There's a hole in the coolant hose that heats the the veggie oil. It is in that impossible place to get at where the hose in hose (oil line running inside the coolant line) goes through the firewall (not a computer term). I'm surprised that the unprotected sharp piece of metal pressed tightly up against it had not cut a hole in it sooner.

This morning I was awoken by the police (again) while parked in the RV side of a Flying J parking lot. They "mildly" threatened to arrest me or fine me 1,000 dollars an ounce for the coolant that leaked out over night. I was able to convince them to give me an hour to fix it and leave... that i knew where the hole was and was capable of fixing it ( I did know, but I am not capable of fixing it in an hour ) I've blown about 80 unexpected bucks on coolant, stop leak and "special" rescue tape. There is no way to fix the hole without removing the entire veggie fuel line and coolant heat system. It will take a lot of time.

I was told by a flying J employee to just move it back to the big rig lot and work on it there, that way when the cops came back I'd be gone. I did that but within an hour an unmarked car with a uniformed cop cruised by.

As I rolled around under the bus frantically trying to put tape on wet hose with one hand (because that's all that would fit it the space) a trucker pulls up next to me hops out and leans down to warn me of the swarm of bees he saw behind my bus... I thanked him even though those bees and the ones I was laying on were all dead from the coolant that covered my entire body as well.

I cut an extra piece of hose and tried to cover the hole and protect the hose from the sharp metal it had been rubbing against for 25,000 miles. I called in for reinforcements from my Texas comrades, ideas for where i could limp the bus to for safety.. Thank you all, just knowing someone was helping me think it through was quite comforting. Also, Much thanks to Topher who I bugged 'til the wee hours last night trying to find a solution. You Topher, are my "real" favorite veggie mechanic; the title of this post however is a reference that that other guy will only get.

Long story long... Bus not fixed. bus not in Austin. maybe bus in Austin tonight. Bus limping into Austin for the 3rd fucking time. I'm able to drive about 10-15 miles on each radiator fill up of water. Must drive real slow on the highway while assholes honk angerly at me every minute or 2. I'm almost within range of a AAA tow job but those of you who have followed my saga will know that I can probably drive there in 10 mile spurts faster than they will come tow me.

I don't know what "normal life" is; but I know that this is NOT normal or joyous and that has become the norm for bus travel and I'm sick-n-fuckin' tired of it.

90% home . . . 90% over it.