Early April

I departed Tucson on April 3rd, heading to Calgary to visit my Nephew. My first stop was Flagstaff, Arizona. On the way there the truck was requesting an oil change. I had though it was about due towards the end of my stay in Tucson, but I checked the electronic system and it said the oil was O.K.,but I would have had it changed anyway given the trip I was about to embark on, but the Ford dealer I contacted said the first available appointment was in two weeks time! I wasn't going to wait around that long. It didn't take many miles for it to change its mind. I started researching good Ford dealers on my route North. I decided the best place to go would be Cedar City, Utah and I would arrive there on Thursday, April 5th and had an appointment for an oil change. 

After Flagstaff, I stopped in Kanab Utah, where I discovered I had a flat spot on one of my trailer tires: 

and now the engine light was on! I thought the engine was running a little rougher than usual, though I wasn't sure if it was related to the oil needing to be changed. 

I arrived in Cedar City as planned for my oil change. They had told me there was a KOA right across the street from their dealership, so I had contacted them to make a reservation for one night, with early check in, and set the trailer up before taking the truck for its "spa treatment." While the truck was in for service, they were nice enough to drop me off at the golf course right next door, and come to pick me up when I was done. The course wasn't in the greatest of condition as it was early in the season for them, for heavens sake, there was still snow on the mountain peaks nearby. 

View of snow covered mountains from golf course.

There were some high school girls out practicing ahead of me. Their coaches made sure I was able to play through them. The men's league was starting later that evening, so I had to be off they course by 4:00. 

Upon returning to the dealership, I was told that the on-board computer in the truck was saying there was a problem with two cylinders miss-firing and that they would not be able to work on fixing the problem until Monday! I pleaded with them about trying to get it looked at sooner but they said the mechanics were preoccupied with other work. If parts were required I would be there a day or two beyond Monday. As I always put safety first, I accepted that I was going to spend a few more days in Cedar City than I had initially planned. The truck was drive-able at this point,but they suggested not stressing it much by doing a lot of towing. I was able to extend my stay at the KOA. 

I had noticed that Jolleys Trailer Sales was next to the KOA, so I went to check them out late Thursday afternoon. They don't really deal in RVs, but more horse and cargo trailers. I told them about my tire woes and they offered to help me out. The service guy followed me back to the trailer and initially he was going to put the spare put on in place of the tire with the flat spot on it, but then I decided that it might be wiser to change out all the trailer tires. This decision was partially based on all the Facebook posts I've read on the RV groups I follow about China bombs (trailer tires) blowing out at the least opportune time and causing countless damage to the rig. I counted myself lucky so far for not having had that experience. They were able to order the tires in and planned to install them on Friday, perfect!  

Friday morning I took the trailer over to them for the work to be done. While it was enjoying its spa day, I spent some time at the local library, a very nice and modern one, next to a big park, close to downtown. I had packed a picnic lunch and enjoyed it in the park. I also went to the Frehner Museum 

I remarked at what large paws this fellow had.

and the Art Gallery at Southern Utah University.

Both had free admission and had interesting displays.  

Saturday morning I went to the farmers market, which I found to have very overpriced offerings. Being so early in the season, there wasn't much produce, more gift items, breads, jams, pickles, cured meats and eggs. Saturday night I had hoped to go to a comedy show, but they were dark that week, so instead I went to the Hong Kong Chinese buffet restaurant with the work campers from the KOA, a very nice couple. 

Sunday I visited Veteran's Park and the Frontier Homestead State Park Museum, kind of like Black Creek Pioneer Village, but without the characters, where they had a display about the origins of horseshoes. I was particularly interested in it given my recent interest and activity with the sport. 

Veteran's Park was somber but quite interesting as it have monuments to all the wars the USA has been involved in. There are also some panels with information about the methods of war at the time, so it is interesting to see how the tactics became more modern as time went by. 

Veteran's Park

Monday morning I took the truck in to have the engine looked at and did laundry at the full size laundromat owned by the KOA. Just as the laundry was finishing I got a call that the truck was ready! It turned out that it was a glitch in the computer programming and once updated the engine was running as it should. This was covered under the warranty! I picked up the truck, hitched up the trailer and was able to head on-wards right away. The KOA was great about letting me check out late and not penalizing me the cost of another nights stay. They were very understanding of my predicament, which I had explained to them upfront and kept them abreast of all along. 

As you have read, it turns out there is quite a bit to see and do in Cedar City, I could have been stick in a much worse place.