

After a second night at La Wis Wis Campground, the next stop was to the park's Paradise section. The different areas provide various views of Mount Rainier. It's such a beautiful sight, though, so it never gets old.

At this time, not only did we have external issues with the Airstream (missing bumper), but we also had internal problems. My Truma water heater continued acting up. Sometimes it would work, and other times it wouldn’t. Since I had been dry camping for weeks by now, my next camping spot would need to have electrical hookups so I could troubleshoot.

Onward and upward towards Seattle, then to North Cascades National Park. In the back of my mind, I knew of the Airstream dealership in Seattle, so if I needed to, I could potentially get some help with the Truma there. I also needed to figure out how to fix the bumper. 

Homeownership (eye roll)...

#37: Olympic National Park

Where do I begin with my visit to Olympic National Park? Our time on the Olympic Peninsula was tumultuous, but it’s an incredible park and, so far, a favorite. Let’s get into it.

Olympic National Park is in the most northwest corner of the continental United States. And it’s pretty large. Not only is its size a factor to consider when visiting, but how to get around is a consideration as well. There are no through roads in the park to connect you from one area to another. Instead, the main road (the red-ish line below) essentially circulates the park. Then, roads off of that get you inside the park to the different sections (except, of course, the coastline part - the red-ish road takes you right to that).

Olympic is unique in that it hosts coastline, rainforest, and mountains. Of course, I wanted to visit all of it. By the time I hit the road from Mount Hood, it was later in the day, so I drove about three hours and camped about an hour south of the Quinault Rain Forest area.

Coast

The next morning I headed out for the coast. Since it was still early, I couldn’t see much due to the marine layer. Great view, huh?

As we made our way up the coast, though, the marine layer lifted. Then, it was beautiful. We spent some time at Ruby Beach - Addie running around, me walking around, both of us taking in the beauty around us.

Rain Forest

The campgrounds in the park are plentiful, and a lot are first-come, first-serve. I made the 45-minute drive to Hoh Campground, in the Hoh Rain Forest. I arrived mid-day, and I was SHOCKED to find available campsites. Without spending too much time in shock, I grabbed one, unhitched, and explored, leaving Addie in the Airstream with the back door open to circulate the air.

The Hall of Mosses is a short, notable hike near the campground that I read as a must-see. This iconic trail takes you through an old-growth forest.

Near the Hall of Mosses is the Spruce Nature Trail, a 1.2-mile walk through new-growth and old-growth trees. It’s more of a walk than a hike, but it was worth the 20 minutes, at least for the creekside (Taft Creek) views.

I returned to the Airstream to find Addie safely lying down. She is so good. As the afternoon carried on, though, I noticed that Addie was becoming more noticeably uncomfortable. She was having horrible diarrhea and also vomiting bile. Later, my girl was asking to go out more frequently, to try to poop. I started to panic when she began pooping blood: not blood in her poop - just blood. For the entire night, I was taking her out every 20 minutes.

I had to get her to a veterinarian. After a quick google search, I found a reputable one called Olympic Veterinary Clinic in Port Angeles, a two-hour drive away. I would hit the road at 6 am to get there by 8 am, as soon as it opened.

We arrived at 8 am, and I called immediately upon arrival. With COVID precautions, no humans were allowed inside. Fortunately, they were able to take Addie within a few minutes. She was so confused, leaving me in the parking lot, but she had to go, and I had to stay. I thanked the vet tech, who was extremely reassuring - which I needed.

Within a few hours, the doctor called me. They diagnosed her with hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, likely from eating something toxic. I’m sure she found a spoiled piece of food at an old campsite or in the woods. She was severely dehydrated, so they put her on an IV for fluids and electrolytes. They also had her on medication to fight the infection. The vet kept her, monitored her all day, and called me regularly with updates. The staff was incredible. She stayed until the next morning, but I was content knowing that she was safe with the care she needed.

I took the day for laundry and to clean my car and Airstream. That night was my first time staying in a Walmart parking lot. It was a “nice” one, though, with views of the mountains.

When I picked Addie up the next morning, she was like a new dog. She had the usual pep in her step, and it was obvious she felt a lot better. The doctor sent us off with some bland wet food and five medications for me to administer over the next 1-2 weeks. But I had my girl back.

For the rest of the day, we laid low and relaxed. Addie needed it, and I did too. I wanted to make sure she was stable and feeling better before we started venturing out again. Another night at the lovely Walmart for us!

Mountains

The following day, with a healthier Addie in tow, we made our way (cautiously) to the mountain area of Olympic National Park - Hurricane Ridge. For the first time, we waited in a line of cars at the entrance - it made sense, though. It was 12:30 pm on a Saturday.

We got lucky and nailed a campsite inside the park at Heart O’ the Hills Campground. Yet again, it was a relief to have a 16-foot trailer because the campground spots were tiny.

After dropping the trailer, we drove about 15 miles to the Hurricane Visitor Center. After chatting with the ranger, I decided to hike a short trail while Addie rested in the car: High Ridge Trail to Sunrise Point. This hike was short but had a steep incline, allowing for breathtaking vista views (and some wildlife).

Our last stop at Olympic National Park was to Madison Falls. I found this short trail because it’s one of few that allows dogs. It is a paved path that takes you to an anticlimactic waterfall, but I was happy to be with Addie and take a little stroll with her. It was a positive way to wrap up the past several days on our emotional roller coaster.