As we started home on the Wednesday after Labor Day, we had only gone 2 miles from the campground before a "check cool temp" warning appeared on the dash. Sure enough, the engine temperature was almost at the "H"--not good. Ann drove off in the car to purchase some coolant for the engine. After we added the coolant, we drove 3 miles this time before the warning appeared again. So we headed to the closest Walmart parking lot and waited for an RV emergency road technician. The tech suggested that we had some significant issues and recommended that the RV should be towed to a repair facility to diagnose and fix the problem. How big a wrecker do you need to tow a 35 ft. motor home? This photo gives you an idea. We had gut wrenching feelings driving behind our RV while it was being towed to the repair facility; not knowing what was to come.
We stayed in the truck repair parking lot for the night with no water or electricity hookups. We had a hint of an additional RV issue when we could not get our generator going to get some power to cook a quick dinner. One of the repair technicians took pity on us and brought a battery charger to the RV about 8 PM and charged the battery, which allowed us to get the generator going for the night.
The next morning, the repair technician diagnosed the problem as a radiator with a slow leak. The replacement radiator had to be flown in from the Workhorse factory, our chassis manufacturer. Now we were looking at more time in Portland waiting for the replacement part.
What is out of place in this photo?
You are correct; our motor home sits in a row of trucks at the truck repair facility in Portland awaiting a new radiator.
Additional problem #1. While the tow truck operator was unhooking the motor home, he mentioned that we had a flat tire on one of the inner dual tires that can not be easily seen. Not our top problem, but a need for repair or replacement before we leave Portland.
Additional problem #2. While we slept in the RV for the second night, we heard a screeching alarm about 12:30 AM. We were running the generator for the second night, now understanding that our house batteries were not working properly. The alarm indicated a carbon monoxide alert - possibly from the generator, but who knows at that time of the night. So, with safety in mind, we shut off the generator, knowing that we would have no house power by morning.
The next morning, we salvaged the food in the fridge and headed to a nearby suite hotel with a full-sized refrigerator. Here is Paul cooking at "Camp" Marriott TownePlace Suites.
We made the best of the situation by visiting some sights we still had on our to-do list. First stop was Bug Light, the closest lighthouse to the Portland docks. It is located on the sight where 236 liberty ships were built for the U.S. Navy during WWII. About 30,000 workers were employed here, including over 3,000 women. This huge ocean going tanker was at a fuel depot that now occupies part of this land. Having a ship like this one is another indication of just how important the Portland port is to all of New England.
Bug Light with a tourist schooner and a private sailboat in the background. These sailing vessels are not the same size; just an optical allusion with the schooner so much farther away.
Bug Light is not very tall. What was interesting is the Roman-like column-like design around the light.
Our next stop was Fort Williams Park, which was a military installation, beginning in 1878 when it was known as Battery at Portland Head. This coastal defense installation guarded the entrance to Casco Bay and was the headquarters for the harbor defenses of Portland, the closest U.S. port to Europe.
Located in Fort Williams Park is the most photographed lighthouse in the Portland area, the Portland Head Light. The large white panel around the top portion of the light faces the land; keeping the light from shining over the homes and businesses on shore.
This "postcard" view shows just how rocky the coastline is. The other buildings are the lighthouse keeper's house, assistant keeper's house and other necessary outbuildings
Portland Head Light is much taller because the light needs to be seen from further out in the Atlantic Ocean to warn ships of the impending rocks.
A plaque on the lighthouse grounds indicated just how close German U-boats were to the U.S. coastline during WWII. A German U-boat sank a U.S. Navy submarine chaser less than 8 miles from Portland Head Light in December 1945, with the loss of 49 officers and crewmen.
Here is a view of the rocky coastline looking down from above. It is obvious why lighthouses are crucial for safe shipping into the Portland harbor.
Despite our challenges with the motor home issues, we found a way to make the best of being "stranded" in Maine for a few more days.
Both of your photos of the lighthouses are postcard photos! Excellent work. And as I type this on Tuesday evening, I am crossing my fingers that you are either on your way home, or close to leaving Portland.
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