We woke in the Walmart Parking lot of Forrest City. I took some time to get myself together. Last night this guy with a salvage yard was just a couple numbers off on the transmition I needed. E40D, in case someone has one lying around. The fact that he only had a gas tranny, solidified that I need to make this her last trip.
25hr drive. 1,600 miles roughly. She rides a bit better this morning, though I know shew’s on a downward spiral. This means a big change for me.
We drove a couple hours and made it to Walnut Ridge, AR. CJ is still with us though I’ve hinted heavily that his time in this bus is ending. I need the money to really start flowing so I can afford a new home. Unfortunately, being a damsel in distress makes more money than having a male nanny present. And boy will I need money. I’m mapping out online fundraisers and thinking about how I will be able to work and at what to keep it flowing once I am in Montana.
What a cruel Joke. The season I finally get everything in order legally, I learn how doomed she is. I love her so much.
Pray the transmission lasts another month.
We are at the playground. CJ took the boys to go play. Currently he has Atreyu on his shoulders and Galixy is holding his hand. He is amazing with them for sure. He follows my rules for them because he knows I have my reasons and stability and support are pure gold for everyone involved. But he explores with them and you can feel the childlike wonder emanating from the trio in equal increments. They love him so much I’ve become torn on kicking him out. He’s seems ok with being my friend. I’ve told him about the way men usually deal with me, example of Joe this January. He was fine and helpful, until I didn’t reciprocate his feelings, then he got sour and extorted me. In fact I felt like most of our friendship he played at manipulation under the guise of being an up front person. I thought he would be my friend, but if he couldn’t put his dick in me, I became unworthy.
The good news on my bus dying: I no longer have to worry about my power steering pump, doing an oilchange in the next month, or draining the fuel filter. As well as the lookout for a water tank and propane mount have no more purpose. I spoke with Crikett about Rv’s and Bus conversions and even the possibility of going to travel Europe, but that seems like more complication and hard work. I’m not ruling any of it out. My best hope is to find an RV that I can make my own. Find something that’ll endure. I would prefer another Diesel bus, but I’d settle for a sound RV… or a new transmission that’d actually last a million miles along side my million mile engine. I’m just pipe dreaming here. I’m so sad.
We stayed at the park until about 3PM then headed down the road. The highway is very curvy so we went pretty slow. Now we’re at the Walmart in Ash Flat. From what I’ve seen, this is a very kind town. Now that the heat of the day is over, I set up the boys with a movie to keep them out of the parking lot.
I’m trying to soak in every little bit of this stretch. Her final voyage with unknown obstacles at the end. The breeze feels nice and cool. The sky is blue, barely a cloud in sight. We’re about to go back into severe weather. Especially for this weekend it’s looking pretty dark and dangerous. Just gotta keep praying to the everything that we’ll be fine and Matilda gets home. I’ve been thinking, based off making Bugus utilitarian as well as art that could benefit my mom on her property, we could make it into a little shop to display her Alpaca goods along side some other trinkets and things. I’m about to pitch the idea to her XD then she’ll read it here right after we get done talking. I hope she likes the idea. I’ll clean it up and redo the inside and all too… Roadside attraction off the beaten path. Make a little foto book describing her trip and a guest registry.
What do you all think? Would Matilda Bugus be something worth visiting along side an alpaca ranch?
This spot is amazing though. The Walmart parking lot itself, not so much. No trees in the lot, so no shade. there’s a grass field between us and the road though, that has trees strewn about. I’ve seen two cops, one in the parking lot, but they had nothing to say to me, so I consider it good. If you don’t see cops they’re hiding in unmarked cars, and, generally, more ruthless. My tan is coming along nicely. My sweat stank too, but whatever.
I’m grateful. This world is amazing and gorgeous.
Loving you!
Matilda the Bugus 