You Meet the Nicest People with an Airstream

["Ned P. Digh" <npdigh@xxxx>]

Last Friday, Esther and I camped at the Lawrence, KS KOA park. The owner was 
complimentary of our "really nice camper". On Sat morning we drove about 10 
miles and the top radiator hose blew off, taking with it the throat (plastic 
connector spout), all but about 3/8". As I was attempting to use the original 
clamp to temporarily reattach the hose, a grain elevator service truck stopped. 
With a brief observation of my plight, the driver said "wait a minute", went to 
his truck and returned with a worm clamp and nut driver and sugested I remove 
the gasket from the pressure cap. That being done, he called a friend, a diesel 
truck mechanic, for any additional suggestions. I could hear the friend say 
"that is the same engine in something, without the pressure, the coolant should 
circulate enough to them home, essentially the pressure raises the boiling point". 
After our blacksmith meeting at the Ag Hall of Fame Museum, we headed for a brief 
stop at Fort Leavenworth. The young MP's at the gate were thorough, courteous and 
professional. One looked under the hood, mentioned he smelled anti-freeze and I 
explained the situation was under control. As second MP requested that I open the 
camper, he quickly walked through, said "you have a nice camper, thank you for 
our cooperation". The one waiting to return my ID card likewise thanked me. While 
parked and Esther was shopping, I raised the hood to check the coolant level and 
a minivan stopped. The occupants, an Army couple explained they are Airstreamers 
and asked if I needed assistance. We had a nice conversation about their transfer 
to Ft Leavenworth from Ft Lewis, WA and how owning as AS making transfer much 
easier. We did make the trip home OK, although at a more moderate speed than usual. 
The Burb is getting a new radiator, but gosh, you meet the nicest people when you 
tow and Airstream!