Day One: The shower is draining more slowly than usual. I am standing in about half an inch of water. And to be clear, I don't take long showers. I live in an RV, and the grey water tanks are not conducive to 30 minute showers. And even if I didn't live in an RV, I don't like to prune. I digress.
Henry investigates by pulling the drain out and discovering what can only be described as a tube of hair, approximately 8 inches long. Completely grossed out. Can not discuss further. He continues to plunge and fishes up a plastic cone that I don't think was supposed to come out. I'm proven right when the smell of days-old grey water comes wafting into the bathroom. Turns out that cone? Stops the odor from backing up into the living space. Roger that.
In this process, Henry discovers that the shower is also, in fact, leaking. Super. Shower now off limits.
Day Two: After hours of first locating and then trying in vain to repair a hairline crack in the pipe, Henry resorts to calling a mobile RV repairman. This, only to discover that he will not travel this far. ...I did mention that he's a MOBILE repairman, right? Okay, just making sure that came across.
Henry sitting very still, head down, for approximately five full minutes before admitting defeat.
New plan - try again to repair it himself by purchasing new pipe at Home Depot. Meanwhile, we have no usable shower. We have two teenage-ish children living in close quarters with us. Off to the campground showers we go! Because the alternative is too offensive to my olfactory senses to contemplate.
Day Three: We went to both Lowe's and Home Depot with poor result. No matching tube can be located. Drove to an RV parts store. Competence at last! They gave Henry all of the correct pieces...except the necessary glue. Back to Lowe's for a quick side trip where glue was procured! Upon arrival at home, Henry glued and cut and cut and glued without mangling his body in any way. Usually, these projects have some injury inherent in the process. Tomorrow, he shall restore all of the pieces to their original locations and bask in the glory of his success!
Day Four: Ready to install. The parts have been pre-glued. It is 95 degrees and humid but (and I quote) "This should only take a minute." Ethan's help has been enlisted this time, so much complaining ensues. He is supposed to hold the drain in place while Henry tightens it underneath the RV.
10 minutes go by with little progress and abundant cursing.
Ethan has been told to go to his room and not help anymore.
It leaks. And I mean, a lot. It's no longer a hairline crack but instead a pint size waterfall. Water is pouring out like there's nothing at all between it and the Earth with which is is trying to reunite via the floor of our camper.
Henry claims he is giving up and informs us all that we no longer have a shower. Campground showers only from now on! I am unfazed as I am intimately familiar with this phase of my husband's problem solving process.
Update: Henry is sitting on the bathroom floor, thinking.
Day Four (cont...): Henry went outside and then came inside several times. I want to say at least 7. He just came in and said we have a shower! Success!
He is very, very pleased with himself. There was an explanation about what was actually the problem, but I've already forgotten what it was.
There you have it - the glamorous post retirement that is our lives as we venture into lands unknown. It was only a warm up, however, for our worst day of travel yet. Stay tuned...
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