Arlington

Day 14 - our last day in Youngstown started out with an early rise and taking the troublesome RV to a truck workshop to see if something could be done about the questionable steering mechanism. At least this time it was going to an actual truck workshop where the problem should be solved.

Got it there and left it for the day, headed off to catch up with Bec and get some YSU T-shirts, caps etc. you know, the usual parent supporters type stuff. Bec even got a T-shirt for her coach back in OZ and asked us to package it up for him and give it to him when we get back home.

Most of the day we spent around the campus and helping Bec get her new apartment sorted out and I must say, it really gave us a connection with her life at college, being involved in the setting up of her accommodation and meeting with advisers, coaches etc.

Spending the day on and around campus was great, we also headed out for a while checking out second hand cars for when the situation arises that we need, and can, get Bec a car for getting around Youngstown and not being completely reliant on someone else. Seems that the best cars for students in the US are the Toyota's and Honda's, and of course their upmarket versions, Lexus and Accura.

Advice I received from a past YSU student who now runs a car yard was that they are cheap to buy, cheap to run, and get the best resale values in 3 years time when it's time to come home. Great advice I thought.

Chased up the workshop around 3:30 to see what was going on with the vehicle and turns out they found some issues but the RV company did not want to spend the money required to make the vehicle up to scratch. They did a full re-alignment that was supposedly done by the Dallas tyre place, but by proper truck mechanics. They also discovered that one of the front tyres was actually out of round and this would certainly have created some havoc with vibrations etc.

Well we collected the RV and decided to just park up at a Walmart for the night as it was closer to the airport where we had to return the rental car to.

All settled and then went back to collect Bec and go for dinner with one of her best friends and her mum at this Italian restaurant in the heart of Youngstown. Had a lovely meal but the service was atrocious. Got a pretty filthy look from the waiters when I refused to pay any tip on the bill as I strongly believe that a tip is a reward for good service, not just a given that it will be granted.

Youngstown has a bad reputation for being dead in the old city centre around the University after the decline of the steel industry back in the '80's, but it turns out there are some nice little bars and restaurants trying very hard to get custom from the locals and the food is exceptional. The newly created gas industry will play a very important part in the rebirth of Youngstown and it will return to its time of financial glory but probably not in the time that Bec will be there.

After dinner back to Bec's apartment to say our final farewells to her and her roommate Shannon. A little sad to have to say goodbye again and leave my little Princess behind.

All done we headed back to our location at Walmart and off to bed. Interesting to see tomorrow if the steering really had been resolved.Read more