Well it was a somber morning as I got myself ready for a day of driving, knowing I'll be leaving my family for 2 months. I helped get the kids dressed and ready for daycare, taking in this event so I can savour it over the next mornings to come! Hannah slept in as usual (as a great Princess should) but Evan was up nice and early jumping, raring to go, and proclaiming "It's a happy sunny day!". Loaded the kids in the truck with Mommy and took my extended hugs from Teresa as I waved and blew kisses to the kids on their way out the driveway. Evan shouted "Good luck, Daddy!", "thanks, I'll need it buddy!" as I said not knowing I'd be cashing in that luck later that day.
I hopped in the car, on my way with a few stops to start with.....Tim Horton's for a little breaky and a coffee, then gas up while it's cheap, 97.3c/l and a stop in Georgetown to see my parents. Dad just got out of the hospital with hip surgery, so checking to see how they are holding up and get him online with his laptop! All was great, just a little tired and Mom had things well in hand and under control (no doubt there!).
Headed south on the 401 to transit through the US and keep things on major hwys as I go. A few weeks ago Teresa said to leave early to account for any problems like weather or what not along the way.....Dad and my buddy Whyvess added to take the US routes to have major cities along the way, as I had planned to go along the north shore of Lake Superior for the gorgeous drive. Well as it turns out, the advice was free and taking it is proving to be priceless. While on Interstate 94 in Michigan the check engine light comes on.....the idiot light for some, me especially. A short time later, after I told myself 'yeah yeah, an O2 sensor or something', the Bonneville gets a little angry at me paying lip service to the steady incandescent bulb, it starts flash 'service engine soon' then starts chugging, sputtering and losing power. So you don't have to hit me too hard over the head with a rubber mallet to get me to pull over now. So I oblige to the flashing incandescent bulb this time, find a car pool parking lot and check things out, since I am a guy after all. Well I think I narrow it down and use one of my saves and 'phone a friend' Trent Hunter. We go through scenarios, this guy being a 3800 (my type of engine) specialist..... well at least more so than me.....we finally concluded it's a catalytic converter or the muffler is clogged somewhere. With the evidence in front of us, that is the logical issue. So still no idea where I am, I walk over to a tow truck at the other end of the parking lot and notice a church across the hwy called the Kalamazoo First Church....mystery solved, I'm in Kalamazoo MI. Get the low down of the area from the driver with a place to stay and a Muffler Man to go to first thing in the morning!!!
The Marriott is nice, friendly and honours military rates....score! Call home and give the rest of the story to Teresa and talk to the kids. I was on the speaker phone and treated to the sweet sounds of the kids enjoying bath time!!! It was the right therapy I needed at this point!!! We all chatted for a while then said good night. Watch the tube for a bit then off to bed for a big day of travels.
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