For months now and up until this message, Bryony and I were eagerly planning our trip to USA starting in April 2015. Everything was fitting together just nicely, the pieces clipping together similar to that of a puzzle. The simple realization and knowing that once we arrived in Boston, and after spending some catch-up time with Bryony's Step Sister and her lovely family we would be well on our way and enjoying the wonderful delights of our; "East to West and Return" adventure.
Our trusty Honda Odyssey would by that time have been serviced and timing belts replaced, just ready to hit the road. All that was needed was to re-install our "retro-fit" camper section which we built last year. Pack in those luxuries such as Porta potti, cooler, cooker, blow up mattresses etc and off we go !!!!
Approximately 2 months ago we got a message to say that the old lady (Honda) was not going very well and that it was stored until time could permit a trip to the mechanic for investigation and repair. Knowing its age and mileage we were comfortable that although we needed to mother it, she would last us for another few thousand miles so no stress. A good service, along with some TLC ( tender loving care) would resolve all ills. The only things needed would be resolved by parting ways with a few more green Bucks. Well nothing could have braced us for the real reason behind its ill health. Our worsted fears ( assuming that we had them which we didn't) were realized. The transmission is shot with the estimated cost of repair / replacement at well over $ 2500. What a bombshell,...... and that's BEFORE a service and replacement of the timing chain.!!!! AAgh !!!!!!
Digesting this information has been extremely slow and painful to say the least. The original reason for purchasing the Minivan was to save costs on vehicle hire while allowing for Stealth camping etc. What it turned out as though, was the perfect solution not only to the above but for all those other challenges of self drive. Relaxation after a hard day's drive was easy, a safe and reliable camper, a perfect picnic / coffee shop, lovely space to chill out in the rear, cheap on gas, etc. It was PERFECT to say the least.
The cost to repair Lady Odyssey places us back tremendously. What we originally visualized in terms of our budget has now been blown apart. $ 2600 would have kept us going well into our 2nd month of our trip. AAAgh, .....
After much thought and soul searching, we cannot justify spending over $ 3000 simply to get our camper on the road again. So its back to the drawing board of finding a substitute ride that will last the anticipated journey of approximately 10 000 miles over a three to four month period.
Finding a well priced, good condition vehicle via remote control and while being so far away is likely to be our biggest challenge yet.
God has surely a good reason for dropping this on us so instead of any further negativity, the idea is to now focus on turning this experience on it's head by reviewing our plans and expectations. Hopefully this time of reflection will allow clarity and offer us alternatives to our up-coming journey.
I now bid farewell for a time, hopefully to return with a WOW reasoning behind this experience and a solution/revised plan. Any ideas, thoughts, suggestions etc out there will be most welcome. Who knows, maybe someone out there knows of someone who knows of someone who wishes to part ways with a cheap , single owner minivan with under 100 000 miles on the clock that was only used by an old lady to go to church and back.
Bye bye Lady Odyssey, thanks for the wonderful memories and may you rest in peace!!.
........A well deserved one after having traveled over 290 000 miles since 2001 !!!!
Have a great day out there !!!
