We pulled in to the Peterson Industries, Inc. (PI) Service Center parking lot early Saturday afternoon (6/18) and had the place to ourselves. We found the customer lounge to be locked which was strange as it had always been unlocked in the past. We decided that as we had all the comforts of home with us, we really didn't need the customer lounge.
We were able to hook up to fuzzy cable but that at least gave us weather reports that weren't very comforting to this former Californian. Severe weather warnings about damaging winds in excess of 70 mph, tennis ball size hail, and the possibility of tornadoes. The town of Smith Center does not have any shelters and as the lounge was locked, we couldn't get in to an interior room, if needed. I watched the news weather station and radar until late at night while John slept like a baby lol. Also, I was playing Words With Friends (like Scrabble) on my phone with our friend Rick who was/is in Eagle Nest, NM. Thanks Rick for the added diversion. I finally went to bed and could look out my window and see the sky light up with small and large bursts of light looking north towards the Nebraska border. No thunder could be heard as the actual storm was far enough away but the rig sure shook from the wind. This routine for me was repeated Sunday night. Thankfully, the customer lounge was unlocked Sunday morning so that if needed, we had a place to escape. Monday still brought the same concerns but I was so tired that once my head the pillow, I was out. Thankfully, nothing came from all the warnings as the activity was either west, north, or east of us. We were told that when the severe weather is like a horseshoe around you, the tension is lessoned in the center. Also, when the cool air/wind came in Monday evening, we were told that was a good thing; maybe that is why I slept so well Monday night.
What was so strange to us was that we were all alone come Sunday evening. Usually, Sunday afternoon brings in anywhere from three to four more rigs. I asked John if there was a possibility we could have gotten our service date wrong and he said no and even if we had, there should be other rigs here. So where is everyone?
We did move the truck to the proper parking area Sunday evening.
We had to be out of our rig by 6:15 a.m with all the slides pulled in each morning we needed work done. When we went to the lounge, we saw Ralph and asked him where everyone was. He laughed and said he wasn't sure. He did confirm we were in the right place at the right time. We later found out that one couple (Darrell and Barbara) stayed in the small RV park down the road rather than pulling in to the service center. Another couple (Larry and Nancy) came in Monday evening. As usual, there was friendly conversations and stories told by those of us hanging out in the lounge. Darrell and Barbara were able to leave Tuesday afternoon. Larry and Nancy had water intrusion issues and needed all their slide floors rebuilt. Since their rig wasn't going to be ready until Friday, they decided to head towards Nebraska to visit the Pioneer Village and visit The Great Platte River Road Archway (well worth doing, by the way). We did get to meet someone who participates on the Excel Owner's Forum - Jim (RedCow) and his wife. Jim had the misfortune of backing in to a bollard and damaged the bottom of his end cap. After looking over the situation, it was determined that PI was just going to replace his entire endcap as it was going to have to come off anyway. It was a pleasure meeting and conversing with Jim.
As the service center no longer has wifi in their lounge (darn) and I don't have an air card, I wasn't able to update my blog as planned.
Our work got finished up early Wednesday morning but the wind was blowing so strong out of the west, that we asked if we could stay the night. We were up and at-'em early Thursday and were on the road at 6:30 a.m.
It was an expensive detour to Smith Center but we feel confident in having the service center do whatever work needs to done. Thanks Jack, Ralph, and your service crew.
