November 29: Car Troubles

As we headed home on Saturday, we had plans to stay in a hotel somewhere in New Jersey and finish the drive on Sunday morning.  About 4 minutes before this photo the check engine light came on and we also got a quick beep.  We had been on the road for about 60 miles, so we decided we better check for a dealer.  I started the search and was coming up empty -  The Eastern Shore does not have very many auto related businesses.  We had just decided to check for a regular garage when the car stopped and Kevin barely managed to get the truck to side of the road in Exmore, VA.  There was steam coming from under the hood. Although we did not know it until the mechanic told us, we had blown the #4 fuel injector tube and were really lucky that we did not have a flash fire in the truck.

Used our towing service to take us to a garage in Birdnest, VA.  John actually was not open, but took pity on us.  Unfortunately it was not just a Saturday, but the Saturday after a holiday, so the extended warranty people were not working, and the part needed was only carried by Dodge dealers. There were no motels in the area that had openings and no rental car places open until Monday and to tow the truck to the other side of the bridge-tunnel would have been extremely expensive.

Enter our knight-in-shining-armour!  Benjamin drove over and rescued us.  We had just extended our visit with Lin and Greg!  Kevin had the start of a sinus head so he napped as Benjamin and I chatted all the way back to his parents.  What a remarkable guy he is!  We talked about lots of different topics including some very deep thoughts on his future plans and of course the gorgeous sunset that I did not have the camera available to capture.  Benjamin is a very caring and compassionate human who really cares about doing the right thing. 

The rest of Saturday and Sunday were very relaxed.  We ate more pie, watched some movies, and just chatted.  On Saturday Greg mentioned that he wanted to learn how to make a good meatloaf.  (Lin is a vegetarian.)  So, on Sunday, we bought the ingredients, and I supervised as Greg made my meatloaf, baked potatoes, and veggies.  He did an excellent job and will be able to have a few meatloaf sandwiches this week.  He cleaned up as he went along, so there was not even any mess to deal with after supper.  Guess he is pretty domesticated.

On Monday morning, Greg drove us to a dealer in Tidewater and we purchased the part.  Then he took us over the bridge to John's and while the car was getting fixed, we drove into Exmore for some breakfast.  We were on the road home about 10:30. 

About 12:30 we decided that we really had to try and wash off a little more of the diesel smell, so we found a car wash.  We also decided that even though we had eaten only 3 hours before we would stop for lunch at one of our old favorite places.  Don't ever see these so it was the second time since leaving Minnesota in July.  YUMMMM!

I had a naggy headache most of the drive home.  Probably was related to the fumes, but finally did breakdown and take something.  Traffic was heavy in New Jersey, but then we had experienced that on the way down so we were not surprised.  (Funny how we sort of forgot about real traffic since we moved to Vermont.)  We drove the whole trip in one day because Kevin had already missed one day of school.  We arrived at our door at 10:54 and quickly unpacked.  Then we fell into bed thinking about how nice it was to NOT be sitting in the truck anymore.

LOVED the visit, but now I am ready to do some sewing, again.