The Wild Ride Of Mr. Toad.........
I left for Tucson Monday late morning after a good nights rest. Missed all the traffic (save a little) skirting the upper side of LA County. I took my little pad with me to keep in touch but it would not hook up to the internet any where. I had no phone with me, so it was ind of a bummer. I finally found a truck Stop in Indio CA (Near Palm Springs) that the computer would connect to the WIFI. Let everyone know I was making good time.. Tell the kids I miss them and all that. That all was well... And it was... Right up to about the time I got out in the middle of BFE no where in AZ on Hwy 10. Just out o the blue.. The van stopped running at 78MPH.. All gauges looked fine right up to it. Still had lights, battery... Coasted to a stop and tried to start it up... Seemed like it was not getting fuel and I had enough to get to Phoenix unless it was lying. I was about 59 miles East of the Colorado River. Pretty much NO WHERE. Middle of the night. I walked up to each mile marker so I knew where I was. Decided to hope some one stops by by morning (State Cop?) and crash in the van until day light to get my bearings and make a decision to hold with the van or start heading out for the last civilized place, Many miles back. You now that place, you rack your brain over where and what truck stop, rest area or town you saw last and approx how far back. Only had a CA map, so I was beyond that border of paper. I did know it was 59 miles to the border and there were a couple of places between where I was and where that was. No one stopped after a few hours, so I took the kids car seats out o the van and placed them next to the van so I might guilt someone into stopping. HWY was busy enough. Could not even sleep with how the van was rocking from each passing truck or car. NADA.. No one.. I got a couple winks. Listened to the radio news (No FM out there) and watched the sunrise.
I decided I would try and flag down someone.. NADA..
I wrote a note... Dated it, gave a time I set out in which direction on what side of the HWY and set out on foot.
Thank the gods I brought my boots.. Mil Spec desert issue.. Comfy for the trudge. Hiked for 6-7 miles and saw a stranded truck and one of those hwy service guys that fix them on the road. Went and talked to him. No he was not going to help me. Could he call the State PoPo.. Nope... Could he call a tow.. Nope.. He was only there to work on that truck and I must be some crazy dude escaped from somewhere to be waking out in the middle of no where with a briefcase stating I needed help. :roll: People are scared these days I guess. Surprised he did not pull a weapon....
hike on.. Sign said rest area closed next exit, well maybe there will be a bathroom, water and a phone, or any one of them. NOPE......
However... there was a crew working there. I stopped and talked to one guy. He said he had no phone but pointed to who was obviously in charge there and said he did.
And he did.. He also told me he was driving back to the next truck stop for some coffee and how would I like a ride. I had already hiked about 8 miles going on nine. No biggie... But still. Hell yeah.. I'll take a ride. We went to the truck stop, got some info and he let me use his phone. Then he decided to call where he and his crew were staying and get a referral of someone close that could tow and fix the van. Then let me call Kat.... Dude was awesome.. Once he knew I was ok and had someone on the way, he went to attend a meeting back where I had found him.. I wish that man all the good karma the universe can muster.
I was blessed in not being just picked up with my thumb out.
Mechanic shows up with a car trailer... takes me to this little town up the 60 HWY (20 miles or so off the 10 and more out in the middle of no where
) to his garage. Just opened it a year ago. Digs in right away (place is stacked with work) and figures out the timing is out and the distributor is the issue. Has one on hand and tears it up, gets it running, and does it for reasonable price. No wonder this guy is highly recommended. Local guy grew up there. Just married a girl (second wife) a little younger that had a crush on him in high school. Son and a couple of cool guys also work at the shop. The banter was funny as all hell... All I could do was sit there, smile and happily pay the bill.....
If there is anyone that ever travels out that way and needs help... He is the guy. Hats off to you and you shop Mr. Clark Leach!! C&D Auto Repair Harcuvar, AZ just south of Salome. I can not even begin to express ho grateful I am for your services and in expediting my repairs! Amazing job man! Thank you for letting me use your phones to let Katy an the kids know I was ok. To talk to Dave on his way home coming from Las Vegas. His father had a heart attack and surgery BTW.
Back on the road again.. I went trouble free through Phoenix (damn rush hour but......) and on my way to Tucson. IO arrived in Tucson a tad late to go do the dingo... I decided to accept Dave and Kristy's hospitality, take a shower and spend the night there at their new home.. Thanks you guys!
Sure was good to see them again even though we really only got to visit for a little bit before bed. Dave had to be at work in the AM and Kristy had a lot going on as well the next day. We went over to the farm and picked up the dingo after I chased down my reserved trailer :roll:. Worked out that it was closer to their place.. but still. Calls were made to hold the trailer for the extra day. I doubt they even had it in the first place :roll: It's ok.. Worked out....
Left Tucson yesterday around noon and headed back, trouble free, missing all the rush hour spots. I had forgotten my asthma meds and I was having breathing issues or would have stopped and seen Nick Araya on my way back North. I did stop at that same truck stop again and got on line to text Kat and post in FB that I was doing ok.
Pulled into the driveway at 4:30AM this morning.. pretty whooped and went to bed. Only to catch a cat nap until the kids (really excited about a new tool/toy in the front yard) woke me and Kat up. Of course it is raining out.. We don't get to play with the new gear unless it clears.. Well, I did a little just for the boys amusement. Unloaded the dingo and unhooked the trailer in case we need to go to town. Put the attachments on a pallet and scooped up some chips/mulch for the kids to see. Threw a tarp over it for now.. Hope the rain clears sometime today.
Feels good to be home. Looking forward to using the dingo on a job Friday.
Sometimes... Things just have to get a little screwy so you can appreciate how it all works out.
