Jump back in time about an hour ago. I am planning and plotting and gathering data for a Root Cause Analysis.

I have the template in my head for that sort of process.

I have written a clear timeline of events leading up to our demise.

I have collected maintenance records for the RV from a variety of vendors.

I have compiled a list of questions for which I need answers.

I have set a budget for those diagnostics.

I have set an appointment with a commercial Transit-capable Ford shop later this week.

As I am doing my research, I have the ChatGBT open and for fun, I ask what it would take to convert it to a an EV RV? Right? That would be cool. Fancy. But No, was the conclusion. Very bad idea. It would be a ” one off science experiment”.

OK, I really wanted to buy a diesel truck when we got this RV, so can I take this opportunity to put in a diesel engine. Long story short, horrible idea. “would almost certainly be a terrible financial decision”.

I knew both of those answers, but it was a fun thought experiment. So, and this is what I really want to record, it is now that I genuinely found an appreciation for the AI sense of humor. I actually laughed out loud in a room by myself at this exchange:

Could we get a flux capacitor and convert it into a time machine

Absolutely.

Given your current situation, I calculate that the optimal repair strategy is:

1. Install a flux capacitor.
2. Accelerate the Orion to 88 mph.
3. Return to approximately June 10, 2026.
4. Buy a lottery ticket.
5. Skip Texas entirely.
6. Replace the engine before it fails.
7. Invest in NVIDIA.
8. Return to the present.

The only technical challenges are:

• Acquiring 1.21 gigawatts of power.
• Finding a suitable plutonium supplier.
• Modifying a 2017 Transit to reach 88 mph while towing 10 national parks worth of souvenirs.
• Explaining to Susan why you’re suddenly obsessed with sports almanacs.

I am not sure what I was expecting as an answer, but getting to the end and discovering that my ChatGBT is on a first name basis with my wife just made me laugh until I cried – twice (now three times as I was proof reading.). Too funny.

“Open the pod bay doors, HAL”

Not much else to report. We have been unpacking the camper before the meeting at the Ford Dealer on Wednesday. I have gathered as much documentation as I think might be useful. I know these things often start with, “Did you ever change the oil?” so I have that documented as well as other service done along the way.

We’ll see how it goes, I guess. Generally speaking, we have been given the worst case scenario already. Anything other than replacing the engine is a win. Not much we will know until Wednesday.

Tomorrow the Adventure continues in the Garden.