HARRIMAN, TN - - Patience, dear reader, as I don't usually go on and on, but we packed enough into one day to warrant a full explanation.
We're 300 miles down the road from an unforgettable Wednesday. Early Wed. morning as we got ready to leave where we were staying our new van battery failed.
Challenge number one was to find a cell signal, since where we were staying was in a cell phone signal dead zone. A quarter mile walk uphill solved that and AAA was on the way. Luckily, the AAA guy was reasonably local and found us. We got a 'jump' and directions to the nearest auto supply store which replaced the dead battery since it was under warranty.
Challenge number two: Then, I got a phone call from a buddy who had gone by our house to tell us the air conditioner decided to call it quits. We gave him the phone number of the AC guy we use; he called and set up a visit to check it out. Later in the day, I got a text that it was fixed.
Challenge number three: As we were driving down I-40 happily thanking our good luck that the battery problem cost us nada an engine warning light came on announcing an electrical problem. Just then, Lydia spotted a VW dealership. We pulled off at the next exit and found our way to the dealer.
We sat down to await the verdict on how bad things might be. I had my MacBook Pro computer out and was surfing the internet. Soon another couple joined the clan in the waiting room. The husband noticed that my computer case is covered with stickies from our travels.
AND NOW THE REAL STORY BEGINS: I like to engage in conversation with new folks we meet. As we chatted, we swapped business cards (mine with my blog address; his with his business info) Since Lydia and I hoped to be heading West as soon as the van problem was fixed, the gentleman offered us an invitation to come on by and spend the night should we come back through the area.
Challenge number four: A short time later the VW service manager came by to inform us we needed a new alternator and all the fixins'. And that it would need to be ordered so that the soonest it could be fixed would be Thursday.
I, half jokingly, mentioned we wouldn't be leaving so soon. "Well come on by, we have plenty of room and we enjoy company," said my friend as his wife looked on like this a normal occurence. "Oh, and we have four kids...and a dog."
We had a great time; enjoyed the kids...the dog, Winston, was beyond friendly...Christian and Marcia went out of their way to make us feel welcome. It was hard to leave.
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