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Day 11

I woke up this morning around 9:30. I called the U-Haul to reserve the truck, since every time I called yesterday, there was no answer. After about an hour and a half, I finally got through. I reserved my truck, got my stuff packed in the car and Misty and I headed back to the truck stop. Joe, the mechanic, said he would drive me down the road to the U-Haul so I wouldn't have to leave my car there and make another trip back to get it. When I got there, he suggested calling Ryder. He says Ryder is often cheaper and has better equipment. Sure enough, I called and it was almost $200 cheaper. So I tried calling U-Haul back to cancel my reservation. Of course, no one answered the phone. I finally had to call the national 800 number and have them cancel the reservation for me. I still have to call again tomorrow, just to make sure.

The Ryder station was in the opposite direction from the U-Haul, on my route. I decided to drive my car there, pick up the truck, drive back to the truck stop and load it up, then I could pick up my car on my way out of town. Joe was nice enough to help me load everything from the bus into the Ryder. I've met some of the nicest people on this trip! Too bad I only met them because I was having problems!

Finally, the bus was stripped of all my belongings, including the furniture. I left the Captain's chairs, in case I find a buyer. After all, what am I going to do with them, with no bus? It was a very emotional moment for me. Joe had gone back up to the truck stop and I was left alone, the last few moments with my bus. It was very sad to look around and see my beautiful bus, all empty and alone in a big field. I put my heart and soul into that bus and the inside was great. It almost looked professional. It looked like a motorhome. I put so much time and effort into that bus. It held my dreams. I couldn't bear to leave it. I could stall no longer. I finally had to pull away from my bus. It was like leaving a part of myself behind. I just hope I can find someone to make a good home out of it. I hope someone will be willing to fix the motor and use the bus as I intended to use it, as a means of travel and a temporary home. I would hate to have to scrap it. It has so much potential. I just don't have the money or the time right now to fix it. After the motor is fixed, almost everything under the hood will be either new or rebuilt. It should be a good bus when it's done.

Anyway, I pulled away from my bus. I took one more last look in the mirror as it disappeared from view. Then I headed for San Antonio. When I got into the city limits, I called my Uncle who gave me directions to my grandmother's house. Everyone insisted I stop there for the night if I passed through late enough. I found her house and got Misty and myself unpacked. It's very hot here. I anticipate another sleepless night, tossing and turning from the heat and fighting tears and the incredible sense of loss and failure at the breakdown and abandonment of my bus.

Ok, I was hoping that writing in my journal would occupy my mind and I might start to feel a little better, but instead of talking about the future and being hopeful for the rest of the trip, I find myself dwelling on the bus. So, now I'm depressed and I don't feel like writing anymore.

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