Back on The Road

Great Plains State Park
Oklahoma

Well, we rattled our way up across the Oklahoma line from the extreme comfort of San Antonio. Overall, The Rover ran well and cruised along at 55-60 mph without a hitch until around 2pm.

It really was a beautiful day, with the skies a clear, cloud-free blue and the Texas countryside a bright green. Then the thermometer rose into the upper 80’s and the temperature gauge started to show initial signs of red.

By 2pm, it was 90. When I entered Frederick, OK it was 94, and the temp gauge was hitting 210-215 degrees. Not at all what I was hoping to see. I stopped in some Podunk town here in OK for gas, and not even the electric fuel pump could overcome the vapor lock, so I coasted into a Dollar General parking lot to cool off the motor. Leaving the electric fan running solo, I was good to go within 20 minutes. Then the throttle came loose, causing it to stick and rev the engine, but with some elaborate footwork I managed to work around that since I was only 20 miles from a cold beer and a camping spot. Not torching the fact that the engine was as hot as Hades.

The good news of the day: I filled up three times, and the mileage went up from 14.64, 15.55, and finally to 17.03 mpg. At the moment, I am dubious of the final number, but moderately encouraged none the less.

Upon arrival, I basically pulled into the first open site away from all people that I found, even though I knew this was an RV site. The host showed up to collect the fine when I was working on tightening the throttle bolt that came loose. Why does the damn thing have to be under the steering box housing? At any rate, I pleaded ignorance about being in an RV site, and the guy allowed me to stay for the tent site price. Nice guy, and he liked the Rover, although he initially thought I was from Australia. He also had a great time fishing Alaska, and that may have helped out too. He said the lake I’m camped next to has walleye, and that got my attention, but I’ll be leaving early in the a.m. to try to beat some of the heat. 100 degs
is more than likely for the next two days. Oddly enough, The Rover handles -40 much better than +100.

All the fluids have been checked, dinner has been grilled, and I’ve finished my second beer. Time to attempt to post this and then climb up into the tent to look at the maps.

Cheers