Problems all day, but made it as far as we planned.

Two other buses were here when we got in last night, and still here when we leave in the AM. And we aren't too speedy either.

I did go down and get an egg patty to go with my meatballs from last night. Didn't eat the noodles. Still a lot more food than I usually eat for breakfast.

And before we go, I call to get my NM permit emailed to me. Early on the guy asks if it is another garbage truck. "No, it's a bus." After a few more questions he asks if this email is still correct "Dennis..." NO. Then I tell him that "I should have been ticked off, " I couldn't think of the word TIPPED off ... I should have been tipped off when he said garbage truck, I've never driven a garbage truck for this company. After we got that straighten out, all was OK.

Because I had backed the bus in so nice, I was going to be able to swing around the corner and out. Or not. I pull up and then someone is coming, they wave for me to go but I'm not sure I can make it without backing up. So I wave for them to go, and they do ... until they realize if they go past me they will be on the street, they want the front desk. So they back up, I back up and let them past ... then I get to drive out, without backing up again.

We aren't too far south when I notice that those green hills are not green anymore. At first only the south side of the hills have turned brown, but after more miles the whole hills are brown already ... and it's April, spring is over.

First stop is at Avelon at a rest area. When we come back I notice something dripping near the rear of the bus. First thought is the AC. But, I pull ahead so I can look at the puddle. No smell, but doesn't quite feel like water. It is dripping enough that it is running from the puddle. I crawl under. We have a leak. No biggie, I have tools and tighten it and we are on our way.

Just south of here we have to take a two lane highway to get from I-5 to US-99. This is about the only two lane for the whole trip. Right through the orchard fields. Right as we are turning on 99, the low coolant light comes on. Ahhhggg. The light is orange, not red, so I keep going. There is a Flying J three miles down.

I go in and buy water and hose clamps. After a half hour non-planned stop, we are rolling.

When I was in line for the register, the person behind me asked me for change. No. Then I heard them as the person behind them, No. They didn't have any items, just looking for money. Lots of that here, there and everywhere.

We stop in Tehachapi at the Pilot to eat at PJ Fresh. Not as good as I remember but it's food and it's fast. I tighten down the clamps again and add more water.

Before we get to Barstow the light is back on. So off to a truck stop with a shop. I call the bus company but on Friday's it's already after hours. So I have to call the after hours number. Have a shop fix it they say. I plan on that, but then realize all they will do is the same thing I have been doing, tighten and send me on my way. OR want to replace something that they don't have and I will be stuck here until next week. So instead I get a bigger wrench. Doesn't work as good as the small one. I buy more water as we are heading across the desert where there are only 2-3 service stations before then next town two hours away.

No problems, we do 140 miles to the next town non-stop.

In Needles we eat at the Wagon Wheel, we've eaten here before, good food and some truck parking. I had the french dip again and BB ordered a burrito. She was almost done with it before she questioned she had gotten the right food. In rare event, BB asked the server about it. After looking at the menu, BB had gotten the wrong food. It was still good. Earlier our server had came over to our table and just stood there, before asking if everything was OK. But we don't think she knew at the time there was an issue.

Back at the bus we added more coolant.

15 miles down the road there is a scale ... but before we get there I had passed a truck. I pass lots of trucks. Within a few minutes that same truck passes me ... with his right blinker on, right tires in my lane, and then pulls in front of me with about three feet to spare. I'm only three feet from my front bumper so I'm pretty sure that is how close he was. Don't know it that is how he drives for if I had upset him.

At the POE I go in and get my permit. I've done it enough I have all the right stuff when they ask for it.

One hour to Kingman and the sun is just about to set.

Opps, back when we were eating BB was going to make a reservation for tonight's hotel and noticed the prices had gone up. Later she realized the prices had not gone up. She made the reservation on her phone and our discount did not get picked up. So tonight we paid an extra $10 for our room.

Lots of room in the larger truck parking area. Nice guy at the desk, I think he's been there every time we've stayed here. And almost every time he has to print my NM permit for me.