108 Days of Chaos: Our Van Repair Saga
Sometimes life throws you a curveball—ours just happened to last 108 days. What started as a simple road trip took a wild turn in May when our van broke down in Sequim, WA, setting off a chain of events that tested our patience, resilience, and sense of humor.
On May 10th, everything seemed normal until our van let out a loud pop as we were leaving a gas station. Suddenly, we couldn’t move forward or backward, and panic set in. A kind stranger helped us get the van safely off the road, but finding a tow truck was a challenge. Finally, after calling the local police station, we got a discreet recommendation for a local kid who towed us to the closest dealership in Port Angeles, WA. Little did we know this would be the start of a long, arduous journey.
The Waiting Game Begins
When we arrived at the dealership, they were so backed up with work that they couldn’t even diagnose the problem for 4-6 weeks. We begged them to understand that this wasn’t just a vehicle—this was our home. After some pleading, they agreed to at least look at it by June 1st. Lucky for us, we had a friend who’d asked us to house-sit for a few weeks while she traveled.
Things seemed to be looking up until, on day 14 of our stay, the dreaded HOA stepped in. We were told that the 14-day guest rule was strict and that we’d have to leave. After a bit of negotiating and explaining our unique situation, we were allowed to stay until June 1st—though not without some grumbling from the neighbors and some serious added stress on our poor friend.
Island Hopping and a Glimmer of Hope
With a borrowed car and some time to kill, we made the most of the waiting period by visiting Scott’s family on Whidbey Island. Those four days exploring the beautiful islands, riding ferries, and enjoying time with family were a much-needed escape. But the joy was short-lived as we found ourselves hopping between Airbnbs and hotels, trying to stay afloat while waiting on the dealership.
We even ended up at another generous friends home in Portland, OR, cat-sitting for three weeks—an unexpected but welcomed break. Finally, we received the call we’d been waiting for: our van was ready for pickup! Elated, we drove four hours back to Port Angeles, only to have the check engine light come on after driving just four miles. Scott turned the van around, and as we got within sight of the dealership, the van stopped moving again…
The Breaking Point
It turned out that someone at the dealership had forgotten to attach the coolant hose, causing the engine to seize. What followed was a nightmare of insurance claims, waiting for a new engine, and even more delays as other parts were discovered to have melted from the damage. We were given a rental car but the dealership and a daily stipend of $100 for accommodations from the insurance company—though in a tourist-heavy area in August, where hotels cost upwards of $250 per night, this wasn’t nearly enough.
We camped in state parks, saved up the daily stipend to afford hotel rooms every few days for a much-needed shower and bed, and at one point, even slept in our broken van in the dealership parking lot. It was far from ideal, but we tried to stay strong and focused on the end goal: getting back on the road.
The Final Stretch
After 108 grueling days, multiple delays (including one caused by a tech getting married), and endless frustration, we finally got the van back. We left the dealership and headed straight for Fargo, ND, to visit my brother. The second we walked through the door, all the pent-up stress of the past three months hit me, and I broke down in tears. My sister-in-law hugged me until I calmed down, and for the first time in months, we started to feel like things were finally looking up.
Scott, still dealing with his own anger and disappointment over missed family time with his parents and missed work back in MA, was trying to find peace in the situation. But just when we thought the drama was over, my brother accidentally backed into the van with his car. All we could do was laugh—because, at this point, what else could we do?
Thankfully, the damage was minimal, and we were able to continue our journey to New York to see Scott’s family for a brief week before heading back to Massachusetts, where we had jobs waiting for us and a cadre of friends we wanted to catch up with.
Gratitude and Growth
This experience tested us in every way—emotionally, financially, and mentally. There were moments of deep frustration and sadness, but there were also beautiful moments of connection with family, new adventures in unexpected places, and a reminder of the kindness and support of the people in our lives.
We learned to pivot, adapt, and make the best of a difficult situation. And now, after 108 days of chaos, we’re finally back on the road, grateful for the journey and telling ourselves that we are stronger for having gone through it.
UPDATE: 10.22.24 The van’s check engine light came on as soon as we hit MA. Back to the dealership for us! 15 days to figure out what was wrong this time and get the repairs. We think this nightmare is finally over and we get to hit the road once again! Stay tuned and follow to see what happens next! #wandertogsadventures
