The smoking MOOSE!

January 9, 2014: The smoking MOOSE!  Where's there's smoke ... there could be fire.

As the Moose billows smoke below us, we are totally oblivious to the events about to unfold.

Last Saturday evening we were relaxing in the Moose watching a little TV.  My feet were cold so I headed to the bedroom to get some cozy socks.  A terrible smell filled the bedroom.  Propane?  Burning rubber?  I don’t know what it is, but I do know it’s a problem!

Jack and I head outside and start opening all the compartments trying to pinpoint the source of the odor.  As we open the compartment that houses the batteries smoke billows from one of the chassis batteries.  Oh no!  This is REALLY BAD!    

Where’s the battery disconnect?

Some neighbors come to our assistance.  Jack unplugs the shore power and he and the other men begin the search for the battery disconnect.  Can you believe we don’t KNOW exactly where the battery disconnect is located?  (Note: We do now.)

Save the Jeep!  Save Miss Kitty!

I move the Jeep out of the “line of fire” in case the battery explodes.  Miss Kitty is freaked by all commotion, so I literally have to corner her in order to capture her in the Moose, put her in a carrier, and move her to safety in the back of the Jeep.  One more trip for the computers, camera, and briefcase and the rest I consider replaceable.       

The 911 call goes out!

The battery continues billowing smoke and we decide a 911 call to the Fire Department is the only option.  None present is crazy about the idea of an all-out motorhome fire with the possibility of it spreading to other nearby rigs or park models.    

In a matter of minutes, lights and sirens approach.  The firemen assess the situation, remove the battery, we thank them heartily, and off they go ready for their next emergency.

The excitement is over – but the neighborhood chatter isn’t.

We spend Saturday and Sunday without electricity – no shore power and no generator.

I’ll skip all the details, but between Roadside Assistance and our Extended Service Plan we are back in business enjoying the luxury of electricity again.

Word travels fast (especially in a 55+ resort) and if they didn’t see or hear the Fire Department that night, everyone at Sunrise has heard the story from someone.  We’re still getting questions every day.  Mostly, everyone just wants to know we came through the ordeal unscathed.

What a way to start 2014! 

It certainly got our blood moving.  If it was inevitable that this would happen, we are very thankful to be sitting in Sunrise RV Resort and for the quick response of the Apache Junction Fire Department.  The same event in the middle of the desert would have had a much different outcome.  But, since I don’t believe in coincidences but that life works out the way it’s supposed to, I'll just say......

“Thank you Lord for talking care of us … again.”

It appears we are destined to have more of these beautiful skies in our future.