Two Days

 

I went home with some rainbow eggs, strawberry jam and some of those delicious cookies.  The cookies did not make it home.  

Stopped at Painted Canyon in North Dakota.  Amazing.  The bison were not at the view area, but I had seen them from the interstate.  As I was leaving another Kia Soul came in that I had passed earlier in the day.  That one was pulling a trailer and I wondered how far it was going.  Remember I had had a conversation with Brenda's dad about what could a Soul pull.  

In Montana I came up on what I believed looked like a box in the middle of the interstate.  It was not. It was four 2x4s that must have been taped together because they were stacked perfectly.  I entertained thoughts for about 30 seconds of stopping and putting them in my car.  But I figured they would be too long.  I know I can only hold something that is 8 feet long.  And we are cruising at 80 in Montana so kind of dangerous even with the low amount of traffic.  On my way I kept going.  About a mile more and there was another stack of four perfectly stacked 2x4s right in the middle of the interstate.  Quarter of a mile more and there was a guy on the side of the road re-securing his load of lumber.  I wondered if he went back and picked up what he lost. 

Did my mountain passes on day 2.  No problem.  Going over the last one just before Coeur d'Alene and I see that Kia Soul stopped just before the top broke down.  Guess that is how far he was going.  Made me wonder if it was engine trouble or transmission.  Either way, it made me so glad that I had changed my mind on hauling a trailer.

I stopped at the Silver Dollar place and bought Pat a mug for his soda.  He was so happy.  Said he always wanted to stop there but the parents never would.  So at least he got a souvenir.  

I was home by dinnertime of the second day.  When I met up with Terri for lunch we talked about how we drive hard.  And it was funny because we both say Dad was a long haul truck driver and we learned all the tricks to get us where we wanted to be in a timely fashion. 

Minnesota Ramblings

 I'm ready to be home and sleep in my own bed.  I have had a marvelous time.  I got to spend a whole day with my sister and go shopping. All caught up on all the goings on with her family.  Nine grandchildren is a lot to keep up with.  

I helped set up for the surprise birthday party for my cousin.  She was totally surprised.  We had a family dinner out, family dinner in, went to church to hear my namesake preach, visited with lots of cousins and caught up.  I did get told who my family was and I disagreed.  Bloodlines, yes, family no.  Besides being annoying it was a bit amusing.  But that will be a story for another day.  

I managed to get in all my walks.  Dave tried to make me nervous by telling me one of the roads I take has bear sightings.  Maybe so but I didn't see any and it didn't stop me from walking down that road.  I figure if the bear hears me, I won't see him.  

Heading out of town I am going to stop in Milaca and get some of that expensive coffee Teresa made.  It was so good and it went delightfully with the gluton-free cookies her granddaughter made.  Taking some home to continue savoring the moments.  

Eight Days in Kokomo

 Eight glorious days in Kokomo.  I've got to say it feels like home.  One of mine anyway.  So it was eight days filled with football games and practices, a softball game, lunch out as grown-ups, lots of walks with and without children, laughter galore, shopping for things for the house, planning things for the house, meals, chores and homework.  I think Cassie likes the extra help especially now that the kids are getting into activities.  

Most of my goals were completed.  The furniture is now there.  We bought cubes for the kids' bedrooms and David got two of them put together.  The other set had to be exchanged due to a manufacturer defect.  Cassie picked out some paint color for the downstairs and new flooring for the downstairs bathroom.  The only thing not done was getting some shelving for the shed.  Shelves will make the storage much better for their camping and fishing equipment.  Unfortunately Sam's was out of the one we wanted.  We saw another set that would work, but naturally those were out also.  Going to keep an eye on it and they can pick up when it comes in stock.  

And now on to Minnesota with a quick stop in Illinois to see my aunt and uncle.  Just happy that I will be making it on time there.  

Made It

 What a ride.  What a sore butt.  The way the furniture had to be meant the seat could not shift or change.  I like to change my seating on long hauls because it makes my back and butt feel better. 

 I'm always amazed at how beautiful our country is.  I saw amazing sunsets and sunrises. 

Took a quick detour through Missouri to meet up with my friend Kim and meet the newest member of her family.  Gus, the colt.  Also Klaus who kind of liked me.  We had a great visit and caught up.  She always amazes me.  

Made it to Kokomo late last night.  So two and a half days of driving.  Nine states.  No mishaps.  Just lots of bugs especially in Nebraska. Dang you heard every one that hit the windshield.  Two hotels and then home.  

One More Time and Not Meant to Be

 The new injector did nothing to resolve my problem. Why am I not surprised?  And so Rick asked me how much more money I want to put into this vehicle.  It's now down to wiring or something is still wrong with the brain.  And wiring can become very expensive very fast when looking for the problem.  I told him I did not want to put anymore into it.  He understood.  He told me as his friend it was his recommendation also, but if I had just been any customer he would be happy to keep looking.  He charged me for my parts and not much of his labor.  And we parted ways.  He did recommend that if I ever buy another used vehicle I should pay him to come look at it first.  Good plan. 

Disheartening to say the least.  But I do have to say it feels like something just did not want me taking the mini van cross country.  So I'm looking at it and I'm looking at my car and I'm looking at it and I'm looking at my car.  I got my tape measure and measured the opening in the back and lo and behold the dresser will fit in my car.  Unbelievable.  I assumed it would not, hence all the other plans.  If I had bothered to check I could have been gone days to weeks ago and been in Kokomo in time to help my family move.  

So I moved the dresser and bed frames from the van to my vehicle.  Stuffed the extra spaces with whatever would fit.  Gathered my snacks, my backpack and my travel supplies.  Nita will have to come collect what she brought because none of that fit.  My priority is still the furniture Papa made.  Ready to go and I think I will leave today.  Get a good start.  My poor car.  No oil change, no tire rotation, no cleaning of fir needles, etc.  Bet I make it.  It feels right.  On my way family.  

Not Happening

 Oy.  So the harness was cancelled.  Turns out it is no longer available and that is why.  Would have been nice to know that before it was paid for.  Anyway the parts store ordered a better one and gave it to Rick for the same price as the one we ordered.  

Ha.  He installed it and it did not fix the problem. So tomorrow we will install a new injector because that is the code being thrown still.  Still missing.  Still broken.